Alert to multiple ressie holders!

[eeyore0062]

Add me to the supporters for eliminating multiple bookings! It is not fair to those who may really want to go, or use a code, discount, etc and are denied it because someone is holding on to multiple ressies because they can't decide which they want. I am glad that they finally caught on to this and have a policy in place to eliminate it. It the most fair to everyone!

 

[Bob NC]

All that hunting for better room rates is great, and there's no reason why anyone shouldn't do it. Sure, you make one ressie, and if you find a better price or resort, you change it.

I read many, many posts however, about people holding multiple reservations just because they "can't decide". C'mon people, this isn't your eternal resting place, it's a weeklong vacation.

 

[PamOKW]

If Disney can get an accurate reading on how many hotel rooms are really going to be used and are able to rent all of them, then they may be able to offer discounts earlier to all of us.

The difference between holidng a ressie at Holiday Inn, Raddisson and Disney is that each hotel will only suffer the loss of one room when you cancel. If you hold reservations at 5 different Disney resorts, they will lose the ability to book 4 of those rooms in a timely manner.

This is no different than the airlines having to crackdown on people who hold multiple flight reservations. They just cancel them.

Having specific names attached to each room will help pick out the "real" multiple room users and the folks just booking everything and deciding later. Of course, there will be those who figure out how to beat this system as well.

 

[Sammie]

having multiple reservations, that you do intend to use, also causes Disney to get a false read on room occupancy levels.

Discounted rates are only offered if rooms do not book at rack rate. If Disney thinks the bookings are good then discounts are not going to be offered.

I book one reservation, then I check back for discounts and have that discount, if available applied to my orginial reservation.

 

[Lisa P.]

What other hotels do not allow multiple reservations? ...Why is it any different with Disney?

Because it's Disney?

They are different. They know that they have a certain appeal to people and they can do what they want, in order to address any problems in projecting occupancy.

I would imagine a LOT of other companies would like to be able to do something similar to cut down on last minute cancellations. But businesses weigh these decisions out. Will it make them more cost efficient? How much? Will it deter guests from choosing them? How many & how much revenue may be lost? How do these figures compare?

Apparently, Disney doesn't worry about this restrictions keeping guests away. If one is already willing to pay their higher prices for onsite stays (vs. comparable offsite), then Disney may figure that a little change like this won't dissuade them.

It's always about money... business... cost-benefit. The "magical" illusion is in giving the impression that it's about service or pleasing the guest. Those are the means, money is the end - not the other way around. This makes financial sense for Disney and so, it's no surprise. JMHO.

 

[Bob NC]

Lisa P......I don't see how you can compare Disneys resorts with other hotels in this regard. Where else do you go that has so many distinctly different hotels operated by the same company? Of course, you are not going to call the Wyndham in Key West and make 3 or 4 different reservations at the same hotel. And, why would you call the Marriott in Washington DC and make 3 different reservations because you want to decide later which room you'll stay in? There's one thing I'll tell you though, if you DID try to do the abovementioned things, I'll bet anything they'd prohibit you from doing so. It makes absolutely NO sense for ANY hotel to let ANYONE carry multiple reservations. Why should a hotel have to suffer the problems of; Being unable to forecast occupancy levels; Having man hours eaten up with unnecessary record keeping; etc, etc.

Just try calling a local hotel in your town today, tell them you need one room but you would like to reserve 4 rooms, you'll cancel 3 later. Just see what they say to you. You may find that other companies are no different than Disney.

 

[jlb]

I was holding a reservation at the GF and booked one at the WL. Deposits on both and when I called back to confirm one and cancel the other they told me that my GF was cancelled and I was refunded the deposit...checked my bank account and there it was, I asked if I could get it back and they told me the resort was sold out for that week.

Oh well, so after all that we are at the YC.

 

[peachgirl]

Add me to the list of those who will be glad when Disney eliminates or at least reduces the problem of people making multiple reservations. I think they're well on their way to doing it, just as they're trying to put a stop to making reservations at CRT's that people make "just in case". As far as booking then getting the DC discount later, I've always found that the DC discount is the first one to become unavailable, so I don't see how one could make a reservation, then "later" get a DC discount on that room. If you can make a reservation for a room, it's never too early to book a DC discount...well unless you're booking more than a year in advance. At least that's been my experience. I've booked as much as 8 months in advance and gotten the DC discount and tried 6 months in advance only to have them sold out. Most likely they weren't sold out, they were taken up by people holding multiple reservations. Like another poster here, I book the room I want, using a DC or AAA discount, then wait for any other discounts that may become available. I'd bet my bottom dollar that 99% of multiple bookings are based on the fact that they can't decide where to go or they want the luxury of changing their minds. Bottom line, multiple bookings don't just cost Disney , they cost a vast majority of the people trying to visit at a reasonable price.

 

[Lisa P.]

Lisa P......I don't see how you can compare Disneys resorts with other hotels in this regard. Where else do you go that has so many distinctly different hotels operated by the same company?

Bob NC, Disney may be compared to any other popular destination hotels. I said that I thought Disney is different.
But they are still just another part of the hospitality industry. If other hotels could restrict people's making multiple reservations with the intent to cancel most of them, they would do it too. In the end, it's a financial decision. I suspect we agree more than disagree.

...why would you call the Marriott in Washington DC and make 3 different reservations because you want to decide later which room you'll stay in?

Perhaps some people do... one pricey room on the Mall and a less expensive suite on the Metro line. Then they can think it over and choose or look for later discounts. But the hotels don't know about it so cannot address it. I could see people doing this with a nice hotel chain in Hawaii... one Outrigger on the beach for a higher price, then another Outrigger inland with a discount deal, while they wait to see what kind of budget they can work up as they get closer to travel.

if you DID try to do the abovementioned things, I'll bet anything they'd prohibit you from doing so. It makes absolutely NO sense for ANY hotel to let ANYONE carry multiple reservations.

Really? Do you know of any that prohibit this? Plenty of people make reservations, just in case, then cancel later. Plenty make reservations for groups of rooms, then cancel some when their travel companions are unable to travel. Many, many hotels and resorts allow cancellation up until 24 hours or even 6PM of check-in day. In our experience (limited, I admit), it's been primarily individual owners, realty management groups, weekly rentals and prime season (beach or ski) resorts that have very restrictive cancellation policies - and I've never heard of anyplace restricting the making of reservations to only one room.

Disney's attempts to reduce late cancellations are understandable, from a financial standpoint. But this restriction on the number of concurrent reservations one may make is, in my sight, pretty unusual. They're doing it because they can.

Why should a hotel have to suffer the problems of; Being unable to forecast occupancy levels; Having man hours eaten up with unnecessary record keeping; etc, etc.

Why shouldn't they? Isn't that part of the nature of the hospitality industry? People's plans change. I don't blame them for trying to control this. But it is the way of the business.

Just try calling a local hotel in your town today, tell them you need one room but you would like to reserve 4 rooms, you'll cancel 3 later.

If people actually tell Disney this, then that's the reason for the new change. Perhaps the encouragement to do things this way, on this forum (and similar newsgroups, forums, and guidebooks), has been counterproductive.

 

[Bob NC]

Gosh Lisa P.

You've convinced me with that very persuasive argument. You're right! Making multiple reservations, reserving rooms you don't plan on using, taking away discounted rooms from others for no apparent reason is the way to go.

Disney has no right to try to prevent people from doing this. Thanks for setting me straight.

As a matter of fact....I wonder if this plan could work for Cinderella's Royal Table breakfasts? I may try to get a couple PS's for every morning of my next vacation. Heck, it's my right to decide later which one I want.

 

[dandave]

Bob NC,

 

[peachgirl]

If people actually tell Disney this, then that's the reason for the new change.

If making multiple reservations is just fine, nothing wrong with it...why wouldn't one tell them? One wouldn't tell them for the same reason some wouldn't mention it when a cashier gives them too much money back....they want something more than they want to be honest. It's just flat out being dishonest to make multiple reservations with no intention of using them all. It's one thing to make a reservation, then because of circumstances beyond your control or just because you decided not to go, to cancel them. It's quite another to make multiple ressies because you're trying to cut the best deal you can. Disney's situation is pretty unique with their onsite resorts and they have every right to try and cut down on the practice. It's a good idea for them and a good idea for honest people who wouldn't consider making fraudulent reservations. I doubt they'll ever go to a full pay in advance system, but not allowing same date ressies with the same exact names in each room is an easy thing to do. Not foolproof, but it would help curb the problem for sure.

Bob NC....
I'm with you, I'm gonna book every CRT I can and I'm staying for 14 days! But wait, that little trick Disney pulled about the deposit for CRT kinda puts a kink in that plan...hmmmm does anyone see a trend here?

 

[CuteKatCar]

Even though it appears that I've just joined these boards, I actually have been around since 1999. I recognize alot of names from back then too....

So I guess alot of people remember how crowded WDW resorts were. Filled - not like this year. Although it is still difficult to secure discounts, I agree that holding more than one ressie is unfair. I wonder if all those times I called and called and called again looking for my discount only to be turned away (in despair) was a result of others holding multiple ressies. If you're on the other end trying to get the discount, it is very frustrating.

Like a lot of people say - pick the hotel you can afford without a discount, then hope for the best. I've never held more than one ressie and don't plan on starting now. If I'm lucky come springtime to get the GF at a discount (which I have in the past), then I'll switch, but I won't hold the GF now just to hope. At least, I'm glad to hear that now I can't.

We recently returned from the Delta Montreal. The lobby was pretty and the food was actually quite delicious, but there really is just something about disney hotels that puts a spark a your eye and a spring in your step when you walk in. Can't wait to get back there.

AnnaM

 

[Lisa P.]

Gosh Lisa P. You've convinced me with that very persuasive argument. You're right!

What convincing argument? Perhaps I didn't make my thoughts clear.

Making multiple reservations

I think it's counterproductive and unnecessary.

reserving rooms you don't plan on using

Never did it and don't recommend it. I think it's a shame that it's been recommended so many times by OTHERS on these boards.

taking away discounted rooms from others for no apparent reason is the way to go.

When have I ever advocated this? It's silly. Your sarcasm is unnecessary as well.

You know, I suspect that perhaps something else I've said somehow irritated you and you've since perceived me in an adversarial way. I'm used to that, because I don't see Disney through rose-colored glasses anymore. (I'm not saying you do.) And because I see them more as a huge corporation (a generally successful, effective business at that) than as a magical, warm, fuzzy, personal company, I occasionally hit a nerve with some on these boards who don't care for my perspective at all.

What I have said (and please do re-read my posts with a fresh look), is that Disney is a business and this change in policy makes sense from a financial standpoint and that's why they've done this. I stand by that. Sorry it's ruffled a few feathers. Balance and sharing different perspectives are healthy.

Disney has no right to try to prevent people from doing this. Thanks for setting me straight.

Hm. Good luck with those multiple CRT p.s.

 

[Jen D]

Lisa, your posts have seemed pretty straightforward to me. What I'm getting is

1) it is an unusual policy
2) perhaps because this is a problem unique to Disney
3) Disney is probably wise to enforce the policy, although it wouldn't fly with most hotels

Peachgirl wrote:

t's just flat out being dishonest to make multiple reservations with no intention of using them all. It's one thing to make a reservation, then because of circumstances beyond your control or just because you decided not to go, to cancel them. It's quite another to make multiple ressies because you're trying to cut the best deal you can. Disney's situation is pretty unique with their onsite resorts and they have every right to try and cut down on the practice. It's a good idea for them and a good idea for honest people who wouldn't consider making fraudulent reservations.

(shrug) I don't know why every argument about Disney policy has to come down to the cheating, lying, needy, dishonest, overdemanding guests trying to bilk the poor little benevolent family business that is Disney. I think Disney realized they needed the policy because they have a unique problem--- probably due to their successful "code" program. But since the policy is new, I don't think there is any call to characterize the people who held two ressies before the policy was in place as liars and thieves-- especially since the cancellation policy CLEARLY states you have until five days prior to cancel.

Full disclosure (since I sound defensive): last summer I held two ressies, for about a week, for a trip coming in the fall. Basically, I booked six nights at a moderate (FULLY INTENDING TO USE THEM.) A few weeks later, some codes came out, and I called to check prices on the "cheaper" Deluxes: WL, CR. They were sold out, but there was an AMAZING rate for the GF-- Very low rate for the GF, but would have doubled the price of my vacation. But, since the code rate seemed to be selling out at the other resorts, I grabbed it and did not immediately cancel my POR ressie, because I wanted to decide if I was really gonna shell out $600 more bucks for accomodations. I guess I didn't consider my reservations "fraudulent" because there was a 50/50 chance I might use one. I conferred with the family and within a week had cancelled one reservation. This was a good five months before the check-in date. Now that I know that I took a GF room out of the discount circulation, I'm sorry guys! But I just don't feel there was anything dishonest about what I did.

Anyway, I actually agree with you, Peachgirl, that Disney has every right to cut down on the practice (I think that is what Lisa was saying too) because it makes their business harder to do. I guess I don't see it so much as "cracking down" as just closing a loophole.

 

[Disneydenise]

I make reservations at more than one hotel when I am not sure of what exactly the place is like or if the price is better at one hotel and then I find another price or a perk I like at another place. Whatever. This is part of the travel business. I think that if Disney would just give you the best rate up front like the marriot or the Hilton with whatever the discount is then they wouldn't have these problems.

 

[grumpyandbashful]

I think it's going overboard to label people who may have reserved more than one room while making a final decision as "dishonest", "fraudulent", etc. First of all, we might not have known that it takes rooms permanently out of their discounted status (if in fact it does - does anyone who has posted this work at CRO or in management at the resorts??). I never thought about making more than one ressie until I read posts of others doing so on these boards!!
I'm just a regular Disneyophile who was trying to get an affordable rate for our Christmas trip and decide on the best resort for my family. I am hardly evil!! In fact, when I made the 2nd ressie, the CM at CRO knew about it and was very friendly, and said "no problem at all, it's fine to make a 2nd reservation while you decide". It was only after I called to make a room change on one reservation that I was told that I shouldn't have 2 reservations, and why, and at that point I cancelled one of them.
I try to keep my posts on a high level (and friendly). I didn't mean to start a series of arguments with this thread. So please lighten up.
If Disney changes its policy to deny multiple ressies, that will be that, so let's stop slinging mud over this.

 

[LvsTnk]

I am glad you brought up the fact that maybe this is not infact what happens........when you cancel the discount is gone for another person, the reservation goes back into the pool of rack rate rooms. I was led by CRO to belive otherwise. But, it wouldn't surprise me if they gave out the wrong information.

 

[peachgirl]

I don't know why every argument about Disney policy has to come down to the cheating, lying, needy, dishonest, overdemanding guests trying to bilk the poor little benevolent family business that is Disney.

I look at this as more of a healthy debate, not an argument. Perhaps I should clarify my point. I'm not naive enough to think that Disney is a little family business just out to do their best to make me happy. I just happen to really like what they sell and I'd like a fair shot at being able to buy. I'm not at all worried about Disney, they are certainly capable of defending themselves against the evil guests! It's the person trying to find a room at a decent price that I'm more concerned about. I'm not trying to attack anyone personally, but there's no getting around this simple fact.....when you make a reservation with absolutely no intention of keeping it, then that is making a fraudulent reservation. I wouldn't put it in the same category as robbing a bank, but it isn't an ok thing to do.

 

[Bob NC]

Hey, I don't think the practice of holding multiple reservations is akin to stealing or fraud.

Searching for the best rate or code is something everyone, (who knows about it), should do. The only thing I don't understand is why one would keep their original reservation after finding and making another 'code' reservation. I've made reservations before, subsequently found a better rate, made a new reservation and at the same time canceled the old one.

Nobody has a problem with folks finding the best rate they can. I was only commenting on the posts I've read where people are holding 2, 3 or 4 reservations just because they can't decide where to stay. Obviously Disney has found this a practice that has gotten too big to ignore, (remember CRT PS's?), and has taken action against it.

Oh, by the way Lisa P.......When someone takes my post, divides it up into quotable bites, then refutes every bite, that IS called an argument.