Just got off the phone with Disney CS EMH and other changes

[Jennasis]

"Jenny's" job is to make you feel like somebody heard you and cares.

 

[mom2mickeyfan]

Im sure it will be advertised..and probably advertised heavily in Florida..and of course it's on their website.

But will enough of these off-site guest ever make any contact with Disney before they reach Orlando to paid the cost of keeping the park open for 3 hours? $150 per person is a big expense for a family if they don't already have it budgeted in. Our family always stay off-site in time share condos and we still see the Disney desks busy selling tickets to families just checking in. Those folks will more than likely not be looking to spend $150 extra per person for extra hours. So will Disney get enough of those off-site guest to turn a profit for these hours? OR is Disney cutting back on the "free" resort EMH they are offering and are hoping that resort guest will also pay for these extra hours because the free one doesn't work with their schedule? You have to admit that it is the on-site guest that are most likely to see the offer of this paid extra night before they reach their resort. If Disney sees that enough resort guest will in fact paid for the extra hours, would they continue to offer them for free? And if and until they decide to cut the free resort EMH, would they really be telling folks that that is what is coming?

 

[Kimberly9701]

The drawback (as I see it) on the paid events is that they cut back the regular hours (closing at 10 on a night in July to allow the paid people in for 3 extra hours), plus having the 3 hours leading up to the "event" being PACKED with people as the $150 covers admission from 4 pm on like the paid parties for Christmas and Halloween. They may also lead to the demise of EMH for onsite guests if they do well. The AM event has been pulled from the website, and no dates were ever announced. It remains to be seen if it will return, but I'm betting it will. $70 for 3 rides for 45 minutes prior to everyone else arriving for rope drop is not great IMHO.

The other drawback is that people who have planned FP+ and ADRs around specific days (to rope drop and avoid EMHs) have their plans thrown into chaos 2-3 weeks (or less) away from their trip, after being told we have to plan everything ahead, is that fair? They are stripping the onsite "perks" that they have stood by for years little by little- rumored resort fees, "premium" parking fees, resort parking fees, pay to play fees for these AM/PM events. All the while cutting back CM hours, entertainment, attractions. To me, that is cutting into the "magic" they have been selling us for years and making them no better than a local amusement park.

The last part I completely agree with! The people who already had their FP and dining planned definitely got negatively affected by this.
As far as resort parking fees- is this something new? From my understanding parking is free unless you valet..I rented a car on the last morning of our trip in September and didn't have to pay when went back to resort.
On the flip side of the 4pm crowds..I would think mornings would be much less crowded. We are doing the Christmas party in December and normally have done an entire park day- but instead we won't be going until that 4pm time...I'm not certain but I'd assume a lot of people would do the same and not purchase the party ticket on top of a park ticket.

 

[AngiTN]

Am I the only one that thinks complaining about losing EMH, when they haven't gone anywhere, rather off?

I just don't understand it. People are spending time worrying about stuff that hasn't happened

 

[Kimberly9701]

But will enough of these off-site guest ever make any contact with Disney before they reach Orlando to paid the cost of keeping the park open for 3 hours? $150 per person is a big expense for a family if they don't already have it budgeted in. Our family always stay off-site in time share condos and we still see the Disney desks busy selling tickets to families just checking in. Those folks will more than likely not be looking to spend $150 extra per person for extra hours. So will Disney get enough of those off-site guest to turn a profit for these hours? OR is Disney cutting back on the "free" resort EMH they are offering and are hoping that resort guest will also pay for these extra hours because the free one doesn't work with their schedule? You have to admit that it is the on-site guest that are most likely to see the offer of this paid extra night before they reach their resort. If Disney sees that enough resort guest will in fact paid for the extra hours, would they continue to offer them for free? And if and until they decide to cut the free resort EMH, would they really be telling folks that that is what is coming?

I guess since I've done both.. Onsite and offsite for different reasons.. That I don't assume someone staying offsite doesn't have the budget for something like this. When I have stayed offsite it's because we were doing other attractions in Orlando, not because couldn't afford it...it's because it didn't make sense. And When I've gone for Halloween Horror Nights we've done 1 day at MK to see all of the Halloween decorations

 

[DoingDisney]

Am I the only one that thinks complaining about losing EMH, when they haven't gone anywhere, rather off?

I just don't understand it. People are spending time worrying about stuff that hasn't happened

Compare April 2014 (14 morning EMHs), 2015 (13 Morning MK EMHs), and 2016 (5 MK Morning EMHs) morning EMH's at MK and tell me EMH's haven't gone anywhere ... ???

And if you think they just shifted them compare March and May for those years too, they haven't.

 

[Kimberly9701]

Am I the only one that thinks complaining about losing EMH, when they haven't gone anywhere, rather off?

I just don't understand it. People are spending time worrying about stuff that hasn't happened

Good to read this. I'm hoping both of these "add ons" stick bc I can see the benefit of using in the future. And as far as the price? People could say the same about Deluxe vs Value.
I originally looked at AoA for our last trip..I know people who have stayed there and liked it.. The theming is great for a child my son's age.. But, after researching I decided on the Poly.. Bc of the convenience to MK and not having to deal with buses to 2 parks... Well that, and bc stitch is my son's favorite character lol. In Key West we stayed at a Waldorf- for almost half the price per night of our tpv Poly room (and much nicer resort with gorgeous views).the thing is-People will pay for convenience, Disney knows that. Can't hate them for capitalizing on it.

 

[preemiemama]

As far as resort parking fees- is this something new? From my understanding parking is free unless you valet..I rented a car on the last morning of our trip in September and didn't have to pay when went back to resort.

This is something that I believe they have been testing at some resorts and is supposed to be rolling out to all soon? We don't usually have a car, so it does not impact us. Just "one more thing" in a long line of fees being added all within a short window...

 

[Kimberly9701]

This is something that I believe they have been testing at some resorts and is supposed to be rolling out to all soon? We don't usually have a car, so it does not impact us. Just "one more thing" in a long line of fees being added all within a short window...

Paying for resort parking would be flat out wrong. I doubt they would go to this..they can't justify their room rates and parking or resort fee on top of that!
I'm here complaining about people complaining..but there are certain items where the line is crossed lol. I sent Atlantis a very passive aggressive email after our last trip there.. I won't be returning any time soon.. That resort has changed so much in the past few years, and my biggest problem is the day passes for Aquaventure! If I'm paying a premium for your rooms, your obnoxious resort fee, restaurants etc etc.. I don't think these day passes should be sold by the hundreds to cruise passengers etc, which in turn ruins my experience due to obscenely high crowds!
The difference is- Disney does not market itself by having it's resort guests get in to park free- now if they combined these hard ticket events with EMH times, then I would be upset.

 

[momof2n2]

Am I the only one that thinks complaining about losing EMH, when they haven't gone anywhere, rather off?

I just don't understand it. People are spending time worrying about stuff that hasn't happened

My understanding is there are far fewer EMH hours this April than compared to previous years.
No, they aren't ALL gone, but it is less.

I remember someone posting here a few years ago in the FP+ roll out they they went from being able to get 6-8 FP a day, down to 3, maybe four. Less = less. That does concern some of us.

 

[bababear_50]

Am I the only one that thinks complaining about losing EMH, when they haven't gone anywhere, rather off?

I just don't understand it. People are spending time worrying about stuff that hasn't happened

I know that I lost out on EMH Am this Spring break--for MK --only on Fri--last Spring Break (2015) there were more days. This pattern does concern me,
Hugs Mel

 

[serenitynow]

In college I worked evenings and weekends for a large corporation in the hospitality industry and I had a job in the customer relations department dealing with upset customers. My job was to make the customer feel like their opinions mattered and that their concerns had been listened to and would be evaluated at a higher level. LSP - Listen, soothe and pet was the slang name of my division of customer relations. Notes from the conversations were kept in our computer files, and complaints were sorted by type (housekeeping, reservations, front desk, etc) for audit purposes. But for the three years that I worked there, the customer issues never really changed, so I'm not so sure that complaining to customer service will get you anything more than a nice, reassuring phone call from someone whose job it is to listen, soothe and pet the customer. But if it makes you feel better than you should do it.

Really, it's all about the money, honey, when it is a company with shareholders.

 

[bababear_50]

In college I worked evenings and weekends for a large corporation in the hospitality industry and I had a job in the customer relations department dealing with upset customers. My job was to make the customer feel like their opinions mattered and that their concerns had been listened to and would be evaluated at a higher level. LSP - Listen, soothe and pet was the slang name of my division of customer relations. Notes from the conversations were kept in our computer files, and complaints were sorted by type (housekeeping, reservations, front desk, etc) for audit purposes. But for the three years that I worked there, the customer issues never really changed, so I'm not so sure that complaining to customer service will get you anything more than a nice, reassuring phone call from someone whose job it is to listen, soothe and pet the customer. But if it makes you feel better than you should do it.

Really, it's all about the money, honey, when it is a company with shareholders.

I am going to agree to a certain extent HOWEVER, I have recently received a survey (two days ago) from Disney asking some questions I have never seen before on their surveys,logic would dictate that they listen to clients needs for success.

New to Me questions
1. Did I go to Universal ?
2. Did I experience tech. difficulties with my Magic band use? (Yes Major), which Disney compensated me $100.00 dollars
3. Why did I only go to one Disney Park on this trip?
4. Did I go to Disney Springs?
5. Did I use alt transportation to buses-ie-Cab.
I felt like they knew a bit too much about my whereabouts on this trip?
Maybe I need to take that MB off sometimes.
Hugs Mel

 

[serenitynow]

It can feel a little creepy, I agree.

 

[mom2rtk]

I imagine it will depend on how Disney words the survey. I did not receive one so I cannot comment to it. With any luck those who did may have an space to type freely, if so I pray that those individuals will express their dissatisfaction over the possibility. I also pray that Disney will listen to their patrons and take heed. Lastly, if this does go into effect I pray that those who already have reservation will be grandfathered in.

You mean you don't think "would you rather pay a $15 nightly resort fee" or "would you rather pay an a la carte resort fee" would give a sound result?

 

[disney world dreamer]

thanks for you post although i don't really think you've been given any more info than we already have.

EMH is intact FOR NOW.
no resort fees FOR NOW.

 

[AngiTN]

Compare April 2014 (14 morning EMHs), 2015 (13 Morning MK EMHs), and 2016 (5 MK Morning EMHs) morning EMH's at MK and tell me EMH's haven't gone anywhere ... ???

And if you think they just shifted them compare March and May for those years too, they haven't.

Still have them though, right?

This is something that I believe they have been testing at some resorts and is supposed to be rolling out to all soon? We don't usually have a car, so it does not impact us. Just "one more thing" in a long line of fees being added all within a short window...

No, parking fees are purely a rumor
There are none, unless you count valet
There are more rumors flying about changes at Disney then there are facts
Is getting rather old when every post reads like chicken little and the sky is falling

 

[preemiemama]

Still have them though, right?


No, parking fees are purely a rumor
There are none, unless you count valet
There are more rumors flying about changes at Disney then there are facts
Is getting rather old when every post reads like chicken little and the sky is falling

This is where I read about it a little while back:
http://wdwnt.com/blog/2015/12/disney-testing-paid-parking-at-walt-disney-world-resort-hotels/

While it was a test, it is still part of a larger group of changes where we are all getting less for more. Tickets, meals, dining plans have all gone up significantly in the past month. These AM/PM "pay-to-play" events have also popped up along with the premium parking tests. All of these are facts- they are currently announced or in process. Add the fact that EMH, and the announced park hours for several months out (and even currently during a usually busy time) have been reduced along with CM hours and entertainment. We are all paying more for less.

Is the sky falling? No. But I do not like the direction all of this is heading. While WDW is a business, it seems as if they are forgetting their own marketing strategy- make their guests feel special. The "magic" is suffering along with the cuts and nickel and dime strategies.

 

[disney world dreamer]

Still have them though, right?


No, parking fees are purely a rumor
There are none, unless you count valet
There are more rumors flying about changes at Disney then there are facts
Is getting rather old when every post reads like chicken little and the sky is falling

i don't see how you can deny the fact that disney has done so much in the last few years that has changed so many things.
yes EMH still exist but with the significant drop off and cancellation of EMH days/number of hours you can't be "annoyed" with people for being concerned of the total elimination of EMH.

true the parking fee is a rumor but how many rumors have been turned into fact lately? A LOT.

 

[Fel]

Everyone is making very valid points. EMH are decreased. Plans are effected by these last minute changes and it is frustrating and not fair. Surveys about resort fees are happening. The new Early morning and Late night events may be a good thing for off-site guest, they are an option also to on site guests even though it may be a bit crazy to do so in my opinion. The point of all is this that the on site resort guest is getting less and paying more every year. Maybe "Jenny's" job is just to smooth things over, but I do want to be heard and validated. Just posting here and not flooding Disney with our concerns is not going to hurt, but it's not going to help either!

If people took 5 mins of their time, sent and e-mail, and got a call from "Jenny"...if enough of this happened I believe that we will be heard.