Absolutely unacceptable

[Angel Ariel]

I don't get why some cannot accept that people don't all feel the same way.

I don't know if this is directed at me or not...I'm fairly new to this thread. But I do accept that not everyone feels the same way about the MK resorts. I get that the monorail may be the main draw for some people, and that w/o the monorail it may not be worth it to some to stay there. I don't have an issue with any of that

Obviously what we're all willing to pay for something is subjective to each of us...but Disney can't base their prices on our subjective thoughts. They obviously have a reason for pricing the resorts the way they do. I just don't agree with the guess/assumption that the price increase for GF/Poly is based on the monorail when facts (not subjective) show that CR is a closer in price to the Epcot resorts than it is to GF/Poly. There have to be factors other than the monorail for that price difference.

 

[jujube]

I don't know if this is directed at me or not...I'm fairly new to this thread. But I do accept that not everyone feels the same way about the MK resorts. I get that the monorail may be the main draw for some people, and that w/o the monorail it may not be worth it to some to stay there. I don't have an issue with any of that

Obviously what we're all willing to pay for something is subjective to each of us...but Disney can't base their prices on our subjective thoughts. They obviously have a reason for pricing the resorts the way they do. I just don't agree with the guess/assumption that the price increase for GF/Poly is based on the monorail when facts (not subjective) show that CR is a closer in price to the Epcot resorts than it is to GF/Poly. There have to be factors other than the monorail for that price difference.

No, my comment was general.

 

[TLSnell1981]

Also something that's a personal viewpoint and subjective...

You asked me why Gf/Poly/CR were more expensive than Epcot resorts if not for the monorail. I pointed out only GF and Poly are actually more expensive than Epcot resorts. Logic would reason that since all 3 have monorail access, the monorail can't be the reason that GF/Poly are more expensive than the Epcot resorts.

My personal opinion.. I don't like the theming, at CR. The rooms aren't as nice, neither is the resort or the view. MO

 

[Angel Ariel]

No, my comment was general.

Ok..sorry about that then

 

[kaytieeldr]

I do think Disney should have better communicated the decision, but I don't know that I'd expect any compensation (other than being allowed to switch resorts w/o fees) because I do think there are reasons beyond the monorail that affect the rates of those resorts.

Exactly! This is what all the people saying, "Don't complain, because it won't make them turn the train back on today," are missing. They need to think these things through and take care of details like warning resort guests, and they're not going to do that if they don't get any feedback about it.

But if you read creativeamanda's description (a few pages back, first post on its page, I'll update this post with that page number if I can) about construction permits and timing, it's likely Disney gave as much notice as possible without a blanket, "At some time over the next twenty months, the monorail will be out of service for undetermined but continuous lengths of time for an unknown number of consecutive days. Please plan your visits accordingly, and we apologize for any inconvenience".

 

[smidgy]

View. Epcot resorts just do not have same view. Illuminations not really seen outside Epcot. I do not know about size of Epcot rooms and how many 4 or 5 fit.
Also, do not disregard that MK is THE icon park, not Epcot. If you price them same, which area will be more popular?

the absolute BEST spot to see illuminations outside the park is from the bridge between Boardwalk and Beach Club.

while you cannot see the globe, you see a lot.. and it is so close! much closer that the view of wishes from the beach at poly.

granted, there is no view of a castle anywhere at these resorts. however, standing anywhere along Crescent lake and looking around, esp at night.. gorgeous view!!

I much prefer this area than staying at any of the monorail resorts. you can walk from yacht and beach club, boardwalk, swan or dolphin, to 2 parks. or take the boat.

and for adults, there is tons of nightlife a short walk away. and a mingolf in walking distance.

to me (my opinion), that all blows away a view of the castle. I would have rather stayed at beach club or boardwalk than BLT. better pools, too . the BLT pool is so small. the volcano pool at ply is over rated, small, and their quiet pool is very blah. now the GF pools? ah! I did ike them!
I look forward to the DVC at GF, and would stay there for other reasons than the monorail, I admit it.
but when we stayed at BLT , our basic reason was for the monorail access. (and, in true Lily Tomlin style: "that's the truth")

 

[TLSnell1981]

I do not know what you can see from Boardwalk but definitely not an iconic park and castle. MK is like ocean when you go to Hawaii, you either have The view or you don't.

I will hunt up, some photos. I have a few, really good ones of Spaceship Earth and the Land. They were taken, different time of day from our room. You can also see fireworks from your room every night.

 

[kaytieeldr]

the absolute BEST spot to see illuminations outside the park is from the bridge between Boardwalk and Beach Club.

The ABSOLUTE best spot to see illuminations outside the park is from the balcony of Celebration Health's Presidential Suite.

Been there, done that .

 

[smidgy]

The ABSOLUTE best spot to see illuminations outside the park is from the balcony of Celebration Health's Presidential Suite.

Been there, done that .

where is that? (I assume you don't mean in the town of Celebration)...any pics?

 

[kaytieeldr]

where is that? (I assume you don't mean in the town of Celebration)...any pics?

I do mean the town of Celebration, and I don't have pictures . I really wasn't expecting to spend the second week of that trip in the hospital, so everything was in my luggage, which was securely stowed at... Shades of Green.

 

[Angel Ariel]

But if you read creativeamanda's description (a few pages back, first post on its page, I'll update this post with that page number if I can) about construction permits and timing, it's likely Disney gave as much notice as possible without a blanket, "At some time over the next twenty months, the monorail will be out of service for undetermined but continuous lengths of time for an unknown number of consecutive days. Please plan your visits accordingly, and we apologize for any inconvenience".

I didn't say anything about the timing of the notice. I agree that construction is imprecise and Disney likely made the decision as soon as they had the information. I have no issue with Disney making the decision they did.

My comment was in how Disney communicated the decision. In this day and age of databases and e-mail, it would not be difficult for Disney to have sent an e-mail to all those staying at the GF/Poly/CR during the time of the closure to let them know about it and what was being put in place instead. Do they need to do that for every single refurb on property? no...but the monorail IS a reason that people choose to stay at those resorts (and I am sure Disney is aware of that) - and it's not something that would have been overly difficult or time consuming for Disney to do.

 

[mesaboy2]

I didn't say anything about the timing of the notice. I agree that construction is imprecise and Disney likely made the decision as soon as they had the information. I have no issue with Disney making the decision they did.

My comment was in how Disney communicated the decision. In this day and age of databases and e-mail, it would not be difficult for Disney to have sent an e-mail to all those staying at the GF/Poly/CR during the time of the closure to let them know about it and what was being put in place instead. Do they need to do that for every single refurb on property? no...but the monorail IS a reason that people choose to stay at those resorts (and I am sure Disney is aware of that) - and it's not something that would have been overly difficult or time consuming for Disney to do.

You've used Disney's website before, right? I don't know about you, but their IT division looks like it's hurting these days.

 

[Angel Ariel]

You've used Disney's website before, right? I don't know about you, but their IT division looks like it's hurting these days.

Lol..they certainly do seem to make it more complicated than necessary - I try not to use it if at all possible

 

[mesaboy2]

Lol..they certainly do seem to make it more complicated than necessary - I try not to use it if at all possible

My point exactly.

It might be worth noting that when the POR Royal Guest Rooms were delayed recently and my reservation could not be accommodated, Disney called me rather than send me an e-mail. And I was one of a fairly small set of people impacted, at least when compared to the volume of three entire [MK | SSL | monorail] resorts for a period of several weeks.

 

[TDC Nala]

It's possible Disney itself isn't thinking of the high importance of the monorail to guests in those resorts. Another reason to let them know. If they know the monorail in particular is so highly important to the guests, then next time they may actually work at figuring out a way to individually notify everyone who has a reservation at those resorts of even a partial outage of monorail service. They may be seeing the monorail only as one method of transportation and assume guests do the same.

 

[Angel Ariel]

My point exactly.

It might be worth noting that when the POR Royal Guest Rooms were delayed recently and my reservation could not be accommodated, Disney called me rather than send me an e-mail. And I was one of a fairly small set of people impacted, at least when compared to the volume of three entire [MK | SSL | monorail] resorts for a period of several weeks.

Because of the small set of people impacted, I'm not surprised they called. But if they can pull the contact information to call those who were affected in your situation, I have a hard time believing they don't have the ability to pull the same information for the guests at GF/Poly/CR. Yes, it's a greater number - but something a database (which I would be very surprised if they didn't have, given their size) could easily pull. I wouldn't expect them to call such a large number of people, but an e-mail wouldn't be as difficult. (I say this as someone who has a decent amt of experience working with databases and pulling lists from them based on various criteria).

Also, if they can e-mail PIN codes to a certain set of people based on various criteria, that also makes it difficult for me to believe they don't have the capability of pulling such a straightforward list.

It's possible Disney itself isn't thinking of the high importance of the monorail to guests in those resorts. Another reason to let them know. If they know the monorail in particular is so highly important to the guests, then next time they may actually work at figuring out a way to notify everyone who has a reservation at those resorts. They may be seeing the monorail only as one method of transportation and assume guests do the same.

I could see this - and I agree that is why people should be letting Disney know if it is such a big deal to them. Personally, it's not that big of a deal to me - we'd be happy taking the boats. I also wouldn't expect any form of compensation. But I don't think it's unreasonable to think they could have communicated this better than they did. If I weren't a member here, I wouldn't have known about it...not such a big deal for me, since I'm not going any time soon...but if I had a trip scheduled and I didn't find out until I checked in, I would be a bit surprised and I would wonder why they didn't say anything.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Because of the small set of people impacted, I'm not surprised they called. But if they can pull the contact information to call those who were affected in your situation, I have a hard time believing they don't have the ability to pull the same information for the guests at GF/Poly/CR. Yes, it's a greater number - but something a database (which I would be very surprised if they didn't have, given their size) could easily pull. I wouldn't expect them to call such a large number of people, but an e-mail wouldn't be as difficult. (I say this as someone who has a decent amt of experience working with databases and pulling lists from them based on various criteria).

Why i think e-mail notification wouldn't be effective: Depending on the site one chooses to believe, approximately 30%-39% of US households don't have Internet access.

 

[Angel Ariel]

Why i think e-mail notification wouldn't be effective: Depending on the site one chooses to believe, approximately 30%-39% of US households don't have Internet access.

OK - now this is just coming across as snarky. I don't know if that's your intent, but that's how it's coming across.

You think Disney has no responsibility to contact people -that's fine. Personally, I think it would be nice of them to have made the effort. A requirement? No. A nice gesture? yes.

I'm not railing at Disney for the closure. In fact as I've said a few times, I agree with it and don't have any issue with it at all. It has to happen at some point, and it's not something that would make me change resorts (as I've also said a few times). It's not something I would demand compensation over. Communication is just something that, as a guest staying at a Deluxe resort, would be appreciated.

 

[DisLee]

chiming in late here and not that it matters, I'd be a little upset that the monorail was being worked on during my stay at a monorail resort. The monorail is part of the fun for my kids.

 

[Bob NC]

I can't believe people are still whining about the monorail.

I can't believe you are still reading and posting about it either.