I booked CBR for July and I'm shocked at what the CM told me...

[Mskanga]

I made a ressie for CBR in July with an AP rate, first the CM told me that there were no AP discounts for my dates , then I said yes there are , please look under code *** , he looks and he says, "you are absolutely correct, I hate when they sneak things in without telling us" , then he proceeds to tell me what the procedures are as far as AP's are concerned ( he knew I would get them right before the trip ) and when I told him I know all the disney stores do not carry the vouchers and that I had to exchange it before check in, he said to me, " You know the rules pretty good, you are well prepared aren't you? " and I said , yes I do , it pays to read the non disney websites to get all the secrets to the trade that Disney will not make public sometimes unless you ask and if we don't know we can't ask. Then he says, " oh, you look at those websites too? well don't believe everything they say , most of the time they are wrong, a lot of the things in mousesavers are not true" I heard it right but I wanted to re-assure and I said, excuse-me? what website did you just mention? He said "never mind" and then I said , I know you just mentioned mousesavers and for your information I have used codes from them in the past and never had a problem, they were true and this one also came from them, he was stunned!
Why would he do that?? I don't know , but do they get annoyed when we the guests know more than they do?? I think so.

 

[Grumpy92]

Unfortunately CRO is often the last to hear about discounted rates. Saying that I also know thta Disney has gotten desperate the last few years in hiring and is not hiring the same calibre of CMs as they have in the past. But like most things the better informed the consumer the better off they are.

 

[Tikiman]

I just found out from a Polynesian CM that I know that the CRO is so short staffed that they pulled two CM's from every resort to work in CRO till April. She also mentioned that is has to do with all the new codes that are out. This is her first time working in CRO so I am sure there are a lot of new people there.

Steve

 

[disneyholic family]

on the other hand i've gotten some truly wonderful CMs at CRO (though i've also gotten the ones who are dumber than a doorknob)....
my main quibble is how if you don't ask, they won't volunteer....for the most part....
last year a wonderful CM, with the patience of a saint, managed to save me hundreds of dollars on my reservations.....

 

[princess angel]

I have found that about 75% of the time when I call cro, I do know more then them. I have had cm's comment on numerous occasions about it! they usually ask me if I am a cm!!! but they are always lighthearted about it, they even thank me sometimes!!!

Laura

 

[Mskanga]

Don't take me wrong , I have always gotten very good service from them and believe me when I say it's not easy to please everyone with their ressies I mean it, I have been on their end too in the same business. I just believe that they have on their plate now more than they can handle , being under-staffed doesn't make it any easier.
The thing that really got me was that right away there was no AP rate for my stay, instead of saying let me look and see he says right flat , no there isn't AP rates for those dates. Bottom line is they won't offer any information or discounts unless you ask for them.

 

[eeyore0062]

At this time, CRO is understaffed, having mandatory overtime, and pulling CM's from other areas to help out. If you get a CM who isn't quite up to snuff, cut them a break... they very likely are doing the best that they can in a difficult situation. No, rudeness is inexcusable, but don't expect them to know everything, as you may have gotten a CM from another area.

As for them not volunteering information, they aren't supposed to... they are only supposed to answer direct questions. And with them being shortstaffed, probably don't have the time to spend chatting that they would like.

I will probably be flamed for this, but please, before you become impatient with those CM's, put yourself in their shoes.

 

[disneyholic family]

actually all the CMs i've ever spoken to at CRO have been very chatty....they just vary in terms of how bright they are...(as is true of everything)...
but they chat like crazy....i love that....perhaps my experience is unusual since i'm calling from overseas so that always intrigues them.....but i have no complaints about their friendliness...they are ALWAYS very friendly.....in fact i'm always afraid they'll get into trouble for being so chatty with me......(as we laugh and tell disney jokes)....

 

[lvs_eeyore]

Recently when I called about a code and asked if there were any upsell rates or if she could ask her supervisor if there were any upsells not listed... I was asked to hold. I did and a supervisor came on the line and asked if I was a current or former castmember and just HOW did I know about Upsell rates because that isn't a published term it's an internal term. She was rather adamant on knowing how I knew the term. I simply told her that with all the NUMEROUS times we have called for ressies, checked prices, checked availability over the years I must have heard from one of the CMs. I was not about to say where I actually heard the term used. None of their business actually. She was actually miffed that I knew the term in the first place.

 

[cindala]

Personally, when I call CRO, I act as dumb as a doornail on purpose, and not like I know everything. Sweet and stupid. Works for me!

 

[VickiVM]

Just goes to show that those "in the know" (a.k.a. DIS'ers) are such a small minority and there are thousands and thousands of people out there that pay rack rate and know nothing a getting a deal. Tsk, tsk.

THANK YOU, DIS!!

 

[disneyholic family]

what's an upsell?

i tend to use an AP rate so i'm really clueless about what else is available.....
what's an upsell?...

 

[Poohbear123]

When I call, I usually get the code from either my Pass Holder letter, the tri-monthly one, or my local Travel Section. I have NO problems getting a Discount, even on a ressie I am paying full price for, they just change it in thier System!

 

[MAKmom]

I have also been told not to believe everything I read on the internet by CRO....its true you should not belive everything you read. I was not offended.
We are using codes & deals that Disney does not want published to the WWW or they would publish them on thier own site. Mousesavers is great & if there is a mistake on the site... you email Mary & she takes care of it.

 

[Goofy41]

Hi, I'm new to this forum and I must say, all the info I'm getting from all of you is great. I do have 1 question though. These abreveations you are all using is leaving me in the dark. Can 1 of you put the full name with the abreveations. Thanks in advance

 

[KCritter]

Goofy: Here's a link to the abbreviation page that everyone on the DIS uses. It should help you out. For starters, CM is Cast Member, CRO is Central Reservation Office and AP is Annual Pass.

Different forums use different abbreviations. TTC is usually Ticket and Transportation Center, but if you are on the transportation board it could mean Tiffany Town Car. You'll get the hang of it.