Some little things at the MK

[tissandtully]

Actually 10 years ago, yes, yes they did. Oh, wanna go back 20 years ago? Well, back then they didn't sell it either. But they would gladly give you any sized cup of ice you would ask for, and tell you to go outside and fill it up at a nearby drinking fountain.

No, just like I said, they would tell you that they only had cups of ice, if you wanted that they could get you that and you'd be on your own outside to find a drinking fountain to fill it with.

They never have, to my knowledge, but it is common practice at many 3rd party locations like Ghirardelli.


They charge you to use restrooms in restaurants in certain states (Thank goodness Florida isn't one of them), but that doesn't make it right. Water is something that should be provided for free. But that's not the issue here it seems, as you and I both agree that water should be free, what we don't agree on is the payment for a cup. Well, guess what? I emailed them, and The State of Florida has an official response on the matter. "You are not legally required to provide cups of water to any customer free of charge, but it is a recommended business practice." So, no legal obligation, check. But even the state admits it is a good business practice. So, let's move on whether to provide it or not, let's move to THE ENTIRE POINT OF MY POSTING THAT LINE IN THE THREAD: The cup size.

I'm not quite sure you understand how small the cups are that the Main Street Starbucks is using for water. They could hold 6 ounces, and when filled with ice, even less. And they have no lids that fit them. But that's not even the problem for me. The problem is they refused to give a larger cup even though it was like 90 degrees out and I explained that I had a long way to walk to the place on the parade route where my party was standing and I didn't have the extra hands after I got my latte and snacks. But the manager didn't budge, instead he started arguing with me on what the (made up) policy is. This is a service issue. For all I care, give out the small cups to everyone, but do it everywhere, and if a customer actually asks for a bigger cup, for pete's sake, give it to them. Most customers will never ask for the larger cup, and for the ones that do, they'll be thrilled that Disney was good enough to do it, and then they won't go online to a forum and tell everyone how crappy the service was.

This is insane thinking. You would never need the extra CM for that, especially if they were just giving cups of ice. And the water being sold? It's by guest demand that it's everywhere. Apparently the majority of visitors to WDW think the water in Florida tastes weird, so they would much rather have Atlanta water.

*drops mic*

 

[The Duck]

Pins and plush.

It could be worse. Olaf's Great Escape would be much, much worse.

 

[monothingie]

I like the water fountains that dispense only chunky water.

And if that doesn't work out, I can always fall back to a nice refreshing Fresca.

 

[Brad Bishop]

Exactly. That's why I was a bit surprised just how specific they are with the cups because, I know it's a business, but they just seem to really over complicate just about everything. It's like their spending. Just spend the money now so you don't have to spend it later. Very short-term thinking that costs them more in the long run. I'm sort of generalizing a bit but how is that good business?

I think that the problem, and it's quite common with corporations, is that you have this pressure handed down to control costs. Most of this is short-term thinking, but the pressure, and incentive (bonuses) are there just the same.

You end up in situations where something may be intrinsically beneficial for the company going forward, but it's not tangible enough for someone to realize it now and they still want their bonus this year.

Happy customers come back and spend more money. In the cup situation it would seem to make sense to just give them a larger cup and let them be on their way both in the fact that, while small, the customer will be happy and the amount of time you're sitting there arguing about it is probably worth more than the cup itself. Of course, the counter argument to this is larger cups cost more money and these folks want their bonuses, also, you shouldn't be giving away the store. They're all valid arguments but, really, it's just a stupid cup and it's bad show to argue in front of the customer or even with the customer over a cup. A happy customer is worth more than the cup, essentially.. Also, not only are you having a bad show for others around watching this nonsense, but that customer you're denying a larger cup to is going to share that bad show with their friends and family. It doesn't just end with the customer.

It's hard for cost-control types to wrap their head around that, I think. It's a sort of "penny wise and pound foolish" kind of thing (not quite but sort of).

The other side of it is that customers can be jerks and, if word get around you're giving out free whatever, it won't be long until everyone is demanding theirs.

 

[Brad Bishop]

I like the water fountains that dispense only chunky water.

And if that doesn't work out, I can always fall back to a nice refreshing Fresca.

"The water is sooo creamy!"

 

[bhg469]

"The water is sooo creamy!"

Yup... threw up a lil

 

[Goofyernmost]

Actually 10 years ago, yes, yes they did. Oh, wanna go back 20 years ago? Well, back then they didn't sell it either. But they would gladly give you any sized cup of ice you would ask for, and tell you to go outside and fill it up at a nearby drinking fountain.

So, let's move on whether to provide it or not, let's move to THE ENTIRE POINT OF MY POSTING THAT LINE IN THE THREAD: The cup size.

I'm not quite sure you understand how small the cups are that the Main Street Starbucks is using for water. They could hold 6 ounces, and when filled with ice, even less. And they have no lids that fit them. But that's not even the problem for me. The problem is they refused to give a larger cup even though it was like 90 degrees out and I explained that I had a long way to walk to the place on the parade route where my party was standing and I didn't have the extra hands after I got my latte and snacks. But the manager didn't budge, instead he started arguing with me on what the (made up) policy is. This is a service issue. For all I care, give out the small cups to everyone, but do it everywhere, and if a customer actually asks for a bigger cup, for pete's sake, give it to them. Most customers will never ask for the larger cup, and for the ones that do, they'll be thrilled that Disney was good enough to do it, and then they won't go online to a forum and tell everyone how crappy the service was.

This is insane thinking. You would never need the extra CM for that, especially if they were just giving cups of ice. And the water being sold? It's by guest demand that it's everywhere. Apparently the majority of visitors to WDW think the water in Florida tastes weird, so they would much rather have Atlanta water.

Multiply 20k to 30k people times 100 degree heat and then see how much time that would take to "service" once everyone thought that is was owed to them. And remember that a person that comes in and only asks for free ice water is NOT A CUSTOMER. Potential customer yes, but, considering the addiction that people have to coffee they will go there anyway even if it cost them their first born.

You are correct though, this discussion started as someone (I guess you) complaining because they were given ice water but the cup wasn't big enough. Then it turned into Disney is cheap because it doesn't provide ice water (which is incorrect anyway) it's just that it's not enough for some people. Well, it is enough if one isn't thinking that they are owed it. Lets make this clear... Disney or any other business does not owe you that service. In reality water does cost money (it doesn't just magically jump into that faucet), cups cost money, making ice in 100 degree heat cost a lot of money and people to provide the service (cups don't magically appear out of the air either) also costs money. Where this free cr ap comes from is ridiculous. They provide free water from the fountains, they sell bottled water that is no more expensive then you will find at other sporting or entertainment venues. If one judges or determines whether or not they should go there or what they get out of a Disney Park by how much free ice water they get, they probably should stay home.

As for the public demand that it be everywhere, seriously? I suppose it is the same people that demanded that the attractions should be shorter or that you should pay extra to go to a meal and visit with College Students wearing costumes and foam heads. I'm sure people were almost in riot mode before Disney finally conceded and did what they wanted. Talk about insane thinking.

P.S. I had to buy water 10 and 20 years ago, I guess the rest of you showed up when they were feeling generous and thousands of people weren't doing the same thing. I have stated before that we, the public, ruin our own extras because we take an event that was done as a nice gesture and turn it into an entitlement. Before to long it is out of control and then someone makes the move to bring it back into control. Just like magic the cups are smaller and they are money sucking SOB's. A place like Disney needs to provide a way for you to remain hydrated, they are not required to finance your hydration. I don't care if you have to pay $1000.00 to get in the park. It wasn't covered in your admission price. Check the fine print!

Anyway, we have watered (tee hee) this down enough for me. Respond if you want, but, this is another discussion that has run it's course. I have said what I think, you have said what you think, there is nothing else to be said, at least by me.

 

[jakeman]

mymagicwaterfountain+ ? 180 day advance water fountain reservations?

Stop it.

I emailed them, and The State of Florida has an official response on the matter. "You are not legally required to provide cups of water to any customer free of charge, but it is a recommended business practice."

You...you emailed Disney and the state of Florida about the legality of water cups?

I'm like a white girl with a pumpkin spice latte right now...I just can't even...

 

[WDWVolFan]

You can also buy drinking containers from Contigo, owned by Newell Rubbermaid, that will keep a cold drink cold for up to 12 hours, depending on the size of the container.
Sorry, had to bring it up. I work for the company and the product works and you bet I'm planning on using that next year.

 

[WDWVolFan]

Stop it.

You...you emailed Disney and the state of Florida about the legality of water cups?

I'm like a white girl with a pumpkin spice latte right now...I just can't even...

LMAOOOOOOO

 

[Brad Bishop]

Multiply 20k to 30k people times 100 degree heat and then see how much time that would take to "service" once everyone thought that is was owed to them. And remember that a person that comes in and only asks for free ice water is NOT A CUSTOMER. Potential customer yes, but, considering the addiction that people have to coffee they will go there anyway even if it cost them their first born.

That's not realistic.

You make it sound like everyone it going to the Magic Kingdom that day so that they can stand in line at Starbucks to force them to give them a free cup of water, hopefully in a big cup.

What's realistic is:
- most people go to Starbucks for expensive coffee
- some of those and others go in there for pastries or whatever to munch on
- most people just buy a bottle of water at $2.50/bottle and don't think about it.
- (lowest on the list): the occasional (I'd even say fairly rare) person that asks for a cup of ice water

While a business certainly isn't required to hand out water, nor do I think they should be forced by law, it seems extremely dumb for a business to even have this argument, all things considered. Handing that odd customer a cup of water, even with ice, and getting them out of the way for the next paying customer is probably more profitable than arguing with said customer or even about the size of the cup. You're not making money when you're arguing.

 

[Sage of Time]

The arcade will be going away.
Stay tuned.

The building? Or the junk inside of it? Hoping for both.

 

[BwanaBob]

The building? Or the junk inside of it? Hoping for both.

The arcade is being re-purposed.
Not the building.

 

[Kman101]

I'm sort of surprised how quiet sources are being towards WDW and what's going on. I guess nothing's really going on.

 

[ford91exploder]

Sure the do make a lot of money. Banks make a lot of money, but, I don't see them giving out Dollar bills because someone doesn't want to go out and earn their own.

Unless you are a politician in which case they hand out stacks of the stuff.

 

[ford91exploder]

Actually 10 years ago, yes, yes they did. Oh, wanna go back 20 years ago? Well, back then they didn't sell it either. But they would gladly give you any sized cup of ice you would ask for, and tell you to go outside and fill it up at a nearby drinking fountain.

No, just like I said, they would tell you that they only had cups of ice, if you wanted that they could get you that and you'd be on your own outside to find a drinking fountain to fill it with.

They never have, to my knowledge, but it is common practice at many 3rd party locations like Ghirardelli.


They charge you to use restrooms in restaurants in certain states (Thank goodness Florida isn't one of them), but that doesn't make it right. Water is something that should be provided for free. But that's not the issue here it seems, as you and I both agree that water should be free, what we don't agree on is the payment for a cup. Well, guess what? I emailed them, and The State of Florida has an official response on the matter. "You are not legally required to provide cups of water to any customer free of charge, but it is a recommended business practice." So, no legal obligation, check. But even the state admits it is a good business practice. So, let's move on whether to provide it or not, let's move to THE ENTIRE POINT OF MY POSTING THAT LINE IN THE THREAD: The cup size.

I'm not quite sure you understand how small the cups are that the Main Street Starbucks is using for water. They could hold 6 ounces, and when filled with ice, even less. And they have no lids that fit them. But that's not even the problem for me. The problem is they refused to give a larger cup even though it was like 90 degrees out and I explained that I had a long way to walk to the place on the parade route where my party was standing and I didn't have the extra hands after I got my latte and snacks. But the manager didn't budge, instead he started arguing with me on what the (made up) policy is. This is a service issue. For all I care, give out the small cups to everyone, but do it everywhere, and if a customer actually asks for a bigger cup, for pete's sake, give it to them. Most customers will never ask for the larger cup, and for the ones that do, they'll be thrilled that Disney was good enough to do it, and then they won't go online to a forum and tell everyone how crappy the service was.

This is insane thinking. You would never need the extra CM for that, especially if they were just giving cups of ice. And the water being sold? It's by guest demand that it's everywhere. Apparently the majority of visitors to WDW think the water in Florida tastes weird, so they would much rather have Atlanta water.

Good points all, However Starbucks uses the same tiny water cups in all their stores it's not unique to WDW

 

[TyrantBoss]

So, I was in the Magic Kingdom this last week. Besides basically not riding any major attractions (Though I did get on Seven Dwarfs' Mine Train since it only had a 20min wait around 12:50am), I did notice some new details that haven't been brought up on here.

First, the main middle railing is back in the Magic Kingdom Monorail station down ramp. It's brand new, with that new brass top to minimize the paint wearing off. Nice touch there.

On Main Street, I attempted to see the completed bypass area, but alas, it's not nearly done. The area that is complete looks decent, but there are some absolutely horrendous sight lines that have been created, even when the bypass isn't open. I really hope they correct that. It looks incredibly awful seeing what looks like scaffolding (or maybe just metal walkways, at least that's what they look like on Google Maps?) on top of the Main Street buildings. I'll hold off judging until they are done completely, but I have low expectations.

In the hub area, I see that they have almost completed the west side pathways. That is going to be wonderful when they are done. In no way, shape, or form will it look like the Gardens of Versailles, but it is still going to be a much welcome improvement. The new lighting looks nice, though moving everything from green to brown will take some getting used to. I'll miss the green look on all the railings, but I understand why it's being done. The biggest change for me is the walkway... no more red! Kodak photo studies be damned! (Though, those were based on Kodachrome Gold back in the 70s, so they probably don't apply to today's digital cameras anyway)

I was not impressed with the apparent lack of progress in converting the Adventureland Veranda back into a restaurant. So far, the entire area in front of the restaurant just acts as an extended queue for those buying Dole Whips. What a complete waste. This area of the park needs major re-working, especially since it's right at the entrance to Adventureland. What on earth are they thinking?

Further in, I peered into the new Sunglass Hut. It actually looks like they are keeping the same floor in the store that was there before, just new racks for sunglasses and new lighting. Nothing really amazing going on there. So don't get your hopes up when that store opens for anything breathtaking.

The Jingle Cruise was something I actually rode, though the jokes were pretty bad, I think I enjoyed the experience, it just needed more... perhaps they should put Santa hats on all the animals or something? I don't know. I do wish they would go back to Chief Namé again. Trader Sam lives in California, and they certainly don't look like one another.

Pirates was a complete disaster. Someone approve a massive budget to fix this ride. I could make a thread with all the things broken in that ride.

The mountains had too far long of waits, so I skipped them, as did I the Haunted Mansion. Though, I'm quite curious why they haven't re-worked the queue at the Mansion yet. The entrance to the attraction is in a different place now, so why are they still using the old keel boat dock and Fastpass area as a queue? And why is the old gift shop a closet?

In Fantasyland, I noticed that they have converted the old Seven Dwarf's Gem Store into a seating area for the food next door. Nice change there. They need more covered seating in the park.

The turkey sandwich at Cosmic Ray's tastes like ham. Worst Turkey Sandwich I've ever had in my life.

I spent some time in the Tomorrowland Arcade. Wow, that's a space that needs some TLC. The carpet is shot, the games are old, there was a weird smell in there, and I constantly heard people complaining that they god rid of the cell phone charging lockers that used to be there. (In fact, I was in there for 20 min charging my phone on the wall with my own wall-charger, but I agree, I miss the lockers. I know they were just a 3rd party test, but they worked brilliantly.)

Love the fact that all the lighting on Rocket Tower Plaza was working. Not loving that the planets weren't spinning. Anyone know if they will ever spin again after the fire they had?

The color changing lights on the PeopleMover still don't work. I asked someone about it and was given a BS excuse that Reedy Creek insisted that they didn't provide enough lighting so they had to keep them on white all the time. (No way that can be true at all, the old lights were much dimmer than what they have now, and they were colored as well in the main plaza area.) This is just lazy maintenance work and engineers who don't know how to fix the lights. Who knows, knowing Disney, the company that made the original programming for the lights probably went out of business now. Also, when the ride goes into Space Mountain, you see those signs that have large chips in them that say Starport 75. That really bothers me.

Inside the mountain dome, it's obvious that 70% of the stars were out inside. I think that's because they are finally digitizing the inside of the dome. Imagine what it would look like if you did projection mapping inside Space Mountain. I'm excited to see what comes of this.

Finally, I went to Starbucks. Holy hell, talk about abysmal service. It took me about 20 minutes to get a latte. 20 minutes isn't acceptable, ever. This was 20 minutes after I paid, by the way. Starbucks Corporate needs to come in and re-train every single person, including the management, in that Disney-run incompetent store. This is the second time this has happened, the first being at the Epcot location, where for some insane reason they had half the entire store closed. Disney should not be running these stores without proper training and guidelines. I also had the managers argue with me about the size of water they were allowed to serve.

Now, outside the MK...

Because I love to see the resorts, I also took a trip on the resort monorail to see the new Polynesian. The lobby has some flaws right now... For example, they did beautiful rock work around the new front desk, but somehow managed to forget to do the rock work in the entire doorway. HOW DO YOU MAKE SUCH A GAPING MISTAKE?! Sorry for the caps, but that single detail was the most insane thing in the entire lobby. I actually don't mind the wider space in the lobby, I just wish they would have made the new fountain about 20% larger, and two sided. There is room for it and the new fountain is just too small for such a large space, and the fountain is only on one side. Maybe it will look better after they put the little Tiki man on top. (They are still doing that, right?)

They also have these two little tiny paintings on a wall that is gargantuan. (The wall opposite the gift shop) Come on guys, spring for a bigger painting on this wall. It's begging for something beautiful and made specifically for the resort. I also noticed that the temporary construction walls they put up everywhere must have had metal bottoms, as the expensive stone floor was scratched and damaged around where the construction walls were almost continually all the way around the lobby.

I also stopped at, and was impressed at the Grand Floridian, because except for a broken monorail gate, the lobby looked almost flawless. (There were some major rips in the carpet that needed attention) Still gotta love that band that plays in the lobby.

Well, that's my update. Thoughts?

I am heading back again for my annual visit in March. I really wish they would fix the volume disparity on Pirates. Jack Sparrow's voice, ever since he was installed, is FAR too quiet. You can barely hear him over the exit music and the other ambient noise. I think only one year did was I actually able to hear him somewhat decently, but for the most part they lose something with him by keeping him so quiet.

 

[Sage of Time]

The arcade is being re-purposed.
Not the building.

Dang. Wish it was the building. It clutters up the view of Space Mountain.

 

[Incomudro]

I view this situation much like the way people with the slightest degree of physical problem - real or imagined - tried to take advantage of Disneys hospitality and use it to get handicapped access on rides.
People, being people - I can imagine hordes (herds may be more appropriate if you catch my drift) clogging Starbucks like arterial plaque to get their free water.
Holding up the line for those of us that actually want to pay for our coffee and get the heck out as quickly and efficiently as possible?
Want water?
Buy a bottle, Starbucks sells 'em too.
Or hit the water fountain - it's not far from Starbucks, and neither is the Cooling Station for that matter.
Or, maybe a customer could catch some water at that chase fountain near Figment.

 

[Kman101]

LOL. Starbucks won't ever be bombarded from people demanding large cups of free water. I'm sure it's very minor how many people actually stop in a restaurant and ask for a cup of water/ice.