Affordable Walt Disney World Vacation
THE DISNEY NEWS
April 26, 2006
Copyright © 1999 - 2006 by John P. Gross. All rights reserved.
=================================================
To subscribe to Affordable Disney's blog, click the following
icon:
Or copy and paste the following URL into your RSS Reader:
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=================================================
Hi Everyone!
In this blog...
* Deals and specials - including FREE Dining at Disney's new
Magical Beginnings!
* The latest news from around the "World" - including the
closing of DisneyQuest!
* Barry writes about his experience at Disney's Contemporary
resort in January.
=================================================
We continuously update our information and you can find
these current specials in our Addenda:
WALT DISNEY WORLD
FREE Dining at Disney's Magical Beginnings!
Magical Beginnings is Disney's new program to draw pre-
school aged children during the off season. They are adding
shows specifically aimed for that age and will open
Fantasyland early to allow the young ones to experience
rides like Dumbo. (See Disney News below for more details.)
--------------------------------
ADVENTURES BY DISNEY represents Disney's latest move to
expand its vacation options. Adventures include trips to
Hawaii, Wyoming, Costa Rica, Paris/London, Italy, and the
Canadian Rockies. Save up to $1,000 with this current
special!
--------------------------------
Save $34-$44 on golf this summer at WDW!
--------------------------------
Two New Ways to win...
* 3-night trip for four to any city in the US!
* Replica of the wardrobe featured in the film, "Narnia!"
--------------------------------
These groups save 10% on tickets to Mickey's Not So Scary
Halloween Party and Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party!
--------------------------------
Stay three nights and get the fourth night free at this Walt
Disney World Good Neighbor Hotel! Beth writes: "It's in a
great location, very well run, great rates and a nice add-on
breakfast for two adults and two children 12 and under for
only $16 per day (kids 12 and under always eat free), and an
all- around good place. I'd give it a very solid 3 to 3.5
stars." Standards from $49. Kid's Suites from $69. One of
the closest hotels in Kissimmee to Walt Disney. Enjoy FREE
shuttle service to all four Walt Disney World Theme Parks.
--------------------------------
These specials are still in effect:
* A deal for late summer! Includes FREE dining plan! A
family of four (2 adults and 2 children 3-9) will save
almost $100.00 per day on meals! Over $150.00 if your kids
are older!
* Save up to $100.00 per night at the Disney World resorts
this spring!
* Deluxe resorts on Disney property as low as $149 per room,
per night in August and September, 2006!
--------------------------------
VEGAS
Resort & Casino Special:
Book your stay during BONUS DAYS and receive:
* Room Upgrade
* 2 FREE Drinks
* 2-for-1 Breakfast
* 2-for-1 Lunch
* Admission for 2 to the Spa
Offer available now through June 29, 2006. Rates start at
$89! Package rates are per room, per night, subject to
availability and based on double occupancy. Triple and quad
rates available upon request.
--------------------------------
If you are not a member, you can join our Disney family here.
Members can use the following URLs to log in:
Lifetime Deluxe Member
Lifetime Basic Member
Deluxe Member
Basic Member
=================================================
NEWS FROM AROUND THE "WORLD"
WALT DISNEY WORLD
Magical Beginnings
"Walt Disney World is targeting families with toddlers and
preschool children to fill up hotels in August and
September, when folks with older kids head home to start
getting ready for school."
Facts
* The program will run from August 13 - September 30
* Many offerings - early entry into Fantasyland at the Magic
Kingdom and exclusive character meet and greets - will be
available to resort guests only
(Source: Orlando Sentinel, 04/26/06)
--------------------------------
Universal Raises Hourly Wage
Effective May 7...
"Universal Orlando has upped the ante in the local battle
for theme park employees, increasing the minimum hourly wage
to $7.25, just as the summer hiring season begins."
Plus...
* Benefits kick in immediately - no waiting three months to
be eligible
* 25 cents more an hour for those with two years experience
* Universal and other parks in the area will hold a job fair
May 9 and 10 to find workers for 2,000 summer jobs
(Source: Orlando Sentinel, 04/25/06)
--------------------------------
Disney Closing DisneyQuest
"What was once supposed to have been the flagship of an
entire chain of 30 indoor theme parks, one that would have
eventually encircled the globe, DisneyQuest will be closing
in 18 months. Then this 5-story tall, 100,000 square foot
structure -- which towers over the West Side section of
Downtown Disney -- will be gutted & turned into a brand-new
ESPN Zone." (Source: Jim Hill Media, 04/25/06)
--------------------------------
Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party
September 15, 22, 29; October 2, 5, 6, 10, 12, 16, 17, 19,
20, 23, 24, 26, 27, 30 and 31 from 7:00 PM to midnight.
Advance purchase tickets: $39.36 per adult (including tax);
$31.90 per child 3-9 (including tax). Ticket prices are
higher October 27, 30, and 31 (if tickets are not already
sold out!): $45.75 per adult (including tax); $38.29 per
child 3-9 (including tax).
--------------------------------
Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party
November 13, 17, 27, 28, and 30; December 1, 4, 5, 7, 8, 11,
12, 14, 15, 18, 19 and 21. Advance purchase tickets: $42.55
per adult (including tax); $34.30 per child 3-9 (including
tax). Ticket prices are higher December 1, 8, 15, 18, 19,
and 21 (if tickets are not already sold out!): $48.94 per
adult (including tax); $40.12 per child 3-9 (including tax).
Call 407/W-DISNEY starting May 1 to purchase.
--------------------------------
Walt Disney World Monthly Calendar.
=================================================
DISNEYLAND CALIFORNIA
Disneyland Resort Calendar
=================================================
DISNEYLAND TOKYO
"The groundbreaking ceremony for Oriental Land Co., Ltd.'s
new project, a permanent Cirque du Soleil theater, took
place on April 18, 2006 at the Tokyo Disney Resort... The
opening of this [2,000-seat] theater [next to Disney
Ambassador Hotel] in fiscal year 2008 will coincide with the
25th anniversary of Tokyo Disneyland Park and the grand
opening of Tokyo Disneyland Hotel."
(Source: Press Release, 04/20/06)
=================================================
NOTE: Links to newspaper articles change quickly and without
notice. If you receive a "File Not Found" error message,
search the newspaper's archives for the story. Certain
newspapers require a free registration to view their
articles online. If web addresses are broken into more than
one line, copy and paste all lines.
=================================================
Barry writes:
"John,
I wanted to share a recent experience with you and your
readers. Also could use some advice on what I should do.
Below is a letter I emailed to Guest Communications back in
January after a terrible stay at the Contemporary. I "cc"
this email to Ryan Gerard, and Guest communications. I hope
they realize just how big your subscription audience is, and
how high of a regard disney-goers hold your advice!
To whom it may concern:
I am writing you today to tell you about a horrible
experience we had while staying at the Contemporary Resort
January 13th through January 16th. Our experience was not
only disappointing but an embarrassment to us and to the
Walt Disney Company. This poor experience would definitely
make me think twice before staying at a Walt Disney owned
and operated hotel and keep others from making the same
horrible mistake.
I have visited the Walt Disney World resort many times in
the past. My girlfriend and I recently became annual
passholders this past December since we visit so frequently.
We usually stay at the Swan and Dolphin Hotel since I am a
Starwood Preferred Guest Member, the Hilton downtown Disney,
or other downtown Disney hotels. It has been a long time
since I have stayed in an official Walt Disney World Hotel
and we were very excited about the opportunity to stay at
the famous Contemporary Hotel to say the least. We were
expecting the most memorable experience but had just the
opposite.
We arrived about 2 pm on Friday the 13th. We were put into a
"cattle like" processing area by the front desk resembling a
not so order like line for a ride. We finally reached the
desk after 25 minutes. The woman told us that our room was
not ready yet. We told her that was no problem we were going
to go to Epcot and come back later. The woman did take out a
map and show us were our room would be. To our dismay she
pointed out a room in long building off to the side. We were
very confused and immediately explained that no one had told
us this when we made the reservations. We were expecting to
be, and very excited have a room with a great view of the
resort right where the monorail came through. We had no
idea, nor were we told that there were rooms in another
building off to the side and that we were going to be put in
one. We asked her if there was anything she could do and in
the meantime we would go to Epcot expecting she would
remedy the situation.
We came back from Epcot at about 5:30, stopped by the front
desk, and were told that our room was ready, in the side
building (again very unexpected). The woman gave us a map
which she used to point out directions to our room. We
walked out the back door and past several maintenance golf
carts with garbage cans stacked on the backs and bags of
rather aromatic garbage on the back which I thought was a
very nice "touch" by your staff to make us feel "welcome."
We then proceeded down the walkway, in the blowing rain
(another nice touch), past the loud machine rooms (just
another nice touch) to a not so nice building with low
ceilings and exit signs hanging down which I hit my head on,
thanks!
Our room was recently remodeled which did lift our spirits
for a moment, until the strategically placed motion sensors
allowed the air conditioning to switch "on" at a dull roar.
We quickly called the front desk and told them about the
noise. A few minutes later an engineer showed up and quickly
said there was nothing he can do about the noise, the
air conditioning units are very old and that is the way they
sound in all the rooms, and then left (big disappointment).
We then called down to have our bags brought up to the room.
When they arrived, the bags were soaked through from the
rain. Our clothes and everything in side them soaked as
well. We called the front desk to tell them and their
response was, "oh you are staying in one of the "garden
wings" and they have to walk out side to get there so they
get wet, there's nothing we can do about that" (big
disappointment..again).
We dried off a few of our clothes as best we could with
hairdryers. I called housekeeping and asked them to send up
two bathrobes. The woman immediately responded that the
bathrobes are reserved for people staying in the main
building. I told her about the clothes getting wet and she
didn't seem to care and said again, "sir we cannot bring you
robes." I called the front desk and asked them to work on
the situation. Housekeeping called back and said they would
try to find us two robes.
Why were we being made to feel like even more like second
class citizens?
Finally two cheap, cardboard like, robes were brought to us.
Dingy and wrinkled as if they were found in some old closet
somewhere.
That night we slept with the air conditioning off because of
how loud it was.
Then next morning we woke up early and ordered a quick room
service so my girlfriend could attend a convention. I went
back to sleep and was again awakened at 8:15 by the sound of
banging and sawing from the construction going on in our
building. I went into the hallway and realized they were
still working on the wing we were staying in. I called the
front desk and told them I wanted to switch rooms and was
told that there were no other rooms for me.
From Saturday until Sunday in was very cold out. Although we
didn't want to because of all the noise it made, we had no
choice but to turn on the heat in the room. I spent Saturday
night going back and forth from the bed to the thermostat to
turn the heat on so we could get warm, and then turning it
back off so I could get little periods of sleep until it got
too cold again.
Sunday morning we figured we would at least have a good hot
breakfast before we went to MGM studios. We went over to
Chef Mickey's and found that they were too crowded to
accommodate us. Imagine that? We couldn't even have a nice
breakfast in the hotel which we were staying.
If I had known that our experience at the Contemporary was
going to be just so awful, I would have stayed at the Swan
Hotel. The poor level of customer service at the
Contemporary was inexcusable. It seemed to us that Disney's
real philosophy is "pack them in like cattle, treat them
like cattle, and get them out quick, ignore complaints,
feelings, and disregard any wish for a memorable
experience." For some lessons in customer service, and to be
shown first hand how a "guest" should be treated, you and
your "cast members" should stay a weekend over at the Swan
and Dolphin. At the Swan and Dolphin, their accommodations,
the hotel, the grounds, and the superior level of customer
service far exceeds that of the Contemporary one hundred
times over. "Exceed the guests expectations and provide a
memorable experience," I think that's their philosophy.
This was a horrible experience in its entirety. You did a
really great job of making us feel like second class
citizens, kind of like the passengers in Steerage on Titanic
(good example for you). Disney should be ashamed of
themselves for what happened to us and the way in which we
were treated. We live in Fort Lauderdale, only three short
hours away, part of your "home audience." I have always
wondered why Disney has not offered better deals and
specials for this "home audience" to take advantage of, so
the home audience would come more frequently, and now I know
why, because you are embarrassed and afraid we might find out
just how horribly you will treat us. Well... we found out!
Thanks for the Memory."
To be fair, Disney does offer some decent discounts to
Florida residents during the year, but their customer
service can sometimes be found lacking. Donna and I have had
some problems over the years, but overall the good
definitely outweighs the bad. Still, Disney could have been
more sensitive to Barry's complaints.
Barry, I have other addresses that you can write to. See:
http://www.affordabledisney.com/email.html
Let me know if you get a response.
=================================================
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Don't Leave Home Without It!
Universal offers special deals to Universal Entertainment
MasterCard cardholders. Apply now and receive a movie ticket
with your first purchase! For more details, click here.
--------------------------------
Affordable Disney Books
Disney and other new books 50-90% off the list price.
Hundreds of books under $1.00! Plus! Over 700 videos have
been marked down to $1.99! To check out the bargains, click
here.
--------------------------------
Got Coupons?
With the Orlando Entertainment Book, you can save big on
travel, groceries, shopping, movie tickets, and more!
Coupons in the 2006 book are valid through 11/01/06. Save at
hotels and restaurants near Walt Disney World, on car
rental, airfare, admission to Universal Orlando, SeaWorld
Orlando and Busch Gardens Tampa! For details, click here.
--------------------------------
Affordable Accommodations
Get the guaranteed lowest prices at the Downtown Disney
Resorts as well as at hotels, condos and vacation rentals
outside Disney property. Plus! Receive up to a $100.00 rebate! For hotels, click here.
--------------------------------
Affordable Car Rental
Just enter in your travel dates, select the kind of car you
want, and receive a list of car rental prices at over 12
companies starting with the cheapest price! Click here.
Cheryl writes: "I saved over $200.00 on my mini van rental!!!"
--------------------------------
Affordable Airfare
This service delivers as many as 230 flight options in a
single search - more options than any other travel site.
It's possible to save as much as 80%! To compare prices, click here.
--------------------------------
Affordable Luggage
Save up to 60% on Luggage, Backpacks, and more! Donna and I
bought a beautiful 5-piece set of Samsonite luggage for our
daughter for Christmas for $144! Click here.
--------------------------------
Own a piece of the Magic Kingdom
Disney framed stock certificates are works of art. They
feature Walt Disney and the Disney characters. Unlike stock
brokers that require you to purchase several shares of
stock, OneShare sells one share of stock and mails you the
certificate. You can frame the stock certificate yourself or
OneShare will frame if for you at a nominal cost. Click here.
=============================================
See You Real Soon!
John
AffordableDisney.Com.
johngross@affordabledisney.com
=============================================
Disclaimer: We cannot guarantee the accuracy of information
contained in THE DISNEY NEWS. Always check to be sure. The
views and opinions expressed by others in THE DISNEY NEWS do
not necessarily reflect the views of AffordableDisney.Com.
=============================================
April 26, 2006
Copyright © 1999 - 2006 by John P. Gross. All rights reserved.
=================================================
To subscribe to Affordable Disney's blog, click the following
icon:
Or copy and paste the following URL into your RSS Reader:
http://affordabledisney.blogspot.com/atom.xml
: My Yahoo! users can instantly add our blogcontent to My Yahoo! Add My Yahoo!
: You can also subscribe to our blog at MSN! Add to My MSN!
=================================================
Hi Everyone!
In this blog...
* Deals and specials - including FREE Dining at Disney's new
Magical Beginnings!
* The latest news from around the "World" - including the
closing of DisneyQuest!
* Barry writes about his experience at Disney's Contemporary
resort in January.
=================================================
We continuously update our information and you can find
these current specials in our Addenda:
WALT DISNEY WORLD
FREE Dining at Disney's Magical Beginnings!
Magical Beginnings is Disney's new program to draw pre-
school aged children during the off season. They are adding
shows specifically aimed for that age and will open
Fantasyland early to allow the young ones to experience
rides like Dumbo. (See Disney News below for more details.)
--------------------------------
ADVENTURES BY DISNEY represents Disney's latest move to
expand its vacation options. Adventures include trips to
Hawaii, Wyoming, Costa Rica, Paris/London, Italy, and the
Canadian Rockies. Save up to $1,000 with this current
special!
--------------------------------
Save $34-$44 on golf this summer at WDW!
--------------------------------
Two New Ways to win...
* 3-night trip for four to any city in the US!
* Replica of the wardrobe featured in the film, "Narnia!"
--------------------------------
These groups save 10% on tickets to Mickey's Not So Scary
Halloween Party and Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party!
--------------------------------
Stay three nights and get the fourth night free at this Walt
Disney World Good Neighbor Hotel! Beth writes: "It's in a
great location, very well run, great rates and a nice add-on
breakfast for two adults and two children 12 and under for
only $16 per day (kids 12 and under always eat free), and an
all- around good place. I'd give it a very solid 3 to 3.5
stars." Standards from $49. Kid's Suites from $69. One of
the closest hotels in Kissimmee to Walt Disney. Enjoy FREE
shuttle service to all four Walt Disney World Theme Parks.
--------------------------------
These specials are still in effect:
* A deal for late summer! Includes FREE dining plan! A
family of four (2 adults and 2 children 3-9) will save
almost $100.00 per day on meals! Over $150.00 if your kids
are older!
* Save up to $100.00 per night at the Disney World resorts
this spring!
* Deluxe resorts on Disney property as low as $149 per room,
per night in August and September, 2006!
--------------------------------
VEGAS
Resort & Casino Special:
Book your stay during BONUS DAYS and receive:
* Room Upgrade
* 2 FREE Drinks
* 2-for-1 Breakfast
* 2-for-1 Lunch
* Admission for 2 to the Spa
Offer available now through June 29, 2006. Rates start at
$89! Package rates are per room, per night, subject to
availability and based on double occupancy. Triple and quad
rates available upon request.
--------------------------------
If you are not a member, you can join our Disney family here.
Members can use the following URLs to log in:
Lifetime Deluxe Member
Lifetime Basic Member
Deluxe Member
Basic Member
=================================================
NEWS FROM AROUND THE "WORLD"
WALT DISNEY WORLD
Magical Beginnings
"Walt Disney World is targeting families with toddlers and
preschool children to fill up hotels in August and
September, when folks with older kids head home to start
getting ready for school."
Facts
* The program will run from August 13 - September 30
* Many offerings - early entry into Fantasyland at the Magic
Kingdom and exclusive character meet and greets - will be
available to resort guests only
(Source: Orlando Sentinel, 04/26/06)
--------------------------------
Universal Raises Hourly Wage
Effective May 7...
"Universal Orlando has upped the ante in the local battle
for theme park employees, increasing the minimum hourly wage
to $7.25, just as the summer hiring season begins."
Plus...
* Benefits kick in immediately - no waiting three months to
be eligible
* 25 cents more an hour for those with two years experience
* Universal and other parks in the area will hold a job fair
May 9 and 10 to find workers for 2,000 summer jobs
(Source: Orlando Sentinel, 04/25/06)
--------------------------------
Disney Closing DisneyQuest
"What was once supposed to have been the flagship of an
entire chain of 30 indoor theme parks, one that would have
eventually encircled the globe, DisneyQuest will be closing
in 18 months. Then this 5-story tall, 100,000 square foot
structure -- which towers over the West Side section of
Downtown Disney -- will be gutted & turned into a brand-new
ESPN Zone." (Source: Jim Hill Media, 04/25/06)
--------------------------------
Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party
September 15, 22, 29; October 2, 5, 6, 10, 12, 16, 17, 19,
20, 23, 24, 26, 27, 30 and 31 from 7:00 PM to midnight.
Advance purchase tickets: $39.36 per adult (including tax);
$31.90 per child 3-9 (including tax). Ticket prices are
higher October 27, 30, and 31 (if tickets are not already
sold out!): $45.75 per adult (including tax); $38.29 per
child 3-9 (including tax).
--------------------------------
Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party
November 13, 17, 27, 28, and 30; December 1, 4, 5, 7, 8, 11,
12, 14, 15, 18, 19 and 21. Advance purchase tickets: $42.55
per adult (including tax); $34.30 per child 3-9 (including
tax). Ticket prices are higher December 1, 8, 15, 18, 19,
and 21 (if tickets are not already sold out!): $48.94 per
adult (including tax); $40.12 per child 3-9 (including tax).
Call 407/W-DISNEY starting May 1 to purchase.
--------------------------------
Walt Disney World Monthly Calendar.
=================================================
DISNEYLAND CALIFORNIA
Disneyland Resort Calendar
=================================================
DISNEYLAND TOKYO
"The groundbreaking ceremony for Oriental Land Co., Ltd.'s
new project, a permanent Cirque du Soleil theater, took
place on April 18, 2006 at the Tokyo Disney Resort... The
opening of this [2,000-seat] theater [next to Disney
Ambassador Hotel] in fiscal year 2008 will coincide with the
25th anniversary of Tokyo Disneyland Park and the grand
opening of Tokyo Disneyland Hotel."
(Source: Press Release, 04/20/06)
=================================================
NOTE: Links to newspaper articles change quickly and without
notice. If you receive a "File Not Found" error message,
search the newspaper's archives for the story. Certain
newspapers require a free registration to view their
articles online. If web addresses are broken into more than
one line, copy and paste all lines.
=================================================
Barry writes:
"John,
I wanted to share a recent experience with you and your
readers. Also could use some advice on what I should do.
Below is a letter I emailed to Guest Communications back in
January after a terrible stay at the Contemporary. I "cc"
this email to Ryan Gerard, and Guest communications. I hope
they realize just how big your subscription audience is, and
how high of a regard disney-goers hold your advice!
To whom it may concern:
I am writing you today to tell you about a horrible
experience we had while staying at the Contemporary Resort
January 13th through January 16th. Our experience was not
only disappointing but an embarrassment to us and to the
Walt Disney Company. This poor experience would definitely
make me think twice before staying at a Walt Disney owned
and operated hotel and keep others from making the same
horrible mistake.
I have visited the Walt Disney World resort many times in
the past. My girlfriend and I recently became annual
passholders this past December since we visit so frequently.
We usually stay at the Swan and Dolphin Hotel since I am a
Starwood Preferred Guest Member, the Hilton downtown Disney,
or other downtown Disney hotels. It has been a long time
since I have stayed in an official Walt Disney World Hotel
and we were very excited about the opportunity to stay at
the famous Contemporary Hotel to say the least. We were
expecting the most memorable experience but had just the
opposite.
We arrived about 2 pm on Friday the 13th. We were put into a
"cattle like" processing area by the front desk resembling a
not so order like line for a ride. We finally reached the
desk after 25 minutes. The woman told us that our room was
not ready yet. We told her that was no problem we were going
to go to Epcot and come back later. The woman did take out a
map and show us were our room would be. To our dismay she
pointed out a room in long building off to the side. We were
very confused and immediately explained that no one had told
us this when we made the reservations. We were expecting to
be, and very excited have a room with a great view of the
resort right where the monorail came through. We had no
idea, nor were we told that there were rooms in another
building off to the side and that we were going to be put in
one. We asked her if there was anything she could do and in
the meantime we would go to Epcot expecting she would
remedy the situation.
We came back from Epcot at about 5:30, stopped by the front
desk, and were told that our room was ready, in the side
building (again very unexpected). The woman gave us a map
which she used to point out directions to our room. We
walked out the back door and past several maintenance golf
carts with garbage cans stacked on the backs and bags of
rather aromatic garbage on the back which I thought was a
very nice "touch" by your staff to make us feel "welcome."
We then proceeded down the walkway, in the blowing rain
(another nice touch), past the loud machine rooms (just
another nice touch) to a not so nice building with low
ceilings and exit signs hanging down which I hit my head on,
thanks!
Our room was recently remodeled which did lift our spirits
for a moment, until the strategically placed motion sensors
allowed the air conditioning to switch "on" at a dull roar.
We quickly called the front desk and told them about the
noise. A few minutes later an engineer showed up and quickly
said there was nothing he can do about the noise, the
air conditioning units are very old and that is the way they
sound in all the rooms, and then left (big disappointment).
We then called down to have our bags brought up to the room.
When they arrived, the bags were soaked through from the
rain. Our clothes and everything in side them soaked as
well. We called the front desk to tell them and their
response was, "oh you are staying in one of the "garden
wings" and they have to walk out side to get there so they
get wet, there's nothing we can do about that" (big
disappointment..again).
We dried off a few of our clothes as best we could with
hairdryers. I called housekeeping and asked them to send up
two bathrobes. The woman immediately responded that the
bathrobes are reserved for people staying in the main
building. I told her about the clothes getting wet and she
didn't seem to care and said again, "sir we cannot bring you
robes." I called the front desk and asked them to work on
the situation. Housekeeping called back and said they would
try to find us two robes.
Why were we being made to feel like even more like second
class citizens?
Finally two cheap, cardboard like, robes were brought to us.
Dingy and wrinkled as if they were found in some old closet
somewhere.
That night we slept with the air conditioning off because of
how loud it was.
Then next morning we woke up early and ordered a quick room
service so my girlfriend could attend a convention. I went
back to sleep and was again awakened at 8:15 by the sound of
banging and sawing from the construction going on in our
building. I went into the hallway and realized they were
still working on the wing we were staying in. I called the
front desk and told them I wanted to switch rooms and was
told that there were no other rooms for me.
From Saturday until Sunday in was very cold out. Although we
didn't want to because of all the noise it made, we had no
choice but to turn on the heat in the room. I spent Saturday
night going back and forth from the bed to the thermostat to
turn the heat on so we could get warm, and then turning it
back off so I could get little periods of sleep until it got
too cold again.
Sunday morning we figured we would at least have a good hot
breakfast before we went to MGM studios. We went over to
Chef Mickey's and found that they were too crowded to
accommodate us. Imagine that? We couldn't even have a nice
breakfast in the hotel which we were staying.
If I had known that our experience at the Contemporary was
going to be just so awful, I would have stayed at the Swan
Hotel. The poor level of customer service at the
Contemporary was inexcusable. It seemed to us that Disney's
real philosophy is "pack them in like cattle, treat them
like cattle, and get them out quick, ignore complaints,
feelings, and disregard any wish for a memorable
experience." For some lessons in customer service, and to be
shown first hand how a "guest" should be treated, you and
your "cast members" should stay a weekend over at the Swan
and Dolphin. At the Swan and Dolphin, their accommodations,
the hotel, the grounds, and the superior level of customer
service far exceeds that of the Contemporary one hundred
times over. "Exceed the guests expectations and provide a
memorable experience," I think that's their philosophy.
This was a horrible experience in its entirety. You did a
really great job of making us feel like second class
citizens, kind of like the passengers in Steerage on Titanic
(good example for you). Disney should be ashamed of
themselves for what happened to us and the way in which we
were treated. We live in Fort Lauderdale, only three short
hours away, part of your "home audience." I have always
wondered why Disney has not offered better deals and
specials for this "home audience" to take advantage of, so
the home audience would come more frequently, and now I know
why, because you are embarrassed and afraid we might find out
just how horribly you will treat us. Well... we found out!
Thanks for the Memory."
To be fair, Disney does offer some decent discounts to
Florida residents during the year, but their customer
service can sometimes be found lacking. Donna and I have had
some problems over the years, but overall the good
definitely outweighs the bad. Still, Disney could have been
more sensitive to Barry's complaints.
Barry, I have other addresses that you can write to. See:
http://www.affordabledisney.com/email.html
Let me know if you get a response.
=================================================
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See You Real Soon!
John
AffordableDisney.Com.
johngross@affordabledisney.com
=============================================
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posted by AffordableDisney.Com at 5:49 AM
