[ADVISORY] WDW - MagicBand-Only Testing Begins at Disney's Pop Century Resort

[Mommy2Corinne]

http://s68.photobucket.com/user/marisol1026/media/photo.jpg.html

One hour and thirty minutes, 3 reps...

After giving my reasons why this change was ridiculous: when I reserved AND purchased this package I was told I would be able to opt out of FP+, the fact that now not only are those staying off site able to pull more FP's, or FP's at different parks per day but other Disney resorts were as well, we would no longer be able to tour with friends staying onsite, the countless hours HOURS!!, I have put in researching a hotel/how to use FP+/etc, the fact that I was informed of this decision by finding it myself and not by Disney- especially when you have to make resort changes within 48 hours and employees were notified TODAY of changes taking place in 48 hours which would effect my stay

and the ONLY resolution I wanted was to have a KTTW that is being issued at all other Disney resorts issued to me on Thursday Nov. 14, the same cards being issued tomorrow at POP and the same cards being issued on Nov. 20. That's it. No refund, no extra FP+, no free tshirt!

I was told no. Disney is unable to comply with my request. The rep I spoke to, I have to say was on my side and seemed to understand. I think his hands were completely tied. He placed me on hold twice to call POP and speak to management there, both times no. Disney is unrolling this phase and they are not going backwards. Not for 5 regular KTTW cards.

My options were to: Switch resorts to either AS Music for a small refund in price and no change fee or upgrade to PO-Riverside for $384.35. Oh yeah did I mention I have two rooms reserved?

I was so upset and really after researching hotels and their pros and cons and everything else I felt under the gun to make a decision in 5 minutes at 11:30pm. I told him exactly what I thought about that and he said he will change anything tomorrow for no fees, so at least there is that.

Not sure what I am going to do. Probably switch resorts. Guess I will be looking at AS Music tonight. Cannot believe I have spent hours researching and planning over the last 6 months to have to do it all over again.

I am so SO sorry. I would be livid.

This is insane. For all of those people praising/excusing FP+ and its roll-out, do you honestly think that this is acceptable?

And if you are still a FP+ apologist because it works with or doesn't negatively affect your particular touring style...how about this...since you don't really care about FP anyway and are content with simply soaking up the "Disney magic," please refrain from scheduling any FP+ at all or from pulling any FP- if you are able. That way there might be some FP (whether + or -) available for the the people who do value FP (and work hard to utilize it) and you'll be content with your 90 min SB lines and magical atmosphere, right?

 

[dawgsgirl]

What bothers me the most is that most visitors will not even know they have the short end of the stick. Disney really counts on uninformed guests and the ability to make them do as Disney says. Really good customer service!!!

 

[missouripapa]

I'm arriving Friday with my son and granddaughter for my sixth stay at Pop since May 2010. We love the resort and all of the staff there. We are going at a slow time, so will stick with Pop. I do, however, have several observations.
1. This has not been announced by Disney to arriving guests. They seem to be planning to let it be a surprise. Kind of pixie dust in reverse.
2. It feels very arbitrary for Pop guests to be the only ones stripped of FP- with no recourse. Perhaps the next phase will only be men, or guests from New Jersey.
3. This changes the trip that was paid for well in advance. Testing is important but so is informed consent. Thanks to this board, we'll know how to cope. I feel for those who simply arrive and find that they get less than all the other resort guests at WDW.

 

[ckelly14]

I am so SO sorry. I would be livid.

This is insane. For all of those people praising/excusing FP+ and its roll-out, do you honestly think that this is acceptable?

And if you are still a FP+ apologist because it works with or doesn't negatively affect your particular touring style...how about this...since you don't really care about FP anyway and are content with simply soaking up the "Disney magic," please refrain from scheduling any FP+ at all or from pulling any FP- if you are able. That way there might be some FP (whether + or -) available for the the people who do value FP (and work hard to utilize it) and you'll be content with your 90 min SB lines and magical atmosphere, right?

Not arguing with you that it's not fair to people going to POP, but I guess they have to test the ability of the system to handle turning off FP- at some point. I don't think just pulling all the FP- machines overnight would work real well either. I'd be interested in how others would propose they do it....

 

[rebbyparker]

Originally Posted by The Hub View Post
Perhaps this person has not come back to join the discussion because they had to go to the parks to go to work and make magic for his guests? Maybe. Although I am a new member here, being for two months, all of my posts have been much more informative, useful, reliable and courteous than all of yours. For what its worth, it is true. I am the first Cast Member to report this news anywhere, check the timestamps. There isn't any need to question it. Here's your proof.

Edit: If comments like yours continue, I may reconsider passing along information that I consider useful to thousands of guests planning their vacations.

No, no, no, no, NO! Did you not see where I thought you were amazing and informative? Thank you so much for the information you share. And have a great day at work!

 

[stickeymouse]

Have any other resorts been announced for this "test"?

 

[kaetra]

I mentioned this in reply to someone earlier in the thread, but here's what I would do if I were checking into POP in the next few days and wanted to use FP-:

In a nice, calm way, I would tell the person at the desk that it was my understanding that I would be able to use a MB to get FP+ AND that I would get a KTTW card that I could use for FP-.

If they tell me (as I would expect) that they aren't doing that any more, I would say that I think it is unfair that we are getting less in FP opportunities than guests at other resorts who are getting both FP+ and ability to pull FP-.

If they tell me that there is nothing they can do about it, I would ask to talk to a manager and express my concern. If they also don't offer anything, I would let them know that I will be registering a complaint when I get home.

I would not be surprised if, notwithstanding the official policy, they will be willing and able to offer something to guests who are aware of the current state of the test, and that POP guests are getting less than other resort guests. Because the vast majority of guests will be oblivious to what's going on, or will be unwilling to complain, it won't affect the test too much if they accommodate the few customers who do complain by giving them cards that can be used in FP- machines or something else (like a few general FPs to use anywhere during your stay). My attitude about these things is that it can't hurt to ask.

As an example of what they might be willing to do despite what the official policy is, last week we were at POP staying with a CM daughter who cannot get FP+ because her cast member ticket can't be linked to her MB. When I asked, they directed us to the concierge, where they were willing to set up FP+ on our daughter's band for the same attractions and times as my wife and I had. Because the person at the desk would have had to do everything himself, and I wasn't sure we would be needing the FP+ anyway because of the low crowds (we didn't) I told him not to bother. But, I appreciated the fact that they were willing to try to accommodate us.

I'll be interested to hear if anyone has any luck doing this.

This is exactly what I will be doing when I check in tomorrow on 11/14. If it isn't resolved to my satisfaction I will also add that since this applies to POP guests only I would like to switch resorts.

 

[FLchick415]

Why does someone have to be labeled an "apologist" because the system works FOR THEM? I am sympathetic to those who take real issue with this, but just because I'm not finding any problems with FP+ YET (my trip is in 18 days) because my family has never used the FP- system extensively, doesn't make one an "apologist". I am TRULY sorry that this new step in testing/phased roll-out/whatever you wanna call it is putting a damper on a lot of moods.

 

[rebbyparker]

Ok, not being a Pollyanna here at all, but when FP+ came online it was a few resorts at a time. So for a short period of time those resorts had an advantage that they could pull FP+ AND FP-. Stating now that it is unfair that they took away the advantage that these resorts had in the beginning doesn't work.

YES, it is unfair that Disney didn't inform the guests that will be arriving that this would be the case six months ago so they could make a proper, informed decision. It's totally wrong and I'm flabbergasted that Disney would think they could get away with it. I fully agree that if you just found out about it and are going to be staying at Pop that you fuss, complain, rant/rave, or change resorts. They need to know that these decisions affect a lot of people negatively.

 

[afwdwfan]

I don't mind the fact that they're phasing out the old FP and going to one system, but if they're going to restrict one out of all their resorts to being the only one that is FP+ only, I'd be irate if I was checking in.

 

[robpa]

Why does someone have to be labeled an "apologist" because the system works FOR THEM? I am sympathetic to those who take real issue with this, but just because I'm not finding any problems with FP+ YET (my trip is in 18 days) because my family has never used the FP- system extensively, doesn't make one an "apologist". I am TRULY sorry that this new step in testing/phased roll-out/whatever you wanna call it is putting a damper on a lot of moods.

I think the apologist comment was meant more for a few who basically are telling everyone who had concerns to suck it up and roll with the changes, its Disney they will fix it...... If you don't like it don't go...... 1st world problem.... you should be grateful you can afford a vacation. I'm sure I'm leaving a lot more out.

I guess Disney feels that there are more families like yours(Don't use FP) than those that do so they aren't going to sweat it, so to speak.

 

[robpa]

Ok, not being a Pollyanna here at all, but when FP+ came online it was a few resorts at a time. So for a short period of time those resorts had an advantage that they could pull FP+ AND FP-. Stating now that it is unfair that they took away the advantage that these resorts had in the beginning doesn't work.

YES, it is unfair that Disney didn't inform the guests that will be arriving that this would be the case six months ago so they could make a proper, informed decision. It's totally wrong and I'm flabbergasted that Disney would think they could get away with it. I fully agree that if you just found out about it and are going to be staying at Pop that you fuss, complain, rant/rave, or change resorts. They need to know that these decisions affect a lot of people negatively.

I think anyone staying in a value should be concerned. Once they get PoP on line they will probably do the same to another value on down the line until they are all on line. Then the moderates then deluxe. The only question I feel is when?

 

[FLchick415]

I think the apologist comment was meant more for a few who basically are telling everyone who had concerns to suck it up and roll with the changes, its Disney they will fix it...... If you don't like it don't go...... 1st world problem.... you should be grateful you can afford a vacation. I'm sure I'm leaving a lot more out.

I guess Disney feels that there are more families like yours(Don't use FP) than those that do so they aren't going to sweat it, so to speak.

I guess this is the very definition of "You can please some of the people all of the time and all of the people some of the time, but you can't please all of the people all of the time."

 

[Mommy2Corinne]

I think the apologist comment was meant more for a few who basically are telling everyone who had concerns to suck it up and roll with the changes, its Disney they will fix it...... If you don't like it don't go...... 1st world problem.... you should be grateful you can afford a vacation. I'm sure I'm leaving a lot more out.

Exactly.

 

[pigletto]

I think anyone staying in a value should be concerned. Once they get PoP on line they will probably do the same to another value on down the line until they are all on line. Then the moderates then deluxe. The only question I feel is when?

I think it's more likely that they will go in order of the resorts that first started with the Magicbands. Pop was one of the first I believe. However that remains to be seen until they add the second resort to this new development.

 

[rebbyparker]

I agree and I should probably be having a hissy about now, but I'm agreeing with someone on another thread (I think, Pianogirl or Arwen) who thinks that this change will be in affect at all resorts by Christmas. Given the crowds during December they have to do something or the parks will be a mess. This gives me parameters I can work within.

 

[kaetra]

I am on the phone with Disney World Reservations now and of course they have never heard anything about this news. She's also saying I can use a Magic Band to pull a paper Fast Pass, soooo glad the keep the reservation operators informed.

Oh wait, now the supervisor says 3 fast passes per day only applies to ALL resorts, not just Pop Century and there's nothing they can do for me. I've asked to speak to someone else.

They went from saying because Disney didn't notify me officially that there's no way this announcement is true to oh, yes you're right, 3 fast passes only for everyone no matter what resort you're staying in. FML

 

[doconeill]

I think it's more likely that they will go in order of the resorts that first started with the Magicbands. Pop was one of the first I believe. However that remains to be seen until they add the second resort to this new development.

You think they want this type of backlash from their Deluxe resort guests this early?

 

[MJ6987]

I think it's more likely that they will go in order of the resorts that first started with the Magicbands. Pop was one of the first I believe. However that remains to be seen until they add the second resort to this new development.

Maybe, although there is operationally a lot less involved with this phase of the change, so the roll out will probably be a lot quicker. i wouldn't be surpirised if they just run with the change at Pop for a week and then roll it out to ALL other resorts the week after that.

 

[Mommy2Corinne]

I guess Disney feels that there are more families like yours(Don't use FP) than those that do so they aren't going to sweat it, so to speak.

And as for this part...this what I just don't get on Disney's part. Why basically "reward" those who are uninformed or those who don't care one way or the other with 3 FP+ while alienating/making worse the FP situation for those die-hards who do care? I don't get it.

I know...I know...making it better for the masses, blah blah blah. But again...those people didn't know/didn't care. While those who do are PO'd and talking about canceling or postponing trips. I guess I don't understand the logic.