Wwjd? UPDATE (page 4)

[Tuffcookie]

A friend and her DS is joining me and my DS at WDW at the end of July. We are flying and taking a towncar to our resort (ASM). We will be without a rental car. My friend wants to attend church services while down there (Protestant). I know they no longer offer church services at the Poly so I did an on-line search for local churches and found one close to DD Disney. I sent them e-mail telling them the date we would be there and explaining since we won't be renting a car could they possibly provide transportation to their church for Sunday school. I waited a couple of days and heard nothing. I thought maybe they didn't get my e-mail so I wrote them a nice letter. That was 2 weeks ago. I still haven't heard a word from them, with "yes", "no", or otherwise. I don't know what to think other than forgetting the idea. I think I read somewhere that Mears offered a shuttle of $10 per person TR to a Catholic service somewhere but that would cost us $40! I think it's terrible that Disney doesn't have some sort of church service for those of us who still want to whorship on Sunday.

TC

 

[ducklite]

Get your facts straight. It was the CHURCH'S decision to no longer hold services at WDW, not Disney's.

If you want to attend services, that's your right. But it's not Disney's responsibility to provide services or transportation.

Mears no longer offers the shuttle service to Mary Queen of the Universe BTW, due to lack of "attendence".

You do have other options. Find a church on the bus route and take LYNX from the TTC for about $1 per person each way, or look into taking a cab if the church is very close.

You might also want to consider the Gospel Brunch at House of BLues in DTD, reservation strongly suggested in advance.

Anne

 

[MOMTOMOOTOO]

Originally posted by ducklite
Get your facts straight. It was the CHURCH'S decision to no longer hold services at WDW, not Disney's.

But it's not Disney's responsibility to provide services or transportation.

Anne

A little harsh, even for you ducklite! Geeshe, the OP was merely stating her feelings ( about church no less) It's not like she asked you for a ride I just don't get the attitude

Tuffcookie,

I think your best bet would be to take a cab. Good Luck.

Laura

 

[ducklite]

Laura-

The OP is the one who blamed Disney for something beyond their control with this statement... "I think it's terrible that Disney doesn't have some sort of church service for those of us who still want to whorship on Sunday."

The OP made accusatory statements with complete disregard to the truth.

Had the OP simply asked about ways to get to services, my response would have been much different.

Anne

 

[Greg K.]

Personally, if He hadn't heard from the church in question, I think He'd be pro-active, pick up the phone and CALL to ask why they hadn't responded to His letters.

Then He'd forgive them, as He always does, and see what could be worked out.

As a Catholic, I'm obligated to attend mass at least every Sunday. For that reason, and many others, my wife and I always rent a car when we visit The World. Under the circumstances, if it is THAT important, perhaps guests should work that expense into their budget.

As for the slings and arrows that have been hurled at Disney over this issue for the last couple years...I think they sorta were asking for it.

Since Day 1, Disney World has advertised itself as one vacation spot where you really do not need a car. Disney transportation will do it all for you! Guests have come to expect that. And now people are steamed that it's not continuing.

What can I say? People have been spoiled.

 

[Ratpack]

I read the post by the OP and not once did I see them "blame" Disney for anything. They just stated their opinion. The use of the word terrible might have been misleading but no blame was put anywhere that I can see. And I too wish there were church services available.

 

[gepetto]

I think it's terrible that Disney doesn't have some sort of church service for those of us who still want to whorship on Sunday.

This sounds a little like blame.

 

[Zippa D Doodah]

Greg K, you said a mouthful when you said WDW sort of brought this on themselves. They have tried to make us all believe that we don't need a car while at WDW; that they could take care of our every need. Oooops, I guess that doesn't include convenient ways to worship and otherwise practice spiritual discipline in a communal setting.

I know this sounds a bit crazy, but our family designed our vacation so that we would arrive on Monday and return home on Saturday because we knew that worship options wold be difficult on Sunday since we won't have a car.

 

[ducklite]

When and in what official WDW marketing material did you ever read "You don't need a car for anything the entire time you are visiting WDW?"

Just because Disney offers use of it's internal transportation system doesn't mean that it's going to take you every where.

They don't transport to and from the airport. They don't transport to and from the grocery store, outlet mall, or other area attractions. They don't transport to any off-site anything. Why on earth is it their responsibility to transport you to your choice of a house of worship? That's a completely personal decision, and should be a completely personal expense.

WDW offered a place for services for many years, and the churches who sent ministry to perform the services decided they no longer wanted to do so. Why is this Disney's fault or problem, and why should Disney have to foot the expense of tranposting people off-site to houses of worship. That's ludicrous in my book. Does Universal do this? How about Six Flags? Cedar Point? Then why should WDW? Your arguement doesn't hold.

Anne

 

[Penny12]

What <i>is</i> it with people here today? Can people really not comment on something without slamming them in the process?

This thread is only very loosely connected with Resorts in the first place - I've left it on the basis that it's discussing something that used to be available at the Poly and now that person is looking for an alternative, otherwise I'd have sent it on it's merry way to the Transportation Board (Tuffcookie, you might find some other suggestions if you post on that board or I can move this thread for you).

That said, if this post is to remain alive and kicking then I suggest people STOP and consider their tone before they post again. This is a Disney Bulletin Board - not a combat zone.

 

[LorieDisneyLover]

Sorry to be very UNinformed here ... but I only recently heard about no Catholic church services ... and then heard it was the "church's" decision .... BUT THEN I also discovered there are no Protestant services either.

Did both the Catholic and the Protestants get together to make this decision.

I can definitely see where the Catholic diocese would make such a decision (though I don't agree with it at all!) .... but it seems strange that NO church services of ANY kinds are offered. Or am I wrong about this?

Thanks for any help!

 

[Tuffcookie]

Thanks Penny! I'm glad that most of you could see that my post was really asking about my options at this point. I certainly don't expect Disney to transport me to an off site church! But, on the other hand, our home church provides transportation to people without a means. I just thought that if a church, close to WDW, really welcomed visitors that they would maybe be willing to pick you up! Escpecially if you wrote to them ahead of time! THAT was the jest of Ms. Tuffcookie's post!!!

TC

 

[Gillian]

I really don't think this is a transportation issue. Yes, there is a transportation factor, but the OP is also looking for general guidance on church services in the Disney area.

My advice would also be to call the church. Lots of people/businesses do not respond to email, and letters often find their way to the bottom of a pile on someone's desk.

I bet there are a lot of people on either the family board or the community board who could help out with this.

 

[Tuffcookie]

Gillian, Thank you! Of course that's the logical thing to do! I guess I was afraid they would think I was a nag if I called them after e-mailing and writing. So, I will simply call and ask them tomorrow if they can provide us a way to their church for Sunday services. We could get to DD if that would make it easier for them to get to us. (The church advertises on-line that they're very close to WDW).

TC

 

[bobcat]

TC I sent you a PM.

Lighten up people! She didn't ask Disney or even you to drive her to church. She was looking for options. This is a valid concern and I know this issue affects quite a few people. The lack of church services now at WDW affects peoples lifestyles just like the lack of a place to run at AKL affects others.

 

[peachgirl]

I think it's terrible that Disney doesn't have some sort of church service for those of us who still want to worship on Sunday.

Well, at the risk of being slammed right along with you, I think it's terrible that there aren't church services at WDW too. How that translates into blaming Disney is beyond me.


I'd call the church directly too. I know that locally our churches are more than happy to provide transportation to anyone who needs it. I doubt it's much different in Florida.

 

[hawke]

I totally agree with you, peachgirl. I am also disappointed that they are not offering any services at the Poly, but I hardly see that as blaming WDW.

 

[dg39]

I also agree. Disney should have services. Whether they cancelled it because of low attendance or not, even if just a handful of people went it should have been continued. Many families celebrate mass together & feel that even on "vacation" they need to go. If disney doesn't provide mass for whatever reason, maybe they should provide a shuttle (for a small fee) to and from. THats just my opinion. I sure hope the poster finds a way to get there without having to rent a car or take a cab. Although we do drive down (a long drive) once we park, we rarely use it til its time to go home. We rely on disney's transportation. Unfortunately, we don't celebrate mass as much as we should, but in todays world, its nice to know that there are those who do.

 

[goofy4tink]

Just my .02 here but....I can't see why Disney should offer any type of service, for any denomination. I have never stayed at any resort facility anywhere that offered this. I suppose that is the price you pay for not renting a car. You could take a cab. When you realize that a lot of resorts/hotels have shuttles to and from the airports near them, for no charge, you realize just how much Disney does not offer for nothing. Do I have a problem with this? No. It's just something I understand going in. Because Disney has made this all inclusive (to a point anyway) place, we tend to think it should be a small city, with all the amenities a city would provide. I understand that a lot of people attend worship services every week. So do I. But, that's a choice I make while on vacation. Would it be nice if there were some type of chapel on-site? Yes. But, on the other hand. How could it accomodate all denominations? Our Catholic friends have different worship needs than our Protestant or Jewish or Buddist or whatever friends! Also...how difficult was it for those that attended the Polynesian for services to get there from the other resorts? I know that it was/is difficult now to travel from one to the other. We are asked wwjd?? I think he would understand and ask that we treat each other with respect and kindness, even if we differ in our religious committment.

 

[welovedis]

While I agree that having a place to worship inside the WDW grounds would be great, it would also open up another can of worms, so to speak. As another poster pointed out, how many denominations could possibly be represented without leaving someone out. When you consider the sheer number of visitors to WDW on any given Sunday, there is no way that everyone could be accomodated.

Since there is no church on the premises, DH & I opted to rent a vehicle to ensure that we would be able to attend a church service on Sunday. If that is not an option that others have made good suggestions about contacting the individual church, taking a bus or even a taxi. I hope you are able to find a way to attend your service!