Any difference between booking online and booking thru CRO?

[luvaladdin]

For the first time ever, I decided to book online for my upcoming trip (November), since there are no discounts yet for that time anyway. Now I'm wondering if there is any difference between booking it online or calling CRO. For instance, if there is a discount code for that time, can I change my online reservation to reflect the new rate or do I have to hope for availability of the resort? I was very happy with the rate at All Star Movies - $77 before tax, which I guess is the normal value rate. Is there any way that the rate would be cheaper with a discount code? Also, I'm wondering about double booking and choosing a moderate resort, which at full price for value is $133 - too much for my budget. Is there any chance there'd be a discount code for the week of Thanksgiving? And do you know what it might be?

Another question: I'd like to make extra payments on the room reservation (this is not a package) by sending in a check from time to time (not charging it). Do you know if I can do this and where I send it to?

As an aside, am I crazy to go over Thanksgiving week, arriving on the Saturday before and departing the Saturday after?

Thanks for any help.

 

[elemusing]

Well, I have done both. And I DO NOT recommend booking online through the Disney site. You can only book from their packages there and they are a rip off. (mainly because they offer alot of stuff you will never have the time to do. We had to choose the Ultimate PH, for example and never got to use the Disney Quest or the WWof Sports options.) It would have saved us money to book the room and just purchase the tickets separately.

I HIGHLY recomment Dreamsunlimitedtravel.com

(The travel company that this site endorses.)

I do not have any affiliation with them at all other than that I am a satisfied customer.

You do not have to book packages through them and they can save you a ton of money plus make your PS's for you and save you a ton of money on long distance phone calls.


When we booked through CRO, everything went well except when I booked my MEARS through them and they screwed up and didn't send a voucher for my DS. Luckily, I booked early enough to call them (LONG DISTANCE) and get it straightened out. But anyway, if you choose between CRO and the Disney official site to book - go for CRO.

But if you are thinking of trying online, really do check out D U travel. They will give you a free quote and not hassle you or send you a million emails if you choose not to go with them....

My agent is Kelsie there and she is Great!

Angie

 

[ASFCurly]

not that DU isn't good, but if you want to book through Disney's website they have recently changed the online booking and you can now do room only, I think that you can even order park hopper passes online now.

 

[elemusing]

That's great! Thanks for the info Curly. I didn't know that.

Angie

 

[jlambrig]

While you can do rooms only now onsite, you can't utilize the codes that exist. Disney still needs to update their site for this reason. As for DU, they still can't beat anything I can do and they will never care as much about my needs as I do. I will never use an agent again, not because of bad experiences, but because of what I noted above. I look online but I still end up calling CRO 2-3 times and book that way. Now though, I am a DVC member so it is a whole new ball game.

 

[Tiffany]

Originally posted by jlambrig
While you can do rooms only now onsite, you can't utilize the codes that exist. Disney still needs to update their site for this reason. As for DU, they still can't beat anything I can do and they will never care as much about my needs as I do. I will never use an agent again, not because of bad experiences, but because of what I noted above. I look online but I still end up calling CRO 2-3 times and book that way. Now though, I am a DVC member so it is a whole new ball game.

You can book the summer saver code on line room only or as a package. You can also book room only and then order park passes online seperatly.

 

[Tiger926]

I just went through this several days ago - you can book room only online as mentioned (and summer saver codes are valid), but it is through Walt Disney Travel Co. and that is why you will see that you can't cancel past 46 days before your vacation. I was ready to book online, and then I investigated a little further. I would just call CRO since it is so much easier - deposit is due later than on web, and there is way more flexibility to cancel reservations.

Tiger

 

[nwdisgal]

I talked to WDTC this morning. I booked a "room only" summer saver online at the Disney website for CBR in August and was checking with them on requests, payment terms, etc. The CM that I talked to told me that the room only (even when it's done via internet) is handled the same as CROs terms and conditions. She said only the packages have the WDTC terms/cancellation policies, etc. Has anybody else heard this? If so, that is great news! Just thought I'd pass this along...

 

[Tiger926]

Once again there is confusion from CRO. This is the opposite of what I was told (see above post) several days from CRO. I was on the room only portion of the website, and it clearly states the different cancellation and deposit options, so I asked and was told there is a difference with booking online (room only). I guess we'll never know until someone tries it, because it seems as if even CRO is giving out different information. Good luck to anyone who books online!

Tiger

 

[nwdisgal]

Regarding the internet policy and the CM's - go figure? Tigger, you're right. It does state the 46 days about the cancellation policy on the room only reservations on the website. I don't see anything about the balance payment terms, though? Maybe I am missing something? I printed all the paperwork, etc. from the website. I am trying to get in a call into WDTC ( lots of time on hold this evening with Peter Pan and his pals, so finally gave that quest up for a bit) to request that if Room Only is actually the five day policy, then they need to update their website. It sure would be nice to have the convenience to book on line without all the restrictions

I think like you said, the safest bet is to go through CRO until there is a clear policy on this.


Signed,

Sleepless and Definately Confused near Seattle