WWYD? offered free upgrade

[MiaSRN62]

Lyzziesmom says :I was actually referring more to the decor and general "look and feel" of the place, especially the room decor. I guess that just means that Disney did a great job making the Florida theming of OKW authentic!

Gotta agree here ! To us, the look and feel is Key West---and tropical paradise ! I personally love the light/pastel/airy feel of OKW's decor. SSR is pretty too, but the decor there---while elegant (Thomasville stuff) is too formal for us. It's just not us. I do like SSR's granite countertops though !

We see OKW as a quaint Key West little neighborhood with the white picket fences and community feel. With so many kids and families staying at the resort, we just don't see it as a retirement village theme. We see it as our home-away-from-home....our vacation retreat.

I'm from up north----and dream of palm trees....Florida.... sun....warmth....we actually vacation in FL not just because of WDW, but because we love all the state has to offer on top of it. We often drive over to the beaches during our trips and spend time there and with relatives.

For us, POP, is just a place to plop when we're on a tighter budget and it saves us money so we can visit FL more often. I can never sleep when I'm at POP---it is so noisey. I hear every door slam and every toilet flush....I don't need larger-than-life icons to make me feel like I'm in wdw.....but some love it there. It's nice enough---but not our top choice to stay when on vacation. I can understand and respect that it is wonderful for some.

Ok well the retirement villages don't have the slide, but can you just imagine if they did?

True that ! Those retirees better hold on to their Depends if they go down that slide ! If this is like a retirement village to some, at least I know I'll be able to keep in good shape in my 70's...80's....going up and down the slide, riding the surrey bikes around the resort, playing tennis or basketball in the courts, a round of golf, renting aqua trikes at the marina ! I'll be the most fit, active senior ever ! Won't be able to beat those nightcaps at the Gurgling Suitcase either---how cool to have a place to get drinks at a retirement home (forget those Ensure smoothies !).... and a jacuzzi to relax my arthritic bones.. I'm just having fun here Lyzziesmom and I hope you know this is all tongue-in-cheek. I've heard the retirement comment before over the years and I just find it amusing.

So the general consensus is right here.....what is paradise to one, might be boring to one, or a place to just plop for another etc. WDW offers all of us some great choices.
Have a great stay at SSR Lyzziesmom !

 

[lyzziesmom]

MiaSRN62, you had me rolling about the retirement village visions!! That would be too funny if they really were like that! It sounds like OKW is perfect for your family, have a great time!

My DD8 was so excited when I told her about SSR, and the old fashioned turn of the century horse-racing theme. When we were looking at the pictures, she asked, "Where are all the horses?" The poor thing thought we would actually race horses there. Turns out she was actually a little afraid of getting run down by a horse race on the pathways, so she's disappointed but also a little relieved!

I think it's so funny how all the different themes of the resorts bring up different images to people's minds. I am SO looking forward to relaxing and playing at SSR -- anywhere at Disney really is good in my book. And let's face it, you can't beat a free upgrade!

 

[MiaSRN62]

When we were looking at the pictures, she asked, "Where are all the horses?" The poor thing thought we would actually race horses there.

That's cute.....well, no race horses, but SSR does offer horse and carriage rides nightly from 6 to 9:30 pm. I think it's $35. Can't beat that.

Found this article/pics of SSR and how it compares to the real SS in NY.
http://www.mouseplanet.com/articles.php?art=mg041029mg

I think it's so funny how all the different themes of the resorts bring up different images to people's minds.

Perhaps because you lived in South FL for 15 years...you don't see the appeal of OKW, the way others who are not accustomed to the south feel. Same goes for me in a way, because I live in the Northeast, I don't see the appeal as much for SSR with it's NY themeing. I feel similar about the BWV/BCV. While they are very nice (and we have stayed there), they are themed after the eastern seaboard tourists areas like Cape May, NJ. I vacationing there almost every year as a kid. Used to hang out on the boardwalk with my friends all the time. We still go to the beach there, so maybe I'm a bit immune to that type of themeing ?
Disney rules when it comes to new and innovative themeing though....so thanks for that

 

[tinkerbellmagic]

Hi, I have been keeping up with this thread and am very happy for all of you.


I have a question about asking about codes being attached to your name- I booked a free dining 8/26 to 9/1 at ASSports. When I read about all the ugrades being offered to some folks who also booked values and are staying at the same time I am, I decided to call and ask if I had a code attached to my name (in case an email from them would have gotten booted into spam by yahoo, like some people have stated). I will probably decide not to go during free dining anyway because all I could get was ASSports in the preferred section and I found out the main pool is closed, thus the preferred feature loses it's thrill for us since we love the pools. I am moreso considering the beginning of Aug with no dining at POP as an alternative, but wanted to see if there was an upgrade attached to my name for 8/26-9/1 to make that stay more attractive. No harm in asking, right?

The cm at first refused to check my reservation saying the free dining is already discounted and they do not double discount. I said, "I'm sorry, I meant that they were upgraded to one of the DVC resorts." He still would not check and then argued with me that I cannot roll over a discount to another date (since I was interested in pricing a room-only no dining for Aug 6). I told him this inquiry for Aug 6 has nothing to do with the free dining reservation, I am only asking about an upgrade on the free dining reservation. He cut me off in mid sentence and said, "I understand what you're saying, but there are no upgrades for free dining." I told him others were getting this discount could he please check my reservation number. He said he will just check my household (not my reservation number). He came back on and said no, there is no code attached to my name (surprise surprise).

My question is, when they check to see if there is a code, do they need the ressie number or will the code come up on a "household search?" I was a bit peeved that this cm would not even enter my ressie number and was not very nice. So I guess what I am wondering is, is the code/upgrade attached to a name or a specific reservation with your name? I have heard of people with no codes attached until the cm entered a certain resort or certain dates and suddenly "something popped up." Anybody know how the codes are checked? I wondered if it was worth calling back to talk to someone less snooty that would actually punch in my ressie number. Thanks!
tink

 

[disneyfanUSA]

I never got the email, but I did have the code attached. I am trying to remember exactly what happened. I called and played dumb. I told the cm (who was very nice) that I had heard about the promotion. I asked him to check which email was listed on my account because I had been having trouble receiving my emails. He said no problem and when he checked for me he said he could see that I did have the code. He put me on hold and came back and said I could I have a studio at SSR. I have called back a few times about different issues and I have always found the weekend cms are not as helpful as the ones you get during the week. I would call back..maybe tomorrow during the day. If you don't like the cm tell them you have a bad connection and call back!!

 

[tinkerbellmagic]

Thank you so much for your helpful reply. It is always nice to hear of others' experiences. I just don't understand why some cm's need to be so snooty. I was being kind and polite and not at all demanding. If we get a discount, it is not out of their paycheck, so what gives? He seemed very put out that I would be asking about discounts. Needless to say, this cm did not receive high marks from me on that survey. Ok, just venting.

I never got the email, but I did have the code attached. I am trying to remember exactly what happened. I called and played dumb. I told the cm (who was very nice) that I had heard about the promotion. I asked him to check which email was listed on my account because I had been having trouble receiving my emails. He said no problem and when he checked for me he said he could see that I did have the code. He put me on hold and came back and said I could I have a studio at SSR. I have called back a few times about different issues and I have always found the the weekend cms are not as helpful as the ones you get during the week. I would call back..maybe tomorrow during the day. If you don't like the cm tell them you have a bad connection and call back!!

 

[lyzziesmom]

tinkerbellmagic: You should call back and ask another CM. I don't think there are many rooms left for the upgrade, but there's no reason that CM should have treated you that way. Sometimes I think they are just having a bad day and maybe had a really bad call right before you, and they are only human after all. They don't get paid nearly enough to put up with all the stuff they do. Still, it sounds like he was pretty snotty with you and obviously did not know what he was talking about.

When I called to add my flight information, the CM seemed genuinely amazed at our upgrade. I don't think he had heard of it before. So it's possible that there are CM's who are unaware of the upgrade offer. They probably get a ton of calls every day from people trying to scam them into saving money one way or another (NOT saying that's what you were doing at all, just playing devil's advocate here for a second). I always tend to give people the benefit of the doubt, but I seriously doubt that he actually looked up anything on your reservation for a code. Definitely call again.

So far I've been lucky and never really had a bad CM on the phone. The good ones definitely outnumber the bad, but those few snotty ones can really ruin it for a lot of people. Good luck! Even if you don't have the upgrade pin code, I hope you figure out what you want.

Just a side note: The main pool being closed really shouldn't be too big of a deal. Last month we went to ASMu and the main pool was closed - the quiet pool was just a minute or two away, as were the pools in the other AllStar resorts. If you really like the pool, I'd say downgrade from a preferred room to a regular and you'll probably be closer to the quiet pool, and still have free dining.

 

[tasha99]

I have called back a few times about different issues and I have always found the the weekend cms are not as helpful as the ones you get during the week.

I don't know if Disney is the same, but I used to work in one of Royal Caribbean's call centers, and scheduling was based on grading. They took everyone in the call center and ranked them 1-250 (or so) and the person ranked "1" got to choose her schedule, then the person ranked "2" chose, all the way down. Almost no one wants to work weekends, so the weekends had the lowest scoring agents. I'd never really thought about it, but I guess that would make weekends a bad time to call.

 

[DISNEYNY]

I assumed that was how it works with the cms. Most people don't want to work weekends. The newer less experienced people will be working at those times.

 

[mousiemom]

I just want to say how thankful I am for this upgrade. I feel so lucky after reading all the threads on this. We are looking forward to our trip and we cannot wait to get back to Pop at the end of Sept. We are going to enjoy all the space and amenties of the DVC resort but we love POP!!! I guess just staying there for so many years, you can't beat the price and what you get. We are a family that has fun as long as we are all together. So, we will enjoy our stay @ SSR, our free upgrade, and our free dining cause this is a once in a lifetime opportunity!
Have a magical day!
Mousiemom

 

[jnjlind]

If anyone is not taking advantage of the offer and has the pin code, I could REALLY use it. Please PM me! Thanks!

Did anyone PM you regarding the pin code? I am looking for it as well. My TA called Disney and was told they would see what they could do as long as they have the code. It is worth a try. Thanks.

 

[lyzziesmom]

The code is unique to each person who received the email and must match the pin code attached to your account in Disney's computers. So even if someone gave you their code, it would not work on your reservation. Sorry.

 

[Andy Lou & Meg]

After an earlier post stating that I didnt get an upgrade .........well suprise suprise I called Disney yesterday and I have now been given an upgrade to SSR resort. I cannot wait it looks amazing.

We are all really lucky, free dining and upgrade....cannot believe it.

Looking for to 16 nights of luxury

 

[DISNEYNY]

After an earlier post stating that I didnt get an upgrade .........well suprise suprise I called Disney yesterday and I have now been given an upgrade to SSR resort. I cannot wait it looks amazing.

We are all really lucky, free dining and upgrade....cannot believe it.

Looking for to 16 nights of luxury

Hey, that is great. Congrats!!!! Did you get the Studio or the 1 bedroom??

 

[Andy Lou & Meg]

Only managed to get a studio but as the is only myself, DH and DD6 I think there will be plenty of room. I will be calling them every couple of days or so to see if there have been any cancellations (which I am sure there will be) so that I can get the 1 bed but at the end of the day I am just so happy I got an upgrade I dont care if its a studio or 1 bed.

 

[DISNEYNY]

We have a Studio too. I was just wondering if maybe some 1BR had opened up. We are also just happy to be at SSR and with the free dining we probably wouldn't be using the kitchen much anyway. The Studio will be just fine!!!

 

[REL1203]

Looking for to 16 nights of luxury

Now thats what I call a vacation!!!

 

[NEWEARS2006]

After an earlier post stating that I didnt get an upgrade .........well suprise suprise I called Disney yesterday and I have now been given an upgrade to SSR resort. I cannot wait it looks amazing.

Had you called before and didn't have the pin attached but now you did? Or was this the first time calling to check?

 

[matt&jakesmom]

Congrats on the upgrade. Just curious though, I called again yesterday for the upgrade and nothing was available at either resorts for the time we are going-8/27 to 9/3. It must be the time frame I am going because every few days when I call there is nothing available. I am feeling a bit envious. When are you going?

After an earlier post stating that I didnt get an upgrade .........well suprise suprise I called Disney yesterday and I have now been given an upgrade to SSR resort. I cannot wait it looks amazing.

We are all really lucky, free dining and upgrade....cannot believe it.

Looking for to 16 nights of luxury

 

[DISNEYNY]

Congrats on the upgrade. Just curious though, I called again yesterday for the upgrade and nothing was available at either resorts for the time we are going-8/27 to 9/3. It must be the time frame I am going because every few days when I call there is nothing available. I am feeling a bit envious. When are you going?

My dates are 8/26-9/3. I was lucky enough to get a studio when I first called on Fri. June 8. I have read many times about people getting 1BR past the date I first called. Whenever I call they tell me none available. It must have something to do with 9/3-Labor day. I am very fortunate to have the studio so I am not complaining, but it must have something to do with the dates since we are having a similar problem.