Fast Passes shut down

[ratmaster]

But again, Disney is a business! So I am certainly not in the "Disney can do no wrong" camp. Quite the contrary. Disney is looking to make money (which, BTW, it has not been doing recently, or at least enough, hence all the discounts). But, the flaw in your logic is that Disney would take such extreme measures as to threaten the probability that customers would return for another trip. If the quantity and quality of service decline enough (whether its attractions offered or anything else) there WILL be a loss of revenue. The laws of economics won't allow that to happen (or at least, Disney won't allow their bottom line to be impacted by a drop in visitors).

I get it, I get it...Disney is a business. I also get that Disney is a business that makes a lot of money. Granted, not as much as they once did but they still make a lot of money. Listen, Disney is supposed to be a 5-star entertainment experience and that includes all of the services. That's what I'm paying for and that's what I expect. Hotel revenues are down worldwide but I don't expect plastic cups wrapped in plastic wrappers when I stay at a
5 star hotel.

 

[brunette8706]

Not sure gave up this years for vegas and had a blast,saw carrot top and nearly cried laughing.Depending on the offers maybe next fall,but we might wait for the construction to be over with.Certain things we really miss others not so much.I know eventually I'll break and go though!Maybe we will catch up with ya sometime down there. Flicx

*
Yeah, there are a lot of GREAT people I would love to meet from this DIS board. We should do a DIS MEET and GREET next year! That would be fun!

brunette

 

[smidgy]

Yes, I know about the WDW layoffs that happened about 2 years ago, but it's certainly not recently. They streamlined quite a bit of the management within the parks. Your post made it sound like happened last month.

nope we read about it in the chicago newspapers months ago,. disney laid off about 4000 jobs, 1500 at WDW.

 

[smidgy]

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.

just becasue someone discusses, on a discussion board, some problems they had a a recent trip does NOT mean they want to be miserable on a vacation!

we had HUGE problems (multiple) with brazilain tour groups (specifically, soccer groups). I posted it on these boards. yes, complained. I didn't WANT to be miserable, but they sure DID make things miserable.
yes, we still had fun. doesn't mean I won't continue to complain about the bad things. I don'[t care if 50 of you had "great conversations" with the wonderful young people in a tour grouop. doesn't change the experience WE had, and the fact that Disney employees did NOTHING about their behaviour.
how important are the things others complain about? well, it's important to them. I think cold burgers are important. the tram wouldn't be imp, to me, but the OP said , repeatedly,(you didn't get the hint) "why do you think some might not be able to walk as fast as others?" sounds to me like someone with a problem with walking. maybe a bad foot? bad back? disability? 4 year old maybe needs a strolller? whatever.

 

[DBFLUKE]

smidgy you hit it on the nose, but still someone will come back in Disney's defense. FOr me, I understand fast passes being unavailable, but trams!! I have an artificial hip & I would like to save any un due walking for inside Disney. Food, well you can get cold food anywhere, but when I pay top $$$ for something I would expect for it to be hot, cooked, and editable.
People are going to have to accept that Disney can do what they want when they want. If it is for the bad, it probably won't even efect their business.

 

[twokids0204]

We were there that day as well, and noticed that the FP machines were covered (after 10:30 - they were actually opened at rope drop for about an hour or so).

We did get a FP, and used it. But we also went back on it later in the day with no FP - I believe the return time said 30 minutes, but honestly, I don't think we waited more then 10 mins.

 

[maxiesmom]

just becasue someone discusses, on a discussion board, some problems they had a a recent trip does NOT mean they want to be miserable on a vacation!

we had HUGE problems (multiple) with brazilain tour groups (specifically, soccer groups). I posted it on these boards. yes, complained. I didn't WANT to be miserable, but they sure DID make things miserable.
yes, we still had fun. doesn't mean I won't continue to complain about the bad things. I don'[t care if 50 of you had "great conversations" with the wonderful young people in a tour grouop. doesn't change the experience WE had, and the fact that Disney employees did NOTHING about their behaviour.
how important are the things others complain about? well, it's important to them. I think cold burgers are important. the tram wouldn't be imp, to me, but the OP said , repeatedly,(you didn't get the hint) "why do you think some might not be able to walk as fast as others?" sounds to me like someone with a problem with walking. maybe a bad foot? bad back? disability? 4 year old maybe needs a strolller? whatever.

His not so nice "hint" was after I said my piece about the missing tram at Epcot, not before. So yes, I did figure it out after the snotty comments. Thanks. I also said the cold burger would be a problem.

OP also stated, when I tried to point out that if he looked for the negative he would find it, and maybe not doing so would make for a happier vacation, that he could vacation any way he choose. Ergo, he could be unhappy if he chose to be. Maybe you should pay attention to what other people are posting before you try to call them out.

 

[brunette8706]

His not so nice "hint" was after I said my piece about the missing tram at Epcot, not before. So yes, I did figure it out after the snotty comments. Thanks. I also said the cold burger would be a problem.

OP also stated, when I tried to point out that if he looked for the negative he would find it, and maybe not doing so would make for a happier vacation, that he could vacation any way he choose. Ergo, he could be unhappy if he chose to be. Maybe you should pay attention to what other people are posting before you try to call them out.

*
Actually, no maybe YOU should stop telling people NOT to complain about bad experiences they have when vacationing at DISENY. It looks you had problems with another poster that complained about the Fort Wilderness Cabin, then you're complaining to the poster here about his illl experience, then you complain about the negative posts that people write about Disney. Honestly I always write about the Positive and Negative of Disney. Lately, though, there seems to be a lot of complaints about Disney. Between cutting costs, cutting out TRAMS, cutting FPs, cutting food choices, all the while they are raising prices on everything. Not sure why YOU think everything is PeRfeCT at Disney, because it truly isn't. Just sayin...

Brunette

 

[maxiesmom]

*
Actually, no maybe YOU should stop telling people NOT to complain about bad experiences they have when vacationing at DISENY. It looks you had problems with another poster that complained about the Fort Wilderness Cabin, then you're complaining to the poster here about his illl experience, then you complain about the negative posts that people write about Disney. Honestly I always write about the Positive and Negative of Disney. Lately, though, there seems to be a lot of complaints about Disney. Between cutting costs, cutting out TRAMS, cutting FPs, cutting food choices, all the while they are raising prices on everything. Not sure why YOU think everything is PeRfeCT at Disney, because it truly isn't. Just sayin...

Brunette

Again, read before you type. I have stated many times I have no issue with people complaining. However, when someone starts 3 seperate threads about the same problem (as with the person with the cabins) then that is no longer venting, but just wanting to complain and be negative.

This thread was running along pretty well with people being polite on both sides, until the OP started to be snarky. Well, if you start being snarky then you can't complain about the tone of the posts.

I don't think Disney is perfect. I have had my bad experineces too. But I don't post about them and then start fighting with those who try to offer another point of view, or explain why Disney does things the way they do. Which is all most posters were trying to do, only to be met by the OP with sarcasm and insults. Nice.

 

[jonmar]

We were there that day as well, and noticed that the FP machines were covered (after 10:30 - they were actually opened at rope drop for about an hour or so).

We did get a FP, and used it. But we also went back on it later in the day with no FP - I believe the return time said 30 minutes, but honestly, I don't think we waited more then 10 mins.

This is absolutely incorrect. I confirmed with the park that they were never in operation that day. I am not sure if you are confusing the day or deliberately trying to stir things up again. We arrived at the park at 9:30 and walked directly to KRR, we got there just before 10 and they were covered up. At that time we were told it wasn't necessary that day.

 

[jonmar]

This thread was running along pretty well with people being polite on both sides, until the OP started to be snarky. Well, if you start being snarky then you can't complain about the tone of the posts.

Which is all most posters were trying to do, only to be met by the OP with sarcasm and insults. Nice.

I think you should start at the beginning and reread these posts. You will find that I was not the first person to turn this thread from peaceful and polite. I know I could have turned the other cheek, but when someone is being rude to me, I find that two wrongs sometimes make a right.

 

[kaytieeldr]

I love reading these boards. Disney could literally slap a guest in the face and these boards would defend it by saying “at least you didn’t lose a tooth.” Part of what I was sold when I purchased my tickets was the use of fastpasses. If they will not be available due to a slow period than I should pay less for my ticket.

What if they cancel the parade because the crowds are low? What if they only open one restaurant because it is slow? Is this ok? I’m just trying to figure out when enough is enough.

Interesting questions... really, your park admission entitles you to access to whatever features and attractions are available/operating on the day of your visit, except those at additional cost (e.g. food, merchandise, special events, etc.). It doesn't ensure you specific features, attractions, entertainment, etc.

You don't pay less because FantasyLand is closed for redesign for a year, or because Fantasmic! is rained out one of the two nights it's scheduled. Heck, Disneyland cancelled MY 50th Birthday fireworks twenty minutes AFTER they were scheduled to start, using some silly* 'winds and neighbors' excuse - and all I got was a "Sorry, we hate to burn down the neighborhood" apology. And only because I wasn't planning to leave until I saw fireworks.

Guests don't pay any less because attractions are closed or because a parade doesn't run. FastPass was apparently cancelled the day the OP expected to use it; while it put a glitch in her touring plan, it's also entirely possible that her next wait in the KRR line would have been much shorter than thirty minutes. She chose to not try again.

*Really not silly at all, just making a point.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Let’s be honest if it happened to your family you would be upset. It is easy to sit behind a computer and blame everyone else. But if I pay the same exact price for a ticket as someone who is going during the busy season I should get the same exact level of service. If they feel they cannot make a profit during the slow times they should be all means cut back and reduce staff. But they should not charge the same price then.

To a degree, DisneyLAND Resort does this. Not that they have different ticket prices for different times of the year, but many tickets - and accompanying price specials - are dated.

But that wouldn't work at Walt Disney World. The park passes are endless. Until you start using them, they're valid forever. Buy your ticket today and start using it ten years from now. How would you EVER control the pricing structure based on busyness of the parks?????? Seriously?

 

[kaytieeldr]

So, by the same token, when Disney adds extra characters, or adds 2 hours of operating time to the park, are you going to pay them extra for doing so? I think I know the answer to that question...

Ooh, I like this!! Let's see. Magic Kingdom base hours are 9 AM to 7 PM (really 6, but nobody believes me, so... ). At $80 per day for a one day ticket, every Guest leaving after 7 PM, no matter what the actual park hours are, will need to pay an $8 per hour surcharge to exit

 

[maxiesmom]

I think you should start at the beginning and reread these posts. You will find that I was not the first person to turn this thread from peaceful and polite. I know I could have turned the other cheek, but when someone is being rude to me, I find that two wrongs sometimes make a right.

I have. I was rather late in the game for my first post, which had to do with you not focusing on the negative, so that you would have a posititve trip. And that comment was met with ridicule and snarkyness. I also commented on your having to walk into Epcot because of the trams not working (something I too have encountered). Instead of explaining you had someone in your family with mobility issues, you chose to mock and belittle me.

And yet you wonder at the hostility?

 

[twokids0204]

This is absolutely incorrect. I confirmed with the park that they were never in operation that day. I am not sure if you are confusing the day or deliberately trying to stir things up again. We arrived at the park at 9:30 and walked directly to KRR, we got there just before 10 and they were covered up. At that time we were told it wasn't necessary that day.

Am not stirring things up. It is a fact.
I got them just after rope drop, and used them.
When I went back I was a little surprised to see they were covered, but nonetheless I had, and used them that day.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Are you saying I had to be looking to notice 40+ minutes in the hot sun on a ride that was advertised to be using FastPasses and wasn't?

Now I'm extremely confused. How much of the Kali River Rapids queue is out 'in the hot sun' compared to how much of it is inside a well-themed building with, if not air-conditioning, at least a number of ceiling (and wall/floor?) fans?

Perhaps our definitions of 'flaws' are not the same. For example, lets say you were really upset that Disney did not have your favorite bon bon, that you love to hoard. They had it last time and they advertised that it was in stock in their shops. You arrive after walking through the parking lot, cause you can, and right at rope drop you stampede to the shop. Alas, they don't have your bon bon. You of course would say 'Boo Hoo'.

Well, no. I would say, "Is there any way you (or I) could get them while I'm still here?". And if I were truly fortunate and we were able to replace 'bon-bon' with 'white chocolate raspberry cookies', the CM would give me the website from which WDW orders the cookies, and I could order them myself and have them shipped to my home.

I think if some of you 'got out more', you would understand that Disney is not perfect and that there exists room for improvement.

While your analysis is appreciated, many of us DO get out more. We do understand that Walt Disney World isn't perfect. I'm great at letting Guest Services know when things go bad AND when things go well. I stop and discuss both aspects with a Cast Member before I leave a park.

 

[kaytieeldr]

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.

I technically disagree with you. I don't feel the tram is included in your park admission in any way. I DO feel it's included in your $14 parking fee - hence the emphasis on the word 'technically' .

 

[kaytieeldr]

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?

You adapt. The 6:30 AM train comes at, well, 6:30 every day... except one day there's an accident blocking the track. You take the 6:35 bus instead; or you wait for the next outbound train that you know will have to be rerouted inbound because of that same track blockage; or you get back in your car and drive.

You adapt. Same thing on vacation. No FastPass? If you like the attraction enough, you devote a couple of hours to it - get in line, ride; get back in line, ride; get back in line one last time, ride. I've been able to stay on the Safari - just by asking... when it's been EXTREMELY slow. That's MY go-to attraction. No tram at Epcot? If you have time, turn around, drive out of that lot and drive to DHS. Your parking pass allows you to "lot-hop". Park, take the tram to the park entrance, then use WDW transportation to your park of choice. Cold burger? That's the easiest one - go directly to the cashier and get it resolved.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Your logic is just wrong. What if you cannot walk or you need to rent a stroller? Those are done inside the park. A 5 minute walk may be no biggie for you but Everst for a disabled person.

Respectfully, a person with mobility issues would be able to park (a) in handicap parking if in possession of an HP plate or placard; (b) in medical parking in the same area but further from the entrance; (c) in the first space in any row in the parking lot - since these last two parking areas are specifically designated for Guests without HP designations but who can't walk distances. All the Guest needs to do is inform the parking CMs of their individual needs.