~ It's a PROTEST! UPDATE! Disney PhotoPass called - it is fixed!!

[frndshpcptn]

I will say this - as a former CM one of my favorite things to do at work was to offer to take photos of families visiting so that they could all be in the photos.

Please don't hesitate to ask ANY CM to do this for you. They know how to work a majority of the cameras on the market (they take a TON of photos for guests every year) and are (generally) very happy to do this for you.


In fact, on my days off, when I was visiting the parks for fun I would still go up to families and offer to be the cameraman for the photo. It made me feel good to be able to do something small that helped people have a better memory from thier vacation.

PhotoPass isn't the only way to make sure that you get family photos on vacation.

 

[DVC Sadie]

I'm sorry that I don't agree with sending a mass e-mail in regards to PP card, especially after reading your wonderful trip report. Seems to me that both GKTW and WDW made your trip very magical and did everything in their power to make your families vacation everything it could be, and much, much more.
I don't know but it just doesn't feel right to me and leaves a bad taste in my mouth for some reason.

When corporations and individuals give to different charities and organizations they need to do it from the heart or it truly means nothing at all. Just my point of view.

 

[maroo]

Sorry OP but I don't agree with you on this.

I think there should be perks to staying on-site. Photopass photographers and many other CMs will take your picture for you with your camera.

Also, perhaps there were too many people cheating the system with all the photopass shares. This could be WDW's way of helping to reduce that.

These kids can't stay on-site. They are not given a choice. They stay at GKTW as part of their wish.

The PhotoPass photographer even comes to GKTW to take their picture! They send characters to GKTW and they get pictures at GKTW.

Most of these families - this is their first trip. Most have never even heard of a PhotoPass share.

 

[LindaBabe]

If you were familiar with the things these families go through, the poverty many of them have been force into by their medical bills and their need to care for their sick children, maybe y'all would sing a different song. I pray that you may never know what it is like to walk a mile in their shoes.

 

[wdwfan16]

These kids can't stay on-site. They are not given a choice. They stay at GKTW as part of their wish.

The PhotoPass photographer even comes to GKTW to take their picture! They send characters to GKTW and they get pictures at GKTW.

Most of these families - this is their first trip. Most have never even heard of a PhotoPass share.

GKTW is not the same charity as Make-A-Wish.

I would never want a GKTW family to take their chances with a PP share. Now that is a great way to lose those all important photos.

 

[maroo]

I'm sorry that I don't agree with sending a mass e-mail in regards to PP card, especially after reading your wonderful trip report. Seems to me that both GKTW and WDW made your trip very magical and did everything in their power to make your families vacation everything it could be, and much, much more.
I don't know but it just doesn't feel right to me and leaves a bad taste in my mouth for some reason.

When corporations and individuals give to different charities and organizations they need to do it from the heart or it truly means nothing at all. Just my point of view.

Thank you for the compliment!

We were able to purchase a PhotoPass in advance for $89.00. We used those pictures in the trip report!

We just want the children on future trips to have that same opportunity.

The pictures - are so important! More important than a regular trip. That magic is captured on those pictures.

I believe, when Disney Management is made aware of the situation, that they will come through for these families!

 

[wdwfan16]

If you were familiar with the things these families go through, the poverty many of them have been force into by their medical bills and their need to care for their sick children, maybe y'all would sing a different song. I pray that you may never know what it is like to walk a mile in their shoes.

Believe me just touring the place will tear your heart out. When you hear the story of the boy who threw his blanket in the room with the stars you will be in tears.

 

[declansdad]

GKTW is not the same charity as Make-A-Wish.

I would never want a GKTW family to take their chances with a PP share. Now that is a great way to lose those all important photos.

I wasn't saying they should use a share. A share is against the rules and I'm sure Disney knows they were going on. This could be one step in their attempts to make them less attractive.

 

[maroo]

GKTW is not the same charity as Make-A-Wish.

I would never want a GKTW family to take their chances with a PP share. Now that is a great way to lose those all important photos.

Make a Wish sends kids to GKTW. Dream Factory, Children's Wish Foundation and many others also send kids to GKTW.

If you were familiar with the things these families go through, the poverty many of them have been force into by their medical bills and their need to care for their sick children, maybe y'all would sing a different song. I pray that you may never know what it is like to walk a mile in their shoes.

Thank you, Linda.

Believe me just touring the place will tear your heart out. When you hear the story of the boy who threw his blanket in the room with the stars you will be in tears.

Oh gosh...I don't think I know this story. Will you PM it to me?

That room...with the stars....

and

 

[Soon2B4]

I personally like how everyone assumes a wish family is able to afford a fancy digital camera to take all these wonderful pictures themselves. The medical bills that families have are sometimes unbelievable. Most of them are unable to go to Disney on their own and don't have disposable income to purchase their own camera. I don't think the issue is getting the PhotoPass for free, but just a little discount. Like was mentioned previously, you don't have a choice about where to stay so staying on property isn't an option. Why not give it at the on-site rate. If the cost is $149, many wish families are going to opt to not purchase it at all. If they do, that's possibly one less thing the wish child gets to do. For many families, this is a once in a lifetime trip and may be the last as a family.

 

[DVC Sadie]

Thank you for the compliment!

We were able to purchase a PhotoPass in advance for $89.00. We used those pictures in the trip report!

We just want the children on future trips to have that same opportunity.

The pictures - are so important! More important than a regular trip. That magic is captured on those pictures.

I believe, when Disney Management is made aware of the situation, that they will come through for these families!

You are very welcome.

I realize that pictures are important, maybe even more important due to circumstances and you want "others" to have the same experience as your family but I don't see how chastising the very charities that made your trip so wonderful is helping the situation.

I think that future families may be surprised at what WDW is willing to do to help maybe not in the way you want but in other ways.

 

[declansdad]

I personally like how everyone assumes a wish family is able to afford a fancy digital camera to take all these wonderful pictures themselves. The medical bills that families have are sometimes unbelievable. Most of them are unable to go to Disney on their own and don't have disposable income to purchase their own camera. I don't think the issue is getting the PhotoPass for free, but just a little discount. Like was mentioned previously, you don't have a choice about where to stay so staying on property isn't an option. Why not give it at the on-site rate. If the cost is $149, many wish families are going to opt to not purchase it at all. If they do, that's possibly one less thing the wish child gets to do. For many families, this is a once in a lifetime trip and may be the last as a family.

So why not just give it to everyone then?

 

[wvjules]

I'm pretty sure that Disney Management is aware of their photopass costs and policies. Do you think they pulled them out of their behinds? No, someone in MANAGEMENT had to set the costs, make the decision, and get it approved.

 

[that's nice]

I don't see how asking Disney to give these families the same opportunity to purchase the PP at the same price ($99) as onsite guests is trying to undermine Disney. Many of these families are unable to stay in Disney hotel, and many different organizations, including Make-A-Wish, use GKTW as their 'wish' hotel. As Maroo has stated, Disney sends characters and PP photographers to GKTW a few times a week (I believe).

Some of these wish families have/are going through financial difficulties with the care they need for their kids. Some wish organizations give their families a little spending money, some do not. Don't you think that extra money could go towards souvenirs, mickey bars, character meals, or even just food to eat while in the parks, which, as we all know, isn't cheap.

I know when I'm in WDW, I'm barely in any pictures. The PP makes it easier for the families to have one less thing to worry about. Don't you think the parents have enough on their plate and want to see their kids enjoying themselves instead of standing behind a camera not partaking in some fun?

I don't think Maroo, who has done so much for wish families here on the DIS and in 'REAL LIFE' is out of line here.

 

[wdwfan16]

Oh gosh...I don't think I know this story. Will you PM it to me?

That room...with the stars....

and

They tell the story far better than I will.

A little boy, about 4, had this blanket that he could not be separated from. They were in the star room that represents all the little angels that have gone to GKTW and of course the ones who have gone to heaven. I forget the real name it goes by. He was there with his mom and maybe other family members. He threw his blanket in the air and it got stuck behind some clouds that were part of a display that had a "shelf" that the clouds were hiding. The mom could not get the blanket so she told him not to worry she would get somebody to get the blanket for him. He told her not to worry it was now in heaven and would be waiting for him when he got there. As of the last time I was there the blanket is still there. You cannot see it.

 

[wdwfan16]

I personally like how everyone assumes a wish family is able to afford a fancy digital camera to take all these wonderful pictures themselves. The medical bills that families have are sometimes unbelievable. Most of them are unable to go to Disney on their own and don't have disposable income to purchase their own camera. I don't think the issue is getting the PhotoPass for free, but just a little discount. Like was mentioned previously, you don't have a choice about where to stay so staying on property isn't an option. Why not give it at the on-site rate. If the cost is $149, many wish families are going to opt to not purchase it at all. If they do, that's possibly one less thing the wish child gets to do. For many families, this is a once in a lifetime trip and may be the last as a family.

GKTW has a limited amount of bungalows and when they have more need than capacity Disney will let the family stay on-site for fee.

A family that cannot afford a $100 camera cannot afford a $100 PP.

I know that GKTW has items they can borrow. Many companies donate food and items to GKTW. Many of the organizations that send the family to Disney with money too.

 

[wdwfan16]

I realize that pictures are important, maybe even more important due to circumstances and you want "others" to have the same experience as your family but I don't see how chastising the very charities that made your trip so wonderful is helping the situation.

I think that future families may be surprised at what WDW is willing to do to help maybe not in the way you want but in other ways.

 

[DancingBear]

I personally like how everyone assumes a wish family is able to afford a fancy digital camera to take all these wonderful pictures themselves. The medical bills that families have are sometimes unbelievable. Most of them are unable to go to Disney on their own and don't have disposable income to purchase their own camera. I don't think the issue is getting the PhotoPass for free, but just a little discount. Like was mentioned previously, you don't have a choice about where to stay so staying on property isn't an option. Why not give it at the on-site rate. If the cost is $149, many wish families are going to opt to not purchase it at all. If they do, that's possibly one less thing the wish child gets to do. For many families, this is a once in a lifetime trip and may be the last as a family.

Sure, they could give them this discount. And they could give them discounts on souvenirs, and meals, and lots of other stuff. Those kids and their families deserve whatever can be done. It just seems like it's not an issue worth hounding Disney about given all of the other support they are giving to Make a Wish. They should get credit for what they do, rather than hounded for a marginal benefit that they aren't doing.

As for having their own camera, you can buy a new one for $80 from BestBuy, and for much less used on Craigslist or EBay. That might be a better thing to encourage them to do than to get the Photopass disc, even at the $99 with the discount.

 

[Indiana Rose Lee]

You can buy a decent digital camera for $99. Spend $150 and get an even nicer one. then you can use if for memories for after the trip. We've dealt with catastrophic illness. I'm a lover of MAW, and know several families who have gone. But I think this is an over the top reaction.

 

[Magic Mom]

Can't "wish familes" carry a camera?