Tell me a "COMP STORY" about complementary......

[minimahaki]

We have all heard about someone who had something go wrong while they were at Disney, and Disney some how reciprocated through a complementary something or other. I would love to hear the story. Please make sure your indicating if this is a DVC COMP STORY or NON DVC COMP STORY
OK
Now you can also tell me a story where something went wrong at DISNEY and there was nothing more than an apology given to you......

Lauretta
Minimahaki DVC Member since May, 1993

[This message was edited by minimahaki on 04-27-01 at 05:37 AM.]

 

[mrsdon]

About 3 years ago DH and I booked 3 nights at the BWV.(about 6 weeks before the trip)
The trip was for the beginning of Dec.
We checked into the BWV about 4pm and got our room keys.
When we went to the room and swiped the key, we saw a camera and sunglasses on the shelf and shoes in the room. We quickly concluded the room was occupied.
We told front desk CM and he sent us to dinner at Spoodles(copliments of Disney)
After dinner we got our new room keys and found that new room to be occupied also.
At this time Im a little upset. We've tried 2x's to get our room(with confirmed ressies)
We get another room and it is OCUPPIED also.
Now at this point I am totally angey. Its 830 and we've tried checking in since 4 and we dont have a room and all oour stuff had been sitting in the lobby.
When we finally found a room it was after 9pm
I asked the manager how I could feel safe, knowing that I was given someone's room key 3 times.
I alos asked what could be done to compensate for all our troubles(dont flame please. I wasnt tryint to get something for nothing, but 3times to get an unoccupuied room is too much IMO)
Anyway she was smart and said we sent you to dinner.
Later that night she called and said she would give us one night.
I was happy with that.
When we got home my DH wrote to the GM of BWV and the head of DVC and I posted my story here on this board.
The very same day someond from DVC called and apolgized all over.
She offered us 3 free nights to make up for the 3 nights we had spent there.
So this is an example of how Disney can mess up and then make ammends.
BTW I thought as a manager of a 4Star hotel, would personally check the room the 3rd time before sending a guest up there.

 

[ttsui01]

Got occupied rooms 3 times in one night? WOW. That's either really bad luck or the system is messed up that day.

 

[minimahaki]

WOW
3 times this was extreme! I am so glad you were given an additional 3 days.
Did you book your original stay on points?

 

[Chuck S]

We were staying at OKW (on points), in the 'South Point' area when those buildings were brand new. Well my Mom was in the bathroom when warm water suddenly started pouring onto her head from the area of the exhaust fan. It stopped after a few minutes, and we went to Olivia's for Breakfast. I stopped by the front desk on the way to report the problem. When we returned to the room after after breakfast, maintenance was just arriving at our door. They had already checked the unit upstairs, and said that the overflow drain on the tub was not sealed properly. They apologized, thanked us for reporting the problem (since if it wasn't fixed could have eventually caused major damage to the ceiling). They were going to be a little while in our unit cleaning the exhaust fan in the ceiling. I asked if we could get fresh towels, since we used our to soak up the water. He flagged down a maid and we got towels right away. We were heading off to one of the parks to get out of their way and let them work. They also bought us a full meal at Olivia's that night. I thought that was especially nice, since really, there wasn't a lot of inconvenience...except for Mom's hair, of course

Chuck
DVC '92 (OKW)

 

[Jimbo]

We were staying at OKW, and my wife and I drove to the Boardwalk in the morning. We had breakfast at Spoodle's and then visited Epcot for a couple of hours. When we stopped by the valet station to pick up our car, they couldn't find our keys. The attendant tore the place apart to no avail. After he looked for about 10 minutes, he told us that he didn't want to hold us up anymore. So he had an eldery gentleman dressed in a kind of greeter's outfit get the house Cadillac and take us right to our front door at OKW.

By the time we made it to our room, of course, there was a voicemail waiting for us. It was the attendant, saying that he had found our keys and to call him. When we did, he offered to make a reservation at any Boardwalk restaurant that evening for us, and the meal would be on him. We picked Flying Fish, and at the appointed hour the Cadillac was waiting outside our door to ferry us back to BWV.

We had a very nice meal, and ever since then we've been hoping that the valet would lose our keys again. No luck, though!

 

[minimahaki]

Two more great stories
I am glad to hear that DVC Members are being
Compensated for being inconvenienced
Even if you were not compensated please tell the story....
Lauretta

 

[Cristopher]

well nice stories with happy endings...and Chuck if that happened to my mom you would hear her at the MK....while my dad would be laughing his head off!!! -Cris

Cris
Co-moderator of Tips Board
cris@wdwinfo.com

 

[Paul in CT]

My story is similar to MrsDon. It happened during our second stay at OKW as members in 1996. We had our first 1BR reserved. When we arrived around 3PM to check we were told that the room was not ready yet, but to come back at the regular check-in time of 4:00 when it would be ready. No problem so far since I knew that we had arrived early.

So we went to Goodings to buy groceries. When we returned at 4:00 they gave us our keys and we went to the room. To our surprise, when we opened the door we found the room to be a mess. It had not been cleaned at all yet.

So we all got back in the car and drove back to report the problem. The CM apologized and offered us dinner at Olivia's so that they could clean it for us. Although this was not part of my carefully made plans, we accepted and enjoyed a very nice meal at Olivia's. It really helped to calm me down.

After the meal (about 6:00PM) we once again went to the room only to find that it was cleaner, but still not completely ready. Some dirty dishes were still on the table. This time I called Housekeeping and asked for the manager. She came over right away and promised to get it cleaned up right away.

This time they got it right. After we returned from the MK that evening, the room was perfect, but no more "comps".

I must admit since this was only our second visit as OKW members, I was a bit concerned that this was typical, but we have never experienced any similar problems since. In fact, on some trips we have even been able to check in earlier than 4:00PM.

Paul in CT

 

[TnRobin]

Not a comp story, but a "going out of the way" story. This past December we were staying at HH in a 1 BR. That evening around 8:30 pm, I went to enjoy the jacuzzi only to find that the drain was not closing. I called the front desk and a maintenance person was at our door with in minutes. He tried to fix it but couldn't. He said he had to go get a new drain plug. Just a few minutes after he leaves, we get a phone call. It is the maintenance guy, he says they do not have the part, but he is going to run down to Home Depot and get another. In 15 minutes he had returned and was fixing our drain.

I was not only impressed with him running to Home Depot, but with his calling us and letting us know what was going on. Some many places would have just left and let you wonder.

Disney Vacation Club Board Co-Moderator
DVC and Cruise Chat Hostess
Cruise Board List Mistress

<font size=4 color=blue font face="Comic Sans MS">Robin

 

[rbuzzotta]

About 4 years ago, we arrived at DxL (me, DH, DD then 5 and DD then 6months) only to find that the computer had us checking in the following day. My confirmation had us arriving on July 5 and theirs had us arriving July 6. We were only staying for 3 nights! Well, they had to search for a hotel for us. We ended up at CBR for the night and then had to go back over to DxL for the remainder of our ressie. It was very hot and we missed a day at the MK! The CM's moved our bags for us but it was alot of waiting around. We checked in at CBR around 6pm and had to be out at 11 am and couldn't check in at DxL again until 4 pm.

I wrote to the GM of DxL and explain that although the CM's were very helpful we lost a day in the parks, not to mention the inconvience. A few weeks later I recieved comp. park hopper passes (one day only) for 4 of us.

We've been back many times since and have never had anything else happen. Knock on wood!!

Rosemary
Off-site every year since 1985
PO '96, '97, '99
Coronado '00
WL '94, '00
CB '98, '00
VB '97, '98, '00, '01?
DVC member '00 OKW
DxL '97, '01
OKW '01

 

[Dean]

I've told this story before so anyone that has read it, please forgive me for repeating. I think it was 1995 or 96, not that long after VB opened. We had schedule a trip there, sort of a family reunion. My two kids were doing Space Camp that week so it was mostly an adult week. I had submitted preferences including being near the grills because we intended to grill out at least twice. I had even double checked that there were grills and had the response in writing from MS. We had bought steaks for 9 people for 2 meals, fillet and NY strip (frozen). I was just checking in with MS about a week and a half before and got the email back, no Grills.

I sent them the response I had previously received and they went nuts. Calling on the phone, what can we do, there are no BBQ grill at VB. I asked about them just furnishing a portable grill or if we could bring a small one and use it but that wasn't feasible, fire codes. They offered to take the steaks, grill them and return them but I declined. Since timing is so critical with steaks, I didn't trust them enough to expect things would go well and I didn't want additional frustrations. They were pleading, what can we do. Then they offered a lunch for the entire group which we accepted. We had lunch at the resort, the manager kept coming by. Everything was fabulous. We got to the end and they asked about desert. We first said no, then a couple said they wanted to share something. They wouldn't hear of it, made EVERYONE order their own. That's about the time I didn't see the mananger anymore, had to ask for him. I wanted to get an approximation of the value to know how much tip to leave as the young lady did a fabulous job. He said the tip had been taken care of also. I said, but she was great and I want to make sure she's appropriately tipped, he wouldn't hear of anything else.

Bottom line is that they went above and beyond, I estimated the meal with tip at just under $200. As relatively new members, it sure made an impression on us. I've heard they've since added grills but I'm not certain.

Dean

 

[Alysa]

These are wonderful happy endings - thank you for posting such positive replys!?

 

[mickey7861]

This is a non-DVC story but a good comp story. When AS Sports first opened (I forget the year) I wanted to try it since it was NEW! Well it was awful, loaded with unsupervised teenagers and just not the WDW magic we were used to. I wrote a letter when we returned home. They wrote back and offered us to stay again at $49 nightly. Since this was about half price I figured we'd give it another chance. We were already staying 8 nights at CS so we added 8 nights at AS Sports. We soon realized that the first time hadn't been a fluke and even $49 was too much too pay for that resort. Well Guest Services happened to call us and ask if our stay was going ok. My DH really held nothing back and told her our tales of woe.

Not only did she help us move to CS early, she offered us lunch at any Epcot restaurant (we chose le Cellier), 4 free e-night passes, 4 free 2 day park hopper passes, and when we checked into our CS room there was a huge thermal cooler bag filled with sodas and snacks accompanying a balloon bouquet. The card said "hope this begins your magical stay". We thought this was unbelievably generous.

 

[Lesley]

This is a very small, but nice non-dvc comp story.....on our 1999 trip we had lunch at LTT in the MK. I was 5 1/2 months pregnant at the time. My stomach can be kinda funny when I'm pregnant, or maybe its my tongue...sometimes things taste funny to me or taste wonderful but make me queasy when they're really fine. So, after ordering and receiving my lunch I began to eat...after about 5 or so bites I had my fill. I knew that this particular meal, though delicious, was too heavy for my stomach...I just couldn't eat any more even though I enjoyed the bit that I did eat. I know this can happen at any time while I'm pregnant, and it doesn't bother me in the least that sometimes we buy a great meal and I end up not being able to eat it. The waiter absolutely insisted that we not pay for my meal, after offering to get me something else, which I declined....and even after I explained to him that there was no problem at all with the food. It was one of those times when the cm went above and beyond for us...made us really feel like "guests" not "customers"...it wasn't even so much the money, but the way we were treated. I wish I would have written down his name so I could let the management know what a wonderful waiter they had there.

Lesley

1979 Contemporary
1992 Off-site
1994 Caribbean Beach
1999 Fort Wilderness & Coronado Springs
2000 Polynesian and Old Key West
2002 Boardwalk Villas

 

[Caskbill]

A simple Comp, but still appreciated. We got to OKW about 5:30 or 6:00 to check-in. The CM apologized saying the room wasn't ready. They had had an unusually high number of check-outs that day and housekeeping was way behind. She said our unit would be ready no-later than 7:00, and gave us comp tickets for Olivia's. We just walked across, had a nice dinner, walked back to the check-in counter, got our key, and went to the room. It was spotless.

Caskbill

 

[Scott5150]

A few years ago my wife and I went to BWV and signed up for the dining plan where you pay $50 per day and they give you $55 credit per day for food (It no longer exists). Well for some reason the computer got all screwed up and when we went to a restaurant it would take the 30 minutes to get our account squared away. After 2 or 3 times, I went to the front desk and explained my situation to them with the hope that they could fix the problem.

They were able to fix the problem and the COMPED us our 6 day Length of Stay passes (2 adults) That was a several hundred dollar comp which I was NOT expecting.

Needless to say that made me very happy.

Scott

DVC Member since 1996

2001 (Fall) Disney Magic
2001 Old Key West
1999 Disney Magic / Wilderness Lodge
1999 Vero Beach
1998 Disney Magic / Boardwalk
1998 Boardwalk
1997 Port Orleans
1995 Dixie Landings
1994 Carribean Beach

 

[Wes]

I was at Vero Beach for about a week the first Christmas they were open -- December 1995 -- paid $$$ since I was not a DVC member then. (They were offering discounts at WDW, since VB was new; so I decided to try it out.)

When I left, there was one drawer full of clothes that I forgot to pack. I didn't realize it until that night when I arrived in Titusville and found out that I had remembered all the other little things and forgotten half my clothes.

So I immediately called. Certainly the maid would have found the clothes and turned them in and they could send them to me ... NOT. Apparently the maid just pitched them or more likely took them home without telling anyone about them. The front desk had no report of any clothes found in the room. And they gave me no compensation at all.

I have not looked on Vero Beach at all fondly since then -- and of course have not gone back.

 

[minimahaki]

I had a bed Vero experience but it only had to do with one cast member. I asked the DVC rep in the lobby if it would be possible to see the rooms. He opened a book with pictures in it. I asked again if we couldn't go tour a room and got some sarcastic reply indicating that the pictures represent the room.. Another nearby cast member interrupted and said we should check back later on and she would see about allowing us to tour. But at that point I just wanted to run and hide and cry I was so humiliated!
One bad experience created a negative outlook towards the whole place. As time passes I realize I should have gotten his name and reported him. Well live and learn!
I guess what I am trying to say that both of us had bad Vero Experiences we should realize it was ONE cast member. Neither of us should allow the experience to keep us from a wonderful resort.
We both had a learning experience. No one will ever make me feel like that again without me creating one heck of a stink.... And you will probably never leave a hotel room without checking every draw ever again....
Live and Learn
Lauretta
Minimahaki DVC Members Since May,1993

 

[jmatzen0106]

Prior to joining the DVC we camped at Ft Wilderness. We usually make reservations in Jan.
for a summer vacation, and request a large site
for out tent ( yes tent ) and screen house.
When we arrived our site was so narrow, you could not fit both the tent and screen house on the site. When we went back to the Check In area, we were shocked to find out they were completely booked up, with no other sites available.

We offered to stay in a non site area, as we were used to camping without amenities. They could not do that. We were exasperated ! We had just driven 20 hours, was looking forward to a great 12 night vacation, and no site. Finally, the Cast Member said he would get the Manager. The Manager apologized, and said he would like to put us in the preferred site area for our entire stay. I thanked him, and said I wasn't looking for any special consideration, I would be more than happy to pay the difference. He would hear nothing of that. It was his pleasure to be able to do that for us. WE HAVE BEEN HOOKED ON DISNEY EVER SINCE.

You know we did have a great 12 day vacation.