Wow...Outrage over Stroller Rental Price Increase...What's that About?

[Momto4boys]

Takes all kinds doesn't it?

My 2 1/2 year old that we took in Nov keeps asking to go back to Disney every day. He is now a total Disney nut. Watching him at the parks made our whole trip just that much more fun. He may not remember in the long run but he still remembers 5 months later and those are still fantastic memories

 

[WDWBetsy]

I heard Pete's rant today and usually love them, but the stroller issues just doesn't justify these emotions.

My wife and I went to DW on our honeymoon 11 years ago. 4 years ago I took 100 HS students and performed at Downtown Disney. Last summer, my wife and I took our two children (5 and 7) and 4 other family members. This year I take 150 students and perform at Downtown Disney again. Every time we've gone I am outraged at parents. There is no reason for an infant to be lugged around Disney World! If you live near there or are stopping in as part of a trip etc. fine, but the level of poor parenting or lazy parenting at DW is insane. My personal hope is that families with young children (under 5) will reconsider going. They should not be lugging children around the parks for hours on end. That doesn't mean they shouldn't be allowed, but I see these huge groups with babies, or toddlers who won't remember the trip, who are getting nothing out of it, who shouldn't be there.

I'm all for families and know that every circumstance is different, but frankly the stroller parking lots outside ride after ride is ridiculous. We took our self-sufficient children (meaning they could walk as we needed too for the trip) and our backpack of supplies and we don't inconvenience anyone on our visit to the magic kingdom. Our memories are vivid. Our kids loved it. And hopefully Disney's new prices will make some of those crazy families dragging crying children, tired children, sunburned children through the parks for their benefit and not their kids to think twice.

Absolutely love the show and love these boards! Great work everyone!

Sorry to crush your hopes, but we will be taking our 2-year-old daughter on her first Disney World trip this summer. I don't plan on inconveniencing anyone with our personal stroller when its parked outside attractions, and I will certainly apply plenty of sunscreen and make sure she's hydrated. If she's tired and cranky, we'll go back to our room for a nap.

Your opinion on what a child remembers at a young age is simply that - your opinion. Usually I hear this from people who ask, "You're going to Disney World AGAIN?"

As previous posters have shared when responding to your post, many children DO remember vacations and other life events that many will discount as a waste of time, effort and money. I certainly remember family trips when I was young. I can't count the number of giggles, smiles, and wide-eyed looks of amazement I've witnessed at Disney World - from people of all ages. Heck, I might not remember our trip when I'm 80, but that doesn't mean I didn't enjoy it while I was there!

I hope your school trip with 150+ students is very magical and well-chaperoned so that the kids have a great time without getting into trouble. And if my daughter decides to throw a tantrum, I hope it happens when she's next to someone like you! (I kid, I kid!)

 

[tydna]

I emailed.

 

[rotlex]

Just wanted to say thanks to all that responded to Dscott's post so "properly". It saved me the possibility of getting, well, banned for inappropriate response.

 

[tydna]

Heard Pete's Podcast rant & I LOVED IT!!!!

I too sent my email to Disney, have no idea if they care or not, but I had to have my voice heard, even if I was just talking to myself!!

keep sending those emails.

Which episode was this???

I emailed last night! Ugh...

 

[LilGMom]

Which episode was this???

I emailed last night! Ugh...

Check Tuesday's show, April 8th. It is in the Rapid Fire right around 14:43 into the show.

 

[CamAnd]

BTW, you know who really ticks me off when I am at WDW, the inconsiderate jerks who carry around backpacks of supplies because they are too cheap to buy refreshments and food from the parks. These same creeps with backpacks of supplies usually end up bumping or hitting other people as they are walking and waiting in line.

.

LOL!!!

 

[dpuck1998]

I heard Pete's rant today and usually love them, but the stroller issues just doesn't justify these emotions.

My wife and I went to DW on our honeymoon 11 years ago. 4 years ago I took 100 HS students and performed at Downtown Disney. Last summer, my wife and I took our two children (5 and 7) and 4 other family members. This year I take 150 students and perform at Downtown Disney again. Every time we've gone I am outraged at parents. There is no reason for an infant to be lugged around Disney World! If you live near there or are stopping in as part of a trip etc. fine, but the level of poor parenting or lazy parenting at DW is insane. My personal hope is that families with young children (under 5) will reconsider going. They should not be lugging children around the parks for hours on end. That doesn't mean they shouldn't be allowed, but I see these huge groups with babies, or toddlers who won't remember the trip, who are getting nothing out of it, who shouldn't be there.

I'm all for families and know that every circumstance is different, but frankly the stroller parking lots outside ride after ride is ridiculous. We took our self-sufficient children (meaning they could walk as we needed too for the trip) and our backpack of supplies and we don't inconvenience anyone on our visit to the magic kingdom. Our memories are vivid. Our kids loved it. And hopefully Disney's new prices will make some of those crazy families dragging crying children, tired children, sunburned children through the parks for their benefit and not their kids to think twice.

Absolutely love the show and love these boards! Great work everyone!

It saddens me that your from the same area as me...not all michiganders are like this!!

 

[Stroller Boy]

For some reason I think there is a village missing one person somewhere.

 

[kmk1180]

I heard Pete's rant today and usually love them, but the stroller issues just doesn't justify these emotions.

My wife and I went to DW on our honeymoon 11 years ago. 4 years ago I took 100 HS students and performed at Downtown Disney. Last summer, my wife and I took our two children (5 and 7) and 4 other family members. This year I take 150 students and perform at Downtown Disney again. Every time we've gone I am outraged at parents. There is no reason for an infant to be lugged around Disney World! If you live near there or are stopping in as part of a trip etc. fine, but the level of poor parenting or lazy parenting at DW is insane. My personal hope is that families with young children (under 5) will reconsider going. They should not be lugging children around the parks for hours on end. That doesn't mean they shouldn't be allowed, but I see these huge groups with babies, or toddlers who won't remember the trip, who are getting nothing out of it, who shouldn't be there.

I'm all for families and know that every circumstance is different, but frankly the stroller parking lots outside ride after ride is ridiculous. We took our self-sufficient children (meaning they could walk as we needed too for the trip) and our backpack of supplies and we don't inconvenience anyone on our visit to the magic kingdom. Our memories are vivid. Our kids loved it. And hopefully Disney's new prices will make some of those crazy families dragging crying children, tired children, sunburned children through the parks for their benefit and not their kids to think twice.

Absolutely love the show and love these boards! Great work everyone!

So if you don't think those of us who have kids under 5 shouldn't take them to WDW, where do you suggest we take them where they will have fun.
Las Vegas?
How about a nice quiet art museum?

Or maybe we should just not be allowed to go on vacation for 5 years, or up to 10 because you know some of us have 2 or 3 kids a couple years apart in age. Ya that's it, ban families from taking vacations (would be great for the economy I bet)


And by the way I'm fine with the price increase of the strollers, too many parents push kids way too old around the park instead of walking is what causes the problem. The less strollers the better. They should only be for the very parents your complaining about.

 

[crazykids]

I just emailed them my complaint!

I have 3 small children & I probably could extend my stay an extra week for what it would cost me in stroller rental fees! Even though it will be inconvenient, for now on, we will bring our own!

 

[sconnell]

Just when you thought it couldn't get any more outrageous...

Here's the webpage that was referenced in that thread, for anyone who wants to read it:
http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wd...ail?id=GuestServicesStrollerRentalsDetailPage

Oh heck no! There is no way we'll be renting strollers from them again if they don't change this! Take the train from the back of MK or return my stroller for $100... Hmmm...
Do you think stroller "theft" will be up? (people just taking them and using them- Not just Disney's strollers, but personal?) I know there are lots of people who do not have credit cards (or even if they do) who will just "find" one.
AND We all know how hard it is to find your ONE stroller in the sea of them and the panic when it's been moved? It was there before, but now with $100 on the line?
I can't even begin to think of all of the ramifications of this...

ETA: Ok, nevermind. The $100 is just for DTD. Whew...

 

[JB2K]

BTW, you know who really ticks me off when I am at WDW, the inconsiderate jerks who carry around backpacks of supplies because they are too cheap to buy refreshments and food from the parks. These same creeps with backpacks of supplies usually end up bumping or hitting other people as they are walking and waiting in line.

My personal hope is that these people reconsider going so not to interfere with those who do not carry backpacks full of supplies.

Then you would have really been ticked-off at me -- I was the guy who recently brought the oversized 3-wheel stroller aboard the Disney transport bus (there was no way I was going to subject my toddler to those hard plastic things they call "strollers" for 10 bucks a day -- now that the rates have increased, I am sure there will be more like-minded people thinking the same thing).

Whether or not your statement was intended to be sarcastic, your "cheap" comment had no merit -- I am all for anyone who can (legally) beat the "money drain system" otherwise known as WDW.

On the other hand, if the WDC can honestly justify any price increases, that's fine with me, too.

You need to realize that most of the "backpacking" crowd you're speaking of are probably making their first (and last) trip to WDW -- I say "last" because many families can afford to do this sort of thing only once in their lifetime.

As for dscott1996, he did bring-up a couple of points from his past experiences, but those who disagreed had to turn-on their flame-throwers -- really classy stuff...

 

[mikkiwikki]

I just read through the past 11 pages of posts.

Here is what I believe. A moment of perspective taking is in order. Is this something to get 'outraged' about? I love the saying "Some people dont know the difference between a lump in your throat and a lump in your breast." This is not something to get 'outraged' about IMHO. Tiffed *maybe* - but CMON....95% of the population would do anything to go to Disney World just *once*- and would give anything ...to have such *problems* as worrying about a $$ increase in stroller rentals.

Before I get flamed - I'm not trying to be patronizing or condescending..Juuuuuust trying to put things in perspective a little....

Back on topic - Is the price hike unreasonable?
Economics 101 - the price of something is *always* what the market will bear. Therefore, Disney as a business...I assume will closely monitor how their sales are affected by the price increase. If they are not affected, they will continue to charge that price. If sales drop - they will reconsider.

Therefore, if you all are in serious disagreement with Disney about their price hike the answer is simple. Boycott. Show your commitment to your statements of outrage...

I have 2 kids. We love the disney strollers.
But we wont be using them this year.

My 2 cents...let the flaming begin.

 

[MousekaMaddi]

we have rented disney strollers for 80 days in the past 2 years(8-ten day trips in 2 yrs= 80 days...we have APs) and we will WILL NOT be renting one at those new prices from WDW !!

 

[drakethib]

Then you would have really been ticked-off at me -- I was the guy who recently brought the oversized 3-wheel stroller aboard the Disney transport bus (there was no way I was going to subject my toddler to those hard plastic things they call "strollers" for 10 bucks a day -- now that the rates have increased, I am sure there will be more like-minded people thinking the same thing).

Whether or not your statement was intended to be sarcastic, your "cheap" comment had no merit -- I am all for anyone who can (legally) beat the "money drain system" otherwise known as WDW.

You need to realize that most of the "backpacking" crowd you're speaking of are probably making their first (and last) trip to WDW -- I say "last" because many families can afford to do this sort of thing only once in their lifetime.

Actually we bring our own stroller for the exception of one time. As I said $18 per day was a rip off before the absurd price increase. I am usually the guy helping single mothers load their strollers on the bus while other able bodied people sit on their duff and not try to help (another story, another day).

Yes my "cheap" and "backpack" comments were meant to be sarcastic (Ray Charles should have seen that and he is both blind and dead). I am all for cost cutting tips as well as long as it is "legal" as well (but how about people not use the fixin's bar at Cosmic Rays to make a free salad)so we are in agreement there. The $3.00 bucks that WDW charges for a bottle of water is not for convenience, it is price gouging IMHO.

As for dscott1996, he did bring-up a couple of points from his past experiences, but those who disagreed had to turn-on their flame-throwers -- really classy stuff...

Have to disagree with you here. When someone makes a "brash" (IMHO) statement on a public forum that will probably go against the grain with a good portion of the population of such forum and not expect to get some less then positive feedback on it might want to reconsider posting.

In simpler terms if I made a statement that all Texans and Cajuns should not go to WDW because many Texans have an accent and the Cajuns drink too much, I would venture to say that I should expect a couple of not so nice responses.

Yes, we have freedom of speech here but people also need to realize that there is a freedom of response as well.

 

[drakethib]

I just read through the past 11 pages of posts.

Here is what I believe. A moment of perspective taking is in order. Is this something to get 'outraged' about? I love the saying "Some people dont know the difference between a lump in your throat and a lump in your breast." This is not something to get 'outraged' about IMHO. Tiffed *maybe* - but CMON....95% of the population would do anything to go to Disney World just *once*- and would give anything ...to have such *problems* as worrying about a $$ increase in stroller rentals.

Before I get flamed - I'm not trying to be patronizing or condescending..Juuuuuust trying to put things in perspective a little....

Back on topic - Is the price hike unreasonable?
Economics 101 - the price of something is *always* what the market will bear. Therefore, Disney as a business...I assume will closely monitor how their sales are affected by the price increase. If they are not affected, they will continue to charge that price. If sales drop - they will reconsider.

Therefore, if you all are in serious disagreement with Disney about their price hike the answer is simple. Boycott. Show your commitment to your statements of outrage...

I have 2 kids. We love the disney strollers.
But we wont be using them this year.

My 2 cents...let the flaming begin.

Good response and no flames from me.

My issue with this is it is kind of the straw that breaks the camels back. Disney keeps tacking and increasing prices on this to the point where is has just gotten ridiculous.

I am as big as Disney fan as the next person, and there still is magic, but current management is doing everything they can to make the magic go away.

Don't get me wrong, Disney is a business and the goal is to make money ( in fact I am a stockholder with a decent amount of shares), but there is just a point where they are doing one thing and saying another.

 

[tomu570]

I heard Pete's rant today and usually love them, but the stroller issues just doesn't justify these emotions.

My wife and I went to DW on our honeymoon 11 years ago. 4 years ago I took 100 HS students and performed at Downtown Disney. Last summer, my wife and I took our two children (5 and 7) and 4 other family members. This year I take 150 students and perform at Downtown Disney again. Every time we've gone I am outraged at parents. There is no reason for an infant to be lugged around Disney World! If you live near there or are stopping in as part of a trip etc. fine, but the level of poor parenting or lazy parenting at DW is insane. My personal hope is that families with young children (under 5) will reconsider going. They should not be lugging children around the parks for hours on end. That doesn't mean they shouldn't be allowed, but I see these huge groups with babies, or toddlers who won't remember the trip, who are getting nothing out of it, who shouldn't be there.

I'm all for families and know that every circumstance is different, but frankly the stroller parking lots outside ride after ride is ridiculous. We took our self-sufficient children (meaning they could walk as we needed too for the trip) and our backpack of supplies and we don't inconvenience anyone on our visit to the magic kingdom. Our memories are vivid. Our kids loved it. And hopefully Disney's new prices will make some of those crazy families dragging crying children, tired children, sunburned children through the parks for their benefit and not their kids to think twice.

Absolutely love the show and love these boards! Great work everyone!

My mother has a picture of me sticking my hand in Doc's mouth while at Disneyland in 1968. I was 2. I have picture of my then 2 year old son giving Pooh a great big "bear hug" at the Crystal Palace. These moments in time are priceless and those photographs will last forever. Anyone who decides not to bring their toddlers to WDW because they won't remember the trip is robbing themselves of the joy of watching their kids faces light up at every turn.

George Eastmann invented something called a camera. You might want to try it.

It seems to me that you're the bad parent because you robbed your children of those experiences and that they will never have those photographs to look back on as they they get older. All because dad is narrow minded grumpy old man.

 

[Stroller Boy]

I just read through the past 11 pages of posts.

Here is what I believe. A moment of perspective taking is in order. Is this something to get 'outraged' about? I love the saying "Some people dont know the difference between a lump in your throat and a lump in your breast." This is not something to get 'outraged' about IMHO. Tiffed *maybe* - but CMON....95% of the population would do anything to go to Disney World just *once*- and would give anything ...to have such *problems* as worrying about a $$ increase in stroller rentals.

Before I get flamed - I'm not trying to be patronizing or condescending..Juuuuuust trying to put things in perspective a little....

Back on topic - Is the price hike unreasonable?
Economics 101 - the price of something is *always* what the market will bear. Therefore, Disney as a business...I assume will closely monitor how their sales are affected by the price increase. If they are not affected, they will continue to charge that price. If sales drop - they will reconsider.

Therefore, if you all are in serious disagreement with Disney about their price hike the answer is simple. Boycott. Show your commitment to your statements of outrage...

I have 2 kids. We love the disney strollers.
But we wont be using them this year.

My 2 cents...let the flaming begin.

Yea, no flame thrower from my end either. I'm not a renter of the Disney strollers, and not the guy on the bus with one either, since we typically stay off-site. You hit the nail on the head with the idea of "boycott" and I think that is in fact happening in parallel to this discussion. They are writing Disney about their discontent, and then posting their frustration on the board.

Also, just because the market will bear an increase, doesn't make it justified, thus the outrage. From a perspective point of view, how about increased gas, heating, taxes at the federal/State/Local level, constant increase in "little" taxes from the phone/cable/sattelite/internet, tax preparation, water (over 50% increase in my area), healthcare, so on and so forth, but hey, they always say "it's just a little increase, why are you getting so steamed?" Have you ever seen a notification of reduction on any of this stuff?.....Soooooo, when people are planning on spending a ton of money to go on vacation to get away from all of the "normal life" activities and increases, then see this bull? Hey Camel, watch out, here comes the straw!!!!!

Honestly, I think we all on the same page here; just ranting to each other. Man it's fun!

 

[calypso*a*go-go]

I can honestly say that in all our visits to Disney parks when our kids were still infants/toddlers...I never rented a stroller. We always just brought our own, so I really don't see what the big deal is all about. Now I would feel differently if Disney started a policy where you couldn't use your own stroller in the parks and they forced you to rent from them.

Now I will probably be the one that gets flamed here -- I would actually love to see less strollers in the parks. It's just getting out of control. I remember one day in AK last year...a family had the mom pushing a double-wide stroller and the dad was in an ECV next to them. They were just meandering along and literally taking up the entire walkway in a manner that did not allow people to easily go around them and completely oblivious to all the people they were holding up. Don't get me wrong, everyone should be able to enjoy the parks...but a little courtesy goes a long way.