If I'm not mistaken, I remember there used to be signs at the ticket booths that had a list of attractions that were down for refurb, just like may other amusment parks do. Is that still not the case?
They do not seem do this anymore . Doing this simple thing would go a long way to mitigate the situation. They did not have one at the MK as of this Wednesday, and to be honest I can't think of when I've seen one at Disney in many years. Anyone else know when they did away with them?
WDW does offer numerous places to find out which attractions are down for refurb, so honestly the guests cannot complain if they did not do their homework before entering the parks.
That's just it...homework on vacation? Most people don't think in those terms. Most people think it's insane that you have to book popular meals SIX MONTHS OUT now. Most people are completely clueless when it comes to WDW planning.
The only way to know about a refurb ahead of time is to go to the website and click on a series of specific links to find them, or come someplace like this. It just doesn't occur to most people that they need to do so. You and I may understand this but as I have said repeatedly in this discussion we are not the normal visitor.
They have the daily guide given to them at the resorts, they have the signage at the entrance to the park, the have the info on the website, and I'm sure there are other places the info is posted, so the info is definately out there.
I'm sorry, but this just is not true. The do NOT have signage at the entrance to the park, the info is buried on the website, and someone who is staying on-site right now can clarify but I do not believe the info is on the daily guide given at Disney resorts. It only appears on the daily guide you get once you are at the park. (AFAIR, the specific attraction operating hours do not appear on the all-parks guide, but only the individual park guides.)
If you are "sure" there are other places it is posted, please share them. 'cause if I don't know about them, I'm sure the average guest wouldn't have a clue. As I said above, the only way to know the Mansion was closed before you walked up to it was to find out about it on the Internet before hand or in the daily guide once you got to the park.
As Lee pointed out, there are other ways they could notify people of the refurbs that are for an extended period of time. The truth is the same reason they don't have a sign out front telling you anymore : they don't want you to know before hand. All that does is discourage people from coming in there eyes, I'd assume.
There are many more ways for them to get the word out, and right now they just aren't.
WDW should not be expected to hold every persons hand and give them every bit of info they want on a silver platter, guests need to take the initiative and do some reading before entering a park. They can't assume that every attraction will be open every single day of the year, I mean c'mon things happen and refurbs/repairs are needed.
They don't need to hand-hold, but they also (as well as yourself) need to realize that not every guest is a Disney expert. And you are correct, as I have said over and over in this discussion, that yes, rehabs/etc. happen and so should they. I'm the last one that needs to be lectured on that topic as I wrote that book, LOL. The problem is how unless you know to check one specific section of their website, this information isn't available for this extensive, lengthy, planned rehab until you are standing in front of the attraction or get a times guide when you arrive at the park. This isn't a "repair" closure, but a well-planned 3 month closing.
I would have much less of a complaint if there was signage, as you pointed out, like every other theme park. This time there isn't. They don't seem to want to advertise that one of the park's major attractions is down. As I said above, I knew full well, but the combination of the vast majority of park guests not knowing about it until they arrive and the fact that so very many of the MK's E-tickets were down off and on last week had some very unhappy people at the MK. If they were just ignorant or not is irrelevant, as it remains that Disney had some very unhappy guests and will continue to do so unless they make a tiny bit more effort in letting people know. This problem is only going to get worse if these extensive rehabs continue, as we all hope they will.
It also highlights how fragile the MK really is. People expect boffo entertainment there, and when a major E-ticket is down for an extended period, and then the normal gremlins hit and other E-tickets go down, even if it's not Disney's fault it still draws the ire of lots of guests. I saw even reasonable people getting upset when the Mansion is closed, Pirates is down, Space Mountain is so down the lights are on, then the rain/thunder forces Splash and BTM to close. Now, you and I as Disney fans know this kind of thing happens, but the vast majority of the public is there on their once-in-a-lifetime dream vacations, and when you can't even find an attraction to wait in line in it must be very difficult.
It's an issue Disney will need to address as they do all of these very needed rehabs.
AEfx
People will discuss the business decisions as well as the fantasies people have of what is going on inside or what will be added.
