Wilderness Lodge Mess

[plumsiren]

From a businsess perspective, I can see Disney not doing this unless asked. Why would it when it affects the bottom line?

But from a customer servicer standpoint, I don't get the inconsistencies here. I'm coming from the most expensive room at WL below club level, and my TA couddn't get me anything with respect to a Comtemporary Tower Bay View room (that I've already got a hold on but no longer want because all the WL folks can now use the CR pool). It's not even an availability issue in my case--it's purely whether Disney will work with the price. Yet others are getting discounts off Grand Floridian rooms? Seriously? Where is the "magic" in that disparate treatment?

I'm sorry, but what you're suggesting is absurd; anything in the Contemporary Tower goes for far, FAR more than what a WL courtyard view does.

 

[MamaBear58]

I'm sorry, but what you're suggesting is absurd; anything in the Contemporary Tower goes for far, FAR more than what a WL courtyard view does.

Exactly my point. Not my problem that it was the cheapest balcony room at an MK area resort by the time Disney shared that 6 months ago it filed a notice of construction to do work the week we reserved at the WL..

 

[OfTheWind]

I'm sorry, but what you're suggesting is absurd; anything in the Contemporary Tower goes for far, FAR more than what a WL courtyard view does.

My sister moved to the Sugarloaf club level room and she was still able to get the $500 credit. Disney tried to say they don't "work with" club level rooms, put her on hold and 5 minutes later she had the credit of $500.

Exactly my point. Not my problem that it was the cheapest balcony room at an MK area resort by the time Disney shared that 6 months ago it filed a notice of construction to do work the week we reserved at the WL..

Disney is definitely inconsistent with these credits.

 

[plumsiren]

Exactly my point. Not my problem that it was the cheapest balcony room at an MK area resort by the time Disney shared that 6 months ago it filed a notice of construction to do work the week we reserved at the WL..

But the two are in no way comparable. Just because you're insisting you remain in the MK resort area, it doesn't change the fact that the other MK area resorts are on the monorail and thus go for a premium while yours was not and is actually one of the cheapest of the deluxe resorts. So if you want to stay at CR, a garden wing room, standard view is about what your WL room goes for. I get what you're saying about inconsistencies, but you don't know anything about overall availability, party size, etc. so all you can really go on is which rooms have the same rack rates.

 

[jrt1176]

If you accept the $500 discount, $50/day or any discount are you still eligible for one of the 30% promo offers?

 

[plumsiren]

My sister moved to the Sugarloaf club level room and she was still able to get the $500 credit. Disney tried to say they don't "work with" club level rooms, put her on hold and 5 minutes later she had the credit of $500.

After reading all 24 pages of this thread, it sounds like GF rooms are in general underbooked. (Not surprising since many people reject the overly formal atmosphere and outrageous rates.) Plus even if they're offering a flat rate credit, they're going to end up making far more putting someone in GF club level vs literally anything at almost any other deluxe. I'm curious, how much more, total, is your sister now paying?

 

[dansdad]

If you accept the $500 discount, $50/day or any discount are you still eligible for one of the 30% promo offers?

If you chose to use the 30% promo, you wouldn't get 30% off the already discounted rate. You would get 30% off rack rate.

 

[OfTheWind]

If you accept the $500 discount, $50/day or any discount are you still eligible for one of the 30% promo offers?

No, you cannot use the $500 towards your room cost and use the 30% promo. You can use the 30% promo and use the $500 as a credit on your hotel account which can be used for charging.

After reading all 24 pages of this thread, it sounds like GF rooms are in general underbooked. (Not surprising since many people reject the overly formal atmosphere and outrageous rates.) Plus even if they're offering a flat rate credit, they're going to end up making far more putting someone in GF club level vs literally anything at almost any other deluxe. I'm curious, how much more, total, is your sister now paying?

She could choose any resort. She was booked at Beach Club garden view and then moved to Grand in the same day; she can use the credit at any resort she wants, any category, she just has to call a certain cast member and they will change her resort, keeping the credit. So basically it wasn't a "the Grand won't fill up thing" it was a "which cast member is going to step up and stop being inconsistent thing." I have no idea how much more she's paying but I do know she was able to book the 30% off discount that came out today and she's using the $500 as a credit when she arrives.

MamaBear, I sent you a PM about the credit and who my sister and I spoke to. If anyone else wants to PM me, you can.

 

[MamaBear58]

But the two are in no way comparable. Just because you're insisting you remain in the MK resort area, it doesn't change the fact that the other MK area resorts are on the monorail and thus go for a premium while yours was not and is actually one of the cheapest of the deluxe resorts. So if you want to stay at CR, a garden wing room, standard view is about what your WL room goes for. I get what you're saying about inconsistencies, but you don't know anything about overall availability, party size, etc. so all you can really go on is which rooms have the same rack rates.

Comparable is a subjective term. Just because the price is comparable does not mean that the characteristics are comparable to the guest. A CR Garden will not have a balcony. Not comparable to us as that was important to us.

 

[plumsiren]

She could choose any resort. She was booked at Beach Club garden view and then moved to Grand in the same day; she can use the credit at any resort she wants, any category, she just has to call a certain cast member and they will change her resort, keeping the credit. So basically it wasn't a "the Grand won't fill up thing" it was a "which cast member is going to step up and stop being inconsistent thing." I have no idea how much more she's paying but I do know she was able to book the 30% off discount that came out today and she's using the $500 as a credit when she arrives.

I do still think it depends on dates. Most likely there's more available during your sister's time frame, while in others, GF rooms are plentiful and everything else is scarce. But the fact remains that even with the same discount and a flat credit, she would be paying a ton more to go from WL to GF club level. More money for them.

Comparable is a subjective term. Just because the price is comparable does not mean that the characteristics are comparable to the guest. A CR Garden will not have a balcony. Not comparable to us as that was important to us.

And I understand that, but price level is really the only fair way to compare. It's not like they can take away the monorail so you won't be getting any perks you weren't already and make things more even.

 

[OfTheWind]

I do still think it depends on dates. Most likely there's more available during your sister's time frame, while in others, GF rooms are plentiful and everything else is scarce. But the fact remains that even with the same discount and a flat credit, she would be paying a ton more to go from WL to GF club level. More money for them.



And I understand that, but price level is really the only fair way to compare. It's not like they can take away the monorail so you won't be getting any perks you weren't already and make things more even.

Why are you ignoring my huge paragraph that stated she can move to any resort and therefore it isn't about moving everyone to a suite at GF? That means she can move from the Grand to Pop Century to Coronado Springs to a parking lot view at Beach Club, none of which are a ton more than WL and still use the $500 credit. The switch to the Grand isn't even a ton more.

 

[plumsiren]

Why are you ignoring my huge paragraph that stated she can move to any resort and therefore it isn't about moving everyone to a suite at GF? That means she can move from the Grand to Pop Century to Coronado Springs to a parking lot view at Beach Club, none of which are a ton more than WL and still use the $500 credit. The switch to the Grand isn't even a ton more.

I saw what you said. I'm suggesting that since others have been offered GF first - sometimes only - that Disney is pushing a higher-cost alternative that isn't selling well; they're not fully comping it, they're offering a (relatively) small incentive to get you to shell out more money. One weekend night at the most basic GF club level is a whopping $973 in August/September. Any way you do the math, even with that $500 credit AND her original 30% discount, unless they're letting her go anywhere for the exact same nightly rate as at WL, by switching to GF club level she has to be paying a TON more. Unless, of course, she's only staying one night!

ETA: my bad, I was looking at club level main building. Outer building is still $732/nt for the same period. But I digress; perhaps we just have different perspectives on what constitutes 'a ton' of money.

 

[fignewton44]

Does anybody know if they are only busing guests to the CR and Fort Wilderness pool if they had booked prior to the notice of the pool closing and only the ones that received a letter? When you book at Wilderness Lodge now it only states that quiet pool will be open. They don't mention busing/boating to other resorts?

 

[kmb584]

Does anybody know if they are only busing guests to the CR and Fort Wilderness pool if they had booked prior to the notice of the pool closing and only the ones that received a letter? When you book at Wilderness Lodge now it only states that quiet pool will be open. They don't mention busing/boating to other resorts?

They'll be bussing all guests, not just those who received written notice of the pool closure.

 

[fignewton44]

You would think they would state they are busing/boating to other resorts on their website.?? The only thing it mentions is that the quiet pool will be open and no mention of other alternatives. The only reason I know that they are busing guests to other resorts is because of this forum.

 

[kmb584]

You would think they would state they are busing/boating to other resorts on their website.?? The only thing it mentions is that the quiet pool will be open and no mention of other alternatives. The only reason I know that they are busing guests to other resorts is because of this forum.

You would think but I've never seen them do that in the past.

 

[tigger137]

Has anyone been able to get the $50 through hotels dot com, or expedia (same company)?

I booked through hotels dot com. I contacted them via e-mail and eventually got the response I posted here earlier, telling me everything was fine and there would still be 2 pools!

I replied specifically asking them to negotiate with Disney for the $50 credit. That was over a week ago and despite chasing it up with 2 further e-mails, I haven't had the courtesy of any response. I just tried phoning their customer service but had difficulty making myself understood or understanding the agent as it was obviously a call centre in Asia. It was very noisy in the background and from what I could hear, I suspect it is a call centre for more than the one organisation. The agent did eventually say that she would get someone to call me back within the next 24 to 48 hours, but I'm afraid I don't have any faith in that. They say the same about replying to e-mails, but then simply don't reply at all.

It looks like I'm out of luck with this. I can't afford to cancel altogether and start from scratch at this late stage, with the difference in prices. (There's no availability for my dates on the 30% offer.) Disney won't discuss the reservation with me because I didn't make it direct with them. And my TA is as good as useless. (Note to self: next time, book direct with Disney!)

So I just wondered if anyone had managed to negotiate anything for a booking made through hotels dot com.

 

[MamaBear58]

After reading all 24 pages of this thread, it sounds like GF rooms are in general underbooked. (Not surprising since many people reject the overly formal atmosphere and outrageous rates.) Plus even if they're offering a flat rate credit, they're going to end up making far more putting someone in GF club level vs literally anything at almost any other deluxe. I'm curious, how much more, total, is your sister now paying?

I don't think the GF is underbooked...it totally depends upon the dates. There was literally next to nothing available our week as of yesterday, and officially nothing available as of this morning. There's availability at the Contemporary our week. Yet Guest Services is offering me a better deal to stay at the GF. I think it's because it knows that's where I'd rather be AND because the Contemporary is easier to book at the last minute because the rates are lower.

 

[MamaBear58]

I do still think it depends on dates. Most likely there's more available during your sister's time frame, while in others, GF rooms are plentiful and everything else is scarce. But the fact remains that even with the same discount and a flat credit, she would be paying a ton more to go from WL to GF club level. More money for them.



And I understand that, but price level is really the only fair way to compare. It's not like they can take away the monorail so you won't be getting any perks you weren't already and make things more even.

Again, "fair" is relative/subjective. Fair to Disney because that's all it cares about...but fair to a guest who is looking for certain characteristics from a resort and room? No. And the monorail is on reduced hours with no firm date to return to normal service. So yes, anyone booked at any of the 3 monorail resorts is NOT getting one of the benefits of booking a monorail resort.

 

[aaarcher86]

Has anyone been able to get the $50 through hotels dot com, or expedia (same company)? I booked through hotels dot com. I contacted them via e-mail and eventually got the response I posted here earlier, telling me everything was fine and there would still be 2 pools! I replied specifically asking them to negotiate with Disney for the $50 credit. That was over a week ago and despite chasing it up with 2 further e-mails, I haven't had the courtesy of any response. I just tried phoning their customer service but had difficulty making myself understood or understanding the agent as it was obviously a call centre in Asia. It was very noisy in the background and from what I could hear, I suspect it is a call centre for more than the one organisation. The agent did eventually say that she would get someone to call me back within the next 24 to 48 hours, but I'm afraid I don't have any faith in that. They say the same about replying to e-mails, but then simply don't reply at all. It looks like I'm out of luck with this. I can't afford to cancel altogether and start from scratch at this late stage, with the difference in prices. (There's no availability for my dates on the 30% offer.) Disney won't discuss the reservation with me because I didn't make it direct with them. And my TA is as good as useless. (Note to self: next time, book direct with Disney!) So I just wondered if anyone had managed to negotiate anything for a booking made through hotels dot com.

Those rooms were already discounted so I definitely don't think there's much of a chance, unfortunately.