Johnnyecks
Disney/Florida lover since I was a lil boy.
- Joined
- Oct 11, 2012
- Messages
- 23
Let me first start off by saying, that I have been going to Disney since 1988 when I turned 12. Over the first four years, we purchased four timeshare units to use during week 44. I have been her over 20 times. This is my home away from home. I am so happy and so comfortable here.
This year is my first year here in 4 years and my parents first time back since 2002.
We all went to Epcot yesterday, and as much as it pains me to say this, it was very magic-less. In my top 3 worst experiences ever.
90% of my group is above the age of 70 we did not know which park or which day we would be going to a part. Everyone, besides me, just wanted to do Epcot. So we decided on yesterday, 11/1. We purchase tickets at our usual spot, planed on having a great time.
First issue:
My mother has trouble walking, and needs to get as close to the gate as possible. I understand that in this time and age of terrorism, that it is impossible to do so. But I was able to drop her and the rest of my family off as close as we could and then I would park the car.
*In order the park the car in the handicapped spaces, I had to LEAVE the property, get back onto Rt 4, make a U-Turn, re-enter the park, had to plead my case to the parking attendant that we already paid for parking, and I am just dropping off and now parking, and then was able to park in the handicapped spot. What the hell Disney? Not convenient or disney-like.
Next:
Fastpass +
Non of us were aware of this, so when I asked, they said that I had to download an app (My Disney Experience), scan the tickets in, and then we can choose our fast passes.
I am fine with only being able to choose "3 at a time" since that is what it used to be when we would get the print out ticket with our time to come back to ride. We log in, do everything, go to schedule Soarin and the first pass avail was 530. It was 9AM.
I looked at what ever was avail around this time, or closer, and there was nothing. EVERYTHING was already booked.
I stopped to ask someone, surely my app was not working right, and they explained that guests can choose their time slot 30 days in advance. Someone else told me that if they stay on property that they can reserve their time 180 days in advance!
This is elitism. They are punishing those who do not stay on property. So, for those of us who don't because we already own (OWN) timeshare, we have to wait on the line (which yesterday was a 50 min wait, the longest I have ever seen during week 44).
This needs to change, it is an unfair system. Not everyone can pre-plan their vacation down to the minute half a year in advance.
Second:
Disney Springs
When did this become such a _______!?!?! You are now forced to park in one of two garages, with are both set towards to the back end by La Nouba. There are no drop of/pick up points down at the other end. Again, I have elderly people with me. They can not walk the 45 miles from La Nouba to the waterfront and restaurants. So I tell them that I will pull up the the AMC curb and drive them down there.
Each exit leads into another parking garage. Each exit out of the parking garage dumps you back on the main road. Everytime you think you are getting into a lane that could possibly take you to the curb, you wind up into the parking garage again. I eventually, 25 mins later, had to ask if I could pick them up at Valet. I was told yes. Two of our party was walking slower, so we were not all there yet. My mom uses a walker. She's 79.
I am the only car parked here. My hazards are on, and I am pulled all the way possibly up front as to not cause a problem.
But this Disney cop apparantly thought it was a problem and proceeded to tell me that I am in a valet spot only. I explained I am waiting for my mother. He said, again you are in a valet, I again said, yes I know, I have to pick her up at the curb because she is using a walker. He again said I had to move. I have no lost my cool. I told him that my mother is 79 years old, is using a walker, has a pacemaker cannot walk fast, or for long, nor go up stairs, and has to be picked up curbside, where would he like her to go?
I was just about to tell this rent a cop to write me a ticket because I was not making my mother walk a mile to the parking garage, when she finally walked around the corner and I saw her.
**SERIOUSLY**?! This is the "magic" of Disney cast members anymore?
We have been here 2 days. And this is turning into the worst trip I have ever had here.
There was no magic in Epcot yesterday. It felt like a higher class Six Flags.
I am here, now at 10AM, waiting for my parents to bring the car around (they got suckered into an owners breakfast), so I can finally go to another park.
I have nothing to do but stew.
Rant over. And possibly Disney may be off for me as well. Lets see how today and tomorrow treat me a the worlds "happiest" place.
This year is my first year here in 4 years and my parents first time back since 2002.
We all went to Epcot yesterday, and as much as it pains me to say this, it was very magic-less. In my top 3 worst experiences ever.
90% of my group is above the age of 70 we did not know which park or which day we would be going to a part. Everyone, besides me, just wanted to do Epcot. So we decided on yesterday, 11/1. We purchase tickets at our usual spot, planed on having a great time.
First issue:
My mother has trouble walking, and needs to get as close to the gate as possible. I understand that in this time and age of terrorism, that it is impossible to do so. But I was able to drop her and the rest of my family off as close as we could and then I would park the car.
*In order the park the car in the handicapped spaces, I had to LEAVE the property, get back onto Rt 4, make a U-Turn, re-enter the park, had to plead my case to the parking attendant that we already paid for parking, and I am just dropping off and now parking, and then was able to park in the handicapped spot. What the hell Disney? Not convenient or disney-like.
Next:
Fastpass +
Non of us were aware of this, so when I asked, they said that I had to download an app (My Disney Experience), scan the tickets in, and then we can choose our fast passes.
I am fine with only being able to choose "3 at a time" since that is what it used to be when we would get the print out ticket with our time to come back to ride. We log in, do everything, go to schedule Soarin and the first pass avail was 530. It was 9AM.
I looked at what ever was avail around this time, or closer, and there was nothing. EVERYTHING was already booked.
I stopped to ask someone, surely my app was not working right, and they explained that guests can choose their time slot 30 days in advance. Someone else told me that if they stay on property that they can reserve their time 180 days in advance!
This is elitism. They are punishing those who do not stay on property. So, for those of us who don't because we already own (OWN) timeshare, we have to wait on the line (which yesterday was a 50 min wait, the longest I have ever seen during week 44).
This needs to change, it is an unfair system. Not everyone can pre-plan their vacation down to the minute half a year in advance.
Second:
Disney Springs
When did this become such a _______!?!?! You are now forced to park in one of two garages, with are both set towards to the back end by La Nouba. There are no drop of/pick up points down at the other end. Again, I have elderly people with me. They can not walk the 45 miles from La Nouba to the waterfront and restaurants. So I tell them that I will pull up the the AMC curb and drive them down there.
Each exit leads into another parking garage. Each exit out of the parking garage dumps you back on the main road. Everytime you think you are getting into a lane that could possibly take you to the curb, you wind up into the parking garage again. I eventually, 25 mins later, had to ask if I could pick them up at Valet. I was told yes. Two of our party was walking slower, so we were not all there yet. My mom uses a walker. She's 79.
I am the only car parked here. My hazards are on, and I am pulled all the way possibly up front as to not cause a problem.
But this Disney cop apparantly thought it was a problem and proceeded to tell me that I am in a valet spot only. I explained I am waiting for my mother. He said, again you are in a valet, I again said, yes I know, I have to pick her up at the curb because she is using a walker. He again said I had to move. I have no lost my cool. I told him that my mother is 79 years old, is using a walker, has a pacemaker cannot walk fast, or for long, nor go up stairs, and has to be picked up curbside, where would he like her to go?
I was just about to tell this rent a cop to write me a ticket because I was not making my mother walk a mile to the parking garage, when she finally walked around the corner and I saw her.
**SERIOUSLY**?! This is the "magic" of Disney cast members anymore?
We have been here 2 days. And this is turning into the worst trip I have ever had here.
There was no magic in Epcot yesterday. It felt like a higher class Six Flags.
I am here, now at 10AM, waiting for my parents to bring the car around (they got suckered into an owners breakfast), so I can finally go to another park.
I have nothing to do but stew.
Rant over. And possibly Disney may be off for me as well. Lets see how today and tomorrow treat me a the worlds "happiest" place.
