Spirited News, Observations & Thoughts IV

[JenniferS]

For something as permanent as a tattoo, people exhibit no taste or put any serious thought into them. I have seen some disgusting tattoos on trips to WDW and my local amusement parks (Dorney Park, Great Adventure, Hershey Park). I'm going to speak very carefully and try to tiptoe without cracking any eggs, but I think our society should put more thought into how they appear. I am for free expression of ones own body, but a woman who wears say a prominent nose ring ought to consider how that makes her look(... cow ...).

I love looking at old Disneyland and WDW photos. The gentlemen look like gentlemen, and the ladies are wearing dresses and all look like June Cleaver. Everyone is slim, well dressed and there are no scooters or strollers. Children of all ages are (egad) walking!

 

[Bairstow]

They are in a HORRIBLE mood. It was not your imagination. They can only take so much nonsence from Disney. You think all the new fancy junk that is confusing guests and not working well looks any better from the view point of the cast? Disney like any large corporation, for good reason, has intricate policy and procedure change methods in place for safety. Some attractions have multiple policy and procedure changes every week now sometimes several in a week and often in one day. They come back after their days off and have to go through training before they can perform their duties. Constantly changing the way they are expected to do their job. GR has added gangs of new folks to try to make things better for guests. WDW has had to add hundreds of other folks to work at the new FP + kiosks. Plus station GR people all over the place to try to restore normalcy to a guests vacation. The tecnology works about as well as if the government designed it.

I am local and most of my neighbors work at Disney and relate their experiences to me.

So what's got them annoyed?
The magicbands or the GAC cards?

 

[GoofGoof]

Oh and I talked to one of the cast members at IASW asking if they had done some work recently. We haven't been since Christmas last year and the first few rooms seemed like they had gotten a fresh coat of paint on the walls and the ceiling, which looked deplorable last time, looked to be in better shape. They said they weren't aware of any work, but did mention that they were supposed to be going down for a refurb sometime soon Don't know if anyone has heard about this or if it is even true since it came from a cast member, but just thought I would pass it on.

I am sure I will have more later, but that is it for tonight.

This time I think the CM had good info:
http://www.wdwmagic.com/attractions...osing-for-short-refurbishment-in-december.htm

 

[SJFPKT]

They are in a HORRIBLE mood. It was not your imagination. They can only take so much nonsence from Disney. You think all the new fancy junk that is confusing guests and not working well looks any better from the view point of the cast? Disney like any large corporation, for good reason, has intricate policy and procedure change methods in place for safety. Some attractions have multiple policy and procedure changes every week now sometimes several in a week and often in one day. They come back after their days off and have to go through training before they can perform their duties. Constantly changing the way they are expected to do their job. GR has added gangs of new folks to try to make things better for guests. WDW has had to add hundreds of other folks to work at the new FP + kiosks. Plus station GR people all over the place to try to restore normalcy to a guests vacation. The tecnology works about as well as if the government designed it.

I am local and most of my neighbors work at Disney and relate their experiences to me.

Well, that explains it. I will give them a pass as this is the first time I have ever noticed it, but I do hate it for them. I work to the good ole government so I know the feeling. All the guest I spoke with noticed it too. The ones I talked with think the magic band stuff is a joke. The DW and I personally don't like planning our vacation out 6 months a head of time. We go enough that we don't feel the need to cram everything in to one trip. I like to wake up and say heck I am going to do this or that today. I do understand for some that it is the trip of a lifetime and they feel the need to maximize their dollars worth, but the rest of us are suffering because of that.

I also hate seeing a 30 minute wait time for SSE because of this junk. Heck Buzz was at a 45 minute wait most of the week. It has caused the standby times to go CRAZY.

I will also say that we didn't have reservations at three places we ate. We were able to walk up and get a table right away. That was a first for us.

 

[Goofyernmost]

So what's got them annoyed?
The magicbands or the GAC cards?

Could be the people complaining to them about whatever changes Disney has made as if they were personally at fault. It's a nightmare, they knew it was going to be and now are just trying to ride out the storm until the entitled masses get it through their heads that this is the way it is.

 

[wogwog]

So what's got them annoyed?
The magicbands or the GAC cards?

The constant changes with bands and rules of operation. They are the ones on the front line trying to make this poorly designed fiasco work and suffering the complaints. The suits who can't get the act together stay in hiding.

 

[JimboJones123]

Well, that explains it. I will give them a pass as this is the first time I have ever noticed it, but I do hate it for them. I work to the good ole government so I know the feeling. All the guest I spoke with noticed it too. The ones I talked with think the magic band stuff is a joke. The DW and I personally don't like planning our vacation out 6 months a head of time. We go enough that we don't feel the need to cram everything in to one trip. I like to wake up and say heck I am going to do this or that today. I do understand for some that it is the trip of a lifetime and they feel the need to maximize their dollars worth, but the rest of us are suffering because of that.

I also hate seeing a 30 minute wait time for SSE because of this junk. Heck Buzz was at a 45 minute wait most of the week. It has caused the standby times to go CRAZY.

I will also say that we didn't have reservations at three places we ate. We were able to walk up and get a table right away. That was a first for us.

No wait, some CMs will counter that it is just an illusion and due to bigger crowds overall, not FP+.

I am tired of getting those responses.

The only reason that it would be cutting down line times is for the FP+ users. Those stepping right in front of stand by riders. My AP remains pointless and has me waiting between 20-50% longer for most lines on most days now.

 

[Captain Neo]

592 and counting, yet I remain on 'holiday' ... Look for Spirited News, Observations and Thoughts V coming to a MAGICal realm near you in November 2013 (not 2067 like Pandora as James Cameron said the other night at UNI) I do hope Mrs. Ricky is enjoying her free cruise!!!!

There will be plenty of ripping on both UNI and Disney for promoting and tolerating boorish behavior at their seasonal events. There will be plenty of talking up a certain Tampa park. And there may even be a location for WDW's Club 33, which will likely have a very different name. And word on exactly when Wishes will end. And who knows what else.

Until then, please enjoy this thread ...did the Sentinel really put a story on the JC holiday overlay on its front page and didn't even mention how many vacations for once in a lifers would be ruined by this?

Give us an Imagination Pavillion update if you can

 

[Longhairbear]

They are in a HORRIBLE mood. It was not your imagination. They can only take so much nonsence from Disney. You think all the new fancy junk that is confusing guests and not working well looks any better from the view point of the cast? Disney like any large corporation, for good reason, has intricate policy and procedure change methods in place for safety. Some attractions have multiple policy and procedure changes every week now sometimes several in a week and often in one day. They come back after their days off and have to go through training before they can perform their duties. Constantly changing the way they are expected to do their job. GR has added gangs of new folks to try to make things better for guests. WDW has had to add hundreds of other folks to work at the new FP + kiosks. Plus station GR people all over the place to try to restore normalcy to a guests vacation. The tecnology works about as well as if the government designed it.

I am local and most of my neighbors work at Disney and relate their experiences to me.

I for one would love to hear what GR cm's are saying when off the clock about what they are getting at the GR desk. On another forum someone mentioned guests canceling their trips over complicated fixes on MDE, and just giving up, telling the IT person on the phone to just cancel the whole trip, or transfer them to cancel.

 

[Longhairbear]

I for one would love to hear what GR cm's are saying when off the clock about what they are getting at the GR desk. On another forum someone mentioned guests canceling their trips over complicated fixes on MDE, and just giving up, telling the IT person on the phone to just cancel the whole trip, or transfer them to cancel.

As an addendum, I 'm not familiar with that original poster on the other forum, but he/she seems to be a travel agent as well as knowing GR cm's. Now I am wondering how many travel agents (which seem to be coming back in vogue) are getting WDW cancellations due to frustrations planning with MDE, and instead booking Uni, and Seaworld for vacation packages? Clearly, to me, anyone booking through a travel agent is not familiar with WDW and possibly a first time guest, and not a seasoned Disney vacationer. If they perceive the MDE , and major preplanning of a WDW vacation as a hassle, it's quite possible they will choose another destination. That might diminish the crowds of replacement guests in abundance that the Spirits here say, will replace the loyal guests.
I'm suggesting someone with ties to travel agents focus in on what they are hearing, and booking.

 

[fbb]

The constant changes with bands and rules of operation. They are the ones on the front line trying to make this poorly designed fiasco work and suffering the complaints. The suits who can't get the act together stay in hiding.

And not only are the bands a huge hassle to the front line CMs, once the bands do work as intended, it will allow Disney to 'streamline' many of their positions.

 

[michmousefan]

Just spent a week on property, staying at SSR. It's pretty obvious that TDO is moving FP for non-resort guests to a pay system. We were just outside the test window for MM+, and had to deal with crap like FP return times for Soarin in the 6:30pm window... At 9:15 am! Or TSM FPs for 7pm at 9:15 am. That's a joke, and the system isn't even set for "full destroy" yet!

FP will become either a resort-only perk, or something you can get as a paid add-on to your ticket– just like it is at UNI right now. Sad.

 

[JenniferS]

Clearly, to me, anyone booking through a travel agent is not familiar with WDW and possibly a first time guest, and not a seasoned Disney vacationer.

Not necessarily true. I have been going to WDW for 10-14 days every year for the past 11 years. I'd like to consider myself a seasoned veteran.
I book through a CAA travel agent every year for the express purpose of getting the Diamond Parking Pass. When I go in to book my trip however, I have already done all the legwork, picked my resort, checked availability, and calculated the price, including dining and Park Hopper passes. Closer to departure time, I book my own flights and rental car.
The only way to get that parking pass however, is through a CAA/AAA agent.

 

[alissafalco]

Just spent a week on property, staying at SSR. It's pretty obvious that TDO is moving FP for non-resort guests to a pay system. We were just outside the test window for MM+, and had to deal with crap like FP return times for Soarin in the 6:30pm window... At 9:15 am! Or TSM FPs for 7pm at 9:15 am. That's a joke, and the system isn't even set for "full destroy" yet!

FP will become either a resort-only perk, or something you can get as a paid add-on to your ticket– just like it is at UNI right now. Sad.

Is this something you heard? or just speculation? However, I wouldn't be surprised if this comes true.

 

[kenny279]

Normally, I lurk and read, but I have to come out of the closet so to speak. I am a Disney fan, but wouldn't consider myself a pixie dust snorter.

With that said. I tested MM+ and the magic bands. We had zero problems with them at the hotel, with fast passes, with purchasing things (even at the Food and Wine Festival booths). The only problem I had is when I mistyped the pin, which was my fault. I found the band to be convenient, easy and quick. Wearing one was not a problem for me ( A side note - it is best to wear them on your left arm and not right.).

Due to the abnormally warm weather, the parks have been abnormally crowded. Several long-time attendees I heard talking remarked that it is the most crowded October they have seen, and I can tell you it was a summer time level crowd the three days I was there. What makes it worse is that the crowd seems to want to go to the marquee attractions, making TSMM, TT, Soarin, and ToT fast passes go quickly. Those testing know it will go quick, so they get them. At rope drop everyone rushes to the fast pass machine as they have always done. Whenever, I have been there TSMM was always late in the day 30 minutes after opening. So, now it is going through an hour or so faster.

It is isn't a conspiracy or attempt to thwart annual pass holders. It is simply the fact that Epcot and the studios do not have enough rides that people want to ride. If you have a small children and get fast passes at the studios, you are going to get TSMM as one them. There simply is a dearth of family friendly rides there. The park is full of shows. The same goes for teens; they will will want TSMM and ToT.

I didn't visit AK this trip, but I can tell you that Magic Kingdom lines were long for October, but nothing longer than you would see in late spring early summer visit. The doom and gloom gets old, and I know will flamed and accused of trolling. I couldn't resist writing any longer.

 

[JenniferS]

Is this something you heard? or just speculation? However, I wouldn't be surprised if this comes true.

Off topic, but we're all just treading water waiting for Part Five next week, anyway.
Love your new avatar.

 

[michmousefan]

Is this something you heard? or just speculation? However, I wouldn't be surprised if this comes true.

Pure speculation, but I expect that to be the case in a year or two.

The biggest problem with being at one park for rope drop and trying to get a FP that's not completely at the end of the day is that it requires you to come back to that park late in the day to use the FP. Of course we know that FP+ discourages park hopping; now that objective is being achieved with the few FPs left for non MM+ users.

That said, the rest of the week was pretty great... a fantastic meal at Cali Grill, MNSSHP -- even Disney cast members (no, not the Photopass people!) asked to take our photo. But I fear that MM+ will undergo some severe growing pains before it matures.

 

[BigThunderMatt]

once the bands do work as intended

At the rate they're going that'll probably happen maybe never...

 

[BigThunderMatt]

Just spent a week on property, staying at SSR. It's pretty obvious that TDO is moving FP for non-resort guests to a pay system. We were just outside the test window for MM+, and had to deal with crap like FP return times for Soarin in the 6:30pm window... At 9:15 am! Or TSM FPs for 7pm at 9:15 am. That's a joke, and the system isn't even set for "full destroy" yet!

FP will become either a resort-only perk, or something you can get as a paid add-on to your ticket– just like it is at UNI right now. Sad.

I think it's going to be less a pay system and more a day guests can book when they get there at a kiosk or from their phone but they'll have to take whatever is available, which they can then advertise it as still being a free system (remember they want to differentiate themselves from the parks up the road which charge for their service) but remind those upset guests that guests staying at one of their on-site hotels get priority access to FastPass bookings 2 months in advance, which they hope in their mind will drive even more room bookings.

 

[Mr.Skunkape]

I talked with the CM working the TSMM FP ticket machine on the 19th and he claimed that the are only allotted 750 paper FP's per day.