Room Downgraded in MDE on Check-in Day? (Update on page 7, post #122)

[IrishNYC]

So, I just read the "fine print" - all of it - on my CR TPV ressie and I can't find anything that states Disney is only guaranteeing me a room on property somewhere. This is going to be one of these DREAM vacations and I would be sorely upset if I didn't get the type of room I paid for. The only thing I could find that comes close to what the PP is saying is this: "In addition, Disney reserves the right to cancel or modify a reservation, including the price, at any time prior to guest check-in if the reservation includes or was made as the result of a mistake or error of any kind, including but not limited to, a mistake or error in price or description of the package or package components, or where it appears that a guest has engaged in fraudulent or misleading activity in making the reservation."

FWW: I've been to DW many times and have stayed at every deluxe (except CR) and have never had an issue with room type/view. I would love to know where it states I'm only getting a room somewhere....

Giving you a different category room than you initially paid for is exactly what that bolded phrase covers.

 

[DG25]

The thing is, Disney only guarantees a room on property somewhere. I know a lot of people don't read fine print, but it really is right there. I can understand being disappointed, but to expect more than being made whole is a little silly, IMO, given that Disney is fulfilling its end of the deal by giving you a room somewhere and making you whole. Sometimes, something in a room breaks and renders that room unusable. Would you rather stay in a room with an unusable toilet, tub, or sink, or would you rather stay in a functional room elsewhere?

I dunno, I guess I just wouldn't expect a business to do more than to uphold their end of a contract, which Disney is doing in all cases described.

But the problem with that thinking, is Disney is not making you whole, even if they give you back your money. First your hopes and dreams are dashed, second if I was allowed to leave my money in the bank for a year I would earn interest Disney is keeping that interest. Yes I understand the contract, I understand it is there if something goes wrong, yes if water pipes burst, or something out of there control, they need that in the policy, especially for over crowded rooms on July 4th or something. But just like airplanes that offer a $200 credit if they overbook a flight, Disney should be responsible for going above, when they overbook. I am paying more than $10000 a year to Disney for a vacation, no I do not expect ever ride to be working, every detail to be perfect, but this year one part of my stay is 2 nights at the GF Main building, $1130 paid upfront months in advance. If I get there and they say sorry, we downgraded you to a standard $430 a night room because we overbooked main building and now you are in an out building, and you don't have club level, you better believe they need to come up with more than $700, since my money was giving to them months ago. Now if like the DLH said, pipes burst, we need to move everyone out to out buildings, we will still give you club level and $600 back, and three fast passes a day, I would not have a problem, it was not disneys fault, they could not have known the pipes would burst, they kept me club level, they gave me a refund and they topped it off with 3 FP. Most of the time at least in my experience is it is Disney over booking rooms categories, and they either need to stop doing or they need to not only make whole but go above because they have held your money going into it knowing they have and will overbook rooms knowing people back out.

 

[Suzanne74]

I think OP handled this situation with class. Yes, it was a downgrade and she didn't let it ruin her trip. She was fine with what Disney offered and accepted it. She could have asked for more from what others here state, BUT she didn't let one night ruin her own trip.

Everybody expects pixie dusts and upgrades because it's Timmy's birthday, a wedding anniversary, graduation, etc. So many say upgrades are rare which is true. People post upgrades here because they feel they got special treatment and want to announce it to everyone.

Disney is a business run by people. People make mistakes as do companies. People expect Disney to be perfect, nothing is. If their trip isn't perfect they expect Disney to make it right. Not everyone is like that but it's a sad view on what people have become.

I think many could learn a lesson from how OP handled this!

I have gone to Disney many times and have never asked or received an upgrade. I am completely fine with that. I also put in room requests and because they are requests, I completely understand when they are not met and have just smiled and keep my Disney magic. The only time we splurged for the animal kingdom, which was a big splurge, we went all the way to a savannah view. My kids were thru the roof excited. We payed for Garden Grocer food to eat on the balcony for breakfast and watch the animals each morning before the parks. We purchased night vision googles for them to see animals at night. I realize Disney did not ask me to do all this but if I walked up to the front desk and they just said "sorry, we overbooked. Here is your room looking at the parking lot. We will reimburse you." I would be pretty hurt. I am 99% sure my kids would have started to cry. I can not believe Disney wouldn't do something - even comp a meal or some free fast passes to put smiles on everyone. I have had local restaurants treat me better than that, when one food item is not available. This was a vacation we saved up for and were excited for, specifically for the animals. That is a huge downgrade. Maybe because it was a short trip or just her, it wasn't a big deal. But to say Disney shouldn't do anything for a massive downgrade, I disagree.

If CBR is currently giving out $75 in gift cards a night for construction complaints, AKL could have given her something small.

 

[DG25]

Giving you a different category room than you initially paid for is exactly what that bolded phrase covers.

I'm sorry but I disagree that is what it says, Disney has the right to modify or cancel if... not because they overbooked, but because an error or a fraudulent act happened, but not if they overbook, it does not even give them the right to rebook if a problem happens such as burst pipes if you read it. If I book a room 12 months out, put a deposit of one night stay on the room, and at check in or the night before Disney modifies it due to there policy and downgrades me, they better show me in writing where I fraudulently booked that room, or where an error accrued for that room. They had 12 months to fine that error and they find it the night before check in. No sorry I disagree that is what is meant.

Here is how I take that statement, years ago I went thru a travel agent, she booked me a package deal and gave me confirmation of standard room GC, but the price was for PPH. About $250 difference. They caught the mistake within an hour, she called to tell me, I said I would change to PPH for the price. Now I had a confirmation I could have put up a stink. But it was an error, I was shocked at the price and jumped on it, but when it was told it was an error, I agreed to change. I assume that if it was not caught, I would have shown up and Disney would have caught the mistake, and it would have been much more disappointing, but still clearly an error. It would be like booking CR with POP prices. I believe that is what they are talking about, an error. Also, I know they say fraudulent, I take that as, a kid booking a room without parents permission, or someone booking military rate room and not being in military, they can change the price or modify. I personally am amaze that Disney says to bring you military ID. But never have we been asked for it at WDW in 20 or more visits. At DL we have never once gone that we have not been asked for it.

 

[KrazeeK120]

But the problem with that thinking, is Disney is not making you whole, even if they give you back your money. First your hopes and dreams are dashed, second if I was allowed to leave my money in the bank for a year I would earn interest Disney is keeping that interest. Yes I understand the contract, I understand it is there if something goes wrong, yes if water pipes burst, or something out of there control, they need that in the policy, especially for over crowded rooms on July 4th or something. But just like airplanes that offer a $200 credit if they overbook a flight, Disney should be responsible for going above, when they overbook. I am paying more than $10000 a year to Disney for a vacation, no I do not expect ever ride to be working, every detail to be perfect, but this year one part of my stay is 2 nights at the GF Main building, $1130 paid upfront months in advance. If I get there and they say sorry, we downgraded you to a standard $430 a night room because we overbooked main building and now you are in an out building, and you don't have club level, you better believe they need to come up with more than $700, since my money was giving to them months ago. Now if like the DLH said, pipes burst, we need to move everyone out to out buildings, we will still give you club level and $600 back, and three fast passes a day, I would not have a problem, it was not disneys fault, they could not have known the pipes would burst, they kept me club level, they gave me a refund and they topped it off with 3 FP. Most of the time at least in my experience is it is Disney over booking rooms categories, and they either need to stop doing or they need to not only make whole but go above because they have held your money going into it knowing they have and will overbook rooms knowing people back out.

I don't think Disney does a lot of overbooking. Reports of being downgraded are pretty rare, even more rare than reports of upgrades. And upgrades are rare as it is!

You mention being moved from club level to an outer building with no CL access. Did someone actually report that happening to them? The reports I've seen have been view downgrades or from a preferred to standard room. I haven't ever seen a report of someone booking club level and not getting it. I would think that Disney would do everything possible to find a club level room somewhere before downgrading someone from CL to non CL.

Also, $10000 on a Disney vacation seems like a lot to me. My family is staying deluxe club level for 5 nights and we are paying less than half that!

 

[busymommy2pink]

I don't think Disney does a lot of overbooking. Reports of being downgraded are pretty rare, even more rare than reports of upgrades. And upgrades are rare as it is!

You mention being moved from club level to an outer building with no CL access. Did someone actually report that happening to them? The reports I've seen have been view downgrades or from a preferred to standard room. I haven't ever seen a report of someone booking club level and not getting it. I would think that Disney would do everything possible to find a club level room somewhere before downgrading someone from CL to non CL.

Also, $10000 on a Disney vacation seems like a lot to me. My family is staying deluxe club level for 5 nights and we are paying less than half that!

We are staying Beach Club for 7 nights with dining plan and 9 day park hoppers. Not including the Art of animation night and the food we will buy and the two nights complimentary at GF (but the spending on food and the luau), actual spending money while we are there (significant enough as well) our vacation is over $6000USD..and in canadian that's $8400 so far. So we are well above 10K for Disney alone...not including flights, grocery order, dining tips etc since all that does not go directly to disney. But in USD we are close to 8K adding in everything that will go directly to Disney! Adds up fast.

OP..I'm glad you didn't let it ruin your trip! I personally would have tried to get some FP or another form of compensation, but also would have not let it ruin my trip! I'm sorry that's how it started out for you though! Now I'll be obsessively checking MDE haha

 

[DG25]

I don't think Disney does a lot of overbooking. Reports of being downgraded are pretty rare, even more rare than reports of upgrades. And upgrades are rare as it is!

You mention being moved from club level to an outer building with no CL access. Did someone actually report that happening to them? The reports I've seen have been view downgrades or from a preferred to standard room. I haven't ever seen a report of someone booking club level and not getting it. I would think that Disney would do everything possible to find a club level room somewhere before downgrading someone from CL to non CL.

Also, $10000 on a Disney vacation seems like a lot to me. My family is staying deluxe club level for 5 nights and we are paying less than half that!

Last three vacations
BC CL 12 days, $9200 (airfare, tickets,car, hotel, food 5 people)
BRV, AKL, Poly, BWV, BLV 15 days $7500 (airfare, tickets, car, hotel, food 2 people)
GF CL, BRV, WL CL 16 days, $9700 (airfare, tickets, car, food hotel, 3 people) may be more, tell you in May.

 

[KrazeeK120]

Last three vacations
BC CL 12 days, $9200 (airfare, tickets,car, hotel, food 5 people)
BRV, AKL, Poly, BWV, BLV 15 days $7500 (airfare, tickets, car, hotel, food 2 people)
GF CL, BRV, WL CL 16 days, $9700 (airfare, tickets, car, food hotel, 3 people) may be more, tell you in May.

My gut tells me that you're more the exception than the norm.

 

[Hopefully]

Last three vacations
BC CL 12 days, $9200 (airfare, tickets,car, hotel, food 5 people)
BRV, AKL, Poly, BWV, BLV 15 days $7500 (airfare, tickets, car, hotel, food 2 people)
GF CL, BRV, WL CL 16 days, $9700 (airfare, tickets, car, food hotel, 3 people) may be more, tell you in May.

Airfare and car do not go to Disney. None of your long trips with multiple people is $10000 as you stated. Close but no cigar

 

[disneyfantotheend]

I think everyone is in an uproar, because someone stated earlier, "it happens more than you think". That may be true, but it does not happen often, so most do not have to worry about it. I do think Disney should notify a person somehow (text, phone call, email) when they know ahead of time that a reservation is being downgraded. Sometimes it is last minute and that is understandable, but if they know even a day prior, they should let the person know before checkin.

 

[DG25]

Airfare and car do not go to Disney. None of your long trips with multiple people is $10000 as you stated. Close but no cigar

But if you add in suveniors, tours $250 a person for sense of Africa, other activities, carriage ride, horsebackriding and such which i did not add in, yes our trips are 10,000 or more. And I never said it all went to Disney did I, no, I said when paying $10000 for a vacation to Disney, not that they get all the money. No they don't get airfare, or parking for two weeks at airport, or rental car but with the price increases at Disney site rentals they probably do get a good cut. We also have to pay for pet boarding and such. So when I go to Disney my budget and I always hit it and usually max out on it, is $10000. People ask me why do you work, I always say, for my vacation. That also does not cover the expense of Disney vacation club, to me I don't know how to break that down. So that $7500 for two people, has very little resort expenses in it, because I'm paying DVC, how do you break that down.

 

[Hopefully]

But if you add in suveniors, tours $250 a person for sense of Africa, other activities, carriage ride, horsebackriding and such which i did not add in, yes our trips are 10,000 or more. And I never said it all went to Disney did I, no, I said when paying $10000 for a vacation to Disney, not that they get all the money. No they don't get airfare, or parking for two weeks at airport, or rental car but with the price increases at Disney site rentals they probably do get a good cut. We also have to pay for pet boarding and such. So when I go to Disney my budget and I always hit it and usually max out on it, is $10000. People ask me why do you work, I always say, for my vacation. That also does not cover the expense of Disney vacation club, to me I don't know how to break that down. So that $7500 for two people, has very little resort expenses in it, because I'm paying DVC, how do you break that down.

I don't understand your passion on this issue.
You do what pleases you - Good For You!!!
I don't care to debate your choices with you. I was trying to be lighthearted and lighten up the discussion a bit.
I am done now.

 

[Uncranky Donald]

That's true. It seems the closer you are to the lobby, the better chance of seeing animals.

Once we saw a giraffe make his own feeding station. The truck was moving from point to point and the giraffe just kept eating from the back of the truck.

I'm in a standard view in June, this makes me feel a bit more justified about my choice What a funny sight to see!!

 

[DG25]

I don't understand your passion on this issue.
You do what pleases you - Good For You!!!
I don't care to debate your choices with you. I was trying to be lighthearted and lighten up the discussion a bit.
I am done now.

It isn't light hearted to argue that I don't pay exactly, 10000, I gave a rough because I don't know where the rest goes exactly. And you argue that it does not go to Disney, that was not my point. My point is, you spend $10000 for a vacation, to get to Disney and be downgraded, without advance notice and without complete compensation, and people want to say Disney has a right because it says in fine print, that for fraudulent reasons they can. When they are taken my money upfront that are not looking at fraudulent acts, when they have my money for 6 to 12 months they are not asking about if it is fraudulent, but the night before I get there they can change it because it is fraudulent. Sorry that is where my passion comes from. I may be the exception, everyone has a vacation budget. Yours might be $4000, someone else may be $6000 or mine $10000. It does not matter, you work hard for your money, you trust a company like Disney, you have faith that if you book a standard view you get a standard view, if you book a theme park view, you get a theme park view. It is not as it is writing, that it was an error that Disney offered theme park views and did not have them, unless they over booked. It is not fraud on your part if you book a theme park view and then get downgraded, unless maybe all your checks to Disney bounced or you used someone else's credit card, then it would be fraud. My passion is for the wrong doing or wrong thinking. Disney does not just guarantee you a room, they have to give good faith, aNd if it happens which I hope it does not, you should expect more than just coming whole, and just coming whole would include all those months your money was prepaid to Disney for them to later make a bait and switch on you, my money earns interested when in my hands, when it disneys it earns interest also, so I would expect to be compensated for that interest, in fast passes, or free breakfast or something.

 

[KrazeeK120]

It isn't light hearted to argue that I don't pay exactly, 10000, I gave a rough because I don't know where the rest goes exactly. And you argue that it does not go to Disney, that was not my point. My point is, you spend $10000 for a vacation, to get to Disney and be downgraded, without advance notice and without complete compensation, and people want to say Disney has a right because it says in fine print, that for fraudulent reasons they can. When they are taken my money upfront that are not looking at fraudulent acts, when they have my money for 6 to 12 months they are not asking about if it is fraudulent, but the night before I get there they can change it because it is fraudulent. Sorry that is where my passion comes from. I may be the exception, everyone has a vacation budget. Yours might be $4000, someone else may be $6000 or mine $10000. It does not matter, you work hard for your money, you trust a company like Disney, you have faith that if you book a standard view you get a standard view, if you book a theme park view, you get a theme park view. It is not as it is writing, that it was an error that Disney offered theme park views and did not have them, unless they over booked. It is not fraud on your part if you book a theme park view and then get downgraded, unless maybe all your checks to Disney bounced or you used someone else's credit card, then it would be fraud. My passion is for the wrong doing or wrong thinking. Disney does not just guarantee you a room, they have to give good faith, aNd if it happens which I hope it does not, you should expect more than just coming whole, and just coming whole would include all those months your money was prepaid to Disney for them to later make a bait and switch on you, my money earns interested when in my hands, when it disneys it earns interest also, so I would expect to be compensated for that interest, in fast passes, or free breakfast or something.

I think you might be getting a little too worked up here. We aren't talking about people getting downgraded from Grand Floridian to All Star Music. (And you still haven't provided a resource for your claims that people have been downgraded from CL to an outer building non CL). I highly doubt anyone's hopes and dreams are going to be shattered because of what's out the window or because they have to spend 3 extra minutes walking to the food court. Sure, it might be mildly disappointing, but I think most people would accept their money returned and go on with their lives. It's just really not worth dwelling on. Chances are, it won't happen to you anyway.

 

[DG25]

I think you might be getting a little too worked up here. We aren't talking about people getting downgraded from Grand Floridian to All Star Music. (And you still haven't provided a resource for your claims that people have been downgraded from CL to an outer building non CL). I highly doubt anyone's hopes and dreams are going to be shattered because of what's out the window or because they have to spend 3 extra minutes walking to the food court. Sure, it might be mildly disappointing, but I think most people would accept their money returned and go on with their lives. It's just really not worth dwelling on. Chances are, it won't happen to you anyway.

First if you go back and read my thread, I never made a claim that is why I did not answer it. I said if I mad a ressie a year out for main building and I get ther and was downgraded. That is not a claim it happened, that is an example, and example according to this thread that could happen, I am book from GF CL main building, and you all are stating that even through I paid $1130 a year in advance and will pay in full another $1130 before I get there, that ALL Disney guarantees me is a room, and that room could be anywhere on Disney property. Yes I am passionate, where is your claims, Disney does not have that in writing, they are saying if in an error, or fradulate.

We could also turn this around, Disney policy for me is if, I cancel within five days they keep my first night, so if they cancel or modify why don't they have to give back the first night. Also if I modify or change within 30 days, Disney charges me $50, why then when I show up does not Disney have to pay me $50 if down graded.

I may be worked up, what I am reading on this board is, I paid Disney $1130 for a room for one night months ago, I will pay another $1130 (before check in, but it is due at check in). You are saying, I am not guaranteed that room, it is in writing which no one has shown it in writing, that they only guarentee aa room, so in that case all they are guaranteeing me is a room and that could be at pop, or any other resort and many are arguing they don't have to give a refund or upgrade or anything because it is in there right.

I guess I'll just leave it since no one understands that what you are saying is not rational and if I pay upfront then it is not just for any room, unless Disney has no difference between a value price or a deluxe. I will be checking to make sure that wording is not on my ressies and if it is, I may never book at room at WDW again, I will wait till I get there and just ask for one. Why pay 2 to 5 times more for a room onsite if I can't be guaranteed that room.

 

[KrazeeK120]

First if you go back and read my thread, I never made a claim that is why I did not answer it. I said if I mad a ressie a year out for main building and I get ther and was downgraded. That is not a claim it happened, that is an example, and example according to this thread that could happen, I am book from GF CL main building, and you all are stating that even through I paid $1130 a year in advance and will pay in full another $1130 before I get there, that ALL Disney guarantees me is a room, and that room could be anywhere on Disney property. Yes I am passionate, where is your claims, Disney does not have that in writing, they are saying if in an error, or fradulate.

We could also turn this around, Disney policy for me is if, I cancel within five days they keep my first night, so if they cancel or modify why don't they have to give back the first night. Also if I modify or change within 30 days, Disney charges me $50, why then when I show up does not Disney have to pay me $50 if down graded.

I may be worked up, what I am reading on this board is, I paid Disney $1130 for a room for one night months ago, I will pay another $1130 (before check in, but it is due at check in). You are saying, I am not guaranteed that room, it is in writing which no one has shown it in writing, that they only guarentee aa room, so in that case all they are guaranteeing me is a room and that could be at pop, or any other resort and many are arguing they don't have to give a refund or upgrade or anything because it is in there right.

I guess I'll just leave it since no one understands that what you are saying is not rational and if I pay upfront then it is not just for any room, unless Disney has no difference between a value price or a deluxe. I will be checking to make sure that wording is not on my ressies and if it is, I may never book at room at WDW again, I will wait till I get there and just ask for one. Why pay 2 to 5 times more for a room onsite if I can't be guaranteed that room.

Well, you are making the choice to pay up front. All Disney requires is a $200 down payment. They don't require the rest of the money until 30 days prior to arrival. It is your choice to have your money tied up for a year, not Disney's.

I'm still not completely convinced they would downgrade someone from club level. I definitely could be wrong, but I can see them making some extra effort in that kind of scenario. A view downgrade just really isn't that big of a deal in the grand scheme of things.

Disney is a business. You can choose to patronize the business or not. But if you choose to patronize them, you must accept their terms.

 

[AngiTN]

I don't think Disney does a lot of overbooking. Reports of being downgraded are pretty rare, even more rare than reports of upgrades. And upgrades are rare as it is!

You mention being moved from club level to an outer building with no CL access. Did someone actually report that happening to them? The reports I've seen have been view downgrades or from a preferred to standard room. I haven't ever seen a report of someone booking club level and not getting it. I would think that Disney would do everything possible to find a club level room somewhere before downgrading someone from CL to non CL.

Also, $10000 on a Disney vacation seems like a lot to me. My family is staying deluxe club level for 5 nights and we are paying less than half that!

Ours was. Well, Business Class at CSR. We were moved from that building to a nearby building, in a Standard view room. We were given access to the lounge via our MB.

I wasn't even bent out of shape about the downgrade. I understand things happen. I was annoyed that it was left to me to figure it out. Which I did because I knew what building I should have been in. That and all BC rooms at CSR are at least garden view, no parking lot view possible. We got not only not a BC room but we got a parking lot view

 

[KrazeeK120]

Ours was. Well, Business Class at CSR. We were moved from that building to a nearby building, in a standard room. We were given access to the lounge via our MB.

I maybe should have clarified, but the poster I quoted was talking about being downgraded from CL with no CL access. I just really don't see them doing that.

 

[AngiTN]

I maybe should have clarified, but the poster I quoted was talking about being downgraded from CL with no CL access. I just really don't see them doing that.

Oh no, that they won't do I'm certain. And like you, I think it happening is so rare it's a non issue. Sure isn't something I worry about and it's happened to us