Should have done Disney before Universal

[Tonyz]

Universal was so relaxing and easy, and the service we got from everyone made the time there great. You just realize very quickly how little Disney cares about their guests. But hey, we knew that going in.

So now Disney doesn't care about their guests... only Universal does.
Everyone at Universal = good. Everyone at Disney = bad. Totally reasonable and I'm sure not the least bit of exaggeration.

 

[Planogirl]

So now Disney doesn't care about their guests... only Universal does.
Everyone at Universal = good. Everyone at Disney = bad. Totally reasonable and I'm sure not the least bit of exaggeration.

In his eyes that's true and in your eyes it isn't. The last time a thread was derailed by this type of argument no one changed their minds.

Back to the topic, I expect that Downtown Disney will be a problem for a while. I'm hoping that it will be much different when it's finished but the DD buses have always been slower than the rest from our experience.

 

[sonofanarchy]

So now Disney doesn't care about their guests... only Universal does.
Everyone at Universal = good. Everyone at Disney = bad. Totally reasonable and I'm sure not the least bit of exaggeration.

Universal bent over backwards to make my MIL feel comfortable. They didn't say "Get a wheelchair and sit in an air conditioned room."

 

[jon18uk]

Not to detract from the original post, but the DAS card is intended for less visible conditions. For those with mobility issues, they don't give the card but recommend a wheelchair. I know the have recently revamped that program, but that's always supposed to have been the case and I don't think that part changed.

(Oh and not saying the OP's MIL didn't need the DAS for other issues, I have no clue on that. But the mobility piece is not why they give the cards.)

I'm not saying the OPs MIL didn't have additional issues as well that mean they need a DAS but I agree mobility is one thing that doesn't need it. Disney have modified many queuelines so that either the standby or FastPass line is wheelchair accessible. DAS cards are for those who cannot queue for other reasons.

To give some insight into DAS the thing is you have to be able to articulate why you need an alternate area to wait. You can not simply same my mother has many medical conditions and therefore can not wait in the regular line. That won't fly. Same with ASD or other medical issues.

The way you have to ask for a DAS is say X person in our party is unable to wait in the standby line due to x, y, z reasons. Being able to wait in an alternate location and return at a given return time would help because it accommodates her through offering A, B, and C that is unavailable through just the wheelchair or ECV.

If you give them simply a medical condition CMs will say no. If it is deemed a mobility or stamina issue the DAS does not apply. Remember the CMs are not doctors. They don't need to know what is wrong they just need to know what accommodation you need and why that can't come from a regular standby line or through a wheelchair or ecv.

Just wanted to add this sound slike great advice, ask for what you need, don't expect Disney to be able to guess what your specific needs are.

 

[MaestroTK]

This is not meant to be harsh, but why are people who can't be in the heat or be on their feet for extended periods of time choosing to go to Disney? That is most of the trip. In the whole world, aren't there better choices for your family?

I just don't understand why people put themselves through this and then complain their trip wasn't what they expected.

 

[maccagerl]

The sticky wicket is HIPPA and needing more info, etc when there are other issues that prevent someone from waiting in line.

It has nothing at all to do with HIPAA.

It is all about articulating your specific needs in order to obtain the appropriate accommodations.

Sorry your trip started off so badly, OP.

 

[patty57]

Back to the topic, I expect that Downtown Disney will be a problem for a while. I'm hoping that it will be much different when it's finished but the DD buses have always been slower than the rest from our experience.

I agree. I've never had a pleasant experience with bus transportation to, and especially from, DTD.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Universal bent over backwards to make my MIL feel comfortable. They didn't say "Get a wheelchair and sit in an air conditioned room."

What did they do?

 

[lustergirl]

I have to say this, and I'm only joking around, but I'm not that surprised to read you aren't happy with the WDW part of your vacation, you haven't exactly been looking forward to it.

And we have a winner, winner, chicken dinner

 

[lustergirl]

In his eyes that's true and in your eyes it isn't. The last time a thread was derailed by this type of argument no one changed their minds.

Back to the topic, I expect that Downtown Disney will be a problem for a while. I'm hoping that it will be much different when it's finished but the DD buses have always been slower than the rest from our experience.

I am glad that DTD is not a must for me and will avoid it like the plague until it is finished

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

Ugh. What an awful start to the Disney portion of the trip. Couple of things that might help:

1. Don't call the front desk. You don't actually get the front desk of your resort, you get an offsite call center. Go down to the front desk to get problems solved quickly.

2. Our commandment when it comes to DTD is "Thou shalt not take the bus." We either use a rental car or take a cab. The buses take forever all the time.

3. Try another guest relations for the DAS. Make sure you are not telling the CM that your MIL has stamina or mobility issues. They seem to have been taught to automatically turn people with stamina or mobility issues down for a DAS and suggest a wheelchair or ECV as the accommodation they need. A DAS is typically issued for people who need a different place to wait for an attraction other than the queue. PM me if you have questions!

In other words.. "don't expect good service unless you work for it"

This just makes me sad. You seem to think it's "wrong" for a guest to expect someone to actually deal with an issue the FIRST time and we should all happily stand in long lines at the front desk and at Guest Relations over and over again to get our problems resolved/


As for "thou shalt not take the bus to DTD" you know have "thou shalt drive around for another hour looking for a parking place"

The real DTD rule right now should be 'thou shall not go to DTD until Disney finishes whatever the heck they think they are doing"

 

[Bouncin-Tigger]

I am a lifelong wdw addict but I will not be like most here and not acknowledge the other park in town. We went for 3 days the last 4 years and it is very different but very nice and universal. We will always love and go to disney but universal has gotten better and better every year and isn't just a thrill park , customer service and attractions rival anything at wdw.

 

[TDC Nala]

WHO would qualify for one if someone in a wheelchair doesn't qualify???

A wheelchair (or mobility or stamina issues) by itself does not qualify for DAS because either the lines for attractions are accessible, or there are wheelchair entrances.

You would need to be able to describe needs that go beyond mobility or stamina issues to qualify for a DAS. The DAS is intended for those whose needs render them incapable of waiting in the queue at all and gives them the option of going somewhere else to wait.

There's info on the DisABILITIES board.

 

[jon18uk]

In other words.. "don't expect good service unless you work for it"

This just makes me sad. You seem to think it's "wrong" for a guest to expect someone to actually deal with an issue the FIRST time and we should all happily stand in long lines at the front desk and at Guest Relations over and over again to get our problems resolved/

I would expect an issue to be dealt with first, but the guest also needs to know what resolution they want. How do you know you are happy if you don't know when to be happy?

If I went and said I cannot stand up for long so cannot wait in line, then a wheelchair is a perfect solution. If said I have issues standing in line and being in close proximity to stranger with no escape then I would expect a pass so I can wait out of the line and then rejoin the ride with a short wait.

I know this has been said over and over again but people seem to expect a disability will enable them to ride with zero wait. Disney have actually put a lot of efforts in making the parks equal for everyone and that means wheelchair accessable queuelines.

 

[Tarheel girl 1975]

Sadly, this is true. Like I said, we'll have a blast at the parks. We've just been spoiled in recent years with our Universal stays. Disney service has fallen way below them in that area.

This is not the first time that I have head this complaint. And this should worry Disney even more than Universal's current construction binge. Service has always been a huge part of the Disney Difference. If they loose that, they are in real trouble.

This is not meant to be harsh, but why are people who can't be in the heat or be on their feet for extended periods of time choosing to go to Disney? That is most of the trip. In the whole world, aren't there better choices for your family?

I just don't understand why people put themselves through this and then complain their trip wasn't what they expected.

Because they like Disney? Or theme parks? Or they want to spend time with their families? Disney has a great reputation for accomodating people with special needs which in turn encourages more people to go there.

I am glad that DTD is not a must for me and will avoid it like the plague until it is finished

Agreed. DTD has never been a must do for us. We wouldn't even be going there if we weren't spending part of our trip at POFQ.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

There should be some kind of pin etiquette when people are in line to buy things. Or maybe there is.

We waited almost 20 minutes to return our locker key at DHS because of this. Was pretty irritated that wasn't a dedicated locker station like all the other parks.

 

[mom2rtk]

We waited almost 20 minutes to return our locker key at DHS because of this. Was pretty irritated that wasn't a dedicated locker station like all the other parks.

I hope it was worth the $5.

We were in a huge locker key return line that wasn't moving after MVMCP one night. I had my daughter just go put the key on the counter and we left. That was the best $5 we spent that night!

 

[stky6]

So how much of a mess was Universal with the new Harry Potter opening. We're coming down the end of August, debating on Universal right now because of the HP madness.

 

[sydneysmom]

Yeah, not to sound mean but that really ticked me off. The woman should have just rung me up quickly. Or the 4 old people should have said "Ring this guy up...It's ok."

totally agree. If that were me, (which it wouldn't be because I happen to think the whole pin thing is a waste of money) I would have stopped and let you go ahead.... but there are some people that feel like "hey, it's MY vacation... you'll wait for ME". OY.

 

[sonofanarchy]

So first day at a park with bands. MK had EMH today. We were at the bus stop at 7:05. No MK bus showed up until 7:39. Bus was completely filled. An entire bus load of people had to wait for next bus. We get to the park after opening and there are long lines at bag check and turnstiles. I went through 1st and had no problems. Then my 7 year olds were up and their bands didn't work. Same for wife, MIL and older son. Thankfully we brought our actual tickets. The CM we dealt with was so damn rude, especially to my kids. Ready to lose it at this point. Anyways, went to guest relations where a kind CM gave my MIL the DAS. FP+ worked fine for us. Only issue is the lines outside for FP. DAS is better than nothing, but nothing great. After 5 hours in the park we had done 7 rides. We waited 35 minutes for return bus which once again was full and left an entire group waiting for next bus. We're renting a car tonight for rest of trip. Bus service, in one word is unacceptable.