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Brought to you by...
John and Donna Gross "The Full Mickey - At a Discount!" The Wall Street Journal
WALT DISNEY WORLD CORRESPONDENCE Want to write to someone at WDW? Just replace the ?????????? in the following address with the person's name or job position.
?????????? Let's say you want to write to the general manager of Caribbean Beach. Here is how you would address the envelope:
General Manager of Caribbean Beach
Stephanie writes: "Would you happen to have a mailing or email address for Mr. Jay Rasulo, Chairman Disney Parks and Resorts office? We have recently returned from our second trip to Disney and had a rather stressful vacation that I would like to bring to his attention (I would like to go to the top to ensure that it is not just shoved to the side and ignored). Long story short, we had booked at All Star Sports and when we arrived we were told that they had overbooked us and asked if we would we like to stay at the Polynesian instead. Of course we were happy and thought it would be wonderful, but it led to all sorts of problems for us with Magical Express Reservations, dining, room location etc. I would like to make Disney aware of our experience so that they can make improvements for the next family that gets an "upgrade". Any information you could provide would be helpful." Disney's principal executive offices are located at the following address:
The Walt Disney Company Their telephone number is 818/560-1000. |
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"Free wireless Internet is starting to reach the streets of downtown Orlando. And there's an unexpected upside for users: They will be able to access the Internet at speeds that could be as much as 10 times faster than anticipated, making for a snappier experience with e-mail, online shopping and other tasks." (Source: Orlando Sentinel, 03/24/07) Free Wireless coming to Downtown Orlando "Free wireless Internet access will be available in a 9-square-mile swath of downtown, stretching north-south from Gore Street to Princeton Street and east-west from Summerlin Avenue to Westmoreland Drive... Service will be free up to a certain speed, but users will have to pay for faster access... [Free service] should be at least two times faster than dial-up." Service should be available by year's end. (Source: Orlando Sentinel, 04/29/06)
JoAnn writes: "Dear Mr Gross; My family, friends and I spent our New Year's Day at Epcot. Everything we managed to see was beautiful. I and my family and friends have two complaints. We were very disappointed in the fact of how much money it cost us to get in, when half the attractions there were closed. Lets face it - to get in the gate to eat dinner is very costly especially when you want to see something and its shut down. I was in a wheelchair - very few exhibits have wheelchair entrances, which made it very hard for me. We were on a very long line waiting to go onto the new ride Soarin which had a steep incline. My daughter tried holding on to me but the chair slipped out of her hands. I tried grabbing onto the railing not to hit the people in front of me, I couldn't. I hit my left arm and ended up bruising with some pain. The people that worked there wanted me to report it. I did not saying I'll be okay. I never thought I would have a hard time sleeping and waking up bruised. I am not a thin person it is very hard trying to hold on to the wheel chair on a steep downward incline. I know Disney must have photos and would know the people working at the time. It was between say 8:25 pm and 8:45 pm. I need too find out who I make a complaint to with DisneyWorld Epcot." You can send a complaint online with this form. By snail mail:
COMPLAINTS AND COMMENTS: Let us know their response.
Jeff writes: "Just wanted to let the readers know how important it is to put address labels on items that could be lost! We visited Walt Disney World the entire week of this past Christmas. We took an entire day to visit the Disney resorts and take a picture of all of the Christmas trees and decorations inside each resort. We even took a horse and carriage ride at the Port Orleans resort. When we got home and had all of our film developed we noticed that one roll was missing, the one with the Christmas tress and the carriage ride. We thought our memories were lost when much to our surprise we went to the mailbox (16 days after we returned) and there was an envelope from Disney. It was our lost roll of film with the address label stuck to the film container along with a very nice letter from their "lost and found" team. They even paid for the postage!" Thanks, Jeff, for the great tip! We invite our readers to share their tips so we can all benefit from their experience.
To email WDW's Guest Services: wdw.guest.communications@disney.com
Natina was not happy with the crowds at WDW during her recent vacation. She sent us a copy of the letter she sent to Disney. Here are some excerpts: "I would like to inform you of our family experience (there were 12 of us total) that took place at Disney’s Magic Kingdom located in Orlando, Florida on October 27, 2005. I am normally not one to complain, nor take the time to sit and type a letter or to file a complaint about service; but feel that I can offer you a solution to my complaint which might be different from other letters you receive... My children, niece, nephew and little sister had an absolute blast at Magic Kingdom in spite of the overwhelming attendance that we drowned in while visiting Disney. However, it was an absolutely miserable day for us (the adults). The entire day of constantly fighting the crowd, and waiting 45-50 minutes at Crystal Palace with the Pooh characters... and we had 2:15 reservations, only riding a few rides because of the dreaded long wait in line for the rides and the hour wait to get on the mono rail just to leave the park. My mother had knee surgery, so she had rented a scooter and that line to return the scooter was about 40 minutes. We spent a lot of money for tickets just to get in for one day and my immediate family alone paid $77.00 for lunch that was very good food, but we were in a corner and the characters made us feel very rushed just to get a couple pictures. They didn’t like us taking pictures of the kids by themselves and wanted us to keep them in a group. The Parade of Lights was so crowded that we spent 2 hours not being able to go forward or backwards and push two strollers through an absolutely unbearable crowd. My mother was literally trapped on her scooter the entire time of the parade. We couldn’t turn around even if we wanted to... Also, we witnessed several verbal feuds among your guests complaining about the Fastpass. It seems like it’s a nice feature, but really needs to be modified or someone is going to get hurt; people were getting so frustrated waiting in lines and those others would walk up and get directly on the rides. We all looked so forward to visiting Disney. However, if you would have told me that Disney was over 100% of their capacity to hosts guests...WE WOULD NOT HAVE WENT!! We could have taken the $1000.00 (just my family, which is 4 of us) we spent at Disney and done several other family fun vacation events that would have been just as fun for us All. My proposal to Disney to perhaps correct some of the above mentioned problems is as follows. Disney can post a capacity % at the gate, or give a number for guests to call and hear an estimate on the capacity % of the park. For example, the particular day we went was probably 130% capacity which would have caused us to call upon another park and check its capacity. If it was at 75%-85% we would have went inside to Magic Kingdom. We live in Indiana, and our Dome for Sporting events and concerts can be estimated on its capacity. If Indiana can do it; Disney can do it! The Parade of Lights was only viewed by children that are in the front row and there were many children present that did not get to see any lights. Perhaps Disney can create portable bleachers for a lot of the guests to rise up in layers instead of the way it is currently done. I can’t think of a better way to enhance your Fastpass feature, but maybe Disney can rethink that one. I could only hope this was an isolated incident because of Hurricane Wilma and is not a normal course of business. If so, it’s not one that I want to do business at." -------------------------------- Maryann sent us her reaction to Natina's comments: "Wow! I find it very hard to believe that Magic Kingdom was so packed on October 27, 2005 as I was also there during that time. There were many rides that you could get right onto or had a no more than 15-20 minute wait. We rode Splash Mountain 2 times in a row and then went on Thunder Mountain with a 15 minute wait - wasn't even that long - we walked almost all the way to the train before we stopped. I don't think Natina read up on anything from your site or any others. If she thinks it's packed in October, which it isn't, she should try going in the middle of the summer! Now that's packed. She didn't seem to have any idea how to get around the park. I do agree that maybe a few rides had long lines - like Peter Pan, Winnie the Pooh, and the three Mountains - if you didn't use Fast Pass. Why should she be upset that people were walking right by in the Fast Pass line when she didn't utilize the same system that was available to her? First of all, it doesn't sound like she planned a place to watch the Electrical parade. Sure, if you're on Main Street it's packed and people line up for good spots way ahead of time. She had that same option and sounds like she chose to ignore it and just expected "there to be room for her right there up front for whenever she decided was a good time for her." My 84 year old mother is wheelchair bound and has gone to Disney with us multiple times. There are special spots available for the handicapped. Why didn't she make use of them? I find most of her comments to be way out of line as far as Disney goes. A long wait to get on the monorail - yes if you expect to get right on. Don't plan to leave the park as soon as the parade or fireworks are over. Stroll back a little and let the crowd move, grab an ice cream and sit and people watch. By the time you finish your ice cream, you can navigate wheelchairs and even strollers much easier. Take the ferry instead of the monorail. The queue seems to move faster. Actually, it appears she didn't do ANY pre-planning and just winged it. Seems funny that the kids were okay but the adults weren't. It's usually kids that have low attention spans and don't like to wait. She sounded tired and REALLY cranky. Maybe she should have taken a break during the day. I'm not sure what she expected but sounds like she thought she should be treated better than anyone else there. Disney is a magical place and you should leave everything behind when you walk thru the turnstiles. A 45 minute wait for the Crystal Palace? Maybe because it's a large party? Was the whole party there at the same time? Did they get there early and expect to get in right away? Were only some of them there and did they expect to go in and wait for the rest at the table? The most we've ever waited at any eating establishment has been no more than 15-20 minutes for a party of 6. And we've tried the majority of them over the years. You do have to take into consideration that some people seated ahead of you might eat slower than you do. It's no different there than at any other restaurant outside Disney. We have taken MANY trips to Disney over the past 20 years starting while I was in high school. And if anything, Disney cast members go out of their way to accommodate. Our most special memory is eating at the Rose and Crown about 8 years ago when my children were 4 and 8. Our waiter sat down with us as we were his last customers. At first we didn't even realize he was the waiter and thought he was just someone from another dining party. He sat with us while we ate and talked about how he came to work in Disney and what he did back in England. He even took the kids outside to watch Illuminations close up and talked with them the whole time they were out there. They are now 12 and 16 and just last night started talking about 'Paul.' Just a note that we are not locals and travel down from Massachusetts. I enjoy your site and feel that Natina should have reviewed it and others before she left home..." -------------------------------- Maria adds: "I totally agree with Maryann about Natina's letter. My family went down to WDW last July in the midst of the crowds and heat and managed to have a wonderful time because of the planning I did on your site along with a few others. Thanks for all of the helpful information."
Trevor writes: Hello: My grandma and I saw an idea to write to someone asking for something outrageous. She says that it doesn't hurt to ask, so here goes. I would like to ask for my sister to be able to go to Disney World. She is 5 and has an illness that makes her very sick. When she was two, Make-A-Wish Foundation bought her a doll. That was her wish. Now that she is older; however, she wants to go see Mickey Mouse. I would like to make her wish come true. Thanks. Trevor (age 9)" Trevor, contact Make-A-Wish again and have your grandma fill out the request form. Maybe this time she'll get to WDW! Here's the link. Good Luck! As many of you know, we support the Make-A-Wish Foundation. This wonderful organization helps make the wishes of children like Trevor's sister come true! We would like to take this opportunity to thank all of our customers who have helped us help them.
Carolyn wrote us last week about Internet access at WDW: "I've been reading about the chip in laptops that allows wireless access. McDonald's restaurants in California, Chicago, and New York are experimenting with WI-FI (wireless fidelity). Florida can't be far behind. Cost: $4.95 for a one-hour connection and $7.95 for up to 24 hours. 7- and 30- day connection plans are also available. Access is free if you order a value meal."
Carolyn writes: "Does WDW have a 'business center' anywhere that I could use for a few minutes each day to access the internet? If so, is there a fee?" Disney's Contemporary, Animal Kingdom Lodge, Grand Floridian, Coronado Springs, and Yacht and Beach Club have business centers where guests can surf the 'Net and check email. They're open every day 9 AM - 4 PM. Cost: $40 per hour. If you need less time, you can pay $10 for each 15 minutes you're on the Internet. They also charge $1 for each page you print.
Gail writes about sending complaints to WDW: "I read in [newsletter #170] that Disney was very slow to respond to e-mails--if ever. I did not find that to be the case at all before and after our trip. We visited WDW in December 2002. I had several questions because of a particular medical situation in our family. I simply used the Guest Services link at the bottom of the http://www.disneyworld.com page. It links to an email 'form.' Simply fill it out and submit. You will get an automatic response acknowledging receipt of the question or comment and then within 48 hours I ALWAYS got an answer--usually less. I also had a compliant about a rude employee at the Contemporary. I sent that comment the same way after our trip and received a prompt and gracious response. Try this method if you are having trouble using other ways to communicate with WDW. It works every time."
Tina writes: "You've helped me in the past now I need your help again. I called the other day (6/13) for Priority Seating for the Crystal Palace and Breakfastasaurus. The woman I got was so rude and nasty I couldn't believe it. She gave me the 2 confirmation numbers but they looked different. I waited a few minutes and called back. I got another person who was much nicer. She verified that 1) the confirmation numbers were incorrect (both of them), 2) she had booked Chef Mickey's not Breakfastasaurus and 3) she had only 2 people down for the breakfast reservation not 6!! I sure hope everything else doesn't go like this on our first trip down there or I will scream!!! Do you have an e-mail address so I can speak to someone about this issue. Thanks so much. P.S. Thanks for the tip about the price increase. I called Omar the Friday before and got tickets. He thought I was psychic because as he was answering my phone call, he was taking the price increase info off of the fax machine. He hung up with me and e-mailed you about the prices. Thanks again." To send an email, click here. By snail mail: if you have a complaint or a comment to make about your experiences at WDW, send it to:
COMPLAINTS AND COMMENTS: We've heard complaints about the poorly trained staff Disney has working the phones. Glad you were able to beat the price increase. Remember - Disney, like the rest of us, is not perfect. If they screw up now and then, don't let it affect your vacation. Be sure to have a wonderful time anyway. Tina followed up: "Just wanted to follow-up with an incident I wrote you about. I had some issues with the dining reservations people messing up my reservations. Well yesterday I had phone calls from not one but two people from Disney following up with me in regards to my e-mail. They stated that the person I spoke to had been sent back to be re-trained and that they were very sorry that I had such difficulty. They also gave me a direct line number if I should have any other issues during my stay. I wasn't even expecting a response, never mind phone calls."
Stephanie asked if any readers had experience with walkie-talkies: Jenny writes: "I am a new purchaser of your web book and I am hoping to save some money on my second trip to Disney in two years with my two children. We purchased walkie-talkies and brought them with us to Disney. they were nice to have. the only bad part is that a lot of people have them so you get some interference. The trick is to find a channel that not everyone is using and also be able to recognize your groups voices from all the others. It was nice to have if you got separated in a crowd, but you have to remember they only go for a distance of two miles or so. We have Nextel phones this year and I think they will be better because you can talk directly to the party you are calling and no interference from other cells." Debbie writes: "We have used the walkie-talkies on a few trips to Disney. They do work in most parks - MGM was the shortest distance probably because of the tall buildings. HOWEVER - you do hear everyone else no matter what frequency you try. So it will take a lot of talking and listening to find YOUR party. I suggest you have a "code/nick name" for each other rather than using your first name. They came in quite handy when standing in line for a children's ride such as Dumbo and sending someone else in your party for a Fast Pass. That way they can let you know what times you got. If nothing else, I often use them while shopping - best at malls and outlet centers. That way your husband can shop himself (sure), wait at a bar in a restaurant watching a game, or sit in the car and you can call him to help you carry your packages. Lastly - we have two sets of two way radios (as they are called). The expensive ones work no better than the cheap ones. Motorola makes a VERY inexpensive one that has a hole at the top - it is kind of shaped like a ice cream cone.We attached a sport neck chain to them and wear them around our necks - very convenient. In fact, my daughter wears one when she plays outside and rides her bike to a friends. Now I know she arrives safe and when she is leaving. They are worth the investment. Have Fun!" Tommy writes: "Just to let you know, the walkie-talkies are a great idea, with one draw back - everybody has them and it makes it hard to find a clear channel to talk on. We went with another family last year and it was great being able to keep up with everybody, we had two teenagers in our group and we felt better letting them roam knowing that we could keep in touch with them. One tip - it doesn't matter if you spend big bucks on the elite models or buy the ones from Wal-Mart, they all use the same frequencies and do pretty much the same job. Thanks for a great book!" Krista writes: "We use the walkie-talkies when we go to the parks, and in the cars on the drive down. You occasionally get interference and can hear other people talking on their walkies but it's better than trying to remember to wear a watch and remember where and when to meet. This way you can just say 'Hey, meet us at the Back - lot tour, so we can decide where to eat lunch." Paula writes: "We tried walkie-talkies and it was a wash. there were soo soo many people on so many different frequencies, that we could hardly hear or get in touch with our family members. Cell phone was a better option especially if park is packed. If you do use, make sure you create some CREATIVE code names to communicate with your family members. Using your own name will not work, or you'll be talking to several "Mike's" without realizing it!" Laurie writes: "Walkie Talkies, I have used them for the past 4 years and they work great in the park you are both at. Select a high channel and you will be fine. Enjoy." A subscriber writes: "Our family started using FRS radios in the WDW parks about 5 years ago. We gave each family member a talkie and let them go "explore" on their own. This took care of the younger ones always asking if they could go off on this or that ride, allowed us to "check in" with the older kids to see if they needed anything, and to coordinate meals and leaving at night. One year we "lost" our two teenagers in Epcot. We hunted for 3 hours, periodically asking security and guest relations but they were still "lost". Later we discovered that security had picked them up based upon our descriptions and had them in a waiting room for most of the 3 hours while we hunted for them!!! Arg.. I figure this wasted time cost us the full price of radios. No more of this... with radios for everyone. Lately all the channels are getting very crowded but they still are a life saver for keeping track of our 5 kids. You just need to talk quick and often to get through the traffic. P.S. We have also used them on two Disney Cruises! It really saves a lot of running up and down the ships stairs and elevators and allows mom and dad to keep up with everyone and to feel they are both safe and happy." Kristy writes: "Hi John, I wanted to let you know about our experience with 'talkies.' We think they are wonderful to use! We have two children 9 & 14, who have very different interests. While my husband takes the 14-year-old on the coasters, I take the 9-year- old on Buzz Lightyear, etc. The 'talkies' are a great help in meeting up after. The only problem we have encountered is other people on the same channel. We don't ever use channel 9! Pick another channel at the beginning of the day and stay on it. There will probably be others using it as well, but not so many. Avoid saying "Mom" or any other generic terms, use names, we use first and last to cut down on confusion. Our radios have a 2-mile range and I don't believe we have ever been out of range, while all being in the same park. We do turn them off in attractions (after informing the other half of the family that we are going to do so), so as not to bother others. Do remember to take extra batteries! Once we did have a problem when one set of batteries failed. Always have a pre-determined meeting spot in case this happens. Hope this helps! We enjoy the book & newsletter, saved a lot of money in February when we went. Thanks."
Felics writes: "Can I use international phone cards for saving money in Walt Disney World?" Guests pay 75¢ minimum for each call they make, including those made on calling cards. If you have an 800 number, dial 8 + 1-800 + the phone number; if you don't have an 800 number, dial 8 + 0 + area code + the phone number and the operator will help you make the call.
Page writes: "Hi, I need help. I lost my cell phone in Epcot and have been calling the lost and found number for four days. I have held on to the line for two hours at a time and never reached a person. I have tried security at Epcot and guest relations....nobody could help me. Now that I am home I cannot afford to hold onto the phone line for hours. Is there a 1-800 # or a way to e-mail the lost and found people?" Sorry, there are no toll free numbers. To send a letter by snail mail, use the following address:
General Manager of Epcot Here are the phone numbers for lost and found: 407/824-4245 (Magic Kingdom); 407/560-7500 (Epcot); 407/560-3764 (MGM); 407/938-2265 (Animal Kingdom) To send an email, click here.
Walt Disney World has plans to install 65 Internet access locations where guests can read email, make restaurant reservations and surf the 'Net. Cost is 25 cents per minute. 8 machines are already in use at the Magic Kingdom's Splash Mountain, Pirates of the Caribbean and Cosmic Ray's Starlight Cafe. (Source: Orlando Sentinel)
If you have a complaint or a comment to make about your experiences at WDW, send it to:
COMPLAINTS AND COMMENTS:
The cost of telephone calls at pay phones at WDW is going up from 35 cents to 50 cents. Calling Cards at WDW: Disney sells calling cards for $20 for 40 minutes. Sam's Club sells them for $20 for 500 minutes! So purchase your card from home. Thanks June for this tip!
Debra writes: "We just returned from WDW and realized that Snow White wrote the wrong name in my daughter's book.(Alice instead of Dallas) I read in a past issue that someone had e-mailed DW and received a picture from the character. I was hoping that you could give me the correct e-mail address to get in touch with Disney. I am hoping for a new signature, or even a picture. Any and all help would be greatly appreciated." To send an email to WDW, click here. You will probably get a faster response if you call 407/934-7639 and explain the problem to them. They should transfer you to someone who can help. If you don't like the response you get, hang up and call back and speak to someone more accommodating.
A teacher writes: "Where can my students send a letter to Walt Disney Corp?" Disney's principal executive offices are located at the following address:
The Walt Disney Company Their telephone number is 818/560-1000.
Manos writes: "i want to make a DISNEY STORE here at Athens Greece but i don't know where to talk about for it and make it real. Any ideas where or who to contact for that?' Visit http://disney.store.go.com/. At the bottom of the page is a "contact us" link. Click on it and an email form will pop up. Use it to contact them directly.
How to communicate with the Walt Disney World® resort:
WALT DISNEY WORLD archive files are retained for only a limited period. For this reason it is imperative that you forward our message along with your Response, if applicable. A valid E-Mail address must be included since our service is through electronic mail only. If you have questions or need further assistance, feel free to contact us at:
WWW E-Mail: wdw_resmail@wda.disney.com Our offices open daily at 8, weekdays til 9, weekends and holidays til 5, Eastern Time. Please include your full name, E-Mail address, and reservation number if applicable on all correspondence, and allow up to 48 hours for response to E-Mail.
Internet Access At Walt Disney World You can surf the 'Net at the Internet Cafe at DisneyQuest. Guests at Disney's Coronado Springs Resort can now enjoy high-speed Internet access. Cost: $4.95/hour or $9.95 for 24 hours. By April, high-speed Internet access will be available at Yacht and Beach Club, Contemporary, Grand Floridian, Boardwalk Inn and Villas, Saratoga Springs Resort, Villas at Wilderness Lodge and Old Key West. High speed wireless Internet access (Wi-Fi) is now available in the lobbies of Disney's convention hotels: Grand Floridian, Contemporary, Yacht and Beach Club and Coronado Springs. Your laptop must be Wi-Fi enabled. Cost: $4.99/hour or $9.95 for 24 hours. Disney's Contemporary, Animal Kingdom Lodge, Grand Floridian, Coronado Springs, and Yacht and Beach Club have business centers where guests can surf the 'Net and check email. They're open every day 9 AM - 4 PM. Cost: $40 per hour. If you need less time, you can pay $10 for each 15 minutes you're on the Internet. They also charge $1 for each page you print. It will probably be cheaper to use the data port in your room and pay a $0.75 charge for the local access call.
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