CityPass

[Mad Maxx]

Oh, how I love and hate thee at the same time. They offer a great deal to our wonderful guests who understand how to use them. But boy do they also bring out the SGs a lot.

So, the tickets say right on them that they are not valid in not presented ATTACHED to the book still. So I had some guy the other day come up to my window with his families 8 or 9 CityPass D-Tickets. He puts them down on the counter and says they they tried to go to the gates with them (which you do at every other park) but was told to come back out to the booths. So I go "Ok, CityPass. Do you have the books with you as well?" to which he glares at me and says they are in the car. So I tell him that I cannot process the tickets with out them. He gets mad at me and says that he is going to stand there until he gets his tickets. So I told him he can do that, but I still need the books for the tickets. He says he wasn't going back out to the car to get them. I say that I am sorry, but, again, I need to book to process them. I also told him that normally that would void the tickets, but we would still honor them WITH THE BOOKS. And I guess all he heard was that the tickets were void, so I had to repeat that we would honor them SEVERAL TIMES before it sunk in. But the guy was still insistent on not leaving till he got his tickets. I was so ready at that point to tell him he was more than welcome to stand there as long as he didn't interfere with other guests making purchases and wave the next person on over. But, alas, I talk big in the wake of it. Prolly woulda just called a lead over and let them repeat what I had just said really.

So, while all this was going on with him, one of the women he was with says "Well, I have MY book!" to which I told her I can issue her ticket, but still need to other books to do the other tickets. But that didn't seem to get it across to them that I still needed all the books.

But this still doesnt rival the time a guy had his Disneyland ticket taken by Universal and him not seeing it till he gave us the books. That was a fun one too... Or the families of 10 with N-Tickets. Those are fun too.

And this is why Disney is such a fun place for me to work. You get a lot of great guests who make it worth you while to put up with people like this. And then you get to go and laugh about the people who are PITAs later and still be happy. I don't think you can get that much elsewhere. Maybe some retail, but not all.

[Ms. Matterhorn]

That sounds like a lot of grief for you and the SG. I just went to www.citypass.com for Southern California, and it is a pretty good deal. BUT, it says you can visit CINDERELLA'S Castle. I hope that no SG's insist on seeing Cindy's castle, since we all know Cinderella's castle is in FLA! Hahaha!:twisted:

Is the book HUGE or something? Why wouldn't the SG bring it like it said? I don't blame the guy for not wanting to go back to his car, it would take at least 45 minutes, but hey, rules are rules!

So what did the SG finally do? Did he go back and get the books, or did he pitch a fit until supervisor came out and MADE AN EXCEPTION?:mad:

And the website says: TICKETS ARE VOID IF REMOVED FROM BOOKLET!

[GuestJockey]

OH, CityPass...fun times. I love handing out the books in City Hall, because I go through the WHOLE spiel on how you CAN'T take the tickets out of the books, and you CANT lose the books, and you HAVE to bring the books with you...and yet you guys STILL get SG's who bring the vouchers only. lol

[Ms. Matterhorn]

OH, CityPass...fun times. I love handing out the books in City Hall, because I go through the WHOLE spiel on how you CAN'T take the tickets out of the books, and you CANT lose the books, and you HAVE to bring the books with you...and yet you guys STILL get SG's who bring the vouchers only. lol

They don't LISTEN!:banghead:

[Shorty82]

The CityPasses sound like they can be a lot of hassle.

I'm contacting them right now to let them know of the mistake about the castle and mentioning how the names aren't possessive (one of my pet peeves).

[Ms. Matterhorn]

The CityPasses sound like they can be a lot of hassle.

I'm contacting them right now to let them know of the mistake about the castle and mentioning how the names aren't possessive (one of my pet peeves).

Possessives: One of my pp's too! You rock, Shorty.
:yourock:

[Big Wallaby]

I was going to comment on the possession of the castles as well. I mean, c'mon. The HTH isn't the Hollywood's Tower Hotel!

[Ms. Matterhorn]

Those Citypass dorks have it all screwed up! LOL

[Terrytunes]

Yeah Maxx, I've had similar conversations at my window with SG's about the CityPass tickets. Most of them have been nice about it and just go back to the car or even their hotel to get the book. It was much easier with the '07 books that had the barcode printed on the back. That way I would just tell the SG that I needed THAT barcode AND the one on the ticket to complete the process, but I can't use THAT excuse anymore. Little did the SG know that you DON"T need both barcodes to process the ticket!!!!! HA!!!
Now I just point out on the ticket, printed on the ticket, that ticket is invalid if pull out of the book. Duh!! SG!! You paid over $200 for this book, at least read the fine print!!!


And what did happen? Did he go back to the car? Did your Lead tell you that the SG is always right and go ahead and process the ticket? That's more likely what happened.

T

[Mad Maxx]

No, in the end, the guy ended up storming away. I just hope where ever he went, they denied him too so he did have to go back to his car. Though I have the feeling that if he went elsewhere he got an "exception" and prolly ran off first thing to leave a complaint and hem and haw about wanting an asshole like me fired, why we hire such people, ect...

And, yes, we can still use the book barcode number thing. There is still the string of numbers on the back of the book that was just like the barcode on the '07 books. Hell, we need it for the N-Ticket books, but for now we are still scanning the ticket twice for them.

There was something weird in the air that day too. I got someone pissed off at me because he had already signed his travelers checks twice when he was trying to present them. Boy I got the stink eye from that guy for that. I mean, it only says countersign here in the presence of the person cashing the check. And Im rather sure they told him that at the bank when he got it.

[Ms. Matterhorn]

There was something weird in the air that day too. I got someone pissed off at me because he had already signed his travelers checks twice when he was trying to present them. Boy I got the stink eye from that guy for that. I mean, it only says countersign here in the presence of the person cashing the check. And Im rather sure they told him that at the bank when he got it.

Geeze, do people still use those things?

[Terrytunes]

Yeah, people still use traveler's checks and bank checks!!! When people ask if we still take checks I tell them yes, but I tell them that it's about a 10 wait minute wait for check appproval!!! Usually they put the bank checks away and bring out the debit card or credit card. We have check scanners in the booth, but we don't use them because they are unreliable, almost never work. God love credit cards!! So easy, so fast.
T

[Shorty82]

Yeah, people still use traveler's checks and bank checks!!! When people ask if we still take checks I tell them yes, but I tell them that it's about a 10 wait minute wait for check appproval!!! Usually they put the bank checks away and bring out the debit card or credit card. We have check scanners in the booth, but we don't use them because they are unreliable, almost never work. God love credit cards!! So easy, so fast.
T

10 minutes to run a check and the scanners are unreliable? I would think that Disney would invest in decent equipment. Of course if people try to use checks only occasionally I can see Disney not wasting the money on good scanners that would rarely get used.

At AutoZone it takes almost no time at all to run a check through and very rarely do the scanners give us any trouble. It takes longer than a credit card but only by a little bit. I personally don't understand people using checks for normal purchases but there are those who don't have credit or debit cards and use checks all the time.

I write only one check a month and that's for rent. With so many places running checks through immediately I see no reason to waste a check instead of just using my debit card.

Sounds to me they might as well just remove the scanners all together and just tell people no personal checks.

What about traveler's checks? Those are very convenient and safe to use while traveling. A lot safer than carrying a bunch of cash or using a credit card.

[Morning]

So, you hate City Pass SGs.... but are the City Passes a good deal for not-SGs? :)

I will be coming to Anaheim in May and I was hoping to visit Disneyland, California Adventure, Knotts Berry Farm and the San Diego Wild Animal Safari, all of which are part of the City Pass. It looks like I could save some money on the tickets if I do the group pass. (Yes, if I get one, I will keep the book with me! :) )

Will I be eligible for the early opening or extra hours with this type of admission?

Or should I just go for individual tickets?


Thanks,

Morning

[Cheshire Figment]

I'm not sure about the Resorts, but I know that at the park stores and ticket booths we no longer take personal checks. At TL the only place we accept checks is at Guest Relations and then only for preauthorized Group Sales (tickets or surf parties).

[Terrytunes]

The check scanners are our CC scanners too, that 's why we have them, but we don't use the check scanners.

Regarding travelers checks: There are still people that use them, but occationally we get counterfeits. We had one late last summer in the booth. Stupid me, I told the guy I couldn't accept it because he hadn't signed it. I handed it back to him and realized that it was counterfeit. He handed it off to his wife or girlfriend and she went to the next window. As soon as he walked away I realized what I did, pulled my shade, walked around and told everyone in the booth not to accept it. We called a Lead, she told us to stall the guest. The guest finally got skiddish while she was stalled and we were waiting for security. We did keep the check, but the guest got away. Finally security, then APD came to the booth and asked us for a description, etc.
And what did the other CM and I get for stopping a counterfeit travelers check? Nothing. Not even a thank you from a Lead or Manager.


CityPass books don't include a Knotts ticket. It's DL/DCA, Universal Studios, Sea World, San Diego Zoo or Wild Animal Park.

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

I'm not sure about the Resorts, but I know that at the park stores and ticket booths we no longer take personal checks. At TL the only place we accept checks is at Guest Relations and then only for preauthorized Group Sales (tickets or surf parties).

I wonder if the people that want to use a check are bouncing back from financial problems.

I know a couple that went WAY beyond their means with credit cards, and the first theing that they were told to do was cut them all up, and only use cash (or check) for purchases! He was telling me that they had charged over 20 thousand on various cards before they realized that the minimum payments, after house payment and expenses etc, was more that they both brought in!

They almost lost their house! (that was a few years ago, before the current housing crunch!) To this day they only use cash or checks. (as far as I know)
so I would make the assumption that when they go on vacation, they must pay in advance. I guess a debit card would be the same thing as a check!

[felinefan]

Morning,as a former employee of Knott's Berry Farm, do yourself a favor and avoid it. The place is poorly cleaned and maintained, understaffed, and the eating places couldn't pass a health inspection to save their lives, except when the inspectors are bribed. Also, the rides are falling apart due to undermaintenence and overuse. It's nothing like it was when the Knott family owned it. Check for yourself at www.kbfdrama.com . Also www.themeparkinsider.com , click on the safety reports. You are so not going to have a good time there; it has become a ghetto park.

[lady ulrike]

Okay, I'm only scanning posts today, but I just had to say. You can see Cinderella's Castle at Disneyland and it is possessive. We have Cinderella's Castle as well as Alice's Village, Mr. Toad's Hall, the Seven Dwarfs cottage and many other locations at Storybook Land.

I'm sure that's not what the City Pass people mean, but still it is technically true.

Also, I believe that our castle is a possessive, but I could be wrong.

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

Okay, I'm only scanning posts today, but I just had to say. You can see Cinderella's Castle at Disneyland and it is possessive. We have Cinderella's Castle as well as Alice's Village, Mr. Toad's Hall, the Seven Dwarfs cottage and many other locations at Storybook Land.

I'm sure that's not what the City Pass people mean, but still it is technically true.

Also, I believe that our castle is a possessive, but I could be wrong.

Don't know much about this city pass thing, but I just think of the Castle, as "The Castle" because that is really the only castle I think of when someone talks about it! Don't really attribute any ONE princess to it!

OR: "Walts magical castle that is a symbol of a good time!"

(heheeeee!!)

[Whazzup]

Regarding travelers checks: There are still people that use them, but occationally we get counterfeits.

We always use travelers checks when we travel to the west coast, but last July when we tried to use them to pay for groceries, the clerk wouldn't take the check. The manager came over and said they've had too many counterfeits and a lot of places aren't taking travelers checks anymore. That was the first we'd heard about it and it came as a shock. We don't like using our credit card any more than necessary unless we're trying to put Disney reward points on it.

I guess I'll have to break down and start using a debit card, dadburn it.

[Ms. Matterhorn]

Okay, I'm only scanning posts today, but I just had to say. You can see Cinderella's Castle at Disneyland and it is possessive. We have Cinderella's Castle as well as Alice's Village, Mr. Toad's Hall, the Seven Dwarfs cottage and many other locations at Storybook Land.

I'm sure that's not what the City Pass people mean, but still it is technically true.

Also, I believe that our castle is a possessive, but I could be wrong.

I know that is true, because I used to work Book. But I'm sure the Citypass peiople were thinking of Sleeping Beauty's Castle. And I don't think anyone is going to buy a Citypass just to see the miniature castle in Storybookland.

[Shorty82]

Also, I believe that our castle is a possessive, but I could be wrong.

It's not. None of the castles are possessive.

[Randy B]

I know that is true, because I used to work Book. But I'm sure the Citypass peiople were thinking of Sleeping Beauty's Castle. And I don't think anyone is going to buy a Citypass just to see the miniature castle in Storybookland.

I don't know about that. How often do we hear here about SGs claiming they took a week of vacation time, stayed in very expensive lodgings, bought tickets for a weeks worth of park visits for multiple family members, just so they can visit with a bouncing stuffed tiger, or a fish tailed princess? And they always put off that all important visit to the last thing to do on the last day, just after it was time to head off at multi mach speed to the airport for the trip home. You know the ones. They are the ones who are loudly indignant that (the character in question) has to take a break while this family is in line waiting for the desired interaction.

So if a family can spend all that time and money "just to see (insert character)" it isn't too far out of bounds that they may devote a day for the privilage of viewing a miniature castle. ;):twisted::eek::D:

Randy

[GuestJockey]

I don't know about that. How often do we hear here about SGs claiming they took a week of vacation time, stayed in very expensive lodgings, bought tickets for a weeks worth of park visits for multiple family members, just so they can visit with a bouncing stuffed tiger, or a fish tailed princess? And they always put off that all important visit to the last thing to do on the last day, just after it was time to head off at multi mach speed to the airport for the trip home. You know the ones. They are the ones who are loudly indignant that (the character in question) has to take a break while this family is in line waiting for the desired interaction.

So if a family can spend all that time and money "just to see (insert character)" it isn't too far out of bounds that they may devote a day for the privilage of viewing a miniature castle. ;):twisted::eek::D:

Randy


LOL, you just described the closing hour of City Hell.

[DisneyMom]

LOL, you just described the closing hour of City Hell.

Hope things go better, GuestJockey. :)

(in reference to an earlier SGT report, the Quickiemart next to CandyCane Inn has strollers and is within walking distance of DLR . hope that helps someday)