New Charges for requested buildings

[Tigger Woods]

The reason that Disney makes these buildings preferred is that everyone asks for them

No, the reason Disney made these buildings preferred is they can charge more money for them. If you can't pony up enough dough, you may be sleeping in Outer Siberia somewhere. With the old system, those on a limited budget at least had a shot at a decent building. Now, the odds are not in their favor. I'm wondering when Disney will implement a 'preferred ride' system. You wanna ride Tower of Terror? That'll be an extra 5 bucks ..

 

[kylie&haley'smom]

are there preferred rooms at csr? i know there's cabanas,casitas,and ranchos. are any of them preferred?

 

[Castillo Mom]

Originally posted by LadyLt
Remember, you did not reserve Martinique for your trip next year. You made a REQUEST that you be placed in that building. Requests are Never guaranteed. Cast members do their best to meet requests, but it is not always possible.

The reason that Disney makes these buildings preferred is that everyone asks for them. Now that Martinique is becoming a prefered building, then you will have to pay the $15.00 a night to stay there. If you do not wish to pay the charges, you will be assigned to another buidling because Disney never promised to put you there. Those guests paying the fee will receive those rooms.

I'm fully aware that when I made my reservations and requested rooms in Martinique that it was just that, a request. From the comments I've seen on these boards, most people who request a certain building are usually granted their request. I'm just not too happy with the additional charge. In any case, I don't feel like having to walk long distances at the resort before or after having to walk around all day at the parks so I called CRO yesterday and changed my reservations to preferred.

 

[Castillo Mom]

Originally posted by PaulaJ
Is it jusdt the 2 "islands"closest to Old Port Royale that will be considered preferred?

The CM I spoke with yesterday said any buildings in Trinidad North or Martinique are now considered preferred and are subject to the add'l $15 per night.

 

[peachgirl]

From the comments I've seen on these boards, most people who request a certain building are usually granted their request.

I agree, it would "seem" that way from what you read on these boards. And, that's part of the problem, imo. If you only went by what you read on these boards, room requests and free upgrades would seem to almost a given. In reality, they really aren't.

I'm never happy about having to pay more, but at least this way, if you really want a certain building or location you can be guaranteed you're going to get it. Honestly, I'd rather be able to guarantee that I'm going to get the location I want rather than have to rely on luck of the draw.

 

[epcotfan]

I can totally understand why CRO is charging more. I can only imagine the constant requests the rooms controllers get for those areas. Personally I'd rather pay more and guarantee where I'm going to be rather than leave it to chance.

Not quite sure how it would work at CSR since the main pool area and dining facilities are in two different areas-unless they turn Cabanas 9A and B into preferred areas due to proximity to the Dig Site and El Centro.

 

[PaulaJ]

As far as CBR goes... I have stayed in Martinique when the bldg. was the furthest possible one to OPRoyale, and buildings across the island that were the closest to OPR.., so the "island" itself can be decieving. Next time I will definitely request Jamaica..my favorite. Again, CBR is such a beautiful place to walk that being close to the food court can even limit your time enjoying this beauty! On our first trip we ere in Barbados, and just loved the walk to the food court each morning. Also, I've always really valued the small pools for their close proximity to the rooms. It's nice to go for a swim and get back to your room in a minute.

 

[Tigger Woods]

Charging folks more money to be near a food court, bus stop or lobby is ridiculous, and is not standard practice in the hotel industry. It's pure Disney. People who think that this is a good idea have been inhaling too much pixie dust.

 

[GoldenOldie]

Originally posted by Tigger Woods
Charging folks more money to be near a food court, bus stop or lobby is ridiculous, and is not standard practice in the hotel industry. It's pure Disney. People who think that this is a good idea have been inhaling too much pixie dust.

Disney wouldn't be doing this if they didn't see such a demand for these particular buildings. It's simple economics. When there's a demand for something that's in limited supply, the price goes up. We (Disney's guests and in no small part the internet community as a whole) have played a very large part in this happening. If it wasn't for all the requests, faxes and phone calls they get from people wanting a specific building or area, these extra charges at All Stars and CBR would never have come to pass. We are the ones who tipped Disney off as to what they had.

 

[Sammie]

Originally posted by GoldenOldie
Disney wouldn't be doing this if they didn't see such a demand for these particular buildings. It's simple economics. When there's a demand for something that's in limited supply, the price goes up. We (Disney's guests and in no small part the internet community as a whole) have played a very large part in this happening. If it wasn't for all the requests, faxes and phone calls they get from people wanting a specific building or area, these extra charges at All Stars and CBR would never have come to pass. We are the ones who tipped Disney off as to what they had.

You are definitely correct, goes back to the saying, "We have seen the enemy and he is us". Guests requested particular buildings so many times through faxes, and complained when they did not get them and others did, that Disney has now taken control of the situation. Guests abused the parking lots at resorts near the parks, and now there is a 3 hour limit to parking. Guests abused the pool situation and now there are gated pools and ID checks. As more and more guests take advantage of a particular situation I forsee more changes similar to these.

As to this only being the practice of Disney, I have traveled to many popular tourist destinations and found resorts that had 5 different room rates based entirely on where the room was located on the property. I believe that is the same thing Disney is doing.

As in most things it is location, location, location.

 

[Castillo Mom]

If my request hadn't been granted, I would have been disappointed but not angry. People need to understand the difference between a request and a guarantee.

As for the extra fee, of course I'm not happy about having to pay an additional $270. I actually have mixed feelings on the subject. On the one hand, I think Disney may see this as an opportunity for additional revenue, but of course that's probably my pocketbook tallking. On the other hand, I've stayed at other resorts who charge extra for certain room locations.

When it comes right down to it, I'll pay the extra to be guaranteed the location I want. The only thing is that as someone else posted, there are several buildings in Martinique and not every one of them is close to OPR. I've made a request for building 26. I'm keeping my fingers crossed!

 

[safetymom]

I think Disney made the right decision when it decided to make all the buildings in Martinique preferred. They are all close to Old Port Royale. I could just see it if only one building was preferred.

I see more value in a preferred location than a water view at CBR. Yes I have had the water view quite a few times when I was upgraded for free. It is not worth it since I don't like to keep my blinds up for everyone to see into our room.