Disapointed with Wilderness Lodge

[Chattyaholic]

DH and I spent 4 nights at the Contemporary Resort before our 7-night Disney Magic cruise in January 2001. We booked our trip (air, land, cruise, rental car for an extra week in Florida) through a local TA and we told her this trip was to celebrate our 25th anniversary. We never mentioned anything about it when we checked in at the Contemporary, but that evening when we came back from one of the parks there was a color photo of Cinderella's Castle with fireworks and "Happy Anniversary" written on it, plus a Disneyworld book, and a Mickey Mouse mini-snowglobe waiting for us. We also received a cake one night at dinner during our cruise. I don't understand why they do things for some people who are celebrating special occasions, but not for all. I wonder if they do things if you book through a TA, or if they receive too many requests for one particular day maybe they just don't have time to do them all? I just don't know...
We didn't expect anything though, but were happy with what they did for us, made our trip more "magical."

 

[floridafam]

Don't feel bad.

I understand your frustration. We do hear a lot about people getting special things on this board and I can see where a lot of people may think this is the norm.

I ordered cakes for my DH-for completing the Great Floridian Triathlon-and for my MIL's birthday last year at WL.

They were basically chocolate bricks with frosting on them. I spent the entire evening waiting for my kids to "toss their cookies" (or cake, in this case).

These were the small free cakes you can get through concierge if you have a special occasion.

We did see someone receive a cake that they actuall purchase through resort dining that was quite large and looked delicous and they said it was $30.00.

Better luck next time.

 

[*Fantasia*]

Thanks Tinkerbell and DisneyMim. I am doing better, but sometimes I have my moments. The kids are doing fine. Thank you for thinking of me.

Chattyaholic, maybe the "magic" comes to those who least expect it. And you were sprinkled with pixie dust! And sometimes those who expect something and get something, still not happy and expect more, some just can't be pleased and do not appreciate what they have.

My motto is: Life is too short...Live to the fullest...Make the best of what you have.

16 more days to go...YIKES!!

 

[Wolfelaw]

It is human nature to hope to get more than we've paid for -- if I've learned anything from reading this website, it's that almost everyone hopes that their room will somehow be magically upgraded (I know that I do). Some of the reply posts seem a little over the top -- it's like she insulted your child.

 

[BethA]

Fantasia, I too remember your post and am glad to hear you and the kids are doing okay. There really aren't any words to express my sympathy. I hope your trip will be magical-where are you staying? Beth

 

[MrsPete]

You paid for a standard room, you were given an upgrade -- you did okay! If a concierge room, or a cake, or anything else is really important to you, you should have reserved them and paid for them!

Why do we get the idea that "everyone" gets free upgrades and other goodies? Because when these pleasant things happen, we're happy and we tell people about them. When we receive exactly what we pay for, we're not so likely to see it as something to be shared with others. As a result, we can get the impression that "everyone" is getting free stuff. However, this may set us up for unrealistic expectations.

 

[*Fantasia*]

Thanks Beth. Thanks for remembering me. I finally got myself up and going and heading back out again to Disney. I never thought I could do Disney again. But you know something, it would be unfair for me nor my kids if I stay away from Disney for the rest of our lives. We love Disney and we are going to continue to go even without their Dad. Even without Mr Brown...we are still a family...Brown family. And you know what Lilo say..."Ohana means Family...Family means no one gets left behind...or Forgotten."

 

[kimmar067]

...all the posts here, so I am going to answer, hoping I don't repeat what anyone else has already stated. Yes, it's a let-down when you hope for "something special" to be done for a loved one, but it doesn't happen. It seems to me that, perhaps, you could have casually commented how excited your mom was to be there for her 70th. At least ONE of the CM's would have picked up on it, and mayhave done something.

Also, remember that you should have specified "connecting" rooms, instead of "adjoining" rooms. These rooms have the door which leds to both rooms. Had you not gotten one of these, the staff would still have probably made an extra effort to put you in a room next to your mom.

All in all, I'm sorry to hear that your experience was "less-than-hoped-for"...better luck [hopefully] with future visits to WDW !

 

[pmurphy713]

I wanted to add my two cents in. I agree with most of the other post here. So many times we have come to expect the "extras" at Disney World. We have always had great service at Disney and we have stayed at several places. Sure, the treatment is different depending on where you stay, but as for us we are just happy to be there! My parents are older, too and they refuse to set foot on Disney property for fear that there may be too many people there. How sad!

I'm really happy for you that you were able to spend your mom's birthday at Disney with her. I hope you did enjoy the rest of your trip and didn't spend it being angry at Disney for no upgrades. We celebrated my husband's birthday there a few years ago and he was thrilled to have a picture taken with Jasmine. I guess it is just all in what you go there expecting. I think it might be better to go there expecting only what you are paying for and then being pleasantly surprised if you do receive anything special.