I got a notice in the mail today from Disney...

[airhead]

...about my reservations for next year. The letter was a form for me to fill out confirming my reservation number and my travel companion's name. I decided to call Disney to find out what the heck was going on. The woman I spoke to said that it was due to a new computer program they're using and a lot of info was not transfering to the new system(...that's strange). I asked her if this was an indication that CRO would no longer be taking reservations and her response was " I know that is a big concern on the Disney discussion boards,but its not true. CRO will still be
taking reservations." I asked her if she was familiar with the
Disboards and she said absolutely! They all read them and know what's been happening concerning the AP rates! I also asked if
I had to activate my AP vouchers before checking in to my hotel and she said yes. Unless I arrive late at night,I will have to check in with activated passes. That's a pain!!!!


airhead

 

[tnkrbell]

Hi airhead!!
dont worry about the pass thing! you can check in with your voucher!! I have many a times!! As long as they see its paid for they do not care if you have it activated yet ionfact I would assume you wouldnt have it activated yet if you are just checking in!! And to be honest I have never been asked to see it anyways!!
So have a wicked good time plaNNING AND relax!!

 

[Doc and Family]

Airhead,
Tnkrbell and I have apparently had the same exact experiences. The voucher has always been accepted and the discount given based on them. I don't think you'll have any problems.
Interesting that they read these boards, eh?

 

[CRCrazy]

That explains it!!!! My e-mail was down yesterday - I called today to finalize my arrangements for our November trip. They are legitimately a mess!

We had originally made reservations using AAA, as I thought they would never release AP rates. Since the rates were so high - we reserved 2 nights at AKL concierge, so we could take the in-laws on the Sunrise Safari, then 5 nights at the Wilderness Lodge - the cheapest deluxe alternative. Our deposits for these two reservations were supposed to be due today - Sept. 4th.

Of course, right after I made these ressies - AP rates were announced! I called at 7 that morning - but AP rates weren't offered for AKL concierge on the 9th or 10th. I kept our original ressie, and priced out alternatives for the other 5 nights - as DH wasn't terribly thrilled about WL. He only wanted the CR - but they are SOLD OUT - no discounts at all, and only a couple of Tower Club rooms available at rack rate. I wanted to try the Boardwalk or Beach Club - but he wanted to stay on the monorail and try the Poly. Well - no AP rates left at the BC, and for the same money as a standard BWI - we got garden view concierge at the Poly!! Took it! After this ressie was made - I called DH - and he wanted to add another night at AKL, since we were spending less than AAA rate at the WL. When I called back - they could give me the AP rate on the 11th - but still nothing on the 9th & 10th!

So - I now have 3 ressies, I thought. 1 for AKL - AAA discount (2 nights), 1 for AKL - AP rate (1 night), and 1 for the Poly - AP rate (4 nights). Now the confirmations arrive - the poly one is messed up - for the original 5 nights - not fixed.

I didn't want to lose my AKL rooms - even though the conf. said modified, deposit due 9/11, so I called to pay for these tonight - the first CM was all messed up - spent 1 1/2 hours straightening out my ressies, in her opinion (She did NOT get it - I was worried we were going to lose our rooms!). After finally saying they were all set - she hung up without my CC info!!

I called back - got another non-native English speaker. I'm sorry - but I had had enough! She turned out to be very nice - said that my reservation had SPECIAL all over it, and she couldn't access it. She put me on hold, while she went down to guest services. They finally got things straightened out - still had the Poly down for 5 nights! Then tried to pay - 3 for 3 - back on hold, since the computer wouldn't take my money!!

She then asked to verify my e-mail address, as they had tried to e-mail me and it didn't go through. My server was down all day yesterday - no mail came through! She was having all sorts of trouble with our party of 7! So, after another 1 1/2 hour phone call - all deposits are made, with the balance due on arrival. Although I usually try to pay it off before we go - this time, they don't get any more money till I have my rooms!!!!! I was on the phone for 3 hours tonight - just to pay a deposit!!

 

[my3kids]

That computer system they have gotten is terrible. I called yesterday for some rates and was on the phone 30 minutes before I got my first answer. When she answered the phone she said "Hello, Mrs. XXXX" which was right. Then asked what Disney visits we had made, then asked if my first name was XXXX, which is my 9 year olds name...that was the only name that transferred to the new system, if you can figure that out! That explained why they didn't have the email address or phone number that I've always provided for reservations. There were several pauses of so long with nothing said I had to ask if she was still there. Since they are not properly transferring all the information over and since you have to stay on the call forever to get the information you need, they need an 800 number. I hate paying for their computer glitches!

 

[Poohbear123]

I will fill it out and send it in!

 

[sanilacjack]

Originally posted by CRCrazy
So, after another 1 1/2 hour phone call - all deposits are made, with the balance due on arrival. Although I usually try to pay it off before we go - this time, they don't get any more money till I have my rooms!!!!! I was on the phone for 3 hours tonight - just to pay a deposit!!

Do they plan to replay you in some way since it was 3 hours on YOUR DIME to fix THEIR computer problems??
I woulden't hold my breath.

I also called at 8:20 est the day the ap rates came out and had problems and was told they are changing over computer data.

Q: Why change over data and bring out AP rates at the same time.

Just glad you have your rooms and everything is cleared up!
-Kim

 

[SCOTTNJ]

Got the same letter. Called reservations and gave the info. They said they needed all the names because of security concerns.

Whatever.

 

[Jynohn]

I got the letter today too. I have two continuous reservations for the same trip because the CM said they could only book 14 days at a time. I gave them all of our contact information they requested when I called the first time. The letter I got today is requesting the same information for the second reservation. All my data is already in their system from the first reservation. There's no reason why they can't transfer it over to the second.

I'm not sending it back...

 

[airhead]

I think you can email too if that works better for you.

 

[jiminyfan]

I had the same experience when making my ressies. The new system is horrible at least for initial setup.

As for CRO, I was told by a Travel company employee that CRO will handle room only ressies in the future. In fact, I think they are already on that mode according to the ressie numbers I have be given for room vs package talking to the same person.

 

[mikek]

Originally posted by my3kids
That computer system they have gotten is terrible. I called yesterday for some rates and was on the phone 30 minutes before I got my first answer. When she answered the phone she said "Hello, Mrs. XXXX" which was right. Then asked what Disney visits we had made, then asked if my first name was XXXX, which is my 9 year olds name...that was the only name that transferred to the new system, if you can figure that out! That explained why they didn't have the email address or phone number that I've always provided for reservations. There were several pauses of so long with nothing said I had to ask if she was still there. Since they are not properly transferring all the information over and since you have to stay on the call forever to get the information you need, they need an 800 number. I hate paying for their computer glitches!

funny similar story. We went last year with me sister and her family. I went to the website and ordered my 5 year old neice one of those videos for planning so she could get some mail. I tease her and call her "lumpy" sometimes so i had them send the movie to her with that name. My sister called after that to reserve dinner or something and they asked my sister if she was mrs. lumpy XXXX!

When caller ID first came out 10 years or so ago, ATT universal visa card (now citibank) would answer the phone "hello Mr. X". It freaked out so many people that they stopped doing it and they still dont do it till this day. Wonder how long till disney pretends like they dont know who you are- just like the credit card people do.