Expedia vs CRO

[AMG]

Hi guys,

Went onto Expedia and found a package for two roundtrip tickets, two 8 day hopper passes, and 7 nights at the Coronado for first week in December for $900. pp.

Has anyone gone this route, or would you advise going through CRO and purchasing seperately?

 

[RNMOM]

I think that sounds like a pretty good deal. I would not be afraid to go with Expedia. You could easily find out on this site and others what the individual costs of hotel and passes are..I think this sounds good.

 

[paulmc80]

I booked a night stay at POFQ through Expedia. It was the same promo rate at CRO - $85/night on 12/14/02. I find it much easier to book through Expedia. Only thing that was driving me nuts was taht it kept rejecting my credit card and it was not my card. It finally went through when I tried again an hour later. Personally, I think it was Disney's system that was causing the hangup I bet.

 

[dmonroe]

I used them to book our upcoming December trip. I feel pretty comfortable with them; but would like to hear from others that have already used them. Does anyone know if the passes are like the Resort Majic passes--do they come with one flex feature?

 

[4greatboys]

I had booked a room with Ap rates then I went to Expedia and they had much better Fall Fantasy rates. I also checked Travelocity and Orbitz.....Expedia beat both their rates.

 

[eebear]

I've had much success with Expedia in the past and wouldn't hesitate to use it again. I booked our room at the GF last December at either Travelocity or Expedia (I always check both for the best rate), and had no problems. Booked our upcoming trip through AAA online, and the reservation is visible in the CRO system, but they can't make any changes to it ... even the AAA agents had trouble making changes. Having said that, AAA certainly had the best rate at more than $50 less a night than CRO, Travelocity or Expedia.

 

[TMcG88]

Let me tell you about MY expedia experience!! I also had trouble booking online, so I calld them and they blamed it on the Disney hotels and told me to keep trying. Several days and NO luck later, I called the Disney club and they gave me the same rate as advertised on Expedia ( POLY 179/night 11/7-11/11). However, because I wasted 2 days playing around with expedia there were no more concierge rooms available. Then, I decided to add an extra day at the AKL this time I got through on Expedia, they took my credit card info and gave me a hotel confirmation number. Today I decided to call the AKL and confirm my reservations...and guess what? They had NO record of them and suggested I call central reservations!!! I called them and you guessed it, no reservations! So, I called expedia and they gave me a "special" number to call......turns out it is disney's central reservations and still no reservation!!! I am furious...any suggestions??? (I e-mailed expedia and got an e-mail back that they are looking into it)

 

[4greatboys]

When I booked with Expedia, both Expedia and my resort told me my info wouldnt download into the Disney system til maybe a week before our arrival. Maybe yours just hadnt downloaded yet. We are going Sept 20 and our info prob wont be in the Dis system for a few more days.

 

[TMcG88]

Unfortunateley, that's not it. I just got another e-mail from expedia...they said they don't know what happened (they are still looking into it) and to make a new reservation.

 

[4greatboys]

TM.....let me know how it goes with Expedia. Im keeping my fingers crossed the get your situation straightened out. Vacations should not be stressful. Good Luck!!

 

[CarolMN]

Originally posted by AMG


Hi guys,

Went onto Expedia and found a package for two roundtrip tickets, two 8 day hopper passes, and 7 nights at the Coronado for first week in December for $900. pp.

Has anyone gone this route, or would you advise going through CRO and purchasing seperately?

If RT airfare of approx $206/person is a good deal from your airport, then I think you got a good deal on Expedia.

The advanced purchase price for an 8 day/7 night UPH is $363.60
A good discounte price for a moderate in December (with a discount code) is $85/night plus tax. Assuming double occupancy, $85(1.11)(7)/2 = $330.23/person for CS.

900 - 363.60 - 330.23 = $206.17/person for airfare

Again, assuming the airfare is a good price, I think you got a good deal and probably couldn't do any better on your own. JMHO. December is a great time to visit. Enjoy the trip!

 

[jcanary]

Just got off of the phone with CRO trying to find a 2 bedroom at OKW for July 18 which they had none. I mentioned how expedia had them and the CM was telling me that wholesalers like them have a contract to buy so many rooms, etc from them to sell over the internet. She said that they are definitely legit. I hope so

 

[skiwee1]

Originally posted by jcanary
Just got off of the phone with CRO trying to find a 2 bedroom at OKW for July 18 which they had none. I mentioned how expedia had them and the CM was telling me that wholesalers like them have a contract to buy so many rooms, etc from them to sell over the internet. She said that they are definitely legit. I hope so

I just tried to use Expedia a little while ago. I wanted a room at the Poly for an additional night and CRO didn't have anything. Expedia showed the rooms. I put in all the info and even got to the part of comfirming ressie after I typed in all CC info. I waited for the confirmation only to get a "your ressies cannot be processed for this resort, Choose another." Same thing happened when I tried to book through AAA also.

 

[CarolMN]

As far as I know, Expedia is not one of the "wholesalers". They access the same inventory as Disney's CRO. It is unusual for Expedia (or Travelcotuy) to actually have a room available if CRO is showing no availability. You usually get the same message as skiwee1 just did. The Disney inventory is very dynamic though, so it does happen every once in a while.

As far as a cash ressie for OKW for nextt July, I'd be very surprised if any were available this far out. OKW is DVC resort and is completely sold out to DVC members. Disney owns/held back only a very small percentage of that resort - about 4%. That % is often used for rehab/maihntenance purposes, but can be rented out for cash. Most of the rooms available for cash rental come about because DVC members have traded their DVC points for a non-DVC option. DVC has to rent out the equivalent of DVC rooms to "pay" for the member's trade.

Don't give up on OKW for next July. More rooms will become available closer to the date. A good time to try is about 6 months ahead of time and then again at 2 months out.

Good luck!

 

[TMcG88]

Okay guys, here's the latest....I called CRO and booked my AKL reservation for the same price as expedia had (used the CKO code) but the CM advised me that I would need the deluxe savanna view as we had 5 in our party. I noticed in my expedia confirmation the fine print "This room/unit is only guaranteed for 2 adults. Contact the lodging directly to check availability and charges for extra guests" So...just for fun I tried to book an all star resort for 5 people..and it will let you!!! So be very careful when using expedia that the room you choose can accomadate your party!!!

Even though I got my ressies, I'm still waiting to see how Expedia resolves this....I'll keep you all posted!

Oh yeah , and thanks for letting me vent!!!

 

[jcanary]

I am nervous about OKW since they do show one bedroom and yes - a grand villa available for cash rental. I still have the option to borrow points and reserve a 2 bedroom on points but really wanted to save points and pay cash. I guess I will keep checking every month. I still can not believe a grand villa is available for cash in july

 

[CarolMN]

Originally posted by jcanary
I am nervous about OKW since they do show one bedroom and yes - a grand villa available for cash rental. I still have the option to borrow points and reserve a 2 bedroom on points but really wanted to save points and pay cash. I guess I will keep checking every month. I still can not believe a grand villa is available for cash in july

Neither do I. Bet if you actually tried to book it, you would get a message similar to the one skiwee1 got - "your ressies cannot be processed for this resort, Choose another."

 

[4greatboys]

Why dont you call Expedia to book your room? When I booked my trip I called and booked it over the phone (mainly because I had some questions). Its worth a try. Good Luck!

 

[4greatboys]

Why dont you call Expedia to book your room? When I booked my trip I called and booked it over the phone (mainly because I had some questions). Its worth a try. Good Luck!

 

[imbe@aol.com]

I wouldn't hesitate to book with Expedia. I've not done it for WDW trips, but *have* booked through them for other trips, and it's been no problem at all.