Trying to make Fort Ressie online

[Fort Fanatics]

Ok, I have a question. Why is it when you are trying to book a 3 night ressie at the Fort, online, that it shows not available. But when you make it for 7 nights, during the same time frame, the first 3 nights are now magically available??? I actually called reservations and asked about this, and she basically told me to go ahead and book the 7 nights, and when I arrive at check in, to tell them that my plans have changed and that Im only there for 3 nights. Can't believe this! That's not fair to someone out there who really needs those 7 nights, and by me booking them, it may not be available for someone else! Then the reservation agent suggested that this is their way of booking online, and if the Fort doesn't fill up, closer to my requested date, that they may or may not open it up for shorter stays. That they prefer longer reservations, instead of just a weekend trip. We live about 1 1/2 hours away, and used to make a weekend trip to the Fort all the time! Sorry for venting here, my apologies!

 

[Pirate-Jeff]

Ok, I have a question. Why is it when you are trying to book a 3 night ressie at the Fort, online, that it shows not available. But when you make it for 7 nights, during the same time frame, the first 3 nights are now magically available??? I actually called reservations and asked about this, and she basically told me to go ahead and book the 7 nights, and when I arrive at check in, to tell them that my plans have changed and that Im only there for 3 nights. Can't believe this! That's not fair to someone out there who really needs those 7 nights, and by me booking them, it may not be available for someone else! Then the reservation agent suggested that this is their way of booking online, and if the Fort doesn't fill up, closer to my requested date, that they may or may not open it up for shorter stays. That they prefer longer reservations, instead of just a weekend trip. We live about 1 1/2 hours away, and used to make a weekend trip to the Fort all the time! Sorry for venting here, my apologies!

Make the 7 day resie now in about a week or so call back and cancel the days you don't want. This will free up the other days that someone else might want.

 

[DaveInTN]

Keep in mind this is the same company that thought it was a good idea to start serving all their hamburgers and hotdogs on cardboard buns that fall apart when you take your first bite.

And the same company that decided to make 80% (give or take) of their campsites "premium" just as the economy was tanking.

I really like most of what Disney does, but they are certainly not immune from making boneheaded decisions.

 

[mnsprk]

Why didn't the CM try and make the shorter ressie for you? I hate their on-line system, we always call.

 

[Disneylitch]

I always call and make reservations. They can play around with dates a lot easier. I have been told that they do set aside a certain number of sites for longer reservations. This is most common in the full hook up and preferred sites. One time I had to make reservations for a month and then call back the next day and cancel the 2 weeks that I didn't want. I don't understand the system, but if that's what I have to do to get my reservations, that is what I will do.

 

[AuburnJen92]

Keep in mind this is the same company that thought it was a good idea to start serving all their hamburgers and hotdogs on cardboard buns that fall apart when you take your first bite.

And the same company that decided to make 80% (give or take) of their campsites "premium" just as the economy was tanking.

I really like most of what Disney does, but they are certainly not immune from making boneheaded decisions.

OMG, I could not have said it better.

 

[Tnbob]

I had the opposite problem the other day when I called, I canceled some days at the beginning and wanted to add 2 days at the end. The CM said she didn't have thoses days available to add to my reservation. After going around with her a while she found that she could book just the 2 days alone to make a seperate reservation but not continuiously. Ya never know how their system is gonna spit out days or sites from one time to another.

 

[justcynn]

I also recently made the longer Ressie and cancel the days you don't need. I had to make an 18 night ressie for Thanksgiving to get the dates I wanted, called 3 days later and cancelled off the 9 I didn't need. 10 Minute wait, but after the Disney person was on the phone- No problem. Now - it would have been a whole lot easier to make the original ressie for what I wanted, but I guess I can understand why Disney is trying to keep space for longer stays...

 

[bama_ed]

Like Pirate-Jeff says, don't wait till you arrive to cancel those unneeded days. After you're confirmed for the longer ressie, call back and drop the days you don't want. You'll be playing a game we all know-and-love-and-hate-but-have-to-play with the Disney ressie system.

Dropping the days sooner rather than later will remove you from possible criticism of reserving a site to get the benefits of such and preventing others from possibly picking up those days (whispers of a recent thread/rant are rattling in my ears).

It's a stupid game and we Fort Fiends know how to play it but not everybody does I guess.

Bama ED

 

[Fort Fanatics]

Thanks everyone!! You all made a great point. It's just a silly thing I guess that we have to do, and like us all, I will do what is needed to stay at the Fort! It's funny that I did ask the CM to make just the 3 day ressie and she stated that "it wasn't available" for those 3 days, just like online. So I will go ahead and make the 7 night reservation, then call back a few days later to cancel the days that I don't need. Thanks again everyone! You da best!