Be aware...be very aware...

[Va-bear]

Yo Anc girl!!!

Mine listed dates of:

"Available for stays most nights 3/30-4/12/08, 8/10-9/27/08, 10/19-11/1/08, 11/9-11/15/08 and 12/7-12/13/08."



GOOD good luck - hope you can get a deal and HAPPY TRIP!!!!


ps- though WDW never offered any sort of deal after complaining about this problem, DH did "magically" get an email code a couple of week after it happened....

 

[Anc96]

Yo Anc girl!!!

Mine listed dates of:

"Available for stays most nights 3/30-4/12/08, 8/10-9/27/08, 10/19-11/1/08, 11/9-11/15/08 and 12/7-12/13/08."



GOOD good luck - hope you can get a deal and HAPPY TRIP!!!!


ps- though WDW never offered any sort of deal after complaining about this problem, DH did "magically" get an email code a couple of week after it happened....

Hey VaBear...

Thank you for the dates.. if they are the same dates that my code goes by, they don't fit any possible dates
My current need is for our last week at the world from 6/28 - 7/4. I was SOOOO hoping to get reservations at AKL for my dd... I just don't think I can do more than $200 a night for those days, and the codes would have done that, but not for my dates.

The other possibility was our 'mid-year' visit, which I was thinking of the last week of Nov. I would have loved to do the first week of Dec after 12/7, but I won't take dd out of school for more than 2 days. Believe it or not, SHE would have a fit if I tried to take her out of school for more than that. Last year I surprised her with a Halloween trip for the MNSSHP. She had to miss 3 days of school. Imagine my surprise when, after I told her, she ran to the calender and said "I can't go, I have school!".. and then cried about it It was her first year of middle school (5th grade for her). She did get over it (with the help of her wonderful teacher and vice-principal.. I'll detail below), and we had a great time, but I know she wouldn't do it again.

Anyway... I've inquired about renting some DVC points, but way too late. Apparently all of AKV is filled for the dates I need. Why didn't I think of renting DVC sooner It seems the ONLY way it would be within my budget

Regarding her school. I booked this trip before we received her calender for the school year. I didn't realize that the school's Terra Nova testing was scheduled for that week. I couldn't believe that she was scheduled to be gone 3 of the 5 days of testing! I didn't think the school would be happy at all about that. I went to the school and explained our scheduled vacation, and asked if there was anything that could be done. The vice principal was wonderful! She said they could arrange testing after she returned, but she would miss some classes, or, she could try to do all or most of the testing before she left, after school. My daughter opted for after school, and took all the testing in the first 2 days before we left. She didn't have to worry about having to make up work since the 3 days she was gone her class would just be doing the testing, no classwork.
She scored very well too
Also.. her teacher sat with her and assured her that she wouldn't miss anything, and my dd should just concentrate on enjoying her trip! Let me add her teacher is an ex-CM ! By the time we left for our trip, my dd was happy and excited about it.
BUT.... I'm not trying that again. 2 days is MAX for her being out of school, and I'd rather no school days be missed at all.

 

[Millie12591]

I totally agree. Dreams Unlimited is amazing. Let them do the leg work. They will not lead you astry.

Who and what exactly are they? And do they charge for their services?

 

[mom2minniemouse]

Okay, well my situation just keeps on getting better! (Not saying to gloat. Just can't believe that I'm sitting at home NOT thinking of the situation and SICK AS A DOG and FINALLY something magical happens to me!)

I got a call from a corporate CM, who told me I was 100% in the right and that WDW was going to eat the entire cost of my family's meal plan AND I was going to still get the $200ish discount off my value off-season room!! So we're getting three 10-day park hopper + water park tickets, 9 nights at POP, and a dining plan for two adults and one child for $1,652.51!!! All I had to do was promise to not change any of my itinerary. I think I can do that!

As for the CM who lied to me, the corporate lady was NOT amused and actually seemed rather horrified that she would basically outright mislead me like that. She listened to the entire 28+-minute phone call I had when I booked (so she apparently must know who I'm voting for on American Idol, too. LOL! The show was playing while we supposedly waited and waited and waited for the system to go through. LOL!) She said that the CM and her immediate supervisor would be taking my case as a "good training opportunity" from which to learn. LOL!

 

[alikat99]

Ok, sadly, I saw this thread on a different thread on the budget board, and had to come over to read this one! I responded on that one, and I'll respond here!

I had a friend that worked in the Tampa reservations center for a couple of years (actually somewhere between 1-2 yrs, I think). Anyway, she loved all things Disney, and thought what could be better than helping others plan their "once-in-a-lifetime" Disney vacations. Her thoughts were quickly dashed not long after orientation.

At the time (and it sounds like it still is), the CRO CMs were on a quota system. The more $$$ they booked (and got payment for), the more towards their quota. If they don't meet their quota for more than so many months, they are automatically fired for "not performing". So, there was definitely a push to get you to book on that first call, because if you call back and talk to a different CM, and make a different booking, the original CM gets NO credit (and they could have spent hours with you on the phone).

So, sadly, she would follow the rules, and help people book their dream vacations, and finally, she just couldn't make her quotas for a couple of months and she decided that she had had enough. And, on top of that, she would have tales of several of the CMs on her team, and on other teams, that would intentionally deceive guests to get them to book, and sadly, some of the management would just look the other way (because those CMs were making their quotas). She was very discouraged by her manager who said "at least xxx is making their quota". She just couldn't live with being dishonest, and figured that it wasn't worth it.

She told one tale of CMs disconnecting people that had called to book values. She told tales of a CM that would tell guests that the only rooms left were the big $$$ ones, in order to boost their dollars towards their quota, and on and on. So, this new ploy sounds like the exact same thing. The CMs are holding on for dear life to keep their jobs, so they will use any tactic that they can think of to do it.

So, while I still love all things Disney, I am VERY cautious about calling CRO, and if at all possible, I book online, and don't bother with CRO at all!!!

Yes, I know that there are CMs and managers out there that are playing by the "rules" and giving guests a great experience. But unfortunately, this quota system (and the lack of managers to enforce good business practices), have led to some less than honest CMs booking your vacation.

 

[Va-bear]

Reading your post, Alikat, reminded me of a PM I got soon after this thread started. It was from someone who saw what we'd written and wanted to tell me about being a CM (which he/she said they were...) He/she said that, indeed, they were required to meet certain quotas, etc. They just wanted to "explain" why so many CM's are doing desperate things, but that most dont. It was intesting....but, seeing as how the higher up management just apologizes and sends our kids gifts, I dont see it changing anytime soon - shame.....

 

[momsavealot]

I read this thread before calling about the 40% mailer I got. I had the computer on in front of me with the exact prices I could get online. I wanted the Polynesian in August and I knew that the cost, without discount, was $2678. When I called, I got a CM, gave him my pin code from the mailer, and he said my price would be $2142. I turned to my hubby saying "is that 40% off" because it didn't sound like it to me. My hubby ran to get a calculator and said "no" so I questioned the CM. He got very testy with me like "lady, this is your discount, do you want it or not?". I told him I had the online quote right in front of me and he said the discount is, are you ready, "UP TO 40% off". I thought maybe he's right and ended my conversation with him. I read the mailer again and talked to my husband who agreed with me that the mailer was very clear "40% off", not "up to 40% off". I waited 10 minutes and called the reservations number again. This time, I got a different CM and explained the whole situation with her. She was like a dream! She was extremely friendly and apologetic and acted like she would spend all night on the phone with me if need be. She checked my address and confirmed that I had the 40% off and actually gave me the 40% off. She even explained the dining plan to me and explained that adding another 2 days of parks would only cost $17 more for our family of 6! So, my advice to anyone reading this thread is (1) do your research and know what you should be paying with discount before you call, (2) have a calculator near by and (3) keep calling until you get a CM that knows what they are doing. I wish I had written the first CM's name down to complain but I didn't so I'll drop it. Good luck!

 

[notsosnowwhite]

Four months after the original post...and I'm still waiting to hear from my special Disney CM about the special offer she is working on for us. I have called back two times to check and she assures us she is working on this special deal. Being that our trip is supposed to be next month, I'm not holding my breath at this point.

Disappointed in Disney to say the least. I originally called hoping for a PIN - not expecting one but HOPING. When I was not given accurate information, again I did not expect anything for free, was thrilled with the apology, and hopeful because the CM's statements created anticipation for again a possible code or discount.

Maybe because we have been many times in the past and have made it clear we want to return in the future we are not a priority customer - they have us roped in and they know we're coming back. I'm truly happy for the posters that have received codes. For those of you calling - just be careful and know your prices.

 

[spooky1]

when I called today for the umpteenth time.

I would guess you had reached the same CM a number of those umpteenth times and they finally decided to try and make your dream come true.

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

This same thing happened to me just this week.

I called Monday to see if I had a pin. The CM informed me that I have a pin for 30% off good for the entire year. I asked her if she could apply it to my May trip that I booked online. She told me that the price I got online already included the 30% discount because the pin was attached to my household and is automatically applied when you book online.

After I thought about this for a few days and really did the math I knew that there was no way that my price reflected a 30% discount. So I called yesterday only to be told that I HAVE NO PIN. I asked for a supervisor. He was total jerk. Just kept repeating himself - "you have no pin". Could not explain to me how it was possible that I had one 2 days ago. Said I must have been "misinformed". I asked him if the calls were monitored so he could go back and find that call from Monday. He told me that he would not look for that call because regardless I still HAD NO PIN. Just so rude and sarcastic, treated me like I made the whole thing up. I told him I would be reporting how I was treated. He simply said - okay.

Very disappointing and un-magical experience.

I finally got a call just last week. That was after I sent in my 2nd complaint saying that I never got a response from the first complaint.

The lady was very nice and sincere I think. The apologized that it took so long for anyone to contact me and that there was no excuse for that. Then she apologized for the original CM "misinforming" me. Said that she had no explanation for why or how that could have happened. And said that I was right and there absolutely was not a 30% discount applied to my trip. And furthermore that when I booked my trip back in August 2007 (for this May) there were no codes out for 2008 so there was no way there could have been a discount applied to my trip when I booked online like the original CM told me there was. She then apologized for how I was treated the second time I called back.

So I felt like she was sincerely sorry, but none of the CM's involved were going to be punished or even talked to about what had happened.

She said that she was going to send a gift to my kids at the resort when we checked in. So that will be nice for them. It's no 30% discount, but it's something I guess.

Just an update to my situation: When we checked in there was nothing in the room for my kids. We left for a bit and then came back. Shortly after we heard a knock at the door. A man said - "Delivery". He gave us 2 pirate gift baskets. They were basically a pirate hat turned upside down with stuff inside - stickers, gems, plastic coins, and candy. Nice, I guess. But no 30% discount!

 

[Va-bear]

Four months after the original post...and I'm still waiting to hear from my special Disney CM about the special offer she is working on for us. I have called back two times to check and she assures us she is working on this special deal. Being that our trip is supposed to be next month, I'm not holding my breath at this point.

Disappointed in Disney to say the least. I originally called hoping for a PIN - not expecting one but HOPING. When I was not given accurate information, again I did not expect anything for free, was thrilled with the apology, and hopeful because the CM's statements created anticipation for again a possible code or discount.

Maybe because we have been many times in the past and have made it clear we want to return in the future we are not a priority customer - they have us roped in and they know we're coming back. I'm truly happy for the posters that have received codes. For those of you calling - just be careful and know your prices.

Man, what a bummer that they never really got back to you - just stringing you along doesnt count. I really hope you have a great trip and maybe you'll atleast get a "consolation gift" as below (not TOO great, but better than nothing, I guess....)

Just an update to my situation: When we checked in there was nothing in the room for my kids. We left for a bit and then came back. Shortly after we heard a knock at the door. A man said - "Delivery". He gave us 2 pirate gift baskets. They were basically a pirate hat turned upside down with stuff inside - stickers, gems, plastic coins, and candy. Nice, I guess. But no 30% discount!

WEll, definately not a 30% discount....sorry. Thanks for posting the pic - since this is what they are sending us too. My sons will like it.

 

[metroliner]

I need to call tomorrow and change a room only to a package, and yes, check for any possible pin code for my trip next month. I know my numbers by heart and will certainly be very careful about my offer. I will report back my experience to help inform others.

 

[auntie]

I don't doubt the castmembers who return your call are sympathetic and apologetic. I also have no doubt that these misunderstandings are NO accident. Some people catch on and do the numbers and figure they aren't receiving a discount....when they get called on it..it's the apology and the gift basket. Either way, they have the guest booked. At the most this "error" IF they get caught costs them next to nothing in a pirate hat. Most of the time, the guest isn''t the wiser and thinks they actually received a discount that never even exisited.
This is just happening a little too often for it to be an actual mistake. It's a gimmick.

 

[crostorfer]

Never before have I equated Disney reservations with used car salesman, but I'm starting to see a lot of "lemons" lately. I'm so sorry for anyone who has been hussled into thinking they are getting a good deal. Thank goodness for the disboards, or more people would continue to be misled and given the shaft.

 

[spooky1]

This is just happening a little too often for it to be an actual mistake. It's a gimmick.

Well when you have some of your guest / potential guest calling you a umpteen times every week asking about codes - you have to expect that its going to be recorded into the system and that eventually it just might come back to haunt you. I wouldnt doubt they have some sort of code black list ... and if they dont, maybe they should.

 

[auntie]

Ok, sadly, I saw this thread on a different thread on the budget board, and had to come over to read this one! I responded on that one, and I'll respond here!

I had a friend that worked in the Tampa reservations center for a couple of years (actually somewhere between 1-2 yrs, I think). Anyway, she loved all things Disney, and thought what could be better than helping others plan their "once-in-a-lifetime" Disney vacations. Her thoughts were quickly dashed not long after orientation.

At the time (and it sounds like it still is), the CRO CMs were on a quota system. The more $$$ they booked (and got payment for), the more towards their quota. If they don't meet their quota for more than so many months, they are automatically fired for "not performing". So, there was definitely a push to get you to book on that first call, because if you call back and talk to a different CM, and make a different booking, the original CM gets NO credit (and they could have spent hours with you on the phone).

So, sadly, she would follow the rules, and help people book their dream vacations, and finally, she just couldn't make her quotas for a couple of months and she decided that she had had enough. And, on top of that, she would have tales of several of the CMs on her team, and on other teams, that would intentionally deceive guests to get them to book, and sadly, some of the management would just look the other way (because those CMs were making their quotas). She was very discouraged by her manager who said "at least xxx is making their quota". She just couldn't live with being dishonest, and figured that it wasn't worth it.

She told one tale of CMs disconnecting people that had called to book values. She told tales of a CM that would tell guests that the only rooms left were the big $$$ ones, in order to boost their dollars towards their quota, and on and on. So, this new ploy sounds like the exact same thing. The CMs are holding on for dear life to keep their jobs, so they will use any tactic that they can think of to do it.

So, while I still love all things Disney, I am VERY cautious about calling CRO, and if at all possible, I book online, and don't bother with CRO at all!!!

Yes, I know that there are CMs and managers out there that are playing by the "rules" and giving guests a great experience. But unfortunately, this quota system (and the lack of managers to enforce good business practices), have led to some less than honest CMs booking your vacation.

I think this post says it all. It happens....there are no "mistakes"...just people who are "on" to the mistake...or those who don't have a clue. I think the advise is good. KNOW what it is the rate is ...then figure your discount..then call, and make sure the rate they are giving you is what your discount pin says it should be. This non sense about having a pin attached to your name...well, that might or might not be true. So as not to find yourself in a situation where you feel that you've been duped, again...probably best to know what the rate is before you place that call and ask about a code.

Thank you for sharing the information. Kind of figured that was the case.
I also have no doubt they will claim there are no quotas.
Ahh..yeah...like I haven't heard that before. Companies have certain ways of making sure you meet the ..no quota...quotas. ::cop:



________________

 

[bluwater]

There are wild differences in the CMs who answer the phones. I wonder if Disney is monitoring the survey taken at the end and following-up on surveys where the feedback is very negative. They should go play the tapes from those calls to see what happened.

I hope Disney is also having their staff place test calls to the agent line to see how the call is handled.

I've called 3 times over the pastweek and had 3 completely different experiences. The first time I called was from the car and I had an idea of what the rate should be, but I was looking for the date that the value season started. I greeted the person who answered by name and was cheerful to her - but she returned with "what do you need?" in a dry, nasty tone. I knew then that I wasn't going to book anything with her that day.

She quoted me the regular season rate and told me it was the "summer rate". (There is no "summer rate"). When I asked her if the rate went down later in the summer (it does - from Regular to Value), she told me no.

When I asked her to check for the value season rate, she told me "I don't know - I'd have to look that up"...but she never looked it up - as though looking something up was too much work.

It was then that I told her that I was a travel professional and I would look it up myself. I looked it up on my handheld, told her the value rate and when it started and thanked her for her time - then I gave her the worst rating on the survey.

Called yesterday and had a great CM - she was so helpful and didn't mind trying to put various things together for me. I booked a 7 night Deluxe package with her.

It's a shame there isn't more consistency. Perhaps they need more monitoring. People are going to be driven to using the website if you can't trust the "over the phone" info. Disney will lose the upsell opportunities - and, in turn, lose money.

 

[mbanks21]

All the calls are monitored and the nasty ones will not be working much longer. Some calls are monitored in real time as well but all are recorded, most with screen shots to make sure the CM is actually looking for what they should be looking for.

On the other end of the idiot CM spectrum a friend of mine priced a package online for Poly that came to apprx. $3800. He called to make sure everything was right because he doesnt trust the internet and the CM told him he had a pin code and ending up getting him the package for just over $3300.

 

[Turtlegirl]

It really is amazing the major differences you get depending on the CM who answers the phone- the variation in knowledge, attitude and prices quoted can be drastically different. It's so sad because so many of us call excitedly with high hopes and this first step in our vacation experience can be a real downer. If I could I would definitely book over the internet as it gives me more control over the situation, but Disney makes us call if we have a code because you can't book on the web with the code. If they let us, it would alleviate many people's frustration.

 

[mom2minniemouse]

Well when you have some of your guest / potential guest calling you a umpteen times every week asking about codes - you have to expect that its going to be recorded into the system and that eventually it just might come back to haunt you. I wouldnt doubt they have some sort of code black list ... and if they dont, maybe they should.

Ah, there's the problem. I had only called Disney at that point ONE time before my first CM told me I had a code. I never once mentioned a code. She was the one to say that I supposedly had a code. Please, PP, don't make it out that we're all trying to get something for nothing here. It doesn't matter how or if the whole code/no code thing happened. A CM should not lie when they say we are getting discounts. How sad is it that so many other people who don't have the Disboards and this thread were duped into thinking they were getting a deal as a CM promised???