BAIT and SWITCH

[HatboxHaint]

Definitely disappointing. I'm making a special trip to see MSEP before it ends, but a little more warning would have been nice.

Well it's depressing that we plan trips not to see new things but to see things being taken away without replacement. The maximizing of profit at WDW gets old after awhile.

 

[HatboxHaint]

Ok, then I guess I'm confused by the OP's post.

They promised ROL on Memorial Day so we planned a fall trip trying to factor in some buffer. Now ROL is not opening still anytime soon and they are pulling out other major pieces of entertainment for the fall as well along with decreasing the AK hours back towards normal.

Also who said ROL was opening Sept 15th???????

 

[HatboxHaint]

I agree with the disappointment in the inconsistencies and delays and cancellations, but if you're going to be accusatory towards Disney as a company at least be correct in what you're accusing them of.

Take it easy. This is message board not a court of law and I'm making a post and blowing off steam not filing charges.

 

[HatboxHaint]

No bait and switch. That's just being extreme. Disney didn't make any "promised" to trick you into booking a trip. It's just wrong to say so.

Attractions, shows, and other entertainment are always subject to change and that is made pretty clear. Does it stink when your favorite just happens to be the one that is down/gone? Yes and it's okay to be disappointed. But sometimes one also has to have realistic expectations.

So what could they pull that would be a disappointment for you?

 

[megster1123]

Take it easy.

Ok, pot.

 

[HatboxHaint]

That's not what bait and switch means...

They promised on paper late hours and a new spectacular at AK. What I'll get is no nighttime spectacular at AK and reduced hours barely after sunset. This is for first of October. Annd instead of advertising ROL now they are advertising a retiring parade. Instead of crowds going to AK at night, now the MK will just be packed to the gills every night.

 

[megster1123]

They promised on paper late hours and a new spectacular at AK. What I'll get is no nighttime spectacular at AK and reduced hours barely after sunset. This is for first of October. Annd instead of advertising ROL now they are advertising a retiring parade. Instead of crowds going to AK at night, now the MK will just be packed to the gills every night.

Yeah, that's still not bait and switch.

 

[HatboxHaint]

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.

Yes yes yes yes

 

[HatboxHaint]

That's not what bait and switch means...

You intend to purchase one product but then are coerced into purchasing another.

From Wikipedia:
First, customers are "baited" by merchants's advertising products or services at a low price, but when customers visit the store, they discover that the advertised goods either are not available[1] or are not as good as was expected, or the customers are pressured by sales people to consider similar, but higher-priced, items ("switching").

 

[BuckeyeBama]

You intend to purchase one product but then are coerced into purchasing another.

From Wikipedia:
First, customers are "baited" by merchants's advertising products or services at a low price, but when customers visit the store, they discover that the advertised goods either are not available[1] or are not as good as was expected, or the customers are pressured by sales people to consider similar, but higher-priced, items ("switching").

News flash - you can get your money from WDW today. Just cancel your trip.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

You intend to purchase one product but then are coerced into purchasing another.

From Wikipedia:
First, customers are "baited" by merchants's advertising products or services at a low price, but when customers visit the store, they discover that the advertised goods either are not available[1] or are not as good as was expected, or the customers are pressured by sales people to consider similar, but higher-priced, items ("switching").

I'm sorry but I really think you are confused on the whole bait and switch thing. I'm seeing people understand your disappointment and agree with also being disappointed but the issue is really the term being utilized.

The price you pay for your ticket is for admission into the parks.

Now if Disney made you pay for ROL and cancelled it but then offered instead for the same price Jungle Book (which by many is considered a huge flop) yeah I could see a bit more where the bait and switch can into play because you were sold, at an extra price, a certain attraction and were given instead a subpar attraction but you also would have to prove that Disney did this purposefully and intentionally sold you an extra add on knowing they would be cancelling it and providing a subpar attraction in its place and furthermore you would have to have Disney state that they consider Jungle Book a subpar attraction in comparison to ROL.

Disney did not make you pay extra to see ROL, did not make you pay extra to see Jungle Book so where is the bait and switch? What you got is a vacation that likely cost a pretty penny that now has some disappointment sprinkled in.

 

[megster1123]

You intend to purchase one product but then are coerced into purchasing another.

From Wikipedia:
First, customers are "baited" by merchants's advertising products or services at a low price, but when customers visit the store, they discover that the advertised goods either are not available[1] or are not as good as was expected, or the customers are pressured by sales people to consider similar, but higher-priced, items ("switching").

My apologies, I didn't realize you were currently at WDW and being pressured to purchase EMM or some fancy fireworks viewing party. My mistake.

 

[DebbieB]

I think pulling MSEP with short notice was bad. It was on the calendar, people made plans, including a dining package. If they were going to end it, they should not have released it on the calendar. It's not like they need to close it for repair.

Part of this all goes back to releasing calendars and ADR's 6 months in advance. If they want more flexibility in scheduling, they should pull that back to 90 or 120 days. I think 180 days is ridiculous. They want to pressure people into booking a room and making a deposit far in advance to get the ADR advantage.

 

[mom2rtk]

News flash - you can get your money from WDW today. Just cancel your trip.

People always say that. But I wonder if the OP's airfare is equally refundable.

 

[mom2rtk]

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.

Seems quite reasonable.

 

[BuckeyeBama]

People always say that. But I wonder if the OP's airfare is equally refundable.

If not, her beef would be with the airline, not Disney. Airfare used to be totally refundable, and change fees were low to non-existent. Disney didn't change those rules, the airlines did.

 

[wilkeliza]

Seems quite reasonable.

That I can agree with. Never understood why Disney World has everything so far out but Disneyland can operate with 60 days for reservations. 180 is extreme. I thankfully have had luck booking closer to actual travel but changes are still happening in the 30-60 day window.

 

[JerseyJanice]

They promised ROL on Memorial Day so we planned a fall trip trying to factor in some buffer. Now ROL is not opening still anytime soon and they are pulling out other major pieces of entertainment for the fall as well along with decreasing the AK hours back towards normal.

Also who said ROL was opening Sept 15th???????

FWIW, I've been planning our October trip since April. I was confident up until now that Rivers of Light would be up and running for my trip.

I was so confident that I purchased a Landry's Select Club membership to use at Yak & Yeti on a ROL night. Would I have done that if I didn't expect to be in AK late one evening? IDK but I don't regret buying it in any event.

There are many things I enjoy at WDW. Attractions, resorts, themed dining, but hands-down my personal favorite is the night time entertainment. Illuminations, Wishes, Fantasmic and MSEP are what I enjoy the most.

I'm still holding out hope that I will be able to see ROL in October. It's a lesser issue, but I also hope it's on every night so I have some flexibility. I also wish that they would schedule the Star Wars fireworks and Fantasmic so that I could see both on one night.

Whatever happens, I'm going to try not to be disappointed. I've got the Food & Wine Festival no matter what, plus I'll be with my extended family. And park hopping! Thanks to the Dis, I've gotten 7 day hoppers. I don't see how I could plan this trip without hoppers.

 

[mom2rtk]

That I can agree with. Never understood why Disney World has everything so far out but Disneyland can operate with 60 days for reservations. 180 is extreme. I thankfully have had luck booking closer to actual travel but changes are still happening in the 30-60 day window.

You know, the funny thing is that you would expect DLR to be able to get it together 60 days out. I mean, it's not like it's 180 days, right? And it's not like people have to reserve rides 60 days out, right? Nope. They can't get it together either. I believe I heard they finally added park hours for 10/1 today maybe? People have been waiting for several weeks to book in park ADRs and haven't been able to because Disney would not commit to park hours.

 

[mom2rtk]

If not, her beef would be with the airline, not Disney. Airfare used to be totally refundable, and change fees were low to non-existent. Disney didn't change those rules, the airlines did.

Not really. The PP's issue isn't at all with the flights. Their issue is absolutely with Disney.