Locked keys in car at CSR!

[Bob NC]

Last April we drove to WDW. I pulled up in front of CSR, got out of the car, then realized I had locked my keys inside. We went inside and checked in. After the check in was complete I told the CM of the stupid maneuver I had just made and asked him if he could find me a wire coat hanger so I could attempt to break into my car. He made a phone call and told me to go wait by my car. Within a few minutes a van pulled up from the WDW lock shop. A very nice CM spent about 15-20 minutes successfully getting my car open. He told me there would be no charge, and try as I might he wouldn't accept a tip.

It seems everyone, lately, is hammering Disney for everything under the sun. I mean geez, I'd never think of cancelling my vacation to Colonial Williamsburg because they won't let me in an hour early...Or, cancel my Key West vacation because they haven't released the Sloppy Joe's hours for May yet....I really can't ever recall calling any other hotel in the world over and over and over again and e-mailing them berating them for not giving me a discount....

I went to WDW and stayed at their resorts 3 or 4 times before I knew anything about; Early Entry; Illuminations Cruises; Cindy's Breakfasts; Codes; Post cards; E-Nights; Flag Raisings; Good Night Kisses; Obtaining multiple PS's for the same times; Holding multiple resort reservations; etc, etc, etc....And you know what?...I always had a great time and kept coming back....

I think the story I shared at the beginning of this mammoth post is the reason I keep returning to WDW AND staying at their onsite resorts. I appreciate the big things they do and try to overlook the miniscule disappointments I occasionally have with their operations.

 

[PixieBelle]

Way to post Bob!!!! I think you said it very very well!

I on the occasion, complain and rant about Disney forgetting the whole aspect of the 'magic' and the niceness of it all, but just last year I found this board and all the codes, and this and that like you did....and for the past 12 or so times I have been, I have had a wonderful time!!

Sometimes we forget to sprinkle a little bit of Pixie Dust on ourselves!

 

[PixieBelle]

Way to post Bob!!!! I think you said it very very well!

I on the occasion, complain and rant about Disney, and I forget the whole aspect of it. But just last year I found this board and all the codes, and this and that like you did....and for the past 12 or so times I have been, I have had a wonderful time!!

Sometimes we forget to sprinkle a little bit of Pixie Dust on ourselves!

 

[DawnCt]

That is very nice but I would also like to point out that the city of Hartford has the "Hartford guides" that will unlock cars, change tires and assist with small automotive problems for no fee.
I am not surprised that Disney would offer a similar service and would be disappointed if they didn't.

 

[Bob NC]

Wow....Well that illustrates my point.

 

[Bob NC]

Good info for all the folks going to Hartford instead of WDW this year.

 

[DawnCt]

That is very nice but I would also like to point out that the city of Hartford has the "Hartford guides" that will unlock cars, change tires and assist with small automotive problems for no fee.
I am not surprised that Disney would offer a similar service and would be disappointed if they didn't.

 

[RHONDALEE]

WAY TO GO BOB. I COULDN'T AGREE MORE.

 

[castmbr]

Thanks for the post Bob! There are not many police depts, cities, etc. that will even attempt to help with this problem due to liability issues. Most places won't do it for a fee much less for free! It would be nice to hear more "happy" WDW stories.

 

[DawnCt]

Originally posted by Bob NC
Good info for all the folks going to Hartford instead of WDW this year.

Its a nice "perk" if you get a flat tire at work or your leaving after dark and your battery is dead.

 

[danacara]

WAY TO GO, BOB! Great post.
And Dawn, I think that may have been tongue-in-cheek.

 

[donnamerry]

DITTO! that's an awesome thing they did for you! that's why I LOVE this place!

 

[jennymouse]

Bravo, Bob! I feel exactly the same way!

 

[fargas]

Right you are Bob. I love this board and all the helpful info I get, but it does surprise me sometimes at the things people think they are entitled to or the things they think they must have. I love to do as much as we can do, but I refuse to do it Commando style. I've seen countless parents screaming at their kids at the parks because of all the things they have to do. Where's the enjoyment?? Stop sweating the little things and enjoy as much as you can.

 

[kimba]

Glad to know I am not the only one who has locked their keys in the car. I locked mine in the trunk outside of PO after I checked in. Thank God they have that service. After a long day traveling it was so nice to feel the Disney spirit at the start of our trip.

 

[DancingBear]

I agree that it seems that folks are much more demanding of Disney than they would be of other vacation destinations.

Maybe it has something to do with the feeling that they control the whole environment while you are there, whereas if I go to a hotel in Manhattan, I have plenty of options for where to eat, etc., that aren't under the control of my hotelier.

Also, I think there is a parallel to the way people feel about sports teams. Even if there isn't any big public money involved in the stadium/arena, etc., fans/customers feel (much more so than with other businesses that they patronize) that they are entitled to input into business decisions of the teams, etc. Of course, both Disney and the teams try to promote certain aspects of this emotional involvement, so it is hard for folks to draw the line and say, well, it's a business, so they can make the business decisions they feel are justified, and I can just chose not to be a customer anymore if I don't like it.

 

[sharoncity]

Excellent post Bob! And given this uncertain economy, what some people need to remember is that Disney ultimately has to answer to their stockholders for their business decisions, not the park goers. The stockholders are the owners of this company. And if you don't like their business practices, then you can chose not to patronize them, just as some people won't buy Ford or Chevy or Dodge etc because of a bad experience. We should all just go and enjoy the experience. And if we get a discount or a perk, smile and say "Wow! Isn't that nice!" instead of "What else have you got?" We seem to forget that this is our vacation that we've worked hard for all year. Why spend it being miserable?

 

[DeeP]

One time at WDW not only was my car locked but I lost the keys. Not only did WDW open my car for me they also made a new set of keys for me at no cost. The locksmith van has all the materials needed to make the keys and by using the make, model, year of the car and the serial number they made me a new set of keys that worked like a charm. They made me an ignition key and a trunk key. I don't know of any other resort that would do this for you and especially at no cost. I agree, I don't know why people bash WDW, I think it is the greatest vacation destination there is. I have traveled all over the US and Europe and I have never gotten customer service as good as what WDW gives to their guests.

 

[peedeejones]

SoWDW has their own locksmith shop? We have always wondered about this because me husband is a locksmith. We keep thinking about the lockshop that would have the contract for WDW. They would be millionaires 10 times over!!!
Jennifer

 

[LKS]

I agree that some of the complaints are over the top, but here is some food for thought.

Perhaps people expect more from Disney because it is such an expensive vacation. I spent 4 nights in Williamsburg last summer with the Patriot's Pass and a two room suite! at the Woodlands for my family of 5, and only spent a fraction of what I will be paying at WDW for one room and park hoppers. For that price we had unlimited admission to Colonial Williamsburg, Jamestown and Yorktown Centers, Busch Gardens and the Water Park. What a deal!

And I would compare looking for codes and discounts to not paying sticker price on a car. Most consumers do quite a bit of research before buying a car and many of us do it before booking a hotel. People haggle with car dealers and shop around. The rack rates are artificially inflated and sure, some people pay them, but many try their best not to pay them. On another thread, someone said that people don't ask for special or lower rates at other hotels and I don't think that's true. I will say, there is no other vacation destination where I had as much information about what discounts were or might become available, so those who access this site and others probably get more enthusiastic about finding the best price. I don't think it makes them un-Disney or lacking in magic.

Anyway, when I pay for a premium vacation, I do expect one. I don't expect anything I'm not paying for, however, such as an upgrade or special favors. But, there's nothing wrong with expecting what you pay for.