Worst Trip Ever -- HATE the changes!

[redrosesix]

This is normal on the dis board. If you have a positive experience with FP you also get condescending remarks. I think you should let the other side of FP know that also.
I hope the op is able to let Disney know of her troubles. Hopefully her issues will help someone in the future.
I am pro FP, but also see changes need to be made. Hopefully we will see some changes soon. I would not hold my breath for the old ways, as I believe those are gone.

Tbh, I feel like if we don't accept that FP and MBs sometimes don't work, we'll never fix the issues they're having. Our first set of MBs worked ok -- my DDs worked great (she only had to hover, and it even worked through her sweater). Second set, not so much. Nearly every time DD tried to get through a turnstile or FP scanner it wasn't working and she had to go to the IPad CM. Sometimes it didn't scan, and sometimes she had to re-set her fingerprint. The CMs told us this was normal -- they don't all work well, and sometimes they don't work at all. Too bad none of the CMs told us she could have used her other MB. It wasn't the park -- it was the MB since the 2 sets were only a week apart.

I just don't like that the FP issue seems to bring out the worst in posters -- and I just don't get it.

 

[Tigerlulu]

That being said, I am really disturbed by the nasty trend that is happening here. Why must people be so mean? Do you feel good about yourself at the end of the day that you cyber-crushed someone? Do you get some weird pleasure from it? Get off your Disney high-horse and act like a polite adult!

It's really very disturbing.

 

[tazadd0420]

Tbh, I feel like if we don't accept that FP and MBs sometimes don't work, we'll never fix the issues they're having. Our first set of MBs worked ok -- my DDs worked great (she only had to hover, and it even worked through her sweater). Second set, not so much. Nearly every time DD tried to get through a turnstile or FP scanner it wasn't working. Sometimes it didn't scan, and sometimes she had to re-set her fingerprint. The CMs told us this was normal -- they don't all work well, and sometimes they don't work at all.

I just don't like that the FP issue seems to bring out the worst in posters -- and I just don't get it.

I agree. That is why I said there are still items to be worked out and Disney should know about these. In this regard I think we are saying the same thing.
I have also seen on this board people get blasted because they like FP. I think we also agree in this area overall.
I like the good and negative posts on FP. I have learned a lot on what to do and areas improvement can made.
Seems the worst area is Mk. Disney has got to get this figured out. I have seen great reviews on FP+ from the other 3 parks.

 

[tazadd0420]

First, for the OP - so sorry that your trip was certainly less than magical. It can be so disappointing to plan, look forward to, and spend a good deal of money on a trip that does not go well. One of the reasons for this board is for people to give their honest feelings regarding their experience. That being said, I am really disturbed by the nasty trend that is happening here. Why must people be so mean? Do you feel good about yourself at the end of the day that you cyber-crushed someone? Do you get some weird pleasure from it? Get off your Disney high-horse and act like a polite adult!

Did you not just do the same thing?

 

[mousehockey37]

One of the reasons for this board is for people to give their honest feelings regarding their experience. That being said, I am really disturbed by the nasty trend that is happening here. Why must people be so mean? Do you feel good about yourself at the end of the day that you cyber-crushed someone? Do you get some weird pleasure from it? Get off your Disney high-horse and act like a polite adult!

You just contradicted yourself. You say that this board is for people to give their honest feelings. Well, people are doing that and since it's not the response you want to hear, it's automatically considered mean?

I've seen threads that are far worse than this one.

Yes, the OP had a bad experience. The way that they have set up their story seems to think they want sympathy from the readers, unfortunately, there are those out there that are going to see the other side and they have voiced their honest feelings about what the OP said.

As I stated in an earlier post, what the OP as well as every other person who's having less than memorable times should be doing is constructing well written and thought out emails and sending them to the Disney brass. Coming here will obviously show us the issues, but doing the latter will be what hopefully gets something done.

 

[rteetz]

I hate to be a party pooper but based on your post it seems besides crowds (and again, its Disney World, not 6 Flags Great Adventure) most of your issues were with your party, not the company. Do you not have a smart phone? All (no offense) non flip phones have easy email access and all rooms (if you were staying on site, and I would say most if not all Orlando hotels) offer free wifi so the ability to check email (even if you don't, doing it through your cell carrier isn't that expensive) to check for an email doesn't seem so outlandish. And as for the rules, you should always check online or sites like this to see what has changed, lots of things change or rides are closed or things are under construction all year long. Someone with a disability, tough, very hard, I understand that, but if they are in a wheelchair or a scooter or are unable to move themselves, nobody can push and hold the wheelchair? They also have break/locks so that when you aren't moving they don't roll. And for your kids who refused to wear their arm bands, aren't you their parent? Don't you have any control? You paid for their Disney vacation, the least they can do is wear what is basically a watch. It just seems as though you wanted the perfect experience, and didn't do your research, again I am not trying to be an *** or anything, but to consider never going to Disney again because your kids wouldn't wear their bands (do they not hold their phones or keys or anything on their own?) and that there were crowds and that you were with a handicapped person makes it seem like you just didn't plan on something happening, which is silly when everyone in the world wants to go to Disney 12 months a year

I have to agree with you. I think the OP went in without some previous research and was expecting to much.

 

[redrosesix]

I agree. That is why I said there are still items to be worked out and Disney should know about these. In this regard I think we are saying the same thing.
I have also seen on this board people get blasted because they like FP. I think we also agree in this area overall.
I like the good and negative posts on FP. I have learned a lot on what to do and areas improvement can made.
Seems the worst area is Mk. Disney has got to get this figured out. I have seen great reviews on FP+ from the other 3 parks.

I think we agree too. But we're sort of still on the fence about FP+, and that's probably because the system isn't working well. I like the concept, but I hate being tied down to 3 windows per day, which is what you have if you can't change on the fly. And if you have those 3 set, you pretty much are scheduled into the rides between them too. Just not my style at all -- I live like that day to day and I don't want to do it on vacation too.

Yup - MK -- which is weird because there is no tiering. For me the biggest issue with MK was the wifi -- no way to change FPs if you realized you didn't need it. And I have a great phone -- I can even submit work reports on my phone. It was so slow and the app took so long to make changes -- and then it would drop before you completed the change.

Come to think of it, it's where we had the most problems with the scanners too.

 

[jcano]

Did you not usually have to Guest Services for a GAC in previous years? How is the DAS any different?

 

[mousehockey37]

Did you not usually have to Guest Services for a GAC in previous years? How is the DAS any different?

Here ya go: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3178976&highlight=gac+changes

 

[rteetz]

My children are 2, 4, and 7. No, they do not hold their own phones or cameras, nor do they wear watches. Yes, I could make them wear their wristbands, but then I would also run the risk of them ripping them off and throwing them out of the stroller without my noticing, and then where would we be? I don't even know why my two year old HAD a wristband. The second day after realizing it was completely unnecessary we stopped wearing hers. My problem WAS with the company. It was with changed rules with no way of notifying guests. Would it really have been so difficult for ANY of the cast members at ANY of the rides where we asked for assistance with how to board the ride given her handicap to have TOLD her she could go to the front and get a card? My other big problem was with losing an hour waiting at guest relations for a problem that we were assured TWICE prior to going that our magicbands were all set and ready to go and we would have no problems. That was an important hour for missing lines. And my problem was with lines being long, which I have never seen this time of the year before, which makes me think the new way of doing fastpass must be contributing to lengthier standby lines. It really didn't seem that much more crowded in the park than in years past -- just the lines. Yes, of course someone could push my friend in a wheelchair. My 2 year old helped. My 7 year old helped. I have three small children to keep track of in line, the youngest who usually needs held to keep her nearby. I can't hold a two year old in one arm, hold a four year old's hand in the other, and push a wheelchair at the same time. We did the best we could, but it certainly wasn't easy. And under the old policy, it wasn't necessary. Yes, I do have a smart phone. I tried endlessly to change fastpasses using my smart phone while at Disney World holding onto my three children and pushing a wheelchair. Again, as I said, Disney's site is clunky, loads very slowly, and requires going through page after page after page to accomplish anything. And while I could check my email using my phone -- no, I don't make it a habit of checking my email while taking care of three little ones and navigating a busy theme park. I went a year ago with the same three children, a year younger so even more difficult to deal with, and the same handicapped person, and did have a perfect experience, so it wasn't like I set my sights too high or that the problem was with my family. Disney has changed everything, and my personal experience is that they've ruined a great thing.

you do have the option to request cards still instead of bands. Also a little research would have cleared up some the the changes very easily especially on these very boards there is so much information and plenty of people willing to help. I know Disney time is precious but glitches happen and I don't think an hour with guest relations is world ending. If you have a smart phone don't you have the app to use for the FP? It has been working very well for people as of late. All of the questions with FP could have been answered right here on the dis boards there are multiple info threads. The only things that have changed is your ticket media and FP so Disney has not changed everything they did tweak the handicap program because it was being abused also something that could have been found here on the boards or on other Disney sites.

 

[rteetz]

Well, you are a party pooper. While we were there wifi worked great everywhere but wdw. It has been a big issue the last couple of weeks, so no, you wouldn't get an email while in the parks if you had a smart phone. And CMs don't give you special FPs if the ride is broken down until they know it's not going to come back up -- they tell you to come back. That's what we were told when they closed off part of new FL to test the new coaster. But we didn't -- we just didn't use that FP at all. Btw, the OP said they go at the same time every year and they also confirmed their MDE plans in advance by phone. I'm not sure there's more that can be asked of a guest -- and there shouldn't be. I don't even like the idea that all guests should be required to have a smart phone, especially with the wifi down or dropping often. As somebody coming from outside the US do you really expect me to use data just to change a FP? That would add hundreds of dollars to the cost of my trip. Sorry if I sound a bit critical, but I think your post was pretty nasty. Their experience was their experience. I'm not sure why people feel they have to defend Disney so vehemently that they want to put other posters down.

all guests are not required to have a smart phone. That is why Disney has set up a bunch of kiosks throughout the park. Also wifi has been working for a lot of people they did just upgrade their system. The ride breaking down is an unfortunate situation I'm sure that will change the system is still in testing don't forget also don't expect everything to be perfect when Disney still is testing the system. Kiosks with helpful CMs are where most guests make FP reservations and changes.

 

[mousehockey37]

all guests are not required to have a smart phone. That is why Disney has set up a bunch of kiosks throughout the park. Also wifi has been working for a lot of people they did just upgrade their system. The ride breaking down is an unfortunate situation I'm sure that will change the system is still in testing don't forget also don't expect everything to be perfect when Disney still is testing the system. Kiosks with helpful CMs are where most guests make FP reservations and changes.

Through any and all difficulties endured, the OP, along with everyone else that is able to be at WDW should be happy for the fact that they are/were there.

I'd love to be there right now, even if just walking around all day to get away from this cold up here in the north, lol, and I'm sure I'm not the only one who feels this way.

 

[TwizzleMouse]

Through any and all difficulties endured, the OP, along with everyone else that is able to be at WDW should be happy for the fact that they are/were there.

I'd love to be there right now, even if just walking around all day to get away from this cold up here in the north, lol, and I'm sure I'm not the only one who feels this way.

I second that!

 

[redrosesix]

you do have the option to request cards still instead of bands. Also a little research would have cleared up some the the changes very easily especially on these very boards there is so much information and plenty of people willing to help. I know Disney time is precious but glitches happen and I don't think an hour with guest relations is world ending. If you have a smart phone don't you have the app to use for the FP? It has been working very well for people as of late. All of the questions with FP could have been answered right here on the dis boards there are multiple info threads. The only things that have changed is your ticket media and FP so Disney has not changed everything they did tweak the handicap program because it was being abused also something that could have been found here on the boards or on other Disney sites.

Nope - no cards anymore, not at our resort anyways because I did ask for a card. And no, I don't think the app ie. the wifi in the parks has been working well lately. Our experience was similar to other people we met at our resort, in the parks, and even at Golden Corral (you know there's an issue when 4 tables are discussing FP issues at Golden Corral).

That being said, you shouldn't really have to be a member of Dis or even look at the boards to get through your vacation. It should be simple enough and working well enough that even first timers who have never heard of the Dis can have a great vacation. If you had a crappy first vacation at WDW would you have ever gone back? Would you have cared enough about WDW to join the Dis?

I have noticed that they have made a lot of changes at MK that make the park less accessible. For example, moving the drop-off bus stops so far away and that whole down and uphill thing to get to the bag check -- obviously not designed by anybody who has ever been in a wheelchair. If I had to do it I'd be exhausted by the time I got to the turnstiles. And we need to remember that every person in a wheelchair is not a paraplegic capable of playing wheelchair basketball -- people use them for different reasons and many people don't have sufficient arm strength to keep up with people, like yourself, who can walk. I'm not happy with the changes from GAC to DAS because I don't think it recognizes the limitations that people actually have -- people have to struggle daily with disabilities. And getting through queues etc is much harder than what many people could cope with on a daily basis. It's just asking too much.

They say "walk in another person's shoes for a day" -- I'd like to see people try to wheel in another person's chair for a day.

 

[rteetz]

Through any and all difficulties endured, the OP, along with everyone else that is able to be at WDW should be happy for the fact that they are/were there. I'd love to be there right now, even if just walking around all day to get away from this cold up here in the north, lol, and I'm sure I'm not the only one who feels this way.

I agree with you but difficulties do happen so I do understand where the OP is coming from. I like to think a bad day in Disney is better than a good day at work or in school.

 

[mousehockey37]

They say "walk in another person's shoes for a day" -- I'd like to see people try to wheel in another person's chair for a day.

And we just talked about how people are being mean and that it's getting out of control too much?

 

[rteetz]

Nope - no cards anymore, not at our resort anyways because I did ask for a card. And no, I don't think the app ie. the wifi in the parks has been working well lately. Our experience was similar to other people we met at our resort, in the parks, and even at Golden Corral (you know there's an issue when 4 tables are discussing FP issues at Golden Corral). That being said, you shouldn't really have to be a member of Dis or even look at the boards to get through your vacation. It should be simple enough and working well enough that even first timers who have never heard of the Dis can have a great vacation. If you had a crappy first vacation at WDW would you have ever gone back? Would you have cared enough about WDW to join the Dis? I have noticed that they have made a lot of changes at MK that make the park less accessible. For example, moving the drop-off bus stops so far away and that whole down and uphill thing to get to the bag check -- obviously not designed by anybody who has ever been in a wheelchair. If I had to do it I'd be exhausted by the time I got to the turnstiles. And we need to remember that every person in a wheelchair is not a paraplegic capable of playing wheelchair basketball -- people use them for different reasons and many people don't have sufficient arm strength to keep up with people, like yourself, who can walk. I'm not happy with the changes from GAC to DAS because I don't think it recognizes the limitations that people actually have -- people have to struggle daily with disabilities. And getting through queues etc is much harder than what many people could cope with on a daily basis. It's just asking too much. They say "walk in another person's shoes for a day" -- I'd like to see people try to wheel in another person's chair for a day.

that's odd because everyone other than you has been able to request a card. I do know that Magic bands are the default but you should still be able to get a card. I also know that they have been working on improving the wifi with the new contract with AT&T. Not everyone is having FP issues and the new system isn't complete yet it's still in testing it's not going to be perfect you shouldn't expect that. I know you don't have to be a dis member also but to look up the new DAS system or what the details are on FP is not difficult to do and being a member of the dis should help you even more. My first trip to wdw was when I was a baby and I don't remember it and I kept going back with my family because that was our vacation so I didn't have much choice in the matter. They had just recently expanded the bus stops to make it easier and the park is very large so whether your in a wheel chair or on feet your going to be moving around a lot. The changes with GAC were because people were abusing the system and it was getting national attention Disney had to do something I know it's unfortunate.

 

[RunningGirl]

you do have the option to request cards still instead of bands. Also a little research would have cleared up some the the changes very easily especially on these very boards there is so much information and plenty of people willing to help. I know Disney time is precious but glitches happen and I don't think an hour with guest relations is world ending. If you have a smart phone don't you have the app to use for the FP? It has been working very well for people as of late. All of the questions with FP could have been answered right here on the dis boards there are multiple info threads. The only things that have changed is your ticket media and FP so Disney has not changed everything they did tweak the handicap program because it was being abused also something that could have been found here on the boards or on other Disney sites.

Easy to say, until you get to a park for EMH and spend the whole time in guest services, missing out on that benefit. There's just no way it should take as long as it does to resolve issues.

 

[AmyBWV99]

I have 4 kids 2 with special needs and just as I check with FAA rules regarding flying/security online I did check wdws rules about their accommodations for my 2 boys. You can never assume things will stay the same and where my 3 year old is concerned I NEED to know what to expect.

He never had a band when we went in December (turned 3 in January) I don't get issuing them to children under 3.

We had a host of band issues before we left with DVC and linking it was a few marathon phone calls, they are no where near smooth in operation.

We do have iPhones and had zero issues with changing FP+s or dining midday while there to not have a smart is a choice but you have to choose to circumnavigate the parks in a different way than wdws trend. I thought is was WONDERFUL to Change a FP from my phone with my 1. Year old on my hip rather than the parental dash to get them for an attraction while I wrangle the young uns alone.

I think while the Bands are an issue you have to assume some responsibility in lack of planning for your bad time.

 

[rteetz]

Easy to say, until you get to a park for EMH and spend the whole time in guest services, missing out on that benefit. There's just no way it should take as long as it does to resolve issues.

now that I agree with. If your there for EMH and had to wait in guest services for an hour or more I would not be a happy camper.