Advice needed.

You don't have two weeks to pay your deposit to Disney. If AAA somehow holds it for you, they are holding it. I think that is the issue here as others have pointed out. If you call disney, they will not hold a room for you for two weeks. 200 dollars and air are due immediately, sometimes air can be held for 24 hours, but they don't even gurantee that.

With all due respect to EnnEss, you can get a two week hold on a reservation made through Disney. For example, if you choose to pay your deposit with a check, Disney will allow you 2 weeks to get payment mailed in. I've done this.

MsSpinShady
 
With all due respect to EnnEss, you can get a two week hold on a reservation made through Disney. For example, if you choose to pay your deposit with a check, Disney will allow you 2 weeks to get payment mailed in. I've done this.

MsSpinShady

You said you're mailing in a cheque. Thats quite different. Call disney and ask them to just hold it with no payment. That is what the OPs TA said was happening. Without asking or explaining circumstances to disney, they need the 200 bucks to hold it.

I'm sure if you win a free vacation you don't need to put down the deposit either, but neither your situation with a cheque, nor a free vacation is whats being discussed.
 
You said you're mailing in a cheque. Thats quite different. Call disney and ask them to just hold it with no payment. That is what the OPs TA said was happening. Without asking or explaining circumstances to disney, they need the 200 bucks to hold it.

I'm sure if you win a free vacation you don't need to put down the deposit either, but neither your situation with a cheque, nor a free vacation is whats being discussed.

Nope, same thing. I had a 2 week courtesy hold, and could pay my deposit however I chose too during that time period -- check, credit card or Pony Express. Disney DOES extend courtesy holds.

And the OP and her TA did not "call Disney and ask them to just hold it with no payment" -- she was specifically told she had 2 weeks to get her deposit in.

What's being discussed is the fact that AAA made the reservation with Disney and for some reason it was canceled (apparently by Disney) the same day.
 
No, I had until the 24th to pay the deposit. I am booked at POR at the moment and AAA will pay the extra money that WDW asked for. I wanted to stay at POFQ though, and I still think that Disney didn't do enough.

greenpea89 It wasn't AAA's fault. They showed me the printout that had my reservation on it. When my agent called Disney, they couldn't find it. I will call CRO myself and see where that gets me.

If AAA's paying the difference them my bet is it is their fault. This would not be the FIRST story like this. (They probably didn't show you the printout where they cancelled you>:rotfl2: )

I won't use AAA just because there are WAY too many stories like this and AAA always blames someone else. You are lucky they are doing ANYTHING to help, based on what I read here, that's not common!
 

You said you're mailing in a cheque. Thats quite different. Call disney and ask them to just hold it with no payment. That is what the OPs TA said was happening. Without asking or explaining circumstances to disney, they need the 200 bucks to hold it.

I'm sure if you win a free vacation you don't need to put down the deposit either, but neither your situation with a cheque, nor a free vacation is whats being discussed.

Actually Disney will do a 2 week curtosy hold. I am a travel agent & do it with Disney quite often for my clients. You get 2 weeks to pay the $200 deposit. The room is held, Disney should not/will not cancel it.

I have never had Disney cancel a curtosy hold on a reservation for any of my clients, ever...

OP, sorry there was some mix up with your reservation. It seems like your AAA agent is willing to pick up the extra, which is really great (travel agents are not paid a whole lot on reservations you know). Your agent should be calling Disney daily to try & get you back into the POFQ. There are always people who cancel.
 
It was my understanding that in order to get the Free Dining Plan, you had to pay your $200. deposit up front. I know I did but I also booked online so it has to be paid whether is was w/FD or not. :rolleyes1

Is it different if you us a TA?
 
I am a bit surprised that AAA is picking up the slack, though that's great of them. The res may have been made through AAA, but (from your description of the AAA agent's confusion) they were not the ones who cancelled it - Disney was, and they should be the ones working this out. I feel that it is completely unacceptable that they are asking you to pay a higher rate (even if AAA is covering the difference - AAA shouldn't have to if they didn't make the mistake!!). I'm a bit surprised that no one has offered you an upsell, honestly.

You are being forced to change your plans based on someone else's mistake, period. The truth is, I guess I wouldn't worry much about POFQ versus POR, but I do think you are entitled to something if you don't get what you should have had because someone screwed up.

You need to think about what you'd expect for compensation and make sure you state it very nicely, but very clearly. No one is going to offer you something - you need to ask, and the few times that I've done this, kindness goes a longer way than - um - you know, the opposite. As in, "I appreciate that you are trying to reaccomodate us, and thank you, but we are truly disappointed not to stay in POFQ, as this is what we'd been dreaming about. I feel that you could help us to feel a bit better about this situation by upgrading our passes to parkhoppers." That costs them very little, and it would probably go a long way to making you feel better about the situation.

Of course, the biggest problem here is that you have a TA stuck in the middle. You could express this desire to your TA, of course...

I am sure I'm going to get burned for saying this, but that's how I feel.
 
You don't have two weeks to pay your deposit to Disney. If AAA somehow holds it for you, they are holding it. I think that is the issue here as others have pointed out. If you call disney, they will not hold a room for you for two weeks. 200 dollars and air are due immediately, sometimes air can be held for 24 hours, but they don't even gurantee that.

Without the air though, that 200 bucks is due right now, thats the point. If you get room only, its one night due right away. I know you're not really believing this because I told you it frist thing yesterday and you disagreed, but others have said the same thing. The way to find out this being true or not is call Disney and try. I hate to say it, but you'll be disapointed to find out that your AAA agent ruined your vacation, not Disney.

*******************************
I agree completely with this. I have booked several WDW trips with a AAA TA and ALWAYS had to put the deposit down that day...not 2 weeks later. I have also booked my own directly with CRO...and same thing....$200 bucks..right up front. IMO, your AAA TA dropped the ball and is responsible for any add'l charges. Maybe the WDW CM could have been a bit nicer, but considering all the TA mistakes they are accused of creating....I can see their frustration! Plus I am not sure what your TA had in his hand ( bet it was just a pkg. quote) but confirmations are not rec'd until your deposit is made.
In the future, I would advise against assuming you have a reservation until the deposit is made.
 
I have booked several WDW trips with a AAA TA and ALWAYS had to put the deposit down that day...not 2 weeks later. I have also booked my own directly with CRO...and same thing....$200 bucks..right up front. IMO, your AAA TA dropped the ball and is responsible for any add'l charges. Maybe the WDW CM could have been a bit nicer, but considering all the TA mistakes they are accused of creating....I can see their frustration! Plus I am not sure what your TA had in his hand ( bet it was just a pkg. quote) but confirmations are not rec'd until your deposit is made.
In the future, I would advise against assuming you have a reservation until the deposit is made.

I have booked several WDW trips with same AAA agent and always paid my deposit later. I used the whole 2 weeks alloted twice. I asked about advice with WDW, not my AAA TA. I have experience in this matter. It was DISNEY that messed up, not the TA. I saw the reservation with my own eyes before he got on the phone. The only reason that he called was to take the trip insurance off and to send Disney a guarantee of payment because I paid with a check. I know what is going on. DISNEY let the room go back because they misinterpreted my booking date with my date that the room would be cancelled if they didn't recieve the deposit. All I am wondering is what should I ask for from Disney. My son really wants to stay at POFQ because we are from New Orleans and because of the pool. It has a sentimental meaning behind it. I will be truly dissapointed if we can't stay there.
One more thing. My TA has been a TA for 24 years and knows that I am a guaranteed commission for him every year. That's why AAA is willing to eat the extra money, because I have sent them business before and I am automatic business for them.
 
All I am wondering is what should I ask for from Disney. My son really wants to stay at POFQ because we are from New Orleans and because of the pool. It has a sentimental meaning behind it. I will be truly dissapointed if we can't stay there.

Well, I think you should make it very clear how you feel. Keep your head on and your temper well in check - be polite and kind, but firm, make a comment about the sentimental meaning and importance. Make it clear that you choose to spend vacation money with them every year, that you value Disney and appreciate the good treatment you've generally had with them - but be clear that this mistake - a careless one - has altered your plans in a way you're unhappy with. Make sure you tell them exactly what you want. They cannot make a room appear if one is not available - seems to me that you do not want another resort, period, so an upsell wouldn't make you feel better. If you think that the parkhoppers would improve your feeling about the situation, then ask for them. The worst case scenario is that you'll be right where you are now.

Argh, just said all that....but you're going through the TA. And he's not you. Can you get the res # and call someone at CRO youself? Ask to speak with a supervisor.

I wish you luck, my dear. Most of all, I hope you get the resort you want at the price you BOOKED at. That said, you'll still be at Disney, which is always, even on a bad day - as my husband says - "better than a poke in the eye with a pointed stick!"
 
Well, I think you should make it very clear how you feel. Keep your head on and your temper well in check - be polite and kind, but firm, make a comment about the sentimental meaning and importance. Make it clear that you choose to spend vacation money with them every year, that you value Disney and appreciate the good treatment you've generally had with them - but be clear that this mistake - a careless one - has altered your plans in a way you're unhappy with. Make sure you tell them exactly what you want. They cannot make a room appear if one is not available - seems to me that you do not want another resort, period, so an upsell wouldn't make you feel better. If you think that the parkhoppers would improve your feeling about the situation, then ask for them. The worst case scenario is that you'll be right where you are now.

Argh, just said all that....but you're going through the TA. And he's not you. Can you get the res # and call someone at CRO youself? Ask to speak with a supervisor.

I wish you luck, my dear. Most of all, I hope you get the resort you want at the price you BOOKED at. That said, you'll still be at Disney, which is always, even on a bad day - as my husband says - "better than a poke in the eye with a pointed stick!"


Disney really won't deal with you if you booked via TA. It's the TA's job to do things.

Remember you can still use the pool at POFQ even if you stay at POR.

(Since I have NEVER heard of AAA "doing the right" thing before I am truly amazed. Plus as much as AAA books with Disney if they could PROVE it was Disney's fault they would have a leg to stand on. I would still be willing to bet REAL money that your AAA TA screwed up. The OP is just lucky they ever found it. I have read some REAL horror stoires on this board where folks got to Disney only to discover thier AAA agent had screwed up!)
 
You don't have two weeks to pay your deposit to Disney. If AAA somehow holds it for you, they are holding it. I think that is the issue here as others have pointed out. If you call disney, they will not hold a room for you for two weeks. 200 dollars and air are due immediately, sometimes air can be held for 24 hours, but they don't even gurantee that.

Without the air though, that 200 bucks is due right now, thats the point. If you get room only, its one night due right away. I know you're not really believing this because I told you it frist thing yesterday and you disagreed, but others have said the same thing. The way to find out this being true or not is call Disney and try. I hate to say it, but you'll be disapointed to find out that your AAA agent ruined your vacation, not Disney.

*******************************
I agree completely with this. I have booked several WDW trips with a AAA TA and ALWAYS had to put the deposit down that day...not 2 weeks later. I have also booked my own directly with CRO...and same thing....$200 bucks..right up front. IMO, your AAA TA dropped the ball and is responsible for any add'l charges. Maybe the WDW CM could have been a bit nicer, but considering all the TA mistakes they are accused of creating....I can see their frustration! Plus I am not sure what your TA had in his hand ( bet it was just a pkg. quote) but confirmations are not rec'd until your deposit is made.
In the future, I would advise against assuming you have a reservation until the deposit is made.


Actually this is incorrect! I have made SEVERAL ressies lately and all have a 14day wait for the deposit to be paid, whether it be room only (last Dec) or the free dining package. I made my ressie on 4/16 and I have until 4/30 to pay it. I will gladly copy/paste my ressie to show. Actually, since I just added days to it, it gives me a new date. This is directly off my ressie page online

Purchase Date: April 21, 2008 Total Price: 2278.66 USD
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Deposit by May 6, 2008: 400.00 USD
 
Hi again! I still think you should try to call CRO yourself. I know they won't be able to tinker with your current reservation booked through AAA but it would be good to see if rooms at either rack rate or with the discount (or possibly a code attached to your name) are available at POFQ through CRO. As I mentioned before it wouldn't hurt to explain the situation to see if a little pixie dust can be sprinkled your way. The reason for this is twofold, if a discount is available you can go ahead and book, a new and separate reservation, on your own thereby getting a discounted rate and staying at your first choice resort - if a room isn't available at a discounted rate but is available at rack rate you can request a hold on that room. Then you can go back to your TA and let your TA know that a room is available at the rack rate. Ask them to work with Disney to book that room and have AAA pay the difference in the rates as they are now at POR. AAA seems to be working for and with you on this but it never hurts to check for yourself. Bookings are quite fluid at CRO and can change throughout the day - I will keep my fingers crossed for you! Best of luck!!:shamrock:
 
I am a bit surprised that AAA is picking up the slack, though that's great of them. The res may have been made through AAA, but (from your description of the AAA agent's confusion) they were not the ones who cancelled it - Disney was, and they should be the ones working this out.
I'm a bit surprised at the number of posters who believe this problem was caused by Disney, given that the Travel Agent has volunteered to pay the difference between the original booking and the replacement booking. Has anyone ever experienced an intermerdiary business accepting financial responsibility for a mistake NOT made by them?
Plus, ultimately, a courtesy hold IS just a hold, it's NOT a reservation. Yeah, it stinks that this happened. The problem could be caused by POFQ being fully-booked even just one night of the OP's planned visit.

You need to think about what you'd expect for compensation and make sure you state it very nicely, but very clearly.
Disappointing, even aggravating - but given that the TA is willing to pay the difference between the original room cost and the POR room cost, I don't understand what compensation the OP should be expecting or requesting.
 
It was my understanding that in order to get the Free Dining Plan, you had to pay your $200. deposit up front. I know I did but I also booked online so it has to be paid whether is was w/FD or not. :rolleyes1

Is it different if you us a TA?

You had to pay the $200 as you booked it online when the web site was showing FD. If you booked after the Disney Visa( with Disney Visa you had to pay the $200 when booking) if you did so by phone they would have put a hold on it for 10 days or maybe 14 day then you had to put down the $200;)
 
Has anyone ever experienced an intermerdiary business accepting financial responsibility for a mistake NOT made by them?

Plus, ultimately, a courtesy hold IS just a hold, it's NOT a reservation. Yeah, it stinks that this happened. The problem could be caused by POFQ being fully-booked even just one night of the OP's planned visit.

Yes, I have had businesses make up for mistakes that aren't theirs, and I've offered to do the same at times in my own business. It makes sense to take care of your customers, no matter where the blame lies.

And I think that there really isn't a difference between a reservation and a "courtesy hold" except that a hold will go away if not paid and a resevation will stay until it's cancelled or until check in. I'm sorry but I believe that all disappearing reservations happen because someone screwed up.
 
I'm a bit surprised at the number of posters who believe this problem was caused by Disney, given that the Travel Agent has volunteered to pay the difference between the original booking and the replacement booking. Has anyone ever experienced an intermerdiary business accepting financial responsibility for a mistake NOT made by them?

Yes! A travel agent I used one time was at no fault when a flight time was changed after our reservation was made. We missed the flight and the TA gave us $50 to compensate for our troubles. THAT is good customer service.

If the OP has the receipt that PROVES AAA made the correct ressie, then my guess is that it IS Disney's fault somehow. CRO has been known to screw up reservations many times before. Offering her the sister hotel is one thing, but at a higher rate??? Not cool! They should make this right by giving her the POR room at the lower rate she originally had. JMO.
 
All I am wondering is what should I ask for from Disney. My son really wants to stay at POFQ because we are from New Orleans and because of the pool. It has a sentimental meaning behind it. I will be truly dissapointed if we can't stay there.
One more thing. My TA has been a TA for 24 years and knows that I am a guaranteed commission for him every year. That's why AAA is willing to eat the extra money, because I have sent them business before and I am automatic business for them.

I don't know that they will give you anything. I'd ask for hoppers maybe. That's probably an easy upgrade but I don't know. It doesn't seem like they will want to give you anything, but I guess it can't hurt to ask for something.

It's smart of AAA to do that. If it's their fault, they should take care of it. If it's not or they don't know, it's good to absorb the loss to keep a good customer.

AAA is a big company, and the money might come out of corporate somewhere. IF however, your TA was taking the loss from their commission, I'd decline to take it. That's not really fair when they don't make much anyway.
 
Hi again! I still think you should try to call CRO yourself. I know they won't be able to tinker with your current reservation booked through AAA but it would be good to see if rooms at either rack rate or with the discount (or possibly a code attached to your name) are available at POFQ through CRO. As I mentioned before it wouldn't hurt to explain the situation to see if a little pixie dust can be sprinkled your way. The reason for this is twofold, if a discount is available you can go ahead and book, a new and separate reservation, on your own thereby getting a discounted rate and staying at your first choice resort - if a room isn't available at a discounted rate but is available at rack rate you can request a hold on that room. Then you can go back to your TA and let your TA know that a room is available at the rack rate. Ask them to work with Disney to book that room and have AAA pay the difference in the rates as they are now at POR. AAA seems to be working for and with you on this but it never hurts to check for yourself. Bookings are quite fluid at CRO and can change throughout the day - I will keep my fingers crossed for you! Best of luck!!:shamrock:

Thank you :thumbsup2
 
I'd like to say Thank You to everyone that gave their opinions and advice. Whether I agreed with it or not, I truly appreciated you taking the time to reply. It looks like my crisis is over. I just recieved an email from my TA saying that I am now booked in POFQ. :cool1:

24 AUG 08 - SUNDAY
TOUR
CONFIRMATION-
WALT DISNEY TRAVEL CO FL
DEPARTING: 24AUG08 RETURNING: 30AUG 6 NIGHTS
TOUR DESCRIPTION : DISNEY VACATION
TOUR PACKAGE INCLUDES : HOTEL
HOTEL INFORMATION
HOTEL NAME : PORT ORLEANS FRENCH QTR
HOTEL PHONE :
ROOM TYPE REQUESTED : STANDARD VIEW
HOTEL CHECK IN DATE : 24AUG
HOTEL CHECK OUT DATE : 30AUG
OTHER TOUR INFO..........................................
STANDARD VIEW ROOM
AUGUST TO SEPTEMBER MAGIC YOUR WAY PLUS DINING OFFER
7 DAY PARK HOPPER WITH WATER PARK FUN AND MORE OPTION
AAA MAGIC MOMENT RATE DISCOUNT
NO AIR INCLUDED
NO TRANSFERS INCLUDED
 


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