Too much information

[Gaiusrex]

I'm overwhelmed with information.

From what I gather, there are 3 primary types of discounts for non-residents. General room-only discounts (Like BBY), Annual Pass rates (Like BCG), and Disney Visa rates (like CTV). These seem much better than something like AAA discounts.

This is where I start to get over-done. If I'm trying to plan a trip in Nov or Dec, obviously there are no rates for that far ahead. Should I make my reservation now if I know the dates and attempt to apply a discount code later? I don't have the Disney Visa yet. I was wondering if I should hold out for a potential discount plan for new card members?

I'm starting to hyperventilate

I'm thinking I should just make a regular reservation now to ensure a spot, and if codes come out then I could hopefully apply the code to my existing reservation, or I could cancel and rebook.

Any tips?

 

[zurgswife]

I would make a ressies then what until codes come out....Good Luck..

 

[Annette_VA]

I'm planning on going ahead & making my reservations w/ my AAA discount. That way, I'm guaranteed a room. Then, when codes come out, I'll try to get them applied.

 

[lindajo]

I would make a reservation now, so you can stop hyperventilating! I totally know the feeling of being overwhelmed with too much info on WDW. (Try reading one of those Unofficial Guides to WDW if you want to be overwhelmed. My heart begins to race on the first page!) You can always cancel this one if a better rate or deal comes along. I always make reservations for 2 different weeks (when we drive) as DH may have to change time off. As long as you cancel 5 days before there is no charge, so go ahead so you relax!

I read on another disboard about an 800 number for ressies, is there one? I get very anxious waiting on hold for a long, long time when it's my dime.

 

[mikelan6]

There is a toll free number for WDW reservations, but it's for travel agents only.

May I suggest you call a travel agent or call from a cel phone when you have free minutes.

Good luck.

 

[Parrothd]

Originally posted by mikelan6
There is a toll free number for WDW reservations, but it's for travel agents only.

May I suggest you call a travel agent or call from a cel phone when you have free minutes.

Good luck.

That's not quite right. While I'm sure that travel agents probably have their own private toll-free number to call, there are several toll-free numbers that anyone can call.

The one I always use is 800-828-0228. The recording answers "Thank you for calling the Walt Disney Travel Company......" then you get a choice from 4 different prompts (they seem to change the prompts often so it pays to listen to them). Currently they are:

Press 1 to make a New Reservation
Press 2 to modify an Existing Reservation
Press 3 for Dining
Press 4 to order a Planning Video or listen to FAQs.

5 used to be for Disney Cruise Lines, but they recently removed that option for some reason.

Pressing 1, 2 or 3 transfers you to the appropriate CM at the Central Reservations Office (the same place as if you'd called the 407 number). I've been using this number since January to modify my room-only reservations, apply the codes to my existing reservations when they came out 3 weeks ago, make all of my dining PSs, make my dinner-show reservations, etc.......so, I know it works just fine (and I'm not a travel agent). In fact, I just used it 15 minutes ago to check if any later dining times have been released for the Fantasmic! Dinner Package in June.

AND, I've never been on hold for longer than 2 or 3 minutes using this number. In fact, when I just called mid-day, I wasn't on hold at all. I simply pressed 3 and the Dining CM immediately came on the line and asked how she could help me.

Edited to say: By the way, this particular CM said that there is still no seating later than 4:30 PM for the Fantasmic! Dinner Packages @ H&V in June.....BUT, she admitted that's because the June hours haven't come out yet. She said, as soon as Disney releases the June operating hours, later dining times for the packages WILL most-likely be released......because that's how it always happens. She's one of only two CMs who have ever admitted that to me (and I've been calling every day for the past 3-weeks just to check). She, obviously knows the routine better than most of the CMs who've told me that 4:30 is the latest time......period. One gal even told me that there's no need for me to call back because later dining times simply won't be released. 4:30 is IT. Good thing I know better. No tellin' how many people that particular CM has discouraged.
Gotta wonder about people sometimes.

 

[lindajo]

Bless you Parrothd! I recently went through a travel agent to get Feb. reservations because I just couldn't get through on the 407 line. But this next reservation I will need to talk to a CM and ask different questions/make decisions while I am on the phone. So a travel agent wouldn't be a good way to go. It was really irritating to me that Disney would put me on hold for so long while I was paying for the call. Thank you so much for the info!

 

[steelmans DW]

We made ressies for Nov. 2004 last August using AAA discount. We will be watching these boards though for a better discount. We're hoping for AP rates!

 

[Parrothd]

Originally posted by lindajo
......Thank you so much for the info!

You are QUITE welcome, lindajo.