[Dana]

Originally Posted by diamond58

mad:I HAVE COME TO VENT!!!!! I purchased the MYW Package w/ free dining for 6 night/7 Days. I upgraded to the Deluxe dining and was told @ booking that I would receive several amenities including a certificate for a free Photo Pass complimentary 5x7 photo. I received all my goodies in the mail last week and the free photo certf. was not in it. Now mind you, I started the booking process online and was told to contact a reservation specialist, which I did. She informed me that I would receive the photo certif.. When I got my conformation statement online it was not on there. I called and was again told that I would receive it. Even after contacting Disney again last week, the person said it should be in the mail any day. WELL...Today I called and the person was very snippy and informed me that I would not be receiving the certificate because it was not booked online. That is BULL! Online told me to contact a reservation specialist!! I am very sad, especially since this will by my families first trip to Disney! I find it hard to believe that Disney would not honor a stupid $12 photo, especially since I read to them verbatim what the description said!!

Having said all this, I wondering what other unfortunate surprises Disney has in store!

I am sorry that you had this issue. I would wait until you get down there and calmly and politely explain to the person at check in what happened. No Disney CM at check in is going to refuse a $12 photo certificate.

I seriously hope that you don't let something a trivial as this set the tone for a WDW vacation. Since it is you first time there, I highly suggest you do your homework and get the Unofficial guide to WDW at your local bookstore. It will prepare you for you trip. Do you have all your Advanced Dining reservations booked? Since you are going at Free dining and have the Deluxe plan, having your ADRs booked now is essential to getting a table at WDW. Do you know which parks on which days you are going?

Sorry my mind drifted there for a minute and I started to ramble. I seriously wouldn't let this set the tone..you could have bigger bumps in the road along the way during your trip and how you react and handle them is going to make or break your trip. In other words, don't sweat the small stuff and this is small stuff. Not having a table to eat at during free dining is way bigger potatoes.

[MissDisney]

In fact, call back several times. It's sometimes pretty amazing how much differing info each CM can have, and also what they are willing to do for you!

[ranedrops]

Definitely call back. There is always a CM that will get your problem straightened out. Sometimes it just takes going through a couple of others to get the right one.
Have a great trip!

[diamond58]

Originally Posted by Dana

Since it is you first time there, I highly suggest you do your homework and get the Unofficial guide to WDW at your local bookstore. It will prepare you for you trip. Do you have all your Advanced Dining reservations booked? Since you are going at Free dining and have the Deluxe plan, having your ADRs booked now is essential to getting a table at WDW. Do you know which parks on which days you are going?

Thanks! I got my Unofficial Guide last April and have everything planned out (though I know it may not actually go that way!). I even paid the extra for the online subscription using the discount through one of the online blogs sights.

I made sure to make all my ADR's the same day I booked the package and was able to get every restaurant I wanted from the Hoop Dee Doo to California Grill. We have several character meals as well including both Princess breakfasts, Chef Mickey, Ohana and the one @ Tusker house.

I even printed out the transportation approximate times from the Unofficial website since we will be soley using the Disney sytem.

I guess that is why I was venting so much. All the preparation has gotten to me!

[Dana]

Originally Posted by diamond58

Thanks! I got my Unofficial Guide last April and have everything planned out (though I know it may not actually go that way!). I even paid the extra for the online subscription using the discount through one of the online blogs sights.

I made sure to make all my ADR's the same day I booked the package and was able to get every restaurant I wanted from the Hoop Dee Doo to California Grill. We have several character meals as well including both Princess breakfasts, Chef Mickey, Ohana and the one @ Tusker house.

I even printed out the transportation approximate times from the Unofficial website since we will be soley using the Disney sytem.

I guess that is why I was venting so much. All the preparation has gotten to me!

I can totally relate. When you put so much time into making something as perfect as possible, bumps in the road seem ttragic regardless of how big or small they are.

Just do yourself a few favors (this is my advice to all first timers):
*pick three must do attraction for each person going in each park and focus on them. You are not going to see and do everything the first time you go and trying to will make you insane and just POed.
*take advantage of Extra Magic hours in the morning to get to the popular rides. Take a break right before or after lunch. Go to a different park after your break. Those breaks are going to keep you cool and sane.
*A plan is wonderful and definately necessary for a sucessful WDW trip, but do go with the flow and don't stress out if your plan doesn't go perfectly.

[hanwill]

Just remember that some of the best things that happen are during unplanned, and unexpected moments. For instance, we were at the MK and decided that the kids really needed to eat lunch. We were in tomorrowland, and we decided to head to Peco Bill's for hamburgers (across the park). We were walking across the park, and decided to stop at the Plaza Restaurant because my child was having a hunger meltdown. Well, they seated us in about 2 seconds, and then the mayor of the town came in and announced to the restaurant that we were the 100th family. We got free desserts and a picture with the Mayor. We all loved it, and since then it has become one of my favorite restaurants... and all because of a meltdown of a two year old...

It is a lot to plan, but just know that you should not even try to see it all... It is a mind blowing place the first time. Just have fun!!!!

[Jennatrz]

I'm sure that they will straighten out the photo Cert. Most CM's are willing to go above and beyond for their guests. Good luck and lots of pixie dust.

[CarolinaTilt]

I am so sorry you had a bad experience. We didn't receive our Magical Express vouchers and tags last year and were told they were in the mail. It cost us an extra hour and half at the airport, but the CMs at the counter at the airport and at our resort were great and took extra time and effort to make sure we had everything we needed.

We just refused to be upset about anything and it was truly a magical experience for us.

[tinkerbelle24]

Sorry to hear this happened. I have been to WDW about 6 -8 times now. We have had some magical memories and some not so magical. I would try calling again and if that doesnt work just forget about it. I think when I booked my last package I was told I was going to get a photo certificate and come to think of it I dont think I did

[MikeyJCanada]

You are suppost to get it when you check in.....I never recieved mine that last 2x. Maybe you have to ask for it??

[dac921]

A photo would be nice but being in Disney is WAY better