Just returned observations

[omahadisneyfan]

My family and i just returned from our 9 day WDW vacation and I thought I would provide some observations. We've been going to WDW annually and some times 2 or 3 times a years so we're Disney World veterans. I'll start by saying that we still felt the "Disney Magic" however there are some things I thought were worthy of discussing. First, we are very disappointed in the Fast Pass+ system as it requires way too much advanced planning and does not provide much in terms of flexibility. We like to park hop and in the current Fast Pass system you're forced to choose Fast Passes just in one park. Also, if you're like us, sometime we're spontaneous and choose a different park than the one we originally planned to visit. Now we could still do that but good luck getting a decent fast pass time.
We also were able to try the Be Our Guest restaurant for the first time and I would say it is very, very overrated. The atmosphere is nice but the menu is not appealing to most (especially picky eaters) and the prices are ridiculous even for Disney. Also on the topic of restaurants we also were able to get into LeCellier and I was SHOCKED by the prices. For example a Ribeye steak was priced at $65.00!! Even the finest dining establishments don't charge that much. in addition, the service was not up to par with prior visits and we will likely not make advanced dining reservations there again. We still had a great time, but it seems to be getting more sterile and not so much of a vacation experience. I'm happy to answer any questions.

 

[ParentsOf4]

My family and i just returned from our 9 day WDW vacation and I thought I would provide some observations. We've been going to WDW annually and some times 2 or 3 times a years so we're Disney World veterans. I'll start by saying that we still felt the "Disney Magic" however there are some things I thought were worthy of discussing. First, we are very disappointed in the Fast Pass+ system as it requires way too much advanced planning and does not provide much in terms of flexibility. We like to park hop and in the current Fast Pass system you're forced to choose Fast Passes just in one park. Also, if you're like us, sometime we're spontaneous and choose a different park than the one we originally planned to visit. Now we could still do that but good luck getting a decent fast pass time.
We also were able to try the Be Our Guest restaurant for the first time and I would say it is very, very overrated. The atmosphere is nice but the menu is not appealing to most (especially picky eaters) and the prices are ridiculous even for Disney. Also on the topic of restaurants we also were able to get into LeCellier and I was SHOCKED by the prices. For example a Ribeye steak was priced at $65.00!! Even the finest dining establishments don't charge that much. in addition, the service was not up to par with prior visits and we will likely not make advanced dining reservations there again. We still had a great time, but it seems to be getting more sterile and not so much of a vacation experience. I'm happy to answer any questions.

We are multi-decade WDW veterans and have similar observations. Restaurant prices have gotten out-of-control in the last 3-4 years, it's a case of "whatever the market will bear".

FP+ is basically a tossup to me. I think inexperienced WDW vacationers will benefit but it's a step backwards for experienced FP users. Having used it before tiering took effect, I was surprised to realize that all you need is 3 good FP+ selections at 3 of the theme parks. Epcot, DHS, and DAK all really do need additional good attractions.

I'd also add that we've observed an increased level of dirtiness. Nothing horrible but definitely lower standards than a decade ago.

We still enjoy the water parks and feel things haven't slipped there. What aspects of WDW did you like or think were just as good as ever?

 

[omahadisneyfan]

We are multi-decade WDW veterans and have similar observations. Restaurant prices have gotten out-of-control in the last 3-4 years, it's a case of "whatever the market will bear".

FP+ is basically a tossup to me. I think inexperienced WDW vacationers will benefit but it's a step backwards for experienced FP users. Having used it before tiering took effect, I was surprised to realize that all you need is 3 good FP+ selections at 3 of the theme parks. Epcot, DHS, and DAK all really do need additional good attractions.

I'd also add that we've observed an increased level of dirtiness. Nothing horrible but definitely lower standards than a decade ago.

We still enjoy the water parks and feel things haven't slipped there. What aspects of WDW did you like or think were just as good as ever?

We still enjoy many of the attractions and the entertainment. We also noticed changes to the Flower and Garden Festival in terms of the additions of the food kiosk's and enjoyed sampling some of those. We're also big fans of the Food and Wine festival and will likely return for that in October. It's our family getaway and just spending time together in WDW is always a great time for us.

 

[bgraham34]

I think the magic is still there but the restaurant prices are just out of hand. LeCellier used to be worth it for lunch when you can get a burger (damn where they tasty) now with them eliminating the lunch menu I will never go back.

In my planning for fastpass+ i can say I don't like it. I would much prefer it you planned your FP no more than 48 hours back. It is just way too much planning.

 

[PrincessNelly_NJ]

I'm curious did you visit BOG for dinner or lunch?
We had dinner and it wasn't up to signature standards but the food was great for a 1 credit table service meal. We didn't think the pricing was too bad either for "disney pricing."

 

[lostpro9het]

...I think inexperienced WDW vacationers will benefit but it's a step backwards for experienced FP users....

I agree with everything you said but this tidbit. IMO, It's a lose lose for both experienced and inexperienced.

The experienced folks lose out on their traditional plans and are still learning the ropes

The inexperienced folks who were expecting paper fastpasses will now probably have to waste a few hours or so during their days at the parks learning the new system and trying to get reservations at a kiosk during their visits.

I had a friend tell me just yesterday that their family is going next week for spring break and they have their park tickets but never heard word one about FP+. I gave them the lowdown but cant imagine how much time they would have wasted had they just showed up on that first day and been like "What's with all these FP+ signs?".

 

[AndyGator]

+1

I go to WDW almost every other month. I detest the FP+ and magic band nonsense. I have wasted so much of my time trying to troubleshoot issues. We've had annual passes for years but the system won't let you make FP+ reservations for a renewed annual pass until you show your ID at a ticket kiosk. Once we did that, we tried to add a Soarin FP since the others in our group already had one. Who would of guessed, they were all gone by 10 am. Wow, what an upgrade to the old system.


As for restaurant prices in WDW. The trick is to find the spots that don't get much attention. There are some pretty good deals out there. Disney is just cashing in on the popularity of Le Cellier now. The result, you can actually make a reservation within a month or so.

Kona Cafe has some pretty solid food for reasonable prices. I'm also a fan of Kouzzina but that won't be around for long. Probably because its not making much money, which usually indicates a good value for customers. Sneak in a meal while you can.

 

[Brickcity Pauly]

Well, I'll know in 24 hours if I like FP+. My daughter and I don't always plan which park we're going to each day, so most of our FP+ reservations will be the morning of...

 

[Zummi Gummi]

LeCellier used to be worth it for lunch when you can get a burger (damn where they tasty) now with them eliminating the lunch menu I will never go back.

That statement right there is part of the problem with WDW restaurants. Guests going to a place like Le Cellier and expecting burgers.

 

[eastvillage]

I have friends there who couldn't get their MDE app to work and spent 30 minutes waiting in line at a kiosk at MK yesterday trying to sort out FP+. Obviously it is spring break and super crowded, but they don't visit WDW too much and were a little frustrated with the process. They commented about it on Facebook. WDW needs to realize people's unhappiness with FP+ is quickly spreading through social media.

 

[draybook]

We would have to respectfully disagree about BoG. We absolutely loved the steak. As for the pricing, I agree that it's high, but it was actually cheaper than our breakfast at CDR. The only difference was the crummy plastic toys.

 

[Kuzcotopia]

Regarding the food prices, I really wish they would do away with dining plans altogether, free or otherwise.

I believe that's the real root cause of the spike in prices. The "savings" are made up by those of us who don't use them.

 

[jlsHouston]

Food is high at WDW, especially the way my bunch likes to dine and snack. We actually love the steak at BOG too, and loved several of the lunch selections, but we aren't real picky eaters, heck they shoot bambi out here and chicken fry it so picky this bunch is not.
We have only recently started going to WDW but have been lucky to go a couple of times each year since 2011 and we love the vacations at WDW too.
I think the parks have steadily gotten more packed and yes a bit more debris I notice on the grounds than the first year we visited.
We don't care much for FP+ either compared to legacy.
We just got back too and had a really good time and I can't wait til August for our summer trip and lots of pool time!

 

[Glasgow]

Ironically, the more systems they put in for "planning ahead", the more we're disinclined to take advantage of these systems due to the resulting complexity and reduction of freedom.

We used to enjoy the dining plan, but now that you have to plan it so meticulously its not worth the trouble. You have to not only decide where and when you want to eat, but now you have to sync that with your FP+ planning. It was difficult before if you didn't have a park hopper - you had to go to the same park as where your restaurant was located - but now that's compounded even more by the FP+ system since you have to sync your chosen park, EMH, dining resvs and now FP+ resvs. What's next, monorail FP+? You know it's coming ..

I like planning as much as the next person - it's a large part of the enjoyment of a Disney vacation, to be honest - but this is becoming less and less a vacation and more and more like my job.

 

[Potter]

We still had a great time, but it seems to be getting more sterile and not so much of a vacation experience.

This is why we will only take our kids to WDW one more time (for a total of three visits). I know the kids have a good time but it is way too expensive and I don't see it as a vacation. It is more of a right of passage for the kids and that is it. My idea of a vacation is sitting on the beach sipping a rum runner instead of fighting crowds in a hot humid park especially when the locals and the foreigners think they own the place.

 

[zombiebbq]

My family and i just returned from our 9 day WDW vacation and I thought I would provide some observations. We've been going to WDW annually and some times 2 or 3 times a years so we're Disney World veterans. I'll start by saying that we still felt the "Disney Magic" however there are some things I thought were worthy of discussing. First, we are very disappointed in the Fast Pass+ system as it requires way too much advanced planning and does not provide much in terms of flexibility. We like to park hop and in the current Fast Pass system you're forced to choose Fast Passes just in one park. Also, if you're like us, sometime we're spontaneous and choose a different park than the one we originally planned to visit. Now we could still do that but good luck getting a decent fast pass time.
We also were able to try the Be Our Guest restaurant for the first time and I would say it is very, very overrated. The atmosphere is nice but the menu is not appealing to most (especially picky eaters) and the prices are ridiculous even for Disney. Also on the topic of restaurants we also were able to get into LeCellier and I was SHOCKED by the prices. For example a Ribeye steak was priced at $65.00!! Even the finest dining establishments don't charge that much. in addition, the service was not up to par with prior visits and we will likely not make advanced dining reservations there again. We still had a great time, but it seems to be getting more sterile and not so much of a vacation experience. I'm happy to answer any questions.

I also just returned with my boyfriend and two parents. We had 0 problems with both our Fastpass+ magic bands or the my Disney experience app. We were able to get right on every ride we had a fast pass for, the app worked beautifully and my parents were able to get fast passes for different parks then me and my boyfriend were at. For example, the day we were going to Animal Kingdom, my parents decided to skip the park altogether and go back to Epcot. That morning my dad changed their fastpasses to Test Track and Soarin, while me and my boyfriend kept our 3 fastpasses for animal kingdom. We were all booked under the same trip as well, we didn't pay for our vacations separately. We also got all the Fast pass times we wanted, by booking a few weeks in advance. Some before our lunch reservations, some after, It was wayyyyy better than the earlier system imo. I feel like I went to a completely different park then what most people on here have been complaining about. I had been doing research here and other places a few months before our trip and was a little scared based on what people have been saying. I will agree the food is in general very pricy and not up to par...but we live 20 min. from the restaurant capital of the U.S. (nyc) so expectations can be high. Other than that it was great...kind of puzzled by everyone else's problems with the new system...

 

[Walt is angry]

We were at Epcot last Sunday. Somebody had dropped a handful of napkins on the ground near Mexico. I noticed it, then watched three CM's in less than two minutes simply step on the handful of trash and move along.

I remember a time when all CM's, from top to bottom would NEVER, EVER pass a piece of litter without picking it up. Now, I'm sure a cleaner CM would have came by within a few minutes, but I picked it up and threw it away first. This is just another clear indicator of Disney's falling standards in this regard, IMO.

 

[KCheatle]

Hmm.. I guess I haven't noticed any issues with cleanliness?? Maybe it's a reflection on our society just as much as Disney? It seems to me that a lot of people these days are simply lazy and let things fall to the ground and don't bother to pick them up. So it may be a combo of the two.

I'm anxious for FP+. I see the positive to it, but I also see the negative to it. I like the idea that I can park hop and go to MK in the morning, and go to Epcot at night knowing we have FPs for rides like Soarin and Test Track that we wouldn't be able to otherwise get having been at MK in the morning. But, at the same time, I don't really know if I'll like having to plan my whole day out every day?? But, I guess to a certain extent I already have to plan the whole day out everyday with ADRs anyway.

I know my DH will appreciate FP+ because it will keep him from having to sprint across the parks to get new FPs once the other ones become active so that we could go from ride to ride.

I'm just going to keep and open mind until we experience it, and see how it goes

 

[jlsHouston]

Ironically, the more systems they put in for "planning ahead", the more we're disinclined to take advantage of these systems due to the resulting complexity and reduction of freedom.

We used to enjoy the dining plan, but now that you have to plan it so meticulously its not worth the trouble. You have to not only decide where and when you want to eat, but now you have to sync that with your FP+ planning. It was difficult before if you didn't have a park hopper - you had to go to the same park as where your restaurant was located - but now that's compounded even more by the FP+ system since you have to sync your chosen park, EMH, dining resvs and now FP+ resvs. What's next, monorail FP+? You know it's coming ..

I like planning as much as the next person - it's a large part of the enjoyment of a Disney vacation, to be honest - but this is becoming less and less a vacation and more and more like my job.

OMG, I have LOVED planning ADR's since my first trip! Since I booked online the first time, I don't know I figured out about the ADR thing and booked character dining meals which we had a blast and loved the buffets of course and it was on thereafter.

This last trip I ended up with about 5 meals with ressies I kept and 5 meals I cancelled and we just walked up to places and got seated first available. Worked really well. The only one with a wait and it was 25 minutes was Chef Mickey breakfast on our last morning at WDW.

The same thing with FP+. I found on certain days if I followed the plan, the FP+ worked okay...but woe if we were running behind because of my work(self employed and yah I work on vacation) or tired or got to the park and decided we wanted to look at something.....and of course the app worked like 2 days out 8 on my phone so then I was looking for the freaking kiosks...

I still had a great vacation, still plotting the return in August, still love Disney, just finding that the MM+ is not so magical for the way I like to do my vacation.

 

[CP_alum08]

I see the statement "we had a great time, but..." coming up more and more, which is sad. Hopefully Disney can get rid of those "buts" soon.