Hotels

[Princess Susi]

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 :)

Oh good, I had heard it was a great cruise and the kids are not realy all over the place, but I was still a littl trepidatious, Thanks for the info. I think I want to go on a cruise with Disney sometime. :D:

Real close; Central Reservations Office.

Thank you so much! And now I know! :)

[hobie16]

How many times have you had to "explain" to a lonely solo guest that you can not arrange for a "roommate" for the night?

Send them to the Notell Motel.

[Princess Susi]

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

What is your Top Ten worst things to tell a guest, if you would like to share. I would be interested in hearing them. Inquiring minds, you know... ;)

Susi-Q

[Theme Park Where]

I'll give you mine:

10) I don't have a room to match your guaranteed request, so I'll have to give you a different type of room and you'll have to room change tomorrow.

9) Your deposit didn't arrive, your reservation was cancelled and we're sold out.

To be continued ... I just got invited to take a walk over to see the new Simpsons ride!

[Princess Susi]

Cool! Actually, we should have all CMs do a Top Ten list of the worst things they have had to tell a guest. Go for it, CMs!!!!
sues

[Theme Park Where]

I'm back (bah humbug - the Simpsons construction wall was still up. We thought it was supposed to be down today) ... where was I?

Oh, yes ...

8) The tickets you prepurchased didn't load properly and it's too late to fix it today. Here are some comps but you'll need to come back tomorrow for your real tickets.

7) Your flight was cancelled and you can't get home, but you can't stay here because we're sold out.

6) There's no more availability for any of the places you requested for dining.

5) We're doing construction somewhere around your room. They promise not to make noise before 8am or after 6pm, but you'll have to walk around the long way to get where you want to go, and there's not much view (unless you like construction tarps).

4) Your credit card declined. You can't charge anything else to your room until you fix it, and we need you to come down and pay the $1000 you owe us or we'll lock you out of the room.

3) I'm sorry the sheets are dirty. We can bring some to you but we don't have a housekeeper on duty who can change them, so you'll have to do it yourself. (I actually had to do this a couple of times in a couple of different hotels. I changed the sheets myself once or twice.)

2) There's a hurricane coming and the parks will be closed tomorrow.

1) I know you just checked in for your honeymoon and have a do not disturb on your door and phone, but we just got an emergency call to have security open your door to tell you the bride's mother passed away unexpectedly right after you left.

That last one happened at Caribbean Beach, and I spent all night working with the groom's family to ensure their flight got changed, they had a car to take them to the airport at 6am, and had an early checkout. Some honeymoon.

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

I'm back (bah humbug - the Simpsons construction wall was still up. We thought it was supposed to be down today) ... where was I?

Oh, yes ...

8) The tickets you prepurchased didn't load properly and it's too late to fix it today. Here are some comps but you'll need to come back tomorrow for your real tickets.

7) Your flight was cancelled and you can't get home, but you can't stay here because we're sold out.

6) There's no more availability for any of the places you requested for dining.

5) We're doing construction somewhere around your room. They promise not to make noise before 8am or after 6pm, but you'll have to walk around the long way to get where you want to go, and there's not much view (unless you like construction tarps).

4) Your credit card declined. You can't charge anything else to your room until you fix it, and we need you to come down and pay the $1000 you owe us or we'll lock you out of the room.

3) I'm sorry the sheets are dirty. We can bring some to you but we don't have a housekeeper on duty who can change them, so you'll have to do it yourself. (I actually had to do this a couple of times in a couple of different hotels. I changed the sheets myself once or twice.)

2) There's a hurricane coming and the parks will be closed tomorrow.

1) I know you just checked in for your honeymoon and have a do not disturb on your door and phone, but we just got an emergency call to have security open your door to tell you the bride's mother passed away unexpectedly right after you left.

That last one happened at Caribbean Beach, and I spent all night working with the groom's family to ensure their flight got changed, they had a car to take them to the airport at 6am, and had an early checkout. Some honeymoon.

WOW, thats bad. DW and I experienced number 2, thats why we ALWAYS take the trip insurance. not only did it pay for re-scheduling our flight after a two day delay, but picked up the extra charge to stay over during the hurrican and the day after!! So we actually went back to the parks on a "bonus" vacation day!

[Princess Susi]

Interesting and sad too....Any other CMs with a Top Ten list of "things you hate to say to a guest" or how about "things you hate to HEAR from a guest!" Any CM in any role in any dept, anywhere on Disney property can do their Top Ten list... Yes!!
These could be very interesting and educational and good advice on what NOT to say to CMs or even to know what might be coming from one....
Looking for your Top Tens!

susi

[Big Hands]

Tips definitely aren't the reason to work front desk, but they do make hard days just a little more bearable...

I have a question about tipping at a hotel. I have read that all hotel workers should always be tipped, but I have also read that Disney hotel employees (especially housekeeping) are unable to accept tips because their jobs are "non-tipping" positions. I'll admit that I haven't stayed in a lot of hotels as an adult, so I don't know the etiquette for tipping. Is it like the restaurant industry, where it's customary to tip a certain percentage and then add more if the service went above and beyond in the guest's eyes? I'd really like to avoid being seen as a stupid cheapskate guest on my upcoming trip to WDW.

[Whazzup]

Oh good, I had heard it was a great cruise and the kids are not realy all over the place, but I was still a littl trepidatious, Thanks for the info. I think I want to go on a cruise with Disney sometime. :D:

Hey Susi - You and Ralph really should go on a Disney cruise sometime. DH and I have only cruised with Disney twice, but we are older than you, we don't have kids and don't enjoy being surrounded by them, and we always have a great time on the Disney cruises. So far we've been lucky to get one of the "secret porthole rooms" on Deck 5, which is the same deck where the special kids areas are, but we've never noticed any noise or observed any loose rugrats running around. During the character greetings in the main lobby, there are lots of adults and kids milling around, but they are easily avoided. For dining, you can request an adults only table, although we've always had children at our table and they have been quite charming and well mannered. The kids on cruise are usually better behaved than kids at the parks, as they are not so exhausted and overwhelmed.

The cruise cast members are as friendly and helpful as those at the parks, and you'll love the Disney quality service and atmosphere. Being on a Disney cruise is like being at the parks only without all the thrill rides - the food is excellent, the service outstanding, the shows and programs are top quality. I say GO FOR IT! :D: