What do I make sure to say when I call CRO?

[beckie00]

I am making ressies for eight ppl (two adults, six kids) at ASMo (Toy Story) for two rooms, five nights. I have a couple questions before I call, can't find the answer in the Passporter yet altho I might of overlooked it. If anyone can help me out I appreciate it alot )

1. I'm planning on the second week of February 2003. I wanted to book the first night on the LAST day of the value season and the rest will fall into peak season. I need to go as late as possible in Feb yet get value season rates. Will this work?

2. Would it be best to book it Monday thru Friday? Will we miss anything special by NOT doing the weekend? Won't they eventually announce E nights as it gets closer..and won't one of them be during the week or am I confused on that?

3. Can I just mention that I'm joining the DC club or do they need a number? Can I make the ressies without joining and call them back after I do join and have them update the ressie? Same question ...but relating to codes?

4. What should a first timer make absolutely SURE they mention when making those ressies? (Besides, number of rooms, non smoking, whether you need a fridge, etc) I guess what I'm asking is there anything I need to say to make sure I'm getting the best deal and remembering all the details?

Thanks in advance,
Becky

 

[susy]

Becky, Hi! I'd be glad to help you in any way I can. Let's see.....

I am almost postitive that if you book on the last day of the "season" that you get that season's rates. When you call, simply ask. Tell the CM that you want your entire stay at the value season rate and see what rate they come up with-make sure to have all the rates and dates in front of you.

I'm not sure what, if anything, you would miss during the week, except for maybe Spectro. It depends on how things are going next year.

Do you have AAA? If not , don't worry. You can just book at rack rate and come back later with a code or DC discount. You may want to purchase 1 adult AP and see if that makes a difference in your total when the codes come out.

My prefernces at ASMo would be :
NS, connecting rooms, Toy Story Section, first floor, quiet side (away from Andy's rrom-huge icons).
Just list your preferences in the order of importance to you.
There are no guarantees, however.

They will ask your name and address, phone, and maybe the names and ages (of the kids) of those in your party.

 

[susy]

Is that Presiden't week????? If it is, be ready for HUGE crowds!

 

[zulaya]

In general, you can look at mid-February as the last times available for Value season. I believe this year, the last day of value season was Feb 15 and it was a Friday. The next week is president's week which a lot of school will have off and is VERY VERY busy. Basically look at your 2003 calendar...find out when Martin Luther King Day and President's Day are observed and plan to arrive the week before. When they mean Peak Season, they aren't kidding in terms of crowds.

Staying there Monday-Friday would probably cut crowds, if the local schools aren't on break. But, if you decide to fly or rent a car, you will have higher rates because you don't have that all important Saturday night stay. The best days to arrive and leave are T-W-Th, because not many people travel on those days. If you are planning on 5 days, I'd arrive on the Thursday and leave on Tuesday. YOu will then be able to go on the weekends, which sometimes are the only days Spectro and some MK fireworks happen.

 

[eeyore0062]

Originally posted by beckie00
I am making ressies for eight ppl (two adults, six kids) at ASMo (Toy Story) for two rooms, five nights. I have a couple questions before I call, can't find the answer in the Passporter yet altho I might of overlooked it. If anyone can help me out I appreciate it alot )

1. I'm planning on the second week of February 2003. I wanted to book the first night on the LAST day of the value season and the rest will fall into peak season. I need to go as late as possible in Feb yet get value season rates. Will this work?

2. Would it be best to book it Monday thru Friday? Will we miss anything special by NOT doing the weekend? Won't they eventually announce E nights as it gets closer..and won't one of them be during the week or am I confused on that?

3. Can I just mention that I'm joining the DC club or do they need a number? Can I make the ressies without joining and call them back after I do join and have them update the ressie? Same question ...but relating to codes?

4. What should a first timer make absolutely SURE they mention when making those ressies? (Besides, number of rooms, non smoking, whether you need a fridge, etc) I guess what I'm asking is there anything I need to say to make sure I'm getting the best deal and remembering all the details?

Thanks in advance,
Becky

1) Historically for this year, these are the dates for Value Season:
1/1 - 2/13, 8/25 - 10/2, 11/3 - 12/19. So if it falls in line with that next year, the 1st day of your stay should be either 2/12 or 2/13, depending on if it stays the same date, or the same day. Your rate is determined by the rate of the 1st day of your stay.

2) In the off season, they usually don't have Spectromagic or the MK fireworks except on the weekends, and many times only on Saturday nights. Perhaps Saturday through Wednesday would work better for you?

3) You can go online and order your Disney Club membership, then call for your reservations... you will need the number when you call, and will need the card when you check in. We were unable to apply our Disney Club discounts when we went in 1998 after we made the ressie, but things could have changed. As for codes, you can make your reservations and if a code comes out, then call and have it applied to your reservation.

4) First and foremost, write down EVERYTHING! Get the CM's name, get your ressie number... have them repeat exactly what your requests were and write down everything they tell you! Write down the date that you made your ressie, along with the time.
As for requests... non smoking is a request, unless there is a medical reason...if there is, then let them know, so it can be guaranteed. If you want 2 rooms request connecting rooms or at least rooms right next to each other. If you have kids in one room, let them know so they can be sure to have a door between your rooms. As for number of rooms, no problem, just have them repeat to you how many rooms you are making ressies for. The fridge can be requested at check in, but have them make a note on your ressie if you want one, because they are on 1st come, 1st served basis. Also, if you would like a certain building, request that at the time of your original reservation. Before you call, make a list of everything you want to request...that way you won't forget in the excitement of the moment.

If you do these, you shouldn't have any trouble. Remember to get your ressie number when you call, and if you have a fax machine, have them fax you a copy of your ressie right then. As far as putting a deposit down, we have found it much better to do it on a credit card, or check card when making our ressie..that way you don't have to worry about if the check or money order gets to them in time.

Your confirmation should arrive within one week by mail,of making your ressie. When it comes, be sure to inspect it to make sure that everything you want or requested is listed and that the dates of your arrival and departure are correct... if they aren't then call right away and get it straightened out. Also, if you had them fax you a copy, compare the two to make sure there are no descepancies.

Have patience with the CM's...many of them are new and it may take awhile. If you would feel better talking to someone more experienced, then politely excuse yourself from the call, and call again.

 

[beckie00]

According to calendars on the net, Presidents Day in 2003 will be Feb 17...so if we stay the 12th (wednesday) thru the 16th(sunday) would that work? Or am I cutting it too close to President's Day? I really don't want to fight huge crowds if I can avoid it. I just need to do the Value Season...yet can't go in Jan or the first week of Feb....altho I might HAVE to go that first week of Feb if you all think I am cutting it too close. Aggghhh,lol...
Thanks for the help )
becky

 

[hoosll]

We were there Feb 2-8, 2002 -

From my perspective, it was more crowded than we thought it would be. The shorter hours and loss of ee made our time in the parks seemed crunched. We did everything we wanted but by getting to the parks as soon as they opened doing all the rides early, we saw the parades in the p.m. and then left.

We had PS for all our dinners and a couple of lunches and we were glad we did.

As to weather, we wore jeans and sweatshirts every day except the first Saturday in shorts. The wind out of the north/northwest was chilly even in the sunshine for us. If you are from the Northern climes as we found many of the guests to be - it was pretty balmy weather - 60's during the day, upper 40s/low 50s at night - but a northerly breeze.

 

[eeyore0062]

If you could arrive on the 8th, which is a Saturday, and leave on the 12th, which is Wednesday, you will be there for the Spectromagic Parade and the MK Fireworks, and avoid the arrival of the President's Day Crowds.

 

[susy]

I must agree with eeyore. I would leave WDW before that President's Day weekend. If you arrive sat in the day time, I can't think of a better way to start off the trip than to head over to MK for the evening parade and fireworks. I would keep that day's itinerary very light-arrive, get settled and head to Mk and get a spot for the parade. A pretty good area is the walkway between Liberty sqaure and Frontierland. I saw people sitting on the ground and eating hamburgers that the dad had brought over from Pecos Bills (I think). This is a good way to eat and save your parade spot at the same time. You could even bring a large , light blanket to mark your family's spot. OK.... I'm getting too far ahead here!

Remember if you book using a DC discount, it is treated like a "package", even if it's room only and there are more strict cancel policies. Anyone know about this????

 

[eeyore0062]

Susy is right, if you book with a discount through the Disney Club and changes or cancellations will have to be made 45 days prior to arrival as that is handled by the Walt Disney Travel Company. If you book with one of the codes, it can be handled by CRO and you will be able to make changes or cancel up until 5 days before arrival. That is a good point...thanks, Susy!

 

[beckie00]

Suzy, okay you brought up something I am very confused about so I thought I'd ask you about it )
When you say we could arrive on that Saturday and go to MK...wouldnt we be using up one day of our hopper passes? I thought one day of it would be used up and it'd only be half a day's worth of WDW. Does that make sense? Am i misunderstanding how the hopper passes work?
Thanks for your help, I appreciate it bunches!
Becky

 

[eeyore0062]

No, Becky, you are correct in your assumption. It would use up one day of your hopper. If this is a concern, then arrive Friday evening, the 7th, and then you can get a full park day on the 8th. When we have arrived on a Saturday, we usually arrived around 7 in the morning, so we had a full day... just rearrange your plans to arrive a day earlier, if Spectro and the fireworks are important to you.