Disney Contract.. I feel so lied too...

[jshora]

I have to admit that I have tried to defend Disney as much as possible, because I love the idea of Disney. I've always loved Disney and tried to protect it like a Mother lion would her cub. However, I have to admit that my heart is broken.

I don't know about the rest of the brides out there, but I went back and reviewed my contract with Disney (which we signed almost a year ago). If you look at Section 5.e it specifically states:

"You acknowledge that Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa is currently undergoing exterior and/or interior renovations. You acknowledge that from time to time the hotels and theme parks at the Resort undergo exterior and interior renovation. Such renovation shall be at Disney's sole discretion."

For the past few months I, and I know a lot of other brides, have been told by their planners that they did not know about the construction. I struggle to believe that as there is a specific section regarding Grand Floridian construction in my contract from last fall. I'm just heart-broken that in all the times that I spoke and met with my coordinator and with my planner that no one mentioned anything until a few months ago. I just feel so lied to. All that needed to be done was, "I see you are looking at the WP. I do want you to know that there may be construction going on during that time. It's just something to consider when making your ceremony location decision. If you are interested, I can suggest some other venues or we can proceed with the WP at your discretion.". Something along those lines.. but nothing.

Edited to say: It just feels like they tried to slip the construction into the contract behind my back by not actually saying anything about it to me.

Furthermore, I have to admit that this section has me wondering. Is the Wedding Pavilion part of the Grand Floridian Resort or is it a separate facility? It's definitely not in one of the theme parks. If it is a separate facility, have they breached their own contract? 5.e doesn't specifically mention the WP and with new window renovations, is that a breach of contract... Something I must ponder.

 

[MissManners]

I do believe the WP is considered a part of the Grand Floridian resort, so they should be able to do renovations on the building. What bothers me is that they are constructing an entirely new building on the property... that is not a renovation at all! That is building something from the ground up! I agree with you that it is totally frustrating that none of us were informed of this when we booked our weddings. I know Disney is all about making money, and I can understand that from a business perspective, but weddings are very important events in people's lives. It's not like we are just booking convention space for a meeting. My planner has been very up front with me when I have asked her about all of this, but she hasn't freely offered up any information without my having to ask.

 

[K80K]

I wonder if maybe that clause was put in there when they started doing the interior renovation of the Grand Floridian? I know in late 2009 and early 2010 they were redoing the lobby area of the hotel and the changes in there may have interefered with photographs.

 

[bluejasmine]

When we called in to make our site visit a couple of weeks ago my DH asked about it and the person on the phone said that they have known it was coming but didnt actually know when until right before it began. So when you planned your wedding, it was something in the works but not at that stage yet where they can say, btw, there may be some construction during that time..

I do think that the brides that choose to keep their ceremonies here ( I am) should get a bit of a dicount off that $3000 site rental fee tho..

 

[jshora]

I believe it was put in the contract because they knew construction was coming. I have been informed that they have known about this possible construction for the past 3 yrs but were specifically told not to tell anyone because it was not official. I can totally understand the business side of that, you don't want to scare away customers with something that is "unknown" or "potential". However, I do think you can put it in a way that makes people aware of the situation without scaring them. "I know you are considering having your ceremony at the WP, we have heard about possible construction plans for the Grand Floridian. Nothing is set in stone, it could be canceled as construction often is. However, I just wanted to let you know of the possibility." That's all that needed to be said. Let me decide whether or not I want to risk it before I make all of my plans.

I honestly don't care too much about my pictures. I know I can get some really good pictures on the Picture Point side. Since we have an outside photographer, DF and I have been talking about getting our pictures done at the Poly because then we just don't have to worry about the construction and we adore the Poly. My biggest concern is the noise. I have two grandparents that I would have loved to be at my wedding. Due to health concerns, they can not fly to the wedding. So, it is so important to me that the videographer will be able to capture our ceremony clearly. It would just absolutely break my heart if they couldn't hear because of jackhammers or crane beeps or crashing.

The good and the bad news is that my planner said I can switch locations the day before if I show up and feel that it just wont work at the Wedding Pavilion. I would be heart broken because I remember being 6 yrs old, riding the monorail, and saying to my parents as we went by the wedding pavilion, "I want to get married there some day.". I know most people say they want to get married at the castle, but I wanted to get married at the WP. I would rather sacrifice that dream than to not have my grandparents hear my wedding ceremony. I just really hope it doesn't come down to that.

Lastly, I have to say, I love the support that I've been getting from my friends and family. My sister wants see the contract to see if I can rally troops for a Class Action Lawsuit. She's so funny, "Disney can ignore one bride at a time, let's see them ignore 50+ at once.". My father said he would personally go have a talk with the construction foreman if needed. One of my best friends said he'd scale the wall and run like a crazy person through the construction site to halt construction if that meant it would be quiet. Once again, I hope it doesn't come down to that.

 

[Mindyjoy]

Construction should halt if a wedding is going on. The Disneyland Hotel has been under a complete renovation for over a year now, and they stop all construction noise during ceremonies. It should be no different for WDW. If that is your only concern regarding the construction, I recommend talking with your planner about it and put your mind at ease.

 

[DisBride011]

As a former cast member at WDW I know that we were never told when construction or renovations were going to happen, just that it was going to happen at some point. As long as you are having your ceremony inside the videography should be fine. It's not like they are doing construction right outside the WP, it is quite a ways away. There really is nothing you can do about the construction. Disney covered there end by placing that, there may be possible construction going on, in the contract.

 

[DisneyBride1207]

Construction should halt if a wedding is going on. The Disneyland Hotel has been under a complete renovation for over a year now, and they stop all construction noise during ceremonies. It should be no different for WDW. If that is your only concern regarding the construction, I recommend talking with your planner about it and put your mind at ease.

I agree with this, check into what kind of noise and from where - this may put you at ease. Some construction might not be a bother at all. Now, if you have wrecking balls and cranes and beeping backhoes and loaders, that's a different story. But, just check with your planner to get an idea for what kind of construction they will be doing -- it may help you feel better at least about the fear of noise. The bottom line is that you are having your wedding there and that construction may/may not be going on at the time -- so just go with it and see how you can work around it. In the end, your day will be beautiful and you will have an amazing time!

 

[jshora]

I did talk to my planner and that is where the heart break comes in for me. She specifically said that they have known that this was coming for three years, but since construction can be cancelled at anytime they didnt say anything to the brides. They didn't want three years of panic. For me they have traded in 3 yrs of possible panic that they could mitigate for a new permanent bad reputation that they don't communicate at all and they are deceptive to their customers.

I understand construction happens. My planner said that she will do her best to ensure that construction is halted during the ceremony and she is pretty confident that it will be. However, they can not make any guarantees. What that tells me is if construction is running behind, if there are a lot if interruptions going on that day, the construction crew has a right to determine when they need to work and that might just be during my ceremony. All I'm asking for is 20 - 30 min of quiet. They will do their best to accommodate ceremonies, but there are no guarantees. I think every bride should be away of this.

So, yes... I have talked to my planner. Many times. And I will deal with it and hope for the best. But I don't have to be happy about it. I truly believe that Disney acted unethically. That is what saddens me.

 

[katrina1122]

I'm sorry that construction is happening, however did you read your contract before you signed it? Something like that would have sounded alarms at me and I would have questioned it before I even signed.

I'm not trying to be mean, I know it sounded that way. I'm just saying that a contract is a contract and you should always read before signing anything.

With that being said, DH and I got married at a Hilton in NJ and fully read our contract, as did my parents prior to signing. Three months later there was a new wedding coordinator so we met with him. Long story short, he was new because the previous was in jail from stealing and double and tripple booking events, inlcuding ours. When we toured the ballroom it was already booked for our date though we were told it was clear, but because we had a signed contract our lawyer said we were entitled to compensation. The jailed planner had just changed the date and put is in for the Sunday afternoon instead of Saturday night we had booked. Just that mention got us another date, half the price and 2x the food. My point? Disney put that clause into the contract, so I don't think there's anything you can do, but you said it specifically says renovation but doesn't mention new construction. I'd call a lawyer for a phone consult and see if you have any grounds to ask for a price reduction or something. We didn't have to pay our lawyer, just getting free advice was enough to scare the bejezus out of Hilton.

We are hoping to do a 10 yr VR in Disney, I'll be sure to read the fine print for sure!

 

[kmaclou]

From personal experience, I can tell you that Disney will make every effort to ensure that the construction does not affect your wedding.

My wedding was in the midst of the GF lobby renovation (May 2010) which would have potentially interfered with my portraits being done in the lobby and on the stairs. It was in my contract and I knew going in that there was a chance that I would not be able to have my photos in the GF and probably wouldn't know until the morning of my wedding. When I arrived at the GF the morning of my wedding, my planner was waiting for me to tell me what the status was. The day before my wedding, the carpet had been pulled up from the stairs but the crew had hustled to get the carpet replaced on the stairs at least up to the first landing so that my photos could be done. If you were to look at the stairs you'd have seen perfect carpet up to the first landing and the white plastic the rest of the way up.

They were working as I walked in, completely stopped until we were done with all of the photos and then resumed the work as soon as I was off the steps. At no time did I feel rushed or that it was an inconvenience. My photos turned out perfectly and no one who wasn't there is any the wiser of the construction work that was going on five feet away from me. I was literally the first bride on the new carpet, as it had been laid down maybe two hours before I got there.

They will more than likely stop the construction if there is a risk that it will adversely affect your ceremony. I don't know if you've seen where the construction is in relation to the WP, but it's not right next door, it's a bit of a distance off. Your videography will be fine. Focus on enjoying your upcoming wedding and time with your family.

 

[One_Song]

I'm sorry that construction is happening, however did you read your contract before you signed it? Something like that would have sounded alarms at me and I would have questioned it before I even signed.

I'm not trying to be mean, I know it sounded that way. I'm just saying that a contract is a contract and you should always read before signing anything.

I specifically asked our sales consultant about that clause and was told that the roofs of some guest buildings were being renovated. Reading the contract doesn't save you if your questions are met with lies. Also, no definition of "renovation" includes building entirely new structures, so the dvc construction is technically not in our contract. It is incorrect to say that we all entered into this naively. That being said, my fiance is an attorney, and he doesn't feel legal action will achieve anything. He says we have strong grounds to be reimbursed if we cancel our wedding. However, if you're not willing to do that, he thinks that willl appear as an admission that the rendered service is not greatly diminished in value. Extremely unethical, but it seems like we're stuck.

 

[katrina1122]

I specifically asked our sales consultant about that clause and was told that the roofs of some guest buildings were being renovated. Reading the contract doesn't save you if your questions are met with lies. Also, no definition of "renovation" includes building entirely new structures, so the dvc construction is technically not in our contract. It is incorrect to say that we all entered into this naively. That being said, my fiance is an attorney, and he doesn't feel legal action will achieve anything. He says we have strong grounds to be reimbursed if we cancel our wedding. However, if you're not willing to do that, he thinks that willl appear as an admission that the rendered service is not greatly diminished in value. Extremely unethical, but it seems like we're stuck.

Again, I wasn't trying to imply anything, it just came out that way.

I still think that you can get something without actual legal action if your contract says renovation, not construction. If you don't push the matter you won't know.

 

[jshora]

I think a lot of us asked about that clause. I was told it was there due to the interior renovations going on at the GF.

That's been my biggest deal with this. Like I said, construction happens. I just wish someone would have said back in October or January (when I had my planning session), "We don't know for sure if it is happening, but we want to make you aware that there may be construction near the WP starting fall 2011. We don't anticipate it causing any issues to any of the ceremonies as we will be working closely with management. But we did want you to be aware of the possibility."

Let me make the decision and determine how comfortable I am with the risk. I just think it is very unethical and un-Disney to flat out lie to your customers let alone not disclose the entire truth.

 

[robinb]

I still don't understand when Disney lied to you. They included a clause in the contract to warn you that there might be construction and now there is. Where is the lie?

 

[jshora]

The lie was when I specifically asked about the clause as it stated exterior and/or interior and they told me it was due to the GF interior renovation. I asked if they anticipated any more renovations and they told me not to worry about it.

Granted, I should have pushed harder but at this time I'm not sure it would have made any difference in their remarks.

 

[robinb]

The lie was when I specifically asked about the clause as it stated exterior and/or interior and they told me it was due to the GF interior renovation. I asked if they anticipated any more renovations and they told me not to worry about it.

Granted, I should have pushed harder but at this time I'm not sure it would have made any difference in their remarks.

So, it's really the Wedding Pavilion instead of the GF interior?

Did you ask about the construction clause before you signed the contract or after?

 

[jshora]

We asked about the clause before we signed the contract. Then we asked if they anticipated any more more renovations then and again when we were there for our site visit in October.

Yes, part if this is my fault for making assumptions. I will admit that. I have always understood renovations to be updating/upgrading of existing building. So, when it comes to exterior/interior renovations, I would assume it to be to existing structures and not the creating of new structures. I could battle the argument both ways.

In the end, however, I still feel deceived and lied to. Do other people see it that way? Maybe... Maybe not and that's fine. People are welcome to feel and view the situation however they want. I feel as though I have been lied to and I stand by my right to feel however I want to feel about the situation. It's up to each individual to make that same determination for themselves.

 

[Disney-Chick]

I understand your frustration & concern. As a PP mentioned Disney was aware there may be construction down the road but not sure when. I guess the question is had your planner told you they may be building something rather than just renovating would this have put your wedding off or changed the location? If it bothers you this much ask if you can move your wedding until after this is all done. But I don't think the construction will be that much of an inconvienence. I would also maybe go before the wedding to see what exactly is going on and how noisy it is.

I know some mentioned about taking money off but that is silly talk. Could you imagine if they did that what craziness it would cause? If that were the case then I should have money taken off my wedding because no where in the contract did it say I would have a boat tooting it's horn while my vows were being read.

Go ease your mind by checking out the site yourself. This is one of the most important days of your life, don't stress over something you can't control.

 

[PrincessSamtastic]

I'm sorry your having such an issue with this! It must be rather nerve racking as well as a little heart breaking. I personally think you have rights to feel the way you do, though one could dig and pull out every way this "could" have been avoided, the truth of the matter is one would think dealing with someone like Disney would mean you'd be expecting great customer service, not to have to act like your dealing with a shady car salesmen.

I think overall Disney doesn't so much as "lie" as they don't deal in gauruntees or specifics because they don't want to held responsible if anything changes its their 'Get out of Jail Free' card if you will. Chances are your wedding will go off without a hitch, and it will be quiet and beautiful, but Disney doesn't want you to be able to come back on them if it isn't so therefore its "Probably, most likely but I won't tell you Yes" kind of situation, which also seems pretty common in ALL of Disney's dealings from issues like this, to things like the MK shoots.Overall it seems a brillant buisness tactic on their end, but makes working with them a nerve racking panic that might leave most of us with a tad of a bad taste in our mouths regarding Disney as a corporation.

Thats just my opinion though. Again I'm sorry you have to go through this and wish you the best of luck.