We know more than them....

[cruisnfamily]

I am so frustrated...just made several calls to Castaway club, Disney Club, Disney Cruise line, and Travel Agent...What have I learned? Nothing!! It turns out that those of us who read these boards know waaaayy more about our cruise than any of the so called professionals.

This whole thing was regarding the $50 onboard credit for Disney Club members. First I was told that it ends in May...I finally convinced them that that isn't true. Then I was told that it is not compatible with my castaway club membership.....I finally convinced them that since I did not qualify for the castaway club onboard credit (all I am getting is whatever little welcome gift they leave in your stateroom) that that isn't true either. Then I was told (by the Castaway Club representatives mind you) that possible I could get onboard credit through them (which turns out not to be true). Anyway, the final call was to my TA at AAA who knows none of this stuff. I have to have her call to get the $50 applied. I'm waiting to hear back now. They had better say all went well!

It's great to be well informed but frustrating to deal with the so called professionals when they aren't!

Anybody else have a similar experience?

 

[DisneyKids]

It always depends on who you talk to. We have had great luck and not so great. The one thing I will say is if you bring up something that they are aware of, they are usually pretty good about finding out for you.

I remind myself that they work for ONE piece involved. We read, research, etc. as many options as possible because it matters to our wallet. They learn what they are responsible, like we do, and don't have to learn more until they run into it. Patience goes a long way and often a little longer with Disney. We've had good luck overall.

 

[Kim&Chris]

I've been in your shoes more than once!

Last year I was planning a Halloween trip to WDW, and wanted to reserve a dinner package that the CM INSISTED did not exist. I went back and forth with her for not less than 10 minutes, when she finally said, "oh, here it is!!". So, of course I was able to plan my dinner package from that point. Very frustrating!

Proves that these boards are invaluable (to say the least).

 

[jennifersmith23]

One of our hr managers used to work at Disney and the funny thing is, they are told to never tell a customer that they do not know the answer to a question... But they are also told not to lie to a customer either. This misinformation bit is getting frustrating I agree (we are trying to get a straight answer on the theme nights for western and it is near impossible).

Hopefully everything will work out for you.

Thanks,
Jennifer

 

[prymsu]

than any TA i have ever dealt with for cruise questions. It is pretty sad when you have to go to them to book the deals, and then you have to tell them about specials, and so on. You would think that in a time where the travel industry is hurting, they would sharpen their knowledge. My goodness if they just visited a site like this once in a while, they would learn lots!!!

I guess the thing that really gets me is that they are earning a commission without having to do their homework!!!

 

[Tluvs2talk]

When I call DCL or CRO and the CM doesn't know what I am talking about, I call back until I get a CM who does!!!!

 

[atigeg]

I get some very interesting emails from visitors to my website who are misinformed by their TAs and even by DCL reps. The most common seems to be denial that the secret porthole rooms exist...if they don't, I've sure been having one heck of a hallucination (multiple times, since we've stayed in them more than once!!).
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.castawayclub.com

 

[taswira]

Don't forget that there are several on this board who ARE in the travel industry. Not ALL TAs are ignorant ;-). With DCL, if you advise them of the source, such as saying "Disney Club says the $50 onboard credit offer has been extended to the end of this year," they will in most cases check with their superior or call the Disney Club to confirm. That's what they did in my case. Sure, there are exceptions, and if an offer says it can not be combined with any other discount, etc., then consider yourself very lucky if you DO get combined discounts. I think with DCL, the best approach is to call them directly and if they don't know anything about something in particular, ask them to check with the appropriate person/department while you hold on. No promises, but a kind, gentle, but "The news is just out on this and I'd really like to take advantage of it, so would you mind checking with your supervisor for me?" does seem to work most often.