Len Testa Crowd Analysis

[flynnibus]

My family was planning to do a "once in a lifetime" 10-day on-site stay this summer with dining plan and all the trimmings because my kids are at a great age for Disney. But the past couple of times we have gone, the lines have been so bad that we really haven't enjoyed ourselves that much. (We might have been the grumpy people in the pictures, haha.) We've decided that 10 days of that mess, even 7 days of that mess (plus parking fees and other fees, etc.) would not be a relaxing and fun vacation anymore, so we're just going to do something else. This bums me out a lot because I've always dreamed of having a big Disney vacation. But the big Disney experience that I dreamed of doesn't exist anymore. It's better in my memory/imagination than in reality now.

Do a cruise and splurge on your excursions.. that will build lifetime memories... more than dancing with foamheads in a warehouse.

 

[PorterRedkey]

RetroWDW recently uploaded home video footage of the Magic Kingdom in the 1970's showing crowd differences and the old school way of meeting characters.

Not sure if this video is relevant, but it really shows the differences between WDW then and now.

I think it relevant, but who cares! Look at that beautiful park!!! I love the garland over main street and trees in the hub!

 

[Brad Bishop]

When I see pictures, most people look upset or bored or angry. How is this the happiest place on earth?

There are a lot of people who really don't want to be there. It's not Disney's fault. From seeing it the main parts are:
- They think it's too expensive and/or spending money on such an endeavor sucks
- They're not pleased with their spouse / don't really like who they married (I think some people pretend that going to WDW will somehow "fix" their marriage issues)
- They just don't like Disney. Maybe their partner does, maybe they don't. They're miserable and will make sure others are miserable. Maybe they did it for the kids.
- They're just having a fight/bad day.

IMO: If you don't want to be there, then you shouldn't go. If you agree to go because your partner really wants to go then don't crap on their parade and make it miserable for them. Enjoy it the best you can and try to see it through your partner's eyes. It doesn't have to suck. You don't have to make it suck.

 

[Brad Bishop]

I think it relevant, but who cares! Look at that beautiful park!!! I love the garland over main street and trees in the hub!

Re: Old school M&Gs: I really miss the characters just wandering about. It was much more like you were visiting "Their World" when that happened. Now it's all mechanized through M&G specific places throughout the parks. Sure, it's more orderly, but we lost something when they switched to that.

 

[larryz]

There are a lot of people who really don't want to be there. It's not Disney's fault. From seeing it the main parts are:
- They think it's too expensive and/or spending money on such an endeavor sucks
- They're not pleased with their spouse / don't really like who they married (I think some people pretend that going to WDW will somehow "fix" their marriage issues)
- They just don't like Disney. Maybe their partner does, maybe they don't. They're miserable and will make sure others are miserable. Maybe they did it for the kids.
- They're just having a fight/bad day.

IMO: If you don't want to be there, then you shouldn't go. If you agree to go because your partner really wants to go then don't crap on their parade and make it miserable for them. Enjoy it the best you can and try to see it through your partner's eyes. It doesn't have to suck. You don't have to make it suck.

Maybe they're disappointed because the crowd they're in didn't show up in this commercial that pushed them to book a vacation...

 

[Bairstow]

That's sad and I mean that. They're alienating their base to get higher income from the rich.

Well there must be plenty of rich people out there who like Disney because the parks and resorts are presently mobbed.

No one knows if what Disney is doing recently in terms of pricing and quality will work forever, but it sure is paying off right now.

 

[ford91exploder]

Well there must be plenty of rich people out there who like Disney because the parks and resorts are presently mobbed.

No one knows if what Disney is doing recently in terms of pricing and quality will work forever, but it sure is paying off right now.

Inertia is working for Disney now, But for every trip ruined by the nuts to butts crowd levels and poor service that inertia becomes just a little bit weaker. If WDW had to stand on it's own current reputation. well I'll let you draw your own conclusions.

 

[ford91exploder]

That sounds like troll behavior. If you purpose here becomes simply trolling others you ill be asked to leave.

No intention of Trolling,

Disney's current behavior provides endless material for outrage, In my most dystopian nightmares about WDW I could not imagine the stuff they are doing now. Selling the park multiple times per day, charging for parking, the rumored 'resort fee', the continued abuse of DVC members good will, The continuing acts of Damniatio Memoriae with respect to Walter Elias Disney, Things that used to say Walt Disney are simply Disney, The Stalinist photoshopping out of former Disney executives (most recent example Rasulo and Staggs photoshopped out of the Pandora groundbreaking).

The only thing Disney about WDW these days is the name on the signs, No need to troll.

 

[jakeman]

If there was one thing Stalin was known for...it was his skills with Photoshop.

 

[Neverland44]

Many people feel stressed having to do all the planning and spending a boatload of money. Does not make for a relaxing carefree vacation imo.
You are on the wrong coast for happiest place on earth.

California? We're headed there next. It seems more relaxed and more rides and attractions for kids and adults. Actually cheaper too.

I think it relevant, but who cares! Look at that beautiful park!!! I love the garland over main street and trees in the hub!

I have a link that shows old pics of Disneyland meets, including Shirley Temple meeting the 7 Dwarfs. Walt's there too!

There are a lot of people who really don't want to be there. It's not Disney's fault. From seeing it the main parts are:
- They think it's too expensive and/or spending money on such an endeavor sucks
- They're not pleased with their spouse / don't really like who they married (I think some people pretend that going to WDW will somehow "fix" their marriage issues)
- They just don't like Disney. Maybe their partner does, maybe they don't. They're miserable and will make sure others are miserable. Maybe they did it for the kids.
- They're just having a fight/bad day.

IMO: If you don't want to be there, then you shouldn't go. If you agree to go because your partner really wants to go then don't crap on their parade and make it miserable for them. Enjoy it the best you can and try to see it through your partner's eyes. It doesn't have to suck. You don't have to make it suck.

Just wanted to say that I agree. Some people like to complain or come with ideas formed and hate it before they get in the gate.

Maybe they're disappointed because the crowd they're in didn't show up in this commercial that pushed them to book a vacation...

I love and hate this commercial. It's a lie and yet it's a damn good advertisement. I also want to ride the on the ride they're on in the dark. I don't know what it's called.

the rumored 'resort fee',

It's not a rumor anymore. I was on UCT and Sports was showing a resort fee. I thought it was an error. I guess not.

 

[FutureCEO]

I love and hate this commercial. It's a lie.

Isn't that the point of advertising?

 

[larryz]

It's not a rumor anymore. I was on UCT and Sports was showing a resort fee. I thought it was an error. I guess not.

I think it IS an error -- their other All Star resort descriptions all say "daily parking fee."

 

[Neverland44]

I think it relevant, but who cares! Look at that beautiful park!!! I love the garland over main street and trees in the hub!

There are a lot of people who really don't want to be there. It's not Disney's fault. From seeing it the main parts are:
- They think it's too expensive and/or spending money on such an endeavor sucks
- They're not pleased with their spouse / don't really like who they married (I think some people pretend that going to WDW will somehow "fix" their marriage issues)
- They just don't like Disney. Maybe their partner does, maybe they don't. They're miserable and will make sure others are miserable. Maybe they did it for the kids.
- They're just having a fight/bad day.

IMO: If you don't want to be there, then you shouldn't go. If you agree to go because your partner really wants to go then don't crap on their parade and make it miserable for them. Enjoy it the best you can and try to see it through your partner's eyes. It doesn't have to suck. You don't have to make it suck.

Maybe they're disappointed because the crowd they're in didn't show up in this commercial that pushed them to book a vacation...

the rumored 'resort fee',

Isn't that the point of advertising?

Definitely.

 

[Neverland44]

I think it IS an error -- their other All Star resort descriptions all say "daily parking fee."

I think you're right. It's only a while before they add one however.

 

[ford91exploder]

If there was one thing Stalin was known for...it was his skills with Photoshop.

In those days a razor and and an airbrush were used to 'edit' photos and yes the NKVD was very good with the photo editing tools of the day.

 

[voodoo321]

That's sad and I mean that. They're alienating their base to get higher income from the rich. We're thinking about Disneyland Paris or one of the less popular parks off peak. It's not fun to pay for lines, crappy service or a poor experience.

That is an excellent plan. We did that. Paris is only a 30 minute train ride away. The combination of a great and non-crowded Disney Park, a park next to it with at least a few good rides, a couple of days in Paris, and the fact that it comes out to around the same price makes it a far more enjoyable vacation than WDW these days. I could go on about DLR too. It is just pure fun and Disneyland is Mecca for me. It seems to be a challenge to have fun at WDW anymore. I still do, but my vacations there will be less frequent.

 

[Neverland44]

I think it IS an error -- their other All Star resort descriptions all say "daily parking fee."

I think you're right. It's only a while before they add one however.

That is an excellent plan. We did that. Paris is only a 30 minute train ride away. The combination of a great and non-crowded Disney Park, a park next to it with at least a few good rides, a couple of days in Paris, and the fact that it comes out to around the same price makes it a far more enjoyable vacation than WDW these days. I could go on about DLR too. It is just pure fun and Disneyland is Mecca for me. It seems to be a challenge to have fun at WDW anymore. I still do, but my vacations there will be less frequent.

I'm eyeing the deal for extra nights and free kid's tickets at dlp right now. Where did you stay when you were there? Was the difference in language a challenge?

 

[ford91exploder]

I think you're right. It's only a while before they add one however.

I'm eyeing the deal for extra nights and free kid's tickets at dlp right now. Where did you stay when you were there? Was the difference in language a challenge?

Nothing that a simple Rosetta Stone language course will not fix.

 

[Neverland44]

Nothing that a simple Rosetta Stone language course will not fix.

My French is meh. And I know they won't appreciate me using Spanish with them! Have you tried ili? You speak into it and it translates it to the other language. If you add another, the other person can translate from them to you.

 

[JoeCamel]

My French is meh. And I know they won't appreciate me using Spanish with them! Have you tried ili? You speak into it and it translates it to the other language. If you add another, the other person can translate from them to you.

I have not been but as far as the park goes I have read many people that are english speakers say there is no problem and you don't get the "attitude" if you don't speak French. Have you tried Google Translate? I cannot see spending $200 when you can get it for free or just do what Americans have done for centuries. Speak louder and say it again in English. Seems to be what is expected of you.

Or are you saying your native tongue is Spanish?