Our un-magical Day

[goofymoma]

I find it REALLY hard to believe OP is a travel agent and not know some of the things she mentioned, especially credit card for reservations - my TA told me before I booked my ADRs that I would need a cc so I would have one handy, so either she isn't very good at her job or it's not true . Not to mention I have been to WDW a total of 1 time over 4 yrs ago and I KNOW that you can't go in the castle or that at most only to walk thru...I didnt know that 4yrs ago, but I do now.
When I first read the post I was almost in agreement about the restaurant issue, but then reading on I realized how many times I've been to any amusement park with my husband and kids and have had to walk around with food trying to find a place to eat my food while people where just sitting at tables talking. So I give Disney a big for implementing that rule during the busy times. I also applaud them for requiring a cc for reservations, one thing I clearly remember about my trip last time was how hard it was to get ADR's and this time it was soo much easier, not to mention at times I would want to eat instead of 8:30-9pm like my ADR for Chef Mickey last time.
Like pp stated, even if this was a last minute trip, picking up a map and looking at where and when you could meet the characters would have solved a lot of her problems. And I think it is good that the characters are inside, this way they are there for longer amounts of time, you know exactly where they are and you are in air conditioning while you wait. Not to mention much safer for the CMs.
And I'm not really sure why I am even responding to this because it is soo ridicuious - I must be

 

[mousehockey37]

I disagree. Nobody owes you a "magical experience". You have to make your own. A positive attitude could have turned your trip around.

This is why we can't have nice things!!!!

 

[MaleficentRN]

If my husband told me tonight that he just made reservations for WDW in the morning, after kissing him violently, I'd would deal with the realization that I'm not going to be able to do everything I want, because I don't have time to plan. So my expectations would be lowered. It would be a more "Go with the flow" trip and, although it would be nice, I wouldn't expect to get a walk up at V&A or no line at Space Mountain at noon. That's the reality of going to a top tourist destination in the world.
It may be touted as "magical', but it is run and visited by humans. 99% of the people working there give their all to live up to the hype. 99% of the people visiting are happy with that, hence the crowds.
Did I "drink the Kool Aide?" Yes. A big old glass of grape flavored after I went to Six Flags this past October. You want to talk about crowds, surly staff and $$$? Spend a Saturday there!

 

[SeaShelley]

Dear Katie & James - Time for a reality check....scientists have discovered the center of the universe and, sadly, you and your family are not there.

 

[Funfire240]

Dear Katie & James - Time for a reality check....scientists have discovered the center of the universe and, sadly, you and your family are not there.

Where'sthe "like" button for this one
It's been entertaining if anything reading this today.

 

[goofymoma]

My knowledge or relationship with the OP doesn't matter. If you think I'm suspect then you should look into the mirror, I'm sure you will reply that you are NOT the fairest in the land.

Her job performance as a TA doesn't matter either because this wasn't a vacation that was planned it was an impromptu gift from her husband for her 40th birthday as she stated in her OP. So she didn't plan anything. Again though it is not her responsibility to make up for the inadequacies of poor customer service and a less than magical experience. Any guest should absolutely expect the best experience possible because not only have they paid for it but they have also come to expect it from Disney.

So the next time you eat at a restaurant and your food is cooked incorrectly I hope that you realize that it is your fault for not providing the recipe and ensuring that the chef cooked it correctly.

Of course Disney should be held just as accountable as a chef who cooked your food incorrectly. So all of you that are defending Disney are completely off base and are being ignorant.

Remind me again - what EXACTLY did disney do wrong ???
Food cooked incorrectly would directly be the result of incompetence or at the very least the result of someone making a mistake while at work. However the implementation of rules and policies that Disney put in effect to ensure that ALL guests have a good time and enforced those policies is the exact opposite of incompetence

This seating policy has been in place during peak times for at least a couple years now. I applaud it. As a single mother who travels alone with her daughter, I wish they had started this when my DD was younger. I still remember trying to negotiate my way around tables at Cosmic Rays, holding a tray full of food in one hand and my DD's hand in the other, trying to find an open table. I'd pass by table after table of people sitting there waiting for their food, all the while my food was getting cold and I came close to spilling it. I'd see a table available, but it's hard to move fast when you are holding a 3 year old's hand and a tray of food and by the time I reached the table, someone with no food had taken it. I just about burst into tears at Cosmic Ray's that afternoon.
The way the new system works, more people can be seated to eat because tables aren't being taken up by people waiting for food. I paid for my food as well, and I should be able to sit when I have my food to eat and not be left standing because someone without food wants to save a table.
No sympathy from me here.

So because OP was unaware of new policies and did not agree with them she wanted something to be given to her for free?? That sounds a bit entitled to me
I also fail to see where the customer service was poor? The CMs in the park were doing their job, enforcing the policies. Soooo, OP wanted them to do something they are not supposed to and risk losing their job when hundreds of other guests see them break the rules and want the same thing
The CMs on the phone were probably thinking the same thing we are - so you are mad because you don't like our changes and want us to treat JUST you special therefore infringing on other guests' happiness. What do you expect them to say?

I totally get, and am a little jeaous, that OP lives close enough for an impromtu visit to Disney - because if it was anything other than, "honey I just bought tickets to disney lets go now", then why didn't he do the required planning and make ADRs. Even my DH has inquired about certain things required for planning a trip.
AND doing research and pre-planning a trip, anywhere - but especially for WDW - is not by any means 'doing Disney's job for them'. It's called how can I provide the best trip for me and my kids so we are all not miserable. Like other posters have mentioned, I plan any day out, vacation, etc. so that I can eliminate as many meltdowns as possible. Even if its only to see what food they have so I can bring my own in case there is nothing my very picky son will eat.
So if this is a real post, IMO the OP is upset that she had to wait in lines, wasn't aware of any of the changes and poor, little planning resulted in children having melt downs and that is suppose to be Disney's fault I dont think so. So again I must say I think its the OP that's entitled

 

[goofymoma]

This is hilarious!!!!

OP and JamesDean have the same IP. The OP is upset about all the changes that have been pretty standard for a little while now.

Also, not to cross borders, but the OP is dumping this exact same story EVERYWHERE they can where Disney is mentioned (ie other boards, travel sites).

I wonder how long before this thread gets locked.

Wait , wait , wait, OP (& husband) has enough time and knowledge to post complaints EVERYWHERE.....but not how to look up a website or two on the way, while she's there or at the very least even pick up a schedule once there hmmmm

I GOT IT
Sounds to me hubbie planned a surprise birthday trip, but neglected to do any of the required pre-planning that comes along with any vacation - especially one with 4 kids, 2 under 2!!! And between lack of planning & not liking change OP is throwing a hissy fit and blaming disney for a horrible birthday, when in fact it is her hubbie's fault...
Well that sucks

 

[TipsyTraveler]

I can tell you this-- If my boyfriend managed to somehow completely miss the mark and took me somewhere for my birthday that I absolutely hated, or took me somewhere I normally love but a series of unfortunate events made it miserable, I would slap the biggest smile on my face and pretend to be having the best time ever. Even if he started to get down on it I would insist everything was just peachy. The last thing I would want to do would be make him feel bad about the gift he picked for me or let him think he had in some way ruined my birthday. I know I would feel just awful if the roles were reversed. I feel bad for her husband.

 

[goofymoma]

I can tell you this-- If my boyfriend managed to somehow completely miss the mark and took me somewhere for my birthday that I absolutely hated, or took me somewhere I normally love but a series of unfortunate events made it miserable, I would slap the biggest smile on my face and pretend to be having the best time ever. Even if he started to get down on it I would insist everything was just peachy. The last thing I would want to do would be make him feel bad about the gift he picked for me or let him think he had in some way ruined my birthday. I know I would feel just awful if the roles were reversed. I feel bad for her husband.

Agreed

Unless he's James and in that case he's just a clueless

Either way this has definitely kept me entertained this afternoon

 

[Texas Crude]

I feel bad for her husband.

I'm pretty sure anyone who meets her feels the same way!!!

 

[mousehockey37]

Agreed

Unless he's James and in that case he's just a clueless

Either way this has definitely kept me entertained this afternoon

I hope James doesn't work with her at the travel agency.

Honestly, that was THE WORST thing she could've put in her post, was that she was a travel agent. I hope no one figures out what agency she works for, that's gonna be a little bit bad for their business.

In any case, I'm just gonna continue to watch this unfold and see how many more people have no sympathy for this sob story.

 

[mousehockey37]

I'm pretty sure anyone who meets her feels the same way!!!

In reality though, how many times do CMs have to deal with these "entitled" people everyday?

The stories of "I paid XXXXXXX to come here and I demand..."

Maybe some of the former or even current CMs could shed some light on how common this sort of thing really is.

 

[kmb584]

Honestly, my 6 year old could have planned a better day. He's only been 5 times, not 20, and he knows way more than OP. If this is real, I feel so bad for the kids- magic ruined by an entitled know it all who knows nothing. And wow, her clients.......

My 5-year-old has been numerous times and if she overhears someone in front of us asking where something is located she gives them directions (and a long spiel about the attraction.. ). Last October a family in line in front of us at Soarin' was up in arms over FP (legacy) and what it was.. there goes my little one giving them the in's and out's of the system.

 

[kmb584]

I don't understand how people think they shouldn't have to plan ahead and research a WDW trip. I've been on vacations that have cost me less money and have researched them just as much. You wouldn't just show up in London without doing some planning into where to eat, do you need reservations, what sites to see and when is the best day to do that.

Seriously. I don't spend thousands of dollars to travel somewhere and then expect that city/country to plan my days for me (which is what JamesDean seems to think is the case). When we travel I research the cities, the restaurants, the attractions. I research everything. Who in the world would go into a vacation with blinders on? It makes zero sense.

 

[siskaren]

I have not been to the Magic Kingdom in at least five years because I recently had two babies so yes I was unaware of the changes.

But you said you're a TA. If that's the case, then shouldn't you be making it a point to keep informed about changes so that you can give your clients good information?

You never had to wait in line for an hour to see a princess. They were strolling in the park.

That hasn't been the case for years. In fact, I've been going to WDW since 1993 and don't recall ever seeing that.

I was at the park for twelve hours and it was my 40th birthday and NO cast members even said happy birthday! Three! I've gone on my birthday or kids birthdays before and we got fastpasses for the day, free dessert at the restaurants, a happy birthday autograph picture from Mickey. Um, do you guys not remember this stuff.

I was at DL for my birthday in 2005 and wore a birthday sticker all day (they had stickers then rather than buttons) and a few CMs said happy birthday, but I certainly didn't get anything like you describe, nor did I expect to.

No McDonald's french fries - sucks

Because it's not like you can't get McDonald's fries anywhere else.

Both Splash Mountain and Pirates were broken - sucks

Splash Mountain goes down for refurbishment this time of year every year.

No variety in food (only burgers) - sucks

I mostly eat counter service meals at WDW and I've rarely eaten a burger.

The prices at every other park in the Orlando area are much less expensive sometimes by half so you can bet that my money will not be going to support a non-existent mouse.

A one day ticket at Universal is $96, which is only a few dollars less than a one day ticket for MK. SeaWorld is better at $82, but I don't know that I would call it a lot less, and certainly not half.

 

[gdrj]

It's the husband.

Are 14 year olds (who are playing on the computer) allowed to have husbands...

 

[minnie mum]

Sooooo..... I was scrolling down the main forum page on my way to the Community board when I saw the red frowny face and paused for a peek.

Oh my. What a mess. And I DO mean the first post. This person is a TA? I just thank my lucky stars she's not mine. Even if she wasn't, this is the worst example of poor planning, unrealistic expectations, and self entitlement (kungaloosh) that I've seen in ages.

Somebody tell me that this isn't the same person who posted the rant on the resort forum a couple of weeks ago. You know- the one who objected to seeing conventioneers in the lobby. Maybe they're related.

Thanks for the entertainment, OP.

 

[maxiesmom]

It is NOT unreasonable to expect a 'Magical Experience" and if Disney failed her on that then they should be held accountable.

IF DISNEY had failed . Which they didn't. The total lack of research by a TA, who really shouldn't have to do any research, caused the problems. As did the entitled attitude.

 

[SouthernExplorer]

I can tell you this-- If my boyfriend managed to somehow completely miss the mark and took me somewhere for my birthday that I absolutely hated, or took me somewhere I normally love but a series of unfortunate events made it miserable, I would slap the biggest smile on my face and pretend to be having the best time ever. Even if he started to get down on it I would insist everything was just peachy. The last thing I would want to do would be make him feel bad about the gift he picked for me or let him think he had in some way ruined my birthday. I know I would feel just awful if the roles were reversed. I feel bad for her husband.

That's Love - Brad Paisley

Wait , wait , wait, OP (& husband) has enough time and knowledge to post complaints EVERYWHERE.....but not how to look up a website or two on the way, while she's there or at the very least even pick up a schedule once there

Okay, that explains this.

I actually agree with them that the product that Disney Parks offers is sub-par, and that is because I have spent years researching Disney on forums like this. I'm actually researching FastPass+ now. I have no sympathy for either of them. It is the consumer's job to research big-ticket items before purchasing them. James and Katie - go complain to George Kalogridis. That's my advice - take it or leave it.

 

[minnie mum]

Okay, that explains this.

Hmph. So we can add a complete lack of imagination to her resume. Or maybe just laziness. Identical posts, right down to the punctuation mistakes everywhere she posts. Somebody needs to tell her that her 15 minutes are up.