Cars Lightning McQueen Infrared RC Car - A WARNING

[Tink]

Do NOT buy this car for your child if you don't have black carpet. Yes, I do mean that.
I bought it for Alex and it doesn't work. So, I called the Disney Store today. They said it is our floors. It only works on dark colors.
So, I have a navy blue rug, and put it on there. It doesn't work!!!!
The only think it works on is our black leather couch and chair.
So if you don't have a lot of black floor space, save your money. This will not work in your home.
Leanne

[Disney5]

What's up with that??? How many people have black floors????

[kristisomer]

That is crazy?!?!? We had actually considered buying it for my son Trey but passed on the idea. I am glad now we didn't buy it because we have no black carpeting. Did Disney give you a return or offer you an exchange?
Kristi

[Disney5]

I am a little disappointed with the stuff that's been on the market recently, they seem to be looking for the sales but not delivering on the product!

[Wiggles4]

SO TRUE! We bought a Peter Pan Pirate Ship from Toys R Us, its a Disney product. It has over 30 pieces that you have to build the giant ship with. It took my dh over an hour and it took my son 15 minutes to play with it before thinga started falling apart. It cost alot too!

[Disney5]

Aargh!!!! What are they DOING to us?!!!

[kristisomer]

Sharon we had the same problem with the Capt. Jack Sparrow Black Pearl boat. It really is a piece of junk for $60. We purchased it from Toys R Us but it is the same on the Disney site had.
Kristi

[Tink]

With this car, since I no longer had a receipt, they would give me a $24.95 store credit. The car cost $50.00! For that money, we decided to keep it because Alex likes driving it around himself, and he can play on the furniture with it once in a while.
Those ships are a joke - I am sorry both of you are having that issue.
Last year (2005 - not last trip. lol) we bought the Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland. I had intended in just keeping it boxed with my collection, but we decided to give it to Alex for Christmas last year. It is a piece of junk and was $80.00.
It used to be that if it was a Disney product, it was well made and would last forever. I do know that they have Mattel making toys for them now, and maybe that is part of the problem, but it does seem that the more expensive the toy, the worse it is put together. That, in my opinion, is shameful. Disney needs to fix this issue immediately or they are going to have a ton of unhappy people.
Leanne

[Disney5]

That's just shameful. Now I'm the mean one Leanne, I would have called my credit card company and had them get me a copy of the receipt and then demanded full refund plus expenses.

[Tink]

lol Shawna - I never even thought of that!

[kristisomer]

I am sorry but for as much as you have to pay for these products they should be better quality. Especially with how much Disney makes a year. I just heard that ticket prices may be increasing for 07

[Disney5]

with you all the way Kristi - so disappointing!

[Tink]

I have heard the same thing about ticket prices increasing, but not heard a confirmation of that yet.

[splash_lover]

Do you mean raising the ticket prices again in 2007 after just raising them $10 for 2007? That would be just wrong. Pretty soon the average person will be priced out of Disneyland. There are a lot of people who cannot afford $70 a day entrance. Thanks for the heads up on lightning mcqueen, almost bought one.

[Disney5]

Isn't the ticket price more than $80 for the park hopper? I can't even remember anymore since we get the packages. Yes, the average person IS going to priced out - although So Cal residents get plenty of discounts, not enough but more than the rest do, so the park will still be busy and packed during season. It is getting ridiculous though.
If you've been there during season, you will likely be saying the same thing we usually do - can't they raise the prices to keep some people out? I don't mean that in a mean way - but you know the rude people and the ones you are always cutting you off and stepping in front of you, etc.

[kristisomer]

We was doing pricing for WDW tickets and was considering a 10 day park hopper with no exp. and it was only $66 less than annual passes. To just buy a 3 day park hopper it was $884 and a 7 day park hopper was $928. This was all for 2 adults and 2 kids. The prices are really getting ridiculous and raising them every year is nonsense.

[Disney5]

Totally agreed!!!

[Wiggles1]

Well, if Mattel is making all the Disney toys now, we're all doomed. We got the CARS playset thing for Neil -- the one that the cars drive around Radiator Springs. We figured it wouldn't work because it was made by Mattel. We've had our share of Hot Wheels stuff that never works right. Turns out, some idiot screwed on one of the parts wrong on the set! Rick called them though and they said they'd send the new part out, or replace it or something.
Mattel needs to stick with Barbies, if you ask me. :P

[Tink]

lol Rena.
On the good news front, Alex did get another cars toy that works as it is supposed to. The Dirt Track set (Mountain Challenge) I think it is called. It works well, and Alex loves it!
And unfortunately I don't think raising ticket prices will keep people out. It hasn't yet!
Leanne

[Disney5]

Rena, I'm with you and I sure think this is worrisome, especially as I'm reading stuff from other parents on here!

[Wiggles1]

Tink (1/2/2007)[hr]lol Rena.On the good news front, Alex did get another cars toy that works as it is supposed to. The Dirt Track set (Mountain Challenge) I think it is called. It works well, and Alex loves it!I don't think raising ticket prices will keep people out. It hasn't yet!
LeanneI think there are 2 CARS playsets -- one is the Dirt Track Mountain Challenge and then there's the Radiator Springs Mountain Challenge. Nothing like making it confusing! We have the Radiator one. It works good, but like I said, one of the parts was installed wrong. I guess they're going to replace it. But the boys love it all the same and we were surprised it actually worked.

[Disney5]

When we go on busy days I always want them to raise the prices (I know, bad form Shawna...I don't like to share with that many people - seriously, I don't handle crowds well at all - especially with rude people.) So true though, raising prices has NEVER kept people out.
I think a lot of it is local folks. One of my girlfriends down there said her little boy got deals through the school for tickets that were amazingly cheap. Had a taxi driver tell us the same thing. Not fair!!! I want those deals!!! lol...

[kristisomer]

Last time we went in June it was so busy and people were so rude. We was sitting down along the curb in front of the castle (WDW) waiting for the Spectromagic parade and so was several other people. So instead of people using the crosswalk spaces that the cm created. They would walk right through you making you make room for them to step. This was when Kyan was 6mo and I flew off my rocker when one person moved her stroller. I just don't understand why people can't flow the ropes and see the areas being blocked off.

[Tink]

Oh thanks Rena - I had heard of the Radiator Springs one - but thought it was the same one that Alex had. That's a shame it was built incorrectly!
And Kristi - lately crowd control CM's have been taking a lot of heat from people because they are actually DOING THEIR JOB at Disneyland. I have found that when they do their job, and keep people to the appropriate areas it works very well. Oh yes, I have also grumbled because I had to go THIS way when I needed to go THAT way and couldn't because of crowd control CM's, but in all honesty, it does work when they stick to it! This is at Disneyland of course.
Leanne

[Disney5]

Whoa Kristi - I would have hurt someone if they moved my child like that! No way!!!!

[kristisomer]

Yeah I was pretty ticked. Troy then stood up behind the stroller to prevent it from happening again. The families around us was really good about protecting her and not moving for the people. But the people would still insist walking through where everyone was sitting. I think it's great the CM are insisting they use the walkways. Alot less stepped on fingers and toes.

[Disney5]

Why do people insist on being rude at a place like Disneyland? When kids can be hurt???

[Tink]

Let's see - long lines, lots of waiting, expensive prices, hot temperatures (or cold - depending on the year), overly tired. Oh, and don't forget, always in a hurry to get somewhere.
Yes, I can see how people turn into rude people at Disneyland. I wish it didn't happen, but it happens much to often.

[Disney5]

The sad thing is, everyone's having fun and there to have fun, it's so inappropriate and uncalled for!
One thing I do love, I always meet so many nice people while in lines and we end up chatting and telling each other about things we've tried.

[kristisomer]

Yeah I love that also or the people you meet waiting for the parades.

[Disney5]

Isn't it fun to talk to other families also having fun? Last trip was so great too because I was able to help so many people with all the stuff I've learned here!

[Tink]

Oh, I LOVE waiting for parades. We have met some very wonderful people doing that (or I have, since I wait, and Alex and Andy meet me - it is much easier that way. lol). This trip I met a lady who had NEVER been to Disneyland before. She knew nothing about Fastpass. I told her if she could give me 5 minutes after the parade (it was starting) I could tell her all about fastpass. She got up and walked away as soon as the parade ended. Her loss.
The other people near me that day - 3 girls, who were joined by more about the same time Alex and Andy got there. The four of us had a ton of fun. They were AP's from San Diego. A year ago I met another AP holder. Disneyland was doing an AP special - something to buy only available to AP's. So, waiting for this parade, I end up next to an AP holder who had just picked up her treasure. She even let me hold it and look at it! Oh, and we talked. About everything. The recent changes, what they do since they come so often, and more. It was awesome!
Leanne

[Disney5]

That woman who walked away was not very smart - what a miss!!!

[kileigh7]

Wow! total loss!

Shhh...if someone wants to know, I know how to "flip" the fastpass machines to make them spit out more than one..... Little CM trick that sometimes you HAVE to do

I love surprising people with back ways and tricks and things to do! It's so much fun. I adore it.

[Disney5]

Laura - PM please!!!! Yes, please!

[kileigh7]

Shawna-
pm your way! LOL!

[kristisomer]

I would love to know that little trick also.

[Tink]

Okay Laura - add me to the pm list please! Of course I have to know. lol

[kristisomer]

Yes Laura pm me also. Something to impress my husband with.

[Wiggles1]

Personally, I've never cared for Fast Pass and wish they'd get rid of them. Why can't everyone just wait in line the same amount of time? I mean, make exceptions for people with handicaps and their families. We have used Fast Pass before, but in all honesty, it's too much of a pain to go back to the ride later on. The park is too big to be lugging kids back & forth like that. We were in line for the rapid ride at CA Adventure forever (or so it felt like in the 100+ heat) and the guy let SOOOOO many people with Fast Passes on. We wouldn't move for the longest time. It just didn't seem that fair. I think everyone should be required to wait the same amount of time.
Okay, I'll shut up now ... ;)

[kileigh7]

Rena-
do you want the reasoning behind that?

here's the thing. The person at the Pulser position (the one who lets the flow into the ride) is told someting like this..

You need to let 20-30 fastpass in for every 10-15 "standby." the reasoning behind this is that the higher ups have decreed that the fastpass saves your space in line. So, technically, you've already waited.

Pulsing was one of my least favorite jobs while at DL, but you do what you're told when you're just an hourly CM.

SOOO, faulty reasoning? yep. Irritating? Totally. Results of the Pressler/Harris era? Completely.

[Disney5]

I totally understand what you're saying, but I personally LOVE fastpasses, they are just fantastic and there's no waiting in line or no more than a few minutes, I love that! Probably best for those of us who don't get to go often and waiting in long lines really kills your time there.
I do wish the lines at the kids' rides were a little better. Fantasyland can be tough with little ones when the lines get long.

[kristisomer]

I love the fast passes. I have Trey hooked on them. When we went to another theme park this past summer he kept asking couldn't we just get a fast pass? When you have kids the fast pass is a total life saver. Since we know really well how to work it to our advantage it's even better.

[Tink]

Yep, I join the ranks of Fastpass lovers. I couldn't live without them. Andy HATES long lines. Period, end of story. They have been a lifesaver for us so that we can ride some of our favorites without horrible lines.
Leanne