Disappointed in Disney World

[reptar77]

Disney must love people who have this viewpoint! Where's the incentive or need to improve on quality and innovation? Those are just unnecessary expenses as long as people will keep coming no matter what.

True. If you really think about it, we are stuck with what they give us. Yes we can complain, many have including me, but unless you are willing to leave the world to eat off property and take alot of people with you I doubt disney will take notice.

Also just about everyone on this board has a this type of viewpoint. We all complain but I have yet seen anyone here who said I'm never going back because....

 

[The Empress Lilly]

Disney's standards are slipping. Such a pity. Once upon a time, the company wrote the book on customer satisfaction. (As always, it is precisely because we are fans that we make an issue of this.)

The standard of guests is slipping too. Either that, or I'm turning into a grumpy old fart of course.



Currently, Disney has no incentive to better itself - the parks are filled almost to capacity as it is. Which leaves two course for Disney: decline by degree, cut costs, and remain a mass market company with mass merchandise, mass food, mass entertainment. Or increase prices, increase quality, and solve much of both problems above. (*runs and hides*)

 

[lighteningqueen]

My 2 cents.... This is just a question.... I am going for the 3rd time in my life again this Dec. I am so totally afraid I am going to be sick of the parks this time and not want to go back. My question is.... How can many many people keep going back 2-3 times a year and not be bored. Do not blast me... just asking..I mean

Same shows like Indiana. why can't they change the format some so it is not to be expected just exactly what they do.
Same goes for Lights Motor Action same show you know whats going to happen
Lion King Love this show but would like a new show.
You get my point. Changing the performances so that it is new evry year. This wouldn't cost too much to re corriagraph a new ones. Not sure of spelling.

keep us coming every year with out boardom. I understand they can't just change a track and have the ride do something different without a shut down, Even change Monsters Inc.. Just do something different, so we are totally surprised. Yes the food has really gone down hill taste wise and the prices up. If they had added new things or upgraded what they have then this should not be an issue but with todays economy they need to rethink their menus and prices and offer different options.
Overall I LOVE WDW but will probably give it a rest for a while until they bring more new things in and give me some surprises. Just cost so much to go now that I want to have fun the next time I go after this next Dec.

Please do not bash me I am no different than other posters, just stating my 2 cents worth which is what the poster asked us to do. Don't tell me to stay away then, I know what I can do. I do have 2 grandchildren that are small and will probably go back in 2011 hopefully we shall see new things then.

 

[durangojim]

Unfortunately everthing that the OP has said is true (except the trash collection, I think it was always done this way). We noticed the start of the decline back in the late 90s and slowly the level of service and attention to detail has kept on slipping. We used to stay at the GF fairly often and now I refuse to stay there as the level of service is lacking and the last time we were there the rooms were in dire need of refurbishment. With the standardization of menus and merchandise along with the cancellation of resort specific merchandise, Disney is on its way to becoming just another theme park, instead of the theme park to go to. I hope Universal gives them a real run for their money and forces Disney to go back to its roots in terms of service and quality. I can forsee the amount of repeat visits declining as prices go up and quality goes down.

 

[agent86]

I chose to touch on it because it isn't something that's discussed here ad naseum, as most of the other points are.

Pretty sad that the other points are discussed "ad nauseum" don't you think? I think that speaks volumes about how much standards are slipping at Disney.

 

[Future Guy]

As for the garbage issue, I remember hearing somewhere that the garbage cans at the MK were connected to garbage chutes that emptied into collection points underneath the park. However, this system is not used at any of the other parks, I don't think, so yeah, you would see people emptying trash in all the other parks. Also, it's entirely likely that all the trash cans at the MK aren't hooked up to the collection system, so those would have to be emptied in view of the guests. I'm not a CM, nor have I ever been, so I have no special behind-the-scenes insight on this particular issue.

And as for everything else, I haven't been to WDW for two years, so I can't really comment on the current state of the parks. However, Disney is a Big Giant Corporation, and such corporations are inevitably run by guys in suits who sit around a conference table and make bad decisions. It's the same system that gave us products like New Coke, Crystal Pepsi, the Pontiac Aztek, and every Michael Bay movie ever made. There are pointy-haired bosses everywhere, unfortunately, even Disney.

 

[hpyhnt 1000]

As for the garbage issue, I remember hearing somewhere that the garbage cans at the MK were connected to garbage chutes that emptied into collection points underneath the park. However, this system is not used at any of the other parks, I don't think, so yeah, you would see people emptying trash in all the other parks. Also, it's entirely likely that all the trash cans at the MK aren't hooked up to the collection system, so those would have to be emptied in view of the guests. I'm not a CM, nor have I ever been, so I have no special behind-the-scenes insight on this particular issue.

Um... thats not exactly true. While, yes, the MK does have a park wide garbage collection system in the utilidors (known as the AVAC system or something), the individual garbage bins along the paths are NOT connected to garbage chutes. Instead, there are a number of locations backstage around the park where garbage is piled before being sent through the collection system to a centralized location to be disposed of. So essentially, garbage in the MK works as follows:

- CM collects trash from garbage can
- CM takes said garbage backstage to the collection area for that part of the park
- Garbage is then placed in the centralized collection system, where it is "sucked" through a system of pipes under the park to the main collection area outside the park.

 

[bayernanhaenger]

As for the garbage issue, I remember hearing somewhere that the garbage cans at the MK were connected to garbage chutes that emptied into collection points underneath the park. However, this system is not used at any of the other parks, I don't think, so yeah, you would see people emptying trash in all the other parks. Also, it's entirely likely that all the trash cans at the MK aren't hooked up to the collection system, so those would have to be emptied in view of the guests. I'm not a CM, nor have I ever been, so I have no special behind-the-scenes insight on this particular issue.

And as for everything else, I haven't been to WDW for two years, so I can't really comment on the current state of the parks. However, Disney is a Big Giant Corporation, and such corporations are inevitably run by guys in suits who sit around a conference table and make bad decisions. It's the same system that gave us products like New Coke, Crystal Pepsi, the Pontiac Aztek, and every Michael Bay movie ever made. There are pointy-haired bosses everywhere, unfortunately, even Disney.

Lol. That's hilarious. I like your examples. :ROFLOL:

 

[Martian Crab]

It IS worse

I've been going to WDW since 1976. In the 33 years since I first set foot on Disney property I've seen a steady decline in presentation, service, and attitude.The prevailing feeling I now get is they want to squeeze every nickel they can out of every guest in the most obvious and tacky ways. Patrons have devolved from guests into customers and as we move further and further from the influence of Walt I think it will get worse. I still think Disney is the best thing going, but it could be better. They set the bar very high but I don't think they're really trying to top themselves anymore.

 

[tahqa]

Um... thats not exactly true. While, yes, the MK does have a park wide garbage collection system in the utilidors (known as the AVAC system or something), the individual garbage bins along the paths are NOT connected to garbage chutes. Instead, there are a number of locations backstage around the park where garbage is piled before being sent through the collection system to a centralized location to be disposed of. So essentially, garbage in the MK works as follows:

- CM collects trash from garbage can
- CM takes said garbage backstage to the collection area for that part of the park
- Garbage is then placed in the centralized collection system, where it is "sucked" through a system of pipes under the park to the main collection area outside the park.

I believe that rather than removing bags from cans they would remove the entire can from the outside shell and slide in a clean one. I seem to remember seeing (way back in the day) where they would use enclosed carts to move full (and empty) trash bins around.

 

[SirGoofy]

Pretty sad that the other points are discussed "ad nauseum" don't you think? I think that speaks volumes about how much standards are slipping at Disney.

Oh, I agree completely. But things are most definitely getting better. My last 2 trips have shown significant improvement in a lot of areas.

 

[PrincessAurora.]

I've definitely noticed a change. I can't put my finger on it exactly, but something just isn't there. I still love disney just as much as ever, but before you could feel how all the CM's and everybody else behind the scenes at DW put their heart into making your stay as magical as possible, but now they seem less...happy? Maybe it was just those few select people we talked to? And please know that I'm not trying to speak for any one else. But this past time we went it was like SOME of the CM's just wanted us to pay and get out of their face. Which truthfully, if I was standing out in the Florida heat ALL day with people in my face complaining and asking a million questions I'd probably get a little y too, but still. It's Disney. Maybe I'm just expecting too much from them? And Amen on the merch. thing. There's less to choose from and the cost is out of sight on some of that stuff. I know they have to make a profit, but by the time you eat and get a snack for the little ones and buy up some suveniers, you've spent 50 dollars or more, depending on how big your party is, obviously, but you get what I mean. Please don't get me wrong, I don't mean to sound like an ingrate, I'm very grateful we have the chance to go and have the financial means, because a lot of people don't during these times, but that's just MO. I still LOVE Disney. Yay for WDW!:sohappy:

 

[mousefanwhat?]

I agree, there has definitely been a decline. The customer service and food for sure. The thing about the merchandise for me goes back to my younger days. I remember getting souvenirs at disney and you could only get them there, it was like a status thing...look, I went to disney and got one of these! (tshirt, figurine, whatever) Now you can order everything online, the disney store and where ever. I know it's not realistic that the money making machine is willing to cut off the profit of worldwide buying. Just loses something in translation I suppose.

 

[Martian Crab]

Speaking of souvenirs, I still have the stuff I bought in the 80's: Haunted Mansion and POTC stuff. It was made well and was it was unique. Now, it seems all they sell is t-shirts everywhere and the non-t-shirt stuff is shoddy made in china crap (but still sold at a premium). There isn't as much selection as there once was. I guess in a way that's a good thing because it saves me money because I don't buy souvenirs anymore.

 

[dvm258]

I was there recently, and there was a giant construction crane right behind Cinderella Castle! It was taller than the building! It was a little.....odd in that context. I feel sorry for those who were getting their pictures taken in front of it, only to have the crane in the photo.

 

[NJDVCMembers]

I was there recently, and there was a giant construction crane right behind Cinderella Castle! It was taller than the building! It was a little.....odd in that context. I feel sorry for those who were getting their pictures taken in front of it, only to have the crane in the photo.

You can easily photoshop the crane right out. I can't tell you how many Disney pictures I have done it to.

 

[lbrad]

True. If you really think about it, we are stuck with what they give us. Yes we can complain, many have including me, but unless you are willing to leave the world to eat off property and take alot of people with you I doubt disney will take notice.

Also just about everyone on this board has a this type of viewpoint. We all complain but I have yet seen anyone here who said I'm never going back because....

On our last trip we indeed did eat off property...
We ate at Bahama Breeze...great atmosphere, great service & delicious food

 

[agent86]

On our last trip we indeed did eat off property...
We ate at Bahama Breeze...great atmosphere, great service & delicious food

Bahama Breeze is awesome!! Best conch fritters and best mojitos anywhere!!

 

[KnK]

I am a 'rose color glasses' kinda girl, about almost everything in my life. I will admit I have seen plenty of changes over the last 25 years at the WDW, some good, some not so good.

With that being said, the one thing that has not changed for me is the feeling I get from being there. It really is a magical place for me. We were there the very first time they closed the parks back in 1999, we were there during 911, we have lived through huricanes and tropical stroms. I'll admit I did not enjoy standing in line for close to 4 hours in 1999 for my dinner at Whisper Canyon becasue it was the only resturant available during the up coming strom, but it never made me lose sight that I was still in WDW.

Overall, until I lose that 'feeling' I get the first time I walk under the railroad, through the tunnel to Main Street USA, I am not worried. I'll keep coming back.

 

[mastif]

I totally agree about the dining. Can anyone justify a $7.00 hotdog!!??