Are you averse to the 'new' 5-day pass only? Please read and comment...

[Renae De Liz]

Shame on Disney for putting their fans through this, because from what I gather, whatever excuses they might have; fraudulent misuse, the need to control over attendance, didn’t sell enough 6 day passes, I have seen more than enough viable suggestions on this thread of ways to control it all. Disney isn’t stupid; they can find an answer to any problem… which leaves me to somewhere I never wanted to go… that they are just getting greedier and greedier and it is making them look like hypocrites who say they care!

I agree there. I feel their "fraud" excuse for example is only the cover reason they give people because it places blame back on the consumer, not Disney. Who could blame poor old Disney for protecting themselves from the big bad fraudulent dealers? Sorry but that's horse pucky! Look at the evidence of this "fix" against fraud.

1. It was timed just as the new DCA opens, a place that makes the consumer want longer stays (and Disney has openly said they want DLR to now become a 6 or more day resort). Also, fraud had been an issue long before now, and they just happen to try to take care of it now?

2. This "fix" just happens to make them a LOT more money! As we've discussed, there are many more fixes for fraud, if that were the real problem. Ones more easily implemented that wouldn't upset people.

As you know, Disney can't very well respond to our messages with "Sorry, but we want to make more money." They need to have a reason that we can deal with that doesn't make them look bad.

Anyway, still hoping they fix it. Every family should have access to a respectable price for their tickets. AT LEAST offer people who order packages from their hotels or good neighbor hotels a way to buy tickets at a reasonable price for longer than 5 days. That is an easy solution.

However, if making money is their true motivation, Capitalism is not a crime, and there's technically nothing wrong with a company making as much profit as possible. BUT, this is Walt Disney's park. A place made for happiness and caring for families. I find it personally offensive that they favor profit over the respectful consideration of families.

 

[jory29]

I agree there. I feel their "fraud" excuse for example is only the cover reason they give people because it places blame back on the consumer, not Disney. Who could blame poor old Disney for protecting themselves from the big bad fraudulent dealers? Sorry but that's horse pucky! Look at the evidence of this "fix" against fraud.

1. It was timed just as the new DCA opens, a place that makes the consumer want longer stays (and Disney has openly said they want DLR to now become a 6 or more day resort). Also, fraud had been an issue long before now, and they just happen to try to take care of it now?

2. This "fix" just happens to make them a LOT more money! As we've discussed, there are many more fixes for fraud, if that were the real problem. Ones more easily implemented that wouldn't upset people.

As you know, Disney can't very well respond to our messages with "Sorry, but we want to make more money." They need to have a reason that we can deal with that doesn't make them look bad.

Anyway, still hoping they fix it. Every family should have access to a respectable price for their tickets. AT LEAST offer people who order packages from their hotels or good neighbor hotels a way to buy tickets at a reasonable price for longer than 5 days. That is an easy solution.

Excellent sentiments, ones that speak loud and clear to Disney. Thanks for your input, very well thought out.

 

[jen541]

I've been lurking since page one, keeping up in hopes of seeing some progress for our upcoming trip in late September/early October.

We're staying at DLH for 7 nights, airfare for 4, Halloween Party tickets... Money, money, money, you've heard it all already. It has taken us a very long time to save up and you can imagine our Disney magical happiness when we finally purchased our non-refundable/changeable airline tickets... in May… right BEFORE they announced the 5 day max.

After emailing twice asking them to take in consideration that we purchased our airline tickets before this all took place and that I was spending a massive amount of money at the DLH, NOT on an offsite hotel (even willing to show proof of purchase date on airline tickets)... I received the same standard, discouraging and disheartening reply and gave up and bought 5 day passes, though we were hoping for 8. However, if I had not already paid so much non-refundable money toward our trip, we would not be going at all. We live too far for 5 days only.

I feel insulted by my beloved Disney, disregarding my (and all of our) loyalty to more than just a "theme park" but a lifelong love. Not only do I feel insulted by the double whammy of the price increase (which alone I can deal with) and the limit of 5 days, it is with a heavy heart I can tell you that the Magic has completely disappeared and here is why...

Due to a very long time of planning/saving/budgeting and non-refundable dates set, we CAN NOT afford extra 3 day passes even if we wanted to buy them. It makes me sick knowing how much money Disney is getting out of my very hard earned money and we have to resort to lurking around outside of the parks for 3 of our 8 days, kids wishing we could go in, and me, wishing I hadn't spent so much money just to be kicked in the behind.

Shame on Disney for putting their fans through this, because from what I gather, whatever excuses they might have; fraudulent misuse, the need to control over attendance, didn’t sell enough 6 day passes, I have seen more than enough viable suggestions on this thread of ways to control it all. Disney isn’t stupid; they can find an answer to any problem… which leaves me to somewhere I never wanted to go… that they are just getting greedier and greedier and it is making them look like hypocrites who say they care!

*******************************
Feeling bad about such a sad report on something I so love,
jen541

********************************
I have emailed Disney using a different email address, my post above with the following message...

"I would like for this message to please be passed up the line to leaders of whatever team handles such complaints.

Attention Leading Team, I would like to make aware of a lengthy thread on the Disneyland DIS Boards, where many people are posting all kinds of things about the new policy enforcement of no longer being able to upgrade to 7/8 day hopper passes. It is advisable to take a look at what these people are saying because from the sounds of it, getting their word out to the press is in the near future because they are not seeing any help from Disney in the matter. Reading pages 13-16 you will see that this is where it is leading.

In great disappointment, I myself am taking part. This is what I have written… (my post from yesterday)"
*********************

Of course I expect a standard reply but I can't help but to keep trying as our trip is in the near future.

Thanks for the hugs Nicole

 

[jen541]

However, if making money is their true motivation, Capitalism is not a crime, and there's technically nothing wrong with a company making as much profit as possible. BUT, this is Walt Disney's park. A place made for happiness and caring for families. I find it personally offensive that they favor profit over the respectful consideration of families.

I agree. I understand the whole capitalism thing but more importantly like you said, it IS offensive, especially coming from a company like Disney who's greatest claims are bringing happiness to families, multi-day destination, world renowned customer care...

Look, I'm just like all other Disney nuts. I pay a high price to the big profiteer to be happy in their parks under their terms... and I'm ok with that. I love Disneyland and it's worth the money to me. But with this, it is getting to be too much and I sort of feel betrayed personally. I'm sure it's because I'm dreading having to lurk around the Disney property for 3 of our 8 days, unable to go in to a parks!

 

[dcraythorn]

Thomas O. Staggs – Chairman, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts

George Kalogridis – President, Disneyland Resort

Vice President, Disneyland Park - Jon Storbeck
Vice President, Disney's California Adventure Park - Mary Niven
Vice President, Downtown Disney and Disneyland Resort Hotels - Daniel Delcourt

Still can't find email address though.

 

[8timesblessed]

OK so I've been thinking about this and was upset at first but the more I thought about it we are just going to get annual passes. If we had planned to spend 8 days in the parks even though we are going for 10 days, with the annual pass that makes it $58 or so a day and if we use it all 10 days then and can get our DVC discount of $20 so the pass would be $449. SO $45 a day. When I think about it this way it makes me feel a little better. It seems like by taking away the 6 day passes they are hoping more people will buy annual passes. But from the sounds of it on this board for most people that's not an option. Thankfully 2 of us already have annual passes at the cheaper rate and I've already been 4 times this year. So when we go in December I will have used mine 22 days worth. So that makes it about $15 a day.

I'm just sad because when I bought our passes in May before the price increase I could've bought annual passes then and only paid $349.

We will just have to plan another trip to DL in the same year instead of going to WDW next year. Maybe we will go to DL and then Hawaii.

It will be interesting to see what value they give me on our tickets to upgrade to annual passes

 

[Renae De Liz]

Found these, don't know if they'll work though

george.kalogridis@disney.com
daniel.delcourt@disney.com

Most companies I've worked with use the same method for emails (the period between first and last names) and may work for the others as well.

 

[longtimedisneylurker]

It will be interesting to see what value they give me on our tickets to upgrade to annual passes

They should credit you whatever you actually paid for the tickets.

 

[lurpee]

OK so I've been thinking about this and was upset at first but the more I thought about it we are just going to get annual passes. If we had planned to spend 8 days in the parks even though we are going for 10 days, with the annual pass that makes it $58 or so a day and if we use it all 10 days then and can get our DVC discount of $20 so the pass would be $449. SO $45 a day. When I think about it this way it makes me feel a little better. It seems like by taking away the 6 day passes they are hoping more people will buy annual passes. But from the sounds of it on this board for most people that's not an option. Thankfully 2 of us already have annual passes at the cheaper rate and I've already been 4 times this year. So when we go in December I will have used mine 22 days worth. So that makes it about $15 a day.

I'm just sad because when I bought our passes in May before the price increase I could've bought annual passes then and only paid $349.

We will just have to plan another trip to DL in the same year instead of going to WDW next year. Maybe we will go to DL and then Hawaii.

It will be interesting to see what value they give me on our tickets to upgrade to annual passes

The annual pass doesn't work on all days, right?

 

[lurpee]

OK so I've been thinking about this and was upset at first but the more I thought about it we are just going to get annual passes. If we had planned to spend 8 days in the parks even though we are going for 10 days, with the annual pass that makes it $58 or so a day and if we use it all 10 days then and can get our DVC discount of $20 so the pass would be $449. SO $45 a day. When I think about it this way it makes me feel a little better. It seems like by taking away the 6 day passes they are hoping more people will buy annual passes. But from the sounds of it on this board for most people that's not an option. Thankfully 2 of us already have annual passes at the cheaper rate and I've already been 4 times this year. So when we go in December I will have used mine 22 days worth. So that makes it about $15 a day.

I'm just sad because when I bought our passes in May before the price increase I could've bought annual passes then and only paid $349.

We will just have to plan another trip to DL in the same year instead of going to WDW next year. Maybe we will go to DL and then Hawaii.

It will be interesting to see what value they give me on our tickets to upgrade to annual passes

Does the AP have blackout dates? We will be there from December 14th to 25th (in the park). What are the other benefits of AP?
Thanks, Kerri

 

[longtimedisneylurker]

Does the AP have blackout dates? We will be there from December 14th to 25th (in the park). What are the other benefits of AP?
Thanks, Kerri

The deluxe AP ($469) does have blockout days including Dec. 22, 2012-Dec. 31, 2012. The premium AP has no blockout days and currently costs $649.

 

[lurpee]

The deluxe AP ($469) does have blockout days including Dec. 22, 2012-Dec. 31, 2012. The premium AP has no blockout days and currently costs $649.

I'm going to probably just get a five day pass and a three or four day pass for DH, DD4 and myself since we want to be there during the blackout dates. I assume that my then DD11mos will be free. I had been planning on doing a longer pass. We'll definitely be going to Universal Studios and other areas then.

Sorry about the duplicate post. The baby makes it hard to respond on my phone!

Thanks for the info!
Kerri

 

[longtimedisneylurker]

I assume that my then DD11mos will be free

Yes, children age 2 years and under are free. Children age 3-9 may use child tickets. Each guest age 10 and up must have an adult ticket.

 

[lurpee]

Yes, children age 2 years and under are free. Children age 3-9 may use child tickets. Each guest age 10 and up must have an adult ticket.

Thanks!

 

[Susie63]

Well, I finally decided to write my thoughts on paper as I spent a hour on the phone back when they did away with the 8 day hopper for Canadians.I escalated that call through three levels of customer service......but they couldn't do anything.So today I sent an e-mail to George Kalogridis.I am attaching that e-mail here. I'll let you know if there is any response.
Keep up the good fight people!

Dear Mr. Kalogridis,

My name is Susie Meyer and I live in northern Alberta,Canada.My husband,daughter and I are currently planning our much awaited return trip to Disneyland on January 31,2013.We will be staying for 11 nights at the Grand California hotel, and can't wait to see the Rivers of America, as they were drained on our first visit.

I have been saving for 3 years to make this the best trip possible, as our last stay was for 8 nights and we still were unable to see and do everything we wanted.I have a mild disability and I move a lot slower than most people.We had planned on buying 8 day parkhoppers this time with a day off here and there to rest and renew.

However, I am deeply saddened to find out that I can no longer upgrade a 5 day pass to 8 days.Annual passes are not an option as we travel from a remote location and our flights are well over two thousand dollars for the three of us and buying an extra 3 day ticket for everyone is very expensive.

There are so many people like me ,who are travelling to Disneyland for an extended stay but will be unable to spend all those days in the parks, because of the new ticket policy of nothing longer than a 5 day parkhopper.Wouldn't the easiest solution be to make everyone who has a parkhopper to produce ID and for each pass to be signed.If it were mandatory, it would make fraudulant use of tickets very difficult, if not impossible.

I hope for the sake of your visitors,who spend so much of their hard earned money to make Disneyland a vacation destination and not a day trip, that this issue will be addressed in the near future.

If you are interested, there is a very long discussion on this matter on the Disboards.

Thank you for your time,
Susie Meyer
Grande Prairie
Alberta
Canada

 

[Lomky]

After experiencing the non upgradable park hoppers first hand, I must tell you it did suck not being able to go to Disney on our free evenings. But we did find stuff to do, I made sure not to spend any money at disney (downtown) mostly out of spite. But we did an evening at medieval times, and went to Huntington beach. There was one evening where our son said "I wish we could go to Disney, even just for dinner and one ride".

But there was absolutely no budging on the rule. I did talk to some cast members who were shocked that we couldn't add days though.

Good luck everyone, we won't be going back for a very long time, so no longer an issue for us.

 

[ValpoCory]

Thankfully 2 of us already have annual passes at the cheaper rate and I've already been 4 times this year. So when we go in December I will have used mine 22 days worth. So that makes it about $15 a day.

Before the price increases, annual passes were a great deal.

 

[jory29]

********************************
I have emailed Disney using a different email address, my post above with the following message...

"I would like for this message to please be passed up the line to leaders of whatever team handles such complaints.

Attention Leading Team, I would like to make aware of a lengthy thread on the Disneyland DIS Boards, where many people are posting all kinds of things about the new policy enforcement of no longer being able to upgrade to 7/8 day hopper passes. It is advisable to take a look at what these people are saying because from the sounds of it, getting their word out to the press is in the near future because they are not seeing any help from Disney in the matter. Reading pages 13-16 you will see that this is where it is leading.

In great disappointment, I myself am taking part. This is what I have written… (my post from yesterday)"
*********************

Of course I expect a standard reply but I can't help but to keep trying as our trip is in the near future.

Thanks for the hugs Nicole

Thank you for your enthusiastic support! Awesome!
I have pointed out to Disney this thread, but AS OF YET they have NOT personally acknowledged it to me, which I find interesting, since over 10, 000 people have posted in a few days. I appreciate you, and others, drawing attention to this thread. I was sure that Disney has been made aware of this before, but every little bit helps for sure! Maybe you won't get the standard reply - it has to start somewhere, right?? That standard reply is pretty bad - blah blah blah, blah blah blah. (Means nothing.) Edited to add: I just highlighted this part that I noticed upon re-reading, that you stated, (in bold font): I can't help but to keep trying as our trip is in the near future.
I will hope and pray for you this gets resolved before you go on your trip!

I agree. I understand the whole capitalism thing but more importantly like you said, it IS offensive, especially coming from a company like Disney who's greatest claims are bringing happiness to families, multi-day destination, world renowned customer care...

Look, I'm just like all other Disney nuts. I pay a high price to the big profiteer to be happy in their parks under their terms... and I'm ok with that. I love Disneyland and it's worth the money to me. But with this, it is getting to be too much and I sort of feel betrayed personally. I'm sure it's because I'm dreading having to lurk around the Disney property for 3 of our 8 days, unable to go in to a parks!

BINGO!! I highlighted in bold the comments that I suspect so many of us can relate to.

Thomas O. Staggs – Chairman, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts

George Kalogridis – President, Disneyland Resort

Vice President, Disneyland Park - Jon Storbeck
Vice President, Disney's California Adventure Park - Mary Niven
Vice President, Downtown Disney and Disneyland Resort Hotels - Daniel Delcourt

Still can't find email address though.

Thank you, from the looks of things, we may very well find this info. very useful in the near future!

OK so I've been thinking about this and was upset at first but the more I thought about it we are just going to get annual passes. If we had planned to spend 8 days in the parks even though we are going for 10 days, with the annual pass that makes it $58 or so a day and if we use it all 10 days then and can get our DVC discount of $20 so the pass would be $449. SO $45 a day. When I think about it this way it makes me feel a little better. It seems like by taking away the 6 day passes they are hoping more people will buy annual passes. But from the sounds of it on this board for most people that's not an option. Thankfully 2 of us already have annual passes at the cheaper rate and I've already been 4 times this year. So when we go in December I will have used mine 22 days worth. So that makes it about $15 a day.

I'm just sad because when I bought our passes in May before the price increase I could've bought annual passes then and only paid $349.

We will just have to plan another trip to DL in the same year instead of going to WDW next year. Maybe we will go to DL and then Hawaii.

It will be interesting to see what value they give me on our tickets to upgrade to annual passes

I am really happy for you to be able to spend 10 days in the Parks, and know you are doing this to create a lesser per day cost, etc. You are wise to know it doesn't work for everyone. Thanks for your post and for your support as well.

Found these, don't know if they'll work though

george.kalogridis@disney.com
daniel.delcourt@disney.com

Most companies I've worked with use the same method for emails (the period between first and last names) and may work for the others as well.

Thanks, it looks like I, and probably a lot of others, will be using some of these email addresses in the near future if we do not get a response soon. I will update everyone as soon as I have a reply to the email I sent today. I had sent it because I had not received a response to the one I sent a couple of days ago.

They should credit you whatever you actually paid for the tickets.

Yes, this is true...

The annual pass doesn't work on all days, right?

Does the AP have blackout dates? We will be there from December 14th to 25th (in the park). What are the other benefits of AP?
Thanks, Kerri

The deluxe AP ($469) does have blockout days including Dec. 22, 2012-Dec. 31, 2012. The premium AP has no blockout days and currently costs $649.

Thanks, longtimedisneylurker, for answering all of lurpee's questions.

I'm going to probably just get a five day pass and a three or four day pass for DH, DD4 and myself since we want to be there during the blackout dates. I assume that my then DD11mos will be free. I had been planning on doing a longer pass. We'll definitely be going to Universal Studios and other areas then.

Sorry about the duplicate post. The baby makes it hard to respond on my phone!

Thanks for the info!
Kerri

What?? You mean the loss of the more-than-5-day Park Hoppers (MT5DPH ) means that Disney will be losing money when you go to Universal Studios? It's not as if, IF you don't go, someone else steps up to the plate to take your $$$$ spot UNLESS the parks are DAILY filled to capacity, so however Disney wants to look at it, (with their research), they would still be losing money - and quite a lot of it I would assume.

Yes, children age 2 years and under are free. Children age 3-9 may use child tickets. Each guest age 10 and up must have an adult ticket.

Thanks!

Thanks again, longtimedisneylurker!

Well, I finally decided to write my thoughts on paper as I spent a hour on the phone back when they did away with the 8 day hopper for Canadians.I escalated that call through three levels of customer service......but they couldn't do anything.So today I sent an e-mail to George Kalogridis.I am attaching that e-mail here. I'll let you know if there is any response.
Keep up the good fight people!

Dear Mr. Kalogridis,

My name is Susie Meyer and I live in northern Alberta,Canada.My husband,daughter and I are currently planning our much awaited return trip to Disneyland on January 31,2013.We will be staying for 11 nights at the Grand California hotel, and can't wait to see the Rivers of America, as they were drained on our first visit.

I have been saving for 3 years to make this the best trip possible, as our last stay was for 8 nights and we still were unable to see and do everything we wanted.I have a mild disability and I move a lot slower than most people.We had planned on buying 8 day parkhoppers this time with a day off here and there to rest and renew.

However, I am deeply saddened to find out that I can no longer upgrade a 5 day pass to 8 days.Annual passes are not an option as we travel from a remote location and our flights are well over two thousand dollars for the three of us and buying an extra 3 day ticket for everyone is very expensive.

There are so many people like me ,who are travelling to Disneyland for an extended stay but will be unable to spend all those days in the parks, because of the new ticket policy of nothing longer than a 5 day parkhopper.Wouldn't the easiest solution be to make everyone who has a parkhopper to produce ID and for each pass to be signed.If it were mandatory, it would make fraudulant use of tickets very difficult, if not impossible.

I hope for the sake of your visitors,who spend so much of their hard earned money to make Disneyland a vacation destination and not a day trip, that this issue will be addressed in the near future.

If you are interested, there is a very long discussion on this matter on the Disboards.

Thank you for your time,
Susie Meyer
Grande Prairie
Alberta
Canada

I highlighted almost all of your post!! RIGHT ON!! This is exactly the kind of personal story I am speaking of that Disney should be listening to, AND should be responding to. Thanks so much for this support to this thread, it means so much to so many of us!

After experiencing the non upgradable park hoppers first hand, I must tell you it did suck not being able to go to Disney on our free evenings. But we did find stuff to do, I made sure not to spend any money at disney (downtown) mostly out of spite. But we did an evening at medieval times, and went to Huntington beach. There was one evening where our son said "I wish we could go to Disney, even just for dinner and one ride".

But there was absolutely no budging on the rule. I did talk to some cast members who were shocked that we couldn't add days though.

Good luck everyone, we won't be going back for a very long time, so no longer an issue for us.

Disney, please read the sentiments above - seriously, this is how so many guests will probably feel if things can not be changed back to what they were...

With well over 10, 000 views since this thread was started, fellow DISers, we are on a roll! This is clear it is not going to quiet down any time soon.

Disney, with all of the love, joy, and excellent sentiments that we Disney fans obviously all share with our friends, families, co-workers, etc. Re: Disneyland - do you think we could have the courtesy of you of replying individually to each and every one of us? So far, the replies have told us very little, and if we are as important as those letters say we are to you - can you not please find a way to help us all with this issue that is so important to us??

 

[Brissymum]

With the Australian tickets, we had to show our Aussie ID to pick them up, and we had to show our ID at the gates everyday as well. So I guess checking ID isn't really that hard

Last year was the first time we had to show ID daily at the gate, when we have never had to in the previous 4 years no idea why it changed.

I would be soo upset if they take away our extended tickets. Really hope they change this for you guys

 

[MickeyManiac]

Mods:I'm not sure if I'm allowed to mention another site by name, if not please delete.

There is a thread on the Micechat boards titled "I guess I should have done my research" where they are talking about no longer being able to upgrade to a 6 day pass. I seems many are unaware of the change over there. I'm going post to see if I can get this discussion going and get them involved too. I suggest everyone chime in there too. After you've read the DIS of course!!!