Displeased with VB guest arrangements

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Last comment...

I was not making a generalization of British tourists--was pointing out a specific individual and said you were not like them.

Okay--I give up. Gotta find out what is happening at home.

 

[DaisyDebbie]

I think all the resorts had ALOT to contend with. I'm sure they were moving people for days before the storm. Maybe you were at the tail end and there wasn't anymore accomodations.

Why didn't you just go to Naples first?

Lesson learned: Do not try to vacation when a hurricane is coming to your vacation destination.

 

[Johnnie Fedora]

I certainly think that Disney should have offered assistance to relocate VB guests (no matter their arrivial date) to a WDW property. DVCers as Disney owner-guests, should have some priority for relocation even if they ended up at a non-DVC resort. You mean to tell me that this thought never crossed the minds of DVC management??? The VB resort shouldn't be throwing DVC members out on the street while the WDW DVC resorts are accepting cash reservations from locals.....Especially since you "own a piece of the magic". That practice makes Disney look like they are more interested in the cash than the guests. No one here wishes the worst in these disasters, but I think it's necessary to remember that people choose where they want to live, just as they choose where they want to vacation. People play the "law of averages" all the time.

This is the second report from a VB guest saying they were basically kicked out of the resort with no assistance from Disney in relocating. It obviously highlights the need for some new policies.

I hope for the best for all that are involved/stuck in this disaster.

 

[robinb]

So, just because Pootle chose to go to Vero Beach on his/her vacation knowing there was a hurricane coming, they deserve being evacuated with no where to go?!?!

I think it's terrible that evacuated Vero Beach guests were not given accomodations at other WDW resorts. I would have expected the same priority for VB guests as was given to Fort Wilderness guests. Silly me, I expect DVC to take care of its own.

Pootle, I'm glad you made it to OKW .

 

[PamOKW]

Judging by another thread where something was worked out, it sounds like the "policy" was not to take any new reservations and that the average CM had no way to work around the system. The other poster found a CM at Member Services who worked with her to find accomodations but had to get clearance from a supervisor.

Maybe policies need to be reviewed. It was a tough situation all around. Disney probably had many people who just did not arrive at the resort at all. They couldn't "hold" rooms for them and deny rooms for evacuees.

Basic travel rule for the future, whenever there is any problem with flights, weather, etc. stay in constant contact with the airlines and the resort. Call prior to every move. A call from MCO on Wednesday would have saved a trip down to Vero and might have resulted in findng something on-site right away.

 

[manning]

The other poster found a CM at Member Services who worked with her to find accomodations but had to get clearance from a supervisor.

"but had to get clearance from a supervisor"

I had to work a crisis once. The boss said use your best judgement we'll work out the details later.

 

[Pootle]

I meant to, and should have said this earlier - thanks to all of you who made pleasant and positive comments, and those who sent PMs - much appreciated.

 

[A Mickeyfan]

Originally posted by Johnnie Fedora
The VB resort shouldn't be throwing DVC members out on the street while the WDW DVC resorts are accepting cash reservations from locals.....Especially since you "own a piece of the magic". That practice makes Disney look like they are more interested in the cash than the guests.

I just want to add my 2 cents here... Disney is a business, they have your DVC money already & now they want the non DVC cash as well. They are in business to make money, not magic. I am not saying anyone is wrong to be upset, I would be too. This was an act of God that couldn't be avoided. Vero was told to evac, how could they know that you would want a room in WDW to replace Vero? They weren't going to hold a room for you and then risk it going empty if you refused it. They had the opportunity to book and they booked. I really don't think that they were holding rooms for evacuees even though that is what they said. I cannot see them doing that either, that would be taking another chance on having a room go empty & Disney doesn't do that.
Disney does need to rethink on the way they handle some situations, but they are not totally at fault either. CM's are human, they are members of the community that they work in (meaning they are in the path of the storm also) and are on edge because they are there at work and not with family. They may be a little short with someone who is complaining about being displaced on their vacation, when that particular CM & family may be displaced for a while due to a destroyed home. Both sides need to be looked at....or I should say 3 sides; Disney as a company, the CM that is worried about his home & family & the vacationing people who are putting money into the economy in FL.

 

[DebbieB]

Whether they should have gone to Vero or not is beside the point, the situation was they had a DVC member from a foreign country who needed help during a crisis. They had a reservation, so they should have helped find an alternative.

 

[BJK11]

Like others on this thread, I too feel horrible for the locals who needed to ride out this storm, not knowing what they would be returning to when the storm was over. However, I must say that I,too, was very disappointed with how VB handled this situattion.
We arrived in VB on 8/29 to spend the week in one of the Beach Cottages. We were extremely excited about this trip, especially since we would be taking both parents with us. When we checked in = no one was taking this storm very seriously since the path was not known at the time. Wednesday during the day at the pool, rumours were flyig that we may need to evacuate within the next few days and would be relocated to the WDW. I asked at the desk and was assured that no desicion was made and that we would be given 24-36 hours notice. When we returned to the cottage at 9:00 pm - we were greeted by a note that stated we must be out by 8 am I called the front desk - asking for assistance and was told we were on our own and given phone #s of local hotels. I wasn't worried about us - but was worried about our four parents (in their 70s) who were stuck along with us. I spoke to WDW, and again told there was nothing they could do to help us.
What really bothered me was what followed the next morning. After staying up most of the night to pack up the cottage, I was walking out with my arms full at 7:45 am when 2 workers came by. I didn't expect any assistance, but was told "I hope you were the last one out of the house, since we are shutting all of the power off now!!!" They even shut off the power, while people were in the elevators!!!
Again - this is nothing compared to those who were evacuated from their homes, not knowing what they would be returning too. My hopes and prayers have been with them. I was dissapointed in VB and how they treated their guests, especially their older guests who were 1200 miles from home with no where to go!

 

[CaptainMidnight]

Originally posted by Pootle
....I said my complaint was minor, and I have not changed my opinion. This hurricane is devastating people's lives and I have never, not for one minute, lost sight of that.

....I reiterate again another point I made in my original post, the organisation and preparation here is truly outstanding and very courageous and big-hearted people here will get this fine state on its feet again.

Getting miffed by Disney service through a crisis of this proportion for Florida does seem a bit misplaced. Personally, with homes completely devistated, families separated, without power, no drinking water, food and fuel scarce, and the state of emergency the state is in, it is important to keep perspective. Just my opinion.


Glad you and your family are safe.