Throwaway room (read post #2041 or #2710 before posting)

[Princesca]

Not everyone vacations Saturday to Saturday. We stayed in Clearwater midweek(Wed) for one night and booked a hard to get hotel during busy season right on the beach. I guess we were selfish as we impacted someone who might want a full week. So now you should only vacation if it fits into a specific guideline. No 2 day vacations, no midweek departure days...what else? Only so many character meals b/c you are taking the opportunity from others. If I go in September should my family only ride 7 rides to make it fair for the ones go during high season and only can do that many. I mean good gravy...why can't people just plan the vacation that they can within their means and not worry about who has the money or wants to pay for extras and how that is unfair to those who cannot or do not want to. I feel bad for people who are so unhappy with what they have that they have to go around on their high horse trying to chastise people for making the most of their vacation. If people want to spend more money to make their vacation run smoothly for them...who cares. Enjoy what you have and stop worrying about what everyone else has that you don't. Stop trying to keep up with the Jones and you will be a much happier person.

There is a difference between tying up something you are planning not to utilize and booking a one-night stay because you HAVE to. Gaming the system is shifty behavior. Yes it happens everyday - that doesn't make it right.

I think the answer, unfortunately, is for Disney to allow people to pay for early FP+ access without tying it to the room reservation. That would solve all these problems, because those shelling out for a 'throwaway' night could then just pay for what they want, without tying up a room and preventing paying guests from staying. I hate to see that loss of egalitarianism, but it's already in place under the current circumstances, apparently, just achieved via different means.

 

[Princesca]

So does that mean that if Im stopping in Orlando for 1 night during peak season I shldnt stay on property for all the same reasons that you mention? As long as someone is booking and paying for that room (not booking and cancelling which is a horse of a different color) whether they sleep there or not has the same effect.

You know why you're doing it. To me, if you're doing it because you need a room to sleep in for a night, fine. That can't be helped and you shouldn't feel bad. If you're doing it, letting the room sit empty, that's a shame for the people who might have liked to stay there. I wouldn't want to cause someone that inconvenience if it was within my power to stop it.

 

[Luckybee]

I don't think it's wrong, in principle, to book a room, pay for it, and not use it, as long as it doesn't harm other guests.

But if you are traveling during a peak time, and by booking, you are making it difficult or impossible for someone to have a longer stay because your one day is in the middle of their trip, and a thousand other people have the same mentality as you, then you're causing someone an inconvenience, and I personally wouldn't want to think I'd caused a hassle or disappointment for someone, especially just so I could have an early crack at FP+. Meanwhile some poor family is switching rooms, when they could be at the park, or switching resorts, because of me and the thousand others like me. To each their own, I guess.

ETA: I would venture to guess that this is going to eventually cause Disney to require longer minimum stays for FP+ access, require rescheduling all ADRs after a room cancellation, and/or just charging ala carte for early access FP+ and not tying it to the room at all.

After my experience booking FP for this upcoming trip, I wouldn't consider going without either a short onsite stay to open the 60 days, or a throwaway even if it was for 2 nights. I'd happily take the ala carte access.

If D wanted to change this practice they would easily.....does anyone really think that they want to turn away this easy revenue. This is a company becoming notorious for add on costs. Imho they're just trying to figure out how to get more out of it.....lol.

 

[Princesca]

This is a company becoming notorious for add on costs. Imho they're just trying to figure out how to get more out of it.....lol.

On this we agree, LuckyBee!

 

[Luckybee]

You know why you're doing it. To me, if you're doing it because you need a room to sleep in for a night, fine. That can't be helped and you shouldn't feel bad. If you're doing it, letting the room sit empty, that's a shame for the people who might have liked to stay there. I wouldn't want to cause someone that inconvenience if it was within my power to stop it.

Don't worry...I wouldn't feel bad either way for paying for a room

I wouldn't book it then cancel as some others have done but that is their business not mine, although I think you'd find more support with taking a position against that practice.

 

[nugov2]

There is a difference between tying up something you are planning not to utilize and booking a one-night stay because you HAVE to. Gaming the system is shifty behavior. Yes it happens everyday - that doesn't make it right.

I think the answer, unfortunately, is for Disney to allow people to pay for early FP+ access without tying it to the room reservation. That would solve all these problems, because those shelling out for a 'throwaway' night could then just pay for what they want, without tying up a room and preventing paying guests from staying. I hate to see that loss of egalitarianism, but it's already in place under the current circumstances, apparently, just achieved via different means.

Ah, but everyone booking the room IS planning to use it if they pay for it. Just because they aren't using it the way YOU deem the proper and "ethical" way doesn't mean that they aren't using it. I find it amusing that the ethical police get their undies in a wad over this. What about people who buy something they don't really want to get a freebie? Is that unethical? It is taking away the item that someone else might have really wanted, but now someone who didn't need/want it got it just so they could get the perk that came with buying it. Assuming someone who is booking a throwaway room is sketchy or has no moral compass is BS, but that is just me. I will lose no sleep over my throwaway room. I also have no interest in A&E so not even why I booked it.

 

[Princesca]

Don't worry...I wouldn't feel bad either way for paying for a room

I wouldn't book it then cancel as some others have done but that is their business not mine, although I think you'd find more support with taking a position against that practice.

Well, my personal favorite character, the Blue Fairy, said "Always let your conscience be your guide." At the end of the day, you're the only one that truly has to live with yourself, so you have to do what you think is right. You stand by your philosophy as being your right, and I stand by mine as being less harmful. Again, just because you can do something, doesn't mean you should.

I do agree, though... as much as I think it's unfortunate to rent a throwaway room for one night and pay for it, to me renting and cancelling is a MUCH more black and white issue.

 

[Princesca]

Ah, but everyone booking the room IS planning to use it if they pay for it. Just because they aren't using it the way YOU deem the proper and "ethical" way doesn't mean that they aren't using it. I find it amusing that the ethical police get their undies in a wad over this. What about people who buy something they don't really want to get a freebie? Is that unethical? It is taking away the item that someone else might have really wanted, but now someone who didn't need/want it got it just so they could get the perk that came with buying it. Assuming someone who is booking a throwaway room is sketchy or has no moral compass is BS, but that is just me. I will lose no sleep over my throwaway room. I also have no interest in A&E so not even why I booked it.

It's not quite the same thing though. To me, it's more like the difference between buying Christmas's most popular and hard to find toy to give to your child, or any child, and buying it to resell on eBay. The hypothetical doesn't exactly match in detail, obviously, but it feels the same to me in ethics. You are negating the magic for a child of finding this toy under their tree, to achieve a slight convenience for yourself. Besides, abusing the system, as aforementioned, is going to cause Disney to crack down in ways that might penalize others.

I didn't say those people have no moral compass. I just personally wouldn't do it. I think it's gaming the system, and the people I know that routinely do that are not people I trust or admire. (Not that anyone who would do it is likely to care about the opinion of a stranger, either.)

Either way, it doesn't matter... Disney will fix this, or they won't, and we all just have to live with our own consciences, so...

 

[nugov2]

I once bought a Pampered Chef vegetable peeler so I could get an overall better deal on the Pampered Chef Mandoline and a free pot holder and jar opener. I already had a really nice vegetable peeler purchased and had no intention of using what I think is a lesser vegetable peeler than the one I already have, but really wanted the perk of the pot holder and jar opener. I know that I am the scum of the earth, but I do feel better now that I got that off of my chest!!! I do apologize to all the people who really wanted that vegetable peeler and were not able to get it and actually use it because I was so selfish


ETA: My example is an exact comparison to booking a throwaway room. The Christmas example like you said isn't really a good match. I can't speak for everyone, but I don't plan to sell my throwaway for a higher price.

 

[Princesca]

I once bought a Pampered Chef vegetable peeler so I could get an overall better deal on the Pampered Chef Mandoline and a free pot holder and jar opener. I already had a really nice vegetable peeler purchased and had no intention of using what I think is a lesser vegetable peeler than the one I already have, but really wanted the perk of the pot holder and jar opener. I know that I am the scum of the earth, but I do feel better now that I got that off of my chest!!! I do apologize to all the people who really wanted that vegetable peeler and were not able to get it and actually use it because I was so selfish

Did buying that actually prevent someone else from buying it? Was there only one at the party? In the catalogue? No one is arguing that is wrong in principle, but it's wrong when it negatively affects others.

I have three effing reservations for our upcoming trip, for a week, and I have to wonder if it's because of unfortunate decisions like this.

 

[nugov2]

Did buying that actually prevent someone else from buying it? Was there only one at the party? In the catalogue? No one is arguing that is wrong in principle, but it's wrong when it negatively affects others.

I have three effing reservations for our upcoming trip, for a week, and I have to wonder if it's because of unfortunate decisions like this.

I'm sure it did..it was one less in the inventory. Like WDW there is ample amount in stock, but during the busy holiday season when vegetable peelers are in high demand some hypothetical person I never met or am not even 100% sure exists may have needed it. Should I have considered this might have been the case even though I didn't know without a doubt it was the case? Nobody has specifically told me they need my throwaway the night I have booked, so I how do I know it is negatively affecting someone else? If there are lots of available rooms/sites when someone does it, is it now ok? People do things that negatively affect others at some point in their life. They take the last snickers out of the vending machine, last strawberry frosted donut, last bowl of potato soup at the restaurant. All of these things do negatively impact someone and their day.

I am guessing the reason you have three effing reservations at WDW is more to do with you waiting to book. In most areas of life you don't have to book a year in advance to secure the trip you want, but WDW is a place I will only go to when I have a full year or more to plan. When we go we like certain ADR's and the ability to ride tons of rides. If I know that isn't possible we will just go somewhere else and wait to go to WDW until we have the proper amount of time to plan. I have to imagine the percentage of people willing to pay for a room when they have already paid for somewhere else to stay is very small on a daily basis. So small that it isn't impacting booking at the resorts.

 

[Princesca]

I am guessing the reason you have three effing reservations at WDW is more to do with you waiting to book. In most areas of life you don't have to book a year in advance to secure the trip you want, but WDW is a place I will only go to when I have a full year or more to plan. When we go we like certain ADR's and the ability to ride tons of rides. If I know that isn't possible we will just go somewhere else and wait to go to WDW until we have the proper amount of time to plan. I have to imagine the percentage of people willing to pay for a room when they have already paid for somewhere else to stay is very small on a daily basis. So small that it isn't impacting booking at the resorts.

Nope... I booked well over six months ago. Hardly a last minute thing. I also didn't have any problems getting the FP+ I wanted, so I don't have complaints in general there other than that I'm not the world's biggest fan of the concept. I love Disney planning and do it obsessively, but even I have my limits before it actually feels like work. And I'm going to Disney for a VACATION from WORK so when planning becomes work, it definitely takes the shine off.

Either way, it doesn't matter. Eventually, Disney will just end up charging for this and having a different perk to encourage on-site guests, I'm sure.

 

[cakebaker]

...I still find it mind boggling how there are some who think that Disney isn't ok with this....
I'm gobsmacked that there are those out there who think that there is some moral wrong in booking and PAYING for a room that you don't intend to sleep in . I still keep imagining that they expect Disney to do room checks....LOL !!

I think they're not ok with it for all the reasons I listed.

For me, it's not a question of morality- Personally, I think it's cheap and tacky, but my personal opinion of it doesn't matter. I don't like the practice because I think it's going to impact me and a lot of others in a negative way. I think it already is. It's partially responsible for the trouble people have getting fp's 60 days out. We're competing with offsite guests at the 60 day mark and we shouldn't have to.

I pay a healthy chunk of money to get perks that I couldn't get off site. I should have advantages and Disney intended that I would. I think they aren't good at staying ahead of the game on taking advantage of the system, but I'm confident they will eventually. They always have.

They could care less where you sleep. They care where you spend your money.

 

[cakebaker]

Just a thought..

I can go into MDE right now and book 60 days out even though I have no reservation at all.

There's an A&E this morning as well as several days of SDMT available. I would assume those that think throwaways are ok have no problem with me going in and snagging those- even though I'm taking them away from others because the theory seems to be...If Disney lets me do it, then there's nothing wrong with it.

And who knows, maybe I'll decide to go ahead and make an off site trip on those dates. Why should I risk not getting those fp's when obviously Disney wants me to have them?????

 

[cgattis]

I once bought a Pampered Chef vegetable peeler so I could get an overall better deal on the Pampered Chef Mandoline and a free pot holder and jar opener. I already had a really nice vegetable peeler purchased and had no intention of using what I think is a lesser vegetable peeler than the one I already have, but really wanted the perk of the pot holder and jar opener. I know that I am the scum of the earth, but I do feel better now that I got that off of my chest!!! I do apologize to all the people who really wanted that vegetable peeler and were not able to get it and actually use it because I was so selfish ETA: My example is an exact comparison to booking a throwaway room. The Christmas example like you said isn't really a good match. I can't speak for everyone, but I don't plan to sell my throwaway for a higher price.

Please send me your unused vegetable peeler, along with any extra A&E FP+, and I promise it will clear your conscience!!

ITA with the hot Christmas toy analogy. I wouldn't do either, but it's not breaking any rules. Would I tell somebody what I thought if they told me they were doing it, yes. I can't control whether or not they feel bad about it. Pass the potato soup

 

[nugov2]

Nope... I booked well over six months ago. Hardly a last minute thing. I also didn't have any problems getting the FP+ I wanted, so I don't have complaints in general there other than that I'm not the world's biggest fan of the concept. I love Disney planning and do it obsessively, but even I have my limits before it actually feels like work. And I'm going to Disney for a VACATION from WORK so when planning becomes work, it definitely takes the shine off.

Either way, it doesn't matter. Eventually, Disney will just end up charging for this and having a different perk to encourage on-site guests, I'm sure.

Sadly at WDW 6 months is kinda last minute. When you wait to book when the 180 day mark is looming most people who know WDW are already booked. In my circle everyone books 8-12 months ahead or won't go. Sad but true reality at WDW, but we don't ever really look at WDW as a relaxing vacation. We go there to do lots of activities. We go to Hawaii to relax.

 

[nugov2]

Please send me your unused vegetable peeler, along with any extra A&E FP+, and I promise it will clear your conscience!!

ITA with the hot Christmas toy analogy. I wouldn't do either, but it's not breaking any rules. Would I tell somebody what I thought if they told me they were doing it, yes. I can't control whether or not they feel bad about it. Pass the potato soup

I will!!

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

Sadly at WDW 6 months is kinda last minute. When you wait to book when the 180 day mark is looming most people who know WDW are already booked. In my circle everyone books 8-12 months ahead or won't go. Sad but true reality at WDW, but we don't ever really look at WDW as a relaxing vacation. We go there to do lots of activities. We go to Hawaii to relax.

Yep and as someone who used to book late Disney has lost my $$$$ for most last minute getaways.

 

[bumbershoot]

Finfan! Holy moly at your experience! My main reaction is....what did the cm think you were doing with the room? A room at the end of your stay is t getting you much of a thing apart from the room. And when you said you weren't going to the parks she should have realized that she was assuming and misunderstanding things. If it were me at checkin, she sure would have understood the situation quickly, especially after the written complaint about it went in.

Of course it shows that the reactions of individual CMs mean nothing. One cm wants you happy. The other feels differently. Those are just reactions of one person at a time. Some CMs still believe in the voodoo of doing *something* with everyones' MBs. While I had four separate checkins that involved ONE MB each checkin and it didn't matter what reservation it came from. And they all worked. One morning we each opened the door as part that voodoo, but not again. It doesn't set anything. It checks to see if everyone's MB is working, but it doesn't cause them to work. But each cm has their own view of things and will, sometime unfortunately, bring that to work with them.

What on earth did that cm think you were getting from the room if you weren't staying there, at the me of your trip? She wasn't thinking it through....

 

[cakebaker]

ITA with the hot Christmas toy analogy. I wouldn't do either, but it's not breaking any rules. Would I tell somebody what I thought if they told me they were doing it, yes. I can't control whether or not they feel bad about it. Pass the potato soup

It's definitely not breaking any rules.

All I'm saying is the repercussions of doing this aren't going to be pretty. They never have been any time Disney "fixed" something that was being taken advantage of.

But then, those who stay off site don't care what benefits on site guests lose because of their actions. Just the way it is...

Maybe I'll go tie up those fp's. After all, I shouldn't care what effect my actions have on others.