Whoops, read the post titled UPGRADED, I should have read it About This Page:

[ladyt]

Just an FYI, I was reading some posts on another board (I know, I know) and people that are due to arrive at WDW in the next 3-5 days have been getting phone calls from Disney regarding overbooking at some resorts. So far, I have read that Poly LVC and CBR were affected. They told one lady that they overbooked by about 200 rooms, which I find astounding.

Anyway, they offered the Poly LVC booking either CR (no MK view available, so offered concierge) or Poly GVC or GF. She took the Poly GVC, but she is not happy. They are offering CBR to downgrade to a value which I find unacceptable. I can't believe that CSR and both POR and POFQ would be completely booked, but I guess with Presidents week coming, maybe they are.

Anyway, just didn't want anyone to be shocked if something like this happens to them.

[iamgrumpy]

wow that is horrible to have to downgrade to a value. I say upgrade to a Deluxe or another moderate but not to a value.

[img]/ubb/images/graemlins/fairy2.gif[/img] that things work out for folks

[ladyt]

I know! I am sure Disney is giving them some incentive such as a good price on the Values, but still, if you have your heart set on a resort, that could really put a damper on your trip. I never could understand how or why a hotel, any hotel, overbooks.

[Dave Marx]

[ QUOTE ]
I never could understand how or why a hotel, any hotel, overbooks.

[/ QUOTE ]

I'd think 200 rooms is an error of some sort, not an intentional overbooking.

Why overbook at all? Guests don't show up, and it's better to fill the rooms then to leave them empty. Did you ever try to fill a pitcher to the very brim? Ever spill a few drops? Hotel managers always are trying to add one more drop, especially since those times when the hotel is most likely to be sold-out are those times when rates are highest. Gotta make those performance bonuses! Since there's almost always another hotel (even if it's a competitor) with a vacancy, there's almost always a place to coddle the odd guest out.

Most of the time with a place like Disney, nobody's going to notice. They have so many rooms and so many resorts that no-shows and overbookings are easily absorbed. They know just what their statistical averages for no-shows are, so most of the time they don't get stung. Every so often, the averages just happen to work against them. The few people affected just think it's their good luck.

It's much more noticable with the airlines, because they have to fix their problems over the PA system. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

[rowan]

This makes me wonder..(since we are going over Easter, another busy time) say they do overbook and tell you that you need to go down to a value, and you don't want to downgrade, then do they reimburse your non-refundable airfare. We have 3 adults and two infants in our party and should it happen to us (granted it isn't likey) I would not want to be cramped in a value room for 10 nights. But I also wouldnt want to be out $600+ in airfare.
Just a thought

[Dave Marx]

Yes, but this kind of overbooking (when they know way in advance and call to re-arrange folks) is quite rare. If it does happen, the non-refundable airfare gives you just one more bargaining chip in your favor. Chances are, they've probably still got some upgrades up their sleeves for folks who stand firm. But there are folks who are willing to take a bargain on a downgrade, so any who are happy with that deal means one less upgrade to scramble about for.

They would not refund airfare. They've got plenty of fine print on your confirmation slip that gives them the right to place you elsewhere if necessary. There's going to be a better hotel room than the one you booked, somewhere in Orlando, and most likely still on-property at a Hotel Plaza resort or the Swan/Dolphin. It'll be much cheaper for Disney to put you there than to refund your airfare.