REAS Confusion

[anlashokna]

Alrighty..lost and confused here looking for feedback from those who have dealt with DCL on this.

After reading that individuals got ressies way out for their REAS package I attempted to call the "miracle worker" many have said to call. Couldn't get by the bulldogs at the disney cruise line call center (1-800 number). The are tenacious things...

Questions that need answers and what I was told by the the bulldogs.

1. First thing I was told is I cannot make my ressies (palo, spa) until its 60-45 days out.

True / False?

Anyone get them further out? How? (you can always PM if you dont want to put the secret out. It's safe with me.)


2. Package has to be paid entirely in full then meet step 1.

Anyone get them without having paid off their package?

I know I made all sorts of package ressies for the GOld Plan on land when I didn't have it paid off. Why is this different?



Just curious if I'm getting the run around (concerns me when the person you're speaking with has to ask another person and you're sitting onhold for 5 minutes).


Please tell me your expierences?

Stacey

 

[noahsmom]

We had REAS on our July cruise. The cruise was booked through Dreams Unlimited, I emailed DU and requested the package. They asked me when we wanted our ressies and took care of it. This was done at least 3 months before we sailed.

Kelli

 

[O&WMOM]

I am having the same problem, but I was told 30 days prior.

HELP US PLEASE

 

[anlashokna]

After reading Kelli's response I've email my TA at DU. See what she says ontop of everything. I just want to get this out of the way so I can toss my info binder into the desk and not look at it again till cruise time. At the moment getting a headache.

Please, anymore feedback is welcome. I can see O&WMom is having similiar issues. Did we just call on a bad day??

Stacey

 

[ivanova]

We had paid in full on our package before I called Debbie.

I called her 4-5 months in advance, not 30-45-60 days in advance. I called her directly, not through the 800# (bypassing the bulldogs).

Have your TA book it, call Debbie directly and ask her if it has to be paid in full before she can book the ressies.

 

[SueEllen]

These can be made more than 60 days in advance.

Keep in mind though that 2005 Palo/Spa dates are not yet ready for booking reservations even though the REAS is in the system for 2005.

The reservation does not need to be paid in full to make the Palo/Spa reservations.

Hope this helps.
Sue Ellen

 

[TiggerKing]

To answer both your questions:

I am booked on the 11/28/04 Wonder, and made my REAS reservations through Debbie last month (July), so at least 4 months out.

I also have NOT made final payment on my cruise, but that was never an issue with Debbie (she is SO wonderful).

I did have to work my way through the "bulldogs", as one poster put it. But, if you will do a search on the DCL Forum for Debbie and REAS, you can find her direct phone number in a couple of the postings.

Good Luck.

 

[PoohJen]

I booked my REAS almost 100 days out (and I know some of my shipmates booked far in advance of that!); including Palos, brunch, spa.

I booked thru my TA, who in turn booked thru "Debbie" at DCL

I believe you have to pay for the REAS at the time you book it (I told my TA to just use credit card # I used for my cruise deposit). I have not yet paid the balance of my cruise.

Good luck, and happy planning!!!

 

[invaderzim]

Debbie's direct number is 407-566-7411.

 

[TiggerKing]

Just a follow-up on paying for the REAS package...

It was included in my package price through my TA (CostCo), and I only had to pay the standard $400 down payment. Maybe mine was a fluke, but I know Debbie has me booked and that is what counts!

 

[cjsmom97]

I can say that we did NOT have our package paid for and it was booked about 8-9 months before cruise. We are sailing in November and had most of it booked in January but some not until February or March. If you are booked through a TA, they should call Debbie to make the reservations. However, I have heard of some that will call and make minimal effort to reach someone to book them. If someone tells them no, they just hang up. They need to hang up and call right back. If you are only a couple months away from cruise time and your TA tells you that DCL told them no, call Debbie yourself. She will take the reservations for you and explain why you are calling and not your TA. If you aren't persistant, you may miss out on the day/time that you are requesting. It does happen. Feel free to PM me if you have any other questions about it. Several of my family has added the package on so I can let you know how it was all done if you need it.

 

[anlashokna]

Thanks All

I've passed along the info to my TA. She came back with the standard that disney gives out, 45 to 60 days. I sent back the info on Debbie. If she's unsuccessful CJSmom97 you may hear me begging for info on how to get this done.

I've dealt with WDW for ressies in the past and had issues..hoping this will be rectified shortly.

O&WMom any luck?

Stacey

 

[cjsmom97]

No problem!! Just let me know!!

 

[O&WMOM]

I have not had time to try again today (couldnt get private time away from the kids, the trip is a suprise)

I will try tom. and let you know if I have any luck

 

[budwmn]

O&WMOM and anlashokna

I sent you both pm's. Let me know if you need any more help!

 

[PoohJen]

Sorry to hear your TA is giving you such a hard time. As I said, I booked almost 100 days out, and did NOT get my first-preference for spa ressies, as they were already booked up!!!! No big deal, I was still able to work out a spa/brunch/dinner schedule that worked for me. But as my cruise is still 93 days away....

Hey CJsMom - any chance the "group" booking was a door-opener for getting REAS ressies?

 

[TiggerKing]

Just one more FYI...

I did book through a TA, but I still went straight to Debbie to get the ressies booked.

 

[anlashokna]

I finally have answers And I feel much better.

I did talk to Debbie this morning. Very nice person. If you're sailing in 2005 they won't be able to do any ressies until December at the earliest. They're still working out time schedules and such for the spas.

Thanks to everyone. If someone else is booking for 2005 and gets ressies earlier please let me know so I can jump on that phone

Thanks

Stacey

 

[dianagee]

I booked my cruise through a TA and I called today to ask about the REAS package. She told me that when I book the REAS package, I will get one reservation for Palo dinner. She also said 7-10 days before the cruise Disney will contact me regarding spa reservations and dining rotation. That sounds like it is too late. Does this sound right?

 

[budwmn]

dianagee-

I just booked my REAS package for my December cruise. I was able to get most of the times I wanted, but some were already taken.

Also, it's more than just one Palo reservation. Debbie let me book (as a courtesy) a Palo brunch and a Palo tea. I also booked my couples massage and requested my dining rotation and table size.

It definitely paid to call ahead of time. I bet there's slim pickings a week before the cruise. Good luck!