Overbooked at Boardwalk and moved barely without asking?

[starry_solo]

I was/am upset, which coming from me is rare. I've had such fun at Disney over the years. Took my son there for his 5th birthday, Went there for our honeymoon and a Disney cruise. Everything was perfect.

I own my a business and customer care is a top priority for me. I just didnt like the way this went down. Then after the Disney "cast member" told me to call my travel agent i was ticked.

We have until tomorrow to cancel the trip and do something else. Just sad and upset kinda on how this was handled.

I hope you got over your upset

 

[gottalovepluto]

..... she told the client she would no longer be working for her, and SHE RETURNED THE HOTEL RESERVATIONS BACK TO DISNEY. The client had no control over the hotel reservation, only the TA .......... and now the client had no hotel.

There actually is a process to return a reservation to Disney. It is a form that is filled out and when Disney accepts it Disney then owns the reservation as if you had booked direct with them. The reservation is not cancelled.

I highly doubt that the TA cancelled the reservation without the client’s permission. That could get them banned from doing business with Disney & even land them with legal issues.

 

[HopperFan]

There actually is a process to return a reservation to Disney. It is a form that is filled out and when Disney accepts it Disney then owns the reservation as if you had booked direct with them. The reservation is not cancelled.

I highly doubt that the TA cancelled the reservation without the client’s permission. That could get them banned from doing business with Disney & even land them with legal issues.

I only shortened the story. It was my assumption it was cancelled by how she worded it but maybe that is what she wanted viewers to think.

If I were the TA I would have shared with Disney what the women wanted (fraud) and let that sit in her file.

 

[thinkerbell]

You are out of the process!

Disney doesn't even know who you are.
The TA made a reservation and then sold it to you.
Disney won't have your information until you check in.

As far as Disney is concerned, Company XYZ booked a room reservation and that room is now out of service, Disney called Company XYZ and told them the situation. Company XYZ said that's fine, blindly accepted the change and then contacted you.

IME, Company XYZ should have asked if there were any alternatives, including staying at BWI just in case their client was unhappy with the solution. Then ideally XYZ company calls you with a variety of alternatives including some of the other deluxe resorts.

Disney didn't drop the ball, again they have no idea who the TA sold the reservation to. The TA dropped the ball and then I speculate called Disney back when they realized how upset you were to see if you could be moved back to BWI.

I agree with all of what you said except for the bolded part. I fully believe that it was his TA’s responsibility to advocate for him and that Disney would talk to his TA instead of him.
We don’t normally use a travel agent but our daughter in law has recently become one, and we want to support her, so we booked our upcoming reservations with her. Shortly after she booked the first reservation at CSR, we received an email from Disney confirming. It didn't take it very long (less than an hour) to show up in MDE. Our MDE is in my name but my husband is also listed. Later, we decided to add two days on the front end and wanted to make it a split stay at POP the first 4 nights. She made the POP reservation in my husband’s name because she had forgotten that the CSR reservation was in my name. No biggie. It showed up in our MDE in a matter of minutes even though our account is in my name. Then she had to call to drop off a couple of our CSR days (since we were doing the split stay) because her system wouldn’t let her do it online. They told her that the change might not show up in MDE for up to 24 hours. I refreshed it and the change was there. I never had to enter any information. It just magically appeared.

I definitely understand that they wouldn’t talk to me since I went through a TA and that is the reason we have never used one before. But, they definitely know who the reservation is for.

 

[Darrenchaker]

So just got a call from our travel agent telling us that we got moved from the Boardwalk to the the Beach Club in 3 days of our trip. Is this normal for Disney to just move people because they over booked? and without really even asking. More "telling" based on information from the agent. Said it was a "lateral" move.

I asked if it was a choice and as told no. Go to the Beach Club or dont show up. Has Disney really fallen this far that this is the "New" Disney Magic that we pay for?

Is this really a thing that happens these days with Disney? I just feel like "Give us your money and shut up"

I feel you. I had the same issue for a trip booked months in advance. What I thought was going to be an easy check in turned into something not expected after being sent to an older part of the resort , a part where my daughter’s cheer team was not staying at. If I could stay at a different resort, that would be ideal if her team management agrees to it. Best to everyone here, Darren Chaker

 

[TheHulamuffins]

I don't blame OverbookedDave for any of the things that happened at all. It is entirely reasonable to use the services of a travel agent for a Disney trip, especially if you are short on time, and you are encountering waits when trying to book directly. I am very glad that Dave got the Boardwalk reservation he originally wanted. He has not mentioned whether he had worked with this travel agent before. I don't need to repeat what others have said about what the travel agent should have done.

I have almost never used a travel agent since I used one in 1973 to arrange for a flight to Austria and back. The agent booked me on a flight to Paris, with a different flight number to Vienna. However, she told me that it would be the same plane. I doubted that somewhat, but went along with it. Overnight, on the plane, I lost one of my contact lenses. I arrived in Paris, and waited in my seat for the new travelers to board. No one came on. Eventually, the stewardess asked if she could help me. I explained. By that time, the flight that had been reserved for me had already left for Vienna. So now I needed help rearranging that flight, I was able to see out of one eye only, and I did not speak nor understand French. Fun! This did not go badly, however. I was able to get a flight to Vienna with a stop-over and change in Zurich. This was quite nice. It was the first time I had seen real mountains. When I arrived in Vienna, my luggage was there. The flight back from Vienna was one of the best flights I have ever had. I was on a 747 from Vienna to New York. There were very few other passengers on board. I had an entire row of seats (in coach) in a 747 all to myself! The stewardesses were ecstatic! We had wonderful service and a very smooth flight. This was on TWA.

 

[Dug720]

The agent booked me on a flight to Paris, with a different flight number to Vienna. However, she told me that it would be the same plane. I doubted that somewhat, but went along with it.

Sorry, but unless the agent was on the plane with you, paying attention to the flight attendants' announcements - and even taking some responsibility to ASK them (if not verifying at the airport when you checked in), especially since it didn't seem right to you, is ALL on you.

 

[TheHulamuffins]

Yes, I was 19 and I mistakenly believed the travel agent. I was flying to Paris from JFK. I had flown to JFK from home. I was a bit rattled, when I reached the check-in for the flight to Paris due to a challenge that I had just dealt with. My flight arrived at a domestic terminal at JFK, and I was leaving from the international terminal. When I was collecting my suitcase from the baggage claim to take it to the international terminal, a man approached and offered to carry my bag for me and give me a ride to the international terminal. (This was before luggage normally came with wheels.) He said the international terminal was a long distance away. I let him carry my bag as far as the taxi stand, where I got a taxi. He asked, "Don't you trust me?" I just smiled at him. The taxi ride was exceedingly short. You could see the entrance of the international terminal from the exit of the domestic terminal! (The lay-out at JFK may be different now. It may even have changed multiple times in the intervening years.) The taxi driver was very kind, and took me on the very short trip anyway. I suppose he could get back to the taxi stand easily enough to collect the next fare.

Of all of the things I might berate myself for, in connection with that trip, not reporting the man to the police is at the top of my list. (The man gave me his name, but I am sure it was false.) Having to reschedule the flight to Vienna is well down on the list.

Sorry that this has become off-topic for travel agents and Disney rescheduling! I wanted to give Dug720 a more complete picture of the outbound part of that trip, since he criticized me.

 

[pwdebbie]

@OverbookedDave -- By now your trip is over or nearly over. Please come back and tell us what you thought of Beach Club.

 

[gottalovepluto]

@OverbookedDave -- By now your trip is over or nearly over. Please come back and tell us what you thought of Beach Club.

They got put back at BWI

 

[nw6675]

@OverbookedDave -- By now your trip is over or nearly over. Please come back and tell us what you thought of Beach Club.

He got moved back to the Boardwalk.

 

[Disneylover99]

I don't blame OverbookedDave for any of the things that happened at all. It is entirely reasonable to use the services of a travel agent for a Disney trip, especially if you are short on time, and you are encountering waits when trying to book directly. I am very glad that Dave got the Boardwalk reservation he originally wanted. He has not mentioned whether he had worked with this travel agent before. I don't need to repeat what others have said about what the travel agent should have done.

I have almost never used a travel agent since I used one in 1973 to arrange for a flight to Austria and back. The agent booked me on a flight to Paris, with a different flight number to Vienna. However, she told me that it would be the same plane. I doubted that somewhat, but went along with it. Overnight, on the plane, I lost one of my contact lenses. I arrived in Paris, and waited in my seat for the new travelers to board. No one came on. Eventually, the stewardess asked if she could help me. I explained. By that time, the flight that had been reserved for me had already left for Vienna. So now I needed help rearranging that flight, I was able to see out of one eye only, and I did not speak nor understand French. Fun! This did not go badly, however. I was able to get a flight to Vienna with a stop-over and change in Zurich. This was quite nice. It was the first time I had seen real mountains. When I arrived in Vienna, my luggage was there. The flight back from Vienna was one of the best flights I have ever had. I was on a 747 from Vienna to New York. There were very few other passengers on board. I had an entire row of seats (in coach) in a 747 all to myself! The stewardesses were ecstatic! We had wonderful service and a very smooth flight. This was on TWA.

Glad you made the most out of it and ended up enjoying yourself!
Travelling 50 years ago is certainly different then travelling today. We are all alot more travel savvy these days, that’s for sure.

 

[thinkerbell]

Glad you made the most out of it and ended up enjoying yourself!
Travelling 50 years ago is certainly different then travelling today. We are all alot more travel savvy these days, that’s for sure.

OMG…1973 sounded like a while ago but when you said 50 years ago…man that makes me feel old. 1973 doesn’t “sound” like 50 years ago.

 

[lpereira]

Just to be clear because I'm not reading any more of this. When you use a TA Disney cannot talk to you. It isn't your reservation. It belongs to your TA. So minus 1 point TA. It has nothing to do with Disney. They don't do conference calls. If for some reason you use a TA in thr future tell them upfront you will not be willing to change resorts. Otherwise you accept the hand you get dealt. Which I'd basically what you agreed to when you used a TA to book your vacation.

 

[maxiesmom]

lol, I cant swim. lol

Just poorly handled

Sounds like your TA handled it poorly. If she had told Disney no go, they would have moved on to the next guest. Sounds like your TA didn't bother doing that. It is because of situations like this, and others, that have me no longer using a TA. I like to be in control of my vacation. When you hire a TA you are giving them all of the control and Disney will deal with them and them alone.

 

[trishadono]

So to answer a couple of comments that were post. Both rooms were "garden view" rooms. The rates I looked up were just a quick random date of the two resorts on those dates. Again supply and demand could have a facture in the prices. Which if thats the case does not show well for the Beach Club.

Going through a TA seemed like a fast and easy process to navigate the Disney "maze".
My TA is not going to Disney world Monday, she didnt care overall if anything changed. It didnt affect her plans or mindset that was created over the past couple months.

This was a Christmas gift for my wife because I didnt know what to get her. lol

My biggest problem that could have been easily avoided was to contact me directly or have a quick conference call if legal hurdles had to be watched. "...but Disney doesnt have time for that type of contact" Again Disney at one point was not the norm company, at one point "Disney Magic" was a thing that was common.

Did they just find out Friday that the drywall wasnt done? Is there a project manger on site over looking construction? Of course there is. Call me 2 weeks ago, not the night before we leave. Just wasnt done correctly.

FLASH UPDATE; They moved us back, good grief. Im exhausted by how this was handled.

Thanks for letting me talk with others on this board. It wasnt meant to be a "rant" just "has this happened to others?"

Minus 1 point Disney

Thanks

My daughter had a 2 bedroom suite booked at BWI and was walked to AKL for 4/28-5/01. Her room was booked by a TA that is familiar with our preferences. So she texted me while she pushed them for other options. They ended up being moved to 2 rooms at CR in CL. They had a suite which is the space of 3 rooms. Disney does not care. They look at the $ and is was similar so that’s what you get.

I had a single room in cl at BWI for the same dates. They called and left me a message and yep moved me to cr and didn’t offer me other choices. However my TA on my behalf asked and I could have gone to poly cl but ONLY GV .

When we got moved from BWI for our April trip I booked us last week for BWI GV room to see the new rooms. I was surprised to find they put is in an old room. I ran to the check in desk and they didn’t have any of the new rooms available. It appears they are behind.

 

[RN2003AZ]

So to answer a couple of comments that were post. Both rooms were "garden view" rooms. The rates I looked up were just a quick random date of the two resorts on those dates. Again supply and demand could have a facture in the prices. Which if thats the case does not show well for the Beach Club.

Going through a TA seemed like a fast and easy process to navigate the Disney "maze".
My TA is not going to Disney world Monday, she didnt care overall if anything changed. It didnt affect her plans or mindset that was created over the past couple months.

This was a Christmas gift for my wife because I didnt know what to get her. lol

My biggest problem that could have been easily avoided was to contact me directly or have a quick conference call if legal hurdles had to be watched. "...but Disney doesnt have time for that type of contact" Again Disney at one point was not the norm company, at one point "Disney Magic" was a thing that was common.

Did they just find out Friday that the drywall wasnt done? Is there a project manger on site over looking construction? Of course there is. Call me 2 weeks ago, not the night before we leave. Just wasnt done correctly.

FLASH UPDATE; They moved us back, good grief. Im exhausted by how this was handled.

Thanks for letting me talk with others on this board. It wasnt meant to be a "rant" just "has this happened to others?"

Minus 1 point Disney

Thanks

So your agent dropped the ball on this. I’ve had this happen to clients twice and when I got the calls from Disney I always was given the option to talk to the client first, explain what was going on, and obtain confirmation that they were ok with the move. I was then able to call back to Disney to either say yes, they accepted, or no, they didn’t want to and was there another option on the table. Your agent should’ve never accepted without your consent.

 

[Dug720]

It is because of situations like this, and others, that have me no longer using a TA. I like to be in control of my vacation.

Just be upfront with your TA about things. Mine is super proactive (often when discounts come out, she has emailed me and either said "Your deal is better", "I've changed you to the new deal", or "Your room type isn't available with the deal, but if you want to do X type it's a better deal" BEFORE I've even seen the discount on here) and also has a list of my "Yes" resorts and my "No" resorts in the event that something like needing to be moved happens. The room is the only thing I can't do anything about. I make my own park reservations, my own ADRs, my own extras - literally everything else.

 

[gmi3804]

It's subjective, of course, but I'd consider any other Deluxe resort an upgrade from Boardwalk.

 

[DLo]

Just got a call from my TA . I am just moving from BWI to BWV . She knew I wanted to stay in the EPCOT area so asked how I could stay in the area and discussed with me before giving Disney the ok.