What is going on with resort guests?

[TDC Nala]

have you ever asked someone to let your child stand in front of them at a parade/ show/fireworks because they could not see?

Like anything else I'd follow that up with "when they say no, do you berate them because Disney is for children and your kids DESERVE that spot?"

(happened to me once, but the kids were teens and taller than my friend - that's why we said they couldn't stand in front of us, and they didn't ask - Mom told them to shove in front. Mom went off on us then about being anti-child, she probably felt entitled.)

I don't think there is anything wrong with ASKING, just with freaking out when you get no for an answer.

 

[toodycat]

I don't think there is anything wrong with ASKING, just with freaking out when you get no for an answer.

That's not just true at WDW; it's true in life. You are always free to ask for something. Who knows? You might get it. But, if you don't, you don't.

 

[Aisling]

Disney doesn't price itself according to the cost of living, nor should it - they price themselves according to what the market will bear.

If I thought Disney was fleecing me out of greed I'd stop going. They're doing business in the market.

Of course Disney is a business and I don't begrudge them making money. I'm not even bothered that they charge as much as they can. For me, I'm getting something that's priceless whenever I go. I just understand the other side of the opinions that the cost of going is increasing exponentially over the ability of many people to go.

I think that was the point someone was trying to make, that since Disney is charging so much with no regard to the cost of living, people should expect the extras from Disney.

Honestly, it was more meaningful when I was surprised with towel animals (for example!!!!!!) than when I started to get them every night.

Confession: I started to get into the "I want all the surprise magical extras" mode, until I realized it wasn't magic anymore, just dime a dozen stuff. I've definitely changed my tune and went back to being more appreciative of when Disney does something extra by surprise. And when I don't get it, it's ok because there's always something special happening each trip, even if it's a great conversation with a CM or seeing the children's parade at AKL!

 

[DisneyMomx7]

Nah, we just don't have a life.

So true!

 

[vicki_c]

And no, I've never asked if my kids could get in front of anyone at the parade, either. Really. We go early enough to get a good view, or else we deal with what we have. But that is a topic for a whole 'nother thread!

 

[MOUSELOVER171]

I agree with you as well! It seems as if everyone is on the pity train. They MAY be able to afford to go on vacation in a standard view room, which is probably not up to the standards that they are used to... and so starts the "I want an upgrade" speech. Grrrrrrrrr!

Disney in itself is one of the most magical places I've ever had the fortune of visiting (and puchasing a teeny tiny portion known as DVC... lol)! It shouldn't be about upgrades... it should be about relaxing, spending time with your family and taking in everything all around you!

 

[rudetreehill]

After 125 posts, it's fairly clear that there are two completely different conversations going on here. One is with regard to people who EXPECT extras because Disney is charging them an arm and a leg. The other is people who ASK for extras and hope they get them.

The first group are the people who have a sense of entitlement. They believe they deserve more than they bought. They say, "You got a whole lotta my money, and dang it, I want more! More everything! Bring me towel animals in the shape of porcupines and an upgrade from my standard room to one with a balcony overlooking Epcot AND Animal Kingdom!"

The second group say, "Hey, I booked a trip to Disney. I bought what I could afford. Geez, it'd be swell if I got more. I'll ask about the possibility of getting an upgrade when I check in. If I get it, sweeeet!"

Generally speaking, the first group will never, ever see themselves as "entitled." Those who feel that way rarely do. Thus, the whole entitled thing. The entitled tend to make excuses for their behavior, whether at Disney or anywhere else in life. They feel that, for whatever reason, they are owed. Whole political parties spring up around that theory, so of course, it's going to happen at Disney.

PS: The whole "Hmmm... maybe those who think we don't deserve upgrades are Disney employees!" argument? Yup, that's typical paranoid entitlement behavior. Feeds into their ability to rationalize. I spent a lifetime observing this type of behavior and even wrote a book on it, so yeah, I'll even go so far as to dub myself an expert on the topic. LOL (I have to, cause nobody else will!)

 

[flicx]

First of all I don't expect anything free and have never once on any trip asked for an upgrade of any type.I do however understand people when they try to get these upgrades,disney has no problem upgrading there prices year in and year out. Let me use a quote that I think sums up my position"Disneyland is a work of love.We didn't go into Disneyland with just the idea of making money." Now I believe you can plug disneyworld into that statement toh by the way a man named Walt Disney said this years ago,seems the company lost sight of this ideal to me!

 

[mistysue]

Last year I did ask a woman to let my daughter stand in front of her at a parade. Why? We got there early and waited for a good spot. She came along as the parade was starting and pushed her granddaughter up to the front. Then, as it went on, she pushed herself in front of my 6 year old and kept moving around dancing all over so you couldn't even lean to one side to see around... she was bopping around like a puppet on a string. It was insane... funny and infuriating at the same time.

 

[TiaMaria]

Wanted to show that I am not crazy and just ranting here so i just looked up some prices from 1985 milk 2.26 a gal/now 3.17, postage 22cents/now 44 cents(soon), eggs .80 cents dz/now1.17 a dz, gas 1.20 a gal/ now2.79 gal.I have already shown disney prices so no need to be repeating I don't see any of these things that are up 300% to 700%.I don't condone alot of the things people are doing such as keeping refillable mugs etc.However I can hardly blame people for expecting more from a company that has drastically increased their prices and expect alot more cash for the same services!So is disney really any better than these people ?

When one owns their own business, one can be free to set any price point they want - and if one doesn't want to raise the prices for 30 years, one can go right on ahead and knock themselves out.

No one has the right to scheme to get around the prices unless a discount or complimentary upgrade or CL lounge invite is given. Otherwise that is called STEALING. One can dress it up anyway one wants, but it is stealing. And when prices keep going up or discounts are not offered as frequently, one can place partial blame on ones own self for contributing to that situation.

If it's not one's own business, one has the choice to patronize it or not - period.

JMO - of course!

 

[TiaMaria]

Well said, and has anyone noticed that many of the people objecting to guests requesting upgrades, etc, have an unusually large number of posts, so I wonder . . . . . could they possibly be working for Disney?!

I don't think anyone here thinks asking for or getting an upgrade is wrong - what is wrong - and what the OP was saying in the original post - is the way some people handle it (or don't, lol) when they are denied. Pitching a fit, or complaining or ranting or filling out a survey with bad marks is not adult or fair.

I say - ask away! You never know - the answer might be "yes"! But if the answer is "no" or comes with any upgrade price - accept that and move on.

Nope - I don't have lots of posts OR work for Disney, I"m just a normal hardworking person who understands that Disney is not a charity (although they do many charitable works). I understand that they are a business - who's job it is to MAKE A PROFIT for their shareholders (of which I am one).

And they are very, very good at it.

 

[flicx]

When one owns their own business, one can be free to set any price point they want - and if one doesn't want to raise the prices for 30 years, one can go right on ahead and knock themselves out.

No one has the right to scheme to get around the prices unless a discount or complimentary upgrade or CL lounge invite is given. Otherwise that is called STEALING. One can dress it up anyway one wants, but it is stealing. And when prices keep going up or discounts are not offered as frequently, one can place partial blame on ones own self for contributing to that situation.

If it's not one's own business, one has the choice to patronize it or not - period.

JMO - of course!

I don't condone the behavior you are referring to.I have said this repeatedly. I happen to think and believe that I have shown disney has raised prices above reason.I really don't appreciate you posting my quote with this type of behavior.Simply because I understand why a person could feel that they should get extra you lump me in with this WOW!

 

[Luvmepluto]

I am not quite sure why people want an upgrade......well, I do and I don't. Our family is never in the room. All we do is sleep and get ready for the next day. Maybe I just don't see the need in wanting or expecting an upgrade.

 

[steph73]

Maybe I missed it, but I haven't seen posts with people moaning and complaining that their trip was ruined because they didn't get a free upgrade.

Maybe they exist, I dunno. Link to the posts if they do. But to me, this seems like one of those hypothetical, imagined situations to get all indignent over. A common occurance on most message boards, actually.

 

[Lil' Grumpy]

wow ....look @ all the rationalizations?!

oh, not that is completely wrong ....we all do it. but most often
we see it when the person is struggling with their value system
& wanting to change reality.

...my point of view is coming from work. fyi, i used to be all
medical, and never wanted or expected to ever work in mental
health. fate can change one's direction.

now the curious thing, i never expected & would have even told
"you was crazy" [pun}, but the truth is , having to learn this knowledge
have given me more insights and a better life across the spectrum.

it is unbelievable how it can work the magic, even when your not @ disney.


the problems people run into difficulties are when some of the principles
can be negative & positive @ the same times. conflicts are sure to
follow.

one example is "attention-seeking behaviors." yes, if you climb out
on the ledge, after drinking , hollering & such will get you noticed.
negative. it is much better if one accomplished a graduation or
do something to help others. positive , [ psst, helping others is a
sign of recovery from one's own lil'trouble.]

mental health principles have been around for a very long time.
the thing is, they were passed on by grandparents to their
children & the family unit. "it is best to have character then to be one".
& to a certain point, the old dick & jane readers- i remember thinking
we were going to have problems when they took away those wonderful
readers. [ some things don't need to be "advanced" to have true values.]


i could be wrong, & can only speak from our experiences, but the
real disney magic can't be made, because it depends on inspiring
a cast member. it reminds me of trying to make someone fall in
love with you. it is going to fall short in the feelings, even if you
obtain the perk or toy.

the #1 lesson we have try try pass on the thing we feel is most
important in life. finding someone to share your life with. [ do
you know?, the way to tell if you are in truly in love?, can be found
in the bible? maybe not prefect, but the best idea i ever read or
seen. something worth repeating. it sure worked for us. ]


our 99 trip changed my opinion of doing disney forever. it came from a
little girl as we rode back to the wildness lodge. her mother asked if
she could sit by our daughter. she was 5 years old & this little girl
was between 2/3 y/o. @ first , we didn't know why until her
mother explained that her daughter thought our little one was the
" real ariel". she was so excited to be sitting by sides her, looking
up with her awe. our daughter had no idea. but the magic that
little girl gave us [ parents] will always be my favorite disney
treasure.

 

[DisGirl23]

I don't think anyone here thinks asking for or getting an upgrade is wrong - what is wrong - and what the OP was saying in the original post - is the way some people handle it (or don't, lol) when they are denied. Pitching a fit, or complaining or ranting or filling out a survey with bad marks is not adult or fair.

Brings new meaning to the "everyone is a kid in Disney World" concept.

As for the PPs who commented on the Disney being the Neiman Marcus of theme parks. They already are. And quite honestly, I'm okay with that. I expect better quality, service and experiences from Neiman Marcus than say, Kohl's. I expect better quality, service and experiences from Disney than my local Holiday Inn and Six Flags amusement park. And whether I'm in a standard value room or an AKL Savannah view room, I still feel the quality, service and experience.

 

[RMulieri]

Do you ever fly commercial airlines? If so, there are pepl on the flight that paid a ton less than you did for your seat as well as some who paid a bunch more for it. Getting a free upgrade at hotels is commonplace in the industry. These boards are the only place where people think it is wrong. To me it is no different than requesting a specific room. You pay for a certain room in a certain category and that's all your money entitles you to. But people on these boards spend all kinds of time and energy trying to get that exact perfect room location. So why is than any different? I'll say the same thing that said on the thread that this poster mentioned: I have requested and been upgraded for free numerous times at WDW. I have also not been upgraded as many times. The key is I am happy with what I book, but if there is something better available why not go for it? As far as pool hooping and such, that is against the rules and it should get you kicked off property. The difference is there is no rule against getting an upgrade.

I have NO problem with people asking for upgrades..BUT if they aren't handed to you( not you directly) freely, pixie dust-like, then I expect you to move on and accept it.Not stand there at the desk for 20 mins backing up the line , ranting and raving like a lunatic, and sadly I have witnessed this behavior MANY times in my trips to WDW.

 

[mrbghd]

I have NO problem with people asking for upgrades..BUT if they aren't handed to you( not you directly) freely, pixie dust-like, then I expect you to move on and accept it.Not stand there at the desk for 20 mins backing up the line , ranting and raving like a lunatic, and sadly I have witnessed this behavior MANY times in my trips to WDW.

This is a valid point! Those people are the ones that have that sense of entitlement that was talked about a ton in this thread. they need to be bpped in the head with a towel animal. I have found that if you cannot get "hooked up" in 2 minutes it is not going to happen. Like I said before ask but treat the desk staff the same way n matter what the answer.

 

[bluejasmine]

I dont see any harm in wishing for a little extra sometimes, I think everyone is being quite harsh. I mean its WDW where magic happens you know?

It would be different for ppl who are purposely cheap and expect something better but in todays economy its really tough so maybe alot of ppl cant afford those extras they wish for.

I have known ppl who were the want everything for nothing type and Im sure WDW attracts those but I dont believe everyone on DIS posting threads on how to get an upgrade or a bday cupcake is that way.

It is a little dissapointing to always read how some ppl get amazing upgrades and after 12 trips I can tell you we have had none, not even a special cupcake on our honeymoon but I am thrilled to be able to have another trip planned for Sept and even more thrilled that we were fortunate to be able to book the Poly for that trip but...

I see nothing wrong with hoping for pixie dust..

 

[MastaMind]

I cannot speak for others but I have NO sense of entitlement when it comes to free upgrades. I treat the desk staff the same whether they are able to upgrade me or not. Also, if I do not get an upgrade it is okay and it does not impact my trip at all. My question for those who complain about a sense of entitlement is this: have you ever asked someone to let your child stand in front of them at a parade/ show/fireworks because they could not see? If so, you feel they are entitled to that. If you have done that, you have no right to complain about anyone having a sense of entitlement. BTW vicki, my wife is like you, she is uncomfortable asking for free stuff but she has seen me in action as well as the response that I usually get and she is coming around.

No, I will hold my daughter or put her on my shoulders. It's my responsibility to provide for her, and I do not expect someone else to give up something that they have earned/obtained for themselves.

We have a massive sense of entitlement issue in America. The sooner it's addressed, the sooner it can be corrected.