Would you be disappointed? (VGC switch)

[Dancind]

DD and a couple of friends checked into the Grand Californian today after Blizzcon. I had booked two nights in a one bedroom for them. Wanted a studio, but no go.

There were maintenance problems in the unit they were getting, so they get an "equivalent" room in the hotel. A suite, with a park view. Also a breakfast voucher and some fast passes to TOT (is it even open?). Anyway, I looked it up. The one bedroom suite looks a bit smaller than the DVC villa, has no kitchen, no extra bath, no laundry, and 2 queens in one room. Not nearly as nice, imho.

So I called and talked to the DVD guy at GC, kind of went round. I was very polite, but this got me nowhere. I'm still not happy.

Has this happened to anyone else? What would you do? I actually had to call Member Services about an ME reservation and asked about it. They told me to call GC.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

http://www.disboards.com/threads/unhappy-with-our-upgrade.3557463/http://www.disboards.com/threads/unhappy-with-our-upgrade.3557463/

Difficult to say for me. I enjoy the hotel a lot at GC - as I do VGC. Were they planning on doing laundry? Or cooking? Since a studio was what you really wanted I'd guess the 2 queens isn't an issue - I'd consider that an upgrade as it is 2 real beds unless they planned to use the murphy bed but I'd expect a roll away could be gotten. They were given some additional consideration (FP's, breakfast voucher) so it wasn't just a straight room switch. Because they aren't getting the additional amenities though I might consider asking for points back equal to the difference between a studio and a 1BR.

Yes - ToT is open. It closes in January for the change to GotG.

 

[jlwhitney]

original plans were a studio, 1 bed room because of what was available. A suite on the hotel side is crazy pricey and a theme park view is never a bad thing...so no wouldn't be disappointed.

 

[njmeisje]

I'd ask for access to the concierge lounge for them, rather than 1 breakfast voucher.

 

[Sammie]

Would I be disappointed. Maybe initially but crap happens and I just go with the flow. Life is too short to worry about it.

 

[Dancind]

Well the link that Kat4disney provided indicates that this happens pretty often. And that others have been given club level and even gotten points back.

 

[tjkraz]

As I said in the other thread, problem is that they've already accepted the offer. Every situation is different, but generally speaking Disney does not give similar accommodations + free club access + refund points for every relocation.

If they have some specific complaint that was not realized until after-the-fact ("we didn't know there was no kitchen", etc.), I'd suggest having them go to front desk to discuss a remedy.

 

[Sammie]

Well the link that Kat4disney provided indicates that this happens pretty often. And that others have been given club level and even gotten points back.

My being satisfied is never based on what others get. If I was satisfied and accepted what they offered, never would I come back later and change my mind.

 

[lbwilliams]

original plans were a studio, 1 bed room because of what was available. A suite on the hotel side is crazy pricey and a theme park view is never a bad thing...so no wouldn't be disappointed.

I just returned from a 1 BD villa at GCV and the room was amazing. I looked at the floorplan of the 1 BD suite (via Youtube video) and to me, it's not comparable. I maybe would equate a premium hotel room with a GCV studio (I've stayed in both), but I would not equate a 1 BD villa with a 1 BD suite. A fast pass, theme park view, and breakfast does not equate to 19 points difference since you really don't get that much more out of the suite than a regular hotel room.

Differences I would stress when trying to emphasize they are not comparable are the lack of a master suite (including a huge bathroom with jetted tub and separate shower), + king bed + kitchen with utensils + a lot more space + extra bathroom (yes, two full bathrooms in the 1 BD villa) + laundry.

 

[Dancind]

lbwilliams, that's exactly how I feel. Even if they don't use everything, I booked the 1 BR and spent a lot of points. If this is a habitual practice at VGC, and they try to compensate with the minimum they can get away with, then PTB should know about it!

 

[jlwhitney]

I just returned from a 1 BD villa at GCV and the room was amazing. I looked at the floorplan of the 1 BD suite (via Youtube video) and to me, it's not comparable. I maybe would equate a premium hotel room with a GCV studio (I've stayed in both), but I would not equate a 1 BD villa with a 1 BD suite. A fast pass, theme park view, and breakfast does not equate to 19 points difference since you really don't get that much more out of the suite than a regular hotel room.

Differences I would stress when trying to emphasize they are not comparable are the lack of a master suite (including a huge bathroom with jetted tub and separate shower), + king bed + kitchen with utensils + a lot more space + extra bathroom (yes, two full bathrooms in the 1 BD villa) + laundry.

I guess I see it as they still offered more than they had to and in the end its not something that would disappoint me which was what the point of the thread. They could have not offered anything extra. Its not a perfect situation but it is what it is and not like they didn't even try to compensate.

 

[CaliAdventurer]

If it were for more than 4 or more days I would definitely think that the laundry and kitchen is an issue but for 2 nights, it was a decent trade. Breakfast there is expensive if it was at Storytellers and fab.

 

[SandyinMonterey]

There's a thread about this exact same thing going on now....called "unhappy with my upgrade." Same thing happened to her and I responded that it happened to me too....at the GC. Again, maintenance problem (they seem to have a lot of them) and was put into a suite. I got my points back, I think the other poster was told she'd get hers back but hasn't yet.

 

[Nonsuch]

I realize your DD's trip is over, but want to add a few comments -- as a frequent VGC and GCH guest.

...There were maintenance problems in the unit they were getting, so they get an "equivalent" room in the hotel. A suite, with a park view. Also a breakfast voucher and some fast passes to TOT (is it even open?). Anyway, I looked it up. The one bedroom suite looks a bit smaller than the DVC villa, has no kitchen, no extra bath, no laundry, and 2 queens in one room. Not nearly as nice, imho...

I agree, 1 bedroom villa is much better than a 1 bedroom suite.
Park View is nice, only about 1/4 of the suites are park view.
If you don't mind sharing: What was the room number?

1 bedroom suites have several floorplans:
All have a single small bathroom.

1 bedroom villas:
The huge master bath and a second bathroom, is a big difference.


While your DD was happy with the suite, she was not aware it was a significant downgrade.
Other guests have had points refunded, so you might try for at least a partial refund.

I'd ask for access to the concierge lounge for them, rather than 1 breakfast voucher.

Concierge lounge access should have been offered. The lounge is very nice, and generally not available to VGC guests.

There's a thread about this exact same thing going on now....called "unhappy with my upgrade." Same thing happened to her and I responded that it happened to me too....at the GC. Again, maintenance problem (they seem to have a lot of them) and was put into a suite. I got my points back, I think the other poster was told she'd get hers back but hasn't yet.

Switching to a suite AND getting points refunded is reasonable -- I would accept that.

Thanks for this thread, since I'm now informed that guests are being bumped out of VGC into GCH.
I'm checking into a 1 bedroom villa in 3 weeks, and will be ready if there "issues" with the villa.

 

[Dancind]

4331. It had 2 queens.

I did ask about the lounge access, and was told that comping the club is "illegal" in the state of CA. Because of the alcohol. No minors in the group.

 

[SandyinMonterey]

When we got moved to the suite, we insisted on concierge level and lounge access. We got it.

 

[Nonsuch]

4331. It had 2 queens.

That is an excellent location
When staying at GCH (not VGC), I request to be "near the elevators adjacent to Napa Rose".
I have stayed in 5333 (next door, 1 floor up), and the view is excellent.

The El Capitan Presidential Suite is directly above, on the 6th floor

I would accept this suite in place of 1 bedroom villa, and not ask for my points back

...I did ask about the lounge access, and was told that comping the club is "illegal" in the state of CA. Because of the alcohol. No minors in the group.

That seems to like a "made up" excuse, particularly since SandyInMonterey was comped lounge access