Hotels

[Randy B]

As for it being the worst thing I can tell a guest, forget it. It's not even in the top ten.

I bet. Being Concierge must give you lots of opportunity for odd questions and even odder requests. How many times have you had to "explain" to a lonely solo guest that you can not arrange for a "roommate" for the night?

Randy

[Zazu]

I bet. Being Concierge must give you lots of opportunity for odd questions and even odder requests. How many times have you had to "explain" to a lonely solo guest that you can not arrange for a "roommate" for the night?

Haven't had that problem here, but it was a major issue at the Chattanooga Choo-Choo Holiday Inn.

In fact, the worst thing I ever had to tell a guest was that the PA announcement in the MK was for them. Got 'em on a phone, then walked 'em over to City Hall for the details.

Not a good way to end your vacation. :rip:

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

Haven't had that problem here, but it was a major issue at the Chattanooga Choo-Choo Holiday Inn.

In fact, the worst thing I ever had to tell a guest was that the PA announcement in the MK was for them. Got 'em on a phone, then walked 'em over to City Hall for the details.

Not a good way to end your vacation. :rip:

That would have a tendency to kill a festive mood!

(no pun intended)

[Theme Park Where]

Zazu, just one clarification - CRO doesn't "screw up" when they overbook - they do it on purpose! Unfortunately, it's a part of how to run hotels these days. You count on no shows and overbook to fill rooms. Disney books based on total number of rooms so as long as some resort still has space, they'll overbook. You're right though that they try not to downgrade, which was why we were so furious when the overbooked us at the red roof inn. Where do you go from there? One stay we actually were faced with moving guests to All Stars if they had showed up. We were relieved that the last guest was a no show. Whew!

I once walked someone from Caribbean Beach to Wilderness Lodge. Obviously the guy had been burned before. When he arrived I gave the traditional "problem with your room" speech and explained that I was going to have to move him to WL. He wasn't happy. I explained that it was a higher priced resort and we were picking up the difference for him. He wasn't happy. I explained that it had some of the top rated restaurants and a wonderful pool. He wasn't happy. He complained but agreed to go. I don't know what catch he was expecting but about an hour later he called the CBR front desk from his room at WL. He was happy! Boy was he happy!

Another time at GF we had overbooked our regular rooms and were upgrading people to concierge. We finally got everyone moved, and still had one reservation with nowhere to go. The Presidential Suite was open, so we were going to have to move them there. I changed the reservation over to the prez and forgot all about it (I was room assigner for concierge). A few hours later, my phone rang. I answered it and saw it was from the prez suite. Usually a guest call to my line was a question about check out time or extending the stay, etc. I had totally forgotten that I'd upgraded a regular rate room to the suite. A very tentative voice, with the accent of a very proper elderly British woman was on the other end of the line. "I think they gave us the wrong room number." I explained that we had upgraded her reservation because of a problem with her original room. "But it's so big," she kept saying. Thinking that she thought we were charging her more, I assured her that her rate was the same. "But it's so big and it's only my husband and I." I again explained that there was no place else we could put her. "But I just wanted to know who to thank," she finally said. I laughed, said she could thank me since I'd done the upgrade, and I was glad she liked the room. In the background I could hear her husband slamming doors and yelling "I found ANOTHER closet!" It's nice when you do a big upgrade like that for someone who really appreciates it!

[Princess Susi]

Zazu, and Theme Park Where, thank you for your informative answers. That helped me understand it more. I love the "I found another closet!" line! :hysteria: That is good.

We were recently upgraded to a *suite* at the DL Hotel. It consisted of two rooms and we did not need the second. It was not one of the cool Pirate or Mickey Mouse suites. Now THAT would be an upgrade! :D: It was nice for them to give us the two rooms, but I bet a family with kids would have appreciated the room more. It's too bad that they can't check all the details to move people, (I know, too time consuming) and move a family of four or five to the two rooms and put us in any single. We are not really fussy at the DL Hotel.

All the rooms are so different, there is no rhyme or reason as to how they put rooms up there. They are not the same on any given floor or any building.

We usually pay for concierge and even when we get a room in the Marina (I mean Magic! ) tower we just walk and roll over to the Sierra ( I mean, Dreams! ) and go up the elevator to the lounge. It is no big deal to us. We *like* to stay on the same floor of the lounge, it does make it easier, but since all views and bed sizes are requests, not reserved, we are okay with what we get. We have been so often, it is actually kind of fun to try out new rooms. The only building I don't want to stay in is the Bonita (I mean, Wonder! ) I don't know why, because it has the most beautiful waterfalls below and the rooms tend to be better there, but it is in the back of the hotel and futher away for me to have to roll my non power wheelchair..(I actually am developing some small guns since I got the chair...I could beat you up, GP, ya f'oc'sle swab! Arghhhhhhhhhhhhhh.....)

It makes sense not to downgrade someone, but I would hate to be the CM there when a guest arrived and the only room left was at ASMu or PoP. That would be bad.

BTW what does CRO stand for? I have heard of FD and WDTC and all the others, but I cannot figure out the CRO, is it Cast Reservations Office, Vanna? Give me another letter. I'd like to buy several vowels. :D:

Thanks again guys, you all rock here, you know! But don't let it go to your heads!!! heeheehee :twisted:

Susi

[hobie16]

"I found ANOTHER closet!"

That should be the phrase of the day. :D:

[BRWombat]

...With no kidlets of our own, we enjoy the adult amenties and like peace and quiet of the Deluixe Resort Hotels. (as much as can be had at a Disney destination, that is why I am not so sure about booking a Disney Cruise, I am afraid of too many kids on a boat...far away from land...too far to swim away from said kids... )

Good posts, Sues, interesting reading... This is one comment I can address. I can assure you that there are plenty of places you can escape from kids onboard the Disney ships -- without having to dive off and swim! There are a multitude of adults-only areas, including a pool, clubs, spa, and restaurant, not to mention an adults-only beach on the island, Castaway Cay. Better yet, the adults-only rules are enforced.

The great thing is, it's usually not necessary. Even though there may be more kids on board a Disney cruise compared to other cruise lines, there is a ton of programming dedicated just to them. The result being that even in the "all ages" areas, kids are less underfoot than on some other cruise lines.

Granted, on my three cruises, I've been with my kids, but I've had no trouble "escaping" when I wanted to! You might check with Syndrome, though -- she and her hubby not only travel sans kids, she's been on a lot more Disney cruises. (What is the count up to now, Syndrome? 200? 300? :D :)

[CelebrationNM]

BTW what does CRO stand for? I have heard of FD and WDTC and all the others, but I cannot figure out the CRO, is it Cast Reservations Office

Real close; Central Reservations Office.

[LittleDollClaudia]

Why is it that when you work close to a resort that folks expect you to know the 411 in EVERYTHING Disney?

I'm sorry, I don't know if Mickey will be walking about Main Street or what outfit he's wearing in the Movie Barn. I don't know whether a certain ride will be operating as I have the EXACT SAME ACCESS to info as you do.

I try to keep myself as informed as much as possible, but for the most part, you will find out when you get there. Yes, I am now an AP, but I'm not telling any guests that.

Speaking of which, don't complain that something went wrong during your visit and think that the hotel is directly involved. Just because we sell tickets does NOT mean I can go to City Hall and demand your money back for giving you undercooked hot dogs. Furthermore, that does NOT mean I will give you a discounted room when you get sick all over the bedding that my poor H/K has to change.

I do apologize for your trouble, but in the end, it's your vacation. I'm just a local trying to make a living.

[EeyoresButterfly]

Claudia: Your post reminded me of a rather amusing time at the Radisson Resort.

I stayed there for 2 nights on my birthday to get away for a little bit and have some time to myself. (I was also having some roommate issues at that time). There are two Radissons within a mile of eachother on 192, and they do not have their name on them. I pulled into the first one to find out if that was the Main Gate Radisson. I figured it wasn't but thought I might as well check instead of driving by it. I got up to the desk where two women were working. One was checking in these two little old ladies, the other helped me. I asked her if it was the Main Gate Radisson and she said "no." I then asked her how to get there (to make sure I hadn't passed it) and she said, "Go back the way you came." Now, I must have given her a funny look because I remember thinking how she could possibly know which direction I came from (incidentally if I had followed her advice I would have gone the wrong way.) She actually asked me, "Where are your parents?!!!" I was completely shocked. I know that because of my height most people take me for somewhere between 12 and 16, but come on! I was 22! I had absolutely no idea what to say as nobody had ever asked me that before! "Um, they're in Missouri and I haven't lived with them since I started college 7 years ago" (Do the math, it's fun!). The woman next to her (who is still helpin the other guests) turns to me and asks, "You didn't drive here, did you?" I was completely mortified. I walked over to the guest service desk where a nice man told me where to go

When I got there, I had this really nice room. The TV wasn't working however, and I seemed to have the only room with no internal temperature control. I think I had to call about five times because it was boiling! On my birthday I ordered room service for breakfast and when I opened one of the jellies it was completely molded over! I went up the guest service desk and politely explained about the tv and temperature and showed them the jelly. I told her that I ate the breakfast and it was wonderful, I just wanted to let them know so they could check the expiration dates on the jellies. I made it clear I didn't expect a discount or anything. When I got back that night, the room was much cooler, the tv was fixed, and a message from the restaurant said that they had taken the breakfast off of my bill! I think I also got the first night discounted a little bit! I was not expecting that at all, they really went above and beyond and I made sure to thank the woman the next morning when I checked out. They more than made up for the crazy ladies at the first one, and I plan to stay in their hotel again.