No Bunk Beds in Standard @ WL ?? Huh ??

[NewlyWedsInMinnesota]

Hello All,

I am new here and I am hoping all you WL Vets can help me out.

I am from Toronto Canada and just moved to Minneapolis one month ago. Last weekend I got married ... and we are now a blended family his daughter 14, his son 11 and my son 10.

Back in February I booked a "vacation moon" for this coming October 19th - 25th. When I booked we requested non-smoking, connecting rooms, one of the rooms we wanted to have the bunk beds. The bunk beds are important because the boys are too big to share a queen bed (they are both over 5 feet tall and over 120 lbs each !!) ... and they don't really know each other well enough yet to share a bed for a week.

Anyway ... onto my dillema.

When I called today to make the final payment they told me that "due to environmental reasons the standard rooms have been relocated and there were no bunk bed rooms available". I was shocked !! I asked what our options were and how THEY were going to take care of this. I was told that the bed types were a request only and that due to that they were no obligated to do anything. They told us we could upgrade two categories in the WL and it would cost us an ADDITIONAL $815 ... or we could move to the AKL and only have to upgrade one category for an additional $350.

Needless to say I am not impressed. They also told me that I can't get a rollaway bed in the room ... that the boys will just have to sleep together. Their solution was to order extra pillows and make a "barrier" down the middle of the bed with them.

Sooo ... I phoned the hotel directly and spoke with the hotel operator. He was very nice .... but was also very confused by what I was telling him. He checked on the computer and he said that there were standard rooms with the bunks and that the reservation person must have been misinformed. I then told him that I had also talked to a Guest Relations Manager (and gave him the persons name) and said that he had also given me the same information. The operator knew the person I was speaking of and was surprised to hear this was the information that was being given out.

The hotel operator then put me on hold to speak to the operations manager at the hotel. Apparently the OM confirmed what the hotel operator was saying.

His suggestion was to not do the upgrade ... to keep my reservation the way it is ... and make sure that it is noted that we need the bunk bed room and why. He then told me that 5 days before our arrival the reservation would be sent to the hotel ... and that we should call back and talk to the Front Desk and ask them to assign us a room with the bunk beds.

I don't know who to believe ... and I don't know what to do at this point. Is there anyone else I can call ... is there anything else I can do.

Anyone with any insight into this or suggestions would be appreciated !!

Much Thanks !!
Norma

 

[pennst8r]

IMHO, I would believe the hotel operator. He is dealing with one property, not every resort at WDW, so he would know how that hotel works. Maybe the CMs are told to quote policy, and the hotel op is showing you a way around it.

 

[HookdonWDW]

Hello All,

I am new here and I am hoping all you WL Vets can help me out.

I am from Toronto Canada and just moved to Minneapolis one month ago. Last weekend I got married ... and we are now a blended family his daughter 14, his son 11 and my son 10.

Back in February I booked a "vacation moon" for this coming October 19th - 25th. When I booked we requested non-smoking, connecting rooms, one of the rooms we wanted to have the bunk beds. The bunk beds are important because the boys are too big to share a queen bed (they are both over 5 feet tall and over 120 lbs each !!) ... and they don't really know each other well enough yet to share a bed for a week.

Anyway ... onto my dillema.

When I called today to make the final payment they told me that "due to environmental reasons the standard rooms have been relocated and there were no bunk bed rooms available". I was shocked !! I asked what our options were and how THEY were going to take care of this. I was told that the bed types were a request only and that due to that they were no obligated to do anything. They told us we could upgrade two categories in the WL and it would cost us an ADDITIONAL $815 ... or we could move to the AKL and only have to upgrade one category for an additional $350.

Needless to say I am not impressed. They also told me that I can't get a rollaway bed in the room ... that the boys will just have to sleep together. Their solution was to order extra pillows and make a "barrier" down the middle of the bed with them.

Sooo ... I phoned the hotel directly and spoke with the hotel operator. He was very nice .... but was also very confused by what I was telling him. He checked on the computer and he said that there were standard rooms with the bunks and that the reservation person must have been misinformed. I then told him that I had also talked to a Guest Relations Manager (and gave him the persons name) and said that he had also given me the same information. The operator knew the person I was speaking of and was surprised to hear this was the information that was being given out.

The hotel operator then put me on hold to speak to the operations manager at the hotel. Apparently the OM confirmed what the hotel operator was saying.

His suggestion was to not do the upgrade ... to keep my reservation the way it is ... and make sure that it is noted that we need the bunk bed room and why. He then told me that 5 days before our arrival the reservation would be sent to the hotel ... and that we should call back and talk to the Front Desk and ask them to assign us a room with the bunk beds.

I don't know who to believe ... and I don't know what to do at this point. Is there anyone else I can call ... is there anything else I can do.

Anyone with any insight into this or suggestions would be appreciated !!

Much Thanks !!
Norma

Disney just changed things around in the last couple of weeks so that bunk beds are not available in standard rooms at both WL and AKL. Like most large companies, unfortunately, it takes a little bit of time before everyone is aware of a change in policy.

You wouldn't be requesting that they upgrade one room, but that they upgrade two rooms. Since receiving a bunkbed room has never been guaranteed, they may not be willing to do this without a fee. If it will truly make or break your vacation, and from the tone of your post it will, I would pay the extra for the room category you actually want.

Congratulations on your wedding, and I hope you have a magical trip!

 

[tekmom]

So AKL no longer has bunks in their standard view rooms, either? I am currently booked for next July at AKL and was able to request bunks...has the location of bunk changed there, too? Thanks!

 

[HookdonWDW]

So AKL no longer has bunks in their standard view rooms, either? I am currently booked for next July at AKL and was able to request bunks...has the location of bunk changed there, too? Thanks!

That's correct. Bunks are no longer available in standard rooms.

 

[Tjaleks]

NO bunks in standards rooms at AKL???? I just called two days ago and put that request on my ressie and was not told anything about this

 

[*Fantasia*]

What about WL Courtyard view? Do they have bunk beds there? I mean I was there in... heck I don't even remember what month... it think in Feb or March... that's what happens when you've been too Disney too many times! . And we stayed at the CY and got the bunk beds. So now... they only have bunk beds in Deluxe room. What is Deluxe room anyways... like a little suite?

 

[CheshireVal]

I'm sorry to hear that-- I can see where it would put a damper on your vacation plans.

Have you looked into the Fort Wilderness cabins? They have a bedroom with queen (or double?) bed, bunk beds, and also a pull-down Murphy bed in the living room. Though it wouldn't be like staying in a deluxe resort, Fort Wilderness is very nice and the cabin would offer your family the space that it seems you need.

 

[honeymo78]

Actually bunkbeds at WL are available in woods view rooms and courtyard rooms. They have been taken out of standard rooms. I don't know about AKL. There have been recent trip reports of people booking standard w/bunkbeds when that was still an option and getting upgraded at checkin since the room configurations have changed. You do not have to get a "deluxe" room for bunkbeds. I'm guess that all the woods view rooms are taken at WL and that is why they said you would need to go up 2 categories (standard-woods-courtyard) to get the room. At AKL I'm guess that there were rooms available at the next room category and that is why it would be less.

 

[DebbieB]

Would consider bringing an aero bed? When I vacation with my 3 friends in a DVC 1 bedroom, one brings a twin aerobed so that the sofabed doesn't have to be shared. When it's deflated and in its carrying bag, it's small enough to carryon the plane.

 

[Troy08]

The aero bed is a good option, it could be stored in a tote bag right in the closet.People must remember that bubk beds are a request, not a guarantee. I too asked for bunks(college aged daughter not happy to sleep with mom) but guess what, no bunks in woods view available, we were upgraded to courtyard and yes, she and I shared a bed and she survived! You ARE at Disney, I don;t think teen boys sharing a bed should be that big a deal, you are all part of one family now.

If that doesn't work, have you considered two connecting rooms in a value? Four beds, two baths.......

 

[NewlyWedsInMinnesota]

Yes we already have connecting rooms ... one for my new husband and I and another one for the kids. This is a not only a vacation but a honeymoon as well.

Having the two boys share a bed is not an option. This is their vacation too ... and lets face it would you like to share a bed with a practical stranger? Yes we are now one family ... but we really want to make this the absolute best experience possible but there is no way we can afford another $800 to upgrade to a deluxe room.

I guess I need to call the hotel back tomorrow and talk to a manager and see what the scoop is. We specifically picked this hotel because we could get bunk beds. We would have happily booked into one of the cheaper resorts and got two queen beds ... but that isn't what we need.

If there is anyone out there with the name of a manager or some other person at the hotel that I could call please advise.

Thanks !!
Norma

 

[huskies90]

I just booked my standard room at AKL for November and had no problem adding the bunk bed room request. I am assuming they will just say there are non available when I check in then right, because they are not obligated to upgrade? Or is there a loophole here? I am curious if anyone else booked a standard room at either WL or AKL and what happened at check in...

 

[Deb & Bill]

When you call the hotel directly, you will probably get a call center. They will identify themselves as the hotel (since they know what number you are calling), but they will probably not physically be at the hotel itself. Even when you call the front desk from your room, you will probably get a call center.

 

[WDWRC]

Subject to change without notice!

It's been said before.....requested but not guaranteed!


Tracy

 

[Schmeck]

Yes we already have connecting rooms ... one for my new husband and I and another one for the kids. This is a not only a vacation but a honeymoon as well.

Having the two boys share a bed is not an option. This is their vacation too ... and lets face it would you like to share a bed with a practical stranger? Yes we are now one family ... but we really want to make this the absolute best experience possible but there is no way we can afford another $800 to upgrade to a deluxe room.


Thanks !!
Norma

Well, if sharing a bed is not an option, and bunkbeds can only be requested, to get what you want, you need to book something else.

Of course, having the boys share a bed (or why not have the blood brother/sister share a bed instead?) would be a great way to have them not be 'practical strangers'...

 

[amyhwang]

We specifically picked this hotel because we could get bunk beds.

We've stayed at the AKL twice and only got bunk beds that we requested once. It's only a request - it's not ever really guaranteed.

 

[NewlyWedsInMinnesota]

How can the hotel make it appear like you can request something ... how can they offer it to you as a request ... if they don't even have such a thing available anymore ?? Yes a request is just a request ... but it has to exist for that request to mean anything. It is false advertisement for them to portray something as available when it really isn't.

I was hoping to get some help in identifying a real person with a real name who works at the Wilderness Lodge from one of the veterans of this hotel. It is rather annoying to be told how I should be attempting to bring our two families together into one. I don't believe my post was requesting help on how to do that.

I am glad my post was able to alert some other travellers to their likely plight.

N.

 

[honeymo78]

When you booked, bunk beds were still an option in standards at WL so there was no false advertising when you booked (the change is very recent). It seems that many people are still getting their requested bunk beds even if they booked standard months ago. However if you were to book it today, you should be told they are only available in woods or courtyard. They may still honor your request if there are bunk bed rooms available when you check in by upgrading your view. I would think that they can see the date of your booking and not deny you bunk beds based on your standard room rate (might deny if there are none available, especially with connecting rooms), since when you booked you were allowed to request bunkbeds.

From recent reports, it doesn't seem that guests who booked standard requesting bunks are getting treated any differently right now from treatment before the change. I wouldn't worry about it - I'm sure you had been thinking about a contingency plan in case your request wasn't honored even when bunks were considered part of standard. It sounds like a note was made on your ressie so that should help. And be sure to ask if you got bunks when you check in and explain your situation when you get there.

 

[jlcd]

If you want guaranteed bunk beds I also think you should consider the Fort Wilderness Cabins. Otherwise there is no guarantee, no matter what category room you book. We were there in April and bunk bed rooms were all full.