DVC overbooked @ Easter--Moved to Holiday Inn?

[LuvnMickey]

Hi,
We returned from the BCV this past week. When we checked into the BCV on Sunday morning, March 20th, I asked what area of the villas our room was located to see if our requests had been met. The cast member laughed and said she was just glad she had a room for us. She said they were having to send some people to the Holiday Inn because they were full at all the hotels on property and overbooked.

I'm curious is anyone ended up off property?? I said I thought they would have to do some very significant recovery with major perks for anyone in that situation. She replied that they would be "well taken care of."

I can't imagine planning a trip a year in advance at your favorite WDW resort, only to find that there was "no room at the Villas" upon arrival! For us, it's all about location, location, location and that's why we bought at the BCV.

btw--We had a great time the week we were there, although the crowds were much higher than we've ever experienced. Our 2BR was without problems and worked well with 6 nearly adults (myself, DH, 3 sons and 1 friend). I did notice the BCV is starting to show some wear and we're anxious for the replacement of the beds. Even my DH complained about how hard the king size bed is.

As a note, I talked with a CM at the opening of the renovated gift shop at the Beach Club. I mentioned the beds and he said they would be replaced with those like SS in 2006 or 2007. I travel a lot for business and stay in all types of hotels, from Hampton Inns to Westin and Le Meridian. BC (when we used to stay there) and BCV have what I consider to be among the worst beds around.

I also asked what is with the high speed internet service charge of $10 per day--something you get for free at many discount hotels. He noted they are looking at amenities at their deluxe resorts and how they compare to other hotels around the country. I'm glad to hear someone is looking at these things.

All in all a good trip, I'd just prefer to go at a different time to avoid the crowds. But we were lucky enough to have all three sons on Spring Break at the same time (2 colleges and 1 HS) so we take what we can get! WDW is always great family time!

 

[dianeschlicht]

I seriously doubt they could move anyone booked on points to the Holiday Inn. Point stays are guaranteed unless there would be a natural disaster of some kind that would prevent the resort from being availble. I suspect cash ressies would be the ones not serviced.

 

[lisareniff]

... and we're anxious for the replacement of the beds. Even my DH complained about how hard the king size bed is.

As a note, I talked with a CM at the opening of the renovated gift shop at the Beach Club. I mentioned the beds and he said they would be replaced with those like SS in 2006 or 2007. I travel a lot for business and stay in all types of hotels, from Hampton Inns to Westin and Le Meridian. BC (when we used to stay there) and BCV have what I consider to be among the worst beds around.

I am so glad to hear about the bed replacement. That king bed was terrible. The only saving grace is that we are so tired after a long disney day that we only notice breifly as we passed out!

 

[TnRobin]

We arrived at SSR on Wednesday the 25th and were told our room was "down." They moved us to the Poly and gave us a $75 credit toward dinner. I wonder if they had over booked too.

 

[Mickmse2002]

I wouldn't think that could happen with a points reservation?

 

[Cruelladeville]

I think all the king beds are hard, although the ones at OKW were pretty good the last time we were there. They were better than the ones at Marriott, where we had stayed the week before. I agree about the $10 per day for internet. At the Marriott--also a timeshare--internet service was free, although there was no trash and towel, so perhaps they are swapping one for the other. Also, something odd is that Marriott does not provide any soap for the washer or coffee, but does provide filters if you bring your own.

 

[jennybobenny]

Robin -- were your points refunded for the night you spent at the Poly? And did you spend your entire stay at the Poly or did they move you back to SSR?
Just curious...

 

[mikesmom]

We've stayed all over the country for work in the past year and the amusing thing is that many of the "discount" hotels have free high speed, but the "better" hotels charge the $9.95. Go figure!

I also discovered (the hard way) that a hotel that advertises high speed may not have it in all the rooms or on all the floors "yet" (happened to us more than once) and that often the "Executive" floor is the one that is not wired yet. Don't even get me started on the discount hotel that had the high speed but only one of the elctric outlets in the room was in working order

 

[TnRobin]

We spent the entire stay at the Poly - three nights. I was offered the trade and accepted it. I wasn't refunded anything, nor did I want a refund. We were scheduled for a studio. I couldn't have even rented my points at $10 and paid for this room in cash. I think the going rate for this room during Easter week is around $300. I think I spent like 16 points a night for the studio - don't have the chart with me. Someone can look it up for me if they like. We are trying to stay at all the Disney resorts anyway. This was a great (Cheap) way to try the Poly.

While I missed the refrigerator and microwave, the room size was fine, maybe even slightly larger than a SSR studio. I really enjoyed having dinner at Cape May Cafe Clam Bake on them.

 

[SCDizneyDawn]

As a note, I talked with a CM at the opening of the renovated gift shop at the Beach Club.

Any details you could give us about the new areas in the gift shop? I am especially interested in what prepared food was available?

Thanks!

 

[LuvnMickey]

There is a new counter with prepared salads, sandwiches, ice cream, breakfast pastries, etc. I didn't spend much time there as I was just getting coffee and a paper but it looks like a GREAT addition to the BC as there aren't many choices for this type of food except what B&C has to offer.

I agree with previous poster that you would think moving someone on points would be unlikely so that makes me feel better. I was just shocked to think that it could happen. The CM was quite clear in saying that they were having to do it to some people booked at the villas. I was just thankful it wasn't me and my family!

As an aside--my DH and I were booked at the BC several years ago for just one night (we were in the area for a convention and decided to pop over to WDW for a day). We got to our room late (around 11:00 PM) and found out the resort was oversold. Initially, they said there were NO rooms anywhere on property. Finally, after much insisting there must be something on property, they found us a suite on the top floor at the Contemporary without a "real" bed but only a hide-a-bed sofa. I think it was a business suite for meetings as it had a full dining room, living room etc. but no bedroom. In any case, we ended up with a bottle of wine, balloons, tickets to Pleasure Island and no charge for the room. Their recovery on what would have been a very disappointing situation was wonderful (even though the bed was awful to sleep in). We still went away thinking that Disney Service is great!

 

[KelNottAt]

Were they refering to replacement of the sleep sofas? I'm intrigued about the 2006/07 timing. IIRC, the BCV are newer than the BWV. Would that mean the BWV are due for new beds before BCV?

Please

Kelley

 

[poohj80]

Guess the laregst crowds were the week before Easter. We checked into BWV on Easter Sunday and were surprised that our room was available at 1130 AM. The valet mentioned that a lot more guests checked out on Friday and Saturday that had been checking in on Sunday.

 

[eileenfk]

My SSR reservation (for last December) had the following clause:

In the event, this resort, or any portion thereof, is unavailable, DVC reserves the right to sustiture reasonably similar replacement accommodations.

I don't see anything similar on my May BWV reservation.

I wonder if it is somewhere in the rules.
Hotels often have some sort of clause like this, to protect themselves.

The first time this sort of thing happens to me, and I don't get some sort of incentive to accept whatever happened, I might be unhappy enough to quit giving Disney my business (at least until I go through Disney withdrawal or something).
However, I am not that hard to satisfy. If I was put off-site, and given all on-site privledges, and compensated a reasonable percent of the cost (in points or cash) that I paid for my room, I might be happy enough. Since I never have a car, the transportation disadvantage might make me irritated.
Of course, if this trade was from SSR or OKW it would be more acceptable. I would hope that I would not get critisized for walking to SSR to catch the bus.
If the trade was from BCV, BWV or WLV (due to closeness to parks and such), I would be more irriated if I ended up off-site.
If I was put in a Deluxe on-site, with similar proximity to the parks as my DVC reservation, as a substitute for a studio, that would be fine (as long as I got a refrigerator).

- Eileen

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Wow! That is really scary.
I don't think I would be happy with anything other than a WDW deluxe, or DVC resort.

I hope this was a one time thing...

MG

 

[Plus4206]

DW always calls housekeeping for an egg crate. Makes a tremendous difference in the comfort level.

I'd like DVC to steal some of those Sweet Sleepers that Sherratons use. They are the most comfortable hotel bed I've ever slept on.

 

[DaveT1]

Closer.... BCV could pop over to the Dolphin and swap for a few Westin Heavenly Beds.

 

[LuvnMickey]

I actually called Mousekeeping for an egg crate but was told they don't have any such thing. They offered me two blankets which I then folded in half and put on my side of the bed (my DH was on his own!). I knew I had read that others had gotten egg crates!! Now I'm disappointed that they either didn't want to give me one or were out of them.

Re: sofa bed replacement vs. beds. The CM said specifically the "beds" as I was complaining about our King in the 2 BR. He said they replace them about every 5 to 6 years. I should know this but did BCV open in 2002?

 

[LuvnMickey]

btw--I concur, I LOVE the Westin Heavenly Beds!! Do they really have them at the Swan and Dolphin? When I travel on business, if I can finangle Westin, it's exactly for that reason.

 

[DaveT1]

Starwood family, the Swan is a Westin and the Dolphin is a Sheraton. Same beds i believe.