Bad phone experience . . .

[icarus]

I have read many times about people mentioning that they have stayed at Disney resorts and received little perks in their rooms because they mentioned to cast members before hand that it was an anniversary.

I was on the phone with my resort yesterday (WL) and I just thought I'd mention it to the woman at the desk. Not only did she give me the dead air by not acknowledging, or responding what I said (except with a dramatic sigh). She moved right on with "what can I do for you". Next I asked her about reservations to the Cub's Den (I was originally told by dining services to inquire about reserving space for our children directly from the Hotel). Again, dead air. I said to her that "I had heard that the service gets booked in advance and that I should reserve space now". She said that She had "never heard of that happening" and quickly directed me to some world wide Disney phone number, which in turn sent me on an endless path of pushing buttons for this and for that on my phone but never getting any option for the Cubs Den.

After I had about all I could handle with that, my wife called back the cubs den directly (through the hotel), and they actually sent her back to dining services (where we were the first time before we were told to call the hotel).

We did finally get the reservation booked. I asked the dining reservation person about the anniversary thing at the resorts and she said that the hotels usually don't know guests are coming until about 5 days before the arrival, so anything about anniversaries would not mean anything to them prior to those 5 days.. I don't know if that is true or not, but that's what I was told.

 

[kandmwedding]

Sorry about your experience! I suggest calling the CRO to have them note your anniversary on your ressie. Like the one CM told you, the hotels don't have guest info until a few days prior to their arrival so they won't be able to do anything with the information you gave them until then. Have a fun trip!!

 

[blessedby3]

Sorry you had a bad experience with that CM. We have always told the CM's at booking a room or making ressies if we have any special birthdays or anniversarys. Never had a problem. I would guess that the CM was just having a bad day that day. Some are nicer than others. Just call back and you should get another one.

 

[shellybaxter]

Actually what you were told about the hotel and five days was correct. If you want to note your anniversary you should do so with central reservations. They will note it on the hotel reservation itself and then the hotel will know about it when the reservation is downloaded into their system about five days before. Be aware, for every person who reports that they received a little "somethin' somethi'" for a special occation there are several people that receive nothing at all. Its not a guarenteed thing.

As for the cubs den, the dining line is the correct place to make the reservations. The information you got to call the hotel directly was incorrect.

I'm sorry the CM wasn't friendlier on the phone and that your information wasn't right. Both of those things can be frustrating.

Have a great trip - and happy aniversary!!

 

[safetymom]

Chances are you were not talking to the front desk but a call center. If you have any requests just call the reservations line and have them add them there.

 

[icarus]

I'm assuming "CRO" is Central Registration Office or something like that?

I appologize, as I am not completely knowlegable with the abreviations.
- what's the phone number?

I'm also assuming that "CRO" is probably one of the phone numbers that will run me through the hoops of pressing various phone button's for a good five or more minutes before I actually speak to a human?

Any tips on avoiding all of the automated phone prompts?

Thanks again.

 

[kandmwedding]

CRO is in fact the Central Reservations Office. The number is 407-W-DISNEY or 407-934-7639. I'm not sure how to circumvent the automated system though.

 

[Hopefully]

As Shelley Baxter mentioned, please don't EXPECT anything special will happen for your anniversary, even if you successfully note it with CRO on your reservations. You will most likely be disappointed if you do. Most people do not experience anything special at all. Those that report here are in the minority of the total vacation population at WDW. I just don't want you disappointed or angry.
If it is important to you to have something "special" plan it yourself and book it yourself.
Three is a "sticky" thread on the Restaurants Board of about special cakes people have ordered and had delivered. The Disney florist can also deliver flowers, balloons etc. to your room. There is a service called Gifts of a Lifetime that can plan even special events for you too. Just a few thoughts.
Have a Great Trip.