$31 rental for a double stroller.

[88Keys]

Hi all,

I am a LONG time WDW visitor -- I not only go often, but I talk about it as a vacation destination SO much to other people, that I am personally responsible for at least an additional dozen visits in the past few years. You're welcome.
The Disney company is a business with shareholders, and finances have always been central to the running of the company, but the recent gouging since the economic recovery after 9/11 has been absurd and it is damaging your relationship with your loyal customer base -- the best word of mouth you have.

To whit......

1) Not only are there large ticket increases every year, last year gave us TWO
2) The explosion of hard ticket events mean that regular customers not only lose park hour time but also night events like the fireworks and SpectroMagic...without a refund. Not only is this nonsense, but you are getting double admission for one day while cheating the first group. This is understandable for a few tmes, but have you seen how many MNSSHPs there are this year??
3) The ridiculous and sudden reduction of the dining plan that has infuriated customers and waiters alike. I'm sure whoever put this through received a pay raise for their money-saving ideas, but never have so many been so angered for such nonsense....
4) Holiday surcharges?? Because food is more expensive at Christmas? No value added, just taking away from folks --esp those not expecting it
5) The stroller rental price being raised over 70%! There is a new slogan on the various boards (credit Boomhauer)
14 day SUV rental from Alamo - $377.
14 day stroller rental from Disney - $434.
Disney's audacity - Priceless.

6) This is on top of the regularly overpriced items -- parking, concessions, photopass, souvenirs, hard ticket prices, hopping prices

It is amazing how much the Parks spend on advertising, and then "abuse" their customers one they get them. Your word of mouth is eventually going to suffer. Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but our love has limits.

Sincerely,
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

 

[disneyandme]

We use a babyjogger for both of our kids. My oldest, DD8, rides it is as well when she is tired-- she has asthma as well. We have a 2006 city series and the weight limit is about 70-75 lbs. It folds easily.

 

[bartleby1]

Don't forget to send your thoughts to:

wdw.guest.communications@disneyworld.com

 

[CleveRocks]

Don't forget to send your thoughts to:

wdw.guest.communications@disneyworld.com

Thanks. For the lazy among us, that link makes the difference between voicing our opinions and not doing so. Here's what I just sent to the above address:

I was very disappointed to read on my favorite Internet message board about the steep (approximately 58%) increase in the stroller rental fee. We rented on our two previous visits in 2005 and 2006, but for our planned 2008 visit I will have to spend my "kid transportation" money elsewhere.

WDW has priced itself out of my range for renting a stroller.

I love those strollers, and I love the convenience, but I simply can't stomach paying $27 per day for a double stroller (with the multi-day discount).

My cash budgeted for "kid transportation" will now go to buying a stroller at my local retailer and then perhaps giving it away at the end of our trip (because surely I can purchase a good one for less than $189 + tax, the WDW rental cost for a double stroller for 7 days), OR I can rent from A Baby's Best Friend, a rental outfit in your area, for about $83 for the 7 days. I welcome the opportunity to save over $100 for essentially the same service (which is the main reason I'm such a huge fan of Disney's Magical Express!).

I'm assuming there is some sound business reasoning behind this huge and sudden increase, but it is at the expense of goodwill and customer relations. You can kill a frog by slowly heating the water it's in to a boil, but if you lower it into boiling water it will know enough to jump out. You made a very sudden and noticeable price increase, so I will jump out rather than be boiled to death.

It's just a surprising and disheartening move by WDW, one that I pray is not a harbinger of things yet to come.

Respectfully,

 

[maxiesmom]

Has anyone who has e-mailed Disney gotten a response? I e-mailed yesterday, and have heard nothing yet. I wonder if they are just trying to find a way to word their response, so that they don't come off sounding like greedy jerks.

 

[lovesdumbo]

Thanks for the suggestion. I looked up the website and the stroller and found that the 2007 Volo only holds a child up to 33 lbs. There was a 2006 model but no mention of weight limit on it.

The MacLarens are rated to 55 pounds check out the MacLaren website (www.maclarenbaby.com) I don't know why it says 33 lbs but then US 55lbs. I do know that lots of Diser use the MacLaren Volo for larger kids. I've used an older MacLaren for my 3 kids. I bought the Volo because it was a few pounds lighter and has a carry handle. Those two things made me "justify" the new purchase for my solo trip with my DD next month. I needed to be able to hold the stroller, my bag and her hand if we have to stand on a Pop bus. The seat on the Volo is actually nearly an inch wider, an inch deeper, and an inch higher than my 2002 MacLaren.

Here's another online store that I've used in the past. They say the Volo is rated to 55lbs but they are charging $149 for the 2007 version. The 2007 is the only one that I know of that came with the rain cover.

http://www.albeebaby.com/maclaren-volo-stroller-2007-white.html

 

[Nicole721]

As someone who travels with someone who is either in a wheelchair or using a walker, you should probably be more sensitive towards others whose physical problems aren't as visibly obvious as your loved one's are. Look up any of the many "hidden disabilities" threads. There's a long list of possibilities, chief among them is not being able to walk long distances without debilitating knee/leg/hip/back pain. Someone like this would have no difficulty transfering, would seem to walk fine, and would have no apparent difficulty with moving walkways, etc. But get them to try to walk more than a mile in a day and they can't walk anymore, or are wracked with terrible pain that Rush Limbaugh's medicine cabinet couldn't cure, etc.

And no, I have no experience with this in my personal life. But as a professional who treats patients with brain trauma (and who don't outwardly look any different than anyone else), I can think of numerous people who, if they took a trip to Disney, an ECV would mean the difference between spending 4 days in the parks having fun with their families and having to wait by the pool and wait for the family to come back telling the person all the fun they missed.

I don't want to get sarcastic or angry about this. Just please don't assume you know that people are "just fine" because they do not exhibit the same outward symptoms as your loved one.

I'm well-versed on hidden injuries and perhaps I should have been more clear.

When they're TALKING about their motives for using an ECV and what they get out of it? Then I think it's blatantly obvious what they're doing. I'm not assuming anything.

I think that if someone has NO problems transferring to rides or have a GAC, they have no business using the handicapped entrance for anything other than parking their ECV's.

It's not my place to decide who has a problem and who doesn't. The people I was talking about have done it for me. When they're talking to their families about the best $30something they've spent because they don't have to wait in line? I'm not sure how you can construe that any other way.

In any case, I'm done. This topic has been hashed out and rehashed to death.

 

[boomhauer]

For those wondering, here is the auto-pilot response I assume we all will receive from our understanding friends at Disney:

Thank you for contacting the Walt Disney World Resort. Although guests are welcome to bring their own, strollers may be rented in each of our four theme parks (at the designated stroller/wheelchair rental location). Double strollers are also available at the Magic Kingdom Park, Epcot, Disney's Hollywood Studios and at Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park. All of our strollers feature canopies (sun shades),as well as a small basket for the storage of personal items: however, they do not recline. Stroller reservations are not accepted, they are available on a first-come, first-served basis only. Should you wish to visit more than one park in a given day, simply retain your stroller receipt and present it at the second park to obtain another stroller at no additional cost. For guests who require a stroller rental for multiple days, we offer a Length of Stay rental ticket where you make a one-time payment transaction for as many days of rental that you will need. Upon visitinga Theme Park, simply show your receipt at the stroller rental location and you will be directed through the queue with little or no wait. Stroller Prices: Single: $15 per day rental (no deposit); $13 per day Length of Stay rental Double: $31 per day rental (no deposit); $27 per day Length of Stay rental Rental strollers are available at the Magic Kingdom Park, Epcot, Disney-MGM Studios, Disney's Animal Kingdom, and Transportation and Ticket Center. If you have questions or need further assistance, feel free to contact us. Thank you!

$27 per day length of stay. Not bad. At that discounted rate, it'll only cost me $1 more to rent a stroller than it will to rent a car.

And don't you just love how these replies make no mention of your displeasure at the cost of the stroller? I swear, the people responding to these emails must own property in Fantasyland.

 

[boomhauer]

Has anyone who has e-mailed Disney gotten a response? I e-mailed yesterday, and have heard nothing yet. I wonder if they are just trying to find a way to word their response, so that they don't come off sounding like greedy jerks.

Read response above. In typical Disney fashion, they completely ignore your question or comments.

 

[elastigirl]

I can see Disney trying to get a handle on stroller use.

The second thing I thought, after "wow, $31?!?!" was one thing I have noticed more lately is the misuse of the strollers. And I'm not talking about children. I'm talking about 3 teenagers crammed into one with their legs dragging. I've seen mom and/or dad sitting in one for parades, while the kids sit on the ground. I've heard the weight limit on the double is something like 100 lbs. This abuse, that comes with the relative *deal* the double stroller used to be, must have created a great deal of repair and replacement costs. And I would also guess the labor involved in processing strollers, both at the rental and around the park (stroller parking lots) may weigh into this. The increase in personal strollers may not alleviate this as much as Disney may be hoping.

It's still a service provided, and everyone can still choose whether or not it's worth it to them. Only time will tell how this will actually impact things.

 

[ameraumi]

The MacLarens are rated to 55 pounds check out the MacLaren website (www.maclarenbaby.com) I don't know why it says 33 lbs but then US 55lbs. I do know that lots of Diser use the MacLaren Volo for larger kids. I've used an older MacLaren for my 3 kids. I bought the Volo because it was a few pounds lighter and has a carry handle. Those two things made me "justify" the new purchase for my solo trip with my DD next month. I needed to be able to hold the stroller, my bag and her hand if we have to stand on a Pop bus. The seat on the Volo is actually nearly an inch wider, an inch deeper, and an inch higher than my 2002 MacLaren.

Here's another online store that I've used in the past. They say the Volo is rated to 55lbs but they are charging $149 for the 2007 version. The 2007 is the only one that I know of that came with the rain cover.

http://www.albeebaby.com/maclaren-volo-stroller-2007-white.html

Thanks! I did go back and look and saw the correct weight. Now to decide if we buy one of these or rent a single for a couple of days...

 

[liftn]

$27/day x 365 days a year = $9,855. Lets say they rent 75% of the days $9,855 x .75 = $7,391. That's a nice profit! What a magical place!

 

[3mickeys&me]

That is just crazy. I am sooo thankful my kids are a little older and we don't have to do the stoller thing anymore. I wouldn't pay that much I'd bring my own that is just crazy

 

[CanadianGuy]

$27/day x 365 days a year = $9,855. Lets say they rent 75% of the days $9,855 x .75 = $7,391. That's a nice profit! What a magical place!

Minus the staff to operate the stroller rental area, clean and maintain the stroller fleet on a daily basis ... including benefits, etc. Usually several people in several shifts .. adding up to 12 to 18 hours a day per park... 365 days a year.

Minus the repairs and replacements .... especially on the double strollers which have the weight limit violated and exceeded on a daily basis..

We simply don't know what the replacement schedule for these units is. I doubt it is as frequent as monthly.. but then again, I also doubt that it is as infrequent as yearly. These things aren't treated very nicely. Good luck trying to find the one without the wobbly wheel.. it's worse than the carts at Walmart.

And minus whatever liability insurance costs the rental of these units places on Disney parks. I don't know if that's a real trackable number or not .. but I'd bet it is...

I'm not doubting that Disney makes money on this venture -- that is after all what they are there to do. However, painting a rosy picture of $7,391 a year in pure profit per stroller isn't realistic either.

I'm just sayin..

Knox

 

[~April J~]

wow that is crazy. I leave in 3 days and was planning on renting a double for my youngest two, 2 and 6. (my 6 yo is small 30lbs and was born with club feet but they often pain him) now I have no clue what to do. I am not about to take the huge thing we have now and I won't pay that price. I'm also scared to rely on buying on of the $40 ones they sell because with the price increase what if they sell out of them??? guess I have to make a trip to a store and buy a small one.

I will be e-mailing and complaining not that it will get us anywhere, they will do as they want.

 

[boomhauer]

Minus the staff to operate the stroller rental area, clean and maintain the stroller fleet on a daily basis ... including benefits, etc. Usually several people in several shifts .. adding up to 12 to 18 hours a day per park... 365 days a year.

Minus the repairs and replacements .... especially on the double strollers which have the weight limit violated and exceeded on a daily basis..

With all due respect, come on. How many people are running each station at a time? Maybe 3. How many strollers does each station rent out? Probably 10 an hour? If not more. That's over $300. Disney pays these people, what - $8 an hour?

No one is denying that Disney is a business trying to make money. But let's call a spade a spade. They're screwing people on this one.

 

[CanadianGuy]

With all due respect, come on. How many people are running each station at a time? Maybe 3. How many strollers does each station rent out? Probably 10 an hour? If not more. That's over $300. Disney pays these people, what - $8 an hour?

No one is denying that Disney is a business trying to make money. But let's call a spade a spade. They're screwing people on this one.

Boom - while I agree the increase seems excessive -- neither you or I have access to the numbers to back up either side of this argument.

It would take 3 double strollers to cover one persons' full time wages, employer contributions and benefits for a year (presuming the 8$ an hour figure and zero overtime) .. and there are three people at any time.. you can't work people 18 hours a day (without paying overtime) .. so there are two shifts in MK most days.. so now you have six people for whom you have to cover the salaries and wages.. so you need 18 double strollers rented 75% of the time all year long JUST to cover the staffing.. never mind the maintenance, replacements etc..

These numbers arguments are pointless. We're ALL guessing so there's little resolution. My point was.. however much those costs are.. they ARE costs and they do come off the dream profit of 7400$ per year, per stroller. (yet another number guess)

Disney "screws" people on lots of things. $2.50 for 30c worth of soda? Come on.. That's egregious in my book. McDonalds French Fries for 4.50$ ?? A stuffed animal for $50 that cast members can get 40% off at Christmas time? How much of that is profit then?

And don't even get me started on the comparison between what your $ gets you off-site vs. on-site in terms space, amenities, perks etc. Disney charges a premium for everything. Strollers have been a pretty decent deal.. til now.

Now they're much less of a deal.

It comes with the territory I'm afraid. I prefer Disney and I choose to pay these things .. for those who disagree Universal and SeaWorld and lots of other choices are right across town..

Knox

 

[CleveRocks]

I think that if someone has NO problems transferring to rides or have a GAC, they have no business using the handicapped entrance for anything other than parking their ECV's.

I totally agree.

 

[EltonJohn]

I know that this opinion is unpopular, but, all I can say is hoorah! Six and Eight year olds riding around on their butts instead of getting exercise, in my mind, is almost criminal. We have a new generation of over-weight, lazy kids that expect everything to be done for them. The one's with the legitimate gripe are the one's with little tiny, young children. The first time I visited my kids were that age (6 & 8) and frankly it never even crossed our minds that a stroller would be necessary. And it wasn't. Taking a longer break is the answer, I'm sure.

ITA. And older children riding in strollers only makes the parks more congested, which impedes the enjoyment of other guests, which makes it their business. Disney most likely gets a lot of complaints about that.

How about taking a break when the kids get tired?

Did your parents ever get you a train set for Christmas, but you couldn't play with it because Dad was always playing with it? Ever wonder who the train set was really for

As for all the flames in this thread, isn't the Dis suppossed to be "The Internet's Largest and Friendliest Disney Community"?

 

[CanadianGuy]

As for all the flames in this thread, isn't the Dis suppossed to be "The Internet's Largest and Friendliest Disney Community"?

While we'd like to think that a Disney fan site is always lighthearted, there are times when there are disagreements. Let's face it, there are certain topics that can transform any of us into a raging "Donald Duck."

Never truer words were written.

Knox