Not so magical vacation

[Keggy]

For your next trip - try taking things a little lighter. Your attitude can determine the outcome of your trip.

The $200 - is what Disney is charging for the non-experation on your ticket.

I worked in Magic Kingdom Guest Relations while in college and your argument is a common one. "I pay X amount of dollars each vacation" - or another common one I would hear - "I am a stockholder." After awhile that argument became a joke to me. Every person on vacation at WDW is paying a lot of money to be there. You were expecting Disney to bend the rules for you and you are disgruntled that they didn't. Every person deserves a fair outcome to their situation but I don't see where Disney could have helped you here other than "gifting" you the free upgrade. You weren't entitled to it. You were just expecting it.

Kelly

 

[faindrops27]

I must say attitude is everything. If, this same situation had happened to me. I would refuse to let my vacation be ruined, over a few mishaps. I try to live my life , like this, of course there will be disappoinments, hurdles, and mountains to overcome. But, when we really take a step back, and look at things. We are all blessed to even be able to go to disney. So many have only wished. Wished, for a roof over thier heads, food to eat. It is all how you look at it

 

[kaytieeldr]

We landed Friday at 7pm and went to the Magic Kingdom Sat. Aug 6th. As we approached the gate I stopped my children before entering the park and asked the cast member about our tickets. We had 7 day hoppers that expired "14 days from first use" * I was concerned about our last day on the 20th, and was "TOLD" by the cast member that took my ticket, our tickets would still be good on the 20th. ( You can probably already guess how our vacation ended but I do have a few positive things to say)
Sunday check out at POP Century is also worth mentioning. I was told it would take 2 hours just to have our luggage taken to the lobby. Imagine a 37 year old man dragging an 8 and 10 year old in tow through a parking lot with 8 pcs of luggage. Also picture two cast members (one a manager ) watching all of this and doing absolutely nothing to assist us. Needless to say I will never recommend this place to anyone.

Wow, I'm sorry you had all that trouble! As I may have responded earlier, I'd always count it out on my fingers if I had to (6, 7, 8, 9.... 19) or ask several people to be sure - not take just one CMs word for what constitutes fourteen days. Although it IS fourteen calendar days.
Anyway, I'm surprised about your luggage problems as well. I called Pop Century's luggage services at 11:22 and was told somebody would be there at 11:30(!) to pick up my bags! Okay, it took her five minutes longer, but still... plus, if there was nobody available from Luggage Services for two hours, you could have gone down there and borrowed a luggage cart from them - MUCH easier to transport eight bags on that than trying to haul them by hand through the parking lot plus keep track of two kids!

 

[Zip-a-dee-dude-da]

Somebody expects the world to bend over backwards for them.....its not me!!!!!

Your arguement about the tickets is laughable.....bugs and stains ...whatever.

Disney daddy is a Diva

 

[kaytieeldr]

Wait a minute (counting on my fingers again). Let's see... you were in Orlando from the 6th through the 20th, from what I can surmise based on your report.
Pop Century: 6, 7, 8
Saratoga Springs: 9, 10
Marriott Grand Vista: 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17
Pop Century > Coronado Springs: 18, 19 (check out on the 20th)

Okay, now even though you weren't staying on Disney property for the seven nights you were at Grand Vista, you still could have visited any of the Disney theme parks any of those days. Then no days of your expiring 7-day hoppers would have gone to waste and you wouldn't have had to pay any extra money to extend them!

 

[Teacher03]

Do you deserve better treatment because you spend $7,000 anually at Disney? What about the family who goes value all the way, and visits maybe once every five year? I just don't see why you feel you deserve more. I sympathize with your situation, but I don't know how that would ruin your whole vacation.

 

[lovwdwalot]

I guess I would have thought that 14 days from first use meant 6th-20th also...that they are essentially 15 day tickets. I don't know exactly how it is written, but perhaps it should be more fully explained. Maybe they should read "good for 14 days beginning with first day of use" or something to that effect. I'm sure that they had many experts in on the wording, but for some reason to me, the "from" first use made me think that I have 14 days "after" first use. Obviously, I'm wrong, but I don't think I'm the only one who would need a little clarification.

Beth

Anyone who has been to Disney lately will tell you the same thing, your passes start on the first day you enter an park. So if you had entered the park as you did on the 6th than your pass are good until the 19th, if you really didn't know you should have gone to a manager at POP and asked. I see no reason for you to have to called the State Attorney Generals office on this, I sure if you would have looked on the Disney web site it would have explained in clear print on how the tickets work and when they expire when using them. Also if you are always on the Disboads I sure there are post to this question on how the new tickets work.

 

[DisneyMommyMichelle]

Sorry you had a bad vacay, but i have to agree with everyone here, there 14 day expiring thing is pretty self-explanatory. For DH and i to purchase non-exp for our tickets it was 100$ so your number sounds right on.

I don't understand what the States Attorney is supposed to do here??

 

[Rowlf]

I have to echo many of the people here - if that's the worst you had to deal with, then you were lucky. I always click on these threads thinking someone had a real problem and I have yet to find something that I wouldn't just brush off personally.

I'm having a really hard time believing that #1, you expected four-star type service (immediate luggage help) at a value resort and #2, you actually thought a hotel would care that there was a STAIN on the floor and bugs in the room in FLORIDA? I'm surprised Pop offers luggage help at all, actually.

Here's the thing that really bugs me: I think so many people complain about trivial things and demand immediate and substantial compensation from Disney that those who may have a real beef often get lost in the shuffle. THAT frustrates me.

And I'm reminded now of how the people at the front desk laughed when we complained about rats and cockroaches in our bungalow on the beach in Thailand.

 

[gr8ful4Him]

And I'm reminded now of how the people at the front desk laughed when we complained about rats and cockroaches in our bungalow on the beach in Thailand.

 

[mickeymousemom]

I have to echo many of the people here - if that's the worst you had to deal with, then you were lucky. I always click on these threads thinking someone had a real problem and I have yet to find something that I wouldn't just brush off personally.

I'm having a really hard time believing that #1, you expected four-star type service (immediate luggage help) at a value resort and #2, you actually thought a hotel would care that there was a STAIN on the floor and bugs in the room in FLORIDA? I'm surprised Pop offers luggage help at all, actually.

Here's the thing that really bugs me: I think so many people complain about trivial things and demand immediate and substantial compensation from Disney that those who may have a real beef often get lost in the shuffle. THAT frustrates me.

And I'm reminded now of how the people at the front desk laughed when we complained about rats and cockroaches in our bungalow on the beach in Thailand.

Couldn't have said it better myself!

Though I have never been to Thailand!

 

[Dsnymouse]

Bummer you had a bad experience could be worse, you could have lost everything in a hurricane? Hmm - ponder that one.

 

[maxiesmom]

As far as the Magical Express problems go, you get what you pay for. My last Disney vacation was right after they started ME, and after reading about the issues some people were having I hired myself a towncar. I was picked up, dropped of at my hotel(POFQ), and in the Magic Kingdom in less than 2 hours. I might have paid a few bucks but it was soooo worth it! I don't understand people who get something for free and still find something to complain about!

 

[Honeybehr1]

we have decided to buy non-expiring, non-hopping passes for one reason - $$$$$$. The basic ticket is cheaper and we havent really used the hopping in the past.

Now you didnt buy the extra benefits for your tickets but you want Disney to comp you them because you had to bring your own luggage up and the signage was a little confusing and it ruined your whole vacation. OH MY

 

[deacondarlin]

To quote my grandpa....

"AWW, quit yer bellyachin' before I beat the flea-flyin' livin' dog water outta ya!"

Seems to me a lot of the OPs original problems would have been solved if he'd stayed at ONE hotel instead of jumping around everywhere....probably cheaper, too....that would've taken care of that "$7000 annually".

 

[owtrbnks]

I gotta go with the majority here. Disney's rules are usually spelled out crystal clear. The story lacks a lot of detail and appears extremely one sided. Looks like a case of trying to blame everyone else. BTW - $7000 EACH YEAR????? In just 2 years you could own 150 pts. in DVC and stay at SSR ALL THE TIME.
Have a magical evening.

 

[SnowWhite]

I gotta go with the majority here. Disney's rules are usually spelled out crystal clear. The story lacks a lot of detail and appears extremely one sided. Looks like a case of trying to blame everyone else. BTW - $7000 EACH YEAR????? In just 2 years you could own 150 pts. in DVC and stay at SSR ALL THE TIME.
Have a magical evening.

I was thinking the same thing. I don't think any of us want to rag on you here, but if you look objectively at the situation what did Disney do wrong? They clearly state the ticket restrictions on the tickets and their website, they didn't infest your room at the vista with bugs, they don't list anywhere on the website that they provide luggage assistance(yes myself if I was working there and saw someone with two kids trying to carry 8 pieces of luggage I would be inclined to help but thats me) heck I would have helped you as a guest there if I saw that. There will always be a few bad apples working there, but for the most part I have found tonnes of fantastic CM's that go out of their way to help. You encountered a not so nice parking attendant and a ticket taker who failed math. Actually the funny part is your math is as bad as his/hers. Did you enjoy the rides and attractions? Did your kids go crazy when they saw the characters? Did you once during your whole gruelling experience not think about troubles at home or the office? Then Disney did their job. I can't wait to go again.........

Rob (Snowwhite's DH)

ps. I would seriously look into Disney Timeshare if you are spending that kind of cash. We are close to that on this trip but we are staying onsite and doing alot of the character meals and shows.

 

[VAN]

I agree with the other posters about the tickets.

An additional thought regarding the 8 pieces of luggage, etc. Why didn't you think to have one of you wait with the kids and the luggage and then go get the car and pull it up to the curb and load.

 

[kimmbagley]

I agree with the other posters about the tickets.

An additional thought regarding the 8 pieces of luggage, etc. Why didn't you think to have one of you wait with the kids and the luggage and then go get the car and pull it up to the curb and load.

I believe it was just him and the two kids.

 

[SnowWhite]

Why do I have a hard time with the fact that you were dragging your two "kids" and 8 peices of luggage across the parking lot??? My DD is 8 and she will certainly carry some luggage (be it the smaller ones) but with two kids I would think they would have helped you quite a bit instead of expecting CM's to do it.

Sorry just my opinion...........