Questions about reservations and passes

[Eeyore2003]

Right now I have a regular priced package for the Boardwalk for first week in December, I made it just so I had my reservation in before it was booked, I have several questions---

First, I made reservations at the Poly several weeks ago, we have AAA, so I was told that I could just call AAA and they would "assume" my reservation, if they had a better deal for me. One Disney agent I talked to seemed to think this was easy and no problem and I would still have the room and requests I have now, but when I changed my reservations from the Poly to the Boardwalk this week, THAT Disney person said that my Disney reservation would be cancelled if I changed to AAA and I would have to make a whole new reservation and I'd get what I want if they had openings, I don't understand how they could NOT have an opening for what I wanted if "I" had the room already!!! Any elightenment on this???

Also, a question then about AP's. I have never had any. My brother and family are talking about going in the summer of 2004 with us. It would THEN be cheaper for me to get AP"s for DH and I for the two trips. THEN what in the world do I do about MY reservation for December. Can AAA change my reservation to a NONE package and then I get AP's on my trip to Florida. I think I can get them in Ocala???

Anyone ever have trouble changing their existing reservations to better deals or changing them somehow and then not getting what they originally had??? I have kind of been putting off getting everything changed to AAA, because I have to make sure my brother and family are definitely not going to "cop out" on me next summer and then I can get everything done correctly all at once.

Hope this isn't too confusing!!!

 

[inaminute]

It sounds like the first CM just answered the question "can it be changed?" and would let AAA deal with the nuts and bolts of how it works. The second CM went into a little (too much, IMHO) more detail about how the reservation would be handled. It's really something that concerns them more than you. It's simply a matter how how they enter things in the computer. Yes, they'll cancel one reservation and create a new one.

...I'd get what I want if they had openings, I don't understand how they could NOT have an opening for what I wanted if "I" had the room already!!!

It depends on how many rooms they have available under a particular offer. Say each resort has 50 rooms available with a rate code XXX. If when you call, those 50 rooms are already booked at your resort, then the offer is no longer available. It doesn't matter that you already have a room booked. You may be able to switch to a different resort or wait and call back to see if there is a cancellation. Booking early will at least ensure you have a reservation--especially for busy times. You have to be vigilant about looking for and calling immediately for any special offers, codes, etc. to get a good deal.

Hope this makes sense.

 

[LadyLt]

Travel agents normally book out of a seperate "block" of rooms. Therefore the AAA travel agent cannot take over the SAME reservation you have now. He/she can make a reservation if there are rooms available in the stock that is set aside for them. But it would not be just taking over your previous reservation.

It is possible to get a AAA discount from CRO/WDTC without going through a AAA Travel Agent. This can be applied by telephone at the Disney reservation center.

Is there a definite need for you to switch your resevation to AAA?

 

[Eeyore2003]

I understand better now, no there's no particular reason except that it would be cheaper. My other concern is that I wouldn't get the same requests I have now, which is a non-smoking, king, lagoon side, EPCOT view if possible. If AAA only has "standard", I'd rather pay the extra for what I want.


It used to be so simple before I started reading about deals here on The DIS!!! hahahaha But then I don't think when we went in 2001, there just weren't that many deals out there. At least I never saw any, nor did anyone at "The DIS" talk about them at that time.

Do you know if AAA has "standard" or do you get the requests you'd like???

Do you also happen to know about the AP thing, if I change my package reservation to a non-package, wouldn't they just charge me the room price and then I'd get my passes???

This thing with my brother just has me with too many pots in the iron here. Luckily we'll be getting together in two weeks to hash some of this out, but I'd like to know my options by then. In the middle of this, I think I might try to "rent" some points from a DVC person for the trip with my brother, there will be 7 of us and a villa would be so special!!! WHEW!!! Too many new things for me, thanks to all the ideas from people around here!! LOL

 

[LadyLt]

I am not sure of all your questions about AAA Travel Agency. You should call them and ask them what they can do for you before you decide if you want to book with them.

One thing I can tell you, if you book with AAA Travel Agency, then all of your requests and questions need to go to them. CRO/WDTC will not alter, change, or do anything with a reservation made through a travel agent. The travel agent is the only one that can modify your trip if any way.

 

[Eeyore2003]

Thanks Bianca, that's just what I needed to know. There are some occasions that I'd be willing to "take a chance" on getting what I want. This time, I'd like to have the best chance of what I want, it's special. And I still may not get it. I might talk to AAA just to find out, but I'm thinking of just leaving it with Disney for now. Then the only change I make is if my brother is for sure going next summer, I'll get the AP's and then change my room to a non-package through Disney. Thanks so much!!!