Bribing the Checkin CM....

[snwarf]

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[DebbieB]

I've never heard of that at WDW. They don't consider conceirge staff a tipped position, I don't think they would allow front desk clerks to take them.

 

[Bojangles]

probably not. I think they could get fired if they accepted a tip for an upgrade. I would suggest either "begging" for an upgrade or paying for the room type you want. Some people here have posted that they have had success by "looking really upbeat and excited" at check in.




PS...if you would "never" do that, why are you asking?

 

[my3kids]

We're not supposed to tip the concierge staff??

 

[Mich Mouse]

For $20.00, in Vegas they will upgrade me?

Haven't heard that one before.....But I have never been to Vegas before.

 

[snwarf]

lol....

As I said in my original post, I've never done it and never will, but yes, many people who go to Vegas slip the check-in person a $20 and ask for a "view". Most people report that it works!

This was only something I wondered about at Disney. If I want a particular view/type of room, I reserve it and pay for it, but I just wondered

 

[snwarf]

Originally posted by Bojangles

PS...if you would "never" do that, why are you asking?

Sorry, I did not see this when I just responded:

Like I said, I was just wondering....

My husband and I travel to Vegas much more than Disney. This is something I read about day in and day out on Vegas sites. I did not recall ever seeing the topic about Disney and just wondered if people were as desperate for a "view" in Florida as in Nevada! lol!!!!

Only one time in my life have I ever even "asked" if a particular room was available and I got it, but I still believe in just reserving what it is you want so you don't have to bribe (or "beg" as someone referred to)

And actually, last night when I posted this, I had been reading another Disney board as well as this one and was amazed at the number of people who almost "expected" a free upgrade. It got me thinking about upgrades and how people go about them!

 

[ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!]

I dont think $20 will really get you anywhere...slip them a $100...then we're talkin.

 

[kbkids]

Originally posted by Bojangles
Some people here have posted that they have had success by "looking really upbeat and excited" at check in.

On our most recent trip, the guest in front of me was SOOOOO incredibly rude. It was very slow at the moment, so there was only one CM at the check-in desk, and I was the only other person in line. This guest was screaming (literally) at the CM how her entire trip had been ruined because no one had told her how big the resort was, her ice maker didn't work and she had to walk 20 miles to get ice , she had to wait over 15 minutes for a bus!! (GASP!), and she had to walk past TWO buildings to even get to the bus stop! This CM had to be the most patient person I have ever seen - never quit smiling, kept offering suggestions, offered to let her speak to a manager - which of course she didn't want to do because that would "waste even more of my time!" The whole scene was pathetic as her beautiful little daughter all dressed up in a princess costume stood next to her spinning around and having a ball dancing. The little one definitely "got" Disney - Mom, not so much. She finally stormed off and as I was walking up, she turned around and yelled back, "Now where's the closest bus stop from here?" The CM told her it was just right across the street from where we were. "ACROSS THE STREET!!!! OMG!!!" I couldn't hold it back anymore and I know she saw me laugh because then I got the evil glare!

Anyway, when I got up to the desk, the first thing out of my mouth was that I promised to be nicer to her than the previous guest. I was very friendly and outgoing, and when it came time to assign my room, I requested what I wanted and told her I promised to not yell at her if she couldn't find one. She laughed and said, "I will kick someone out if I have to so I can find you the perfect room!" Of course, she was kidding, but we got the exact building and floor that I wanted - excellent location.

My best suggestion is to be nice and friendly, and I'm sure they'll do what they can. Knock on wood - we have always got exactly what we requested on every trip.

P.S. - ironically, saw the crazy woman the next day at MK, and she was dragging (again, literally) her little girl behind her with a huge scowl on her face. I know you never really know what's going on in a situation, but goodness, all I could think was, "Why did you bring her to Disney World if you intended on being miserable the whole time?"

 

[snwarf]

I just read on the Tips board (how appropriate Heehee) that if a CM at the front desk receives a tip, it is put towards charity as it is not a tipped position. I think that it is a very nice way to handle the situation and I would think that it prevents people from trying to get something on a bribe (as my original post asked).

I will also be much more careful on what questions that I ask on the board so that noone will misunderstand and think that I am a cheapskate trying to bribe someone into giving me a view that cost everyone else $500 for $20 bucks!! I promise it was just a "geewhiz" question!

 

[CaipiraBob]

Kbkids, are you <i>sure</i> she wasn't wearing a costume? I'm beginning to suspect you had a run in with one of the wicked Disney step-mothers...

So true, though. The CMs are not one's personal slaves and a smile will open many doors a scowl will not.

 

[Steph5324]

I too have had good luck just being polite and considerate. Last January my boyfriend and I were staying at the BC and I read on these boards that some rooms don't have full balconies. When I faxed my room request I pleasantly explained that I was coming from Wisconsin where we were "enjoying" temps of minus 20 and would love to enjoy the 60 degree "Florida heatwave" from a full balcony. When we got to our room upon arrival we about died laughing because not only did we get a balcony, we had been upgraded to some kind of fancy corner room with a king sized bed, stocked fridge, and huge, enormous, balcony two or three times the size of regular "full" balconies! It was great! Like they appreciated the humor and were trying to endulge us.

I also had an experience like the poster above a few years ago. We were checking in at the WL the same time as an obnoxious crabby-butt guy at the check-in station next to us. The CM checking us in was earning her ears and was very slow but despite the fact were anxious to get our trip started we were patient and up-beat and good-humored with her. We had only paid for a standard view but our room had a view of MK. When we got back to our room that night after being at the parks, we had a bottle of champaign waiting for us from the CM at the front.

Maybe I've just been lucky, I don't know.

 

[disneyholic family]

wow...i never even thought of doing such a thing....
it seems so incredibly unnecessary at WDW....
i always put in a request for the room/buidling of our choice, and so far, we've always gotten them....so i'm not sure what $20 would do for me...
as for vegas, i doubt $20 would do more than get a sneer.....$200 might get you someplace, but not $20....

 

[totalia]

Speaking as a hotel clerk (though not one at Disney).

1. I could get fired for something like that.

2. I'd never do something like that. It isn't worth the potential problems.

 

[LibertyBelle]

Sorry bribbing doesn't work. The front desk CM's are not allowed to take tips If you insist they do, which happens sometimes when they are helpful with a situation, it is actually put into an office fund and spent on everyone when the fund gets high enough. Maybe an ice cream party, a new stereo (for the back office), etc.

As for the other question from my3kids. The concierge staff is paid at the regular rate of other cm's they are not a "tipped position" meaning they are not making $3.00 an hour plus tips like say food servers or valets. You can tip them if you feel the service has been good and they are allowed to accept the tip (concierge cm's only...not front desk). The tips are generally pooled together and then a concierge outing is planned for everyone (when the pool gets high enough).

 

[airforcewife]

.

the $20 trick

snwarf,

You wouldn't happen to be a member of LVA would you?

( Las Vegas Advisor) Thats the only place I've heard that talked about. Vegas is my Disney. But this time we are going to the real one! Yay!!

Robyn (LVA member) And excited for my trip to WDW!

 

[SonicLogic]

Originally posted by ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!
I dont think $20 will really get you anywhere...slip them a $100...then we're talkin.

Well, you just proved that it works. Everyone has their price. In my experience $20.00 will get you into Cinderella's Royal Table breakfast without a reservation.

 

[my3kids]

LibertyBelle: Thanks for the information!

 

[ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!]

Well, you just proved that it works.

hows that?

 

[Minky]

Oh, you dont have an upgrade to Lagoon view concierge for me???/ Hmmmm, well what about for my friend ABE LINCOLN!