Disturbing CRO call yesterday...

[BellaBear]

We are heading to see the Mouse at the end of September with two rooms booked at Pop for my family of six. I called yesterday to see if I could switch to a two bedroom OKW or SSR. The CM told me that not only were there no availablity at those two but all of the villas were sold out and I was very lucky to have my two rooms at Pop She then went on to tell me that last year was Disney's busiest year and this year is on track to surpass last year. She told me there are no longer slow times. This is our first trip in four years and now I'm wondering if we are in for bad crowds. Ugh!

 

[grannyminnie]

Apparently all the Dis posters have decided to vacation this year!!!

 

[CanadianGuy]

You will find numerous times of year now where travel bookings are high and the resorts are well filled, but that the crowds at the parks aren't overwhelming at all.

I bet that's what you'll find on your travel dates.

PS> I changed the name of your thread slightly -- CR = Contemporary Resort, CRO = Central Resrevations Office

 

[Pennykay]

We are also coming in at the end of September. (20-30) When I check my dates online both of those are available. Have you checked online for availability? Good luck!

 

[BellaBear]

PS> I changed the name of your thread slightly -- CR = Contemporary Resort, CRO = Central Resrevations Office

Thank you!

I did check online last night and something came up but shouldn't it have come up through CRO? I guess I don't understand the CM's comment when they have been sending out postcards with discounts. Is it totally based on rooms allocated for different codes/discounts/whatever? Could it be because we have free dining and nothing is coming up with free dining?

 

[becky1960]

We went at the end of May till first week of June 07 and I thought crowds would be lighter. We have been going for many, many years and these were some of the largest crowds I have seen at the parks. Four years ago they were lighter. We still enjoy the visit, we just work around the crowds.

 

[MinnieGirl33]

ITA that there are no slow times anymore... & if there are any slumps in bookings, rest assured TPTB will come up with some promo to boost sales.

Don't forget that F&W begins 9/28 & is a very popular event. Also, Sept is popular w/DVCers as the point structure is lower (in addition to the draw of F&W).

By comparison, Sept crowds should be nowhere near Christmas/Easter crowds but... go with a plan & a good attitude & you'll be fine.

 

[Pennykay]

Thank you!

I did check online last night and something came up but shouldn't it have come up through CRO? I guess I don't understand the CM's comment when they have been sending out postcards with discounts. Is it totally based on rooms allocated for different codes/discounts/whatever? Could it be because we have free dining and nothing is coming up with free dining?

Oh, are you trying to change a free dining reservation? It is my understanding that it will be very, very difficult to change resorts if you are tying to keep free dining. The inventory online is not the same inventory that would be available for free dining.

 

[nbodyhome]

I don't expect September to be busy. Even the free dining took a while to fill, there are too many kids going back to school. Restaurants will be full. There is still a lot of resort availability, even with AP and other discounts. Some resorts are more full than others, of course.

This is a huge year for Disney, no doubt. But September is still more of a lull period, before the Food and Wine Festival (which really hits gear when you start getting into October).

The person at DRC probably didn't want to check for you, I'd call back and get someone else.

 

[goinback]

When I booked our DD's b-day trip for Jan 07, the CM told me the same thing. I was worried! When we got there, we were able to walk on almost everything. Although general attendance may be up, the fact still remains that during non-vacation times, the parks will be less crowded. I think the large majority of people still choose to come when the kids are out of school.

 

[LorilieMarie]

I was there last year the last week of Sept. It wasn't bad at all. The only long line was for Soarin'. A lot of people from my area go in Sept. because we are considered a year-round school and have a cycle break during this time. It's fun to go down there and see a lot of people from your school. We are going again Sept 21-28. If it is anything like last year we will have a great time!

 

[pixdust]

I don't expect September to be busy. Even the free dining took a while to fill, there are too many kids going back to school. Restaurants will be full. There is still a lot of resort availability, even with AP and other discounts. Some resorts are more full than others, of course.

This is a huge year for Disney, no doubt. But September is still more of a lull period, before the Food and Wine Festival (which really hits gear when you start getting into October).

The person at DRC probably didn't want to check for you, I'd call back and get someone else.

I am banking on what Denise said. "I don't expect September to be busy"

 

[nbodyhome]

I am banking on what Denise said. "I don't expect September to be busy"

Even if Disney opened every room on property for free dining, the offsite properties aren't busy. Disney didn't open that many rooms up, it took a while for what was there to fill - and parents just don't seem to want to take the kids out of school for that first month. Plus, Disney is very event driven - there are no big events in September. Night of Joy isn't that big (only a couple of evenings), and the Food and Wine Festival will get in full swing in October. Guests seem to want to be there now for events - Food and Wine, Christmas, Flower and Garden, Halloween. I think I saw that F/G is going to be 10 weeks next year! Pretty soon, Disney will be all events, all the time!

 

[BamaFan121s]

Aren't they "re-homing" alot of guest who had ressies w/ AKL to those two particular resorts? It's no wonder that they are full... All I can say is, I'm glad I'm not going that week!

 

[nbodyhome]

Aren't they "re-homing" alot of guest who had ressies w/ AKL to those two particular resorts? It's no wonder that they are full... All I can say is, I'm glad I'm not going that week!

I am not sure if they are moving guests that particular week. I am local, but I have 11 nights planned at the end of September - and I consider it a perfect time to go (not too crowded, weather getting slightly cooler, Food and Wine Festival starting, etc). I can't wait!

 

[SB in KY]

I think the real issue with this poster is that she wanted to switch resorts and keep her free dining. The only way you could do that was if the FREE DINING allocation of rooms at OKW or SSR had not been filled....those are probably long gone, but there are still rooms available on cash and point reservations at both resorts for the last week of Sept (just not with free dining). I think there just wasn't anything left in the inventory allocated for free dining.

 

[BellaBear]

Thanks for all the replies. After talking to the CM yesterday I was worried about crowd levels. I'm not so concerned anymore.

My other confusion was lack of availability at different resorts and now I realize it's because of the free dining attached to my ressie. I suppose I'll have to weigh free dining with getting into a better resort. Or as the CM said, "Just be grateful I got my two rooms at the POP!"


Truth be told....I was sorta hoping for an upsell. I know, I know. Shame on me.

 

[NJDISMOM]

BellaBear,

Keep hoping! It never hurts to call CRO and try. I actually called about 3 times before I was able to get an upsell from POP to POR for our first 5 days, only $38 more total! This wasn't with a free dining package, but it still might work out for you!

Or, you could get an upgrade when you arrive! Either way, you'll be at WDW !

 

[nbodyhome]

You may not be able to switch resorts under free dining now - but there is a new discount out, so maybe you could get that (I haven't heard of anyone being switched that late in the month to a DVC resort). I also was thinking the AKL guests being moved stopped in early September?

 

[amycishere]

I know, I just tried to add a night and the whole club level was booked even around my dates...three nights will be great though...first onsite stay!!