Rumor about “modified experiences” when Disney reopens (read 1st post for potential modifications being considered)

[tinkerhon]

My wife and I decided last night that if they cancel our trip due to the NBA, we are going to take our money and purchase annual passes to Universal.

I meant to ask this last night, but got tired - did I read that there was a possibility that people might be moved from their booked hotel IF it was one of the places where NBA players might be staying ? That would go over really well -

 

[cakebaker]

I meant to ask this last night, but got tired - did I read that there was a possibility that people might be moved from their booked hotel IF it was one of the places where NBA players might be staying ? That would go over really well -

IF the parks are open to guests when the NBA plays, it’s a given that guests booked wherever they stayed onsite would be moved.

 

[JacknSally]

I meant to ask this last night, but got tired - did I read that there was a possibility that people might be moved from their booked hotel IF it was one of the places where NBA players might be staying ? That would go over really well -

Overbooking and having to relocate/bump guests happens daily in the hotel world. I've managed a Hilton property and an IHG property, and it happened all the time. Trust me, it's not really fun for anyone involved. General rule of thumb is to provide comparable accommodations, but Disney especially is good about upgrades and pixie dust to make up for the inconvenience. Yes, people might not end up staying where they booked, but Disney won't leave anyone without a room.

Edited to improve wording.

 

[Mit88]

Overbooking and having to relocate/bump guests happens daily in the hotel world. General rule of thumb is to provide comparable accommodations, but Disney especially is good about upgrades and pixie dust to make up for the inconvenience. Yes, people might not end up staying where they booked, but Disney won't leave anyone without a room.

Source: I was a manager at a Hilton property and an IHG property.

Which ties in with their DPB post the other day that experiences may be changed. I think this has been known for at least a few weeks, since rumors of the MK resorts being the only ones opened that people may be moved from their resorts and given other accommodations. Its better than nothing. And I’m sure if youre staying at GF theyre not going to place you at All Star, unless theyre making it up to you mightily in other ways. Still all speculation, but the DPB post shows you that these are options that theyre thinking about and want people to have an idea that their trip might be modified

 

[NotUrsula]

I think that the question of what happened to CL has zero to do with VIP guests or proposed "bubbles." I think it is a simple matter of closing the Club Level lounges because the Health Dept is not allowing ANY self-service food options in common areas right now; not so much as a coffee pot.

If you take away that lounge & extra housekeeping, what then differentiates CL from any other high-floor room, at least in substantive terms? Even requiring key-access in elevators raises the amount of surface touching. I think it is entirely possible that the rooms may still be sold, but just not as CL for the time-being.

Here is an tangential thought relative to the invasion of the NBA: king-sized beds. The players, at least, will need them to be comfortable and get good sleep, which means that since the number of them available at WDW is comparatively small, Disney may well need to change out furniture to meet that demand at a single resort. While capacity is being held down, the logical thing to do is to borrow those beds from elsewhere on property to concentrate them at the NBA resort. How many of them might be borrowed from CL rooms that really can't be sold as CL due to common-area use restrictions?

Come to think of it, another thing that might need to be shifted is gym equipment. WWoS is a competition venue; it doesn't contain a lot of workout areas other than open gyms. That many athletes wanting weight/resistance training at once will mean bringing it in. They can surely rent it, but they could choose to also move some.

 

[tinkerhon]

IF the parks are open to guests when the NBA plays, it’s a given that guests booked wherever they stayed onsite would be moved.

Well, that won't be a good thing - I wonder how they would be compensated ? (Or if)

 

[DGsAtBLT]

I meant to ask this last night, but got tired - did I read that there was a possibility that people might be moved from their booked hotel IF it was one of the places where NBA players might be staying ? That would go over really well -

It actually probably would go over pretty well for the majority. Disney tends to upgrade when they have to bump not just move at the same level.

I can’t remember the reasoning but I remember a few years ago there was a relatively large amount of people getting bumped from a value or mod to their choice of SSR or OKW I believe. I think this is one area they don’t have to be overly concerned with bad PR.

 

[cakebaker]

Well, that won't be a good thing - I wonder how they would be compensated ? (Or if)

Historically, you’d get an upgrade. But there are some cases where there’s really no upgrade to be had. I’m at the YC, CL. Not many options to upgrade unless they’d like to move me to a suite. lol So in these cases, the lesser resort you have, the better you make out. But this is a different time, I have no clue what they’d do.

 

[JacknSally]

Well, that won't be a good thing - I wonder how they would be compensated ? (Or if)

Depending on the reason for the booked-room unavailability, typically Disney will upgrade your room type at the same property with no change in rate or they'll move you to another same tier or higher tier resort and take care of transporting you and your luggage over there, plus throw in some fastpasses for the inconvenience. They could also give you a gift card or credit for the inconvenience.

 

[Anna H]

This is what grinds my gears. They release a brand new statement saying that July reservations are still being accepted when their plans have been not to open in July at all?? That is jerking paying customers around consciously and needlessly. Don't make us wait until your first money grab falls through. Making interim money off families as a back up plan might be business as usual but seems scummy during a pandemic. If NBA backs out, they will expect us all to faithfully take their plan B.

 

[Nightmarefandom]

This is what grinds my gears. They release a brand new statement saying that July reservations are still being accepted when their plans have been not to open in July at all?? That is jerking paying customers around consciously and needlessly. Don't make us wait until your first money grab falls through. Making interim money off families as a back up plan might be business as usual but seems scummy during a pandemic. If NBA backs out, they will expect us all to faithfully take their plan B.

We don't know what they're plans are right now no one does except disney themselves rumors are just that rumors.

 

[SaintsManiac]

This is what grinds my gears. They release a brand new statement saying that July reservations are still being accepted when their plans have been not to open in July at all?? That is jerking paying customers around consciously and needlessly. Don't make us wait until your first money grab falls through. Making interim money off families as a back up plan might be business as usual but seems scummy during a pandemic. If NBA backs out, they will expect us all to faithfully take their plan B.

Who said they aren't opening in July?

 

[tinkerhon]

Depending on the reason for the booked-room unavailability, typically Disney will upgrade your room type at the same property with no change in rate or they'll move you to another same tier or higher tier resort and take care of transporting you and your luggage over there, plus throw in some fastpasses for the inconvenience. They could also give you a gift card or credit for the inconvenience.

Thanks for the info ! Greatly appreciated !

 

[gwynne]

This is what grinds my gears. They release a brand new statement saying that July reservations are still being accepted when their plans have been not to open in July at all?? That is jerking paying customers around consciously and needlessly. Don't make us wait until your first money grab falls through. Making interim money off families as a back up plan might be business as usual but seems scummy during a pandemic. If NBA backs out, they will expect us all to faithfully take their plan B.

I understand everything has been fluid. We still don't know what the plans are for regular guests.

But I'll bet my mouse ears this deal with the NBA is finalized quickly.

 

[Jroceagles]

This is what grinds my gears. They release a brand new statement saying that July reservations are still being accepted when their plans have been not to open in July at all?? That is jerking paying customers around consciously and needlessly. Don't make us wait until your first money grab falls through. Making interim money off families as a back up plan might be business as usual but seems scummy during a pandemic. If NBA backs out, they will expect us all to faithfully take their plan B.

Nobody has said they will not open in July. They could announce Wednesday a June opening. We have to wait and see. Don't believe the rumors....

 

[OnceUponATime15]

I understand that completely, but stop accepting reservations and expecting people to pay for their trips they can’t take because Disney keeps moving the goal posts. Tell the public we are definitely closed for trips and reservations for the summer. It’s not that hard

It’s such a double edged sword.. Accepting reservations in hopes of a reopening in an ever changing situation, those booking under the current circumstances are both aware of how it’s been going but still really want their Disney World vacation. Me too. I’m booked for December after my original June booking was impossible. (room only at this point, will add the rest once I see if it ends up being doable)

The double edge ... I book and have to deal with the way they are doing things because my heart is set on Disney. Most of us have been watching these boards for weeks - we’ve seen it play out. Don’t like it at all! but.. not a thing we can do til the Mouse is ready to share his plans.

Or I have had it & I cancel. Goodbye WDW! I’m over it.
But... mid July the park(s) are announced to open within the next 10 days. Plans that have been presented are passed, the NBA/MLS thing is all worked out, the county has moved to the next phase in the reopening plan and mitigation strategies can be eased yet again... Now I. am. pissed. because I have taken my vacation dollars and have used them to book & go elsewhere! and my vacation weeks are now gone too all used up.

Damned if they do.. damned if they don’t.

(For those on these boards and those like us on other boards, the anger will pass.. as soon as the 50th Anniversary plans are posted! )

We always find our way back. We are Disney ingrained. lol!!

 

[robinb]

I understand that completely, but stop accepting reservations and expecting people to pay for their trips they can’t take because Disney keeps moving the goal posts. Tell the public we are definitely closed for trips and reservations for the summer. It’s not that hard

There is so much uncertainty right now, it really is that hard.

 

[SaintsManiac]

I understand that completely, but stop accepting reservations and expecting people to pay for their trips they can’t take because Disney keeps moving the goal posts. Tell the public we are definitely closed for trips and reservations for the summer. It’s not that hard

I really don't know who is booking a new trip right now. I can't look at a thing on the website. It will not allow me in to check availability. I am betting new reservations are close to nonexistent, which is why they haven't made a big move to announce anything concrete yet.

 

[chicagoshannon]

I haven't followed the entire NBA situation so this may have been covered but just because they're playing at WWoS doesn't mean they have to stay at a Disney hotel. Maybe they'll rent out the 4 seasons or Waldorf for the players. Maybe they'd use the college housing. The College housing would actually make the most sense because they'd have a kitchen etc. Maybe they'd all be told to rent houses. Maybe they'd bring in trailers and set them up at WWoS.

 

[Mit88]

What’s going to be the highly contentious rumor revealed today that will undoubtedly cause a stir here?