F&W Festival Passports..... so disappointed

[Turn the Page]

Yes, even back in 2004 when I went to Europe, they didn't stamp passports upon border crossing unless requested (they did stamp in the airport). I was on a college trip and we definitely got a big eye roll from the Czech border guard who had to come onto our bus and stamp 13 American college kids' passports because we WANTED THOSE STAMPS, DARNIT!

If you think about it, it doesn't make sense in a lot of those countries to be doing stamps for every border crossing. A lot of the countries are so small, a "neighboring city" could very well be in a different country. Just for one example, it's only a 45 minute drive between Vienna and Bratislava, both major cities. There are likely a lot of people who do border crossings on a daily basis. Their passport would run out of places to stamp within a couple of weeks!

I was going to say I went to Europe in high school (back in 2001) and though it was about 6 months pre 9/11 we had to ask the customs officials for the stamps or we wouldn't get one. I also remember having to ask the customs official in Mexico for the stamp.

Even then technology was such that they probably didn't need to stamp it to track your whereabouts, they had travel documents and all that electronically and I think now they can just electronically scan your passport. Your REAL passport that is.

 

[MaryLovesPoohBear]

Actually, I thought most countries don't really do the stamps on REAL passports anymore anyway. I thought if you wanted a stamp in your passport you had to ask for it in most places now. Maybe I'm wrong, I don't have a whole lot of experience with foreign travel.

I have no idea what they do now.

My passports are from before I was married. I entered Japan, but I never left. I left England, but I never entered. And no, these weren't day trips.

 

[richmo]

I like the concept of getting the stamps, but I have to agree that they only worked well when the lines are very short...which, at F&W, they generally are not. I know last year there were definitely people in line that didn't want the food, but just wanted the stamp or they'd have someone stamping the books just outside the ordering line, but in the way of the pickup area. I'm sure the stamps became quite a hassle for some of the CM's when they needed to keep the food order/pickup lines moving as efficiently as possible.

 

[MaryLovesPoohBear]

I can totally see managers talking to each other in the classic, "what worked, what didn't work," way. Then coming up with stickers rather than stamps.

 

[Bellamouse]

Actually, I thought most countries don't really do the stamps on REAL passports anymore anyway. I thought if you wanted a stamp in your passport you had to ask for it in most places now. Maybe I'm wrong, I don't have a whole lot of experience with foreign travel.

Yes, in Europe since the European Union you are correct. They are all considered "one" now and you don't need passports or stamps to go between the countries. But when you enter as a foreigner into the EU for the first time, or any other country outside the EU, they do look at your passport, and yes, you do get a stamp most of the time.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

Even actual passports don't get stamps as often anymore.

Stickers seem preferable for this, because each person can use them as they see fit, but some are not happy with it because now you really DON'T have to visit every booth, and some say they will miss the interaction with the CMs. I guess you can ask a CM to sign your book at each booth if that is what you want.

 

[Bellamouse]

Even actual passports don't get stamps as often anymore.

Stickers seem preferable for this, because each person can use them as they see fit, but some are not happy with it because now you really DON'T have to visit every booth, and some say they will miss the interaction with the CMs. I guess you can ask a CM to sign your book at each booth if that is what you want.

You don't even have to go to the F&W Festival at all! You can just get a book from someone and sit at home and stick in all your stamps!

 

[Bellamouse]

I get that I'm in the minority. You all are welcome to enjoy your kiddie-sticker books. I will continue to be sad the actual stamps are gone, no matter what anyone says.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

Not sure what difference it makes to me if someone else puts the stickers in their book all at once.

I didn't ever do the passport but I'll get one to get the stickers, although I'll probably put them on a Duffy on a stick instead of inside the passport.

 

[BrianL]

On my recent trip to Japan my passport visa was a sticker with a barcode type thing. I'm sure it helps with tracking and stuff, but it was decidedly lame compared to a classic passport stamp. I wouldn't like the stickers either.

 

[DVC-Don]

I have not done the passports for years, but the stickers seem easier to me.

 

[MaryLovesPoohBear]

You don't even have to go to the F&W Festival at all! You can just get a book from someone and sit at home and stick in all your stamps!

And how does that hurt you? Or even effect you?

I get that I'm in the minority. You all are welcome to enjoy your kiddie-sticker books. I will continue to be sad the actual stamps are gone, no matter what anyone says.

Wow, passive aggressive much?

 

[kamik86]

I actually bought more stuff because I wanted all the stamps but wasn't going to just go and not try anything... so I tried at least a small snack or drink at each place last time I went.

 

[wilkeliza]

Why does it matter how anyone else uses the books? I don't get pissed that people buy runDisney metals and I Did It merchandise from Ebay even though they did not run the races so I honestly just don't understand being legitimately angry that someone somewhere could potentially buy a passport on Ebay and fill it with the stickers having never stepped foot in EPCOT. I ran the races and earned the metals just like I visited EPCOT and put the stickers in for carts I visited. What anyone else does with a free booklet doesn't affect my vacation or my experience so I'm not going to let it bother me. Massive Disney collectors could buy the stamp books too online with never having stepped foot in EPCOT and they were 100% filled out by locals who make money off random things like that.

 

[jtowntoflorida]

Yes, even back in 2004 when I went to Europe, they didn't stamp passports upon border crossing unless requested (they did stamp in the airport). I was on a college trip and we definitely got a big eye roll from the Czech border guard who had to come onto our bus and stamp 13 American college kids' passports because we WANTED THOSE STAMPS, DARNIT!

If you think about it, it doesn't make sense in a lot of those countries to be doing stamps for every border crossing. A lot of the countries are so small, a "neighboring city" could very well be in a different country. Just for one example, it's only a 45 minute drive between Vienna and Bratislava, both major cities. There are likely a lot of people who do border crossings on a daily basis. Their passport would run out of places to stamp within a couple of weeks!

I was going to say I went to Europe in high school (back in 2001) and though it was about 6 months pre 9/11 we had to ask the customs officials for the stamps or we wouldn't get one. I also remember having to ask the customs official in Mexico for the stamp.

Even then technology was such that they probably didn't need to stamp it to track your whereabouts, they had travel documents and all that electronically and I think now they can just electronically scan your passport. Your REAL passport that is.

Um, there are 26 countries in Europe that are the Schengen Area Member States. These are the countries that ascribe to an open borders concept with other Schengen countries and thus allow travelers to cross borders freely. But you do still get a passport stamp when you first enter a Schengen country and when you're departing to a non-Schengen country. Not all members of the EU are Schengen countries (i.e., Ireland and the UK), and not all Schengen members are in the EU (i.e., Iceland and Norway).

Prior to 2009, you didn't need a passport to travel between the US and the Caribbean or Mexico. But the rules have now changed, so I wouldn't rely on what happened in 2001 to guage what happens now. Even though passports are scanned electronically, you still get passport stamps when going into/leaving countries and/or the Schengen area.

 

[CT Disney]

First world problems...big time

I sort of wish the moderators could outlaw this response...I see it all the time and it really doesn't add anything to the conversation...

Moving on...

I kind of agree with the OP on this one. The passports are sort of like a treasure hunt where you can look back with a little bit of pride..."look at all these stamps I collected by actually going there and gathering them!" Not as much fun or pride when they're handing them out at the door and you don't have to "work" for them.

An analogy...say a teacher gives a special sticker to a kid who stayed after school and cleaned erasers (in the olden days haha). That sticker is going to feel a little less special if the teacher also hands them out to every student in the class who walks in the door the next morning.

The OP is the eraser-cleaner and the rest of us are the kids who just walked in the door the next morning and got a sticker without earning it.

I totally get it OP...they took a little of the fun and pride out of it. The "working for it" aspect is gone.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

So, if you're concerned with proof that you visited each kiosk, have a cast member sign your book at each kiosk.

I'm still not sure what difference it makes what someone else does with their free booklet. There wasn't any reward for completing it and if you want to feel special because you actually did, just get a signature at each one. Or attach a photo of the item you bought.

Fortunately the new format will keep people out of the lines who only wanted a stamp.

 

[LilyWDW]

So you are upset because someone might not actually try something at the booth yet may put a sticker in their passport? You do know you could get stamps without trying something as well, right? Which really just messed up the line something fierce and created chaos at times when it was busy because people would have no courtesy about pushing past. "Oh, I just need a stamp!".

I like the stickers and think it is a GREAT idea. Now if I forget to ask for the stamp, I won't have to go without (because I refuse to waste time standing in line for just a stamp and I won't push past others and be rude).

 

[wilkeliza]

So, if you're concerned with proof that you visited each kiosk, have a cast member sign your book at each kiosk.

I'm still not sure what difference it makes what someone else does with their free booklet. There wasn't any reward for completing it and if you want to feel special because you actually did, just get a signature at each one.

Even when there is a reward they don't actually make you do it. I was shocked to see on the Remy challenge it says "If you chose to fill out the map or not return it to Traders to pick up your pin".

 

[Bellamouse]

So, if you're concerned with proof that you visited each kiosk, have a cast member sign your book at each kiosk.

I'm still not sure what difference it makes what someone else does with their free booklet. There wasn't any reward for completing it and if you want to feel special because you actually did, just get a signature at each one.

A signature is not at all the same as a stamp. SMH. The stamps were special.

I get that you don't get it and don't care! I don't care that you don't care. Some of us do. You aren't one of them. You're never going to convince me so I'm glad you like the sticker books. Enjoy.