Has anyone ACTUALLY gotten reservations by calling?

[Melora]

I would like to do the Illuminations cruise and starting tomorrow I can try to call and get reservations.... of course being on the West Coast, its almost impossible since I have to start calling at 4am my time..I am wondering if anyone here has actully GOTTEN the reservation by calling right when they opened.

Last time I tried, every time I called within moments of them starting to answer phones, all the boats were filled.

Just wondering if I should bother.....

 

[DisneyTeacher]

I have gotten the cruise by calling first thing when the phones opened. I started about 5 minutes before the phones opened and just kept hitting redial. We did the cruise last July and enjoyed it so much we are doing it again this July. When I called last year I got it the first time I called, I was so amazed.

This year was another story. There were several of us calling, we had 3 phones calling in my house and the 2 other two families we are going with were also calling. All those phones calling and we got nothing. The second day was the same thing, nothing. Then on day 3 (a day we really didn't want the boat) my DH got one. We really wanted the cruise on day four so we were all trying again, this was our lucky day....3 of us got pontoon boats for the same night!! It was so funny, we couldn't do that again if we tried for a year. Boy did I have a lot to cancel that week.

It is possible to get it, I just think it is a matter of luck. Between the cruise and booking CRT I didn't get much sleep that week. Good luck, you will enjoy it if you do book it.

 

[TINKTWINS]

Well I have gotten Cindys on my own and Illuminations once. However on an upside, I just got home today from the World, I was unable this time to get Illuminations, so I took Wishes instead, we all really enjoyed that as well, and to be honest I am planning to take wishes again in August, good luck!

 

[cruisnfamily]

Originally posted by DisneyTeacher
I have gotten the cruise by calling first thing when the phones opened. I started about 5 minutes before the phones opened and just kept hitting redial.

That's what I did....for 3 days in a row! First 2 days, no luck...I remember saying to the girl "but it's only 7:02 how could they all be booked" and she said "It's 7:05 and you're late!" Well, 3rd times a charm. Did the same exact thing I had done the first 2 days and I got it! We'll be seeing Illuminations by boat the last week in May. WooHoo!

I think you should give it a shot.(Of course you'll have to set that alarm clock awful early)

 

[DisneyTeacher]

The friends we are going with thought I was nuts when I told them we had to start calling at about 6:55 WDW time because the cruises would be gone by 7:01. After getting through the first morning at 7:02 and not getting a boat they had to come to me and tell me I was right.

 

[geffric]

when are you going???

Can I call for you??

 

[WDWHound]

We have gotten them every time I have tried and My parents booked 2 Cindy's breakfasts for their visit last week. 90 days out, Start calling 15 minutes before the lines are supposed to open. Keep trying till you either get put on hold or someone answers. In every case we have tried, we got put on hold about 5 minutes before the phone lines open. DONT HANG UP. As soon as someone answers, telll them " I want reservations for xxxx on x date at x time, please do it now" (if they take time to go through their script, you wont get in in time). You should get the ressies you want.

 

[nativetxn]

I was able to snag a cancellation in March, 2000. People successfully book these cruises everyday.

There are some instructions that will help you <b>HERE</b>

If you can't get a reservation of your own you might be able to find one to share on the theme parks board.

Good luck!

 

[JoGloMorKat]

Somebody (actually 2 somebodies) have to get the reservations.

Unfortunately, I was NOT one of those somebodies

I tried everyday for nearly a week and was always just a few seconds late.