Displeased with VB guest arrangements

[Pootle]

I'm writing this at OKW in room 5411 waiting for the impact of hurricane Frances and with plenty of time on my hands to reflect on the last few days.

As a Brit here on vacation, I've been very impressed with the planning and organisation to keep people safe, so what follows may appear to be a minor issue, but one which irritated me.

We flew into MCO from Nashville on Wednesday, knowing about the hurricane (but we were meeting up with friends so chose not to change our plans) and having checked by phone with Disney at VB as late as that morning before we flew out. They could give us no information at that time and so we decided to travel down and hope to get in our 2 night reservation - leaving Friday morning to see friends in the Naples area.

We were not exactly surprised then to be told when we arrived at 4 pm, that we could check in for one night, but would need to be out of the room by 8 am the following day. Our other option was to cancel our reservation and 'drive as far north as you can'. We were then informed that Disney in Orlando were not taking any bookings because they too were in the path of the hurricane. Our friends who arrived 3 hours later were also told this.

We were offered free phone numbers to other hotel chains and high speed internet access. We booked ourselves a room with Embassy Suites back in Orlando.

Next day's Orlando Sentinel contained a piece about Disney making a room available for every cancellation they received, for locals needing to evacuate, including at their timeshare resorts. Now I think this is very honourable, but I can't see why, as someone with a Disney reservation and nowhere to stay, we were treated less favourably than locals. People are just people at time like this.

I don't expect any better treatment, but I was surprised that we were just packed off from Vero Beach without offering to transfer us to and Orlando resort, where they must have had many cancellations.

Here at OKW I am happy to say we were treated well and allowed to check in this morning, a day early to avoid checking in in the middle of the storms (for the relevant points of course). I am so happy to be here I am trying not to get upset by the guest who allowed his large dog to defecate on the grass outside of one of the villas and didn't bother to collect it People are being encouraged to be more tolerant of their neighbours and so I am trying

Good luck to everyone who is affected by this dreadful hurricane.

 

[colleen costello]

I agree with you 100%. You were as "homeless" during this period as any Floridian. I suspect with this policy they hoped to encourage American travelers to STAY HOME. You were already in Florida, so I believe your reservation should have been switched to Orlando. I also know that lots of people went to Orlando for the LAST hurricane, which then hit there... Lots of cast members are still struggling with neighborhoods that are nowhere near normal, so perhaps in general they are discouraging guests from coming at all. They are still functioning on short staff.

I am glad you have made your way to OKW. I can not imagine a more lovely place to be if a hurricane must be endured. Hope the storm passes quickly and you can enjoy the rest of your trip. And what a tale you will have to tell all your friends back home!

 

[Chuck S]

Has OKW waved the No Pets policy because of the hurricane (or perhaps WDW kennels are closed)?

 

[rocketriter]

You can bet your boodle that this winter, after hurricane season ends, there will be a lot of meetings conducted and a lot of procedures written, followed by a lot of CM training sessions, as Disney learns lessons from this difficult experience. They really have two "audiences" to serve during a hurricane: their guests and their own CMs. This is one of those difficult-to-plan areas where practice makes perfect. Unfortunately, they're getting a lot of practice.

 

[Pootle]

Because we are now virtually confined to our room, our only journey today was into the resort and I saw 2 dogs (both large) on separate occasions. I couldn't say whether it's Disney kennels being closed or evacuees, but I suspect the latter since when we moved from Embassy suites this morning the place seemed full of dogs - either side of us, below us, out walking, in the elevators, etc. I like dogs so not an issue so long as their by-products are taken care of by the owners

 

[fknaut]

You wanted to head where the hurricane was projected to be two-three days ago? Why not go for broke and head to Nassau or Grand Cayman while you are at it. This is peak hurricane season and safety should be first concern above all the rest.

 

[DrTomorrow]

Hmmmm. While I agree that you should not have been forced out, then have "your" room offered to someone else, I do have to say that the quote below confuses me a little:

Originally posted by Pootle
We flew into MCO from Nashville on Wednesday, knowing about the hurricane (but we were meeting up with friends so chose not to change our plans) [....]

Maybe it's just me, but if I were going to be flying anywhere near an area where one hurricane had just caused much destruction and another hurricane was a day or two away, I'd rearrange my travel plans. Words and phrases like "mass evacuation" , "severe flooding" and "entire state a disaster area" tend to make me look for a different vacation destination.

But again, that's just IMHO....

 

[tonyswife]

I mean absolutely no offense with my following opinion, but here it is anyway. I am glad Disney is giving consideration to locals versus vacationers. These people are in danger of losing everything they own, everything. You are on vacation, you could have stayed out of the area. I know it would have been a financial loss for you to rearrange your entire vacation, especially since you're from over seas, but still the financial loss is nothing compared to losing your entire livlihood.

DH and I have the bulk of our DVC points at VB. While we certainly hope the resort fairs well, what I really pray for is that the people who live and work there come out if it safely and with their homes intact.

God be with them.

 

[Pootle]

Well am I surprised to be flamed? I certainly am and debated for a while whether to reply, but just once, I will.

Firstly, I didn't explain in detail our reasons to head here early Wednesday from Nashville (a decision which had to be taken Tuesday) suffice to say, we had plenty of good reasons, which I still don't feel the need to explain. It wasn't what my post was about and had little baring on the issue I was writing about. In fact, I don't even know why I mentioned it.

Secondly, I disagree with tonyswife. I refer back to my original comment about 'people are people ...' On Wednesday before we left VB not having checked in we accessed the Hilton website for availability in Orlando at Hampton Inn, Homewood Suites, Embassy Suites, Hilton etc, and there was plenty of availability at that time. Why should DVC give locals priority over members with a reservation in that situation? Note I said 'priority' - I have no problem with equality.

 

[tonyswife]

Again, no offense intended, it's just my opiion. I hope everyone can ride out the storm safely, locals and vacationers alike.

 

[Donna]

There's a post on the cm board that the cm's that had to take up residence at the disney resorts were invited to bring their pets and not leave them at their homes. That must be why you saw so many dogs. i know i'd never leave mine behind!

 

[Patty3]

Pootle, I agree with you. Since there were many cancellations, and you were also displaced, accomodations should have been made available to you. I am sorry that this happened to you. I have my hose ready.

 

[JudithM]

Moira, I am sorry you were treated as you described at DVC Vero Beach. I would suggest that after the hurricane passes & life begins to go on that you contact the DVC Guest Satisfaction Manager, Carli D'Agostino. If nothing else, let her know what happened & how you felt. Perhpas there were circumstances/reasons that guests were not made aware of at the time. I don't know. Enjoy OKW as best you can under the circumstances - weather, curfew, etc.

 

[PamOKW]

If you are unhappy you could certainly follow-up with MS and see what could have been done differently.

I'm not sure that I fully understand the course of events. I'm pretty sure you arrived at the Vero resort after the evacuation order for the area had been given. That is probably why they said you had to be out by 8:00 a.m. That was not Disney's decision but part of the evacuation plan for the area. Possibly they suggested that you could start driving north as a "hint" that checking in probably wasn't the best option at that time.

I'm not sure that Disney had "many cancellations to offer". By late Wednesday there were reports about most hotel rooms being fully booked. The Orlando Sentinel article could have been referring to rooms that were already re-booked by the time you presented yourself at Vero on Wednesday. Thursday's OS was probably referring to events that happened on Tuesday. They had previous evacuees from Charley and the new evancuees from Frances. By Thursday they were talking about making the Beeline one-way. You might have found yourself unable to travel to Vero at all by that point. It was a dire situation and you continue to be vacationing in a state that is going through a devastating two-week period.

I'm glad that you are now safe at OKW and that you will continue to try and be understanding of the unusual circumstances that you find yourself in.

 

[Judique]

Originally posted by PamOKW
If you are unhappy you could certainly follow-up with MS and see what could have been done differently.

I'm not sure that I fully understand the course of events. I'm pretty sure you arrived at the Vero resort after the evacuation order for the area had been given. That is probably why they said you had to be out by 8:00 a.m. That was not Disney's decision but part of the evacuation plan for the area. Possibly they suggested that you could start driving north as a "hint" that checking in probably wasn't the best option at that time.

I'm not sure that Disney had "many cancellations to offer". By late Wednesday there were reports about most hotel rooms being fully booked. The Orlando Sentinel article could have been referring to rooms that were already re-booked by the time you presented yourself at Vero on Wednesday. Thursday's OS was probably referring to events that happened on Tuesday. They had previous evacuees from Charley and the new evancuees from Frances. By Thursday they were talking about making the Beeline one-way. You might have found yourself unable to travel to Vero at all by that point. It was a dire situation and you continue to be vacationing in a state that is going through a devastating two-week period.

I'm glad that you are now safe at OKW and that you will continue to try and be understanding of the unusual circumstances that you find yourself in.

Excellent summary, Pam. Puts things much more into the real perspective.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I am shocked--I thought I heard somewhere on the news that they were evac'ing VB to WDW.

I know they thought well of their FW guests to transfer them to the hotels.

I'm sorry you came into our storm--at the time you planned on coming--they were still hoping for a turn and had some wiggle room. Now if you had said "I'm coming come hell or high water" as I have seen in another thread elsewhere--then yes the flaming would be with due course as you'd be asking for it.

But please--Naples was out of the path--so it isn't as if in your original post you were saying you would enjoy the hurricane on the east coast while on vacation.

Now--shocking is the British vacationers who passed the hurricane off as a little wind and rain as something they are used to. I did not see this in your post.

I would definitely write to whomever you should after the fact and tell them that they do need a better evac plan for VB guests who are unable to leave. They SHOULD NOT be sent out on their own. Disney froze reservations--they were not accepting new ressies so that they would have a place for CMs and FW guests--it should include the VB guests since it is so close

 

[fknaut]

Originally posted by Pootle
Well am I surprised to be flamed? I certainly am and debated for a while whether to reply, but just once, I will.

Firstly, I didn't explain in detail our reasons to head here early Wednesday from Nashville (a decision which had to be taken Tuesday) suffice to say, we had plenty of good reasons, which I still don't feel the need to explain. It wasn't what my post was about and had little baring on the issue I was writing about. In fact, I don't even know why I mentioned it.

Secondly, I disagree with tonyswife. I refer back to my original comment about 'people are people ...' On Wednesday before we left VB not having checked in we accessed the Hilton website for availability in Orlando at Hampton Inn, Homewood Suites, Embassy Suites, Hilton etc, and there was plenty of availability at that time. Why should DVC give locals priority over members with a reservation in that situation? Note I said 'priority' - I have no problem with equality.

The hotel websites are run by the reservation centers which for most hotel chains are out of the midwest. They do not list hurricane needs on their sites. You should have check with the local hotels first on what they deemed as necessary. Remember, by friday 2 Million+ people were literally forced out of their homes due to the hurricane. Some may eventually go back to nothing.

 

[Pootle]

Some points I am not going to respond to, since they are covered in my earlier posts and if some missed my meaning then, any clarification may not help.

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 did just want to say to Lisa loves Pooh that Naples was on my itinerary out the outset since we have friends who live at Bonita Springs, with whom we were due to stay. As for people who make crass comments about the weather, I think I am going to go back to my 'people are people ...' comment, and people make stupid remarks all the time, regardless of nationality. Alas they are also the ones who say something 'different' which the media loves to report. The reporting of Charley in the UK showed the human misery on a vast scale.

One final point, during our time at the Embassy suites at LBV the hotel filled up only on Friday and this was the same for the other hotels along there. My friend is at the Hilton along Hotel Plaza Blvd on the 10th floor and says it seems empty up there. My guess is that those suite hotels along Palm Parkway were, understandably, the first choices for families displaced.

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.

 

[kathleena]

Pootle - I'm surprised that you weren't given accomodations at a WDW DVC resort for those nights. Here we have the FW campsite guests being accomodated but not the VB guests? I just find that surprising and would also encourage you to write to DVC about it.

As for the dog owner - just a clear example of why pets at all resorts are not a good idea. Give pets their own resort and let pet owners deal with each other. (Having said that - I'm very glad that WDW has made special accomodations for pets during this period and am completely supportive! No flaming for that prior statement please!)

Hope you have a nice stay in the States.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Originally posted by Pootle
Some points I am not going to respond to, since they are covered in my earlier posts and if some missed my meaning then, any clarification may not help.

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 did just want to say to Lisa loves Pooh that Naples was on my itinerary out the outset since we have friends who live at Bonita Springs, with whom we were due to stay. As for people who make crass comments about the weather, I think I am going to go back to my 'people are people ...' comment, and people make stupid remarks all the time, regardless of nationality. Alas they are also the ones who say something 'different' which the media loves to report. The reporting of Charley in the UK showed the human misery on a vast scale.

One final point, during our time at the Embassy suites at LBV the hotel filled up only on Friday and this was the same for the other hotels along there. My friend is at the Hilton along Hotel Plaza Blvd on the 10th floor and says it seems empty up there. My guess is that those suite hotels along Palm Parkway were, understandably, the first choices for families displaced.

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.

I was on your side---I'm sorry that I was not clear enough. There were Americans on other threads who made the "come hell or high water" comment. The news showed tourists out on I-drive and the comment was made from as I said--a British one. I tried to say that the flames for you were not necessary as you did not come across to me as crass as some others have. You simply were disappointed in how your situation was handled--and I agree that you do have cause for complaint. I am from Florida and know where Naples is--which is why I agreed with you and thought the flaming for not changing your plans were unnecessary as you had no intention of being in the hurricane zone (that we knew about at the time of your flight) during the hurricane.

DVC should have been more caring with you.