Inquiry from newspaper reporter

[charlespbg]

Hi, I was given permission by Pete Werner to post to the message boards for a story I'm working on.

My name is Charles Passy and I'm a writer based in Florida. I'm doing a story for the New York Times' Sunday travel section that looks at customer service at Disney parks and resorts. It's tied to the 50th anniversary celebration.

I'm particularly trying to gauge if customer service has improved or declined in recent years at Disney parks and resorts (in Florida and California). I'm a longtime Disney World passholder myself and recently had a rather bizarre and problem-riddled stay at the Saratoga Springs Resort. But I also had some marvelous experiences at the parks during that visit.

I'm curious if others have interesting stories to tell -- good or bad -- about recent visits to the parks and resorts.

I can be reached via email through this board or you're welcome to post here. Let me know if you're interested in speaking to me and we can arrange a time for a phone interview.

Thanks!

P.S. If you would like to verify my credentials before we speak, I'd be happy to put you in touch with my Times editors or provide email links to my stories.

 

[PocahontasLookALike]

Just back from 8 days at the BoardWalk and the customer service there was STELLAR! I am always amazed at the lengths that cast members will go just to go the extra mile. We had packages delivered to our hotel from DownTown Disney shops and one package was missing. I am sure that most people would have shrugged us off and said, '...Try back later, maybe it will show up." Rebekah at the Boardwalk went out of her way to make sure that we had all our packages that night. Everywhere we turned at the BoardWalk cast members were greeting us, welcoming us home and asking if we needed any assistance. I am sure that I have had some bad experiences with Disney cast members, but the positives certainly outweigh the negatives. That is why we keep coming back. I am a firm believer in you-get-what-you-pay-for and it is certainly true with Disney. Sure, Disney may cost a few more bucks that say, Universal, but the customer service is reflected. We also went to Universal on our trip there and were given some of the WORST customer service at the front gates (what a way to start a day, huh?). I am and will continue to be a Disney loyalist.