Couldn't get WL for 12-14-02 until 12-22-02

[tinagirl]

Been on hold since nearly 4:00 am Pacific. (Very tired - need sleep). Wanted WL for 12-14-02 until 12-22-02. Was told no AP availability for ANY dates.

We really wanted this resort. I actually started crying on the phone, and the CM was just like "Have a magical day"...Oye! If anybody has an AP ressie for this time period, and is gonna give it up, let me know, so I can steal it from ya.

~Tina (Sniff, Sniff).

 

[DisneyAlly]

Oh...so sorry to hear that. Can you change your dates
or split your stay to see if you can get the AP rate?
Did you ask for other room categories?

 

[robinb]

Tina,

Are the other codes available for the WL and your dates? Also, the new AP rates only go until 12/19. Most codes are good for as many days as you want as long as you start your stay before the end date. I know that sometimes APs expire on the end date, even through your stay started earlier. You may have to get the AP rate for the first part of your stay and another rate for the last couple of days. Call CRO again and get the real scoop!

 

[Joyce DC]

I was successful in getting the WL with AP rate 12/14-19. The rate is apparently only for Courtyard views and is $149.85, tax included. Try again!

 

[SnackyStacky]

I REALLY have to wonder how Disney does things. I would love to know exactly how they train the CRO CMs and what their actual policies are because I keep hearing about people who have to call several times in order to get a published rate, and about splitting stays.

Just my $.02 (not that anyone asked for it! )

 

[doombuggy]

There are probably only a certain number of spots available at that price. Say they have 500 rooms, they may only list 200 of them at that price. Just an example............
I have had to call back my self to try and get a better price. Somebody ends up cancelling, or maybe they release more rooms at the cheaper price in order to get them sold, instead of staying empty (if it's close to the date). Just my two cents............

 

[tinagirl]

Well it's 12:38 pacific, and I'm awake again. (I had stayed up until 4:00am so I was groggy & cranky when I called).

I called exactly at 4:00 (pacific/7 eastern), and got the not open yet message. I hit redial and got the "due to extrordinarily high call volumes". I didn't care - I stayed on the line. I waited for just over 22 minutes, and spoke to a CM. I told her I wanted the dates - she said she couldn't bring them up - Put me on hold. Came back about 7 minutes later - Had it figured out (or so she said.) Told me that I could get the dates from the 15-22, but not the 14th. I told her I wanted to split the ressies, and go the 14th on code (I know there is availability on that - and if there wasn't I was going to book the same $119 per night price on expedia), and then book the 15th to the 22. She said, Wait one sec...computer seems to be freezing up. I started panicking. She was friendly (maybe a little too friendly to somone who had been up more than 20 hours), and got back into the system. She said, don't worry, I'm sure that it'll be ok. She got back in, tried the 15th - 22nd, and said, "Oh goodness, looks like someone beat us to it while my computer was down." ACK! She was just starting to get annoying...She said, How about Animal Kingdom Lodge, very lovely you know. I said, isn't there anyway to get back the rates, and she nonchalantely said, Sorry, but once it's gone, I can't access it again. I told her to switch my Code rate at AKL to the AP rate (I was in tears to hear that we couldn't get what we wanted and we were so close), and she ended the call by saying "Have a Magical Day". I felt like I was talking to a robot with no feelings at all.

I called right back, (about 7:45) just to know for sure, and spoke to a very nice CM (Miranda, I think). She was empathetic, and even tried other codes that she knew of on her own accord (I didn't ask) to see if anything was a comprable price at WL. She sounded very sincere when she said she wished something could be done for me, and gave me some tips on calling back in the coming weeks to see if folks cancel. She said she understood why APs were flooding them this morning, as she always looks for the best rate too. She acted like a real person who had feelings and cared, so it was refreshing to listen to her. I don't think that if I hadn't, I would have been able to sleep at all. She really calmed me down, and explained that even if I don't get WL when calling back, that I'll still have a wonderful time, (basically just reassuring me, although she could have cut me off like the first CM).

I was just so angry at the first CM who was so unfeeling. In any event, I got my 8 hours of sleep, and am looking forward to my stay, wherever it may be. But still, if anyone is going to Cancel WL...please let me know at cstevenson@socal.rr.com My family just really wants to be there on the ap discount, but we can't afford it otherwise (because we have 3 adults).

Anywho, I needed to vent.

Sorry folks
~Tina

 

[robinb]

Tina,

I know how you feel. The exact thing happened to me last year. It all worked out OK, though. I just kept on calling and calling every couple of days. I'm sure I got the rate I wanted with a week. Good luck!

 

[tlt]

What a disappointment...we stayed at WL a couple of years ago & it is wonderful, but you know that AKL is built by the same builders with the same woodsy, cozy feel- plus you get the animals to look at and an amazing pool...plus the food at AKL is better than WL in our opinion...transportation is also better. I know your heart is set on WL, but if that doesn't come thru for you, I really think that AKL will be a great 2nd choice.

 

[erikthewise]

tina,

Sounds like you were trying for a Standard View room. You should know that WL doesn't have a lot of Standard View rooms, and only some of those are available for certain codes. If you are willing to accept a Woods or Courtyard view room you'll do much better. Yes I know it costs more but it's still a pretty good bargain at AP or code rates.

You can also try expedia.com and travelocity.com, which may have their own blocks of rooms, if you are determined to get a standard view.

 

[tinagirl]

Update:
I called back today to see if something opened up. I was willing to book the $119 per night + extra person charge for a grand total of $1,279 on expedia or with code CKO. (We were debating back and forth, and then decided that we could swing the extra almost $100 for a standard room.) I asked for the AP at the lodge, just to see, and she gave me an option that no other had. The first CM had said that Woods view rooms weren't available on the AP discount, that only Courtyard were open. (Would have been a price of $1,421). Now we found out that we could get a Woods view, non smoking (possibly Otters. ) for only $9 more than code CKO on a standard room. Our grand total with extra person and woods view with the AP discount cost $1,288. We decided to go for that. I guess it just goes to show that everything can work out to an extent, and just keep calling. I was prepared to keep my stay at AKL and try for a standard room at WL in the morning on August 12 (The day after the folks who booked yesterday need to have their deposits in), because then, people who didn't pay, will have their rooms go back into the system. But now, we don't need to do that.

Happy as a Clam!
~Tina

 

[robinb]

Originally posted by tinagirl
Update:
Happy as a Clam!
~Tina

Whoo Hoo! Congratulations .

 

[luv2nascar]

I just love a happy ending
Glad you got a good deal staying at the WL where you wanted to