Really disney???

[disneyfam 0]

I just booked a last minute weekend getaway at The Fort. It is for next Friday Saturday and Sunday. When I tried to book for only two or three nights with annual passholder discounts it is unavailable, but if I put five nights it is available. That just seems a little deceitful. I booked it anyway hoping to cancel the last two days. The reservation specialist was very helpful and told me sometimes when you cancel the end days it will not hive you the beginning days. How can your first three days be available and then when you cancel the last two they are now not available. Really??? Ok I am done venting now, thank you for listening Fiends..... Hope it works out.

[mouseketab.....Carol 1,261]

If they give you a hassle at reservations, just keep the full reservation, and check out early. You will be refunded the last two days.

 

Normally, I wouldn't advise this because the Fort stays so full, but apparently they are a bit slow right now, and those are weeknights.

[Katman1356...Jason 1,140]

I have to book extra days and cancel the ones not needed all the time for my clients. Unfortunately Disney's booking system, and not always just for the Fort I have started to find, is messed up. 

[GaDawgFan.....Kelly 799]

I have to do stuff like they all the time. They hold spots for people staying longer.

[Momof6....aka Marty 769]

Look for my Fiend sign, hopefully on the 1500 loop!   :wave1:

[disneyfam 0]

Thanks for the listening ear guys..... Hopefully I get the 900 loop that is what I requested.. I was not aware they would refund the days if I check out early. That seems like the easiest....

[disneyfam 0]

Look for my Fiend sign, hopefully on the 1500 loop! :wave1:

hope to meet you....

[Katman1356...Jason 1,140]

Thanks for the listening ear guys..... Hopefully I get the 900 loop that is what I requested.. I was not aware they would refund the days if I check out early. That seems like the easiest....

 

If you call to drop the extra days you wont have a problem. Which ever works best for you though. 

[Memphis 105]

You will also find when only booking a couple days that the only thing available is premium sites.  But if you book 4 or more days suddenly all four grades of sites are available.  I have also had sites become available  the day before check in.  They will hold on to them until the last minute hoping for a  longer booking but if not will let them go for just a weekend booking. They are just trying to maximize bookings, can't really blame them.

 

I really don't like the games they make you play but it's their toys so we have to play by their rules.       

[disneyfam 0]

You will also find when only booking a couple days that the only thing available is premium sites.  But if you book 4 or more days suddenly all four grades of sites are available.  I have also had sites become available  the day before check in.  They will hold on to them until the last minute hoping for a  longer booking but if not will let them go for just a weekend booking. They are just trying to maximize bookings, can't really blame them.

 

I really don't like the games they make you play but it's their toys so we have to play by their rules.       

You cant blame them for trying to maximize thier profits. I am hoping sites open up the weekend of Halloween. I am going to try the day before and hope for the best..That is one good thing about living in Miami it is not that far to do spur of the moment trips to the Fort

[disneyfam 0]

If you call to drop the extra days you wont have a problem. Which ever works best for you though. 

Maybe I was not understanding the rep clearly. I am sure you can clarify. I thought she said if I call to cancel the last two days and the computer still does not show availability for just the first three days I can not cancel the last two, or I would loose the resevation.

[Katman1356...Jason 1,140]

Maybe I was not understanding the rep clearly. I am sure you can clarify. I thought she said if I call to cancel the last two days and the computer still does not show availability for just the first three days I can not cancel the last two, or I would loose the resevation.

 

Yeah another clueless CM. Once you have dates that include the ones you want, you are only dropping the extras. A CM who knows what they are doing, which tends to be quite a few when it comes to this, will be able to do this no problem. Also they can set it up and confirm the change before they put it through. 

 

I did this just last week for a customer with an AP rate in September. Booked it for more days than they needed to get them what they wanted, called and cancelled the extra days. No issues what so ever. 

 

If you get another CM who says you cant, hang up and call back. They an do it just fine. 

[Tri-Circle-D 2,059]

Maybe I was not understanding the rep clearly. I am sure you can clarify. I thought she said if I call to cancel the last two days and the computer still does not show availability for just the first three days I can not cancel the last two, or I would loose the resevation.

 

What you are complaining of is nothing new to anyone who is familiar with the Disney reservation system.  It's been this way for years.

 

You need to understand that the people who answer the phones for Disney are at a remote call center, or sometimes even answering the phone from their homes, and many of them have never stepped foot in Disney World.  And, probably close to none of them have ever been to Fort Wilderness.

 

It's a frustrating, non-user friendly system.

 

Next time, use a travel agent.  Disney pays them a commission, and it doesn't cost you a cent.  If you use Jason, who is posting on this thread, you are guaranteed to get the best possible rate.  Those nimrods you talk to on the phone when you call Disney aren't going to go out of their way to find you a discount.

 

TCD

[BradyBzLyn...Mo 2,023]

I did this just last week for a customer with an AP rate in September. Booked it for more days than they needed to get them what they wanted, called and cancelled the extra days. No issues what so ever.

 

Yep - we've done this also.  A couple of years ago I had to book 2 full weeks just to add 1 Friday night to the front end of the 2 week reservation we already had.

 

I called back 10 minutes later and cancelled the other 13 days and had them link the 2 reservations together.  Easy peasy.

[disneyfam 0]

Yeah another clueless CM. Once you have dates that include the ones you want, you are only dropping the extras. A CM who knows what they are doing, which tends to be quite a few when it comes to this, will be able to do this no problem. Also they can set it up and confirm the change before they put it through. 

 

I did this just last week for a customer with an AP rate in September. Booked it for more days than they needed to get them what they wanted, called and cancelled the extra days. No issues what so ever. 

 

If you get another CM who says you cant, hang up and call back. They an do it just fine. 

Thank you......

[disneyfam 0]

What you are complaining of is nothing new to anyone who is familiar with the Disney reservation system.  It's been this way for years.

 

You need to understand that the people who answer the phones for Disney are at a remote call center, or sometimes even answering the phone from their homes, and many of them have never stepped foot in Disney World.  And, probably close to none of them have ever been to Fort Wilderness.

 

It's a frustrating, non-user friendly system.

 

Next time, use a travel agent.  Disney pays them a commission, and it doesn't cost you a cent.  If you use Jason, who is posting on this thread, you are guaranteed to get the best possible rate.  Those nimrods you talk to on the phone when you call Disney aren't going to go out of their way to find you a discount.

 

TCD

Thank you for the advise will def use Jason next time. I guess I never noticed because we never ushally go any shorter then seven days. Since we bought the AP this year we are trying to get up more frequent for some weekend trips.

[Tri-Circle-D 2,059]

Thank you for the advise will def use Jason next time. I guess I never noticed because we never ushally go any shorter then seven days. Since we bought the AP this year we are trying to get up more frequent for some weekend trips.

 

I am a long time weekend warrior, and used to handle all of my reservations myself, but it has gotten so ridiculous that I don't anymore.  It's not worth the frustration.  As you know, just going through all the button pushing to speak to a live person is frustrating.  They ask you to give your reservation number and all your information, and then what's the first thing that the person who answers the phone asks you?  To give the same information you already did.  And, that's the case even if you're calling to ask as simple question, or check on an extra day.  Ridiculous!  And, the chances are good that after all of that, the person you speak to will know less about Disney World than you do.

 

I had a hard time understanding this.  Why would Disney not make the process easier or more user friendly?  Why do they want to drive guests to use travel agents, whom they have to pay commissions?  Then the light bulb went off- Disney has to pay an hourly wage and perhaps benefits to the call center employees,  plus they have to provide the software and hardware and infrastructure, but they don't have to pay for any of that to the outside travel agents.  They pay them 10% or whatever the commission is, and they come out ahead.

 

TCD

[Katman1356...Jason 1,140]

I am a long time weekend warrior, and used to handle all of my reservations myself, but it has gotten so ridiculous that I don't anymore. It's not worth the frustration. As you know, just going through all the button pushing to speak to a live person is frustrating. They ask you to give your reservation number and all your information, and then what's the first thing that the person who answers the phone asks you? To give the same information you already did. And, that's the case even if you're calling to ask as simple question, or check on an extra day. Ridiculous! And, the chances are good that after all of that, the person you speak to will know less about Disney World than you do.

I had a hard time understanding this. Why would Disney not make the process easier or more user friendly? Why do they want to drive guests to use travel agents, whom they have to pay commissions? Then the light bulb went off- Disney has to pay an hourly wage and perhaps benefits to the call center employees, plus they have to provide the software and hardware and infrastructure, but they don't have to pay for any of that to the outside travel agents. They pay them 10% or whatever the commission is, and they come out ahead.

TCD

Plus the travel agents tend to promote things for Disney in the hope of making money off it.

[Katman1356...Jason 1,140]

Oh and if anyone is reading I appreciate the chance to earn my check. Thanks Disney. Lol

[smf 9]

Most of our trips are last minute so we've had to do this a few times. We always cancel the end days no problem.