How has opening day booking been for people using Costco?

[LeiaOfAlderaan]

I’ll be booking opening day through Costco tomorrow morning for the first time (using placeholder). I know the last release was pretty rough for those using Costco. Just wondering how it’s been for Platinum/Gold for this release? I know Silver will be the worst day for waiting on hold but hoping to get an idea of how they have handled it the last 2 days. Thanks for any feedback you can give!

 

[Budzooka]

I know you are asking about this release, but I booked last year using Costco and never again. The hassle and time spent is not worth the additional discount. Hope it goes more smoothly for you tomorrow.

 

[GoofyDisneyDaddy]

I’m gold and it was good. I called Costco at 8AM this morning. She tried to call DCL but didn’t get through, so she took my info on their “form” and we hung up around 8:15. I was nervous the cabins I wanted would be gone by the time Costco did it’s thing but she called me back around 845, confirmed they were still available and we finished everything by around 9.

It’s nice that they do all the waiting on hold. Yes, it’s a little nerve racking during the wait as who knows which cabins will get grabbed, but that true if you waited on hold for DCL yourself, but this way I wasn’t tied up waiting.

 

[PrincessPinball]

I called Costco a little after 8am to transfer a reservation that I made with DCL last night and waited on hold for about an hour.

 

[WiscMomof2]

I booked on DCL website this morning and called Costco to transfer at about 10. Hold time was maybe 10-15 minutes. The agent got all my information and they emailed the form to transfer a short while later. It was all very easy. I didn’t have a placeholder so don’t know if that makes a difference.

 

[LeiaOfAlderaan]

Thanks for the responses! Trying to decide if it’s worth waking up at 5 am (I’m on the west coast) or if I should let myself sleep in until 6. I don’t think the cruise I want will be crazy popular but I am kind of picky about room selection.

 

[MillauFr]

I booked on DCL website this morning and called Costco to transfer at about 10. Hold time was maybe 10-15 minutes. The agent got all my information and they emailed the form to transfer a short while later. It was all very easy. I didn’t have a placeholder so don’t know if that makes a difference.

Can't you just book directly on the Costco website and not have to bother with the transfer? Or does Disney IT strike again not being able to figure out if you are returning cruiser. Man they need to upgrade their systems. So antiquated.

 

[GoofyDisneyDaddy]

Can't you just book directly on the Costco website and not have to bother with the transfer? Or does Disney IT strike again not being able to figure out if you are returning cruiser. Man they need to upgrade their systems. So antiquated.

Neither Costco nor Disney allow you to convert placeholders without calling in. If you are booking a new reservation, the easiest way during this opening time period is just to book on Disney's website and transfer to Costco, but if you have a placeholder (whether with Costco or not) you need to call.

Sorry, I misread your post, but no - Costco website does not open for early booking, only Disney's.

 

[MillauFr]

Neither Costco nor Disney allow you to convert placeholders without calling in. If you are booking a new reservation, the easiest way during this opening time period is just to book on Disney's website and transfer to Costco, but if you have a placeholder (whether with Costco or not) you need to call.

The previous poster said they didn't have a place holder. I didn't understand why they didn't just book the cruise directly on the Costco website.

 

[GoofyDisneyDaddy]

The previous poster said they didn't have a place holder. I didn't understand why they didn't just book the cruise directly on the Costco website.

Sorry, i edited above, but I misread your post. Costco's website doesn't support early bookings before generally available. I don't know of any non-Disney website that does.

 

[LeiaOfAlderaan]

Update: it was a journey but I got the room I wanted. Took about 2-1/2 hours in total and that was calling at 6 am PST because I refused to wake up at 5. Now I guess I have to decide if I want to give up the Costco shop card (that’s what they are calling it now) and use a traditional TA the next time I book opening day.

With our OBB discount the WC on the Fantasy was $3000 less than what we paid for our 2017 Alaska cruise, so I’m not complaining.