Page 1 of 2
Disney's 800 Number
Posted: Aug Fri 31, 2007 9:06 am
by Croaker
found this information on another site thought i would pass it on.
For many decades Walt Disney World had a 24 hour direct toll-free number at 1-800-WDISNEY that you could call to make your room reservations, ask questions about theme park admission tickets, or to make dining reservations. That all changed in the early 90's when the company switched over to a new set of phone numbers that were more oriented to Walt Disney World's acronym, WDW. The prefix "407-WDW" can be immediately recognized by anyone that has ever tried to find a telephone number for anything related to Walt Disney World. Most notable are "407-WDW-DINE" and "407-WDW-TOUR" which have made it easier to remember telephone numbers but have also shifted the cost off to the consumer.
The company explained that it was necessary to shut down the toll-free number because it received so many calls about anything and everything related to Disney. The toll-free number was replaced with "407-WDISNEY" in an effort to make sure only callers who were calling to make reservations were calling that number. This move made it unfair to consumers who now had to spend money to talk to Disney about spending money. Every other national hospitality firm in North America has a toll-free number that anyone can call to make reservations. Walt Disney World should be held to the same standards as all the rest.
The truth is Disney does have a toll-free n umber but it seems they like to keep it hush-hush. Don't ever think about paying long distance charges again to book your next vacation.
The secret Walt Disney World toll-free number is 1-800-828-0228
Posted: Aug Fri 31, 2007 9:15 am
by js3901
well, calling from cell phones these days you don't pay for long distance charges, as the major carriers have free domestic long distance. you will only use the minutes of your calling plan, unless of course you have/use unlimited nights and weekends. and you'd even use your minutes calling the 800 hotline. so there's no real difference anymore...
Posted: Aug Fri 31, 2007 9:37 am
by AKLRULZ
And in addition to the cell phone plan, I thought most land line carriers bundled everything and no one paid for long distance anymore? I know Verizon is like that at least - we pay $39.99/month for phone service including long distance.
Posted: Aug Fri 31, 2007 9:38 am
by Dr. Ravenscroft
Even if they didn't, I use my Work phone when I'm making my reservations. Let them pay for it considering they don't pay me enough to do it on my dollar.
Posted: Aug Fri 31, 2007 9:45 am
by casrin
Of course, I wouldn't want to give credit card #s over my cell, so knowing an 800 # is kinda cool.
Posted: Aug Fri 31, 2007 10:21 am
by netslave
wow, awesome information!!
Posted: Aug Fri 31, 2007 11:15 am
by Blackie Pueblo
Dr. Ravenscroft wrote:Even if they didn't, I use my Work phone when I'm making my reservations. Let them pay for it considering they don't pay me enough to do it on my dollar.
Whoa!
Do we work at the same place?
I think that is pretty interesting, but I think most of the time I have made my reservations online.
"...it was all started by a mouse."
---Walter Elias Disney
Posted: Aug Fri 31, 2007 11:53 am
by Croaker
Blackie Pueblo wrote:Dr. Ravenscroft wrote:Even if they didn't, I use my Work phone when I'm making my reservations. Let them pay for it considering they don't pay me enough to do it on my dollar.
Whoa!
Do we work at the same place?
I think that is pretty interesting, but I think most of the time I have made my reservations online.
"...it was all started by a mouse."
---Walter Elias Disney
this was actually a trap....see i work at your work and the boss thought there were too many long distance calls to Disney...he wanted me to find out who they were....your busted. enjoy the mail room! that is if you don't get the pink slip! (insert maniacle laughter)
the number is real though...for us that have the old fashion land lines! or for those that make their reservations via pay phone....do they even have pay phones anymore?
Posted: Apr Mon 07, 2008 12:41 pm
by Croaker
Just checked this and it is no longer active.
Posted: Apr Mon 07, 2008 1:40 pm
by lebeau
Someone notify Kevin Yee. I smell a decline!
Posted: Apr Tue 08, 2008 12:37 pm
by luv2cthemouse
You can now use: 877.939.3732
Sad that ppl pay bewteen 3K - 10K for a vacation and have to call Disney on their dime.
Posted: Apr Tue 08, 2008 3:16 pm
by SWHorn
$10k?! Man, I want to vacation with those people!
Posted: Apr Fri 11, 2008 5:24 pm
by Yensidaj
I always figure 1,500 person for a weeks stay so I guess I'm on the low end for a 2 person trip according to luv2cthemouse's numbers :_).
I agree though Disney should have a 1800 number bout the only company bigger than them out there is Microsoft lol and they have a 1800 number.
Posted: Apr Sat 12, 2008 8:49 am
by jcodirewolf
For years they had 800-wdw-disney (I suspect they still do, even if they don't route it any place.) But in the 1990's they stop and went to 407-wdw-XXXX. The reason I don't think was cost (800 number just aren't that expensive, which is why there are several toll free exchanges 888, 877, 866, and I think 855 is now available.)
But the reason was switchboard pacing, first off people are more likely to sit on hold on a toll free line than not. Second it's all the overhead of being able to deal with 1000's of calls at 7:01am, then nothing from 8:30ish - 5:30 or so when people call from home.
johno
Posted: Apr Sat 12, 2008 7:29 pm
by jcodirewolf
SWHorn wrote:$10k?! Man, I want to vacation with those people!
Well $10k might be on the high side, but not by much. I've posted this elsewhere the Annual Report says it's about 230 $ per resort guest not including park tickets. That is clearly mostly food, and room. But a more expensive room, and a few nice meals over a week. And you are talking about getting close to $10k.
A family of 4 staying 6 nights (average family size, and nights stayed.)
230*4 = 920/per day *6 = $5,520!
$10k is family of 5, staying 6 days spending $334 per day-person.
johno