September 1, 2006
$218 Phone Call
Stories that sound too good to be true usually are, but sometimes you get a surprise.
I've seen talk of a set of mythical Disney discount codes during my travels on the Internets. They're given to Annual Pass holders and Vacation Club members, and eventually trickle down to the commoners.
Recently, a few of these mysterious codes were released to the public and I decided it couldn't hurt to give one a try. I called Disney's Central Reservations Office and simply asked, "I have a reservation already, can I apply one of the discounts to it?" The Cast Member was coy, "Do you have the code?" I did indeed have the code.
She had bad news, which became good news, then morphed into even better news.
Bad news: The discount was not available for the value resort I had booked. (Think nice motel with an eclectic and frenetic Disney theme.)
Good news: She could upgrade us to a moderate resort. (Think theme hotel with six pools, hot tub, butterfly garden, fishing river, carriage rides and boats to the theme parks.)
Even better news: She could also give us back $218.
That was one good phone call.