VB update 10/14 am - member services

[nickglover]

Member Services said this morning we could reinstate our reservation at VB for 11/8 for 3 nights.

We originally had reservations for 11/7 for 4 nights.

My wife called yesterday and was told she HAD to cancel.

She then called back and made reservations for HH in a 2brm which we don't need - just the two of us) and for more points. From our home in Tampa, HH is about an 8 hour drive and VB is about 3 1/2.

I then saw another post on this board yesterday (under "they just cancelled me" or something similar) where another DVC'er indicated THEY were told that people with existing reservations did NOT have to cancel, and the 11/8 opening was for them, and the 11/20 opening for new reservations.

So, my wife called a third time (while at work, of course, and very time-consuming with the hold times factored in) and we were told that we could re-book at VB but that they would most likely call back and cancel us. Geez!

I have been very disappointed with Member Services concerning VB and the conflicting information and confusion created by no one at Member Services apparently being "on the same page".

So, I called this morning. The person I spoke with had to put me on hold and discuss the matter with a supervisor for about 10-15 minutes (no exaggeration) before she came back and said they COULD re-book us, but only for 3 nights starting 11/8, so we could not add the night of 11/11 to compensate for losing the night of 11/7, which is ok, just a shorter vacation.

However, she also said she was told the beach would be closed. I asked her exactly what that meant, thinking to myself that unless the entire beach has been closed by the county or something, we should be able to access the beach nearby or something. I asked if that just meant they might not have the walkway re-built and the water sports available, but she did not know. She also could not tell me if Shutters would be open, which is a very important piece of information, and would help me decide what to do. Don't get me wrong, I understand VB has had a very trying and difficult time, but all I ask is that clear and consistent information be provided to Member Services and then to us.

She also warned that they MAY call back and cancel us. I asked if she knew what the priority of cancellations would be, thinking our original reservation was made in January, but that now it looks like we just booked. She said if they have to call and cancel us, they will call and cancel everyone. THIS IS ENTIRELY DIFFERENT FROM WHAT MY WIFE WAS TOLD YESTERDAY! My wife was told we could re-book but would probably be cancelled because only a few rooms might be available. What the *#@*?

Again, don't get me wrong. I don't hold Disney responsible for Acts of God or Nature, all I ask is that they provide clear and consistent information.

The bottom line: after 4 "sessions" with Member Services, we have now cancelled HH and re-booked at VB for one less day than we requested. I just hope Shutters is open - hopefully looking forward to relaxing at the beach and enjoying that fresh topical trio of fish for dinner, and those great Floridian Breakfasts with all the fruit!

And by next year, this will all be history and the resort will look nicer than it ever has!

 

[floridafam]

I understand and agree with your frustration.

The beach will probably be closed and I would go as far as to say it will be the WHOLE beach. The public access up at Wabasso (just a short walk North) is still closed and will be for quite some time. They even have Sheriff's deputies there periodically making sure people are staying out of the area.

Disney's boardwalk to the beach is heavily damaged and I think the stairs that came down from the fire pit area are now gone.

I wouldn't be surprised if you weren't allowed to go on the beach at all.

I'm sure Shutters will be open. They opened after Frances and also helped to feed the many volunteers that were staying there.

Unfortunately, your time period puts you in the "soft opening" for the resort where everything may not be running at a 100%.

I wouldn't hesitate to go there if it were me. After Frances, the pool was EMPTY. Not one chair was taken. It was like a dream. Can you imagine having the entire pool area to yourself?

I'm just reporting on what happened after Frances. It may be different this time. On the first day open after Frances, they had a complete schedule of activities, the shop was open, Shutters and the Green Cabin Room were open and many of the CM's were very friendly and actually had the time to stop and talk because they weren't that busy.

MS needs to get on the ball about telling everyone the same thing.

Have fun!

 

[nickglover]

thanks for your thoughts and encouragement - luckily we can have a good time with a 500 piece puzzle if we have to! we just want to R & R and some nice meals...

I thought I gathered from another post that A1A is not open heading north - is that true?

I'm thinking we may visit NASA one day, and perhaps find a nearby beach another day

any ideas where a nearby beach might be open? I'm still thinking the beach at the resort will be open, at least to walk on and wade in the water, but who knows....

do you happen to know what decent restaurants around the area have re-opened? wondering about the Ocean Grill, Black Pearl, Patty's etc. I expect Hirams will be back in business -maybe we'll rent a boar or something.....

 

[nickglover]

and if no boars for rent, maybe a boat!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[floridafam]

I'll find out what's open. As far as I know, Capt. Hiram's is not open yet. You can't even get near it.

Not sure about the Ocean Grill, either. I know Mulligan's across the parking lot is open.

I don't think Wabasso Beach will open any time soon. I believe Disney offered to help them rebuild their boardwalk befor the storms (in exchange for some employee parking spaces.)

Disney's boardwalk looked pretty bad. I wouldn't count on beach access.

I'd go to Vero, even without the beach access. The best time there is when it feels like you have the resort to yourself. When my children and I saw the empty pool during our lunch a few weeks ago, I imagined us going down the slide a hundred times without anyone else there.

I'll let you know if I get any info on what restaurants are open.

 

[nickglover]

thanks so much - don't go out of your way - we will just have to explore some and report to everyone what we find - the thing to remember is that the resort is improving everyday, and the area needs tourist dollars

 

[floridafam]

I was thinking the same thing you were. We went over to the resort after Frances to eat and spend some money. I'm sure every dollar helps the resort start to head in the right direction as far as getting back on their feet.

I also think it would be fun to explore and look around to see what changes have been made, etc.

www.tcpalm.com is a good website to check. It gives a lot of info on businesses that may or may not be open.

 

[Zimbubba]

I don't agree with your frustration. In this type of situation styatus is omething that could change hour to hourf. Cut them some slack! I am sure they are doing the best they can to get it reopen as soon as possible.

 

[nickglover]

zimbubba - is it too much to ask that they at least get on the same page? I don't think so. If I were in charge and the situation was changing all the time, I would provide each person working there an information sheet so that they would have consistent information.

 

[JudithM]

I can understand your frustration because it is your vacation. However, I imagine it is hard to be consistent when information might change from day to day, hour by hour. I suspect the CMs in Member Services may be somewhat frustrated, too. I also am guessing that DVC in general is trying its hardest to get the resort up & running. I can only begin to imagine some of the issues they face that are out of their control - government pemits, government inspections, the weather, availability of skilled workers & material, etc.

 

[PamOKW]

I just posted a link to a great photo of the access walkway to the beach -- great in that it really shows the devastation to the walk/stairs and the beach itself.

I would venture to say that the danger on the beach may be playing a part in Disney's decision whether to open or not. My understanding is that there really isn't a good way to get down on to what remains of the beach. There is also lots of debris -- bottles, planks, etc. strewn everywhere.

 

[Johnnie Fedora]

It's been several weeks, it shouldn't be that difficult to put together a consistant story by now. Seems like a group e-mail to all CMs at MS could clear up the story. Sounds like poor/lack of communication from the top.

 

[Pootle]

The best time there is when it feels like you have the resort to yourself.

Floridafam I do sooooooo agree! With a bit of luck I'll be there on 11/8 too and will take a good book and just enjoy being there, whatever it's like. I found all your information useful so thanks from me too and nick, I completely understand your frustration - let's hope they do manage to get it together for the 'soft opening' and that we don't all get a phone call telling us it's been put back further.

 

[lenshanem]

I think they need to have a large meeting and get an act together. It sounds like total confusion!

I can understand them picking an estimated date and then them stating not all areas might be open by then. This is totally understandable from the damage they might have received. (Course, we don't know the level cause they are so secretive.)

They need to develop a plan and stick with it and if the need arrives alter as necessary. To me it appears they have no plan with the day by day confusion that is happening.

People are going to be understandable a couple times, but after the third, fourth time I would think alot of frustration is going to develop!

 

[nickglover]

One thing I wanted to add:

Although I indicated my frustration in the earlier post, I want everyone to know I was extremely polite with MS and thanked the lady by name at the end of the call. The harshest thing I said was that I was very confused.

 

[CaptainMidnight]

I look forward to some of the early VB resort visitors sharing their observations of the condition of the resort and beach with us.