My Open Letter to Disney.....A Loyal Guest Speaks Out

[Sarangel]

As much as I approve of Mr. Kidds' letter, I feel obligated to point out that it is against DIS policy to organize petitions. By all means, if you are dissatisfied with Disney's service or anything else, please make use of the addresses at the top of this board, but please refrain from trying to set up petitions...

Many Thanks,

Sarangel

 

[DisneyKidds]

As much as I approve of Mr. Kidds' letter, I feel obligated to point out that it is against DIS policy to organize petitions.

I very much appreciate that, Sarangel. That is why I haven't commented on doing that. Should I desire to find a way to add more voices to this letter I will arrange it outside of the DIS. Thanks.

 

[mikeymars]

>>That would be 'he' (what, did you think only a woman could have written such a letter ), and I am using your list, as well as a few other names from Baron's contact list at the top of the board. Thanks.<<

Sorry, no presumption on my part, just not paying enough attention .

Do let us know if Ms. Keefe sends a response, and if so, not just the nature of it but also the "sense of urgency' attached to it (she responded to my complaints about the implementation of the VISa program via FedEx, and copied everyone I had cc-ed).

 

[deirdrefitch]

I sent an e-mail to Disney Saturday afternoon pointing out some of these same facts. I received an e-mail yesterday that by letter was being reviewed by executives at Disney, and would be contacted in the next couple of days.

 

[d-r]

Sara-
I am sorry if I sounded like I was trying to organize a pettition or letter campaign i waa hust thinking outloud- sorry.

DR

 

[Sarangel]

There have been several people who have mentioned wanting to turn this into a petition, hence the reminder that individual letters are OK, but using the DIS to organize petitions isn't. None of my comments were aimed at any specific individual.

Saragel

 

[Minniemomof4]

I just wanted to add my appreciation for you taking the time to actually compose a letter including the thoughts that many of us hold. Our family of 6 has also taken multiple trips each year to WDW, always staying onsite. We are considering trying one of the beautiful new Universal resorts this fall instead of or at least in addition to our regular trip.
I always thought it would be a great idea for Disney to keep some sort of "point system" for those of us who are loyal WDW visitors. Something like they do at the resorts in Las Vegas.....I know my parents have received a free night at the Luxor here and there just because they always stay there, dine there, spend money there.
Just wishful thinking I guess !

 

[DISNEYBIGGDOGG]

GREAT LETTER!!!!!!!!!!
PLEASE INFORM US OF THEIR RESPONSE, ALTHOUGH IT MAY TAKE A WHILE. AS A DISNEY VET, I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO THEIR RESPONSE. I FIND IT REDICULOUS THAT WE NEED TO GET A HIGH INTEREST CREDIT CARD IN ORDER TO RECEIVE RESORT DICOUNTS

 

[margaritabnl]

If a petition is set up please send me an email outside of DIS (as requested ) so that I can add my name.

I just returned from the travel agency I do outside sales for and spoke to the owner about my reservation probelms and subsequent conversation with WDW Travel Co. He is beyond furious and put a call in to their management and the local sales rep. highlighting my treatment and in general, the lack of service with WDW Travel Co. Apparently, all of their April school vacation bookings (this week) were so messed up by WDW Travel Co. the agency I work for rebooked over 200 passengers at their own expense just to get them to Disney as scheduled.

Maybe Eisner should divest Disney of all the companies they purchased in the heyday of the 90's and focus on Disney alone. To me, it seems the Disney company has lost sight of what made them so huge and successful in the first place. Ditch the sports teams and ABC TV (and all the shameless self promotion!) and go back to tourism, hospitality, and family movies!

 

[DisneyKidds]

I FIND IT REDICULOUS THAT WE NEED TO GET A HIGH INTEREST CREDIT CARD IN ORDER TO RECEIVE RESORT DICOUNTS

To be fair to Disney, you don't have to have the credit card to get resort discounts. However, the credit card is replacing the DC which is one of the first available discounts for those who like to book early, and a good source of package discounts. Resort discounts can be obtained by using various codes that are made available to the general public. My biggest problem with the resort discounts is that Disney chooses not to reward their most loyal customers with the best discounts when occupancy allows. Disney is more interested in generating new quests, by offering them email and postcard rates, than keeping the existing repeat visitors very happy. Two different strategies I suppose, but given that Disney attendance has been in decline it looks like the new visitors aren't coming in droves and Disney might benefit from continuing to recognize their loyal guests. Disney did just release annual passholder rates. However, while some of these rates are very good, they still don't match many of the email and postcard rates that are out there.

While there may be other sources for certain discounts that the DC offers, the credit card may be the only replacement for others, if there is a replacement at all. I believe that is a short sighted move on Disney's part.

 

[ghostwriter]

I have just one comment. Why couldn't they honor their discounts with the Disney Credit Card.
It could take the place of the Disney Club card if only they would attach the 10% discount on merchandise and resort discounts.
Seems to me someone is greedy.

 

[sitchu2]

I was just thinking about the credit card as well, and after reading the last post I thought of what would have been a wonderful win/win situation.

Keep the disney club and collect the anual fee, give the option if you are interested and credit worthy of having the disney club credit card with all the functions of the disney club, plus a credit line with reward points.

I bet they probalby just wanted to do away with the disney club, it was probably just not profitable. When I use that card I feel like the disney store managers are annoyed with the extra discount it gives, and even on disneystore.com it does not allow me to combine my dc discount with any other offer.

 

[noblemickey]

I too am a loyal Disney customer. This despite the obvious lack of attention to WDW in terms of cleanliness, new E attractions, hours and even courtesy. Your letter is right to the point and in my opinion, outstanding. Your willingness to give credit when credit is due and criticize where necessary is an appropriate way of getting our points across without being obnoxious.

 

[Nancybell]

This was a very well written letter. Many of us true Disney fans understand and agree with your feelings. Just wanted to say I do appreciate your concerns as I have felt them as well.

Please share any response this letter may bring.

Thanks,

Nancybell

 

[DisneyKidds]

Please share any response this letter may bring.

Will do! After some tweaking to reflect some recent developments, the letter went in the mail yesterday to 10 people within the Disney organization. I'll let everyone know what kind of response I get, if any.

 

[Beachangel]

The intent of the letter comes from the heart, but I think its too long, I hope Ms. Keefe's assistant doesn't think so too!

 

[DisneyKidds]

Originally posted by Beachangel
The intent of the letter comes from the heart, but I think its too long, I hope Ms. Keefe's assistant doesn't think so too!

Well, let's look at the real intent. Seeing as I expect little to no meaningful response, the true intent was to allow myself to do my part to go on record in an attempt to make myself heard . I allowed myself to get some things off my chest, and I feel better . As such, the length of the letter was perfect (when it comes to accomplishing that goal). Whether Ms. Keefe's assistant feels that way is somewhat irrelevant......................but one can only hope someone is listening.

 

[Beachangel]

Posted by DisneyKidds:

Originally posted by Beachangel:
The intent of the letter comes from the heart, but I think its too long, I hope Ms. Keefe's assistant doesn't think so too!

Well, let's look at the real intent. Seeing as I expect little to no meaningful response, the true intent was to allow myself to do my part to go on record in an attempt to make myself heard

. I allowed myself to get some things off my chest, and I feel better . As such, the length of the letter was perfect (when it comes to accomplishing that goal). Whether Ms. Keefe's assistant feels that way is somewhat irrelevant......................but one can only hope someone is listening.

Well if the letter was meant to be therapeutic, then you were successful. You are very articulate and I enjoy reading your posts. I just hope someone is willingly to read the letter long enough to give you a thoughtful reply.

 

[Nancybell]

This letter was so well written my hat goes off to you! I, too, have had issues/concerns with service and cleanliness from my last two visits and I have written letters - one has been answered and one unanswered. Maybe they saw my two complaints and thought that's all I did. Not the case - for the last 20 years I've been going to Disney and have only written two letters in that time - not so bad. I do believe their lack of attn to detail will cost them down the road. You can't expect for this to go unnoticed when so many of us our Disney Fanatics and do pay attn. to detail. It's all the "extras" that make the MAGIC - so they MUST start LISTENING and take some of our advice to continue to be successful. I hope they listen to you.

Nancybell

 

[C.Ann]

Originally posted by Nancybell
This letter was so well written my hat goes off to you! I, too, have had issues/concerns with service and cleanliness from my last two visits and I have written letters - one has been answered and one unanswered. Maybe they saw my two complaints and thought that's all I did. Not the case - for the last 20 years I've been going to Disney and have only written two letters in that time - not so bad. I do believe their lack of attn to detail will cost them down the road. You can't expect for this to go unnoticed when so many of us our Disney Fanatics and do pay attn. to detail. It's all the "extras" that make the MAGIC - so they MUST start LISTENING and take some of our advice to continue to be successful. I hope they listen to you.

Nancybell

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Finally! Someone besides ME who has noticed the "cleanliness" issue.. Every time I have brought it up on these boards the overwhelming response was "I didn't see any cleanliness issues."
Well - the first time I ever went to Disney World the thing that amazed me the absolute most was the CLEANLINESS!! I actually felt like I had landed on another planet or something.. I simply could NOT fathom how such a huge palce - filled with SO many people - could be that CLEAN - but it WAS..

Then - I went to Disney World with my DD, her DH, and my not-quite-three-year-old granddaughter in September of 2001 - and was astonished to see how much the parks had changed.. Dirty rest rooms, overflowing trash cans, litter in the waterways, litter all over the ground, peeling paint on the buildings.. Once again I felt like I had landed on another planet - only THIS wasn't the CLEAN one! Other things had changed as well, but the cleanliness was the thing that really struck a chord with me.. The final straw came when I saw a street sweeper being totally chewed out by a supervisor because she was sweeping up litter that wasn't in her "assigned" area!!

I'm almost afraid of what I'll see when I return next December.. Maybe by then they'll be handing brooms and dust pans to the "guests" as they're going through the gates..