[E&B's Mom]

I booked a club level room at Royal Pacific Resort at Universal Studios (OK - I know its not WDW but . . .) for early August way back in October. At the same time I asked about reserving a cabana and they told me that the club concierge could handle everything. So, they transferred me to club concierge. The woman who answered took my name and the dates I wanted and I specified cabana #2 since I wanted to watch the kids in the pool. (They only have 3 cabanas and I'm told only #2 has a clear view of the pool). She told me I was all set. I asked if she needed a credit card # and she replied "no." I also asked for a reservation number or something, and she again told me there wasn't one but I was all set. I even called back an hour later to see of the reservation went into the book, and I got the same woman who told me I was all set with cabana #2.

Well, today I was firming up other plans, and since I was uneasy about this in the first place I called RPR and asked to be put through to the fitness center (who handles the cabana reservation book), and guess what - NO record of my reservation, and in fact #2 was already taken for the first night of our stay!!!! I complained to club concierge, and was transferred to the concierge manager who took my inof and said she would try to "see what she could do for me." All I got was a return call from the manager of the recreation department who took my reservation for the 2nd 2 days for #2 and the first day for #1 and said he would try to see if the people who had reserved #2 for the first day still wanted it.

As far as I'm concerned club concierge is useless. I could have called the fitness center myself and done this.

[cinderbella]

well of course it didn work as planned! its now wdw...just kidding...that sounds terrible but im glad you worked it out!@

[E&B's Mom]

I'm still hoping that the person who booked #2 for the first day wil say they no longer want it - it's supposed to be a surprise for DH. He hates just sitiing by pools, and doesn't really like to read much, but watching sports on a TV in a cabana might be just up his alley.

I know it's not WDW, but it sounds really nice. Never been there, but there's a special on the Travel Channel at 1pm tomorrow about luxury hotels in Orlando, and Royal Pacific will be shown - hope I remember to watch (or tape). I think I heard Grand Floridian will be on too.

[dznygrl]

E&B's Mom, that's awful! I've heard horror stories about people having booking problems like this with Universal! Makes me really wary about ever planning a trip there myself. I am definitely going to make sure and get a confirmation number of some sort for *everything* I book through them...because it sounds like they're pretty full of garbage!!

I hope you are able to get cabana #2 for your first night there...hopefully those other people will cancel or not want it!! Good luck.

[WDWaddict]

Boo Hiss on them..what a crappy way to do business, especially as much as they charge for those rooms! Universal just really turns me off ever since they did that "front of the line" stuff for Universal Hotel guest. That really screws the people who can't afford to stay at a Universal Hotel..makes me mad.

I hope they can fix the situation since it is 100% their fault in the first place.

[E&B's Mom]

Actually they seem unwilling to do anything mainly because cabana #2 was booked for the first day over a year ago, well before I made my so-called reservation. So, I would have been in the same boat I am in now even if they had really reserved it for me. I'm just hoping that since it was booked so long ago, the other people have changed their minds. I know I'm paying extra for club level (and a small fortune at that) and it will get us snacks and drinks etc, but it is also supposed to get us concierge service. I know now, when the 30-day window arrives for PS (not 90 days like WDW) I will be making my reervations myself and not trusting concierge.

It does look like such a beautiful hotel though. Hope to catch the travel channel special this afternoon to see more.

[Soundgod]

Originally Posted by WDWaddict

Boo Hiss on them..what a crappy way to do business, especially as much as they charge for those rooms! Universal just really turns me off ever since they did that "front of the line" stuff for Universal Hotel guest. That really screws the people who can't afford to stay at a Universal Hotel..makes me mad.

Oh, and you don't take advantage of early and late magic hours at WDW when you stay at Disney resorts? Don't be hypocritical! As far as the Royal Pacific concierrge, well, I've got the story that beats them all. In 2002 we were staying at Royal Pacific and then moving to the Beach Club. Elvis Costello was playing at Hard Rock Live and we needed tickets. They blew smoke and shagged me off for a week, then said they couldn't get any tickets without going to a scalper and wouldn't do it. Never mind that Hard Rock is on property and ANY hotel concierrge worth his suit should be able to get 3 tickets. I got fed up and called the Beach Club concierrge. Ten minutes later, my cell phone rings and my contact at the Beach Club has tickets, all she needs is my credit card and a fax number to send me the confirmation and receipts. When I got to the Royal Pacific, I tore them a new one, up down, and sideways. I wound up getting two free nights for our next stay at any of the hotels at Universal. I've had my problems at Universal's Loews hotels, but I will return because they have made efforts to get things right over time. But what gets me is how "Disney" people go out of their way to slag off Universal, but will go out of their way to ignore Disney stupidity.

[ddoll]

I agree Soundgod. There are clearly similar incidents that happen at Disney. I know of many people who refuse to go back to WDW because of screwups made by Disney CM's and booking agents. Those things happen everywhere. The key is to go through the right channels in expressing your displeasure. Done correctly, this can earn you decent compensations for your inconvenience. And this also holds true at most places.

As for E&B'sMom, I can assure you that the cabanas at RPR are indeed lovely. We weren't fortunate enoughto know about them ahead of time, but you can be sure we checked them out closely at night when we were in the hot tub! Wow!

Everything about that resort is great. We would not hesitate to return. The lush tropical grounds, the water taxi, the brief, scenic walk to the parks, and the wonderful restaurants (Emeril's Tchoup Chop!!) all make this a top notch experience. There are many, many awesome details everywhere you look. We even had an Elvis sighting in the lobby one day!

Don't fret....you're gonna love it!

[Baloo85]

Once again...another problem with Universal Studios...surprise, surprise!!

[WDWaddict]

Originally Posted by Soundgod

Oh, and you don't take advantage of early and late magic hours at WDW when you stay at Disney resorts? Don't be hypocritical!

And don't be rude..whoops, too late

How can you compare ONE hour at 8am in the parks to an entire day of cutting to the front of the line And no, I have never use the 3 hour extra magic thing b/c they have never had it when we went before. Last time was the first time to do the extra hour in the a.m. and there were NOT a whole lot of people there taking part in that magic hour either. Now make it where EVERYONE on Disney property can cut to the front of the line all day long, there lies the problem and the lines so long, I'd rather not bother...THAT is the reason Universal doesn't get a dime of our vacation $.

[Soundgod]

Originally Posted by WDWaddict

Now make it where EVERYONE on Disney property can cut to the front of the line all day long, there lies the problem and the lines so long, I'd rather not bother...THAT is the reason Universal doesn't get a dime of our vacation $.

The problem with Disney doing an express pass room key like Universal can be understood in this manner. Universal has 3 hotels on it's property and doesn't plan more, at most 1,500 rooms. WDW has 3 Monorail resorts, 5 Epcot resorts (counting Swan and Dolphin, but not the DVC villas as they are part of larger hotels), the two Lodges, one campground, 4 value resorts and 4? moderate resorts, or 30,000 rooms or more. So, if you have 5,000 guests, you can handle the fast pass. When you see there can be over 100,000 guests looking for front of line, can't you agree that on that scale it doesn't work?

[Soundgod]

Originally Posted by Baloo85

Once again...another problem with Universal Studios...surprise, surprise!!

Oh, like the night the power went out at the Wilderness Lodge for 3 hours? Like the rude CM that made my nephew ride alone and wouldn't let me into the empty seat? Like rude gate CMs at Animal Kingdom? Like the times I've been stuck on the monorail? Like the times my PS got lost? Like the staff at the California Grill every time I've eaten there? Like when I need a bus from Epcot to DTD? Like when I have to wait 45 minutes for a bus on a Saturday morning at MGM to take me back to my resort? Like the dirty rooms at the Contemporary and Poly? Like the filth I've heard about at the Pop Century?
LIKE THE PERSON WHO DIED ON BIG THUNDER IN DISNEYLAND BECAUSE OF POOR MAINTANANCE!!!!!?
I love Disney as much as the rest of you, but take the blinders off once in a while, please.

[jeannej]

I am sorry you had a lousy expereince but come on. People make mistakes and isn't like WDW hasn't had it's share of major vaction ruining mistakes.

Jeanne j

[SoThisIsLove]

Wow I am so sorry! I would be furious, too!

Well, lesson learned, you can only trust Disney! No jk, but I still believe that Disney cares more about their customers, even though they have made their share of mistakes, too. lol

I am still very sorry that happened, though. No one deserves that!

[SoThisIsLove]

SoundGod, yes we know Disney has problems, but Universal does TOO! Some people just think that Universal cares less! Disney seems to care more about their customers, so that is why some people lean more on their side. Really, some people aren't saying that Universal is horrible! They just made an inexcusable mistake.