Think twice about booking with Storytime

[Mousemommy1]

I actually feel a bit sorry for the OP. NOT because she's out her deposit. That is exactly the way it should be. Given her track record that Lewis dug up I don't think she would ever stay off site. No, I feel sorry because she fell hook, line and sinker for what I call DIS "resort creep". She started out offsite, went through every level of WDW resort and ended up at BWI-CL. I am a DVC owner at BWV and AKV and have stayed at AKV CL. Boardwalk is a great location (I now book Boardwalk View ONLY because I love the view) and AKV CL is a nice place to be pampered and unwind. I also stayed in a 3-bedroom house on our last trip. IT WAS GREAT! A pool home was on my "Disney Bucket List" and it was soooo relaxing to come home and take a dip in my own private pool. We had breakfast and snacks and drinks at our fingertips ... just like CL. Sadly the OP is paying more for her 2 nights at BWI-CL than I did for my entire CHRISTMAS week.

I understand that it's her money and her vacation but I can't help but feeling sad that she got caught in up in upgrade fever. I think that some folks want to make things more sparkly and specialer and extra magictasitical. What they forget is that a WDW is a special vacation all on it's own and the most important thing is to be together as a family. We skipped going back into the parks one night at our house. My teen DD and I were having fun playing a silly game with a blow-up beach ball in the pool and I kept on thinking that she starts high school next year and will soon be "too cool" for such games. So, we played in the pool instead of showering and heading back for the fireworks. That silly game, with the rules that changed to her advantage, will be one of my favorite WDW memories ... and it didn't take place onsite.

This entire thread is absolutely amazing....and the word "magitastical" is icing on the cake! LOVE it!

 

[JessB320]

Sorry, OP, but given lewisc's excellent expose on your resort hunting timeline, I've got to say that your original post here is one of the more egregious examples of self-entitlement that I've read in quite some time.

Kungaloosh.

Yup I totally agree!

 

[Miss Peach]

I had never heard of Storytime Rentals until I read this thread.

They look great on their website.

I am going to save their information for future use!

 

[Sparkly]

I understand that it's her money and her vacation but I can't help but feeling sad that she got caught in up in upgrade fever. I think that some folks want to make things more sparkly and specialer and extra magictasitical. What they forget is that a WDW is a special vacation all on it's own and the most important thing is to be together as a family. We skipped going back into the parks one night at our house. My teen DD and I were having fun playing a silly game with a blow-up beach ball in the pool and I kept on thinking that she starts high school next year and will soon be "too cool" for such games. So, we played in the pool instead of showering and heading back for the fireworks. That silly game, with the rules that changed to her advantage, will be one of my favorite WDW memories ... and it didn't take place onsite.

Absolutely. Disney is great, but it's in no way the only place to make good memories. Sometimes it's the little things that you remember the most.

 

[hsmamainva]

I had never heard of Storytime Rentals until I read this thread.

They look great on their website.

I am going to save their information for future use!

We stayed at Storytime Orlando last year and LOVED it! The owner is great to work with and we had a wonderful time!

When we called to book our upcoming May trip, he remembered us from last year and discounted the nightly rate, so we ended up getting it a little bit lower than the rate that's posted on the website.

So they appreciate return business!

I highly recommend them.

 

[Bonniec]

My teen DD and I were having fun playing a silly game with a blow-up beach ball in the pool and I kept on thinking that she starts high school next year and will soon be "too cool" for such games

If it makes you feel any better, my 19 year olds still haven't out grown that kind of stuff. They're off at college and having a blast. But they still can't wait to come home and be kids. Beachball volleyball in the pool rules . Loved your post too.

 

[PA Princess]

Funny, because several years ago (4 to be exact) I found myself in the exact same place as the OP. We had booked a rental from Storytime in November for a December trip the following year.

By about February we realized we did not want to stay off site, and then Disney for the first announced free dining dates for whole year. We realized by arriving one day early (back in the day when you could arrive on the last day of a promotion and receive it for your whole stay), we could have free dining - big perk!

In the end we decided to stay on site (best decision) and we lost our deposit (ouch). We hated losing that deposit, but we new the terms and we made the choice. It would have never, ever occurred to me to come on a board and complain (other than to bemoan my own poor decisions). I certainly would never bash an owner perfectly within rights to stick to a contract I signed.

 

[swilshire]

I made a ressie about a year ago to stay at Storytime Kingdom with my family. Unfortunately, my family is unable to make it so I canceled. I paid a deposit of $380.00 which is non-refundable. I asked if it were possible for them to apply that money for a future stay at another time when we could make it. I got a no to that question. I think it says a lot about this company or the individuals who run it. I will NEVER ever recommend staying there to anyone. I feel like they are thieves. I think it should be illegal what they are doing. Now I am out 380.00 and I can't even apply it to a future stay. I think that is so wrong on so many levels. I am fuming. Does anyone side with me on this one?

How far in advance of your stay did you cancel? Owners make refunds non-refundable because it can sometimes be difficult to rerent their places after a cancellation. If the terms were clear in the paperwork, then it is unfortunate that something made you cancel, but certainly does not reflect badly on the owner, in my opinion.

I've lost a few deposits through the years when plans had to change, but I understand that I am saving enough by booking through an owner to come out ahead overall. If you are not able to commit to a contract in advance, you are better off renting directly from hotels where you can cancel up to 6 PM on the date of arrival. You'll pay more per night, but that allows the flexibility you may need.

Sheila

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

How far in advance of your stay did you cancel? Owners make refunds non-refundable because it can sometimes be difficult to rerent their places after a cancellation. If the terms were clear in the paperwork, then it is unfortunate that something made you cancel, but certainly does not reflect badly on the owner, in my opinion.

I've lost a few deposits through the years when plans had to change, but I understand that I am saving enough by booking through an owner to come out ahead overall. If you are not able to commit to a contract in advance, you are better off renting directly from hotels where you can cancel up to 6 PM on the date of arrival. You'll pay more per night, but that allows the flexibility you may need.

Sheila

Please read this thread Sheila. OP made this a year in advance and MONTHS ago changed her plans but thinks that the owner should just be willing to have his/her home sit vacant because it's more "magical" to stay onsite.

OP is following your advice to stay in a hotel. Of course she also booked this place. Money apparently was not really an issue since she is now a Concierge Level guest.

But others should pay for her change of mind and failure to even notify the agency that she had changed her mind.

 

[Fueledbycoffee]

Not to state the obvious but not only does the OP want to cancel but it's because she wants to take her money elsewhere!

DH is an electrician & if a client wanted to cancel midway through a project because they wanted to hire our competitor, I wouldn't be very accommodating either.

There is a reason owners have contracts/policies & unfortunately it's because people try too hard to abuse the system.

 

[Granny square]

It isn't their fault you couldn't make the trip and you knew the terms. So I don't get your complaint. They are only keeping to the contract. You aren't.

 

[horseshowmom]

I already agreed with other posters who thought the OP had nothing to fume about. The policy was clearly stated, and I thought it was a reasonable policy based on their possible loss of business due to the original reservation.

I've booked a LOT of rentals (both houses and condos) and understand full well that I'll lose my deposit if I change my mind regardless of the reason (if that's what the contract states). Nobody forces me to sign that contract. It's a choice that I make (and I make it frequently because I have no interest in staying in a hotel room if I can avoid it).

That said, after reading Lewisc's post, the OP should be absolutely ashamed of themselves. And they want to insinuate that the company they're complaining about is the one in the wrong???

Sometimes I think business owners should have a board warning other companies not to do business with some people. I have no doubt the OP would be on such a board if Storytime had one.
Some posts made on DIS
3/14/12


She gave them a non-refundable deposit.
5/8/12

She understands these kinds of reservations come with non-refundable payments.

on 8/16/12

Most of us would stop looking once we made a reservation with significant penalties. Or called and asked if there was any way we could cancel the reservation with a lower penalty. Or decided we were willing to pay the penalty. Not wait months and hope a hard luck story followed by a bogus thread on an internet board.
8/16 time for another reservation


12/30 Was able to take advantage of a Disney promotion


1/3/13 Changed Disney reservation


on 1/7/13 she posted:


1/16/13 (yesterday) She indicated she's not cancelling her trip as she falsely claimed in the OP but rather is looking for a way to receive a refund.


Why should a business make exceptions for exceptional circumstances? Other customers suffering only from buyers remorse will lie in an attempt to get an undeserved refund.


I don't side with you. What you're doing is wrong on so many levels.

 

[bengalfreak]

I walked away from a great rate on the rental of a beautiful 3 BR townhouse just minutes from WDW because the owner said that if I rent from them that I am obligated for the entire amount if I cancel. Even if they can re-rent it, I am still out everything. I did not agree with the terms so I didn't do the deal. Storytime honored their deal, and you are angry because it didn't go the way you wanted. Its a bummer, but Storytime is not at fault.

 

[NaLisa]

We're staying at Storytime in June and booked about a year ago. Already paid in full.

I was alarmed when I read the title of this thread after doing a search for Storytime. Glad I opened it and read through. OP, I think it's awful that you attempted to diminish the reputation of the Storytime owners because you didn't like the terms of the contract you agreed to and then were held to. I'm glad another Disboarder exposed your change in travel plans.

We changed our dates, added a night to our stay and have asked numerous questions of the Storytime owners, and have found them very pleasant and easy to deal with. We're looking forward to staying and Storytime and chose the company based on numerous glowing reviews. I'm so glad we didn't run across your post when trying to make the decision, and I hope others will bother to read through and not rely on the thread title.

 

[pigletto]

My favourite thing to do in my spare time is plan trips. I also love a deal and love to change my mind
Others who know me around here know that about me but I digress.
I go into any possible booking with eyes wide open. I make sure I know the cancellation penalty. How would it be fair for someone I rented from to have to scramble at the last minute because of my indecision? I'm a big girl.. I know things can come up.. that's why I buy trip insurance. But the bottom line is if you don't like the terms, you don't have to book. It's up to each individual to know what they are getting into.
It doesn't sound to me like Storytime did anything wrong at all.

 

[daytondisney]

Bingo!

i actually feel a bit sorry for the op. Not because she's out her deposit. That is exactly the way it should be. Given her track record that lewis dug up i don't think she would ever stay off site. No, i feel sorry because she fell hook, line and sinker for what i call dis "resort creep". She started out offsite, went through every level of wdw resort and ended up at bwi-cl. I am a dvc owner at bwv and akv and have stayed at akv cl. Boardwalk is a great location (i now book boardwalk view only because i love the view) and akv cl is a nice place to be pampered and unwind. I also stayed in a 3-bedroom house on our last trip. It was great! A pool home was on my "disney bucket list" and it was soooo relaxing to come home and take a dip in my own private pool. We had breakfast and snacks and drinks at our fingertips ... Just like cl. Sadly the op is paying more for her 2 nights at bwi-cl than i did for my entire christmas week.

I understand that it's her money and her vacation but i can't help but feeling sad that she got caught in up in upgrade fever. I think that some folks want to make things more sparkly and specialer and extra magictasitical. What they forget is that a wdw is a special vacation all on it's own and the most important thing is to be together as a family. We skipped going back into the parks one night at our house. My teen dd and i were having fun playing a silly game with a blow-up beach ball in the pool and i kept on thinking that she starts high school next year and will soon be "too cool" for such games. So, we played in the pool instead of showering and heading back for the fireworks. That silly game, with the rules that changed to her advantage, will be one of my favorite wdw memories ... And it didn't take place onsite.

 

[Sunnywho]

What a thread!
Storytime did the right thing and kept the nonrefundable deposit. If they'd refused to refund a refundable deposit, that would have been very different.

 

[sbd78]

This was certainly an entertaining thread, LOL! I'm on team Storytime with this one.

 

[Granny square]

This was certainly an entertaining thread, LOL! I'm on team Storytime with this one.

I have to say it kind of makes me want to deal with them. they deserve non flaky potential renters.

 

[Saskiwi]

Yay- we are staying with them in less than a month- and we're not flakes! They have been fine to deal with so far plus we got a great rate on a pool townhouse, so v. happy..