Wow where to start.
As a past cast member I can say with conviction that this isn't the Disney I worked for.
The price you pay for tickets is high enough, and that is fair. You pay for the magic, right?
I think given the nature of the fantastic product that Disney created that's fair.
Let me paint a picture.
Youre finally here! Disneyland, the happiest place on earth. But wait... now that you're inside you can't get a fastpass for anything. Didn't these used to be free? I mean surely you saved up, travelled all the way here and paid your pricey admission right?
Oh so sorry. Here comes the rip-o... I mean Magic!
You have to download and use a cellphone app called “Genie” to access the fastpasses. (who's real magic seems to be siphoning money from your attached credit card number)
(problematic if you are roaming, and I personally can't wait to see my cell phone bill. I'm sure that will be magical)
The constant need to be on your phone takes you right out of the park experience. It's an awful application, draws battery power and data at an excessive rate, and when your phone inevitably dies it costs 30 dollars to buy a battery pack to charge it.
When asked about rectifying this guest services just tells you there is no other option. Have a Disney day!
After all the digital ridiculousness you can only use the fastpass for two to four times in a day due to its built in timing limitation, and they don't even allow it on popular attractions.
Wait... Whaaa?
Didn't you just bite the bullet after travelling down here, finding a hotel and paying five days of admission tickets, and now thousands of dollars later have to shell out an additional 60 dollars for two fastpass accesses EVERY DAY?
*sigh* I guess you pay for the magic right? At least we can all relax and enjoy the attractions in a timely manner now.
Ohhh wait, you can't!? "Not offered" ?
These are POPULAR attractions! Silly me, those cost an extra 13-19 dollars a head each time!! HOW MAGICAL.
Nothing is more magical than paying 60 dollars for two people to skip long lines only to be stuck for 90 minutes in the line you bought the passes to skip while people saunter past you in the lightning lane that expects ANOTHER 19 dollars a head to use.
Then to add even more magic, the popular attraction, (after an excruciatingly long wait line, the exclusive genie app fastpasses you had to pay for magically dont work on) breaks down while you are on it.
What a magical experience. After sitting on the track for a while not moving you finally get off and bring this horrendous rip of... I mean MAGIC to the attention of a cast member!
Instead of an apology or attempt at service recovery,
(which if I remember my training from good old Disney traditions is expected of every castmember when guests bring breaks in the magic to their attention)
Imagine getting an annoyed shrug from the uncaring, apathetic, slightly disheveled, and clearly tattooed castmember, and a"what can you do" comment.
So much for “the Disney look”
Then we get to the park itself. Missing lights on main Street and pixar pier attractions, closed major rides and attractions, derelict old favorites that are being overgrown, horrible lines, way, WAY too many people, absolutely outrageous prices for food and drink, and the constant ever present annoyance of the genie app. apathetic cast that clearly don't care and can't be bothered to make any effort, (too much emotional labour I guess) Not to mention the irritation of a Star Wars fan constantly getting the failed Disney version characters jammed down your throat.
WOW
Can I give you more money?
Next time Legoland and Knott's berry farm.