DF's Observations, Thoughts, and Opinions From Current Trip

[Jared]

Seriously? So would that use up one of the three you are allowed? I would never use a FP for dining over an attraction....

If I could use FP for dining without taking away from how many I was allowed for attractions, then I would do it. Seems crazy to me....but then waiting 60 min to get QS lunch at Be Our Guest also seems crazy.

The Be Our Guest Fastpass+ isn't connected to the rest of the system. You don't lose an attraction entitlement if you take advantage of it.

[marlyn]

The Be Our Guest Fastpass+ isn't connected to the rest of the system. You don't lose an attraction entitlement if you take advantage of it.

Hmmmm, interesting. Well I would consider that if it is still offered in August. I would like to eat there at lunch so I could see it. Don't care about dinner as I don't believe it is worth the cost.

[DizneyFreak2002]

....ditto ditto ditto on the attitudes of the CM's. We were there last week of August ...and the "long" faces and attitude started the second we got to the resort check-in counter (POP). CM there was full of p!ss & vinegar attitude ...didn't care one bit to help with room location (as requested many times) ...refused to get a supervisor to see if they could work things out ....and even continued with attitude when dealing with the room-fridge fiasco and the $15/night credit. Same attitude seen through all the parks ....

....so it wasn't just me (as confirmed by your report) and was also confirmed by my oldest daughter ...who has friends that are CM's (in parks, and one is a lifeguard at WL) ...and another that's an 'imagineer' in the art department. They all confirmed to her that there is a substantial decrease in morale ...all across the board. CM's in parks not happy about hours ....revised shifts ....decreased shifts ...added workload. I saw it too with CM's that are LONGTIME cashiers at the POP food court ...one of which we have seen there for the past 7 years. The usual smile, happy greeting ...and small talk chit-chat (she's from our area) ...we noticeably absent.

....and ...when the bartender at Petals tells us the same type of story ...you know that something is amiss.

....I'm currently working on a letter to Disney to express my complete displeasure with this past trip ......and that's something that I honestly can say I would NEVER have thought I'd need or want to do.

I won't be writing a letter to Disney, though maybe I should... I never did before, but there is always a first time for everything... As for the CMs, some that I met this trip have stated they very frustrated with the way management is treating them, how they are being fed to the dogs with this NextGen nonsense, and the Guest Relations CMs have excessive stress dealing with a really P.O.'d public.... Plus, they get no support from management... Morale is low... They also know, once this tracking of guests really gets into the flow of things, they will start seeing decreased hours because less CMs will be needed... Guest Relations CMs are looking to leave their positions, and are being stopped... Disney has even gone to more extreme measures regarding CMs posting on fan sites... So, if you read a Cm posting positive information about this failed program, they are either doing it cause they are being watched and are scared to speak the truth, or are being paid by Disney to spread false positive information to counter act the truthful negative news...

Thank you for such a thorough report! I'm hoping all the glitches are gone by my trip in August!

One question....they have fast pass for Be Our Guest? Did I misunderstand that? Isn't this a restaurant?

Yes, you read it correctly... They offer FP for Be Our Guest... There is a special website you can use to sign up... People were receiving emails inviting them to FP testing, but the link has been placed out there to the public... I was not invited, but still was able to use it...

Seriously? So would that use up one of the three you are allowed? I would never use a FP for dining over an attraction....

If I could use FP for dining without taking away from how many I was allowed for attractions, then I would do it. Seems crazy to me....but then waiting 60 min to get QS lunch at Be Our Guest also seems crazy.

As others have said, the FP for Be Our Guest did not count against the three attractions/experiences choices... In the future, who knows? I do understand that if testing for FP at Be Our Guest is successful, that choosing a restaurant FP will start counting against your three... But that has not been confirmed, and if happens, won't happen for a while...

Hmmmm, interesting. Well I would consider that if it is still offered in August. I would like to eat there at lunch so I could see it. Don't care about dinner as I don't believe it is worth the cost.

If the FP is still offered in August, I recommend using it... But only if it does not count against your other choices... I would never wait 60 minutes for Be Our Guest, or anything really... Nothing is worth that wait... But if you could FP BOG, then do it... The place is well themed and the food was good... But not so much where I'd wait 60 minutes... It isn't that good LOL...

[marlyn]

I find it sad that the CM are not happy and feel they are not being treated well by management. I wonder how Walt feels about this if he is looking down on things? Wasn't his philosophy such that if you treat your employees well, then they treat the public well....It was Disney's key to success wasn't it? Happy employees = happy public =success in the company= $$$
It would do the company well to remember this simple business philosophy.

[MrPeetrie]

DizneyFreak2002, thank you for a very thorough and objective review of your stay. I've been following your posts here for a while and I was anticipating your impressions.

Regarding FastPass+ on unnecessary rides (POTC, Haunted Mansion), you confirmed my fears. FastPass+ exacerbates wait times unnecessarily on these rides. They can handle a tremendous ride-through volume and do not need FastPass+ during normal seasons. (Maybe during the busiest of season, but not in October / November).

I am truly sad for CMs. It appears an undue stress is being placed upon them. And the shame is: Walt Disney World's original system was the best in the business -- FOR FREE!!!!!!!!!

[Jared]

Hmmmm, interesting. Well I would consider that if it is still offered in August. I would like to eat there at lunch so I could see it. Don't care about dinner as I don't believe it is worth the cost.

I wouldn't go to Be Our Guest without a Fastpass at this point. The line outside is absurdly long. I waited the soon after it opened because I really wanted to experience the new restaurant. But now that I've eateh there three times over the past year, I can't bring myself to wait an hour for lunch.

[marlyn]

I wouldn't go to Be Our Guest without a Fastpass at this point. The line outside is absurdly long. I waited the soon after it opened because I really wanted to experience the new restaurant. But now that I've eateh there three times over the past year, I can't bring myself to wait an hour for lunch.

Maybe the novelty of it will wear off by August.....Bah, who am I kidding. I used to think the novelty would wear off Toy Story Midway Mania as well

[Altair]

I predict a great big price increase in the near future, once they run off all the day guests.