Early Morning Magic Fantasyland Fail

[revdon64]

Bought this upcjarge event with intention of getting in a lot of 7dmt rides before park opening. Yeah, not so much. Went straight to the ride and got one ride in. Had to go to the bathroom - men's room is closed for cleaning. Tried to head to tangled bathrooms, not open. They had to escort my son and I there. Came back, rode PP. Back toward mine train - it's down... and so is pooh. So, 79 dollars for one ride on 7dmt, two runs through PP, one ride on the carousel and an average breakfast. They did tell us that our emm bands would work as fp for those attractions until noon, but it's certainly not the same value. If this is what emm is, I do not recommend it.

 

[SaintsManiac]

Bought this upcjarge event with intention of getting in a lot of 7dmt rides before park opening. Yeah, not so much. Went straight to the ride and got one ride in. Had to go to the bathroom - men's room is closed for cleaning. Tried to head to tangled bathrooms, not open. They had to escort my son and I there. Came back, rode PP. Back toward mine train - it's down... and so is pooh. So, 79 dollars for one ride on 7dmt, two runs through PP, one ride on the carousel and an average breakfast. They did tell us that our emm bands would work as fp for those attractions until noon, but it's certainly not the same value. If this is what emm is, I do not recommend it.

Yikes thank stinks! This is the kind of thing that worries me about booking this.

 

[Kevin Chalmers]

Bought this upcjarge event with intention of getting in a lot of 7dmt rides before park opening. Yeah, not so much. Went straight to the ride and got one ride in. Had to go to the bathroom - men's room is closed for cleaning. Tried to head to tangled bathrooms, not open. They had to escort my son and I there. Came back, rode PP. Back toward mine train - it's down... and so is pooh. So, 79 dollars for one ride on 7dmt, two runs through PP, one ride on the carousel and an average breakfast. They did tell us that our emm bands would work as fp for those attractions until noon, but it's certainly not the same value. If this is what emm is, I do not recommend it.

#1 - Just sounds like bad luck...sorry about that.
#2 - If your EMM bands work as FP for those attractions for 3-4 more hours, did you take advantage? I would have thought you could have ridden the EMM rides MANY times with an unlimited FP until noon.

I think you would find a lot of WDWers who would pay $79 extra to get unlimited FP for 7DMT, PP and Pooh until noon, plus breakfast. It typically ends at 10am and lines for at least two of those rides are pushing 1 1/2 hours, if not more by then.

 

[anomamatt]

Your experience is not typical, but rides do break down all across WDW. Often at inopportune times.

I have done EMM three times and never had a ride problem. But I have often wished that I did... for the unlimited all day FPs. For me (and I realize this might be only me), I'd rather ride 7DMT 5-6 times throughout the morning than 5-6 times in a row. Of course, not all schedules dictate that and if one was not planning to stay in the park the rest of the morning, it does one no good.

 

[Tomh]

We have done EMM two times, and had a much better experience. We do make every effort to use the restrooms before entering the park, though certainly that is not the kind of thing you can predict, or control, when you have to go, you have to go.

Ride closures do happen, but they have not significantly affected either of our EMM events, and the ability to use the wrist band as an FP until noon more than makes up for any ride closures.

This past year during EMM I think I wound up riding 7D like 7 times, plus a go or two on PP, and Pooh, and then rode small world, Big Thunder, and Haunted Mansion before the lines built up.

 

[AngiTN]

Yeah, I'm not sure how being able to ride till noon isn't a fair compensation for the ride breakdown. It's not like they can help that. I'm fairly sure they didn't plan to break the ride or anything you know.
If for some reason you are unable to take advantage or if the ride never comes back up I would address this with GS and see if they can maybe offer a refund or an alternate date for you to go.

 

[Zippa D Doodah]

It is regrettable that the rides went down and the other speed bumps happened during your morning. But Sweet Mother of Mickey! FPs until noon on those rides sounds like a very nice comp.

 

[AngiTN]

It is regrettable that the rides went down and the other speed bumps happened during your morning. But Sweet Mother of Mickey! FPs until noon on those rides sounds like a very nice comp.

I know I'd much rather ride till noon vs. having to cram it all in before breakfast.
We've done EMM many times and hope to do it again. But as much as we enjoy riding Mine Train, 7, 8 times in a row is about all we enjoy. I'd love being able to have a few hours to ride and get a few breaks between rides instead.

 

[revdon64]

Perhaps what isn't understood is that while that extended pass sounds good, all the lines have built up by then. It not the same value... as I said in my original post. Its just not possible to get the same number of ride experiences. As an example - 7dmt during emm is about six minutes total from gate to exit. At 10am it's more like 15. If time is money then it's not the same value, period.

 

[AngiTN]

Perhaps what isn't understood is that while that extended pass sounds good, all the lines have built up by then. It not the same value... as I said in my original post. Its just not possible to get the same number of ride experiences. As an example - 7dmt during emm is about six minutes total from gate to exit. At 10am it's more like 15. If time is money then it's not the same value, period.

But you have more time as a trade. So I believe it is possible to get the same ride experiences. And you are using the FP line, not the stand by line. For an extra what, 6 min each time? Sorry, just not seeing something to get up in arms over. You can ride for 4 hours vs. 90 min.
However, if you are this upset about it, and feel you have not gotten the value you bought, go to GS. Tell them you are upset and that you did not get what you bought. Suggest what you would like in replacement (another date, etc) and see if they can offer it to you instead.
Again, they can't help the ride breaking down. They have tried to offer something that can be a viable option as replacement. It seems like a good trade to me

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Sorry you had troubles OP. 7DMT was down for part of one of our EMM mornings awhile back and we were given the same “use of the FP line through noon” to make up for it. We found that perfectly fine/adequate for us (actually sort of liked it better!), but I know everyone is different.

If it’s bugging you, I’d suggest stopping by Guests Relations at some point during your trip to express your concern (if you haven’t already done so).

Curious, did you go to this AM’s EMM? It’s been on hiatus for 2 months and this morning was the first EMM on the schedule in awhile.

Hope you otherwise have an enjoyable trip!

 

[zoo2tycoon]

Sorry you had troubles OP. 7DMT was down for part of one of our EMM mornings awhile back and we were given the same “use of the FP line through noon” to make up for it. We found that perfectly fine/adequate for us (actually sort of liked it better!), but I know everyone is different.

If it’s bugging you, I’d suggest stopping by Guests Relations at some point during your trip to express your concern (if you haven’t already done so).

Curious, did you go to this AM’s EMM? It’s been on hiatus for 2 months and this morning was the first EMM on the schedule in awhile.

Hope you otherwise have an enjoyable trip!

He was compensated when given FP and accepted that. Now that it's over and OP didn't get as many rides in as he felt he should you suggest Guest services. Why?

Compensation seems more than fair

 

[AngiTN]

He was compensated when given FP and accepted that. Now that it's over and OP didn't get as many rides in as he felt he should you suggest Guest services. Why?

Compensation seems more than fair

I suggested it because sometimes, you plan your day to do what you purchase, which ends at 10:00. Maybe you have other plans already made and can't remain at MK till noon to use what was provided as a replacement. Remember, in this case it wasn't something offered as a choice, it was given as the only option as a replacement, so it's not like they could have refused it or anything. So, if OP had other plans that couldn't be changed and was unable to take advantage of the ride till noon option then I can see asking GS for other choices. Or what if the ride doesn't come back up by noon?

Believe me, I'm the last one to run to GS but there are times where it's a viable option.
Going just to say you had to wait 6 more min in the FP line? No, I would say it's not one. Especially if you have 4 hours to ride vs. 90 min.
But if you plans to go to another park that day that can't be changed, say you have a FP booked for FoP and it's the only one you have for that entire trip, because you expected to be done at MK at 10:00? Then maybe yeah, it's worth saying I can't stay at MK to use the FP.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

He was compensated when given FP and accepted that. Now that it's over and OP didn't get as many rides in as he felt he should you suggest Guest services. Why?

Compensation seems more than fair

It might be “fair compensation” to me, but maybe not OP... we all have different perspectives, experiences, and plans that day. They could have had other park plans (like hopping to another park) right after EMM, or some other reason that would make using the FP line through noon not practical.

Also, from my perspective, the point of going to Guest Relations is not always about “compensation” - it can simply be to give feedback on a situation that you feel needs some attention. For example, OPs problem with the bathroom being closed isn’t really “compensation” worthy but it may be helpful for park management to know what happened so they can adjust procedures.

 

[zoo2tycoon]

If OP wasn't staying at MK then immediately should have gone to GS and said I'm not using band as FP as my plans change parks. But if OP the used band then complains that isn't fair.

I do see your point and agree if OP didn't use FP another compensation if correct. But if OP did use band as FP then complains not fair it's not right to ask for more.

 

[DWeav]

I think it was fair compensation, but if you had other plans the rest of the morning, I could see where that would dampen things obviously.

When we went, myself and daughter of 5 years of age: We rode Pan like 5 times, Pooh 5 times, and I rode 7DMT 4-5 times by myself (hey, don't judge me). Plus got our daughter on a completely empty carousel and also had time to go in front of the castle for a completely empty castle picture to please the wife.

On top of that, when we strolled into breakfast at Pinnochio Haus, we were told we were the family of the day and the cast members brought us the food that we wanted (usually just a buffet), they simply went up for us to get the food (kinda awkward, but a good awkard!). Brought us a fancy meat/cheese/pastry platter. They then had my daughter put her wish in the book on the pedestal and gave us a fastpass for any ride in the park for that day. And gave us a huge pastry desert on our way out.

So hell yes that was worth the $200 for us, do it again in a heartbeat. And will in June when we go back!

But again, we are heavy planners. So if the rides were down and had the rest of the morning planned for a different section of the park, I might have been somewhat lukewarm over it. We are from Central Pennsylvania, so our time is precious when we go down. Not like we live nearby and can go often. Every situation is different. At the same time, I don't know what else Disney could do there, in that situation.

 

[AngiTN]

If OP wasn't staying at MK then immediately should have gone to GS and said I'm not using band as FP as my plans change parks. But if OP the used band then complains that isn't fair.

I do see your point and agree if OP didn't use FP another compensation if correct. But if OP did use band as FP then complains not fair it's not right to ask for more.

True. But when OP posted, it was still within the EMM operation hours

 

[pugbug]

Also did EMM today and didn’t have a good time. 7 dwarves was down, and the unlimited FP til noon isn’t that great. I waited ten minutes just to get into the FP line and 15 minutes more just to ride. Not the same as being able to ride with little to no wait.

Breakfast was kind of a bust too. 15 minute line just to get to the buffet. No bottled drinks or cold tea. Had to drink gross tap water. Definitely wouldn’t do again.

 

[anomamatt]

He was compensated when given FP and accepted that. Now that it's over and OP didn't get as many rides in as he felt he should you suggest Guest services. Why?

Compensation seems more than fair

I have done emm where I left MK nearly immediately after. It’s possible to OP or someone else could not use the compensation offered. In that case, guest services can provide an alternative compensation, even if riding via FP until noon is perfectly fair to all the other guests.

 

[tlmadden73]

An experience like that where TWO of the rides are closed (as well as the only restroom) should be a partial or full refund in my opinion. Yikes.

Getting a "until noon" fast pass isn't that great as you may have other plans for that morning (maybe even in a different park).
If it was ALL day .. maybe.