LESS THAN THREE WEEKS AND DISNEY SWITCHED OUR EMH MORNING!!

[ashleyrm]

EE (Early Entry) - old name for EMH
PS (Priority Seating) - old name for ADR

Looks like someone else has been doing this for awhile.

Oh, the good old days, when 3 extra hours at MK cost 10 bucks. Sigh....

 

[capegirl]

Well the OP stated they have 2 park days and are taking someone who has not been before. Might seem small to you, but she does have a valid reason for being frustrated. She did her homework to provide optimum availability as EVERY WDW quide/book/website/TA/WDW themselves STRONGLY suggests you do . Then, with very short notice out from arrival ~plans get changed. While not a matter of life and death, trips are an important part of life and her vacation shouldn't be made to feel diminished. OP came to a place that is designed to discuss WDW, and more than likely also helped out other travelers.

I am glad you said this, and I agree. I do not think it is fair to minimize the OP's frustration. Everyone reacts differently, and saying something like 'take a chill pill' is critical, not helpful.

 

[hoosll]

Is there someone new in charge of Park hours and EMH? All of this erratic scheduling, last minute rescheduling, late to schedule plus the new paid EMHs leads me to wonder if someone new, gung ho and not particularly worried about established procedures and guest preplanning is calling the shots now.

I feel that this is an effect of the new system in that Disney can now more accurately predict crowd size and dispersal based on FP+. Therefore, they can re-disperse people and CMs by fiddling with the hours and the capacity of the rides. In the end they can make the lines exactly as long as they believe people will tolerate. Disney now has an unbelievable amount of data which tells them about our behavior so that they can predict just what we will do. As they become more adept at analysis, I hope that these "last-minute" changes will occur less frequently but they are "holding all the cards."

OP - So sorry that Disney tinkered with your plans. Under the new system it is nearly impossible to have a truly satisfying visit over a 2-3 day period. Disney WANTS people to have to spend 5-6 days to do what we used to be able to do in 3 days under the old system. If you are in Disney parks you are not over at the rival parks.

 

[dachsie]

I would complain to guest relations, maybe you can score and extra FP from them

 

[Delirium]

I read some of these responses defending Disney when they do stuff like this and I swear the company has a Propaganda department that reads Dis and defends the Mouse when necessary.

There simply is no justification for a company to push a process that requires planning and then yank the carpet out from underneath the customer when they do the planning.

 

[kmchisholm]

is it wrong that I was actually excited to see hours changed that weekend and extended at several places? It's also Star Wars Race Weekend so expect things to be changed as they prep for it.

Look at it this way, it's only 1 hr early and the rest of the resort guests flock over there. The best morning I had at MK was getting there at 8:30ish, taking the first train to fantasy land and riding several rides before the lines got long. Just enjoy it and the best magic will happen.

 

[Delirium]

is it wrong that I was actually excited to see hours changed that weekend and extended at several places? It's also Star Wars Race Weekend so expect things to be changed as they prep for it.

Look at it this way, it's only 1 hr early and the rest of the resort guests flock over there. The best morning I had at MK was getting there at 8:30ish, taking the first train to fantasy land and riding several rides before the lines got long. Just enjoy it and the best magic will happen.

I don't think anyone would complain about exteded hours at the END of the day. It's the beginning of teh day when people make special plans (FP+ or ADRs) based on what they feel are the optimum park for the day. When Magic Hours are changed (presumably so Disney can make a few bucks by selling the new Early Morning Event), it has a great impact on people's plan.

 

[eastendlights]

I read some of these responses defending Disney when they do stuff like this and I swear the company has a Propaganda department that reads Dis and defends the Mouse when necessary.

There simply is no justification for a company to push a process that requires planning and then yank the carpet out from underneath the customer when they do the planning.

Like, like, like, a million times like. This would be the same Propaganda Department that posts about how it is the "guests" fault for NOT planning sufficiently when a vacation is not what they expected.

 

[jsmla]

My goodness people, take a chill pill. Your vacation is still going to be amazing and you're going to have a blast. Don't let something this small get you so worked up. I have news for you: something else is bound to come up during your vacation to throw a wrench in your plans as well. Everything is going to be fine. There are far more important things in life to worry about. #firstworldproblems

It's rarely big deal when it's happening to a stranger and not to you.

 

[SnipsNSnails]

I had to move our AK day in between ADRs and FP because they changed the EMH for AK to a different day. Annoying but at least before making FP. We had planned on dinner at Cape May, just taking the bus from AK but ended up with Trex for that day instead and Cape May on our rest day. It was fine but more of a pain because we had to go from POFQ to BC instead of to DS, and AK to DS but we ended up done with AK and back to POFQ for a rest so it worked OK.

Very frustrating that this happened and you should let them know you are frustrated. If you want to switch your days, you may be able to get the FP you want if you look often.

 

[MeganMango]

I think you should let Disney know the dates when you set your plans and illustrate to them how their late-breaking changes affect that. ITA if they're pushing us to lock in dining at 180 days and FP at 60 (because of lack of availability if not booked that far out, due to lack of capacity), then they should lock in park hours then too. Or they should do something else to try to get the guest's planned experience back on track.

Are extra magic hours promised/guaranteed up to a certain amount of days before your trip? Just wondering.

If so, email Disney at their guest.services@disneyworld.com email, or go to the Disney website and send in your comment.


Something happened on my last trip where something was promised, and when I sent my feedback in (I did a very in-depth review of my trip, just the highlights of the extra good and the things that weren't that good. There were very few that weren't, but I think it's important for them to know.)

Disney ended up giving me a dining gift card and a free day when I come back to WDW to "make up" for some of the "bad" on my trip. So I think you should inquire as they are very responsive to feedback.

 

[Ariel Wanna-be]

Like, like, like, a million times like. This would be the same Propaganda Department that posts about how it is the "guests" fault for NOT planning sufficiently when a vacation is not what they expected.

Or how it's simply part of the spontaneous "magic" when Disney changes hours at the last minute (when you had to plan months in advance).
Or how people need to just "go with the flow" when your pre-opening ADR suddenly becomes a liability instead of an asset (when you had to plan months in advance).
Or how guests really need to "stop and smell the roses" when the MVMCP is so oversold that the TTA has a 60 minute wait (when you had to plan months in advance).
Etc, etc.

It's so predictable that it's quite comical.

 

[kittyab]

Personally, I think Disney should had implemented this new money grab scheme in the fall pass the 180 day mark. That way folks like you are not screwed.

 

[aaarcher86]

Happened to us last trip.

I feel you. Royally sucks.

 

[connie1042]

I did not read this whole thread, but if it were me I would be calling and talking to someone higher up. I would explain to them that you are making me play by the rules, then maybe it would be a good thing if you played by the same rules. Scream loud and clear that you are not happy and would like to know how they are going to fix it. If we all just sit and take this from Disney it is going to get worse and worse. We need to let them know that this is not exceptable. We have already decided not to go back for a few years. Am tired of thier little add-ons. It is not even any fun anymore to plan a trip. I hope this all lands in their lap, and people to not just take it. Pretty soon you will have to be a millionaire just to go to Disney and stay at a Value! So sad!

 

[DisneyFansInNYC]

I am so sorry for you. I understand - it happened to us once with late EMH 30 days from our trip. We love late EMH at MK and plan our days around it.

I agree with others that we have to make hotel reservations and ADRs 6 months out and FPs 60 days out and then can changed the park hours less than 60 days out. It stinks.

 

[lorilori]

Thank you for all for the responses, even the ones I didn't particularly care for, lol. We're normally not super planners but this time things are a little different. Our daughter was recently diagnosed with lupus and it is very quickly taking a toll. Her days of walking nonstop, pushing through crowds and staying till closing are long gone and I just wanted an hour when maybe things were a little easier. It just stings to have everything changed.

 

[TheFloatingBear]

Thank you for all for the responses, even the ones I didn't particularly care for, lol. We're normally not super planners but this time things are a little different. Our daughter was recently diagnosed with lupus and it is very quickly taking a toll. Her days of walking nonstop, pushing through crowds and staying till closing are long gone and I just wanted an hour when maybe things were a little easier. It just stings to have everything changed.

I'm sorry to hear about your daughter's health issues - that in itself is a huge stressor. All I can say is that I emphasize with you - we're traveling too in April and have similar issues! It really is frustrating and it definitely helped me to regroup by venting a bit on the boards yesterday! People here get it! I'm sure it's especially frustrating to be planning a trip for a newbie, as it would be so exciting to bring someone on their first trip! I still haven't figured out what to do to with our plans, but I have been composing an email to guest relations about all of the changes, etc., that have occurred since this trip (definitely more than other trips we've planned). It will probably be like spitting into the wind, as they say, but I will at least feel like I accomplished something, lol! Hope your trip is grand!

 

[capegirl]

Thank you for all for the responses, even the ones I didn't particularly care for, lol. We're normally not super planners but this time things are a little different. Our daughter was recently diagnosed with lupus and it is very quickly taking a toll. Her days of walking nonstop, pushing through crowds and staying till closing are long gone and I just wanted an hour when maybe things were a little easier. It just stings to have everything changed.

I am sorry to hear about your daughter. It really takes planning to another level when you are concerned about a loved one. Wishing you and your family a happy vacation, and a whole lot of pixie dust!

 

[GaryDis]

Our daughter was recently diagnosed with lupus and it is very quickly taking a toll.

I'm sorry to hear about this.

I hope that no matter how much Disney may jerk you around, you'll still find it a relaxing and enjoyable trip.

Disney has found a new way to mess with the very planning they expect us to do

Disney basically forces people to plan so much in advance in so much detail.

push a process that requires planning

Here's the thing: Disney doesn't expect you to do this planning and they certainly don't force or require you. They expect you to be like the majority of guests, who do far less planning. As near as I can see, the notion that you must do all this planning comes largely from the community of expert planners here. And that planning does have value, but please don't forget the thousands of people who don't read things here, don't plan every details, and still have wonderful vacations.

That doesn't mean Disney is unaware of this level of planning. But they're not going to design their policies for the hyper-planners.

All this may not help you feel better now. But maybe for the next trip, it will help manage your own expectations. Mostly I'm just trying to point out that these uber-planning requirements aren't coming from Disney; they're coming from the uber-planners here.

Under the new system it is nearly impossible to have a truly satisfying visit over a 2-3 day period.

And this is a perfect example of the sort of unrealistic expectation that hurts more than helps. It is absolutely possible to have a totally satisfying experience over a 2-3 day period, with no pre-planning at all. Because a satisfying experience doesn't mean seeing everything. It doesn't even mean seeing the things highest on your list of things to see. It means making the most out of the hand you're dealt. Give me airfare, hotel rooms, and tickets for as soon as I can book reasonable flights down and back, and I guarantee you I'll have a lovely time. (Well, maybe not if I forget to get my car inspected before the end of the month, and get the wrong type of ticket as a result .)