A long time Disney fan turns sour!

[marni1971]

I’ve come to realize something over the past 3 years-

The planning stress/timetables is partly the fault of FP+

Fixed that for you.

 

[21stamps]

Fixed that for you.

Not imo.. the alternative would be to rush to an attraction and grab a FP. That never worked for me as I’m not someone who typically arrives at rope drop. I’ll take FP+ any day...even if it means that I miss a few attractions.

 

[eliza61nyc]

I’ve come to realize something over the past 3 years-

The planning stress/timetables is no one’s fault but our own. It isn’t necessary to have “a magical trip”. The internet makes us think that it is, but it’s not.

I think I can handle the internet, what gets me are the COMMERCIALS. lol, Disney has a fantastic marketing department but their commercials are sooo misleading.
Case in point, ( apologies to those who know htis story, the commercials are one of my few gripes) a few years ago I was sitting at a table at Peco's bill, an older gentleman came and asked could his family share the other half of the table. Of course, no problem. I noticed he had on one of those 1st time visitor buttons and I asked him if he was enjoying his trip. He said he was but he was a bit disappointed. when I asked him why he said because he was there with his family and it was the grandkids first time, he wanted them to have that "see Mickey, run into his arms" experience and he didn't know that Mickey didn't wander the MK freely. He thought it would be just like the commercial. we had a lovely lunch with his family and set them right about a few misconceptions they had. lol but those commercials definitely make things look so inviting.

 

[marni1971]

Not imo.. .

Which, of course, you’re entitled to.

 

[21stamps]

I think I can handle the internet, what gets me are the COMMERCIALS. lol, Disney has a fantastic marketing department but their commercials are sooo misleading.
Case in point, ( apologies to those who know htis story, the commercials are one of my few gripes) a few years ago I was sitting at a table at Peco's bill, an older gentleman came and asked could his family share the other half of the table. Of course, no problem. I noticed he had on one of those 1st time visitor buttons and I asked him if he was enjoying his trip. He said he was but he was a bit disappointed. when I asked him why he said because he was there with his family and it was the grandkids first time, he wanted them to have that "see Mickey, run into his arms" experience and he didn't know that Mickey didn't wander the MK freely. He thought it would be just like the commercial. we had a lovely lunch with his family and set them right about a few misconceptions they had. lol but those commercials definitely make things look so inviting.

I agree that the marketing is a bit misleading.. but I think everywhere is that way, so it’s to be expected. Once you log onto a Disney or (insert any other destination) website then you have a better idea what to expect.

 

[Bender123]

Fixed that for you.

This was my entire thought on FP+. It completely ruins the random fun times and devolves your trip into a cell phone watching binge to figure out what you can do next.

On my last trip, we had our first few reservations and then simply did what w wanted to do and didn't build our trip around anything beyond what we felt like doing. Somehow, Disney reduced itself to all the charm of a spreadsheet with this system. I work all day doing spreadsheets and planning...I don't want to spend a vacation doing the same.

 

[21stamps]

This was my entire thought on FP+. It completely ruins the random fun times and devolves your trip into a cell phone watching binge to figure out what you can do next.

On my last trip, we had our first few reservations and then simply did what w wanted to do and didn't build our trip around anything beyond what we felt like doing. Somehow, Disney reduced itself to all the charm of a spreadsheet with this system. I work all day doing spreadsheets and planning...I don't want to spend a vacation doing the same.

And— you don’t need to do the spreadsheets!! That’s my point.. we’ve done this to ourselves, myself included.. but it is far from necessary.

Some people don’t like FP+ or the ability to add FPs from the app, I personally love not having to rush around the park for FPs.. but to each their own. Point being- the magic may be “lost” for some, but for many others it’s actually more convenient now than it was in past years.


ETA- in 2016 I painstakingly planned like crazy.. had spreadsheets for 9 days., “perfectly planned”. Then, while onboard the Magical Express on our way to check in, I decided to literally throw out the spreadsheets. Best thing I could have done...we had a better time without it.

 

[thomas998]

I’ve come to realize something over the past 3 years-

The planning stress/timetables is no one’s fault but our own. It isn’t necessary to have “a magical trip”. The internet makes us think that it is, but it’s not.

Actually it kind of depends on what you want from your trip. The planning and timetables are pretty much a requirement if you have any desire to have dining at the better places, and if you don't want to stand in line doing nothing for 2 hours the fastpass is also pretty much a requirement for some rides. So really it depends on what your vision of a magical trip is. If your vision of a magical trip is to wander around aimlessly enjoying low end rides like people mover and eating your meal at quick service joints, then yes you don't need to plan anything to enjoy Disney... But I'm not expecting that to be the "magical trip" most people invision. Think about it when you see a commercial pushing Disneyworld do they show the low end rides like people mover or the ones that have 2 to 3 hours waits like Mine Train.... The marketing of Disney to first time guests is pushing an experience that requires significant planning to achieve.

 

[DryerLintFan]

Actually it kind of depends on what you want from your trip. The planning and timetables are pretty much a requirement if you have any desire to have dining at the better places, and if you don't want to stand in line doing nothing for 2 hours the fastpass is also pretty much a requirement for some rides. So really it depends on what your vision of a magical trip is. If your vision of a magical trip is to wander around aimlessly enjoying low end rides like people mover and eating your meal at quick service joints, then yes you don't need to plan anything to enjoy Disney... But I'm not expecting that to be the "magical trip" most people invision. Think about it when you see a commercial pushing Disneyworld do they show the low end rides like people mover or the ones that have 2 to 3 hours waits like Mine Train.... The marketing of Disney to first time guests is pushing an experience that requires significant planning to achieve.

I agree with this. What's the point of going to Disney if it's not to get the Disney experience? To ride 7DMT and eat a dole whip and hug Mickey and have dinner in the castle? I'm sure we'll be entertained for a while wandering around looking at the amazing details everywhere, and based on some posts on this forum I'm sure we could spend a few hours happily people watching, but at the end of the day we're going to Disney for the Disney experience. Otherwise, we'd be going elsewhere.

We haven't ever been before. We're going in three days. I'm not expecting my trip to be "magical" (at least not for me, but I do hope it's magical for my daughter) but I am expecting to ride a couple iconic rides and eat a couple delicious snacks and watch my little princess meet some of her favorite Disney princesses. The only way those things are going to happen is with advanced (way advanced) planning. Which, thankfully, I love doing.

 

[thomas998]

I agree with this. What's the point of going to Disney if it's not to get the Disney experience? To ride 7DMT and eat a dole whip and hug Mickey and have dinner in the castle? I'm sure we'll be entertained for a while wandering around looking at the amazing details everywhere, and based on some posts on this forum I'm sure we could spend a few hours happily people watching, but at the end of the day we're going to Disney for the Disney experience. Otherwise, we'd be going elsewhere.

We haven't ever been before. We're going in three days. I'm not expecting my trip to be "magical" (at least not for me, but I do hope it's magical for my daughter) but I am expecting to ride a couple iconic rides and eat a couple delicious snacks and watch my little princess meet some of her favorite Disney princesses. The only way those things are going to happen is with advanced (way advanced) planning. Which, thankfully, I love doing.

Having been there through Christmas once, I can only wish you lots of luck on this trip. The place becomes as bad crowd wise as I ever experienced in the summer from Christmas to New Years. But on a bright note the weather is much more tolerable this time of year than in July. But you should still make sure to pack your ponchos and light jackets as it can get chilly at night.

 

[DryerLintFan]

Having been there through Christmas once, I can only wish you lots of luck on this trip. The place becomes as bad crowd wise as I ever experienced in the summer from Christmas to New Years. But on a bright note the weather is much more tolerable this time of year than in July. But you should still make sure to pack your ponchos and light jackets as it can get chilly at night.

We have them all packed! Plus snacks (QS and snack cart lines are reportedly an hour long) and drinks. And we aren't trying to do much more than what we have fast passes for. Thank you for the well wishes! We're going to need all the luck in the world, LOL

 

[21stamps]

Actually it kind of depends on what you want from your trip. The planning and timetables are pretty much a requirement if you have any desire to have dining at the better places, and if you don't want to stand in line doing nothing for 2 hours the fastpass is also pretty much a requirement for some rides. So really it depends on what your vision of a magical trip is. If your vision of a magical trip is to wander around aimlessly enjoying low end rides like people mover and eating your meal at quick service joints, then yes you don't need to plan anything to enjoy Disney... But I'm not expecting that to be the "magical trip" most people invision. Think about it when you see a commercial pushing Disneyworld do they show the low end rides like people mover or the ones that have 2 to 3 hours waits like Mine Train.... The marketing of Disney to first time guests is pushing an experience that requires significant planning to achieve.

Because what you just described is not applicable to any of my trips.

It’s a complete falsehood that you “must have reservations at 180 days or you’ll be stuck with counter service!”
My trips are proof of it.

We also have never just “wandered around aimlessly”, and we haven’t waited 2 hours for an attraction. I didn’t get a FP for Frozen last year, and I didn’t get a FP for FoP this year., I could have gone on either one if we would have arrived at rope drop. I chose not to.

The positive thing about people believing the 180 nonsense is that they hoard so many reservations that a ton open up closer to the dates. Check MDE at noon tomorrow for the following day, I’m sure you’ll find plenty of options.

 

[larryz]

It’s a complete falsehood that you “must have reservations at 180 days or you’ll be stuck with counter service!”

Exactly. Based on a couple of threads in the Restaurants section, you must have ADRs for BoG at 185 days.

 

[21stamps]

Exactly. Based on a couple of threads in the Restaurants section, you must have ADRs for BoG at 185 days.

Which hasn’t been true for me. And I’ve seen it open many times on the app while on a trip.
65 days is the longest that I’ve ever had advance reservations for a trip.. I promise that we ate, and had more options to eat at places that we declined, on every one of our 21 nights the past 3 years.

If someone can’t find BOG reservations in a 185 day time period than they are doing something wrong.

 

[thomas998]

Because what you just described is not applicable to any of my trips.

It’s a complete falsehood that you “must have reservations at 180 days or you’ll be stuck with counter service!”
My trips are proof of it.

We also have never just “wandered around aimlessly”, and we haven’t waited 2 hours for an attraction. I didn’t get a FP for Frozen last year, and I didn’t get a FP for FoP this year., I could have gone on either one if we would have arrived at rope drop. I chose not to.

The positive thing about people believing the 180 nonsense is that they hoard so many reservations that a ton open up closer to the dates. Check MDE at noon tomorrow for the following day, I’m sure you’ll find plenty of options.

You can tell yourself that you could have just popped into FoP at rope drop with no issues but you are lying to yourself. We couldn't get the fastpass for it this year and decided to try rope drop for it while we were there, the line going there at rope drop was already over an hour and a half. From what we learned from the CMs the people start lining up for FoP at the front gate as soon as the parking lot opens. If you aren't willing to wait in line at the front gate prior to opening for 2 hours you aren't going to get on any quicker than a 1 and half to 2 hour wait. So don't spread rumors because some poor soul will believe it and find out the hard way that you were just wrong.

And yes you can get reservations after 180 days, but if you do you can't be picky as to when they will happen. That's a problem for a family that doesn't have a park hopper if the only two places they wanted are in different parks and the only reservations happen to be on the same day.

Now since you think you can have a magical trip without any planning, please share the rides you did ride on your trip... Don't include the ones you think you could have gotten on just the ones you actually rode. Maybe some people will agree with whatever you experienced as being enough to make it a magical trip and be able to forgo any planning... then again it might just give people an indication of what they can expect if they don't plan which would also be helpful.

 

[21stamps]

You can tell yourself that you could have just popped into FoP at rope drop with no issues but you are lying to yourself. We couldn't get the fastpass for it this year and decided to try rope drop for it while we were there, the line going there at rope drop was already over an hour and a half. From what we learned from the CMs the people start lining up for FoP at the front gate as soon as the parking lot opens. If you aren't willing to wait in line at the front gate prior to opening for 2 hours you aren't going to get on any quicker than a 1 and half to 2 hour wait. So don't spread rumors because some poor soul will believe it and find out the hard way that you were just wrong.

And yes you can get reservations after 180 days, but if you do you can't be picky as to when they will happen. That's a problem for a family that doesn't have a park hopper if the only two places they wanted are in different parks and the only reservations happen to be on the same day.

Now since you think you can have a magical trip without any planning, please share the rides you did ride on your trip... Don't include the ones you think you could have gotten on just the ones you actually rode. Maybe some people will agree with whatever you experienced as being enough to make it a magical trip and be able to forgo any planning... then again it might just give people an indication of what they can expect if they don't plan which would also be helpful.

Except that everyone I know has been able to do FoP at rope drop the past year. Out of my circle there’s about 12 families who do Disney annually. I’m not willing to show up an hour before rope drop to go on a ride., but a lot of people are, and they pretty much walk on the ride once they enter the park. That’s not an obscene amount of time to wait. Especially if anyone has been to any amusement park before, or grew up going to Disney before the days of any type of FP.

My family has done every ride that we wished to, with the exception of those specific 2.

As far as the restaurants.. all I can say is, it’s just not true that you can’t get them. You absolutely can, at 60 days out, or less..and a park hopper isn’t required. Could you maybe not get an exact time for an exact restaurant that you want? Yes, this is entirely possible and probable... but that’s on you and how flexible you’re willing to be.

 

[21stamps]

Exactly. Based on a couple of threads in the Restaurants section, you must have ADRs for BoG at 185 days.

I checked out of curiosity.. for Christmas Day.

And here’s a lunch at MK on NYE..

I just want people to know that it IS possible to have some spontaneity in your trips. If you don’t want to plan every hour of your day months in advance, you DON’T have to.

 

[jloucks]

I don’t post here very often but I read the forums all the time. So, believe me when I say I’m not here to stir anything up. I just wanted to relay my thoughts from my recent trip (Dec 10 – 16).

I just got back from my 14th trip to Disney World and I have to say I was disappointed. For the first time ever, I have to say I don’t look forward to going back. My family started going back in 2002 so I may not be a super Disney goer but I have been enough times that I have plenty of experience and have seen things come and go.

We stayed in an Art of Animation Nemo suite. The room was nice enough with a few things wrong … the fridge didn’t work, the remote in the bedroom wouldn’t turn the TV on, the piece that keeps water in the shower from coming out under the door was missing, and a light over the table was blinking. Not terrible things but annoying.

The parks were crowded for an early December trip (10 – 16). However, I knew crowds have been picking up lately so not unexpected. I remember the days when a trip in December meant a walk on, on all rides!

But here is what really got me. Disney is chipping away at its exceptional guest experience. This is the first trip that I CAN'T say felt awesome or magical. I have worked for a large corporation for better than 20 years and they do the same thing. They chip away at their employees until they can no longer give their loyalty. In fact, I have quit that job and moved on. The same thing is happening to Disney. In the past, I would have argued anyone down that Disney was the best vacation a family would ever take. But not anymore. Like at my former job my loyalty to Disney is fading.

So, what is different? I have been thinking about it and this is just some of the things I have come up with.

Fastpass+

This system is not thought out well and I believe has ruined a positive Disney experience for guests. 60 days prior to arrival I logged in to make my fast pass reservations. Much to my surprise there were no Avatar Flight of Passage or Frozen or Seven Dwarf Mine Train fast passes until 5 days into our trip. What? NO fast passes? I finally got a fast pass for Avatar Flight of Passage for a Thursday night but there was one problem with that. We were going to EPCOT that morning. Therefore, we could make no fast passes for EPCOT that day. You can’t have fast passes spanning parks. Also, how am I supposed to know two months in advance what ride I want to ride at what time. This is beyond crazy. People who know me know that I am a big planner. I have multiple spreadsheets and create food lists and all sorts of things. But when it comes down to it, you just can’t always know exactly where you want to be on any particular day and certainly not minute by minute. And heaven forbid you might change your mind and want to go to a park you haven't planned for. I pity the folks who can’t plan the way I do. I bet they don’t get to do anything at Disney with this new system.

In addition, the system of fast passes is driving traffic to other rides. I saw a 40 minute wait for The Land! During a “slow” time, “off season” time there was a 40 minute wait for The Land! Now, I have read on this great forum that Disney wanted to do that. But now there are no rides that have short waits. This can really make for a long day. What do you do when you are waiting for your fast pass. I guess you wait 40 minutes for The Land.


Food

We got the free quick service dining this time. We have had it many times before. We no longer want the table service dining. First everything was covered. Then tips were not covered. Then you no longer could get appetizers. And I don’t know what all may have changed since the last time we had that plan. Can you see the trend? Chipping away at the guest experience until someone like me no longer even wants it. The quick service food is the same way. Disney has streamlined everything. You can get the same hot dog no matter where you go. The thing is I don’t want the same hot dog or hamburger everywhere. The choices are really limited too. I can remember when quick service restaurants had all kinds of choices, including free hot cheese which my daughters loved. Sorry, they don’t have the cheese any more or maybe they do for a buck. (Chipping Away!)


Buses

Don’t even get me started on the buses. Waited 45 minutes on a bus at Disney Springs. Stood on every single bus back and forth from the parks except maybe once. They let every single scooter and their families on the bus FIRST even if I had been waiting there forever and they just pulled up. The driver refused to go until we had so many people standing we couldn’t even move. “Keep moving back! I can see you can still breathing there sir so there must not be enough people on this bus!” If a bus had an accident we would most likely all be dead. If I drove around with no seat belt I would get a ticket. How can they get away with 10000 people on one bus? You talk about not a good guest experience. That may be the worst of them all! Or how about when they drop you off, not at your bus stop, but at no place in particular nowhere close to the park.


Anyway, sorry for my rambling on. Maybe it’s just me. Maybe I’m getting older and I don’t see things the same way I used to. But I won’t be going back for a while. A long, long while. Disney has chipped away at costs and such until they have ruined my guest experience. I don’t pay top dollar to go to Disney so I can go to an average park. If I wanted that I’d going to that other place. They need to get back to what made them great and not just settle for “okay” with a lot more profit.

Agree on pretty much everything. The buses are a cattle car nightmare, the free fast pass every scooter gets for the buses makes it even worse. Park crowds are maddening. And the requirement to book restaurants 6 months out manages to make the vacation a flippin chore.

Food is good tho. Loved it.

So, yea, my family was on a roll dropping $7,000 grand every year or two for a while, until this year. I just couldn't tolerate it again. So, we did a Disney Cruise and found it. The magic is still there. Manageable crowds, great food, lots of characters, private island, amazing shows and no mother battering buses.. All that was missing was the rides/attractions. Recommend you try it once if you haven't AND you are getting weary of the Disney World cattle car experience.

 

[thomas998]

Except that everyone I know has been able to do FoP at rope drop the past year. Out of my circle there’s about 12 families who do Disney annually. I’m not willing to show up an hour before rope drop to go on a ride., but a lot of people are, and they pretty much walk on the ride once they enter the park. That’s not an obscene amount of time to wait. Especially if anyone has been to any amusement park before, or grew up going to Disney before the days of any type of FP.

My family has done every ride that we wished to, with the exception of those specific 2.

As far as the restaurants.. all I can say is, it’s just not true that you can’t get them. You absolutely can, at 60 days out, or less..and a park hopper isn’t required. Could you maybe not get an exact time for an exact restaurant that you want? Yes, this is entirely possible and probable... but that’s on you and how flexible you’re willing to be.

Again. You are talking generalities, telling me friends have done it but still haven't said what you were able to do with no planning. You are also now saying you can get reservation 60 days out... That in and of itself is planning which you claimed you didn't need to do. If you truly think you don't need to plan then the next time you go don't make any reservations and tell me how many places you can get into for a meal... Better yet I'll not even hold you to zero planning go with no reservations and then try to make them the day you arrive.

I think it is clear that you cannot do Disney without planning and while you initially claimed you didn't need to plan you have now started admitting that you do in fact plan. Getting reservations whether 180 days out or 60 days out is still planning.

 

[21stamps]

Again. You are talking generalities, telling me friends have done it but still haven't said what you were able to do with no planning. You are also now saying you can get reservation 60 days out... That in and of itself is planning which you claimed you didn't need to do. If you truly think you don't need to plan then the next time you go don't make any reservations and tell me how many places you can get into for a meal... Better yet I'll not even hold you to zero planning go with no reservations and then try to make them the day you arrive.

I think it is clear that you cannot do Disney without planning and while you initially claimed you didn't need to plan you have now started admitting that you do in fact plan. Getting reservations whether 180 days out or 60 days out is still planning.

You may have misread my first post. The amount of planning that people do, and then complain about, is unnecessary. ESPECIALLY the “must make reservations at 180 days”. You claim that is necessary, but it is not.. no matter how many times someone makes that claim.

You can arrive with 0 plans and still find places to eat at.. I just posted a few above. For Christmas Day and NYE no less. Do I suggest arriving with 0 plans? Not really, although it still can be plenty of fun.
I definitely know that spreadsheets and 6 month planning is not necessary... and that was my point.

I have 3 trip reports posted on this site.. if you want to see a list of every attraction we have done.. you’re more than welcome to read them. You definitely won’t find us “aimlessly wandering” on any day. As I said before, the most advance booking I had was made at 65 days before arrival. Resort reservations are a problem if you want specific resorts.. dining and 99% of FPs? Not so much.