Back on Friday - Highs and Lows

[MaleDisneyBeliever]

Firstly, let me just say we had a great trip. I loved taking first timers and seeing them discover everything for the first time. Introduced them all to pin trading too... I think some of them are now more addicted than me! lol

Highs:

Character Interaction - Possibly the best of any Disney trip. Certainly the best of any DLP trip... and we were 5 adults! We did the birthday cake in Cafe Mickey and had a great time. Some people only had one or 2 characters with their cake. We had 6! Chaos!

Disneyland Hotel - We stayed in the Sequoia and it suited us perfect. Especially with the log fire, but we ventured into Disneyland Hotel each morning and met a whole bunch of characters. It was fantastic and is pefect for when the park doesnt open until 10am.

Pins - Came back with around 50 new ones

Weather - So what that it was stupidly cold. The sun was out, the snow was minor and magical and it meant the crowds were low. We dressed for the weather and it stopped us doing nothing. EMH were extra empty - we had Main Street to ourselves. The entire trip, we walked on everything...including Crush's Coaster.

Salon Mickey - Having been a Shareholder on every trip, I'd still never used Salon Mickey. I did this time twice and it felt great. The warm drinks were always a welcome start to the day and set you up perfectly after walking from the Sequoia Lodge. On EMH mornings, we did 2 hours in the park, and then returned for free drinks and snacks.


Lows -

Closures - It was expected and I know the parks will look great after after 1st April, but it was a little bit of a downer seeing, not so much the closures, but just the amount of green fencing and construction being done. Especially as I had first timers with me.

2 Cast Members - I had 2 horrible experiences pin trading unfortunately. One was with an employee of the Fashion Store in the Village who point blank refused to trade pins with me or my partner because we had nothing he wanted. He had 2 we wanted. The lanyard was not his own personal one. It belongs to the Walt Disney Company and he shouldnt refuse... we didnt have fakes, we just didnt have ones he wanted. He was very rude about it in the end. The second incident was in the store next to the Agrabah Cafe. The employee in there happily traded but decided to use offensive language and swear at us whilst doing so. He spoke in french and with a smile on his face, because we were talking in English, but we know enough French to know he was swearing and having his own fun because he though we wouldnt understand. He was asked to repeat himself and he did so, happily with a smile on his face. Not what I have come to expect from Disney.

 

[sarahc]

Glad you had a great time too! It was amazing just to walk on rides with no queues: just loved that!
Can't believe those experiences with CMs: that is awful! Did you complain?

 

[Carrie_Cat]

I hope you complained about the CM especially the 2nd one

I've made a complaint about the CM in Annette's as the language they were using to describe certain customers was beyond a joke. We had the "pleasure" of sitting near the counter where they all hang about and they spent all their free time taking the p out of people at their tables.

Don't know if it will do any good but I won't be going back in there again

 

[jothp]

Wow it sounds like a great trip. We loved going with newbies too last year and it will seem a bit strange being just us again this trip.

I have often wondered if my girls would enjoy pin trading but have never really seen any going on. Is it easy enough to do?

Also did you go into the disneyland hotel before park opening, if so how did you get in. Was considering buying breakfast there one morning on our next trip but would ideally like to eat about 7.30 which is obviously before you can normally get through bag check.

 

[DLPDreams]

Good question Joth - would like to know the answer to that one too!

Glad overall the trip was a success .

How awful about the CMs - I had a similar experience in Paris many years ago in a restaurant. The waiter clearly thought as we were English, that we did not speak French - I was the only one in the party that did (albeit not fantastically but enough to know he was calling us bloody foreign *******s!). Nice - kind of put me off

I hope you took their names (from their badges) and the date/time and will write a letter of complaint. People like that should be hauled over the coals - I wouldn't have thought twice about it. It both really annoys me and upsets me to think about it and would have left a very sour taste in my mouth .

I actually found on our second trip that a fair few CMs just didn't seem that 'magical', I appreciate it is a job to them but it's not what you expect. Mind you, on other hand, some were great - but sadly, often it's the bad ones you end up talking about and stewing over .

 

[Isila]

Happy about the highs, especially about empty Main st. and EMH.

You should have spoken to that CM in French. I wonder what his face would be if he knew you understood him.

 

[Ms Poppins]

Glad you had a great time - sounds fantastic everything being a walk on

You should have spoken to that CM in French. I wonder what his face would be if he knew you understood him.

 

[Ware Bears]

Welcome back!

Also did you go into the disneyland hotel before park opening, if so how did you get in. Was considering buying breakfast there one morning on our next trip but would ideally like to eat about 7.30 which is obviously before you can normally get through bag check.

Perhaps you just say to the CM that you are going to visit the DLH to eat?

but sadly, often it's the bad ones you end up talking about and stewing over .

That's so true again it's the same old story of a few spoiling things for many.

 

[kizzabel]

Welcome back wow walk on for Crush we had a sprint at opening and a 25 min wait for our 1st and only ride in 4 trips!

That kind of behaviour is disgusting. Not very family friendly behaviour for a family resort. Did you get his name? Although the time and date and a description of how we looked should be enough to include if you are making a complaint (I would).
We have been to lucky to meet some nice, friendly CMs (and just a couple of grumpy ones!)

 

[MaleDisneyBeliever]

Did you complain?

I hope you complained about the CM especially the 2nd one

I didnt complain, but I have emailed Guest Relations since.... still waiting to hear back.

I have often wondered if my girls would enjoy pin trading but have never really seen any going on. Is it easy enough to do?

Also did you go into the disneyland hotel before park opening, if so how did you get in. Was considering buying breakfast there one morning on our next trip but would ideally like to eat about 7.30 which is obviously before you can normally get through bag check.

Your girls would love it and it's very easy to trade with cast members. Most are enthusiastic! I mostly visited during EMH slot or when hopping to Studios. You can usually get by baggage check if you say you are going to Salon Mickey and show card. Either that, or make a reservation for breakfast at DLH, show the pass they give you for your reservation, but dont actually go for the meal.

We have been to lucky to meet some nice, friendly CMs (and just a couple of grumpy ones!)

It's always the odd one or two. I hate to complain... Im too much of a fanatic usually and wear rose tinted specs.

 

[jothp]

Welcome back! Perhaps you just say to the CM that you are going to visit the DLH to eat?QUOTE]

I did ask this before on another thread and nobody seemed too sure whether it would work before the park opened. I kind of think if it would wouldn't everyone do it to try and get a headstart to EMH? Not sure I want to turn up with the girls only to be turned away, am beginning to think we may just have a late breakfast that day or stretch the budget a very long way and just book a room

I didnt complain, but I have emailed Guest Relations since.... still waiting to hear back.



Your girls would love it and it's very easy to trade with cast members. Most are enthusiastic! I mostly visited during EMH slot or when hopping to Studios. You can usually get by baggage check if you say you are going to Salon Mickey and show card. Either that, or make a reservation for breakfast at DLH, show the pass they give you for your reservation, but dont actually go for the meal.


It's always the odd one or two. I hate to complain... Im too much of a fanatic usually and wear rose tinted specs.

Sadly we are not shareholders so not sure that would work. Also I was told that you cannot reserve breakfast at DLH you just turn up and pay. Pin trading does sound like quite good fun but it all seems a bit complicated but will try and keep that for the other pin trading thread

 

[kizzabel]

My grumpy CMs have been of the huffing and puffing, much rolling of eyes variation but I think yours do quite take the biscuit!
In fairness I know we can all have off days but when I encountered grumpiness it was after making simple requests that were evidently going to be too much of an effort for the said CM to carry out.... Like can I get a clean spoon please (after DD dropped hers). It pales in significants to what you encountered.

I complained once and was very happy with the outcome. It was a simple mistake of ink tags having not been removed from soft toys bought in Disney Village and DLP sent out new ones. Will you let us know how DLP respond to your email?

 

[MaleDisneyBeliever]

So far no response. Will let you guys know in this thread if I do hear back.

 

[tinks_1989]

really shocked by your experience with the CM's

 

[MaleDisneyBeliever]

So far no response. Will let you guys know in this thread if I do hear back.

Eventually got my response. I'll copy and paste in full as promised.




Thank you for your correspondence concerning your recent visit to Disneyland® Paris.

Firstly I would like to apologise for the delay in reply. Please know that this is due to exceptional circumstances thus not standard practice.

It is truly heartening to learn that you have visited Disneyland® Paris and Walt Disney World in Florida on several occasions and I was pleased to hear that you decided to visit our resort once again to introduce new Guests to the magic of Pin Trading.

Throughout Disneyland® Paris, the teams strive to offer a warm welcome to all our Guests at all times, and our wish is for each Guest to pass a magical moment in our company. Bearing this in mind, I would like to express my genuine regrets for the situations you describe in your correspondence.

I regret to hear of your disappointment with regards to the demeanour you felt was displayed by certain Cast Members you encountered at Disneyland® Paris. Our Cast Members play a key role in the experience that Disneyland® Paris offers to its Guests, and are aware of their role to maintain the Disney tradition of exemplary Guest service.

Therefore before starting their employment at Disneyland® Paris and just like in all Disney resorts, every Cast Member goes through the Disney Traditions which instils in them the history and goals of Disney. Through this, each Cast Member is introduced to the virtues and the ideals that the brand has become synonymous with. This being said, your comments are not representative of these and rest assured that I have passed your comments on to the relevant operational departments so that they are aware and for internal follow-up.

I was also very disappointed to learn of your experiences with regards to Pin Trading. As you certainly know, the Pins Trading program has been put into place to encourage exchanges between our Guests and Cast Members and I was left disillusioned by your experiences in the park. All of our Cast Members are taught about the Pin Trading program and all pins worn on our Cast Member’s lanyards are meant to be traded with our Guests, if the Pin Trading regulations are met. Here are a few rules that should be followed:

• When trading a pin with a Cast Member, the Guest should offer a pin that is not already displayed on the Cast Member’s lanyard
• Only Disney pins will be accepted for trading: they must be made of metal and represent a Disney event, place, character or icon and must include one of the following mentions: Official pin trading, Disneyland® Paris, Disney Auctions, Tokyo Disneyland or Tokyo Disney Sea, Disney Catalogue, Hong Kong Disney, Made in China, Disneyland, Walt Disney World, Disney’s California Adventures
• Trade one pin at a time, hand to hand.

Nevertheless, please be assured that your comments relating to this have been transferred to the relevant Manager so that the procedures may be reviewed with her teams.

I would like to assure you that we use Guest feedback as an integral way of examining our operations and, where necessary, implementing changes that will benefit the overall Guest experience at the Resort. As such, all your comments have been taken into account and reviewed, by the relevant departments. I would like to thank you for your fidelity and for taking the time to inform us of your concerns. We do value such initiatives which enable us to fully evaluate the level of customer satisfaction at the Resort.

Should you decide to visit us again, I would kindly ask that you please contact this office prior to your next stay at one of the Disneyland® Paris hotels. Upon hearing from you, we will contact the relevant Quality Managers and liaise with them to ensure a smooth visit. When contacting us please provide a new reservation number and the above reference so that we can forward the information along.

 

[tennisfan]

Thats a nice reply, it looks like they are taking the problem seriously & not just glossing over it

 

[MaleDisneyBeliever]

Yes - be interesting to see what they do when I next book

 

[DLPDreams]

I am really pleased that you wrote a note to them to inform them of the situation .

It is a nice, courteous reply too which is what you would expect .

Will be interesting to see if they do anything for your next trip - maybe a private pin viewing Seriously though, well done for bringing it to their attention. If staff members are not brought to task/spoken too for that bad attitude then it just festers. Disney has no place for that sort of attitude .

Now, as you got such a great response, will you please go and have a word with the UK Disney Store online ordering department about their CS and the fact they can't get their pin ordering sorted (again!)..... I'm sure you've heard about the issues this month again . They seem to be on a roll for messing up orders ....

 

[MaleDisneyBeliever]

My orders included!

 

[DLPDreams]

Do you still need one? I have a spare as I got my 2 pins - got shipping confirmation today. Pins are for my DDs but I did buy one at the Disney Store just because I had a feeling the cancellation thing would happen again. Having 2 children and 1 pin doesn't go down well

I am waiting to see if Vala wants it for a friend, if not I'm happy to trade it . I will pm her and ask her if she can let me know either way....

I am new to pin trading but happy to do it via PM .

Will be nice to trade actually as I don't seem to be having much luck across the pond trading .