I Have A Complaint

Updated: 6/9/13

Ok, I swear I'm not a Disney downer....I promise this! I have lots of complimentary things to say about the parks and the resort as a whole. Matter of fact, I had a whole other positive topic in mind to talk about for this week's post, that I will post next week, barring anything else that strikes my fancy to talk about instead, much like happened with this topic.

So, why do I lead off with that disclaimer...because I read something this week that upset me greatly. And I felt this was something that needed to be discussed. First of all, this issue was something that should have never happened on some body's trip and second of all, something that should have never happened TWICE on the same vacation! (Plus some other problems mixed in as well.)

What am I talking about? I'm talking about an experience a friend of mine had with her recent Disney stay. Not only did she have to deal with bugs in beds TWICE but she also had to deal with construction noise and a smoky room. It was a vacationer's worst nightmare.

Now, I find this whole thing reprehensible, but that's not exactly the topic I am here to discuss.  Instead the topic I'm here to discuss is that people shouldn't feel ashamed when they have a complaint about something related to Disney.

I get it.  It can be hard and scary for Disney fans to be critical of a place we love. While I can understand the fact that it can be disheartening to have a bad experience and be forced to write about it, no one should ever be afraid to write a critical letter to any company, let alone one we all care about deeply...Disney...to address issues that are less than magical.

I have to say, personally, if you have a problem with any aspect of your vacation, make sure you let Disney know about it! If you don't, they may never know it is something that needs to be fixed.

Also, I suggest if it's something that needs to be addressed immediately, do so then and there but also make sure to send a letter addressing the same problem. For example, there was someone I know who found chicken feathers still attached to his fried chicken at 50s Prime Time after he'd eaten it. This person didn't complain until he got home AND he paid for the meal originally! Disney, luckily, gave him his money back for that instance. If it were me though, I would have made sure to let them know at that time that I was dissatisfied and written a letter as well. No one should have to eat something with FEATHERS STILL ATTACHED!!!

Personally, I have only ever written a complaint letter to Disney once and that was when they decided to remove my beloved Adventurer's Club. Now, in that situation, I knew they had already made their mind up, but it was something that I felt was necessary to let them know I was unhappy with. I did receive a phone call addressing the matter (if you want a phone call, it's best to include your phone number) however, I didn't get to the phone in time to answer it. They did leave a nice little message though, but it would have been nice to address the issue with a real live Cast Member. (They did not leave a call back number.)

Keep in mind, a letter doesn't always have to be a complaint letter. If something happens where Disney goes above and beyond, please make sure to send a letter addressing that as well. Sometimes that's the only way Disney learns about which Cast Members really are doing extraordinary things. Those letters are big deals to Cast Members, so please make sure to send them.

So, what are my tips for sending letters to Disney. First of all, if you can, don't send an email. Disney takes emails a lot less seriously than a letter that is either typed out or hand-written and mailed. They know that those types of letters take more time, where as an email can be fired off quickly in the heat of the moment, which isn't always a rational time for people. So, snail mail is the best way to go.

Second address the issue to people in charge if you can, not just guest relations. My letter about the Adventurer's Club was sent to Bob Iger himself. (Now he didn't call...someone else did...but I still wanted to make sure my letter was sent to a higher channel).

Finally, make sure you are sending a well thought out letter. Make sure to check your grammar and spelling. These things sound so simple, but it's something that many neglect and can make your letter seem less important and taken less seriously.

So, what address should you send letters to? Here are some addresses and other information that you might need:

Walt Disney World Guest Relations 
P.O. Box 10000
Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830

Disney Guest Relations - 407-824-4321

Walt Disney World Guest Communications
PO Box 10040
Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830-0040
wdw.guest.communications@disneyworld.com


Mr. Robert Iger 
Chief Executive Officer
The Walt Disney Company
500 South Buena Vista Street
Burbank, CA 91521-4873 

Thomas O. Staggs
Chairman
Walt Disney Parks & Resorts
500 South Buena Vista Street
Burbank, CA 91521-4873  

Meg Crofton
Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Operations, US & France
The Walt Disney World Resort
PO Box 10040
Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830


George Kalogridis
President
The Walt Disney World Resort
PO Box 10040
Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830


As I've said, I hope no one feels scared to send a less than flattering letter to the Disney Company. They have every right to know when we aren't satisfied with the service they are delivering us. My biggest tip though, is don't expect them to give you something just because you had a bad experience. That should never be the motivation behind sending a letter. Instead you should send a complaint letter because you want the issue resolved, so others are able to have a magical experience, even though your experience may have been a little less than magical.

Have you ever had an experience where you sent a letter, either good or bad? What was the issue about? And did Disney respond? I'm curious to know about other people's experiences.