Here now, very cold, lots of problems

[tim123]

OP here, back from long but fun day. Hot water is back on! It was out for entire Hawaii bldg and was told maybe one other. Since we had known for more than an hour (from personal observation) I was surprised that concierge were not aware of the problem this morning. The staff did try to find out what was going on, but no one was available. They did tell me that they would speak to a manager when one arrived. I did not request a manager because I just wanted us to get to the park.
Because of above, missed rope drop by a little. Did not matter due to low crowds. Was cold this am. We are from the north and used to cold. All of us had multiple layers on and we're comfortable. Really needed more than just light jacket.
Was worried about entry for Granddaughter but her mickey heads turned green today at AK and Epcot!
Yesterday at check in none of our bands for the 8 of us worked despite the fact that we had used them two days earlier for park entry and FP when we did early activation of our tickets. Eventually got all but DD'S band working. Her original band was replaced by them for an ugly grey one that still didn't work. Happy to say that her band worked all day.
Had voice mail message from manager today when we returned. Without asking, she had already given us some compensation for all problems.
Despite being worried about CM attitudes, have found most of them very friendly and positive. Same applies to guests. Which is really surprising. Last time we encountered more guest attitude problems.
Adjusting to FP+. Not a fan due to our touring style but adjusting.
Happy to answer any questions.
Afterthought: bought cheap lightweight gloves at Walmart prior to leaving. They did help at night and early morning. Plus most guests I saw in afternoon had two jackets, wearing one and other around waist .

Tim here
just wondering what type of "compensation ' they gave you if its ok to ask..

 

[tweetybird1992]

Way more compensation than I ever would have asked for or expected. Had multiple problems when stayed at Poly about 4 years ago when we again had 2 rooms. Computer glitches kept cancelling one of our rooms. Half of us couldn't get into the parks on several days. Spent hours at front desk over course of stay. That time they gave us addl mini golf passes. Was not happy about that. Luckily I have a short memory and still wanted to return to Poly.
The manager was very generous to us today. Enough compensation that I don't feel I should mention what it was.

 

[mickyzzzzz05]

Very glad to hear that your situations seem to have been resolved! Enjoy your time!

 

[tim123]

Way more compensation than I ever would have asked for or expected. Had multiple problems when stayed at Poly about 4 years ago when we again had 2 rooms. Computer glitches kept cancelling one of our rooms. Half of us couldn't get into the parks on several days. Spent hours at front desk over course of stay. That time they gave us addl mini golf passes. Was not happy about that. Luckily I have a short memory and still wanted to return to Poly.
The manager was very generous to us today. Enough compensation that I don't feel I should mention what it was.

No Problem
Its because the Poly staff rock and its because you have a nice vibe about you…hopefully it put a little magic back in your vacation.

 

[DaisyNY]

Glad to hear most of your problems were resolved...hoping it warms up a bit. We arrive on Sunday!

 

[Sleepy425]

Glad your issues are getting resolved!
Sept 2013 we stayed at Pop and got notice of a scheduled power outage. Thankfully we were asleep during it, but a few hours after the power was back on there still wasn't hot water. I felt bad for the other guests at MK that day, my boys were quite ripe and really needed a shower (they fell asleep on the way to the room the night before or they would have had one then).

 

[disdream]

Oh my gosh!
You seem to have the right attitude to make your own magic.
If I may make a suggestion…
Go down to guest services at the front desk very early (6am or earlier) and speak to Scott (he works the graveyard shift..GREAT manager!)… be friendly but VERY stern in your conviction that for the big big bucks you are paying.."that this is simply not acceptable"…be polite, be friendly, have a sense of humor….but INSIST on being properly compensated for your time and inconvenience. At the very least if the MBs are not working 100% by today you should "request' park wide Fps for your entire party for the entire stay until the issue can be resolved. If you continue to have problems you should request to speak to upper management and that you and your family be given dinner at Kona or that your CL rooms be discounted because MBs and HOT WATER should work.
Either way you will need to walk a fine line but they are good folks at the Poly..and they will do the right thing as long as you are polite, have a sense of humor and a firm conviction that you paid an enormous amount of money and are completely justified to expect compensation for their failure.
Tim
PS During my 10 days at the Poly in September I had issues getting in my room and being able to charge….I spent about an hour plus wasting time with them..back and forth…I kept a good attitude and made the CMs laugh….They compted my park ticket to the MK and when I arrived at guest services I discovered that they also gave me 3 free Fps that were good for my entire stay….and I never even complained because I was having fun at the Ploy and making my own magic!

I agree that speaking to management might be a good idea, especially if you are nice and friendly about it. They usually compensate you in some way. Last time I arrived at Disney, I was given my room # and went straight to my room only to find out it wasn't ready yet. I called the front desk and said that I didn't think the room had been cleaned yet judging by the pizza boxes, towels on the floor etc. They immediately gave me a new room # and $100.00 of credit on my room account. I was very surprised and pleased. I didn't ask for compensation but it sure was nice.

I'm glad you are making the best of everything. Hoping it gets much better for you.

 

[LegoMom3]

You are a true class act. For real. The World needs more guests like you!! Everyone wants that perfect Disney vacation but things happen, anywhere you go, not just WDW. It's just so nice to read about someone dealing with the unexpected issues in a "go with the flow" type of manner. I've seen/heard my share of loud, obnoxious, irate complainers in my travels, and all that does is get everyone heated beyond rationale. I'm glad to read you were well-compensated and are continuing to enjoy your trip!

.

 

[Jennasis]

Love to hear a guest turning lemons into lemonade. We tend to roll with the punches too. Hoping the remainder of your trip is magical!!

PS...to anyone visitng during potential cold times...BRING A HAT! A winter hat. We lose most of our body heat through our heads. SO if you grab a knit cap to cover up with you'll find you stay much warmer and it's easier to pull of and stuff in a pocket or your bag if it gets too warm instead of a bulky coat.

 

[Toad_Passenger]

The idea of people thinking they need 2 coats, gloves, and winter caps, for temps in the 40's is still amazing to me.

 

[aaarcher86]

The idea of people thinking they need 2 coats, gloves, and winter caps, for temps in the 40's is still amazing to me.

I always laugh when I'm walking around in jeans and a t shirt and the Floridians are wearing winter costs, gloves, and hats!

 

[MainMom]

The idea of people thinking they need 2 coats, gloves, and winter caps, for temps in the 40's is still amazing to me.

My husband would be in shorts.

 

[Jennasis]

The idea of people thinking they need 2 coats, gloves, and winter caps, for temps in the 40's is still amazing to me.

For people not used to it, that can be very cold. I'm usually find until it gets below 40 (I grew up on Long island but now live in NC). Unless it's windy...then I'm cold in the 40's.

 

[nkereina]

The idea of people thinking they need 2 coats, gloves, and winter caps, for temps in the 40's is still amazing to me.

Born and raised in Buffalo, NY. I was in WDW the week before Thanksgiving - record cold temps in Orlando that week (49 degrees as a high, 30s in the mornings) and also record snowfall in Buffalo with 12 feet on the ground. So I'm used to the cold. There's few people even here in Buffalo that would be walking around in a t-shirt in 40 degree temperatures, even if the sun is shining. While in FL, I had an Under Armour hoodie with a North Face fleece over it and jeans on and was still pretty cold. Especially since it was overcast, and rides like Everest and BTMRR whip you through the outdoors in the wind. My hands were ice (didn't bring gloves). We saw a few people in shorts and t-shirts and they looked miserable. Its much colder than one might think, it definitely was for us. Even our lightweight hoodies we had brought were too light, and on one of our last days I broke down and bought a heavyweight hoodie. It's better to pack clothes and not need them than to be unprepared.

 

[mickeymom629]

The idea of people thinking they need 2 coats, gloves, and winter caps, for temps in the 40's is still amazing to me.

This would be me!! I am ALWAYS cold!! My family always laughs at me for the way I'm dressed compared to them. We've all lived in MD for our entire lives, so I think it's more about an individual person's tolerance than the temperatures you are used to living in.

 

[Liz]

Born and raised in Buffalo, NY. I was in WDW the week before Thanksgiving - record cold temps in Orlando that week (49 degrees as a high, 30s in the mornings) and also record snowfall in Buffalo with 12 feet on the ground. So I'm used to the cold. There's few people even here in Buffalo that would be walking around in a t-shirt in 40 degree temperatures, even if the sun is shining. While in FL, I had an Under Armour hoodie with a North Face fleece over it and jeans on and was still pretty cold. Especially since it was overcast, and rides like Everest and BTMRR whip you through the outdoors in the wind. My hands were ice (didn't bring gloves). We saw a few people in shorts and t-shirts and they looked miserable. Its much colder than one might think, it definitely was for us. Even our lightweight hoodies we had brought were too light, and on one of our last days I broke down and bought a heavyweight hoodie. It's better to pack clothes and not need them than to be unprepared.

We were at WDW the same time as you. We live in Utah and it gets cold here, but when temps are in the 40's and 50's it's a heatwave and we wear just a hoodie. I don't know what it is about cold weather in Florida, but it feels much colder. When we arrived back in Utah it was about the same temperature as Florida and it felt much warmer.

 

[spritna]

You are a true class act. For real. The World needs more guests like you!! Everyone wants that perfect Disney vacation but things happen, anywhere you go, not just WDW. It's just so nice to read about someone dealing with the unexpected issues in a "go with the flow" type of manner. I've seen/heard my share of loud, obnoxious, irate complainers in my travels, and all that does is get everyone heated beyond rationale. I'm glad to read you were well-compensated and are continuing to enjoy your trip!

.

I agree, you get more with sugar than well you know what. But it does seem there is more complaints lately vs. 5 yrs. ago. That could be from diff. Reasons though. Personaly our last trip was the worst one we ever had, but booked BB for next yr thinking we will forget about this trip by then....if we dont ...then we cancel. I have noticed one of the main reasons someone will tell me they have not been to WDW is because of the price. So i think once someone goes for the first time they have high expectations. And if your a repeat customer then youll compare to a previous trip.

 

[MickeyMinnie1971]

I always laugh when I'm walking around in jeans and a t shirt and the Floridians are wearing winter costs, gloves, and hats!

That would be me. Although I'm not originally from Florida. On the flip side I am much more tolerant of heat. I giggle a little when it's in the 80's and I overhear someone complaining about the terrible heat.

 

[kbelle8995]

I always laugh when I'm walking around in jeans and a t shirt and the Floridians are wearing winter costs, gloves, and hats!

Talk to me when it's 100 degrees and 80% humidity.

Florida has that lovely dampness in the Air (humidity) that is chilled. And our blood is thin. And the ex-Northerner's who tell me cold is easier to deal with. I can add layers until the cows come home. I'm still cold to my bones. I will take my humidity and heat any day. I can handle heat. The product of parents who decided that toughness was sleeping with the air conditioning off in the middle of summer.

 

[JennaDeeDooDah]

Talk to me when it's 100 degrees and 80% humidity.

Florida has that lovely dampness in the Air (humidity) that is chilled. And our blood is thin. And the ex-Northerner's who tell me cold is easier to deal with. I can add layers until the cows come home. I'm still cold to my bones. I will take my humidity and heat any day. I can handle heat. The product of parents who decided that toughness was sleeping with the air conditioning off in the middle of summer.

I like the heat and humidity, as well. In fact, I am one of those people who prefers the weather at WDW to the weather at DL just because I prefer the humidity. And, even without the humidity, I much prefer warmth. Now, when inside, I'd rather it be colder than hotter just because it is easier to sleep that way and I can cuddle up in a blanket. But, if I'm going to be outside doing something, please give me the heat over the cold any day. And I don't get people who have moved to Florida saying it is easier to deal with the cold. If that's really the case, why do people retire to Florida rather than Minnesota?