warning when booking disneyland hotels...

[slg]

I returned from a 5 day trip last week from DL where we stayed off-site, but purchased AP's. We're going on a DCL cruise in June, and thought we'd stay on -site pre and post cruise. So I called and asked for AP rates at the various hotels for the dates, and finally decided on DLH pre for 3 days and PPH concierge for 3 days post. Well, the cast member gave me the day rates, and then gave me a total, but didn't tell me that the rates were substantially higher on the weekends. Of course I didn't do the math since I trusted that they were doing it properly and was in a for a big surprise when I received my confirmation in the mail today.

I felt very disappointed in Disney and I called and told them. They said that since I had accepted the total cost it was irrelevant that the rates had changed mid-stay. Well I disagree. I hadn't even written down the totals, I assumed that they were what had been quoted me as the day rates.

After several conversations, a very nice cm said they would investigate and listen to the phone conversation. After much turmoil, they gave me the original quoted day rate, but said that in the future I need to double check my totals and that rates can change during stays and that CM don't necessarily tell patrons.

I was pleased they honoured my rates, but find the whole situation frustrating. I travel extensively, and have NEVER had my rates change during my stay without being informed of it.

Just wanted to warn folks to double check each day rate and ask if its the same for the entire stay, or you might be in for a disappointing surprise.

The difference in price was $43 a day which I think is substantial.

 

[flyinshirer]

This is really interesting! I am also a traveler and I have NEVER heard of something like this! That is crazy! I am really glad that you stuck it out and kept on talking to someone until you got the results that was fair!

 

[kikiq]

Actually, Disney is not alone in charging more for weekend stays as well as for premium views. Las Vegas hotels have charged more for weekends for years as have some Colorado resorts in the winter.

I guess it depends where and when you travel. Most hotels that cater to the business traveler do the opposite, charge more for the weekday stay than the weekend stay.

 

[audrabolster]

i've honestly never heard of a hotel NOT charging more for a weekend rate. I am glad they were able to rectify this for you.

 

[jacky b]

I have stayed at the DL Hotels various times since 2002 and there have always been higher rates for the weekend.

 

[pixiewings71]

I booked us at the PPH the 25th-29th of January......I got the same rate for every night.

I'm glad they fixed it for you.

 

[Sunobo]

Most hotels charge more for Friday and Saturday nights as well as peak use times. Any time I get a hotel price quote, I always ask what the rate is and what rate changes there are.

 

[slg]

I have no problem with DL charging more for the hotel rates on the weekend, I know that happens sometimes. I have an issue with them not telling me they were doing it! I asked what the rates were and was told a price. I based my decision on the price I was quoted as the day rate. The CM didn't tell me the rates went up half-way through my stay. He said the rates are $234 and your total for 4 days + tax and the $11.50 resort fee is.... No mention that the rates had gone up.

That was my issue, not that they had gone up!

 

[lulubelle]

Something similar happened to me last year at Christmas. I booked Dec 8-10 with AP rate rate and when my confirmation came, it was for Dec 7-9. When I called, the night of the 9th was of course twice the price and I was upset. I got a supervisor on the line and she said they would listen to the tape and call me back. She called back like an hour later (I was shocked it was so fast) and while she never admitted the CM made a mistake, they honored the rate for me for both nights. I thought that was excellent customer service and I was happy.

 

[CoolPool]

I request email confirmations when I book over the phone. Its nice to have the terms in writing that I can print and bring with me. I do this with Disney and every hotel chain. I'd hate to have a rate surprise.

Glad you were able to get a reasonable responsive cm.