As you all know Trisha and I are heading to Disney soon. We love Disney. If we could live at Disney World we would quit our jobs now and move (no lie). I would dress like Capt Hook all day long if it would support my family. Trisha secretly wishes she was Sleeping Beauty. Any way, I sent an email to Disney Guest Information through Disney online after not finding the information I needed while looking through their site.
Here is what I said:
“I am inquiring about vacation packages deals for FL residents. What special discounts do you offer for ticket/resort/meal plan packages?”
Here is their response.
“Dear Chris,
Thank you for contacting the Walt Disney World Resort.
As you may be aware, the Walt Disney World Resort periodically offers special resort programs as a courtesy to our guests.
However, in view of the number of specials that may be in effect at any given time, we appreciate your understanding that our cast members are unable to proactively provide information regarding such programs.
Rather, as resort offerings are heavily advertised worldwide through both print and broadcast media, we encourage you to watch for advertisements regarding resort specials through your local media sources.
Any offers that you learn of that would be applicable to you at the time of your visit should then be mentioned when making your accommodation arrangements.
Please note that the name of the specific program is required in order to access the appropriate information in our computers.
For reservation assistance, please contact the Disney Reservation Center directly by calling 407-W-DISNEY (407-934-7639). Special programs are offered on a first-come, first-served basis and are subject to availability. Chris, most of our promotional offers are advertised directly online.
Most often Florida resident discounts are for “room only” reservations and do not include theme park tickets or meals. We do suggest that you call the above phone number and explain for what you are trying to look for. The Cast Member will assist you with your plans. If you have questions or need further assistance, feel free to contact us.
Please include your full name, E-Mail address, and reservation number if applicable on all correspondence.
Thank you!
Sincerely,
Lainie Weidner
WDW Online Communications
PLEASE NOTE: All information is subject to change without notice and should be confirmed just prior to your visit.
Now I understand that Disney must receive 25K emails per minute. And, that it is probably difficult to help everyone, but come on. Do you really think that the average person understands any bit of this? Hell, I have a BA in Political Science, two logistics management certificates and am half way finished with my MBA on top of countless military schools and I had to read it several times before I got it.
Do you think a lawyer wrote this? Or some high up marketing exec that has spent too much time working with the legal department? I understand that it is probably impossible to keep all of their sales reps up to speed on the latest special, but this was ridiculous. A little direction other than refer to the website, in legal jargon, is warranted don’t you think?
What about a “here, go to this page and this shows our specials, thanks for contacting Disney”. Or..not emailing back at all!
I still love Disney and this won’t deter me, but I had to share.
It is just too funny.
~Chris
lisa, when links are in a post, it goes to moderation automatically so i can make sure it isnt spam!
haha, nevermind, there it is *whew*
Dude.. what the heck? I just submitted a comment with TONS of WDW links for you.. where’d it go?
Here’s my uber list I’ve compiled
http://hotelscorp.us/orlandocvb/
http://www.undercovertourist.com/united-states/florida/orlando/attractions/tickets/
http://www.mousesavers.com/
http://allears.net/index.html
http://www.mousefantravel.com/mft/join.php
http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/tickets/magicYourWay/index?id=VacationPackagesLandingPage
http://www.floridaticketstation.com/store/?skinid=5&ad=
http://www.wdwinfo.com/discounts.html
But seriously, if you need help planning the trip, try these sites, or email me (justaddlaughter@gmail.com) and I’ll help you plan it. Free.
http://www.themouseforless.com (they have their own travel agency on the net, too)
http://www.laughingplace.com (they have a message board where you can ask for information…we’re all Disney lay-people, but as obsessive as we are, we tend to have more info than Disney!)
That’s a standard response, practically automated. Canned.
Open file, copy, paste into email, add person’s name and signature, click send.
I love Disney more than anyone I know. Heck, I’m about ready to shell out $1100 for three premium annual passes to Disneyland. But Disney’s corporate customer relations could use some help.
You know darn well Mr. Disney would be very disappointed to see the likes of that correspondence. That garbleygoop definitely written by some lawyer.. ak.
The upside is one ride on “It’s A Small World” and all the mumbojumbo melts away. It IS the Happiest Place on Earth!
I understand, like others, what they are “trying” to say, but before I read the rest of the post I had to read that email more than a few times.
I hate that they couldn’t be more helpful and just had the auto response/ copy & paste answer your question. Bleh! You can’t even call that an “answer”.
C’MON Disney you can do better than that!
Oh Lord! I used to work for Disney in CA and yes, a marketing exec wrote that! LOL But, in all honesty, they really should have replied better to that…I mean, it was just a copy/paste reply all the way…so tacky for a huge company like Disney!
Have you posed your question to the Mom Panel? Those ladies really know Disney and are eager to help. You might also search to see if your question has been asked before on that website.
I totally understand where they are coming from. Hopefully though the people at the other end of that phone number can actually help you.
That is too funny!
WT…F???/ So not helpful! You contacted Customer Confusion – not Customer Assistance!
I was so confused reading that jeez!! Good luck finding something.
I guess you need to find some good deal online and let them know you want in on it? google it??? they could have said it a bit more straight forward, maybe dumb it down a little so regular people like me could understand w/out rereading it about 10 times =]lol
“Chris, most of our promotional offers are advertised directly online.” i like how they insert your name so you feel like the email response was written personally to you, not a template where they fill in your name and sent the same one to 789279 other people .
yikes. I will keep an eye out for ya!
Next year you can go free ON your b-day
I know who wrote it! Jason from Target! He’s really good at the smoke blowing too. Sometimes I wonder how corporations got so big with such lousy customer service. I mean even if you aren’t going to help me at least tell me in terms that I undertand.
LMAO connie!!!!!!!!!!
What it means (from someone who worked there for 5 years) is that there are discounts (very few) but you have to search them out, we’re not going to do the work for you. We’d rather book you at the full rate plus add other options. Disney is about quality, not quantity.
Connie