Issue confirming requested dining rotation

[Doinitwell]

I had asked my travel agent to request a specific dining rotation. I called DCL today to confirm that it was in the system. The rep. told me that since I made my reservation through a travel agent that she could not/would not go into the reservation to check, and that only my travel agent could call to do that. Is this correct?

 

[belleandthebeast]

Usually that's the case but I find it ridiculous that they can't tell you something as simple as that.

 

[depomas]

Disney will not give out ANY information unless you have booked with them....

Some times it is frustrating..

 

[Doinitwell]

It does seem silly. I am not even asking them to change anything, but just to check to see if there is a note in the reservation.

 

[webray]

That is correct, you have to send and receive all requests/info through your travel agent. Stupid..but it is the way disney wants to play the game!

 

[ivanova]

it's not just Disney, I've found several cruise lines react the same way.

 

[Mickeyhugger]

it's not just Disney, I've found several cruise lines react the same way.

__________________________________________________

That's right.

To each his own, but issues such as these are one of the reasons our family never uses travel agencies.

Unless we're saving a WHOLE LOT of $$, it's not worth the hassle or incovenience.

 

[tvguy]

Probably has to do with privacy laws. Disney is doing business with your travel agent, and paying them to work with you. Disney has no way of verifying who you are over the phone or over the internet.

It's a pretty standard business practice.

Ever buy a car through an auto broker? The broker negotiates the selling price with the dealer. The dealer won't talk to you about the sale because they are selling it to the broker, not you.

 

[allears]

I guess the mind set is that the TA is getting a comission for their work, so they might as well have to do the work. I also suppose it reduces the chances of things getting too confusing, and possibly messed up.

Keep in mind that even when made by the TA, these are just requests and don't assure you of that rotation. When you see your rotation on your key to the world card, you'll know if the request was honored. If not, go to where they make changes to dining assignments and request to have your rotation changed. I'm pretty sure they typically take care of that no problem.

 

[Doinitwell]

I guess the mind set is that the TA is getting a comission for their work, so they might as well have to do the work. I also suppose it reduces the chances of things getting too confusing, and possibly messed up.

Keep in mind that even when made by the TA, these are just requests and don't assure you of that rotation. When you see your rotation on your key to the world card, you'll know if the request was honored. If not, go to where they make changes to dining assignments and request to have your rotation changed. I'm pretty sure they typically take care of that no problem.

Thanks. I realize that my request was just that. I just wanted to verify that it was in the system.

Probably has to do with privacy laws. Disney is doing business with your travel agent, and paying them to work with you. Disney has no way of verifying who you are over the phone or over the internet.

It's a pretty standard business practice.

Ever buy a car through an auto broker? The broker negotiates the selling price with the dealer. The dealer won't talk to you about the sale because they are selling it to the broker, not you.

In terms of privacy laws, you can book shore excursions simply by calling DCL. I can also call them back and verify that the excursions have been booked. How do they know it is me when I make or re-verify those bookings? How is that any less private them asking to verify a requested dining rotation?

I think I just got a problem rep, because I called again and the second rep I spoke with had no problem helping me out. She let me know that the request was in the system.

 

[crisi]

In addition to privacy, it probably keeps problems to a minimum and keeps both Disney and travel agents happier. If you call DCL and make a change without keeping your agent in the loop, and then the agent confirms the original plans you made back, DCL and the travel agent both get in trouble with you for doing the best to do their job. A single point of contact for you keeps miscommunication to a minimum.

And "just checking" wouldn't do any harm, but just checking wouldn't have done you any good had it not been there - you'd have then had to call you TA.

 

[Doinitwell]

In addition to privacy, it probably keeps problems to a minimum and keeps both Disney and travel agents happier. If you call DCL and make a change without keeping your agent in the loop, and then the agent confirms the original plans you made back, DCL and the travel agent both get in trouble with you for doing the best to do their job. A single point of contact for you keeps miscommunication to a minimum.

And "just checking" wouldn't do any harm, but just checking wouldn't have done you any good had it not been there - you'd have then had to call you TA.

I am glad it was there and the second rep. was able verify it.