Changing hotel reservation

[dave&di]

We are booked to stay at the GF in Sept, we stayed there in 2008 and loved it, in 2010 we stayed at the Poly and decided to go back to the GF this year as we preferred it.

But now with all the refurbs I don't think I can stay, I only ate at Gasperillas, I don't enjoy sit down restaurants, I loved having a dip in the courtyard pool, I also liked the Sand cove shop, we also booked a lagoon view and we are worried about the DVC site.

I know other alternatives will be laid out at the GF but I feel like I will be staying at a resort I've spent 2 years saving for and most of it will be shut!

I don't want to ruin my good memories of the GF.

We are thinking of returning to the Poly instead, but there will probably be guests from the GF using these facilities as well! I've read the Poly pool will also be available to GF guests as well!

We're lost as to what to do, our treasured trip has changed and there's nothing we can do about it, sorry for wallowing but 2 hours ago my trip seemed perfect!

Anyway! How do we go about transferring to another resort? Do we have to pay just to change? How easy is this to do?

Thanks.

 

[dave&di]

While I would suggest bringing it up when you get there, I wouldn't suggest going this route, certainly not off the bat. A firm, but polite, complaint about the issues is far more likely to get you something than causing a scene and demanding compensation for what amounts to more inconveniences. Remember, they aren't closing all of the restaurants at the resort, or both pools at the same time, so it's not that they are completely shutting out guests from any of the services.

Being persistent is a good thing, going overboard and making a huge stink can backfire.

I don't want compensation, I want to change from one deluxe to another and keep the perks I obtained when I booked. Hopefully the GF will not in a terrible state and I will be pleasantly surprised, who knows. But I should be able to change resort without being penalised.

Thanks for your advice, no heavy handed ness will come from me!

 

[disneygirl76]

We are booked to stay at the GF in Sept, we stayed there in 2008 and loved it, in 2010 we stayed at the Poly and decided to go back to the GF this year as we preferred it.

But now with all the refurbs I don't think I can stay, I only ate at Gasperillas, I don't enjoy sit down restaurants, I loved having a dip in the courtyard pool, I also liked the Sand cove shop, we also booked a lagoon view and we are worried about the DVC site.

I know other alternatives will be laid out at the GF but I feel like I will be staying at a resort I've spent 2 years saving for and most of it will be shut!

I don't want to ruin my good memories of the GF.

We are thinking of returning to the Poly instead, but there will probably be guests from the GF using these facilities as well! I've read the Poly pool will also be available to GF guests as well!

We're lost as to what to do, our treasured trip has changed and there's nothing we can do about it, sorry for wallowing but 2 hours ago my trip seemed perfect!

Anyway! How do we go about transferring to another resort? Do we have to pay just to change? How easy is this to do?

Thanks.

I love the GF too and stayed there several times and totally understand where you are coming from. If it was me, I would pick another place until all the stuff is done. I too would want it to be as perfect as I remember it. Can I suggest staying at the Yacht Club? It is really nice and our 2nd favorite to GF. We like it b.c we love Epcot and usually spend every night there (unless MK or DHS has EMH hours). This might be a good opportunity for you to try something new while you wait for GF to be ready.

 

[dave&di]

I love the GF too and stayed there several times and totally understand where you are coming from. If it was me, I would pick another place until all the stuff is done. I too would want it to be as perfect as I remember it. Can I suggest staying at the Yacht Club? It is really nice and our 2nd favorite to GF. We like it b.c we love Epcot and usually spend every night there (unless MK or DHS has EMH hours). This might be a good opportunity for you to try something new while you wait for GF to be ready.

Hi disneygirl ! You may want to read the whole thread, things have happened since my first post, it's a bit of a nightmare!!!!!

 

[CaptainShortty]

Are you heart-set at staying on the monorail line?? If not, I'd say head to either WL (to be close to MK while still having a beautiful resort with great amenities) or head to the Boardwalk and either stay at YC, BC or BW. You'll spend less money and get more bang for your buck.

 

[dave&di]

FINAL UPDATE!!

After an hour on the phone with VA we have finally been able to change to WL, still with our free offers!!!!

The man on the other end of the phone wasn't happy and had to put my OH on hold 4 times while he kept going off to talk to someone! We were finally allowed to keep our free DDP and $300 Disney dollars as a 'good will' gesture after my OH informed him we had spent over £20,000 with them over the last 6 years!

We want a 'courtyard' view, so VA are going to put a request in to WDW for us as VA aren't allocated any. We will be informed in 4 days if we can have one, if not it will be 'woodland'. We will have to ask again at check in, BUT this is the least of our worries after what happened over the last few days!!!

Wilderness Lodge here we come!!!!! Bye bye Grand Floridian

 

[real mad hatter]

Wow,What a hassle tho Iam glad you've got it settled.Now here comes my question.GF vacation must be a lot more expensive than a WL one. Will you get a refund? Ive read all the blogs and at least your still getting your $$$$ & free dining but how did you find out about the work getting done at GF.? We booked a holiday to Cyprus a few years ago,then got a letter from the travel agent that construction work was getting done on the hotel and they offered us a 5 star AI in the same resort.Our package was £2450 and the All Inclusive would have cost us £4000. Anyway I've never stayed at GF tho we have visited it and last trip visited WL and to be honest if I had a choice it would be WL,just loved the theme & location.Glad the bubble didnt burst.

 

[dave&di]

Wow,What a hassle tho Iam glad you've got it settled.Now here comes my question.GF vacation must be a lot more expensive than a WL one. Will you get a refund? Ive read all the blogs and at least your still getting your $$$$ & free dining but how did you find out about the work getting done at GF.? We booked a holiday to Cyprus a few years ago,then got a letter from the travel agent that construction work was getting done on the hotel and they offered us a 5 star AI in the same resort.Our package was £2450 and the All Inclusive would have cost us £4000. Anyway I've never stayed at GF tho we have visited it and last trip visited WL and to be honest if I had a choice it would be WL,just loved the theme & location.Glad the bubble didnt burst.

Hi hatter! Yes we will be given a refund, WL is a bit cheaper than GF!!! Wdwmagic have the info under the 'news' section as have allears.com . Virgin Atlantic have no knowledge of the closures which is one of the reasons they were reluctant to help us!

We were going to stay at the WL in 2014 anyway! We were going to have a curious look around the WL on this trip, now I will spend that time looking round the GF instead! I have fond memories there. Thankfully all is good again (so far!)

 

[real mad hatter]

Well there you go.I love a story with a happy ending.

 

[nepalostparks]

Glad they were able to do the right thing and transfer you to another resort with all offers staying on your reservation. Sorry that it took that much work, but at least now you can focus on the positives of your upcoming vacation!

 

[Crush Dude!]

Hi hatter! Yes we will be given a refund, WL is a bit cheaper than GF!!! Wdwmagic have the info under the 'news' section as have allears.com . Virgin Atlantic have no knowledge of the closures which is one of the reasons they were reluctant to help us!

We were going to stay at the WL in 2014 anyway! We were going to have a curious look around the WL on this trip, now I will spend that time looking round the GF instead! I have fond memories there. Thankfully all is good again (so far!)

Great! Glad you got sorted!

Hope you have a blast at Wilderness Lodge

 

[disney magic 06]

What a nightmare for you. Glad it's sorted out now, and you now have your refund to treat yourself to something nice to make up for the stress!

Have a great time at WL

 

[Stitchaholic84]

FINAL UPDATE!!

After an hour on the phone with VA we have finally been able to change to WL, still with our free offers!!!!

The man on the other end of the phone wasn't happy and had to put my OH on hold 4 times while he kept going off to talk to someone! We were finally allowed to keep our free DDP and $300 Disney dollars as a 'good will' gesture after my OH informed him we had spent over £20,000 with them over the last 6 years!

We want a 'courtyard' view, so VA are going to put a request in to WDW for us as VA aren't allocated any. We will be informed in 4 days if we can have one, if not it will be 'woodland'. We will have to ask again at check in, BUT this is the least of our worries after what happened over the last few days!!!

Wilderness Lodge here we come!!!!! Bye bye Grand Floridian

I've been following this thread from the start and have to say i've been feeling every emotion with u that you're going through.
I'm so glad you've got a resolution (travel agents are such con artists!) and im sure you will make your wilderness lodge trip just as great as a grand floridian.


PS - eat the cupcake!!

 

[dave&di]

I've been following this thread from the start and have to say i've been feeling every emotion with u that you're going through.
I'm so glad you've got a resolution (travel agents are such con artists!) and im sure you will make your wilderness lodge trip just as great as a grand floridian.


PS - eat the cupcake!!

Thanks a lot, it's been a rollercoaster! Although we have to call back in 4 days to see if it's all gone through ok, so fingers crossed! I'm feeling really positive about the WL, its added a whole new dimension to our trip!

P.S - Every cupcake in WDW are in for trouble when I arrive!!!

 

[alissafalco]

So glad you were finally able to switch!!! I hope you get the courtyard view that you want also. Sorry you had to go through that but only happy times now to come

 

[Uncle Lupe]

Wow, that was some drama! Here's hoping that everything works out. Did you have to pay the ressie change fee?

 

[dave&di]

Wow, that was some drama! Here's hoping that everything works out. Did you have to pay the ressie change fee?

The man on the phone said it SHOULD be waived. We will find out when it all goes through after 4 days! At the moment I'm expecting something else to go wrong! Thanks

 

[Uncle Lupe]

The man on the phone said it SHOULD be waived. We will find out when it all goes through after 4 days! At the moment I'm expecting something else to go wrong! Thanks

If not may I suggest a letter to Virgin Atlantic after your trip.

To Virgin Atlantic:

I would suggest that you will have to drop the word Virgin from your name. As with the ordeal of fixing our holiday you had your way with us.

Stop.

Look at me using those fancy European term "holiday".

 

[CaptainShortty]

FINAL UPDATE!!

After an hour on the phone with VA we have finally been able to change to WL, still with our free offers!!!!

The man on the other end of the phone wasn't happy and had to put my OH on hold 4 times while he kept going off to talk to someone! We were finally allowed to keep our free DDP and $300 Disney dollars as a 'good will' gesture after my OH informed him we had spent over £20,000 with them over the last 6 years!

We want a 'courtyard' view, so VA are going to put a request in to WDW for us as VA aren't allocated any. We will be informed in 4 days if we can have one, if not it will be 'woodland'. We will have to ask again at check in, BUT this is the least of our worries after what happened over the last few days!!!

Wilderness Lodge here we come!!!!! Bye bye Grand Floridian

Glad you got everything straightened out. You will LOVE Wilderness Lodge! IMO, wayy better than the GF especially considering the price difference. And my guess why it took you so long was the whoever you were on the phone with kept consulting a manager/coordinator for guidance/assistance in fixing your request. Whoever you talked to on the phone may not have had the authority to fix your problem. Either way, glad it got resolved for you! Have a magical vacation!!

 

[dave&di]

UPDATED UPDATE!!!

We called Virgin yesterday, we have now officially changed to the WL, with a 'Courtyard' view. We will get back around £880 as the WL is cheaper than the GF.

We have been charged £35 for admin costs which we questioned but were told to pay it and fight about it at another point! Apparently if there are any problems with the booking it won't be finalised until all issues are resolved! So more calls will take place at some point!!!

September can't come quick enough!!!!

 

[disney magic 06]

Relax now and look forward to staying at the beautiful Wilderness Lodge - imo much nicer and more relaxing than GF. So glad you got it sorted.