More Rules=My Broken Disney Heart

[Erikarate]

I'm not trying to be overly dramatic, but seriously I could cry. I know there are many people who are happy about the changes in cancellation policy and the refillable mugs etc. but these changes are really effecting me and my family and how I feel about Disney.

With the new cancellation policy: I agree that there probably are some who "abuse the system" so to speak and double book etc, but I believe most people don't do this and are honest and try to cancel ahead etc etc. My DD6 has special needs and we make our ADR's ONLY at restaurants that did not have a cancellation fee. If she is having a hard day I will log on to MDE and cancel and either eat in the room or book somewhere at our resort etc.

Why do people assume that people have such selfish or malicious motives? Just because a policy doesn't effect you personally, doesn't mean it is a good idea.

The Refillable Mugs: The latest podcast demonstrated some of the downsides to this system (i.e. only one person can use machine at a time, problems when using ice etc.). But bottom line I just feel financially squeezed. It would cost my family about $100.00 just in soda for a trip!!

These changes would bother me less if park passes were not so extraordinary (it cost us over $2000.00), food quality wasn't mediocre while prices were rising, and as DVC our free valet was revoked, and our pool hopping has been more restricted etc etc etc.

We've been coming regularly since 1999 and have spent thousands and thousand and thousands on hotels and food and tickets and shows and merchandise etc. Why is Disney trying to squeeze more from us and take the spontaneity out of our experience? I am totally bummed.

 

[kaybird]

Sorry you are feeling the changes will have a negative impact for your family. We just got back and had no issues with the new refillable mugs. In fact for the sake of the Disboards, I forced my husband to chug a drink, and only once did he beat the refill time, and then it tells you how long you have to wait. (fyi, it was 3 seconds.) I hope that your trip continues to be magical, even with the changes.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

I don't see how the new mugs are costing that much more then the old ones?

 

[MouseMomx2]

Why do people assume that people have such selfish or malicious motives? Just because a policy doesn't effect you personally, doesn't mean it is a good idea.

I am sure that Disney is not just assuming that people have selfish motives. I am sure they are seeing the repercussions of those that do and how their choices affect the entire dining/refillable mug picture. I also think it happens a lot more than you realize.

I am sorry that the changes are having a negative impact on you and your family. Hopefully you will be able to find some way to work with the new system and still enjoy your WDW trips.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

1) Regardless of the rules/policies
. . . some are going to love them
. . . some are going to hate them
2) Everyone will not be happy.
3) But, you make the rule/policy to benefit the whole.
4) And, of course, the company.


NOTE: Like lawyers say, "If both sides are not totally happy, you have a good settlement."

 

[HookdonWDW]

Sorry that you're not happy about the rule changes. I understand that due to your daughter's needs, you may need to have more flexibility in your dining plans, and if you think about it, this change in cancellation policy may actually help you.

Think of all the people who book reservations at WDW on a given day. If 10% of them were no shows or cancelled their reservations at the last minute, that makes a huge impact on the potential revenue and on the ability for people who did not pre-book dining to find a place to eat.

By going to the new rules, hopefully things will get closer to the way things used to be. I remember when (with the exception of a FEW dining locations) you could walk up to most places and grab a same day/last minute reservation. There was no reason to stalk the phone lines 190 days before your trip and try to figure out what day your family would feel like eating Italian food. If last minute reservations become more readily available, you may be able to just walk up when you know your daughter is able to handle a sit down restaurant experience.

 

[Pats Dragon]

Sorry op. I too hate the fp mugs and cancellation. Vacations are to relax not stress. We make ressies for the night we arrive but now can't because we may have car trouble. We could cancel the am we leave home with the old policy but now we just eat ff or throw more money to dw.

 

[darkwing818]

OP, we've been DVC members since 1994 & have been hitting the parks regularly since 1985. But the way we look at it, change is inevitable, some good, some not so good. Yes the prices have gone up across the board all over Disney & you can't pool hop as much as before. But that being said, we just got back from WDW yesterday (3rd trip this year) & we still had a great time.

Hopefully the new changes won't be so bad for you & your family.

 

[BigAlsGal]

I'm not trying to be overly dramatic, but seriously I could cry. I know there are many people who are happy about the changes in cancellation policy and the refillable mugs etc. but these changes are really effecting me and my family and how I feel about Disney.

With the new cancellation policy: I agree that there probably are some who "abuse the system" so to speak and double book etc, but I believe most people don't do this and are honest and try to cancel ahead etc etc. My DD6 has special needs and we make our ADR's ONLY at restaurants that did not have a cancellation fee. If she is having a hard day I will log on to MDE and cancel and either eat in the room or book somewhere at our resort etc.

Why do people assume that people have such selfish or malicious motives? Just because a policy doesn't effect you personally, doesn't mean it is a good idea.

The Refillable Mugs: The latest podcast demonstrated some of the downsides to this system (i.e. only one person can use machine at a time, problems when using ice etc.). But bottom line I just feel financially squeezed. It would cost my family about $100.00 just in soda for a trip!!

These changes would bother me less if park passes were not so extraordinary (it cost us over $2000.00), food quality wasn't mediocre while prices were rising, and as DVC our free valet was revoked, and our pool hopping has been more restricted etc etc etc.

We've been coming regularly since 1999 and have spent thousands and thousand and thousands on hotels and food and tickets and shows and merchandise etc. Why is Disney trying to squeeze more from us and take the spontaneity out of our experience? I am totally bummed.

I don't understand. We're you bringing old mugs and reusing them? If so wether you think so or not that is theft. They aren't trying to take away a past perk. They're trying to keep people from stealing.

You might call it taking away the "spontaneity", they're just trying to keep the unruly public masses from trampling all over their rules and doing whatever they please on their property because "they spend thousands and thousands there".

 

[Elise79]

Instead of buying mugs why not do a grocery order? If you were looking at spending $100 you could fill your fridge and get snacks too and still save money

 

[minnie mum]

Things change. You either adapt and continue or you choose not to adapt and perhaps explore other vacation options.

If you cannot reasonably expect to keep your ADRs, or to be able to cancel within the given time frame, then perhaps you should not make ADRs. Hopefully if the new policy works as intended, last minute ADRs and walk ups will be easier to obtain.

I'm not sure what your problem is with the new RFID mugs. It's not that much more expensive than the old system, and has different prices for different lengths of stay. And it certainly cuts down the previous abuse of using old mugs or one family paying for only one mug, but getting refills for the whole family. But I'm sure this is not what you were implying in your post.

I think that the recent policy changes are a good thing for the vast majority of guests. Just because they don't suit your family to a T does not make them a bad thing.

 

[goofyintoronto]

I don't see how the new mugs are costing that much more then the old ones?

I think (not sure) but i think the OP is also complaining about the price increase of the mugs. It went from $13 to $19 or something like that. The price did increase significantly, depending on how many days you purchase for the mug.

 

[Erikarate]

Think of all the people who book reservations at WDW on a given day. If 10% of them were no shows or cancelled their reservations at the last minute, that makes a huge impact on the potential revenue and on the ability for people who did not pre-book dining to find a place to eat.

Yes, we are hoping that will happen.

Thank you to those who were kind and sympathetic that this is hard on us.

As for the mug thing, we did not bring back old mugs. We do not try to "beat the system". But yes sometimes the kids would share one. We do have a DVC unit and therefore we do shop at Publix and buys drinks.

I am more or less just commenting on the overall squeeze I feel I am getting from Disney. I am NOT opposed to change at all. I wouldn't mind paying more if I felt like I was getting a better product in return.

 

[DCDisney]

As long as we have called we have never been charged the cancellation fee. I do call rather than go online if we are in the fee window. They have been very understanding and really just seem to want to stop no shows. We've had times where we were just tired and I've called to see if we could cancel and they've always said yes and no fee. I'm sure if there was an issue related to your child not feeling well or able to go to a meal they would do the same. It has also been fine if we have a reservation for the whole family but only some go because a child wasn't feeling like behaving at that time. Even though there are lots of new rules I feel like Disney is still responsive to our families needs and that if we respect the rules they are respecting us by allowing extra flexibility.

 

[LilyWDW]

Why do people assume that people have such selfish or malicious motives? Just because a policy doesn't effect you personally, doesn't mean it is a good idea.

And just because it impacts one person in a way they do not like does not mean it is NOT a good idea.

And the reason we "assume" is because here on the boards we deal with those people. More people then you would think believe it is okay to double book ADRs since there was nothing Disney could do about it. Now, Disney is hitting those people where it will hurt the most... in the wallets.

They will never be able to have a policy that makes all the people happy all the time. That is impossible. I am sorry that you are on the unhappy side in this case. However, I am sure Disney is doing this for a good reason. They are not trying to be mean to anyone... they are trying to protect themselves and their customers.

As for the mug thing, we did not bring back old mugs. We do not try to "beat the system". But yes sometimes the kids would share one.

And sharing was against policy. Everyone was supposed to buy their own and use it.

 

[Nohal]

I'm not happy with a lot of the changes being made either. I have never double booked and have cancelled when I have to. It is just DH & I and doesn't affect us as much as other people. I feel for the family that has a child that got sick or has special needs and weren't able to make their reservation. On our Sept trip one day it rained buckets and we were glad we had the QSDP and didn't have to trek to a TS restaurant in the pouring down rain. I didn't find the mugs to be much of an issue as we mostly drank ice tea or coffee. We have been buying the mugs every year since they first started offering them. I'm not happy that they are doing away with the fast passes and you now have to book them 60 days out. We go with the flow and do a lot of park hopping not so easy to do with 3 fast passes per day in one park. It is only in the testing stage right now so people don't have any problem changing out a fast pass but once it is "world" wide it will be really hard to get them for the popular rides just as it is to get and ADR for popular restaurants. We have been going since 1973 and many things have changed over the years mostly in Disney's favor. We were talking about the good old days when the ability to park hop was by having your hand stamped, going to the water parks when we felt like, asking for a specific building or area at a resort without paying an extra fee, and every night you stayed was the same price.

 

[HopperFan]

I think what is hard is that there are so many changes in a short time span and for some folks who have long term plans & budgets - it can be overwhelming to take all into consideration. The trip you may have booked is now going to be different, maybe more expensive and def more structured.

MUGS:
I have zero problem with the mugs, if you sat and watched the food courts, the soda flowed out into mostly non-purchased mugs. Water bottles, sports cups etc. They have had pay mugs for years in the waterparks, it was only a matter of time once the technology was cheap enough to chip the mugs. (The waterpark sticker would not last a trip for a resort).

We were there last month and I will say that honestly I saw no difference in getting our soda, and wouldn't even have noticed a change if I didn't know about it. In 12 days I was never aware that only one mug could fill at a time. I had more than enough to drink with the timing. Our mugs were included in our package. Normally we bring our own soda and water, pet peeve to pay that much for soda. But if you've been on a cruise, this "drink system" is not expensive.

CC GUARANTEE
Yes, I do have a problem with this to a degree (I also have a special needs child). We never double book, we always book with intent to show and yes there are times he simply can't make it. Our last trip we were trying QSDP for the first time... but booked several sit down locations he likes and it gives him a good break. One day did not start great, plans and times had to be adjusted. I got online and cancelled an 8 pm dinner at 10am. I feel that is more than ample notice. It's Disney, people's plans change. I feel like a 4 hour cancellation time is fair. Let's face it - every restaurant has people walking up at all times to try to get in. They will fill our spots. The $10 fee if you cancel after midnight the night before is too much and it will mean I will book less. (Not talking about the signature meals etc - for those it's fair). I agree with the charge, but not the window.

 

[cmhguy]

I agree - things change, and I feel what the OP is expressing.... sadly, I feel it.

The definition of good business for some = charge as much as someone is willing to pay.

I have a choice. There are a LOT of vaction options.

I love Disney with a passion...

I have a problem with the new RFID mugs...
I have an even bigger problem with the cancellation fee changes (the entire 180+10 reservation system for that matter)...
I have a problem with the % of price increases since we have been going to the parks.

I may now elect o do something different for vacation choices - it makes me very sad, and I will miss Disney. This is what works for me....

 

[4xmom]

We ate at Chefs in Epcot one day for lunch and had reservations to go to 1900 Park Fair for dinner. After lunch, we knew that we (adults) would not be hungry enough in 5 hours for another big meal, much less getting the kids to eat much. I called the reservation line and she gladly cancelled our reservations with no charge. I think that if your child was having an off day and you called, not going online, to cancel they would not charge you.

 

[rcraw45425]

I guess the biggest thing is, while people are talking about calling and canceling with not penalty, that is NOW, the new policy does not officially go into effect until 10/31. Who's to say what they may do, say "okay, thank you, no problem" or "too bad, you didn't cancel in time, $10 per person will be charged to your credit card". My biggest wonder is how this new policy will effect walk up availability. We were at the Polynesian from Monday to Thursday. When we checked in (4:30pm) my husband went immediately upstairs and stood in the standby line for 'Ohana, which he had been craving. We were seated at 5:50pm. We were also able to do a walk up at Sci Fi for late lunch/early dinner at 3:45 even though the MDE site said no tables available. I tend to think this will resort to more people reverting to the old wait and take a chance mentality that we had back in the mid to late 90's when you didn't have to worry about where and what you are going
be eating in six months.