Online vs CRO inconsistent room availablity?

[Tigger2]

When looking for room availablilty on WDW website, it says that the BC has standard rooms available for 12/2008. Because we wanted a AAA discount, I called CRO to book, but they said that all that comes up in their computer is club level everything else is sold out...even w/o AAA discount. Any idea why?

 

[mickeystoontown]

I would call 407-W-DISNEY and tell them what you found on the official website. If that CM doesn't help you, ask to speak with a supervisor.

This happened to me when I was trying to book our June, 2007 trip. Online there was a room but when I called there were no rooms. I told the CM and they put me on hold. When she came back about 3 or 4 minutes later, the CM said "if I get a room for you at the CBR, will you book it right now?" I told her absolutely. She put me on hold a minute or two longer and when she came back she had a room for me. She said her supervisor had given her the okay to release one of the "travel agent rooms"

I would definitely say to call back and try what I did. It just may work out for you.

 

[fla4fun]

Room availability for AAA discounts is totally different than availability in general. When you look at Disney's website, it doesn't tell you if the AAA discount is available on any particular room. Just because it shows a standard view room available doesn't mean it's available to book at a discount. You are better off checking availability on AAA's website (just keep in mind that AAA also will show general availability, so look at the rate - if it's even dollars it's rack, if it's dollars and cents, it's with the discount). I wish you could book the AAA discount through Disney's website, since I book last minute trips online and every little bit helps.

That being said, Disney does have some disparity between the availability that shows on their website vs what shows on the CRO computers. I've read many posts where this has happened and the CM told the guest to just book it online if they could see it online, and for the most part, everyone did. I would understand more if it was the other way around - that the website didn't show as much availability as the CRO computers. I would think that the CRO computers should have the most up to date information (they do operate in real time, don't they?) but it doesn't appear they do.

Bottom line - if you can find the room you want at the price you want on either AAA's or Disney's website, and they don't have it on the phone, book it online.

 

[Tigger2]

Mickeystoontown, I did try telling CRO that it was available online, but she was really rude (1st time I've ever had a rude CM) and told me to just bookit online then. I'll take your advice & call back.

fla4fun, I told CRO that we would take the room without a discount. She said that all the standard rooms were soldout. That's when I questioned the availability online and she got really snippy and said to just bookit online then. I want to transfer our ressie from BW to either YC or BC and transfer the deposit, so I really need to speak to someone since that can't be done online. I agree with you, I thought CRO would be more accurate w/availability then the web, which is why I was surprised when she said it was soldout.

Thank you both for your suggestions.

 

[Luv2Roam]

Currently, when you book on line you are going through WDTC.
By calling and booking room only, you are going through CRO.
And then throwing AAA into the mix means a different code, with yet another different inventory.
Different availabilities since they are looking at differnet inventories.

 

[MeyersDVM]

I don't mean to hijack this thread, but I have been checking for FL Res at WL in Dec. I needed to add a night and there has been no availability- I finally found a std room at rack rate on the WDW site, but when I called to book at with CRO they showed no availability. I had to book it as a second ressie online to get the room. I have been checking for any new availability online (we are hoping for courtyard view), and I have called CRO a few times, too. The CM said availability should be the same. If I understand the PP- it is actually two different agencies. Do I need to keep checking both?
Which one is more likely to show any new FL Res rooms?

Thanks!

 

[Luv2Roam]

It all comes down to that no one knows what inventory the system or res agent is looking at for a specfic booking. I was just trying to offer an explanation on why a room may show availability in one place and not another.

The OP could book a new res on line, if the room type is available, and then cancel the res they currently have. At least that is an option.

I have no idea which medium or offer is most likely to have any type of discount. You will just need to check back.