Mistake in my favor- GCH Reservation for Dec at ultra low rate!

[princessLoLo'smom]

Okay I'm soooo excited because I called to reserve my complimentary hold dates in Oct and decided to ask again about Dec and was shocked to find out that there was a $219 room rate available!!!

Of course this is a city view room and I used the pin code postcard deal I got in the mail, but still I was resigned to paying $269 plus the 15% tax and 12/day resort fee. I am just so happy that we can go at Christmas time, stay at the GCH, and not go completely broke in the process!

Anyone have advice about DLR Christmas? We've never done DLR as we usually go to WDW in the summer.

BTW i asked while I was on the phone about park ticket price increase and was told that if I buy tickets today and then the price goes up tomorrow it has no impact on my gate entrance. Several people on another thread said that you have to pay the difference at the gate if there is a price increase.

 

[Sy-]

Wow... great deal... Is this rate from a promotion different from the one people are recieving in the mail with the pin code?

 

[cccdisney]

Okay I'm soooo excited because I called to reserve my complimentary hold dates in Oct and decided to ask again about Dec and was shocked to find out that there was a $219 room rate available!!!

Of course this is a city view room and I used the pin code postcard deal I got in the mail, but still I was resigned to paying $269 plus the 15% tax and 12/day resort fee. I am just so happy that we can go at Christmas time, stay at the GCH, and not go completely broke in the process!

Anyone have advice about DLR Christmas? We've never done DLR as we usually go to WDW in the summer.

BTW i asked while I was on the phone about park ticket price increase and was told that if I buy tickets today and then the price goes up tomorrow it has no impact on my gate entrance. Several people on another thread said that you have to pay the difference at the gate if there is a price increase.

How did you get this great rate??? That is even lower than the price on the mailer for the GCH??? Did the CM tell you why they were lower for those nights? I have three nights on courtesy hold for the DLH for Nov 22-24th and they are $179 a night plus taxes. I would love to stay at GCH for that price! Of course I am still waiting for the AP rates to come out too.

 

[princessLoLo'smom]

No it is the same... I told him I had the pin code and he said the lowest rate was the city view for $219. I questioned him to be sure and told him I had called several times with numerous dates in Oct, Nov and Dec and each time the best I could do was $269. He said that people cancel and the lower rates become available so each time you call it may be different. He also checked the dates I'd had on hold in Oct and got the $219 and I was looking at $269 for those dates??? I don't know if some people just try to book you at a higher rate or if there really is that much cancelling going on!

Do they get commission based on the rate they sell you? If so then make sure and ask for the cheapest available rate at the hotel you're inquiring about I guess.

The "Fallidays" promo is the pin code on a postcard or in an email (from Disney Destinations) that we've all been talking about since last week. I got my postcard last Thursday. They will do a complimentary hold on a room for 7 days, but you can only do one. I wanted to just put another hold on the Dec dates so we could talk about it over dinner tonight, but he said I can only have one comp hold with the pin deal so I booked it!

So far calling this number was the best opportunity I've had because I was on hold for like a minute and this guy gave me the best rate and knew what he was doing! I had called the number on the postcard as well as several others and each time they were unaware of the pin deal and seemed to be rushing me off the phone rather than being willing to look up dates and help me decide when to book!

 

[princessLoLo'smom]

BTW_ I asked him about the dates oin Oct that I already had on hold (at $269)and he said I could get the $219 for those also!

So I don't know what happened in Disney reservations today, but I jumped at the chance b/c that will make our trip a lot less upsetting when we tally it all up!

 

[princessLoLo'smom]

Oh and he did tell me to BRING THE POSTCARD WITH ME and that I needed it at check-in!

 

[heatherleigh]

Ooooh!! I am calling tomorrow to find out about switching hotels. We would love to try out the GCH. Heck, it's not even that much more than what we're paying now. Thanks for the info!

 

[Sherry E]

Okay I'm soooo excited because I called to reserve my complimentary hold dates in Oct and decided to ask again about Dec and was shocked to find out that there was a $219 room rate available!!!

Of course this is a city view room and I used the pin code postcard deal I got in the mail, but still I was resigned to paying $269 plus the 15% tax and 12/day resort fee. I am just so happy that we can go at Christmas time, stay at the GCH, and not go completely broke in the process!

Anyone have advice about DLR Christmas? We've never done DLR as we usually go to WDW in the summer.

BTW i asked while I was on the phone about park ticket price increase and was told that if I buy tickets today and then the price goes up tomorrow it has no impact on my gate entrance. Several people on another thread said that you have to pay the difference at the gate if there is a price increase.

Which weeknights did you book? I know all the weekends in December are blacked out. Are you there from like a Tues. - Thurs. or what days are you doing? I am tempted, darn you! I didn't expect you to come back on to the board and announce an even LOWER price than the PIN# discount one! That is outstanding! Although I was told PPH for $149 which is lower than on the PIN thing, but not as enticing as that darn GCH!

 

[princessLoLo'smom]

I'm on hold right now, because I thought I'd put a comp hold on a room for my sister-in-law....

The guy I was on the phone with made a mistake and booked me as a cast member... that is how I got $219!

Her manager said they'd honor it but couldn't reserve another at that rate... only the $269/night

 

[princessLoLo'smom]

Now I totally regret posting this thread, because THAT RATE IS NOT OUT THERE!

I got lucky because they were willing to honor the mistake made by the previous cm on the phone 20 minutes ago. They did not have to do that for me so I guess I finally got some Disney Magic after all.

I hope he doesn't get into any trouble over this! I never said anything about being a cm... just told him about the pin code!

 

[Sherry E]

I'm on hold right now, because I thought I'd put a comp hold on a room for my sister-in-law....

The guy I was on the phone with made a mistake and booked me as a cast member... that is how I got $219!

Her manager said they'd honor it but couldn't reserve another at that rate... only the $269/night

See, I wish I could get an inept cast member who charges me lower rates lilke that! But nooooooooo. I will get the one who is an overachiever and wants to earn brownie points and prove how adept he/she is, and will make sure they are not undercharging me at all! You got super lucky, though. with that mistake. It must be 'meant to be' for you to stay at that hotel at that time. It is in the stars for you!

 

[princessLoLo'smom]

Yeah... normally I'd be in the "forget it kid" boat with luck! I don't ever win anything no matter how many times I try. I do feel ridiculously grateful for the mistake and for the fact that they are willing to honor it anyway! They didn't have to do that!!!!

It really will make a difference for us though, because this vacation was pushing it for us anyway so to get such a break will really help us out financially when it is all said and done. I have spent a lot with Disney before and never gotten any special treatment... even this summer when it was our anniversary and we paid 400/night for the Polynesian. I really thought that they'd upgrade us or do something special since it was aspecial trip for us and we were spending so much money with them, but no...nothing...just a pin that said Happy Anniversary!

We normally go to FL for Thanksgiving to visit my family, but airfare for Thanksgiving is unbelievable right now!!!! We'd never be able to go if the prices stay like this for flights! It isn't an expensive trip though because we stay with family... but we couldn't do the airfare as it stands today!

 

[Mililani Mouser]

congrats on the "oops!". wish it was me! that's an extra $50 a day you probably will spend at the resort anyway.

 

[bumbershoot]

That's very cool for you.

If by chance you want to edit the title of your thread, so that people aren't falling over themselves to get on the phone before reading to the end, you can Edit then click on something like "go advanced", which changes the edit window so you can edit the title.

 

[wazowskiLOVER:)]

See, I wish I could get an inept cast member who charges me lower rates lilke that! But nooooooooo. I will get the one who is an overachiever and wants to earn brownie points and prove how adept he/she is, and will make sure they are not undercharging me at all! You got super lucky, though. with that mistake. It must be 'meant to be' for you to stay at that hotel at that time. It is in the stars for you!

Aww Sherry, it'll be alright !! I feel for you girl because you know how we both love GCH!! It'll happen though. Eventually.. haha.

 

[Sherry E]

Aww Sherry, it'll be alright !! I feel for you girl because you know how we both love GCH!! It'll happen though. Eventually.. haha.

I know you're right! Quite frankly, that $259 for the GCH is pretty darn good too, consdering their usual rate, and IF I could only convince my friends to take off work and go on weekdays in December instead of a weekend in December, I would book the GCH in a flash. I wanted to be in the GCH for the holidays, and if it had to be on a weekday, that would be fine. But it is tough for my group to get off weekdays, so I think that is out of the question.

What I think I am going to do is this: later today, I will call that special PIN discount hotline # and have them put a courtesy hold on a room at either PPH or DLH (not too much difference in price and it has been years since I stayed at DLH) for one weekend in October, so we will at least see Halloween stuff. My friend wanted to go on the weekend that is technically going to be Columbus Day weekend, but I said I think the crowds will be better if we go another weekend on Oct., and not a holiday weekend. I do want to TRY to get on TSMM, and that will be harder when kids are out of school for a holiday! Now, with the courtesy hold I will have seven days to ponder my money situation and see if this is at all do-able. My birthday is in two days, so that might mean some extra cash flowing in If, in seven days, I cannot feasibly come up with the money for one night to pay them now, or rather, justify spending it on that somehow, then I will cancel the courtesy hold, continue to brainstorm and just call them again in another few weeks and see what is still available for that specific weekend in Oct. (it is the off season, so that time period does not book up as fast, they told me). Once I can finally convince myself to hold the reservation and plunk down my money, at least I know I can back out and get a refund up to five days prior if I have to.

Christmas trip and GCH I will deal with later!

 

[princessLoLo'smom]

Sherry-
You don't have to cancel the courtesy hold! If you don't call and give them your credit card info it will just expire on its own on the seventh day! I really hope you can make it work out! When I was cnsidering the end of Oct the cm I was speaking with said he thought I was making a wise choice about coming in on a Sunday and staying 2 nights, because I'd have EE on Mon and Tues and fireworks on Sunday night and that the crowds shouldn't be too bad! I don't know if that helps any, but I would try to avoid that "fall break" time in mid-Oct because I'm sure that will be the most crowded time with all the school kids off.
Best of luck-
Lynda

 

[wazowskiLOVER:)]

I know you're right! Quite frankly, that $259 for the GCH is pretty darn good too, consdering their usual rate, and IF I could only convince my friends to take off work and go on weekdays in December instead of a weekend in December, I would book the GCH in a flash. I wanted to be in the GCH for the holidays, and if it had to be on a weekday, that would be fine. But it is tough for my group to get off weekdays, so I think that is out of the question.

What I think I am going to do is this: later today, I will call that special PIN discount hotline # and have them put a courtesy hold on a room at either PPH or DLH (not too much difference in price and it has been years since I stayed at DLH) for one weekend in October, so we will at least see Halloween stuff. My friend wanted to go on the weekend that is technically going to be Columbus Day weekend, but I said I think the crowds will be better if we go another weekend on Oct., and not a holiday weekend. I do want to TRY to get on TSMM, and that will be harder when kids are out of school for a holiday! Now, with the courtesy hold I will have seven days to ponder my money situation and see if this is at all do-able. My birthday is in two days, so that might mean some extra cash flowing in If, in seven days, I cannot feasibly come up with the money for one night to pay them now, or rather, justify spending it on that somehow, then I will cancel the courtesy hold, continue to brainstorm and just call them again in another few weeks and see what is still available for that specific weekend in Oct. (it is the off season, so that time period does not book up as fast, they told me). Once I can finally convince myself to hold the reservation and plunk down my money, at least I know I can back out and get a refund up to five days prior if I have to.

Christmas trip and GCH I will deal with later!

I'm sending goodluck your way !!!! .. and a whole bunch of pixie dust !!

 

[Sherry E]

Sherry-
You don't have to cancel the courtesy hold! If you don't call and give them your credit card info it will just expire on its own on the seventh day! I really hope you can make it work out! When I was cnsidering the end of Oct the cm I was speaking with said he thought I was making a wise choice about coming in on a Sunday and staying 2 nights, because I'd have EE on Mon and Tues and fireworks on Sunday night and that the crowds shouldn't be too bad! I don't know if that helps any, but I would try to avoid that "fall break" time in mid-Oct because I'm sure that will be the most crowded time with all the school kids off.
Best of luck-
Lynda

Lynda,

Well, last year when we went in the fall, it was actually the next to the last weekend of September, and it just happened to be the weekend they put up the Halloween stuff, so we were thrilled as that was our first time there seeing the Halloween stuff. That was already in the brief window of time considered off-peak. Off-peak, as I understand it, runs from about mid-September to mid-October, and then the rates start to hike up again around Halloween and beyond. So, my thinking was, if I am going to pull off this trip at all (without a job!), I have to do the fall thing in the cheapest way possible and then cross my fingers and HOPE that I can do a Christmas trip at the GCH! My friend does not prefer PPH because of the extra walking involved, but I can't bring myself to come up with $100 extra per night for the GCH in October, even though I know that is a golden rate. I would rather stay at GCH in Winter and do the PPH or DLH for fall. My friend suggested going October 10-12, but that is not only a Jewish holiday period where more people might be out of work and in the park, it is also Columbus Day weekend and lots of kids are out of school. So I suggested either 9/26-9/28 or 10/3-10/5 so we can still be there during 'off-peak' season crowds and rates, but still see Halloween stuff. It is too difficult for my friends to get off from work on weekdays. Friday will be hard enough for them, so I won't push it. If I thought there were even a chance I could get anyone to take off weekdays, I WOULD go with the GCH for the $259 rate for December and skip the October thing altogether!

But I will try to do the courtesy hold thing and then, as you say, if I don't give them a card number then they will just cancel it. And then I can always reschedule later if anything is available. At least I am not penalized for canceling or anything like with the WDTC

I hope I can make it work out too!

 

[Sherry E]

I'm sending goodluck your way !!!! .. and a whole bunch of pixie dust !!

Thanks you! I need luck AND pixie dust and Disney magic and all that good stuff! Seeing as Disney likes to throw in pins with the hotel packages and as little surprises for people, maybe if I tell them on the phone that I don't have a job and am struggling to make it to their parks and hotels, they will give me a special "We Hope You Get a Job Soon" pin with happy characters rolling around in money all over it!!!! I bet they have a pin or a sticker for every occasion! But you never know. I could end up getting a CM on the phone who makes a note of it and then when I get there I am suddenly winning a trip to WDW or something. Does anyone notice how it seems to be all or nothing with Disney CMs? Like you can walk through the parks with your birthday buttons on, and every single CM will wish you a happy birthday or give you a little treat, and other times, they all totally ignore you and give you nothing! It just depends who you encounter and what mood they are in at the time!