Flights of Passage and Disney Officially Suck

[LiveYourLife]

Did the OP go to Guest Relations? I did read all the posts (quickly), but didn't see it.

 

[Mindy5767]

I''m building a time machine and going to WDW in the 80s before this all got so complicated and Epcot still had cool stuff in FW.

Take me too!! In the past, I visited in the 70's, but came back the first time as an adult in 1982...just 2 months before EPCOT opened. Then didn't come again until 1990 and then after that 2000!! I missed a lot and would LOVE the have a chance to see spend some more time in Yesterland.

I really wonder if Disney has lost its vision? Their focus now seems to be making the shareholders happy first, customers second.

Yes, probably because the shareholders are paying the bills..right? However, the shareholders are also customers, guests, DVC members and annual passholders. I wonder if Disney thinks of that? I think they do.

I often walk by those crazy queue lines with hours long waits and say that the ONLY reason there is such a long wait (ex. 3 hours) is because people are willing to stand in lines that long. If they weren't, they wouldn't get in the queue when it hits a certain point. I personally will not get in a queue of over an hour unless I really have little on my daily plan. I waited about 2 hours for the new version of Test Track a few months after it had opened only because it was Christmas day, and my only plan for that day was to ride the new Test Track and eat Chinese Food at Nine Dragons. It was also my 5th Disney trip for that year, so I was taking the whole thing in stride. Others do not have that luxury.

I have a fastpass for FoP even though I'm not convinced I will enjoy the experience (I don't like heights). I'll try it. But I fully expect that I may not be able to actually ride it if something happens. My next trip is August, next after that is Thanksgiving week..so we shall see. Originally I couldn't have cared less about Avatarland because the I just didn't get the movie, but videos and reviews have me intrigued.

 

[Srbright]

Yes, probably because the shareholders are paying the bills..right? However, the shareholders are also customers, guests, DVC members and annual passholders. I wonder if Disney thinks of that? I think they do.

I think people forget that Disney is a business and not a public institution like a library or park. However, I read an article (I will try to find the link) that said Disney's attendance is down but revenue is up. It seems to be making both sides happy (shareholders and customers). For every person that won't go because of the price increase there is probably one that doesn't go because of the crowds. They are trying to strike a balance between them.

Stacy

 

[bryanb]

Okay, I just got back from WDW, here's my take: If you're concerned about skipping Flight of Passage based on what you read here, I recommend that you reconsider. (If you're going to skip something, skip Na'vi River Journey... ugh what a boring ride. Not worth my 20 minute wait. But I digress. Forgive me, unlike most people, I hated the movie Avatar.)

This is no way intended to take away from the OP's valid experience and frustration. OP gets to have their gripe, but some of the posts on here are piling on out of control. I get it... reading these forums can make you even more jaded and think that the company is doing everything wrong, constantly. Instead, I was glad to discover that the majority of guest visits--including my own--have been trouble free, and many people are opting to go back and ride more than once even without a FP+. When speaking with my own group, when overhearing guests elsewhere, and when complete strangers chatted me up, the talk is about how the ride is amazing and in some cases, how it is "totally worth it" to get back in line for another 160 minute wait. You read the comments here and you'd think that all the CMs have become rude and the ride is a disaster.

My experience was the opposite. We rode the first time with a FP+. Then decided to go back again at the end of the night, an hour before closing when the queue said 160 minutes but the wait was more like 90. The attraction is amazing, and even the queue is amazing. It made us giddy and it ended the trip on such a high note. The fact is this ride is making many many people very happy with their visit.

All four theaters are usually operating quite well for a new attraction, and they are fully independent. Of course, a fire alarm is a different matter. If you look at the sheer capacity of the building, you'll realize why a quick and safe evacuation is the priority in a fire alarm.

Ultimately, I walked out of Pandora -- initially thinking that it was a desperate move to grab some IP to compete with Harry Potter -- to really thinking that Disney still keeps upping the bar for itself and its competitors. Game on.

 

[hsmamato2]

A break down is very different then the fire alarms going off, which is what happened with FoP in this instance. With a fire alarm, you have a very small window of time to evacuate the area. The safety of the guests and staff is number one before anything else. So I can understand why they wouldn't want to hold up the evacuation to hand out some FP. I mean, imagine if it hadn't been a false alarm (which the CMs don't know at the time it is happening) and something bad had happened because guests were slow in exiting just so that they can get a FP. No, the CMs did their job in this specific case.

If the OP had an issue with how it was handled then they can take it up with guest relations in the park.

I agree on this- but I would have gone to guest services about this also

 

[LadyDiznee123]

The ride was completely shut down three times over two days because of a fire alarm plus another time because of a medical issue. This is not FEA that was down constantly when it opened up. I think you are pretty safe to not skip it 5 months from now.

Well, certainly - I hope you're right!

 

[LadyDiznee123]

Okay, I just got back from WDW, here's my take: If you're concerned about skipping Flight of Passage based on what you read here, I recommend that you reconsider. (If you're going to skip something, skip Na'vi River Journey... ugh what a boring ride. Not worth my 20 minute wait. But I digress. Forgive me, unlike most people, I hated the movie Avatar.)

This is no way intended to take away from the OP's valid experience and frustration. OP gets to have their gripe, but some of the posts on here are piling on out of control. I get it... reading these forums can make you even more jaded and think that the company is doing everything wrong, constantly. Instead, I was glad to discover that the majority of guest visits--including my own--have been trouble free, and many people are opting to go back and ride more than once even without a FP+. When speaking with my own group, when overhearing guests elsewhere, and when complete strangers chatted me up, the talk is about how the ride is amazing and in some cases, how it is "totally worth it" to get back in line for another 160 minute wait. You read the comments here and you'd think that all the CMs have become rude and the ride is a disaster.

My experience was the opposite. We rode the first time with a FP+. Then decided to go back again at the end of the night, an hour before closing when the queue said 160 minutes but the wait was more like 90. The attraction is amazing, and even the queue is amazing. It made us giddy and it ended the trip on such a high note. The fact is this ride is making many many people very happy with their visit.

All four theaters are usually operating quite well for a new attraction, and they are fully independent. Of course, a fire alarm is a different matter. If you look at the sheer capacity of the building, you'll realize why a quick and safe evacuation is the priority in a fire alarm.

Ultimately, I walked out of Pandora -- initially thinking that it was a desperate move to grab some IP to compete with Harry Potter -- to really thinking that Disney still keeps upping the bar for itself and its competitors. Game on.

Thank you so much for sharing.
I will definitely consider your input!

 

[LadyDiznee123]

Okay, I just got back from WDW, here's my take: If you're concerned about skipping Flight of Passage based on what you read here, I recommend that you reconsider. (If you're going to skip something, skip Na'vi River Journey... ugh what a boring ride. Not worth my 20 minute wait. But I digress. Forgive me, unlike most people, I hated the movie Avatar.)

This is no way intended to take away from the OP's valid experience and frustration. OP gets to have their gripe, but some of the posts on here are piling on out of control. I get it... reading these forums can make you even more jaded and think that the company is doing everything wrong, constantly. Instead, I was glad to discover that the majority of guest visits--including my own--have been trouble free, and many people are opting to go back and ride more than once even without a FP+. When speaking with my own group, when overhearing guests elsewhere, and when complete strangers chatted me up, the talk is about how the ride is amazing and in some cases, how it is "totally worth it" to get back in line for another 160 minute wait. You read the comments here and you'd think that all the CMs have become rude and the ride is a disaster.

My experience was the opposite. We rode the first time with a FP+. Then decided to go back again at the end of the night, an hour before closing when the queue said 160 minutes but the wait was more like 90. The attraction is amazing, and even the queue is amazing. It made us giddy and it ended the trip on such a high note. The fact is this ride is making many many people very happy with their visit.

All four theaters are usually operating quite well for a new attraction, and they are fully independent. Of course, a fire alarm is a different matter. If you look at the sheer capacity of the building, you'll realize why a quick and safe evacuation is the priority in a fire alarm.

Ultimately, I walked out of Pandora -- initially thinking that it was a desperate move to grab some IP to compete with Harry Potter -- to really thinking that Disney still keeps upping the bar for itself and its competitors. Game on.

Hey Bryan B:

I too was NOT a fan of Avatar. I really just didn't get its popularity at all.
Truth by told, my only attraction to it at Disney, is that it's a new attraction at Disney.

 

[snoopy352]

It doesn't sound at all as if the CMs were inept. There was a FIRE ALARM. Getting the guests out safely is much more important than trying to see who was standing where and handing out Fast Passes.

The OP could have gone to guest services and see what they could do, instead of expecting CMs who are dealing with a FIRE ALARM to stop what they are doing to give them a Fast Pass. If everyone got out safely the CMs did a good job, and they dealt with what was most important. Making sure everyone got out and no one was hurt.

The CMs handling the fire alarm were competent. I am referring to the CMs who were standing in front of the attraction offering inadequate information. There were CMs in front of FOP who had nothing to do with the evacuation during the fire alarm issue. (And the guest services line was over an hour long in and of itself in the heat, which is another reason why Disney needed to do something here and does not fall under the category of complaining about every "little thing."

 

[snoopy352]

I don't think it warrants some kind of monetary compensation, if that is what you are getting at.

No I didn't mean that - I agree with you there. My point is they lost a half day and deserve two any time FP for any day they want. They spent a half day in lines and got nothing out of it after all.

 

[Grammy4Lizzy]

No they came here to complain. As if .

 

[~AristoCat~]

I do understand that waiting 3 hours for nothing is miserable, but really what could the Disney CM's have done on the spot? Sure they could have evacuated like they did then said let's all for another huge line away from the ride so everyone can get there FP because they were just going to give a few out to the people at the front and leave the others out and they would have been pissed. They could have sent them to Guest Relations and there would have been a huge backed up line where people would have just waited and who knows what the end outcome would have been there. When the fire alarms go off you have to take that stuff seriously and evacuate immediately I don't care if you are the next person ready to mount the Banshee you have to leave the building. What if you argued and the building was on fire and then it got worse? You never know. Like others have stated Disney is a business and I really think because of there reputation as this accommodating company that they are expected to do it all the time. I don't think they can do this all the time. I do understand it wasted 3 hours of your time and that sucks, but if it was me I wouldn't let it ruin my whole day and my entire view of Disney.

 

[maxiesmom]

No I didn't mean that - I agree with you there. My point is they lost a half day and deserve two any time FP for any day they want. They spent a half day in lines and got nothing out of it after all.

I actually agree some FPs would have gone a long way in mending fences, so to speak. But I don't think when a fire alarm is going off they should have CMs standing around handing them out either. That is not the time or place for it.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

I actually agree some FPs would have gone a long way in mending fences, so to speak. But I don't think when a fire alarm is going off they should have CMs standing around handing them out either. That is not the time or place for it.

Especially if there was an actual fire that was going on out of control. I'd imagine if there was a bunch of smoke and a fire seen by guests the demand for a FP would likely be low on the person's mind at that point.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

Okay, I just got back from WDW, here's my take: If you're concerned about skipping Flight of Passage based on what you read here, I recommend that you reconsider. (If you're going to skip something, skip Na'vi River Journey... ugh what a boring ride. Not worth my 20 minute wait. But I digress. Forgive me, unlike most people, I hated the movie Avatar.)

This is no way intended to take away from the OP's valid experience and frustration. OP gets to have their gripe, but some of the posts on here are piling on out of control. I get it... reading these forums can make you even more jaded and think that the company is doing everything wrong, constantly. Instead, I was glad to discover that the majority of guest visits--including my own--have been trouble free, and many people are opting to go back and ride more than once even without a FP+. When speaking with my own group, when overhearing guests elsewhere, and when complete strangers chatted me up, the talk is about how the ride is amazing and in some cases, how it is "totally worth it" to get back in line for another 160 minute wait. You read the comments here and you'd think that all the CMs have become rude and the ride is a disaster.

My experience was the opposite. We rode the first time with a FP+. Then decided to go back again at the end of the night, an hour before closing when the queue said 160 minutes but the wait was more like 90. The attraction is amazing, and even the queue is amazing. It made us giddy and it ended the trip on such a high note. The fact is this ride is making many many people very happy with their visit.

All four theaters are usually operating quite well for a new attraction, and they are fully independent. Of course, a fire alarm is a different matter. If you look at the sheer capacity of the building, you'll realize why a quick and safe evacuation is the priority in a fire alarm.

Ultimately, I walked out of Pandora -- initially thinking that it was a desperate move to grab some IP to compete with Harry Potter -- to really thinking that Disney still keeps upping the bar for itself and its competitors. Game on.

Glad to hear all of this! I HATED Avatar, yet we've still been looking forward to a new WDW offering. Glad most (except NRJ) did not disappoint!

 

[LongLiveRafiki]

I have a question. I haven't been to Disney since before fast pass + and magic bands. When you go in the stand by line, do you still scan your magic band, or is it only for the fast pass line? If you scan for both lines, couldn't they automatically add a fast pass or two to everyone who had scanned their band and thus been in line at the time that the ride goes down? That could be something done without anyone having to wait around for a paper fast pass or having to go to guest services. Obviously it wouldn't work if you don't scan your band for the stand by line, and if that's the case, completely disregard this comment.

 

[North of Mouse]

I have a question. I haven't been to Disney since before fast pass + and magic bands. When you go in the stand by line, do you still scan your magic band, or is it only for the fast pass line? If you scan for both lines, couldn't they automatically add a fast pass or two to everyone who had scanned their band and thus been in line at the time that the ride goes down? That could be something done without anyone having to wait around for a paper fast pass or having to go to guest services. Obviously it wouldn't work if you don't scan your band for the stand by line, and if that's the case, completely disregard this comment.

You don't scan your MB for SB!

 

[ucfknight]

You don't scan your MB for SB!

Except during EMH.

 

[Bullseye]

Just so everyone knows, Avatar is playing non-stop on channel 80 on WDW resort TV in case you want to get in the mood for the ride.

I must've watched all or part of it 15 times over the 12 days I was just there. Every time we'd get back to the Villa we'd act all surprised like "OMG Avatar is on!"

 

[bryanb]

To my knowledge, Disney has never guaranteed FastPasses or makegoods just because people have been waiting a long time when a ride goes down. When FPs are given out, it is an exception and not the rule. And exceptions have to be considered very carefully. Assuming there were 2.5 hours worth of people waiting in line, it would be impractical to guarantee that the attraction could serve them all during the remainder of the day in a FP return line, assuming that it even re-opens with 3 or 4 hours to spare.

What would we do if we ran the operation? We could get creative with what we think is fair compensation -- things like alternative FP, next day FP, etc. -- or we could come up with an arbitrary cut-off (like if you've waited over 2:00 hours, but not 1:59.) Yet all of these create plenty of anger and confusion still, and complaints that we've still messed up people's plans. Or that our cut-off is unfair or that our idea of a makegood is unfair. And when some people get better compensated than others, it makes people more angry than if nobody was compensated at all. So when they do decide to give out compensation, it is not a decision that can be taken lightly.

So really the only "nice" solution is to make sure the attraction doesn't ever go down. Which is unrealistic even in a well-run operation. And let's face it, for all the flaws we pick at on these boards, Disney actually does a decent job considering the volume of people who walk through every hour. (Yes, I know I just lost a lot of people with that comment... those who think Disney is now awful and wistfully think back to the old days. But you try running a better operation -- and not just in one area but in every area. And make flawless decisions -- not just on a single matter but on every matter.)

Sure, I have some ideas on things I might try differently if I worked there, and the one thing I know in armchair quarterbacking is that the real answers are always more complicated that we can see from this side of the guest experience.