Do they really check on availibility with codes?

[Dr. J.]

I received a 40% code in the beginning of March or so and booked a trip at CBR. I was told I could call back to check on availibility as more might open up(the code doesn't expire until the end of December). I called this morning, because I thought more would open up after the dust of free dining settled with trip shuffling etc. I added the dining plan, and it always seems to take a while for them to check ressies etc. After we did that, I asked the CM to check if there was any availibility at AK, WL or POFQ and he told me no in about 15 seconds. I suspect he didn't check. Does anyone else get this feeling. Please don't get me wrong, I am so psyched for the discount room, but I would like to know my options...

 

[disney-super-mom]

I again tried switching resorts yesterday for our December trip (we also booked using the 40% off code). The CM put me on hold for about 10 minutes, then came back and said that there weren't any mods or values available. So I assume they must check.

Your CM has probably checked so much for other people that she/he just knows that nothing is available, and therefor didn't even need to check.....maybe.

 

[Dr. J.]

Thanks for the reply. Maybe my CM thought he had done enough with my reservations for the day by adding the dining. It probably took 20-30 minutes. I'll try again another day and maybe not tell the CM I already have a ressie.

 

[ElizabethB]

Ask to speak with Guest Services. Once the promotion deadline has passed, CM's can't help you make a change. Only Guest Services has access to the room inventory for making changes after the deadline for booking has passed.

 

[Dr. J.]

My code doesn't expire until 12/31/08 and we are traveling in December so I will try again. I keep reading all these great reviews on the boards, but am getting a little nervous about CBR. But as many say, a trip to disney is a trip to disney. I don't think we can go that wrong.

 

[Aliceacc]

I think the deadline mentioned is the March 31st booking deadline that many of the Codes shared.

 

[3"Mouse"keteers]

I think the deadline mentioned is the March 31st booking deadline that many of the Codes shared.

It was, but I was told that as long as I had my vacation booked by then, I could add nights to the beginning or end as long as they came available and it did not require changing resorts or room types.

 

[disney-super-mom]

Ask to speak with Guest Services. Once the promotion deadline has passed, CM's can't help you make a change. Only Guest Services has access to the room inventory for making changes after the deadline for booking has passed.

What phone number would I call to do this? Could you please post it here or send it to me in a PM? I would really appreciate it.

 

[TDISFAMILY]

I keep reading all these great reviews on the boards, but am getting a little nervous about CBR.

Why are you nervous about CBR IMO I loved CBR for our last stay and would definatly return to that resort. If there is something particular you are nervous about pm me and I can try to help

 

[Dr. J.]

I guess what I am nervous about is the size of the resort. We are renting a car and requested Jamaica or Aruba. We stayed in CSR in May 2005 and enjoyed that and Maya Grill. It's funny though because alot of people pan CSR. I think you find such varied opinions of everything from restaurants to resorts that it is sometimes overwhelming. I am coming to realize there are probably no wrong answers. Thanks for your response.

 

[CanadianGuy]

Be careful - CODE expiration and BOOKING DEADLINE are two very different things.

The 40% off codes that were floating around in January of 2008 ... ALL required a booking by March 31st.

Any changes to your reservation after that MUST be done thru Guest Services. The front line CM's computers will ALWAYS show ZERO availability at all resorts after March 31st.

Generally speaking, you can not make a totally NEW booking after March 31st no matter who you talk to.

Hope this helps,

Knox

 

[Dr. J.]

I see the distinction, but I got my code in the middle of March. I am assumed I could use it through the end of the dates as there was no expiration date listed.

 

[CanadianGuy]

Dr. J:

No that's not true. There is definitely a cut off.. it may not have been march 31st in your case ... but it might have been April 15th or ... I dunno.

But there is a cut-off. I know the mailers and emails have not been good about including that date lately and personally I think that's problematic from the consumer viewpoint.

I'd call back again - and ask for a supervisor to explain the terms of the offer including any specific booking deadline.

Frustrating, I sympathize!

Knox

 

[disney-super-mom]

Be careful - CODE expiration and BOOKING DEADLINE are two very different things.

The 40% off codes that were floating around in January of 2008 ... ALL required a booking by March 31st.

Any changes to your reservation after that MUST be done thru Guest Services. The front line CM's computers will ALWAYS show ZERO availability at all resorts after March 31st.

Generally speaking, you can not make a totally NEW booking after March 31st no matter who you talk to.

Hope this helps,

Knox

So if we wanted to switch resorts (dates would still be the same), that would be considered a totally NEW booking and couldn't be done at this point?

I just want to clarify what would be a "change" in a reservation, and what would be considered a "new" reservation.

(And if we can still change our reservation by switching resorts, what is the phone number for Guest Services?)

 

[CanadianGuy]

Changing resorts on the same dates would be a change in reservation IF the other resorts offered availability under the promo code with which you are booked.

The ONLY people who can make that change after the 'book by' date are Guest Services. You can ask the CM who first speaks to you to check with Guest Services on your behalf with this request!

Hope this helps!

KNox

 

[disney-super-mom]

Changing resorts on the same dates would be a change in reservation IF the other resorts offered availability under the promo code with which you are booked.

The ONLY people who can make that change after the 'book by' date are Guest Services. You can ask the CM who first speaks to you to check with Guest Services on your behalf with this request!

Hope this helps!

KNox

Oh, okay, that seems easy enough to do. Thanks Knox!

 

[disneydreamin247]

Dr. J:

No that's not true. There is definitely a cut off.. it may not have been march 31st in your case ... but it might have been April 15th or ... I dunno.

But there is a cut-off. I know the mailers and emails have not been good about including that date lately and personally I think that's problematic from the consumer viewpoint.

I'd call back again - and ask for a supervisor to explain the terms of the offer including any specific booking deadline.

Frustrating, I sympathize!

Knox

Definitely. Neither the postcard NOR the email I received had a deadline or expiration date on it. However my TA was able to add nights to AND change my ressie (added 4 nights at POP/took one night off Poly) and still use my code. I'm just grateful for that.

 

[Dr. J.]

Thanks for all the info. I don't know how any manages to plan a trip without the the DISboards

 

[mbanks21]

He may have just checked for someone the call before yours. Keep in mind that the calls are monitored as well as the screen interactions. If the CM said he checked and didnt, he's probably fired right about now...

 

[Dr. J.]

I called back last weekend and there was availibility at AK without going through guest services. So as I've learned from the boards, if at first you don't succeed try again! We have two rooms that we are booking with one night rack rate, so for $1,000, we decided to stick with CBR.