Rumors of Light (ROL discussion thread)

[wdw4rfam]

Well, it was unfortunately (minus 2 things and meeting Pooh) kind of a disaster of a trip. I am SO glad we signed DVC papers and don't have to do a value again. We normally do them and have no issues normally but our last trip at AS, there was a cheerleading comp going on and we couldn't get a bus. This time around just sealed it for us. There were millipedes in our room, mosquitos, I had to call security almost every night due to the gaggles of teenagers and/or cheerleaders who wouldn't stop *literally* screaming way past 10, we waited sometimes up to an hour for a bus, etc. Some of the cheerleaders were nice and respectful but most of them were very rude.

In the parks wasn't much better. On Haunted Mansion a group of cheerleaders screamed so loudly the entire trip and took pictures to the point that we couldn't even hear our ghost host or see much of anything because a flash kept going off. I bought an expensive Lady and the Tramp dress for DD and had an ADR for Tony's to take pictures inside and they told us when we got there the gas line was broken so we could go to Crystal Palace instead. It was quite a bit more expensive than we had hoped for that night and it screwed us all up with fast passes because it took so long to seat us. As we were leaving MK that night, all of Tony's was seated! WHY OH WHY couldn't they have asked us to come back later!? They wouldn't even let me in to take a quick picture! Coming back on the buses numerous times teenagers/cheerleaders wouldn't let me or my DH sit down while we held our sleeping 7 month old. I was taught as a young girl to always allow the elderly, pregnant women and parents with little babies to sit. There was no reason a 17 year old or a 10 year old couldn't let me sit so I wasn't paranoid my daughter was going to fall out of my arms while I only had one arm to hold onto her with. I don't expect special treatment because I have a child I really don't but it's just common courtesy. On Space Mountain an entire family just kept sending more and more people ahead to meet their party right in front of me, I'm talking like 6 to 7 people. I was ONE person. Finally I went to say something and the one person in the party told me to go ahead. It just seemed like we had a major black cloud over us the whole trip.

HOWEVER, while waiting for DH to ride Splash, I was in the Briar's Patch just sitting on the rocking chair. A CM came over and we started talking and we hit it off, she was so so sweet. She went over and grabbed a Thumper plush for DD to play with. She fell IN LOVE. Her face lit up and she was over the moon. The CM took the tags off and let us have it! It was SO nice! It kind of renewed the magic for me. We also enjoyed the Top of the World Lounge SO much. DD really had a great time. She was so happy the whole time and did great in the car. I wish I had seen a fellow ROL'er I had my pin on my backpack all week!

I understand, we stayed at ASMO for years with no problems, then a band did us in. They were obnoxious on the buses, loud in the foodcourt, but luckily they were In Another building so we didn't hear them at night. We never went back to value again. But we did see a cheerleading group checking in to POR as we left one year, and this past November an obnoxious lacrosse team was at CBR. They were aweful, but luckily we avoided them most of the time because the place was so huge. They were screaming at the pool, shoving each other, sliding down the slide in groups of 3-4. The lifeguards were so fed up they threatened to make them leave if they had to yell again. So, we're giving POLY a try this year. DH said if it's quiet there, we will be staying there from now on. Which is fine by me, but I don't know if he realizes that we got a killer deal, that we may not score next time.

 

[disfamz]

I'm sorry your trip had its downfalls but that was a great magic moment with the CM! I am a little worried about staying at ASSp in 2 weeks but I will make do. I've already decided to take a cab to AKL for Sanaa dinner and to Kona Café for breakfast. We are early risers so will hopefully catch the buses before a bunch of teens are ready for it

We had no issues the first couple of trips staying at a value. It was really rough because there were senior trips/grad night trips/cheerleaders all at once. It was just apparently a bad time to go and we didn't realize. The crowds were also much higher than they were the previous April. Hoping September will be MUCH less crowded!

 

[disfamz]

I understand, we stayed at ASMO for years with no problems, then a band did us in. They were obnoxious on the buses, loud in the foodcourt, but luckily they were In Another building so we didn't hear them at night. We never went back to value again. But we did see a cheerleading group checking in to POR as we left one year, and this past November an obnoxious lacrosse team was at CBR. They were aweful, but luckily we avoided them most of the time because the place was so huge. They were screaming at the pool, shoving each other, sliding down the slide in groups of 3-4. The lifeguards were so fed up they threatened to make them leave if they had to yell again. So, we're giving POLY a try this year. DH said if it's quiet there, we will be staying there from now on. Which is fine by me, but I don't know if he realizes that we got a killer deal, that we may not score next time.

Their rudeness is what got me. If they had been polite and followed the rules and just been quiet during quiet hours, I wouldn't have even given it a thought. However, I had to call or get security at least 4 times. One night it was 11:15 and they were still outside by the pool screaming and laughing and carrying on. Then when no one would let me and my DD sit and they were just screaming on the bus, I had enough. If you want to carry on like a fool, go for it, during the DAY. When I can't get my kid to sleep for almost two hours because every time she starts to fall asleep someone is screaming like they're being murdered right outside the door, I'm going to be upset.

 

[wdw4rfam]

Their rudeness is what got me. If they had been polite and followed the rules and just been quiet during quiet hours, I wouldn't have even given it a thought. However, I had to call or get security at least 4 times. One night it was 11:15 and they were still outside by the pool screaming and laughing and carrying on. Then when no one would let me and my DD sit and they were just screaming on the bus, I had enough. If you want to carry on like a fool, go for it, during the DAY. When I can't get my kid to sleep for almost two hours because every time she starts to fall asleep someone is screaming like they're being murdered right outside the door, I'm going to be upset.

Exactly. Plus, even my autistic son has learned to give up seats for people with babies ( he learned from watching us), he also doesn't take no for an answer. There was a group at POR that I just remembered, that we had a blast with on the bus one night, they were awesome. The bus line for POR was ridiculously long and POFQ was almost empty, so they said lets go jump their bus and walk, so we went with them. They let me and my DD sit, and made us laugh all the way back, and the walk all the way to POR. They said they discovered that the night before when they missed their curfew because of buses, and the group that took POFQ bus made it. But they were a great group, so not all are bad, like you said. Some kids still have manners.

 

[disfamz]

Exactly. Plus, even my autistic son has learned to give up seats for people with babies ( he learned from watching us), he also doesn't take no for an answer. There was a group at POR that I just remembered, that we had a blast with on the bus one night, they were awesome. The bus line for POR was ridiculously long and POFQ was almost empty, so they said lets go jump their bus and walk, so we went with them. They let me and my DD sit, and made us laugh all the way back, and the walk all the way to POR. They said they discovered that the night before when they missed their curfew because of buses, and the group that took POFQ bus made it. But they were a great group, so not all are bad, like you said. Some kids still have manners.

I always try to talk to kids on the bus and make them smile. I had one little boy going for the whole trip talking about super heroes. I love that people are always in a good mood talking to each other. There was one polite group, a girl kept asking questions about my daughter, she was very sweet but the group as a whole just took snap chatting pictures the whole time. I was half blind from the flash! It's a give and take. And that is SO awesome your son does that, high five to you!

 

[ArielSRL]

Well, it was unfortunately (minus 2 things and meeting Pooh) kind of a disaster of a trip. I am SO glad we signed DVC papers and don't have to do a value again. We normally do them and have no issues normally but our last trip at AS, there was a cheerleading comp going on and we couldn't get a bus. This time around just sealed it for us. There were millipedes in our room, mosquitos, I had to call security almost every night due to the gaggles of teenagers and/or cheerleaders who wouldn't stop *literally* screaming way past 10, we waited sometimes up to an hour for a bus, etc. Some of the cheerleaders were nice and respectful but most of them were very rude.

In the parks wasn't much better. On Haunted Mansion a group of cheerleaders screamed so loudly the entire trip and took pictures to the point that we couldn't even hear our ghost host or see much of anything because a flash kept going off. I bought an expensive Lady and the Tramp dress for DD and had an ADR for Tony's to take pictures inside and they told us when we got there the gas line was broken so we could go to Crystal Palace instead. It was quite a bit more expensive than we had hoped for that night and it screwed us all up with fast passes because it took so long to seat us. As we were leaving MK that night, all of Tony's was seated! WHY OH WHY couldn't they have asked us to come back later!? They wouldn't even let me in to take a quick picture! Coming back on the buses numerous times teenagers/cheerleaders wouldn't let me or my DH sit down while we held our sleeping 7 month old. I was taught as a young girl to always allow the elderly, pregnant women and parents with little babies to sit. There was no reason a 17 year old or a 10 year old couldn't let me sit so I wasn't paranoid my daughter was going to fall out of my arms while I only had one arm to hold onto her with. I don't expect special treatment because I have a child I really don't but it's just common courtesy. On Space Mountain an entire family just kept sending more and more people ahead to meet their party right in front of me, I'm talking like 6 to 7 people. I was ONE person. Finally I went to say something and the one person in the party told me to go ahead. It just seemed like we had a major black cloud over us the whole trip.

HOWEVER, while waiting for DH to ride Splash, I was in the Briar's Patch just sitting on the rocking chair. A CM came over and we started talking and we hit it off, she was so so sweet. She went over and grabbed a Thumper plush for DD to play with. She fell IN LOVE. Her face lit up and she was over the moon. The CM took the tags off and let us have it! It was SO nice! It kind of renewed the magic for me. We also enjoyed the Top of the World Lounge SO much. DD really had a great time. She was so happy the whole time and did great in the car. I wish I had seen a fellow ROL'er I had my pin on my backpack all week!

That stinks! Glad you are DVC now!

 

[elmoandzoey]

So I see we are not the only ones who have experienced the cheerleaders here :/ there are a couple groups staying at the Hilton as well and dang, they can get roudy when not supervised. Luckily they will be checking out today! We have an awesome room at the Hilton on floor 13 (HHonors floor) facing the pool. We can see the fireworks from there!!! We already saw the SW fireworks twice - they look so damn awesome, I can't wait to see them up close and personal in the park!

On a side note, we bought magic bands yesterday! I wasn't sure if I wanted to get them but they had some limited edition ones on sale for $9.99 at the Disney Outlet so I just went ahead and let everyone pick one. My sons now have a grey Jack Skellington and a grey Haunted Mansion one. My daughter has a red one with Mickey Mouse heads on it and I have the Christmas party one from last year (does this one do special effects? I heard some party ones do). So we're all set in that regard!

 

[ArielSRL]

I know that a few people here sent emails to the executive office. I want to send one due to some scheduling things I'm dealing with for early June. Does anyone have the email address?

 

[KMWoolley]

At Club Villain right now. Just as awesome as I remember.
I'm wearing my Rumors button if there's any Loungers

I was at the same show, but alas, never saw your pin...probably distracted by the booze, food and show.
I loved the show and it was a surprise to my wife. Glad you had a good time.

 

[KMWoolley]

We had the BEST day at HS yesterday! Star Tours, Characterpalooza, TSMM twice (once with a FP and once with a 10-minute SB wait (!) right before SW fireworks), Club Villain, SW character meets and Jawa trading, and SW fireworks from the bus stop. CV was a hit with DD and DH. They both asked if we could do it again.

This morning we're at AK. The CMs love the ROL button. One asked where he could buy one - luckily I remembered the site address! We had a PPO breakfast at Tusker and were first in the standby line for Kilimanjaro Safaris. They picked us as a "first family" and we got the first truck out all to ourselves! It was SO awesome! On the train to Rafiki's now. I'll have more updates later!

I had a very similar day at HS on the Saturday. Watched the crowds disperse from Club Villain but obviously didn't see you. We were at the late Club Villain (which we loved) so we didn't see the amazing Star Wars fireworks until our last night, which was probably good cause I would have had to add Park Hoppers so DW could have seen them each night...

 

[KMWoolley]

OK, back to reality after a fantastic week at Disney. Here are a few highlights and musings from our trip:

- 'Cheer' groups everywhere and the parks were super busy on weekends.
- Saratoga Springs is a beautiful (and huge) resort and very quiet
- We did the standby line (normally FP) for Peter Pan and loved the interactives, especially the shadows
- Checked in online so we dropped our bags at Bell Services, picked up our purple wristbands and were off to HS 10 mins after getting off the bus
- I asked Kylo Ren what he was doing for Father's Day and he was speechless..just turned and walked away
- Club Villain was fantastic and easily the highlight of the trip for my wife who was pleasantly surprised
- We had the worst meal and even worse service at Whispering Canyon Cafe. The antics were fun but everything else was not...seriously, 100+ minutes
- Star Wars fireworks were amazing and will only get better with the new show coming up
- Left the park 3 times well after closing due to reservations and had our own 'private' bus back to the Resort
- DW loved California Grill and a different viewpoint for Wishes
- We wore our "1st Anniversary" pins all week and heard congratulations from staff and other guests alike...I love that part
- We never waited longer than 30 minutes for any attraction and felt bad watching people get in lines showing 80+ minutes
- It was stupid hot last week, which made trips back to the room/pool that much sweeter
- Disney Springs is a madhouse at night
- My wife was 'randomly' selected for additional screening 4 out of the first 5 times we entered a park and she blames me because all my Blog Comments
- I was only selected once (because I was openly making fun of her for getting picked so much)
- Adding/changing fastpasses from our phone was so simple instead of hunting for Kiosks
- We received a Congratulations gift basket and photo in our room on Day 2 and no family has owned up to it. I'm wondering if George's office sent it...
- EPCOT used to be my favorite park but with Soarin' down, Maelstrom still being converted and all the same old same old in World Showcase...m'eh
- So many photopass pictures taken and love reviewing them throughout the day. I/we started making faces on the rides for fun (see the new profile pic)
- Pleasantly surprised with Dinner at the WAVE
- I saw way too many parents engrossed in their phones while in line and not engaging/paying attention to their kids
- I was a little sad walking around AK knowing what could have been. We did ride EE twice and the Safari before even touching our Fastpasses though
- Brought home a Stitch that almost needed its' own seat on the plane

I am worried about the long term path for Disney. I love Disney and hopefully I have imparted some of that to my children and they will one day want to share it with their children (or Grandma and Grandpa will ).
I saw so many pre-teens, teenagers and young adults so engrossed by their phones last week, they don't see all the magic that goes into a Disney ride/theming. The extras to entertain, amuse, educate while waiting in line seem to get ignored. If an entire generation seems to skip that aspect and only focus on their phones and the rides, Disney will not be the park for them. I think we can all agree, there are far more thrilling parks than Disney. Disney is going to need to find a way to interact with the smartphones while people wait in lines or they may see attendance drop.
Better for the rest of us though, right?

 

[Iowamomof4]

- I asked Kylo Ren what he was doing for Father's Day and he was speechless..just turned and walked away

You're my hero!

Fantastic trip report! I'm so sad to hear of your experience at Whispering Canyon though. We were planning to go there in early December. What did you order? We like the looks of the aycte skillet. Now I'm not so sure though.

 

[HopperFan]

"Trying" to start off this week with some good karma, 'cause I'll need it I think.

This pops up on my fb screen and I felt compelled to watch .... animals, animal kingdom, needing some AK love.

LOVE is what I got. Watch it, how these chimps remember her is AMAZING.

 

[KMWoolley]

You're my hero!

Fantastic trip report! I'm so sad to hear of your experience at Whispering Canyon though. We were planning to go there in early December. What did you order? We like the looks of the aycte skillet. Now I'm not so sure though.

I had the skillet. Dry ribs, dry chicken, dry beef. I asked for some bbq sauce for the pork, 15 mins later...still waiting, so I asked for some warm pork to go with the sauce when it arrived...10 minutes, finally got the sauce, 15 more minutes the pork shows up. I guess all you care to eat means as long as it all arrives on the one skillet...
We were there for over 1 hour 40 minutes. The Manager spent the entire time cleaning tables to get more guests in.
It was a very bad experience.

 

[tinkerhon]

I always try to talk to kids on the bus and make them smile. I had one little boy going for the whole trip talking about super heroes. I love that people are always in a good mood talking to each other. There was one polite group, a girl kept asking questions about my daughter, she was very sweet but the group as a whole just took snap chatting pictures the whole time. I was half blind from the flash! It's a give and take. And that is SO awesome your son does that, high five to you!

We try to do the same !! I've been shocked over the last few years with what we've seen on the busses --- young , healthy couples sitting down, while elderly, handicapped, and/or pregnant moms ( not to mention people holding infants) standing because people wouldn't give up their seats. Our dd9 is really into glow sticks ( the ones that you can make into jewelry), so we usually carry around a tube of those, and give them to the kids on the bus (with parent /guardian consent) - they usually love them !!

 

[Iowamomof4]

I had the skillet. Dry ribs, dry chicken, dry beef. I asked for some bbq sauce for the pork, 15 mins later...still waiting, so I asked for some warm pork to go with the sauce when it arrived...10 minutes, finally got the sauce, 15 more minutes the pork shows up. I guess all you care to eat means as long as it all arrives on the one skillet...
We were there for over 1 hour 40 minutes. The Manager spent the entire time cleaning tables to get more guests in.
It was a very bad experience.

Well, back to the drawing board I guess. Maybe I'll keep it as an option but watch for reports closer to our visit to see if you just went on an off night or if they've seen a true decline. I know things are a little off at WL with all the construction.

 

[dachsie]

I know that a few people here sent emails to the executive office. I want to send one due to some scheduling things I'm dealing with for early June. Does anyone have the email address?

George.Kalogridis@disney.com

 

[ArielSRL]

George.Kalogridis@disney.com

Thank you!!

 

[dachsie]

OK, back to reality after a fantastic week at Disney. Here are a few highlights and musings from our trip:

- 'Cheer' groups everywhere and the parks were super busy on weekends.
- Saratoga Springs is a beautiful (and huge) resort and very quiet
- Checked in online so we dropped our bags at Bell Services, picked up our purple wristbands and were off to HS 10 mins after getting off the bus
- I asked Kylo Ren what he was doing for Father's Day and he was speechless..just turned and walked away
- Club Villain was fantastic and easily the highlight of the trip for my wife who was pleasantly surprised
- We had the worst meal and even worse service at Whispering Canyon Cafe. The antics were fun but everything else was not...seriously, 100+ minutes
- Star Wars fireworks were amazing and will only get better with the new show coming up
- Left the park 3 times well after closing due to reservations and had our own 'private' bus back to the Resort
- DW loved California Grill and a different viewpoint for Wishes
- We wore our "1st Anniversary" pins all week and heard congratulations from staff and other guests alike...I love that part
- We never waited longer than 30 minutes for any attraction and felt bad watching people get in lines showing 80+ minutes
- It was stupid hot last week, which made trips back to the room/pool that much sweeter
- Disney Springs is a madhouse at night
- My wife was 'randomly' selected for additional screening 4 out of the first 5 times we entered a park and she blames me because all my Blog Comments
- I was only selected once (because I was openly making fun of her for getting picked so much)
- Adding/changing fastpasses from our phone was so simple instead of hunting for Kiosks
- We received a Congratulations gift basket and photo in our room on Day 2 and no family has owned up to it. I'm wondering if George's office sent it...
- EPCOT used to be my favorite park but with Soarin' down, Maelstrom still being converted and all the same old same old in World Showcase...m'eh
- So many photopass pictures taken and love reviewing them throughout the day. I/we started making faces on the rides for fun (see the new profile pic)
- Pleasantly surprised with Dinner at the WAVE
- I saw way too many parents engrossed in their phones while in line and not engaging/paying attention to their kids
- I was a little sad walking around AK knowing what could have been. We did ride EE twice and the Safari before even touching our Fastpasses though

I am worried about the long term path for Disney. I love Disney and hopefully I have imparted some of that to my children and they will one day want to share it with their children (or Grandma and Grandpa will ).
I saw so many pre-teens, teenagers and young adults so engrossed by their phones last week, they don't see all the magic that goes into a Disney ride/theming. The extras to entertain, amuse, educate while waiting in line seem to get ignored. If an entire generation seems to skip that aspect and only focus on their phones and the rides, Disney will not be the park for them. I think we can all agree, there are far more thrilling parks than Disney. Disney is going to need to find a way to interact with the smartphones while people wait in lines or they may see attendance drop.
Better for the rest of us though, right?

Sounds like you had a great time. I am getting psyched that my trip is less than 2 weeks now. I am still bummed about AK nighttime too

 

[capegirl]

George.Kalogridis@disney.com

Thanks for this. I am hoping for the best, but I'm preparing for the worst. It is beginning to look like the problems will spill into July. In fact, it already has since we continue to plan with with no updated park hours, or official announcements on summer events. Putting the RoL debacle aside, it does seem inconceivable that everything else is still up in the air. My biggest concern, since it seems to be a trend at the moment, is switching EMH days at the last minute; this can really mess with ADR's, and FP+already in place.