Experiences with First Choice

[JohnnySharp2]

Does anyone go to the welcome meetings? First Choice dish out a goody bag for the kids, and would like to get one for DD, but if it involves some convoluted sales pitch, then I won't bother.

The general opinion on all these 'welcome meetings' is unless you specifically have anything to collect then don't bother.
They do tend to push for you to buy tickets for everything in my experience.

 

[leemel]

We didn't bother with the TCD one either, as that seemed to be as well organised as the proverbial trip to the brewery.

 

[tashasmum]

The only First Choice meeting we went to was to complain about the state of the villa we had been allocated, the Reps didn't want us there not when they were going to do the welcome meeting, the Head Rep was the most unhelpful person we have ever come across and even though we were being perfectly reasonable insisted we must leave.

At least we got compensation from First Choice when we got home

 

[meryll83]

The general opinion on all these 'welcome meetings' is unless you specifically have anything to collect then don't bother.
They do tend to push for you to buy tickets for everything in my experience.

We went to our Virgin one last year, I think it was only about half an hour, and at DTD so pretty handy. The sales push wasn't too hard. We just bought a couple of Orlando area transfer vouchers to get us to Universal from Pop.
We only really went to the meeting to collect our free Hard Rock Cafe meal vouchers though

 

[profolly]

Thanks so much everyone It's so differrent from DLRP the park pass is separate from the room key there.

Profolly

 

[leemel]

Where do First Choice hold their welcome meeting...we're staying POFQ this time...

 

[Bonnie151]

I really *hope* First Choice don't force you to attend their welcome meeting to pick up park passes/DDP cards! We're going next May and have already booked dinner for the first night and a character breakfast for 8:05 the next morning in one of the parks! I had read that First Choice does hand out tickets at the welcome meeting, but had been assuming that the welcome meeting would have been held the afternoon we arrived - would make far more sense on a holiday where you buy tickets for the length of the holiday. Think I'll be phoning them in the morning...

 

[profolly]

I would Bonnie just to be on the safe side the more FC realise this problem the better. let us know how you get on


Profolly

 

[traceycooper]

At least staying in a disney property, i think if you explain at checkin they would sort you out, Disney have always given fantastic service.
We didnt get our cruise documents from Airtours, went to DCL desk at hotel & they were in our room within a couple of hours!

 

[Bonnie151]

I would Bonnie just to be on the safe side the more FC realise this problem the better. let us know how you get on

I forgot to bring my booking reference to work this morning, but have it on top of my bag for tomorrow and will definitely phone first thing in the morning! In the meantime, I've had a look on the FC website as that's how I booked (or rather booked the main holiday online & then phoned to book tickets as instructed on their website) and it says in the Univeral and Orlandoflex ticket sections that those tickets are collected at the Welcome meeting, but doesn't actually say anything re collection under the WDW ticket section, so perhaps they are just provided at check in if requested. I'll update tomorrow...

 

[profolly]

Thanks Bonnie


profolly

 

[Bonnie151]

Hi Profolly-

Just to say that I did phone FC today and I'm so glad you posted! Sure enough, I was told that you have to attend the Welcome Meeting the MORNING AFTER YOU ARRIVE to obtain your WDW tickets. With all due respect to FC, that's just insane! So I kicked up a bit of a fuss and told them (honestly) that we had already made reservations and plans for our first evening and first thing the next morning and so the (very friendly) service rep phoned through to Orlando and agreed with them that we will pick up our tickets from the FC desk at Sanford on arrival.

I'm not sure I completely trust it, and will be phoning Orlando direct once we get our tickets next May to doublecheck!

I'm not trying to sound rude, but surely seeing as we've paid for the tickets, we're entitled to have them from the very start of our holiday? No?

 

[profolly]

Hi Bonnie

So glad it wasn't a mistake on my part and glad you insisted, if you have paid for so many nights you should be able to use ALL those nights I'm going to do the same as you and check. FC have advised me that I check with them 2 weeks before i go when the room plan is sorted and to make sure a note is put on my booking BUT I shall make sure I have the reps phone number just in case. This is what they said


Dear Mrs Halliwell

Thank you for your email received by us on 31/11/2006.

I hope that this has now been resolved, but I would suggest that you
check with Rachael at our Taunton Branch just before you travel to make
sure arrangements have been made and just to check which check in you
need to collect the tickets from.

Thank you for booking to travel to Disney with First Choice. Have a
wonderful holiday.
Yours sincerely


John Baxter
Customer Services

http://www.firstchoice.co.uk

Please let us know how you get on

Profolly

 

[profolly]

hi all
Has anyone had any recent experiences with First Choice on this subject

Viv x