Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Ok, ok, ok, you know things are bad when I am called out for being a negative nelly, or people avoid my posts. So, this is an attempt to change my message in a positive way. Just a couple of rules - no bashing, and no acceptance of the way things are. So here is a starter for 10, I would love it if Disney had a set transport schedule and increased the service when there is increased demand, coupled with real time wait countdown at bus stops, monorail stations and docks. There are a load more, but I need to get back to work.
Originally Posted By VCR_Pongo <<<no bashing, and no acceptance of the way things are.>>> I'll take some of that with a spoonful of sugar! I think the one thing that we really should try and improve is the FastPass system. I'm not sure how exactly, because I have been working the thing over to my advantage for years. But I always feel sorry for the NEW people who don't quite understand what it is and how to use it. In fact we work the thing so well that it is not unusual for me to be giving AWAY our fastpasses to strangers because we simply have too many. I won't exactly tell you how we do it, but you need a large family where few of them really want to ride the E-ticket thrill rides with hieght requirements.
Originally Posted By VCR_Pongo I think there are far too many electric scooter and strollers in the park at certain times. Sometimes I have trouble getting my two rentals, and my personal double stroller through places like that bottle neck between Haunted Mansion and Peter Pan, you know right there in front of Columbia Harbor House, due to others pushing purses or able-bodied people riding around running over us. This isn't meant as a joke. I have a lot of kids and most of them are too young to walk all day. And I've seen an elderly person come in for a wheel chair to be told there are no more.
Originally Posted By VCR_Pongo Well for one (this is DVC_dad by the way) I think that maybe there shouldn't be ANY scooters or wheel chairs at the parks. I know that is going to get me smashed, because I know there are MANY people who couldn't go without them. But I have an elderly grandmother living with me and she has he OWN scooter and wheelchair. Also there are many many places outside of the parks near WDW who rent them and who deliver them to the renters. If the access were a tiny bit less convenient, I think only people who really need them would get them. I could be wrong. Second, on Fastpasses, I think during peak times when the parks are really stuffed with guests, an increase from one every 2 hours to one every 3 hours would do it, and cut out that loophole about you can get another one X minutes after the return time of your first one is up, except during the off season.
Originally Posted By VCR_Pongo <<< I think that maybe there shouldn't be ANY scooters or wheel chairs at the parks.>>> I don't mean that they shouldn't be allowed, I mean that they shouldn't be rented, but anyone could bring in their own.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Good stuff. I think WDW should rent them, but what if you had to book them in advance (kind of like PS)? Alternatively, make them for resort guests only, awaiting those in need at check in? As for Fast Pass, how about elimintating it, or as you say, reducing the numbers allowed during peak times.
Originally Posted By tonyanton dave...I'm not sure if this is what you were looking for...but how about reopening shuttered shops/snack spots? A few examples: the shop in Canada at the top of the stairs, the hat shop next to the Diamond Horseshoe, the old Fife & Drum in Liberty Square (can't ODV go in there?), Adventureland Veranda, the old House of Treasure next to "Pirates..." Then, themed merchandise in the shops (particularly the MK and the Studios)...at this point I would be happy with even character merchandise if it was themed!
Originally Posted By 999HAUNTS Can we include WDW travel company in this discussion? One thing that I really wish they would work on is notification of flight changes. Our flight time has changed twice - and out trip isn't until December! I've found out about the changes purely by mistake. Just my two cents - but I strongly feel that if a person is paying so much to book a vacation, WDW travel should have the decency to advise you of any changes instead of making it the traveler's responsibility to call the airlines repeatedly.
Originally Posted By VCR_Pongo I'll second this with the DVC. We had booked Baordwalk, and got on a wait list for Old Key West. I heard nothing over several months. We showed up with 6 kids at the Boardwalk at 2 AM to find that we had been switched to Old Key West. I smiled and counted backward from 10, as I had just driven 8 hours to get there with my DW and kids, and I was still jazzed up on horrible gas station coffee, which is the ONLy way I can make the drive in the middle of the night like that. If ever I was going to blow a gasket it would have been then. But I was cool, my 12 year old was with me at check in and I didn't want him to see me go off. So we smiled, took ourselves back to the car and drove to OKW. The next morning all was well and I forgot about it. But communication is not a forte. Of course this being said when they are organizing a bazillion guests daily. The task is daunting I'll allow.
Originally Posted By VCR_Pongo Oh I forgot about a possible "fix." Set the computer to send a text message to a cell phone for flight updates and room changes and what not? And it could also send an email and even place a recorded message call? I'll bet their computers already do that sort of thing to a degree.
Originally Posted By sharon2 Way too many electric wheelchairs..and it seems noone knows how to drive them.. Over by Ariel's Grotto we heard a loud crash. It happened that a driver hit the gas & not the brake & plowwed into a table of patrons having a snack.. Luckily, noone was hurt!!
Originally Posted By plpeters70 I’d like to see Disney take a stab at a real public transportation system for WDW again. It seems that they completely stopped planning around public transportation back in the 90s and instead went with urban sprawl. Everything was built willy-nilly around the property without being tied to a monorail, and I think that has really hurt the look of the resort. Unfortunately, we’re stuck with what was built now, but I still think Disney could come up with a better transportation system besides the buses. It would take a lot of money, and some very careful planning, but in the end, I’m sure it would all be worth it. And if nothing else, it could serve as a model for other cities to start getting their act together in terms of public transportation. Imagine, WDW serving as a model for other cities again – truly, the EPCOT ideal!!
Originally Posted By NikkiLOVESMickey Hmmmmmmm...I'd eliminate FastPass altogether and let people wait in lines like the old days. I'd chuck the Disney Dining Plan so people can actually walk up to the hostess stand and book a table once in a while instead of having to book months in advance. I'd improve MVMCP and make it worth the $55 you pay for it (although I'm not sure how yet).
Originally Posted By vbdad55 I would not get rid of FP - but have a cut off time during the day so that rides like Soarin' were not almost FP only in the evenings. For those of us who only get there max once a year - it is a God send. I do not want a return to the old days of 20 years ago- it is one of the reasons I do not go to other parks - DDP I agree needs to go - open up the DDE to all - with tiered pricing. I get my AP every year and DDE. I know exactly what my discount will be, and I don't have to try and eat a desert I donb't want because somehow you feel like you already paid for it. I plan my vacations to the hilt - EXCEL sheets and all - and schedules that would make a drill sergeant proud ( we don't stick to them all the time) - and the DDP is too much for me to screw with on vacation. I don't want to be limited as to what type of restaurant I want to eat at when - return the charm to Main Street USA. Please add back shops with specialties - and I don't care what they are. It is supposed to be Main Street USA, not Walmart street USA. -- or BuyNLarge. Put back a watch - jewelry store - even if it is small. Add a Disneyana store like DL has. Offer some of the nicer merchandise that DL does also. I am sure the Imaginears can come up with some very nice changes - please please do this. Find a way to make Star Wars Weekends more than 4 weeks a year - even if toned down some. What this does to change the streetmosphere at the Studios is amazing. And lastly - bulldoze that &^#&*&@ Poo Playground in Fantasyland and put a dark ride or two there for the kids. The playground is an embarassment.
Originally Posted By NikkiLOVESMickey <<return the charm to Main Street USA. Please add back shops with specialties - and I don't care what they are. It is supposed to be Main Street USA, not Walmart street USA. -- or BuyNLarge. Put back a watch - jewelry store - even if it is small. Add a Disneyana store like DL has. Offer some of the nicer merchandise that DL does also. I am sure the Imaginears can come up with some very nice changes - please please do this.>> Yes! I loved all those little shops on Main Street. I also have something else to add to that: those shops that sell park merchandise should sell more unique merchandise - all of the merchandise is the same in every stinking shop you go into. The variety is nonexistent. <<And lastly - bulldoze that &^#&*&@ Poo Playground in Fantasyland and put a dark ride or two there for the kids. The playground is an embarassment.>> Those are some of the best words I've ever heard come out of your mouth, vbdad55!
Originally Posted By 999HAUNTS < I also have something else to add to that: those shops that sell park merchandise should sell more unique merchandise - all of the merchandise is the same in every stinking shop you go into. The variety is nonexistent.> I agree 100%. Being a DL resident, it's very disappointing to see the same merchandise when I take the trip to WDW. Most of the items have both DL and WDW's logos on them. I'd bet that they would sell more if they would get more specific with their mechandise.
Originally Posted By sun-n-fun I also think that it would be great to get themed merchandise next to the themed area. I guess part of the reason may be convenience - who wants to go back to Tomorrowland to get a future themed souvie? I would if it meant more variety in the shops. WDW has fabulously themed lands, too bad most of the shops look like cookie cutter drop ins.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo This is a great thread. I would add the following: Custodial - there are some great cast members in this department, but I would like to see more, as well as evidence of powerwashing the parks daily, and clearing up trash more consistantly. I would like to see greater variety in the shops and restaurants. In all my trips, the Pirate and Parrot (or what ever it is in spanish) has never been open. And Liberty Square, I would love to see bac to its former glory. I would very much welcome a return to all restaurants, shops and attractions being open all day (except when refurbed of course). This particularly includes Epcot WS and Future World.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Re dining, I would love for a small percentage of tables to be available for walk up (or at least same day reservations) At counter service, it would be great for there to be hosts/hostesses to escort you to a clean table. And for the TS restaurants to expand their offerings.
