Exactly. And Disney also knew what the reaction would be, having gone through this with the GAC-to-DAS transition...given that, I have no doubt that their data shows a degree of use, whether abuse, overuse, or a combination of the two, that was no longer sustainable due to impacts on the overall guest population.
If you listen or read Len Testa’s posts or podcasts, you’ll find out that ViP tour numbers are negligible (~40 per hour) and were actually zero in the hour they counted. For Peter Pan (one of the attractions they counted), one can assume rider swap is extremely low.
Speaking as a semi-local who has a couple truly local friends who sometimes join me last minute (I’m talking, I text “I’m at EP for a few hours - want to join me?” And local friend shows up 30 mins later), as well as my son once or twice a year, and a non-local friend once or twice a year, this is the most concerning change of all to me. In a 4 hour visit I’ll now need to spend time making a virtual call to add and/or remove someone from my DAS party? My hope remains that they staff the in-park virtual call center separately from the advance calls and nobody in the parks needs to spend 3 hours waiting, but it will still be a burden that makes me feel like I’ll have to choose between the hassle of going to a single GS location (as opposed to the blue umbrellas stationed throughout the parks), skipping all attractions while a friend is with me, or not spending time with the friend so I can do attractions by myself. Sorry to be whiny, but that’s just lousy.
This is true. Sometimes they get snippy with you just for daring to show up at your return time to scan in. God forbid they have to spend 2 extra milliseconds tapping on their tablets.
Possibly, especially if you visit the thread on that website's forum which has a considerably negative vibe to it. Continuing to argue the data here on this thread isn't helping, it's just keeping that data front-and-center of the discussion.
Not a bad idea for those that are only permitted to have a total of four on the DAS.
If I was to venture a guess…it’s probably to retain a little more control over the people who are exploiting the DAS system. There’s no reason that an honest user shouldn’t be able to modify their guest list on their own. But, this is one more hurdle for the abusers who are adding completely different people each and every time they enter the park.
I’m sad for you, that’s awful.
That was my initial thinking as well. Not that they aren't trying to be soooo rigid that it hinders someone's trip but rather if people were just taking so and so along to help on their trip.
I don't think the limit of four was ever about immediate family, or at least that's not how I understood it...my interpretation was limit of four unless the immediate family was more than four (two parents, three kids, etc.), in which case the limit could be expanded.
Oh, I’m sure it is! But IF (and I know it’s still very much an if) it becomes an ordeal every time I want to swap out someone in my DAS party, I’ll just stop bothering. And that doesn’t mean I’ll instead be spending more money on G+ - I’d just go back to only ever visiting alone and spending time with F&F at UO or greater Orlando restaurants… which results in less time at WDW, less money spent at WDW, etc. It feels short-sighted IF they make DAS unusable for DAS users wanting to spend time with people who weren’t in the original DAS party when registering/renewing.
In general I'd look at any CM frustration to be largely held against Disney. The CM at the attraction isn't able to change anything related to who qualifies for what but they are the ones who deal with the fall out from all guests (and I mean all guests) so even though it's unprofessional and not excusable to have a CM outburst like that I also don't think it's a personal thing aimed at DAS users themselves. I'm sure this was the same sentiment held when FP+ was used as a placating tool, it left the CMs at the attraction open to overwhelmed circumstances for their role.
I agree that pulling is inappropriate. I edited my post to say stroller wagons. My stroller wagon doesn't even have that option. It’s the seating layout that allows 2 bigger kids.
Same. We’re at Disneyland.
I was going off a prior comment in this thread earlier this week and the language on Disney's website (for WDW at least).
but at least that's what it is now.
Yeah, she should have caught it before something needed to be said. Some people are oblivious at times. I "try" to remember we are not all cut from the same cloth. Some days I am not good at it. LOL
In that situation I would be tempted not to bother with the work and time involved in changing the DAS party, and just enjoy attractions with no wait or a short wait (Nemo, Moana, the Land, Three Caballeros etc.) and focus more on enjoying the time with my friend. I always have a great time in Epcot even if I don’t do Ratatouille, Frozen, and Test Track.
But if I can currently select from my F&F for VQs and ILLs, I feel pretty confident saying 
