From
http://wdwig.com/resort.htm
(there is alot more than I posted so check out the site)
WDW Reservations
There are two ways you can directly book your reservations for your Walt Disney World vacation. Both the Central Reservations Office (CRO) and the Walt Disney Travel Company (WDTC) can assist you. And while the two different Disney Offices both accept resort reservations, their policies differ significantly.
No matter who you talk to, everyone seems to have an opinion in the CRO Vs WDTC "which is better" debate. The question really shouldn't be "which is better". Rather it should be "what's the difference"?
AREN'T CRO AND WDTC SEPARATE COMPANIES?
Yes and no. Seems that people are under the mistaken impression that WDTC and CRO are two separate and distinct places with separate staffs in different places. This is not the case. Everyone is in the same room at the Disney Reservation Center (DRC). WDTC Cast Members (CMs) are trained in CRO procedures but the reverse is not necessarily true. Nearly every person who is in WDTC started with CRO. A CM needs to be trained in both to handle WDTC calls. This is because both CRO and WDTC draw their available resort rooms from the same Central Reservation System (CRS) program. Money is handled separately, too. In most cases, you will not be able to transfer your already paid deposit between the two companies if you change your reservation. You will have to get the old reservation cancelled and refunded while putting down a brand new deposit on the new reservation.
WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE IN WHO MAKES YOUR RESERVATION?
CRO CMS take Disney room only and certain package reservations and enter them into the CRS reservation system. WDTC CMs are trained using software that allows them to book your air, airport transfers or rental cars as well as your Disney resort just like travel agents can. CRO books the major "Annual Products" (WDW vacation packages, i.e., Resort Magic, Discovery Magic, Deluxe Magic, Grand Plan) as well as some published discount codes. Think of it like this -- CRO books on-site, Disney-supplied components ONLY (hotel, admissions, dining, recreation, etc.). WDTC's claim to fame is "all-inclusive" vacations, i.e., trip insurance, air, transfers or rental cars (yes, WDTC DOES BOOK RENTAL CARS!), hotel, admissions, and any other components a guest may want (meals, recreation, etc.).
With regards to the Swan and Dolphin, Downtown Disney Resort Area Hotels, and the 30 or so Disney Good Neighbor Hotels, these can be booked by both CRO and WDTC. All Good Neighbor bookings come as a package (only!) with special Length of Stay Park Hopper/Park Hopper Plus passes (NOT Ultimate Park Hoppers). There are a few selected Good Neighbor hotels that can only be booked by WDTC, but most are booked in CRO as well. The Downtown Disney Resort Area Hotels can be booked in CRO as room-only or Resort Magic packages.
WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENCES IN TERMS BETWEEN A WDTC RESERVATION AND A CRO RESERVATION?
There are several differences in terms between CRO and WDTC:
A CRO room only reservation requires a one night's deposit within 14 days. If arrival is less than 30 days out, deposit is required at booking. The balance is due at resort check in. MasterCard, Visa, American Express, Discover and The Disney Credit Card are accepted. You may also mail a check or money order. You may change or modify your reservation up to 5 days prior to arrival at no charge. Cancellations up to the 6 day mark will have your deposit refunded in full. Cancellations after the 6 day mark will be charged the one night's deposit as a penalty. Any additional amounts that may have been paid on the reservation will be refunded in full.
A CRO package booked 30+ days out requires a one night deposit within two weeks of the booking date. If arrival is less than 30 days out, deposit is required at booking and payment in full at 21 days to arrival. Cancellation up to 6 days prior to arrival gets a full refund. Cancellation within 5 days of arrival forfeits the original one night deposit (the rest is refunded). There are no "change fees" for modifications in CRO.
A WDTC package (including the "room only" Basic Package) requires a $200.00 deposit within 14 days of booking. The balance will be due 45 days prior to check in. Checks, money orders, MasterCard, Visa, American Express, Discover and The Disney Credit Card are accepted. Cancellation between 6 and 45 days prior to arrival will result in a $100.00 fee. Cancellation 5 days or less will incur a $200.00 fee. Any change or modification of the reservation inside the 45 day mark will incur a $50.00 fee.
A WDTC Disney Club Package - If you are a Disney Club member, you are required to book through WDTC but DC members are given different terms than the general public. A deposit of $100.00 is required within 14 days of booking. The balance is due 21 days prior to check in. Cancellations made 5 days or less prior to arrival will incur a $100.00 fee. Changes or modifications made 21 days or less before arrival will incur a $10.00 fee.
