Originally Posted By Osmani I have ressies at POR March 11-19. I called to try and upgrade to WL. I checked on the wesite and it says it is available. Disney Travel on the phone (you have to call to modify) says no, it's not available. They tell me the computer will only inform me of that when I try to pay. I say that makes no sense. So I get off phone and try, guess what? It tells me Grand Floridian and a few others are not available as soon as I do a query. But WL and some other still available. I call again, same stuff, not available and I also try Polynesian and Contemporary, no vacancy. I have a buddy call and ask about a new ressie same dates at Wl and Polynesian and they say sure, give us your deposit. What the freak? I call back and tell them, no explanation but some hints I am being dishonest, just more blubbering and finally the "well, it's Orlando Sprink Break, it's crowded". What??? Orlando Spring Break, those people are already in Orlando??? Why do they need an overpriced hotel??? No explanation. What is going on? Is it the retard shift at night or something? I know for a fact when the website indicates there is no vacancy, it says there is vacancy at several deluxe hotels including WL, friend calls and they offer to sell WL, I call to upgrade and they swear no vacancy. I am willing to pay, why would they care? Anyone have a clue? I can't just call and cancel and re-book because I have air fare and can't risk losing that but I know they are full of it. By Disney travel I mean the official WDW resort number you get from their website, not some private company. ANy suggestions? Any WDW employees out there who can explain anonymously, please?
Originally Posted By Kennesaw Tom Your complaint is the reason why I get liquored up before calling Disney resevations. Everytime you call you get a different story. If I were you I would not give up hope. If your heart is set on WL then keep trying. I know that Disney resevations has a very eleborate call center. Their main call center is in Orlando in Lake Buena Vista. I think that call center keeps 9am to 5 pm hours. After hours calls ring over to somewhere out west ( Nebraska? ) to a call center operated by Continental Airlines which also handles the overflow during the day. I would think that both call centers are looking at the same computer screens thus vacancies, just can't guarantee that.
Originally Posted By typhoonCM Go ahead and call the DRC again but ask for guest relations (if you need a manager's name, ask for matthew or shelly). Though looking at it right now it does appear to be fairly booked up. With the amount of bookings and cancellations for that particular week rooms tend to open and close real quick. Literally in a matter of 10 minutes 50 rooms can open and 80 can close. That's why it seems you get different info all the time.
Originally Posted By Osmani DRC is the 407 number off my reservation confirmation sheet right? Someone who used to work for Disney (stinks she does not anymore, no more discout for me) told me the problem may be that since I made my reservation in 05 that they need to look under the 06 rates or it will always come up full as it defaults to look for 05 rates, does that make anysense?
Originally Posted By typhoonCM hm...... yes and no... Could be the issue but looking in folios the codes should still be the same i think. I would just call (and yes it would be the 407 on your sheet) and like I said, ask for guest relations and the manager here today is shelly.
Originally Posted By Osmani Thanks, finally had a chance to call. Spoke to Guest Relations and whatever the problem was they fixed it, maybe it was the codes as that was the first thing I mentioned, maybe not, who knows. Got a bunk bed with a queen woods view room, which I prefer over the courtyard which for some reason most people don't so the courtyard view is mroe expensive. Kids will be happy and so will my wife now that she won't be in a hotel with doors facing to the outside.
Originally Posted By RoadTrip Glad things worked out for you. I book rooms with Disney World, but I would NEVER use Disney Travel. Yes, they are two different things. Disney Travel handles it if you want airfare etc. in your package. If you are just looking for lodging and book the other stuff yourself (I do), just use Disney World. Disney Travel has really harsh policies concerning prepayment and cancellation. The standard terms booking through WDW are much better.
Originally Posted By LuvDatDisney Actually, Disney has only two call centers. One in Orlando, one in Tampa. The Orlando one is in a non-descript business park very close to Universal Studios. You wouldn't know what it was unless you looked very closely. They had an overflow center in Kansas City that was really for the Disney Catalog but that was just closed as the Internet took away most of their sales thru DisneyShopping.com. And call DRC three times and you're bound to get three different answer, and likely three different 'tudes to go along with them. They are hiring non-stop as they can't keep people due to their quota system where quality guest service has been replaced with a SELL, SELL, SELL mentality. Two of our local radio stations are running spots virtually every hour trying to get bodies to come work at the call centers.
Originally Posted By Kennesaw Tom Actaully RoadTrip I found Disney Travel to be very accomidating while I was booking my last trip. I booked a room so I only paid for one night. Then called five days in advance of getting there and upgraded my one room to "keys to the world" and paid for all nights and park passes. I found them to be very helpful. LuvDatDisney you are correct Disney does have two of their own resevation centers one in Orlando ( wasn't sure where, I just assumed it was on property ) and one in Tampa. With overflow utilizing Contenintal Airlines resevation Center.
Originally Posted By Kimrue <<Is it the retard shift at night or something>> This is an interesting choice of words and I'm surprised you haven't been pounced on yet for them...personally I Know you are clearly joking, but just to forewarn you this is the kind of wording that steers an otherwise good topic into a tailspin of negativity. It's happened to me. Just be careful... I agree with you about everything you've said. I really don't understand the mentality behind not being able to book a hotel that is clearly still available...Perhaps you should've tried to do the switch online?
Originally Posted By typhoonCM Actually the one in Kansas City just closed down, however there is still one open in salt lake city. And occasionally if the call volume here is extremely large, EPCOT guest relations will assist too (in a limited capacity). And even if you look closely at the outside of the building you wont be able to tell. No where on the building does the DRC have any insignia or signage of any type.
Originally Posted By Kennesaw Tom Glad to hear from you typhoonCM. Thanks for your input. I have only been impressed lately with Disney's call centers.
Originally Posted By Osmani Actually, as to choice of words perhaps I was a bit insensitive, i'll try not to use that word and why don't you try not bring it up when someone clearly uses it without evil intent? I had problems with call center last year and I had to get guest relations.
Originally Posted By RoadTrip <<Actaully RoadTrip I found Disney Travel to be very accomidating while I was booking my last trip. I booked a room so I only paid for one night.>> I'm sure they are very accommodating. I just thought that their pre-payment and cancellation policies were rather stringent. Booking through WDW you only need to pay for one night at the time you make your reservation. The rest of your lodging charge will be paid at checkout. My understanding is that with Disney Travel the entire amount must be paid something like 30 days before your trip. My information could be outdated -- since I've been in DVC I haven't dealt with reservations very much. If this is no longer true, please let me know.
Originally Posted By Labuda YOu actually only pay a one night deposit and the rest on checkout if you book room only, Trippy. You do the deposit & payment in full 21 days out if you book a package of any type.
Originally Posted By RoadTrip ^^^ Thanks for the info. I always book room only -- I tried a Disney package once about 10 years ago and didn't think it was a good value. I know some people really like them though, so I'm not trying to be critical of them.
Originally Posted By Kennesaw Tom We understand RoadTrip. What Labuda said is accurate. I booked a room only, then called five days before arrival and upgraded. Thus paying for everything five days in advance. I have to admit I find the pay up 30 days in advance a little annoying.
Originally Posted By Labuda Trippy - the packages are a MUCH better deal now than they used to be, especially if you do something like get free dining plan. Plus the ability to downgrade the ticket now is great, too - no more need to buy a 10-day ticket if you're staying ofr 10 days on a package deal.
Originally Posted By nats30 T he same thing happened to me a few years ago. I had ressies at all star sports and wanted POR. Was told not available. Called again and made a confirmed reservation for POR and then I called back after a few hours and cancelled all star sports.
