I am mad and no idea what to do?

[smfritz03]

Ok--I am pretty upset--I just read where the Hotel Royal Plaza was closed until September 1st--well--I mad reservations over 3 months ago for an August stay--so after reading a post, I decided to call and guess what--its true. So I wanted to know why I havent received a phone call--they couldnt tell me why and they rerouted our ressies to another hotel--well-we had booked the executive king suite (we needed 2 rooms) and they rerouted us to a standard room w/ only 2 beds. They wouldnt do anything to help us to get equivalant to what we booked through them. They just said we could cancel. I am sooo mad--1st no call then 2 no help or not even an apology!!!
And now, after looking online--I am not finding ANYTHING close to what I need!!! I cannot believe this is happening.....................

 

[disneyfamilyof5]

I'm in the same boat as well. I booked our July Hotel Royal stay in February thru Expedia. I found out about 2 weeks ago on this board that they will not be open until Sept. But since I booked thru Expedia, I cannot call the hotel to find out where our reservations stand until 7 days prior to our departure. I called the Hotel Royal and they told me that part of the hotel will be open but also part of it will be closed. They are transferring almost everyone the Best Western-LBV.

 

[smfritz03]

Yeah thats what they told me---what makes me mad--they give me a standard room (I had booked a suite-there top room) and there is a price difference-and they arent even willing to credit it back to me---the room is only $109 through their website and I paid $148 for my room...that isnt fair but they arent willing to do anything about it. Seems they could care less..........And Im looking online,,,, NOTHING is out there....Im even considering not doing Disney now...

 

[disneyfamilyof5]

I would definitely call and speak w/a manager or something and raise H*** until they refund your money. They have to refund the total amount and w/that refund you can surely find some where to stay on-site....the All Star hotels are going for $99 a night right now.

 

[maxaroni]

I'm so sorry that this is happening to you.

We lucked out, I guess. We originally were going to stay offsite and spent countless hours looking for a place. We booked the Radisson and then dh decided he wanted something different. We then booked a Residence Inn and were excited. We had talked about Hotel Royal Plaza, as we had stayed there on our honeymoon in '81. However, I had heard it needed a facelift and we had such terrific memories that we didn't want to spoik that. We hadn't known about the hurricane damage and refurbishment. I then read on Mousesavers, I believe, that Hotel Royal Plaza had shut down for refurbishment from the hurricane damage. We were assured that the hotel would open in July...changed the ressie again. One day, my dh came home saying he had a brain f*rt and wanted to change, yet again. This time he decided to go onsite.

I know this doesn't help you and wish there was something I could do to fix it. Sending pixie dust your way.

 

[Disney_1derland]

I think you need to contact the general manager directly. It is listed on their website as being Mark Clossey.

Mark Clossey
General Manager 407-827-3110
markc@royalplaza.com

If that does not help you try:

William Green
Director of Sales & Marketing 407-827-3735
wgreen@royalplaza.com

Keep trying until you are satsified. They should accomodate you with comparable rooms to what they had you reserved for. Or they should credit you the money in full.

good luck and keep us posted!

 

[TN Traveler]

I definitely agree--call the manager and work your way up until you are 100% completely satisfied. I am a travel agent and cannot tell you the number of times I have had to fix mistakes made by online booking engines such as Orbitz, travelocity and Cheap Hotels. I know some people think they can get better deals by booking direct instead of using a travel agent but one thing you can be assured of, if you don't get what you paid for or what is expected, you have a reputable agent to fall back on. Just last week I had 2 couples in Cancun that was suppose to get an upgraded room w/king bed, and jacuzzi. They got 2 double beds, went to the MOD who wasn't very willing to help them. They called me and I was able to get the problem solved w/in 24 hrs. Mistakes are going to happen every now and then but at least when you have someone to back you up and go to bat for you, you more than likely to get what you paid for.

Good luck....I hope Mgmt at this property sees that word of mouth goes a long way. I learned a long time ago for every bad experience someone has, they are likely to tell 10 people. But w/every good experience, they are likely to tell only 1 or 2 people. Don't know why that is but learned that 23 yrs ago when I first got in public relations and Customer Service.

Best of luck to you!
Karen aka TN Traveler

 

[robinb]

I can't believe there is nothing! I just checked your dates at Expedia and they are coming out at $99 per night for a Value resort. Did you plug your dates into the Dreams Unlimited hotel finder? Go to "DIS Home" and type in your dates on the right side of the page. You can also try www.mousesavers.com for more deals and I can personally recommend Priceline (3* and above) for the Walt Disney World area. Go to www.biddingfortravel.com for information on how to bid and to see which hotels come up on Priceline.

ETA: I just looked at Bidding For Travel and someone got the Best Western Lake Buena Vista WDW for 8/7-8/12 (your dates and in the hotel they want to move you to, right?) for $39 per night . That's how much you can save on Priceline! Personally, I would hold out for one of the Resort hotels that comes up between $55 and $85 per night.

 

[Corryn]

www.magicalmemories.com/villas.html

We rented a two bedroom villa (condo) for $89 Per Night! Two bathrooms and of course, the Cherished Washer and Dryer!
These are condos owned by individuals and Magical Memories is a managment company. I usually stay in a timeshare, but we went with a very large group last month and needed a lot of space for a little money. I found that after searching forever. We are all very happy with our experience.
Good Luck!

 

[smfritz03]

Well--I talked w/ a lady and they offered a double at Sheraton Safari w/ a "free" roll away bed. I still dont think they understand we are a family of 5 and need a little more space than one room. I talked w/ dh last night--I think Im going to either book 2 value rooms onsite--that will also save me the cost of a rental car since I will only need it one day vs a whole week. Im going to see what I can come up w/--I still may see about getting a hotel offsite to save some $$--Ive considered priceline--but a bit scared of it! Im afraid of getting something really far from Disney or some tacky little place. I have no idea what the "good" hotels are down there.......But hopefully we can just do onsite--I just dont like the thought of the value resorts but Im not sure if I can swing the others.

 

[disneyfamilyof5]

Well, let me know what you come up with. I didn't know you were also a family of 5 as us!! We stayed at the ASMusic value resort and they were very little...the door basically hit one of the beds when we walked in. But, all we needed was a place to sleep and bathe. The pool was nice also for the kids. I still don't know what hotel we are going to stay at for our one night before Poly. I guess the Best Western-LBV doesn't look so bad for one night.

 

[jcanary]

have you tried that site? you can get cypress pointe for 8/7-8/12 for 93.22 for a 2 bedroom. I know of people who have gone there and love it.

 

[smfritz03]

We werent looking to stay in a condo--but that may be the way to go also. We thought hard about it and figured the kids would enjoy staying in a hotel vs a home like enviroment (they are always begging to sleep at a hotel). but since they dont know anything about this trip-they wont know of the change of plans!

 

[dgaston]

We used the 2 bedroom at Cypress Pointe on either end of our April DVC stay (to avoid the high cost of Friday and Saturday night). It is a lovely place, especially in the newly renovated Cypress Pointe (not the Grandvillas) although the master bath has a weird placement for the toilet. We are staying there again (just DH and I) in a studio for 3 nights in July.

 

[maggiew]

Well--I talked w/ a lady and they offered a double at Sheraton Safari w/ a "free" roll away bed. I still dont think they understand we are a family of 5 and need a little more space than one room. I talked w/ dh last night--I think Im going to either book 2 value rooms onsite--that will also save me the cost of a rental car since I will only need it one day vs a whole week. Im going to see what I can come up w/--I still may see about getting a hotel offsite to save some $$--Ive considered priceline--but a bit scared of it! Im afraid of getting something really far from Disney or some tacky little place. I have no idea what the "good" hotels are down there.......But hopefully we can just do onsite--I just dont like the thought of the value resorts but Im not sure if I can swing the others.

Sheraton Safari has suites. Ask to be put in one of those.

Maggie

 

[HopperFan]

Just be careful if you do Priceline. It's a great service and we use for rental cars alot (just booked two), and my DH uses it for business. He puts in 4* at a cheap rate and does well with where he stays.

BUT we have been busy planning a trip to SF and area. My DH said check priceline, so I did, and my worry-self started reading all the fine print. They only guarantee a king bed. Won't work for our family of five, even if two rooms. There just is no guarantee of rollaway, extra person charges, etc. I didn't want to chance showing up with a good rate only to be told we won't fit and they will put us in another room at top dollar. Ended up booking all the rooms through AAA who was better than any other rates I could find through all the services.

 

[Alicnwondrln]

i thought i had responded to this but i guess i didnt
i would be calling that hotel and screaming at them
demanding a refund !!!!!!!

 

[robinb]

BUT we have been busy planning a trip to SF and area. My DH said check priceline, so I did, and my worry-self started reading all the fine print. They only guarantee a king bed. Won't work for our family of five, even if two rooms. There just is no guarantee of rollaway, extra person charges, etc.

Everything you say is true. However, this is Orlando and not SF or NYC. I have never had a problem getting two beds in Orlando on my many, many Priceline stays. I did, however, receive a single QUEEN bed in Chicago once. My DD wasn't with us on that stay, so we were fine. Personally, I wouldn't worry about not getting two beds in Orlando if you use Priceline.

 

[Disney_1derland]

Well--I talked w/ a lady and they offered a double at Sheraton Safari w/ a "free" roll away bed. I still dont think they understand we are a family of 5 and need a little more space than one room. I talked w/ dh last night--I think Im going to either book 2 value rooms onsite--that will also save me the cost of a rental car since I will only need it one day vs a whole week. Im going to see what I can come up w/--I still may see about getting a hotel offsite to save some $$--Ive considered priceline--but a bit scared of it! Im afraid of getting something really far from Disney or some tacky little place. I have no idea what the "good" hotels are down there.......But hopefully we can just do onsite--I just dont like the thought of the value resorts but Im not sure if I can swing the others.

I still think you need to contact the GM directly. Giving you a single room offsite is not comparable in my opinion. They need to get you a suite or 2 rooms at the same price or better on Disney property. That is what you reserved, that is what you had confirmed and that is what you should get. The GM has the real power here and you need to speak to him. You also need to let him know that you will be informing 60,000 of your closest friends of the outcome at a Disney Fan site. They need to take this seriously, it is their fault you are having this issue. What kind of hotel allows you to make reservations when they aren't even open? This is bad business and you can certainly turn that into bad PR for them. I think they would take that seriously, but then again, who knows

 

[Corryn]

You also need to let him know that you will be informing 60,000 of your closest friends of the outcome at a Disney Fan site.

I Never Knew We Had Such Power
(Seriously, I've never thought of it like that)!!!
SHAAAAAZAMMMMM!!!