What am I doing wrong???

[Disneyfan18951]

I just got back from my 4 night stay at POP Century and was again disappointed at check-in....

Here is what happened... (and this is the second time it has happened to me, almost exactly the same!!!)


I made a reservation about 2 months ago for a room-only PREFERRED room. Gave my one nights deposit. I had a balance of $295 to pay at check-in.

I arrive at the Hotel at 10:30pm (the first time this happened it was at 3:00pm) I let the CM know I want to pay the balance for the room on my CC and then leave $300 cash for charging. He said okay I'll charge $235 to you card. UUMMM wait,that's a bit less then I was expecting.... "have I been down graded to a standard room??" I ask. He said Oh yes you have, they are painting some of the preferred rooms ---so i got down graded. I said I wanted a prefered room like I booked that I had been down graded the last time I booked prefered. He clicked away on the keys for a minute then said, Sorry nothing available. Then he said we never almost never down grade people usally it's an upgrade

So it's just me that Disney down grades is that it ?!? I was too tired to argue and took the room. Atleast it wasn't too far from the bus stops and main building.

I can say I honestly don't care what the room is but there is something about showing up and being told you've been DOWNGRADED, like they don't think you are good enough or something and to have it happen TWICE (the only 2 times I booked prefered at a value BTW) and then be told we usally UPGRADE people. (just not me) And I didn't see any painting going on in any of the rooms around the 60's building when we walked around. I am thinking someone else got UPGRADED and I got the shaft.

Where's the Love Disney????


I should have spoken with a manager the next day but thought what's the point. Has this happened to anyone else or is it just me???

I was with a 7yo and we ended up kidding around all weekend about how we got downgraded. (like at Chef Mickeys when they didn't light his birthday candle just sat the cupcake down in front of him and walked away, but thats another story) He said they downgraded his cupcake

Okay I feel better for venting

have a safe and magical weekend

Thanks to all our Military men and women!!!! stay safe

 

[Shir Kahn]

Ouch, that's not good! I'd definitely mention the fact that you've been downgraded twice the next time you call to reserve a room. Hopefully they'll put a note on the ressie.

 

[PurpleTurtle]

Whoa, that is bad. I am so sorry. Just plunked the cupcake down w/o lighting the candle, too???? Not good at all.

 

[#1MMFan]

Sorry to hear that. I don't think they've got it in for you but at least you saw the humorous side of it (I like the cupcake downgrade!). Could you have asked for an alternative value resort or were you just set on staying at POP? Surely Disney can't upgrade someone into your room when you've booked it?

 

[DisneyWisher]

Thats crazy. One time when staying at All Stars they had a Cheerleading Competion going on and I was upset because we didn't expect it. It was not Pop Warner that I know goes on during December. So they gave us Country Fair (I asked if there was anything closer, I was told no)which is all the way in the back and because of the competion we couldn't park anywhere near the back because they had it all roped off for their check ins. When we got to the room it was 3rd floor 2nd room from the very end. Well I called what I thought was the front desk to ask for a different room or a different resort. Its not really the front desk that you get but they can assign rooms. I said because of the parking and that it was just my daughter and I traveling I would like something closer to the front of the hotel. I was told sure I can put you in Jazz which is the 2nd set of building closest to the lobby. I said thanks I'll take it. Went to the lobby to get new room keys and we were on the first floor. Wasn't great being woken every day at 7am to cheerleaders practicing. We avoided the lobby and drove to and from the parks (this was one of my complaints because I didn't want to be on overcrowded buses). But it all worked out great.

My second time I booked preferred. I was given Calypso 3rd Floor last room closest to parking lot. (I'm paying extra for this?) I went to the lobby and asked for a different room. I was then given 3rd Fl (again) room all the way down at the end of the hall within a stones throw of Jazz, not only that but the door was ajar (maybe the maid forgot to throw the latch back but I wasn't taking the chance) I went to the phone by the elevator and asked for a different room. I told them to downgrade me if they had something available in Jazz. I was given the first room when walking from the lobby on the first floor (perfect). If I am not happy I will speak up. It's my money and I will not just take any old thing.

When they made Toy Story preferred at Movies I asked to be downgraded.


sorry they didn't like the candle. LOL Imagine if you would have left a lighter as a tip.

 

[frdeb1999]

Sorry that happened. I deffinately don't think it's just you. But honestly I would have asked to speak to a manager. Hope the rest of your trip was better!!!

 

[I'mNoPrince]

Well we are DVC and I was told last trip that we didn't rate in the Eyes of Disneys Brass.

This was at BWv and if I hadn't know we were moving within the next few days I would have went off right there in front of everyone.

This was just the last straw is a 5 day long pitiful Resort stay. At least you got Downgraded and they refunded the difference. I paid Preferred points and all I had was a 4ft wall for a balcony that you couldn't even sit on without sitting sideways. Then my View was just of a tree if you stood .

I was told it would be made up this trip when I took it to MS and complained but what do they care they have my money and can fill my room if they need to. Now our AKV stay was just about as opposite as you could get . Great room ,great view and great CMs.

 

[Amy&Dan]

That really stinks! For some reason Pop is one of those resorts I always pay preferred for, not for the location as much as I like the icons in those buildings better than the other ones! I would have been really disappointed. I think its just a freak thing this has happened to you twice now.

Sadly, I have heard of this happening before, and sometimes I think people were not automatically refunded the difference (this was on a 100% prepaid package type thing) and had to deal with it when they got home.

 

[kat3668]

The first time you were downgraded did you still have a balance as well? I'm wondering if they gave away the preferred rooms to packages paid in full?
Just a thought. Hopefully that is not the case as that is just not right.

 

[Minnie&Nana]

That stinks! Since it happened twice, I would write to Disney's Guest Communications and let them know what happened and how disappointing it is book a preferred of room and then be told you were downgraded at check-in. I would have asked to see a manager asap for sure, but know how it can be overwhelming.

Definitely let them know - this is not right. Be sure to include contact info, name, address, phone, reservation number and/or dates of stays. I'll bet you'll hear back within a couple of weeks.

wdw.guest.communications@disneyworld.com

 

[JerseyMamaBear]

Happend to us this past March at Music. We paid for prefered beacuse I was 5 months preg this trip with a 10 month old in tow and needed to have easier access to a microwave in the food court for her bottels. We checked in pretty early, around 10am, and wasent even told we were downgraded until I looked at the map.

 

[n2mm]

That is terrible. It's too bad they didn't make it better by upgrading you to a different resort. THis sort of happened to us a few years ago too. We were booked at A/S Movies and needed non-smoking for medical for both myself and my grandson. When we checked in the CM said they gave away all of the non-smoking rooms even though ours was a guaranteed non-smoking request. They informed us they were sending us to the A/S sports resorts and the room was in the back of the resort or we can stay at the A/S Movies in a smoking room (this was before the new rule). It was very disappointing as my then 6 yo grandson looked forward to being at the A/S Movies. I wrote when I returned and the phone response I got was "afterall, you got the room at a AP discount".

BTW -- we were there a week ago (May 9th) and they were shutting down the 50s building closest to the 60s building (I believe the preferred section). They said it was being refurbished. My daughter was staying there and it was strange to see bills hanging on everyones door that morning.

 

[CLR4321]

That is a bummer. My suggestion would be to pay in advance so you don't get bumped. If you have paid in full they are likely to upgrade your resort for you rather than offer you a refund and a standard room. Priority will always go to someone who has paid in full over someone who has only paid a deposit, not just at WDW but at any hotel.

 

[CleveRocks]

Wow, Disneyfan, that stinks, but I think it's just bad luck and nothing that you are doing.

Do you go to Pat's or Geno's in South Philly and get told that they ran out of Cheez Whiz and friend onions, too?

 

[bnk1120]

This happened to me at ASMu. I walked away and the CM hadn't even told me. I was also paying room only. I think the only way you can pay in full is if it is a package
I no longer make requests or pay for preferred. I would rather be happily surprised than disappointed.

 

[aubriee]

This happened to me at ASMu. I walked away and the CM hadn't even told me. I was also paying room only. I think the only way you can pay in full is if it is a package

I always have my trip paid in full before I arrive, whether I book a pkg or room only.

To OP: that stinks. I think I would have done some complaining before accepting the room. I always make room requests as soon as I book my room. Once I'm at the resort, if those requests are not met, then I very nicely ask for something that at least closely meets the request. So far, I have always been lucky and gotten close. If I had booked and paid for a preferred room, I would expect to be given a preferred room (if not at POP then at another resort).

 

[P.I. Squirrel]

The only thing I can see as remotely wrong would be the combination of your check-in time and the fact you were not paid in full.

Disney may or may not do this, but other hotels would consider your reservation cancelled after a certain time. Disney may have considered you a 'no show', giving away your preferred room to someone else. The only solution to this would be to call your resort and let them know of your arrival time.

Still, I would have asked to see a manager. Sure, it wasn't the CM's fault, so I would not present it as such. But, you may end up with some token gift for your trouble.

 

[nurse.darcy]

That is terrible. It's too bad they didn't make it better by upgrading you to a different resort. THis sort of happened to us a few years ago too. We were booked at A/S Movies and needed non-smoking for medical for both myself and my grandson. When we checked in the CM said they gave away all of the non-smoking rooms even though ours was a guaranteed non-smoking request. They informed us they were sending us to the A/S sports resorts and the room was in the back of the resort or we can stay at the A/S Movies in a smoking room (this was before the new rule). It was very disappointing as my then 6 yo grandson looked forward to being at the A/S Movies. I wrote when I returned and the phone response I got was "afterall, you got the room at a AP discount".

BTW -- we were there a week ago (May 9th) and they were shutting down the 50s building closest to the 60s building (I believe the preferred section). They said it was being refurbished. My daughter was staying there and it was strange to see bills hanging on everyones door that morning.

Odd, I was in the Tramp building on a grand gathering last weekend and several of my friends were in various sections of the 50s building. No refurbs were going on.

 

[n2mm]

Odd, I was in the Tramp building on a grand gathering last weekend and several of my friends were in various sections of the 50s building. No refurbs were going on.

We asked housekeeping what was going on and they said they were shutting down the building. Maybe is was just for a few days (I assumed it was refurb, so must've been wrong.) (It was the wing of the 50s building closest to the food court on the Tramp side -- looking at Tramp it was to the left). Maybe they needed to work on something (air conditioning or something electrical). There were a ton of housekeepers there trying to get into the rooms. Some people were just being moved to other parts of the resort. My daughter was checking out and moving to the BCV with us.

 

[junebugTN]

I was with a 7yo and we ended up kidding around all weekend about how we got downgraded. (like at Chef Mickeys when they didn't light his birthday candle just sat the cupcake down in front of him and walked away, but thats another story) He said they downgraded his cupcake

Awww....I'm sorry about your room downgrade. It does seem like you have a streak of bad room-luck going there....

But I just wanted to say that it was cute how you and your 7 year old turned something negative into a joke like that. I like his sense of humor. We often read on the boards how some people's unreasonable expectations let them ruin their whole vacations (like getting ANGRY about not getting towel animals?!!) I was glad to see that your family turned this valid, frustrating event into a family joke instead. It was a good life lesson for everyone, and it hopefully earned you good room karma for your next trip!

June