I was just told CRO doesn't exsist anymore!!!

[swilphil]

We stayed at the Dolphin last month. I booked my room through the Dolphin direct number and was given the 5 day cancellation option. Does anyone know if the Swan/Dolphin are changing their policies? If they are, can you book directly through Starwood (owners of Westin/Sheraton) and have the 5 day cancellation option?

To me, the Dolphin has all the benefits of a Disney deluxe for lots less money. The location is great and the staff wonderful. A lot of people have said that it doesn't have the "Disney Magic" but my family loved it.

 

[TravelPro]

You people need to stop getting so upset...everything posted on here is a lie. You need to get the facts straight. Disney CRO is not going away...the policy is still 5 days to cancel. They just implemented a new screen/program for the agents to use which has nothing to do with the way room only and packages are booked. When I read these messages it kills me because everyone gets so upset over nothing. Dont post something that is rumor or a lie.

 

[crusoe2]

TravelPro, please don't take this the wrong way cause I don't mean to flame you. But many of us, myself included, have been given conflicting info by Disney CM's. And not just on this issue. Perhaps they are the ones who need to get their facts straight.

As for getting upset, I think for what it costs to go to WDW that it is not too much to ask that they be a little more consistent in the information that THEY release.

 

[eye R.N.]

When someone experiences something, it is their reality. Folks have been reporting their experiences. Calling them liars is far from helpful.

If you are a travel pro them maybe you should try to make some calls and see what you get .

If what these folks say is true (and I assume it is) IMHO you owe them an apology.

My personal experience with CRO has been similar. Some folks are great some folks are having a real bad day. Rooms/rates that were not available with one CM "magically" appear with another five minutes and one phone call later.

That is my reality, born over 30 room only reservations over 17 years.

 

[becka]

Well I just called about 4 hours ago to book our room only reservation at CSR for February 2004 and I had the same great experience that I always have.

When they answered the phone with WDTC I just told her that I needed to book a room only reservation with CRO. She told me that she could help me and we went from there. I was able to book 7 nights and get the 5 day cancellation policy (this is important with a young toddler - you never know when they will get sick).

CRO is at least there for now but no promises for tomorrow.

 

[thessaly]

I have seen the information about CRO "going away" many places, not just here.

I find it hard to believe multiple people would be telling the same "lie" in so many places.

Being misinformed by CMs is not the same thing.

Choose your words carefully.

 

[KIS]

I've yet to go to WDW. The boards have been a tremendous boost to me with planning. I'm actually having fun weighing and considering, learning about the place, exploring.

I started planning this trip late June. I've been anxious with all the changes suddenly implemented in the month.

Having no experience, it seems to me like WDW is incredibly unpredictable when it comes to setting policies and procedures. I still don't know if this is the way they've always been or not. I don't know if it's worth hanging in there or not. Our trip is in April and I wonder how likely it is that they will continue periodic significant shifts with some more major policies in the middle of my plans or at the last minute, as I've seen some people have to bear out. I was enchanted a month ago, but now I'm not impressed. I don't know what to expect.

Naturally, we have only our experience to go with. I think it is poor business to constantly shift and reshift policies, to have staff be inconsistent, and to alter plans without grandfathering in those already set in motion, posed with their plans, on major changes in policy and procedures. It's hard for me to imagine WDW administration suffering financially as a result of our attendance. I've read here too that some of the lower rung employees have had some pretty nasty end to the WDW employment. That really does not impress me. I try to imagine me working the telephones with the decision-makers altering things around me right and left. You'd have to be a saint to stay calm and patient. We have a right to respectful, courteous, even helpful service, I know, but it seems like the problems are systemic. I also am no financial, business wizard, but I do object to the spur of the moment changes, to making so many significant changes all at once.

Like I said, I'm new to this planning. The boards have been a delight, including reading the venting. I think people have a right to their opinion and feelings.

I just wish some of you with more experience can tell me if WDW has always made such significant changes so willy-nilly. (The PS and CRO aspects of the planning seem significant to me) Or, is this the first time that you can remember that there's been so much inconsistency and so many spur of the moment, multiple changes in significant policies.

KIS

 

[crusoe2]

KIS, we've been going to WDW about once a year since 1998 - only about 5 years now. But, in my experience, they were pretty consistent up until about a year or so ago. I can't tell you specifically when each change occurred but in the last year or two I have seen the creation of a new character meal that was very popular (Villians at GF) and then done away with just a few months after it started, the loss of a character meal of any kind at WL, the early entry program done away with and then reinstated just a few months later but with new days for each park, the creation of annual passholder lounges in some of the parks - also done away with I believe, the new policy requiring a deposit for a PS at Cinderella's Royal Table (altho I think this is a good thing), and apparently they no longer allow guests arriving before opening time to enter the "main street" of each park like they have in the past. They also replaced the Magic Kingdom Club (which was free for most people) with the Disney Club which required a membership fee and now it's going to be done away with. I've also gathered from posts I've read on these boards and others that, in the past, Disney has been more consistent with the release of AP discounts and the timing for price increases. Now the word is that they may be doing away with CRO and its more lenient booking policies. Those of us who have been watching this for awhile know that many of the changes I mentioned also started out as unconfirmed rumors but they did happen. While they may have good reasons for some of these changes, all of these things can affect how we plan our trips. And with so many variables involved in planning a Disney trip it was very helpful to be able to rely on their policies and procedures. I hope that this period of so many transistions and changes will pass and things will settle back down but it sure isn't looking good right now. As I said tho, I have only been following this for the last 5 years - maybe someone who has been at it longer can give you a better perspective.

 

[D3sdoll]

Earlier today I called to make a reservation for Pop Century (December 14th -21st ) and I asked to make a reservation through CRO because of knowledge from the boards (thanks to all of you) and they transfered me without a problem. I went ahead as usual.

We are very excited to have gotten the new resort with the same cancellation policies as before because we are both self-employed and life changes sometimes (considering this will be our first trip with a prior cancellation).

Have a great day!!!

Telia

 

[KIS]

crusoe2:

I appreciate your report. I've noticed how the changes will fluctuate because I've read a little bit about the CRO, the PS, and understand that the AP status and the CRT reservations have altered. The rest was all new to me.

Well, I guess I'll just sit tight and see what happens, but I've lost my naivity, or something like that, about how pleasant this experience of planning the vacation is.... Who knows what will come down the pike.

I am in the camp that think it is very unappealing for a company that interfaces so much with the public and needs to please people to fluctuate so much and so often.

I was on the brink of inquiring about the AP status when this all broke out -- the PS and the CRO discussions. But, now I'm not pursuing that because who knows if I want to go back again and who knows if they'll discontinue something like that.....

KIS

 

[KIS]

Well, with the new PS policy announced and/or operative today, I was wondering if there has also been any update, change, announcement about the CRO today? Anyone know what's up?

KIS