Fast Passes shut down

[disney_bob]

Wow Disney apologist are out in FULL FORCE! LOL!

I would like to know why the TRAMS were not functioning per another posters' complaint.

Thanks
Brunette

Just because we understand certain policies a company makes doesn't mean we'll defend anything the company does.

Everyone has an expected level of service for the price they pay. The OP felt that this included Fastpass, Trams, and a hot hamburger. Mine would definitely include a hot hamburger, but wouldn't include things like a fastpass or a tram as I don't consider this part of the admission price (ie. I pay for access to the parking lot -- not the tram in the parking lot. I pay for admission to the park -- not to use a fastpass). I consider those things "perks". Momentary disappointment might ensue upon finding them not in service, but hardly some of what has been discussed in this thread.

We're all kind of rehashing arguments here. Probably not gonna change anyone's mind. To the OP: Disney is usually about striving to give you the best time you can have. I'm sorry your experience didn't live up to your expectations.

 

[brunette8706]

Just because we understand certain policies a company makes doesn't mean we'll defend anything the company does.

Everyone has an expected level of service for the price they pay. The OP felt that this included Fastpass, Trams, and a hot hamburger. Mine would definitely include a hot hamburger, but wouldn't include things like a fastpass or a tram as I don't consider this part of the admission price (ie. I pay for access to the parking lot -- not the tram in the parking lot. I pay for admission to the park -- not to use a fastpass). I consider those things "perks". Momentary disappointment might ensue upon finding them not in service, but hardly some of what has been discussed in this thread.

We're all kind of rehashing arguments here. Probably not gonna change anyone's mind. To the OP: Disney is usually about striving to give you the best time you can have. I'm sorry your experience didn't live up to your expectations.

*
Hey DisneyBob-

I would forego the Fast Pass, I guess not a biggie for me, but that's me! LOL! But I would have a problem with the Tram not working. Sheesh, is it because they are making even MORE cutbacks? I have been going to WDW since 1972 as a very small child and I can NOT for the life of me ever remember a TRAM not working! Personally, I don't consider the TRAM a perk, I consider the TRAM part of your ticket price. Believe me you're paying for the TRAM witih those tickets. Anyway, this is the kind of stuff that really frustrates me because Disney is making so many cut backs, while at the same time charging the guests more and more money. Anyway, why wasn't the tram not running?

Thanks DisneyBob!

Brunette

 

[PIRATEGIRL007]

These apps are not always a reliable source. My sister and I used several of them right there in the parks and what the apps said and what was factual did not match.

Did it match your ACTUAL wait time or what was posted? We have used the apps during 3 different weeks this year (and 3 different 'disney' seasons) totalling over 30 days in numerous parks and ran into 2 that were off by more than 5 minutes (1 by about 30 minutes but it was b/c GAC loading was delaying the line). Otherise the posted time on the app is the ACTUAL time you waited in line not the inflated numbers disney posts at the ride entrance.

Wow Disney apologist are out in FULL FORCE! LOL!

I would like to know why the TRAMS were not functioning per another posters' complaint.

Thanks
Brunette

More than likely b/c another PP said the parking lot was VERY empty that day with no walk more han 5 minutes away. It's a waste pure and simple to take somone 20 feet to the entrance from the parking lot on a tram. Everytime we have drove to Epcot this time of year even not arriving right at opening, probably around the 10-11am mark we have parked in the first lot. The parks are not that busy with off site guests (free dining and good room discount drive guest onsite and whether Dis'sers want to beleiver it or not the vast MAJORITY of on site guest utilize Disney transportation) and the trams are not needed. Disney is not asking anyone to hike from the entrance gate to the parking lot to the front entrance, if you have ever parked there you know the first lot is closer than all the resort guest bus drop offs.

 

[brunette8706]

Did it match your ACTUAL wait time or what was posted? We have used the apps during 3 different weeks this year (and 3 different 'disney' seasons) totalling over 30 days in numerous parks and ran into 2 that were off by more than 5 minutes (1 by about 30 minutes but it was b/c GAC loading was delaying the line). Otherise the posted time on the app is the ACTUAL time you waited in line not the inflated numbers disney posts at the ride entrance.


More than likely b/c another PP said the parking lot was VERY empty that day with no walk more han 5 minutes away. It's a waste pure and simple to take somone 20 feet to the entrance from the parking lot on a tram. Everytime we have drove to Epcot this time of year even not arriving right at opening, probably around the 10-11am mark we have parked in the first lot. The parks are not that busy with off site guests (free dining and good room discount drive guest onsite and whether Dis'sers want to beleiver it or not the vast MAJORITY of on site guest utilize Disney transportation) and the trams are not needed. Disney is not asking anyone to hike from the entrance gate to the parking lot to the front entrance, if you have ever parked there you know the first lot is closer than all the resort guest bus drop offs.

*
Hey there! Thanks for responding. I thought the poster in question stated that she had a long walk from the parking area to EPCOT.

But, I do see your point if you are parked very near the entrance of EPCOT there should be no need to have a tram run. It seems like there are conflictig reports though.

Thanks!
Brunette

 

[MouseKrazy]

FWIW, and after reading all the posts, I just want to give my 2 cents. I've been to WDW 3 times, and I feel that I'm as much as an expert as a lot of people.

Anyhoo, I don't go to the parks with a touring plan, rather I have a "general idea" and let things happen as they happen. For me, it's part of the magic. But I do check when the EMH are and go at a general low point in the season. I've also been to WDW before the FP came in effect so to me, it's a total perk.

Now don't get me wrong, everyone is entitled to vent, I know I'd love to be able to vent about something Disney on the DIS boards, just knowing that everyone here knows Disney enough that you don't really have to explain yourself. I mean, imagine venting to your mother who has never stepped foot at WDW and has no idea what FP are.

Did anyone think that perhaps that CM that said all the FP were gone maybe just started their shift and has no clue?

I remember in 2007 I went and got FP for EE. When the time came up, we went over to EE and we were told that the ride was down for about 20 minutes due to a glitch. I was so super upset because I LOVE EE, but I got over it because I knew it'd be up and running later. An hour later, I went back and asked why it still wasn't up and was told that it was going to be down all day. So, after doing some undercover recon asking every CM I could find what happened, I found out that someone actually passed away during the ride and they were doing the investigation so no one actually knew when it would be up and running. So needless to say, that was definitely a WHOA moment!!

Ok, so this post is like a run on sentence, so that's all I'm gonna say..

Oh, also to the OP, don't let it bug you, I know the little things can add up, but I imagine your little one is still having a wonderful time!

 

[jonmar]

More than likely b/c another PP said the parking lot was VERY empty that day with no walk more han 5 minutes away. It's a waste pure and simple to take somone 20 feet to the entrance from the parking lot on a tram. Everytime we have drove to Epcot this time of year even not arriving right at opening, probably around the 10-11am mark we have parked in the first lot. The parks are not that busy with off site guests (free dining and good room discount drive guest onsite and whether Dis'sers want to beleiver it or not the vast MAJORITY of on site guest utilize Disney transportation) and the trams are not needed. Disney is not asking anyone to hike from the entrance gate to the parking lot to the front entrance, if you have ever parked there you know the first lot is closer than all the resort guest bus drop offs.

I love how the Kool-Aid drinkers exaggerate. 20 feet???? Really??? Same thing with the previous poster's five minutes. Look, you weren't there, and didn't see where I parked, and you don't know how helpful the tram would have been to US. So, considering you can only offer anecdotal information which is of no value, please don't try to belittle wanting the tram. The park was not busy. We had a great time at the Epcot. We walked more than 20 feet, and it took 15 minutes, not five.

 

[jonmar]

Mine would definitely include a hot hamburger, but wouldn't include things like a fastpass or a tram as I don't consider this part of the admission price (ie. I pay for access to the parking lot -- not the tram in the parking lot. I pay for admission to the park -- not to use a fastpass). I consider those things "perks".

Can I ask why you feel this way when the Disney advertising literature indicates that FastPass is 'included in your Walt Disney World Theme Park admission?' Isn't Disney saying it is part of the admission price?

 

[phorsenuf]

I love how the Kool-Aid drinkers exaggerate. 20 feet???? Really??? Same thing with the previous poster's five minutes. Look, you weren't there, and didn't see where I parked, and you don't know how helpful the tram would have been to US. So, considering you can only offer anecdotal information which is of no value, please don't try to belittle wanting the tram. The park was not busy. We had a great time at the Epcot. We walked more than 20 feet, and it took 15 minutes, not five.

I was there. I saw the parking lot. No way was any one parked 15 minutes away unless they are Clark Griswold and wants to get out first.

 

[PIRATEGIRL007]

I love how the Kool-Aid drinkers exaggerate. 20 feet???? Really??? Same thing with the previous poster's five minutes. Look, you weren't there, and didn't see where I parked, and you don't know how helpful the tram would have been to US. So, considering you can only offer anecdotal information which is of no value, please don't try to belittle wanting the tram. The park was not busy. We had a great time at the Epcot. We walked more than 20 feet, and it took 15 minutes, not five.

which parking lot were you in? I find it odd they would park you not in the closest one to the entrance if it were that dead, but that must be the Kool-Aid confusing me again.

I'm done feeding the trolls.

 

[maxiesmom]

And you received your doctorate in psychology where? Please spare me the arm chair psych appraisal that I am self perpetuating because I have a bad attitude.

When you are in a bad mood and want to look for everything negative, that is all that you will find. It is a common sense observation. Maybe you have heard of common sense?

Neither a fast pass machine being down or a tram not running is not worthy of all the drama and fuss. If that, and a cold hamburger, is all that is wrong on your vacation, you are doing pretty great. Small problems one and all. Stop dwelling on them and move on.

 

[disney_bob]

Can I ask why you feel this way when the Disney advertising literature indicates that FastPass is 'included in your Walt Disney World Theme Park admission?' Isn't Disney saying it is part of the admission price?

That's a fair question. I would say that I view "included in your Walt Disney World Theme Park admission" to mean that I don't have to pay extra to get it like you do at various other venues like US and Six Flags. I'm not paying extra for it as an add-on so why should I get a discount if it's taken away, especially just for a ride here or there? They likely don't have a dedicated portion of their admission price for specifically fastpass, but for staffing and maintenance in general.

I originally had a long post here going into business considerations, but I think the above paragraph is sufficient.

 

[maxiesmom]

For fun I just went and dug out 3 different pieces of Disney park literature. Know what phrase they all have on them? "Subject to change". Like it or not, find it fair or not, everything is subject to change. They can keep the Fast Pass kiosks closed if they want to. They can not run trams if they want to. If you don't find that agreeable, then you don't have to give Disney your vacation dollars. But don't fail to read the papers Disney gives you, and then complain because you don't like the way they handle things.

 

[TenderDonkey]

For fun I just went and dug out 3 different pieces of Disney park literature. Know what phrase they all have on them? "Subject to change". Like it or not, find it fair or not, everything is subject to change. They can keep the Fast Pass kiosks closed if they want to. They can not run trams if they want to. If you don't find that agreeable, then you don't have to give Disney your vacation dollars. But don't fail to read the papers Disney gives you, and then complain because you don't like the way they handle things.

My main gripe with the whole "don't go" idea is that I have to prepay 45 days out. Not just the tickets but essentially the entire package. And if I cancel, I have to pay for it. So I am forced to rely on official Disney literature to decide if the price is going to be worth my while. Then I come to these boards and am told by the board experts that the three main sources of information: website, employees and printed material are often incorrect. In reality I don't really know what to expect.

 

[Sandisw]

All I ever stated was deliver what you advertise. If you advertise 4 characters deliver 4. If you say FP is part of my ticket have FP available.

Yes, but if FP was available at other rides, then you are getting FP usage. I don't think there is anything that states you are entitled to have FP for every attraction.

The OP had FP usage available at other rides, just not KRR. The times guide, if I am not mistaken is printed weekly. I am sure that there are times when they plan and then something happens that changes it.

In addition, if you read the OP, she was told that the FP machines were closed because of crowd capacity for the 1st CM. And, when she saw at 10:00 am that there were no FP's for that ride and saw only a 10 minute wait, why did she not ride then?

So, you pay a ticket to enter the park and get whatever amenities are available the day you enter. Are there going to be changes? Sure. For whatever reason, Disney decided that day that FP was not needed and altered the plans. Disappointing, yes. But certainly something that the OP could have planned around as she was made aware of it shortly after arriving.

 

[TenderDonkey]

Yes, but if FP was available at other rides, then you are getting FP usage. I don't think there is anything that states you are entitled to have FP for every attraction.

The OP had FP usage available at other rides, just not KRR. The times guide, if I am not mistaken is printed weekly. I am sure that there are times when they plan and then something happens that changes it.

In addition, if you read the OP, she was told that the FP machines were closed because of crowd capacity for the 1st CM. And, when she saw at 10:00 am that there were no FP's for that ride and saw only a 10 minute wait, why did she not ride then?

So, you pay a ticket to enter the park and get whatever amenities are available the day you enter. Are there going to be changes? Sure. For whatever reason, Disney decided that day that FP was not needed and altered the plans. Disappointing, yes. But certainly something that the OP could have planned around as she was made aware of it shortly after arriving.

My point is how do you plan? You read the website to see what's at the park. You buy the ticket, get the time guide at the date and then...it all changes. If you don't have a hopper how do you adjust? Do you sit on a bench and hope the line goes down?

 

[jonmar]

When you are in a bad mood and want to look for everything negative, that is all that you will find. It is a common sense observation. Maybe you have heard of common sense?

Neither a fast pass machine being down or a tram not running is not worthy of all the drama and fuss. If that, and a cold hamburger, is all that is wrong on your vacation, you are doing pretty great. Small problems one and all. Stop dwelling on them and move on.

When I travel on your 'dime', you can tell me how to experience my vacation. Till then, I'm afraid I'll make that call.

As it happens, we leave tomorrow and had a great trip overall. I do not shrink away from the shortcomings I pointed out. Clearly they wouldn't matter to most, but to us they did, because in our own little 'trip planning world' we depended on them. Did they ruin our holiday? Not a chance. Did we take note that Disney will put revenue first and service second? Absolutely.

Hopefully, Disney does not cut corners on things 'the devoted' care about. Although I have no idea what that could possibly be since subject to change/availability seems to placate quite well on these boards.

For my family, I think it's back to Cunard next holiday.

 

[jonmar]

I was there. I saw the parking lot. No way was any one parked 15 minutes away unless they are Clark Griswold and wants to get out first.

Can you think of any reason someone might not be able to walk as quickly as you? Get real!

 

[jonmar]

"Subject to change". Like it or not, find it fair or not, everything is subject to change. But don't fail to read the papers Disney gives you, and then complain because you don't like the way they handle things.

What is the point of reading them if everything is subject to change? I cannot believe you would post what you did without that point occurring to you. Good for you!

 

[maxiesmom]

What is the point of reading them if everything is subject to change? I cannot believe you would post what you did without that point occurring to you. Good for you!

It is a GUIDE. It is not etched in stone. Most people can understand that and deal with it. I cannot believe you dont get it. Really,I think you do. You just don't want to. As you have pretty much said, if you want to be miserable on vacation, it is your choice.

 

[flicx]

I seriously can't believe that everytime disney cuts corners, and that is exactly what they are doing in both instances(fast pass,tram) the defenders come to there rescue in full force.How many of these screw ups should be tolerated before it should begin to affect your vaction? What is the number? The reason why they are doing this is pretty simple as far as I am concerned ,(saving money)less people needed to perform tasks and they save money.However disney just jacked ticket prices for the 22nd year in a row.Cut backs in service and price increases shouldn't go hand in hand. However it really doesn't surpise me considering they just layed off 1500 people.