Are MK Shoots Worth the Heartache?

[pixie921]

Yes, that's my question.

We were originally doing a Wishes VR, but because they cancelled our MK session for our VR day and wanted it not to count to our minimum when we had to have it on a different day, we cancelled our DFTW event and changed to the Swan. Then we were told by Disney that we *could* have the MK shoot on that day, and long story short, we switched back to DFTW, this time doing an Escape. But still with our MK shoot.

We called this afternoon to check on the time and were informed that ALL MK shoots from 10/23 until 11/08 are CANCELLED per MK management.

They offered us 10/22, but that would mean $500+ in airline change fees, paying for a hotel for 2 nights, paying for additional nights boarding for our 2 dogs and 2 cats, etc. We've already spent 3 years worth of DVC points on nights for our families to join us, and have no points left to use. And still, they can't guarantee that we'd actually get the shoot on 10/22 because MK management can change their minds at any time!

Another bride was just told her MK shoot scheduled for 2 weeks out has been cancelled due to grad night stuff (it's posted on her thread on the PJ board). There's just no guarantee that you'll actually get the shoot that you've scheduled; they change their minds constantly.

So ... after crying my eyes out over this earlier tonight, I still don't know if I can justify the extra expense of changing flights, etc. if they decide to come back in 3 months and change their minds again!!

I'm starting to think it's just not worth it, even though it's the only reason we even started considering having our VR at Disney ....

 

[Firefly09]

I'm so sorry to hear that this is causing you such sadness. It is unfortunate that Disney is adding to the stress of planning for such a special event.

Have you thought about doing pictures in another park? We chose EPCOT instead when our MK slot was taken away and we're really excited about it.

 

[sambycat]

i feel your pain and also think this is a big falling down area on the part of DFTW/DFAP. i know people may relate stories here that don't include alllll the info, but everything i read, coupled with our own experiences - well it makes me want to gnash my teeth to powder!

there will always be unforseen events and changes but c'mon! until very recently, DFTW events couldn't be booked more than a year out - most park "major" events and rehabs etc... are surely on the schedule by then.... it just seems like there has got to be a better way to handle this or to "sell" this option that you can't even necessarily get, even if you are willing to pay the exorbitant fees! and i know the fine print says they can do what they have to do, the amount of money and effort that brides and grooms put into this once in a lifetime experience and to have it changed - in what i would consider a last minute thing such as you describe..... FUME!!!!

le sigh

personally, i wouldn't do the shoot at a time way after the wedding trip, just because its such a hassle to get all the junk out there and the cost/expense.... we gave up a second park because of schedule issues, were able to do MK. i am glad we did, but again, it wasn't really the "experience" i thought we were paying for...

i do however think the park shoots are super cool - what about doing a different park during the wedding trip?

 

[sambycat]

<--------- waiting for my phone to ring

 

[Deb loves Disney]

<--------- waiting for my phone to ring

LoL.....I listened to your podcast where you mentioned that phone call. I still can't believe that happened to you!

To the OP....I'm sorry this happened to you. I really don't understand how they can cancel these shoots so randomly. They are an exclusive and very expensive experience that is sometimes a selling point to even having your wedding at disney.

We had planned on going back for our one year anniversary to do the MK shoot but are now canceling because there are just to many unknowns to spend that kind of money on. We are using that money to now take a family anniversary trip out to disneylad.

But don't get me wrong, its still killing me inside to give up that shoot.

 

[Firefly09]

<--------- waiting for my phone to ring

got my interest... off to iTunes to download!

 

[Eviey]

Our MK shoot is scheduled for 11/7, wonder when and if they are going to let us know it was canceled. Guess I better make a phone call to find out.

 

[princesswendy720]

<--------- waiting for my phone to ring

I'm listening to your podcast now. Eek! Big brother is watching I guess?

 

[sambycat]

Our MK shoot is scheduled for 11/7, wonder when and if they are going to let us know it was canceled. Guess I better make a phone call to find out.

It was freaky!!!!!!!

 

[pixie921]

I appreciate the feedback and suggestions. We do have a Studios portrait session scheduled, and we will definitely be doing that and I'm really looking forward to it, but I have to say I'm heartbroken over having the MK shoot taken away from us.

They of course suggested we just, you know, hop on a plane and fly on back within a year to do the shoot, but frankly, we're spending what is to us a lot of money on this VR/family trip, and with the $$ and DVC points we have invested (not to mention a kid who starts college this fall!), have no plans/ability to return within a year. And even if we scheduled it and bought plane tickets, what's to say MK management wouldn't cancel it again at that point?

I guess my attitude at this point is, if you got your MK shoot and it came off without a hitch, you are one of the lucky ones! 'Cuz apparently it's really a gamble whether or not your shoot will actually happen as scheduled.

 

[ChocoKat]

Wow! Well our experience with our MK/AK shoots were the complete opposite I guess.

We scheduled them waaay ahead of time, when the times started changing for Jan/Feb brides I decided to just sit, wait and let it be as it may. Our time slot was never moved forward to the 7:30 time, it actually was moved to an slightly earlier time ([Edit: it was moved yet again to an sliiightly earlier time again the day of]it was a bit rainy and they wanted to make sure we kept ahead of the weather, it never rained on us! ) and I was notified a week in advance along with who my photographer was, and I got my very first pick.

We ended up being able to have our MK shot at night, the photos turned out incredible, we were all alone in the park (truly barely not even workers around, it was amazing!!!) and then we got to AK juuust as the sun was peeking out, which gave us twilight photos of a park that is normally only shot during the day.

DPS has been so fast to get back to us and so great to work with, we feel that every single penny spent on our shoots was well worth it and a memory we will treasure forever. We love our photos so very much, we wouldn't change a thing.

 

[pixie921]

Wow, ChocoCat, glad that it worked so perfectly for you and that you had absolutely no problems, but frankly, seeing your glowing story (with dancing smilies and all!) is sort of just rubbing salt in my wound. I'm sure that makes me sound pouty and selfish, but that's how I feel.

 

[ChocoKat]

Wow, ChocoCat, glad that it worked so perfectly for you and that you had absolutely no problems, but frankly, seeing your glowing story (with dancing smilies and all!) is sort of just rubbing salt in my wound. I'm sure that makes me sound pouty and selfish, but that's how I feel.

I don't think you sound pouty nor selfish at all! I completely understand. If I were in your position quite frankly I would have given up on it by now!

I think it is very frustrating what you are going through. I guess my point is: For me it was worth it, but because it was so simple and painless and I was very lucky it turned out so well.

I was so nervous going into it with so many horror stories of times getting changed, sessions getting canceled, photos coming out blurry or just plain unacceptable, that I was sure something would go terribly wrong and prepared to be disappointed in one way or another and just bit the bullet anyway. In the end somehow it turned out well for us, guess the planets aligned or something because I keep hearing all this sessions going wrong all the time.

 

[Jilian]

I had no idea that they could just cancel shoots last minute like that, how sad. When you book a DFTW you pay a small fortune to Disney and should be treated fairly, and that is really, really unfair. As it is the MK photo shoot is one of the major selling points for having a DFTW versus a wedding at another venue - you'd think they'd be more careful to keep the MK shoots scheduled.

Have you thought of writing a letter of complaint? I would. Let them know that you are considering taking your business back to the swan/dolphin and see what they have to say about it.

 

[tinkerbell 766]

Amy sweetie - I had no idea that you were not a Swan bride anymore!!! I am sorry for that, but if a DFTW VR is what you really want, I am happy for you!!
That said, I am really sad and sorry that they have mucked you about yet again. I was never going to have a MK shoot (even when I was looking into DFTW) but I, too, have to question whether they are truly worth it. Some brides have had stunning shots from their shoots, and so I guess, for them it has been totally worth every penny (or cent - sorry!!), but an alarming number have been unhappy with both the service and the end products. That is a very unhappy outcome when so much excitement has been pinned on the shoot. I hope whatever happens, it turns out beautifully for you. You certainly deserve the best of days after all the hassle they have put you through!!! Much love to you sweetie

 

[ChocoKat]

I had no idea that they could just cancel shoots last minute like that, how sad. When you book a DFTW you pay a small fortune to Disney and should be treated fairly, and that is really, really unfair. As it is the MK photo shoot is one of the major selling points for having a DFTW versus a wedding at another venue - you'd think they'd be more careful to keep the MK shoots scheduled.

Have you thought of writing a letter of complaint? I would. Let them know that you are considering taking your business back to the swan/dolphin and see what they have to say about it.

Yup, they can it is on the contract. When we signed it we thought it over very much since we knew they had construction going on and who knows what that would do. They can cancel it due to park operations at any time after all our $1.4K session is nothing in comparison with park revenues, operations, construction contracts from a business stand point if you think about it, I know, not very magical, but that is the way it works.

Also think about weather, if it is storming, raining buckets, etc they might cancel it (as I was doing my make-up that morning my make-up artist told me this had happened to several of her brides before and yes there was a forecast for bad storms for us, so there went my nerves!)

The MK shoot can be a very high-risk venture depending on all the factors involved on your shoot day. If you invest in it, you have to go in prepared to either change plans, or the worst.

We went in with 3 days extra for shooting just in case anything happened, this would have meant quite a headache mind you, but we planned for it. I was also mentally prepared to get awful photos and just do it for the experience, it luckily didn't come to that.

All in all. Read your contract very, very carefully and when you ask for your shoot date, ask your planner/coordinator about a back up plan if something might happen to your date/time due to construction/events/weather.

 

[PinkSleepingBeauty]

Our session is booked for 10/29..... Guess I'd better prepare myself for the worst I am so saddened by this. This is something I was so excited about.

 

[ChocoKat]

Our session is booked for 10/29..... Guess I'd better prepare myself for the worst I am so saddened by this. This is something I was so excited about.

Nooo!
Have they called you yet?!

Edit: I assume they haven't, I would e-mail your planner and copy your assistant planner to ask for the status of your shoot. I will be crossing my fingers and toes for you!!!

 

[pixie921]

I don't think you sound pouty nor selfish at all! I completely understand. If I were in your position quite frankly I would have given up on it by now!

I think it is very frustrating what you are going through. I guess my point is: For me it was worth it, but because it was so simple and painless and I was very lucky it turned out so well.

I was so nervous going into it with so many horror stories of times getting changed, sessions getting canceled, photos coming out blurry or just plain unacceptable, that I was sure something would go terribly wrong and prepared to be disappointed in one way or another and just bit the bullet anyway. In the end somehow it turned out well for us, guess the planets aligned or something because I keep hearing all this sessions going wrong all the time.

I'm so glad you took my post the way I intended ... I was a bit worried after that I sounded like I was taking things out on you, and that was never my intent!

I had no idea that they could just cancel shoots last minute like that, how sad. When you book a DFTW you pay a small fortune to Disney and should be treated fairly, and that is really, really unfair. As it is the MK photo shoot is one of the major selling points for having a DFTW versus a wedding at another venue - you'd think they'd be more careful to keep the MK shoots scheduled.

Have you thought of writing a letter of complaint? I would. Let them know that you are considering taking your business back to the swan/dolphin and see what they have to say about it.

My dh is supposed to be speaking with someone in management on Monday, but I honestly don't have any hope that things will resolve in our favor. After all, we're just one little couple ... how much do we actually matter to them?

Amy sweetie - I had no idea that you were not a Swan bride anymore!!! I am sorry for that, but if a DFTW VR is what you really want, I am happy for you!!
That said, I am really sad and sorry that they have mucked you about yet again. I was never going to have a MK shoot (even when I was looking into DFTW) but I, too, have to question whether they are truly worth it. Some brides have had stunning shots from their shoots, and so I guess, for them it has been totally worth every penny (or cent - sorry!!), but an alarming number have been unhappy with both the service and the end products. That is a very unhappy outcome when so much excitement has been pinned on the shoot. I hope whatever happens, it turns out beautifully for you. You certainly deserve the best of days after all the hassle they have put you through!!! Much love to you sweetie

Thanks Joanne! This is all new ... it just happened this week that we re-signed with DFTW and I haven't updated my PJ yet. We changed back because I just couldn't get past not having the MK shoot, and when they offered it to us, my heart told me to grab it! Plus being inside the Pavilion is very appealing to me as I won't have to fret about the weather at all.

Of course now there's to be no MK shoot, but that's not DFTW's fault at all -- that's MK management.

Our session is booked for 10/29..... Guess I'd better prepare myself for the worst I am so saddened by this. This is something I was so excited about.

I'm so sorry! I knew there would be other DIS brides affected by this. They didn't call us to tell us, we just happened to find out when we called. I feel so bad for the DFAP CMs who have to be the bearers of bad news all the time due to the decisions of MK management.

 

[PinkSleepingBeauty]

Nooo!
Have they called you yet?!

Edit: I assume they haven't, I would e-mail your planner and copy your assistant planner to ask for the status of your shoot. I will be crossing my fingers and toes for you!!!

Thanks for your kinds words I will have to see what I can find out. This is going to trouble me all weekend.

I'm so sorry! I knew there would be other DIS brides affected by this. They didn't call us to tell us, we just happened to find out when we called. I feel so bad for the DFAP CMs who have to be the bearers of bad news all the time due to the decisions of MK management.

Amy, I'm really sorry for all of the hassle you've had. What a nightmare! I'll have to wait and see what happens I guess. I currently have every finger and toe crossed!!!!