Having trouble booking 2014 rooms?

[ctl]

I know it's super early, but I want to book a room for my DD's 18th birthday January 2014. Instead of a high school graduation gift and an 18th birthday gift she wants to go to WDW. So, I was trying to book 2 rooms at All-Star Movies and 1 Family Suite at AoA. Not only could I not book the dates I wanted yet (I counted and today is the day I get inside the 499 days before the last day of my trip) but also the CM said I had to give the names of the guests for each room. Don't know all guests at this point (DDs BFFs say too early to tell if they can go, need more time).I'm paying for rooms/tickets. Thoughts?

 

[dansdad]

Was the CM trying to book it as a package? Room only is bookable at 499 days out, not packages.


****Nevermind, I need to learn how to read. You specified room only. I don't why you can't then.**********

 

[ctl]

I guess my bigger problem is that I really won't know the names/exact numbers of the teenagers for some time and if the names change then do I get stuck with a change fee? That's why I am trying to book room only for now, but even that does not seem possible with current rules. Also, I thought about trying to put 1 room under me and the 2nd room under my husband,and 3rd room under my sons name (who will be old enough then 2014, but isn't currently old enough to have a room in his name!) but I still don't have the complete list of names for each room either.

 

[kddisney502]

For room only reservations I don't think there is any fee to change names on the reservation. The only time there may be a restriction iis less than 5 days before arrival. Make sure you are booking a room only (no tickets, or it will become a package)

Do you know at least 1 person (adult or older teenager) that will be in each room? If yes, then book with 1 person in each room. As you get closer, add people when things become more finalize. Just to be safe, try to have the final number a month out.

 

[MMS1125]

agree with the previous poster. I wouldn't worry too much about the other people yet just reserve the rooms in your name, your DH, and your son. Sometimes I luck out with a good CM that lets me reserve 2 rooms in my name with 1 deposit but I can't remember if that's room only or a pkg when I've had that happen.

 

[ctl]

I tried to give her 1 name for each room, but she wanted all the names of all the people and actually said"and they must all be real names of real people". None of the kids are old enough yet to be named as adults on the room manifest, they are all currently just starting their junior year in high school and my daughters birthday won't be until several days after we check in.

 

[Missytara]

I tried to give her 1 name for each room, but she wanted all the names of all the people and actually said"and they must all be real names of real people". None of the kids are old enough yet to be named as adults on the room manifest, they are all currently just starting their junior year in high school and my daughters birthday won't be until several days after we check in.

We booked two rooms for a graduation trip for next year as soon as the rates came out; I booked one room with my name on it and she booked it with her two children on it.

We have plans in the future to add guests, but didn't do it at this time. You can even add a discount and people at a later date and it does not effect your reservation.

Call back and get someone else to help you.

I have done this a few times and never had to supply ALL the names up front - where do they train these people????

 

[ctl]

Well, I tried again and the story I got this time was that even though I was within the 499 days they would not book January 3/2014 -1/10/2014, because they "are not booking 2014 yet". The CM says they do not have prices for 2014 and won't be booking them till June 2013 or July! She said they were booking through new Years Eve. So, I figure, if I wanted to book for New Year December 31st on through January 10th I might be able to do that. They have pricing for January 1,2,3, obviously, but they just won't book the rooms yet. June or July 2013 seems like an awfully long time to wait, that's well within the 499 days. I think that big travel companies who buy in blocks will get first dibs. I can wait a while, but June or July leaves me out in the cold interms of getting the cheapest flights. Is this normal?

 

[Missyrose]

Well, I tried again and the story I got this time was that even though I was within the 499 days they would not book January 3/2014 -1/10/2014, because they "are not booking 2014 yet". The CM says they do not have prices for 2014 and won't be booking them till June 2013 or July! She said they were booking through new Years Eve. So, I figure, if I wanted to book for New Year December 31st on through January 10th I might be able to do that. They have pricing for January 1,2,3, obviously, but they just won't book the rooms yet. June or July 2013 seems like an awfully long time to wait, that's well within the 499 days. I think that big travel companies who buy in blocks will get first dibs. I can wait a while, but June or July leaves me out in the cold interms of getting the cheapest flights. Is this normal?

You won't get shut out of what you are looking for this far out. Call once a week until you get a CM that will let you book. Just put one adult's name on each room, these can be easily changed later with no penalty.



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[*Fantasia*]

You won't get shut out of what you are looking for this far out. Call once a week until you get a CM that will let you book. Just put one adult's name on each room, these can be easily changed later with no penalty.

I agree. Call once a week until you can book what you want and hopefully you will get all the names of the guests by then. You have plenty of time.

 

[ctl]

Good idea, thanks for all the help. I suppose I'm putting a little too much pressure on myself right now, and I am OCD about planning. Also, I'm trying to use airline miles and the earlier I know exact dates the earlier I can apply the mileage to get the tickets. the airlines have only a limited number of mileage spots available. I just wish WDW wouldn't state that you can book up to 499 days out if you cannot. I'm off to do something more productive for the weekend, like clean my kitchen!! Cheers!