Coworker comment

[Andtototoo]

They weren't necessrily lying. It's possible they just didn't know better. I'm guessing the phone CMs that give out wrong info aren't lying either. Just uninformed.

An honest but uninformed person would say, "I don't know the answer to that question." A wise TA would say, "But I'll find it out for you."

A dishonest but uninformed person would say, "I know the answer to that question and it is..."

A msinformed person would say, "I know the answer to that question and it is..."

This guy admited to knowing nothing about WDW, but told the customer a laundry list of fake details. Fake as in he made them up. (Stupid as in thinking he wasn't going to get caught and lose a customer over it.) He was making up stories and presenting them as truth. That is lying. Period.

 

[gator girl]

This guy admited to knowing nothing about WDW, but told the customer a laundry list of fake details. Fake as in he made them up. (Stupid as in thinking he wasn't going to get caught and lose a customer over it.) He was making up stories and presenting them as truth. That is lying. Period.

Exactly. If you don't KNOW, don't make stuff up. I think people think that "knowing every detail" makes them sound smart or something, when in reality "getting every single detail completely opposite of the truth because hey, why not, it sounded plausible at the time and this poor sap listening to me doesn't know any different" makes them liars.

And in this case? Walking up to the front of every dining line with an unlimited weeklong free-for-all doesn't even make the tiniest bit of sense. LOTS of people buy the dining plan.... does the TA presume that they are ALL front of the line? Must be awfully crowded up there... I can only assume the TA was thinking it was like cruise-style dining where the food is included, but even in that case you have to wait your turn to get seated. And every marketing flyer I've ever seen regarding the dining plan is very, very, very specific about what's included. Unless the TA literally read the title "Dining Plan" and then skipped the entire rest of the pamphlet there's no way he could have gotten it that wrong.

And the TA really thought that the cheapest hotel on-site was the one where you're walking distance from every single attraction on thousands and thousands of acres? There is no possible advertising literature that gave him that impression. He just flat-out made it up.

Ugh. I really wonder how many victims of this kind of deceptive treatment arrive every week at WDW & find out the truth the hard way.

 

[WSLover]

Two scenarios:

1) A friend who took her son (5) for the first time to WDW asked for my advice. He is on gluten free diet - so pointed her to some info about Gluten Free Disney. I knew this would not be a problem cause I have gluten-free friends who go to Disney every year. Gave her lots of other info and tips. Bottom line - they had a wonderful time and she actually said she would love to LIVE there, people are so nice and helpful.

2) Neice's family taking first trip (3 kids under 4). Offered to help with tips and info but then found out she went ahead and booked the trip without talking to the two people who are the family Disney experts. She had 17 TS meals booked for a 7 day trip. She said she needs to have 3 meals a day (OK but they don't have to ALL be TS). Waited for her to call several times to talk about the trip as she said she would and finally just e-mailed her some info, links, and tips about a month before they left. I still don't know their plans other than they are staying at the Contemporary and have FD which they upgraded to deluxe. Bottom line - they are there now and all I have seen posted on Facebook about the trip are complaints.

Personally my feelings on vacations are they are expensive and take up your precious vacation time. There is no way I would go ANYWHERE without doing a lot of research.

 

[RobDIS]

Flashing your marriage license seems like a good way to come off as entitled and not get many perks IMO.

 

[allerobed]

Depending on when he goes he probably can. I never make adr's. The dis is the only place that I know of where people stress over adr's 6 months before their trip.

i just went on wdw site and looked up availability for my trip in October. I saw CRT quite a few times and just about every other restaurant. Le Cellier is probably the only thing I didn't see.

So I checked for October 22 which is less than 30 days for dinner at 5. There were 54 availabities including
Artist point
Jikos
50's prime time cafe
Boma
Citricos
Mama melrose
Rainforest cafe
rose and crown
sci fi diner
via napoli
tutto Italia
Yatchsman

This was for 2 guest since we're not taking hte kids this trip

I agree. I only made adr's a couple weeks before my recent trip. My last trip was a couple years before and I did the same thing. Both times I got pretty much what I want.

 

[NJRRK]

THIS! What is the harm in saying "I'm sorry, I don't know the answer. But I will find out for you." I respect that whenever I hear it! No one expects someone to know everything about every subject. Sheesh!

Two comments on this, first serious, second not.

A true expert does not necessarily know everything, but knows where to find the answer.

Those who THINK they know everything spoil it for those of us who do.

 

[LockShockBarrel]

I have to agree with most others here. I don't expect a TA to know every little thing, but if they don't know for sure they should be saying anything. I get that their job is to convince you to go but by continually giving out bad info, purposefully or not, you're going to lose any repeat business.

 

[Melissa8905]

Been at parks everyday...celebrating bday and anniversary and decided not to wear pins. Why? Dont need attention, especially when 1 in 3 are wearing a happy something pin. He will get no perks.

Well, the perks shouldn't be expected, but you never know My DH has worn his Celebrating Birthday button two years in a row (and yes, we were really there on his birthday), and has been doused with pixie dust each time. We were given preferential table seating at Chef De France (with no reservations), a FREE refillable mug, and so many special character interactions (like Fairy Godmother waving her wand from high above a parade float, and wishing him a happy birthday- it was incredibly sweet)

This year, we're going for MY birthday, and I plan to wear that button everywhere and at all times (might even sleep in it)

 

[Murron]

Depending on when he goes he probably can. I never make adr's. The dis is the only place that I know of where people stress over adr's 6 months before their trip.

i just went on wdw site and looked up availability for my trip in October. I saw CRT quite a few times and just about every other restaurant. Le Cellier is probably the only thing I didn't see.


So I checked for October 22 which is less than 30 days for dinner at 5. There were 54 availabities including
Artist point
Jikos
50's prime time cafe
Boma
Citricos
Mama melrose
Rainforest cafe
rose and crown
sci fi diner
via napoli
tutto Italia
Yatchsman

This was for 2 guest since we're not taking hte kids this trip

I was going to make a similar comment. ADRs depend on what time of the year you are going. I made my first ADRs this past vacation because we had people with us this time. Other than that, I've never ever before made an ADR.

 

[dzneelvr]

My first questions of a TA for any trip Disney or not would be How many times have YOU personally been to (the destination/s) and when was the last time?
I can't think how horrible it would be to find myself in a foreign destination with the level of misinformation the TA gave to the Disney travelers
Hopefully feedback was given to the TA listed in the original posters situation so it could stop.

 

[eliza61]

Two scenarios:



Personally my feelings on vacations are they are expensive and take up your precious vacation time. There is no way I would go ANYWHERE without doing a lot of research.

Research and planning are two different things and I think that's where people get confused. For example most people here on the dis, plan their vacations to the nth degree. That's not for me, research is simply knowing the lay of the land and the times parks open. Planning is when you say at 10am we should be on X ride in x park.

I'm a winger, when I go to Europe I may know the times the museums open up but I generally don't plan on what day I'll be where.
My most memorable disney vacation is the year where we simply woke up in the morning and whatever bus came first, that's the bus we got on. Most people here will swear by some type of guide TGM, touringplans etc. for my family total waste of money. we wake up and decide which park to go to. Now we always have hoppers so that affords us some flexibility but basically I stay home if I had to pick what park for what day 6 months out. How is that fun?

My 9-5 is regimated enough, I don't need to do that on vacation. I've got to schedule meetings, experiments and deliveries 10 months out of the year, I'd slit my throat if someone made me schedule X park day for Wednesday.
Most folks here will swear that you will starve to death if you don't have adr's. I literally have had people tell me that if I didn't have an adr then I would be doomed to eating burgers. Truth? no even close
How many times do you see here "if you don't do rope drop you won't get every thing done". Is that true. depends.

so sure I research my trips but very rarely outside of times to catch a plane or the theater do I plan my trips.

 

[sbell111]

I had a (adult) student one time tell me that she was going to Disney the next day. OK, there's not a whole lot I can do with that. Her plans included staying off-site with a group, only being gone for 3 days, leaving the parks by 5 and leaving the parks for lunch. She was getting to go because she was sitting for a time share presentation.

I worried about this woman and her experience.

The next week she was happy as a clam! She had gotten to walk through the Swiss Family Treehouse and went to Typhoon Lagoon.

I guess ignorance is bliss!

Two thoughts:

Just because she only told you about the Treehouse and water park doesn't mean that that was all she did or knew about. Heck, you can't get to and from the treehouse without noticing that there is a pretty significant theme park all around you.

Second, just because a person doesn't get to do and see it all doesn't mean that an awesome time wasn't had. Last December my family went to a church Christmas party. We left the party about nine pm and drove the thirteen hours to WDW. We had an awesome time at MK that day (our toddlers' first time there), spent the night at Movies and drove home the next morning. A great time was had.

 

[Andtototoo]

My first questions of a TA for any trip Disney or not would be How many times have YOU personally been to (the destination/s) and when was the last time?
I can't think how horrible it would be to find myself in a foreign destination with the level of misinformation the TA gave to the Disney travelers
Hopefully feedback was given to the TA listed in the original posters situation so it could stop.

I'd say the feedback needs to go to his boss. Lying to customers is a serious offense that could cause serious damage to the reputation of the business and thereby affect sales. Especially in this day and age of social media.

 

[I loveStitchnippyjon]

I consulted with a so-called AAA "Disney specialist" once and only once. I kept correcting the information she was giving DH and I until she finally told me that I really DID know more about the parks and restaurants than she did, so I should just go with my own plans.

 

[meggiebeth]

I get that TAs need to sell vacations, but lying (yes, blatantly lying) is just totally inappropriate. They were not misinformed, they were clearly lying because they didn't know much about Disney or hadn't even been. And they obviously didn't read up about the DDP.

So... The TA knows there is a DDP. What gave him the conclusion that it got you access to as Many restaurants a day you want? It clearly states under each DDP, 'X meals and X snacks per day' or whatever. He was obviously making that up and it is inexcusable. Even if he couldn't be bothered to look it up, he should have just said he didn't know much. Rather than fabricate the truth.

It's like me saying 'Art of Animation is a Disney resort. So that must mean it is walking distance to the parks. And it must have the Disney monorail! All the Disney restaurants are on it's doorstep!'

Research is key, whether you want to plan or not

 

[Squidgyness]

Two thoughts:

Just because she only told you about the Treehouse and water park doesn't mean that that was all she did or knew about. Heck, you can't get to and from the treehouse without noticing that there is a pretty significant theme park all around you.

Second, just because a person doesn't get to do and see it all doesn't mean that an awesome time wasn't had. Last December my family went to a church Christmas party. We left the party about nine pm and drove the thirteen hours to WDW. We had an awesome time at MK that day (our toddlers' first time there), spent the night at Movies and drove home the next morning. A great time was had.

I'd also like to add that staying offsite does not mean a bad experience, or an inexperienced visitor. 5 times offsite, no unusual problems to report in that fact.

I also wholeheartedly agree with the pp who said that research does not mean planning. Winging it can work fine provided you use common sense.

 

[ConnieB]

Awww, had sad is that

I think what makes it worse though is that some people really are that clueless, and then they build up these (wrong) expectations. Then when WDW fails to meet or exceed their perceived expectations then said person leaves with a bad taste in their mouth and will probably never return. And that's just not right, it's sad that so many are misinformed.

Yep, totally agree....but I comfort myself by thinking that at least if some of these people don't return the parks will be less crowded with clueless people, lol.

 

[aubriee]

An honest but uninformed person would say, "I don't know the answer to that question." A wise TA would say, "But I'll find it out for you."

A dishonest but uninformed person would say, "I know the answer to that question and it is..."

A msinformed person would say, "I know the answer to that question and it is..."

This guy admited to knowing nothing about WDW, but told the customer a laundry list of fake details. Fake as in he made them up. (Stupid as in thinking he wasn't going to get caught and lose a customer over it.) He was making up stories and presenting them as truth. That is lying. Period.

To be fair, I have never met this travel agent, as I never use a TA. However, after all the misinformation he gave my coworker (actually she works on another unit, we just work the same shift at the same hospital and someone told her I went to WDW several times a year, so would know alot about it), I asked a few people on my unit about him. The general consensus was that he is a joke. A very small one room travel agency in this fairly small town with him as the owner (and only employee). They also said he was a drunk, who paid little attention to his business and who worked just enough to keep his wife off his back.