Frustrated with Caribbean Beach - vent

[sharonmickey]

I have friends going on their honeymoon to Disney the end of this month. Since I've been helping plan their trip I thought it would be neat to give them a special Disney gift. What I wanted to do was purchase two refillable mugs, two lanyards, and two raincoats for them and have them waiting at the front desk of their resort (Caribbean Beach) when the couple checked in. I called the hotel a few weeks ago and the person I spoke with said no problem just call the hotel the day the couple checks in and Disney would be happy to do that. I called again today to confirm but this time was told it cannot be done. I can put money on their room but they will not have mugs waiting at the desk when my friends check in.

I tried a gift basket service but the price for delivery was more than I want to pay, especially since I've already given another gift to the couple. I have a Disney Rewards card that I could have used to pay for everything but now it looks like my plan won't work.

Oh well - guess I won't get them anything else. Sorry for the vent. I was just trying to get them a nice surprise at a price that I can afford.

 

[pumpkinfish]

Yeah, I understand your frustration. I learned this from personal experience when DH and I would stay at Pop or POFQ. I know they do it at Delux resorts (and they do a WONDERFUL job) but they don't have the manpower to do it with the mods or values.

 

[sharonmickey]

Thanks pumpkinfish!

I can understand why they don't but what is frustrating is that first I was told yes, it would not be a problem.

 

[safetymom]

You weren't actually talking with the front desk at Caribbean Beach. You were talking with a call center.

 

[sharonmickey]

I'm sorry, I didn't know it was a call center. I thought I was calling the hotel directly since that is the number I called and the person who answered said Caribbean Beach. Oh well, Disney won't be getting my money.

I just feel bad for the couple. After the first time I called (when I thought it was the Caribbean Beach) and was told it wasn't a problem I told the couple to ask for their "gift" at the front desk when they check in. Now I will have to tell them not to bother. I'm sure they will understand though. They are great and have waited a long time for this.

 

[perriwinkleblue]

Did you speak to a supervisor? Could you speak directly to the gift shop?

You could call CB and (very nicely) say you have a slight problem and feel you need to speak to a supervisor. I would think that the resort could honor your request if the items are normally sold at the resort. If you arrange for it after they check in, maybe the resort gift shop (yeah, I know it's not, technically, called the "gift shop") could, maybe, make the sale over the phone with a credit card and send the package to their room?

I'd try again- you never know... Good luck

 

[loydandmel]

If you still want to try. Call the gift shop order the items and have them held at the gift shop and they can pick it up when they check in. Our travel agent did this with Mickey Ears last year.

 

[The Iron Giant]

FYI... even when you're at CBR and press the button on the phone you don't get actually get the front desk. They route you to the call center.

 

[Justsyd2]

That's exactly what I was going to suggest! I understand about the manpower issue, and that the call center doesn't always know what's going on at the resorts, but I don't see why you can't order the raincoats and lanyards online, and ship them to the resort, and pre order the mugs from the gift shop.

 

[sharonmickey]

Thanks for the suggestions! I will try them.

This is one of the reasons I love DIS. You guys are full of wonderful suggestions!

THANKS!!!!

 

[Charleyann]

Why not ask some nice Dis'er going there around that time to get the stuff and take it to the front desk? You could give them the money to make the purchases and put it together for you?

Charleyann

 

[Happy vacationer]

How about ordering the stuff and having it shipped to you now. Then you could give it to them in person. I know you can order anything they carry in the parks but not sure of the name of the website. There was a phone # to call also - I believe it was an 800#. Maybe someone else could provide you with that info since it's been 3 years since I've been to Disney. I think it's printed on the receipts from purchases made in any of the parks.

 

[Teacher510]

Is there a way to contact the concierge? They're used to going the extra mile so if you can actually talk to someone there they might be able to do the leg work for you. Just a thought.

 

[budbeerlady]

Contact the Disney Florist. Peg is working there and Lindsey was wonderful in pulling off a surprise for DD. If anyone can do it, they can!

We were able to get a giant stuffed Mickey and ballons delivered to DD during dinner at the Garden Grill. She loved it and it was so easy to pull off with a call to the Disney Florist, I am 90% sure it was Lindsey that I worked with.

 

[TinkerBell22]

That's bad that you were first told yes. Hopefully the gift shop will let you.

 

[sharonmickey]

Thanks for all the suggestions! I thought about contacting Guest Services at the hotel but cannot find a phone number. I talked to three different people yesterday and got nowhere.

While I'd love to have Disney Florist do a gift basket that is way beyond my budget. I already took a gift to them for the wedding plus a shower gift last month. This was just going to be a little something extra. The bride's mother passed away this past fall after a long illness and I thought it would be something special for them to find at the hotel. She has never been to Disney.

I also considered ordering the items and having them shipped here but after the first call, when I was told that the hotel could help me, I dismissed that idea. Now it is too late - there is not time to have it shipped here prior to the wedding.

 

[jdes88]

i had this same issue with Pop century last year. I wanted to order it for my parents---and i called and spoke to a supervisor and the said that there was sadly no way to do it Great idea though!