If not booking THROUGH Disney...

[cooderbrown]

Can you still use the WDWDisney number to get reservations for various events?
The last trip I booked through the Disney site - and anytime I wanted to add something(Cinderella Breakfast etc) I'd call and give my reservation number.

How does that work if I don't book through Disney and do everything ala carte?

Thanks!

 

[Mermaid02]

If you use Dreams Unlimited.... they will make ps's etc for you. I have found them to be wonderful!

 

[Tigger Fans!]

If you're staying at a WDW owned hotel or Swan/Dolphin you should be able to make reservations as you did before. If you're not staying on-site you won't be able to make some ressie's as early.

TTFN!

 

[cooderbrown]

It's the exact, down to the penny, as the disney site quote.

Except for the fact that the Disney Site lets you compare up to 5 resort packages.

The Dreams Unlimited site just returns one quote even though I submitted 3 resorts...

Not alot of effort to earn the Biz.

 

[Lisa P.]

Originally posted by Tigger Fans!
If you're not staying on-site you won't be able to make your PS's as early.

Is this something new??? We have stayed both onsite and offsite, many times each. We've always been able to make our PS's along the very same calendar, regardless of where we've stayed. Is there somewhere that the calendar is posted online, regarding how far in advance the different PS's may be booked, for onsite vs. offsite guests? Thanks!

 

[momto4obkids]

Originally posted by Tigger Fans!
If you're not staying on-site you won't be able to make your PS's as early.

TTFN!

No,that is not true. Everyone can make their PS`s on the same schedule. Here`s a link below to a PS Calculator. Everyone can call 1-407-WDW-DINE to make their PS`s

http://pscalculator.net/pscalc.shtml

hth!
Amanda

 

[Tigger Fans!]

You all are keeping me on my toes! Fixed the error in my original post! The ability to make golf tee time ressies 90 days in advance is listed as an on property perk.

Here's another link for dining:
http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/priorityseating.htm

TTFN!

 

[BethR]

Well, you learn something new everyday. The last time that I was paying attention, there were different PS dates for those staying on-site and off-site.
I followed Amanda's link to the PS Calculator and found this information there:

August 1, 2003
Walt Disney World


Starting on August 4, 2003, Walt Disney World has announced the following Priority Seating (PS) Policy will go into effect:

Please note that the information shared last night regarding the WDTC 180 Day Advance Dining Reservation has been discontinued.

Our Executive Leaders have made the decision to NOT pursue this benefit effective immediately.

DRS booking window will be standardized to 90 days for ALL Guests beginning August 4

Over the last several days, you have received several different communications concerning a new policy that would have allowed Guests to book DRS reservations 180 days in advance if they have booked a Travel Company package with the appropriate deposit.

We knew that the original policy with multiple booking windows was confusing to our Guests and Cast so we wanted to standardize this policy and thought about adding a different booking window to benefit other businesses. This approach also began to create some confusion, so we have decided to further study the policy.

Therefore, due to Guest and Cast feedback we will hold off on implementing this new policy until further notice.

Beginning August 4, the DRS booking window will be standardized to 90 days out for anyone who wants to book a priority seating at any WDW location except the following:

Hoop Dee Doo Musical Revue 2 years out
Disney's Spirit of Aloha 2 years out
Bistro de Paris 30 days out
Lunch with a Disney Artist 30 days out
Victoria & Albert's Chef's Table 180 days out
Candlelight Processional Dinner Package Seasonal
Mickey's Backyard Barbecue When Available

This is a big win for our Guests because they will all have the ability to book their priority seating within a standard window and will not have to call back multiple times.

 

[mad4themouse]

Originally posted by cooderbrown
It's the exact, down to the penny, as the disney site quote.

Except for the fact that the Disney Site lets you compare up to 5 resort packages.

The Dreams Unlimited site just returns one quote even though I submitted 3 resorts...

Not alot of effort to earn the Biz.

The difference lies in personalized service that you will receive and the efforts that they will make to apply any future discounts to your vacation.

Right now, if you book your vacation with either site, you will pay the same price but will WDTC look for any reduced rates for you in the future? No. They will leave it up to you to find those discounts, call them (and pay long-distance fees) and change the ressies accordingly. Dreams Unlimited (and many other travel companies) will monitor the available discount codes and packages as they become available and will try to apply them to your ressie. No additional effort is required on your part.

DU will also arrange your PSs and other special tickets. If you're trying to get Breakfast at Cindy's during your stay, they will be trying, too. They will plan your itinerary based on your personal preferences. They'll make suggestions for things that you may not have considered or even been aware of. This is a service that Disney will only offer to concierge guests.

And unlike the Disney website, DU will be able to do room-only ressies for stays longer than 3 days. You cannot do that on the Disney website. It defaults to at least a Dream Maker package for 4 nights or more.

If DU has not given you the additional quotes yet, simply send an email to them and ask for more prices. Susan Haas, the TA handling my ressie, has been very prompt and thorough with her replies. She was able to get additional quotes for me in less than a few hours. For me, DU has been working out just fine.

However, for people who prefer to pick a package plan, the Disney site works quite well. You may not getting the biggest bang for your buck by doing so but there is a certain peace of mind in knowing that everything from air travel to ground transportation has been taken care of in a few keystrokes.