POFQ Disappointment

[Jadyreen1282]

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

I have to admit that I got a giggle but it was payback for POTC being down last trip.

 

[DWillowBay]

POFQ is my favorite resort and I have been blessed to stay there several times. I don't believe you will be disappointed once you get there. The resort is lovely and the theming is throughout. You weren't going to spend much time In Sassagoula anyway. Rather than set yourself up for disappointment, realize that the whole resort, in total, is marvelous.

 

[teachertink]

I have to say that many of the posts make me relieved that the refurbishment should not impact my stay as much as I anticipate it could. For this trip, we planned on two resort days so we did plan on eating several meals at Sassagoula and really looked forward to the theming. Since we have not been, we expected it to be pretty neat but several of you said it was the least impressive part of the resort so that eases my mind.

The immersion and theming in each resort is what makes Disney special and when some of the amenities are not available that you counted on, it is disappointing.

 

[ncc1701]

I have to say that many of the posts make me relieved that the refurbishment should not impact my stay as much as I anticipate it could. For this trip, we planned on two resort days so we did plan on eating several meals at Sassagoula and really looked forward to the theming. Since we have not been, we expected it to be pretty neat but several of you said it was the least impressive part of the resort so that eases my mind.

The immersion and theming in each resort is what makes Disney special and when some of the amenities are not available that you counted on, it is disappointing.

OP we have only stayed at POFQ and other than breakfast have only eaten at the food court for 6( at the most) other meals in total. We usually take the boat to DS if we are looking for lunch or dinner.

 

[BigAlsGal]

I also get really bummed when things are closed or down. The hardest for me was definitely PotC. I just wanted to cry when walking by it.

 

[HopperFan]

I have to say that many of the posts make me relieved that the refurbishment should not impact my stay as much as I anticipate it could. For this trip, we planned on two resort days so we did plan on eating several meals at Sassagoula and really looked forward to the theming. Since we have not been, we expected it to be pretty neat but several of you said it was the least impressive part of the resort so that eases my mind.

The immersion and theming in each resort is what makes Disney special and when some of the amenities are not available that you counted on, it is disappointing.

The Mardi Gras stuff hanging around the food court were cool, especially since I have toured the place that made them and have seen several of the duplicates on Mardi Gras floats. That said the food court is too small, the counters too tight and limited so for a dining experience it was disappointing. It needed a rehab. But there are other nods to Mardi Gras around the resort and you should still enjoy it.

 

[ArmyVet80]

We consider POFQ our home away from home. I can tell you that we only used the food court for two things..
1. Refillable mugs...
2. Beignets.

While the big heads, beads, instruments, etc.. were great for the theme of the resort and food court it isn't what draws us back year after year. The quaint size, access to everything and overall theme is what we enjoy. The transportation isn't too shabby either (boat to DSprings and moderately short bus rides to the parks).

 

[oceanmarina]

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 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.

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....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!

So sorry to hear about your disappointment. When you save up and plan for a vacation, it's very disappointing for something like this to happen.

I booked BWV this past November knowing they were renovating, (when I booked the notice said renovations would be completed by spring) but not thinking they would be so late with finishing the job that when we checked on August 9th, it would impact me. Was I wrong - not only was it still going on, it was more noisy and extensive than I anticipated. Yep hearing a jackhammer 39 feet away from us when we were trying to relax by the quiet pool was no fun. What upset me was that I never got a notice that the renovations were going to be continuing during my stay - I found out about it through this board and calked Disney to ask why I hadn't been notified - then two days later I get the email notification from Disney. What upset me besides getting that email less then 2 weeks before check in (when littke else was available ) was that the noise and work was more extensive and loud than implied in the letter. It upset me so much we are taking a Disney break for a while.

 

[adelaster]

This "lack of notice" seems to be a consistent issue across the parks, resorts, and their services. We are first time visitors at the end of the month and I've been really surprised by the amount of lack of notification personally experienced as well as reading everyone else's accounts. Going into it with an open mind, but will definitely really take my time deciding if it is worth a return. People on these boards seem to be very defensive of the company's decisions and policies- possibly from nostalgia or affection?- but I have seen a lot that makes me question how they treat their long-standing guests.

All of the things one would normally expect from a corporation of that size (like a basic schedule) seem to be an unreasonable ask. A cast member acted like I was crazy for asking when the MSEP parade usually ran, and at this point it's funny. Despite some of the more harsh remarks to the contrary, I think all of you are perfectly within rights to feel frustrated and short-changed when you are asked to plan something a year or more in advance only to discover completely plan altering information within months, weeks, or days of your visit. It wouldn't be reasonable anywhere else, but for some reason it is tolerated here. This interests me, so it will be telling to see if the property truly lives up to the hype.

Hope your visit goes better than you expect, and hopefully guest relations finds a solution to these issues!

 

[teachertink]

It's interesting too as I read what some people are frustrated with and think...that isn't that big of a deal. I wouldn't be bothered by that. Everyone has different expectations and wants for their vacation. It definitely won't be perfect and that is fine. I guess it is best to expect less and be happy with what it is. Disney is such an expensive vacation that it is hard think that way sometimes.

 

[chloelovesdisney]

On our resort days we enjoyed taking the boat to DTD, also shouldn't be too bad to head over to POR.

 

[Sammie]

I can't even get a painter to let me know for sure when they will come for a small home project so yes I understand why they delay notifying guests. If they said it was going to happen and then didn't guests would be upset about that too.

 

[maxiesmom]

I can't even get a painter to let me know for sure when they will come for a small home project so yes I understand why they delay notifying guests. If they said it was going to happen and then didn't guests would be upset about that too.

Exactly. When people are booking trips more than a year out it is almost impossible to give everyone prior notification. And even when they do, some people miss it, and still complain. It is a bit of a bummer but as a few posters have pointed out, the current set up works well. I'm not sure why anyone would complain in advance about something.

 

[MikeOhio]

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.

Honestly that sounds so "painful" you should probably just cancel and save yourself the heartache.

 

[wilkeliza]

The issues with not being able to offer anything as a we're sorry move is one reason we try to book direct through Disney. When we booked Wilderness Lodge and found out there would be construction there we were able to call and since we booked through Disney they were able to move us to another deluxe no issue. When you book the "magical deals" through a TA they are booking blocks of rooms at a time and once you are locked in then you are locked in.

Since you booked with a TA have you reached out to them about your displeasure and see if they can help get you into a monorail resort for a reasonable price?


The other things I get. They are disappointing. However, Disney gives us the option to plan at a year but doesn't really require it. I know people who have planned Christmas Week vacations in October and still done pretty well. Yes they didn't eat at Be Our Guest or Cinderella's Royal Table and had a 2 hour wait for Seven Dwarfs but they came back and told me they had such a wonderful vacation so much so that they went again the next year. I think it is a perspective of what is important. Is eating at CRT really the end all to be all of a multi-day vacation? Maybe I'm just too go with the flow. That's how I was even before I was going at least once a year. I just don't think too much about what I couldn't do or what wasn't available to me but instead focus on what I am doing, where I am eating, what rides I did ride.

 

[Disneylover99]

It's interesting too as I read what some people are frustrated with and think...that isn't that big of a deal. I wouldn't be bothered by that. Everyone has different expectations and wants for their vacation. It definitely won't be perfect and that is fine. I guess it is best to expect less and be happy with what it is. Disney is such an expensive vacation that it is hard think that way sometimes.

I would feel a bit disappointed too. I just stopped by POFQ this afternoon for some beignets. Based on my observations today, it would affect my enjoyment of the place if I were staying there during this renovation. That being said, I would still choose POFQ over every moderate, even if it meant some inconvenience.

 

[chigirl]

Call and speak to someone...I got a big discount in 2014 when the WL pool renovation was announced. I had a courtyard view booked and was switched to woods. Plus they gave me money off. We ened up having a view of Bay Lake, Contemporary snd saw "Wishes" from our balconey. Plus it was soooooo cold, we never went swimming!!!

 

[adelaster]

I can't even get a painter to let me know for sure when they will come for a small home project so yes I understand why they delay notifying guests. If they said it was going to happen and then didn't guests would be upset about that too.

Are you using this example because you think Disney has issues getting commitments and deadlines from contractors?

 

[Sammie]

Are you using this example because you think Disney has issues getting commitments and deadlines from contractors?

Of course they do. Plus supplies get delayed, etc.

 

[adelaster]

Of course they do. Plus supplies get delayed, etc.

Thanks for clarifying.