New Disney Club Policy Change: Prepare to Pay Up

[pheneix]

Guess what? My new Disney Club card is now even more worthless than it was before. Disney is now requiring that all Disney Club reservations be paid in FULL *upfront*! Kind of a sh*tty policy for those of us who don't have our driveways paved in gold, isn't it? But it gets better... It seems that Disney is going to make this change for ALL reservations soon. That means that if you book through CRO, Disney Club, or through anything else, you will have to pay the entire cost of your room rates upfront. Now, for those of us that like to just give a desposit on one day and then save up for the rest of the trip, it pretty much screws us over from booking a reservation at WDW. In fact, in my case (with my job I may or may not have to cancel or reschedule at a moment's notice) I may just stay at an off-site resort (and with the case of a week-long vacation Universal's policy is just as bad) where their rules are much more guest-friendly.

I'm sorry, but I just don't like the idea of spending $1,500 months before my departure...

 

[pheneix]

>>>Not to dispute you or anything, but where did you get this info?<<<

Straight from the mouth of the kind representatives (or whatever they are called now) at CRO/Disney Club. I generally don't believe a CM at face value, but I went out of my way to see if this was true (I *really* wanted that "code ZWKF-what-the-heck" deal from the Disney Club).

BTW, another poor guy at the DIS has had a similar experience:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?threadid=250015

 

[Talsonic]

I think it has to do with your "computer history" at WDW. I currently have 12 different reservations extending out until July, 2003. I have despots on all of them. I don't intend to use them all unless I get a very good price. It's called shopping. I regularly check the codes and other discounts until I find the lowest price. When I make a "solid" reservation I always pay it in full in advance. I just made my 13th reservation today and put the deposit on my credit card. I suppose it is similar to gamblers at Las Vegas in that big spenders get free rooms and other perks.

 

[Pumbas Nakasak]

Im not sure if this is the same thing but when i made a reservation 2 weeks ago they said i had 5 days to make a deposit, I did it there and then and have had the confirmation of the booking and no additional request for payment.

I looked at the link on TheDisney Club about bookings and it seems to contradict itself with information posted elsrwhere. When I go in Oct im hopeful that i can make my reservations for next Aug, but if ive got to pay upfront!!! that means im losing interest on my savings or paying interest on my credit card. They can forget it as im sure ill get a room if i leave it later.

Another thing about this policy it will encourage people to book late and through discounting into array and make any long term planning of hotel management a nightmare. If this does become a reality I hope rthe joker concerned is given the BIG E.

 

[Pumbas Nakasak]

I have just checked the website and it says that the new policy( i dont know if this is bang up to date) that all reservations will require a deposit of $100, if your using your club card. $200 otherwise. Which is strange because they only billed me $80???

 

[The Mom]

I don't think I'll ever understand WDW's reservation policies! Everytime I make one the rules seem to be different! I suspect it has to do with WHEN you book! For my last trip, I booked a good 6 months ahead of time, because I needed a 2 BR villa and had heard they're hard to get. I had to send in one night's deposit within the 14 day window to get a confirmation. Then, when it came, it stated I had to pay in full by a certain date (about 3 weeks prior to arrival) or it would be cancelled, and that I would get no further correspondence or reminders! Thank goodness I have a 18 month calendar, so could mark the date. Then I had to be sure to save the confirmation letter and envelope. I do remember this happpening at other times, also.

Other times, I've made the deposit with a credit card, and paid the balance at check out, other times I've sent in a check, and put the balance on a credit card on check in....I just follow the instructions.


I use a variety of sources, depending upon who has the best deal, so that may be why I've encountered so many different policies! It would be nice if there were a standard policy in place that was the same no matter how you booked, unless you've gone through a TA!

That being said, I have almost always had to pay the full amount up front at any ski resorts. I suppose a lot of people would forfeit that one night's deposit if the weather report wasn't good.

 

[NancyinCt]

Full payment up front on reserv.

Does this info, if true include making reservations with WDWT Co.?
(I did use the Disney Club card with them)

When I booked (thru TA) they required a deposit paid within a time period that was no problem, but that balance due was 45 days before arrival. I booked this trip in June and will not be going to mid Nov.

Should I call and ask WDWT Co. and make sure I won't get canceled?

You would think that those already with a deposit down, would get a call or notice if they change thier policy without those of us not being notified about it, to give us a chance to either pay up or back out???

This is quite disturbing if this is true, what happens if you pay up and they go down even more, now they have all your money?

 

[Eeyore]

Ok, this is how I've understood it to work. I could be wrong, feel free to correct me if I am. The Disney Club is run by an outside company. If you call the number on the back of your Disney Club card to make your room reservations you are not getting CRO. Instead, that number takes you to Magic Kingdom Club Travel, they require you to pay for your stay in whole rather than just a deposit. They also tend to pressure you to book a package rather than just a room. If you call CRO directly to make your reservations you need to tell them you are a Disney Club Member and if it's the appropriate time of year you will get your discount without having to pay more than the one nights deposit. I hope that makes sense.

 

[wannabeBelle]

hey there everyone, I am not 100% sure about all of this but this has always worked for me in the past. Since I Am an annual passholder, I dont need to buy a package which includes tickets. With the room only reservation they require a one night deposit within 45 days of the trip. I usually put it down immediately just to save myself the headache. After that I can pay for the remainder of my stay either as the trip comes up or at check in. Prior to my annual pass though I know that all packages must be paid for 45 days in advance. This was always what my TA had said!! I cant imagine Disney requiring payment at the time of booking, that would be absurd and in a country already strapped by economic hardtimes, not a very good business move on their part!

 

[The Mom]

Maybe they have a different policy with Boardwalk Villas? I used a AAA discount (it was less than an AP one at the time....which is another little peeve...trying to figure out which discount to use....but I least I can usually use one, so what the hey ) when I called in late Dec. I had to have the first night's deposit in to WDW within 2 weeks, or I would lose the reservation. Then I had to pay the balance by a certain date...sometime in June, as I recall, which would make it about 45 days out...but the confirmation sheet I received in January stated it was the ONLY notification/reminder I would receive!

As I mentioned, I think there are way too many booking policies to keep up with!

 

[cymbaldiva]

While I really do see your point Talsonic, what about those of us who can't afford all those deposits? I really NEED to be at WDW this fall (no matter what! ), but gosh! I really can't afford all the shopping around - I just need a decent deal!

 

[wannabeBelle]

Hey Cymbal Check out the Disneyworld Website. The last time I looked they had some pretty incredible deals!!! I am going in Oct and December. Check it out!!!

 

[jmarc63]

I would really be in trouble with my February trip If I had to pay in full, Unless I book at AS and upgraded to WL later when I had the rest of the money which is where I was planning to stay.

 

[cymbaldiva]

Originally posted by wannabeBelle
Hey Cymbal Check out the Disneyworld Website. The last time I looked they had some pretty incredible deals!!! I am going in Oct and December. Check it out!!!

Thanks Belle! I'll check it out!

 

[Trishlu222]

This is all very odd. . .

Maybe it's different for Florida Residents. The most advance vacation I ever booked was 4 months and I only had to pay one night deposit within two weeks of the reservation. I do know from experience that if arrival is less than 21 days you need to pay in full at time of booking.

I even called two weeks ago to ask about booking a honeymoon package ( I'm getting married NOv 8, 2003) and I was told all I had to pay was one nights stay and the balance was due at check in.

 

[The Mom]

Re: This is all very odd. . .

Originally posted by Trishlu222
Maybe it's different for Florida Residents. The most advance vacation I ever booked was 4 months and I only had to pay one night deposit within two weeks of the reservation. I do know from experience that if arrival is less than 21 days you need to pay in full at time of booking.

I even called two weeks ago to ask about booking a honeymoon package ( I'm getting married NOv 8, 2003) and I was told all I had to pay was one nights stay and the balance was due at check in.

I am a Florida resident.

The policy seems to be very random...each time I'm given different instructions! I'm sure there must be some sort of guideline or formula ....I just can't figure it out. And BTW, I've booked less than 21 days before, but more than a week, and DIDN'T have to pay in full...only a CC deposit. Another time, it was 2 weeks, and I had to pay in full! (Sometimes, I've also reserved a room on the same day as arrival with balance due at check out) When I booked 6 months in advance, I had to pay in full. :brick:

 

[Erika]

Originally posted by pheneix
Guess what? My new Disney Club card is now even more worthless than it was before. Disney is now requiring that all Disney Club reservations be paid in FULL *upfront*! Kind of a sh*tty policy for those of us who don't have our driveways paved in gold, isn't it? But it gets better... It seems that Disney is going to make this change for ALL reservations soon. That means that if you book through CRO, Disney Club, or through anything else, you will have to pay the entire cost of your room rates upfront. Now, for those of us that like to just give a desposit on one day and then save up for the rest of the trip, it pretty much screws us over from booking a reservation at WDW. In fact, in my case (with my job I may or may not have to cancel or reschedule at a moment's notice) I may just stay at an off-site resort (and with the case of a week-long vacation Universal's policy is just as bad) where their rules are much more guest-friendly.

I'm sorry, but I just don't like the idea of spending $1,500 months before my departure...

I usually just charge mine anyway, and pay that off.

 

[Pepper]

OMG!

I can not believe when I read this tread as to Disney's new policy . I always pay the deposit right off and then make "payments" towards my balance so that it is all paid up front before I get there, but this is ridiculous. I just renewed my DC card and now wish I hadn't. I don't know of many benefits you get with the DC card that you don't with an annual pass. In fact the AP specials beat the DC rates and you only have to make a deposit. I wonder now if they will change that policy too. Maybe this will be my last trip to Disney and I will start frequenting Universal now. What a pain! Thanks Disney for yet another thoughtful change that doesn't benefit the guest.

 

[krzy4dzny]

I'm not sure where all the uproar is coming from. I have been booking thorugh DC for a few years and the "prepayment" policy has been in place for quite sometime. My understanmding is that DC always books a "package" even though its only for a room. If I'm not mistaken they usually include "free admission to Wide World Of Sports" to qualify it as a package. Here's a link to what I think is a pretty good explanation of the policies:
http://www.wdwig.com/resort.htm

I'm not saying I agree with the policy, and of late have been making most bookings directly through CRO since the deals have been better, but it's nothing new as far as been my experience.

 

[cymbaldiva]

Re: Re: New Disney Club Policy Change: Prepare to Pay Up

Originally posted by Erika


I usually just charge mine anyway, and pay that off.

While a quite good idea in theory, what to do if you have no credit? Why yes, I am still paying off my college credit-card mistakes! :lol:

 

[Eeyore]

Originally posted by krzy4dzny
I'm not sure where all the uproar is coming from. I have been booking thorugh DC for a few years and the "prepayment" policy has been in place for quite sometime. My understanmding is that DC always books a "package" even though its only for a room. If I'm not mistaken they usually include "free admission to Wide World Of Sports" to qualify it as a package. Here's a link to what I think is a pretty good explanation of the policies:
http://www.wdwig.com/resort.htm

I'm not saying I agree with the policy, and of late have been making most bookings directly through CRO since the deals have been better, but it's nothing new as far as been my experience.

Right, that's been my experience in the past too, and what I was saying in my earlier post. If you book through the Disney Club you have to get a package (even if it's minimal) and you have to pay your whole stay in advance. If you call CRO directly at 407 wdisney you still only have to pay a one night deposit. Has this changed Phenix? Can you let us know which number you called to clear up any confusion? thanks