They want us to move from the Poly too!

[Susiesnowflake]

I can confirm.....the Poly is definitely overbooked the first week and beyond in Nov! I just rec'd the dreaded call! They want to displace us. They only offered one option..the AKL. There was absolutely no effort made to compensate for an extreme booking error on their part. No up-grade was offered. No savannah view. No 40% off rack rates. Disney goofed up big on this one. My excitement level is about nil right now. I am feeling such disappointment. Both because of the situation and maybe more of their handling of it.

My family and I save long and hard to go to WDW. It is a very expensive place to go. When we go, we plan carefully. We make reservations to stay at the resort of our choice. Only then, when we have learned that there is availability and we have a room, do we make airline reservations, car rental plans..... To now learn that we cannot stay at the place we had confirmed reservations at is quite upsetting. Honestly, we would not have planned this trip, if we had been unable to get reservations at the Poly. Yes, there are other wonderful resorts, but if we are going to be spending many thousands, we want to stay at our resort of choice.

For everyones info, I did not consent to a move. The AKL is a beautiful resort, and we actually have plans to stay there on our first night. It is not where I want to be for any length of time,however, and it is not where I want to end my vacation. Their offer, anyway, has me paying more than the room I already have reserved. Wouldn't you think they would have offered an AP rate?

I plan to call a supervisor tomorrow. I don't know what can be done. I just feel like I should have been given more options and some compensation for the disappointment and displacement. I am an AP holder. At least, an AP rate would have been nice.

Sorry for rambling. I am one disappointment person right now.

 

[floridafam]

THEY SHOULD NOT ASK YOU TO PAY MORE THAN WHAT YOU ARE PAYING NOW, PERIOD!!!!!!

They should give you the same type of room you had reserved at the Poly or an upgrade.

What type of room did you have reserved?

I thought for sure after the first part of your post you were going to say they offered you AKL Concierge. I really think this is the only thing that would have seemed proper to offer. They overbooked.

Yes, a savannah view would have been nice but I honestly would expect them to offer you some type of park passes or something.

I really don't think I'm being unrealistic here.

They overbooked and it should be an equal move for you or better.

Let us know what happens.

 

[SB in KY]

I agree with the previous poster...hold your ground...If your heart is set on the Poly, tell the supervisor exactly what you posted here. They confirmed a reservation...and they are obligated to honor it. Let them move someone else...or at the VERY least move you to more desirable accomodations at their expense. What would they do if you said NO...I reserved the Poly, you confirmed it and I want you to honor my reservation

This whole thing sounds to me like someone is trying to cover their tracks for making a colossal boo-boo...and if they can bully 150 people into paying more for rooms elsewhere then they might hang onto their job.

Why are they picking on you?? There are like what...800 rooms at the Poly?? Tell them to call the other 799 people first. They probably are calling everyone and the first 150 to cave get shuttled elsewhere... the deal will improve and they will have to up the anty if they can't find people to take the first offer (ever been sitting at the airport when a flight is overbooked?? The longer it takes to get volunteers the better the deal gets!!)

Hang in there.
SB

 

[billybaruch1]

Isn't the Poly much more expensive than the AKL? How can Disney think you would think it would be an even trade? It sounds like they (Disney) are stealing!

 

[Susiesnowflake]

I should clarify. We had a GV room booked at the Poly. AAA rate. They offered to move us to an AKL pool room. The cost of the room was cheaper than the Poly. However, the cost of that room was still more than we were paying for one night at the AKL with an AP rate in regular season. Just didn't make sense. At the least, I would have expected them to give me an AP discount as some sort of apology and compensation.

 

[BCV23]

I wonder if they know you have an AP? I wonder if this is a right hand doesn't know what the left hand is doing? In Steve's sister's case it seems that only her non-AP nights were affected. So maybe the AP nights are being honored before others. Rewarding loyal visitors and all...

At any rate, I feel your pain. We love the Polynesian too and are scheduled to be there later in the month. I sure hope we don't receive the dreaded call.

Maybe all of us who love the Polynesian should stop extolling its praises.

I wish you both great luck!

 

[n2mm]

Hold your ground, say NO and let us all know how this plays out. I think this policy really stinks and hate seeing people get jerked around like this. This is YOUR vacation that you worked hard for and because Disney messed up, you have to suffer for it--no way. Disney needs to eat this mistake. This is crazy and no way to run such a big business like WDW.

 

[Emy'sMom]

Geez, what a mess. I hope you get things resolved. We love the Poly and would be very disappointed if we couldn't stay there. When I told DH about this Poly situation he told me that if we for some reason we couldn't stay at the Poly we wouldn't go to WDW at all.

Good Luck!
Debbie

 

[luvmrypoppins]

Sorry about what they are doing. I work in the hotel business and know from experience they can not make you move if you have a confirmed reso unless you want to. They are probably calling everyone eventualy hoping most people will give in with out fighting. You need to call and speak to no one other that management. Be strong and don't give in. You Guarenteed your reso and do not have to take moving. I would only move if you want to but then I would demand a super upgrade. They are the ones in the wrong so they have to accept and deal with it. Do not move unless you want to accept no other choice. Thats the whole part of confirming resos. Fight for what you want for it is your vacation and your money and their mess up. Their hoping you will give in and make it easy on them. DON"T. You did your part now it they need to fulfill their end of the bargain! I know at my hotel those customers who stand up for themselves get what they want. I know its sad that the nice people are the ones getting stepped on but Trust me managment does not want to deal with angry people so you have to not give up until you get what you feel you deserve. Good Luck and never give up on what you want!

 

[Susiesnowflake]

Thank you to everyone for your support and words of encouragement. I will definitely keep you posted.

Debbie, my husb has a convention in Orlando next Dec. We planned to take the kids, buy new AP, and stay on-site at WDW. Unless this situation is resolved, that definitely will not be happening.

Oh, I forgot to mention ...when this guy called about moving us and I commented about the move and my lack of options, he asked if I had been on the disboards. I told him it was none of his business. I should have said, yes, I have been and that word is spreading and Disney may begin feeling the consequences.

It's just so disappointing. We were displaced once before, but that had a happy ending. And this was a trip my husb and I were taking alone to celebrate our 19th anniversary. Bummer! Bummer! Bummer!

Good night to all. I need to go take some deep breathes.

 

[Jen D]

Originally posted by Susiesnowflake
Oh, I forgot to mention ...when this guy called about moving us and I commented about the move and my lack of options, he asked if I had been on the disboards. I told him it was none of his business.

Wow. Interesting that they already know and are afraid that word of this screw-up is spreading. Did he actually mention these boards by name?

 

[floridafam]

The rate for GV Concierge in Value Season is $390.

The rate for Pool View at AKL is $260.

That is not the same. They are offering you a move down.

You could probably book at AP rate yourself with a pool view at AKL and end up paying less.

I know they have a problem but they should offer you the correct switch and not a room that is $130 cheaper per night. I know you have an AP but it's the true cost of the room that I am looking at because you can use your AP at cheaper hotels than the Poly, anyway.

I would at least expect them to have offered the Contemporary because it is located in the same area and is also on the monorail.

 

[faithinkarma]

and severely disappointed in Disney. Who the heck is running things there???

The Poly is a dream come true for most people. To have it yanked away at the last minute because of a Disney screw up, without adequate compensation is horrid.

We originally had ressies at the Poly for November. I got so annoyed with the way they were handling the entire AP issue that I moved to the Swan.

Now they are compounding their mistake and alienating more people?

I feel so very bad for you. I hope you do stick to your guns. But I suspect this is going to leve a bad taste in your mouth no matter how it turns out. Shame on Disney.

 

[TDC Nala]

The Polynesian is so popular that it sometimes does get overbooked. The problem they're having with it now is that for the first week of November, it seems all the other deluxe resorts are pretty much fully booked also. This is not typical for that time of year and was probably totally unexpected.

I have tried booking an AP rate at the beginning of November. There are none available at any deluxe resorts. My one night before moving to DVC will be spent at Coronado Springs - that and All Star Sports were the only resorts with any AP avaliability for November 8.

Would they refund the difference on the AKL room? They'd have to.

 

[BrianD]

Disney is REALLY losing it on the reservation front if this is really how they are handling it. They are already pis*ing people off with their new reservation system, and now as a result of their mistake, they are trying to make you pay for it? bull****.

Like everyone else is saying, stand strong. Do not allow a move unless they give you an incredible deal. Not an AP rate, a REALLY good deal. This is what they've offered in the past. I remember hearing about people that had booked POFQ and when they were notified that it was closing they were getting offers like the Poly for $129, GF for $170, crazy stuff like that.

I love Disney, and am headed back soon, but until they figure out which end is up at CRO/WDTC, I'm using travel agents. BTW, I am very pleased with Dreams Unlimited thus far in their handling of my reservation. (Just a little shameless plug for the sponser. )

 

[BrianD]

One other thing - contact Guest Services and tell them your situation. They are usually very helpful with bad situations.

One thing about Disney, if enough people complain about something, they're usually pretty good about listening and changing it.

 

[Forever a Princess]

Susie,

I am so sorry for all the stress that Disney is giving you on this.

If I'm reading this right they are offering you a standard view water/pool view at the AKL for your GV at the Poly.l

Value season breakdown

Poly GV $299 per night
AKL Standard water/pool view $260
AKL Deluxe water/pool view $340
AKL Deluxe Savannah view $350
AKL Concierge $425

My opinion is that you should be upgraded in your room type (standard water/pool view is not cutting it) and also you should receive a deep discount on the room for your trouble.

Let us know on your call tomorrow and good luck. I am praying for you.
Renee

 

[Mamu]

I also find this unacceptable. When an airline over books you end up getting a free flight for another trip. I'm not saying Disney should give you a free vacation, but you should not be ask to go to AKL and be asked to pay the difference.

I don't know who's brilliant idea this was, but talk about Bad Public Relations. It's like feel sorry for me, we overbooked and could you please stay at another resort, and please could you pay the difference. We know you've saved for this trip and we know your going to be spending a lot more of your hard earned money during your stay here. But our profits are down and we think you should be spending more for our mistakes. "I think not!

I know my plans would have already been made by now. I feel Disney need to offer these clients something for their inconvenience.

Tell Disney NO.

 

[mrsltg]

I'm not saying Disney should give you a free vacation, but you should not be ask to go to AKL and be asked to pay the difference.

I'm not so sure. If they (Disney) want to disrupt 150 people with whom they have contracted services, they better sweeten the pot! I could see a free room as compensation.

Susie- get yourself ready for your next call. Be prepared with a list of acceptable alternatives. Pick out the places that you've always wanted to stay, and pick one of the best rooms that they have. Then demand said room for the same price as you are paying at the Poly. Keep going up the management chain until you get what you want.

Good luck!

Erin

 

[erikthewise]

If it's true that they overbooked by 150 rooms, it may be a breakdown of their reservation system. That's about 20%. I'm not familiar with hotel operations, but that sounds way over the top to me.

This is in no way an excuse; they still owe significant compensation to anyone who is inconvenienced. But I doubt that they intentionally overbooked by that much.