Ok...*takes a deep breath* This story is a long one
But results in the most amazing upgrade we've ever recieved.
In August 2003 we went on a week long trip to Disney (we being myself, my best friend and my parents) We were booked for a week at Coronado Springs, our favorite resort and the one we took my best friend to on our first trip to DIsney together in March 2001. We checked in and got a wonderful room in Casitas 3, with an amazing view of the Dig Site across Lago Dorado. Our first day we went to the parks and upon returning to CSR in the afternoon we saw a message blinking on the phone. The front desk called to let us know a massive convention was checking in that day, taking up approximately 85% of the rooms. It would result in the Dig Site being closed on three seperate days and they wer5e offering to upgrade us to the Animal Kingdom Lodge.
Honestly, we weren't too keen on staying at AKL so we called the front desk and asked our other options. We sat and talked about what area of WDW we'd be visiting most often and for us, Epcot was the logical answer. So we decided that we would ask for an Epcot Area resort, spe4cifically Yacht and Beach Club. We also requested that they give us a water view room if possible because that was what we had paid for at CSR.
Front desk called us back and said that was no problem, our room would be ready tomorrow. So the next day we checked out of CSR with the intention of going to Typhoon Lagoon for a few hours and then checking in to the Yacht Club. We had a rental car so baggage transfer wasn't an issue. However, the weather was
So we headed over to the Yacht Club to see if they could store our bags and chose to go for breafkast at Craker Barrel in Kissimee. We were told to call for our room at around 1pm because they knew we were being switched due to a conference and it really wasn't a "choice". We called at 1, no room ready. Ok, no problem, off to the Florida Mall for some shopping. Called at 2, no room. Getting a little bit annoyed but we're not done at the Mall so its ok. 3pm we leave the mall and we call back. My dad is told very bluntly that they see weve called once an hour but the room simply isn't ready. They said its not their fault we were switched (when he brings up that situation) and that the only 3way they could give us a room would be to bump someone else from their room.
Now, that was very hard to believe considering it was the end og August, a relatively slow period at Disney. Did i mention that this day was my Dad's birthday? Not the nicest of experiences. We got back to the Yacht Club around 3:30 and we asked once again if our room was ready. Once again we were met by rude snippiness. My dad kept his cool and asked to speak with a manager. Eventually they put up a fuss and claimed they were bumping a room assignment from another person, but we got our room.
The room was amazing, it looked out over the marina and the lake as well as over to Epcot (could see the Eifel Tower in France) We were thrilled with the room but less than satisfied with the CMs. My dad got the number of the general manager and called. We went down to relax by Stormalong Bay as the rain had cleared up and Dad got a call from the General Manager's assisstant. He appologized profusely and looked to see what He could do for us. Initially He wanted to give us the Presidential Suite, but it was only available for a day or two and we weren't keen on moving and moving again.
We ended up with concierge access but kept our room on the 5th floor (i think it was 5th...lol the floor beneath the concierge floor) because we loved our room. The assisstant also got us "front of the Line" passes. Like the ultimate fast pass for Mission:Space (which was in its first soft openings at the time) as well as test track. That was great
We just walked up and gave the passes, got escorted to the front of the line. Felt like VIPs hehe
What makes this so incredible was that I booked it as a Fairytale Paxkage...that totaled at $1900USD for a week at CSR and Ultimate Park Hoppers for 4. We ended up with 6 nights of conceriage and ultimate park hoppers for $1900!!!
