Early Entry Gone?!?!

[DVCMagic_OldKeyWest]

Simply put, if you used EE or not, EE allowed vactioners the choice of getting up early and beating the crowds or sleeping in. The EE perk is gone and so is any choice the vacationer had in deciding when their day at the park would begin. I would also point out that as a religious EE user, I did not approach visiting the parks as a military assault but as a way to visit the park at my pace, see everything I wanted by 12noon and then be on my way back to resort for some time at the pool. I also see that less people will be inclined to stay at any of the WDW resorts if the guy who is paying $70 at Motel 6 gets into the park the same time as the guy paying $350 at the GF.

Michael

 

[SwampFox]

The EE perk is gone and so is any choice the vacationer had in deciding when their day at the park would begin.

We have the same "choice" as before. We can go to the parks when they open or go later. The fact that they now open a little later some days doesn't diminish the option. The lightest crowds each morning are still during the first hour, EE doesn't change that.

With the smaller crowds I've witnessed, the loss of that small perk doesn't affect touring plans at all. It remains to be seen if the busier summer months will suffer.

Actually, if all the people who are claiming to stay away because of the loss of EE are serious, the crowds will be manageable anyway.

 

[CaptainMidnight]

if all the people who are claiming to stay away because of the loss of EE are serious

I haven't see people saying they won't go because if this loss, only that they are legitimately dissappointed it is gone. Did I miss something?

 

[DaveH]

As an empty nester I loved EE in the MK. I love watching the little ones having fun, but I do not enjoy standing line for Snow White, Peter Pan, Pooh and such( I love these rides) for an hour or more for these rides. We were at WDW Nov 26 - Dec 2 and the lines for these were at least 30 mins or more for them. So as a DVCer we know will be back so we did not do these. When I become a grand dad I will start doing those long lines if no EE.

 

[cgcw]

We will truly miss EE if it does not return. With little kids, it was the perfect way to see alot during the morning (especially since our kids are early risers) and then head back for an afternoon rest. We have traveled in the fall when park hours are shorter. As of now, we have no trip planned so there is still hope the it will be back before we go. If not, we'll adjust but always remember the "old days".

 

[Limmer]

Captain Midnight, there were a large number of people on the resorts boards and theme parks boards who said they will cnacel their trips due to EE cancellation (at the time of cancellation). Most, IMHO were just blowing off steam. I cannot see cancelling a vacation over 1 lost hour.

 

[ford family]

One aspect that we have not seen mentioned is the impact on European visitors.
We come over from the UK every other summer and are up and about very early for the first week because of the five hour time difference. We stay on site (BC, DI and BWV) to feel the maximum amount of magic.
We always use EE and were especially pleased when AK was open at 7am (last trip 8am). We also went over to USF and IOA for their 7am opening. We would return to the resort in the afternoon to swim and snooze, have an early dinner and be in bed by 9pm after a full and exciting day.
Without EE and with AK not open until 9am and FW/WS at 10am/noon we will have to delay our next trip until normal service has been resumed or else spend two or three hours each morning waiting to start.
By the way, we read the DIS pages regularly but don't normally post because we don't want to get into arguments with the "Disney did it so it must be good" or the "In these times you should be grateful if that is all you have to worry about" brigades. Some of the postings in response to critical comments are either patronising (as in the initial response in this thread) or appear to be written by Disney staffers posing as ordinary people.
We appreciate the reasons for the economic downturn which has been exacerbated by the cowardly actions of September 11 and we deeply sympathise with the American people but we believe that reducing the level of service whilst maintaining the high prices will only reduce income further causing reductions in service levels and so on.
Best regards
ford family
United Kingdom

 

[pluvc1993]

To the Ford Family

I couldn't have said it better myself. Thank you.

New York!

 

[baileybrad]

There should be a string with a ring on the end hanging out the castmembers backsides that you can just pull when you ask them about anything controversial that Disney does. So when you ask about the demise of Surprise Mornings they can respond with the canned answer that "it was ended due to guest security concerns". It was ended to save Disney money. And it was handled as poorly by Disney as about any change has been implemented by a company of their size with their former excellent reputation for customer satisfaction blowing in the wind.

For those of you who never use EE and like to sleep to noon...God bless you, every single one. And thanks to those who like to point out that you are on vacation.....didn't know that, figured you were at WDW as punishment.

For those with small children who used EE often at the MK and MGM it is a perk that is sorely missed. We have no DVC points to spend at the present time but for our upcoming trip in January we are staying off-site primarily because of no EE. It is our small part to express our displeasure. We are using our APs and will be spending a good deal of our time dining off-site as well. Money, or lack of there of, is really the only language that Disney seems to understand so we will be keeping more of ours for ourselves while still having an enjoyable Disney vacation out of the cold weather with our little boys.

Ford Family,
Excellent points and post....wouldn't be surprised that this thread is banished fairly soon to another board. SOME DVCers don't take any criticism of good ole Disney very well.

Limmer,
If you are going to speak knowledgeably on the EE subject....please be aware that EE is 1 1/2 hours at the MK and not 1 hour as you have mentioned.

 

[DVCMagic_OldKeyWest]

The Ford Family has expressed the EE problem to a tee. Yes, you can go to the park later but if you are up at 6 am what are supposed to do.

I understand Disney has to make financial decisions based on attendance numbers. But families planning on traveling to WDW will possible cancel their plans when they start taking a hard look of the actual cost of the vacation with limited park hours.

Disney needs guests. Once you have established a perk, such as EE, taking it away can have negative P.R. side affects. Let us not forget Disney has for the past several years marketed EE as a main "selling point" for staying onsite. So, it is only natural for guests to be a disappointed in Disney decision to discontinue EE.
Imagine Disney came out and cancelled pool hopping priviliges
for DVC members. Pool hopping has and is one of the major selling points of DVC membership.

Yes, I will continuing go with EE discontinues. Do I feel I will be getting the most out of my annual pass? No.

Ford family-On a side note, what part of UK do you reside?


MG

 

[Eeyore2U]

Imagine Disney came out and cancelled pool hopping priviliges for DVC members. Pool hopping has and is one of the major selling points of DVC membership.

It wasn't used as a selling point to my us by our guide, I'd be curious to see how many bought DVC based on pool hopping.

Based on the Ford Family's well stated argument, Manchester United should play their matches at 1:30am local time in the UK to satisfy my body being on Eastern Standard Time if I go vacation there. That's not going to happen. Disney, IMO, can't base their schedule on the needs on select groups.

I feel for those that miss EE. I understand that it was sold as a perk and is missed by some. I hope that if the crowds increase it will come back. But if you have read recent posts on the Theme Parks Board, those there recently seemd not to miss it.

 

[JWimberley]

Well, I seem to have opened a can of worms here didn't I? That's ok, I think everyone has been able to say what they think of the situation without anyone getting to riled up.

Tanya and I will still be going to Orlando in January, but taking a line from Eros, we will be concentrating more on relaxation than park visits.

It is quite likely that we won't even use the parks this time, looking instead at the other 95% of things to do in Orlando. Can you believe that in five trips we have not gone to Universal, Busch Gardens (yeah I know its not in Orlando) or even Ripley's museum? Just for a change of pace and because I don't think anything new has been added to the parks this year we are going to spend our ticket money on all the silly tourist traps we can find. $600 worth of park hoppers should buy plenty of cheap t-shirts and cute bumper stickers!

Anyway, I hope to see some of ya'll when we are there and maybe you can join us for dinner at Medival Times instead of Artist Point this year...

Take Care,
Joshua

 

[Jeanne]

Happy to say that in the last 20 years of being in the parks at least one vacation a year, my family was never in the parks at opening. Vacation for us is leasurly wake up time, breakfast and then hit the parks. The most distressing part of our new and "improved" disney morning was the closing of La Famille's their breakfast was a must have of every trip. We won't miss EE, but fireworks at night, that would be bad.

 

[Granny]

Originally posted by JWimberley
Well, I seem to have opened a can of worms here didn't I? That's ok, I think everyone has been able to say what they think of the situation without anyone getting to riled up.

JWimberly....

It seems that there are some subjects that really get people on a soapbox. I guess this is one of them.

I like it when everyone is giving their opinions. I'm not so happy when I read posts from those who seem to think that anyone who disagrees with them is wrong.

And if anyone disagrees with this post.......YOU'RE WRONG!!

 

[Bennet]

cowardly actions of September 11

I like this everyone (on TV) on this side of the pond is saying tragic. Nice to hear a brit's accent on the dis.

 

[disneykins]

We used ee every day of every trip (14 in the last 13 years). We'd be there early when the kids were young so they could ride all the rides and meet all the characters without the huge lineups. We'd go back to OKW for lunch and a nap (later this became a swim) and then have supper in our villa. After supper we were ready to return to a park. I realize its a business decision and it will probably save Disney a bundle in salaries, etc. but like some have said here, when you take away anything thats always been there, there will be complaints. Maybe Disney could put it on for busy times, like Christmas (when we're gonna be there LOL) or Easter or weekends. We've lost the passes we used to get, the pool hopping isn't what it used to be and now this--we dont seem to be getting treated so special anymore. We'll still go every year but maybe spend more time at US and IOA and other places. Sorry about the rant.
Tony

 

[fklhou]

I have had two different conversations with CMs in Guest Relations in response to some e-mails sent to WDW. In one call, the CM started to justify the elimination of EE with the caravan character justificaion but drop that quickly. The other CM did not even try this justification and instead talk about attendence levels. According to this CM, Disney is monitoring attendence levels closely and on most days you can get 18 events in during the normal touring hours (no I do not know what this stat is referring to).

I asked both CMs if there are any plans to bring EE back and both told me that the issue was being reviewed and that bringing back EE at some point is a possiblity.

Based on other postings on these boards, it appears that EE is not needed on weekdays but would be helpful on Saturday and Sundays. The CMs also indicated that some form of EE may be appropriate for just weekends but the issue was being studied.

Please understand that I know that I was not told anything meaningful by these CMs. However, I do believe that Disney has heard the complaints about elmiination of EE and is concerned about the issue.

We are scheduled to be at BWVs during spring break and by then hopefully, something has been done to elither provide a true replacement for EE or otherwise address peoples concerns.

 

[AZKathy]

We used EE for MK to get Fantasyland over easy without the bad lines for our children. I did not find EE at the other parks was an asset to our visit.

 

[skeegan]

We always use early entry - To us it was a huge perk and one of the main reasons to stay on Disney property, particularly in Disneyland. We could do more in that hour that in 4 hours later in the day. I am very disappointed.

 

[ford family]

[Based on the Ford Family's well stated argument, Manchester United should play their matches at 1:30am local time in the UK to satisfy my body being on Eastern Standard Time if I go vacation there. That's not going to happen. Disney, IMO, can't base their schedule on the needs on select groups.
]Originally posted by Eeyore2U



Normally football (soccer) games kick off at 3pm so Eeyore2U would have his body clock at 10am.

To continue your allegory, there is an old joke here in the UK about the once famous and well supported football club that was suffering poor attendances. A prospective fan phones up to ask what time the game starts and is asked "what time can you get here?".

Disney should take note.

Ford Family
Sevenoaks
United Kingdom