Did I expect too much? CBR disappointing...

[nwdisgal]

I am sorry to hear your trip didn't turn out the way you wanted it to. I enjoyed our stay at CBR last April. I requested Jamaica (generically), non-smoking and received Jamaica NS with a nice courtyard view. That was just luck. I didn't do a room fax. I have been to AKL twice with requests and have not received any of them, either visit. It really is just a request - no guarantees as the people have pointed out on these boards.

That said and being the type of person who does like some control over my final room assignment....I was pleasantly surprised when I recently booked a room at the Disneyland Hotel. When I booked, the reservations person told me what kind of room I would have (based on my rate) - two queens and a day bed, non-smoking, city view, etc., etc. It was nice to check in and not have to be surprised at what type of bed I would be sleeping in. I wish WDW would do that. At least you could narrow it down to bed type and non-smoking - especially at the Deluxes where it is always a guessing game what you'll end up with.

 

[MrsPete]

Not everyone believes what the Bible says, of course, but it does denounce homosexuality in harsh terms in several places. Since most of the world knows this, it is inappropriate for an employee to bring it up to a total stranger -- child or not, Christian or not. The potential is there for offending the guest and making the company look bad. This is not a religous item, it's a common sense item.

I believe that I would have said quietly, "I am not comfortable discussing that subject in front of my children." I would have accompanied the statement with a look that would let the person know I was very serious. I can't imagine that any reasonable person would fail to drop the topic immediately.

Just as an aside . . . consider what the conversation would have sounded like if the employee had discussed heterosexuals: "My friend, Jane, the one who sleeps with men . . . ." Sounds pretty bad, huh? Bottom line: No one should discuss sex with strangers.

 

[C.Ann]

I would not expect rudeness from anyone - nor would I expect anyone to discuss sexual matters with my child..

Other than that, yes - I think you expected a bit too much..

 

[mrsapalm]

Just returned from CBR (29 Aug - 04 Sept) where we celebrated our anniversary and my birthday. While CBR didn't do anything for our anniversary, I didn't expect them to. It's a moderate resort, we weren't on any package deal, and it wasn't an issue at all. We did receive a bit of special treatment for our lunch and dinner that day in the parks, but even then we didn't expect anything.
DH loved CBR (the island theming, relaxed lifestyle...) but it's not my cup of tea simply because I like to be *pampered.* You can't expect to be pampered at a moderate resort... you get what you pay for.
The birdy doo and questionable conversation should've been addressed during your stay, otherwise there's not anything they can do to rectify the situation. Those issues aren't warranted any special compensation and would've been better handled in person.
Room requests aren't guaranteed beyond paying for king beds. We stayed in Jamaica 42 and I was content with the location. Sure, it wasn't too close to anything, but we were the first bus stop (assured us of a seat) to load and unload. That was a perk in my eyes!
You might want to wait a few more days before mailing that letter. Reread it then and edit it accordingly. I certainly hope your stay at CBR didn't affect your days in the parks. That would be taking it a bit too far. There are plenty of resorts at WDW to choose from, and all are different. You should give each a chance before passing judgement on all.
-MrsAPalm

 

[travelitis]

Well said, Mrs. Pete! I concur!

 

[mm6mm6]

We just stayed at the CBR in June 2002. I paid for a waterview room. On the phone I asked if this would be a room with a great view and the lady was super nice and said she would assign me the best room in her opinion. It was a wonderful view. But I paid for it up front. The room itself was spotless every day. And large and comfy and we loved the decoration. I never saw a parrot on parrot cay island but I didn't know I was supposed to. They're wild animals. I heard some noises that were probably them but they didn't reveal themselves. It rained hard every day so I guess that washed away the droppings. We could not have been happier at the CBR. Our mousekeeper left us pre-printed Disney notes (I had to look hard to notice they were not hand written) on two days which my 5 year old daughter loved. We had a magical time at the parks and were thrilled with everything else about Disney. Of course it was our first time. It seems that some of the visitors who go often (2 times a year) get very picky with Disney and come to expect a certain level that may not always be there. I don't think the hair wrapper's talk can fall on Disney in general though. You should have told that employee to please refrain from that kind of talk. If you were questioned by them, then you could have asked to see their supervisor and I am sure that would have stopped it right in its tracks. It may be a more socially accepted manner of speaking about sexual preference nowadays but so is swearing. It is so common today however, I always kindly ask anyone in public swearing where my five year old daughter can hear to please refrain. I never have a problem. Of course, I am 6'5" and 290 lbs. And I have a stern look on my face.

 

[mivvers]

Mooneybeams was following this thread earlier, but hasn't posted in awhile. Is anyone else wondering where she is?

If you're out there, how are you doing and how do you feel about these responses?? Just thought I'd ask....

 

[eeyore1226]

Hi Mooneybeams,

Despite how others may feel about your concerns you are entitled to how you feel and for you this trip was not a good one. Don't let replies to your post bum you out though. I would hold off on cancelling your fall trip and give yourself time to reconsider. We had some yucky trips too but somehow always end up back at Disney. The awesome trips far outweigh the not so good ones. I can understand how you feel though and can respect your choice. Have a Disney Day

 

[wordzylady]

I tend to agree with the tone of the majority of the replies on this post. When you go in with such high expectations, no matter how your vacation goes it will be disappointing. I was at CBR for the first time last February. I found it to be a beautiful and peaceful place. It is so big and spacious that it could be very full and not seem like it. I did not see where you wrote how you liked the room and surroundings you did get. I hope this does not ruin you on further Disney vacations. I think if you tried it again with a different attitude you would see what all of us see.

 

[liquidsky88]

My DF and I stayed at the CBR a couple years back. We had the best time. Keep in mind Disney is a corporation run by people. As we all know, no one is perfect. I watched a crane eat a little finch while having breakfast at the CBR. That didn't ruin my trip, although my DF found it extremely disturbing.

 

[mewwesty]

It sounds like overall you feel like you didn't get what you paid for. So, you are certainly entitled to complain and also to take your business elsewhere as you plan on doing. We've had good and bad experiences both on an off property. Along with the magic of (usually) friendly cast members and towel animals comes the "magic" of four people crammed into a hotel room for the same price as a two bedroom condo would cost offsite and $4.00 food-court hot dogs.

I know it is hard to complain face to face to somebody (I have a hard time doing it myself), but that usually has the best chance of getting your concern resolved. No matter what one's view of homosexuality is, I am with you in that the hair-wrapper showed very poor judgement on that one. Either it was not pertinent to the conversation, begging the question as to why it was mentioned at all (would she need to specify the friend's ethnicity?) or it was pertinent to the conversation begging the question as to why it was mentioned to your seven year old. While it isn't that big a deal, it was probably worth a mention either to the hair-wrapper or management that some discretion is in order (unfortunately now it will be hard to track that particular person down). You are the best judge of your own child's maturity and readiness to handle that information. Like you, I prefer to answer my children's questions honestly, but that doesn't mean you should have been forced to answer that question at that point.

Yes, Will and Grace is on T.V. and I find it hilarious, but I don't let my grade-schoolers watch it. When they ask those questions it won't be because they heard it on Big Brother either! The same rule applies to any of the 400 violent police action shows that seem to dominate the airwaves. Who knows, maybe someday they'll ask me a question because they read it in a book! I'm done with my rant now.

 

[Luv2Roam]

Mooneybeams -- I have only read the first page of this thread and am surprised at the responses.
I think we all agree that room requests are just that requests. But like many other visits with negative tones, it's not just one thing, like strawberries, or whatever. It's one thing on top of another.
I think too we do read other's RAVING threads and think from their experience and our own past WDW experiences everything should be perfect and more.
I don't see that you do not have legitimate complaints. And I can see they are disappointments.
Psychologically speaking (like I KNOW what I am talking about! ) expectations can be looked at as a curve going up. (Whether it be a relationship, new job, or vacation).
The GREATER your curve in expectation, the greater your curve plummets when that expectation isn't met.
And I can understand where you are coming from. I had low expectations for ASMo. And I LOVED it, because 99.9% of ASMo EXCEEDED my expectations.
And in reverse, I expected GREAT things at POR, because of my previous resort stays and rave reviews on this board. And few of my expectations were met.
It didn't ruin my trip by all means. But we crossed POR off our list. It was a live and learn experience.
I also wrote a letter, about POR and WDW in general. I wasn't expecting a compensation, or even a reply.
It took awhile, but I did get a phone call from a very nice CM in the executive office, and a perk too. I plan on mailing her a Nebraska DS pin as a thank you. I am SURE she will cherish it deeply!
I say thank goodness we all don't like the same resorts and have the same tastes!
Write your letter. Do what I do. I let them know the positive and the negetive. I think it does help them and lets you get it off your chest.

 

[eeyore0062]

Yeah, I think you may have expected too much! I know that you had your heart set on Martinique, but you made a request, and that is what is was.... just a request... not a guarantee. I would have LOVED to have stayed in Jamaica... it is our favorite spot. As for no parrots...sorry, not on the payroll, and don't have to make scheduled appearances---lol!


We have never been to Disney expecting special treatment, therefore when we do get it, we are pleasantly surprised and it is even more special. Unfortunately, people get their hopes too built up, and much of that is from reading other's reports on these boards...therefore making them expect the little extras, instead of having the little surprises.

I am sorry that your trip didn't live up to your expectations, and if anything I ever posted here about little extras led to that, I whole heartedly apologize.

BTW, the parrots weren't working when we walked through Parrot Cay last May, either. I think they were on strike!

 

[disneydeb]

after just returning from cbr i have to agree the smell walking thru parrot cay is HORRIBLE, that was the worst part of the trip, i wanted to puke everytime i had to go that way, i even saw people walking barefoot thru it YUCK!!!!! I DID COMPLAIN ABOUT THE SMELL , i really hope when they do the refurbising, that they pull up all those boards and replace them with new ones as i dont think just washing them down will ever get the smell out of them, otherwise the cbr was a wonderful place to stay,

 

[caseymaureen]

Mooneybeams
As a cast member at Port Orleans, I would like to encourage you to keep your reservations for Thanksgiving and give Walt Disney World another try and to let Port Orleans have the chance to try to live up to your expectations and help correct the negative experience you had at the Carribean Beach. It was innapropriate for the Hairbraider to discuss her personal life, but you must clarify, was she discussing her personal life with your child or another CM? If she was discussing her friend with your child she was out of line and you should have immediateky asked to speak with her manager or asked at the front desk. If she was speaking to anoher CM she may not have even realized what she was saying and you could politely inform her that the conversation wasn't appropriate around your child. I bet she would have been mortified when she realized what she had said. And as for the other post, homosexuals may be only 2% of the general population, but here at Disney they are a total of closer to 50% of the population. It isn't usually an issue, as, like you said, homosexuality is about sex and no sex or sex talk is appropriate in the workplace. I would also like to encourage you to send your letter, not only to the CarribeanBeach but also (slightly modified) to Port Orleans. I can almost guarantee you a reply from my resort. Disney does its best to recover guests who have had unhappy experiences, so please give them a chance.

 

[Luv2Roam]

caseymaureen -- First off -- WELCOME!! Always glad to have a CM around to tell us the ins and outs, and you did it so well!

Just as a little side note -- DH and I stayed at Riverside in May and were less than impressed on various issues. Overall we had a great WDW trip, as always!
Some of the concerns we experienced (mostly transportation) I sent off in a letter to Lee Cockerell (VP WDW Oper) and Keith Bradford (POR manager).
The issues we experienced were very easy to look into and correct, which was the reason for my letter.
My point to you -- I do have one I never rec'd a response from POR. I did from the executive office.

I am sure they read guest's letters and I hope they act on them to help future guests.

Thanks again for posting!

 

[DisneyMim]

Moonbeams, I can understand your feelings and am sorry that you feel how you do. While the internet is a wonderful thing, it just isn't the same as talking to people face to face. I have been to WDW too many times to count and have had mostly wonderful experiences. I love to read about people's experiences on the Dis and elsewhere, but have learned to take things with a grain of salt. I think that reading about how some people got "special" things, like towel animals, gifts for birthdays, etc. gets everyone excited and thinking that they too will recieve those "special" things. I can tell you from experience of many many trips to WDW and everywhere else, since the 1970's that I have only had "special" things happen a few times. When it happens it's wonderful, but I have never let it make or break a trip. Also as for rooms, I could go on and on!! I think as more and more people have access to the internet and different discussion boards, people have gotten more and more specific with their room requests. I don't think this works. The more things you ask for, the harder it will be. We always ask for non-smoking and the top floor and have almost always received our requests. We have been put in some locations that according to the Dis boards you should avoid like the plague, but we actually liked them. I think attitude is everything, go in with a positive attitude and you will have a good time. Another thing I want to add is that we have had some wonderful trips at the Caribbean Resort. We just came back from WDW a couple of weeks ago and did not stay at Carribbean, but visited it while we were there. I know this isn't going to help you any, but we noticed some things that were not as they shouldbe Even my kids commented on it. We were told that the resort is going down this week-end for a major re-hab, so this could have been some of your problems. I'm not saying it's an excuse, but just giving some facts. Disney is so huge that they are constantly working on something, and from what my experience has been is that just before a major re-hab things are not quite what they should be. We just stayed in Poly concierge and the place does indeed need an overhaul. They are planning it for next year. Did this ruin our trip? Not at all. Sometimes it's just bad timing. If you had gone right after the re-hab I'm betting you would have had a different experience.

I hope if ever you go again that you have a much better expereince.

 

[montessori]

It really does stink on Parrot Cay.

 

[caseymaureen]

Luv2Roam~
Thanks for the welcome! About your letters, I have talked to Keith Bradford and I can assure you that although he may not always have the time to personally reply to guests, he reads every letter and does his best to solve any problems. Although not all letters get responces, let me make it clear to everyone! WDW appreciates any comments, good or bad (but especially good! ) They help recognize the above and beyond efforts of some cast members and help to point out problems and issues that we pften don't recognize from the inside. I hope your next stay at Port Orleans is a great one, if you visit before January look for me in Sassagoula Float Works & Food Factory (The French Quarter food court.)

 

[eeyore0062]

Hi CaseyMaureen... now this is really off topic, but we will be staying at PO-FQ in October, and I look forward to stopping by to say hi!


Back to subject... I agree that the discussion that occurred while a child was within earshot at the hairbraiding station at CBR should not have occurred, and opened up a door for conversation between mother and daughter for which neither were probably ready. My only wish is that it had been handled at the time, when it would have been more likely to have been remedied than waiting until later.

Anyway, something of that nature is definitely inappropriate, and does need to be addressed.