For the first time I was not excited to get a PIN

copcarguyp71

copcarguyp71

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
We got a PIN in the mail the other day...nothing special just the 30% off hotel stay or free dining but for the first time ever I was not excited. Usually my mind would race with a torrent of ways to spin doctor this into a possibility and how to weasel cheap airfare. This time there were no butterflies...no hopefulness...no "Oh boy!". There was just a general sense of malaise over my memories of what once was and the dread I feel of ever having to plan every single aspect of my vacation from ADR's to FP+ reservations to deciding on hopper or non hopper to what time of year would be less filled with tour groups to $20 missed ADR charges, either carry a smart phone or you don't get the full experience...it all gets so overwhelming that I really tense up just thinking about a vacation at the world anymore. I am sad...just so, so sad...
 
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draybook

draybook

Well-Known Member
I concur my friend! We still have our bounce back in tact, but the day of cancellation is drawing near. I keep hoping for a miracle, one along the lines of Lazarus being raised from the dead, but I don't see it happening. Our trips only go back to 2008, but it's amazing how big the difference can be in 5 1/2 little years.....
 
wendysue

wendysue

Well-Known Member
We are at POP now, and I now wish I would have ignored the pin we got. We took the room only discount, because we had always had such a good time a POP. We did not get park tickets for exactly the reasons you have stated. We will go to DTD, play some mini-put, ride the boats and watch the fireworks from the boat. We will be going to Busch Gardens tomorrow and a few other places. Now, it also appears that we will be eating offsite as well. We went to the POP food court twice today. At lunch, I just got some breadsticks and sauce and my husband got the meatball sandwich and salad. We were the only ones in line, but it took 15 minutes because they had to go find a bag of lettuce. His sandwich was good, but the breadsticks were stale. Later I went for the rotisserie chicken and veggies that I had always liked. Wow...truly underwhelming. It was 9.99 and all of it was pretty cold and they had just brought it out from the kitchen! Husband got the sesame chicken with white rice and veggies. Same thing...cold. The hot chocolate machines were dispensing colored water. Ok, we are officially done with the food court at POP. I'm really glad for the few years that we had really good food and vacations at WDW, because those days are over. NO more pins...
 
disney4life2008

disney4life2008

Well-Known Member
I agree to some extent - and also agree that this thread will likely become a deddie downer but I digress. I just returned earlier this week on a pin stay at sports. I have to admit the room was perfect (for the price at $60 a night); the updated food court was perfect - food options are plentiful. However, I think for me what is missing is the quality of guest service is decreasing. I was there during a slow period but I did not feel like I was immersed in the magic from the CMs. Everything felt rushed and impersonal (both at the hotels and parks). In the past - attention to detail was made on each guest (at least to a basic extent) but now it was rush rush rush. To me the magic of WDW is that you feel VIP staying at their resorts - I did not get that.

In regards to FP+ - It is honestly not as bad. You have to experience it to make a judgement call. Excluding the limitations- it is very nice to select your 3 attractions ahead of time and be able to make changes on the fly. It sounds easy (and it is) granted there are no technical issues. MB is actually nice - I did not have to bring out my wallet the entire time until the last night when I was getting popcorm and their MB scanner didnt work. I do agree that standby lines will increase especially during busy season. I waited 45 minutes for JC last week - that has never happened in the 5 years I have went in January.

I say use your pin and enjoy it. If it turns out to be your last disney resort stay or disney vacation - at least you can say you experienced it. As for me - I have another pin as well but I am going to wait until 2015. If I return to Orlando this year - i am staying in my timeshare (Mariott Grande Vista) for $250 total for the week and will visit USF.
 
disney4life2008

disney4life2008

Well-Known Member
wendysue said:
We are at POP now, and I now wish I would have ignored the pin we got. We took the room only discount, because we had always had such a good time a POP. We did not get park tickets for exactly the reasons you have stated. We will go to DTD, play some mini-put, ride the boats and watch the fireworks from the boat. We will be going to Busch Gardens tomorrow and a few other places. Now, it also appears that we will be eating offsite as well. We went to the POP food court twice today. At lunch, I just got some breadsticks and sauce and my husband got the meatball sandwich and salad. We were the only ones in line, but it took 15 minutes because they had to go find a bag of lettuce. His sandwich was good, but the breadsticks were stale. Later I went for the rotisserie chicken and veggies that I had always liked. Wow...truly underwhelming. It was 9.99 and all of it was pretty cold and they had just brought it out from the kitchen! Husband got the sesame chicken with white rice and veggies. Same thing...cold. The hot chocolate machines were dispensing colored water. Ok, we are officially done with the food court at POP. I'm really glad for the few years that we had really good food and vacations at WDW, because those days are over. NO more pins...
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I think the food across the board at disney is just bad (the cost does not help). $12 for a burger and 5 fries is not worth it and is very expensive. I dined at Ohana last week and while I love it - it was not worth the $50. I think my judgement is because I can go to Golden Corrall or chinese buffet and get the same food for $12. Ohana is nice ambiance wise but the food - not so much. There used to be many jewels of disney dining but that is hard to come by now - everything tastes the same everywhere.
 
wendysue

wendysue

Well-Known Member
disney4life2008 said:
I think the food across the board at disney is just bad (the cost does not help). $12 for a burger and 5 fries is not worth it and is very expensive. I dined at Ohana last week and while I love it - it was not worth the $50. I think my judgement is because I can go to Golden Corrall or chinese buffet and get the same food for $12. Ohana is nice ambiance wise but the food - not so much. There used to be many jewels of disney dining but that is hard to come by now - everything tastes the same everywhere.
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And this just makes me so angry. They don't even try anymore..
 
sweetpee_1993

sweetpee_1993

Well-Known Member
wendysue said:
We are at POP now, and I now wish I would have ignored the pin we got. We took the room only discount, because we had always had such a good time a POP. We did not get park tickets for exactly the reasons you have stated. We will go to DTD, play some mini-put, ride the boats and watch the fireworks from the boat. We will be going to Busch Gardens tomorrow and a few other places. Now, it also appears that we will be eating offsite as well. We went to the POP food court twice today. At lunch, I just got some breadsticks and sauce and my husband got the meatball sandwich and salad. We were the only ones in line, but it took 15 minutes because they had to go find a bag of lettuce. His sandwich was good, but the breadsticks were stale. Later I went for the rotisserie chicken and veggies that I had always liked. Wow...truly underwhelming. It was 9.99 and all of it was pretty cold and they had just brought it out from the kitchen! Husband got the sesame chicken with white rice and veggies. Same thing...cold. The hot chocolate machines were dispensing colored water. Ok, we are officially done with the food court at POP. I'm really glad for the few years that we had really good food and vacations at WDW, because those days are over. NO more pins...
Click to expand...
Have you ever eaten at Wolfgang Puck Xpress at DtD? For the $$ we really enjoyed it. I'm a big stickler on overpriced meh food. It's worth a look at the menu. Breakfast is super good there, too. Good luck!
 
disney4life2008

disney4life2008

Well-Known Member
wendysue said:
And this just makes me so angry. They don't even try anymore..
Click to expand...

I think the problem is that disney is now feeding mass amounts - so its easy to mass produce the same product then easy resturant has a different spin of toppings you can add. I think right now Chilis and Disney are about neck and neck when it comes to the price of a burger - but the chilis burger is much better. What I liked about sports food court - everything was made to order last week. Pizza, burgers, nuggets, fries - everything was cooked fresh upon ordering and I was able to ask for more fries (sometimes). I have went to other food courts and agree with your comments - they are just not good. POP used to be amazing - so its sad to hear the quality has went down. I remember a few years back I would diet a month before leaving just so that I could eat everything at disney. Well last week - I ended up loosing weight - that says a lot right there.
 
epcotisbest

epcotisbest

Well-Known Member
disney4life2008 said:
I agree to some extent - and also agree that this thread will likely become a deddie downer but I digress. I just returned earlier this week on a pin stay at sports. I have to admit the room was perfect (for the price at $60 a night); the updated food court was perfect - food options are plentiful. However, I think for me what is missing is the quality of guest service is decreasing. I was there during a slow period but I did not feel like I was immersed in the magic from the CMs. Everything felt rushed and impersonal (both at the hotels and parks). In the past - attention to detail was made on each guest (at least to a basic extent) but now it was rush rush rush. To me the magic of WDW is that you feel VIP staying at their resorts - I did not get that.

In regards to FP+ - It is honestly not as bad. You have to experience it to make a judgement call. Excluding the limitations- it is very nice to select your 3 attractions ahead of time and be able to make changes on the fly. It sounds easy (and it is) granted there are no technical issues. MB is actually nice - I did not have to bring out my wallet the entire time until the last night when I was getting popcorm and their MB scanner didnt work. I do agree that standby lines will increase especially during busy season. I waited 45 minutes for JC last week - that has never happened in the 5 years I have went in January.

I say use your pin and enjoy it. If it turns out to be your last disney resort stay or disney vacation - at least you can say you experienced it. As for me - I have another pin as well but I am going to wait until 2015. If I return to Orlando this year - i am staying in my timeshare (Mariott Grande Vista) for $250 total for the week and will visit USF.
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Marriott Grande Vista is a great place. We have also stayed at Sabal Palms, Horizons and Lakeshore Reserve, which we loved. Lakeshore Reserve, for us, ranks right up there with anything at Disney and we love staying at Disney resorts. We have stayed at many different Disney resorts and hope to try them all someday, but we are planning more time at Uni. and SeaWorld in the future due to many reasons, but the main one being Disney just keeps getting more costly, but does not increase in the quality of the experience to correspond with the price. Have also stayed at several other places in the area and there are many quality options yet to try.
 
M

Minnie_girl

Active Member
sweetpee_1993 said:
Have you ever eaten at Wolfgang Puck Xpress at DtD? For the $$ we really enjoyed it. I'm a big stickler on overpriced meh food. It's worth a look at the menu. Breakfast is super good there, too. Good luck!
75.gif
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X2 :)
 
ginadee

ginadee

Well-Known Member
My last trip I planned out all the parks, dining, FP, where to be, when to see what, and I did like doing all that but my next trip I decided I would love to do solo just to walk around and soak up all the scenery and I read an idea on this forum and said "ya know what? That's what Im going to do next time". Whatever bus pulls up first, that's the park Im going to that day. Except I have to see wishes last night. I want the QS dining so no reservations. I loved planning and since Ive been there done that I really look forward to not planning as well.
 
epcotisbest

epcotisbest

Well-Known Member
ginadee said:
My last trip I planned out all the parks, dining, FP, where to be, when to see what, and I did like doing all that but my next trip I decided I would love to do solo just to walk around and soak up all the scenery and I read an idea on this forum and said "ya know what? That's what Im going to do next time". Whatever bus pulls up first, that's the park Im going to that day. Except I have to see wishes last night. I want the QS dining so no reservations. I loved planning and since Ive been there done that I really look forward to not planning as well.
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Our trip this past Sept. we had no plans, no ADRs, no schedule...it was wonderful! Of course, it was a very low crowd level in early Sept., but that just made it better.
 
luv

luv

Well-Known Member
Just skip it. Don't stay in a Disney hotel. Stay somewhere else. If you feel like eating there, do it. F not, eat elsewhere. No dining plan.

Don't make appointments for all your meals and rides. Just go and have fun.

You might even try Uni and Sea World.

It's really much nicer to not run around like a crazy person, counting dining plan credits and keeping appointments for meals and rides.

You might like it. :)
 
S

Susan Savia

Well-Known Member
We much prefer to dine offsite and we will not be using the FP+. We have booked 2 character meals for our upcoming visit, but thats it. It's supposed to be a vacation and all this scheduling and checking and such is overwelming. We much prefer to be spontaneous and go where the moment takes us.
 
bethymouse

bethymouse

Well-Known Member
sweetpee_1993 said:
Have you ever eaten at Wolfgang Puck Xpress at DtD? For the $$ we really enjoyed it. I'm a big stickler on overpriced meh food. It's worth a look at the menu. Breakfast is super good there, too. Good luck!
Click to expand...
Wolfgang Puck Express has the best pizza ever! It's the "pesto" one. Honestly, it was better than Via Napoli ( and that surprised me).:eek:
 

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