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George's Epic WDW predictions
- Thread starter George
- Start date
tirian
Well-Known Member
Several folks have already said this, so I'll cut to the chase:
The "decline" was due to budget cuts related to the tourism lag following 9/11. Unlike the 9/11 argument used for DCA, it is not just a scapegoat at WDW. Now that attendance is high again, refurbishment has become a top priority at the parks. In addition to the major attractinon refurbs, Main Street is being rebuilt (the train station was just the beginning) and the resorts have been receiving TLC. Also, smaller things such as planters, sidewalks, and walls are constantly being replaced. It seems that little plywood walls and canvas go up every week!
EDIT:
the College Program kids. Although most of them love Disney, many come here to party for 6 months and don't really care about their jobs. Before any CPs get annoyed with that statement, you wouldn't be on these boards if you didn't like Disney, so I'm obviously not counting you as one of those people. Please don't be offended.
WDW has recently gotten some bad publicity for its college program, both for allegedly taking advantage of cheap labor (which I don't agree with; the CPs know what they're getting into) and for a perceived decline in the quality of service. The latter argument has some truth to it. Unfortunately, I've found that many of the CPs really do come here just to skip a semester of college. But the majority of CPs are committed to creating magic.
The "decline" was due to budget cuts related to the tourism lag following 9/11. Unlike the 9/11 argument used for DCA, it is not just a scapegoat at WDW. Now that attendance is high again, refurbishment has become a top priority at the parks. In addition to the major attractinon refurbs, Main Street is being rebuilt (the train station was just the beginning) and the resorts have been receiving TLC. Also, smaller things such as planters, sidewalks, and walls are constantly being replaced. It seems that little plywood walls and canvas go up every week!
EDIT:
the College Program kids. Although most of them love Disney, many come here to party for 6 months and don't really care about their jobs. Before any CPs get annoyed with that statement, you wouldn't be on these boards if you didn't like Disney, so I'm obviously not counting you as one of those people. Please don't be offended.
WDW has recently gotten some bad publicity for its college program, both for allegedly taking advantage of cheap labor (which I don't agree with; the CPs know what they're getting into) and for a perceived decline in the quality of service. The latter argument has some truth to it. Unfortunately, I've found that many of the CPs really do come here just to skip a semester of college. But the majority of CPs are committed to creating magic.
Trizz41999
New Member
I have noticed a little dissatisfaction of WDW's employees. They could be a little bit nicer and help more with directions, imformation ect...
Epcot82Guy
Well-Known Member
CP = the college program. It has expanded to a significant portion of front-line CMs at WDW.
I always enjoy talking with cast members about their jobs. Many have told me that though the pay is low, the work is easy (but that's not true for all I have talked to!). On a side note - I talked to the guy who runs the fishing shed in Port Orleans Riverside and he essentially admitted to have an extremely cush job that lended itself to hours of paperback reading. Very entertaining.
I'm glad to see so many think the downturn (real or percieved) was a temporary thing due to 9/11. As a technical person, one thing I would like to see is more money pumped into maintenance. It really bugs me when I'm on an attraction I've been on before and things aren't working. Most of the time its not such a big deal that it ruins my experience, but if it happens too often I does color my perceptions to a degree.
Random thought related to CPs - When I was in high school (85-88) it was in Hillsborough County (home to Tampa). They would bus us over to the parks (EPCOT and MK) and use us as temporary employees over Easter/Spring break to help out during that busy period. Do they still do that? For the most part we were terrible employees and like many high school kids used the knowledge we gained on later trips and not always in good ways. I could start another thread with crazy stories about this.
I'm glad to see so many think the downturn (real or percieved) was a temporary thing due to 9/11. As a technical person, one thing I would like to see is more money pumped into maintenance. It really bugs me when I'm on an attraction I've been on before and things aren't working. Most of the time its not such a big deal that it ruins my experience, but if it happens too often I does color my perceptions to a degree.
Random thought related to CPs - When I was in high school (85-88) it was in Hillsborough County (home to Tampa). They would bus us over to the parks (EPCOT and MK) and use us as temporary employees over Easter/Spring break to help out during that busy period. Do they still do that? For the most part we were terrible employees and like many high school kids used the knowledge we gained on later trips and not always in good ways. I could start another thread with crazy stories about this.
nelsonj3
Well-Known Member
I have gone to WDW just about every year for the past 15-20 years. I did notice a decline in quality right after 9/11, but last summer, I noticed that they were starting to try to spruce up the place. My wife and I are going down in the middle of March, and I am excited to see some of the changes/improvements that have been done since I've been there in July.
BTW, this is my 100th post!!
BTW, this is my 100th post!!
wannab@dis
Well-Known Member
Take a look at this thread...
http://forums.wdwmagic.com/showthread.php?t=70791
Too many people around here would read that and see the breakdown as evidence of declining quality. I can just read it now -- "If they would spend some money, then the TTA wouldn't have a problem".
The first thing I noticed in that post was that Disney's Customer Service went above and beyond on trying to make it right! The quality of service is still there. That's a major part of the Magic at WDW.
Several have posted the truth. If you look for problems, you will find them. I would rather look for the magic and I've never had a problem finding it. :wave:
http://forums.wdwmagic.com/showthread.php?t=70791
Too many people around here would read that and see the breakdown as evidence of declining quality. I can just read it now -- "If they would spend some money, then the TTA wouldn't have a problem".
The first thing I noticed in that post was that Disney's Customer Service went above and beyond on trying to make it right! The quality of service is still there. That's a major part of the Magic at WDW.
Several have posted the truth. If you look for problems, you will find them. I would rather look for the magic and I've never had a problem finding it. :wave:
imagineer boy
Well-Known Member
WDW's quality was certainly declining in the dark years of Paul Pressler, where such disasters like The Tiki Room Under New Management, and the new JIYI were made. However, after those dark times, WDW has slowly been improving. VERY slowly unfotunately. No where near as fast as DL's improvements have been. Hopefully, they can bring in Matt Ouimet or Greg Emmer to be the presidents of WDW, and then the dark days of WDW will be completely over. Quality attractions will be built, marketing won't be so over used as it is now, all of the attractions will recieve their long awaited large rehabs denied to them for years where they will return to their former glory.
My god, it will be beautiful.
My god, it will be beautiful.
Ghostbuster626
Member
Quality has been slipping for years at WDW however now I think its on the rebound.
lamarvenoy
New Member
I think the majority of FREQUENT visitors can agree there have been slippage in upkeep and attraction decisions. I think that is why a change in regime was so imminent and welcome.Will it get better? I think so.
SallyShine
New Member
My DH, who is NOT a big Disney fan, admits that there is a huge difference in the quality of CM's when comparing WDW to Universal.
wannab@dis said:
I wouldn't find this break down to be evidence of a decline in quality. Periodic break downs happen. I do think there are a subset of attractions that rarely have all of their effects working and I find these to be more of a concern (i.e I think it becomes acceptable to have them running in this state). What will everyone's view of Everest be in 5 years if 3.5 of the years the ride has been running with strobe lights flashing on a stationary Yeti?
Laura
22
The reason people think that Disney is declining is because of the stupid friggin internet. Anytime a single small thing is less than perfect - it is posted all over the internet for everyone to see and read.
I've been going to the parks for nearly 25 years. They are better now than ever before. Thanks to Michael Eisner, Disney World has become a total vacation destination unlike anywhere else.
Another problem is people for some reason have all become nearsighted. They are so focused on up close things like a piece of chipped paint that they fail to see the enormous, mind-blowing, beautiful things that surround them in the distance. And if they encounter one cast member who is having a bad day, they become oblivious to the thousands of other cast members who are working hard and creating magic.
But the bottom line is, I could care less if you all enjoy WDW or not. To me it is unique, magical, and indescribable. And I feel privileged to be able to enjoy such a place, and I'm not gonna let the negativity of others ruin my experience.
I've been going to the parks for nearly 25 years. They are better now than ever before. Thanks to Michael Eisner, Disney World has become a total vacation destination unlike anywhere else.
Another problem is people for some reason have all become nearsighted. They are so focused on up close things like a piece of chipped paint that they fail to see the enormous, mind-blowing, beautiful things that surround them in the distance. And if they encounter one cast member who is having a bad day, they become oblivious to the thousands of other cast members who are working hard and creating magic.
But the bottom line is, I could care less if you all enjoy WDW or not. To me it is unique, magical, and indescribable. And I feel privileged to be able to enjoy such a place, and I'm not gonna let the negativity of others ruin my experience.
Pumbas Nakasak
Heading for the great escape.
Yes its dross youd be better off at Busch Gardens.