What if you didn't know??

[Mamu]

I signed up a few months ago when I booked our trip (4 days! WHOOT!) and was really excited to find these forums. I'm confused however at how nasty some people are at some of the questions that get asked.
What if you DIDN'T know? What if you legitimately had a question, I've had many, and now were afraid to ask? I can only assume that new people join all the time, that "newbies" then make mistakes because they didn't ask.

A perfect example is this.
We did not buy park hoppers, we probablly won't use them I don't think, but I didn't realize that on the one day when we might I couldn't use one of my tickets in the morning to go to Magic Kingdom and then after a nap or meal, etc at my hotel use another days ticket to go to a different park.
If I'm willing to use 2 tickets on one day, it never occured to me that this wouldn't be allowed. It doesn't mean I'm trying to cheat the system, because it isn't like I would have asked to use the tickets again on a different day, I just didn't know any better.

I think that maybe more people would ask more questions if they didn't think they were going to be called a cheater or ridiculed.

I read an article the other day that said that only something like <10% of all disney vacationers plan their vacations, that most simply show up and think they can do it like a regular theme park. I think what happens is that so many people spend a lot of time here, sharing a lot of information that those that don't plan would never have the faintest idea about. Just an observation.
I'll go back to reading now-so that I dont' do anything wrong when we are there.
I hope everyone takes this the way I meant it, just as some feedback and not that I'm being cranky, but just some observatiosn from this newbie to the boards.
(I HAVE been to disney sevreal times and there is still lots I don't know and I learn more every day)

We're really excited about our upcoming trip.

and ask away, and try not to be thin skinned. Most of the replies you get will try to help you understand.

I've gotten a few of those not so understanding replies I

Ask away and get yourself some and be ready to or

 

[goofyernmost]

What if you don't know...

THen when you arrive at Disney and you use that second ticket in the same day; the CM will let you know there is a problem and guest services will explain your options to you...they won't throw you out.

Just for a point of clarification concerning the above wording. "they won't throw you out...but they won't let you in either. Waiting until that time to find out is a real inconvenience and not just a little annoying as it might cost you a lost dinner or a whole days admission price to get to it.

Something to remember when reading the responses is that you cannot tell from looking at the printed word exactly what the mood of the response is. Sometimes a quick answer containing the words cheating or dishonest, is not intended to imply that the person asking the question is cheating or dishonest. It is trying to say that it might be considered such if one continues to try and get past the system regardless of being warned that it isn't exactly good to do. It's more of a heads up. In some cases, almost anything is doable, but is it the right thing to do. Heck you can rob a bank and get away with it...does that make it OK?

If you have paid full price for something and you see someone else is trying to get the same perk free of charge by usurping the rules...then the group tends to get a bit testy.

The two parks on one day question, for example, is not cheating anybody on the surface...you have paid for those admissions and you won't get to use them again. However, and this is a big however, that is not how Disney handles its policy concerning that and it is for a very good reason. They would lose revenue by allowing that. Unless they just abolished the Park Hopper option, they wouldn't ever be able to sell another one. That's why that rule is in place and of all the rules that Disney has that one is consistently enforced. The domino effect of that would be that people would try and take advantage of buying a larger number of days, which with the current price structure would be cheaper than buying the Park Hopper. Allowing that to happen would mean no more discounts for extended days purchased and defeat the plan to keep people in the resort for longer periods of time.

The questions that get the most "hate mail" as it were, are the ones that for whatever reason Disney does not consistently enforce, if at all. The mugs, the Fastpass rules, the pool hopping issues, the parking in resort parking lots are not evenly enforced so you might hear someone say, Heck, I do that every time I go and I never have had a problem. They may be correct but the more that rule is violated the quicker everyone has to suffer for it. When it comes to situations like that I resort to my own set of values. I don't care if you try it or if you get away with it. I have to look at myself in the mirror everyday, and I want to like and respect what I see.

 

[Rhonna]

Three things (and some personal experience):

First, things used to be nicer on these boards years ago. It has gotten a bit more "snarky" here and there over the past (I would say) year or so. I think it is also reflected in society in general recently. As some have said, have you seen some other internet forums?

Second, I don't mind new questions at all (or repeat ones) but as PP's said, sometimes someone asks a question and then AFTER they get the answer they try to justify skirting the rules - then the so-called "morality or DIS police" join the thread - then the OP gets mad that they are being "judged" and on and on it goes. Do some jump too soon on the OP in some threads? Yes. Are some posters trying to bend the rules? Yes again. In some cases BOTH sides are at fault, IMHO.

Unfortunately some honest posters get caught in the cross fire. I really think with the economy being so tight for some, there are those who are trying to have their disney experience - get as much as they can - and pay as little as possible. They don't want to give up anything but may not be able to afford what they want so therefore "how do I get what I want for less/free?" And honestly, I have seen more of these type of posts lately than there use to be, so many long timers are probably thinking "again, seriously"?

Third, this is NOT a small community. If you read the front page there are (as of 2/24/11) 333,705 members. (Shocked me!) In the last week or two when I looked it was around 313,000 - so 20,000 new members in less than two weeks? How many other forums grow that fast? Now I realize not all post often or they may post on other boards within the DIS, but still, where are you ever going to get over 300,000 people to agree or all be polite at all times? For some reason, (probably the economy) word is out about the DIS boards and I've seen more new posters in the recent months than ever before - and along with that many "skirt the rules" type posts.

I would try to word my question in the best way possible. If someone is rude, you can politely explain what your intent was (I know, that isn't fair but no one can read your intent on the internet). If some continue to be rude (in your viewpoint) you can: not read their post, or there is a feature to put that person on your "ignore" list. (And before someone jumps in, yes, it will only block that person's posts, it will not stop you from seeing if someone else quotes them.)

I have been around the boards off and on for years now (despite low # of posts) and was really shocked the first time I got attacked several months ago - and I wasn't asking a question at all - I answered an OP's question and another poster had a different opinion (no rule bending on the part of anyone) so that poster put down my suggestion. I admit I defended myself but I should have just let it go. It was irritating to try to be helping someone else through personal experience and have another person say my idea wasn't the best way to handle it - their way was the best. Both ideas were acceptable but for some reason the other person couldn't see that. Maybe they were having a bad day.

I realized in the past I never paid attention to posters, I always pay attention to the information. However, things have changed recently and I now "notice" a small handful of names that seem to always be involved in the controversial threads. I usually try not to engage them.

So, for all the newbies who are not trying to stir the pot or get away with skirting the rules, don't be overly upset, after all, do you like everyone you work with or go to school with? It's unfortunately the nature of the beast (meaning the internet). And finally, welcome to the DIS!

 

[leebee]

I think I get what the OP is saying. I, too, have been around these boards for years (12?13?) and I agree that they are getting less friendly, more snarky and judgmental. How many replies do you see calling someone a liar, cheat, thief, questioning their parenting, or simply adopting the "holier than" tone or attitude? Is it nice? Is it necessary? Is it truthful? As we tell our 6th graders, if you cannot answer "yes" to all three, think of something else to say.

 

[sparks19]

I hear ya OP. For the most part you get great answers but then you aleays get those few that are blatantly inflammatory and for seemingly no reason

But its a good thing i read this as i had no idea that using two of your tickets in one day was a nono. I cant even fathom why. Something i will need to look up

 

[cm8]

I signed up a few months ago when I booked our trip (4 days! WHOOT!) and was really excited to find these forums. I'm confused however at how nasty some people are at some of the questions that get asked.
What if you DIDN'T know? What if you legitimately had a question, I've had many, and now were afraid to ask? I can only assume that new people join all the time, that "newbies" then make mistakes because they didn't ask.

Why do you think we have the SEARCH function
what exactly do you think that is for


BEFORE I GET an or, that was just a JOKE

I do know what you mean though. It seems like everyone has forgotten that at one point THEY too were once Earning their ears . All that seems to have been replaced with the "I am the all knowing, better agree with me and everything will be alright mentality" Just know that once you get over the shock of some of what you read, you'll be and a lot too

oh by the way

 

[happygirlagain]

I think I get what the OP is saying. I, too, have been around these boards for years (12?13?) and I agree that they are getting less friendly, more snarky and judgmental. How many replies do you see calling someone a liar, cheat, thief, questioning their parenting, or simply adopting the "holier than" tone or attitude? Is it nice? Is it necessary? Is it truthful? As we tell our 6th graders, if you cannot answer "yes" to all three, think of something else to say.

First -

Second - I so agree with the above quote

When i first joined (2005) I had not been to Disney since 1992 so I had tons of questions and everyone was so wonderful to answer some of the silliest, off the wall questions I might have had. I continued to come here with each trip, sometimes asking, but mostly just reading to see what is new, and get refreshers to things I might have forgotten or to find which resort I wanted to try out. Now I get depressed when I read the "snarky" Disney has gone downhill reports. I love Disney and I'm sure it might have gone downhill because of layoffs, economy or whatever, but it is still better than any other theme park we have been to.

So I hope the people that love Disney for what it is (the greatest place on earth) will continue to answer questions with the same love of Disney that I have.

I hope I didn't offend anyone - just my personal opinion (does not have to be shared by anyone else).

 

[goofyernmost]

But its a good thing i read this as i had no idea that using two of your tickets in one day was a nono. I cant even fathom why. Something i will need to look up

Check out post #42, I think I explained it correctly.

Also, as an added bit of information...you can use two separate park passes per day but not the linked multiple day passes. They are good for one park entry per day if they are not Park Hoppers.

To use two single day tickets would be ridiculously expensive and certainly not a frugal choice.

 

[Jaggy67]

I'm probably considered a "newbie," based upon my post count, but I've been coming to the dis for at least 5 yrs now... I almost always find the answer to my questions (& then some!) by utilizing the search feature, so I rarely feel the need to post a question. But if I do have a question, I'm not afraid to ask because of the fear of "mean" people. The line-cutting threads always crack me up, it is such a passionate topic for folks! But other than that, I have always found (even during the past year, although I haven't been lurking that much) the majority of folks here to be selflessly helpful and friendly

 

[laceemouse]

I hear ya OP. For the most part you get great answers but then you aleays get those few that are blatantly inflammatory and for seemingly no reason

But its a good thing i read this as i had no idea that using two of your tickets in one day was a nono. I cant even fathom why. Something i will need to look up

Look at the prices and you will see why. The price difference between a 4 day pass and a 6 day pass is a few bucks. If you buy a 4 day pass and add the hopper feature it is $50+. No one would buy the hoppers, we would all buy more days and save money.

It isn't just people on here saying you can't do that, if you try to enter a second turnstile in the day and do not have the hopper feature you will not be allowed entry. It is the way the machines are programed.

But you are right, most people don't "get" that and it is a common question around here. No problem.

 

[Redd Kell]

I've been around bulletin boards like this for *mumble mumble* years and there's an etiquette and culture that go with them.

BB netiquette is pretty straightforward:

Search, read, get a feel for the FAQ, be diligent about trying to find an answer prior to posting a question. Although I have to say the search feature wasn't that great until recently...

When you do post a question, do it politely and coherently. Typing that word please is always nice too. Asking an honest question shouldn't be cause for ridicule or derision...just because someone's been to WDW 37 times and have stayed at every single resort and have logged more frequent flyer miles than anyone else.

Don't respond to the folks trying to inflame a situation or make something more than it is. Cool your jets and then post again at a later time.

Follow-up and thank the person (s) responding.

A few courtesies on both sides of the ?'s would go a long way in curtailing any snarkiness. Sadly, the net is going the way of society lately with little respect for anyone or anything. It doesn't help that people are hiding behind their 15.6" LCD's.

There's a culture to every BB -- just like there's a culture in every workplace, school, etc. You've chosen to participate in a community that comprises Disney Fans...and we all know what the word fan is short for, right?

There are a LOT of great DIS'ers that take the time to formulate responses to ?'s, make maps, offer alternatives, give links, post pictures, and more.
Can I say for that? I know it takes time to put a response out to a question. I certainly appreciate it.

But there are also many folks whose first reaction to a ? is W T H, don't you know anything....moron? And some who feel it's their personal goal to make sure that Disney's profits increase exponentially. Pointing out what's against policy is one thing, but shoving your personal politics or morals down someone's throat isn't going to help your point. I only have one judge...and frankly DIS'ers -- none of you qualify for the job.

My rule of thumb on all my BB's is that if I don't have anything worthwhile to add to a discussion, I simply DON'T POST.

I've lurked for almost a year, gathering information and silently wishing folks off on great trips and just recently decided to join in the forums to post. Time will tell if I can contribute in a positive way to another newbie coming along in the future. But, I know where my delete key is if I find that the DIS isn't the place for me.

So nothing against newbies or veterans or anyone in-between...just a reminder that we all should think, type, "preview post", then think again before we "submit reply."

Back to getting my itinerary together for MK next Tuesday.

 

[Traveliz]

Well, I think that a lot of times the newbies to a site feel that they are being flamed when they are not. [IMO you haven't been flamed until you've been told to give your cat away b/c you're obviously trying to kill it and you're a worthless human being...just b/c you post a thread (on a totally different site a million years ago) titled "help me help my cat" and describe what has been happening, express sorrow that you don't know what to do and haven't been perfect, and you WANT to help the cat...no one ever did help me help my cat, but they sure did keep me from wanting to start a thread EVER again!]

Anything less than that isn't flaming to me...




Just as a FWIW...I graduated from HS in '87 and we had a big "senior women" trip. Stayed in a small hotel in a beach town, and fit approx 20 women all in one suite. Totally went against the rules, and it wasn't Disney. Not one of us, including our adult chaperones (who provided the booze by the way), thought anything of it.

So it's not just Disney... (and I'm not posting this to brag or be proud of myself (gawd I was a VERY young 17 at the time, but just to reassure you it's not just at Disney where people don't care about occupancy)



I totally agree.



Well, I personally would rather know the rules ahead of time so I don't have to deal with a CM telling me I'm doing it wrong.

And the one issue that can come up with occupancy is in the case of a nasty fire, when the firefighters are going by the legal occupancy, and once they get those 4 adults from the room aren't going to necessarily look further...tough luck for the other adults hiding out unknown to the hotel... (worst case scenario works for me in such cases)

No worries on the fire fighters - they are trained to look for people; not numbers. I asked my brother, the firefighter once about this and he explained that although they may be aware of the typical occupancy numbers the way they look for people in fires has nothing to do with that. The system involves systematically going through the rooms in such a way to find all people and know they have thoroughly checked the rooms. He pointed out there is nothing illegal about someone having guests, housekeeping, maintenance workers or employees in a room that would "up" the overnight occupancy limit.

Liz

 

[DeckedOut]

So I first opened this posting 'What if you didn't know??" thinking I would get info like what if you didn't know that TSM FP's can run out by noon.

But when reading about using two differet days of park passes in the same day I felt I needed to read on...here's why.

When we booked our trip thru Disney, we hummed about hoppers when the rep asked if we wanted them... we didn't do them last time, we liked doing 1 park per day on our last trip. Well skip that. The Disney rep then told us to by tickets for our Departure and Arrival days so that we could use 2 tickets in one day if needed. We said "Humm didn't know you could do that". We said well we want to go to a park on arrival & departure day - and they said 'well you can still get an extra day of tickets past your stay'. Said again " humm didn't know you could do that" . Sticking with our orginal plan we compelted our reservation.

We have called back (other changes to reservations etc) and we questioned a different Disney phone rep on this policy & they also told us it was ok.

Just glad I have the Dis to rely on instead of a newbie Disney reservations CM.

 

[Robindianne]

I'm so glad you wrote this, and sad. We (including me) really need to think before we write.

I hope you have a fabulous time on your trip.

I signed up a few months ago when I booked our trip (4 days! WHOOT!) and was really excited to find these forums. I'm confused however at how nasty some people are at some of the questions that get asked.
What if you DIDN'T know? What if you legitimately had a question, I've had many, and now were afraid to ask? I can only assume that new people join all the time, that "newbies" then make mistakes because they didn't ask.

A perfect example is this.
We did not buy park hoppers, we probablly won't use them I don't think, but I didn't realize that on the one day when we might I couldn't use one of my tickets in the morning to go to Magic Kingdom and then after a nap or meal, etc at my hotel use another days ticket to go to a different park.
If I'm willing to use 2 tickets on one day, it never occured to me that this wouldn't be allowed. It doesn't mean I'm trying to cheat the system, because it isn't like I would have asked to use the tickets again on a different day, I just didn't know any better.

I think that maybe more people would ask more questions if they didn't think they were going to be called a cheater or ridiculed.

I read an article the other day that said that only something like <10% of all disney vacationers plan their vacations, that most simply show up and think they can do it like a regular theme park. I think what happens is that so many people spend a lot of time here, sharing a lot of information that those that don't plan would never have the faintest idea about. Just an observation.
I'll go back to reading now-so that I dont' do anything wrong when we are there.
I hope everyone takes this the way I meant it, just as some feedback and not that I'm being cranky, but just some observatiosn from this newbie to the boards.
(I HAVE been to disney sevreal times and there is still lots I don't know and I learn more every day)

We're really excited about our upcoming trip.

 

[cwilc]

"A perfect example is this.
We did not buy park hoppers, we probablly won't use them I don't think, but I didn't realize that on the one day when we might I couldn't use one of my tickets in the morning to go to Magic Kingdom and then after a nap or meal, etc at my hotel use another days ticket to go to a different park.
If I'm willing to use 2 tickets on one day, it never occured to me that this wouldn't be allowed. It doesn't mean I'm trying to cheat the system, because it isn't like I would have asked to use the tickets again on a different day, I just didn't know any better."

I copied this (above) from the OP. I didn't know this, and I was thinking about doing it myself on our trip in March. We are going to be in the parks for 5 days, and I was considering buying 6 or 7 day tickets so that we could go back and do some things that we missed on our last day. Are you really not allowed to use 2 separate day's tickets at 2 separate parks on the same day? How would they know if we did? Is there somewhere on the ticket that says this is against the rules? I don't plan on breaking (or even bending) the rules, so please be nice.

 

[mesaboy2]

"A perfect example is this.
We did not buy park hoppers, we probablly won't use them I don't think, but I didn't realize that on the one day when we might I couldn't use one of my tickets in the morning to go to Magic Kingdom and then after a nap or meal, etc at my hotel use another days ticket to go to a different park.
If I'm willing to use 2 tickets on one day, it never occured to me that this wouldn't be allowed. It doesn't mean I'm trying to cheat the system, because it isn't like I would have asked to use the tickets again on a different day, I just didn't know any better."

I copied this (above) from the OP. I didn't know this, and I was thinking about doing it myself on our trip in March. We are going to be in the parks for 5 days, and I was considering buying 6 or 7 day tickets so that we could go back and do some things that we missed on our last day. Are you really not allowed to use 2 separate day's tickets at 2 separate parks on the same day? How would they know if we did? Is there somewhere on the ticket that says this is against the rules? I don't plan on breaking (or even bending) the rules, so please be nice.

Really not. Read your question again and the answer is apparent: 2 separate day's tickets...on the same day. Disney's ticket price structure is such that the first few days worth of tickets are expensive, but the ones 7-10 days out cost almost nothing. Doing what you were thinking would defeat that. Disney's rules. Don't worry, this is probably the most common thought on how to save money.

As to how Disney knows--the different parks' computers are linked. Cheshire Figment, the authority around here on tickets and a CM, has a great stock post that explains sort of how it works, with humor. Hang around and see if it appears.

I hope that was nice....

 

[melbiel]

You can obiously tell by our posts that we are newbies...

Yes there are stickies, search options... sometimes people just join to ask a question, is that so bad?

If you don't wan't to respond then don't; but why be bullying or mean about it... SO UN-DISNEY-LIKE OF YOU!

I joined here recently hoping this would be a friendly, open, forum where I could ask questions, share my experience, or god forbid, maybe even get some answers... not some high school clique!

I don't take the negative responses to heart (as I hope other newbies don't either).

I couldn't agree more. I recently asked a question and I had no intention of creating a problem - but unfortunately, I was jumped on immediately. When I defended myself, I was then told that I just didn't like the answer to my question (which was not true at all!).

I don't get why people are upset that someone asked a question which may have already been asked before. I guess what these people are not realizing if that not everyone (in fact, most people) do not patrol these boards on a daily basis. I think that most people come on to try and plan a trip and get some, hopefully helpful, information. This being said, it is obvious that some of the same questions will be asked. If you don't like it, DON'T RESPOND. No one is forcing anyone to type out a (nasty) response.

Fortunately, it seems that you often get a few nice responses before the nasty ones come out. So as someone else suggested, I would just read the helpful responses and ignore the fanatical ones.

I say keep asking questions. There are always nice, normal people out there willing to give a helpful answer!!!

 

[melbiel]

You can obiously tell by our posts that we are newbies...

Yes there are stickies, search options... sometimes people just join to ask a question, is that so bad?

If you don't wan't to respond then don't; but why be bullying or mean about it... SO UN-DISNEY-LIKE OF YOU!

I joined here recently hoping this would be a friendly, open, forum where I could ask questions, share my experience, or god forbid, maybe even get some answers... not some high school clique!

I don't take the negative responses to heart (as I hope other newbies don't either).

Post away newbies! Post away!!!!

I couldn't agree more. I recently asked a question and I had no intention of creating a problem - but unfortunately, I was jumped on immediately. When I defended myself, I was then told that I just didn't like the answer to my question (which was not true at all!).

I don't get why people are upset that someone asked a question which may have already been asked before. I guess what these people are not realizing if that not everyone (in fact, most people) do not patrol these boards on a daily basis. I think that most people come on to try and plan a trip and get some, hopefully helpful, information. This being said, it is obvious that some of the same questions will be asked. If you don't like it, DON'T RESPOND. No one is forcing anyone to type out a (nasty) response.

Fortunately, it seems that you often get a few nice responses before the nasty ones come out. So as someone else suggested, I would just read the helpful responses and ignore the fanatical ones.

I say keep asking questions. There are always nice, normal people out there willing to give a helpful answer!!!

 

[d1gitman]

I signed up a few months ago when I booked our trip (4 days! WHOOT!) and was really excited to find these forums. I'm confused however at how nasty some people are at some of the questions that get asked.
What if you DIDN'T know? Ignorance is no excuse here What if you legitimately had a question, I've had many, and now were afraid to ask? I can only assume that new people join all the time, that "newbies" then make mistakes because they didn't ask. Mistakes are not allowed nor are they forgiven

A perfect example is this.
We did not buy park hoppers, we probablly won't use them I don't think, but I didn't realize that on the one day when we might I couldn't use one of my tickets in the morning to go to Magic Kingdom and then after a nap or meal, etc at my hotel use another days ticket to go to a different park.
If I'm willing to use 2 tickets on one day, it never occured to me that this wouldn't be allowed. being clueless also is no excuse It doesn't mean I'm trying to cheat the system any attempt to do something outside the rules of Disney or DIS experts is deemed cheating and punishable to death by trident, because it isn't like I would have asked to use the tickets again on a different day, I just didn't know any better. I defer to ignorance and cluelessness rules.
I think that maybe more people would ask more questions if they didn't think they were going to be called a cheater or ridiculed. thinking isn't everyone's strong suit
I read an article the other day that said that only something like <10% of all disney vacationers plan their vacations, that most simply show up and think they can do it like a regular theme park. I think what happens is that so many people spend a lot of time here, sharing a lot of information that those that don't plan would never have the faintest idea about. Just an observation. observation isn't everyones strong suit either
I'll go back to reading now-so that I dont' do anything wrong when we are there. now your getting it
I hope everyone takes this the way I meant it, just as some feedback and not that I'm being cranky, but just some observatiosn from this newbie to the boards. newbies are not permitted to observe or provide feedback, read the rules.(I HAVE been to disney sevreal times and there is still lots I don't know and I learn more every day) it doesn't matter how many times you've been to Disney, only how many posts on the DIS you have.
We're really excited about our upcoming trip.

.

 

[dolphindan1]

YOU ONLY HAVE 5 POSTS AND YOU ARE ALREADY ASKING QUESTIONS...HOW ABOUT READ A LITTLE FIRST OR DO A DANG SEARCH ONCE IN A AWHILE...HOW DARE YOU COME HERE LOOKING FOR INFORMATION OR HELP...JUST RIDICULOUS



just kidding ask away....most people here are very helpful and informative....of course the rude threads are fun to read sometimes...