Absolutely unacceptable

[SaraJayne]

I have to disagree. Those arriving at the TTC also expect to use the monorail to get to various MK resorts as well as the MK. Now, they too have to take boats or buses. MK resort guests are not the only people being inconvenienced here.
There are never any guarantees when it comes to types of available transportation. What happens if the monorail has a severe maintainence issue and Disney decides to take it out of service for 3 weeks....during your stay? Are you going to be as upset?? I know, I know...it's all about 'why doesn't Disney communicate these things to us'...but they are providing addlt services for you..no, it's not the monorail, but you are still getting to MK.
What do you expect the end result of those 'courtesy calls' would be??? Do you think that maybe Disney should compensate you in some way? Do you think they should move you to a different resort?? Do you think that if enough people complain Disney will handle the construction differently?
Really, I can't imagine any of those things happening. So, why bother putting CMs to all that addtl work???

Again, I understand the disappointment, I do. But, when I stay at BWV, and find upon arrival, that the pool is not going to be available during my stay, but hey..they'll cart me over to SAB if I want...well, it's disappointing. And really, that's a big disappointment when you have someone that really has looked forward to that particular pool. But, that's just the way of it at WDW....stuff happens. And for the most part, there is little that Disney is going to do to let us know about it.

You won't catch me there during Spring Break, so all the "you's" are moot points.

However, for those staying at a monorail resort, yes, they should be moved at no cost to a different resort, once they are notified. For most people, monorail service is a major part of why they booked that resort (as has been mentioned numerous times in this thread).

Honestly, I hope people let managers know once they get there how unhappy they are with the situation, and show Disney they should have notified people before they arrived and given them the option of moving to a different resort. (Wow, that was a run-on sentence!)

There is a difference between unexpected emergency maintenance coming up and knowing about maintenance/construction ahead of time and deliberately not telling resort-goers that will be the most impacted.

Everyone can argue the point all they want ~ it won't change my opinion that Disney should have notified impacted guests and they deliberately chose not to. Their right, but it's also my right to call them on it. Obviously, I'm not the only one that feels that way.

 

[kaytieeldr]

You won't catch me there during Spring Break, so all the "you's" are moot points.

However, for those staying at a monorail resort, yes, they should be moved at no cost to a different resort, once they are notified. For most people, monorail service is a major part of why they booked that resort (as has been mentioned numerous times in this thread).

Honestly, I hope people let managers know once they get there how unhappy they are with the situation, and show Disney they should have notified people before they arrived and given them the option of moving to a different resort. (Wow, that was a run-on sentence!)

There is a difference between unexpected emergency maintenance coming up and knowing about maintenance/construction ahead of time and deliberately not telling resort-goers that will be the most impacted.

Everyone can argue the point all they want ~ it won't change my opinion that Disney should have notified impacted guests and they deliberately chose not to. Their right, but it's also my right to call them on it. Obviously, I'm not the only one that feels that way.

Move them where? Why? For how long? Are you saying WDW should move guests on a daily basis, give them a 'day' room?

Relatively few guests will be affected - really just those who "must" travel between MK and their Seven Seas Lagoon resort from 11:30 to 6:00 via monorail.
All the rest of the hours MK is open, the monorail will be running.
The hours the monorail is down, buses and larger boats will be running.
Up to 11:30 AM and from 6 PM, the monorail will be running (barring a steel bar accidentally dropping onto it from a rogue crane ).
Where there's boat service as one of the alternative modes, there's a good chance a boat would be more convenient to the guests room than the monorail is.

 

[LittleMissMagic]

There's really no reason to switch resorts unless you just want to save money (which is understandable). All of the other deluxe accommodations offer bus transportation, and many boat transportation, so there wouldn't be much benefit to switch resorts unless they just wanted a different location (Epcot-area resorts might be a good switch) or resort.

If it bothers someone that bad, they will switch. Disney doesn't need to set that up for them. But, I still think a notification of the monorail downtime for guests booked at monorail resorts would be nice (then it would be the guest's decision what to do from there... most would probably stay at the Poly/CR/GF).

 

[goofy4tink]

You won't catch me there during Spring Break, so all the "you's" are moot points.

However, for those staying at a monorail resort, yes, they should be moved at no cost to a different resort, once they are notified. For most people, monorail service is a major part of why they booked that resort (as has been mentioned numerous times in this thread).

Honestly, I hope people let managers know once they get there how unhappy they are with the situation, and show Disney they should have notified people before they arrived and given them the option of moving to a different resort. (Wow, that was a run-on sentence!)

There is a difference between unexpected emergency maintenance coming up and knowing about maintenance/construction ahead of time and deliberately not telling resort-goers that will be the most impacted.

Everyone can argue the point all they want ~ it won't change my opinion that Disney should have notified impacted guests and they deliberately chose not to. Their right, but it's also my right to call them on it. Obviously, I'm not the only one that feels that way.

Nope, you aren't the only one that feels this way. And I have no issue with anyone's feeling this way. That is your right. And if you feel better letting Disney know how you feel, absolutely tell them.

But....Disney doesn't seem to much care if their resort guests are inconvenienced. Look at those poor guests over at CSR during a huge convention. The convention took over huge areas within the resort, it completely changed the resort experience for the non-convention guests. But, did Disney let those guests know this was happening? Nope.
Does Disney let those booking at the AllStar resorts know that there will be a huge number of sports/cheerleader teams at their resort when they get there? Nope.
Does Disney let those booking BW know that Luna Park will be closed? Not really.

So....it isn't just those staying at MK resorts that have gotten this type of treatment. Small consolation, I know. But, in all reality, it isn't going to change.
Now....if you got to the Polynesian, or GF, and found that the monorail was no longer running, at any time, for the next 3 weeks, and they then told you that you would have to use the regularly scheduled boats to get to MK?? Yeah, then you have reason for complaint. There is no way that the regular boats can handle those crowds. But, in all reality, shutting down the monorail from noon to 6 isn't that big a deal. You can still ride the monorail in the mornings and evenings. There will be plentiful boats available to you. At least they are making alternative arrangements for those on the monorail line...much better treatment than those at CSR got!!

 

[delaneyc52]

You wouldn't happen to work for a successful company would you?

I did say that a few times didn't I? I was attempting to make the point that I have some experience in dealing with clients from a corporate viewpoint and it came across a bit over the top! I certainly didn't mean to be obnoxious. But to answer your question -- yes, extremely successful.

 

[MouseEarsForAll]

I did say that a few times didn't I? I was attempting to make the point that I have some experience in dealing with clients from a corporate viewpoint and it came across a bit over the top! I certainly didn't mean to be obnoxious. But to answer your question -- yes, extremely successful.

Yep! I was like, "Did she really say that again?!"

 

[MouseEarsForAll]

Disney is doing exactly that.

They're appropriately compensating guests inconvenienced by not having the monorail available between 11:30 AM and 6 PM by boosting the alternative modes of transportation available during those work periods.

Apples for apples.

Change your sig to: Read the whole first page first, because after that, it repeats.

 

[SaraJayne]

Nope, you aren't the only one that feels this way. And I have no issue with anyone's feeling this way. That is your right. And if you feel better letting Disney know how you feel, absolutely tell them.

But....Disney doesn't seem to much care if their resort guests are inconvenienced. Look at those poor guests over at CSR during a huge convention. The convention took over huge areas within the resort, it completely changed the resort experience for the non-convention guests. But, did Disney let those guests know this was happening? Nope.
Does Disney let those booking at the AllStar resorts know that there will be a huge number of sports/cheerleader teams at their resort when they get there? Nope.
Does Disney let those booking BW know that Luna Park will be closed? Not really.

So....it isn't just those staying at MK resorts that have gotten this type of treatment. Small consolation, I know. But, in all reality, it isn't going to change.
Now....if you got to the Polynesian, or GF, and found that the monorail was no longer running, at any time, for the next 3 weeks, and they then told you that you would have to use the regularly scheduled boats to get to MK?? Yeah, then you have reason for complaint. There is no way that the regular boats can handle those crowds. But, in all reality, shutting down the monorail from noon to 6 isn't that big a deal. You can still ride the monorail in the mornings and evenings. There will be plentiful boats available to you. At least they are making alternative arrangements for those on the monorail line...much better treatment than those at CSR got!!

I completely agree with you that Disney doesn't care that their guests are inconvenienced.

I really wish people would consider that when thinking about making plans to visit.

ETA: As Tink pointed out, this isn't a one time thing for Disney. It happens all the time.

 

[LaurenT]

Disney is doing exactly that.

They're appropriately compensating guests inconvenienced by not having the monorail available between 11:30 AM and 6 PM by boosting the alternative modes of transportation available during those work periods.

Apples for apples.

I personally agree...but I'm not a fan of the monorail in general. I'd like to stay at the poly sometime because it's so pretty, but I'm very happy being at BC and walking into Epcot, or at AKL and relaxing with the African wildlife or a drumming in the evening.
But, as a business person, if I have a customer who specifically complains that she books Poly primarily for the monorail, i will do something to make sure she feels taken care of. Something like a 3 ride FP - the type they gave out in give a day get a day, would probably make for happy customers and cost WDW nothing.
The number they'd actual give out would be minimal because I really don't think the majority of guests will be pounding on the concierge desk over the monorail being unavailable during the times of day that they aren't that busy.

 

[dimndgal1]

I do understand the frustration but don't get the outrage... but after a recent customer service fiasco, perhaps I am jaded.

My in laws bought tickets to fly out for DH's graduation (and Disney trip). The day after the purchase, MIL read in the paper the airline was discontinuing service to their airport effective immediately. MIL figured they would get a call for assistance rebooking... after all, we're talking about $800 tickets (ILs live rather remote). Three days went by, and nothing.

Finally, MIL called airline and was told they had automatically rebooked them to fly out of the closest airport the airline uses..... a 5 hour drive away. An unacceptable solution, it took two days of back and forth before they refunded the ticket. In the week of this hassle, tickets on other airlines went up $185 each. Now they are out more money and check the news daily in case this process repeats itself.

If the newspaper was able to print this discontinued flight, the airline had to know it was happening... yet they went ahead and took money. And, they offered no ability to make it right.

Long story short, at least disney is TRYING to accomodate - extra busses, boats - and they are closing the rails during the off-peak hours but still offering other ways to get from A-to-B... they aren't making you bus to DTD and then to a MK resort... just taking a different path.

Also, in the words of my MIL who, despite a week of phone calls and headaches and being out almost $400 more, "At least we'll be there"

 

[hookedonears]

I've only read a few post on this thread, and this may have been discussed several times before, but why can't they (during the down time), at least run the Monorail to the Poly and then back in reverse to the MK. It's my understanding that there's a pilots control on both ends. Obviously, there must be a logistical issue.

 

[Tropical Wilds]

I tend to not think that Disney knew and just decided to not tell anybody. In late Feb they had the Disney Research staff out at the various transportation points doing usage surveys. If this was planned out, they'd have done this usage survey last year at this time. Or they'd have gone on the booking information from several months ago to make their plans. They wouldn't have waited until a week before the closure to send folks out to measure usage.

I tend to think what actually happened is that the scheduled work that needed to be done on the track, paired with the damage from last winter, meant that the track needed work somewhat urgently and they decided to tie in the resort work as well, finally deciding it was a go when they could confirm both the equipment and the personel to get the job done. Instead of having 3 seperate closures/delays for work, they opted for this... Which is not a convienent time, but is certainly better then doing it during the summer.

To further support that they didn't know for sure what was going on until very recently, when we went in late January, we rode the monorail and even then we heard CM's talking about the need for the monorail to shut down at some point due to damage on the track between the resort and the MK and wondering how it was going to be done. So if in January they didn't know...

 

[Tropical Wilds]

I've only read a few post on this thread, and this may have been discussed several times before, but why can't they (during the down time), at least run the Monorail to the Poly and then back in reverse to the MK. It's my understanding that there's a pilots control on both ends. Obviously, there must be a logistical issue.

Because they're doing work on several parts of the track as well as the work at the resort. They are doing scheduled work on one section and repair work to a damaged portion.

Even if they weren't, running a monorail to just one resort is most likely not people or cost-effective.

 

[brunette8706]

Hey all!

This would have been a great topic for the :

Do you think Disney is going downhill, thread! LOL!

Seriously OP, I would have been upset. YOu are paying a "premium" for a "monorail" resort. That is why these "deluxe" resorts are higher than then Wilderness Lodge, and Animal Kingdom and even the MORE DELUXE Boardwalk and Beach Club and Yacht Club. You're paying for the convenience of the MONORAIL!

As stated before they should have communicated all of this to you.

Brunette

 

[runmommyrun]

To me, this is a communication issue that it seems Disney can handle better. We ran into a similar situation two years ago at Vero Beach. We booked a week spring break trip to Vero... it was to be my kids' first beach vacation, so a big deal in our minds (plus Disney prices, so not cheap). I heard a rumor about three weeks before that there was a major beach restoration project going on and that the beach would be closed at the resort when we were there! I was shocked. The whole point of going and paying that rate was for the kids to experience the beach plus stay at a Disney resort. I realized that refurbishment was necessary, but I had no notice and planned the trip under the assumption the beach was open. When I called MS, they apologized and figured out that I hadn't received notice because I wasn't a DVC member. Apparently DVC members had received notice. It was the way it was handled and the lack of notice that bugged me. It ended up being ok, as the restoration process was moving ahead of schedule and only a portion of the beach was closed at the resort when we were there. But it is more the disappointment of the expectation and the handling of the matter that bugged me. But we had a great trip,regardless. And I guess it didn't bug me too much. We later joined DVC. I guess I'm a sucker!

 

[Virtucomp]

I don't enjoy visiting the parks when things are being refurbished or shut down. Sometimes I choose to go to the park knowing that I will have to deal with repairs or shutdowns.

The parks never close but the maintainance and repairs must go on. The Monorail cannot run without being maintained. The monorail cannot run while it is having the track repaired.

I'm sure the maintainance staff would rather shut down the monorail for two days all day long so they can get the work done but instead they have to wait until the middle of the day so that the morning rush is over before they shut down. Then they have to pack up and stop so the track is usable again for the nighttime rush. Not the most efficient use of time for repairs but at least they are not shut down completly.

There must be someone who looked at the usage and found 11:30 to 6 would inconvience the least amount of guests. They are trying.

 

[goofy4tink]

Hey all!

This would have been a great topic for the :

Do you think Disney is going downhill, thread! LOL!

Seriously OP, I would have been upset. YOu are paying a "premium" for a "monorail" resort. That is why these "deluxe" resorts are higher than then Wilderness Lodge, and Animal Kingdom and even the MORE DELUXE Boardwalk and Beach Club and Yacht Club. You're paying for the convenience of the MONORAIL!

As stated before they should have communicated all of this to you.

Brunette

I really hate to beat a dead horse, but it is only on these boards that the CR, Polynesian and GF are called monorail resorts. Disney classifies them as MK resorts.
They are more expensive due to their proximity to MK, granted. BUT...you still have the ability to access the MK via the boats. And Disney is running a lot more boats during this time period.
WL and AKL are both 'lesser' deluxe resorts because they don't have immediate access to any park. Yes, you can get to MK via a boat at WL..so it is a bit more expensive than AKL.
And YC/BC and BW??? They are usually more expensive than either CR or Polynesian. The GF is a bit higher than they are...simply because Disney promotes it as their 'flagship' resort.

I have been to WDW more times than I can count, at all times of year. And realistically??? I have seldom seen the monorail even close to full during the hours that Disney is closing it down now. Yes, there were some guests riding it, but not all that many. You can still ride the monorail, at busier times of day. For the less busy times, Disney is putting more boats into service.
It's not as if you have no monorail service at all. It's there, for park opening and closing.

 

[eliza61]

I have not read all the responses so I apologize if what I said has been voiced before.

Op,
I totally understand your frustration. One of the big "draws" for me staying at the Contemproary or the GF is the acess to the monorail. Yes, I would be writing an email. Simply put, I am a firm believer in action and letting any merchant whether it's disney or the corner grocery knowing my displeasure if I think there is a problem.


Since you are leaving so soon, you're options maybe limited but If it's possible I would request to be moved to another resort and if it's a downgrade I would request a refund in the difference in price.

I have run across maintence issues 2x's before and both times the hotel notified me days before my trip.
Once at the Mandarian Oriental inWashington DC. Pool was closed and they reduced our rate. The second time was at the Monte Carlo in Las Vegas. Construction was blocking our view, once again the resort notified us days prior and comped us.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

I've run into similar situations on non-Disney vacations where we paid extra for certain features of a resort, only to find many of those features not operational during our stay. When I've known in advance, I cancel & go to a cheaper place. When I haven't had advance notice, I've always been able to negotiate a cheaper room rate and/or dining credits. I have *no* idea if that would work in the OP's case, but you can be certain I'd be lodging a complaint.

edit: didn't realize the service would only be down for mid-day. Still a hassle, but not as bad as I initially thought.

 

[eliza61]

I really hate to beat a dead horse, but it is only on these boards that the CR, Polynesian and GF are called monorail resorts. Disney classifies them as MK resorts.
They are more expensive due to their proximity to MK, granted. BUT...you still have the ability to access the MK via the boats. of day. For the less busy times, Disney is putting more boats into service.
It's not as if you have no monorail service at all. It's there, for park opening and closing.

Sorry Goof, I think that is a huge cop out. No we are not the only ones who classify them as monorail resorts. ever TA I've ever used including AAA touts the ease and fun of using the MONORAIL. I have yet to have one who said "and it will be fun to ride the bus"

this is just my opinion. the ease of the monorail is a big factor for many folks coughing up the extra dough to stay at certain resorts. pretending that the buses are a "just as good" option is silly to me.