[E&B's Mom]

I was reading a trip report, and I have a new pet pieve. What is it with resorts over-booking!?!?!? I am concerned about this for our upcoming trip, because although it isn't WDW it is a VERY popular hotel and frequently overbooks and we are going during peak season, and I know for a fact they are sold out for our dates.

Now, when you reserve a room you guarantee with a credit card. So, theoretically if you don't show up the hotel can still charge you. So, they are charging you and then hoping to fill the room, thus charging twice for the same room? That is just WRONG in my opinion

Anyone else care to comment?

BTW, I can usually get around this. DD and DS have pet and smoke allergies. So we require a non-smoking/non-pet room. Usually a few calls a week before does the trick. They try to tell me that non-smoking is not guaranteed, but usually after asking for a manager (and mentioning the ADA act - which asthma comes under - if I have to) they assign me a room several days in advance. For anyone esle out there with allergies, you might try this if you haven't already.

[WishUponAStar]

In all of my 22 years of frequent Disney trips I've never had any problem with overbooking. I am willing to bet that if it was EVER a rare problem with your reservation they would upgrade you to a deluxe resorts, etc. I know they can't "guarantee" requests for non-smoking rooms, but I am willing to bet they only have to say that to cover the very rare occassion also.

Don't worry, I am sure everything will work out in your favor. Disney won't leave you high and dry, trust me.

[Janice419]

Wish, I think the concern might be that she is NOT talking about Disney and how they might react. The trip is to Hershey, right?

[WishUponAStar]

Originally Posted by Janice419

Wish, I think the concern might be that she is NOT talking about Disney and how they might react. The trip is to Hershey, right?

OMG, my apologies E&B'sMom I need to stop looking at DC when i first wake up in the morning!! I completely missed that reference. duh.

[Soundgod]

I've got an interesting story. A few years back we were staying at the Hard Rock. For whatever reason, we didn't get there until 1 AM. I wasn't worried, we had a reservation that was being held with our credit card. Of course, if we didn't show, they would have charged our credit card. Go to check in, and there's a real undercurrent of "what do we do". "Well Mr. Sound, we've got good news and bad news. The bad news is we're full. The good news is we're upgrading you to the Portofino. I explode. If I hadn't shown, you would have charged my card, right? Right, but we're giving you a room at the Portofino. I want my room here. Why did you give my room away? Well, you hadn't arrived aby 6 PM so we gave your room away. Why is there another person in my room? I've already paid for it, it's mine. But we're putting you up over at the Portofino for free." Eventually, the Universal Loew's hotels gave us two more nights to use within that year after that screw up.
As for Hershey, I know if you were going on the next two weeks, you'd be worry free. At the end of the month, I couldn't say what crowds are like, I've only been there during the first week of June. but you'll love HersheyPark.

[E&B's Mom]

Originally Posted by Soundgod

I've got an interesting story. A few years back we were staying at the Hard Rock. For whatever reason, we didn't get there until 1 AM. I wasn't worried, we had a reservation that was being held with our credit card. Of course, if we didn't show, they would have charged our credit card. Go to check in, and there's a real undercurrent of "what do we do". "Well Mr. Sound, we've got good news and bad news. The bad news is we're full. The good news is we're upgrading you to the Portofino. I explode. If I hadn't shown, you would have charged my card, right? Right, but we're giving you a room at the Portofino. I want my room here. Why did you give my room away? Well, you hadn't arrived aby 6 PM so we gave your room away. Why is there another person in my room? I've already paid for it, it's mine. But we're putting you up over at the Portofino for free." Eventually, the Universal Loew's hotels gave us two more nights to use within that year after that screw up.
As for Hershey, I know if you were going on the next two weeks, you'd be worry free. At the end of the month, I couldn't say what crowds are like, I've only been there during the first week of June. but you'll love HersheyPark.

See my post in Chit Chat regarding our plans. I think it's under She's Back from about 3 weeks ago.

[E&B's Mom]

OK - I'm starting to get nervous. I've been reading trip advisor faithfully, and the more I read, the more I hear about the resort we are staying at being over-booked, and people being put in smoking rooms, non-club level rooms (when club is booked) etc.

[Pooh Fan]

I hope everything works out for you and there are no problems. When we were there at Christmas, we had no trouble getting the room that we booked. We did not get the upgrade that we were supposed to get, but that was not guaranteed. I can't wait to read all about your trip.

[E&B's Mom]

Originally Posted by Pooh Fan

I hope everything works out for you and there are no problems. When we were there at Christmas, we had no trouble getting the room that we booked. We did not get the upgrade that we were supposed to get, but that was not guaranteed. I can't wait to read all about your trip.

Thanks pooh! I'll try to stay calm! And don't worry, I promise to write a great report when I return.

[ddoll]

I would think a phone call would help to put you at ease. Mention to them what time you expect to arrive to assure things run smoothly, and of course, ask the name of the person you're speaking to and repeat it to be sure.

I've never run into a problem with losing a room. But anytime I plan a late arrival, I always call the hotel and inform them of that. They do release the room after a certain time if they haven't heard from you.

[dznygrl]

Originally Posted by ddoll

I would think a phone call would help to put you at ease. Mention to them what time you expect to arrive to assure things run smoothly, and of course, ask the name of the person you're speaking to and repeat it to be sure.

I've never run into a problem with losing a room. But anytime I plan a late arrival, I always call the hotel and inform them of that. They do release the room after a certain time if they haven't heard from you.

This is just what I was going to suggest - call. If you think you're going to have a late arrival, the best thing you can do is make contact with the hotel. It's not a 100% guarantee that they won't give your room away, but it can make a big difference, especially if you stress that you will be there.

I'm sure everything will work out for you guys! Keep your chin up!

[hanwill]

You can designate this (late arrival) on your reservation. I did this in March- so that they can see that there will be a late arrival. I won't hurt to add it to the reservation. have fun on your trip!

[alandjen]

I'd probably check in with the front desk from my cell-phone just to let them know I'm on the way and still on schedule to arrive at whatever time.

[iluvwdw]

Try not to stress. I would DEFINITELY call ahead of time. I LOVE Hershey Park. Which hotel are you staying at? Hotel Hershey??

[Dopey]

Originally Posted by Soundgod

I've got an interesting story. A few years back we were staying at the Hard Rock. For whatever reason, we didn't get there until 1 AM. I wasn't worried, we had a reservation that was being held with our credit card. Of course, if we didn't show, they would have charged our credit card. Go to check in, and there's a real undercurrent of "what do we do". "Well Mr. Sound, we've got good news and bad news. The bad news is we're full. The good news is we're upgrading you to the Portofino. I explode. If I hadn't shown, you would have charged my card, right? Right, but we're giving you a room at the Portofino. I want my room here. Why did you give my room away? Well, you hadn't arrived aby 6 PM so we gave your room away. Why is there another person in my room? I've already paid for it, it's mine. But we're putting you up over at the Portofino for free." Eventually, the Universal Loew's hotels gave us two more nights to use within that year after that screw up.
As for Hershey, I know if you were going on the next two weeks, you'd be worry free. At the end of the month, I couldn't say what crowds are like, I've only been there during the first week of June. but you'll love HersheyPark.

I agree with you being angry about that practice.
I as an inkeeper take a credit card to guarantee the room, which means that you own that room for as many nights as you have reserved unless you cancel that room in the agreed upon time frame. That room will not be rented to anyone and you can come in and check into your room at any time.
Always. That is how it should be. I would never in a million years keep money that isn't mine, in other words, charge two parties for the same room. I believe in karma!
It is cheating and unfair.
On the other hand, when you make a reservation, you need to read the fine print. I believe all the big hotels have that 6 pm clause and you can easily circumvent problems by calling them before 6pm and telling them your approximate ETA