The Last Hurrah

The Last Hurrah...Major Update, Page 6, post 86...guess who called??

The Last Hurrah…July 13-21

…or the final trip before I get married.



Yes folks this is the tale of my final trip to Walt Disney World as a single guy! Next May I’ll be tying the knot with my beloved fiancée and it just recently hit me that this past week will be the last time I go to WDW the same way. From now on things will be different, a good different, but nonetheless different. And to be honest, realizing this impending change, I’ve become increasingly emotional and reflective. So I’m putting together this trip report to share with you the fun times we had on our last hurrah!

First an introduction and some important background information:

The Players:

Dear Aunt (DA) – a 60 year old kid at heart, she has bad legs and has to use a scooter to get around, uses a handicapped parking permit. She’s the matriarch of these trips, taking her nieces and nephews along on her vacations to share with us the magic of Disney.

Dear Sister (DS) – a 23 year old with some pretty serious issues. She played a major and incredibly negative role in this trip, which I will probably leave out of this report due to its personal and negative connotations. Basically she has attitude problems that lead to emotional outbursts. Don’t be surprised if you hear little or nothing about her in this report.

Dear Cousin (DC) – My 25 year old partner in crime! He’s been my best friend for life, born three weeks before I was we’ve grown up together. We’ve been going to WDW with DA for several years and spent many a wonderful time!

Dear Fiancée (DF) – My 24 year old soul mate…the love of my life. We were engaged on April 1st, 2007 and have set a date of May 17, 2008 for our wedding. She’s been to WDW before, but only on day trips. Never stayed at a WDW resort and hasn’t been since 1997.

Me – 25 year old former WDW CM, worked on Main Street during my CP in early 2001, then took a full time position as a Fast Pass team member and eventually went part time while finishing college as a Jungle Cruise Skipper. I’ve been to WDW more than 20 times on vacation and still get emotional every time I have to leave that magical place!

The Setting:


Check-in: July 13, 2007
Check-out: July 21, 2007

DA, DS & DF stayed at the Hawaii Concierge building at the Polynesian Resort. It’s been our Disney home for the past 4 years.
DC and I stayed at the Wilderness Lodge in a Standard View Room for the first time. DC was a last minute addition to the trip and due to maintain livable sleeping arrangements, we added a room at the WL for the two of us, this makes it easier for 5 single adults to sleep comfortably in their own beds.

The Prologue:
On Thursday July, 12, I woke up with a twinge of excitement that could mean only one thing! I looked at the date on my cell phone…then checked my date book….could it be??? YES! It was almost time to leave for our much anticipated annual trip to Walt Disney World. My bag was packed and I had a list of errands to run for the day before we could leave.

I stopped for lunch with my Mom at Pizza Hut then headed to my work to pick up my paycheck and say goodbye to my good friends there. Headed to the bank, home to pay my bills online and picked up my AAA TripTik. Picked up DC at this house, headed to target to pick up some wrinkle releaser for our clothes and dropped by the pharmacy to pick up some medicine for DF. Finally at 5pm DC and I met the rest of the crew at DA’s house and hit the road for our trip to WDW.

This was the culmination of almost 5 months of planning, done mostly by me. I was nervous for a few reasons. I know how my sister acts and I was praying that she’d keep her attitude/outbursts in check. I was nervous about staying at two separate resorts. I was dreading the 13.5 hour drive. I was nervous about how DF would enjoy WDW…hoping she’d love it as much as I do. I was nervous because I knew that this would be the last time I’d go to WDW like this…an all expenses paid, super deluxe vacation with the people I love the most.

In retrospect, the trip had some incredible highlights and sharing my favorite place in the world with my favorite person in the world was incredible. Unfortunately, this trip was also marred by a couple of major things: The valet service, the room and service at the Poly and those outbursts of my sister. I’ll talk about the first two problems as we go along, but I’m going to try and stress the positive times. I hope you enjoy my report and I look forward to sharing with you all!

I'll be updating with new posts throughout the day and the rest of this week...hope to have some pics available by the end of the week.

Cheers,
Josh
 

Jungle Skipper

New Member
Original Poster
:eek: I can't believe you're having DS as a bridesmaid!:eek:

Seriously though, I would change that. Given her history, she is bound to make a scene at your wedding. Couldn't she just be a guest? Then, if she decides not to come, or behaves badly and has to be removed, it won't make such an impact, as it would if the bridesmaid suddenly disappeared!

P.S. Don't let anything ruin your wedding day, you only want happy memories, you don't want it to be remembered for one of your sister's major tantrums.

Yeah...I know..that's been a serious concern for a little while. As of right now shes not in. I'm sticking to my guns on the apology and making ammends.

I'm seriously worried she'll try to make it about her...which she has already tried to do when looking at bridesmaid dresses one sunday. Oh, and DS was hellbent on planning a bridal shower for DF, despite repeatedly being told that DF only wanted to have one shower for both families and her sister was planning it. When DS finally asked DF about it and was told that we only wanted one shower, DS went into a tizzy and was apparently griping and complaining about us behind our backs.

But we're strong, we won't let anything ruin our wedding day!

Do her and your DF normally not get along? It's hard...she's still your sister. Maybe if she really does have a medical problem she can talk to someone or get on medication and get better. It would be for her own good!

DS and DF have gotten along splendidly. In fact, until the trip, they'd become friends. They were going out shopping on their days off, having lunch on occasion, always talking.

But there have been moments, like the bridal shower spaz, where DS is unbalanced and is rude. But that usually comes and goes.

As DF said, 'We'd become friends and I was lookiong forward to this trip as an opportunity to become closer with DC, DA and DS. Fortunately DC and I have become very good friends now. Unfortunately, DS's attitude prevented me from spending much time with DA (who would stay behind with DS everytime she flipped out) and DS and I have now taken HUGE leaps backwards...they way she acted and the things she said have destroyed everything we've built up.'

As for Disney, can you post your letter? I'm curious to hear what you said in it! /QUOTE]
As for the Disney letter, I'll look at it today...I know I'll have to edit the names and faces and the financial information, etc. I'll have to see how the letter looks after the edit. If anything, I can provide a detailed summary....look for that later this afteroon/evening.

Usually my favorite trip reports contain pictures but this one ranks right up there with the best! It was a very informative and entertaining read all at the same time. Plus you really took us along with you on your trip, experiencing the highs and lows. Good job.

And yes, please post the letter to Disney. Would love to read what you had to say.

Just curious, and I'm sorry if it's too personal a question, but what do you do for a living? You seem to work long hours and you're an excellent writer.

Thanks for the compliments! I hope you've enjoyed. I love writing these reports, its fun to share, and proves to be a wonderful and reflective was to remember the good times I've had. I plan to do this for every trip I make. So I hope you'll continue to read! :)

As for my personal life...well, I'm currently a fulltime student in my final year of college (working on my 2nd college degree). I'm studying to be a middle school social studies/language arts teacher, with a minor in history and a minor in sociology. In a past life I went to film school then worked as a tv producer and editor for 2 years. Interned at Disney as an editor back in the day.

The late hours are a product of my job...I'm a projectionist at a movie theatre...makes for some late nights!

It may very well be a medical disorder. A "cousin-in-law" exhibited very much the same type of behavior. It appears that if she's on her meds she's OK but she doesn't always take them.

It's quite obvious your sister is mentally ill and in need of meds and therapy.

Was this her first time at WDW? How does she normally act when presented with a new situation? My daughter (12yo at the time) was quite miserable (WDW and Universal) when we first went to Orlando in 2004. This past January we went to Universal only and she had the time of her life. It appears any time she's presented with a new situation (school year, event, vacation) she's anxious and upset but when it's familiar she's OK.

Good luck. Until she gets and accepts help I'd go so far as to tell she can't come to the wedding and to hire security to keep her out. Don't ignore the situation and hope for the best.
Bob
DS has been to WDW several times before, her latest trip in July 2006. She's not been nearly as many times as I have, but shes gone on a few trips with DC, DA and I.

I really think she has an imbalance...either that or this is somehow connected to the diet meds she's been taking, then stopped taking before Disney.

Hopefully security isn't necessary. I hope she can just stop...and if she can't get over her attitude, then she won't be welcome there. And she certainly won't be allowed to have my kids over for unsupervised visits until she does get help.

I was thinking that too, my aunt is the same way. It's tough, but jeez, this is horrible.

Yeah...I'm really upset by it. Sad more than anything. Its embarrassing and heartbreaking. I love my sister, but right now she's just impossible. Like right now, she's being a real pain barking and griping about me as she stomps around getting ready for work. :rolleyes:

Well I'm off to work myself. See you all soon! Keep the thoughts coming!

Cheers,
Josh
 

JustPlainBill

Active Member
As for Disney…still waiting to hear from them. Its been 11 days and no response. Hope to hear from them by midweek. Will update once I do hear from them.
When we sent off our email regarding our issues, we waited over two weeks and didn't receive any kind of response. We sent off another email which stated our disappointment in their slow response to our problem. We recieved a call the next day from Disney, we were told that the person we were speaking to was only a messenger and would not address any of our concerns. The caller said that we would receive an official response in three days. Of course 3 days went by along with an additional week with no call back. We called them back and were directed to a VP in Guest relations. She said our complaint has been passed up the chain to her and it was read by serveral people. We got an apology and an assurance that they would discipline the CMs involved. I told this woman that speaking as a manager myself, I felt that this response was inadequate to say the least. I told her that the problems we experienced were not isolated to one or two CMs, it involved several, crossing different departments. The problem seemed to be system-wide and the issue I felt needed to be addressed with additional training and some changes being made in their customer service system. Perhaps the problem lies in the management team? I could never get away with firing the employee to solve a problem where I work, if it involved more that one employee. I said I wasn't looking for a $$$ reimbursment, I only wanted my problem to be acknowledged and some measure of confidence that it is being addressed satisfactorily so it couldn't reoccur. She did not agree with my assessment and said there was nothing else that she could do, she did say again that she was sorry. I told her that it sounded to me like the problem will repeat over and over with several more guests because she was not looking to fix this problem, she just wanted me out of her hair.
I see that I was correct after reading your experience, not much has changed, the corrective action did indeed fall short.
 

Jungle Skipper

New Member
Original Poster
When we sent off our email regarding our issues, we waited over two weeks and didn't receive any kind of response. We sent off another email which stated our disappointment in their slow response to our problem. We recieved a call the next day from Disney, we were told that the person we were speaking to was only a messenger and would not address any of our concerns. The caller said that we would receive an official response in three days. Of course 3 days went by along with an additional week with no call back. We called them back and were directed to a VP in Guest relations. She said our complaint has been passed up the chain to her and it was read by serveral people. We got an apology and an assurance that they would discipline the CMs involved. I told this woman that speaking as a manager myself, I felt that this response was inadequate to say the least. I told her that the problems we experienced were not isolated to one or two CMs, it involved several, crossing different departments. The problem seemed to be system-wide and the issue I felt needed to be addressed with additional training and some changes being made in their customer service system. Perhaps the problem lies in the management team? I could never get away with firing the employee to solve a problem where I work, if it involved more that one employee. I said I wasn't looking for a $$$ reimbursment, I only wanted my problem to be acknowledged and some measure of confidence that it is being addressed satisfactorily so it couldn't reoccur. She did not agree with my assessment and said there was nothing else that she could do, she did say again that she was sorry. I told her that it sounded to me like the problem will repeat over and over with several more guests because she was not looking to fix this problem, she just wanted me out of her hair.
I see that I was correct after reading your experience, not much has changed, the corrective action did indeed fall short.

Ugh...Bill. so hear that is how your situation was handled. That's horrible. I certainly hope they deal differently with me.

I've decided to give them until Wednesday to call. If I don't hear by Wednesday...at least a courtesy call saying they are looking into it...then They will get another email Wednesday and every Wednesday until someone responds.

I hate seeing this magical place that I have grown to love falling to standards of service well below acceptible.

Will keep you all up to date...

Now if we could only figure out what to do about DS and the bridesmaid problem....:(

Cheers,
Josh
 

MinnieMommy

Member
Wow, this trip report really struck a nerve for me. DH and I took our kiddies and my mom and sister to WDW last Dec. My sister did exactly the same thing as yours. I mean, your trip report sounds almost identical to ours. Let me put it this way, her big episode ended with some yummy fish and chips from the U.K. in Epcot getting thrown across the walkway nearby. Needless to say, mortified doesn't describe how we all felt. My sister has lost many jobs because of her behavior and now has to move back home with my mom. She's 31, by the way. Too old for this crap, if you ask me. Part of the condition of her moving home is counseling and testing for some type of mental disorder. We really think she's bi-polar. I mean, she is ok for a while then...BAM she's off the deep end for no reason.

I'm sure it's hard when it comes to the wedding. These family dynamic issues are tough. If your family is like ours, we can put our foot down to an extent. Hopefully, things will be taken care of by then. We are heading back to WDW this Dec. and my mom and sister are going, too. We treat my mom because I'm in a wheelchair and she is such a help, plus she's really close to DH, myself, and our kids. My sister is going out of obligation, for now. We decided if she doesn't get the needed help, we're going to have to leave her behind. I don't want to, but I won't let her ruin another trip.

We are praying everything calms down and things work out. It has been a pleasure reading your trip report. Really well written!! Have a happy wedding in May!!
 

Jungle Skipper

New Member
Original Poster
Hey everyone...So here we are, set to begin week number three since I've been back from WDW...getting kinda antzy...wishing I could be back..minus all the crummy stuff!

I'll be around throughout the week so we can chat some more...hoping that I'll heard from WDW this week as well. Sunday marked the two week mark since I sent my e-mail to guest communications.

Speaking of the e-mail I looked at it and decided I'm not going to post the full letter yet...but I will try to edit it early this week and get it posted...at least the highlights.

Also speaking of e-mails. I got really anxious on Friday night. I was going through my email folders and found some past correspondence I have had with the General Manager at the Polynesian. So I decided I'd directly send him an e-mail sharing what had happend to us and hoping that this might lead to some form of response from him. We've had a pretty good rapport over the years...writing back and forth before and after each trip...I sent him an e-mail before this trip as well.

So yeah...there is my second attempt to get this resolved...and as promised, I'll keep you updated!

Oh, and btw...I'm chomping at the bit to plan my May honeymoon now that 2008 rates are out! So hopefulyl soon I'll have a super early pre-trip report...lol. I'm such a geek!

Cheers,
Josh
 

Jungle Skipper

New Member
Original Poster
“For a smile they can share the night
It goes on and on and on and on

Strangers waiting, up and down the boulevard
Their shadows searching in the night
Streetlight people, living just to find emotion
Hiding, somewhere in the night…”


Journey….playing on my cell phone. That’s the ringtone on my phone for new or unknown numbers. I glance at my watch…it’s 4:35pm Central time, who is calling me while I’m at work. :shrug: I put down my pen and look at the phone, a 407 number….that’s odd.

“Hello?”

“Yes, Hi! May I speak with Joshua…?”

“Speaking.”

“Hi Joshua! This is Jennifer calling from the Walt Disney World Executive Offices. How are you today? Is this a good time to call?”

Wow…I was pleasantly surprised. I’d pretty much given up on the idea that they’d be calling today. It was almost 6pm Disney time…interesting. So I told her that I could definitely talk and got to a place where I could hear better (as it can be loud at work).

Then began a 30+ minute telephone conversation that proved to be quite interesting. :)

First some quick background to catch everyone up:

Sat July 21 I got home from our really bad Disney trip.

Sun July 22 I write 4 page long e-mail to wdw.guest.communications@disneyworld.com

Overnight on the wee hours of the morning on Aug 4, I composed a long letter directly to the GM of the Polynesian Resort expressing my concerns with him directly.

Now, today, Aug 6, two full weeks after sending my e-mail to WDW, I receive a long anticipated telephone call from the executive offices in reference to my e-mails.

Jennifer was incredibly nice and seemed quite interested to clarify some of the details about who stayed where and how the reservations were made etc.

First up…apologies. She apologized several times for the events that occurred while we were at WDW. She apologized for each and every event that I mentioned and went on to talk about how in a company of their size and with their reputation, they strive to provide top of the line service and unfortunately with so many CM’s and situations that occasionally things slip through the cracks and unfortunately that turns into bad experiences for guests like myself. She apologized for that and reiterated that my letters to both the executive office and the Poly GM were taken to heart and would be dealt with appropriately.

In my mind, I’m setting myself up for a “well, sorry ‘bout ya, better luck next time” response.

We then talked about the valet services and how I felt about their treatment and how we felt about the experience. I explained in detail what had occurred and how we felt about this and how eventually we felt so mad we stopped using it completely. She said that yes valet services had been outsourced, but they all go through the same training, and that in the past they had outsourced several positions and they all go through the same training. My response was yes…but its still not the same as having you check signed by Mickey…these are different people and they stood out like sore thumbs in the service category. :mad:

She again apologized. Then we talked about the Hoop Dee Doo experience. She apologized for the inappropriate conversations and the horrible view saying they would reevaluate the seat. According to her seating chart however that the table we were given was in a different category and we were seated incorrectly. This made me even more upset about that event and I expressed discontent with that experience. She apologized again for that. She then apologized for the comments made at the WL check-in desk.

She then changed the subject to the maintenance issue…was following along with the email I sent and basically she was going to bullet by bullet through the message and apologizing for each misstep and making sure everything was addressed. She talked about how these things were unfortunate and they always try to catch them, but sometime things go wrong and they can’t catch the problem. I told her I understood that things happen, but in this instance it was more than a misstep.

She apologized and we chatted some more about it. Told me that my email had been forwarded to all of the management at each location and those leaders would certainly work with their cast to stop this from happening again. I then told her that I was really concerned about that, because as a huge Disney fan, I can forgive and forget. But, I worry if this happens to someone else, that their entire experience might be ruined. I wanted to make sure that this doesn’t happen again to someone else. She reassured me that they would do their best to keep this from happening.

Then, just when I thought she was going to say thanks and goodbye, she said something I didn’t think I was going to hear:

“We really do apologize for what happened to you, and we want to make it better. We really wish we could go back in time and fix it all, but unfortunately we can’t. So, after speaking with the GM at the Polynesian, we would like to refund one more nights stay to your credit card. How does that sound?” :D

I thanked her and said that that sounded appropriate, as that would now (overall) equate to two free nights at the Poly. I pleased…would liked to have another night back, but I’m pleased with another full night, it kinda works out like a 35% discount for the whole trip...pretty good. Not outstanding or above and beyond, but a step in the right direction, and honestly more than I had expected.

Thinking that was the end I, then she kept going….

We’d also like to apologize for the HoopDeeDoo. I can do one of two things here, I can either refund your tickets from this summer, or I can issue a voucher to go again while you are on your honeymoon. I thanked her, but seeing that five of us went and had a bad time, I gladly accepted the refund over the voucher for two. So she told me she would refund all 5 HoopDeeDoo Tickets and reassured me that they would reexamine what happened here. :D

Then she kept going…‘also, I know it’s a small thing, but that Boardwalk Valet situation in unacceptable and that was the wrong thing for the CM to do, as it is policy at all valet resorts that handicapped placards and plates be given complimentary valet parking and the rude treatment was out of place. We want to refund that mishap as well.”

I’m now pleasantly surprise that they’re doing this…that $10 refund, while not a lot of cash, tells me that they’re paying attention to details. Sometimes it’s the small things that make a difference. I was impressed. :sohappy:

Then she says: ‘and finally, the GM at the Polynesian and the executive offices want to reach out and encourage you to return and give us a chance to make up for our mistakes. We hope you will come back and join us in May for your honeymoon and in doing so, we’d like to send you a voucher good for one nights stay at the Polynesian or if you prefer, any other deluxe resort. We hope you won’t give up on us and we want to help recapture the Disney magic with us on your special trip.”
:sohappy: :sohappy:

I was really floored by this. Like I said, I was expecting to be blown off, or like last time, given a discounted rate on planning for my honeymoon. I was just really shocked that they went to all of these levels to apologize and make things right.

She then gave me her direct phone number and told me to call if I had any problems or other concerns. The refunds would be made to my credit cards ASAP and the voucher would be in the mail within days.

So I guess that brings us to the end of our journey, huh? The trip is over and now they’ve stepped up to the plate in a very appropriate way. Was it a grand slam homerun on their part? No…more like a ground rule double with the bases loaded…but it was a heck of a lot more than what I expected! In my mind, they made things right. They acknowledged the problems and the mistakes. They asked for more details to clarify who did some of the things that were blatantly bad show. The apologized. They made reparations. Then they took that extra step to encourage my return.

So there you go…I’d really like to keep this thread going, chat about things, both good and bad. I’m very interested to hear your thoughts on the phone call I received and where to go from here.

Also...pics hopefully coming soon...gotta steal my camera back from DF.

Also...Special thanks for Jennifer from the executive offices and the Dave, the GM at the Poly...you guys really helped make this an easier pill to swallow. Thanks for your help.

As we get closer to the end of the year, look for me to start up a pre-trip report on my planning for the honeymoon. I’m really looking forward to your thoughts and ideas on that experience.

Again, thanks for reading! I’m glad you decided to join me on my last hurrah! So keep those thoughts and comments coming! Looking forward to some good conversation!

Cheers,
Josh :cool:
 

Cara1210

New Member
All I can say is WOW!!!:sohappy: I'm so glad to hear that Disney "sort of" admitted that they were wrong and did something about it!
 

tink68

Member
All I can say is Wow, congrats and good for you. Its great that they did all of that for you and I wish you the best on your wedding. :wave:
 

DznyGrlSD

Well-Known Member
In the Parks
Yes
:sohappy::sohappy: Glad you got what you wanted and I am looking forward to your pre-trip report :wave:
 

Pinocchio81

New Member
Well I have to say, I'm not one to usually read through a long trip report, but my friend, that was good.
I think it's fantastic that Disney is really trying to make it up to you and your family (DF is pretty much family at this point right :)).
Also, I think it was awesome you told a CM about those guys line hopping at RnR. The CM was right on, for god's sake, you're at Walt Disney World - your behavior should represent that! That goes for the CM's at the Polynesian as well :). (Sorry if that comment seemed random, that post was like 2 weeks ago, right? I literally having been sitting here reading your posts and the comments for 2hrs. and it is now 3:30 a.m. and I had to say something about it!)
I should go to bed, but reading your posts has gotten me even more excited (that's possible?!) for my trip to WDW in..hold on to your hats..5 days!
Hope to see your pictures soon Josh and once again, wonderful trip report buddy :wave:
 

danipooh

New Member
Well it's reassuring to hear that Disney tried to make things right. I honestly wasn't sure if they were even going to get back to you. Sometimes I feel like Disney is such a big company that they don't pay close attention to the little people (us!). But I'm glad to hear that they valued you as an individual. After all, it's all of us combined who keep the place in business! Your experience gives me a little boost of confidence in Disney, and reassurance that if I ever have a terrible experience I can let them know and they'll care...but hopefully I won't need to! :)
 

dox

New Member
WOW!! That sounds totally awesome. Obviously they can't make up for the things that went wrong, but they did a pretty good job of responding to you. Just curious, but did your letter include any positive comments or praise for individual CMs? I always feel guilty that I forget to send letters complimenting cast members who go above and beyond. Not sure if you experienced that this trip though.

I've been very fortunate that the negative things on my trips to WDW have been pretty minor, like..um..no towel animals. Believe it or not, that really grated on me during my last 7 night stay. LOL Just joking... a little. The only negative things I experienced on my last trip which included stays at the Contemporary and Coronado Springs over those 7 nights, only concerned the Contemporary and basically consisted of a general lack of maintenance on the grounds, rude front desk/check in CMs and a big problem with the internet connection. But since they didn't charge us for using the regular phone line to connect to the internet, I never bothered to write a letter about my concerns. I'll definitely think twice in the future.
 

JustPlainBill

Active Member
I was really floored by this. Like I said, I was expecting to be blown off, or like last time, given a discounted rate on planning for my honeymoon. I was just really shocked that they went to all of these levels to apologize and make things right.
I'm glad it worked out to your satisfaction, it's great that you received compensation for your misery. I do hope that they really make some changes, it would be a shame to let the Poly's concierge service level deteriorate any further.
 

Jungle Skipper

New Member
Original Poster
I'm glad it worked out to your satisfaction, it's great that you received compensation for your misery. I do hope that they really make some changes, it would be a shame to let the Poly's concierge service level deteriorate any further.

I feel pretty much the same way Bill...I told her at least 10 times how much I hated seeing my beloved Poly concierge fall apart. Hoping beyond hope that they can fix it.

Now I don't know what to do with my free night. DF and I have talked about using it at one of Monorail resorts, and we're really hoping that we might be able to try the Poly for one night...maybe have a better experience.

Thoughts?

Cheers,
Josh
 

JustPlainBill

Active Member
I feel pretty much the same way Bill...I told her at least 10 times how much I hated seeing my beloved Poly concierge fall apart. Hoping beyond hope that they can fix it.

Now I don't know what to do with my free night. DF and I have talked about using it at one of Monorail resorts, and we're really hoping that we might be able to try the Poly for one night...maybe have a better experience.

Thoughts?

Cheers,
Josh
If it were me in your shoes I would go Grand Floridian. I did concierge there many years ago when it was newly built and had a blast. Currently though the Contemporary and Yacht club are tied as being my favorite. I only suggest the GF because I remember you saying that you already recently stayed at the Contemporary. The GF is wonderful and I feel a very romantic place to be on a honeymoon, very lavish, especially concierge. You'll feel like your treating yourself and your significant other which is what a honeymoon should be.
 

spectrodanny

Active Member
If you do end up staying at GF at GF watch how you spend your $$ . I broke the bank on Room service and had to scrounge up some extra $$$ to pay the rest of my Hotel Bill but Man those Chicken Strips were GOOD!
 
since I myself am long winded at times, i have been throughly enjoying your trip report. I haven't made it through the whole thing yet, but will be coming back for more.


I did skip ahead of the report to see that you were give some compensation for your troubles at the poly.
This is such a shame about the problems you had there because hubby and i would like to stay there at least once-the lobby itself is gorgeous. Normally, like you we LOVE the wilderness lodge, but would like to try all the resorts on property at least once.

I find it sad that a deluxe resort does not resond to problems with their concierge level guests. upgraded or not, those rooms should really hold priority. I would almost excuse this kind of service at a value resort, but definitely not from a concierge level deluxe resort.
I did not know that they outsourced their valet service either, maybe disney should reevaluate this decision. maybe they could threaten to change companies. I doubt this was an isolated incident, and they are sacrificing their name and customer satisfaction. I know that everyone has a bad day, whether it be disney cm or some guy at a desk job, but the fact that you had bad service at different resorts is a trend that cannot be ignored.


Do you think that maybe some of the problems you encountered were due to the time of year you went? I mean, do you regularly go at this time of year and experience these kinds of situations or do you think this was just a murphy's law kind of thing? Just wondering.

Lastly, you are an amazing person for being able to keep your patience through most of this trip. From bad service, rude guests, and a sister who seems truly a gem to be around, I don't know if I could have even enjoyed my trip. And I am a disney fanatic. So Cheers to you Josh. I look forward to going back and reading the rest of your trip report and any that you post in the future.

CHEERS:wave:

Kiera
 

Jungle Skipper

New Member
Original Poster
Hey all...sorry I've been busy for a few days.

As for the GF, DF and I discussed it, but just aren't convinced its for us. I've stayed there once before and felt totally out of place. Then, while on our date night this year, DF and I headed there for some shopping and looking around...while she was impressed by the decor, her first response was "this place is nice, but totally not my style!" lol..so I kinda doubt we'll end up here.

I'm thinking we've narrowed it down to the following:

Polynesian (hoping they'll let me book the honeymoon suite...same price as the lagoon view concierge)

Contemporary

or

Animal Kingdom Lodge

Leaning toward one of the first two as we'd like a night on the monorail. Plus, I've convinced DF we're staying at the POFQ, hoping to surprise her with the WL stay. So I've been telling her it'd be nice to stay close to the MK one night...lol. I'm bad!

As for the valet, I don't think it had to do with time of year, we almost always go this time of year. I think its just a matter of poor communication and teamwork. I'm really disappointed in the service.

I'm so excited to start planning the honeymoon...signed up today for the disney honeymoon registry. Waiting to receive the voucher from WDW to make my room ressies official....look for a poll in on of the planning forums sometime next week while we make our plans.

Thanks for the thoughts! Keep em coming!

Cheers,
Josh
 

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