Post here regarding WDW cutbacks, changes & Complaints

[andychris14]

I send an e-mail like many of you, regarding the early entry for resort guests. A very nice cast member told me that is stopped on a month to month basis. They know that ee is discontinued thru December. I am going in August and she seems to thing that it will be in effect by then. No promises!!! She said that many people are e-mailing, calling or writting to complain about this. Maybe we are heard. Keep the complaints coming and maybe they will put it back soon.

 

[pacecar]

We have sent our e-mail off too but, no reply like yours. We will be there in February and I have my fingers crossed it will be reinstated then.

 

[AParabola]

I certainly can understand the frustration of having plans for a wonderful vacation changed without notice or compensation and it's clear that Disney management could have handled the whole situation better, HOWEVER... Let's not forget why we go to DW. It's still the one place that continues to be magical in a sometimes awful world.
Staying on site isn't just about EE or other perks, it's about living for a few days at least in a world where everyone cares about your happiness and comfort. The magic isn't interrupted.
On our last visit we stayed at Coronado Springs (the first time at a moderate resort) DH, who is notoriously cranky and cynical lost
his glasses. Normally, he would be angry and complaining. Instead he just said "Don't worry, this is Disney, someone will find and return them." and he was right!
The world is changing and our country is feeling more vulnerable
but think how lucky we are to be worrying about the extras for our vacation. Keep it in perspective folks, keep supporting the places and institutions we rely on and believe in and don't lose sight of the magic. I hope you all return to DW soon and have a terrific time. I know I'm still looking forward to my trip in Feb.

 

[GailT]

I'm not mad about the changes and cut backs. CHANGE is a part of life, I am just happy I have gotten to experience Disney through the yrs. I have been going since 1975 (I was 17) and have taken my son every yr up till this year (he is 19) so I have great memories to look back on. yes, the change ism't the greatest thing but everything changes, like my age, I am not 17 anymore, I am becoming and old fool (44, some people say that is still a baby) but my life is enriched from all the changes both at home and for each yr I went to Disney.

 

[wheeler]

Take it from a "EE Commando", I just got back from a trip 11/28- 12/4, and we had an AWESOME time!!!!!! Did not notice anything bad or negative........just a very few CM's that were less than cheerful, but I was "looking" for it after hearing rumors at how disgruntled the CM's are, so I'm not really going to count that......just about everyone was as sweet as could be. We stayed at WLV and the Poly, went to MVMCP, CP, & Osborne Lights, saw Spectro, MK Fireworks twice, and then the most amazing fireworks show I ever saw in my life from our Poly balcony!!!!! We got a voicemail message from the Poly's front desk, saying there was a special fireworks show on Bay Lake that night (Mon. 12/3) and it was phenomenal!!!!!!!!!!! About 30-40 minutes long and absolutely spectacular. To add to the excitement, SEVERAL trees on the island in the middle of Bay Lake (where they apparently shoot the fireworks off from) caught on fire, and it looked like it was getting quite out of control (you could hear sirens) and the flames were about 30 feet in the air!!! My kids were getting upset, so I hurried us off to get an ice cream, assuring them that it was an island, surrounded by water, with no people on it and that everything would be okay by the time we got back, and it was. It was hard to completely "change" my touring style, but it did not affect the fun one tiny bit. I had cancelled this trip not once, but TWICE, and I am SOOOOOOOOO glad I went. I honestly think it was the best trip yet!!!!! So I encourage you not to go with a negative attitude because I really didn't notice any "cutbacks", and the whole backpack search thing is getting blown way out of proportion......it's really not an issue, and if anything, it actually alleviates the huge bottlenecks at the gates by dispersing half the people toward the search tables while the other half proceed directly to the gate. The search takes less than 20 seconds, yet seems very thorough....they use little flashlights, and make you open all compartments of your bag, inside and out, (ladies - be warned - you know what I mean!) I hope you all have a wonderful time. Between my fear of flying, fear of travelling without DH for the first time, and all the cutbacks, I admittedly left with a very skeptical attitude that this was going to turn itself around once I got there, and I was even regretting my recent DVC purchase (May '01), and I hadn't even gotten to use it yet........but boy, was I never happier to be proven so wrong!

 

[goofyandmore]

Hi, first about your trip, I say congratulations to you for going. I want so badly to go but live in NJ and am afraid to take the plane from Newark with my kids. I know I have to get over it.

Now, the other reason I am looking for you is I tried to email you but couldn't. You wrote a prior post about getting ripped off on ebay for a song of the south movie. I am about to bid on one and many of the sellers are saying they will have it converted at a special price from their place. Do you remember who ripped you off so I don't have that problem? You can email me direct at aigjr@aol.com Thanks, Carolyninkbounc inkbounc

 

[ZanaJb]

that Fireworks show on Monday, was that at 10:30. If so, I was wondering where that was coming from because I was staying at CS (11/30-12/15). I was hoping it happened the night after, but I figured it was a one time thing.

I had a great time also, didn't have any problems with any CM. The only problem I had was thinking I had actually saved enough money for this trip..OOOOOH was I wrong

OK, a couple of problems I did have was with the hotel. Don't get me wrong, it was a beautiful hotel. But they really need to work on that Pepper Market restaurant and Panchitos Groceries and Sundries. The restaurant didn't offer much of a selection and I didn't like that whole we'll seat and get you a drink, you get the food and we'll charge you a tip (but I did know this going in, so that's my fault) but the store..they didn't have any cold cuts, bread, creamer, or a big selection of food to buy) but since our bus was going to Boardwalk/Downtown Disney, I went to Boardwalk to shop for some items.

But overall I had a great time, the parades, the fireworks, the rides (TOT!!!!!! WOOHOO), the people and just the atmosphere was terrific.!

Jessie!!!

 

[dan-tot]

I am still feeling the effects from the trip. Just got back Saturday from 8 days at Disney. I was able to ride all the rides I wanted with little or no waiting. There was no fastpass on any of the rides throughout the park. I don't see what the complaints are about the times being shortend we had more than enough time to see everything that we wanted. The shows were there Beauty and the Beast played 4 times aday they were telling people as they went by when the show was. I don't see where there was a problem. I would say the most annoying thing was the security checkpoints. We didn't go to Animal Kingdom but as far as MK having to go down to the hotel boat dock and then up to the tables situated about 50 feet from the turnstyles was a pain in the rear. There was not alot of room so if you didn't have any bags then you could go through cleanly without stopping. The parks were ok, the parades of course were crowded because there were only one during the day, the ride lines were non existent, there were shows that you could see and they had the christmas party 3 days during the week. So if you are dreading the atmosphere of Disney now adays then I would say it is like last year so if you go during Christmas expect the same number of people as last year. I would of liked to see the new electric parade but maybe next year and by the way the Osborne lights were great and I liked the snow on New York street. Don't miss them that is one of the big pluses for Christmas.

Dan-tot

 

[Pooh-ped Out]

I just got back 15 Dec from 2 weeks at wdw. We had a great, actually a fantastic trip. I would like to start off by saying that there are people on here how are strung way too tight. Before going on our trip Iead these pages with people complaining about this and that and how they were going to cancel their trip. Well let me tell you they missed out. If things were scaled back it wouldn't be apparent to anyone who doesn't live at wdw (the peope who go year after year). I noticed nothing cut back. I think only one ride was closed that I noticed. The lines were nothing (most rides that offered Fast passes were giving out tickets) although not really needed for most. I think the longest we waited for a ride was about 20 minutes and that was for the Alien Encounter (the wait outside to include the movie inside).

As for the lines at the baggage check before entering the park was no longer than about 3 minute wait at any of the parks. Again nothing to even get upset about. If you didn't have anything to carry in you get to walk right past security.

The lines for characters were short never waited more than 5 minutes. My DD got about every character in the park I think. It was great.

Oh yeah for those of you that are planners, have every minute of the day scheduled and are disappointed that something isn't going to happen and now you have to reschedule your whole trip.........get a grip!!!!!!!! I have a suggestion.........try having fun,if you are scheduled for every waking moment you will miss out on the cool stuff, tht you get for free, like watching a childs eyes light up when they see a charcter, or a "special child" gettng a hug from Minnie, those moments are what counts. Not that you had to get to Beauty and the Beast 1hr and 12 minutes before it starts to ensure you get the first 5 rows.

Slow down and enjoy. You will not miss a thing if you are going anytime soon so don't let the nay-sayers get you down. You will have fun for sure!

 

[dan-tot]

I forgot about the characters. You could run into every character in the book. Minnie and Mickey were in front of the castle tsaking pictures and signing books. Pluto and Goofy were outside the area where walt's statue is tweedle dee and dumb were around the area of the castle. Pooh was at MGM so was tigger alot of characters were around the park it was the most I have ever encountered since going to the park. So if you are going to go go you will miss out on alot of fun. Oh I found out that the road between Apoka, Vineland and DD is still open just the gate that is above the marketplace gate is closed. If you want to find a parking place when it is crowded you need to go to the right when you go into the market place gate it will take you to mikey gear store everyone goes to the left toward pleasure island so that area is really full.

Dan-tot

 

[Pig Pen]

I was at WDW during the first week of December as part of a 2 week Florida vacation. We stayed at the ASMO (my first time on-site). I think I will try a monorail resort next time. Movies was too far away from our favorite (MK) and way too noisy. Our rooms were quiet (101 Dalmations) but the pool and food court areas were a bit chaotic - and I expected this. We were trying to save money because there were six of us on this trip.

As for the parks - there seemed to be a lot of people milling about and the sidewalks seemed crowded, but short lines. It was strange. We ended up seeing everything we wanted much sooner than anticipated. In hindsight, I would have slowed down , relaxed, and enjoyed the sights more!

The only difference I noticed were less CMs controlling lines such as access to monorail and train.

I'm glad we went during this slow time, but would like to go when fireworks, parades, and shows are in full swing again!

Pig Pen

Offsite - 6/75, 10/75, 11/76, 2/81, 4/82, 9/87, 4/96, 4/97, 6/00

ASMO - 12/01

 

[KFISCHER]

That was a fantastic post you left.

I, too, was at WDW this month.............everything, I mean EVERYTHING was great!

I caution people once again not to take too seriously the posts of people who have not gone to Disney since 9/11, and yet seem to think they know that everything's terrible, so bad that they want to cancel, etc.

Instead, take to heart the posts of people who've actually been to WDW since the "cutbacks," and consider what THEY experienced.

 

[mema4]

Has anyone heard when Disney is going to bring back the entertainment schedule that they had before the cutbacks? I understand that the parks have been well attended.

 

[Letsbgoofy]

I found a link on this board and e-mailed Disney regarding the demise of the early entry program. Less than 24 hours later, I had a phone call regarding my e-mail.

To make this short, the girl that I spoke with encouraged me to tell everyone who has complaints to write or e-mail the company (wow did this ever surprise me!!). She said that the only way to get EE back is to let the company know that this is what the guests want. She also mentioned that they have had thousands of responses and that this is a situation that they are watching closely.

If you want EE mornings back, please let your feelings be known at www.guest.mail@wdw.disneyonline.com.

 

[CamColt]

Thanks for posting.
I kept putting off writing to complain, because I dont usually do stuff like that, but once I realized they need the complaints in order for anything to be done I wrote my email. Since then we have been playing telephone tag with the representative who called us. I really dont have much to say to him, except I just wanted to make my opinion heard.
Thanks again for posting the address, Im sure that will make it easier for people to make their thoughts known.

 

[Granny]

Originally posted by wheeler
Take it from a "EE Commando", I just got back from a trip 11/28- 12/4, and we had an AWESOME time!!!!!!

wheeler....I was hoping to come across a post from you from your recent trip. I remember you agonizing about this, and the back-and-forth decision to even go (it was a surprise for the kids, wasn't it?).

I also remember how bummed you were about Disney suspending the EE. I'm really glad you went with an open mind and allowed yourself to enjoy what was there. It seems that some people are going with the attitude of "see, I KNEW I wouldn't like WDW with ALL the cut backs!!!".

I'm glad everything worked out for you. And your story should give heart to those who think Disney has lost all of its magic.

 

[Rock'n Robin]

The address didn't work for me--any ideas? It said "can't find link."
Robin M.

 

[addicted_to_WDW]

I just want to echo that WDW does pay attention to us. I sent an email to complain about POR and POFQ, and they called me back the next day. I can't say that they told me anything I didn't know, but they are obviously trying to make us as happy as they can.

I used a link from WDW's web site.

 

[disneyag]

I got a phone call the other day in response to the email I sent to Disney. If you go to the disney.com website and click on "contact us", a menu will come up for you to send your concerns. I spoke to a gentleman at WDW who assured me that my concerns would be taken into consideration. He was very pleasant and we had a nice 22 minute phone call. He also said they got some positive feedback about the character charavans (HAH!) and some negative feedback about discontinuing early entry. It seems that perhaps if we all complain, they would at least consider bringing back early entry.

 

[fklhou]

I did the same several weeks ago and got a prompt response also. Actually, I sent two separate e-mails (one through DVC member services) and got two separate responses. One CM was more knowlegable than the other but both were concern about guest reaction to the elimination of EE. One thing that they emphaszed to me is that at current crowd levels, EE is not necessary. From trip reports on these boards that is true except on weekends and I ask if something might be done about a EE only on weekends.. That concept has been raised by other guests and has been passed on to management.

Please understand that these CMs in guest relations are not really going to tell you anything but they are listening.