CRO took forever!!!!!

[Kasmir]

Hi, Fellow DISers!

Did it take FOREVER when you made your ressies with CRO?

I finally called tonight to reserve our trip in Dec and was on the phone with them for.... (drum roll, please...)

One hour and 40 minutes!!!!! And I was only in queu for an operator for about one minute!

For cryin' out loud, my ear was sweating!

I promise that I wasn't reading her my "Obnoxiously Over-the-Top Room Request Letter" either.

Is this normal? I'm afraid to call back to make any changes!

I'm glad that I pay just one rate on my phone bill each month so that long distance charges weren't a problem! Then again, with the money that we're paying for this trip, what's a long distance bill?

The good news is: We're goin' to DISNEY!!!!!!!

Thanks for listening to me complain!
Sheila

 

[bethzfl]

Yikes. What on earth took so long?

 

[dudspizza]

Hi, Fellow DISers!

Did it take FOREVER when you made your ressies with CRO?

I finally called tonight to reserve our trip in Dec and was on the phone with them for.... (drum roll, please...)

One hour and 40 minutes!!!!! And I was only in queu for an operator for about one minute!

For cryin' out loud, my ear was sweating!

I promise that I wasn't reading her my "Obnoxiously Over-the-Top Room Request Letter" either.

Is this normal? I'm afraid to call back to make any changes!

I'm glad that I pay just one rate on my phone bill each month so that long distance charges weren't a problem! Then again, with the money that we're paying for this trip, what's a long distance bill?

The good news is: We're goin' to DISNEY!!!!!!!

Thanks for listening to me complain!
Sheila

I called today and was on hold for 2 minutes. THis was around noon. The CM came on and I confirmed two ressies, and cancelled 1. I was on the phone for maybe 10 minutes, tops.

Next time, you can call their 1-800 number. It is 1-800-828-0228. Saves some bucks! They just don't advertise that number.

Duds

 

[MrsJ Henry]

I usually get right through But for one reason or another I have had to call them a few times in the last couple weeks and it has been taking forever. I do tend to have better luck when i call later in the day than when I call in the morning.

 

[bytheblood]

I called a feww minutes ago and got that message, "You called at the perfect time"...but then when I pressed 3 for dining, I got the "We are receiving more called than usual" message and held for 10 minutes.

 

[MagicKingdom05]

Maybe lots of people are calling to apply AP or FL discounts.

 

[Kasmir]

Thanks, Guys -- I'll call the 800-number next time.

I have absolutely no idea what took so long! We reserved the MYW Premium Pkg for 12/1 - 12/14, splitting the stay between GF (12/1 - 12/6), WL (12/6 - 12/10), then AKL (12/10 - 12/14).

The CRO would ask me a question, then after I answered her, there would be silence for so long that I'd say, "Are you still there?"

It finally got to the point that every 30 seconds, she would say, "I just wanted to let you know that I'm still here." We finally were joking about it.

I asked her at one point if making reservations always took this long and she said that these types of "complicated" vacations always took a long time.

Now, call me crazy, but I see people on here talk about making ressies like this all the time!

I didn't even make any special requests because I was afraid that it would take even longer... I'm just going to call back another day for those...

Maybe she was new....

 

[bytheblood]

I asked her at one point if making reservations always took this long and she said that these types of "complicated" vacations always took a long time.

People do make these types of reservations all of the time. Maybe it was complicated to her. You know what? Even if she thought what you were asking of her was complicated, she should not have voiced that to you. She should have simply stated that she is making certain that she enters every detail properly since it is a split stay and that is why it is taking a little longer.

I was reserved at Pop and that reservation took maybe 5 minutes. When I got an email pin, I switched to POFQ. When I called, she had to write over my current reservation and that took all of 10 - 15 minutes and she was detailing everything.

 

[chyam]

This is my one true pet peeve with CRO . It seems everytime I call it is at least a 20-30 minute wait. The 800 number is great but that is the Travel Service division and they do have different cancellation policies so do be aware. I think the major problem with the long waits is all the questions. They ask you to punch in your phone number and then finally when someone comes on they ask you again, then they have to go through the whole spiel of how many visits, who's coming etc. etc. I feel that when I ask if "such and such" is available for my specific dates and they say it is then ask all the damn questions..........why go through all of the stuff if there is nothing available that I am interested in for my dates. I used to think they were in cahoots with the phone company, but they could process alot more calls if they would just streamline all the market research questions.....If what I want is available then go from there. As much as I love Disney the other day my cell phone went dead several times due to the long waits and my hand fell asleep holding it to my ear, not to mention I had just about had enough of yo ho yo ho a pirates life for me! Oh well I'm through venting now Well I thought I was through but can anyone tell me why Disney can not find a web designer who can create an online resevation system that can handle codes and most other details..........geez you would think they are running a Mickey Mouse operation up there! Ok I'm done now

 

[Kasmir]

You would think they are running a Mickey Mouse operation up there!

 

[LuvN~Travel]

Maybe lots of people are calling to apply AP or FL discounts.

Now what would give you THAT idea?
Kim

 

[pirateofthecarolinas]

Kasmir,

You picked some great resorts. We check in at the GF on 12/5. Maybe we'll run into one another. We love changing resorts. I can't imagine what took so long. It sounds like her computer was slooooooooooooow.

Lori

 

[msmouse]

Someone gave me the 877-939-3732#. Please tell me that was a toll free number!

 

[Shells9]

877 is toll free...

 

[TeresaMc]

I called to add a day to my reservation......was on the phone for over an hour and finally she told me she would take my number and call me back when she got it done. It was a simple add a night...no codes, discounts, anything!!!

 

[msmouse]

Thank you Shells9. I called from my office, so for a moment, I thought my job could be in jeopardy! Whew!

 

[lovethattink]

This is my one true pet peeve with CRO . It seems everytime I call it is at least a 20-30 minute wait. The 800 number is great but that is the Travel Service division and they do have different cancellation policies so do be aware. I think the major problem with the long waits is all the questions. They ask you to punch in your phone number and then finally when someone comes on they ask you again, then they have to go through the whole spiel of how many visits, who's coming etc. etc. I feel that when I ask if "such and such" is available for my specific dates and they say it is then ask all the damn questions..........why go through all of the stuff if there is nothing available that I am interested in for my dates. I used to think they were in cahoots with the phone company, but they could process alot more calls if they would just streamline all the market research questions.....If what I want is available then go from there. As much as I love Disney the other day my cell phone went dead several times due to the long waits and my hand fell asleep holding it to my ear, not to mention I had just about had enough of yo ho yo ho a pirates life for me! Oh well I'm through venting now Well I thought I was through but can anyone tell me why Disney can not find a web designer who can create an online resevation system that can handle codes and most other details..........geez you would think they are running a Mickey Mouse operation up there! Ok I'm done now

I didn't know their cancellation policy was different. What is the difference?

 

[debster812]

CRO's (Central Reservation Office) policies are: Make only 1 nights deposit, and the rest is payable upon arrival, and you may cancel up to 5 days prior to your arrival, and get back every penny. This is for room only reservations

WDWTC (Walt Disney World Travel Co.) policies are: Pay a deposit of $200 (or some amount) and the rest is payable 45 days before your arrival. I believe the cancellation without penalty is also 45 days.

I also think that the 800 numbers people have posted are for either WDWTC or the Passholder line, there is no toll free number for CRO. So you pay a few dollars for better cancellation and deposit policies. Decent trade off in my book.

 

[bytheblood]

CRO's (Central Reservation Office) policies are: Make only 1 nights deposit, and the rest is payable upon arrival, and you may cancel up to 5 days prior to your arrival, and get back every penny. This is for room only reservations

WDWTC (Walt Disney World Travel Co.) policies are: Pay a deposit of $200 (or some amount) and the rest is payable 45 days before your arrival. I believe the cancellation without penalty is also 45 days.

I also think that the 800 numbers people have posted are for either WDWTC or the Passholder line, there is no toll free number for CRO. So you pay a few dollars for better cancellation and deposit policies. Decent trade off in my book.

According to Disney's Literature:
1 night deposit per room on a room-only reservation - balance due upon check-in!

$200 deposit per room on a package reservation - balance due 45 days prior to arrival!

This is the same phone number, regardless of who you speak to.

 

[Kasmir]

That's why we went with CRO also, since we had to cancel last year. Although we will NOT be canceling this year -- even if they have to tear the tickets out of my dead Kung Fu Ninja grip!

We have a package though...

Cool, Lori, maybe we'll see you there!