Answer to Petes question.

[WebmasterJohn]

I just listened to part of the last podcast. I was turned off by all three laughing about people getting turned away for testing positive. Well, I revise my statement. At least Pete was trying to say it was sad.

I don't remember laughing at anyone being turned away for testing positive.

 

[Doingitagain]

I don't remember laughing at anyone being turned away for testing positive.

I listened this morning, and it appeared that some took it as "the ship will be less busy", and Pete said it was sad for those who were turned away. Not great phrasing, but I am sure it is hard to get it all the right tone for a podcast.

 

[kylenne]

Yeah, as much as I love the Dis podcasts, I'm finding I'm enjoying it less with their regular "why aren't you cruising and going on vacation". I do wish there were more opinions from workers with younger kids who can't just pick up and leave with little planning. I know they are all travel agents and they do have the benefits living in Florida, but with that, I don't think they often take into account of what would happen if you ended up in Florida with an entire family not being allowed on the cruise.

But, I do get it to a degree. They are travel agents and have the money, time and a lot of them don't have children (or they are grown), so I get why they are able to enjoy the cruises so much right now. I don't always have to agree with what they say .

I don’t even have children and I find that attitude offputting and it’s one of the reasons I stopped listening to the main show a while back. The myopia is a lot sometimes.

I get that they have a business to support, but the reality is until this virus becomes endemic I’m not setting foot on a cruise ship even if it was free. I love cruises, but it’s just not worth the risk to me and I felt that way long before the CDC said so. I have too many at risk loved ones, including my partner. We canceled WDW even over concerns, last year. I don’t understand why it’s so difficult to fathom that large swaths of people are hesitant to board giant cruise ships during a pandemic, when people don’t even wash their hands on them on a normal day. And that’s before the logistical concerns involved—people with very small children, people who can’t afford the still obscene prices Disney charges even when discounted, people with at risk/immunocompromised family members, etc etc.

 

[rlk]

I don't remember laughing at anyone being turned away for testing positive.

I want to start by saying I really look forward to when you and Kevin are on the podcast. It did seem like you were laughing as Pete spoke about people being turned away. Maybe your laughter was ill-timed or perhaps it was just a reaction that didn't sit well with me. I did go back to listen again and there is laughter. I was surprised because it seemed so out of character for you.

I just felt the need to mention it because I value your opinions.

 

[WebmasterJohn]

Lately when I listen to these shows I don’t think that Pete, John nor Kevin think about the broad demographic of their clients but think more about people who are just like them.

I respectfully disagree with your statement.

We speak from our experience when we talk on the show. That experience comes from many years of visiting Disney parks and traveling during all aspects of our lives. We have all been through ups and downs financially and have navigated going to Disney (or not going) based on our situation at the time.

We know and understand that not everyone can or wants to travel the way we do. That's why we work hard to have a travel agency that takes everyone's financial and personal situation into consideration. We have worked hard to provide value to all of our clients and we take pride when we save our clients money.

As the three of us move into a different phase of our lives we share our experiences of going to Disney with these new challenges and a new perspective. Of course that won't be the same as everyone's, but I assure you many people relate to how we travel. I get the feedback all the time.

We obviously don't have the experience of traveling as parents with kids, which is why we have other folks on our team who do have that experience and share how they navigate those challenges. Conversely those folks don't have the same experiences as Kevin, Pete and I.

And by the way who the heck are they talking to that loves genie plus anyway? certainly not Elaine nor Deni!

This is the feedback we're getting from clients. They are saving tons of time waiting in lines and having a better park experience. Once it's paid for (usually in advance added to their package) the cost is no longer a concern.

It's interesting that you feel we don't think about the broad demographic of our viewers and listeners but you think Elaine and Deni's opinion of Genie+ would be the same for all theme park visitors.

 

[WebmasterJohn]

I want to start by saying I really look forward to when you and Kevin are on the podcast. It did seem like you were laughing as Pete spoke about people being turned away. Maybe your laughter was ill-timed or perhaps it was just a reaction that didn't sit well with me. I did go back to listen again and there is laughter. I was surprised because it seemed so out of character for you.

I just felt the need to mention it because I value your opinions.

I apologize if it came across that we were laughing that some people are turned away at the port. I assure that is not how we feel. As a matter of fact I just spend days working with a client from Australia who is worried about this happening and helping her agent come up with a plan 'B' and plan 'C' if in the unlikely event it does. All the time trying to calm her concerns so she can enjoy her cruise.

All I can think is maybe something else happened in the room that we were responding too.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

Yeah, as much as I love the Dis podcasts, I'm finding I'm enjoying it less with their regular "why aren't you cruising and going on vacation". I do wish there were more opinions from workers with younger kids who can't just pick up and leave with little planning. I know they are all travel agents and they do have the benefits living in Florida, but with that, I don't think they often take into account of what would happen if you ended up in Florida with an entire family not being allowed on the cruise.

But, I do get it to a degree. They are travel agents and have the money, time and a lot of them don't have children (or they are grown), so I get why they are able to enjoy the cruises so much right now. I don't always have to agree with what they say .

"Living in Florida" is a huuuuuge part of it. I spend a decent amount of money when I go on vacation, but I have a limit. One cruise I priced out recently, I was willing to pay the rate for the cruise itself, but flights were $600 per person for Basic Economy, which I'm never ever going to pay. Flight prices are impossibly volatile right now. You could get something for $150 round trip, or you could get the same flight a week later for $450 one way.

 

[WebmasterJohn]

I listened this morning, and it appeared that some took it as "the ship will be less busy", and Pete said it was sad for those who were turned away. Not great phrasing, but I am sure it is hard to get it all the right tone for a podcast.

I do remember that part of the conversation now. It was meant as a joke. Not all my dumb jokes land.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

I do remember that part of the conversation now. It was meant as a joke. Not all my dumb jokes land.

- Christine McCarthy

 

[rlk]

I apologize if it came across that we were laughing that some people are turned away at the port. I assure that is not how we feel. As a matter of fact I just spend days working with a client from Australia who is worried about this happening and helping her agent come up with a plan 'B' and plan 'C' if in the unlikely event it does. All the time trying to calm her concerns so she can enjoy her cruise.

All I can think is maybe something else happened in the room that we were responding too.

I appreciate you hearing my concern and giving some insight. Thanks for clearing it up. As I said, I was surprised only because it was seemed out of character for you and Kevin.

 

[backformore]

Personally just not a cruise fan. In my experience, cruises seem to consist of eating, drinking and up charges. Just not our thing, like the freedom of doing what we want, when we want at WDW, even if that means just hanging out at the lobby in the Poly.

I agree. I read trip reports of cruises - walk, breakfast, jigsaw puzzle, sunbathe/swim, lunch, wine, rest, shop, drinks, dinner, a show, bed. I get that sitting and enjoying watching the ocean can be relaxing, but only for a short time (for me) I think I'd be bored.
Contrast that to the huge number of experiences available in the 4 parks there's just no contest.
And I'm pretty sure I'm older than Pete, John and Kevin.

If I want to sit down, have a drink and absorb the atmosphere, there are dozens of places in WDW I would prefer to do that. The France Pavillion in Epcot is my favorite.

 

[GreatLakes]

I have no desire to be on a ship, Disney or otherwise, while we are still coming out of a pandemic. I've done one Disney Cruise, the first every podcast cruise, and it was ok but I just am not that into cruising. I'm sure at some point we will do one with our son post pandemic to say we did one but it just isn't my thing.

 

[OhDannyBoy]

My wife loves cruises and living 20 minutes from Port Everglades has gotten me on a lot them just because they were cheap and close. Personally, I hate them. It's nothing more than a floating hotel with an awful pool. I just spend the entire time at the casino or bar staying pickled. I'd rather just go the Hard Rock Casino and stay in the cool Guitar hotel.

Disney cruises don't have a casino. I'm gonna take a hard pass.

 

[robinb]

I love cruising, but I can't bring myself to pay two to three times more for a cruise on DCL than I would on RCCL or Norwegian.

 

[DisneyCowgirl]

I respectfully disagree with your statement.

We speak from our experience when we talk on the show. That experience comes from many years of visiting Disney parks and traveling during all aspects of our lives. We have all been through ups and downs financially and have navigated going to Disney (or not going) based on our situation at the time.

We know and understand that not everyone can or wants to travel the way we do. That's why we work hard to have a travel agency that takes everyone's financial and personal situation into consideration. We have worked hard to provide value to all of our clients and we take pride when we save our clients money.

As the three of us move into a different phase of our lives we share our experiences of going to Disney with these new challenges and a new perspective. Of course that won't be the same as everyone's, but I assure you many people relate to how we travel. I get the feedback all the time.

We obviously don't have the experience of traveling as parents with kids, which is why we have other folks on our team who do have that experience and share how they navigate those challenges. Conversely those folks don't have the same experiences as Kevin, Pete and I.



This is the feedback we're getting from clients. They are saving tons of time waiting in lines and having a better park experience. Once it's paid for (usually in advance added to their package) the cost is no longer a concern.

It's interesting that you feel we don't think about the broad demographic of our viewers and listeners but you think Elaine and Deni's opinion of Genie+ would be the same for all theme park visitors.

We were just talking about this recently. A lot of the vloggers right now are very biased towards their own circumstances (locals, no kids, going frequently, varying budgets for WDW etc). We notice that the DIS team tries to be more far-reaching in their content. And as for Genie+, while I can absolutely see why a local wouldn't like it, my friends and coworkers who have taken family trips using it loved it (one took a first time ever trip with almost no advance planning over Thanksgiving).

But to the topic of this thread - Pete's question of why aren't we cruising - an adult's only trip on a less-than-half-full ship when you just have to drive to the port sounds great. But when you've got kids, the kids' stuff isn't fully open, and you have to travel to get there, it's a different set of considerations. Maybe the question is better phrased, "Why aren't you at least considering cruising right now?!!??"

 

[figmentfinesse]

I haven't cruised for one reason:

I don't have a passport. I'll do DCL one day before the decade is up.

If I did, I would.

Are you American? I just got off 5 nights on the Magic and don’t have a passport. For several itineraries, you only need a birth certificate and a drivers license (Or another state photo Id)

 

[Sydnerella]

I respectfully disagree with your statement.

We speak from our experience when we talk on the show. That experience comes from many years of visiting Disney parks and traveling during all aspects of our lives. We have all been through ups and downs financially and have navigated going to Disney (or not going) based on our situation at the time.

We know and understand that not everyone can or wants to travel the way we do. That's why we work hard to have a travel agency that takes everyone's financial and personal situation into consideration. We have worked hard to provide value to all of our clients and we take pride when we save our clients money.

As the three of us move into a different phase of our lives we share our experiences of going to Disney with these new challenges and a new perspective. Of course that won't be the same as everyone's, but I assure you many people relate to how we travel. I get the feedback all the time.

We obviously don't have the experience of traveling as parents with kids, which is why we have other folks on our team who do have that experience and share how they navigate those challenges. Conversely those folks don't have the same experiences as Kevin, Pete and I.



This is the feedback we're getting from clients. They are saving tons of time waiting in lines and having a better park experience. Once it's paid for (usually in advance added to their package) the cost is no longer a concern.

It's interesting that you feel we don't think about the broad demographic of our viewers and listeners but you think Elaine and Deni's opinion of Genie+ would be the same for all theme park visitors.

Your efforts to respond to my comments and provide perspective are appreciated. Thank you. And I think it's valid to point out that there are many times when the perspective of your clients who in a variety of ways are in different situations is ignored/not understood/recognized by the three of you when talking on your show. When Pete asks incredulously "why people are not going on cruise line", the posts in this thread provide many reasons - including that it is not always cheaper traveling with more people than two.

One big reason to actually travel on a Disney Cruise is to avoid Genie + and the non-vacation frustration it can bring to people.

Genie +
Time is saved over waiting in lines - true but no more than FP+ and now we get to pay more. There is evidence on your own shows from people like Deni and Elaine and from your own boards that indicates frustration with Genie + and it's challenges. It's interesting that you are either not aware or don't note those as well. I realize you often speak from your own experiences and I also think that there are times that it can feel out of sync with your clients like me and some of the others who liked my post.

On a recent show discussing the latest Bob Paycheck nonsense and Pete was hosting, Deni had a wonderful suggestion that Disney leadership try to better understand what they have done to the guest experience and plan a trip like a regular park guest visiting from out of town with their family.... make ADRs at 6am central, book Genie + rides and Individual Lightening Lanes daily at 7am every day, trying to get your preferred rides booked, being on you phone every two hours when the window opens to look for a ride to do that fits your plans, and use the app in the park where it glitches and you are forced to deal with the GET people everyday, then ride/wait/miss Disney transportation or walk without trams from the parking lots, "the whole 9 yards" as she would say!

Not a bad idea!

It can all be pretty frustrating as a once a year guest or even a guest who wants to go on rides. Especially when it’s busy.

One big reason to actually travel on a Disney Cruise is to avoid Genie + and the non-vacation frustration it can bring to people!

full circle!

 

[gregskellington]

This is the feedback we're getting from clients. They are saving tons of time waiting in lines and having a better park experience. Once it's paid for (usually in advance added to their package) the cost is no longer a concern.

People on this board refuse to acknowledge that Genie+ can be a better option to FP+ for casual visitors, as much as I know what you're saying here is true.

 

[mefordis]

Once they require the booster I’ll have my sea legs cut off too. Going to AULANI tomorrow and a DCL cruise in February then we will see

Do you mind if I ask why? That concerns me because I think that other locations/countries/businesses around the world may require the booster as well, and I know you love to travel. I've really enjoyed your trip reports.

 

[mefordis]

For me, so much more to do at WDW. No comparison, imo.