2 weeks to AKL and I got a call!

[tink2]

My brother- who has three hotel rooms in his name for our trip- got a call yesterday from AKL. A message was on his machine saying we were past due on our payment and owed over $2000 for the rooms. Now, we paid our deposit long ago- which was not that much. Are we supposed to pay for the entire room 2 weeks before we even go? Well, he tried to call back last night. THe computers were messed up- of course- and they couldn't even find our confirmation number. After 25 minutes, they finally found it but the call got disconnected- my brother was on a business trip and was on his cell phone- so maybe that's what was wrong. Anyway, he is calling back today. Has anyone else had this happen??? We've never paid for a hotel room before arrival!

 

[Feralpeg]

It depends on how you booked the room. If you booked through Disney Travel, I believe you have to be paid in full 2 weeks prior to your trip. If you book through CRO, you pay at checkin. At least that is what I've always found.

 

[tink2]

We booked through Disney Club, which is what we've done twice before. We've always paid at check-in. But, if it is 2 weeks ahead- we are still 15 days away. How could we be late? I'm anxious to find out what is up!

 

[gduvall]

A package booked thru Disney Club requires 21 day advance payment, booked thru Disney Travel is 45 day advance payment. If resv. is room only, then just a deposit is due until you check-in.

 

[tink2]

The reservation is room only, meaning only a deposit until check- in. That's the way it has always worked. I'm just worried- them saying we're late on our payment makes me nervous!

 

[gduvall]

We have booked what we thought were room only, but found out they added either tickets to Wide World of Sports or Mini Golf tickets, thus making our resv. a package, and full payment was due 21 days in advance. I would call immediately to find out to get this straighten out. You don't want them canceling your resv.

 

[tink2]

OK- I can breathe now. Just talked with my brother. We are staying at AKL because we had reservations at POFQ which is now closed. After being disconnected a couple of times last night and many long periods of waiting to talk to nobody- a CM finally called him back today. The CM said that all upgrades had to be paid 21 days in advance. Not sure if they told my brother this or it was their mistake- there was A LOT of confusion when POFQ closed. ANYWAY- all that matters now-we have 3 rooms that are paid and we have 15 days to wiat!!!

 

[LvsTnk]

Glad it worked out!! Relax now and get ready for an awesome trip

 

[dianeschlicht]

Have a great trip, and glad it worked out!

 

[justhat]

Even though you have everything straightened out, I just thought I'd let you know that the policy that all upgrades must be paid 21 days in advance is not true. We went to AKL 10/15-10/20 because we too were booked for POFQ and upgraded because of the renovations. We paid our deposit only and paid the balance at check-in. We called to modify the dates and they told us we owed money and we told them we didn't and that we had a confirmation saying we didn't owe anything, etc. and they insisted we owed I think it was $18. We paid that fee since they said they'd cancel the reservation otherwise, but the remainder we paid at check-in without a problem.

 

[gillybean]

I'm really glad I saw this post. I've just received confirmation from Disney that they have applied an AAA discount to my AKL deluxe savannah rooms booking for June next year. As a member of the AA in England we can also get this discount. When I made the original booking through CRO the CM asked for a deposit of $429.28 (rate per room/per night) and told me that the remainder of the balance would be payable at check in.
According to the confirmation I have received today adding the AAA discount has turned by "room only" booking into a "package" and I have to pay the balance 21 days before arrival. Can someone let me know whether I should just accept this or whether I should be querying this with Disney.
I'm hoping to add an AP discount to this booking if and when I can but as I'm a complete novice at this any advise would be greatly appreciated

 

[tink2]

Wow- I wish Disney would get their facts straightened out! The inconsistencies with rules are crazy! I'll have to get home to check the confirmation and see what it actually says! I don't like paying for something before I even get there. Oh well, at least it is settled- I hope- and I can focus on our trip!!!

 

[MKFan-PR]

Maybe I can shed some light:

If you booked through Disney Club, and your confirmation number has 8 digits, then you booked through Walt Disney Travel Company (WDTC). Their deposit/payment rules are:

-$200 deposit ($100 for Disney Club) within 14 days of the reservation.
-The remaining balance 45 days prior to check-in (21 days for Disney Club).

Even if you booked a 'room only' reservation, for WDTC ALL reservations are packages, thus the deposit rules (a room-only reservation is a 'Basic Plan')

If your confirmation number has 12 digits, then you booked through Central Reservations Office (CRO). Their deposit/payment rules are more flexible:

-One night's deposit within 14 days of the reservation
-The remaining balance on check-in.

For more details, visit Mary's mousesavers site (great source for info and discounts!):
http://www.mousesavers.com/disneyresorts.html#roomonly

When you call for reservations, if you want the flexible rules, you must state specifically that you want your reservations through 'Central Reservations'. Otherwise, in most cases, you'll automatically get WDTC (note when they answer, that most every time they say 'Walt Disney Travel...'). I have my reservation through CRO, but I've called through Disney Club and made changes to it without problems. As soon as they see the confirmation number they know how to handle it.

Now, relax and enjoy. You're almost there!

 

[>>^..^<<]

Does it not say on your confirmation when the balance is due?

Looks like everyone is getting different stories and the only way to be safe is full payment at the time of booking! sheesh.

>>^..^<<

 

[gillybean]

Thanks for the advise. Checked my confirmation has 12 digits which should be subject to CRO rules. Phoned Disney and asked them why my CRO booking had to be paid 21 days before arrival.......... A very nice CM called Virginia checked with Guest Relations who have confirmed that I don't have to pay up until check in. Phewwww!
I'd also like to say thanks to Noel's mom. My family here in the UK have read your posts and web page with great interest Now we are booked to go to the AKL resort next May and we just can't wait!!!