PS "situation"-need advise please!!

[InsanelyMickey]

ok, here's the situation:

I booked my trip through a TA and she's already made one PS reservation for me a couple months ago (a 120-day one). Now, tomorrow is the day that I scheduled a call to her to make the 60-day one for us. Since I had to call for an unrelated question today, I asked if i could give her the info today for the phone call tomorrow morning to make the PS arrangements for me.

Well, this time she told me that I should call myself because I could call earlier than she could. I told her because of my work schedule I really couldn't call any earlier than her, and then I'd be at work anyway and couldn't spend that time on the phone. She said these 60 day ones go quick so by time she called they would be booked.

Now, I understand that's a possibility, but she hadn't even asked where or when or anything yet. She just went right in and started with me calling. After repeating a couple more times that I couldn't really call right at 7 AM as she suggested, she finally said she'd try, but now I'm afraid she'll forget or not bother since she was convinced there would be nothing.

Sorry to make this so long. I guess I'm just wondering if I should rearrange my schedule in the morning and plan on calling myself. I was just a little annoyed that it wasn't a problem for her to do this before and now I feel like I was asking for the world when I asked her to call for me. This is my first time using a TA (since it's my first REAL trip) so I'm not sure if I'm over-reacting here.

Any thoughts?

 

[A kid at heart]

I personally think your Ta should get the ps for you, she /he also has an 800 nbr that they can use to get it for you. Its one of the things that a Ta should do to get the repeat business back from you. Personally I go out of my way for my clients and she should too!
Its sad that so many of them have taken and attitude like this since there have been some major cuts in commission.

 

[jel0511]

I'd say have your TA call for you, unless you're trying to get Cinderella's reservations. Cinderella's ressies go VERY fast, they are usually sold out in mere minutes after 7:00 at the 60 day mark. If you're not trying for Cindy's any time that day for your 60 day ressies would be fine. IF it is Cindy's you want, start calling 1-407-WDW-DINE a few minutes before 7:00 and pray a lot!!

 

[InsanelyMickey]

Thank you so much for the quick replies!

I don't believe with that loooong post I didn't even mention where I was talking about! That's a situation in itself since I'm trying for Crystal Palace on Dec. 16 which is only one day after the scheduled re-opening.

That was another thing, too, she just "assumed" I wanted something with the "princesses" as she put it. No offense to the princesses, of course, but I wanted Pooh Bear! (since my Mickey one is already set for chef mickey's!)

I'm so glad someone understands. I tend to over-react about some things and just wanted to make sure that wasn't the case here. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

 

[ellyn2000]

I'm not really good at being on the phone at 7:00 on the dot, but I've had good luck with CP. If you possibly can, I'd try to call myself. If you just can't, then I'd hold the TA responsible for getting the PS.

 

[ozziewags]

I am an 'over planner' myself and I would do both.....have her call and call myself, just to be sure. The way the conversation sounded you can tell her you weren't sure she was taking care of it, which is the truth, right? It depends on if you want a certain time, also. Good luck.

Carol

 

[InsanelyMickey]

ellyn2000, the more I think about this, I can really picture myself getting up extra early to be ready for work early so I can make the call myself. Thanks for the advice.

ozziewags, that is a good idea also. You are absolutely right that I really don't know whether she will call tomorrow, especially since she didn't seem to be taking down any info on my request. She asked where and what time but never asked for the date. I had to call back when I realized that, just to make sure I gave the date. Now, maybe she was just planning on counting out 60 days or asking what date they were taking reservations for when she called but I thought it would've been nice to get all this information. Boy, I really sound demanding now, don't I? I just want to be sure that after waiting so long to finally go to WDW everything is as close to perfect as it can be. Then again, I'm going to WDW! That should be enough too, I guess.

Thank you both for your advice. I'm feeling better now that I have some wonderful, understanding people to help!

 

[ellyn2000]

I don't think you sound demanding at all. When I pay my hard earned money for anything, I expect to get what I want. I don't care if it's a hamburger or a vacation. I once had to complain to the mgr. of the local carwash because I wasn't pleased and wanted my car vaccumed again. He said, "I can't believe you would say you're sorry because we didn't do our job properly." I learned then and there to be very polite, but very clear on what I expect everywhere I go. That way there's no miscommunication. You were very polite to the TA, yet you weren't sure if she was going to follow through on your request. I would have probably asked the question, "Am I correct that you will be taking care of the PS that I requested?" I hope you get the PS that you want and have a wonderful trip!

 

[InsanelyMickey]

Oh, I am soooo glad I found these boards! I'm sure I would've stressed over this all night if I didn't have someone to vent to. Thank you again, ellyn2000. I will post tomorrow night and let you know what happened. I really think I'll be setting the ol' alarm clock tonight to be ready for that phone call tomorrow morning.

I really appreciate all of your comments and advise!

Thank you!

 

[WDW2002]

With TA like that I am glad I book myself

I agree with the others that said try to call yourself. The TA is probably not getting commission on PS arrangements, so she figures why bother if the client can do it themselves.

 

[InsanelyMickey]

WDW2002 - thank you for your thoughts I'm beginning to wonder myself if a TA is worth it. I guess it still is since I have limited travel experience, but I sure didn't feel too great after that conversation this afternoon. I can't wait to see how this turns out. I have decided to get up early so I can call WDW myself.

Thank you for your reply

 

[InsanelyMickey]

Ok, it only took me all night to notice this, but please excuse my spelling error of advice in my thread subject line!

I just couldn't let that sit there without commenting on it.

 

[travelitis]

My thoughts probably aren't going to win any popularity points, but I'm going to post anyway. By the time you call her to tell her what you want then call back to confirm she made the PS, you've spent more time and effort than if you do the PS yourself. I understand you're having to call from work, but I was a TA for several years and while I told people how to make PS's and offered to assist, not one client requested I do so. Look at this from her perspective a moment. She can't call right at opening, and if when she calls and availability isn't there, you're not going to be happy right? Then you'd rather have made that call in the first place, right? If she didn't strongly suggest you make this call then she can't get the availability, how does she look to you? It's called CYA. She's trying to insure you get what you want by being careful. Just because it's not CRT doesn't mean it's going to have wide-open availability, and just because she suggests you call yourself doesn't mean she's not trying to give you service. She's already made a PS for you and said she would do this one. Now a TA is there to make sure your arrangements are smooth and you get the right price. I'd never ask them to take care of details like dining arrangements, just like I won't ask a waiter to cut my food. I'm not suggesting in any way that you're wrong to ask this of your TA, but I do think it's a minor complaint.

 

[InsanelyMickey]

It's done, it's done, it's done!

I called myself and was off the phone within about two minutes with the exact PS time I wanted!

Thank you all for your wonderful advice and suggestions!

travelitis-
Thank you for your comments also. The reason I posted this "situation" here was to get opinions on what other people would do. I really expected any/all replies to be exactly what you wrote and I guess just wanted some advice and/or suggestions from more experienced Disney travelers/diners. You made some good points. Thank you!

WDW2002, ellyn2000, ozziewags, jel0511, A kid at heart -
Thank you for calming me down during my "insane" time last night! I really appreciate your help and now we're going to have breakfast with Pooh Bear and friends at the exact time we wanted. Hooray!

 

[ozziewags]

HAVE A WONDERFUL TIME!!!!!

 

[travelitis]

Insanely Mickey I'm so glad you got what you wanted and that you didn't take offense to my post! I almost dreaded opening the thread this morning thinking I might have opened a big discussion that would eventually earn banishment to the debate boards. Thank you again for not taking my post wrong! I hope your trip is everything you hope, a truly magical experience!

 

[Tagrel]

Congrats on getting the ressie you wanted!

Question: did you make the reservation for CP on the 16th? I'm just wondering if the refurb is going on schedule, and what they would do if they aren't finished? We want to make a reservation for the 22... does Tony's stop serving breakfast as soon as CP opens back up?

Thanks!

 

[InsanelyMickey]

Thank you ozziewags, travelitis, and Tagrel!

travelitis-
you're too funny! no, of course I didn't take offense to your post. It was not offensive, it had very good points in it. I don't think you have to worry about being banished from the boards. A lot of my issue was that I really didn't know what to expect from a TA and that's why I posted here to get some opinions

Tagrel-
Yes, I did make the PS for the 16th, and nothing was even mentioned at the time about whether the refurb. is on schedule or not. I took that as a good sign, but hopefully it works out that way I would think you'd be all set for a PS at Crystal Palace for the 22nd, but if your preference had been Tony's then I'm not too sure what they're doing with the breakfast there once Crystal Palace reopens. I hope it works out as well for you as it did for me

Thanks again for all your help, everyone!