Need Suggestions--Disney Dilemma

[cardio75]

Just got word from our travel agent that Disney overbooked our stay at the beach club resort. We made these reservations last year as soon as we were allowed to.

Disney offere to put up us in AKL with a deluxe savannah view or a polynesian lagoon view as alternatives. What should we do? My first thought was to hold out for a Concierge level upgrade with a good view, but I don't know if this is reasonable.

Any thoughts/comments will be appreciated.

thanks

 

[LindaR]

Have you stayed at AKL before? Do you want to?

I did not like AKL. If it were me, I would state that I wanted a resort that is on par to BC. (AKL and WL are the less expensive deluxe hotels).

But, it comes down to what you will accept.............

 

[TammiMcMan]

What about an upgraded room at the Yacht Club or Boardwalk? That way you are in the same area. If you're working with a TA, then I'd give her what your preferences and priorities are and let them work it out with Disney. Just seems kind of odd that after having your reservation for a year, you're the ones being asked to take something else.

 

[Mortlives]

I don't know what your original booking was, but if it was for a standard view BC room, both of these are nice upgrades. The lagoon view at the Poly is more expensive, but personally, I'd take the Deluxe Savannah view, just for watching the animals with my morning coffee/evening cocktail. Of course, the Poly is on the monorail, and your room might be able to see MK fireworks (someone correct me if that's wrong), but AKL has the animals, and a hottub. So, it depends on your priorities.

On the other hand, if you wanted SAB and walking to Epcot, I can see where neither of these options might be satisfactory. Maybe they could bump someone else instead? Someone who booked more recently? Or perhaps you could have your TA outline your reasons for choosing Beach Club, and see if a more similar accomodation could be reached, since both of the options you were given are completely different in location and amenities to what you originally chose.

Kungaloosh!
Morticia.

 

[twocat]

I want to echo what other posters have said and stick my 2 cents in:

If staying at an Epcot resort is important, try the Yacht Club first and then the Boardwalk. I LOVE the Yacht Club. Almost all rooms have balconies which is important to me. Boardwalk is also lovely, most rooms have balconies, too. If you're going to the F & W Fest in Oct/Nov, Epcot area is the place to be. Many people on these boards LOVE the Swan and Dolphin so that may be an option too. Am staying at the Swan in October so I can't give you any personal insights on that hotel yet. You can walk or take a boat to to Epcot and MGM from any of those hotels.

If you plan on spending a great deal of time at the Magic Kingdom go for the Poly. It's very lovely and convenient with monorail directly to MK. Close to the TTC to get you anywhere else just about.

I wouldn't take either the AKL or WL. They are not as deluxe as your other choices. I'm not a big fan of AKL; too dark and the novelty of the animals wears off pretty quickly. Absolutely must take a bus or your own car everywhere. Small rooms, too. Although this is a nice resort to visit and have a meal because it is so unique.

Let us know what you decide!!

I've never stayed at the WL just walked around. Seems dark, too. You can take a boat to the Magic Kingdom.

 

[swilphil]

Of the choices you were given I would definitely take the Poly over AKL. The Poly will work well if you going to spend a lot of time at MK and don't mind giving up SAB.

I would have your TA tell Disney that you might switch to a Swan/Dolphin suite because you want an Epcot location and see if they don't upgrade you to either BC/YC or BW concierage. A close friend stayed BW concierage and said it was the best. We have stayed at Swan and Dolphin and do love being close to MGM and Epcot. Now that the kids want to spend more time at MK, I would be happy with the Poly or even the GF for the monorail transportation! I would not do AKL or WL.

 

[mouseRD]

What time of year are you checking in? There must be instances of people having to cancel their ressies when it gets closer to the date; maybe you could just tell your TA that you really don't want to change resorts (if you really want BC), then arrive early on your check in day to be guaranteed a room or offer to be upgraded to a concierge room or suite if there is still nothing available. It just doesn't seem right that you are the one having to change your reservation when certainly there are people who made ressies less than one year ago. That being said, if you are planning to spend more time in MK (if you have small children) than Epcot, I've heard great things about the Poly LV (especially Tahiti) & the volcano pool there is supposed to be fun for kids.

 

[vickyBaby]

This is only my opinion, but it sounds like your travel agent dropped the ball and messed up and is trying to cover their behind.

Why not call CRO and check for yourself what is available and the rates. Check Mousesavers and see what is available as far as discount codes.

If your travel agent messed up, I would pull my reservation from the agency and book it myself.

 

[Mortlives]

vickyBaby,

I was thinking that, but I figured it was just my personal experience with TAs colouring my interpretation.

cardio75:
did you get a confirmation number from your TA when you originally booked? You might want to phone and check on that, if you did. If you didn't, I think we have a winner...

Kungaloosh!
Mort.

 

[luvmarypoppins]

Wow, sorry to hear about the messed up plans. I read here once that when disney messed up the poster was offered conceirge at boardwalk. She stood her ground, made her point etc, and got right on it. I have stayed at both akl and poly and bc. I agree with the other posters, if you really want the area, try yc first, then boardwalk etc. If akl and poly are your only choices, take the poly, at least you will be by the water, access to water sports etc, on par with bc, not like at akl. I also agree, if its your travel agent, try something else and dont go back there. Good luck. If you do something yourself look into the swan/dolphin. We have stayed at the swan twice and love it. Their grotto pool is fantastic etc.

 

[LisaZoe]

Hmm, I guess I was seeing the upgrade offer as being extended to the OP because she has had her reservations longer - kind of a first come, first served thing. I would definitely pick the Poly over AKL if it were me even though we're staying at AKL for 3 nights on our upcoming trip. However, as many other posters wrote, you need to look at what made you choose the BC in the first place and then decide if you want to pass on the upgrade or not.

 

[momxx5]

I agree with the other posters....

I think the TA may have been the one to make a mistake. WDW does not often overbook and certainly not to the point of having a TA call you to switch resorts.

I would call WDW personally and ask about the availability of rooms, prices etc and then take it from there.

Personally, after all that goes into planning our trip, if I booked the Beach Club over a year ago, I would want to stay at the Beach Club.

Good luck.
Keep us posted.

 

[JandT'smom]

Hi I had the same thing happen to me at the Yacht club. The yacht club called me about three hours prior to us leaving for the airport. I really wanted to stay at the Yacht club so I stod my ground and finally they found a room they called a VIP room it was awesome. By the way don't to be so quick to blame the travel agent I am one and it was Disneys mistake in my case. Besides Disney will not offer an upgrade for a TA,s mistake which a Lagoon view at the Poly is. They might have a large convention coming in

 

[GeekChic]

if your heart is set on staying there, i would ask them to see if they can somehow find a room for you and bump someone else instead. Maybe someone else would be thrilled with that upgrade to another resort.

seems to me if you've had that ressie that long, that they should honor it. could be a convention like others have said... i wouldn't jump to conclusions that it was the TA's fault...

if you want to stay there, stick to your guns kindly but firmly.

or, take the upgrade. myself, i'd be thrilled with an upgrade to Poly but then i love monorail hotels

good luck! let us know how it works out!
geek

 

[SueEllen]

Originally posted by momxx5
I agree with the other posters....

I think the TA may have been the one to make a mistake. WDW does not often overbook and certainly not to the point of having a TA call you to switch resorts.

I would call WDW personally and ask about the availability of rooms, prices etc and then take it from there.

Personally, after all that goes into planning our trip, if I booked the Beach Club over a year ago, I would want to stay at the Beach Club.

Good luck.
Keep us posted.

Actually I don't think it was a TA error, rather Disney wanting to bump someone from their room for whatever thier reason is. I know of 2 other situations at the Beach Club recently that have had the same call to move them to another resort.
If the Beach Club resort is important to you then I would suggest asking your TA if he/she can work out that someone else gets bumped and see what happens.
Best of luck to you.
Sue Ellen

 

[CRCrazy]

Disney does sometimes overbook - especially if they end up scheduling a conference and get more registrants than they expected and blocked out for. At this point - they will contact other vacationers to offer a change or an upgrade - after all - would you want to stay with all those conventioneers anyway?


I would definitely check to see if they will upgrade you from deluxe savannah to concierge level at the AKL - they are the same rooms! I've stayed at the Poly, the CR and the deluxe AKL rooms - the deluxe rooms are at least as big as the rooms at the beach club - we had plenty of room for our family of five there - and the fact that we had bunkbeds, with the daybed each of the girls had their own bed, gives the room even more floor space!

The concierge service at AKL is wonderful, and when we stayed there on AP rates - it was only about $35 more/night than the deluxe savannah rates. If you get in - definitely see about signing up for the special Safaris - either Sunrise (done twice - and LOVE it) or Sunset (would love to try someday!).

A concierge room at the AKL is on a par pricewise with the lagoon view rooms at the Poly.

While you don't have the easy access to Epcot & MGM that you would have at the Beach Club - access to MK, AK and Downtown Disney is much better, IMHO. I have had excellent luck with the AKL busses - they don't share with anyone, and they run every 10-15 minutes. I tend to drive to Epcot & MGM anyway - since I have a AAA Diamond Pass - it beats waiting for a bus with the crowds after Illuminations or Fantasmic!

Good Luck with your choice - and let us know what happens!

 

[cardio75]

I left out some info on the original post. We are doing the Land/Sea cruise with Disney and were limited to choosing from BC,Poly, and AKL. Having said that...

I called Disney myself and spoke with somebody who was very friendly and helpful. She stated that this does rarely happen, but it does happen (my TA didn't drop the ball). I explained to her how important this vacation was to us. We're taking our 2 kids (2 and 4 year old, boy and girl) as well as their grandparents that have never been to Disney. She had no problem upgrading us to the Concierge level at the Poly at not exta charge!!

We're excited, we've gone from a std room at BC to a concierge room at the Poly. The inconvenience of making a special trip to Peaches n Cream for a kitchen sink sundae is over shadowed by a better room.

Thanks for all your suggestions, now hopefully those of you that have stayed in a concierge room at the Poly can tell me i won't regret it.

 

[cardio75]

Does anybody know if all he concierge rooms at the Poly are Lagoon view rooms?

 

[Tigger&Belle]

No, there are garden and lagoon view rooms at the Poly concierge. You will love the concierge, with all the people in your party! I haven't stayed at the BC so can't compare, but you did well getting the Poly concierge.

T&B

 

[Gottalovedisney]

Cardio75

I'm so happy for you that you got a great upgrade out of it! The concierge rooms at the Poly are all in the Hawaii building. They can be lagoon view OR garden view. The garden view rooms are great! We had one in 2003. We actually went through the same thing last November. We were booked on the Poly concierge level, which was the only resort we ever stayed at. My TA got a call about 3 weeks before we were to leave that they had overbooked. We were offered the AKL or the Boardwalk concierge. We took the BWI and were SO glad we had done it! Even though i was very upset when it happened it was a blessing in disguise. We loved the Epcot area and the BW. We might never have wandered away from the monorail resorts if it hadn't happened. Now we're going back to stay at the YC! So you may end up with a new favorite resort! We still love the Polynesian and will stay there again, but we love Epcot!

Have a great trip!