Anyone ever book a room with Expedia?

[disneyfan67]

I have a couple of questions for all of you good folks out there. I've used Expedia for airfare before,but never for a Disney owned hotel and I'm a little worried. Here is the background on what happened and why I booked a room at the Polynesian through Expedia. Back in December 04 my wife got a big bonus at work and we decided it was time to go back to Disney and our favorite resort in the whole world "The Polynesian!"

I called Disney and booked 2 nights in April at the AKL and 5 nights at the Poly, but all they had at the Poly was CGV or CLV so I went ahead and booked a CGV room. I was hoping that a GVR would open up because I really couldn't afford the rates for the concierge rooms. I kept calling back every other day and had no luck, so I checked with Expedia and they said the room I wanted was available and I booked it. Just to make sure I even called Expedia directly to check and they said it was available. I'm sorry to ramble on, so here is some of my questions

1. How can Expedia have rooms that Disney doesn't and am I guaranteed to get a room at the Poly? Expedia has told me that there should be no problem but I'm a little worried I'll be bumped to another resort because of overbooking. My family would be heartbroken if they couldn't stay at the Poly. It's almost a vaction on it's own just to stay at the Poly and relax.

2. How does Disney deal with possible overbooking a resort and if there is a problem will Disney take care of it or will I have to call Expedia. I can't imagine trying to call them (Expedia) while I'm being told at check in that they have no room for me. Am I worrying too much here and what can I do to prevent this from happening?

3. My ressie at the AKL is through Disney and I'm staying there 2 nights and then going to the Poly.(hopefully!) If I buy my tickets through Disney before I go can they be put on my room key while I'm at AKL? I'm going to leave them on will call when I buy them on line instead of having them shipped to my house. When I move to the Poly can the tickets be put on my room key there even though I didn't get the room through Disney? I'll be getting a 6 day park hopper and don't like the paper tickets I had last year when I stayed at the CR through the SOG program.

4. My mom found out I was going to Disney last week and she just booked a room for her, my sister and her 2 kids at the Poly for 3 nights through Expedia also. It's going to be a family get-together at the Poly and I'm looking forward to it. I think it will be some great memories for everyone involved! My last question is do I call the Poly directly to get adjoining rooms because I put that on the special request section of the Expedia reservation form. I'm sorry if I've asked a lot of questions here and I really could use some help. Thank you!

Eddie (Disneyfan67)

 

[HopperFan]

I am of no help regarding your details BUT my sis and I both booked Expedia for the Wilderness Cabins with a special request to be side by side. We arrived in the midst of the heavy check-in and had no problems. We got our cabins for the awesome price of $139 per night (yes we were whispering because I don't think the folks around us had that rate) and they were side by side. Worked out fine for us that trip.

 

[rileyroosmom]

I booked through Expedia for our last trip. There were no codes being offered through Disney and Expedia had CSR for $85/night (over Thanksgiving). There were no problems at all. I called Expedia to confirm ressies and everything was fine. I called Disney to confirm ressies, it took a long time to find the ressie (because it wasn't booked through them) but they found it. When we checked in I showed the confirmation I printed and everything was fine.

Expedia buy blocks of rooms from Disney and that is why you can get them cheaper, like tickets from Ticketmania.

Relax, I'm sure everything will be fine.

 

[disneycake]

I've always gone to Disney through expedia (usually the combo pack of airfare, hotel, and tickets) and have never had a problem. I would bring the print out of the reservation with you just to be safe and more for your piece of mind. I actually like going through expedia due to the amazing prices I get from them.

 

[CarolA]

Rooms are "blocked" for sale by TAs etc. So they just have access to rooms that CRO does not. Expedia will tell you if they don't have the room (I have been 'kicked out' a few times at the VERY end of the reservation process since they didn't really have a room to sell!)

 

[carluglenn]

I have booked through WDW....should I call Expedia and check w/ them for rates? Then cancel the ressie w/ WDW???

I am soooo new to all of this.

THANKS to all you seasoned WDW veterans for your advice!

 

[disneyfan67]

Thanks to everyone who replied so far. I like the price Expedia gave me, I was worried about it being so busy. WDW must be packed this spring and early summer because alot of the hotels rooms are full. At least that's what Disney kept telling me everytime I called them back to see if a GV room opened up at the Poly. I think everything will be fine but I'm worried about how the tickets are going to play out. I'm hoping I can use my room key and have the tickets put on them, even though I'm switching resorts after 2 days at WDW.

 

[Mommy Poppins]

I am not sure about putting your tickets on your room key as you will get different room keys at your second resort. If you take your old room keys with you, maybe they can transfer the balance of your tickets to your new room keys???????

 

[masonaries]

Just tried using Expedia to book a room for Myself, my wife, DD7, DS5 and DS1 and it told me we exceeded the max number of guests for 1 room? How is this possible? My 1 year old can sleep with us. Any help appreciated.

 

[brooke1]

I'v got a question I went onto Expedia and put my dates in and there price is the same as Disney, and Expedia is also saying its a Expedia speical rate.
I don't get it, was so speical.
Brooke

 

[Mady/Sophiemom]

Just tried using Expedia to book a room for Myself, my wife, DD7, DS5 and DS1 and it told me we exceeded the max number of guests for 1 room? How is this possible? My 1 year old can sleep with us. Any help appreciated.

I think (and I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong), you put in 4 guests, and add the baby at check-in.

 

[CarolA]

Expedia is run by a computer. It sees 5 people, it does not see an infant. Put in four and call Disney later (give them a few days this is not an instant interface) to add the baby.