Compensation

[Ajax]

Just out of idle curiosity, will the poor folks at the resorts who have been trapped in their rooms since Friday night be compensated in any way?

What was done after 'Charlie'?

 

[We4mickey]

I may get flared for this, but I would think not. People had a choice in being there. Everyone knew a hurricane was coming. They did not have to be there. It was there choice to ride out the storm and experience a hurricane.

 

[MermaidsMom]

I agree that anyone who stayed there knew this was coming and chose to stay and should pay for the hotel room. That is all you are paying for there anyway, a room and that is what they got. The park tickets that are included in the room will probably be refunded for the days the parks were closed though.

 

[cdrn1]

I guess I feel like a hurricane is an act of God, beyond anyone's control (even Disney's!) and so, while it's unfortunate that peoples' vacation plans went awry, it's not Disneys World's fault so they should not be expected to compensate anyone.

 

[zurgswife]

I also agree....no compensation due...

 

[Ajax]

Originally posted by MermaidsMom
I agree that anyone who stayed there knew this was coming and chose to stay and should pay for the hotel room. That is all you are paying for there anyway, a room and that is what they got. The park tickets that are included in the room will probably be refunded for the days the parks were closed though.

Yep, if you continued on your trip after seeing the storm track and checked in, you're probably out of luck. I just wondered if Disney would offer them a discount on rooms at a future date.

But what of those who were getting towards the end of an eight- day stay who made their ressies months ago and had paid for their trip in full?

If they chose to flee, will they be refunded the price of their rooms for the days that the parks were closed? Or does Disney consider this an Act of God, and they're on the hook for rooms that they booked, even though they left in the face of a potentially life threatening storm?

I'm not trying to determine if Disney has any legal obligation or if the guests are 'entitled' to compensation of any sort.

I'm just wondering if their is past precident for such a situation, and if so, what did Disney do?

 

[Mercy]

Well I was there for Charley. We had UPH's and were given a complimentary 1 day UPH for everyone in our party for the day the parks closed early. I thougt that was very nice. I would think they would do something similar for Frances.

 

[minniegidget]

I will be going Sept 13 -18 with a dream maker package. I am watching Ivan. Just wondering (not expecting) If I am there and Ivan does h.it and the park closes do I get anything for my lofs pass. I really do not except anything. I know it is my choice to stay or even go. Did anyone have the dream maker package with Charley and what did they do for you.

 

[LisaSt]

Hopefully nothing the people knew going in that this was coming they could have canceled if they chose to go they can live with their decision. Sorry don't want to sound mean but if I know something like this is coming I would cancel and save myself the headache.

 

[halah]

I agree that Disney owes us nothing however...we are here during the hurricane and what they DID do was allow us to stay an extra night at the same discounted rate we had booked our trip as well as give us 4 UPH passes for the two days we were unable to get to the parks.

I did not ask or push for more compensation as it's not Disney's fault and you're right I did have a choice...

I do know they have been giving FL residents reduced rates which I think is nice considering!

 

[LisaSt]

I agree that is a nice gesture and I like what they are doing for the FLA residents and it should be done for them they are the ones after all that have to live with this after everyone else goes home.

 

[DisneyChick02]

To clarify the complimentary park hopper pass situation, the people who were given complimentary 1-day park hoppers were due to the guests having *length of stay* passes that they obviously lost days on due to park closures. In addition, if you planned on leaving early due to the hurricane, you would be refunded for the remaining portion of your stay. Beyond that, there was no additional compensation planned, nor should there be. On the whole, our guests have been WONDERFUL and understanding about the difficult situation that has occurred....thank you for following directions and being flexible!!!

Unfortunately, this is not to say that several guests didn't try to take major advantage of this catastrophe (as well as Charley) and push for free nights, more tickets, etc. To those of you who are here at WDW, please remember that we know this is a lousy way to spend your vacation, and we are ALL here trying our best to make your stay as easy as possible given the awful circumstances. Please remember that any CM you encounter may have lost their roof, their home, or a loved one in Frances or Charley....this is an extremely scary and stressful situation for both you and for us!

 

[MinnieYC]

I feel compensation isn't due. Instead, travel insurance would have been a good idea for those visiting during hurricane season.

 

[East Coaster]

Well said, I couoldn't agree more!

 

[DizGeek]

I arrived 10 days ago, before there was a major threat....I'm still here. I expected and got 4-2 day park hoppers. Why shouldnt I?

 

[seashoreCM]

If I read correctly, Disney offered you many fair choices. You could modify your ressie to arrive later or leave earlier and you would not be charged for the nights you did not stay.

If you were already in Florida with many more Disney days scheduled after the storm, you were probably better off keeping any already booked storm days in your stay. The alternative of deleting those days and going somewhere else was quite iffy, Trying to flee the storm with the intent of coming back, you might have been caught in traffic both ways, and might not have found an alternate hotel room out there. Even trying to abort your vacation might have left you stranded with the airport's closing. (Would WDW have given you back your room for the asking?)

Also, at the resorts, character visits and other pixie dust was provided where possible.

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

 

[mousebrat]

We got back from an involuntarily extended vacation last night. When we left for our 8 night vacation on August 28th, there was no way to anticipate Frances. By the time the danger was apparent, there were no flights out before the airport closed.

As for compensation, Disney was letting people stay on at their discounted rates and gave people with length of stay passes extra days to compensate. We lost even more because we were on the gold plan. Even with the additional UPH, we used meal coupons (which would have been used for $50/person + meals) on the buffet at 1900 Park Fare. Also, we had no access to our recreation options.

I thought what was done was fair under the circumstances - we all came out losers on Frances.