Don't Hate Me for Knowing More

[savvy?71]

Have you ever tried to give fp away?omg! people looked at me like I had 10 heads when I tried to give a family fp for splash we were not goin to use, then got a 120 min standby line.It happened so many times until a fellow diser took them from me.

This is similar to being a New Englander. If I motion to another driver to 'go ahead', they look at me like I am being a wise*** and flip me a well-worn finger, speed out ahead of me anyway

What? A nice gesture? I don't think so **fists in air**

We tried to give FP to Buzz last trip and it took 3 tries! I suppose not everyone has to want them (their schedules or whatnot being a block), but the reactions are funny. Like you were handing them a tissue of snot!

 

[Mr. & Mrs. Smith]

I'm still picturing the foot race to the shower at the Poly.

This is similar to being a New Englander. If I motion to another driver to 'go ahead', they look at me like I am being a wise*** and flip me a well-worn finger, speed out ahead of me anyway

What? A nice gesture? I don't think so **fists in air**

I know this isn't Disney-related but I had to comment. While I have no doubt that your gesture is well-intentioned and I think it's terribly rude that someone would give you a not-so-well-intentioned gesture in return, I never go when someone waves me on when driving. It's happened too many times that I've seen someone literally hold up the flow of traffic in order to let someone go. Also, the few times I have gone forward when motioned (like at a four-way stop when the other person had the right of way), usually the person doing the motioning changes their mind and starts going just as I do. (There are a few exceptions to this. I will let someone go and I will go myself if there is a long line of stationary traffic stopped at a light and I'm/they're trying to get out of a parking lot.)

Just thought I'd give you some insight on why others might not respond to your nice gesture.

 

[savvy?71]

I know this isn't Disney-related but I had to comment. While I have no doubt that your gesture is well-intentioned and I think it's terribly rude that someone would give you a not-so-well-intentioned gesture in return, I never go when someone waves me on when driving. It's happened too many times that I've seen someone literally hold up the flow of traffic in order to let someone go. Also, the few times I have gone forward when motioned (like at a four-way stop when the other person had the right of way), usually the person doing the motioning changes their mind and starts going just as I do. (There are a few exceptions to this. I will let someone go and I will go myself if there is a long line of stationary traffic stopped at a light and I'm/they're trying to get out of a parking lot.)

Just thought I'd give you some insight on why others might not respond to your nice gesture.

My post was more tongue-in-cheek....a bit of hyperbole regarding Boston drivers.

But you are right; there are valid reasons for road reactions such as that. I have been in all those scenarios and more; sometimes road courtesy will backfire!

I think of those instances when two people are walking in opposite directions but one has to let the other pass in order to get by. Both persons gesture to let the other pass at the same time, then so on, and so on, so that no one is actually getting anywhere Of course, with driving, safety is more to the point (and there may be a not-so-apparent reason as to why the other party is not ready to proceed, so waving another on can cause confusion/stress)

 

[dqpowell]

I know this isn't Disney-related but I had to comment. While I have no doubt that your gesture is well-intentioned and I think it's terribly rude that someone would give you a not-so-well-intentioned gesture in return, I never go when someone waves me on when driving.

Me neither, but for a slightly different reason.

Normally, when somebody waves me to go first, they're doing so because they think they're being "nice." However, in those situations I haven't gone first for one reason and one reason only: I do not have the right of way. They do.

It's not being "nice" to wave somebody else at an intersection through if they don't have the right of way. What they're actually doing, though I'm sure they don't think of it this way, is encouraging me to break traffic laws by going when I don't have the right of way.

I will not go in those situations. If everybody would simply follow the traffic laws then everything would work out fine.

You came to a stop at a four-way stop before I did? You have the right of way. Go. You are not doing me a favor by waving me through first. If an accident were to happen, I would be responsible for having gone when I didn't have the right of way.

We both came to a stop at a four-way stop at the same time, but you're to the right of me? You have the right of way. Go. You are not doing me a favor by waving me through first. If an accident were to happen, I would be responsible for having gone when I didn't have the right of way.

Thanks for bringing that up, Mr/Mrs Smith. It's a pet peeve of mine.

David

 

[dolphindan1]

We had a situation with the monorail, but it was a bit different than yours. We asked a CM if we could ride up front on the monorail. We were in the waiting area near the front of the train already. He said yes, and told us to wait in the assigned area just to the left of the front waiting area, while he went off to take care of something. The monorail hadn't arrived yet.

Apparently a few minutes later a different family asked another CM if they could ride up front. They had been waiting in one of the middle waiting areas. In other words, if they hadn't asked to ride up front, they would have boarded somewhere near the middle of the train. That CM told them they could ride up front and to walk over to the assigned waiting area that we were already waiting in.

When they saw us waiting in there, they told us we had to leave that area, that it was reserved for, quote, "VIP guests." I didn't know that they had asked a CM about riding in the front car, and responded that it wasn't for VIPs, but was where we were told to wait so we could ride in the front monorail car with the driver.

She got really indignant and told me I was "cheating" and that we couldn't be the up-front family because she had already gotten approval for it. I told her we had gotten permission from the CM five minutes previously and that I'm sure if she were willing to wait for the next monorail that she would get to ride up front as well. I didn't have the heart to tell her that she wouldn't be able to have all six people in her party up front even when her turn did come up. (We had five in our group and I already planned to separate from the rest of my family so they could ride up front. The limit is 4.)

Just about that time the train was pulling into the station, and the CM I had asked about riding up front approached us. The woman in the other group immediately wedged past me and started yelling to the CM that her group had permission to ride up front and that we had "skipped" her. I shook my head and shrugged my shoulders -- he and I both knew that I had already talked to him and that he had told us to wait there.

He told her that my group was first, as we had already gotten permission. He waved my family through into the front car, while I stepped into the first 'regular' car. Then he told the woman that if she wanted to wait for the next monorail, four in her group could ride up front. She started shouting at him that if she was going to wait around for another "damn monorail" that she "wasn't damn well going to separate her group," and that they would have to let all of them ride in the front car. He started to tell her that was not allowed, etc...

Meanwhile two kids in her group, about 10-11 years old, were clearly embarrassed by the whole thing. They stepped into the first regular car (the one I was in) and tried to tell the woman that they just wanted to go to Epcot, and to get on the monorail before it left. She wasn't paying any attention to them and then the monorail doors closed and we were off!

Yes, they ended up separated from their group with me on the monorail to Epcot. When we exited the monorail at the other end I found a CM immediately and told her that those two kids were separated from their group but that the rest of the group would probably be along on the next monorail. She told them to wait there with her. I have no idea what she had to say when she caught up with them but I'm glad I wasn't there to hear it.

David

We had something similiar to this happen a few years ago...it was my family of 4 and another family of 4...we were next to ride up front and then another family promised by another CM told the other family they could ride...when the monorail arrived we were told to come on...the mother got a bit upset....So I stopped and asked the CM if just the kids could ride up front he said yes...So I went and got the other family and our kids and there kids rode up front and we were in the cab right behind them....They mom thanked me over and over...I just told her no worries, we are all here for the kids....My oldest just smiled and said Dad that was very nice of you...I hope it rubed of on him some....

 

[dqpowell]

So I stopped and asked the CM if just the kids could ride up front he said yes...

I considered that for an instant but the numbers still wouldn't have worked... I had three kids and she had three or four, depending on whether you counted her teenagers as kids.

I also admit I was somewhat disinclined to be terribly accommodating to her given her 'instant' attitude upon seeing us there. "VIPs" indeed.

David

 

[dolphindan1]

I considered that for an instant but the numbers still wouldn't have worked... I had three kids and she had three or four, depending on whether you counted her teenagers as kids.

I also admit I was somewhat disinclined to be terribly accommodating to her given her 'instant' attitude upon seeing us there. "VIPs" indeed.

David

The family I was dealing with wasnt too overbearing...if they were i probably wouldnt have been that nice....After we got on the monorail and got to talking the family had been tired from Rd to close 6 days of touring and was just flat out tired...I tried to tell them its nice to try and get your money's worth out of Disney but you have to pace yourself take breaks and then you will enjoy your Disney vacation so much more...Hey it took me 2 trips to figure that out

 

[doconeill]

I'm pretty sure at least most of the time the CMs will tell you that you may have to wait one or two passes before you'd be able to sit up front anyways...at least they did whenever we asked.

This past October we had to wait for the third one to come along as the first two had trainees...the CM radio'd to find out when the next available front seat was. We weren't in a hurry, so we waited. There were a few looks at us wondering why we were just waiting there...like we were in trouble or something.

 

[dqpowell]

I'm pretty sure at least most of the time the CMs will tell you that you may have to wait one or two passes before you'd be able to sit up front anyways...at least they did whenever we asked.

We've only done it twice, but both times we got in on the first available train. Both times were during value/low crowd seasons, though... Oct 2003 and Dec 2007.

David

 

[RMulieri]

This is similar to being a New Englander. If I motion to another driver to 'go ahead', they look at me like I am being a wise*** and flip me a well-worn finger, speed out ahead of me anyway

What? A nice gesture? I don't think so **fists in air**

We tried to give FP to Buzz last trip and it took 3 tries! I suppose not everyone has to want them (their schedules or whatnot being a block), but the reactions are funny. Like you were handing them a tissue of snot!

I could see not all people wanting the FP...But the people I explained it to, said "no thanks" and then got into a 120 min wait line for Splash,when I just offered them the FP.

 

[PatriciaH]

It's pretty regular that I know more than CM's, especially when it comes to reservations. I recently called with a question... I called twice, and sure enough, I got two different answers. I trust Mousesavers, the DIS, and Allearsnet more than CM's at Disney Travel. Sometimes you get a well informed CM, and too often you don't. I mean the second CM I spoke with recently wasn't even aware that the buy 4get three free promo had been extened! Isn't this the kind of thing Disney should memo their CM's about before they start taking calls for the day?!?!?

I don't know what classes they take at CRO but they really are lost over there sometimes! The last time I called I wanted to check a campsite with the dining plan. I was told I can't do the dining plan with a campsite. I said that is true for FREE dining but not the regular paid dining plan. She had to go look it up before she would believe me. The same lady told me the dining plan was not good for the Candlelight lunch. She had to go ask about that too and acted all surprised when it was "true."

We wound up just booking a Candlelight lunch at Le Cellier out of pocket and the waitress there told us the appetizer was not included! I said well that is true for the dining plan people but not when we are paying out of pocket. She had to look it up too!!! How many people got NO appetizer on the Candlelight packages because they don't train them right?!

We NEED to keep up on everything or we don't get what we are paying for!

 

[dolphindan1]

We've only done it twice, but both times we got in on the first available train. Both times were during value/low crowd seasons, though... Oct 2003 and Dec 2007.

David

Yeah 2 weeks ago about 8:30 there were only 6 of us in the entire waiting area and we walked right up and asked to ride up front...didnt have to wait at all

 

[savvy?71]

I could see not all people wanting the FP...But the people I explained it to, said "no thanks" and then got into a 120 min wait line for Splash,when I just offered them the FP.

You have to wonder what this kind of reaction could mean...

A) The people still have no idea how the FP works despite explanation

B) The people understand, but would rather wait 120 minutes so they can complain about waiting 120 minutes

C) See B

 

[Mr. & Mrs. Smith]

We had something similiar to this happen a few years ago...it was my family of 4 and another family of 4...we were next to ride up front and then another family promised by another CM told the other family they could ride...when the monorail arrived we were told to come on...the mother got a bit upset....So I stopped and asked the CM if just the kids could ride up front he said yes...So I went and got the other family and our kids and there kids rode up front and we were in the cab right behind them....They mom thanked me over and over...I just told her no worries, we are all here for the kids....My oldest just smiled and said Dad that was very nice of you...I hope it rubed of on him some....

What a great way to deal with the situation! Good for you!

 

[BradyBz12]

Have you ever tried to give fp away?omg! people looked at me like I had 10 heads when I tried to give a family fp for splash we were not goin to use

That's really funny because we were walking into Epcot the last evening of our trip a few weeks ago and some nice man walked up to us as we cleared the turnstiles and said, "Are you just coming in? Would you like a couple of FPs?"

We immediately said, "SURE - thanks very much!" and didn't even ask them what they were for!

Turns out they were for Soarin' - one thing we hadn't done ever, and hadn't even attempted in the 3 weeks we were there because either the timing was wrong or the wait was over an hour! Score!!

And if that man happens to be on the Dis - thanks again! Soarin' far exceeded all my expectations, and we never would have done it if it weren't for your kindness.

 

[BradyBz12]

I went and got the other family and our kids and there kids rode up front and we were in the cab right behind them....They mom thanked me over and over...I just told her no worries, we are all here for the kids....My oldest just smiled and said Dad that was very nice of you...I hope it rubed of on him some....

Well done, you! That's how to set a great example for your kids AND spread some of that common courtesy around. Let's hope that other family paid it forward and did something nice for someone else too.

 

[BradyBz12]

I also admit I was somewhat disinclined to be terribly accommodating to her given her 'instant' attitude upon seeing us there.

I'm with you there and this plays into another thread going on right now about common courtesy. People that treat you well make you more inclined to WANT to do the same. And when treated lousy, we're all more inclined to dig in our heels and not want to be quite so generous. Now if only more people would realize this...

 

[bumbershoot]

Okay.....hmmm...why not? why can't they be monitored?

When I was an operator (not Disney), I was closely monitored! If anyone missed an alert, I can assure you, we were promptly called into an office to explain and chastised for not doing our job. Every time. We were held to a standard. Literally, lives were at stake if we made the wrong mistake.

Almost every time I call- and I don't call that often - another CM blames 'the system' or 'their computer' for being 'especially slow' that day. The excuse is a regular aspect of calling WDW Travel. C'mon!!!! It just happens to be slow every time I happen to call?!!?!?



Surely, I can't be the only one who has noticed. This is the first interaction most customers have with WDW. It should not be highly flawed, and it is. This is the 'face' of Disney - so to speak - and it must be costing Disney revenue because it is poorly done.

If Disney mangement doesn't see this as a priority, then they should.

I don't know where you worked where it seems they had a one listener for one operator situation, but gosh I would think it would be better to have those listeners taking calls too!

When I worked at amazon, we could be monitored, but it was random, and the calls might not be listened to for days or even weeks. Things could come back to you that were ages ago.

And having worked CS with computers, quite often systems can be slow. They might be working on the software, there might be umpteen million people accessing the system at the same time, a T4 line could be out somewhere, and so on.

Lastly, have you noticed how AWFUL the disney sites are? Clunky, weighted down with pretty stuff that is useless, and they don't have much solid info? That's the best disney can put out for their websites. Do we REALLY think they know how to make their internal systems any better?????

A lot of parents don't know about the rider switch pass. However, I noticed on this last trip, that CMs are really tough when it comes to giving them out. The CM at TOT actually measured my 2 yo to see if he could enter the building and then switch inside. The CM at RNR had to see my whole family first, not just the toddler in the stroller. weird? Seemed a little more lax at the MK.

Thankfully, Rider Switch info is given, and explained quite clearly, on the 2009 planning video!

 

[WDSearcher]

You have to wonder what this kind of reaction could mean...

A) The people still have no idea how the FP works despite explanation

B) The people understand, but would rather wait 120 minutes so they can complain about waiting 120 minutes

C) See B

I think it's that they still have no idea what it means or how it works, OR they think that because you have FPs and you got them before you got in line, that they can't get them now. That they were "too late" or something. A better option for explaining might be to point to the panel on their guidemap that talks about FPs and then they can find out about it on their own (during their 120 min wait).

People tend to be reluctant to try something new if they don't fully understand the concept, and so you telling them right there that they could use this new-fangled tool when they're already on their way to someplace (even if it is a 120 min line) might be a disconnect they're not comfortable with. Especially if they're used to the "pay for access" plans at other theme parks.

I don't think people who don't use FP are stupid or anything. They're just overwhelmed by all this Disney stuff, and it can take a while to process yet another new piece of information.

 

[jk and ek]

I was going to say the same thing about Six Flags being the cause. Six Flags also only offers pay to cut systems and people get annoyed at it and think it is the same issue at Disney,

I have heard of Flashpass users being cursed at, at Six Flags.

ohhh yes! we had season passes for six flags this year and every time we went, we got the premium flashpasses (once you get them once, there's no turning back, it's just that great!!)

we got plenty of dirty looks, lots of, "HEY!!!"s and several, "what!? no fair!!" and, "they're cutting!" and one guy with his kids even yelled, "CHEATERS!" at us as we walked by in the flashpass line.

i mean, hello? we arrived early enough for flashpass to be available and also paid for the privilege to use it.

i will admit that i can be kind of sassy back to people who are rude to me, so to the guy who called us cheaters, i just turned and called back, "cheapskates!" which wasn't nice, i know, but it was my birthday so i was feeling especially spoiled.