Duped Again No longer a fan of Disney- Resolution page 6

[pinkerbell]

I may get flamed because so many people forget that they are actually paying for their vacation, but I have to vent!
For the second year in a row Disney has duped me. Last year months after I booked our 12 day vacation I was informed by mail of upgrades to our resort and the that our pool would be closed. That was the reason we pay for a preferred so it peaved me. Not only did we find this out very late (because they did an alphabetic mailing and I was a "W", or so I was told and because I wasn't smart enough to know about these boards ) But also because when we tried to change rooms I was repeatedly told none were avavilable, LIE, FIB, whatever, there were no more rooms offered on the Special I booked, still plenty of rooms, just none for me, even though they had my money for months.
Ok, moving on, I stroll down to my mailbox this afternoon and find another "FOR YOUR FUTURE ENJOYMENT" letter in my mailbox from disney...
Now I know this cannot be indicating the pool is closed because I mentioned it very specifically when I booked that the pool was a big issue, I was told there was a pool closing but it would be open in time for my arrival (scheduled reopen the 13th my arrival the 21st -since changed to the 19th) I was willing to live with a few days of a closed pool if they ran a little over. Knowing about the boards this year I even posted a few questions about it. (disclaimer that I hold no-one to their input since they do not work for disney and realize we are all talking hypotheticals)
But YES, the pool is now closed at All Star Sports until the 4th of October, Our two week vacation will be over and They will do nothing for me as there are, you gussed it, no rooms avaialble at my special rate inb the other value resorts, sure I can rebook without the Free Dining Plan, hey thanks for showing a commitment to your loyal customers, whose money FOR A PREFERRED ROOM, I might add has been in your pocket for a few months... and can you beleive they still want to charge for the preferred room!
It shouldn't even matter that I have a 1 and 3 yr old, whose little legs as well as mine love the layout of ASSp. I'm just use to vacations with no big bad surprises and big bad surprises seem to be a way of business at Disney. They are no longer the worry free vacation, now my worries start the minute I book.
There are plenty of other parks that have not only reached the Disney level but surpassed it. There really is no more "disney difference" in a positive light anyway. Our last two trips to Six Flags were very pleasurable. And this, the part I love so much, the anticipatrion of a two week vacation... well.... not so pleasurable...
So, for those of you who have listened to me rant for what even to me seems endlessly... thanks...
and I wish you a better process than mine...



edit - updates in posts 90 and 107

 

[Disney*Dreamer]

No flames here, I can understand why you would be upset. Just wishing you a magical vacation anyway!

 

[jmpellet]

I would complain very loudly and tell them you want to be moved to OKW or SSR as I'm sure not everyone took them up on their upgrade recently offered. If they are not available tell them you want to be moved at no charge to a mod like POFQ, which is awesome for your kids.

 

[KevGuy]

Wow, last time I checked there were like two other pools there at All Star Sports do you realize that, or you can put the kids in a stroller and walk the two minutes to the All Star Music or five minutes to the All Star Movies resorts which has the best pool of them all IMO anyway. You are going to Disney in what is considered the off season, when do you think they are gonna refurbish stuff?? Look at the positive side your going to Disney!!! Do you know how many people cannot afford that? Or better yet how many people have never been there and would give their right arm to go to Disney for two weeks nevermind one, and be happy with no pool at all. But you don't even have that you have at least two others available at your place in ASSp most likely and 2-6 more at the other two resorts within 5 minutes walking distance. You do realize that guests staying at any of the All Star Resorts can and do pool hop to any of the other All Star pools only. If you go during what Disney considers "off peak season" this is when they fix things like pools, rides, etc and you always run the risk of something being shut down as something always is. So make the best of it and consider yourself lucky, othterwise you'll need to go at a peak time of year or perhaps pay more money and stay at a more expensive resort, but even then your not guaranteed during the same time of year something won't be shut down. Hey I'm from Mass too and know how expensive it is to go there, heck I just went for the first time last April. But I went during the expensive time, and even joined DVC lol. Sure it cost more, but I have less chance of things like what your complaining about bothering me, or effecting my trip. There are resources out there like this board for instance and others as well. You should get familiar with them and it may help you plan the timing of your trip better. After two years of having the same issue pretty much I think I might have tried a different time to go if possible. If not then make the best of it. Good luck and hope your trip is fantastic no matter what happens.

 

[DisneyFans4]

I'm so sorry to hear this but I totally understand and you will get no flames from me.

Matter of fact, we will be in WDW very soon and our friends in Melbourne are staying at AS Sports the weekend of Aug. 11 so I wonder if they know about this pool being closed. I'm so glad you posted this. They got a good resident rate to stay there, I think $69 a night. If anyone mailed them anything they are actually in NJ now for a wedding so they don't know anything.

 

[Idroveallnight]

I am so sorry this happened to you!!
I can understand why you are upset! I also understand that even a 2 minute walk with a 1 year old & three year old plus all of their pool equipment (been there ) is no easy feat!! I would keep calling and complaining until time to go - maybe something will change!! I hope you are able to have a magical vacation!!

 

[Tink3Belle]

I would complain to the CM who told you there would be a pool and hold her accountable to do something nice for you with her comission!

 

[TaraPA]

I would be frustrated too. Still excited to go to Disney, but frustrated. I would put your concerns in writing via email & a postal letter, and make some calls. Be firm but considerate that you need a partial refund or a transfer to another resort & explain the facts. Disney is very accomodating in these situations at times, if you can get to the right person with your concern. We had a situation once that we were told verbally twice no, nope, nada, it is what it is, and we left Disney with a sour taste in our mouths. I wrote a letter when we got home & it was resolved in my favor within days - even with a better outcome than we anticipated. I hope it all works out for you.

 

[Ellasgirls]

Sorry about your pool problems. I certainly understand. Yes a lot of people can't afford to go and would love to go and wouldn't worry about a pool BUT you were counting on the pool and paid extra for being close to that service. I understand they have to refurbish it at some point but again they should then have some sort of refund or room exchange in place for those who were inconvenienced by it. Try your hardest not to let it totally ruin your trip...Disney should be about the whole package...the characters, your childrens faces as they see the characters. Live through their eyes and I guess remember that the preferred rooms are still close to the buses and that is always a bonus. If it really ticks you off that much call back and talk to a manager and express your feelings in a nice but firm way and see what happens. Good luck and let your vacation still be a magical one!

 

[livie1205]

i would be mad too...as a matter of fact I have had big problems with our vacation at akl this sept. Also what is this about she should just be glad she can go to disney? She is paying for her trip,if she works hard and can afford to go to disney she should get what she paid for...if she pays for a room close to the pool she should get it,it really has nothing to do with all the people that cant afford to go....call and talk to someone else, someone SHOULD be able to move you...again, why should she PAY for one hotel and have to walk to another to go to the pool? If she did not know this was going to be the case she should be moved,and there IS someone that can do it,if not then go to universal and stay at one of their very nice resorts and get the express pass.I love disney but sometimes THEY are wrong.

 

[branv]

Just got a chuckle from your remark that some people seem to forget they're paying for their vacation...it always amazes me how often people seem to act like we should be grateful that Disney allows us to spend our money with them.

That being said, I could handle the pool closing - it's just unfortunate bad luck to deal with it twice, but you have my sympathies. What I do find inexcusable is that they will not honor your desire to change resorts and while retaining your free dining. And to top it all off that they won't even get rid of the preferred surcharge to make up for the delayed opening?! I would feel ill will as well. The least a corporation should do when they inconvenience their guests, even if it is legally within their right, is to make an effort to retain good will. How else do you promote brand loyalty?

The true thing that always set Disney apart from everyone else was their dedication to park quality (Design, cleanliness, etc) and customer service. Take that away and all you've got is an expensive Six Flags with better characters.

 

[eliza61]

No flames from me either. No matter where you go it is very disappointing when you don't get what you expect. On a much smaller scale, I once went to a steakhouse only to be told there were no steaks. Uh? Why do you think I'm here.
Sorry you've been let down, hopefully you have enough time to plan some thing else.

 

[tasha99]

I think it's totally reasonable to expect either a move to a preferred room at Pop or the other All Stars, or failing that, a refund of the extra money you paid for the preferred room.

I would call again and talk to guest services. If they won't help, file an online BBB complaint and write a complaint to Disney explaining your reasonable request. You should get what you paid for.

 

[inaminute]

I can certainly understand your frustration. I've been there and I guarantee it won't happen again.

The solution for my family? Vacation elsewhere.

Our June trip was very disappointing and I'm not longer willing to spend that kind of money only to come home wishing I hadn't gone to Disney. Disney received the last of my money that they're going to see for a very long time. Or at least until they get their act together.

 

[joy13]

Even if they can't get you another room closer to the pool, they should at the very least refund you the extra you paid for prefered! I don't blame you for being upset - though I will say on our last Disney vacation we only swam once the whole week, so maybe you will find it enjoyable anyway.

 

[princessesrule4]

I would get the name of the Manager at AS Sports and either call or write him/her today with the facts about your situation and see if something can be done! I'm sorry for your disappointment but hopefully it can be rectified before you go!

 

[DisneyFans4]

Anyone who goes to Disney is spending alot of $$$ and I think we can all agree on that but to say that we are lucky we can go and we should just appreciate it and shouldn't complain, as well as saying what do you expect this time of year and when do you expect work to be done by Disney was unfair. People vacation according to their schedules, not Disney's. I'm sure all of us here have saved and worked hard to be able to afford our trips and when we pay extra to be in a certain area for our own reason and are told when the reservation is made that it can be done and then be told that it can't be and not at least get a discount is not asking too much, especially when your already paying a preferred rate. When you have little ones you want to be as close to the pool as possible and don't want to have to carry everything very far.

I would definitely call and speak to a manager and see if anything can be done since you still have some time before you leave.

Good luck and keep us posted.

 

[kjs1976]

Keep calling with your concerns until someone listens and does something. Write and e-mail, too, like someone else mentioned. If it means that much to you, then you deserve to have someone listen and make the effort to do something.

I hear you loud and clear. I hope it gets better and don't lose sight of the fact that you are planning a WDW vacation and there is magic in that! Pixie dust to you!

 

[kelscross]

No flames here either...

Since Disney is open all year round..of course there will be refurbishments that inconvenient guests. It's not like here in Ohio when the amusement parks refurb in the off season. There is no off season at Disney.

However, if you paid for preferred and Disney has decided to refurb an area that you are paying a premium for..then they should refund you or move you if you still wanted preferred at another comp. resort.

Just like the AKL construction..they're offering or requiring (whatever the case may be) guests to be moved d/t the inconvenience. They should offer the same token no matter what level of resort you are staying.

Contact guest services...not the CMs with the travel company.

 

[Minnie&Nana]

Would definitely call and ask for a guest services manager, and also write to Disney Guest Communication asap:

WDW.Guest.Communications@disneyworld.com giving them the reservation number, what happened last yr and what you've learned about this year.

This is your vacation and you deserve to have it as stress free as possible.

I hope something gets worked to your satisfaction! Please keep us posted?