Should have done Disney before Universal

[CluelessDisFan]

The reason the CM turned your MIL down for the DAS. Is because DAS is for patrons without obvious disabilities. If she's in a wheelchair then it is obvious to CMs that she should be taking her a different route, or giving her a return time, so she can wait somewhere out of the heat. CMs should be jumping to help her out. And if they're not then you need to alert somebody. I'd try for another DAS as well. Because you can get the return time for a ride without dragging your MIL across the park. But with DAS she has to be riding said ride. They also will take her picture for it.

I know a little about DAS because my mother suffers from MS and she's not yet physically disability, but has heat intolerance, and suffers when standing for long periods of time. Persons with Autism are another example of someone who would need a DAS. It's just a card that announces to CMs (without announcing to the world) your specific needs, so they can be met.

Also note: her diagnosis is not her needs. Her special needs are the symptoms of her diagnosis. So don't just say she's had a stroke and needs a DAS. Tell them her intolerances, and specific needs. That's what they will want to know so they can meet her needs.

 

[TaylorsDad]

Aw.
I agree, I think the Disney Parks are still great. Everything else...well



Sounds like someone caught a little pixie dust in their eye!

See, I just don't get this mentality that people cannot enjoy both WDW and Universal. I love both places. Sometimes we do both in one trip and sometimes we make a week long trip out of one and save the other for another time.

 

[Burnedout]

See, I just don't get this mentality that people cannot enjoy both WDW and Universal. I love both places. Sometimes we do both in one trip and sometimes we make a week long trip out of one and save the other for another time.

Lol people just don't get that!

 

[over50visits]

We haven't used the bus system for years. We always drive to WDW, or rent a car when we get there. Some of the best money we've spent to enhance our day. We don't stand in long lines at the bus stop (they seem to always be people standing there waiting for a bus), neither the lines nor the ride are pleasant experience in the least.

We don't mind the monorail waits, they never seem too long at the resorts, and we really enjoy the monorail rides; but the bus stops? Nah.

 

[Planogirl]

See, I just don't get this mentality that people cannot enjoy both WDW and Universal. I love both places. Sometimes we do both in one trip and sometimes we make a week long trip out of one and save the other for another time.

That's how we feel. I prefer to always do both but doing one and then the other makes sense too.

 

[going/again]

People did take it up with Disney (particularly after the media picked up on people "buying" GAC to get front of the line) and therefore the GAC was replaced.

True they took it up with Disney, and genuine people suffered, well done.

 

[ArwenMarie]

See, I just don't get this mentality that people cannot enjoy both WDW and Universal. I love both places. Sometimes we do both in one trip and sometimes we make a week long trip out of one and save the other for another time.

I think I didn't write that clearly.

When I said "everything else...well" I meant everything else at Disney (resorts, food, etc) is so-so but the Disney parks are still great. IMHO of course.

I'm a big UOR fan too, I actually like the whole onsite experience at UOR more

 

[kaytieeldr]

True they took it up with Disney, and genuine people suffered, well done.

Genuine as opposed to what - counterfeit people? The DAS isn't a snap judgment response to last year's revelation about people renting GAC holders as tour guides. Disney had already been working on a more equal system to mesh with FastPassPlus. Then executives discovered a good 25% or more of the daily visitors to Radiator Springs Racers were AP holders with GACs, greatly limiting the daily capacity overall.

Two people renting out themselves and their GACs for front of the line access that the GAC was never designed or intended to provide didn't instigate any change.

 

[Wendybird55]

First I'd like to say I think the OP has a wonderful attitude and outlook. Not really gripping or criticizing as much as stating facts and experiences and doing everything possible to have a great vacation.

From my experience, I think it all depends on the day, the people, the encounters, etc. as to what you think of Disney service in comparison to Universal.

I was only to Universal once and that was for a business party during a convention so the park was closed to general public and it as a long time ago so I can't offer my personal opinion.

However, my SIL and her family went to Disney in April (Easter week) and took a day out to go to Universal because my niece loves Harry Potter. From their experience at Universal, they told us that Disney CMs were so much better and more attentive then Universal. They found Universal CMS to be of little or no help and there was never one around when they had a question. Being this was their first time ever to Universal. I'm sure they were in more need of assistance plus they were there during a very busy time.

They were totally in favor of Disney over Universal. I would venture to say both parks have their pluses and minuses and there are so many factors that can make either a great or not-so-great experience.

And I enjoy reading about everyone's experiences and I learn much from these boards, but I know me and my family need to determine for ourselves where we like to go best for vacation. And as OP has shared, no matter what happens we will try our best to make our own fun and have a good time.

I hope your trip got better and your family found those magic moments.

 

[MKMomma]

Deluxe resorts do not get better bus transportation. They do get the ability to boat, or walk, to at least one park. Or, in the case of the MK resorts, the monorail.

Animal Kingdom Lodge doesn't have a boat, walking or monorail option.

 

[grafxgirl]

It changes from time to time but over the Fourth of July holiday it was BW, Swan, Dolphin, YC, then BC I believe.

During June it was Swan, Dolpin, YC, BC then BW. We sometimes get off at one of the other resorts and walk to the one we are staying at. Sometimes it can be faster.

 

[grafxgirl]

When we stayed at the Beach Club Villas in June, they let us know, at check in, that we should have our Magic Bands checked out at concierge first, before proceeding to our rooms or parks to make sure everything was linked up and working. We did and didn't have any issues the entire trip. When my son lost his halfway through the trip, we let them know down at concierge and they gave him a new one, no cost, and relinked it up with our My Disney Experience.

 

[grafxgirl]

I own DVC at BWVs.....do obviously stay there a lot. Was just there, June 1-7.... We never stopped at YC/BC. Not once. Our bus went to the S/D. Yes, the bus may very well stop at YC/BC mid-day.....there's just not a huge call for buses at this time. It's funny, but when we were at MK, waiting for a bus back to BWVs, there was a long line. YC/BC stop was next to us. Their line was much shorter. About 10 people from our line headed over there! Our bus came along, about a minute later. We all fit in the bus. Yes, my dd and I stood, but we were on the bus. We got to BWVs first, then the bus went to the Swan, then Dolohin.
My dd and I moved over to POR for our last 3 nights. If you get the bus at the main depot, you're on that bus for a long time before you leave POR property. Longer ride than the BW bus.
Deluxe resorts do not get better bus transportation. They do get the ability to boat, or walk, to at least one park. Or, in the case of the MK resorts, the monorail.

I noticed that they do add or pull buses to different resorts and parks depending on the demand and time of day as well. We were there the week after you, in June.

 

[TLSnell1981]

OP, it sounds like nothing has changed since our trip in May. Things were a mess...and quite stressful.

What are the order of the bus stops? If the swan or dolphin are earlier in the order I would get off there and walk to the Boardwalk!

It depends on where the EVCs are going. They are the last stop.