Phoning for Reservations

[jsmla]

Is 407) WDISNEY my only option for reserving a campsite at the 499 day mark? My day to reserve is on Friday and it looks like the phones have been nuts this week.

Thanks!

 

[morrik5]

That is what we've heard is the only way and have done so the past few reservations. Unless they have changed things up ...

 

[bama_ed]

That is what we've heard is the only way and have done so the past few reservations. Unless they have changed things up ...

The online inventory is no different than what the Call Agents sees IMO.

Is there any special reason why you want to call in person versus book online? I book at the 500/499 limit online when possible. They have already announced 2022 (the next year) rates so you can book into that timeframe. When they haven't booked the next year's rates, you CAN'T so that might be the issue. But we have 2022 rates so you can book online arrivals for October 2022 now.

Good luck to you.

Bama Ed

PS - availability may be another matter

 

[morrik5]

The online inventory is no different than what the Call Agents sees IMO.

Is there any special reason why you want to call in person versus book online? I book at the 500/499 limit online when possible. They have already announced 2022 (the next year) rates so you can book into that timeframe. When they haven't booked the next year's rates, you CAN'T so that might be the issue. But we have 2022 rates so you can book online arrivals for October 2022 now.

Good luck to you.

Bama Ed

PS - availability may be another matter

Wasn't there a time when you could see past the 365/6 day window to book online or was it only because previously they hadn't released pricing yet so reservations weren't offered online? I know when we booked 499 days out by phone, we knew the price hadn't been released and would probably see a difference (usually an increase) in the rate when rates were announced.

 

[bama_ed]

Wasn't there a time when you could see past the 365/6 day window to book online or was it only because previously they hadn't released pricing yet so reservations weren't offered online? I know when we booked 499 days out by phone, we knew the price hadn't been released and would probably see a difference (usually an increase) in the rate when rates were announced.

You can see past 365 days now and schedule arrivals for October 2022 now. Let me explain.

In "normal" years, Disney has announced the next year's (NY) rates in the middle of June time frame - let's use June 15 for this example. Before 6/15 of this year (TY) you can ONLY book online for TY. For NY bookings you HAVE to call only and they can book a deposit at TY rates and your costs will adjust when NY rates are announced (no online NY reservations possible yet). But you've got a reservation for NY out to the max time window since you called. Packages are not yet bookable in any way at this point for NY.

When NY rates are announced on 6/15, then you can book the same time frames either online or calling to the max time window. And packages for NY are now bookable out to the max time window.

For 2022 rates, they were announced earlier in mid-April (guess WDW had time on their hands to get a jump on that exercise. Don't know if that will become the new normal). So as of that time you could book into the NY out to the max time window.

The max time window is 500 days from today till ARRIVAL which is the same as 499 nights. Today is 6/9/21 and 500 days out is arrivals on 10/22/22. I can make a reservation for an arrival on 10/22/22 tonight for the Fort (only Tent sites showing available for that date range) using 11/2/22 as my departure date. If I move the arrival date to 10/23/22 and keep 11/2/22 as my leave date, it shows nothing available (because 10/23 is the 501st day). It should show the same results as the first example but it doesn't because the arrival is too far out.

Sorry if my explanation is confusing. Hope that helps.

Bama Ed

 

[Part-Time Paradise]

I'm NOT any where near the pro Bama Ed is, but another way to do it is use a Disney travel agent. I found one that primarily stays at FW and could talk sites, RV dimensions, and all the other nuances of FW. I told him well in advance of when I wanted to stay and he did all the worrying and the waiting for me at no extra charge.

 

[morrik5]

I'm NOT any where near the pro Bama Ed is, but another way to do it is use a Disney travel agent. I found one that primarily stays at FW and could talk sites, RV dimensions, and all the other nuances of FW. I told him well in advance of when I wanted to stay and he did all the worrying and the waiting for me at no extra charge.

And that is the same reason I use our local Disney specialist at CAA (AAA). She may not know 100% of The Fort's little details but she is the one who watches the offers and stays on hold on the phone with a Cast Member. They earn the right to call themselves a Disney Specialist. The main thing is enjoying your trips once you're in that Magical World of Disney.