Need help CRO vs WDTC

[Yzma and Kronk]

Just reviewed previous threads and Deb Willis site concerning CRO vs. WDTC and unfortunately I think I'm more confused. (and I worked for the airlines for 17 years.....)
Here is where I need help:
I just called 1-407-WDISNEY and reached WDTC (she identified herself as such) I really wanted CRO, but decided to forge ahead.
Booked a 4 night room only stay and got the $200 deposit/45 day policies. I questioned her and said that I understand that CRO has only a 5 day cancellation policy, and she replied, "our policies are exactly the same as CRO" I questioned that, and she was quite adament about it (however, I know that a lot of the Res agents are new and there is a lot of conficting information so that part doesn't matter at this point)
My question is:
I'm hoping for a AP code, and it seems from all other information that you need to be holding a res with CRO in order to apply three digit codes. Is this true - has anyone applied a AP or regular code to a WTDC res?
Otherwise do you have to cancel and rebook, hoping that your room type is still available?
Our 45 day mark is mid-March and I understand that AP codes for May may not be out until March. If they come after my 45 day, do I have to pay WDTC the $50 change fee to apply the code.
To add to this, I am DC but didn't want to complicate things at this point so didn't tell CM. I really would like a AP code and if that doesn't happen I was going to then call to apply DC discount if still available (at which point I understand that I have to deal with WDTC)
Should I just cancel this reservation, call back and only re-book until I get CRO??
I hope someday Disney will apply same policies for both CRO and WDTC.
Thank you very much for help with this one

 

[Misti]

Hi!

WDTC gets many "overflow" calls from the W-DISNEY CRO line.

If you are booking a Disney Club discount, then your reservation is booked in the WDTC computer (regardless of whether or not it is a room-only or package). However, it carries a $100 deposit and the balance is paid 21 days prior to arrival. If you have AIRFARE, the Disney Club reservation balance is due 45 days prior to arrival. Disney Club reservations may be cancelled up to 5 days prior to arival (unless you have airfare).

Standard WDTC reservations carry a $200 deposit and balances are due 45 days prior to arrival. Cancellation penalties begin after that point. WDTC also has a tendency to add on vacation protection insurance so beware. This insurance can be costly and is non-refundable once your deposit has been made.

CRO generally requires one night's room rate plus tax for deposit with the balance due at check-in. Cancellation may be made more than 5 days prior to arrival for refund.

If you have a WDTC reservation, you will not be able to apply a CRO "code". They are separate systems and would require separate bookings.

 

[Misti]

Originally posted by Yzma and Kronk
I'm hoping for a AP code, and it seems from all other information that you need to be holding a res with CRO in order to apply three digit codes. Is this true - has anyone applied a AP or regular code to a WTDC res?
Otherwise do you have to cancel and rebook, hoping that your room type is still available?
Our 45 day mark is mid-March and I understand that AP codes for May may not be out until March. If they come after my 45 day, do I have to pay WDTC the $50 change fee to apply the code.
To add to this, I am DC but didn't want to complicate things at this point so didn't tell CM. I really would like a AP code and if that doesn't happen I was going to then call to apply DC discount if still available (at which point I understand that I have to deal with WDTC)
Should I just cancel this reservation, call back and only re-book until I get CRO??
I hope someday Disney will apply same policies for both CRO and WDTC.
Thank you very much for help with this one

You cannot apply an AP or other CRO code to a WDTC reservation. So, you would have to cancel your WDTC reservation and rebook in the CRO computer. I would call back and book a Disney Club reservation. If you are a member, you might as well check for the discount. Plus, the deposit is only $100 and balance due date is 21 days prior (reiterate the balance due date, I've had CM's who have no clue and keep the 45 day payment date in).

If you really only plan on going unless you have an AP or other code, just go ahead and cancel your WDTC ressie altogether. I'd re-book in CRO (carries a 12 digit ressie number) and you won't be held to that 45 day balance due date. You'll also have more flexibility with modification/cancellation.

Disney has said that eventually ALL ressies will be in the WDTC computer. I can't see it ever happening though. What major hotel chain do you know of that requires payment in FULL 45 days ahead with cancellation penalties incurred after that point?! It would certainly keep me from booking!

Good luck!

 

[Yzma and Kronk]

Thanks very much Misti!
One further question before I decide -
If I book at DC, how much of a problem is it to apply AP or other three digit code if/when they come out?
Thanks again!

 

[SuzyQue]

You'll have to cancel the DC ressie and make a new ressie with the AP or code. They will credit your credit card for the DC ressie, or make a refund to you, and you'll have to pay a new deposit for the new ressie. Although it sounds complicated, it really isn't, we've done it for our last 2 trips. I like to book a year ahead, so I would start out with a CRO ressie, then change it to a DC when the DC discounts came out, then change it back to CRO when a code came out. We're staying at POR the end of Feb., I started out with 169.00 rack rate, then 144.00 DC rate, then 133.00 special DC rate then 119.00 code rate. ~~

 

[Yzma and Kronk]

SuzyQue
Thanks for info - did you ever have any worries about losing your original booking. ie. When cancelling and re-booking to apply code - what if your resort is sold out? Will they always be able to get it back?
Sorry for so many questions on this. Thanks!

 

[Misti]

Originally posted by Yzma and Kronk
SuzyQue
Thanks for info - did you ever have any worries about losing your original booking. ie. When cancelling and re-booking to apply code - what if your resort is sold out? Will they always be able to get it back?
Sorry for so many questions on this. Thanks!

I would cancel the reservation only AFTER I confirmed a new booking with the code. In fact, I usually call two separate times. First, I'd call to check availability with a new discount code and confirm the new reservation. THEN, I'd call to cancel the old ressie (only AFTER confirming the first). That way, you are safe.
Plus, if for some reason a code discount is not available, you don't want to jeopardize your existing reservation. Just make sure you are within the appropriate cancellation period for the old ressie. You don't want to worry about cancellation fees on your WDTC ressie.

Good luck.

 

[Yzma and Kronk]

One last question - Does Disney get "snotty" about duplicate bookings? Reason I'm asking is they seem to ask for so much information when calling, the computer must show all bookings, history of calls etc. In other words they must have a file of information sitting in front of them when you go to make that second booking prior to cancelling the first. (I used to work for an airline, and dupe bookings were a definite no-no!)

 

[SuzyQue]

Ditto what Misti said about confirming before cancelling, that's very important (thanks Misti). You don't need to give them all the info they are asking for until you are sure you want to book. I usually call and say I'm checking into rates and availability on a certain resort, when they start asking for my name etc. I say I'll give you all that after we see if it's available. They seem to have no problem with that. They don't always have all your ressies in front of them, when I called CRO the last time to use the code, they never even asked me about my DC ressie. So I told them and asked do you want to handle the cancellation and he said "oh, uh, no, you'll have to call DC and cancel it". ~~

 

[Misti]

No, you really shouldn't have duplicate bookings. But, as soon as you'd get your code rate confirmed, you'd be then calling to cancel the old ressie. So, there really wouldn't be duplicate holdings.

Duplicate ressies are only a concern if someone is holding two simulataneous ressies and waiting to cancel at a later date.

 

[Yzma and Kronk]

Thanks so much Misti and SuzyQue - very helpful information!
I hope this helps others as well.
One personal comment - CRO and WDTC what an interesting animal! It's great that we have these boards to clear up confusions!
Have a great Disney Day!

 

[lampy]

If you use disneyworld.com, is that a CRO or WDTC reservation? Can it be changed later and an AP rate applied?

 

[Misti]

Originally posted by Yzma and Kronk
Thanks so much Misti and SuzyQue - very helpful information!
I hope this helps others as well.
One personal comment - CRO and WDTC what an interesting animal! It's great that we have these boards to clear up confusions!
Have a great Disney Day!

I'm glad we could help!

Yes, this whole CRO/WDTC thing can be VERY confusing!!

 

[Misti]

Originally posted by lampy
If you use disneyworld.com, is that a CRO or WDTC reservation? Can it be changed later and an AP rate applied?

It depends on what you book. If you book a package, the WDTC depsoit/cancellation policies will apply. Basic, room-only reservations should follow the CRO deposit/cancellation policies.

BEWARE though. I've heard some people booking reservations on line that carried unusual cancellation policies. So, read the cancellation info carefully.

You should be able to modify your reservation. How it can be modified will be determined by how you orginally booked it (room only, package, etc). Most codes may be applied to the basic, CRO room-only ressies. If you have a package, you may not be able to "modify". You may have to book a new ressie with the code and cancel the old one out.