Originally Posted By Darkbeer FYI, this was reported at another site... <a href="http://micechat.com/forums/showthread.php/dlr_hotel_changes-p2675004.html#post2675004" target="_blank">http://micechat.com/forums/sho wthread.php/dlr_hotel_changes-p2675004.html#post2675004</a> >>I made reservations this week for a couple of nights at one of the DLR hotels for mid May, I reserved a 2 bedroom suite, and was very surprised to find out that they now no longer honor the early entrance to Disneyland if you are staying at one of the on site hotels, UNLESS you buy your tickets directly from them. Which means if you are an AP staying at one of the three DLR hotels you would not be allowed the early entrance unless you bought tickets through them, ouch. Likewise you could not take advantage of the locals tickets, or the Military tickets etc. Next change was that the cancelation policy which up till now, was 72 hours, is now 5 days. Final change that I could tell is they now automatically charge at reservation time your first night stay. If you do cancel with at least 5 days notice, then you will have the first night stay refunded within 6 weeks. My first night charge was over $800, which is pretty darn hefty.<<
Originally Posted By marmarl That stinks! I was planning on staying at PP in May specifically for the magical morning... guess I just saved myself an extra $100.
Originally Posted By 5formickey I recently made two sets of reservations at the DLH for July. The first for a 2 room suite in July the did not charge the deposit I made the first part of March. When I called back the end of the month to book a second room the did tell me the policy had changed and they did charge my credit card for a 1 night deposit plus tax. You are also correct that I was told it was now a 5 day and not 72 hour. I didn't quite understand the push with the tickets since we weren't AP holders, but they did push selling them through the ressie line, and explained we had to buy them before the day of arrival to get the discount and benefits. So yeah, just to second the above.
Originally Posted By rtjl72 5formickey- did you book through the reservation line direct at the hotel, or through the travel agency- disney travel company? i too booked a suite for july- 7.28 to 8.2. will you be there then? i think mn will be along on those dates. we will have to touch bases if our time overlaps and have alittle lp thing. most everybody, i think is going on the 17th of july for the anniversary. but, some of us just have to be different. lol!!! anyway, when i have called to include additional requests- like the crib i forgot to list for my gandson- (bad nuhawkwa!)- they have mentioned to me the new reservation rules, but clarified that since i made my reservations prior to the changes that i would not be effected. so,,,,does the ressies at the hotel give you a discount on the tickets? and is it comparable to aaa or ordering on line with disney travel?
Originally Posted By 5formickey rtjl72 - I made them through the reservation line. We are traveling the 12 - 16. I tried adding 2 additional days and they were booked. Now I know why. Too bad. That's pretty much what we were told - the first reservations didn't fall under the new policy, but the new one did. I actually wasn't that bothered by having to put a deposit down, I guess I can understand it and as long as they are willing to refund it, it will be o.k. The ticket prices seem to be comparable to get away, and were the exact same as disney travel, we paid $195 (I think) for a 6 day hopper. I've booked through all three before and just seemed to have better luck going directly through the reservation line, not sure why. Wish our dates were the same...that would have been way fun. I'm so excited to be going back after 2 years off.
Originally Posted By rtjl72 5formickey. thanks for the info. the magic morning change just kind of honks me off! honk-honk! but really, that is ridiculous! i don't even think anybody in my group would be interested in getting up early anyway, but still! we tend to stay out late and get up a little later. and coming from iowa, late really will be late. heck, it will probably take me the whole time to get on pacific time zone time. have soooo much fun 5formickey- sorry we won't be meeting up, but i will think of lpers more than once while i am there- you included!
Originally Posted By 5formickey I totally missed the early morning part..I probably need to study the AP process, I agree and think they should cater a little to their most frequent guest also. You have fun also...maybe I can think of some magical way to extend of vaca for a extra long trip.
Originally Posted By amazedncal2 I'm fine not using the magic morning as I'm not an early riser. Last time I did the magic morning was in August 2005 and Fantasyland was pretty crowded and not so magical Some of my "kids" love it and I know it's great for some and I'm sorry to see that perk go. We were planning to book a stay at one of the hotels for the extended family in October (all have AP's) one of the reasons being the magic morning access for the "kids." Now we'll probably let them chose a hotel "across the street" and save the $$ and use it for a few dinners instead. I appreciate the heads up, thank you
Originally Posted By TXDISNEYNERD I don't understand how they would know how you booked your hotel. When we were there a week ago, we just had to show our room charge slip to get into DL early. They must be doing it totally different now.
Originally Posted By Mickeymouseclub ???Trying to figure out the motivating factor for this decision. Is the early mornings overcrowded? Is AAA/Travel trying to get more business and wants this to be more exclusive. Is DL going to start having more special evening events like WDW to charge extra for. Disney just feels like being mean to AP holders? I would love to know the full story cause it seems like something else must be going on and they are gradually changing. Anyway I do not think that is fair to resort guests.
Originally Posted By gottaluvdavillains TX - As I understand it - you wouldn't show your charge slip anymore - you would have to show a ticket with Magical Morning - so people like me who have Ap's and book a DLR hotel will no longer have that perk for staying on-site... Which will leave more and more Ap holders staying off site.
Originally Posted By LuLu >>they now automatically charge at reservation time your first night stay<< I've never had a hotel do this. They must have more guests than they need, to be implementing such unfriendly policies. Takes them up to 6 weeks to give you a refund, but they can bill your first night immediately. Hmmm...
Originally Posted By debtee That's sad news about the Magic mornings, we always stay on-site and always have an AP and now that won't be an advantage in the mornings. I can't say I'm that upset about the booking situation, as coming from Australia that's how it's always been here, you book a room you pay for the first night at time of booking. This stops people booking rooms all over the place in several different hotels and taking up the availability of rooms. It also stops the hotel from over-selling rooms and people turning up to find they don't have a room. Although 6 weeks to give a refund is steep!
Originally Posted By bgtdmt I do not have AP's .... but just to clarify are you saying if you stay at DLH and show your room charge slip you still get early entry every day it's offered. Does this count if you bought your tickets in advance from AAA or Disney Travel or directly from the hotel??
Originally Posted By gottaluvdavillains Unless I am not reading this correctly you only get the magic morning included on your ticket not with your room charge slip -
Originally Posted By TXDISNEYNERD It sounds like they have recently changed it. You used to show your room slip, but now I guess you show your ticket that has to include the magic morning.
Originally Posted By Darkbeer ^ That is correct, here is something I wrote that might be clearer.... >>Hotel Guests no longer get "automatic" entry to Magic Mornings (used to be called Early Entry), now you must buy ParkHoppers from the Hotel front desk or as part of a travel package. Prior to this, Annual Passholders or folks that had other types of discounted tickets (such as military tickets) could enter on Magic Mornings. (Aka, your room charge slip will no longer allow you entrance to Magic Mornings, only a marked ParkHopper will get you in). But there is a "fix" for the short term, as some folks were told the old policy when making their reservation. When you check in, ask the CM for a special "Magic Morning" pass if you need one. This will allow you into the park early. They will only issue one "pass" per person scheduled to stay in the room. Not sure how long they will do this, but Disney does understand that some folks who have already made reservations had this "perk" in mind.<<
Originally Posted By wonderingalice Lulu, that's the standard here in Las Vegas, too. Except, unlike our Aussie friend's hotels, those here still overbook. The cancellation policies vary between 48 and 72 hours. Five days (as well as the six weeks turnaround for refunds) sounds very over-the-top to me.) Like amazedncal2, the Early Entry change wouldn't affect us. It was available three out of our five days last December and we didn't use it at all.
Originally Posted By familyguy When I called to see if the magic moenings were going to be available for me when I'm there, because the change happened, the CM said that it is up to the CM's at check in. They said EE (or MM) has always been available with ticket purchases only and it is just at the CM's discression to make it available or not. That just isn't true.
Originally Posted By Darkbeer ^ Yes and No, the "hotel" entries have always been an "unofficial" perk, and never officially advertised. But it has been mentioned by the Phone Reservation operators and in hand outs from the Hotel Front Desk. (Official means coming from Disney Corporate, and posted at places like Disney owned websites and in the WDTC information sent to Travel Agents).
