Disney changed our stateroom booked one year ago one month before sailing

[Hundredacre]

I am very pro business and know that running a business is difficult. I do not think Disney is trying to sabatage anyone's vacation, but I do think it is Disney's responsibility to give customers what they pay for. If they were not so expensive, I would feel more giving on this. If I were the OP, I would ask myself what it would take for me to feel good about Disney moving me. Maybe just the $100 OBC + upgrade, maybe more OBC +upgrade, maybe a specific kind of upgrade. Maybe something entirely different. As a business, Disney is always going to offer as little as they can. But also, as a business, if you tell them what it will take to make it right, they just might do it. Upgrades cost them nothing if they have available rooms. What about a suite? Those rooms are the size of suites.

 

[Ifernbol]

I am very pro business and know that running a business is difficult. I do not think Disney is trying to sabatage anyone's vacation, but I do think it is Disney's responsibility to give customers what they pay for. If they were not so expensive, I would feel more giving on this. If I were the OP, I would ask myself what it would take for me to feel good about Disney moving me. Maybe just the $100 OBC + upgrade, maybe more OBC +upgrade, maybe a specific kind of upgrade. Maybe something entirely different. As a business, Disney is always going to offer as little as they can. But also, as a business, if you tell them what it will take to make it right, they just might do it. Upgrades cost them nothing if they have available rooms. What about a suite? Those rooms are the size of suites.

Yes, you are right, those rooms are the size of suites. The closest thing to the room we had is a Cat. T, which is a one bedroom suite. It has differentiated spaces for the kid and for us. The only thing to keep in mind is that those are usually double the price we had paid for our room (2 adults and 1 child occupancy).

I told my TA that I would even be willing to pay a reasonable amount to get one of those if available, but Disney did not offer that option (at lest not yet).

Thanks for your comment!!

 

[Ofinn]

I would at least ask for one of the larger verandah rooms. Sorry I cant remember which cat they are.

 

[Jennifer777]

I do not think Disney is trying to sabatage anyone's vacation, but I do think it is Disney's responsibility to give customers what they pay for. If they were not so expensive, I would feel more giving on this.

Could not agree with this more. I don't think they are trying to ruin your trip but you had valid reasons for booking that particular room and booked far in advance to secure it. If they are going to move you due to scheduled maintenance, they should provide you with comparable accommodations. You booked that room because of the larger space, the two port hole windows, privacy with the wall and two televisions. A comparable offer would be two connecting ocean view staterooms. Maybe see if they would consider this?

 

[thornton0511]

So just curious if Disney cancels your cruise all together do they offer to move the $$ you paid towards another cruise for a future date or are you just at a loss? Has this ever happened?

 

[cruisehopeful]

So just curious if Disney cancels your cruise all together do they offer to move the $$ you paid towards another cruise for a future date or are you just at a loss? Has this ever happened?

They cancelled my cruise once. They automatically booked us on a different cruise which was a different date by about a month. We cancelled and got a refund.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

So just curious if Disney cancels your cruise all together do they offer to move the $$ you paid towards another cruise for a future date or are you just at a loss? Has this ever happened?

The closest was probably when the Magic came back from her re-imagining. They had to cancel something like the first 3 cruises after that. Those people were given full refunds for the cruise and airline change fees. And got a free cruise if taken in the next 6 months. For those not able to "cash in" on the free cruise they got a 35% discount on future Bahama or caribbean cruises on the Magic.

 

[karmacats]

what about asking for two connecting rooms? that's still cheaper than a suite, which might make it more palatable to dcl, but it gets you the extra size, separation/privacy, and extra tv (and an extra bathroom to boot). they may say no, but it doesn't hurt to ask. i'd probably phrase the request along the lines of "we chose this room for the size, the privacy, and the extra tv - now what can you give me that has all of that?" that way they know what's important to you.

 

[gotomu212]

We've had our room changed twice. Both times we were given the option to a slight upgrade or we could cancel for a full refund.

That seemed fair to me and on par with most businesses. We paid for something that the company could no longer provide and they tried to give up something slightly better or let us walk away from the purchase.

 

[Club Disney Chandler]

I understand that stuff happens and there's not a lot that can be done about that.

I have a HUGE problem that nobody from DCL had the guts to pickup the phone and call you to tell you personally. That is absolutely horrible business sense. I think two connecting ocean views are a legitimate thing to ask for.

Good luck @Ifernbol, please let us know what happens.

 

[scgustafson]

Thanks for your advice. That is exactly what I was thinking and will probably turn down that offer.

As you said, it is a big let down that after final payment they decide to change the room and did not even get in touch with me to tell me about the change. I was the one that saw the change while checking the reservation. I thought Disney had better communication whith their "guests" than that....

Thanks for your support!

Earlier you stated that you have a TA. In this case, the change would have been communicated to your TA to communicate to you. You should check with your TA and ask when they were notified of the change, and ask what they are doing on your behalf.

 

[Ifernbol]

Could not agree with this more. I don't think they are trying to ruin your trip but you had valid reasons for booking that particular room and booked far in advance to secure it. If they are going to move you due to scheduled maintenance, they should provide you with comparable accommodations. You booked that room because of the larger space, the two port hole windows, privacy with the wall and two televisions. A comparable offer would be two connecting ocean view staterooms. Maybe see if they would consider this?

Wow another great idea! Never had thought of that one.

The only issue with that one is that I think Disney does not allow minors to sleep alone in one cabin...

 

[Ifernbol]

I understand that stuff happens and there's not a lot that can be done about that.

I have a HUGE problem that nobody from DCL had the guts to pickup the phone and call you to tell you personally. That is absolutely horrible business sense. I think two connecting ocean views are a legitimate thing to ask for.

Good luck @Ifernbol, please let us know what happens.

I will post the outcome here. And yes, I also think I should had been told about the change and not just find it myself out of luck...

 

[Ifernbol]

Earlier you stated that you have a TA. In this case, the change would have been communicated to your TA to communicate to you. You should check with your TA and ask when they were notified of the change, and ask what they are doing on your behalf.

That might be what happened. I will ask my TA about that. Thanks!

 

[Ifernbol]

The closest was probably when the Magic came back from her re-imagining. They had to cancel something like the first 3 cruises after that. Those people were given full refunds for the cruise and airline change fees. And got a free cruise if taken in the next 6 months. For those not able to "cash in" on the free cruise they got a 35% discount on future Bahama or caribbean cruises on the Magic.

Full refunds and a free cruise sounds like a very good offer that makes up for all the hassle those passengers had. Kudos to Disney for that

 

[RRB]

Are you on the 9/5 cruise? If so, 2 others on that cruise have the same problem (as a PP wrote). I hope you get satisfaction!

 

[Ifernbol]

Are you on the 9/5 cruise? If so, 2 others on that cruise have the same problem (as a PP wrote). I hope you get satisfaction!

We are on the 22/8 cruise. Yes, I read another thread and seems like other cruises in September are affected too. Looks like they are changing carpets...

 

[Flossbolna]

I am sorry that they moved you without communicating about the move! I would be upset about losing out on the large 8A category, too. And I understand that you do not see the 5B as an "upgrade", if it is floor space you want. I see that someone else suggested two connecting oceanviews, but I am not sure that DCL would go with this. However, otherwise I would request to be moved to either another, lower category 8 and get an OBC for your inconvenience, as well as a refund on your cruise fare to reflect the downgrading, or to an upgrade to category 4. Those are the two categories that have larger floor space.

 

[NJMomto2]

To OP, I feel your pain. I booked same room for a 2015 Christmas cruise on the Fantasy. I have an autistic teen who is very private and I also have a toddler. I felt this room was a great solution as I could not afford a 1 bedroom suite.

My room was also changed by Disney close to sailing, I was not upgraded, received no onboard credit, and when I called DCL, they had no idea why they changed it.

My family blamed me and was so upset with me. Just seems odd that it was the same room.

 

[Ifernbol]

I am sorry that they moved you without communicating about the move! I would be upset about losing out on the large 8A category, too. And I understand that you do not see the 5B as an "upgrade", if it is floor space you want. I see that someone else suggested two connecting oceanviews, but I am not sure that DCL would go with this. However, otherwise I would request to be moved to either another, lower category 8 and get an OBC for your inconvenience, as well as a refund on your cruise fare to reflect the downgrading, or to an upgrade to category 4. Those are the two categories that have larger floor space.

That is right. 5B for me is a "downgrade" since I get less floor space and only 1 tv instead of 2 and no dividing wall. Thank you for the suggestions. I will find out if one of those suit DCL fine.

Thanks!!