Refunds and construction?

[RustManFan]

and I would never head to WDW without investigating where construction was going on. Am surprised anyone wouldn't know what was happening at Poly

 

[wdw4rfam]

They are usually accommodating if you speak up. We were booked at CBR last September and found out a week before that the kids pool wax going to be closed. Not a huge deal but for us it was because my youngest won't go near big pools, even if it has a shallow end. I called and they moved us to CSR which was more, and had no availability with free dining promo we had, for the same price. I thought that was awesome, it was September, we needed to be able to swim. But if you don't speak up, I wouldn't expect a refund later

 

[Hi Pluto]

I was at the WL during the construction. I paid for a courtyard view which was a view of the construction, so yes I did ask for and receive a $50 per night 'refund'. This brought the price of the room more in line with a standard view. The original reservation was made long before the announcement and though I did think about switching over to POLY in the ent the chances of getting a decent view there was smaller as everyone wanted to be away from the construction there as well. So I stuck with the WL. We did receive a one day pass for BB and though we did not swim we did visit there and get donuts and drinks and walked through the gift shops and looked around.

I thought my compensation was appropriate and the construction while not pretty was not a huge distraction for me. However they did not OFFER anything to guests. You had to ask. I was lucky to follow that thread and find out what Disney was willing to do and came in prepared to ask for a small concession from Disney. I didn't ask for anything more than others had gotten and I would have been happy with either the tickets OR the discount. In fact I was originally told it would be one or the other and I choose the discount, but the clerk came back out and told me the manager said that I could have both.

I do think Disney should have done more for their POLY guests during the construction than BB access. I mean even giving people a small discount per night probably would have done wonders for guest's attitude and made the discomforts easier to take, while still making Disney a profit.

I also got the $50 per night credit because of the WL pool construction. The CMs tried to play it off, like "didn't you know there was going to be construction". We responded with "yes, but we have heard that other people are being compensated $50 per night because of it", and ended up getting it too. Gave us some nice spending money on our magic bands.

I agree with BE NICE. You can get a lot more if you don't blame the CM who really has nothing to do with it, but instead get them on your side.

~Cari~

 

[Nancyg56]

and I would never head to WDW without investigating where construction was going on. Am surprised anyone wouldn't know what was happening at Poly

Now. Now we know about it, but when the Poly was first undergoing reconstruction, including the upgrades to the Monorail system, it was pretty hush hush. Folks who did not frequent the boards were really taken by surprise, and Disney was not exactly helpful in resolving customer complaints. They also did not feel it necessary to sent notice to guests who had previously booed, and did not warn guests in the process of booking. It is my opinion that this was something Disney was obligated to do, but failed miserably to do.

 

[sbd78]

Does anyone have the link to the official Disney list of construction? I googled and was unable to find it. I recently switched from ASSp to AoA for our upcoming trip. We decided to pay extra and switch because of the better pool and splash pad for our kids. The other day, someone posted on the AoA info thread that the splash pad will be closed for refurbishment during our stay according to Allears. I checked Allears, and sure enough, it's listed there. I'm annoyed because we booked ASSp with the spring/early summer discount. When we switched to AoA, the discount had ended but this didn't matter sine the LM rooms that we switched to were never discounted anyway. Of course if we switched back now, the discounts have ended. I'd like to verify if the splash pad is in fact going to be closed and I'm wondering if we should contact Disney if it is? This is a big disappointment since the pool and splash pad was the reason we switched and I want it available to my toddler!

 

[dansdad]

Does anyone have the link to the official Disney list of construction?

I have found this link has the most accurate info regarding construction.

http://disboards.com/forums/disney-resorts.12/

 

[sbd78]

I have found this link has the most accurate info regarding construction.

http://disboards.com/forums/disney-resorts.12/

Thank you for the link! For some reason though, it's taking me back to the Disney Resort forum?

 

[kaytieeldr]

Yeah, but on 3 day$1,000 weekend to have 4 hours totally killed in waiting for that it really left a bad taste in my mouth. I usually go up once a month and just stay off property now. Honestly other hotels I stay at would have been more accommodating for a mistake like that on their end, so if I could save a ton of money and (as much as I never wanted to admit) get better service I'll go that route.

You stated it was a very busy weekend. Most likely there were no rooms, or no rooms that would meet your expectations. The other hotels you reference probably wouldn have been so busy and full, so would have had the capacity to be more accommodating. Booking hotel reservations at the number one travel destination in the country on the drive to that destination on a busy weekend probably contributed to what appears to be a one-off.

 

[tarak]

Now. Now we know about it, but when the Poly was first undergoing reconstruction, including the upgrades to the Monorail system, it was pretty hush hush. Folks who did not frequent the boards were really taken by surprise, and Disney was not exactly helpful in resolving customer complaints. They also did not feel it necessary to sent notice to guests who had previously booed, and did not warn guests in the process of booking. It is my opinion that this was something Disney was obligated to do, but failed miserably to do.

Exactly. A letter stating the east pool will be closed, but construction won't start until after 9 doesn't give a future guest any idea what things will look like. If they sent a picture of the mud pit behind the Hawaii building, it would be a better indication of what the view will be. But they won't do that. WDW has been disingenuous, to put it mildly, about the extent of the construction going on at the Poly.

 

[dansdad]

Thank you for the link! For some reason though, it's taking me back to the Disney Resort forum?

Exactly.

 

[JohnDaleswife]

Exactly. A letter stating the east pool will be closed, but construction won't start until after 9 doesn't give a future guest any idea what things will look like. If they sent a picture of the mud pit behind the Hawaii building, it would be a better indication of what the view will be. But they won't do that. WDW has been disingenuous, to put it mildly, about the extent of the construction going on at the Poly.

Exactly. Disney was purposely trying to keep as many guest out of the know on purpose for $$$ sake. Excellent example of pure corporate greed. But Tikimans page kept people informed. So much so that Disney has some how put a slight silence on him. Not an entire one, but a small one anyways.

 

[Nancyg56]

Exactly. Disney was purposely trying to keep as many guest out of the know on purpose for $$$ sake. Excellent example of pure corporate greed. But Tikimans page kept people informed. So much so that Disney has some how put a slight silence on him. Not an entire one, but a small one anyways.

I know! But he really was successful in helping get the word out. I am not one of those WDW naysayers, but holy cow! For many, they plan a Trip of a Lifetime. It is their one and only DIsney vacation, and they stay at the resort of their dreams. Can you imagine walking into that nightmare after having paid for the monorail to be running, the pool to be open, andthe lobby to be gorgeous. You walk into walls around the waterfall, Captain Cooks tucked into a corner, the gift shops closed, construction all over, the views onstructed, and the pool closed. You are then offered a day parr to a water park. Cast members all flustered, and what the heck just happened?????

 

[CMNJ]

I know! But he really was successful in helping get the word out. I am not one of those WDW naysayers, but holy cow! For many, they plan a Trip of a Lifetime. It is their one and only DIsney vacation, and they stay at the resort of their dreams. Can you imagine walking into that nightmare after having paid for the monorail to be running, the pool to be open, andthe lobby to be gorgeous. You walk into walls around the waterfall, Captain Cooks tucked into a corner, the gift shops closed, construction all over, the views onstructed, and the pool closed. You are then offered a day parr to a water park. Cast members all flustered, and what the heck just happened?????

Out of curiosity did the Poly offer any credits to guests last year during the worst of the constitution? We stayed at WL and got a $50 credit per day (I asked after I read about it on here as a water park pass would have done us no good but the quiet pool was disappointing). Seems odd that a flagship resort like the Poly didn't have some type of concession too-but WL pool closure was announced very late so maybe that's why?

 

[pamkat1820]

We are choosing to stay at the Poly during the construction in August. We have never stayed at the POLY so I have nothing to compare it too. But I have already received a letter informing me that there will be construction, which I already knew about ( thanks to the dis) I think they are covering themselves because they feel they have notified people b4 they travel. Because they are sending letters I doubt they will give people a full refund because they have informed you. If because of the construction and a pipe breaks, flooding an area of your building, then totally different story, they might refund your stay. But I think disney will do their best if you are that unhappy and move people to a different resort. I'm not sure how much good complaining will do if they send out letters b4 the stay.

 

[Nancyg56]

Out of curiosity did the Poly offer any credits to guests last year during the worst of the constitution? We stayed at WL and got a $50 credit per day (I asked after I read about it on here as a water park pass would have done us no good but the quiet pool was disappointing). Seems odd that a flagship resort like the Poly didn't have some type of concession too-but WL pool closure was announced very late so maybe that's why?

Not that we heard of, not until people asked for recompense.

 

[diddldonna]

If they send out letters or emails letting people know of construction I feel Its fair as you have had a prewarning and can decide on your actions or any changes ahead of time. I feel sorry for those with no prewarning and turning up and being disappointed especially when paid extra for the view x

 

[Nancyg56]

If they send out letters or emails letting people know of construction I feel Its fair as you have had a prewarning and can decide on your actions or any changes ahead of time. I feel sorry for those with no prewarning and turning up and being disappointed especially when paid extra for the view x

That was how many of us felt when we learned Disney had not informed guests. To me, that is nasty. Everyone has set expectations fo thier Disney trip, and to have those visions shattered is not magical!

 

[JohnDaleswife]

We are choosing to stay at the Poly during the construction in August. We have never stayed at the POLY so I have nothing to compare it too. But I have already received a letter informing me that there will be construction, which I already knew about ( thanks to the dis) I think they are covering themselves because they feel they have notified people b4 they travel. Because they are sending letters I doubt they will give people a full refund because they have informed you. If because of the construction and a pipe breaks, flooding an area of your building, then totally different story, they might refund your stay. But I think disney will do their best if you are that unhappy and move people to a different resort. I'm not sure how much good complaining will do if they send out letters b4 the stay.

I think that a lot of the most major construction is done. Not all, but by August, even more will be done.

 

[DISNEY1975]

I was at the Contemporary in '08. My room was right above Chef Mickeys, where they were doing contruction, Jackhammers started at 7:00am. We were mostly out of the room by 7:30 and did not return until 5-ish, so they were finished by the time we got to our room. It really didnt bother me, or my family. Construction does not go on all day.

What bothered me more was the following year when we stayed practically in the same room (I think next door), and the restaurant was in full swing. The "Celebrate Mickey Mouse" song played about every 20 minutes until late at night! So annoying! Most people dont even remember the song. Its embedded in my brain.

 

[diddldonna]

I was at the Contemporary in '08. My room was right above Chef Mickeys, where they were doing contruction, Jackhammers started at 7:00am. We were mostly out of the room by 7:30 and did not return until 5-ish, so they were finished by the time we got to our room. It really didnt bother me, or my family. Construction does not go on all day.

What bothered me more was the following year when we stayed practically in the same room (I think next door), and the restaurant was in full swing. The "Celebrate Mickey Mouse" song played about every 20 minutes until late at night! So annoying! Most people dont even remember the song. Its embedded in my brain.

I think the music would be worse than coping with construction