BAIT and SWITCH

[Hopefully]

Call them and see what Disney will do. I'm having a hard time Thunder not being open during my trip. I understand why, but my inner child is stomping her feet!

What does this mean? What do you possibly expect them to do? As stated, all advertising material states things are all subject to change.

 

[Figmentmommy]

Call them and see what Disney will do. I'm having a hard time Thunder not being open during my trip. I understand why, but my inner child is stomping her feet!

What exactly is it expected that Disney would do?

 

[Jennasis]

I'm very disappointed in how Disney World seems to be operating these days. The left hand doesn't know what the right hand is doing. They seem to be taking away more than they are giving. I'm still excited about our upcoming trip because it's a vacation and I do still love Disney. I just wish they (the corporate decision making "they") would get their heads out of their butts,

 

[Jadyreen1282]

They bait and switched us from ROL to MNSSHP and Star Wars Galactic Dessert Party. I think we made out on the deal so we are happy with the switching.

 

[CMNJ]

I did send Disney an email. The gist was if they can't plan hours and entertainment 60 days out then they should modify FP to correlate. It is a great disservice to onsite guests to make them plan their trip multiple times. Obviously everyone understands things have to change, refurbishiments happen, etc but if Disney can't plan at least 60 days out they should stop asking their guest to do so. Oh and before anyone tells me "you don't have to plan 60 days out if you don't want to" be realistic. If a family wants FP Frozen, 7DMT, etc they generally need to book when the FP window opens. All I expect Disney to do is what they expect of onsite guests (plans set at 60 days)-I really don't think that's too much to ask.

 

[Missyrose]

Am I bummed there's no night time parade at MK while I'm there? You betcha.

But once that change was announced, we revised our plans. The park is so crowded on non-party nights that it didn't feel worth it to deal with wall-to-wall crowds for Celebrate the Magic and Wishes. So instead of an early dinner at' Ohana and then heading to MK, we're doing a later dinner at California Grill and watching the fireworks from there.

Is it exactly the night I'd originally envisioned? Nope.

But Disney got burned big time when it announced an opening date for RoL and couldn't make it. Tons and tons of guests who were visiting in late April and May called Disney to complain about the change in plans and the company ended up doing tons of guest recovery by doling out freebies.

The result is now Disney is tight-lipped about all changes and announces things super last minute.

Planning for a Disney in the current climate requires flexibility. And it's frustrating as hell. But what is the point of getting truly angry? Disney isn't going change unless people start staying home in droves. Which we might have started to see this summer, but I digress.

I don't know, I just don't see the point in being angry about the changes, it's only going to feel like banging your head against a brick wall.

 

[yulilin3]

Am I bummed there's no night time parade at MK while I'm there? You betcha.

But once that change was announced, we revised our plans. The park is so crowded on non-party nights that it didn't feel worth it to deal with wall-to-wall crowds for Celebrate the Magic and Wishes. So instead of an early dinner at' Ohana and then heading to MK, we're doing a later dinner at California Grill and watching the fireworks from there.

Is it exactly the night I'd originally envisioned? Nope.

But Disney got burned big time when it announced an opening date for RoL and couldn't make it. Tons and tons of guests who were visiting in late April and May called Disney to complain about the change in plans and the company ended up doing tons of guest recovery by doling out freebies.

The result is now Disney is tight-lipped about all changes and announces things super last minute.

Planning for a Disney in the current climate requires flexibility. And it's frustrating as hell. But what is the point of getting truly angry? Disney isn't going change unless people start staying home in droves. Which we might have started to see this summer, but I digress.

I don't know, I just don't see the point in being angry about the changes, it's only going to feel like banging your head against a brick wall.

agreed, agreed, agreed.
Also pointless getting angry on a discussion board. If you are angry email Disney. Will it help? Maybe, maybe not. But at least you let the people that are the cause for you being upset, know about it. Very little we can do here but to say we understand your pain.
It reminds me of the old days of Star Wars Weekends. When you got as schedule of visiting celebrities, activities, parades, shows, only a couple of weeks in advance. When they were sure who would come and what day.
Disney did do a big boo boo when they announced RoL and all the hype that went around that...now they are paying for it and we (all planners) are going to have to do plan for Disney differently

 

[CMNJ]

agreed, agreed, agreed.
Also pointless getting angry on a discussion board. If you are angry email Disney. Will it help? Maybe, maybe not. But at least you let the people that are the cause for you being upset, know about it. Very little we can do here but to say we understand your pain.
It reminds me of the old days of Star Wars Weekends. When you got as schedule of visiting celebrities, activities, parades, shows, only a couple of weeks in advance. When they were sure who would come and what day.
Disney did do a big boo boo when they announced RoL and all the hype that went around that...now they are paying for it and we (all planners) are going to have to do plan for Disney differently

Agreed-that's why I emailed Disney. I'm not "mad" but I'm disappointed and I should convey that to Disney. We all should. My vacation isn't "ruined" but obviously there is an impact (longer lines at night at MK with no parade to entertain thousands and so far AK and HS closing at 7 daily). Complaints and decreased attendance is what will motivate Disney to make changes not simply saying "it's in the fine print that they can change anything at any time". Anyone not happy about decreased offerings should contact Disney to express their opinions.

 

[yulilin3]

Agreed-that's why I emailed Disney. I'm not "mad" but I'm disappointed and I should convey that to Disney. We all should. My vacation isn't "ruined" but obviously there is an impact (longer lines at night at MK with no parade to entertain thousands and so far AK and HS closing at 7 daily). Complaints and decreased attendance is what will motivate Disney to make changes not simply saying "it's in the fine print that they can change anything at any time". Anyone not happy about decreased offerings should contact Disney to express their opinions.

100% agree

 

[goldie09]

Agreed-that's why I emailed Disney. I'm not "mad" but I'm disappointed and I should convey that to Disney. We all should. My vacation isn't "ruined" but obviously there is an impact (longer lines at night at MK with no parade to entertain thousands and so far AK and HS closing at 7 daily). Complaints and decreased attendance is what will motivate Disney to make changes not simply saying "it's in the fine print that they can change anything at any time". Anyone not happy about decreased offerings should contact Disney to express their opinions.

Agree! I think it's also important to voice your concerns in a respectful manner. I always keep in mind that, realistically, the people actually reading or hearing responses are NOT those that are making the decisions in the first place, and so it's important to be respectful while voicing complaints.

 

[wilkeliza]

Longer hours for DAK were only ever mentioned for the Awaken Summer time period. No one knew if that would extend or not and it didn't.

I get the MK at night with no parade and then MNSSHP or MVMCP on so many nights. If I got to my trip and that did in fact negatively affect it I definitly would have written Disney to let them know that. Before a trip I try not to focus on what isn't being offered (all the refurbs during our trip) and still try to get the most bang for my buck. The moment I actually experience that is when I would write to Disney but of course every one is different. Calling before your trip will most likely get you cooporate lips service and a a list of other night time offerings and a wish that you still enjoy your upcoming vacation.

 

[Hikergirl]

I did send Disney an email. The gist was if they can't plan hours and entertainment 60 days out then they should modify FP to correlate. It is a great disservice to onsite guests to make them plan their trip multiple times. Obviously everyone understands things have to change, refurbishiments happen, etc but if Disney can't plan at least 60 days out they should stop asking their guest to do so. Oh and before anyone tells me "you don't have to plan 60 days out if you don't want to" be realistic. If a family wants FP Frozen, 7DMT, etc they generally need to book when the FP window opens. All I expect Disney to do is what they expect of onsite guests (plans set at 60 days)-I really don't think that's too much to ask.

What about the people who plan 61 days out, or 80, or 177? Disney can't make sure every single guests' planning leads to an absolutely perfect vacation. Things change for various reasons, and Disney gives you the courtesy of letting you know that things are always subject to change at anytime. You can still choose to plan knowing that or not. You are asking alot.

 

[Sparkly]

Spare me the lecture on what a longtime member of this board can and cannot post. I never said they couldn't be upset. In fact, I said I was sorry they were disappointed.

I'm going in mid-October, so my entertainment options are just as up in the air as anyone else's. But the faux dramatics of calling closures and delayed openings a bait switch is a bit overwrought.

Oh, but it's par for the course on here. Why use facts and logic when you can just get dramatic?

 

[bluezy]

I am disappointed, but understand the deal with MSEP.

I'm disappointed about ROL as well, but I work in corporate America and I understand things don't always go as planned.

What has me upset is that when I booked this Disney trip, it was with the understanding that there would be nighttime hours at AK. It was going to be a different experience for my family, and one that factored into the booking of the trip.

I'm sorry, but 7:00 or 7:30 is not 'night' in Orlando in October. Maybe for 5-10 minutes later in the month, but that's hardly enough time to get the nighttime experience out of the park.

So, whether you disagree with the term 'bait and switch' or not, it is a reason for customers to be not only disappointed, but angry.

Join the club. Guests planning a 2016 Spring trip went through the same thing. They were promised ROL in April. That didn't happen (and many people planned their trips based on the information that the show would open in late April. I'll be surprised if the show opens by the end of the year at this point.). The list of "unknowns" for April-June was long and included:

1. ROL -- would it happen? Would there be dining packages? What restaurants? When could they be booked? Would there be FP?

2. Jungle Book Show -- When? Would there be dining packages? What restaurants? When could they be booked? Would there be FP?

3. Animal Kingdom hours -- how late would they be? When would they start? What rides would be open? Would you be able to get FP?

4. New Star Wars Night Time Show -- When would it start? Would it be every night? If not, which nights? Would you be able to see Star Wars and Fantasmic the same night? Would there be dining/dessert party packages? When could they be booked? Would there be FP?

5. Soarin' -- What date would it reopen? When would the new movie start? When would we be able to book FP?

6. Frozen -- When would it open? When would we be able to book FP?

I know there were more things but those were the ones I could remember off the top of my head. It was a 3-month frenzy of constantly watching for updates and concrete information. It required daily stalking of the website to watch for FPs and ADRs. Park hours and show times changed constantly during that time and continued to change even while we were at Disney. It was the most stressful Disney trip I've ever planned. Unfortunately, this seems to be the new normal when it comes to planning Disney trips. The good news is that everything fell in to place for us and we had a great time but we were fully prepared to simply enjoy the dozens of things that were available to experience and not dwell on the 2 or 3 things that weren't.

 

[CMNJ]

What about the people who plan 61 days out, or 80, or 177? Disney can't make sure every single guests' planning leads to an absolutely perfect vacation. Things change for various reasons, and Disney gives you the courtesy of letting you know that things are always subject to change at anytime. You can still choose to plan knowing that or not. You are asking alot.

Asking that Disney change the fast pass Windows to align with when they can actually set park hours doesn't seem like I'm asking too much to me. That was the gist of my email. Disney asks us to plan far ahead and touts the benefits of onsite stays but they don't reciprocate by accurately setting hours by the time we are supposed to make plans. For the record we planned this trip last fall and lots of changes have happened since that time which is to be expected. I just think it is ridiculous for Disney to expect so much more of us (in regards to planning) then they do of themselves. If they can't plan 60 days out for park hours (which appears to be the case since they have recently updated hours again through early Oct) then they should shorten the FP booking windows to reflect when they can actually commit to park hours.

 

[CMNJ]

Join the club. Guests planning a 2016 Spring trip went through the same thing. They were promised ROL in April. That didn't happen (and many people planned their trips based on the information that the show would open in late April. I'll be surprised if the show opens by the end of the year at this point.). The list of "unknowns" for April-June was long and included:

1. ROL -- would it happen? Would there be dining packages? What restaurants? When could they be booked? Would there be FP?

2. Jungle Book Show -- When? Would there be dining packages? What restaurants? When could they be booked? Would there be FP?

3. Animal Kingdom hours -- how late would they be? When would they start? What rides would be open? Would you be able to get FP?

4. New Star Wars Night Time Show -- When would it start? Would it be every night? If not, which nights? Would you be able to see Star Wars and Fantasmic the same night? Would there be dining/dessert party packages? When could they be booked? Would there be FP?

5. Soarin' -- What date would it reopen? When would the new movie start? When would we be able to book FP?

6. Frozen -- When would it open? When would we be able to book FP?

I know there were more things but those were the ones I could remember off the top of my head. It was a 3-month frenzy of constantly watching for updates and concrete information. It required daily stalking of the website to watch for FPs and ADRs. Park hours and show times changed constantly during that time and continued to change even while we were at Disney. It was the most stressful Disney trip I've ever planned. Unfortunately, this seems to be the new normal when it comes to planning Disney trips. The good news is that everything fell in to place for us and we had a great time but we were fully prepared to simply enjoy the dozens of things that were available to experience and not dwell on the 2 or 3 things that weren't.

Agreed-we actually were there the first week of May and experienced the same disappointment. It seems to have become the norm for Disney now unfortunately.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

So here's my take. Unfortunately nowadays the phrase "bait and switch" is used for everything under the sun.

It is absolutely disappointing when you're excited about something for your trip and you have to kiss that something goodbye.

Here's my list:

~At this point I'm concerned for Pandora opening up in time for my Sep 2017 trip (which at first was a no-brainer and now as time goes by that conviction is getting less and less).

~I did want to watch the MSEP but now I will have no chance to. Disappointing yes.

~The rumor is Ellen's Energy Adventure wil be gone too for another attraction (and while I'm indifferent to it it was a good place to cool down and relax and it adds more construction added to the list).

~Fast and Furious was supposed to be open at USO in 2017 and now that has been delayed to 2018 (pretty bummed about that) and here's hoping that Jimmy Fallon is open when I go.

~DHS is really reduced from what it was when I last went in 2011 and won't be back to full till long after I've gone.

~Here's hoping ROL would be open for Sep 2017 (can't imagine that it wouldn't be more than a year from now but you never know). Quite honestly though any opening of AK past 5/6pm in Sep 2017 would be welcomed.

~I'm probably missing something. I've been planning since August 2015 and that's just the stuff that has happened in the past 12 months. There is bound to be something that will happen in the next.

All of this stuff is disappointing for sure and I'm not real happy with all the changes that have been going on (here's hoping they really do start listening to their customers again) but it isn't a "bait and switch".

 

[HatboxHaint]

ROL isn't cancelled Main Street Electric is going back to Disneyland. ROL has no official opening and is only rummored to start on the 15th.

But it was supposed to open Memorial Day making October a safe bet but WDW waaay underestimated how soon they could deliver ROL. Sounds like something one of my managers at work would do. lol

 

[HatboxHaint]

You have every right to feel disappointed, but accusing Disney of intentionally trying to get you to book a vacation under false pretenses (bait & switch) is ethically and morally wrong.

Call in the morality police! Wee-oooo Weeee-oooo

 

[HatboxHaint]

i understand how you feel. i'm supposed to plan out and order a meal i'm eating NEXT YEAR, but they get to pull the plug on whatever they want, which seems like an awful lot lately. we had us slated on the spreadsheet for 5 days worth of MSEP. we had a dinner planned at tusker that may or may not happen now. if FOF doesn't appear on the calendar at some point, i'm quite sure this will be our last wdw trip. my kid (this is her graduation trip) has already said if we didn't already have flights booked, she'd rather do hawaii.

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