Calling Member Services from Europe?

[shellbelle1971]

I just realized that I will be in Italy during the dates that I will need to be calling in a hard-to-get reservation day by day. To make matters worse, on the first day, I will probably be on a train at 9:00 am eastern when MS opens.

Does anyone know how I can do this? Will my U.S. cell phone work? Will I need a land line? Do I just dial the 1-800-WHATEVER number? Or is there some special prefix I need to know? Or is there a different number when calling from outside the U.S.?

Help! I'm almost ready to cancel my Italy trip to make sure I can get the land of the mouse!

Michelle

 

[lisaviolet]

I just realized that I will be in Italy during the dates that I will need to be calling in a hard-to-get reservation day by day. To make matters worse, on the first day, I will probably be on a train at 9:00 am eastern when MS opens.

Does anyone know how I can do this? Will my U.S. cell phone work? Will I need a land line? Do I just dial the 1-800-WHATEVER number? Or is there some special prefix I need to know? Or is there a different number when calling from outside the U.S.?

Help! I'm almost ready to cancel my Italy trip to make sure I can get the land of the mouse!

Michelle

Poor thing!!!!!!

I can take care of Italy for you if you want!

I don't have any answers for you besides, "have fun lucky girl"!!!

 

[lisaviolet]

Michelle,

Why don't you ask over at the UK DVC forum...you might get your questions answered right away and maybe with less envy attached. Maybe not with the envy. I think everyone could use a little Italy. Aaaaaah....nice pictures in my head.

Lisa

 

[CarolMN]

What are the dates of your trip? Maybe you can find an internet cafe and send an email for your reservation. Not all dates need to be booked at 11 months.

I don't think your cell phone will work at all - Europe's wireless systems are based on a different technology than are those in the U.S.

There used to be a toll free number that worked from overseas (Europe). Not sure if it covered more than the UK, though.

Do you have a trusted relative or friend that could call and book for you? If so, that's another option.

Best wishes -

 

[1000th happy haunt]

Your cell phone will work IF...

You have a cell phone that's compatible with both US and European wavelengths. If you have the standard "free" cell phone that providers give out, most likely it's not compatible with European standards.

and IF your carrier has a contract with cell phone providers in Italy. Cingular does, and you can actually sign up for European coverage on a month to month basis.

Another option is to rent a cell phone at the airport, or through your carrier.

(I did a lot of research for our trip to Disneyland Paris last year)

 

[shellbelle1971]

Thanks! Good ideas, all. I will post on UK DVC site, too.

We have Cingular and DH reports that his phone works fine in the UK and Germany, so I imagine (hope) Italy would be okay, too.

I also have someone I trust (mom) going on the trip with us. If she were to call MS for me would she just need all my info and pretend to be me? That would be the easiest.

I'm sure this ressie will need to be a day-by-day thing, probably a waitlist day-by-day, so I'm stressed over it.

 

[spiceycat]

DVC has list at one time for some of the European countries - I will try and find it....

 

[spiceycat]

I couldn't find it - just call MS and ask for the toll free number from Italy.