Here's my experience booking the cruise.
First, I called in advance when they were opened and closed to hear the different messages.
Open:
"Thank you for calling Walt Disney World Golf and recreation reservations."
Closed:
"THANK YOU FOR CALLING THE WALT DISNEY WORLD MASTER STARTERS OFFICE.
OUR OFFICE IS CLOSED"
OK, I figure, The key word is golf. On the morning in question I got up and logged in to the atomic clock website. I started calling when it got within a minute...and...got a completely different message. I immediately hit 3, then 1. (This is the fastest way to get through. It does not matter that you are not in Orlando. Do not do otherwise or you will be wasting time with your phone number and other nonsense. It does not matter, they are questions for research and marketing, and the CM will not have any idea how you answered them. Unless something has changed since April, just hit 3 and 1 and beat everyone else trying to get through. It's a game of seconds, and this may be the single most important aspect of your call.) The next voice almost sounded like a recording, but when she gave her name, I said "8PM Specialty Cruise Yacht Club Marina July 9 for Illuminations"
I really wish I could tell you what the recording said at the beginning, but it was 4AM 'round these parts, and I don't have a very good relationship with 4AM. I seem to recall the phrase "reservation agent", but can't say for sure. As stated, the instant I knew it wasn't what I expected, I sprang into action. My bro was calling from Bama, and he heard the unexpected recording as well.
Finally, I specifically said the Yacht Club because I'd read the agents will check the marina's in alphabetical order, so having them check the YC first can give you an edge. However, while everything was being finalized, she asked which marina I preferred despite my earlier statement. I'll leave you to draw your own conclusions on that one. Good Luck; we ended up with TWO boats, so it can be done.
Cheers.
