POFQ Disappointment

[teachertink]

Just wrote Disney about how disappointed I am. My sister and I booked POFQ 8 months ago because we love the Mardis Gras theming. Spent lots of time contemplating between POFQ and a monorail resort as we had a great rate from a travel agent. Now we get a letter that Sassagoula is closed during our stay. I know there is an alternative option but that theming is a big reason we choose the resort. Now availability is extremely limited at monorail resorts and the exclusive agent discounts are gone. It is so frustrating that we have to plan this far in advance and then Disney makes these announcements that affect your vacation. They have to know about them sooner.

On the other side, we booked Tony's Town Square MSEP package and now MSEP will be gone. Combine that with half of HS down and no ROL and no extended hours in AK and HS as we had anticipated, we are very frustrated. Disney is not the same and it is painful to come to that conclusion.

 

[Sparkly]

Unfortunately these things have to be done during somebodys trip, and it happens to be yours.

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

I have read that the temp food court is working very well at POFQ it is still a lovely resort. There don't seem to hsve been any complaints so far. When are you going? I think the last msep is 9th October. I hope you catch it. If not I think they might replace it with something else.

Sorry for your dissapointment. The new Frozen ride looks great though! Plus they change park hours sometimes. They just extended them for September maybe they might for your trip.

 

[kaytieeldr]

How frequently were you planning to eat at Sassagoula? As for the Tony's package, whether or not there will be a replacement parade, can't you cancel it?

 

[chloelovesdisney]

I stayed at POFQ and loved the resort, we only stepped foot in Sassagoula once if that helps at all. I like to eat in the parks.

 

[cmarsh31]

Definitely an unpleasant occurrence of many unexpected events! I think it's tougher for you because you've basically gone yearly for the past 5 years so you know what you were hoping for and therefore missing. When we planned our Feb 2017 trip back in 2014, shockingly, we thought Avatar would be open - and then ROL (hahaha, not expecting anything) and now the ending of MSEP, however, because it'll have been almost 3 years, we're just happy to go back and do the things we've missed for years.

 

[loves to dive]

I'm sorry your disappointed, it's tough to plan what you hope is going to be the ideal vacation and then find things you were hoping for won't happen. The Food Court at POR is just a hop, skip and jump away and from what I understand they have set up a temporary food court so all is not lost there. As another poster stated, these things have to be done at some point so there is always going to be someone disappointed. The parade moving did come pretty fast and with little notice. I'm sure Disney officials weren't sitting around saying, let's no tell anyone until the last minute because we can. It's very possible there were other things that had to fall into place and they didn't want to announce it too early and it not be moved. Not sure when you are going but they are extending the hours at AK a month in advance. Remember, in the winter night comes a little earlier so you don't despair, it's entirely possible they will be extended while you are there. ROL is just an unfortunate mishap. It's simply a case of bad project management and an announcement of opening being made too soon. It serve no one if they opened it too soon and it continually broke or one of the performers got hurt. There is still plenty to do at HS, they really didn't close that much. There are construction walls up but unless you were a fan of the back street area (which I was by the way) most of what was there still is. I would try to take the good with the bad in this case and not set yourself up to have a bad time from the get go. There is still plenty to do at Disney and you will still have a good time if you let yourself.

 

[DebbieB]

Unfortunately these things have to be done during somebodys trip, and it happens to be yours.

I think the gripe is that there is not earlier notification. I booked BWV last November for October. I got a letter a couple of weeks ago that renovations will be going on. Too late to make a change, everything is booked. Surely they have an extended list of upcoming renovations.

 

[HopperFan]

Just wrote Disney about how disappointed I am. My sister and I booked POFQ 8 months ago because we love the Mardis Gras theming. Spent lots of time contemplating between POFQ and a monorail resort as we had a great rate from a travel agent. Now we get a letter that Sassagoula is closed during our stay. I know there is an alternative option but that theming is a big reason we choose the resort. Now availability is extremely limited at monorail resorts and the exclusive agent discounts are gone. It is so frustrating that we have to plan this far in advance and then Disney makes these announcements that affect your vacation. They have to know about them sooner.

On the other side, we booked Tony's Town Square MSEP package and now MSEP will be gone. Combine that with half of HS down and no ROL and no extended hours in AK and HS as we had anticipated, we are very frustrated. Disney is not the same and it is painful to come to that conclusion.

- Sassagoula closing was announced over two months ago and they have provided an option in addition to POR food court. If there were no option I'd be upset, but there is.
- ROL was announced cancelled in April and there were never any announcement of it coming on line. No one should expect this to be operating until it actually is.
- DHS closures were known in 2015, a year ago.
- MSEP has been a blow to many I agree but party season is the perfect time if they were going to pull it. They have parties all season long and F&W - huge perks to guests.
- DHS hours will probably allow for the Fireworks and Fantasmic, no extra hours needed with amount of attractions open.
- AK only needs enough dark hours to offer the Tree Lighting and Parties for short time, so shorter hours works.
- And with all the new openings at Disney Springs, I am sure they hope some will end their evenings down there.

So when the economy was slower and attendance lower (aka no extra money) we could depend on everything being the same and little change trip after trip ... but with the improved economy, increased attendance, full hotels and the catch up of construction ........ yes trips right now will be impacted and probably will continue the next few years. EVERYONE will have their trips impacted in some way. But it's for good reason.

Disney is blamed when when they do nothing and they are blamed when they do stuff. I get it, I've completely changed my fall travel plans which normally include at least 10 days, but I don't blame Disney for moving forward with new plans.

 

[sunsetbeachgal]

I am also sorry for your disappointment. We stayed at POFQ a few years ago during the big lobby renovation, and it just isn't as "magical" with plywood sheets walling off the lobby and the sound of jackhammers behind it. I hope the Sassagoula renovation isn't too disruptive and that you have a nice stay, it is a great resort.

 

[KrazeeK120]

I'm sorry you're disappointed, OP. I've stayed at POFQ and absolutely loved it. But if I had to pick out a weakness, the food court would have been it. It was serviceable, but not exactly the draw of the resort. I'd hazard a guess that the temporary food court they've set up works just as well, and you always have the option to head over to POR's (much better) food court. Please don't let this put a damper on your trip!

 

[keishashadow]

Just wrote Disney about how disappointed I am. My sister and I booked POFQ 8 months ago because we love the Mardis Gras theming. Spent lots of time contemplating between POFQ and a monorail resort as we had a great rate from a travel agent. Now we get a letter that Sassagoula is closed during our stay. I know there is an alternative option but that theming is a big reason we choose the resort. Now availability is extremely limited at monorail resorts and the exclusive agent discounts are gone. It is so frustrating that we have to plan this far in advance and then Disney makes these announcements that affect your vacation. They have to know about them sooner.

On the other side, we booked Tony's Town Square MSEP package and now MSEP will be gone. Combine that with half of HS down and no ROL and no extended hours in AK and HS as we had anticipated, we are very frustrated. Disney is not the same and it is painful to come to that conclusion.

I also recently got a letter re upcoming stay @ BWV, approx 50 days advance notice it is very frustrating. I have zero options, all the DVC resorts are full. CRO availability is very limited. We either deal with it or stay offsite at this point. Have decided to smile and hope for the best.

Like the resort but Not a fan of the food court @ POFQ. agree it is very inconvenient to not have it open. I like Riverside mansions area even better.

It's difficult to believe Disney doesn't have a master plan of projected rehabs drawn up earlier than the notices are being released to guests. I understand at times a large rehab project can be akin to opening a can of worms and they find additional things that need to be addressed but this is an ongoing issue.

You reference an alternative option. Curious, did Disney offer you accommodations at another resort at the same price?

If you booked via a TA at a magical rate, did you express your concerns and ask if they could help you out with alternative resort?

 

[Deb & Bill]

The food court is only a very small part of the theming of POFQ. The main entrance through the lobby, the walk to the pool, the black iron railings. It's all French Quarter, not just a few Mardi Gras head. Head over to POR for dining - larger, better choices.

Time to make lemonade out of a few tiny lemons.

 

[Jadyreen1282]

Unfortunately these things have to be done during somebodys trip, and it happens to be yours.

We choose this time due to fd and low crowds. We are used to closings and don't care because we go yearly but when the wife found out iasw was closed she made me book VA to make up for it.

 

[RedOne3781]

I am currently at POFQ (checking out tomorrow ). This was my first stay at the resort, though I've visited the old food court many times. I have to say, the current set up is quite lovely. A lot of options, plenty of seating, etc. I thought I was going to be put off by the situation, but it actually flows quite well.
Mileage may vary, opinions differ, etc. But I hope it eases your mind a little.

 

[megster1123]

Just wrote Disney about how disappointed I am. My sister and I booked POFQ 8 months ago because we love the Mardis Gras theming. Spent lots of time contemplating between POFQ and a monorail resort as we had a great rate from a travel agent. Now we get a letter that Sassagoula is closed during our stay. I know there is an alternative option but that theming is a big reason we choose the resort. Now availability is extremely limited at monorail resorts and the exclusive agent discounts are gone. It is so frustrating that we have to plan this far in advance and then Disney makes these announcements that affect your vacation. They have to know about them sooner.

On the other side, we booked Tony's Town Square MSEP package and now MSEP will be gone. Combine that with half of HS down and no ROL and no extended hours in AK and HS as we had anticipated, we are very frustrated. Disney is not the same and it is painful to come to that conclusion.

How can you be "so disappointed" in something you haven't even experienced yet?

 

[KELLY]

Ok well since I just got back from the Poly yesterday. I can say without a doubt POFQ all the way. We just didn't like the poly for many reasons. Our favorite deluxe still is WL. We booked BB FD actually for Pop for 17days for next year. My kids said they prefer pop. So back we go to a value. Our favorite moderates our the PO resorts.

 

[BenandMorgsMom]

I think the gripe is that there is not earlier notification. I booked BWV last November for October. I got a letter a couple of weeks ago that renovations will be going on. Too late to make a change, everything is booked. Surely they have an extended list of upcoming renovations.

Deb....OMG...Last OCT we had the famous Facebook Video of the jack hammering for 4 days straight out of 8 day reservation above our room with no relief! We just got the letter also. We will be down 10 days starting on the 30th. We CRINGED!!!!! I have to say. I have that video saved for quick access on my IPAD! I will not accept chaos this year! We will never accept anything like what happened to us last year! But beyond that....renovations must happen so progress is made!

 

[Chaoticsweetness]

My sister & I had originally planned for POFQ for the last week in October. As soon as they announce it, I canceled & booked PORS. I am glad I did, I don't need the additional drama for a relaxing getaway.

 

[HopperFan]

We choose this time due to fd and low crowds. We are used to closings and don't care because we go yearly but when the wife found out iasw was closed she made me book VA to make up for it.

HAHA, you probably could have heard me when I saw IASW was closed for my trip. Music to my ears.