Should have done Disney before Universal

[Disney Frenhines]

Now, I'm the opposite, I have had nothing,but, problems with my Universal AP two trips down with one to go and the fingerprint scanner never works, I have to get my ID out and everytime they say 'Are you sure this was the finger you used?' Yes, I am not stupid! They refuse to sort it out as well. And what is with the lockers? To be made to put a small across body bag in them to go on Men In Black? Then, either the finger scanners do not work, you forget the number because you have to do it so many times or the person in front has no idea what they are doing. I didn't take a bag of any kind in when I went in May, a small camera that fitted in my hand out of sight and it was much better. Also, the cheapjacks that lure you into the magic show then proceed to do a hard sell and there is no leaving early. Plus, final gripe, they have the characters out and there is no one there to take a photo of you with them more often than not. Besides, the food is awful there.

 

[kaytieeldr]

I believe the OP did mention that the mother-in-law had issues being in the sun and/or heat, and some lines are outdoors.

He said they had trouble with attractions where the fastpass lanes are outside (because with a DAS you enter through the fastpass lane).

Okay, some attraction lines, even FastPass/DAS lines, extend or are outdoors. All transit between attractions is outdoors. How does a person with sun or heat issues get from one attraction to another but is unable to wait in the generally much shorter, timewise, attraction line?

Not going to quote because I'm on my phone and it's a pain. The DAS did not make things easier for those that used the GAC and didn't abuse it.

As for how Universal's system is better, just stay at one of their hotels and that will answer your question.

Okay, so guests who benefited from the the GAC acting like a front of the line pass are still unhappy that the DAS now makes their park visits more equal to everyone else's. We get it.

University's "better" system is a perq for guests staying in their three most expensive hotels. To imply their system treats disabled guests better than Disney's is inappropriate.

 

[sonofanarchy]

Okay, some attraction lines, even FastPass/DAS lines, extend or are outdoors. All transit between attractions is outdoors. How does a person with sun or heat issues get from one attraction to another but is unable to wait in the generally much shorter, timewise, attraction line?



Okay, so guests who benefited from the the GAC acting like a front of the line pass are still unhappy that the DAS now makes their park visits more equal to everyone else's. We get it.

University's "better" system is a perq for guests staying in their three most expensive hotels. To imply their system treats disabled guests better than Disney's is inappropriate.

Quite honestly, you sound bitter and jealous of the treatment GAC users got. We didn't make the rules. We just followed them. You got a problem, take it up with Disney.

 

[stitchrulz]

Okay, so guests who benefited from the the GAC acting like a front of the line pass are still unhappy that the DAS now makes their park visits more equal to everyone else's. We get it.

Wow.

 

[jon18uk]

Quite honestly, you sound bitter and jealous of the treatment GAC users got. We didn't make the rules. We just followed them. You got a problem, take it up with Disney.

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.

Disney seek to make the park equal to all, so if you have to use a wheelchair, they make the queuelines wide enough for one to fit. If you can't wait in a line they let you wait out of the line for the same time as any other guest.

The only thing that isn't equal is that resort guests get to book FP+ at 60days not 30days and resort guests get extra magic hours.

At Universal they are deliberately giving resort guests the extra perk of Express pass. This is completely different to the GAC/DAS as you get it by spending money on a resort hotel or on the express pass itself. You cannot compare the paid-for Express pass with their accommodations to give equal access to those with differing needs.

University's "better" system is a perk for guests staying in their three most expensive hotels. To imply their system treats disabled guests better than Disney's is inappropriate.

Yep, they are two different things and cannot be compared. DAS is to make access to the rides more equal to all. Express pass is a paid-for addition to make things unequal and give people front of the line access.

 

[clsteve]

No, its just Boardwalk bus "service" being Boadwalk.

2 years ago I basically wrote off Boardwalk for its lack of MK service. Its a location that seems to get the lowest priority of the 5 other EPCOT resorts.
(And I'm fine with the SSR bus service that so many dislike)

We love BWI/BWV and you're right about the bus service. It's why I worked cab rides into the budget especially for MK and DTD. It was well worth the added expense of about 20 bucks to get dropped at the Contemporary and easy to get one there at the end of the day. Same for DTD. 40 bucks for those days to save us a few hours was easier to swallow after walking past the lines for the resort bus and having some new friends at BWV say they missed their Flying Fish ADR because of it....

 

[Burnedout]

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.

They were there first. They didn't push ahead to interrupt his purchase. It is no different than someone buying something and chatting. Happens all the time. The op is all about "me" also. He turns up and expects everyone to adjust for him.

 

[rainwatter]

OP, we had a small issue with a magic band a few weeks ago after the split in our split stay. Apparently, using the MB to unlock the room "activates" other features. After standing in the hall and opening/closing the door with our chain of MB's we didn't have any more trouble. It might be worth a try next time you are in the room (maybe not, but can't hurt.)

 

[Miz Diz]

We go to Disney several times a year - we are DVC member, can drive, and have APs. Our last trip was May. We did Universal first, then Disney. It is the first trip to Disney that I actually felt it would be better to be at work.

When we checked in, they did not set up our charging priveleges, although we talked about it and even joked about the amount - saying I hope we don't spend that much. Don't normally carry cash into the parks. Luckily we did because we would not have been able to eat twice. First time was check in day and the restaurant an MK told us it probably was not working because we didn't have a room number assigned. Next day it didn't work, we knew we needed to go see what was going on.

First day, 2 out of 3 fast passes could not be used because the rides were down. They sent us an email saying we needed to select new fast passes for those rides - Pirates and Space Mountain. We couldn't get any other fast passes due to times available conflicting with dining.

Several more things went on during the trip.
It wasn't that there was anything big that went wrong. I know they were all little things, but it was that so many little things went wrong that it really built the frustration up. It was just not working out for us.

We normally have a really good time and go this same week every year. We are going to take a break from Disney as a family vacation. I think we are burnt out. My husband and I are doing Wine & Dine and Marathon Weekend. I renewed his and my APs, for marathon weekend, but I am not renewing the kids.

 

[sonofanarchy]

They were there first. They didn't push ahead to interrupt his purchase. It is no different than someone buying something and chatting. Happens all the time. The op is all about "me" also. He turns up and expects everyone to adjust for him.

Um, no. It's called common sense and courtesy. If I'm in line at the grocery store with 50 items and someone comes up behind me with just a bottle of milk, I let them go in front of me. This was no different.

 

[dsdeleon]

Seven rides in five hours is typical/average. It may be less than what you're used to, between accumulating unlimited FastPasses and the GAC acting like an unlimited front of the line pass - but the current FastPass system is what Disney has chosen, and the DAS better equalizes the park experience among all guests.



I can't find anything on Universal's website that would indicate their system is better. It looks less better to me as a solo traveler because ECVs and electric wheelchairs aren't allowed in the lines/on the attractions. You need to transfer to a manual chair. I don't see how that's possible for someone needing/using a power chair; can you please fill in what I'm missing about Universal's system that makes it better than Disney's?

Here is a review that explains:
http://www.autismattheparks.com/disability-pass-ranking-and-comparison.html

I suppose no one heard Pete's rant on this? For those who have such strong opinions on fairness but have never been disabled or toured with a disabled guest. it's worth a listen:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6VPVXlWl4eY&feature=youtu.be

Go to 42:00 and listen real heard, thanks!

 

[jon18uk]

Here is a review that explains:
http://www.autismattheparks.com/disability-pass-ranking-and-comparison.html

I suppose no one heard Pete's rant on this? For those who have such strong opinions on fairness but have never been disabled or toured with a disabled guest. it's worth a listen:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6VPVXlWl4eY&feature=youtu.be

Go to 42:00 and listen real heard, thanks!

I'm not able to watch a video right now but the site listing the comparison basically implies that Universal is better as you can got to the front of the line if the wait is less than 30 minutes. That seems to be the main thing that they are better as you can skip the queues (and pay to skip the longer than 30min ones). Other than that why are they any better?

 

[Liljo22]

First day, 2 out of 3 fast passes could not be used because the rides were down. They sent us an email saying we needed to select new fast passes for those rides - Pirates and Space Mountain. We couldn't get any other fast passes due to times available conflicting with dining.

What do you mean by not being able to get other fast passes due to conflicting times? When rides go down, that fast pass becomes an anytime fast pass for either the original ride or for another one on the list which at MK is almost anything. You do not need to select anything. Just show up at the ride you choose and scan the band.

 

[dsdeleon]

SUBJECTIVELY - The treatment of my son who is disabled was better across multiple split stays in the last year. I cannot provide concrete evidence on that. Guest Services likes to go on and on about the GAC abuse and CMs like to treat those getting return times as milking the system. Universal workers have done none of those things. I know the GAC was abused, I get it! It seemed to have given CMs the right to judge those who now get and try to use the new system they have in place which feels awful.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Quite honestly, you sound bitter and jealous of the treatment GAC users got. We didn't make the rules. We just followed them. You got a problem, take it up with Disney.

Neither bitter nor jealous. Just stating facts. The GAC was never intended to provide front of the line access despite that often being the ultimate result. The DAS doesn't provide this same preferred access, it provides more or less equal access to all attractions for all guests. As.a disabled guest, I can't think of a single reason I should be be given preferential access to any attraction.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

I think the OP is just saying that it is either far more convenient that the Universal hotels are so close to the parks, or you get a better level of service at the Universal hotels (which he didn't describe, so we must take his word for it)

There is also an OP who I think is trying to state that Universal still allows immediate access to the express lines for disabled guests if the line is less than 30 minutes, whereas WDW uses 10 minutes as their guideline. Obviously most disabled guests are going to prefer Universal's solution.

 

[sydneysmom]

They were there first. They didn't push ahead to interrupt his purchase. It is no different than someone buying something and chatting. Happens all the time. The op is all about "me" also. He turns up and expects everyone to adjust for him.

I understand that they were there first, all I'm saying is that normally, common courtesy makes people say "hey, I'm going to be a while, why don't you go ahead of me". I do it in the grocery store all the time. If I have a full cart and they haven't started checking out yet, I'll let someone behind me, with just a few items, go first. It's just being nice, that's all. I don't think the OP is 'all about me', I think they just made an observation that normally, if you know you're going to be taking up someone's time, you let someone go ahead of you.

 

[goofy4tink]

A week at BWVs in early June, followed by 3 nights at POR. Only one issue with MBs....something happened when we switched resorts. It was a new CM, so possibly something was done incorrectly. But it was fixed quickly at MK. Buses were fine. Not once did we have to stand on an early bus from BWV to a park. And when going to the MK, we never, not. Once, stopped at the YC/BC. It was BW, then the S/D. When going to AK and DTD, the buses sometimes went to YC/BC, but not always.
The only huge issue was when we tried to get to OKW for an ADR, from BW. Took the bus to DTD...only waited 15 or so minutes. Had a little hold up when we for there...bus had a problem navigating a very narrow area. Off the bus and over to the boat. Well.....seems there was too much wind so the goats weren't running! I didn't notice any wind, vit who knows. So now we have to head to then to the bus stop. Should have just stayed at the Marketplace bus stop to begin with...and not headed to PI! But, there we stood, waited 30 mins for a bus to OKW! What should have taken 45 mins, took us 90 mins! Good thing I had time to spare! Got to the ADR at the exact ADR time!
Others than that, buses were fine. The buses at BW were no worse than the buses at POR.

I am not a 'Disney can do no wrong' people. I'm really not. But, I have had very few less than wonderful CM experiences in the past few years. I really don't think customer service has deteriorated at WDW. Of course, I've only been going since '99! Is it perfect? Hardly. I can't imagine the challenges some families face when traveling with challenged family members. There but for the grace of God go I. But....you have to let a CM know what you need. Everyone has different needs and CMs aren't mind readers.
I spent 7 nights at ASMusic and AoA last June, a week at BWVs in early Sept, 5 nights in mid-Nov at the Dolphin, 7 nights at SSR in early Dec, 1 night at Pop in late Jan, and finally 7 nights at BWVs and 3 nights at POR in early June. I've had only two issues with MBs. No issues with the buses...if you accept that they are basically mass transit, you'll be fine, otherwise renting a car is your best bet. No issues with MDE or FP+. None disappeared. When SDMT was down, we were told to return at any rime that day, no replacement FP+ was needed. Same with Space Mt. The only FP+ frustration we had was when the afternoon parade was cancelled...we had used a FP+ for a great viewing spot....we were told to just choose another FP+. Unfortunately, by 3pm not much was available. It would have been nice to be offered a replacement FP+ for the parade for another day...but that wasn't an option.

We did find that we found ourselves doing attractions that we had FP+s for...maybe one or two standby, but no more than that. It was hot, ridiculously humid, and very crowded...so we left the park after doing what we wanted to do. We did less than we normally so. Not sure what the reason was though.

To address some of e OP's issues.....always go to the front desk at the resort. Don't just call...that isn't going to help...stupid call center! While not a rude, or impatient, I think I would have politely asked if I could pay for my water. It's rude to keep a customer standing there, while basically just chatting to someone else. And pin trading isn't a monetary thing....the VM should have just said 'let me get theses guests rung up. Then we can continue. Thanks so much'. That would have made sense.

I guess no two people will always see eye to eye on the same issue, or experience. But, there is usually some common ground. And there is always room for improvement when it comes to customer service....especially when it's Disney! That's supposed to be their big thing....stellar customer service! And while its not awful, it's certainly not 'stellar' lately. It's good, but it should be more than just good.

 

[okeydokey]

Quite honestly, you sound bitter and jealous of the treatment GAC users got. We didn't make the rules. We just followed them. You got a problem, take it up with Disney.

People did, and Disney changed the system to allow equal access without allowing thousands a day to get front of the line access. A big improvement.

Honestly, you did 7 rides in MK in July in five hours. Doesn't sound too bad at all. The fact that the bands won't work consistently is a problem for sure.

 

[sonofanarchy]

Neither bitter nor jealous. Just stating facts. The GAC was never intended to provide front of the line access despite that often being the ultimate result. The DAS doesn't provide this same preferred access, it provides more or less equal access to all attractions for all guests. As.a disabled guest, I can't think of a single reason I should be be given preferential access to any attraction.

Given that every major theme park has a program for it, you're in the minority. Some people can only spend so much time in the parks. To make it worth it to them, the parks accommodate them to be able to see as much as they can.