My First Ever Trip...Reed/Crunk Vacation May 2012 PTR - Page 3 - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
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So for those that may not know Discovery Cove is an all-day resort. You pay one price and get to enjoy all the amenities from open to close. This includes breakfast, lunch, unlimited snacks and drinks. I was a little bummed that they charge full price for children, they say its because children are able to participate in all park's activities, but we really liked the place and decided to book for 5 adults, 1 child and 1 toddler(2 years old). Thankfully toddlers age 2 and under are free.
So I called to book are reservation over the phone and talked to a very pleasant lady. She answered all the questions I had. I finally asked her about the private cabana's. We were thinking of reserving one but on the website they said they were for groups of 6. I asked and she said it would not be a problem since we had a toddler. I told her I would thank about it and she reminded be space was limited so I needed to reserve ASAP to guarantee I would get one.
So we thought long and hard and decided to rent the private cabana. I called back and gave the customer service lady all my information. She then informed me that I could not reserve a cabana until 3 weeks prior to my arrival date. This caught me off guard as the previous lady I had talked to had made no mention. I asked why and this seem to really annoy and flabbergast the lady. She stumbled around words for about 10 minutes and finally just said you have to wait. I think for the most part what she was trying to tell me was that they offer there Premium Package(which includes a cabana) prior to three week and if all those don't sell they open it up to those who just want a cabana.
Either way at this point she seemed to be rather upset with me although I don't think I had did anything rude at this point. It was at this point she let me know that since I had 7 people in my party that I would need to reserve 2 cabana's as they had a strict limit of 6 guests per cabana. She almost seem to relish in giving me this bad news. I told her that I was told before since I had a 2 year old(with free admission) that it would not be an issue. She quickly informed me that was not the cause and that I would indeed need to purchase a second cabana.
Now I got a little mad at this point and should have just hung up the phone and called back later. Hindsight is twenty-twenty. I told her that only an idiot would spend other $175 for a second cabana for a two year old. I mean how much space can she take up. I even said that more then likely we would not have more the 6 people in at one time either way.
I finally just told her that I need to talk to someone else, I told her that I felt like I was receiving poor service and that if this was any indication of how the service inside the resort was going to be that maybe I should cancel my reservation. After a lengthy hold on the phone the same customer rep came back. At this point I could clearly her the anger in her voice. I can't in words describe how hateful she sounded on the phone. She told me that just this one time they would make an exception and that I could reserve just the one cabana. But she made sure I knew at least 10 more times that normally I would have to purchase two. She then informed me that she would make a note on my account and that I could even call back on April 22nd( one month before are resort day) and book my cabana then. To be honest I was just happy to get off the phone at this point.
The part that has me even more worried now is that I checked there cancellation policy and you can get a full refund provide you cancel more then 30 days from your arrival. I plan on calling back Tues. or Wed. of next week and hopefully get some peace of mind about this whole thing. I will update and let you guys know how it turns out.
Oh dear, I'm sorry you had such a poor customer service experience! The private cabana does sound like it would be nice for your group, and I hope that you are able to get it all worked out.
Wow, what a horrible experience. If it helps, we've been to Discovery Cove twice and had an amazing time there both times. I don't think this person is any indication of what you'll experience there.
Great plans! You will love the Pirate and Pals Fireworks Voyage!!
I am a huge Pirate fan so really looking forward to this one.
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Oh dear, I'm sorry you had such a poor customer service experience! The private cabana does sound like it would be nice for your group, and I hope that you are able to get it all worked out.
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Wow, what a horrible experience. If it helps, we've been to Discovery Cove twice and had an amazing time there both times. I don't think this person is any indication of what you'll experience there.
Thanks I was able to get everything worked out. I am really looking forward to Discovery Cove!!
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Sorry about the customer service!
Thanks, I have been reading your Alaskan TR and its been so much fun, I can't wait to read finale. Me and my wife have talked many times about a trip to Alaska and reading your report has made me even more anxious.
Quick Update!!
So I called Discovery Cove again today and talked to Amy and she was very pleasant. She apologized several times and was able to take care of everything for me over the phone today. So yeahhhh!!
With most of are plans set, might add a few more ADR's and chance a few things around its now time to play the waiting game. Have just over 37 days left. In the next couple of weeks I will start working on a packing list that way we can see what we need to go pick up if anything. This is were my Wife comes in real handy she make's some of the most detailed and organized list. It will have a list of everything needed grouped my types, for example; clothes, personal items, electronics, etc. She will also start a countdown check list of stuff that needs to be down for 30 days out and 3 weeks out 2 weeks out 1 week out and then from there day by day. I can say that its made trips in that past such a breeze knowing that everything at home is taking care of and that we will have everything we need for the trip.
So this weekend I will meet up with Sheri we will go over the plans. We usually toss out any last minute ideas. I am hoping to see If I can garner some interest in doing the Hoop Dee Doo Revue. I would also like to try to Flying Fish Cafe and to stroll around Disney's Boardwalk so will see if we can squeeze that in. I am sure Sheri will have found some interesting idea's to tempt me with.
Hey everyone not much new to report. We did add the Flying Fish Cafe, were going to eat there for dinner arrival day. But for the most part just a waiting game now.
I did have a quick question. So will be taking are two year old with us and I was doing some research on the internet but did not really find much about getting the most out of the trip for a toddler. So if anyone has an information, from your own personal experiences or maybe you know of some site, book etc then it would be great.
I have already come to the conclusion that she will not remember any of the trip, but I still want her to enjoy it as much as possible. Plus that's what pictures and video are for. So she can relive it when she gets a bit older.
Thanks
P.S. Bonus Question
We have a very picky 7 year old in the party. I mean very very picky. I would love some advice on how to combat picky eaters while in the park. He pretty much only likes to eat hot dogs so maybe that will not be such a problem but I thought I would ask!!
Figure I would update you guys and to be honest there is not much to update. I talked to Sheri my co-planner over the weekend and we decided that we pretty much had everything in place. Lodging was set, tickets had arrived, all the ADR's were in place.
So that means we play the waiting game. 25 days to go as I type this and while things have been busy, working allot of overtime its just seems to be crawling by.
Unless something note worthy comes along I will more then likely start updating again about a week to go.
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, they say its because children are able to participate in all park's activities, but we really liked the place and decided to book for 5 adults, 1 child and 1 toddler(2 years old). Thankfully toddlers age 2 and under are free.
. She answered all the questions I had. I finally asked her about the private cabana's. We were thinking of reserving one but on the website they said they were for groups of 6. I asked and she said it would not be a problem since we had a toddler. I told her I would thank about it and she reminded be space was limited so I needed to reserve ASAP to guarantee I would get one.
as the previous lady I had talked to had made no mention. I asked why and this seem to really annoy and flabbergast the lady. She stumbled around words for about 10 minutes and finally just said you have to wait.
I think for the most part what she was trying to tell me was that they offer there Premium Package(which includes a cabana) prior to three week and if all those don't sell they open it up to those who just want a cabana. 
at this point and should have just hung up the phone and called back later. Hindsight is twenty-twenty. I told her that only an idiot would spend other $175 for a second cabana for a two year old. I mean how much space can she take up. I even said that more then likely we would not have more the 6 people in at one time either way. 
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