I was just told CRO doesn't exsist anymore!!!

[q21701]

I just got off the phone to find out about AP rates and got horrific news instead. I asked to be transferred to CRO as always and the represenative told me that CRO doesn't exsist anymore and that today is they merged disney travel company and CRO. He also told me that AP rates were posted and then pulled to make some changes. And that no AP reservations for september were booked today. I'm going to call again now to confirm this info.

[Susiesnowflake]

Please keep us posted. I'm curious about any changes to the cancelation policy if CRO was infact phased out.

[q21701]

Ok, second call. Got some more info. There are currently 3 types of reservation specialasts now. CRO, disney travel company, and reps that have access to both. They are currently training people to operate the software for the combined system. So a few reps have access to both systems. Eventually when they are done training people there will be only one system and one set of travel agents. The first person I talked to had access to both systems, so for him, CRO doesn't exsist. The second person I talked to is currently CRO only but will be trained soon on the dual system. She also said, to the best of her knowledge, that cancelation policies will remain the same for room only bookings and package bookings. But keep in mind she has not been trained on the new system yet. Hope this helps anyone who got the same answer I did. PS she also said AP rates for sept appeared for a breif period today and then were pulled for changes.

[Cleokitty]

Earlier today when I called to check on AP rates, I was told that the cancellation policy for room only reservations was going to become the same as for packages--45 days out. Was told that inside of 45 days, room only reservations that cancel would lose their one night deposit. If you wanted to change w/in that 45 days, you could upgrade (to a higher price) with only a $10 change fee but if you downgraded (to a lower price resort) there would also be a $50 fee on top of the $10 fee.

The CM said Disney is trying to discourage room only reservations but that they will still be available.

Kim

[polyfan]

Personally, I don't like the packages, and always book a room only. We buy the 7 dayPHP- we have been going 2x a year which we get use of the tickets because we don't use all the days the first trip. We split our days 3/4 park, 2 water park, then some pool days each time. Booking a package would cause me to stop going twice a year, therefore in the end WDW would be losing out on the money I would normally have spent on the resort and food during the second visit.

[DebbieB]

Was told that inside of 45 days, room only reservations that cancel would lose their one night deposit.

That is ridiculous! Where else in the travel industry do you lose your deposit on a room that far out? For an expensive room, that could be alot of money. I could see a small fee but not one night's room rate, not that far out. Doesn't WDTC charge $100 from 6 to 44 days?

[Puffy2]

For Goodness Sakes!

Disney is the only place I know of that can make making a simple room reservation a horrific ordeal.

We KNOW their stadegy ; confuse the customer into paying too much. :rolleyes:

[susy]

So I guess that if discounts come out within the 45 days, you will be charged for either upgrading or downgrading-what a racket!

Ap holders and Fl residents will be "driven" offsite!

[thessaly]

I read something similar on usenet a few weeks ago, saying that old CRO-style terms would be phased out by the end of the year.

I've got to admit, I'll have to really rethink my Disney resorts at that point, it doesn't seem very reasonable.

For what it's worth, the Universal resorts don't do this nonsense.

[Purrrrfecta]

I have to agree with you, thessaly! Disney is really pushing this too far! I understand that their profits are not at where they want them to be, but this is outrageous.

I had a not so wonderful time during xmas. Felt like the "magic" had slipped away from them.
If this is the case I will not stay on their property.

[honeymo78]

These changes in the reservation policies seem to coincide with the changes rumored about the PS system. Perhaps then this will make it easier for all guests on property (perhaps with the exception of DVC) to get the early PS

[dejr_8]

Don't be mad at Disney...

We all do it. We reserve a room at rack rates and then when the discounts come out we change the orginal reservation. But don't you realize that Disney sets the discount rates (AP ,etc) based on the number of available rooms.

So Disney sets a discount rate to attract additional guests but then we all change our original reservations using the discounted rate. In the end, Disney doesn't attract new guests it just gets the same guests at a lower price (i.e. lower profit)

For comparison. Look at Movie Theaters that charge a lower price for matinees. If people stopped going to movies at night and only went in the afternoon do you think the theaters would keep the price low for matinees? NO they would raise the price. This is simple microeconomics.

Disney has changed the rules.

[kimmie]

Oh Boy! What does that do to reservations already made for 2004? I have paid my 1 night deposit (with CRO) and am planning to pay the balance at check-in. Will I have to pay all of it 45 days prior? Will they send me a notification of this change? I am really starting to worry about all the changes they are making.

[SueEllen]

I don't think you need to worry. Even if the CRO system is gone, they will still have the "room only" reservations where you pay at check-in. I cannot imagine that this would change to a pre-pay system for room only reservations (although I know they do offer basic packages without tickets that have the pre-pay now)

I really believe that you will not notice a difference in the room only reservations.

Sue Ellen

[q21701]

I agree, that was the impression that I got from both represenatives I spoke with today. However both reps gave me different answers regarding the cancelation policy. I am almost afraid to get a straight answer from more than one rep. All that we can hope for is that disney montiors our opinions on this board and uses some common sense when re-writing their cancelation policies.

[KIS]

I'm planning my first WDW vacation for my family for April 24- May 2, 2004.

I stumbled onto the disboards and have appreciated the discussions because I've plodded along, an early bird, I suppose, by many people's standards. I anticipate a rather jam-packed period of work and professional development in the fall and winter and so I have been making thoughtful decisions about how to plan our family fun vacation this summer.

It's rather unappealing to find only a month or so after I've begun planning that WDW has made so many significant changes all at once. First I learn about the FASTPASS is/may be altering, then the PS is/may be altering, and now this CRO and "room only" policies will alter, too. It's a bit of a turn off, frankly. I wonder how many more significant surprises are coming before my vacation and whether it's worth it to pursue vacations at a place that change policies so often. I've got no experience to go on, but I find it rather confusing and the implications are still uncertain.

I know it's too early to really tell how room onlys will be handled, how the PS reservations will be handled, and even how the FASTPASS will change, but I don't like considering that these policies will be ironed out all the while before my first trip, possibly even while I can't pursue being all that well-informed.

Is WDW really hurting so much as to discourage room only reservations? Are they discouraging early booking and people being happy with options for planning vacations?

I'm feeling turned off, like some others have mentioned. Is this sort of mode of conducting business common with WDW?

KIS

[P'colaFla]

Hey Q21701! Your going the same time that we are...cool. 46 more days for us too....so excited. Thanks for the CRO update. Sometimes I think that we "DISboard" members have to try to keep Disney on their toes. Don't ya just love these boards?

[dkostel]

Wouldn't discouraging room only reservations be the same as discouraging APs? And if you discourage APs aren't you discouraging people from taking that second trip to get their money's worth & filling rooms. It makes no sense, I'm only getting the AP for the room discount but already I'm dreaming of a Spring trip and will probably do it just because the park entrance is already paid for.

Donna

[cindala]

Originally posted by Cleokitty

The CM said Disney is trying to discourage room only reservations but that they will still be available.

Kim

If they want to encourage packages, then they had better keep coming up with Fairy Tale deals!:teeth: Otherwise, it's room only for me!


:sunny::bounce: :Pinkbounc :bounce: :Pinkbounc :bounce: :sunny:

[SnackyStacky]

dejr_8,

That theory would work if Disney's profit margin was reasonable. But because they have SO many rooms to fill, and simply can't fill them all year, the rates are astronomical.

Your thinking's along the same lines as Disney's: thinking only of the bottom line. If nothing else were taken into consideration, you'd be absolutely right. However, when you take into account the dissatisfaction that MANY loyal guests will feel, it doesn't look so good. How many people in this thread have already mentioned staying off property?

As for me, I was planning on booking my honeymoon now, and applying AP discounts later, simply because I can't get AP discount rates now. And while they don't specifically say in their legalese that hotel discounts are a perk, it's definitely one of the selling points. And unless I'm mistaken, Florida residents are offered a completely different pass than those from other states. Not everybody has the luxury to take a last minute trip, and by offering the discounts the way they do....it's just pretty crummy.

And to those of you who have booked a reservation with CRO, keep your confirmation! The cancellation policy should be printed on it. I haven't seen one, so I can't verify, but unless it specifically says that they can change the terms at any time and without prior notification, they HAVE to abide by what they printed on your receipt.

[Tinkbell]

Honestly, I have never seen a business as confusing as the Disney reservation system. 50 of us could call at the same time and get 50 different answers. Unbelievable.:rolleyes: I'm booking room only unless they come up with another FTP. I'll gladly change over to package then, but they will not rip me off!:D

[johnnyr]

Tinkbell - I agree, and it’s getting worse instead of better. The people they are putting on the front lines to sell are just not as knowledgeable as in the past. Heck, I feel as I know more than some when I call. I find myself calling back three and four times before I get someone that really “cares” about helping me with my reservations. I’ve never had the problems I have experienced recently with making a reservation by phone or just requesting a quote. It’s bad enough with all of this talk about CRO being phased out, and AP holders (myself included) being neglected, but they need to have positive, professional people on the phones, and a decent offerings to repeat customers. It’s getting way too confusing. Who knows, maybe they want it that way. Part of a Disney vacation is the planning. I really enjoy looking at the various options that were available in the past. Now, with the packages they are offering (if they continue), I’m not so sure it is even worth being an AP holder. Friends of ours are DVC members, and they were upset that the FTP was a better deal than what they were able to get. It was actually cheaper for them to book the FTP than use their points! You would think that Disney would want to keep their loyal customers happy, but with the recent events, I’m starting to doubt it.


John

[FloridaCat]

I booked a two night stay room only at WL for 9/12 this Monday. I got my confirmation today and the cancellation terms are the same, 5 day notice to cancell. This is my second trip as I was just there 7/7.

They go to package deals only for FL Residents, then they put me back off site and a lot better restaurants.
SW & US will jump on this when they get wind of it. One year SW gave us a free AP and when we had out of state visitors, it was SW baby.

It's their call

[Choppertester]

DW just called to make a room only reservation for 1 Jan to 8 Jan and asked for CRO specifically. The CM that answered stated that they are all merged now and CRO doesn't exist. Booking a room requires a deposit of $200 US immediately by credit card followed by FULL!!!!! payment 45 days in ADVANCE of check-in.

Cancellation fees and change fees apply. No more cancel up to five days before with no fee & no more 1 night only deposit.

Packages are no good to us. Being from Canada they usually have from Oct 15 to Mid May buy one 7-day park hopper get the the second one at 50% off. They also have Canadian-at-par for the room as well from time to time.

Also, we need a room with a roll in shower. You can't get that type of service through a TA or on-line, you have to book directly. Also if you make a ressie though a TA and they @#$^ up Disney won't talk to you, you have to go through the TA (This has happened to us with CAA Travel).

Should we keep calling to get someone in the know?

What are our chances of having open rooms the 1st week of January if we wait until mid November to book?

Cheers,

Chopper

[SnackyStacky]

Folks, keep trying. Call and request CRO, and if you can't get someone, try again.

Their website is booking using CRO policies. (1 night for deposit, cancellation 6 days prior to arrival for full refund....it doesn't mention anything about changes, and when balance is due, however)

I don't doubt there could be an error in the online booking information, but try again on the phone.

And in the meantime, E-Mail Disney World and tell them everything you're posting here. If you plan to stay off-site, let them know, and tell them why!

[DebbieB]

I would ask for a supervisor next time you call.

[johnnyr]

I have received the "I can do both" answer from a number of CM's when asking for CRO. Also have been getting, "I can help you" (with an attitude) a lot. I've lost all trust in the booking process. I feel like it's a bother to them anymore. Do you trust answers like these, or do you insist on speaking with CRO?


John

[Choppertester]

U'r right, their own web site still has the 6 day policy if you book on-line. DW will try again after supper.

Another thing. When you call the automated answer asks you to key in your phone number (for file call up I assume) and then how many nights you want to stay. This time we'll say 1 night instead of 7 to stay away from any package sellers at WDTC (thats if they use it that way).

We're booked for 3 nights at Dolphin (29, 30 & 31 Dec) and it was looking as if we would have to extend our stay there. Lost $$$ for Disney!!!

Thanx

Chopper

[FloridaCat]

All in one week this is amazing. Like I said, I paid one night deposit and rest due at check in, the same conditions I had when I stayed on site in early July and same cancellation policy. I compared both confirmations and both are the identical. Still you get an entirely different story.

You know Off site Hotels are monitoring all this and have got to be laughing themselves sick. They also will be waiting for the dust to settle and make their move.

It is curious to me due to the fact they are rehabbing rooms, adding rooms and opening new resorts that they can’t seem to get their act together. Coupled with the PS fiasco you wonder who is minding the store and signing off on some of this stuff.

With the Sports Complex bust, ABC with its concerns, Epcot never hitting its potential, the WD=Paris problems, it appears someone better get a hand on the tiller before the good ship Disney hits a rock.

[thessaly]

For what it's worth, I got AKL with "old style" deposit/cancel terms just a few days ago, like this:

"Hello, I have my dates and resort picked out, but I cannot make the reservation right now unless I can pay the balance on check-in."

That did the trick.

I didn't say anything about CRO.

[q21701]

Does anybody have the e-mail address of the reservation customer service. I think its time for me to vent a bit in the right spot.

[Choppertester]

Must have been the same guy/gal who had the brain far_ about cancelling early entry only to have to bring it back to encourage resort reservations.

If your rooms are empty, and are worried about clients cancelling reservations or changing reservations to get a better deal why perturb new clients with draconian ressie policies.

I know what happened...

Disney Cruise Lines now has the 6 day cancellation policy. Darn, that memo from the "bean counter" got sent to the wrong e-mail address.
:jester:

Cheers

Chopper

[Lisa3]

This is all very frustrating. I am a Disney stockholder and I really do want Disney to make money. However, I agree that there seems to be no rhyme or reason to some of their outrageous policies. With all the "brains" running this company it would seem to me that the light would have gone off in someone's head that if you keep your loyal clientele happy they will in turn bring in more business by word of mouth alone (very cheap advertising).

Disney resort rack rates are among the highest I have ever seen. Even with a 45% off AP rate you are paying the same amount as in many other four star hotels. This really is only a small portion of what you are ultimately spending on your Disney vacation. Once you are there they have a captive audience. You will buy park passes, eat at their restaurants, buy souveniers, etc., etc., etc. I know if I get a "good deal" on my room I certainly am more likely to buy that extra something my kids just can't live without. Also, with more lenient cancellation policies, families will be more comfortable making early reservations. There are alot of variables when traveling with children.

If they insist on promoting only package deals they might as well do away with APs. There will be no benefit to having one and people will not feel compelled to take that second or third trip to the same place they just visited. Let's be honest, I love Disney but I want my kids to realize that the "magic" comes from being with their family and exploring new things together. There are many places in this world that can be magical.

[FloridaCat]

A major business mistake in my judgment is to have several different pricing lists for the same product. The Airline industry has had hard times, but a large majority of it they brought on themselves with the completely unintelligible pricing programs. There is not one of us that has flown that we did not wonder what the person next to us paid.
This forced people back into the car just as much as any other reason. You only have to spend some time on the transportation thread to bear this out.

There is no way you can provide perk for one set of consumer, AP, DVC and not offend another. Disney needs to establish a fair price for their resorts, based on their seasons and profit margin and let it go at that. They gain in the long run as more customers for the resort dining, gift shop, and food courts.

If they feel a need to entice more customers, it should be done through the pricing of park tickets. The Florida Play 4 did more to get us locals back to the parks then any thing they have done for years, It should not be by offering “package deals” that no one really understood what they were getting and no sure way of costing it out.

Sure they love package deals, why wouldn’t they? You book months, years in advance and they make more off using your money then they do on the package.

[q21701]

With the way the discounts and reservation policies work, I feel like I'm dealing with the typical used car sales-silmball. I can't understand why they seem to be using a "buyer beware" service policy. Where's the Disney magic in the Disney resorts? Good customer service is a pet peve of mine, because I strive to meet and exceede my customers expecations every time. I can't comprehend running a buisness that has several different rate structures and several different policies depending upon whom you speak with!:mad:
If they are going to deliver on being a magical place, you would think you would start with great and accomaditing policies and outstanding customer service. You cant have a good buisness without them. They seem to have forgotten that.

I was always told to meet the customers expectations and then go one step further. They really need to think about their customers first before their bottom line. Thats the reason they are in buisness in the first place. To serve the customer!

[Sunshine2U]

In hopes that this thread is indeed monitored by Disney...

I can say with complete honesty that we would not have spent 4-nights at BC over Spring Break at rack rate, nor would we be returning for 3-nights at CR this month, if a 45-day cancellation policy was in place. As soon as I heard the cancellation policy, I would say no thank you. There are too many variables in our lives not to be able to cancel without penalty if something comes up. Period.

Listening to everyone figure out CRO vs. whatever is what set my mind to using Dreams Travel. I get my room-only ressies with 5-day cancellation, my room requests, PS ressies, all I need. I realize that the changes that we are discussing today will probably affect everyone including the travel services (who BTW should quit pushing Disney if it's not a fair deal for their clients) but for now, I don't have to deal with the headache of uninformed, sometimes inpolite, and always confusing ressies through WDW.

[PamNC]

Disney is about to loose a LOYAL Disneyphile. I'm about sick of it. Does anyone care if I vent?

Okay - 45 day out. Ridiculous! I can't do that. It's impossible. My husband is self-employed and sometimes we'll have to cancel. It hasn't happened very often but it has happened. And, it can be a week or two notice is all we have. i don't like packages.

We have been going 2x a year (most years anyway, went 3x one year) since 1994 when we honeymooned at WDW. Packages aren't good for me and my husband because we don't visit the parks every single day. and, we don't do water parks. We either buy 5 day passes, or APs. I'm very upset about this and I am about to the point of becoming an x-disney frequent guest. Believe, nobody had enjoyed or loved disney more than me and my husband. When we were first married and didn't have much $$, my husband worked 3 jobs so we could take our trip. Well, now we have more $$, and they are this close to losing us.

You can't go to a nice restaurant anymore for less than $100. We use to get out for $60-$80 which was fine. But, I'm not that comfortable paying $100 a night for a nice meal. Dining is one of the things we've always looked forward to on our vacation.

The ticket prices have gone up! It's getting crazy.

here's a comparison for you - in 1996 we booked a package - 7 nights/8 days at CBR. Guess how much? $1,050.00. Then, we discovered that we could do better booking room only and buying tickets or AP's separately. For years our vacation ran $2,000 - $2,500 (we stay at Deluxe but have never paid rack rate). Now, we can't get out for less than $3,000.00. And that's pushing it.

Sorry to vent - but this is about the last straw. I love Disney too and I'll bet I'll get backlash but I had to get this off my chest.

PamNC

[SnackyStacky]

No backlash here Pam.

Take your post, copy it into an E-Mail and send it to Disney. Let them know that they're about ready to lose you.

I agree 100% with everything you've said.

[Choppertester]

Took your advice and tried calling again.

This time we were cut off twice but each time we called we keyed in two nights instead of seven and each of the three times we got someone with the CRO policies (1 night deposit, 6 days prior cancellation). Went ahead and made romm only ressies for 7 nights.

That may be the ticket to avoid getting directed to a WDTC travel rep with the $200 up front, in full 45 days prior policy.

Makes sense. Can't charge a $200 deposit for a one or two night $70/per night AS stay even if they merge WDTC and CRO. At least for now.

Cheers chopper

[crusoe2]

PamNC, you won't get any flaming from me. You said some of the things I've been thinking. At this point I'm not sure it will make any difference to us what they eventually do regarding CRO and WDTC. I'm sick of all the inconsistency. I realize that they have to make changes from time to time due to rising costs, lower park attendence, etc. but there have just been too many changes the last couple of years and some have been with little or no warning. One of the things that got me hooked on going to Disney was the ease and enjoyment of planning the trip. Now there seems to be no point in planning in advance because so many things may be different by the time our trip actually rolls around.

As for the possibility of only being able to book thru WDTC with their current deposit and cancellation policies - well, that would definitely end our days of staying on-site. We, too, have children and jobs that may require us to cancel just a week or two before the trip. We simply cannot afford to risk losing hundreds of dollars if we have to cancel or change our trip plans. And we don't do packages because all the packages we've seen include LOS passes (or whatever they are calling them now). We buy parkhoppers because we usually take at least one day off from the parks. We have also had to leave early once or twice and had a child to get sick in the middle of one trip. For us, parkhoppers are the only sensible option. Besides, I honestly believe they make much more money off of us making return trips to use the rest of the days on our parkhoppers. I'm certain that some of our trips would never have been made if we'd had to buy packages each time.

And while I'm venting, does anyone else think that Disney needs to just go back and adjust their resort rates across the board? Of course I know it will never happen and I'm no economist or financial wizard, but it seems to me that if the only way they can fill their resorts is to release one discount deal after the other that maybe that means their rates are higher than the market can bear. I admit I'm stepping out on a limb with this one because this is not my area of expertise. But all these discount codes started way before 9/11 which leads me to believe that they have had trouble getting people to book at rack rate for quite a while.

I agree with others who have posted that they think Disney is only thinking about the bottom line. My bottom line, tho, is that if they make a Disney trip too difficult to plan (and even more expensive than it already is) we will have to choose other vacation destinations no matter how much we love the Disney parks.

[swilphil]

We stayed at the Dolphin last month. I booked my room through the Dolphin direct number and was given the 5 day cancellation option. Does anyone know if the Swan/Dolphin are changing their policies? If they are, can you book directly through Starwood (owners of Westin/Sheraton) and have the 5 day cancellation option?

To me, the Dolphin has all the benefits of a Disney deluxe for lots less money. The location is great and the staff wonderful. A lot of people have said that it doesn't have the "Disney Magic" but my family loved it.

[TravelPro]

You people need to stop getting so upset...everything posted on here is a lie. You need to get the facts straight. Disney CRO is not going away...the policy is still 5 days to cancel. They just implemented a new screen/program for the agents to use which has nothing to do with the way room only and packages are booked. When I read these messages it kills me because everyone gets so upset over nothing. Dont post something that is rumor or a lie. :smooth:

[crusoe2]

TravelPro, please don't take this the wrong way cause I don't mean to flame you. But many of us, myself included, have been given conflicting info by Disney CM's. And not just on this issue. Perhaps they are the ones who need to get their facts straight.

As for getting upset, I think for what it costs to go to WDW that it is not too much to ask that they be a little more consistent in the information that THEY release.

[eye R.N.]

When someone experiences something, it is their reality. Folks have been reporting their experiences. Calling them liars is far from helpful.

If you are a travel pro them maybe you should try to make some calls and see what you get .

If what these folks say is true (and I assume it is) IMHO you owe them an apology.

My personal experience with CRO has been similar. Some folks are great some folks are having a real bad day. Rooms/rates that were not available with one CM "magically" appear with another five minutes and one phone call later.

That is my reality, born over 30 room only reservations over 17 years.

[becka]

Well I just called about 4 hours ago to book our room only reservation at CSR for February 2004 and I had the same great experience that I always have.

When they answered the phone with WDTC I just told her that I needed to book a room only reservation with CRO. She told me that she could help me and we went from there. I was able to book 7 nights and get the 5 day cancellation policy (this is important with a young toddler - you never know when they will get sick).

CRO is at least there for now but no promises for tomorrow. ;)

[thessaly]

I have seen the information about CRO "going away" many places, not just here.

I find it hard to believe multiple people would be telling the same "lie" in so many places.

Being misinformed by CMs is not the same thing.

Choose your words carefully.

[KIS]

I've yet to go to WDW. The boards have been a tremendous boost to me with planning. I'm actually having fun weighing and considering, learning about the place, exploring.

I started planning this trip late June. I've been anxious with all the changes suddenly implemented in the month.

Having no experience, it seems to me like WDW is incredibly unpredictable when it comes to setting policies and procedures. I still don't know if this is the way they've always been or not. I don't know if it's worth hanging in there or not. Our trip is in April and I wonder how likely it is that they will continue periodic significant shifts with some more major policies in the middle of my plans or at the last minute, as I've seen some people have to bear out. I was enchanted a month ago, but now I'm not impressed. I don't know what to expect.

Naturally, we have only our experience to go with. I think it is poor business to constantly shift and reshift policies, to have staff be inconsistent, and to alter plans without grandfathering in those already set in motion, posed with their plans, on major changes in policy and procedures. It's hard for me to imagine WDW administration suffering financially as a result of our attendance. I've read here too that some of the lower rung employees have had some pretty nasty end to the WDW employment. That really does not impress me. I try to imagine me working the telephones with the decision-makers altering things around me right and left. You'd have to be a saint to stay calm and patient. We have a right to respectful, courteous, even helpful service, I know, but it seems like the problems are systemic. I also am no financial, business wizard, but I do object to the spur of the moment changes, to making so many significant changes all at once.

Like I said, I'm new to this planning. The boards have been a delight, including reading the venting. I think people have a right to their opinion and feelings.

I just wish some of you with more experience can tell me if WDW has always made such significant changes so willy-nilly. (The PS and CRO aspects of the planning seem significant to me) Or, is this the first time that you can remember that there's been so much inconsistency and so many spur of the moment, multiple changes in significant policies.

KIS

[crusoe2]

KIS, we've been going to WDW about once a year since 1998 - only about 5 years now. But, in my experience, they were pretty consistent up until about a year or so ago. I can't tell you specifically when each change occurred but in the last year or two I have seen the creation of a new character meal that was very popular (Villians at GF) and then done away with just a few months after it started, the loss of a character meal of any kind at WL, the early entry program done away with and then reinstated just a few months later but with new days for each park, the creation of annual passholder lounges in some of the parks - also done away with I believe, the new policy requiring a deposit for a PS at Cinderella's Royal Table (altho I think this is a good thing), and apparently they no longer allow guests arriving before opening time to enter the "main street" of each park like they have in the past. They also replaced the Magic Kingdom Club (which was free for most people) with the Disney Club which required a membership fee and now it's going to be done away with. I've also gathered from posts I've read on these boards and others that, in the past, Disney has been more consistent with the release of AP discounts and the timing for price increases. Now the word is that they may be doing away with CRO and its more lenient booking policies. Those of us who have been watching this for awhile know that many of the changes I mentioned also started out as unconfirmed rumors but they did happen. While they may have good reasons for some of these changes, all of these things can affect how we plan our trips. And with so many variables involved in planning a Disney trip it was very helpful to be able to rely on their policies and procedures. I hope that this period of so many transistions and changes will pass and things will settle back down but it sure isn't looking good right now. As I said tho, I have only been following this for the last 5 years - maybe someone who has been at it longer can give you a better perspective.

[D3sdoll]

Earlier today I called to make a reservation for Pop Century (December 14th -21st :bounce: ) and I asked to make a reservation through CRO because of knowledge from the boards (thanks to all of you) and they transfered me without a problem. I went ahead as usual.

We are very excited to have gotten the new resort with the same cancellation policies as before because we are both self-employed and life changes sometimes (considering this will be our first trip :bounce: with a prior cancellation).

Have a great day!!!

Telia

[KIS]

crusoe2:

I appreciate your report. I've noticed how the changes will fluctuate because I've read a little bit about the CRO, the PS, and understand that the AP status and the CRT reservations have altered. The rest was all new to me.

Well, I guess I'll just sit tight and see what happens, but I've lost my naivity, or something like that, about how pleasant this experience of planning the vacation is.... Who knows what will come down the pike.

I am in the camp that think it is very unappealing for a company that interfaces so much with the public and needs to please people to fluctuate so much and so often.

I was on the brink of inquiring about the AP status when this all broke out -- the PS and the CRO discussions. But, now I'm not pursuing that because who knows if I want to go back again and who knows if they'll discontinue something like that.....

KIS

[KIS]

Well, with the new PS policy announced and/or operative today, I was wondering if there has also been any update, change, announcement about the CRO today? Anyone know what's up?

KIS