More accurate info here than Disney...a minor rant

[Sammie]

Plus - as someone did mention in previous posts, not everyone that works for Disney is a fanatic. Not every cast member visits all the parks often. I would put money on it that I know several cast members that have used their FREE entrances to the parks less than a lot of the annual passholders here on this site.

It's not that they don't like disney, or their job - it's that they have families, lives, and second jobs. A lot of them don't have the time to go play in the parks - or on the flip side - some of them don't want to go to the parks since they are there every day. I'm not saying that this is the average cast member, but definately some of them fit this bill.

This is definitely correct. And I think people on here forget that as a guest, especially a frequent guest you experience more than they do. As stated many of them work there but they don't vacation there. It is a job. I would say more don't go than do.

My friends that work there, only go when they have friends or family from out of town visiting.

 

[bicker]

Why can't you book into 2007 on their web page.

Because 2007 package rates are being release next week.

 

[makinorlando]

This is definitely correct. And I think people on here forget that as a guest, especially a frequent guest you experience more than they do. As stated many of them work there but they don't vacation there. It is a job. I would say more don't go than do.

My friends that work there, only go when they have friends or family from out of town visiting.

Many CMs as well are on the College Program and spend only a few months working in the parks, they would have no way of gaining the knowledge of every nuance of every park and offering.

If you are calling to find out info, I am sure they are searcing in a database for an answer to many things, as I know I have asked some things of them, and they will tell me they have to find an answer to that question!

In any business it is impossible for every employee to know every bit of detail about the services/offerings or policy!

Here you will find personal experiences of folks - as many others have posted - you get a range of opinions! But as some have said - you can't guarentee that your experience will be the same!

 

[bicker]

In any business it is impossible for every employee to know every bit of detail about the services/offerings or policy!

Without a doubt, and also keep in mind that many of the things folks ask about here on the DIS, and get good answers to, are things that Disney has no interest nor obligation to provide information about.

 

[AussieAngel]

Absolutely!!

We booked our trip online, then called Disney to ask a few questions. The CM asked me, "Would you like to book the dining package with your trip?" I said, "No thanks! We want to keep our trip as low-cost as we can this time." and she said, "No problem!"

Then I discovered these boards, and on my first visit, everybody told me, "You'll be eligible for free dining!" So I called Disney and asked if we were eligible, and yes, we were!

Grrrrrrr to that first CM who didn't even mention that the Dining Package was actually free! We thought that was a bit cheeky. Maybe she just wasn't concentrating, but still...

But for that, I shall remain forever in love with these boards!!

 

[elastigirl]

Also, CMs who live and work in FL have a very different view of the place. Asking questions or opinions of a CM who has only ever worked there, but not traveled there on vacation, will get you totally different answers than asking a *planner* here on the DIS.

When I lived and worked there as a CP, it took me quite awhile to even give good directions, because I had never been do WDW before doing the program. I didn't have opinions about resorts, or too many restaurants, or even a touring plan - I could pop in and out of parks whenever I wanted. Now, with a half dozen trips under my belt as a vacationer, my advice for another vacationer is completely different. I know what it's like on this side, from recent experience. A lot of CMs won't have that.

 

[cleo]

TSR6 makes some excellent points. My work is all about the parks, and here at my comfortable little desk I can give you an answer to nearly every question you might ask. But I'm guessing we've all had the experience of being 'disoriented' once we get into the parks. Some info just flies out of your head and directions, etc, can get a bit fuzzy when you have to tell someone how to get from A to B. And I see at least one massacre of an attraction name, restaurant name, event, etc every day.

The DIS gives incredible info but I do think it's worth stressing there IS a lot of misinformation here. Even some self-proclaimed 'experts' here have given woefully incorrect info at times. Some things most people take as gospel because they've heard it so many times simply aren't true.

The comment about 'my trip will be ruined if I don't get XXXXX' should be required reading. Who can afford to be THAT demanding in life?

 

[STEAMBOAT209]

I believe that we all agree that this information is very helpful when planning, but also realize that the information is not official. When there is an official announcement, many posters will come back with that information to let everyone know that this information is now available and official. Having several people tell of there possitive or negative experiences can give you insight of that particular attraction or event. The decision to book a particular event should not be made based on one persons experience on these boards, but as there are so many of us here, and all have different opinions, of these events, a collective decision can be made, and many times if you don't actually experience something you will never really know.

We do enjoy reading about eveyones experiences here on these boards and posting our replies, comments and recommendations when asked to do so. Its enjoyable reading and keeping up with the magic.

 

[Mickey's*Chickey]

What I like about this site is the honest opinions you can get. If you ask Disney a question directly, you will almost always get a glossed-over, sugar-coated response.

I Completely Agree with you!!

 

[k5thbeatle]

No, no no...NO!

I think people are confusing a couple of issues. I'm not talking about Disney employees knowing every nuance of the parks!

Posts...on the opinions forums are just that...OPINIONS! I was unclear in my OP. I meant that the info posted by the site administrators (? is that what they are called?) is more accurate and reliable.

That being said, the OPINIONS are also beneficial...but no way would I ever count on them as being absolute!

So again, when I say more accurate and reliable...I meant the info by the site administrators. (Sadly when you call Disney or e-mail them sometimes the info is less accurate than these "opinion boards". At times I get better answers about Disney by consulting a "Magic 8-ball"...and that should be insulting to Disney!

 

[k5thbeatle]

...In any business it is impossible for every employee to know every bit of detail about the services/offerings or policy!...QUOTE]

You would NOT work for me saying that! Ok, before you counter slam me , I realize people ask many questions about Disney (to Disney) from the sublime to the ridiculous. But for an employee not to know the official company policies or services...well that is just poor business!

 

[k5thbeatle]

50,000 people work at Walt Disney World. They go through a lot of training, but at the same time no one single cast member is going to know "EVERYTHING" - and a lot of the knowledge that a cast member gains comes with experiance...

Agreed!...BUT...should someone working in say, reservations, not be knowledgeable in reservations?

Another example, F&W festival comes around. There are many "extra" activities that one must make reservations for during this event (equisite evenings, etc.) YET...I have found (and what is frustrating in this one example) is that there is an overall aire of ignorance about the whole event?

Bad example? Call or e-mail Disney with a question...you pick it...I promise you'll get different answers depending on who you reach! Scan these threads and you'll find countless examples for proof!

 

[bicker]

...In any business it is impossible for every employee to know every bit of detail about the services/offerings or policy!...

You would NOT work for me saying that! Ok, before you counter slam me

You would probably not run WDW.

I realize people ask many questions about Disney (to Disney) from the sublime to the ridiculous. But for an employee not to know the official company policies or services...well that is just poor business!

That goes back to what we talk about here often: Unreasonable expectations.

 

[cxcelica]

The DIS is great for info and tips, but I can definitely see how some people might let it ruin their trip.

You hear that room 21 in Cabana No.4 is the best at the resort so you have to have it and when you don't you are disappointed.

Also I think its been mentioned in a previous post, where someone will report here something special or great that happened to them on their trip, but people don't take it as a lucky one time event that happened to that guest, but rather as a mandatory happening, and when they don't get it they are disappointed. If you read enough of the trip reports and posts here, you will see thats the case more than you would think.

In sum over planning is just as bad as underplanning many times.

Secondly to many CM its a job whereas to those who post here its a "passion".

 

[Ted and Holly]

You would NOT work for me saying that! Ok, before you counter slam me , I realize people ask many questions about Disney (to Disney) from the sublime to the ridiculous. But for an employee not to know the official company policies or services...well that is just poor business!

I have to ask, exactly what business environment do you work in? How many people are you in charge of?

The company I work for has a couple thousand employees. The employee handbook is 2 inches thick, but still does not have every answer possible. There is not one person in the company who can cite all of the policies within that document without referring to it.

I would have to imagine that any such document in such a large company as Disney, or even just WDW would be enormous. And to add that a whole "World" of products and services, some temporary, and you have a LOT to keep track of.

Ted

 

[k5thbeatle]

I have to ask, exactly what business environment do you work in? How many people are you in charge of?

The company I work for has a couple thousand employees. The employee handbook is 2 inches thick, but still does not have every answer possible. There is not one person in the company who can cite all of the policies within that document without referring to it.

I would have to imagine that any such document in such a large company as Disney, or even just WDW would be enormous. And to add that a whole "World" of products and services, some temporary, and you have a LOT to keep track of.

Ted

C'mon people let's get real here, of course Disney is huge and nobody is going to know every policy but is it unreasonable to expect that an employee should not know what is going on within his/her own department or crew or team or whatever? Should not a reservationist know about how the company wants reservations handled for example? Of course I wouldn't expect them to then know all about every other department. Again, just as an example, would you not expect a waiter/waitress to be informed as to what that restaurant is serving or would you not expect a hotel concierge to be informed about activities within that particular hotel? Of course you wouldn't expect them to know about other hotels or for the waiter to know about other restaurants menus.

That's why companies form departments within the company and departments within the department, depending on the size of the company. I guess I was unclear but why would you not expect (again just for example) a hotel clerk to not know everything about checking people in and out? That's just good business...and that's where I find it sometimes disappointing that Disney falls short. There are countless posts with such stories!

"You would probably not run WDW."

Mmm, now that's a job I haven't considered?
Is the position open?

 

[makinorlando]

...In any business it is impossible for every employee to know every bit of detail about the services/offerings or policy!...QUOTE]

You would NOT work for me saying that! Ok, before you counter slam me , I realize people ask many questions about Disney (to Disney) from the sublime to the ridiculous. But for an employee not to know the official company policies or services...well that is just poor business!

I work for a huge corporation (for 27 years no less - so I'm not such a bad employee),

and to think or expect that some one in our business division would know (or need to know) what all the policies of our consumer division would know would just not be possible. I don't know the policies and services or our technical folks, but I can tell you the ins and outs of every one of our billing systems, contracts, and processes and procedures.

Housekeeping would have no need to know about food service, nor would a CM in a store on Main Street necessarily need to know the policy for ADRs or the menu offerings at CRT.

This was my point.... I can tell you I have never had an issue with someone that I called for information not being able to provide me with the answer, even if it meant putting me on hold.

 

[k5thbeatle]

I work for a huge corporation (for 27 years no less - so I'm not such a bad employee),

and to think or expect that some one in our business division would know (or need to know) what all the policies of our consumer division would know would just not be possible. I don't know the policies and services or our technical folks, but I can tell you the ins and outs of every one of our billing systems, contracts, and processes and procedures..

Agreed, see previous posts.

[Housekeeping would have no need to know about food service, nor would a CM in a store on Main Street necessarily need to know the policy for ADRs or the menu offerings at CRT..

Could you imagine asking the gardener if there was a room available on concierge level? He'd think you were crazy for asking! (I know there are some who do expect every employee to know everything , which leads to the confusion).

[This was my point.... I can tell you I have never had an issue with someone that I called for information not being able to provide me with the answer, even if it meant putting me on hold.

You are very fortunate. I have to say that that is often my experience too but unfortunately the opposite has been the case all too often as well. It's just a minor annoyance in the long run?

 

[Eeyore2003]

I do think the info here and on allearsnet is just wonderful and easy to use and the opinions and suggestions here are usually from experience, which is the best, BUT beware as has been mentioned, the difference in tastes, opinions, and "expecting" too much of things that are HIGHLY recommended. You can set yourself up for some real disappointment.

 

[bicker]

Dining reservations CMs aren't in the same department as the restaurants. As a matter of fact, in many cases they're taking reservations for restaurants that aren't even Disney-owned. Similarly, restaurant servers aren't in the same department as the hotel, who offer things like the Dining Plan. That's really the crux of the problem: WDW offers so much that it is unreasonable to expect any front-line employee to have all the information a guest may want. Beyond that WDW's offering are so heavily scruitinized online that the CM's servicer faces a crucible that practically no other customer-facing organization in the world faces.