Bad stay at the All Star Sports Resort

[KJGrilliot]

We just got back from WDW. We stayed at the All Star Sports Resort. I called 6 weeks in advance and book the preferred room (they asked me, if I wanted preferred and I said yes). I call 4 days before we were to leave and confirmed we were in the preferred room (Surf's Up Bldg) and she said yes.

When we arrived at the All Star Sports, the CM who checked us in said there were no preferred rooms left. I was upset. They offered me the preferred room, I verified it and when we got there, no preferred room. The CM told me I was lucky enough to get a room, they were sending people to other hotels. Excuse me, I made a reservation; I came all the way from Ohio and possibly not have a room at all.?

He told me the manager would call my room and talk to me. Guess what, I never received the first call from anyone.

This was our first trip to WDW and I was not impressed with the hotel service. Has anyone else experienced this problem?

Thanks for letting me vent!!

 

[ducklite]

The All Stars have always been the All Lacking in my experience, especially in terms of guest service.

As far as them being oversold, it happens. Florida law states that if a guest is occupying a room, and won't leave, but continues to pay room charges, even if the room is booked for another incoming guest, they can't be forced to leave. So it's quite possible that some people overstayed, or that someone had to be moved to the room originally blocked for you due to medical reasons.

That said, you should have asked where they were going to send you--it's possible you could have been upgraded to a much nicer hotel for no extra charge.

Anne

 

[AllyandJack]

Did you have to pay extra for the preferred room? I hope you at least got your money back if you had to pay extra!!

 

[KJGrilliot]

We only had to pay for the standard room. But, why offer me something they can't guarantee me? I didn't even ask for a preferred room when I called. They asked me, got my hopes up and crushed them!

It was our first trip; I guess I'm still new at this.

Thanks for the reply.

Julie

 

[n2mm]

Sounds like someone in CRO screwed up. Offering you a preferred room and not charging you was the problem. Once they charged you, that particular room in that section would no longer be available. Upgrades are always offered at the resort during check in, never by CRO on the phone, unless you intend to pay the difference. I have stayed at the All Stars probably 30 times and have never had a bad experience. We were offered a different room once at 75% off because they needed my room for another party. We declined. Our last trip, we had preferred at the Movies, but wanted a king bed with tub. None available in the preferred rooms, but in the standard rooms, so we switched to a standard at Mighty Ducks (my favorite section) and was refunded the preferred deposit and our balance was adjusted. Still no excuse for the manager not calling you though.

 

[susy]

We did a spur of the moment trip in October. My Dh came home from work and said that if I wanted to go to WDW that I had to be ready to go in half an hour!!!!


I got on the phone with CRO first thing. Since I was looking at Columbus Day Weekend and rack rates, there wasn't much choice. I had already been to the Movies and had a reservation for the Sports for three weeks later, so I asked for and got Music ($99). We rrivd around 10:30 pm at the Music and NO ROOMS! She looked in her computer-oh, they put you at the Sports! I wasn't going to argue at that point, so we went to the Sports and had a lovely time in the Hoops section. When we arrived three weeks later, there we were again in Hoops!! We have also stayed at CSR (favorite), AKL, and CBR and always had a great time.

 

[KJGrilliot]

They did charge my credit card for the preferred room when I put the deposit down. At check out time they adjusted it.

Thanks again for all the comments.

Julie

 

[MelissathePooh]

Sorry to hear about your negative experience - especially on your first visit! I would suggest writing a letter to guest management - nothing explosive (unless that's how you feel) but managements needs to know about the good & the bad. From what I read it doesn't sound like your problem had anything to do with being a first timer - just bad luck and poor handling of the situation unfortunately.

Aside from the resort difficulties - did you enjoy your vacation?

Melissa

 

[KJGrilliot]

We went to Magic Kingdom and I was very impressed. I was amazed many times. Loved the Fass Pass. Nice clean place.

We ate a Chef Mickey's and loved it. We ate lunch at Cinderella's Royal Table and loved it too. All the food was great.

Thanks for asking!

 

[sarehm]

I hate the All Star resorts. I think they're run down and you can stay at a nice off site resort for less than the AS! I had a similiar problem, we weren't due to land into MCO until around midnight so it was about 1 am until we got over to the AS Sports. When I made the reservation I told them that we'd be a very late arrival and they said no problem. Well since we were probably the last souls to show up it took them forever to even find us a room. Just what I want to deal with at 1:00 am.

I'll never stay at a value again. Plus it's just not my style of hotel becuase they're so large and spread out and just seem kind of chaotic to me.

 

[MelissathePooh]

I know that many people love AS and have had wonderful experiences there - personally I'm not a big fan. We've only stayed at ASMu once, but it was enough to know it wasn't for us. I did appreciate the expedient and orderly bus service and for people who like food courts AS is pretty big, but that's just not what we find valuable in a resort.

Anyway I hope that you won't give up on WDW! Another resort may make all the difference! I am definitely glad the you enjoyed the other parts of your vacation!

Its always funny to me - for some of us who have become rather attached to WDW (even particular parts of it) we tend to take it very personally when someone has a bad trip or a bad experience - its kind of embarrassing!

Melissa

 

[KJGrilliot]

Thanks for your concern. And thanks to everyone who replied. I appreciated everyone comments.

Julie

 

[thinkerbell]

What is a preferred room?

 

[webray]

This is whining for no reason. There are people that have real problems. If you don't pay for a preferred room...you don't get one...that is it.

There is plenty of disney magic...but you have to let it surprise you...you can't beg for it...you will never see it that way.

Sorry you had a bad time...but, you didn't reserve or deserve a preferred room.

 

[kilee]

I have one quick question. If all the rooms are booked because someone overstays you can come 1000's of miles and not have a room? That doesn't seem right. I can understand not getting a free upgrade. But if I reserve and pay for a specific type of room, then I'd want that room. I have never stayed on Disney property before. We will be booking our first on site trip within the next 2 weeks. I am now a little apprehensive. There is one deluxe we are willing to stay at but only with a certain view, I'm willing to book and pay for that view. If I am not guaranteed it, then I am having serious doubts.

By the way webray did you post just to be nasty? I was really put off by your comments and I wasn't even the OP. The poster is just expressing a concern. If you thought it was so trivial, why read it. I hate it when people get all negative here, it's so uncalled for.

 

[ripleysmom]

"Sorry you had a bad time...but, you didn't reserve or deserve a preferred room."

Actually if you reread her post you will see that she did, in fact, have a reservation for a preferred room.

 

[DebbieB]

I called 6 weeks in advance and book the preferred room (they asked me, if I wanted preferred and I said yes). I call 4 days before we were to leave and confirmed we were in the preferred room (Surf's Up Bldg) and she said yes.

They did charge my credit card for the preferred room when I put the deposit down. At check out time they adjusted it.

Webray -

She did reserve and pay for preferred view, read her posts again.

 

[dvcmember]

The op did request and pay for preferred room at the time of ressie. KJ got a CREDIT at checkout because this was not provided Barb

 

[ripleysmom]

kilee, I think that you'll be fine. As someone mentioned the deluxes are handled a little differently.

 

[safetymom]

In the hotel trade, it is called Walking the customer. If they have to put you in another hotel they are supposed to offer you something. It is something that is quite common. Hotels overbook just like the airlines. Sometimes that creates problems. I wouldn't let that turn me off for a resort. I do think they should have tried to accomodate you some how the next day by offering to move you to a preferred room.