Over $1000 to add park hopper

[fbarker]

If you don't get the answer you want just hang up and call back- and keep calling until you get a CM that will work with you. Doesn't just apply to this situation- but whatever you need to use them for.

Or better yet just ask to speak to a supervisor or manager so you don't have to keep calling back!!

 

[Robo]

If you don't get the answer you want just hang up and call back- and keep calling until you get a CM that will work with you. Doesn't just apply to this situation- but whatever you need to use them for.

Or better yet just ask to speak to a supervisor or manager so you don't have to keep calling back!!

If you are just seeking INFORMATION...

There is no point in calling back.
There is no point in asking to speak with a manager.
How would you KNOW if you got a right answer or a wrong answer in the first place?
Just don't call in the first place.
No, I'm not kidding.

What's the point in "shopping for answers?"
Even if you got someone to CHANGE an answer on the phone, who on the phone
would be able to carry enough authority to sway a situation when you got to the park?

If you have a question, ask it on these boards.
No, we don't have any authority, but we (collectively) do know many of the correct answers,
so you'll know what to reasonably expect at the parks.

 

[Happy_2_B]

If you are just seeking INFORMATION...

There is no point in calling back.
There is no point in asking to speak with a manager.
How would you KNOW if you got a right answer or a wrong answer in the first place?
Just don't call in the first place.
No, I'm not kidding.

What's the point in "shopping for answers?"
Even if you got someone to CHANGE an answer on the phone, who on the phone
would be able to carry enough authority to sway a situation when you got to the park?

If you have a question, ask it on these boards.
No, we don't have any authority, but we (collectively) do know the correct answers,
so you'll know what to reasonably expect at the parks.

The OP knew what the answer/resolution should be in this situation. I personally would have hung up and called back (or asked for a supervisor) as soon as I came to the conclusion this particular CM was WAY out of their league. The OP's situation was one of the worst CM experiences I have ever heard- and it is hard to believe that Disney employs someone this clueless. As for 'shopping for answers', there is one couple highlighted in the UG (page 121, 2016 edition for reference) that calls repeatedly to get the best price for a vacation because they never get the same answer from Disney CM's- and they spend all night doing it. Assuming the 'right' answer is going to come from these boards instead of from Disney is a reach at best, since Disney's answer is the only answer that matters- and hence is the only 'right' answer because the buck stops with them- and not with an opinion expressed on the boards. So, when I need an answer, I will call Disney- thank you very much.

 

[Robo]

Assuming the 'right' answer is going to come from these boards instead of from Disney is a reach at best, since Disney's answer is the only answer that matters- and hence is the only 'right' answer because the buck stops with them- and not with an opinion expressed on the boards. So, when I need an answer, I will call Disney- thank you very much.

Then you don't understand my answer, and you don't understand how this board works.

And, I feel very sorry for anyone who calls "Disney" (whomever that might be at the moment) when they need a good answer.

 

[sharadoc]

Then you don't understand my answer, and you don't understand how this board works.

And, I feel very sorry for anyone who calls "Disney" (whomever that might be at the moment) when they need a good answer.

Rookie mistake, I mean how could someone with 86,000 posts know more than someone with 100. Shoot first, it's the 'Murican way!

Seriously so thankful that Robo, Mesaboy, and all you wonderful knowledgeable posters and admins care enough to answer all of our questions , even when they are asked on a regular basis.

 

[pooch]

Clearly that poster does not know Robo!!! But apparently had the UG memorized ;-)

 

[OKW Lover]

I have never heard any stories of "phone CMs" being corrected or reprimanded for giving out bad info.

Robo, With respect how would we ever hear any such story? Would there be a special call-in number where we could overhear a supervisor administering 20 lashes to somebody that gave out bad info? Or perhaps a public webcam where we could watch?

Yes, tongue in cheek, but I'd expect any such correction do be done behind the scenes.

 

[Happy_2_B]

Then you don't understand my answer, and you don't understand how this board works.

And, I feel very sorry for anyone who calls "Disney" (whomever that might be at the moment) when they need a good answer.

Let's all gather around for a nice Fairy Tale- Disney style. As with many Fairy Tales, there may be some truth embedded in this one- but you can determine that for yourself. As with all Fairy Tales, any names used should be considered purely fictional characters in the story about to be told.

Once Upon A Time, on the Enchanted Boards, there existed a poster who now frequents the boards under a different name because that poster took some time away from taking WDW vacations- and was gone long enough that the poster's email address had changed so the poster could not recover his original accounts.

In a time long, long ago- the Enchanted Boards had way fewer people on them, as this was back when the Unofficial Guide to WDW had just begun to be published, could fit in your back pocket at a couple hundred pages- and was an Age when a young prince named Len Testa had time to post on the Enchanted Boards. Those on the Enchanted Boards during this Age could enjoy conversation with, and garner information from, The One Who Was Wise- as this was a wonderful, magical time on the Enchanted Boards because touring plans and crowd level predictions were just coming of Age. Also during this time long, long ago, a seasoned young knight named Michael Hewell had a VIP Touring Service at WDW, and decided to start a new website called TourGuideMike. The poster in our Fairy Tale was fortunate enough to get to know Mike, as he was one of the first group of people to become a member of the TGM boards during beta testing- and had many conversations about Disney trip planning with Mike on the telephone, through email, and on the TGM boards. This poster, after garnering much knowledge from Those With Wisdom, was able to put together vacations for those living in other Lands that had a desire to make a sacred pilgrimage to the Magical Kingdom- saving them hundreds, and sometimes thousands, of dollars in the process. And they all lived Happily Ever After.

That Age has passed. The poster in our story is now quite confused, as instead of returning to the Enchanted Boards, he seems to have come back to boards that are similar to Oz. The Great and Powerful Oz seems to be present on the boards, believing that he alone has the Power to tell people when they can, and cannot, call Disney for answers- among other things like the semantics between Guest Relations and Guest Services- which is irrelevant to the returning poster, and the list could go on. The Great and Powerful Oz, although knowledgeable about much current WDW information, has sadly not learned that- just like in the story- the Great and Powerful Oz is only human, and as such does not know as much as he would lead others to believe. And the Fairy Tale continues....

The End

Should this poster actually exist, one would think he has a pretty good understanding of 'how the boards work'- as he probably has considerably more than 100 posts. Perhaps some zeroes could be added to that number, perhaps not. Perhaps this tale is fictional, perhaps not- and as with all Fairy Tales, we will never know. Should there be even a thread of truth to this Fairy Tale- perhaps the poster in our story knows a great deal about Disney, and doesn't need The Great and Powerful Oz to tell him when he can, and cannot, call Disney. Perhaps this poster- like most everyone else on these boards- is an adult, and will plan his vacation in the way he wants, and understands that others have the freedom to plan their vacations the way they want. Perhaps, just perhaps, The Great and Powerful Oz should stick to what he knows, and be more hesitant about quoting a poster from long, long ago that may or may not exist- spouting nonsensical statements that would lead one to conclude that The Great and Powerful Oz has more answers about Disney than the actual corporation has about itself- which the poster in our story would obviously conclude is beyond ridiculous. Perhaps...just perhaps...

 

[Robo]

Robo, With respect how would we ever hear any such story? Would there be a special call-in number where we could overhear a supervisor administering 20 lashes to somebody that gave out bad info? Or perhaps a public webcam where we could watch?

Yes, tongue in cheek, but I'd expect any such correction do be done behind the scenes.

Somehow my response didn't post.
My reference to not "hearing anything" about the bad info so many callers
get with phone calls... is that I read a lot of the inside-the-company Cast Member posts on other sites.
There are posts that talk about CM friends of the posters who have been sited by Disney management for various "un-Disney-like" behavior. I've seen phone CMs there talking about odd phone calls they get from confused guests. Some have talked about their training and the "info sources" they consult. I've never seen anyone mention that "friend X" was scolded or reprimanded for giving out bad info on the phones, even after managers have been called in to settle guests' issues regarding questions. No, we wouldn't have direct knowledge of a reprimand, but the way some CMs gossip about each other... and guests, I figure we'd hear something via the CM grapevine.

 

[siskaren]

The Great and Powerful Oz seems to be present on the boards, believing that he alone has the Power to tell people when they can, and cannot, call Disney for answers- among other things like the semantics between Guest Relations and Guest Services- which is irrelevant to the returning poster, and the list could go on.

I can't believe you're serious. Robo doesn't tell people they can't call Disney - he just explains why it's not a good idea. And it's not semantics - he's explained that Guest Services and Guest Relations are two different things. There are other things I'd like to say, but I don't want to get in trouble.

 

[Happy_2_B]

Just don't call in the first place. No, I'm not kidding.

Robo doesn't tell people they can't call Disney.

Per the above post, I believe you stand corrected...

Don't get me wrong, I enjoy Robo's posts- and believe he is quite knowledgeable- one of the more knowledgeable people on the multiple WDW boards- but there is a line, and that line is when information becomes dictation as to how people should go about planning their vacation. If I want or need an opinion, I am not shy- and will ask for it.

 

[Accident]

Please tell me you took a moment to email guest services about this encounter? Even if you don't know the name of the CM, you know the number you called from and even a really bad phone system can easily find the call in it's logs to look up who handled it.

If needed, the email is guest.services (at) disneyworld.com

 

[mousehockey37]

With some of these CM's, I wonder if they aren't just sitting on the other end reading things off the website like the caller is. Some people are genuine Disney nuts that enjoy working for Disney and can and will make things right. Others sound like people that are just struggling through the day and that it's just a job. They'll follow whatever manual is given or whatever the latest memo says.

Calling in for help is like playing the lottery, sometimes you win, sometimes you lose, but you can always come back and play again.

 

[Carriemel]

Not telling him they're not ALLOWED, just a suggestion not to.

Look, *MOST* everyone knows that if you call Disney, you're calling a "call center", and the people manning this "call center" are most likely (almost 100% certainty) not in, proximate to, around the Disney area...and tagging on to that, many have maybe never been to Disney. Most are reading from a script, which may or may not change from day to day.

A great example is the bus service. The "call center" people are told that the buses do not start until 1 hour prior to park operation. As most everyone who actually attends Disney knows, the buses actually start at 6:30 (granted there may not be many of them at that time, but the service does begin then.)

Another example of us here knowing more than Disney "call center" people is the time guests are allowed in for "hard ticket" events - MVMCP, MNSSHP. The "call center" people will tell you that you can get in to the park at 7pm. Most of us here know (and again, most know this from personal experiences) that guests are allowed in at 4pm.

If you only called the "call center", you'd miss out on early buses and timely entry to hard ticket events among other things.

So yeah, I'd listen to us over the "call center" people.

 

[tjmw2727]

Honestly its a shame but I agree with the theme here that you can't count on Disney to answer your questions correctly. It has happened to me on a few occasions and it is sad that I have to research message boards prior to a call to be sure I get the proper service and pricing. I have had to hang up and call back on more than one occasion and fwiw asking for a supervisor was another disaster of its own - if I got one before I got a dial tone.

The difference with message boards is that "most" of us who answer have been in the situation or did our research. If an incorrect answer is provided there will be posters who come along and answer correctly. This doesn't happen when you call Disney and sadly many who call accept the wrong info.

I will add - Picking up park tickets early and using DME without flights to the above list of known Disney CM Phone rep inaccuracies.

 

[Robo]

The difference with message boards is that "most" of us who answer have been in the situation or did our research. If an incorrect answer is provided there will be posters who come along and answer correctly. This doesn't happen when you call Disney and sadly many who call accept the wrong info.

Yup.
That's exactly to what I was referring when I mentioned, "how this board works."
Posters on this board work TOGETHER to get the correct info out there.

 

[freediverdude]

If you are just seeking INFORMATION...

There is no point in calling back.
There is no point in asking to speak with a manager.
How would you KNOW if you got a right answer or a wrong answer in the first place?
Just don't call in the first place.
No, I'm not kidding.

What's the point in "shopping for answers?"
Even if you got someone to CHANGE an answer on the phone, who on the phone
would be able to carry enough authority to sway a situation when you got to the park?

If you have a question, ask it on these boards.
No, we don't have any authority, but we (collectively) do know many of the correct answers,
so you'll know what to reasonably expect at the parks.

I agree, there's no point in calling. You'll get 10 different answers with 10 different calls. 1 of them might be correct, or all incorrect, lol. Either find the answer here, or wait til you get there to see what happens. And when you get there you'll get 10 more different answers, just depends on the CM.

 

[djohn06]

I would point to a CM using good old common sense but that is another trait lagging these days.

 

[goofyintoronto]

I was in the same boat a couple years back...I ended up adding the hoppers when i checked into POR. Easy peasy. OP, glad it worked out for you. $1000 is a crazy amount. As you mentioned, I feel bad for the newbies who arent aware of the prices. That CM really needs to be retrained.

 

[stargazertechie]

You can find nightmare ticket upgrade problems far too often while at WDW.
After as much time as I've spent on this board helping in ticket situations, the in-person WDW ticket fiascos are legion, and no particular WDW location is better or worse than another

You rang? It's true. It's a never-ending game of CM roulette