Disney Ethics - another WWYD? Thread

[ForMyBoys]

I do think lying is unethical. I however, don't think all these things are unethical.

We have purchased kids meals for DS when he was 10/11 and wanted a kids meal. The server knew he was 10/11 and allowed him to order the kids meal at a reduced price. I recall even asking if was ok. In that case, not unethical.

Southwest, I don't see an issue w/ saving seats, but honestly it doesn't always work. I recall a woman who had saved an isle seat and a guy called her out (only middle seats left and he wasn't having it). So yeah, I think you can try but not a guarantee. Do I think this is unethical.. no.

In general I don't think its unethical (or even rude) to save spots for a parade or fireworks. This happens everywhere. Every year before our fourth of july parade we put out our tent the night before and save our spot. You think ahead, you get the spot. I don't see the reason why every person in your party needs to sit there for hours. I guess I'm not sure why people see this as unethical.

I also don't think saving spots in a line is unethical. In some cases I would classify it as rude, not unethical. I do think this is different than saving parade/fireworks spots because you aren't making others wait longer if you have clearly staked out the space you need while waiting for the fireworks/parade. When one person saves spots for a bunch of people in a line, the other people who got in line behind them don't know this and end up waiting longer than they intended. While I do find that rude I wouldn't say its unethical. However, if a person has to leave the line for a potty break or some type of small emergency and then rejoins their group... no problem. Don't care the reason, age or gender of the person leaving the line.

Eating at a table at Disney w/ food you brought in. No problem, I paid to get in, they allow me to bring food in, I should be able to use a table. If tables are that busy they need to add more tables.

 

[smidgy]

I

Southwest, I don't see an issue w/ saving seats, but honestly it doesn't always work. I recall a woman who had saved an isle seat and a guy called her out (only middle seats left and he wasn't having it). So yeah, I think you can try but not a guarantee. Do I think this is unethical.. no.

If I paid for EBCI and someone was saving seats, and I had to go in the back,or a middle seat, I would politely tell them that that wasn't happening, sorry.


I also don't think saving spots in a line is unethical. In some cases I would classify it as rude, not unethical. I do think this is different than saving parade/fireworks spots because you aren't making others wait longer if you have clearly staked out the space you need while waiting for the fireworks/parade. When one person saves spots for a bunch of people in a line, the other people who got in line behind them don't know this and end up waiting longer than they intended. While I do find that rude I wouldn't say its unethical. However, if a person has to leave the line for a potty break or some type of small emergency and then rejoins their group... no problem. Don't care the reason, age or gender of the person leaving the line.

you put the nail on the head. IF you all get in line together, that determines the stated wait time.. then if mom and child leave for the potty and return, it makes no difference. BUT!!! if dad and one kid get in line, and mom and other go potty and "catch up" they are not REJOINING. and that does affect the percieved wait time of people who choose to get in that line. so, in my book, NO saving a spot in line. leaving for potty?fine.

Eating at a table at Disney w/ food you brought in. No problem, I paid to get in, they allow me to bring food in, I should be able to use a table. If tables are that busy they need to add more tables.

there is only so much room to add tables. at busy times, even peopl who bought food from the CS location have to wait for a table. at slow times? no problem.. but if I purchase food from the location and have no where to sit and see a group using a table brown bagging it? not cool.

 

[tnklvr]

Someone upthread said it already - but the reality is that you can take a kid for a potty break every 1.5 hours or whatever your schedule deems, but that doesn't mean you can force body waste out of said kid at said time. Kids - like adults - need to go when they need to go.

I probably should have avoided this thread, hahaha, because there are a lot of behaviours I find unethical or just plain obnoxious especially at Disneyworld, but it's part of dealing with other humans. Everyone has different triggers. To the single parent who might have to step out of line to take her kid to potty? All it would take for me to let you back in is a heads up before you go and I'd definitely let you back in. I've watched bags for single parents at the airport who have to take their kid potty - parenting is tough enough, we don't have to make it harder on each other. Just saying.

Sorry, I didn't read every post in the thread so did not know someone already suggested this. I have a child who always seemed to have to go urgently when he did even if he didn't need to go a half hour before. Ironically, now that he is a teen it always happens when there is a car full of stuff to bring in the house or something that has to be done. lol Personally, At Disney I would just skip whatever we were doing and move on or if it was really important stand in line again. I don't sweat the small stuff at Disney and missing a character or ride is not a biggie for me. If taking your child potty and getting back in line where you were works for you then do it, no biggie, if it bothers someone they will get over it.

 

[mekay1012]

I Would never lie about my children's ages, but I wish Disney didn't count age 10 as an adult. My dd is 9 years old and extremely small. If we go next year when she is 10, she won't even be tall enough to ride all the rides. I will just skip the dining plan for a while, because I could never justify paying adult prices for her when she doesn't eat much of anything (my 1 year old eats more than the 9 year old).

Cutting in line really bugs me. If it's obvious that a parent took a child to the bathroom, that's one thing, but when you have 3-4 people join the line and they are adults or teenagers, that bugs the mess out of me!

 

[Goofy_Disney_Dad]

My kids were all over 10 when we started vacationing at Disney World, but we'll be visiting with our grandchildren soon. I would more than likely lie about their age without a second thought. I'm not gonna justify it with a bunch of meaningless reasons. I'm just being honest about what I'd do.

 

[ten6mom]

We ate at Blue Bayou for my son's 11th birthday. He is fairly tall for his age (in other words, definitely does not look 9) and he wanted the macaroni and cheese which is only on the kids' menu. They brought it to him without batting an eye, which surprised me because I thought the table service restaurants were particular about that. And it was a kid's portion at a kid's price.

 

[madge]

Taking a cue from another thread, I thought that I would pose some Disney-related ethical questions. Feel free to add your own. But please be respectful of one another's opinions.

Is it ethical to:

• To have a phantom person registered in your room in order to get more *free* dining credits? How about more than one phantom?
• Make throwaway room reservations so that you can book FP+ at 60 days out? Or using a second MDE account for your current reservation so that you can use the MBs from a previous visit to make a second set of 3 FP+ on the day of?

we had this discussion over the weekend while staying @ Ft. Wilderness. there were a few tent camping sites that were clearly throwaway sites. obviously, they weren't using it for free dining, since it isn't available at the campsites ... but they used it for something that wasn't camping. LOL

 

[sersee05]

if someone has to use the bathroom before you get in line. you all should wait until they are done. you can't REJOIN a line you were never in. but! I have NO problem wahtsoever with someone who was ALREADY in line leaving to use the bathroom and returning.

using the tables with food you brought in? only if it is a slow time.. if there are people walking around with trays of food and no where to sit...nope.

saving spots for fireworks/parades. again within reason.
and anyone can order kid's meals if they want. and adults can split an entree. or order an appetizer.

That is the distinction for me ... If you ALREADY standing in line and have to go to the bathroom..what is the big deal. You were already there. You would still be there if there wasn't an issue. You are still ahead of me.

 

[Disneychick75]

My point was more along the line of it being okay for DVC members to hop to, let's say GF's pool, but other onsite guests are not permitted to do the same. Just like it's okay for DVC members to have more than 5 people in a 1-bedroom villa but not guests who are staying on cash reservations.

This would be news to me as I'm a DVC member and we're not allowed to have more than 4 or 5 people in a 1 bedroom depending upon the resort. For instance, BWV and BCV 1 bedroom units only allow 4 people while BLT and AKV 1 bedrooms allow 5 people in a 1 bedroom units.

As for booking a room knowing you'll cancel it for FP+ purposes, wouldn't canceling the room also cancel the FP+ reservations? Seems like it would.

 

[101Pongo]

Is it ethical to:

• Lie about your child's age in order to get a cheaper ticket? No Or cheaper dining? If he/she eats as a child, maybe Or *free* adult dining? No Or to avoid paying the extra adult fee for the room? No Or to be able to have a 5th person in the room without having to move up a resort level? No
• Have more people in the room than what Disney allows? Rooms are too small to start with. I wouldn't want to.
• To have a phantom person registered in your room in order to get more *free* dining credits? You're paying for the phantom so it's not free. I wouldn't have a problem with it.
• Make throwaway room reservations so that you can book FP+ at 60 days out? No, you're paying for the room but you're keeping someone else from getting that room at a lower price (esp. camping sites).
• Take a seat at a QS location but eat the food that you brought into the park? Yes, if there's lots of space. If it's crowded, leave the tables for paying customers.
• Cut the line to meet up with the rest of your party? No, however if the entire party enters the line, it would be ok for 1 person (+ a parent) to leave and return to use the bathroom or get a drink of water.
• Purchase one Early Bird Check In on Southwest and then save seats for the rest of your party? Don't fly Southwest so I don't know the details of the Early Bird Check In.
• Save spots at Fantasmic! or a parade for members of your party that haven't arrived yet? No, see "Cut the line" above.
• Pool hop? No!
• Park at DtD or a resort parking lot in order to avoid paying for parking? No!

 

[Disneychick75]

This thread has raised a question for me. If someone has an onsite resort reservation, they can book FP+ at 60 days, even if they plan to by tickets once they arrive?

 

[bookgirl]

No, you have to have tickets on your MDE to get FP+, if you have an onsite reservation you can book at 60 days, if you are offsite or an AP holder without a reservation you can book at 30 days, if you have no tickets associated with your account you can not book anything at anytime.

The ticket is the key to booking, the onsite/offsite issue just determines your booking window.

 

[dpswift]

This thread has raised a question for me. If someone has an onsite resort reservation, they can book FP+ at 60 days, even if they plan to by tickets once they arrive?

No and you can only schedule FP for the number of ticket days.

 

[Disneychick75]

Ok, thank-you.

 

[smidgy]

No, you have to have tickets on your MDE to get FP+, if you have an onsite reservation you can book at 60 days, if you are offsite or an AP holder without a reservation you can book at 30 days, if you have no tickets associated with your account you can not book anything at anytime.

The ticket is the key to booking, the onsite/offsite issue just determines your booking window.

yeah I know,. I hate this. I recentlyposted about this on a disney FB page. we will be using our year old tickets from last years "free" dining to bridge to this years Annual pass. we could have renewed th AP when we were there is April, but would have wasted 4 months of that AP.( if you go to WDW 2 X a year, and time it right, you can get 3 trips out of 1 annual pass)
so I have 2 day tickets, so I could only make FP+ for 2 days of the trip. it is my opinion that if you have a resort reservation yuo should be allowed to make FP for at least 5 or 6 days of your reservation. JMHO

 

[Disneychick75]

yeah I know,. I hate this. I recentlyposted about this on a disney FB page. we will be using our year old tickets from last years "free" dining to bridge to this years Annual pass. we could have renewed th AP when we were there is April, but would have wasted 4 months of that AP.( if you go to WDW 2 X a year, and time it right, you can get 3 trips out of 1 annual pass)
so I have 2 day tickets, so I could only make FP+ for 2 days of the trip. it is my opinion that if you have a resort reservation yuo should be allowed to make FP for at least 5 or 6 days of your reservation. JMHO

The ability to book FP+ with a reservation and without tickets seems like it would help people who have to buy tickets once they arrive. The guest(s) couldn't use the FP anyway without a ticket.

 

[Dakota731]

This thread is like a "how to" for ripping off Disney! Then the same people complain when ticket prices or hotel rates go up!

 

[BagOLaughs]

This is an interesting thread to read through. Here are my thoughts:

• Lie about your child's age well you have to think about why Disney has the age rule, its so that smaller children who cannot ride everything don't have to pay the full rate. If you have a small child who looks under their age and consequently may not be tall enough to ride all the rides then sure, lie about their age. You're not harming anyone.
• Have more people in the room than what Disney allows? From what I've heard this can be a fire hazard. Should there be a fire Disney knows how many people are supposed to be in each room, if there are extra people not on the list then they may not be rescued. Nothing is more important that safety, so I don't think this is a good idea at all!
• To have a phantom person registered in your room in order to get more *free* dining credits? If you want to pay for it and are desperate to shovel more Disney food down your throat then go for it. I personally wouldn't bother, the dining plan is enough food for a "normal" person's appetite.
• Make throwaway room reservations so that you can book FP+ at 60 days out? From what I gather from other posts this is a hassle. So if you can be bothered with the hassle then do what you want I guess.
• Take a seat at a QS location but eat the food that you brought into the park? If its busy and people that have paid for food are struggling to sit down I don't think its very fair.
• Cut the line to meet up with the rest of your party? Its not fair to send it "runners". If you're already in the queue and need the bathroom then I don't mind if you leave and then come back. However what really bothers me is when a massive group start pushing in to "join" their friend. I normally put my foot down and stop them from passing (yes I am that person)
• Purchase one Early Bird Check In on Southwest and then save seats for the rest of your party? UK person here... no idea what this problem is. But I'm assuming its an airline, and this is a pass to board earlier than everyone else. In that case - no saving seats. Pay for the whole group.
• Save spots at Fantasmic! or a parade for members of your party that haven't arrived yet? Why not! But within reason. No massive groups!!! But if its a family of 4-6 people then fine.
• Pool hop? I think only people who have paid for that pool should use that pool.
• Park at DtD or a resort parking lot in order to avoid paying for parking?If you want to park at DtD and get those awful buses to the parks then be my guest! I cannot be bothered with that noise. If you do it at a resort you may get a fine so if you want to take the risk then go for it.

 

[smidgy]

The ability to book FP+ with a reservation and without tickets seems like it would help people who have to buy tickets once they arrive. The guest(s) couldn't use the FP anyway without a ticket.

exactly. someone said that people would hoard fast passes.you can only book 3 a day and you're going to book them anyway once you get your tickets. make the MDE so if the resort reservation gets cancelled, the FP get cancelled. what's thedif. between that and making ADRs 180 days ahead? sorry, just frustration to me and unfair.

 

[C-CMom]

Is it ethical to:

• Make throwaway room reservations so that you can book FP+ at 60 days out? Or using a second MDE account for your current reservation so that you can use the MBs from a previous visit to make a second set of 3 FP+ on the day of?

(Bold differently emphasized from original on above quote.)

I looked into the logistics of the "extra" same day FP from another thread. I admit I briefly considered doing it myself. The talk in another thread describing this was something to the effect of "these are just leftover fastpasses" and "Disney must be OK with it because they haven't closed the loophole (yet)".

However, I believe it is NOT Disney that is cheated by this practice, it is the other guests (those who seek FP as well as those who have to wait in the standby line because the FPs are gone to the double-dippers+). If everyone is allowed the same opportunities for FP based on having ONE park entry ticket each (regardless of rooms paid or cancelled), then choosing to take more is unethical in my opinion.

Is the FP+ system perfect? No, but stealing from other guests is not justified. I hope Disney closes the loophole by linking park entry to same day FP activation.