Ready to walk away

[jayandstacey]

We booked Nov 1 thru 11 at beach club, 10 nights at about $340 a night with AAA discount (including taxes, etc) and placed a $1000+ deposit. We also booked Magic Express from the airport and 10 day park hopper tix. Booked thru Disney.

I understand that AAA means it isn't a package deal. I also understand that code rate rooms were in short supply.

So....
The codes come out - none for someone spending 10 nights? None at all? Not even for some of the nights? One CM quoted me a great rate - went through a bunch of details - only to find out it was for Carribean Beach, not Beach Club. None for Beach Club.

Today I get a reservation "bill" that seems to imply that we should send in a check for the balance of our room. It says that if we want Magic Express, we should reserve now. No mention of park tickets. Do I have park tickets? Is my balance really due now? I travel often and pay for rooms when I use them. Is it a confirmation sheet? if so, why 2 months after I booked, but 2 months before I go?

I now have little faith that this will go smoothly, and for $5K I am purchasing that expectation. I understand the difference between package and separate deals. I understand that codes aren't for every night, every room. But after making a legitimate commitment to that much money, I shouldn't have to work this hard to make the trip a success - reconfirming park tix, magical express, ADR, etc.

Am I wrong? Seems like a giant PITA. Someone talk me off the ledge

 

[DiszyDeanette]

Today I get a reservation "bill" that seems to imply that we should send in a check for the balance of our room. It says that if we want Magic Express, we should reserve now. No mention of park tickets. Do I have park tickets? Is my balance really due now? I travel often and pay for rooms when I use them. Is it a confirmation sheet? if so, why 2 months after I booked, but 2 months before I go?

Not sure about AAA packages, did you book w/ a AAA TA or through Disney? Normally packages through Disney have to be paid off within 45 days of your chack-in day, and ME flight info has to be given to them 30 days in advance.

 

[jayandstacey]

Not sure about AAA packages, did you book w/ a AAA TA or through Disney? Normally packages through Disney have to be paid off within 45 days of your chack-in day, and ME flight info has to be given to them 30 days in advance.

We booked through Disney and my understanding (from the phone) was that the balance was due on arrival. The bill/statement we got today has no due date, so maybe it is just a reminder. The ME info was given the day of the original booking about two months ago, including flight information - but is not on today's statement.

I just saw in another thread someone saying what a "PIA" booking Disney stuff is. Maybe it just comes with the territory; maybe I should have used an agent, and maybe I should just pipe down and everything will be A-OK. But it really needn't be like this.

 

[robinb]

When I booked my recent package through Disney payment was due 45 days in advance. That was the same date that I could make any changes without penalty. Your 45 days is still a couple weeks away. I would call Disney tomorrow and make sure you understand the deadlines and if your current reservation includes park tickets. As a rule, room only reservations are due at check-in while packages are due 45 days in advance.

I'm sorry that you couldn't get a better discount .

 

[csaribay]

I understand that AAA means it isn't a package deal. I also understand that code rate rooms were in short supply.

So....
The codes come out - none for someone spending 10 nights? None at all? Not even for some of the nights? ...

I've been monitoring that general time period for Disney moderate and deluxe resorts, and for better part, the majority of deluxe resorts are riding full houses- even oversold on the last few days of your trip. Your resort, for instance:

In order for package discounts to be applied (as the case with the recent ZBG/ZBH code), all nights must be currently available under the specific rate. The rate itself is capacity controlled, so if you can't find normal rack-rate availability, you most certainly will not find a room applicable under the rate.

With regard to the bill you recieved, I wouldn't put too much stock in it- it's probably just an informational invoice. My limited knowledge does side with your assumption that AAA packages are not Walt Disney Travel Company (WDTC) packages in the strictest sense of the word, and as such, do not necessarily require full payment 45 days ahead of your arrival. In addition, since this is probably not a WDTC package, there may be no mention of park passes on the invoice you received- this should come separately.

Be sure to confirm these two matters with Disney directly though. Good luck!

 

[n2mm]

It's sad when you can't feel the pixie dust. That is alot of money. Of course, saying that, you can certainly understand why getting a discount is part luck and a big part flexibility. Going during less busy times helps alot. You, unfortunantely, choose one of the busiest times in November. Between the end of your trip being Veterans Day weekend, and going during Jersey week did not help you at all. Food and Wine, Super Soap Weekend, and Festival of the Masters all make for a full resort. The Beach Club is a favorite for the soap folks too. It only takes one full night to keep you from getting a discount. You could always do a split stay, meaning you would have to check out and check in, but doing that with a package gets complicated. Unless you're willing to try to move to a resort that is discounted, all you can do is keep trying to see if something opens up. Good Luck and keep us posted if you find a better deal.

 

[Plutofan1]

AAA Packages are still Magic Your Way Packages with tickets, hotel, dining (if you booked dining).

 

[Drake]

As far as Magical Express goes, just call them direct and confirm with them that they have all the information needed to pick you up at the airport. I've done this twice this year and both times they are very nice. They check their records while I am on the phone.....sometimes they've needed more information from me about our flights. This way I'm assured that our tranportation will go smoothly....and it has

 

[robinb]

Another question ... are you willing to change dates or reseorts? If a discount is that important to you, you may be able to find one if you are flexible.

 

[jayandstacey]

Thanks for all the replies. I feel better, but do still have to make some phone calls just to be sure all is in place.

Another question ... are you willing to change dates or reseorts? If a discount is that important to you, you may be able to find one if you are flexible.

No, the discount isn't that important. If no discount is available for beach club for my time, then so be it. I was more worried that it WAS available but that I would miss it somehow and be the only fool on my floor paying the big money I booked at a rate and am ready to pay it and enjoy the trip.

The bigger issue is the crossed wires. It costs my time and their money for me to go back and reconfirm everything - and it theoretically should be smoother.

Deep down, I trust all is good and we'll have a great time. 10 days should allow us to soak up quite a bit of pixie dust at a leisurely pace!

Thanks all

 

[jayandstacey]

I've been monitoring that general time period for Disney moderate and deluxe resorts, and for better part, the majority of deluxe resorts are riding full houses- even oversold on the last few days of your trip. Your resort, for instance:

That's pretty cool. How are you able to tell if it is oversold? I see the image is from your site, are you pulling data from Disney somewhere?

We booked a standard view room. I suppose there is the chance, ever so slight, that when we show up it is overbooked. The waterviews look even worse, bokoed solid - so maybe we get an upgrade to concierge! Doesn't matter if we do, but you never know! (maybe those are oversold too, in which case we'll have to stay in the apartment in the Castle. That would stink )

Thanks Chris.

 

[jayandstacey]

... Food and Wine, Super Soap Weekend, and Festival of the Masters all make for a full resort...

We're leaving just before Soap weekend and Festival of the Masters, but I suppose the days before get booked. And yeah, Jersey week we knew about but figured that a crowded Jersey Week was still good.

Anyway, for whatever reason I missed the Food and Wine festival. I love food and eat it almost every day so this should be fun. But the topper is that Southside Johnny will be there, right in Epcot!! Now THAT will be fun, and worth any pain, including the temp closure of the MGM fireworks.

woo-hoo!!!! The Asbury Jukes and Disney in one trip!