Email I sent to Disney

[sonofanarchy]

Just thought I'd share. Yes, there will be more room for you at the parks.

To whom it may concern:

It is with an extremely heavy heart that I send this email. I am well aware that my opinions will likely fall on deaf ears and if responded to at all, will be done so with a canned email reply. However I do feel that it is only fair that I do voice my opinions.

I have been an out of state passholder for many years. I vacation at WDW with friends for 1 week every winter and with my family for 2 weeks every summer. I have taken over 40 vacations at WDW. I have not stayed offsite since 1990. Needless to say, WDW has been my vacation of choice and my very favorite place anywhere.

It is with this information that the decision to no longer vacation at WDW has been a terrible one for my family and I. When the changes were first announced to the Guest Assistance Card, we knew we would have difficulty touring the parks. However, we decided with the new DAS and Fastpass, we would make it work. I have absolutely no issues whatsoever with the Magic Bands. I applaud Disney in fact as they are taking advantage of technology to make certain parts of vacationing easier. However, that's where it ends. You have sadly for us, lost us as guests with the advent of Fastpass Plus and the loss of the original Fastpass system.

There are so many horrible things about the new system. I could almost accept the absurdity of having to schedule which rides we want to be at at a specific time, 2 months in advance, but the changes you have added:

1.Tiering the attractions.
2.Limiting guests to only 3 Fastpasses per day. This is not NEARLY enough, especially in the Magic Kingdom.
3.Not allowing Fastpass Plus to be used in 2 separate parks on the same day, there by making park hopping pointless.

Disney can try and spin these changes however they'd like, but the facts are simple - You have taken away from guests rather than added on. It still stands, that Disney is the only major theme park company to not sell some sort of a line cutting program. Universal, Busch, Six Flags - They all have it. Why not Disney? For a family like mine, who depended so greatly on the use of the GAC, your dissection of Fastpass has made visiting WDW a complete waste of money for us. Will we still come to Orlando? Absolutely. And we will spend our 2 weeks staying at a Universal Resort, going to Universal theme parks, Sea World, Busch Gardens, Legoland, etc. All places that give the guests willing to pay what they want and need to tour the parks in an efficient manner.

Thank you for your time and the memories.

 

[ArwenMarie]

Good email!

I really should write one about the tiers. I was on board til the tiers. It's a such major takeaway the whole thing is worth nothing to me now.

 

[AmyB2006]

I really hope they respond, and I really hope you post the response.

Good email!

I really should write one about the tiers. I was on board til the tiers. It's a such major takeaway the whole thing is worth nothing to me now.

 

[conniehar90]

Here is the email I sent last week - from a different perspective since we are offsite visitors but visit often. I received a canned reply that I would hear back in 72 hours. It has been 144 hours with no response.

To Whom It May Concern:


As a frequent visitor to Disney World, I would like to express my concern for the future of the Fast Pass system.

Our family has visited your parks many times over the years starting with our honeymoon in 1990 and twice annually over the past 3 years. My daughter and I were annual passholders for the past two years. During this time, we have only stayed onsite twice, however, we spend many hours in your parks and restaurants.

I am not adverse to change. I fully believe in embracing new technology as well as going green and finding ways to reduce costs while keeping high standards intact. However, the new Fast Pass Plus program seems to really be reducing the "magic" for many families on vacation. Glitches with the new technology, paper fast passes that are gone for the headliners in 30 minutes, allowing onsite guests only 3 fast passes per day, and putting restrictions on where you can book those 3 fast passes are some of the many problems that are turning many customers away.


I implore the Disney management team to explore the many threads on the DIS discussion boards that discuss the displeasure being felt by your most loyal customers. www.disboards.com. There are discussions of folks wanting to cancel their onsite reservations and stay offsite just to have access to the paper fast pass program that has served so many beautifully for many years. There are discussions of folks moving their vacations from Disney to Universal. There are discussions of folks taking a break from Disney and putting their vacation dollars elsewhere in the US. It goes on and on.


My family is scheduled to visit your parks this coming March. I have no idea what to expect in March. Since we are once again staying offsite, we can only rely on paper fast passes. Will the paper fast pass program be completely gone by then? Will there be any fast pass options for offsite visitors? I am waiting to read the reports from visitors over the upcoming holidays before making a decision but count me in with those thinking of spending our time at the other Orlando attractions instead of Disney. This change won't push me to stay onsite as our family likes the extra room we get from a townhome rental for the same price as an onsite resort. So, our future vacation may include much less Disney. As I mentioned, we have visiting many times and have wonderful memories. I certainly do not want to replace those awesome memories with new memories of long lines and no option of fast pass.


Thank you for listening.

 

[DisneyNutMary]

OP I think you will get a response, but it may take time. It was two weeks before I heard from guest services, live phone call with a CM, over a few major issues that happened during my trip.
I'm with you on the FP+ issue, though I think the GAC/DAS is a separate issue, deserving it's own feedback.
Since Rome wasn't built in a day, I like to hope MyMagic+ is also not being built in a day, and that restrictions now are paving a road to a better system planned for the future.

 

[HM]

OP, I was all with you, until you mentioned paying for Front of Line/Fastpasses.
I hope it never comes to that. I won't pay for them at Universal and won't pay for them anywhere.

 

[Planogirl]

That's a nice letter and I applaud you for sharing your thoughts. I hope that someone calls you and that you don't just get a form letter. Disney is probably receiving a lot of messages and calls nowadays though.

 

[Nichols4]

I also sent an email about 2 weeks ago regarding our problems on our October trip. Still haven't heard anything back from them. They may have a huge pile of emails to address.

 

[Sandy Fisher]

Very nicely done and very thorough. Also reasonable and not hysterical! I can agree with you even though two of your experiences are ones I haven't personally had.
We've been Disney fans for many years, but fortunately never needed a GAC. For that I'm grateful, but I understand your concern about the recent changes.
I haven't experienced the FP+ system and don't look forward to ever using it. Maybe I won't have a choice.
It's all too much and too big a change and seems to be happening willy nilly -- worse than a rollercoaster ride, maybe.
I hope too that you get a reply and will share it with the people here on the Dis board.

 

[rebbyparker]

Great email. Sons, please keep us updated if you hear from them.

 

[Jonell]

I hope the OP get's a better response from WDW than I did in regards to my email. I also sent an email regarding FP+ and DAC, all I got in response was a standard form email. No follow-up whatsoever! We too will not be renewing our PAP or visiting WDW next year

 

[The Hub]

For what its worth, the Disability Access Service is not your only option. Guest Relations does offer further accommodations. However, these are given based solely on your needs and will never be given based on your diagnosis. I, obviously, will not share information on what these accommodations are in order to prevent abuse of a program designed to provide special assistance to those in need (and preventing abuse at the exact same time,) but there are more options. You just need to further explain what needs you require at Guest Relations.

Seeing the difference between a Guest Assistance Card and a Disability Access Service card in use is amazing. Back to your email, yes you will get a response around the timeframe they said they would respond to you. However, they may not inform you about other options and other special accommodations, as from a cast point of view, it looks like you are trying to skip waiting in line by mentioning other options that offer an "express" pass for a fee.

 

[sonofanarchy]

I hope the OP get's a better response from WDW than I did in regards to my email. I also sent an email regarding FP+ and DAC, all I got in response was a standard form email. No follow-up whatsoever! We too will not be renewing our PAP or visiting WDW next year

I think it's a combination of them being overwhelmed with so much negativity (well deserved on their part) in regards to FP+ and the fact that clearly they honestly couldn't give a crap what anyone thinks anymore.

 

[jannylynn]

Their response to my email about my dislike over tiering rides was basically stand-by is always available.

 

[sonofanarchy]

Seeing the difference between a Guest Assistance Card and a Disability Access Service card in use is amazing. Back to your email, yes you will get a response around the timeframe they said they would respond to you. However, they may not inform you about other options and other special accommodations, as from a cast point of view, it looks like you are trying to skip waiting in line by mentioning other options that offer an "express" pass for a fee.

Not looking to do so for any other reason than if we want to experience everything and make the trip worth it, we need it. I'm simply saying if they're not going to offer it, I would be willing to pay for it. We pay for it at other parks. I have no problem doing it at Disney.

 

[sonofanarchy]

Their response to my email about my dislike over tiering rides was basically stand-by is always available.

That would only further anger me. It's just a slap in the face and their way of saying "Sit on it."

 

[AmyB2006]

For what its worth, the Disability Access Service is not your only option. Guest Relations does offer further accommodations. However, these are given based solely on your needs and will never be given based on your diagnosis. I, obviously, will not share information on what these accommodations are in order to prevent abuse of a program designed to provide special assistance to those in need (and preventing abuse at the exact same time,) but there are more options. You just need to further explain what needs you require at Guest Relations.

Seeing the difference between a Guest Assistance Card and a Disability Access Service card in use is amazing. Back to your email, yes you will get a response around the timeframe they said they would respond to you. However, they may not inform you about other options and other special accommodations, as from a cast point of view, it looks like you are trying to skip waiting in line by mentioning other options that offer an "express" pass for a fee.

Thanks for the information!

No news still on when the next wave of KTTW cards disappearing will be?

 

[Jonell]

For what its worth, the Disability Access Service is not your only option. Guest Relations does offer further accommodations. However, these are given based solely on your needs and will never be given based on your diagnosis. I, obviously, will not share information on what these accommodations are in order to prevent abuse of a program designed to provide special assistance to those in need (and preventing abuse at the exact same time,) but there are more options. You just need to further explain what needs you require at Guest Relations.

Seeing the difference between a Guest Assistance Card and a Disability Access Service card in use is amazing. Back to your email, yes you will get a response around the timeframe they said they would respond to you. However, they may not inform you about other options and other special accommodations, as from a cast point of view, it looks like you are trying to skip waiting in line by mentioning other options that offer an "express" pass for a fee.

I don't think the OP is trying to skip lines but the GAC did provide more accomodations for those who need them. I for one would also buy an express pass if available. My DH has issues with stamina and although he uses a ECV he cannot stand more than 2 hrs in the parks each day before needing to rest.

 

[mrincredible70]

Great email! Ditto !!!! Three FP's all day is absurd. And not being able to use FP's in multiple parks in one day is also absurd. Just returned from our 2nd vacation to WDW and had an incredible time. BUT, I strongly recommend FP's are increased to at least 5 per day with the ability to use in multiple parks daily. It's a no-brainier. OR, simply continue to give KTTW cards with FP ability as well as the 3 magic bands FP+ options.

 

[Tinious]

If you want your threat of never going back to be taken seriously, you should remove the "7 months until next Disney Family Vacation" from your message signature.....

And fwiw, I couldn't disagree more with paying for tiered access, to me it's this kind of thing that makes Disney special. If it becomes a "who has the most to spend" free for all in the parks, then *I'm* done with Disney. Thus far I absolutely refuse to hit any park in Orlando with such a scheme.

These recent changes and experiments at Disney have made me want to go back more, as they're clearly trying to find ways to balance and make things more fair for everyone. From what I've seen so far from complainers, it's mostly people upset they're not able to game the system like they used to, or take advantage of loopholes that were never intended in the first place, to the harm of others.