Walt Disney World Resorts
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John and Donna Gross "The Full Mickey - At a Discount!" The Wall Street Journal
We have divided Resorts into 10 sections. Who can change a Disney reservation? Travel Agent Beth writes: "Sounds like a stupid question, I know, but the answer isn't what you might expect. Disney's policy is that only the person (or entity) that made the reservation can make changes to or cancel it. This means that your wife can book the room and you CAN call back to add tickets to it later because you're the party that's traveling. In theory, your secretary can NOT make changes for you - nor can your neighbor and someone holding a grudge that might think canceling your room reservations is just revenge. If you've had a travel agent make your arrangements for you, then ONLY the travel agency can make changes or cancellations on your behalf. Again, this is to protect your reservation from any unauthorized person messing with it - and in this case YOU are considered an unauthorized person. In know, I know... It's your vacation, you're paying for it, if you want to call and change your dates or your resort you should be allowed to, but that's not the way it works. If you've already made the reservation yourself and have decided that maybe you'd have been better off letting a travel agent handle it then you can fax in a written authorization to turn the reservation over to the agent. The agent cannot do this for you. It must be signed by YOU before it will be accepted. It takes 24-48 hours to process the request. Likewise, if you've used a travel agent and you wish you hadn't, you can have the agent release the booking back to you in the same manner. If you're unhappy with an agent's services, that agent shouldn't hassle you over your decision. Understandably, they might try to talk you out of it first, but ultimately they should be gracious enough to do it and then send you off with a genuine wish for a great vacation." |
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We reported that the Pirate Cruise at the Grand Floridian was for children of resort guests only. Naomi writes: "I work with Childrens Activities at the Grand Floridian... Any child, from anywhere, can take that cruise, as long as they are between 3-10 and potty trained. We have lots of kids that live in the area, that come with us. We never ask them where they are staying, that doesn't matter to us. Reservations will ask, but that is just for contact information, in case of a cancellation due to weather." Thanks, Naomi, for letting us know.
Kim writes: "our recent trip Jan 20-28 was fantastic, we used your advice and kept calling the hotel and got our room rate discounted 3 times. (Grosvenor Resort in Downtown Disney) The kids (ages 12, 11, 9 and 6) really got into buying pins, and yes they were expensive, but I have gone to local disney store in Mississauga and have purchased some of last years pins at 75% off, so most are $1.88 CAD. They will be good for trading next time we go.... The character meals are great, especially Chef Mickey's.... Disney World is the most wonderful vacation for families with kids I guess that's why we go every 2 years for the last 10." Three discounts at the Grosvenor! Wow!
Bettyann writes: "I had heard a while back that Disney World was putting bar codes on their resort mugs so that you had to buy new ones....Has this been done?...I am staying at All Star Movies again and was going to bring our mugs from last time.....Will I be able to use them or should I leave them home and buy new ones...Any info on the subject will be helpful.....thanks in advance. Love your newsletter.....I anxiously await each one...Keep up the good work." Disney has been testing the barcode on mugs in the water parks and they say the resorts are next. Bring your mugs because Disney said they are going to have a grace period where previous mug owners can still use theirs. No official schedule for the changeover has been announced. Glad you are enjoying the newsletter!
Chris writes: "I may be missing something, but can you tell me, if I buy an annual pass and make a booking for say the swan or dolphin, how does the discount apply, is it when I book or do I show the pass on check in." They will ask you to show your activated Annual Pass at check-in. You don't need it to call and book the room. You can activate your voucher at Guest Relations at any park or at Downtown Disney. Guest Services at your hotel can't activate your voucher.
Angie writes: "I've just recently bought your book and am on my way to the "affordable disney." I know I read somewhere that one of Disney's restaurants offered kid's meals in a pail with a shovel. Could you tell me which one that is? Thanks for all of your help! P.S.- I loooove your book! Keep up the good work!" The kids meal comes in a bucket with shovel at the food court at Caribbean Beach. Glad you are enjoying the book!
Two families who are friends of ours just stayed in the Fort
Wilderness Cabins. One family stayed in May; the other in June. It took
them 30 to 80 minutes to get from the Fort Wilderness/Wilderness Lodge Resort
area to the theme parks! At WDW time is money. The buses at the other WDW
resorts run every 15-20 minutes. For speedier access to the theme parks,
etc., you way want to skip accommodations in the Fort Wilderness/Wilderness
Lodge area. If you have a car, drive to the nearest Disney Resort or Downtown
Disney Marketplace and catch the bus from there. "John, just wanted to pass on our Disney World experiences from the past March. There were twelve of us in all composed of three separate camping families. We ranged in age from 55 to 2 months with 3 little ones in strollers. We stayed at Ft. Wilderness and only regret that there was so little time to enjoy the facilities there. It is a beautiful campground and we have enjoyed it every time we've stayed there. This was the first Disney trip for our two step-grandchildren so we wanted to make it special by giving them the full dose of Disney. Camping is of course less expensive than hotels, although we could have saved more by going during the off-peak season. We had a good breakfast before we left each morning for the park, took our own snacks and drinks with us, and cooked in the trailers for dinner. One family would return early and begin dinner so the rest of us could eat when we got back. It worked out beautifully due to the cooperation of my wonderful daughters. While we were not always together, very seldom did anyone buy food within the park. So count that for several hundred dollars savings on food and lodging. We found we could see and do more by breaking up into smaller groups, so went our separate ways for the most part meeting up at designated times on occasion or just back at the campground at the end of the day. As we were preparing to depart, we had a problem with one of the trailers. The campground personnel were very helpful and although they were not able to resolve our problem, they at least showed concern and offered to get help if we needed it, extended our checkout time, and checked back to see how we were doing. All in all, it was a great trip. Everyone got autographs and pictures of the characters which my daughter has put together in each child's personal memory book. Thanks for all your help and advice, your book and periodic updates are certainly well worth the price. Keep up the good work, we'll be back in Florida this winter, but for the time being, I think my husband and I are Disney'd out." Thank you, Jean, for your feedback. Glad we were able to help.
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We have divided Resorts into 10 sections.
Disclaimer: We cannot guarantee the accuracy of information contained on our site. Always check to be sure. The views and opinions expressed by others do not necessarily reflect the views of AffordableDisney.Com. Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure, SeaWorld, Busch Gardens and other companies mentioned on our site and in our newsletter are registered trademarks of their respective companies. The use of these trademarks is for editorial reasons only. No endorsement by the Walt Disney Company or any other company is implied. |
