Online Renewal of Annual Passes - Disney's Attempt to Force Passholders to Upgrade?

[Chef Mickey]

I don't think this is something Disney would purposely do.

As much as you want to believe it, it's just not worth it because it's not going to move the needle and it will upset those who can't get what they want.

Likely just a system issue and someone not thinking through the click steps.

Misleading customers on purpose is not a sustainable strategy and Disney is a solid company, above that kind of nonsense anyway.

 

[VaderTron]

So you mentioned that you tried to renew through the app, but the title of your thread is Online Renewal. That is NOT the same thing. The app still has many issues that need fixing, and quite obviously, this is one of them. The MDE website is working, and you would have been presented with all of the correct options.

I used the app and online. Both did not work. If you review the entirety of my original post you will see that.

 

[VaderTron]

Did you try rebooting?

Nice IT Crowd semi-quote. (Did you try turning it off and on again?) Yes, I'm not a mobile device/computer novice. I restarted multiple devices and computers used in the attempts, logged out and in again multiple times on multiple devices, and attempted to do so on multiple days.

 

[VaderTron]

I don't think this is something Disney would purposely do.

As much as you want to believe it, it's just not worth it because it's not going to move the needle and it will upset those who can't get what they want.

Likely just a system issue and someone not thinking through the click steps.

Misleading customers on purpose is not a sustainable strategy and Disney is a solid company, above that kind of nonsense anyway.

While I would like to believe that...so many decisions have been made that "don't move the needle that much" and outrage those who are impacted. This isn't the Disney company of the 1900's, sadly.

 

[VaderTron]

I used the MDE website to renew.

Interesting. And you said you had Gold. So, at least last week the online system allowed for flawless renewal of the Gold pass. Good to know. Has anyone else tried to renew a Weekday Select pass?

 

[VaderTron]

I used the MDE website to renew.

One more question, if you don't mind me asking. Are you a DVC member?

 

[Chef Mickey]

While I would like to believe that...so many decisions have been made that "don't move the needle that much" and outrage those who are impacted. This isn't the Disney company of the 1900's, sadly.

Not sure what you’re referring to exactly, but again, the notion this non needle moving outright fraud is something they do on purpose is incredibly unlikely in my view.

 

[Tony the Tigger]

Why do you think it isn’t just a temporary glitch?

 

[Hcalvert]

Based on your posts and responses to others, you seem to have an embittered tone about Disney and maybe it is better off you don't renew. Life is too short to conjecture about others intentions--either you want to renew or not--there are several different avenues to renew that were shared by pother posters if you choose to do so.

 

[larryz]

Must be new, as ours worked fine last year. We renewed our Gold Pass without issue. One step forward, two steps back for Disney IT every year.

Upgraded. It's a new "feature" courtesy of the new IT contractor.

 

[larryz]

I can't remember the last time I had to reboot to fix an issue install a new feature.

FTFY

 

[eliza61nyc]

lol,No it sounds like you are having technical issues and making it a conspiracy theory.
I see all available options, can you call guest services ??

 

[VaderTron]

Not a single one of the neigh-sayers has addressed the fact that Disney says on their renewal the pass is NO LONGER SOLD. How is that not outright deceptive? In what circumstance would that be the wording needed for an error message? Are they discontinuing passes on a regular basis? No! Why is it that the follow-up to the lie that it's NO LONGER SOLD is asking you to select a new pass from the top tier passes?

 

[MattC]

 

[mguimond1990]

Not a single one of the neigh-sayers has addressed the fact that Disney says on their renewal the pass is NO LONGER SOLD. How is that not outright deceptive? In what circumstance would that be the wording needed for an error message? Are they discontinuing passes on a regular basis? No! Why is it that the follow-up to the lie that it's NO LONGER SOLD is asking you to select a new pass from the top tier passes?

I’m pretty sure this person ( )answered your question, you’re just choosing to ignore it.

With software, there is no way to tell the difference between something that is incidentally misleading and intentionally misleading. It could just be that that scenario was not considered common enough to set up a separate set of messages, and so the default message for each wa

 

[eliza61nyc]

Nice IT Crowd semi-quote. (Did you try turning it off and on again?) Yes, I'm not a mobile device/computer novice. I restarted multiple devices and computers used in the attempts, logged out and in again multiple times on multiple devices, and attempted to do so on multiple days.

lol, I know it seems ridiculous to suggest that but I swear @VaderTron IT has told me funny stories of people calling and they got there and the thing wasn't plugged in. lol sometimes the simplest things are the ones we totally forget to try.

 

[Chef Mickey]

This company did $56B in revenue in 2018. There is a 0% chance they are knowingly doing this and/or it is being directed by management.

Call and report that issue and move on.

/thread

 

[VaderTron]

I’m pretty sure this person ( )answered your question, you’re just choosing to ignore it.

So the default message chosen was that a pass was no longer sold? Again, in what situation would that error message be used that would make sense?

 

[VaderTron]

This company did $56B in revenue in 2018. There is a 0% chance they are knowingly doing this and/or it is being directed by management.

Call and report that issue and move on.

/thread

Spoken like someone who knows little about the way billion dollar industries survive. It's all about the subtle ways to lead people into buying more without realizing they are being maneuvered.

And 0%? Really? So, it's possible to get struck by lightning while taking a shower, but there is a ZERO PERCENT CHANCE this is intentional?

 

[VaderTron]

As much as you want to believe it, it's just not worth it because it's not going to move the needle and it will upset those who can't get what they want.

@Chef Mickey That's kind of the point of why I brought this subject up. It would seem to a reasonable person that this kind of activity is needless and would do more harm than good. However, if you look closely, in this case the profit would be considerable. The price for two people to renew Weekday Select passes is just about $600 whereas to get Platinum passes is about $1000 dollars more. Not chump change.

But here's why I wouldn't put it past Disney management to be doing this on purpose. Recently I was at a WDW gift shop with friends who came down from out of state. Their son had just graduated from high school and so we all went to Disney together to celebrate. He is an avid pin trader, and he found a pin he really liked for $9.99. He had his $10 ready and I told him I would go up with him when he paid so he could get 20% off with my pass. We stood in line together and waited for an open register. When we were called over to the counter the cast member scanned the pin and gave the total. I pulled out my pass and ID and handed them to her. She said, "I'm sorry sir but I can't give you the discount." I, of course, asked why not. She said, "I can only give you the discount. So unless you are buying this I can't give the discount."

Honestly, at that moment I wanted to walk out and not give a dime of my money. If it was my purchase that is exactly what would have happened. However, this young recent grad was the one who wanted this item. So, I immediately said, "I am paying." and handed handed her my credit card in addition. She gave the discount and handed me back all three cards. Our friend's son sheepishly said thank you to me as we walked away and handed me his $10 bill.

How much was going to be saved in the transaction? TWO DOLLARS!!! They fought me using my passholder merchandise discount for a young man who I stood in line with for TWO DOLLARS. Talk about something that's "not worth it because it's not going to move the needle and it will upset those who can't get what they want."