Absolutely unacceptable

[creativeamanda]

People don't seem to understand how construction works, apparently. There is no magic timetable that tells when each thing will be complete. There's a guess, and that's why they say they have a date of completion, but without having a magic crystal ball telling what the weather is going to be like on each and every day during construction, the companies involved may not know. Weather seriously affects construction, and my guess is that the weather coupled with the availability of the crane dictated when the work near the monorail could be completed. Cranes are extremely expensive pieces of equipment, so most construction companies do not own them. They rent them. So in the middle of February, they see, "Okay, we can use the crane now." They see when the crane is available and the sheet of paper with the requisition passes over several desks before the actual booking is complete. They choose the next closest day, which just so happens to be Spring Break, but the next time it's available may be mid June (that's a guess), putting them way off schedule for completion date. And here's the catch--construction companies don't want to miss their completion date because they typically get a bonus for doing that. So, Disney is stuck with a less than desirable date and they have made a decision which affects guests in the least amount possible--when the monorail is not at peak.

Yes, Disney could have called everyone, but here is the key: your paperwork for your agreement states only that you are guaranteed a room at Disney. Not necessarily the one you booked, and it definitely does not guarantee what attractions (and I see the monorail as more of an attraction than transportation) will be open.

OP, if you are really upset, call and see if they can move you to another resort. They may even waive the fee. But then again, realize that their paperwork protects them and honestly, I would be annoyed, but I wouldn't let it ruin my vacation, like some people seem to be doing.

 

[phyllis1966]

I suggest all of you that are trying to equate all methods of transportation as being equal start riding your horse to work every day.

OK - that gave me my first giggle of the day!

 

[WDWMom]

OK so I only the first 2 pages and the last so I don't really know how others have responded, but honestly Unacceptable?????? I don't get that

1. Disney gave you notice before your trip that the monorail would be closed for a PORTION of the day.

2. They give you alternative transportation during that time.

3. Did you plan to go the MK everyday at the time it will be closed? If not, than the impact is minimal.

4. Would you rather it be open and then you get stuck on it while they need to closed it for an hour so they can move materials over it?

The only way this would be unacceptable to me is if they closed it down my whole trip, didn't offer other options in transportation and they didn't warn me. But Disney has done all this.

You can still ride the monorail everyday if that is important to you, not just at the stated times. If you think the parks will be that busy, than you should be there much earlier than 11:30 to start your day.

I agree with another poster than Disney does not guarantee anything to you other than a room.. That is what you are paying. They might guarantee transportation, but not anything specific.

Now, I'm not saying you don't have the right to feel upset, but Disney doesn't owe you anything for the inconvenience other than they are sorry. You can ask to be moved, but that doesn't do any good since there is no monorail still during the midday.

If it was my family, we would just work around Disney's schedule like I do with most things here at home. If they close the road from home to school, I find a different route. I may complain about it, but I still have a way to get the kids to school and it's not the end of the world.

 

[Wadecool]

People don't seem to understand how construction works, apparently. There is no magic timetable that tells when each thing will be complete. There's a guess, and that's why they say they have a date of completion, but without having a magic crystal ball telling what the weather is going to be like on each and every day during construction, the companies involved may not know. Weather seriously affects construction, and my guess is that the weather coupled with the availability of the crane dictated when the work near the monorail could be completed. Cranes are extremely expensive pieces of equipment, so most construction companies do not own them. They rent them. So in the middle of February, they see, "Okay, we can use the crane now." They see when the crane is available and the sheet of paper with the requisition passes over several desks before the actual booking is complete. They choose the next closest day, which just so happens to be Spring Break, but the next time it's available may be mid June (that's a guess), putting them way off schedule for completion date. And here's the catch--construction companies don't want to miss their completion date because they typically get a bonus for doing that. So, Disney is stuck with a less than desirable date and they have made a decision which affects guests in the least amount possible--when the monorail is not at peak.

Yes, Disney could have called everyone, but here is the key: your paperwork for your agreement states only that you are guaranteed a room at Disney. Not necessarily the one you booked, and it definitely does not guarantee what attractions (and I see the monorail as more of an attraction than transportation) will be open.

OP, if you are really upset, call and see if they can move you to another resort. They may even waive the fee. But then again, realize that their paperwork protects them and honestly, I would be annoyed, but I wouldn't let it ruin my vacation, like some people seem to be doing.

Good post. As someone who used to work construction during college, I can attest to how accurate this description of the inner workings really is.

 

[North of Mouse]

But they still get the monorail. Why is everyone acting like there is no monorail service available???? Cutting back on midday service is just not that big a deal. I give up. Nothing I say will make any difference in this argument. Go ahead, complain all you want. Disney is NOT going to care. They have little to no problem filling up any of these resorts.

Haven't read all the replies, but I agree that if some people never go back, Disney will always have others just waiting to go, or for any cancellations, so they are not concerned with any complaining. After all, a place that large always has to have some type of maintenance going on -scheduled or not. From what I did read though, seems like the OP got an excellent rate for her room, so how much more would she want to be compensated for? We have all been inconvenienced at times there, and we all have the choice of staying away, or going and not "sweating the small stuff".

 

[ftballfan7]

how true. we had a reservation at all star sports for 2 nights, sandwiched inbetween 5 nights at vero beach and 5 nights at beach club (the weekend nights).. we were originally going to stay 2 nights in Kissimmee, but used a pin code for a room discount.

had they informed us that that resort will be swamped with soccer groups from brazil (just stating the fact of where they were from) we would not have stayed there.

options? true, we may have stayed in kissimee. OR we may have booked music or POP. OR we may have given disney more of our money and booked a moderate for 2 nights.

who knows? but it should have been our choice. communication. works wonders.

And herein lies the problem with the whole "Disney should have told me" complaint. Who decides what rises to the level which would necessitate communication? They need to inform people of other guest bookings now? Really? Does this only apply if they know about the booking prior to your making a reservation, or should they have to contact every guest booked whenever a group booking occurs within their resort? Howe large of a group would trigger such a response (20, 50, 100)? What a logistical nightmare!

What Disney does is deliver what they promise in the contract made at the time of booking. That is what they are delivering in this case. As I stated before, I understand the disappointment, but they are making accommodations to minimize the impact. It is what it is. Get over it and enjoy your vacations!

 

[JoshuaShaw]

It is perfectly acceptable for Disney to have planned or unplanned maintenance and for guests to be annoyed by it.

 

[creativeamanda]

Good post. As someone who used to work construction during college, I can attest to how accurate this description of the inner workings really is.

My dad worked in road construction for my entire childhood. I knew the stories he told would be useful one day.

 

[hammie59]

I'd be extremely frustrated as well. For us, the whole point of staying at a monorail resort and paying the over the top prices would be for THE MONORAIL. It has been pointed out that it's not entirely shut down for the day, but if you have small kids, many would would be counting on using the monorail to go back to the room for a mid day break. Yes, you could still use the buses, but not as convenient as the monorail. It's one thing to book knowing this. It's another to have them inform you right before your arrival.

And yes, I realize Disney has to do maintain their attractions, equipment, etc... and somewhere along the line someone is going to be inconvenienced, no way around it. But for us, the price of the room wouldn't be worth it if the monorail wasn't running as usual. I'd rather stay mod and save the cash.

 

[kaytieeldr]

You can still use the boats, too. Those would seem especially convenient for many/most of the Polynesian/GF guests, since none of the Poly rooms are in the Grand Ceremonial House, and only a relative few of the GF rooms are in the main building. In both cases, aren't (and that's an actual question) most of the room buildings more convenient to a boat dock?

 

[Bob NC]

Apparently, sufficient alternate (bus) transportation will be provided in addition to the ramped-up boat service.

Polynesian/GF/MK has its own dedicated boat system?

and wouldn't the GF/Poly guests use the GF/Poly boats?


Friendship boats are being used on the dedicated MK/GF/Poly loop

Don't like the bus provided? Fine. Use the boat that's always been available -

Yes, I know there are Friendship boats.

Where there's boat service as one of the alternative modes, there's a good chance a boat would be more convenient

Couple of very serious and genuine questions: First, what was it about the boats between the MK and the Poly that made them not nearly as convenient as the monorail?

monorail route during the hours it's off; larger friendship boats; walking between CR & MK or Poly & TTC...

Guests will still be able to get between the two points they wish; just, during some hours of the day, alternate teansportation will be used.

Polynesian guests can use this boat or opt for the ferry - with a dock between the resort and the monorail ramp.

Kati, I have a question. I think I'll ask it in the sarcastic tone in which many of your questions are framed:

I don't understand......Are there boats we can use?

 

[Bob NC]

You can still use the boats, too.

OMG, you told us Again.

I don't understand......Do you think we all have short term memory disorder?

 

[kaytieeldr]

Kati, I have a question. I think I'll ask it in the sarcastic tone in which many of your questions are framed:

I don't understand......Are there boats we can use?

OMG, you told us Again.

I don't understand......Do you think we all have short term memory disorder?

Bored today?

It's too bad you see sarcasm where none is intended. It's also too bad that you can't seem to see the forest for the trees, given that virtually every complaining post here focuses on the (apparently horrible) buses, that you seem to feel it's fine to complain but not to provide alternate information on average, less than once every third page

 

[Bob NC]

it's too bad you see sarcasm where none is intended.

bored today?

lolol

 

[mefordis]

Apparently they are giving some sort of compensation to some guests that call and complain.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

I said this before on other topics about the Monorail closing and I will say it again. Yes this news sucks for anyone staying at the Contemporary/Bay Lake Tower, Polynesian & Grand Floridian during this month. However WDW still let everyone know about this so no one can say they were caught off guard. Plus anyone with upcoming stays at those resorts has the chance to switch their reservations to another WDW Resort, so if they choose to do that or not to is up to them. Finally since everyone was told in advance what hours the Monorail won't be operating they also know WDW is providing extra Buses and Boats. So I say that's a whole lot better compared to the times when the Monorail's breakdown without warning, which is a lot worse because during times like that no one knows when they will be operating again.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

1) I wish people would get over this.
2) We just got back from GF, Main Building.
3) The monorail downtime was not a big deal.
4) If going back to resort in daytime, just plan a little.
5) Besides, on each day, the monorail was running again by 5:00pm.

 

[grafxgirl]

It is going to be shut down not only for maintenance, but because there is some crane work at the Grand Floridian that requires it to be shut down as well, so they figured if it has to be shut down for that, then they might as well use their time wisely and do some maintenance work on it during those hours.

 

[carrie1626]

Cancel your trip and stay home

I would be bummed too.
But, they can always cancel and stay somewhere cheaper, use the busses/boats they have to anyway and save $$ to buy more D stuff


FACT REMAINS- THINGS NEED TO BE DONE AND IT CAN'T ALL HAPPEN WHILE YOU ARE NOT THERE

I would still rather be at Disney than not.

 

[nurtz]

1) I wish people would get over this.
2) We just got back from GF, Main Building.
3) The monorail downtime was not a big deal.
4) If going back to resort in daytime, just plan a little.
5) Besides, on each day, the monorail was running again by 5:00pm.[/QUOTE