Got a call from WDW Exceutive today

[boomhauer]

In regards to the email I sent about the tour groups. Very nice guy. Went through the typical "we appreciate your comments", etc.

He did go on to say that they are well aware of issues that have occured with tour groups, and as others have said, as guests, we simply don't see how Disney handles some of these groups.

Certain pop warner teams have been disqualified from competiton. Some other groups have been "asked not to return". He did go on to say that their best tool for help with these groups is their guests. They certainly don't see everything that occurs and they need to know about any inappropriate behavior. He is very well aware of just how high people's expectations are at Walt Disney World and if they're giong to promote it as a magical place, it is their responsibility to do whatever is necesarry to make it as such.

So, overall, nothing really came out of it, but it made me feel better anyways.

Now, just waiting to see if I hear back on the UPS High Priority letter I sent to Al Weiss.

 

[bytheblood]

I am glad to hear you recieved some time of feedback. That is much better than being ignored.

Let us know if you hear anything else.

 

[AJKMOM]

Just wondering if he said they were disqualified from further competition because of their behavior?

 

[WDW Poly Princess]

I'm glad that they're taking some action- ie asking certain groups not to return! It's not a grand solution to the problem, but at least it is a step in the right direction!

 

[cleo]

I knew some groups had been asked not to return but I didn't know any of them were Pop Warner. Did he say some of them (specifically) were asked not to come back?

I'm really happy to hear someone called you. I think everyone knows some of these groups are a serious problem, but it's good to hear Disney ARE doing something to try to get things back in line.

 

[boomhauer]

One thing I always love about Disney higher ups is it seems they DO have a genuine concern for making their guests happy at all times. They're not stupid - They know people like us, that visit these boards and take the time to write them, are truly the lifeline of their business. The ones that come down there 2 or 3 times a year, the ones that chose to spend all our vacations there. Disney may make money on the tour groups, but the parks would be very lonely if it were just tour groups and no other visitors.

 

[WillCAD]

So, overall, nothing really came out of it, but it made me feel better anyways.

Now, just waiting to see if I hear back on the UPS High Priority letter I sent to Al Weiss.

I don't want to throw cold water over you boomhauer, but a complaint that does nothing is worth exactly that, and doesn't make me feel any better.

I've gotten these PR calls myself in response to comments I made, and I came away from them absolutely certain that the folks making the calls are nothing more than rank-and-file public relations people who have no authority to make changes; their only job is to interact with Guests who complain and try to smooth ruffled feathers.

They're nice people doing a really tough job, but in the end, nothing ever comes from their calls because they are communications people, not decision-makers.

Now, if I ever got a call from an actual manager or supervisor at one of the parks or resorts, that would be a horse of a different color!

 

[fitzkerry]

I'm not a regular poster here but I thought I'd share that sometimes our voices are heard and responded to. At Super Soap Weekend I was very disturbed by the way entry to the wheelchair seating area was handled. Many people has 3-4 guests with them (2 was the posted limit) and worst of all were people who got there early, parked their scooter or wheelchair and then went out to tour the park or get food and drinks, leaving their mobility device to "save them a seat"! I found a Safety Officer for MGM and explained both the problem and what I felt was the solution. Each mobility impared visitor should have 2 passes for use by their party, no pass no getting in to the area, also I mentioned that they should require people to remain seated as those who are in wheelchairs and not able to get up cannot see over the people who were miraculously cured durring the Macarana and stood up to dance. (I kid you not!) When we went back the next night I was delighted to find the castmembers at the entrance to the area handing out laminated passes that alowed 2 people in and out of the area! So long story over, I guess sometimes they do listen.

 

[WillCAD]

I'm not a regular poster here but I thought I'd share that sometimes our voices are heard and responded to. At Super Soap Weekend I was very disturbed by the way entry to the wheelchair seating area was handled. Many people has 3-4 guests with them (2 was the posted limit) and worst of all were people who got there early, parked their scooter or wheelchair and then went out to tour the park or get food and drinks, leaving their mobility device to "save them a seat"! I found a Safety Officer for MGM and explained both the problem and what I felt was the solution. Each mobility impared visitor should have 2 passes for use by their party, no pass no getting in to the area, also I mentioned that they should require people to remain seated as those who are in wheelchairs and not able to get up cannot see over the people who were miraculously cured durring the Macarana and stood up to dance. (I kid you not!) When we went back the next night I was delighted to find the castmembers at the entrance to the area handing out laminated passes that alowed 2 people in and out of the area! So long story over, I guess sometimes they do listen.

That's grafying to hear. I wish all Guest complaints could be handled with such efficiency.

Of course, abuse of the accomodations that WDW has in place for people with special needs really hits a chord with some folks; I personally find those abuses offensive - not because they are any skin off my nose, but because the more people who abuse the system, the less real assistance will be available to those who genuinely need it.

I think your example also shows that complaints made within an individual park or resort probably havw a much better chance of being addressed than complaints made to WDW Guest Relations after the fact. Of course, I'm always so busy concentrating on my own little vacation world that when something comes up that deserves comment - positive or negative - I seldom remember to comment until well after the fact, often not until I'm home.

 

[ducklite]

One of the regional managers for the company I work for has a daughter who was just at WDW for a cheerleading competition. Two of the teams were disqualified and not allowed to participate because they violated a "Disney Rule."

The co-worker wasn't sure what exactly, but he said his daughter mentioned something about practicing in a courtyard after hours at the hotel.

I know when we stays at Sports years ago, cheerleaders were outside our door practicing as late as midnight and as early as 6:00 am, which we found unacceptable.

Anne

 

[WillCAD]

I know when we stays at Sports years ago, cheerleaders were outside our door practicing as late as midnight and as early as 6:00 am, which we found unacceptable.

I find that unnacceptable from two completely different viewpoints:

1) As a resort Guest I would be irate if I were trying to get a good night's rest after a long, tiring day in the parks only to be awakened at midnight or at 6am by "Hey, ho, let's go" or whatever they practice at those ungodly hours

2) I find it borderline abusive to keep any type of sports team practicing until midnight. I know it's common practice to force the kids up at oh-dark-thirty in the morning for 6am practice sessions, but to keep them going that late is just wrong - they need their sleep even more than I do if they're going to be sharp for their competition.

I just hope that none of the squads do both the early morning and late night practice sessions! Any coach who did that would have to have their certifications revoked, IMHO.

 

[I'mNoPrince]

When I was playing Paintball at WWoS a few times a year I know some teams were banned for things that happened both at on-sight and off-sight hotels.The off-sights were sponsers of the event and the on-ights were just booked through our event sight.

They ranged from one event to lifetime ban for both the teams and players involved.Most were from firing there markers at all hours of the night doing work on them.

The way it worked was Disney had a complaint and brought it to the attention of the event staff they took it from there and had to report back to Disney what was done.

It's big money for both Disney and the event people and where they can't controll all involved they do have to try to make it run smooth to be asked back.