Am I the only one annoyed by the "free upgrade" happening?

[MinnieGirl33]

FWIW, I just left a message for my guide requesting contact info for the current DVC Member Satisfaction person (I thought I heard Carli D'Agostino was promoted somewhere else but not sure) as well as a contact for WDW Parks & Resorts so that I could send a letter.

My feeling is, you can't expect change or something to be fixed until/unless you know the other party if fully aware of your problem/issue.

I would encourage those who feel similarly about this situation to do the same (I'll post info once I get it) BUT remember, you catch more flies with honey...

 

[DVC Grammy]

..... BUT remember, you catch more flies with honey...

Although, as my DH is fond of pointing out, if you're walking down a street, look down (if a dog has been there) and you'll see what actually attracts more flies............................

 

[Chuck S]

FWIW, I just left a message for my guide requesting contact info for the current DVC Member Satisfaction person (I thought I heard Carli D'Agostino was promoted somewhere else but not sure) as well as a contact for WDW Parks & Resorts so that I could send a letter.

I doubt the policy will change. I mean, again, they are Disney's rooms to do with as they please. Why would you want to tell Disney how to rent their rooms, since, again, they are not comming from member inventory?

Sort of the equivalent of telling your neighbor what color to paint their house...it doesn't really have any effect on you, or your ability to book rooms.

 

[castleri]

I believe its 8/26 - 9/1 or thereabouts.

We will be in OKW 8/24 - 8/31.

I think I read one post where the person was offered the upgrade from a July reservation to take an August one. She now gets a 1 BR with free dining for the price of her POP room. Don't know where this fits in with the overbooked during free dining scenario. She is getting a refund on what she was paying for dining in July.

 

[MinnieGirl33]

I doubt the policy will change. I mean, again, they are Disney's rooms to do with as they please. Why would you want to tell Disney how to rent their rooms, since, again, they are not comming from member inventory?

Sort of the equivalent of telling your neighbor what color to paint their house...it doesn't really have any effect on you, or your ability to book rooms.

I hear what you are saying but:

1). I'm not expecting the policy to change.

2). Maybe, just maybe, if enough people share their thoughts that either a). during negotiations w/WDW they have a leg to stand on when they say "Our membership wants..." or b). DVC may realize that there are things that can be done for the members that don't cost money (ex. room assignment) or c). think that maybe we would like money spent to purchase additional discounts from WDW for us (ex. ddp, best rate for cash nights) instead of sending me a giclee.

3). TPTB may very well be thinking "nobody's gonna care about this" & I want to say "I care"

4). I disagree that it doesn't have any affect on me.

5). Just because Disney can do what they want doesn't mean they should.

 

[MdmMim]

I know I'm in the minority here, but I don't have a problem with these upgrades at all. I'm happy for those who have received them, and I really hope they enjoy themselves. (And I wish I were a Clampett! All that "black gold!")

Maybe my feelings stem from the fact that I don't feel like I actually own part of a resort. I feel as though I have paid for my future accommodations, but I don't own anything. Disney owns it all, and since it's a business, they'll do what they think is best. As long as I can call and get a room from the member inventory, I'm quite content.

IMHO, the upgrades are Disney's concern, not mine. They have the right to do whatever they want with their rooms.

 

[Snookies]

FWIW, I just left a message for my guide requesting contact info for the current DVC Member Satisfaction person (I thought I heard Carli D'Agostino was promoted somewhere else but not sure) as well as a contact for WDW Parks & Resorts so that I could send a letter.

My feeling is, you can't expect change or something to be fixed until/unless you know the other party if fully aware of your problem/issue.

I would encourage those who feel similarly about this situation to do the same (I'll post info once I get it) BUT remember, you catch more flies with honey...

MinnieGirl33, please post the relevant contact info when you get it. I would like to at least express my thoughts to mgt about 1) the room ready policy (or lact thereof); and 2) more generally, non-transparency about how rooms are actually assigned (i.e., do they use room ready or not). Thanks.

 

[Deb & Bill]

We have "frozen" points from when we had to cancel due to all the smoke last month (med reasons) - y'know, points that have to be used by end of sept (UY Oct) and can only book 60 days out kind. We have vacation time 2 weeks in sept, starting on the 9th. That is our only chance to use them. Will we now not be able to get SSR or OKW for a few days then?! Aargh!!

The roooms given as upgrades are not in points inventory, just CRO inventory. But you need to call at 60 days to get your reservation since unused points stays get transferred to CRO 60 days out. If you called and they did have points inventory that had been transferred, they should be able to get it back from CRO.

 

[dianeschlicht]

I guess I don't see what there is to be upset about. It's not our inventory to worry about, and what Disney does with it is their business. Doesn't bother me in the least.

 

[diznyfanatic]

I doubt the policy will change. I mean, again, they are Disney's rooms to do with as they please. Why would you want to tell Disney how to rent their rooms, since, again, they are not comming from member inventory?

Sort of the equivalent of telling your neighbor what color to paint their house...it doesn't really have any effect on you, or your ability to book rooms.

Chuck, with the current Room Ready policy, this issues does effect members and is exactly the reason why I believe rooms should be assigned at the time of booking with MS.

If we happen to arrive later in the day than the non-members receiving the upgrade, there is a very high probability that the room requests that members made at 11/7 months out will already be gone to a non-member.

This is the ONLY issue I have with a non-member receiving such a wonderful upgrade and I put the blame squarely where it belongs...on Disney...and not the folks who were given the upgrade. I truly hope they enjoy every minute of their magical vacation.

 

[spiceycat]

Chuck, with the current Room Ready policy, this issues does effect members and is exactly the reason why I believe rooms should be assigned at the time of booking with MS.

If we happen to arrive later in the day than the non-members receiving the upgrade, there is a very high probability that the room requests that members made at 11/7 months out will already be gone to a non-member.

This is the ONLY issue I have with a non-member receiving such a wonderful upgrade and I put the blame squarely where it belongs...on Disney...and not the folks who were given the upgrade. I truly hope they enjoy every minute of their magical vacation.

but that is just it - at times DVC resorts DO NOT USE the room ready. Or I won't have to wait 12 hours for a room in May....

anytime in the future I am going to demand the room ready. I am so tired of waiting for a room.

 

[diznyfanatic]

but that is just it - at times DVC resorts DO NOT USE the room ready. Or I won't have to wait 12 hours for a room in May....

anytime in the future I am going to demand the room ready. I am so tired of waiting for a room.

Spicey, oddly enough as I recall, the only times we have had to wait for a room were when we have stayed at VWL.

It almost sounds like certain resorts are using Room Ready and some are not.

 

[DVCAmy]

It's funny when I first read about the upgrades I didn't understand why people were getting upset but after reading some more of the threads I can get it.

First let me say I am happy for anyone who gets an upgrade-enjoy your stay I hope it is truly magical for you and your family! What a wonderful surprise for your upcoming vacation!

Secondly I do feel for those DVC members booked during those times. It's tough to swallow it when you know someone is staying in equal or better accomodations for a fraction of the cost and having perks not available to you when you've paid more and certainly if your room requests get lost to one of those families that would really hurt! I'd be angry myself! I would hope Disney would realize this and make sure this doesn't happen (but I doubt they will). I hope all DVC members there that week get the rooms they want and that everyone at the resort has a wonderful Disney vacation!

Amy

 

[MinnieGirl33]

MinnieGirl33, please post the relevant contact info when you get it. Thanks.

DVC Member Satisfaction manager is Jon Garcia jon.garcia@disney.com

is what I have so far

 

[gkrykewy]

DVC Member Satisfaction manager is Jon Garcia jon.garcia@disney.com

is what I have so far

I would suggest including in your email a link to this thread. Why not? Otherwise just lift the best parts of various people's posts .

 

[Chuck S]

Chuck, with the current Room Ready policy, this issues does effect members and is exactly the reason why I believe rooms should be assigned at the time of booking with MS.

If we happen to arrive later in the day than the non-members receiving the upgrade, there is a very high probability that the room requests that members made at 11/7 months out will already be gone to a non-member.

This is the ONLY issue I have with a non-member receiving such a wonderful upgrade and I put the blame squarely where it belongs...on Disney...and not the folks who were given the upgrade. I truly hope they enjoy every minute of their magical vacation.

In truth, I doubt any resort is 100% "room-ready" but is a combination of factors. For instance, if your party is in more than one room, and request to be located near each other..those rooms are often blocked. At least that has been our experience at OKW. When our party is in a single room, we are often offered a choice between several "ready" rooms. At SSR I understand the different sections may appeal more to some people...however, remember that once fully sold, SSR won't be available for nearly as many upgrades, as a much higher percentage of the resort will be "DVC Member inventory." Resorts aren't like a cruise where cabins are easily pre-assigned because everyone arrives and departs the same day...you have folks arriving and departing from DVC literally 24/7. After 9-11 availability and room selection was wide open, that is no longer the case since tourism has rebounded.

Remember the DVC Mantra...room requests are only requests...no guarantees.

If you have a problem with "room ready" it will be the same problem whether the rooms are occupied by CRO cash guests, DVC members, or people that rented from a DVC member. The current upgrades have no "special" impact, DVC resorts are, by design, supposed to operate at nearly full capacity at all times...even at resorts where all the points have been sold. Just "who" is occupying the room has no impact on that.

 

[Anthony1971]

I will be there in Septmeber in a two bedroom thankfully but who knows if these will be included.... I do not feel Disney has an obligation to me BUT they should absolutely make sure the DVC owners have priority as far as room requests as it is obvious they can meet them at this time...as far as the upgrades hey I wish it was me and I hope some choose to buy DVC and join the rest of us...

 

[diznyfanatic]

...<snip>
Secondly I do feel for those DVC members booked during those times. It's tough to swallow it when you know someone is staying in equal or better accomodations for a fraction of the cost and having perks not available to you when you've paid more and certainly if your room requests get lost to one of those families that would really hurt! I'd be angry myself! I would hope Disney would realize this and make sure this doesn't happen (but I doubt they will). I hope all DVC members there that week get the rooms they want and that everyone at the resort has a wonderful Disney vacation!

Amy

For me, I honestly don't ever try to compare what someone else might be paying when we travel. There are just far too many variables and discounts in the travel industry and it's pretty much a given that someone sitting on the same plane or staying at the same resort has paid less. If we get the dates we want at what we consider an acceptable price that is within our budget, that's really all I can hope for.

However, if I were an SSR owner or a DVC member who had requested Congress Park, Springs or Grandstand at 11/7 months out but who happened to arrive later in the day than some non-members checking in and was told that the only room available was in the Carousel section, I'm very sure I'd be honked off.

 

[LIFERBABE]

I will be there in Septmeber in a two bedroom thankfully but who knows if these will be included.... I do not feel Disney has an obligation to me BUT they should absolutely make sure the DVC owners have priority as far as room requests as it is obvious they can meet them at this time...as far as the upgrades hey I wish it was me and I hope some choose to buy DVC and join the rest of us...

Anthony you will not be impacted if you are in a guaranteed Dedicated 2 bedroom.

If you are in a lockoff unit then the combination of 1 bedroom and studio upgrades could impact your location in the resort.

I wouldnt turn my nose up at an upgrade either, and as I have said before, I am not angry or upset with anyone that was upgraded, this is the year of a million dreams
I do agree that members should be given priority at their home resort .

 

[Sammie]

I would suggest including in your email a link to this thread. Why not? Otherwise just lift the best parts of various people's posts .

Believe me they have already read it.