Bounce Back Reservation Issue

[coozieman]

Having just returned from POR FQ last week, I tried unsuccessfully tonight to make reservations for Sept 2008 under the Free Dining promotion.

Tried multiple levels of customer service but they will not allow you to book after you've checked out of the resort. Bad part is that a CR told me that rumour has it that they might not offer Free Dining in 2008.

Has anyone esle had this bad luck or if you can offer any suggestions - please let me know.

Thanks ~

 

[gigi1313]

i would continue to call back... and after that, i'd call back again...

my coworker and i were both in the world at the same time... i got the bounceback offer in my CBR room, he did not get it in his WL room... when we got back to work to compare notes, i asked him if he booked for next year and he hadn't... he took the number off my flyer, called a few times 'til he got someone able to help him (ask for guest services) and was able to book...

again, i'd keep trying! and GOOD LUCK!

 

[dreamn_Disney]

i would continue to call back... and after that, i'd call back again...

my coworker and i were both in the world at the same time... i got the bounceback offer in my CBR room, he did not get it in his WL room... when we got back to work to compare notes, i asked him if he booked for next year and he hadn't... he took the number off my flyer, called a few times 'til he got someone able to help him (ask for guest services) and was able to book...

again, i'd keep trying! and GOOD LUCK!

Wow a lot of people will be happy to hear this. He is the first one I have heard was able to book once home. Now even if it is a little hard to get someone to actually do it at least we know it can be done.

 

[Mcbruns]

I don't know what the issue is. I believe you have to book before you check out.

 

[coozieman]

The issue at hand is not knowing that the promo existed until I was already home. Would have done it while I was still a guest at WDW for 7 seven days but never received the flyer~

 

[ekball]

I knew about the offer before we left for our trip (9/7-17), so I was not surprised when I saw the flyer in our room after checking in. I did notice that it was very explicit about the fact that you must book before checking out, so we did so before leaving. I was talking about the offer with another guest while taking the boat back to the Poly from the MK and she was not aware of the offer, I overheard her talking about it to her husband as they got off the boat. I couldn't help but wonder if the flyer was not in their room??? Ours was front and center on the dresser when we checked in - difficult to miss.

Anyway, good luck to all who are trying to book!

 

[I loveStitchnippyjon]

We just got back from a week at CBR this a.m. and were not offered the bounceback offer. DD went one day earlier than DH and I and spent just one night at Pop before switching resorts to CBR. She was offered bounceback! So I really don't think that there is any rhyme or reason to it....

 

[Tink's Pixieduster]

I knew about the offer before we left for our trip (9/7-17), so I was not surprised when I saw the flyer in our room after checking in. I did notice that it was very explicit about the fact that you must book before checking out, so we did so before leaving. I was talking about the offer with another guest while taking the boat back to the Poly from the MK and she was not aware of the offer, I overheard her talking about it to her husband as they got off the boat. I couldn't help but wonder if the flyer was not in their room??? Ours was front and center on the dresser when we checked in - difficult to miss.

Anyway, good luck to all who are trying to book!

There was no flyer in our room at POFQ during our entire stay (9/01-9/09), but it was being discussed here on the DIS about a week before we left so I was aware of it. The only place I ever saw or heard anything about it while we were there was on the resort TV channel, where there were about three vague sentences about it. But we never saw a flyer of any kind.

While riding the bus back to POFQ from MK one evening, I started a conversation with the father of a young family about their WDW experience. He eventually got around to raving about how great the free dining was for them. He said they had already decided they would like to do it again next year if it was offered. I asked him if he knew about the bounceback offer and he was shocked. He said they had no idea it was available, and they would very likely book it as soon as they returned to their room. I was glad to help them out.

Even though we knew about it, my DSis and I did not book it. We had free dining last year, and while it was great to dine at some places we had never tried before, we decided it was just too much food for us and the necessary ADRs tied us to a schedule without allowing very much spontaneity. We would rather try for room discounts, such as the great AP discount we got for our recent visit, and rely on CS with perhaps one or two TS meals. Thats what works best for us.

 

[Claire&TheBoys]

We were at CSR from 9/3-9/9 and did not have a flyer in our room either. However, I had read about it here on the DIS before we left (thanks, DIS!) and I did see the blurb on the Resort TV. On our last night, I went down to the conceirge to see if I could book through him and he didn't even know about the deal. He dialed Central Reservations for me and I waited on hold FOREVER, finally got someone who had a clue what I was talking about, only to have the computer lock up on him. I watched for the special number on the Resort TV the next morning, called and booked with no problem.

MORAL OF THE STORY: Call #8844 from your room before you leave. It's WAY easier!

 

[laura001]

We were at CR a few weeks ago and I already knew about the offer before we left. We were never given a flyer or told about the offer, I had to go down to the front desk just before we left and ask them about it. They asked three people before they knew what I was talking about

 

[aubriee]

I booked the Bounce Back Program that was offered last Dec for this Sept. The only way I knew about it was reading about it here on the DIS before I left. I spent almost all of one day trying to track it down, down there and was finally able to book it that afternoon at a PORS kiosk. When I got back, there was alot of people posting here on the DIS, upset that they were down there and either didn't know about it or couldn't find anyone who knew about it. When they came back they called and as far as I know no one was able to get it. The pamphlet I picked up stated very clearly that it had to be booked prior to check out (and they did check that you were currently staying at a WDW resort before they'd book it). On the day I booked it the CM made a point of saying it had to be booked prior to check out.

Of course, he also said that the only free dining for 2007 was going to be through the Nov-Dec bounce back offer and we all know that wasn't true don't we?

 

[dclfun]

I booked my offer again but figure it will still be available in the spring to everyone. I think it's just a way for marketting to do some research but will not in any way limit others from getting the same deal. Of course if they keep telling us to put down our $$ every year as otherwise we won't get the offer...then it's offered...it's like "crying wolf" and finally most of us will just wait and keep our funds to ourselves til the spring. It certainly didn't save me time- I spent nearly an hour on my cell phone out of my vacation to try and get it booked. The flyer clearly states that you must be a current guest and I wish they'd be consisent and not give in to some people who have returned home and then want it, and not give it to others in the same situation. Either decide that people can book it if they WERE at a resort and got home, within a certain time frame, or decide not to honor the offer unless it's booked while someone's still got a current ressie but don't make people try, try, try again, complain, complain, complain...go to different managers- this just takes time, call volume, and generates dissatisfactions from those guests who find out someone else got something they tried for and were denied ( for the same reason).---Kathy

 

[D L and K's Mom]

We tried to book while we were at POR and to make a long story short. We were unable to book a specific date and resort due to needing a handicapped room. They took all our info and gave me a number to call when we got home. We did, they told us they would call back. They didnt we called back and were told they had our info but we could not book since it was to late. We tried but we were unable to get the bounce back perks...very disappointing.

 

[Claire&TheBoys]

We were at CR a few weeks ago and I already knew about the offer before we left. We were never given a flyer or told about the offer, I had to go down to the front desk just before we left and ask them about it. They asked three people before they knew what I was talking about

The guy I talked to said that the CMs may not be familiar with the offer because it came out of the Central Reservations Office. He said they don't get notice of all the promotions CRO is running. The only way they know about them is when guests ask about it.

Seems like they'd give notice to the conceirges in the resorts, though!

 

[Luv2Roam]

Actually the offer is coming from WDTC. And like a previous poster I imagine this offer is a little more random than guests think. I suspect if EVERY guest was offered the BBP, then we would be reading by now how upset those just coming back are, due to not able to book because everything is already booked.
The BBP is the same as any other offer, limited availability.
Hopefully those who missed out will be able to book WDW travel at a later date that also fits their needs.

 

[juligrl]

I don't know what the issue is. I believe you have to book before you check out.

Some of us didn't recieve the flyer while there on free dining. We would have booked for next year then if we had known.

 

[Minnie&Nana]

MORAL OF THE STORY: Call #8844 from your room before you leave. It's WAY easier!

Thanks for the info, Claire

Sounds like that could be a room number at some resorts - just wondering if other number (s) must be dialed before the 8844?

Thanks much!

 

[Claire&TheBoys]

Thanks for the info, Claire

Sounds like that could be a room number at some resorts - just wondering if other number (s) must be dialed before the 8844?

Thanks much!

That was the number given on the Resort TV channel. I saw the ad on that channel. It was a couple of screens that said, "Call for a HOT DEAL. Dial #8844 from your room phone." I thought the Resort TV was World-wide, so I'm not sure if it would be different in other resorts. We were at CSR. I just picked up the room phone and dialed 8844 and got someone who actually knew what I was talking about!

 

[Minnie&Nana]

That was the number given on the Resort TV channel. I saw the ad on that channel. It was a couple of screens that said, "Call for a HOT DEAL. Dial #8844 from your room phone." I thought the Resort TV was World-wide, so I'm not sure if it would be different in other resorts. We were at CSR. I just picked up the room phone and dialed 8844 and got someone who actually knew what I was talking about!

Thanks so much! Probably the same so, sent reminder note to self to keep an eye on the Resort channel Will be at Polynesian this time ~ going 'home' to the Polynesian after waiting 20 years to return to my favorite resort!!

 

[Mcbruns]

Some of us didn't recieve the flyer while there on free dining. We would have booked for next year then if we had known.[/QUOTE
They aren't giving the flyer out to everyone. I again don't see an 'issue'. If the requirement is to book before checking out, then you don't get the deal.