A long time Disney fan turns sour!

[DisneyDoctor]

No, but you don't get the point that my relatives paid money for housekeep.

People have complained about Housekeeping at WDW hotels in the past in general although I never experienced a bad house keep experience.

They did pay, but small mistakes like that shouldn't warrant a ruined vacation. I'm sure there are housekeeping lapses of many of the hotels around the world. Mistakes happen.

 

[DisneyDoctor]

There is a catch. You don't the nature of my work at all. The truth is in my line of work, you can be in a lot of hot water depending on how big of a mistake. It's not life or death, but companies don't want any mistakes working with numbers if possible.

Making mistakes in some occupations can cause a person to die, get hurt, or get the company you work for get sued.

The other thing is I grew up in a family that one of my parents worked in a very dangerous line of work. If you make a mistake in that parents line of work, you'll be dead. That is how that parents line of work was explained to me when I was a kid.

I know House keep is not dangerous, but it doesn't make okay to make mistake based on how it was described. This house keeping mistake was different the one I experience in August. The one I experienced in August was House keep took my cash for a tip and didn't do the room. My party called front desk about it and the House keep came. What happened was they were distracted due to them have to go to another room with plans of going to back the room I stayed at. That Mistake was understandable.

You contradicted yourself. Mistakes will happen. If a housekeeper at WDW makes a mistake and that ruins your vacation, the problems you have with WDW are your own fault.

 

[wdwfan4ver]

They did pay, but small mistakes like that shouldn't warrant a ruined vacation. I'm sure there are housekeeping lapses of many of the hotels around the world. Mistakes happen.

I never said they ruined my relatives trip a first place unlike you made it sound on my original post on this matter.

 

[EvilChameleon]

So is it safe to say that the Disneyland Resort is the better experience these days?

 

[wdwfan4ver]

You contradicted yourself. Mistakes will happen. If a housekeeper at WDW makes a mistake and that ruins your vacation, the problems you have with WDW are your own fault.

Nope I didn't. You made my relatives experience like it ruined their entire trip at time when it actually didn't. You where painting the wrong picture. You need to follow my first post House keep not showing up. It had nothing to do with me because I was not at WDW in November. I was talking my relatives experience. My own experience I referred to a mistake happened in August.

The other thing is My relatives experience at WDW in November was so-so by the way it was told to me and it was their first trip in 3 or 4 years. They wanted to try the new stuff, but didn't want to go on Thanksgiving week or in December for a number factors including they went in December in the past.

They had issues outside of housekeeping. They claimed half of the attractions at WDW didn't even work. They didn't exactly like Springs. 2 of the 3 relatives did Pondora , but where not impressed by it. They mentioned only 16 people were allowed in Pandora at a time and the rides had 3 hour wait times. My relatives did use fastpass plus on Pondora, but they just were not impressed.

2 of the 3 relatives went on Soarin' around the world and liked the old Soarin' better. They did like the Christmas stuff at Studios, but was disappointed in MK for Christmas Decorations.

 

[fjm777]

Wow! A lot of posts in this thread.

I just want to explain the whole point of my post. Disney is a premium destination. We pay premium $$ to go there. Just my opinion but I feel Disney no longer is that premium destination but still is asking the premium price. My past trips set the expection for me and Disney is no longer matching the greatness they once had.

Secondly, I am not complaining about waiting on scooters to be loaded on the bus. I was saying that I don’t like it when a scooter rides up at the last second and gets right on the bus after everyone else has been waiting for ever. I’m not mad at anyone on a scooter and I definitely don’t wish anyone ill will.

Anyway, sorry if I offended anyone with any comment I made. I wish everyone well and I hope your next Disney trip is awesome.

P.S. for those who have been wondering, I am a “he” and I didn’t call about the issues in my room. I just lived with it.

 

[DisneyDoctor]

Wow! A lot of posts in this thread.

I just want to explain the whole point of my post. Disney is a premium destination. We pay premium $$ to go there. Just my opinion but I feel Disney no longer is that premium destination but still is asking the premium price. My past trips set the expection for me and Disney is no longer matching the greatness they once had.

Secondly, I am not complaining about waiting on scooters to be loaded on the bus. I was saying that I don’t like it when a scooter rides up at the last second and gets right on the bus after everyone else has been waiting for ever. I’m not mad at anyone on a scooter and I definitely don’t wish anyone ill will.

Anyway, sorry if I offended anyone with any comment I made. I wish everyone well and I hope your next Disney trip is awesome.

P.S. for those who have been wondering, I am a “he” and I didn’t call about the issues in my room. I just lived with it.

Hey man, at the end of the day you're a human being and you have an opinion which you are entitled to. Nothing wrong with that at all. Some of us may disagree, but that doesn't change the fact your opinions are valid. I'm sorry if any of my posts offended anyone. I respect the heck out of all you on here and really appreciate you all and this site. Even you spork . Hope you all had an awesome holiday and the new year is everyone you want and need.

 

[Bullseye1967]

Wow! A lot of posts in this thread.

I just want to explain the whole point of my post. Disney is a premium destination. We pay premium $$ to go there. Just my opinion but I feel Disney no longer is that premium destination but still is asking the premium price. My past trips set the expection for me and Disney is no longer matching the greatness they once had.

Secondly, I am not complaining about waiting on scooters to be loaded on the bus. I was saying that I don’t like it when a scooter rides up at the last second and gets right on the bus after everyone else has been waiting for ever. I’m not mad at anyone on a scooter and I definitely don’t wish anyone ill will.

Anyway, sorry if I offended anyone with any comment I made. I wish everyone well and I hope your next Disney trip is awesome.

P.S. for those who have been wondering, I am a “he” and I didn’t call about the issues in my room. I just lived with it.

Your opinion is YOUR opinion, and I respect that. You have every right to post a thread here as anyone else. Thanks for contributing to the forum.

 

[RunningKoen]

Planning IS a must.

I haven't read the entire topic, but I've seen several post debating this statement.

I made my first, and only, trip to WDW in early january for the marathon weekend. I guess it's quite busy and crowded in the parcs in that period. So I made a planning with several ADR and FP reservations, because 'it was so much needed'.

After being stuck on the airport and missing my first Disney day (For those who'd think that Disney losing it's magic; sleeping on the airport isn't magical either) I'd already lost a ADR and several FP's.
Second day was planned for the Magic Kingdom, starting with breakfast at BoG and some park time afterwards.

I felt like a prisoner of my own planning. I did not need to wait in line indeed, but in the end, I was still waiting, for each time slot for a FP or ADR. There was never enough time to do a ride on standy, no need to grab some food (because even the food was already planned out) and you couldn't wander a lot, because you need to back on time.

After 2 FP attractions, I walked to my ADR, cancelled the reservation, cleared a lot of my FP reservations and checked the app to see if there was anything free in Epcot. I switched parcs and went with the flow for the rest of the trip. Made 1 or 2 FP reservations if I'd really like it, but spent a lot of time in standby. Made each dining reservation on the day itself. Switched parcs almost every day, just to see and do everything freely. Meeting new people and be able to do whatever you want, was so much more fun for me.

I did not do all attractions, did no see everything. Haven't eaten at all the perfect places.
But I also never stressed for time anymore (okay, I lied. I stress several times during the race, but that's a different story), and I saw and did so many unexpected stuff because it was spontaneous.

I did travel alone, that might be a big difference. The planning stuff felt like a burden, certainly because there was already so much planning involved for the marahton (traveling to the expo area. I had to return two times, so that would have killed my planning for both those days if I'd still had one).

Long story short: I'd certainly say that planning isn't a must. It can help to secure some restaurants or rides you'd really wanna do, but limits your options for that day.
Planning too much kills your trip imho.

 

[RustySpork]

Wow! A lot of posts in this thread.

I just want to explain the whole point of my post. Disney is a premium destination. We pay premium $$ to go there. Just my opinion but I feel Disney no longer is that premium destination but still is asking the premium price. My past trips set the expection for me and Disney is no longer matching the greatness they once had.

Secondly, I am not complaining about waiting on scooters to be loaded on the bus. I was saying that I don’t like it when a scooter rides up at the last second and gets right on the bus after everyone else has been waiting for ever. I’m not mad at anyone on a scooter and I definitely don’t wish anyone ill will.

Anyway, sorry if I offended anyone with any comment I made. I wish everyone well and I hope your next Disney trip is awesome.

P.S. for those who have been wondering, I am a “he” and I didn’t call about the issues in my room. I just lived with it.

You're spot on here, it's not a premium destination anymore but it somehow still commands a premium price. The resorts are in such bad shape that I don't really understand how anyone is OK paying their rates. The parks need a lot of work, but that's in motion so there's nothing we can do but wait at this point. I still think they're 10 years behind the ball, but I'm glad they're finally investing.

Don't worry about offending people here, they'll get over it.

 

[pax_65]

My point, and I think the point of others, is that the (whole) world has changed over the past 10 years, the travel industry has changed drastically.. and we’ve probably changed as well.

I think this is a fair point, and got me thinking about how I've changed in the past 10 years. I will admit that I'm probably less likely to wait in a long line now than I was 10 years ago. But I wasn't that excited about it then either. Even 20 years ago I had a policy that I wouldn't wait in any line longer than 45 minutes. I've bent that rule on occasion - I think I did a 50-minute line at Splash Mountain on a hot day once.

As for the travel industry, I'd be curious to see some examples of what you mean. The only comparison I can think of is a cruise ship. Demand is up, cruise ships are larger, so more planning is required for your dining and excursions. But even there you don't have to plan every minute of your trip, and the dining and excursions aren't generally hard to get unless you wait until the last-minute.

The rest of the world seems roughly the same as 10 years ago, unless you're visiting a popular destination at a peak time (i.e. NYC at Christmas).

WDW has clearly changed more than the rest of the world for three reasons:

1. Investment in the parks has not kept up with increasing consumer demand. Today there are fewer operating attractions in Epcot and the Studios than 10 years ago.

2. FP+ has changed how the parks handle crowds and made the standby lines move much slower than 10 years ago.

3. Disney has not maintained the level of quality they were known for, I suppose as an effort to reduce operating costs

 

[Jedi Stitch]

Cosmic Ray’s is always pretty hectic and not the best food. There are so many other places to choose from!

We like Columbia Harbor House. We grab a table upstairs.

I think we will try that next time, we do have a fondness to Pecos Bills too.

 

[21stamps]

I think this is a fair point, and got me thinking about how I've changed in the past 10 years. I will admit that I'm probably less likely to wait in a long line now than I was 10 years ago. But I wasn't that excited about it then either. Even 20 years ago I had a policy that I wouldn't wait in any line longer than 45 minutes. I've bent that rule on occasion - I think I did a 50-minute line at Splash Mountain on a hot day once.

As for the travel industry, I'd be curious to see some examples of what you mean. The only comparison I can think of is a cruise ship. Demand is up, cruise ships are larger, so more planning is required for your dining and excursions. But even there you don't have to plan every minute of your trip, and the dining and excursions aren't generally hard to get unless you wait until the last-minute.

The rest of the world seems roughly the same as 10 years ago, unless you're visiting a popular destination at a peak time (i.e. NYC at Christmas).

WDW has clearly changed more than the rest of the world for three reasons:

1. Investment in the parks has not kept up with increasing consumer demand. Today there are fewer operating attractions in Epcot and the Studios than 10 years ago.

2. FP+ has changed how the parks handle crowds and made the standby lines move much slower than 10 years ago.

3. Disney has not maintained the level of quality they were known for, I suppose as an effort to reduce operating costs

Yes, I can give several examples.. I’ll stick to just a few.

1. Cruise lines. You mentioned these, but the complaints aren’t coming because of the large ships. People are complaining because now when you cruise- there are several additional cost items that weren’t there before. Several restaurants, certain activities etc. much higher gratuities as well.
Daily Dining Planning is supposedly required (according to the internet). I purchased a dining package for my cruise, booked restaurants every night, and also booked 3 shows in advance, 1 was an additional cost. I started to feel boxed in.. cancelled my dining package and all reservations with the exception of the Cirque show. I only ate at one upcharge restaurant, without reservations.
The “complimentary” restaurants were good, I enjoyed all of them..also without reservations. I never felt like I was missing out by not dining at the other upcharge restaurants.

2. Resort Fees. These have risen over the past few years. I always find it odd that people talk about Disney prices so much, as I said earlier, with the exception of a few specific resorts and room categories, the great majority of Disney resorts are not “luxury priced”- not when comparing luxury hotels in a prime location, and Disney resorts include a lot more than the majority of luxury resorts.
I left Disney last month and stayed at a luxury hotel one night pre cruise.. my room was expensive, my parking was $40..resort fee + WiFi would be another $40. That’s one night. No transportation included, restaurants priced much higher than most at Disney resorts. Oh, and if you want to enter the spa on the hotel’s property- it’s an additional cost.

3. Amusement parks. People complain and complain about dining plans and Fast Lane/Express Pass. These did not exist a decade ago. They also have much shorter operating hours compared to past years.

For every complaint that we are seeing in this thread about Disney, you can find the same on cruise critic, on Facebook, on trip advisor etc.. whether it’s a cruise or resorts..or an amusement park.

So many want to complain..and complain..and complain some more about “how things have changed”. At some point we just have to accept it... or stop going to places that we feel are not a good value.
Most of all, people need to stop worrying about what other guests are doing.

There are never ending complaints about “greedy Disney” because of upcharge events. This is common almost everywhere now! If one is focusing on their own trip then they’re not missing out. It shouldn’t matter what someone else is choosing to do. Things change, additional charges/options will be added.

 

[whiterhino42]

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.

I agree with all of this. Our Last visit was very similar and costs are out of control. We are going in April with newbies and Im having trouble finding decent sit down restaurants that dont take 2 table service meals.

 

[Tony the Tigger]

We are going in April with newbies and Im having trouble finding decent sit down restaurants that dont take 2 table service meals.

Yeah, I just randomly searched the app for April 9 dinner, and only 73 options came up for a party of three.

 

[Bullseye1967]

Availability looks pretty good.

 

[RustySpork]

Yeah, I just randomly searched the app for April 9 dinner, and only 73 options came up for a party of three.

How many without leaving the park they're planning on being in?

 

[21stamps]

How many without leaving the park they're planning on being in?

How many in park restaurants take 2 credits? I only know of 1. Can’t imagine that the number would be greater than 3.

 

[RustySpork]

View attachment 253594

Availability looks pretty good.

That number is total number of restaurants available, not restaurants with availability.

 

[Bullseye1967]

How many without leaving the park they're planning on being in?

My mistake. Only 82 are available. Only one not available in a park is BoG.