IS DISNEY GETTING 'LESS' MAGICAL?

[yensid67]

What is going on with Disney!? I have read a lot that says they are discounting The Riviera up to 40% BEFORE IT EVEN OPENS! And the new Star Wars Hotel is going to be $3,300.00 for a 2 night stay!? I, personally think Disney is making even PLANNING a trip harder and less magical. If you want FP for your park day, you have to be up and the break of dawn. And in most cases, there are none available at 7:00:59am. I figure they set a large chunk of FP's for DVC/ANNUAL Passholders for first choice then regular park guests! I am getting less and less infatuated with Disney as they keep raising their prices. But when is enough enough and will cause Disney to start rethinking things?

 

[yensid67]

????I think you're frustration at the system is getting the best of you. lol, I never ever "throw" money away. I work to hard for it and spend it where I find the most value. I don't like the values so no matter how cheap they are, that would be a waste of money. Now I do buy into the "you're not in it or it's just a place to shower" mentality. I'm old enough that yes, I want my creature comforts. yes, I want a big bed and a robe in my room. I want indoor hallways and a sit down restaurant on site. so No when I stay deluxe I am NOT "throwing" money away.

Next you are assuming everyone runs to the parks all day. we go in hot August/september so we are actually only in the parks very early. by 1 O'clock we are taking a break back at the resort. we spend time there.

Sorry you are no longer feeling the magic but as others have said, it's a great big world out there, Disney is not the only place on the planet.

I am happy you spend the money on a Deluxe resort for yourself. We all need pampered once in awhile! I am talking about the average family of 4+(2+ kids)...If I were that parent, I don't think I would be able to control myself and stay on property for a week or more in a room that we would not be in because of being in the parks all day. I WOULD MAYBE plan a day/night in a resort hotel so the kids could use the themed pool for that day and experience the resort. Then move to a cheaper off site hotel! By staying off site in cheaper hotel it frees up MORE SOUVENIR CASH for the parks!(for me)

 

[mdcpr]

????I think you're frustration at the system is getting the best of you. lol, I never ever "throw" money away. I work to hard for it and spend it where I find the most value. I don't like the values so no matter how cheap they are, that would be a waste of money. Now I do buy into the "you're not in it or it's just a place to shower" mentality. I'm old enough that yes, I want my creature comforts. yes, I want a big bed and a robe in my room. I want indoor hallways and a sit down restaurant on site. so No when I stay deluxe I am NOT "throwing" money away.

Next you are assuming everyone runs to the parks all day. we go in hot August/september so we are actually only in the parks very early. by 1 O'clock we are taking a break back at the resort. we spend time there.

Sorry you are no longer feeling the magic but as others have said, it's a great big world out there, Disney is not the only place on the planet.

Preach! Staying at a deluxe is not 'throwing' money away. I work HARD, and yes I get compensated well, but I also don't take many vacations, nor have a lot of leisure time, so I like comfort, and I will pay for it.

 

[nlgwisconsin]

I actually agree with you that it's becoming less and less magical. In other posts I would think that maybe people didn't know Disney enough to maximize their trip, that they came in with unrealistic expectations to do EVERYTHING in a few days, or were looking at things from a glass half empty perspective. However, we just retu and comparing this trip to the past three, it was definitely the least magical. Disney seems to try to compensate you for the wrong doings (is extra fast passes), but they aren't fixing the problems and taking time to do things RIGHT.
*We used to go back to a clean room with fun shaped Mickey's or animals on the bed out of towels. Now we couldn't even get a our room CLEAN. In 11 days, they failed to come several times. Even when they did, they didn't scrub the bath / shower ONCE. Disgusting.
*Stayed at Pop and gondalas broke down! I know accidents happen, but after only six days? And not much of a contingency plan when it takes 3 hours to deboard people. Weather could change a lot. What happens when people get stuck and a bad storm blows through?!
*CMs would split up our family into separate cars, even when we said 4.
*Missing Memory Maker pics. I know I can call, but one more thing for me to do...
*Cupcakes are half the size. Which the other ones were too big for me to eat, but despite the size, they are more money.
*During EMH, all lands are no longer all open.

We still made great family memories, don't get me wrong. I just think Disney is charging more for less. I also understand they are a business. But the magic is what made us continuing to return to Disney. With it lost, we are likely going to look into new vacation destinations.

 

[yensid67]

I actually agree with you that it's becoming less and less magical. In other posts I would think that maybe people didn't know Disney enough to maximize their trip, that they came in with unrealistic expectations to do EVERYTHING in a few days, or were looking at things from a glass half empty perspective. However, we just retu and comparing this trip to the past three, it was definitely the least magical. Disney seems to try to compensate you for the wrong doings (is extra fast passes), but they aren't fixing the problems and taking time to do things RIGHT.
*We used to go back to a clean room with fun shaped Mickey's or animals on the bed out of towels. Now we couldn't even get a our room CLEAN. In 11 days, they failed to come several times. Even when they did, they didn't scrub the bath / shower ONCE. Disgusting.
*Stayed at Pop and gondalas broke down! I know accidents happen, but after only six days? And not much of a contingency plan when it takes 3 hours to deboard people. Weather could change a lot. What happens when people get stuck and a bad storm blows through?!
*CMs would split up our family into separate cars, even when we said 4.
*Missing Memory Maker pics. I know I can call, but one more thing for me to do...
*Cupcakes are half the size. Which the other ones were too big for me to eat, but despite the size, they are more money.
*During EMH, all lands are no longer all open.

We still made great family memories, don't get me wrong. I just think Disney is charging more for less. I also understand they are a business. But the magic is what made us continuing to return to Disney. With it lost, we are likely going to look into new vacation destinations.

Could you imagine yourself planning a Universal Orlando vacation with a day or two for a Disney park visit!? I am leaning that way...MIGHT be a better deal! Who knows!

 

[nlgwisconsin]

Could you imagine yourself planning a Universal Orlando vacation with a day or two for a Disney park visit!? I am leaning that way...MIGHT be a better deal! Who knows!

We are thinking Universal too once our youngest grows a couple inches!!

 

[eliza61nyc]

I am happy you spend the money on a Deluxe resort for yourself. We all need pampered once in awhile! I am talking about the average family of 4+(2+ kids)...If I were that parent, I don't think I would be able to control myself and stay on property for a week or more in a room that we would not be in because of being in the parks all day. I WOULD MAYBE plan a day/night in a resort hotel so the kids could use the themed pool for that day and experience the resort. Then move to a cheaper off site hotel! By staying off site in cheaper hotel it frees up MORE SOUVENIR CASH for the parks!(for me)

LOL this was my family last August lol if you notice 4 kids, 3 very large college students. The young lady is my niece who most of the time goes to disney with us. It's really more than just about the money. it's what you value. Now again, we don't stay in the parks from dawn to dusk. it's just tooo hot so when they were small pool time was paramount.

Now for us, when the kids where little we stayed on site simply for ease of traveling. Again it's really what you feel is the best way to travel. In my real life I am uber frugal because I know when I travel I will pay extra for comfort and convenience. Think about it, the deluxes are not populated with seniors and retirees. Most are very "average" families like you said

I guess my main point is that those who stay in deluxes are not uber rich nor do we feel like we are "wasting" money. most are hardworking folks who saved to travel the way they like. I don't stay offsite. been there, done that, got the tee shirt so I'd rather stay home a bit longer and save more to vacation the way we like. Just like you I've had to cancel a few trips, lol can you say new roof?

 

[Nottamus]

Not sure if it was stated above....BUT when FP window opens, always start at the end of your trip for the FP's that you really want. Then work backwards to the first day.

ALSO...don't forget to check while on property daily. Last 2 trips for us, I managed to get FOP, both times within 2-3 hrs of ride time.