First time poster, long time park goer... BAD experience this year

[scrapquitler]

*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.

All you have to do is show them your receipt and you are all set. No need to plead your case. YOu can re-enter the parking lots (even at different parks) as many times as you like the same day.



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.

60 days for those who stay on property, 30 days for everyone else. It's a perk of staying on property. One of the benefits of all the extra money onsite guests pay. 180 days is for dining reservations, for everyone onsite and offsite (and I agree that's nuts).
.

\.

 

[wilkeliza]

Disney is a business. They don't care that you bought a timeshare in the Orlando years ago to be able to go to their parks on a specific week. Week 44 means nothing in Disney's world as that is between you and your timeshare that has nothing to do with Disney.

Disney has always been a pay to play environment and elitism. That's day 1 Disneyland. Your base price only included a few tickets and then guess what you had to pay more to play more unless you were okay just walking around all day. In today's world we see that through EMH and FP booking window. Pay Disney more directly and you get to in theory play more at their parks.

The rest I'm sorry you dealt with that. Did no one let you know there is a pick up and drop off down at Marketplace? It is just pass the Christmas shop and is where Taxis can pick up and drop off so I imagine people can as well. It use to be the old Marketplace bus loop. There is also a parking lot on both sides. Not sure how you got both are by La Nooba.

On the dropping off at the parks I agree it does suck you can't go right up but I don't know a time you ever were able to drive right up at WDW in recent memory even pre 9-11. It had nothing to do with 9-11 but more about Disney's bus system drops off closer then anything else and it would cause a massive headache to have people dropping off right at the front while buses are trying to come and go and pedestrian traffic from the trams are in that area.

 

[Johnnyecks]

This was not a lack of planning. This was a lack of not coming here for the passed 4 years. Last time I was here Disney Springs had ground parking that had a very small walk. Fast Pass was still operating the fair way.

As I stated above, we did not know if anyone wanted to go to a park, or when they were going, so we were unable to purchase tickets 5 days in advance, let alone 30/60.

I have been to Disney 20+ times in my life. I am aware of the ECV. I cannot rent them for the whole week, do not have a car that it could fit in! She does get the ECV once in park. That was not the issue. Where we dropped her off, there were no wheelchairs to be seen, nor anyone to ask for them.

There were *NO* wheelchairs anywhere near the handicapped parking.

The directions to have to leave the property to come back in was at the direction of a cast member.



I understand that they are giving perks to those who have gazillions to stay on property. They already have magic hours. Discounts. Etc.... no need to screw with fast pass. There is no incentive for anyone to purchase tickets day of. Not everyone can plan a trip 60 days in advance, and I don't think it's right to punish those who cannot do that.

This is the first time I have been seriously upset and let down here. The only lack of planning I had, was not purchasing tickets in advance.... which I did not know needed to be done, since it had never been necessary in the past (again, last time I was here was 2011 or 2012)

 

[Johnnyecks]

Things change so much from year to year. We hadn't stayed on property since 2008, so when I was planning for our most recent trip in August, yeah, I was pretty amazed at how much had changed. I'm not crazy about the FastPass+ system either, or the new Disney Springs. So while I agree somewhat with the comments about poor planning, being that you do consider yourself comfortable there and have been visiting since 1988, you probably didn't realize that so much had changed and figured you'd be okay knowing what you know. Some people just don't spend as much time as the rest of us keeping up with Disney on message boards and social media. With that being said, you're at a place you love with family. So far things are not going as expected, but it's not too late to turn it around and take the disappointments with a grain of salt. Have fun, enjoy the time with family and friends, and next time just bear in mind what you've learned and apply it to planning for your next trip. Hang in there!!! I hope you come back in and post that things got better!!

You are correct.

I can only blame myself for not thinking that I needed to investigate all the changes. I never imagined Disney would separate TS owners and Prop owners even more than they had in the past. Now that I know, I will plan my trip way more in advance and, <insert sarcasm with small amt of humor> schedule exactly what I want to ride at what time, and where I want to eat on what day and what time two months before I come here. I will not be surprised if you have to order your precise meal 30 days in advance next time. <end sarcasm with small amt of humor>

In reply to someone else, the parking lots seemed to be very close to each other one by La Nooba, the other (it seemed) by the movie theater. No one told me that there was a taxi drop off spot near the other end. It would'be been nice had that "cop" told me than instead of making an aggravating situation even more so.


With all of that has happened the passed two days, I will still love Disney. I will always love Disney. I do not agree with their "these people are better than you" attitude, and I never have, and it has become more apparent than ever. Not every family can spend $5000 a week.

 

[richmo]

I'm sorry to hear you had a tough time and I'm also a bit sorry to pile on with the comments here, but I have to agree with most of them.

On Fastpasses: As one that usually stays offsite, I also live with booking mine at 30 days as opposed to the 60 days that onsite guests have. I don't like to look at it that they are elite, but rather that it is a nice perk for them. One of the things I like about Disney is that as an offsite guest, I've never felt like a second class citizen. Disney is inclusive in this regard - the offsiters get a dedicated monorail line, dedicated ferry, trams to park entrances, etc. I'll also add that at 30 days out and sometimes closer, I've almost always been able to book just about any Fastpass that I've wanted, including the major attractions. Waiting until the day of, yes you will likely be disappointed.

On My Disney Experience: If you're not comfortable using a smartphone, you can get the same experience by using your computer. Although it does require you to think more in advance, having those Fastpasses gives you get the benefit of not having to zig zag around a park in pursuit of Fastpasses.

On parking at Disney Springs: Parking at Downtown Disney used to be a nightmare and so was the traffic in the area. While I would agree with you that it would be nice to park a little closer to the Marketplace area, I don't miss driving around the Marketplace parking lots trying to find a spot. Speaking of Disney Springs, I have to give it to Disney...the place is beautiful now.

On Epcot parking: I can't speak to dropping off passengers then reentering parking without leaving the Epcot parking area, since I haven't done it, but there should have been zero issue going thru the parking gate again as they would have given you a parking receipt when you entered the first time, which would be good at all the parks that day.

 

[Accident]

I just did a week with my mom who also has mobility challenges and some things are interesting but there are some options that might help. My mom also refused to use anything but her cane to help her walk and I just ignored her I don't need a wheelchair and had one right there so after a few minutes of walking and not making progress she was ready to be pushed around and it made a world of different.

some things that might help if you do ever return that helped me:

- renting a wheelchair outside of disney is very cost effective to have it with you at all times. ECV is also reasonable for the week if she is able to operate it on her own (my mom can't).

- there are wheelchairs around parking to help you get someone from parking into the park. from there you can rent a wheelchair or ecv to use in the park. they aren't always near where you park but if you look around while picking a spot you should see one. in the event you don't, they can stay safe in the car while someone wanders off to get one for them. (try to avoid this, usually it's helpful but first you have to get to the chair.)

 

[eeyoreandtink]

This was not a lack of planning. This was a lack of not coming here for the passed 4 years. Last time I was here Disney Springs had ground parking that had a very small walk. Fast Pass was still operating the fair way.

As I stated above, we did not know if anyone wanted to go to a park, or when they were going, so we were unable to purchase tickets 5 days in advance, let alone 30/60.

I have been to Disney 20+ times in my life. I am aware of the ECV. I cannot rent them for the whole week, do not have a car that it could fit in! She does get the ECV once in park. That was not the issue. Where we dropped her off, there were no wheelchairs to be seen, nor anyone to ask for them.

There were *NO* wheelchairs anywhere near the handicapped parking.

The directions to have to leave the property to come back in was at the direction of a cast member.



I understand that they are giving perks to those who have gazillions to stay on property. They already have magic hours. Discounts. Etc.... no need to screw with fast pass. There is no incentive for anyone to purchase tickets day of. Not everyone can plan a trip 60 days in advance, and I don't think it's right to punish those who cannot do that.

This is the first time I have been seriously upset and let down here. The only lack of planning I had, was not purchasing tickets in advance.... which I did not know needed to be done, since it had never been necessary in the past (again, last time I was here was 2011 or 2012)

Sorry, but it IS lack of planning. If you hadn't been in 4 years, did you REALLY expect everything to work exactly the same as it did then? That just isn't a realistic expectation, and I feel like as a frequent visitor you have to know that. If you had visited the Disney website or done ANY type of reading here, you would have been aware of the changes.

As to the mobility problems. You knew they existed before you got there and that getting your mom into the parks from parking would be an issue. YOU KNEW the distances involved. You KNEW it was unlikely that you would be able to drop her close to an entrance. At the very least you could have rented a wheelchair for your mom knowing her challenges. You KNEW it would be an issue.

It sounds to me like you are just bitter that those that stay on property or plan in advance have an advantage. That is true for pretty much every vacation destination. If you don't plan ahead/ make reservations you have to be content with getting in where you can. I don't travel ANYWHERE without doing research into what kind of advance planning/ reservations are needed.

 

[Barbara76]

You are correct.

I can only blame myself for not thinking that I needed to investigate all the changes. I never imagined Disney would separate TS owners and Prop owners even more than they had in the past. Now that I know, I will plan my trip way more in advance and, <insert sarcasm with small amt of humor> schedule exactly what I want to ride at what time, and where I want to eat on what day and what time two months before I come here. I will not be surprised if you have to order your precise meal 30 days in advance next time. <end sarcasm with small amt of humor>

I don't understand what you mean by TS owner and Prop owner?

 

[prprincess]

I can only blame myself for not thinking that I needed to investigate all the changes. I never imagined Disney would separate TS owners and Prop owners even more than they had in the past. Now that I know, I will plan my trip way more in advance and, <insert sarcasm with small amt of humor> schedule exactly what I want to ride at what time, and where I want to eat on what day and what time two months before I come here. I will not be surprised if you have to order your precise meal 30 days in advance next time. <end sarcasm with small amt of humor>

Trust me, I'm not crazy about the amount of pre-planning either. I'm so laid back! If I'm lucky, I plan trips 4 or 5 months out! But here is my take on it, I plan what I can. If I can't get that reservation or FastPass+ that I'm dying to get, oh well--it's not going to make me not enjoy my vacation any less, and hopefully I'll snag them next time...because like you said, you still love Disney and you always will!!

 

[DisneyWishes14]

This was not a lack of planning. This was a lack of not coming here for the passed 4 years. Last time I was here Disney Springs had ground parking that had a very small walk. Fast Pass was still operating the fair way.

As I stated above, we did not know if anyone wanted to go to a park, or when they were going, so we were unable to purchase tickets 5 days in advance, let alone 30/60.

I have been to Disney 20+ times in my life. I am aware of the ECV. I cannot rent them for the whole week, do not have a car that it could fit in! She does get the ECV once in park. That was not the issue. Where we dropped her off, there were no wheelchairs to be seen, nor anyone to ask for them.

There were *NO* wheelchairs anywhere near the handicapped parking.

The directions to have to leave the property to come back in was at the direction of a cast member.



I understand that they are giving perks to those who have gazillions to stay on property. They already have magic hours. Discounts. Etc.... no need to screw with fast pass. There is no incentive for anyone to purchase tickets day of. Not everyone can plan a trip 60 days in advance, and I don't think it's right to punish those who cannot do that.

This is the first time I have been seriously upset and let down here. The only lack of planning I had, was not purchasing tickets in advance.... which I did not know needed to be done, since it had never been necessary in the past (again, last time I was here was 2011 or 2012)

So, in essence, lack of planning. A lot has changed since you last went to WDW. Not just in WDW, but in the field of technology in general. IMHO, you cannot fault Disney for trying to stay on top of technology and they way people now use it. You went in with the expectation that everything works the same as it did in 2011/2012 and it just doesn't. You are right, there is no incentive for people to buy tickets day-of. There is no reason for Disney to give an incentive. They want to incentivize people to purchase and plan weeks in advance because that drives revenue. Once people purchase their tickets, they are locked into visiting the park at some point and Disney has their money. They want to incentivize people to stay onsite by giving more perks because that drives even more revenue. You can still enjoy the parks by purchasing day-of, but, as you found out, you are at a disadvantage for FP+. It's not elitism. It's a business model. Early bird gets the worm. You could very well have purchased your tickets 30 days in advance, but you chose not to, so the people who planned and plopped their money down before you did got dibs on FP+. Yes, that's the way it works now. The change to FP+ was discussed ad nauseum on these boards 3 years ago. You are a little late to the game.

 

[AngiTN]

This was not a lack of planning. This was a lack of not coming here for the passed 4 years. Last time I was here Disney Springs had ground parking that had a very small walk. Fast Pass was still operating the fair way.

As I stated above, we did not know if anyone wanted to go to a park, or when they were going, so we were unable to purchase tickets 5 days in advance, let alone 30/60.

I have been to Disney 20+ times in my life. I am aware of the ECV. I cannot rent them for the whole week, do not have a car that it could fit in! She does get the ECV once in park. That was not the issue. Where we dropped her off, there were no wheelchairs to be seen, nor anyone to ask for them.

There were *NO* wheelchairs anywhere near the handicapped parking.

The directions to have to leave the property to come back in was at the direction of a cast member.



I understand that they are giving perks to those who have gazillions to stay on property. They already have magic hours. Discounts. Etc.... no need to screw with fast pass. There is no incentive for anyone to purchase tickets day of. Not everyone can plan a trip 60 days in advance, and I don't think it's right to punish those who cannot do that.

This is the first time I have been seriously upset and let down here. The only lack of planning I had, was not purchasing tickets in advance.... which I did not know needed to be done, since it had never been necessary in the past (again, last time I was here was 2011 or 2012)

They have them available that fit in a trunk of a small car. They come apart

 

[Koz]

I feel bad that you had some dicey situations to deal with, all of which could have been taken care of in advance with a little Q & A.

 

[Johnnyecks]

Sorry, but it IS lack of planning. If you hadn't been in 4 years, did you REALLY expect everything to work exactly the same as it did then? That just isn't a realistic expectation, and I feel like as a frequent visitor you have to know that. If you had visited the Disney website or done ANY type of reading here, you would have been aware of the changes.

As to the mobility problems. You know they existed before they got here and that getting your mom into the parks from parking would be an issue. YOU KNEW the distances involved. You KNEW it was unlikely that you would be able to drop her close to an entrance. At the very least you could have rented a wheelchair for your mom knowing her challenges. You KNEW it would be an issue.

It sounds to me like you are just bitter that those that stay on property or plan in advance have an advantage. That is true for pretty much every vacation destination. If you don't plan ahead/ make reservations you have to be content with getting in where you can. I don't travel ANYWHERE without doing research into what kind of advance planning/ reservations are needed.

No. You are wrong.

Yes, I knew of her mobility problems. Obviously. Yes, I KNEW of the distance from the parking lot to entrance. Since this was the first year of her mobility being much more advanced, I DID NOT KNOW that you could not drop off close to the entrance since I have never had to do that before.

I am not bitter between property owners and timeshare owners. I am bitter at the changes that have been made that further separates the two groups.

And, yes, I did expect things to be the same since all the years that I have been here, leading up to the last one, things seemed to of stayed relatively the same with minor adjustments. I have never experienced changes that polarized us before, until now.

 

[Astryd]

You are correct.

I can only blame myself for not thinking that I needed to investigate all the changes. I never imagined Disney would separate TS owners and Prop owners even more than they had in the past. Now that I know, I will plan my trip way more in advance and, <insert sarcasm with small amt of humor> schedule exactly what I want to ride at what time, and where I want to eat on what day and what time two months before I come here. I will not be surprised if you have to order your precise meal 30 days in advance next time. <end sarcasm with small amt of humor>

Can anyone say Be Our Guest?

 

[Jennasis]

No. You are wrong.

Yes, I knew of her mobility problems. Obviously. Yes, I KNEW of the distance from the parking lot to entrance. Since this was the first year of her mobility being much more advanced, I DID NOT KNOW that you could not drop off close to the entrance since I have never had to do that before.

I am not bitter between property owners and timeshare owners. I am bitter at the changes that have been made that further separates the two groups.

And, yes, I did expect things to be the same since all the years that I have been here, leading up to the last one, things seemed to of stayed relatively the same with minor adjustments. I have never experienced changes that polarized us before, until now.

You "DID NOT KNOW"...but would have IF you had done a little planning.

 

[eeyoreandtink]

You "DID NOT KNOW"...but would have IF you had done a little planning.

But he/she said in the OP that they were aware with enhanced security that it would be unlikely.

 

[Barbara76]

No. You are wrong.

Yes, I knew of her mobility problems. Obviously. Yes, I KNEW of the distance from the parking lot to entrance. Since this was the first year of her mobility being much more advanced, I DID NOT KNOW that you could not drop off close to the entrance since I have never had to do that before.

I am not bitter between property owners and timeshare owners. I am bitter at the changes that have been made that further separates the two groups.

And, yes, I did expect things to be the same since all the years that I have been here, leading up to the last one, things seemed to of stayed relatively the same with minor adjustments. I have never experienced changes that polarized us before, until now.

I still don't understand what you mean about property vs timeshare owners. I think the majority of people going to Disney do not own property or timeshares at Disney, we rent hotel room. Do you own property or a time share at Disney? I am sorry, I don't mean to be obtuse, I am just not following. If you own DVC, or something else why did that negatively impact your planning?

 

[Johnnyecks]

You could very well have purchased your tickets 30 days in advance, but you chose not to,......

No. I could not of. Again, my family were unsure if they wanted to go to the parks this year, or if they did what park(s) that they would want to go. In all the years going, we never purchased park tickets more than a few days in advance.

I am reading everyone's comments, and I do agree with what some of you are saying.

Let me make this clear, I am not here to piss and moan. Yes, I had a frustrating couple of days and there are many things I believe have been done to convenience 95% of the people, but in doing so made things 1000x more inconvenient for others. And, yes, while in the scheme of things.. no one cares about that 5%. But when you are watching your mother struggling in the "happiest place on earth" and no one offering help, is a bit unnerving.

Let me say again, there were no wheelchairs at the handicapped parking spots. Maybe they were there and all had been used, but there was also no one around to ask for one. But that didn't matter, because I had already dropped her off at the closest spot to the gate as possible. She can walk, she has a walker which we keep in the trunk of the car. We would not be able to fit an ECV in there as well, even if it could be taken apart and folded, etc.

Yes, I am annoyed. Yes, I'm venting.
Things have changed so much in 4 years. Sure, if I thought things would've been different, I would've investigated. But never having to go through inconvienient changes in the passed 20+ years, did not think it necessary.

But, lesson learned. I will now purchase tickets months in advance, and plan my day months in advance even if it is completely unrealistic to ask people to do so. What if I trip on my way there, what if I got a horrible bout of diarrhea on my way to my fastpass entrance time. No room for changes. Oh well. My loss. Their gain.

 

[eeyoreandtink]

No. You are wrong.

Yes, I knew of her mobility problems. Obviously. Yes, I KNEW of the distance from the parking lot to entrance. Since this was the first year of her mobility being much more advanced, I DID NOT KNOW that you could not drop off close to the entrance since I have never had to do that before.

I am not bitter between property owners and timeshare owners. I am bitter at the changes that have been made that further separates the two groups.

And, yes, I did expect things to be the same since all the years that I have been here, leading up to the last one, things seemed to of stayed relatively the same with minor adjustments. I have never experienced changes that polarized us before, until now.

you said in your OP that you knew you couldn't drop off close to a gate because of security.

I have only been traveling to Disney since 2008, far less time that you. I have seen MASSIVE changes all throughout that time, not just in the last couple of years. I would never expect the status quo to hold over 4 years, at Disney or anywhere else. I don't see that as a reasonable expectation.

 

[eeyoreandtink]

I still don't understand what you mean about property vs timeshare owners. I think the majority of people going to Disney do not own property or timeshares at Disney, we rent hotel room. Do you own property or a time share at Disney? I am sorry, I don't mean to be obtuse, I am just not following. If you own DVC, or something else why did that negatively impact your planning?

I think DVC vs other area timeshares. I get the impression they are non DVC timeshare owners.