Anyone else mad that Disney took your $ for CBR knowing it was closing? [Archive] - The DIS Discussion Forums

Kim&Chris

08-05-2002, 01:26 PM

Sorry, folks, I'm going to vent here.

I'm really concerned that Disney allowed me to make reservations for CBR, knowing the entire time that they were closing it down. In addition, my MIL and SIL also made reservations for CBR for the same time, so we could all be together. Both my SIL and myself made numerous calls to CRO requesting Jamaica, non-smoking, etc. They jotted down our requests, knowing all the while that my reservations were going to be invalid.

So, here we are....playing the waiting game. Based on previous posts, it sounds like Disney may offer us AKL for about $133 per night. That's fine for us, but there's no way my MIL can afford that.

I'm probably just going to switch to POR. I've never stayed there but it looks nice in pictures.

Thanks for reading my post :mad:

BoyLovesBuzz

08-05-2002, 03:08 PM

First off, I am affected and I am disappointed and a little mad. But you have to ask yourself, why would CRO do what you are saying they have done? Why would Disney intentially put themsleves in this position.

I suspect that all the factors that have to come into place for this type of project (i.e. suppliers, funding, workers, etc), happen to fall at this time. Plus, I also suspect after reading these boards that communication is not something that is terriably effcient within Disney.

This has helped me, maybe it will help you.

What is Disney loosing...
- A lot of people who have CBR ressies are mad. A lot will call and scream, and some may cancel.
- A lot of people who don't have CBR ressies are calling to make sure it doesn't happen to them.
- Disney CRO agents will have to make a lot of calls, to really mad people to rectify these ressies. And I mean a lot of calls. Had they made this decision 3 weeks ago, there would have been probably 1 tenth the problems they have now. Probably overtime, or additional workers will be required.
- Disney may have to upgrade some people, at a substantial cost.

What is Disney gaining...
-The only thing that I can think of, is that it could turn into a type of forced upsell. If Disney gets everyone to pay $20 extra a night to put them in a Deluxe, they the have made some money they may not otherwise, but this is a stretch. Why wouldn't the come out with a $109/night rate at the Deluxe instead, and make people think they are getting a great deal.

I agree that Disney hoses the consumer on many levels, but I don't think this is one of them.

TDC Nala

08-05-2002, 03:15 PM

CRO is probably the last to know about these things.

I did read that WDW was considering leaving the resort open although the restaurants and main pool would be closed, but finally decided against it.

CBR really does need this renovation, and WDW says they need to have it open for the holiday season, but the way construction schedules go these days, who knows.

dgaston

08-05-2002, 03:23 PM

I had really been looking forward to staying at the CBR in October. I guess I'll just wait for the call and see what I can do then. I'm really disappointed because I had specifically picked the CBR for this visit. Drat!

jaguar9748

08-05-2002, 03:27 PM

Kim -

I understand your disappointment. Disney management sometimes works in mysterious ways! I feel sorry for the folks at CRO - they are going to get a lot of abuse unfortunately.

POR is a great resort. If you have any questions, let me know. :p

Terk-1

08-05-2002, 03:32 PM

Although I am disappointed that CBR will be closed, there is nothing for me to get mad at. According to the CM I spoke to yesterday, CRO just found out about this. I do not believe that they intentionally took my money. I made my ressies awhile ago and have made changes to them to first get the new discount code, then to change it again to get the AP rate (even cheaper). I was looking forward to staying there, since this would have been my first time, but after speaking with the CM last night, I understand the reasoning for the complete closure and will just plan on staying at CBR for my vacation next year. My ressies are not until the the beginning of December, but will wait 2 weeks, then call and check in with CRO to see where I stand in the call list. Since I still have time to play with, I'm not jumping the gun. I currently have ressies at the Animal Kingdom Lodge and the Wilderness Lodge under the AP rate too. I'm hoping for either the Polynesian or Contemporary over by the Magic Kingdom or one of the EPCOT resorts, but will see what they have to say. When I asked her what resorts they would be offering in exchange of the CBR, she said that she would know this Tuesday. The CM was very informative, very polite and very honest. So, to answer your question, nope I'm not mad. There is no point to me getting angry, especially with the CRO CM's. If I do, it will just ruin my trip planning and trust me, I've been planning this trip for a long time.

DeeCeeSW

08-05-2002, 03:41 PM

WDWHound

08-05-2002, 03:51 PM

Sorry DeeCeeSW, but I must disagree. Disney has changed the plans of all of us who booked CBR without asking us. I would have scheduled my vacation at another time if I had known CBR would not be available. Now I must take the trip even though the resort I want is not available, since my airline tickets are not refundable. I feel I deserve some form of compensation for having my vacation plans changed against my wishes. An upgrade seems a fair way to do that. It effects no one but those who have had their plans unexpectedly modified by this change.

AF Brenda

08-05-2002, 03:59 PM

I agree 100% WDWHound. IMO, there is really no difference in offering the upgrade than there is in offering other discounts. People paying rack rates are probably irritated that other guests were able to get AP or other discounts.

Kim&Chris

08-05-2002, 04:03 PM

I also agree, WDWHound.

Had I been able to afford Poly or Contemporary, I would have booked them initially. However, I can't afford the rates, so that's why we booked CBR.

It's not our fault that Disney does this stuff without communicating with the guests or their cast members at CRO. So, if they feel like throwing a little compensation my way, I'm going to take it.

However, with all that in mind, I'd still trade a Poly stay for a CBR stay. We spent our honeymoon at CBR, so it has sentimental value for us :cool: ;)

opal

08-05-2002, 04:09 PM

Disney was taking reservations for CBR as recently as this past Sat. when I called to get room rate info. Called back on Sunday to book and they were no longer booking that resort. My dates are 1/4/03 - 1/10/03. CR told me that they hope to be open in December but they still wouldn't book for Jan?????

I booked PO even though we really don't care for that resort. But at least we have something while we decide if we will stay on or off site.

If you have already booked at CBR, it doesn't it seem fair to offer you something that will cost you more. But if you have already laid out unrefundable $$$$ for airfare and got the family excited about going, I guess they know they have you hooked.

It just seems a little ironic that this decision was announced within a day or two of their less than spectatular earning report.

GeorgeG

08-05-2002, 04:29 PM

My wife just called CRO about this and they said there is a special team who will be contacting those of us with reservations for the renovation period. I guess they will be the people who can offer the best options, so it may be best to wait for them rather than deal with a CRO rep who is probably just as much in the dark as we are.

I agree that WDW had to know about this when most of made our reservations and they should have offered other options at that time. It sounds like when airlines intentionally overbook flights so they will be guaranteed a full plane even if some cancel.

I've been a die-hard WDW fan for many years and I have to admit a little of the "magic" is beginning to slip away. I'm pretty sure Port Orleans and Coronado Springs will never be able to accomodate everyone from CBR. Unless they will be offering free upgrades to deluxe resorts, that could mean they figured all along a "captive" crowd would rather shell out more money than cancel their vacation plans. The other side of the coin is settling for the All-Star resorts if we aren't willing to pay more.

We certainly shouldn't complain about the CBR being re-done, but had they been up-front about this, we could have planned better from the start.

swankybeth

08-05-2002, 04:45 PM

I'm actually a little happy that CBR is closing. My boyfriend is supposed to stay there for 8 nights in November, visiting me while I'm on the college program. His first choice would have been CSR, but that wasn't offered at the $79 rate. So, we will probably end up with our first choice resort anyway, or get to stay in an even better one (deluxe!). I figure, we'll eventually get to stay at CBR, now we just might get to move up a category! :D :D

jennz

08-05-2002, 05:40 PM

Kim&Chris, I TOTALLY agree with you. I'm not angry with CRO, but rather Disney management. I don't understand how anyone can NOT be angry at this - my family and I have paid a total of $1800 for a surprise trip for my DH's 40th birthday; our two closest friends and their families are joining us, from different places in the country, also spending thousands of dollars; we all deliberated and finally chose CBR, Disney management apparantly didn't think we needed to know that it wouldn't be available but thought it was okay to take our money. If I was buying a car, paid for it, and then was told "oh gee we don't have this model, but our special team will be contacting you to let you know which one you can have" I'd sue for breach of contract. Not saying that I'm going to sue Disney - don't send me nasty emails! - just trying to make my point of how WRONG I think this is! No, it's not the same as buying a new car, but we sure have been looking forward to it! JMHO

Lewisc

08-05-2002, 05:52 PM

Disney decided it was better to close the resort rather than keep it open, subjecting you to noise and having to go to another resort to eat and use a pool. I'm sure Disney will get your group rooms in another moderate resort. If all the other moderate resorts are booked I'm sure you'll get an upgrade to deluxe at the same price. If the other moderates are heavily but not fully booked you may get a chance to upggrade to a deluxe at a very attractive rate. If you want to cancel your trip or stay offsite I'm sure Disney will wiave whatever cancellation penalties may be applicable to your reservation.
I'm sure the CM that took your reservation didn't know the resort would be closed.
I understand people who spent time picking a particular resort may be disappointed but let's not make a mountain out of molehill.

WDWHound

08-05-2002, 06:17 PM

Originally posted by Lewisc
Disney decided it was better to close the resort rather than keep it open, subjecting you to noise and having to go to another resort to eat and use a pool. I'm sure Disney will get your group rooms in another moderate resort. If all the other moderate resorts are booked I'm sure you'll get an upgrade to deluxe at the same price. If the other moderates are heavily but not fully booked you may get a chance to upggrade to a deluxe at a very attractive rate. If you want to cancel your trip or stay offsite I'm sure Disney will wiave whatever cancellation penalties may be applicable to your reservation.
I'm sure the CM that took your reservation didn't know the resort would be closed.
I understand people who spent time picking a particular resort may be disappointed but let's not make a mountain out of molehill.

All we are saying is that Disney managament must have known about this months ago, and they should have told CRO to stop taking ressies at that point. They changed my vacation without my permission and yes, that bothers me. If they couldn't have avoided it, it would have been different, but this could have easily been avoided by informing CRO not to take reservations when they made the decision to remodel. I purchased a product in good faith, and Disney switched the product. You may feel that canceling and staying off site is an option, but I don't, I want what I paid for in the first place or at least some effort to indictate they regret changing my plans like this.

Look, I will be reasonable about this. I wont let it ruin my vacation. If offered another morderate (besides CS), I will probably take it, but CBR has a very special, romantic history for us that no other resort has. The option of experiencing that has been removed from me and is nothing they can do to replace it. It may mean nothing to you, but it is a substancial loss to me and my wife. We would not have chosen September for our vacation if we had known CBR would not be available, but now we are commited.

I just expected more from Disney. No mountains from molehills here, just disappointment that Disney management doesn't seem to care about this sort of thing anymore :( Hopefully Disney will prove me wrong. Only time will tell.

PlutosMom

08-05-2002, 06:37 PM

I am sorry for those that are affected by the CBR 'unexpected' renovation close. Many of us who had ressies after 9/11 of last year had a similar experience when some of the resorts temporily closed as a result of decreased attendance. We were one of those families and our trip was our first Christmas at Disney.

We had POR ressies and were excited as we'd not previously stayed at that Resort. We got "the call" and were initially offered another moderate resort (CBR). I was slightly disappointed as we'd stayed at CBR our last 3 visits and were looking forward to 'expanding our horizons'! As I was discussing with the CM what other options were available (besides the offer she presented, and yes I had to ask), we ended up getting disconnected. I took a deep breath and decided not to let my annoyance get the best of me -- sometimes hard to do!

The next day another CM called and immediately offered AKL for $89/night; the same rate as my CBR ressie. 2 days prior to our 12/25 arrival, I faxed and politely asked for a Savannah View room with bunk beds for our 15 and 16 year old son and daughter. When we arrived, our wish was granted!

While we were very appreciate of the AKL at this great rate, the fact is once we got to Disney it probably didn't matter where we stayed (on property) ... we, as always, simply loved being there and enjoying our time together as a family. Yes, this is easy for me to say this since my experience resulted in a true "upgrade" and I may have had less positive feelings if that had not happened. Not sure.

My point is ... sometimes the 'process' of getting to Disney is frustrating. Once there, however, the 'process' takes on less importance as you enjoy the Disney magic. Good look to you all on getting a positive resolution to your ressies!

tinkerbell1967

08-05-2002, 06:40 PM

I just called Disney and the CM told me that they would have people calling everyone that booked around Sept 8. She told me that everyone that had reservations there would be offered another moderate. She also told me that she herself was just given a memo today about the CBR being closed. Whether this is true or not I don't know but this is what she told me.

jennymouse

08-05-2002, 06:52 PM

I would've been in the same boat had I not switched to AKL when the codes came out. I probably would've laughed more than gotten mad because my origional ressie made 10 months ago was at POR...then I switched to CSR when parts of POR & the boat quit running to DD...then I switched to CBR when there were so many negative reviews coming in and the bus to Boardwalk was stopped. So, if I had CBR ressies and had to switch to POR, it would've been kind of ironic for me.

I'm wondering too if there isn't a connection here somewhere with the fact that CSR wasn't offered in the code rates that just came out. I wonder if they were saving that open for displaced CBR people. I don't know.....I think you guys will probably get some great upgrade rates and probably WL or AKL at the same rate for your discounted moderates. Of course I could be wrong.

jennz

08-05-2002, 06:52 PM

Lewisc: I guess I feel that it's my mountain if I want it to be. That's great that they don't want to have people at a resort that's being rehabbed. Didn't this idea cross their minds when they planned the rehab? Or are you implying that they just thought of it within the last few hours? Or perhaps a rehab is being planned in 3 weeks? The "they" I refer to, as I stated in my prior post, is management who is in charge of this, not the CM or CRO. Obviously if I wanted to stay off site I wouldn't have booked the CBR, and if I wanted to stay at another resort I would have. Cancel and lose $800 in airfare or pay a penalty for switching? Not an option for us. I'm glad this upset you. It does upset me, and these are my feelings. I'm not looking for approval.

luvdzny

08-05-2002, 07:05 PM

I can understand your frustration, our family was scheduled to stay at POFQ last Nov. and we found out it would be closing. I was a bit worried about what was going to happen to us. We had booked POFQ because that was our FAORITE resort by far!!! Anyway, we waited for the call (it finally came less than 2 weeks before we were scheduled to leave.) We were very happy with what they offered us, and now have a new favorite resort. I know our situation was different, but I think most of the people who waited for Disney to call were happy with the results. I hope everything works out for you.

Lewisc

08-05-2002, 07:48 PM

I suspect (we'll never know for sure) that the moderate bookings are low enough that Disney knows they can close CBR and relocate the guests. Frankly I think it would have been worse if they left you in CBR hotel but subjected you to noise and diminished services. I wonder if Disney's original plan was to keep CBR open during the rehab.
I understand some people being disappointed but I think the alternative would have been much worse.

disneydisneydoo

08-05-2002, 08:04 PM

I have ressies for CBR in December also. I agree that this is extremely inconvenient and irritating, but I think I personally would have been much more upset if when I arrived in Florida, I found that CBR was under a lot of construction while I had to stay there.

Eeyore2U

08-05-2002, 08:14 PM

Originally posted by WDWHound

Look, I will be reasonable about this. I wont let it ruin my vacation. If offered another morderate (besides CS), I will probably take it, but CBR has a very special, romantic history for us that no other resort has. The option of experiencing that has been removed from me and is nothing they can do to replace it. It may mean nothing to you, but it is a substancial loss to me and my wife. We would not have chosen September for our vacation if we had known CBR would not be available, but now we are commited.

I just expected more from Disney. No mountains from molehills here, just disappointment that Disney management doesn't seem to care about this sort of thing anymore :( Hopefully Disney will prove me wrong. Only time will tell.

Is it possible that seeing forecasts WDW managment made a decision at the last minute and did what it thinks is best for the guest. Maybe they are considering the guest experience. IMO, if there is no pool and no OPR there is in essence, no CBR.

I'm sorry that your romantic getaway may be ruined but a mod room for a mod room is fair.

kylara

08-05-2002, 08:31 PM

I was talking to someone about this at work today (they have friends coming in and they were schedule for CRB) and they came up with an idea that I think might be what happened in this situation. Disney does plan renovations...they have a schedule mapped out but it is never in stone since they have to rely on contractors for major renovation work. With the ups and downs in construction, it might be the contractor had a cancellation and offered to do the Disney project early. Disney could have reviewed their booking, reviewed their budget etc, and realized that it would be better to do it now rather than some time next spring.

I am not saying that this is what happened but it is possible. Since Disney is a job the contractor will definately get paid for, they probably felt it would be worth offering the cancelled time slot.

jennymouse

08-05-2002, 09:16 PM

Originally posted by kylara
I was talking to someone about this at work today (they have friends coming in and they were schedule for CRB) and they came up with an idea that I think might be what happened in this situation. Disney does plan renovations...they have a schedule mapped out but it is never in stone since they have to rely on contractors for major renovation work. With the ups and downs in construction, it might be the contractor had a cancellation and offered to do the Disney project early. Disney could have reviewed their booking, reviewed their budget etc, and realized that it would be better to do it now rather than some time next spring.

I am not saying that this is what happened but it is possible. Since Disney is a job the contractor will definately get paid for, they probably felt it would be worth offering the cancelled time slot.

This is certainly feasible. They may have had this work scheduled for Jan/Feb, then seeing that CBR wasn't booked solid, made the decision to go ahead with the work now. The work has to be done sometime. And I'm sure the CM's didn't know when it was being done...hell, they don't even know when knew codes come out. I'm sure it had more to do with getting it done when it would displace the least amount of people, than it did to save money.

Pooh Girl 71

08-05-2002, 09:33 PM

As a former customer service rep, I totally beleive the CRO who stated they had just gotten the memo. The ones who have to deal with the public are the last ones to get the important info.

WDWHound

08-05-2002, 09:56 PM

Yup, thats one thing we can all agree on. This is not the fault of CRO or any of the customer service folk. They were propably more surprised than we were.

TooBoyz4us

08-05-2002, 10:00 PM

Hi
I am also one of the people holding a CBR ressie for Oct.
I am trying hard to take deep breaths and hold hope that everything will work out.

I called WDTC today and was told pretty much the same thing most of you have been hearing"SOMEONE WILL CALL, yada yada yada".
I've been searching the web this evening for pictures & reviews of the other 3 moderates trying to decide which we prefer. I guess I am pretty open to where ever they relocate us, except for Fr.Quarter which seems to be the last on our list when we rate them.

I am still pretty devastated by all this :( , because this trip is a dream for us, and CBR was our first and only choice when we made the reservation last Feb.

I am anxiously waiting to hear from anyone who gets 'the call' before I do to see what is offered.

~Chris

nwdisgal

08-05-2002, 11:04 PM

I think that it is good that they notified people ahead of time that they are doing renovations. However, I don't understand why they are making people wait two weeks from their arrival date to contact them with another option. That sucks. I wouldn't be happy with that. Maybe some people are more patient than I am. Good luck to you all -

hallie

08-05-2002, 11:42 PM

I feel for everyone who is going to be displaced because of the renovation. However, I will be *royally* pissed if the Polynesian is offered to you at a lower price than I am paying to stay there, even with the discount codes. The exchange should be an even one--moderate for moderate. Otherwise, I believe that all should pay the deluxe price that I am paying if they want to stay at the Poly or CR.

In a way Dawn, I agree with you. We almost booked the CBR for our Thanksgiving stay 3 weeks ago. When I hear people saying they'll get deluxes for the same price, it makes me upset I didn't book CBR because we couldn't afford a deluxe this trip. It doesn't seem fair to get that huge of a discount for a deluxe, especially when people are paying so much more $$ to stay there. It's not like they're moving people to a Motel 6 or something, it would be to another moderate resort, they're all really nice.

JMHO :)

BoyLovesBuzz

08-06-2002, 08:07 AM

AF Brenda

08-06-2002, 08:20 AM

I think that another moderate should be offered. If the guest turns that down, then they can book a deluxe on their own. If all of the moderates are full, then Disney should offer an upgrade.

However, regardless of how Disney handles, I really don't understand why someone would be upset if someone else is paying less for a room than they are. Why is that so wrong? Especially if one is there on a code, thus already paying less than those that paid rack rate.

JMHO

DancingBear

08-06-2002, 08:46 AM

Originally posted by Lewisc
I suspect (we'll never know for sure) that the moderate bookings are low enough that Disney knows they can close CBR and relocate the guests.

This was my thought exactly. Just guessing here, but it wouldn't surprise me if they knew that the CBR areas needed a serious rehab, and were monitoring bookings to see when a good time would be to schedule it. When they saw a relatively slow period (looking at the moderates as a whole) when they thought they could accomodate the relocations, they scheduled the rehab.

I can understand the disappointment and stress---we made our Shades of Green reservations in December '01 and then a couple of weeks later the SoG rehab was announced. It took a while for them to notify us officially, but we're very happy with the relocation to CR! I hope all of you relocated CBR folks end up as satisfied.

I certainly wouldn't ascribe evil motives (forcing people into upsells for higher rates) until we see what the relocation proposal is.

SnackyStacky

08-06-2002, 08:49 AM

Just a little side note...for those that are considering whether to stay on or off property, The Courtyard Marriott in DTD has a deal for $25/night, Mon - Thurs, and $69/night Friday through Sunday nights. The deal is only for stays through 10/3.

If you are upset about the CBR closing and don't mind staying in a non-Disney hotel (that IS on property), then let Disney know what you think by using your wallet.

Click here (https://www.dreamsunlimitedtravel.com/courtyard/courtyard1.cfm) to book.

DancingBear

08-06-2002, 08:49 AM

Originally posted by DeeCeeSW
I will be *royally* pissed if the Polynesian is offered to you at a lower price than I am paying to stay there, even with the discount codes...I believe that all should pay the deluxe price that I am paying if they want to stay at the Poly or CR.

As AF Brenda pointed out, if you've booked with the codes you will undoubtedly be paying less than others staying at the Poly at that time---do you expect that they will all be royally pissed with you?

Eeyore1954

08-06-2002, 09:29 AM

Originally posted by DeeCeeSW
I feel for everyone who is going to be displaced because of the renovation. However, I will be *royally* pissed if the Polynesian is offered to you at a lower price than I am paying to stay there, even with the discount codes. The exchange should be an even one--moderate for moderate. Otherwise, I believe that all should pay the deluxe price that I am paying if they want to stay at the Poly or CR.

Just my 2 cents.

Dawn
NJ

Hmmm... Dawn would you feel the same way to discover that the person sitting next to you on the plane heading to Orlando paid $50, $100, $150 or more LESS than you did for their ticket? In fact, it's possible that someone on your flight is flying for FREE! (I am in November!)

It's all about the dynamics of the free market system. Disney has a huge number of rooms to fill in its resorts. Every night a resort room is empty, Disney is losing money. Therefore, it makes sense for them to fill as many rooms as possible, even if it requires them to offer discounts -- maybe discounts for a Deluxe that are better than what you (or I) booked.

However, before you get mad, consider that overall Disney bookings are down across all the resorts, even in the peak summer season. As they move into Regular and Value seasons, they are looking at more open rooms. I doubt that even with CBR closing that they will completely fill every room at every Moderate resort every week. (OK, they might during holiday weeks.)

You may find someone staying at your Deluxe resort for less $ per night than you paid. But then how would you find that out? And are you really going to let a little thing like that ruin your vacation at WDW? :rolleyes:

ZPT1022

08-06-2002, 12:08 PM

I feel for everyone who is going to be displaced because of the renovation. However, I will be *royally* pissed if the Polynesian is offered to you at a lower price than I am paying to stay there, even with the discount codes. The exchange should be an even one--moderate for moderate. Otherwise, I believe that all should pay the deluxe price that I am paying if they want to stay at the Poly or CR.

I have to ask Dawn, would you decline if when checking into the Polynesian you were offered a free upgrade to concierge? Or a better view. Would you say to the Cm helping you, I'm sorry but I can't accept, it wouldn't be fair to the people who paid more? Or what if your airline bumped you and for your inconvenience upgraded your seat to first class. Would you decline? I imagine you wouldn't, as you feel it would compensate for your inconvenience- well if Disney decides to upgrade my reservation to the Poly or any other deluxe, I feel it would be a for the inconvenience of disturbing my honeymoon that I have planned to CBR. Besides, as someone else already asked, how do you know who paid what to stay where?

All Aboard

08-06-2002, 12:22 PM

Ok, I have to vent (and if there is anybody here from the UK, you can back me up on this.) Royals don't "piss", they "tinkle!"

SnackyStacky

08-06-2002, 12:24 PM

Originally posted by gcurling
Ok, I have to vent (and if there is anybody here from the UK, you can back me up on this.) Royals don't "piss", they "tinkle!"
I'm not from the UK, but that's damn funny!!!

Jeanny

08-06-2002, 01:17 PM

Gcurling..... now THAT was funny!!:p :smooth:

The "p" word on my list of words I just don't say.. I think it's sounds horrid coming out of a woman's mouth... that's just MY opinion!! Don't hate me, please!

So NOW, I can say tinkle instead!!! can you imagine?? "I'm tinkled off!!!" HAHAHA..

I prefer the "p" word or the "f" word NOT be used in my office or in my presence. If someone uses them, I look at them and say "Excuse me, is that an adjective or a verb?" It makes people stop and think about how many times they actually say those words!!

So now, I'll allow "Tinkle"!!! Thanks for making my day brighter!!

Sammie

08-06-2002, 01:28 PM

Maybe since I live in Florida and have friends that work for Disney and Universal, Sea World etc. I have a better understanding of large theme park operations but I really at times do not know what some of you expect of Disney.

Guests want new attractions, fancy pools, great places to eat, rooms that look brand new, but they do not ever want to be the guest that happens to be the person who is affected when all these improvements take place. Exactly when is a company that is open 365 days a year suppose to do these improvements. At what point would everyone agree is a good time.

Central Reservations is not even located on the Disney World Property. The majority of their employees know only what is given to them in a memo or on the computer screen. No one at CRO took anyone's money and knew they were closing CBR.

As to Disney management it's always easy to critize from the sidelines. This is a company that has 50,000 employees. Things can not be done over night. Decisions are slow in coming. Everything has to go through the proper channels. I am sure there was much debate on when is the best time to do this with the least interruptions. I am sure in the resort business doing rehabs during a period is slower than other months is the best time to choose.

With a major contstruction project some of it is dependent on when the contractors can actually get to it. Also at times Disney is not made of aware of this until short notice.

Everyone wants them to keep prices down, but you would have them stop taking reservations on the possiblity that in a few months they might start a major rehab.

I am sure if you had your mind set on CBR it is disappointing but then so is much of life. There are other resorts just as wonderful and it really is up to each person to make their own magic or their own misery.

Eeyore1954

08-06-2002, 01:30 PM

Gcurling -- Thanks, I needed that one today! Now if I can just remember that to share with my DW (who is the Queen of my house!).

robinb

08-06-2002, 01:36 PM

I have reservations for CBR Christmas week. The resort may or may not be open by then. Am I mad to CRO or even Disney management for possibly moving me? Nope. I see this as an opportunity rather than an inconvenience. Maybe I'll be at CSR. Maybe I'll be at the Poly. Maybe I'll get a water view for a standard view price. Whatever. I'll be at Walt Disney World!

DeeCeeSW

08-06-2002, 02:06 PM

I don't appreciate having my post dissected. Stop acting like children. And, by the way, "pissed" is the least offensive word I can think of right now to say how I feel about your responses.

Dawn
NJ

AF Brenda

08-06-2002, 02:11 PM

Stop acting like children.

Who is acting like a child? I just see people, like myself, that don't understand why you would care if someone else gets a good deal on a hotel room.

eeyore0062

08-06-2002, 02:14 PM

CRO didn't know until the memo came from the management at CBR that it had been decided, for the sake of the guests safety and resort experience that they had decided to close the entire resort while the renovations on OPR were being completed. This happened over this weekend. If you read some of the other posts, you can read verification of this information.

Disney feels that all of their moderates are on equal footing, and that one should suit a guest as well as the other. Yes, I know the theming is different, but really does it hurt to try something new? We try a new resort every time we go. Some we do like better than others, but if we never tried, we wouldn't know that. So look at it as an adventure and a chance to try something new. You may be surprised and like the new place even better! If new adventures are not for you, then perhaps you would feel better postponing the vacation until the renovations are complete and the resort has reopened.

Kim&Chris

08-06-2002, 02:19 PM

Dawn,
I think people were just reacting to a statement made by someone who isn't even affected by the CBR closing.

Had they simply told all of us that the resort was closing down, we would have made alternative arrangements. I've been reading that some people were booking CBR as late as last week. Surely CRO knew that there was going to be a problem but they still took the reservations anyway. That's all.....that's the main reason for the frustration.

As far as an upgrade goes, if they want to give me Poly for $100 per nite, you better believe I'm going to jump on it. I feel bad that you paid more, but you BOOKED THE POLYNESIAN in the first place. We cannot afford to stay there, so I booked CBR. That's that.

This is a situation that we have no control over. Let's face it, a Disney vacation isn't cheap. We put alot of time into planning, and alot of effort into saving. This is the first trip to Disney that I have no control over where I'm staying and it's a little freaky!

DeeCeeSW

08-06-2002, 02:26 PM

Brenda,
Is it that hard for you to understand, even a little bit, why someone who is paying $198 a night to stay at the Polynesian would be upset that someone who was originally supposed to be staying in a moderate for $99 a night, might get the same type of room she is, for that lower price? I guess I should have booked CBR then so that I could get "a great deal," as you call it. I have no problems with discounts for planes, hotel rooms, etc. I am taking advantage of the codes myself.

"Stop acting like children" is appropriate for responses like yours. Most young children have little insight and they are not mature enough to be able to see both sides of a situation.

I don't think being inconvenienced by CBR closing entitles anyone to expect a "great deal" at any resort that is considerably more expensive than the rate they were originally going to pay.

Enough said...I'm getting on with my life, and I will still enjoy my vacation!!!!!

Dawn
NJ

DeeCeeSW

08-06-2002, 02:30 PM

P.S. Kim and Chris--I can't afford the Polynesian either. My husband lost his job in January, and I have an infant to care for, but since it's our 5-year wedding anniversary, he wants to do something special for me. Staying at the Polynesian has been my dream since 1977. We're overextending ourselves here. So, please don't make assumptions about what people can and cannot afford.

Dawn
NJ

Kim&Chris

08-06-2002, 02:32 PM

Hmmm, Dawn, I thought you were going about your business. Please don't add any more of your lovely posts to this thread. Thanks.

DeeCeeSW

08-06-2002, 02:37 PM

Oh, Kim...or is it Chris? I'll do as I please. I'd rather be poor and staying at the Poly than be poor trash like you.

:0)

Kim&Chris

08-06-2002, 02:38 PM

You're rediculous. I've reported your posts to the board moderator. Enough said.

DeeCeeSW

08-06-2002, 02:47 PM

1) Learn to spell, it's "ridiculous."
2) I have said nothing offensive nor have I attacked anyone or used any foul language in my posts.

It is obvious that you feel "ridiculous" for making assumptions about people's finances and don't know how to respond appropriately.

Take it easy!

DancingBear

08-06-2002, 02:50 PM

Originally posted by DeeCeeSW
Is it that hard for you to understand, even a little bit, why someone who is paying $198 a night to stay at the Polynesian would be upset that someone who was originally supposed to be staying in a moderate for $99 a night, might get the same type of room she is, for that lower price? I guess I should have booked CBR then so that I could get "a great deal," as you call it. I have no problems with discounts for planes, hotel rooms, etc. I am taking advantage of the codes myself.

"Stop acting like children" is appropriate for responses like yours. Most young children have little insight and they are not mature enough to be able to see both sides of a situation.

I don't think being inconvenienced by CBR closing entitles anyone to expect a "great deal" at any resort that is considerably more expensive than the rate they were originally going to pay.

I gotta say, I don't understand this response. First, nobody booked CBR with the hope that CBR would be shut down and they would get bumped into a deluxe. Second, I don't think any of the CBR folks have said they are entitled to a huge windfall, but don't you think WDW owes them at least an equivalent room at the same rate? And if equivalent rooms aren't available, an upgraded room? Why is such a discount, which may be offered by WDW to these folks which WDW has inconvenienced, different from the discounts you "have no problem with"? Again, why isn't this different from other Poly guests who will be staying there the same time as you who will be paying more?

Also, what evidence have you shown that you can see both sides of this situation?

I don't understand how you could post the message you did and then be irritated at the opposing views.