With fear and trembling, I ask of you...

[mommyoeo]

I'm afraid to get into terrible trouble by asking a ?? that has been asked before, but I'm so desperate that I'll risk it... (and ask for forgiveness if I'm breaking all the rules around here)

My story is long but the short version is this: I booked 10 nights in October with free dining. I called back later (after the sale was over) to add rooms to my reservation. The CM told me that even though the free dining sale was over, if I added them to my reservation instead of them making new and seperate reservations, they would get the benefit of free dining also, as long as they had rooms available. He took their info (and pulled up info I didn't even give him somehow) and tried to add them. The only problem was that since I had booked my reservation through a TA, he said she had to call Disney herself to add them because she owned that reservation. Today, my TA spent the afternoon calling to add them, but no matter who she talked to each time, they all told her that she could not add them and get my sale price. She kept calling back, hoping to get someone more helpful but found no one.

I know Disney is not obligated to do the right thing and keep their word (I have read lots of peopleon this board who are upset about hearing different stories from different CMs) but I hope that their integrity will reign here! Not because they have to, but because they should do what they said they would do. Of course, anyone could call and say some made-up story to try and get a sale, so they might not trust customers integrity either.

Any thoughts? Anyone have experience with this?

I have 3 little children who will be so very sad when I tell them that all 4 of their grandparents cannot afford to come now! Please help if you can!

 

[huskies90]

It sounds like the first CM just made a mistake which people do. I don't know how it would be OK to add rooms later and still qualify for the free dining. I think Disney is doing the right thing by not honoring it. How is adding them different from me calling and saying I know someone going and now I want a room with free dining for October? I am sorry for your grandparents and feel bad they won't be able to go but in reality with all the knocks Disney has been getting on this board, I don't think they are being unreasonable here.

But if you really want to push it, I advise you to get on the phone with your travel agent and call via conference call. This way you can do all the talking and she will be there to do the booking if you are successful. When you get push back ask for a manager or supervisor and plead your case that you were told this was OK. If you have the CM's name that you talked to, even better. You could probably bully them into giving you the discount if you make enough noise and keep escalating it to the next manager. I am not sure if you will feel good about it in the morning, though...

 

[mommyoeo]

No, I would feel good about it. Trust me! I will be very nice when I call today and I will refuse to be ugly. However, I will ask over and over for them to honor their word, even if it had been a mistake. I took their info and made BIG fmaily plans, and we not have 9 people with their hearts set on a trip now. It is not my fault I was told something wrong (though I hope when I call, they will say that they can easily do that) and I meant no harm to anyone in making these plans. I was not trying to get more than I deserved, or be dishonest, or greedy. I just hope that when I call today, the people we spoke ot yesterday were wrong, not the initial CM who told me I could add them!

How is it different, you ask? It is different because I was told they had a policy and I was working within the rules, with integrity. Someone calling and making up a story to get free dining and trying to fight the system would have a hard time feeling good about it in the morning, I would hope.

That's is not the case here with me.

I do know that Disney probably deals with many dishonest people every day and they are probably hardened to stories that start with "A CM told me..." because so many people lie to get a deal. That's unfortunate for the honest folks out there because they may not really even listen to what i have to say. But, I'm keeping my hopes high and will post back about the outcome when I know anything.

That's a great idea about the conference call. He said - she said is obviously not working. We better all talk at the same time or even if I get a yes, it might be a no when my TA calles back again!

Happy day!

 

[Alicnwondrln]

good luck with this

 

[mommyoeo]

UPDATE: I don't think it would be right to give any details because it might make it hard for Disney no matter which way I report-- but I will say that they are a very fair company and I do believe that they try very hard at doing the right thing while being fair to everyone. Not everyone gets what they want, but let's hope everyone is always nice and treats people the way they would like to be treated.

I continue to think DW is the most wonderful place on earth!

 

[triplefigs]

Well, I hope that means the grandparents are getting to go with you, but who would know...

 

[*Fantasia*]

UPDATE: I don't think it would be right to give any details because it might make it hard for Disney no matter which way I report-- but I will say that they are a very fair company and I do believe that they try very hard at doing the right thing while being fair to everyone. Not everyone gets what they want, but let's hope everyone is always nice and treats people the way they would like to be treated.

I continue to think DW is the most wonderful place on earth!

So.. exactly what does this mean? Did you get what you wanted? Are your parents going? You're saying it's right to give the beginning details...but it's not right to give the last details of the story and it will be hard on the Disney? Anyways... hope that your parents can come and hope you guys will have a wonderful time.

 

[Alicnwondrln]

So.. exactly what does this mean? Did you get what you wanted? Are your parents going? You're saying it's right to give the beginning details...but it's not right to give the last details of the story and it will be hard on the Disney? Anyways... hope that your parents can come and hope you guys will have a wonderful time.

i agree i mean i hope it worked out
but asking for advice and then to leave us hanging is so not cool

 

[mommyoeo]

Really, not so cool? Man, I'm sorry! I was just trying not to cause any probs for Disney. If I said I didn't get the deal, I feared people would give harsh words to Disney. If I did get the deal, I feared people would call and fuss at them to get more discounts for themselves, etc. I just didn't want to create any probs for them, that's all. I didn't mean to sound like I was holding back a secret or something-- sorry! Anyhow, they reviewed notes from people who had previously talked with me and decided to honor what I had been told. And...We're all going! I paid in full a little while ago. The CMs were wonderful and really helped explain things to their higher-ups who didn't want to make the exception for us. The CM called me back a few times to kep me from holding so long when she had to go up the chain of command. I cannot say enough about her. I'd like to send a letter but I don't want to get her in trouble if her bosses don't like how she handled my business. My family is celebrating! Thanks for your advice--

 

[triplefigs]

Really, not so cool? Man, I'm sorry! I was just trying not to cause any probs for Disney. If I said I didn't get the deal, I feared people would give harsh words to Disney. If I did get the deal, I feared people would call and fuss at them to get more discounts for themselves, etc. I just didn't want to create any probs for them, that's all. I didn't mean to sound like I was holding back a secret or something-- sorry! Anyhow, they reviewed notes from people who had previously talked with me and decided to honor what I had been told. And...We're all going! I paid in full a little while ago. The CMs were wonderful and really helped explain things to their higher-ups who didn't want to make the exception for us. The CM called me back a few times to kep me from holding so long when she had to go up the chain of command. I cannot say enough about her. I'd like to send a letter but I don't want to get her in trouble if her bosses don't like how she handled my business. My family is celebrating! Thanks for your advice--

Thanks for the update. They did the right thing in honoring what they told you. Glad to see some Disney Magic!!! I hope you ALL have a fabulous trip and EAT!!!!!!!

 

[Drizzo67]

So glad things worked out for you. See there is Magic in Disney..you just need to know where to look....Yours came in the shape of a very understanding and patient CM.

What a wonderful trip you will have adding the grandparents. We finally talked my in-laws into joining us on our next trip and have been counting down the days until.

Have a Magical Day...

 

[GADISNEYGIRL]

So glad that things worked out for you!

I'm one of the ones who's been ranting lately about being told different things by different CMs~and I received flames from several people. But it IS frustrating! I have never intended to deceive Disney in any of my plans, that's precisely why I call and ask my questions! I certainly want to abide by their policies...It's only after you're told (in our case, FIVE times) that what you're doing is okay, and made the plans...then you call back about something else and are told that the plans you've made won't work. That's where my frustration comes.

At any rate, I hope your family has a magical time!

 

[Bugsmom73]

I am sorry you were given the run around but I am glad you were able to add them. I hope they enjoy the trip. I would also call back and ask to be directed to the praise line and leave your positive feedback.

 

[tlbwriter]

My story is long but the short version is this: I booked 10 nights in October with free dining. I called back later (after the sale was over) to add rooms to my reservation. The CM told me that even though the free dining sale was over, if I added them to my reservation instead of them making new and seperate reservations, they would get the benefit of free dining also, as long as they had rooms available. He took their info (and pulled up info I didn't even give him somehow) and tried to add them. The only problem was that since I had booked my reservation through a TA, he said she had to call Disney herself to add them because she owned that reservation. Today, my TA spent the afternoon calling to add them, but no matter who she talked to each time, they all told her that she could not add them and get my sale price. She kept calling back, hoping to get someone more helpful but found no one.

I thought other people reported doing this with no problems at all?

 

[*Fantasia*]

Really, not so cool? Man, I'm sorry! I was just trying not to cause any probs for Disney. If I said I didn't get the deal, I feared people would give harsh words to Disney. If I did get the deal, I feared people would call and fuss at them to get more discounts for themselves, etc. I just didn't want to create any probs for them, that's all. I didn't mean to sound like I was holding back a secret or something-- sorry! Anyhow, they reviewed notes from people who had previously talked with me and decided to honor what I had been told. And...We're all going! I paid in full a little while ago. The CMs were wonderful and really helped explain things to their higher-ups who didn't want to make the exception for us. The CM called me back a few times to kep me from holding so long when she had to go up the chain of command. I cannot say enough about her. I'd like to send a letter but I don't want to get her in trouble if her bosses don't like how she handled my business. My family is celebrating! Thanks for your advice--

Well.. that's great news! Great to hear that your parents are going. Don't be sorry. You're not trying to cause any problems to Disney by posting here. Don't worry about the others if they want to call and make troubles for any reasons, Disney can handle any troubles that comes their way and it won't be your fault. Anyways... Hope everyone enjoy the trip!

 

[kath1210]

I thought other people reported doing this with no problems at all?

Yes, we did it with no problem. We have a large group going in early October and my friend made her reservation for one room with free dining. Later, after the free dining reservation period was over (the first time, before they extended it), her mom decided to go. My friend called and was easily able to add a room for her mom to her reservation, with the free dining. They just said it could not be a new reservation, she just had to add a room to her existing reservation No problem!

I don't know why they gave OP such a hard time, but I am glad that her perseverance paid off!!