Need to vent about these codes

[dmmoore3]

Originally posted by hrh_disney_queen
I called yessterday at 8:10 on the (877) number and was only on hold for 5 minutes..Booked AKL pool view at AP rate for 135/night) nothing at WL, which is what I wanted. Called today to check again on availability and BAT rates, called same number, and was on hold for about 15 minutes (I actually took a quick shower while on hold while DH lay in bed listening to "Bear Necessities" on speaker phone. Got out, dressed and CM came on line.. BAT rates only $17 more per night, so since I would only be buying the AP to get big room discounts, changed ressie from AP to BAT code. From start to finish, about 30 minutes.. Funny, the CM seemed perplexed as to why I would go UP in price....

I don't know why I have been having such good luck with the 877 number, but I will always try that one first!! (877)-939-3732.

I have to be another one to sing your praises Linda! I called on Thursday and was unsuccessfu when attempting to change my 10/15 - 10/23 reservation from rack room to BAT or to AP rates. In fact, the CM told me that there was not one room (in any category for those rates and those dates!). I was so depressed! I had been checking for codes every day for 3 months. I was convinced that all I needed was for the code to be released. It was so depressing when they were released and I was told that there was not even one room avail.

After seeing the ad in the paper today, I came up to my computer to find some secrets on this site. I saw your add and call the 877 number. Voila! I got the BAT rate for AKL Savannah view for the whole stay. We are traveling with friends. She called tonight and got it too!

You are my angel this week. Thank you so much!!

Diane
Raleigh, NC

 

[rach98n]

ok, can someone explain this please??? The difference between the numbers called...

I made my res. through the 877 #. I also have an 800-828 #. Then of course, there is the 407-...

Is there a difference in who you are calling?? I've called the 877 # twice, gotten through very quickly and had very pleasant people help me.

 

[ValerieK]

Originally posted by rach98n
ok, can someone explain this please??? The difference between the numbers called...

I made my res. through the 877 #. I also have an 800-828 #. Then of course, there is the 407-...

Is there a difference in who you are calling?? I've called the 877 # twice, gotten through very quickly and had very pleasant people help me.

I do know that the 800-828 number is for Travel agents. I used it on Friday and the CM asked me if I was a TA and then asked what number I used. She said that the number was for TA's. She was really great, we must have talked for about an hour about Christmas at WDW. I think her name was Carson.

 

[jtjarvis]

Originally posted by rach98n
ok, can someone explain this please??? The difference between the numbers called...

I made my res. through the 877 #. I also have an 800-828 #. Then of course, there is the 407-...

Is there a difference in who you are calling?? I've called the 877 # twice, gotten through very quickly and had very pleasant people help me.

I don't know about other toll-free's, but the 877-939-3732 apparently goes straight to WDTC, Walt Disney Travel Company. I'm beginning to think there's a huge difference there -- they're all legit Disney people but the WDTC seems more like a Disney-affiliated travel agency. They do all the same stuff but their ressie terms are a bit different—actually a little stiffer -- however, they've been super-nice in my book too. And in this case, clearly they had some BAT codes up their sleeves when the 407- people did not (I just know this because I tried!).

Someone else may have a better explanation than I -- this is just my understanding since I've been on the DIS.

 

[rach98n]

just so I'm clear - I'm not hurting myself by reserving with someone other than the 407- folks?? I reserved with the 877 # and can see my reservation on the disney.com site. They also asked me ALL the "questions" that folks have been talking about.

Sorry for my paranoia, but I don't want to mess this up!

 

[skiwee1]

Originally posted by jtjarvis
I don't know about other toll-free's, but the 877-939-3732 apparently goes straight to WDTC, Walt Disney Travel Company. I'm beginning to think there's a huge difference there -- they're all legit Disney people but the WDTC seems more like a Disney-affiliated travel agency. They do all the same stuff but their ressie terms are a bit different—actually a little stiffer -- however, they've been super-nice in my book too. And in this case, clearly they had some BAT codes up their sleeves when the 407- people did not (I just know this because I tried!).

Someone else may have a better explanation than I -- this is just my understanding since I've been on the DIS.

This number is the WDTC but the people that answer also do CRO. So it doesn't matter. I called it and made a reservation under CRO. I dealt with the WDTC folks but got the great CRO rules instead of the more strict WDTC rules.

 

[jtjarvis]

Originally posted by skiwee1
This number is the WDTC but the people that answer also do CRO. So it doesn't matter. I called it and made a reservation under CRO. I dealt with the WDTC folks but got the great CRO rules instead of the more strict WDTC rules.

Boy, they're a confusing lot, aren't they? Yes, that explains why I was able to alter my existing reservation and keep the original terms.

 

[georgina]

I haven't read the whole thread, so I don't know if anyone has suggested this yet: next time book with a good Disney travel agent who will get the code applied for you. This has always worked for me. They know when the codes are coming out, and seem to able to get in quicker (separate phone line?)

 

[behappy]

Disclaimer: Not claiming to know anymore about how Disney Resorts work than anyone else...just applying some business sense.

First, as to the wait to get thru on the phones. As others have pointed out, very likely a result of huge volume of calls, associated with pent-up demand from folks like all of us! As someone pointed out, business have 'targets', not always aimed at delighting customers, but, usually aimed at controlling costs without turning off too many customers. When there is a huge increase in calls, Disney simply can't create 'instant' capacity to deal with it (in spite of what some of us have experienced, these people do require training, etc.) With the advent of cell phones, multiple phone lines, etc., there is a likelihood many parties have more than one call in the queue, which can contribute to the delay.

Second, as to availability of rooms at discounted rates. Any business is focused on maximizing revenue and controlling costs, so as to maximize profit. So, if I ran a Disney resort, I would target those days with the 'lightest' bookings first, then, as needed to fill capacity release additional dates. As many have pointed out, days become available throughout the window, presumably as the managers at those resorts release them. That way they can manage bookings to maximize occupancy and revenue.....not releasing discounted rooms unless they need to book more rooms (remember, the vast majority of visitors to WDW don't even know about codes or DISBOARDS....let's keep it a secret).

Third, as to cancelled rooms going back to the pool. I suspect the real answer is the rooms go back as 'rack-rate', but, due to the practice above, some quickly find their way back into the discounted pool based on the dates/bookings.

Done hypothesizing....

As a Disney stockholder, I hope the above are the guiding principles. Much as I would like to get better rates for our stays at the Poly, I like to see good return on investment.

 

[sorchamac]

Originally posted by georgina
I haven't read the whole thread, so I don't know if anyone has suggested this yet: next time book with a good Disney travel agent who will get the code applied for you. This has always worked for me. They know when the codes are coming out, and seem to able to get in quicker (separate phone line?)

This didn't work for me. I have a Disney travel agent, and she told me there was no availability for any of the nights I'm staying. I looked up on expedia and found 4 of my 7 nights at $132 as opposed to $186 a night I was paying. So I called WDTC and booked those four nights. I'll have my TA split up my original reservation. I'll have 3 confirmation numbers and may have to move rooms twice, but I don't care if it saves me $216.

The TA I'm using is really nice, but I have to do the researching myself anyway, so why bother.

Sorcha

 

[ValerieK]

Originally posted by sorchamac
This didn't work for me. I have a Disney travel agent, and she told me there was no availability for any of the nights I'm staying. I looked up on expedia and found 4 of my 7 nights at $132 as opposed to $186 a night I was paying. So I called WDTC and booked those four nights. I'll have my TA split up my original reservation. I'll have 3 confirmation numbers and may have to move rooms twice, but I don't care if it saves me $216.

The TA I'm using is really nice, but I have to do the researching myself anyway, so why bother.

Sorcha

I have had a similiar problem for my Oct trip. I changed to a new Travel Agency and now I regret it. I have had to call and get my discounts because she didn't get any. I won't be using them again. I will go back the to previous agent you has always come through for me.

 

[ILoveWDW2003]

Originally posted by sorchamac
This didn't work for me. I have a Disney travel agent, and she told me there was no availability for any of the nights I'm staying. I looked up on expedia and found 4 of my 7 nights at $132 as opposed to $186 a night I was paying. So I called WDTC and booked those four nights. I'll have my TA split up my original reservation. I'll have 3 confirmation numbers and may have to move rooms twice, but I don't care if it saves me $216.

The TA I'm using is really nice, but I have to do the researching myself anyway, so why bother.

Sorcha

The Disney TA is going against the same pool of rooms that the Disney CM's do at the WDTC. (although I am surprised that you were able to call WDTC and get the same dates and hotel)

It seems that for this fall holiday special, that Expedia and Hotels.com have purchased large blocks of rooms for their use, which reduces the inventory that WDTC has to offer.

I have been toying with my reservation for Columbus day weekend, and thinking of moving over to the WL. All Disney TA's and CM's that I have talked to tell me their is nothing available for that weekend except the Honeymoon and Presidential Suites.

Expedia and Hotels.com have WL courtyard rooms for $169 per night for that weekend....

 

[sorchamac]

Originally posted by ILoveWDW2003


Expedia and Hotels.com have WL courtyard rooms for $169 per night for that weekend....

Did you call and tell the CM that you saw them available on expedia? That worked for me.


Sorcha

 

[hrh_disney_queen]

Originally posted by dmmoore3
I have to be another one to sing your praises Linda! I called on Thursday and was unsuccessfu when attempting to change my 10/15 - 10/23 reservation from rack room to BAT or to AP rates. In fact, the CM told me that there was not one room (in any category for those rates and those dates!). I was so depressed! I had been checking for codes every day for 3 months. I was convinced that all I needed was for the code to be released. It was so depressing when they were released and I was told that there was not even one room avail.

After seeing the ad in the paper today, I came up to my computer to find some secrets on this site. I saw your add and call the 877 number. Voila! I got the BAT rate for AKL Savannah view for the whole stay. We are traveling with friends. She called tonight and got it too!

You are my angel this week. Thank you so much!!

Diane
Raleigh, NC

So glad you had good luck too, Diane. You are welcome, for what that's worth. But before anyone else sings my praises, I have a confession to make. I didn't have ANY deep dark insight as to why I used that 877 number...I used it for 3 reasons...1) I knew the 407 number would be busy...2) I'm cheap and didn't want to pay to stay on hold for an hour at my expense. 3) It was the last number in the list I had, so I figured maybe it would be the least used. I had no idea it was WDTC, what they involved as far a policy, or what. So I am stuck with whatever policies they infringe on me. But I have no intention of making a cancellation on something I worked so hard for, and our airline tickets are non-refundable, changeable,anything...So this was a result of pure, dumb, luck...nothing else...

Sometimes it works in my favor, other times you may not want to follow my lead...

Have a great trip...We will be there at the same time for Oct 21-23. And since I made that post, I have changed my room several times (using the 877 #, of course!!) and now I have all four nights at AKL Savannah view. Maybe we will bump into each other..