Last minute call for more $$$$$ ?!?Updated with Disney's Response!

[Atotty]

On windows, if you press the Prt Scr/Sys Rq key (on mine next to the scroll lock / pause key) It will put a copy of your 'screen' on your clipboard.. If you open up a graphics program and make a 'new document' or just open windows 'paint' program you can then goto the edit menu at the top and select 'paste' and you will see a copy of your screen. ..

Thanks for the instructions.

 

[kaytieeldr]

I think a big portion of this problem is in how it is presented as well. There is a big difference between, "You owe us 3K- pay or else" and "Im sorry Mrs. Twinnybelles, there appears to be a mistake with your reservation. It seems that you were billed the incorrect amount for your package. The correct price is 3K more than you originally paid. This unfortunate error was due to...----. We would be happy to accept the difference and apply it to your current reservation, or, if you would like, we can help you find alternative accomodations for the price you paid. So sorry for the inconveniece..."

Dang it - YOU should consider getting a Disney job in Guest Relations or even PR. You're right - the presentation may have made a huge difference in twinnybelles' reaction (or maybe not - $3,000 IS a lot of money )

Earlier in this thread, somebody quoted Disney (I think) as referring to "... a prudent person would know...". Well, why isn't the reverse true? Why shouldn't Disney be held to "... a prudent business would know...", especially given that twinnybelles gave them several opportunities to confirm OR REFUSE her package price?

 

[PottersMom]

Dang it - YOU should consider getting a Disney job in Guest Relations or even PR. You're right - the presentation may have made a huge difference in twinnybelles' reaction (or maybe not - $3,000 IS a lot of money )

Earlier in this thread, somebody quoted Disney (I think) as referring to "... a prudent person would know...". Well, why isn't the reverse true? Why shouldn't Disney be held to "... a prudent business would know...", especially given that twinnybelles gave them several opportunities to confirm OR REFUSE her package price?

I would LOVE to work at Disney guest Relations!
The thing is- it sounds like they really screwed up, (especially after reading posts from others with a simillar situation). I am disappointed that they aren't offering to make it right. I know 3K is a lot of $$- the thing is, we see it as a drop in the bucket for a corp as big as Disney, but disney IS a Business, and in business every $$$ counts. You just have to be careful not to make them count at the expense of your customers. I can see that their policy allows them to call you out on a price change, or "glitch" or unforseen things like that, but I strongly feel that if they chose to do so, it should be done in the spirit of meeting on common ground. "We're very sorry we made this mistake- here are passes for the Sunrise Safari at AK, and VIP seating for Fantasmic." whatever. We were given VIP seating for illuminations when they cancelled our ressie for tepanyaki this summer- hello?! They should offer something as compensation for all this trouble. JMHO

 

[bellebuzzntink]

Twinny....a little pixie dust for you and your girls!

It's unfortunate that you had to go through all of this, but your girls will have a magical vacation all the same!

 

[WDWBetsy]

All I know is - if you book a Disney trip that seems like an extra special deal and then you get a call from Yolanda - watch out! Last year's BW garden suite "special deal" folks know what I'm talking about! I've learned my lesson that Disney won't budge even in you're paid in full and have the printed confirmations. I admit - I was basing my glitch hopes on past stories of airlines and hotels that honored their glitch prices. My bad!

To the OP - I'm sorry you experienced all this so close to your trip. I can truly understand your frustration. I hope your trip is still magical and fun, and I hope you get some recourse in the end. I still have hope that Disney will occasionally cave in and do the right thing!

 

[MickaMaizie]

Yes, I suspected a system glitch, and I called to keep rechecking , at least 3 times over 1 month. What was I supposed to say to CRO outlander " Um, I think I owe you guys $3,000.00." In my book, they had the opportunity to "catch it".

Yes, I am upset with the problem itself, because I feel a company of that magnitude should have better quality control, and better IT systems for that matter. I have had no problems when I stay at Holiday Inn.For a company such as Disney that prides itself on how it runs its business, seems like way too many widespead problems, but that is just my opinion.

Sounds like you're mad because they did catch it. You knew it wasn't right, but hoped that they wouldn't figure it out. So now that they did catch it you get upset and say they have wide spread problems and they should have better quality control and better IT systems. It seems their quality control and IT systems worked. They were slow but worked. Why should Disney be held to a different standard than yourself? If Disney didn't catch the glitch as you call it, would you have spent your whole vacation feeling guilty that you paid better price than every other person at Disney? No. You would have felt like you pulled one over on the big corporation. So why should they feel bad when they ask you to paid the fair price? We go to Disney every year and have the best time as a family. My girls can't stop talking about it. Let this go and you'll have a great time and feel like it was worth the price you paid.

 

[LilyWDW]

Also, I am always a firm believer there are two sides to every story. The full truth usually lies somewhere in the middle.

That's what I think every time I hear stuff about anyone and any company. We have ONE side of the story and obviously Disney can't be here to defend themselves. We don't actually know the whole story, the reasoning, or 100% of how it was handled. We only have the information given by an upset customer.

Not that I am saying the OP is lying, but all these people who are auto jumping on the "OMG those horrible Disney people" bandwagon need to remember that we don't have all the information.

 

[Brizite76]

Twinneybelles,
I am glad that in the end you decided to go anyway. But there is something I was wondering - I noticed you had never been to WDW before. Does Disney usually give out pin codes to people who have never been? Or did you go to Disneyland and were already "under their radar" so to speak?
Another thing crossed my mind too - your said that someone who didn't know about the Dis boards and codes, etc would be "sc***ed" but I don't think this would be likely to happen to someone else who was new to Disney - just because they would more than likely not know about pin codes or discounts. They might know about booking with AAA, or else they would just pay rack rate.
I do think I will be more wary of trying to use a discount code after reading this!

Have a good trip!

 

[G8r4evr]

She did say she contacted them three times on the package price. I wonder what how she would have felt if they had found the problem when she called the first time? Is the fact that Disney wants the money they're owed the problem or is it the short notice? Or perhaps both? I am honestly curious. I doubt the OP is going to respond to my question but it's on the table if she would like to comment.

I can only speak for myseld (and not the OP) but my problem would be in the short notice. If they charged me incorrectly, shame on them...everyone makes mistakes, but at least rectify the situation in a timely manner. To bill someone $3,000 less than 2 weeks from their arrival date is absurd.

As a consumer, I think at the very least, 60 day notice should have been given. But whats done is done and being so close to the arrival date, I think Disney should have to suck it up and stand by the price that they confirmed 3times in the past. Since it appears that is out of the questions, I believe Disney should at least offer to eat half of the price and politely ask for an addtl $1500 at the most. But thats just me....

 

[twinnybelles]

In response to Brizite 76 - Yes, I am new to Disney. I signed up on the WDW website, got myself a planning video,and immersed myself in all things Disney i could find on the web, including stumbling across these boards. Disney e-mailed me the PIN code, I had had the ressie for a while before that. I learned of PIN codes here, and applied for a Disney VISA to take advantage of that opportunity. I educated myself as much as I could to make the most out of my trip.

 

[mom to 3 angels]

I applied the "pluto" pin code when it came out

I read on another board this discount was causing problems with other people. I'm sorry it happened to you. Hopefully it'll be worked out, and you can enjoy your time with the mouse!

 

[my3princes]

I've been reading along and while I see both standpoints on the issue I am left with one issue. The OP is new to Disney and received an email with a PIN code. My understanding is that the email indicates that the OP should call Disney for rates and availability. If this is true then for her to make a legal contract with Disney all she needs to do is call them, listen to there offer and book. It seems that she did just that. Since they initiated the transaction and quoted her a price then she followed through with her requirement, made the phone call, accepted their offer and made payment in full the contract should be fulfilled. Legally I suspect that this could be looked at as a bait and switch situation. Luring new customers in with an unbelievable rate then changing the rate at a later date when it would be nearly impossible to cancel since hopes and dreams are on the line at that point. If what others have reported is true then this did not just happen to the OP, but to other visiters as well. I'm not a lawyer, but I did take some basic business and consumer law course and the old bait and switch seems to fit the bill here. I know that WDW puts a little disclaimer on there correspondence that indicates that can make changes, but this seems like a bigger issue involving a deal that they offered and now want to take back. I guess if I were the OP I'd wait until after my vacation then send a letter to the WDW legal dept and to the better business bureau. Laws are put into place to protect consumers and obviously this consumer was not protected. I'm sure that the email did not tell the OP that she should investigate actual current rates to make sure that the deal is not too good to be true, just to call for rates.

OP, have a wonderful trip

 

[SharonLowe]

While I would fight to the death for something I believe in strongly, I will never put my ego before my children's happiness. So, yes, I did pay the remaining balance this morning when I received the e mail from WDW with the " balance due". I definately feel that there is the opportunity for my ressie and all my painstakingly scheduled ADR's to "disappear" from the system, as a form of retribution, retaliation etc. from any CM's who may be named in an e mail sent off to Guest Relations. So, unless I get yet another call saying it is still not enough $$$$$$$$$$$, I will be breaking out my planning DVD to watch with my girls tonight, and try to get excited, again.
Next time they'll have to send someone to break my kneecaps.

All I can say is that once you arrive to that 14th floor room, it will magically not be as bad as it seems now. You are getting a fabulous room at a very good rate and the CL is absolutely wonderful! Take full advantage of it (a bit of a shame you are on DDP - don't need it as much when at CL); watch Wishes (or the Xmas version) from the balcony there one evening (or your room if you have a MK view); eat all their yummy food; and relax. Your girls will be in heaven and the smiles on their faces will be worth every penny.

 

[grannyminnie]

And check out Dicecatt's live report from the 14h floor! Sounds impressive...

 

[Milobaby]

While I do feel sorry for the OP-they had to know it was too good to be true-no one asks for concierge without knowing the per night cost. I have Pop Century for 7 nights,park hopper,dining 3 people for $2300-only & 700 more for Deluxe concierge? Sign me up. Honestly-I would have taken the deal but fully expected it to be caught at some point-they are lucky it wasn't at the front desk as they were trying to check in. And as for her never returning to Disney again after this-I seriously doubt that.

 

[BreezysMom]

I am distressed at the tone of some of the replies to the OP. She did everything in her power to verify and confirm the rate and kept excellent records. So to suggest she tried to "pull one over" on Disney is disgusting. And someone used the term lying??? Really? Lying? She paid the $3000, she is going to take her girls and have a magical time, I hope!

I always try to imagine myself in the same situation before I judge any situation. How many families can pull $3000 out of your pocket 10 days before your trip?? Not mine! And I would have been very distressed to downgrade after all the planning and dreaming and imagining we did prior to our trip. If it was my only choice, so be it.

I am disappointed at the way Disney handeled this situation, no matter who is at fault.

My 2 cents...

 

[pyrxtc]

Okay, first post says Update but I haven't read an update anywhere. has this been solved??

 

[grannyminnie]

Well, I don't know if you'd call it "solved" (I wouldn't) but a few pages back, the update was that the OP got the final word from the Disney people that she would have to pay...period! She chose to pay as opposed to either cancelling or downgrading to another resort.

 

[PottersMom]

I love Disney- love it! love it! love it! But I still have the objectivity to see when they make a mistake.
So WHAT if the price they told her was "too good to be true"- it was the price THEY told her. They didn't bargain or haggle over a price- they quoted her a price and then she paid it. Very simple. She confimed the balance due 3 times!!! 3 times!!!! If anyone is going to say, hold on... this seems to good to be true- it should have been a CM at CRO.

Not to mention the CM who quoted her the original price! Ok here's a person who books disney vacations all day long- it is their JOB to book Disney vacations. This person should have a very good understanding of what Disney vacations cost- with codes, without codes, DDP, park hoppers, etc. Some of you are still trying to say that OP should have known better???? (remember, she is a first time visitor) If anyone should have said, hang on, this doesn't sound right- it was the CM who booked her vacation! If it was the wrong price, or at least a price that should send up a red flag. I think there is a strong possibility that the CM didn't question the price, (or any of the other 3 CM who confirmed the price up to day 11) was because maybe it was the RIGHT PRICE!!!! Just a thought.
(I think some of you are just mad because you are paying $2300 for your value vacations, and she was only charged $700 more for her CL deluxe!!)
If I were OP, I would take it up with my CC company as a last resort. I realize you probably won't get anywhere now, but put them to work for you. Send them all of your documents and phone conversations. A lot of cards offer consumer protection against these sorts of things.
Good Luck- It sounds like you have planned the trip of a lifetime!

 

[LvsTnk]

I really do hate the "you should have known better" tone threads can take on and not just on the resorts board but others as well. I am on here everyday and have about 33 trips under my belt but I can sure miss something.

Thanks to the OP for opening up my eyes to the fact that at 10 days out I may get a phone call like hers YIKES!!

Have an AMAZING trip....you are going to love the 14th floor!!!!