POFQ Disappointment

[Nancyg56]

Just because you find it acceptable, doesn't mean I do and/or others do. Regardless of all that wasted typing you did Disney has an obligation to it's guest and they should make that information public up front at the time of booking.

Personally, I do not find surprising guests with construction of any kind acceptable. I think a blast email to anyone who is booked should have the information. I do not think that "at the time of booking" works well though, unless the dates of renovation or construction are written in stone. And they seldom are. But once they begin, or are ready to begin, yes, I do think that Disney should inform guests., Just because they do not need to does not mean that they should not.


I also find rudeness unacceptable. So I will waste a few keystrokes sharing this little tidbit. Just as I believe tha in Disney's case, "Just be cause they can doesn't mean they should" holds true with snippy responses: "Just because you can does not mean that you should".

 

[lustergirl]

Hopefully you have paid for a preferred room as those are the only ones close to the food court. But as you have a car you can always drive up.

Got that right Maxie. Preferred or be put in the boonies.

 

[Nancyg56]

Got that right Maxie. Preferred or be put in the boonies.

Yep.

 

[Sagginit]

I think one of the things is they tend to do these things off peak when they are already offering discounts. So they are not willing to offer additional discounts to everyone who booked and it is built into their system to do these renovations on a regular basis so it is very frustrating as people tend to put a lot of thought into WDW vacations and this is something completely out of your control that can be a grey cloud hanging over your head. I will admit when I booked for my trip this fall with just 70-60 days out it seemed many hotels were packed so this does not appear to give many people the option of switching as the rooms are being packed due to numerous discounts. I really feel for DVC members as many book a long time in advance and cannot easily switch due to the way the system is set up.

On the other hand I enjoy that the hotels are never really run down and rooms look like the pictures. Anyone who has been to Atlantic City in the last few years can tell you what happens when hotels can't be bothered to do basic renovations on a regular basis.

 

[Nancyg56]

I think one of the things is they tend to do these things off peak when they are already offering discounts. So they are not willing to offer additional discounts to everyone who booked and it is built into their system to do these renovations on a regular basis so it is very frustrating as people tend to put a lot of thought into WDW vacations and this is something completely out of your control that can be a grey cloud hanging over your head. I will admit when I booked for my trip this fall with just 70-60 days out it seemed many hotels were packed so this does not appear to give many people the option of switching as the rooms are being packed due to numerous discounts. I really feel for DVC members as many book a long time in advance and cannot easily switch due to the way the system is set up.

On the other hand I enjoy that the hotels are never really run down and rooms look like the pictures. Anyone who has been to Atlantic City in the last few years can tell you what happens when hotels can't be bothered to do basic renovations on a regular basis.

WE found that out when we went to Daytona Beach. Our hotel was nice and clean and kept up, but as we were going to our room one day a couple in the elevator with us had just had a terrible experience before checking in the hotel we were at. The rooms were a disgrace as was the general condition of the hotel. The refused to stay and found their way to our hotel.

 

[HopperFan]

Just because you find it acceptable, doesn't mean I do and/or others do. Regardless of all that wasted typing you did Disney has an obligation to it's guest and they should make that information public up front at the time of booking.

I'll keep it short. You agreed to their Terms and Conditions.

Personally, I do not find surprising guests with construction of any kind acceptable. I think a blast email to anyone who is booked should have the information. I do not think that "at the time of booking" works well though, unless the dates of renovation or construction are written in stone. And they seldom are. But once they begin, or are ready to begin, yes, I do think that Disney should inform guests., Just because they do not need to does not mean that they should not.

Agree that surprises are not cool - if the construction is going to impact your stay - like jackhammers, closed pools, missing fridges - but in the case of POFQ, they are providing a cooked to order quick serve menu so the OP is truly not being impacted. Had family stay and enjoyed the option, particularly since your food is brought to you instead of standing around waiting.

You are absolutely correct that nothing is in stone that far in advance. Even when they go in and obtain permits to do rehab work, it is sometimes just in case, and they never come in to play. There were permits filed to rehab CSR years ago, didn't happen - what if they emailed everyone? Permits were filed for CBR Pirate rooms, so far nothing has happened.

OP got a letter 60 days out, and we often hear on the board about folks getting letters a couple months out. I think the missing fridges went out about then except for the first few months but that was an emergency move. It seems less an issue of being informed as to now it's too late for change to the special package they booked.

I didn't mean to say that they don't have to tell guests .... what I am saying is the Terms & Conditions pretty much cover them on the what ifs and seem to basically come down to they "owe you a room." Every time we book we agree to that. (On the flip side they do pretty well at fulfilling guests bookings.) And I do believe Disney informs guests in most instances I have heard of, they informed the OP. The issue with moving for the OP, based on what they said, was they wanted to move to a Monorail Resort under a special promotion .... because the quick service dining has no Mardi Gras props..... This is a far cry from missing fridges, missing pools, construction equipment rolling around.

I feel really bad for DVC folks who HAVE to book so far out and have no options of cancelling trips and saving their money for another time. The DVC Management is fully responsible to know everything in the pipe and should be informing owners so they can look at their options. But with hotels it's not going to happen more than a few months out.

And as I've said many times... I believe vacation time is priceless, if you are no longer getting a value or enjoying a vacation destination, then find another that will make you happy. I've switched and cancelled some that made a change that impacted my value. I have refused to book some once I read their Terms.

 

[Nancyg56]

I'll keep it short. You agreed to their Terms and Conditions.



Agree that surprises are not cool - if the construction is going to impact your stay - like jackhammers, closed pools, missing fridges - but in the case of POFQ, they are providing a cooked to order quick serve menu so the OP is truly not being impacted. Had family stay and enjoyed the option, particularly since your food is brought to you instead of standing around waiting.

You are absolutely correct that nothing is in stone that far in advance. Even when they go in and obtain permits to do rehab work, it is sometimes just in case, and they never come in to play. There were permits filed to rehab CSR years ago, didn't happen - what if they emailed everyone? Permits were filed for CBR Pirate rooms, so far nothing has happened.

OP got a letter 60 days out, and we often hear on the board about folks getting letters a couple months out. I think the missing fridges went out about then except for the first few months but that was an emergency move. It seems less an issue of being informed as to now it's too late for change to the special package they booked.

I didn't mean to say that they don't have to tell guests .... what I am saying is the Terms & Conditions pretty much cover them on the what ifs and seem to basically come down to they "owe you a room." Every time we book we agree to that. (On the flip side they do pretty well at fulfilling guests bookings.) And I do believe Disney informs guests in most instances I have heard of, they informed the OP. The issue with moving for the OP, based on what they said, was they wanted to move to a Monorail Resort under a special promotion .... because the quick service dining has no Mardi Gras props..... This is a far cry from missing fridges, missing pools, construction equipment rolling around.

I feel really bad for DVC folks who HAVE to book so far out and have no options of cancelling trips and saving their money for another time. The DVC Management is fully responsible to know everything in the pipe and should be informing owners so they can look at their options. But with hotels it's not going to happen more than a few months out.

And as I've said many times... I believe vacation time is priceless, if you are no longer getting a value or enjoying a vacation destination, then find another that will make you happy. I've switched and cancelled some that made a change that impacted my value. I have refused to book some once I read their Terms.

I know that Disney has gotten better at informing guests about impending construction since they chose to allow POLY guests to show up to a nightmare without telling them that they might be disturbed or negatively impacted. I know way tI can tolerate and what I cannot. If I thought that the construction woudl be an issue (and for me it would be) I woudl make arrangement to change resorts.

I will say that if I could nto change, and it was just the CS restaurant, I would figure out how to manage.

I actually knew what you were saying, and I agree with you. I cannot see how everyone can be inforrmed at the time of booking, and Disney does have the right to make these decisions.

 

[HopperFan]

I know that Disney has gotten better at informing guests about impending construction since they chose to allow POLY guests to show up to a nightmare without telling them that they might be disturbed or negatively impacted. I know way tI can tolerate and what I cannot. If I thought that the construction woudl be an issue (and for me it would be) I woudl make arrangement to change resorts.

I will say that if I could nto change, and it was just the CS restaurant, I would figure out how to manage.

I actually knew what you were saying, and I agree with you. I cannot see how everyone can be inforrmed at the time of booking, and Disney does have the right to make these decisions.

YES ^ AGREE

Any company could always do things better .... and many hotels do nothing more than post a line on their website. Never an email or letter. It is kinda industry standard. And usually a take it or leave it, at least Disney usually tries to work with guests if they can in the parameters of your existing reservation. I am of the thought process that once I book something I stay on top of it to make sure things haven't change that would cause me to change/cancel my trip.

And on same note what about informing someone because they have entered into a purchase ......... that could extend to folks who only bought tickets and their expectations for attractions/hours. It could be Dining Plan purchases and now the menus have had major changes ...... now the food choices are different than when you purchased it when you really planned on an entree. Disney pretty much has the mantra, subject to change. Bottom line someone is going to be impacted when renovations happen but no one wants it to be them.

In the end I think Disney does better than anyone in regards to things that will impact your stay over other brands. My worse Disney stories are nothing compared to some issues I've had with other major brands.

 

[Nancyg56]

YES ^ AGREE

Any company could always do things better .... and many hotels do nothing more than post a line on their website. Never an email or letter. It is kinda industry standard. And usually a take it or leave it, at least Disney usually tries to work with guests if they can in the parameters of your existing reservation. I am of the thought process that once I book something I stay on top of it to make sure things haven't change that would cause me to change/cancel my trip.

And on same note what about informing someone because they have entered into a purchase ......... that could extend to folks who only bought tickets and their expectations for attractions/hours. It could be Dining Plan purchases and now the menus have had major changes ...... now the food choices are different than when you purchased it when you really planned on an entree. Disney pretty much has the mantra, subject to change. Bottom line someone is going to be impacted when renovations happen but no one wants it to be them.

In the end I think Disney does better than anyone in regards to things that will impact your stay over other brands. My worse Disney stories are nothing compared to some issues I've had with other major brands.

Yes, that DDP change is quite an issue. I have no idea how you handle that, someone will always be in that bubble with the changes occuring after purchase.

 

[lucas]

We are booked over at PORFQ over Thanksgiving. Someone on another thread said they got notice by mail that Sassagoula Floatworks would still be under renovation during that time.

Has anyone heard any updates on when the opening will be?

 

[teachertink]

We are at POFQ now. They are doing construction now and the doors have been open as we walk by. It looks like they have a long way to go. I have not idea when but not close right now.

 

[teachertink]

On another note, we have spent quite a bit of time at the resort. The alternative quick service is not sufficient in my opinion. The menu is small, there is always a long line to get food. There are only two checkout lines. The 3 free style machines are in the way and slow. 1/2 of the time we have used them, they have been out of ice. This morning it looks like a flood took place in the area of the Freestyle machines as the carpet is absolutely drenched in that area. There is 1 mug rinse out sink. It is really quite annoying. I wish I would have booked elsewhere.

 

[maxiesmom]

On another note, we have spent quite a bit of time at the resort. The alternative quick service is not sufficient in my opinion. The menu is small, there is always a long line to get food. There are only two checkout lines. The 3 free style machines are in the way and slow. 1/2 of the time we have used them, they have been out of ice. This morning it looks like a flood took place in the area of the Freestyle machines as the carpet is absolutely drenched in that area. There is 1 mug rinse out sink. It is really quite annoying. I wish I would have booked elsewhere.

Have you asked about moving to another resort? If you are not happy, it is worth a shot.