More Pixie Dust Please

[MM311]

Ok, I don't post here much, but I read these message boards multiple times a day and find them to be wonderful, I really appreciate that inside scoop that so many are able to provide on a daily basis. I'm sure this will get deleted, forgotten, made fun of, or whatever, but why is everyone so negative on these boards about the state of WDW? I know that some things aren't as they used to be, but seriously i have been going to WDW basically every other year of my life since I was 2, I am now 32 and it is just as amazing to me as it was when I was a child. Last year I was so nervous about going back because I had read about the "terrible" state of the parks and I thought it would really change my opinions of the place I love so much. Honestly, I didn't notice one thing not working or a single light bulb burned out, I'm sure there were plenty of broken characters in Splash Mountain or a ton of lights burned out at the GF, but I didn't notice them. So, if my judgement is so clouded by "Pixie Dust" that I don't notice these things, then I will take it, because I don't know of another place in the world that makes me as happy as being at WDW, where I can go to completely forget about the outside world and just enjoy myself. I know that it is very expensive to go to WDW, but I have never felt that any bit of my trip wasn't worth every penny I spent on it. Sorry, I have just been reading a ton of negative things about the state of the property and I had to get this off my chest, I don't expect anyone to agree with me, but it is what it is.

 

[Tegan pilots a chicken]

I agree with you that it is still far and away the most amazing place in the entire world. We all love WDW and that's why we continue to go back. I can't think of another place I would rather be.

The problem is that back when we were younger (I'm 28) there was an incredible attention to detail, and a great level of care that was put into every square inch of presentation. That approach seems to be lost on the current administration. Now it's all about merchandising.

There was a renaissance of sorts at Disneyland Resort recently, and I am hopeful that we will get something similar at WDW. Splash Mountain shouldn't have animatronics that don't function. Universe Of Energy should be current.

We don't criticize the people in charge and highlight the problems with the parks because we don't like them, it's because we love them and we want to see them at their very best, living up to their total potential.

 

[The Incredible Schmulk]

Most of us get annoyed with the state of attractions or edifices because we spend a lot of money to book a vacation in Disney, we spend a lot of money to get there, we spend a lot of money while we are actually on property and we even sometimes spend additional money on merchandise when we aren't there. We like Disney animation and we like that there are many theme parks that celebrate those ideas and its history.

When we see prices being increased for everything every year and also hear about record profits or big financial years for the parks and/or the company, we think it's a good thing. The company is doing well, so there shouldn't be a lack of concern with the state of parks, right? The company should always be spending money on the upkeep and maintenance of the sites and attractions that keep us coming back, right? You would think, in addition to being a sound capital expenditure, it would just be a matter of corporate pride.

Unfortunately, this is not the case. Disco yeti, the Wonders of Life Pavilion and Innoventions, almost every film in Epcot (including Soarin'), Small World, the entirety of Old Key West Resort, et cetera, et cetera... At best these things are in need of some TLC, at worst, they need a complete overhaul. Yet, they remain broken or dank or in disarray, for some going on more than a decade now. It's a management problem, but it trickles down to the consumer, and those of us who visit often enough to see the decay are beginning to get fed up. That is where the negativity comes from.

New lands and attractions are always welcome, but it would be nice to hear, every once in a while, that something old is also getting the high-priority treatment, you know?

 

[SulleyanBoo]

I agree with you too MM311. I don't particular like the threads that are started in a negative light just because someone wants to complain but, like aimyourbrent says most of us just care SO much about the state of WDW it's easy to point out the things that we see wrong because we would like to see them fixed which would be better for WDW overall.

But, do I go to WDW and ever go looking for things that are wrong?! heck no! And, I know some people do. It's terrible. It takes A LOT to tick me off. I mean a lot. I give cm's a lot of slack when there are long lines and they look tired ect because i've been there (no excuses for them) lol but still I think out of many guests, I am one that will give the most slack.

I do however get the complaints about prices going up, broken things that need to be fixed, refurbs that are over do ect..

Some people go places looking for problems...including WDW. They are just like that and I have learned that there is nothing you can do for them so just ignore the negativity and keep your positive attitude. Especially at wdw the happiest place on earth

 

[real mad hatter]

Well life in general sucks,IMOH. We live in a world where trains don't come in time,busses are late,my cash machine is down,people are looking for work,countries are at war,child abduction in this country is worst than ever,the Euro is crap,the British government hasn't a clue how to run the country,etc,etc.So in my two yearly visit thro those magical gates into a world of fantasy & magic,those 14 days & nights of stress free living is better medicine than any doctor can prescribe .So to your question,do I see any problems,afraid not,must be blinded by all the pixie dust.

 

[Gabe1]

I believe it is the nature of the beast. How many people would post about the amazing engineering of SPE or the pretty new shade of green the railings at POFQ have been painted? If we didn't have a wide range of opinions and a critical eye what would we post about? How lovely the new costumes are at the American Pavilion and wish for Disney to design generic costumes for all roles in WDW?

This very thread begs the need to debate and defend our position. Even though you don't post much it does demonstrate you too love the controversy we all seem to involve ourselves with on the threads. Good job.

 

[Afondz]

I couldn't agree more. I used to go every year when I was little, and I get to go every few years now. I went back in January and I still lit right up seeing the castle, going on splash mountain, etc. I will say, the last time I went on EE was when it first opened and I loved it so much more than when I went this time and I couldnt figure out why until I came here and read all the yeti things. But regarldess, there is no other place that puts so much time and effort on everything. I mean even the waiting areas have ways to entertain you, no one does that. If you go to six flags you are flat out waiting in a boring line, you can see the rollercoaster in front of you. It makes me sad when I read a lot of the posts that I'm becoming cynical and like being like "yeah Disney! what the hell!" but people say it's been liek this for awhile and I've never noticed. I'm also afraid when I go back next time I'm going to be so much more observant and trying to pick out the little things like everyone else. I hope I am still blinded by the pixie dust!! From what peopel say, ya know I do agree that they should make sure they fix everything and get it back to its full glory, because it isn't fair for the people who go a lot more often than I do that do see the parks declining. I just can't help but assume it's from the economy. Regardless, I still love it so much and I'm so excited to go back!

 

[Britt]

I couldn't agree more. I used to go every year when I was little, and I get to go every few years now. I went back in January and I still lit right up seeing the castle, going on splash mountain, etc. I will say, the last time I went on EE was when it first opened and I loved it so much more than when I went this time and I couldnt figure out why until I came here and read all the yeti things. But regarldess, there is no other place that puts so much time and effort on everything. I mean even the waiting areas have ways to entertain you, no one does that. If you go to six flags you are flat out waiting in a boring line, you can see the rollercoaster in front of you. It makes me sad when I read a lot of the posts that I'm becoming cynical and like being like "yeah Disney! what the hell!" but people say it's been liek this for awhile and I've never noticed. I'm also afraid when I go back next time I'm going to be so much more observant and trying to pick out the little things like everyone else. I hope I am still blinded by the pixie dust!! From what peopel say, ya know I do agree that they should make sure they fix everything and get it back to its full glory, because it isn't fair for the people who go a lot more often than I do that do see the parks declining. I just can't help but assume it's from the economy. Regardless, I still love it so much and I'm so excited to go back!

YOU DO!!!!!!! This place is such a double edged sword. I noticed so many things wrong, that I never would have noticed before (like plain napkins, downed rides, broken parts of it), but they had been like that last time and I never noticed them before.

On the other hand, it made me notice things like the peanuts in the ground at the new Dumbo cue and take a little delight in that bit of detail...LOL

 

[Lee]

On the other hand, it made me notice things like the peanuts in the ground at the new Dumbo cue and take a little delight in that bit of detail...LOL

You mean the ones they have now removed because the parents of kids with peanut allergies complained?

 

[scoobygirl39541]

I have to agree to a point. I come here to fill my Disney emptiness when I'm in between trips. It seems EVERY thread I click on has sarcasm and negativity sprinkled through. For example, I was just in the "what makes you sad at wdw" thread and I clicked it hoping to read posts on leaving or the trip flying by too quickly... instead I was taken aback by all the criticism. You'd think I'd be used to it on this board by now, but yet again, I was surprised by the negativity in a thread where it didn't even cross my mind to be negative there! Since I've been here, I've seen ton of threads like these complaining about the over critical negativity and I can see both sides. I don't have a problem with the constructive criticism posts, its the constant SARCASM that is off-putting and frankly uncomfortable to read IMO. There's a point where its just not funny anymore.

 

[Britt]

y

You mean the ones they have now removed because the parents of kids with peanut allergies complained?

They soooo have not removed them. Lol

 

[Lee]

y

They soooo have not removed them. Lol

Not what a CM told me earlier in the week...

 

[dave&di]

Well life in general sucks,IMOH. We live in a world where trains don't come in time,busses are late,my cash machine is down,people are looking for work,countries are at war,child abduction in this country is worst than ever,the Euro is crap,the British government hasn't a clue how to run the country,etc,etc.So in my two yearly visit thro those magical gates into a world of fantasy & magic,those 14 days & nights of stress free living is better medicine than any doctor can prescribe .So to your question,do I see any problems,afraid not,must be blinded by all the pixie dust.

Having only just returned to the UK from WDW reading your post you've just mentioned a lot of things that make me want to leave again!!!!! How depressing! (but true) plus my OH' s bike was stolen when we were away, someone kicked in his wooden bike shed in the middle of the day!!!

(As this is connected to your post, just want to say thinking of little April Jones and her family)

 

[Avenger117]

I agree. I Understand that people voice their complaints so that Disney is not complace and don't allow the parks to fall into disrepair, but then I don't see as many positives when they do something great. When I go to WDW the positives far out weigh the negatives, probably 95% to 5%. Some people are here are so critital of Disney and seem so upset over whats going on in the parks. I'm still trying to figure out why they spend thousands of dollars to go. I'm not saying that Disney is in the best shape it could be in, but its not that bad.

 

[AndyS2992]

The people that moan here about WDW need to take a trip to Disneyland Paris :S Then they'll actually have something to complain about lol

 

[real mad hatter]

Having only just returned to the UK from WDW reading your post you've just mentioned a lot of things that make me want to leave again!!!!! How depressing! (but true) plus my OH' s bike was stolen when we were away, someone kicked in his wooden bike shed in the middle of the day!!!

(As this is connected to your post, just want to say thinking of little April Jones and her family)

Yeh,no way would I let my 5 year old out at 7.00pm,so sad,now it's a murder hunt.Their parents must be living a nightmare.

 

[Goofyernmost]

I am one of the defenders of the parks. I do not look for problems, but I do see them sometimes. However, I also know that I am there for a very brief period of time. I cannot judge the entire situation by that short of an exposure.

If I see an AA not working or a gag not in operation, my first thought is bummer, my second is well, things break. Disney cannot guarantee that something won't break down while I'm there. I also know that there are no vast numbers of people just sitting around waiting for something to break. They are working on things constantly and are assigned by priority concerning what to get to first. If you hired enough people to have a person to exclusively cover every possible problem per day...before long the company would be bankrupt. Remember MK was built 40 years ago...nothing stays new forever.

All I have to do is look around to see that the message that Disney doesn't do any maintenance anymore is a complete obliteration of the truth. It wouldn't be in the shape it's in if they didn't keep right after things as quickly as they can. If I see a light bulb or two out, my initial thought is that it might have gone out when they turned them on for the day or evening. How many times has that happened to you at home. The last time you used it, it worked. The next day you hit the light switch and poof it has died. Disney is no more immune from those things then we are. Should they come out right at that moment and fix it...hell no! I don't want to see some maintenance men on a ladder changing light bulbs. They will fix that after the park closes. I also don't want them to shut a ride down because an AA isn't working that day unless it is crucial to the story. I went to CoP once and the daughters hand holding a hair brush had fallen off her arm and was dangling by the cables. That needed to be shut down and repaired right then and they did.

Other things like the Yeti is, of course, a large source of contention. I cannot speak for anyone else but common sense tells me that the problem with the Yeti are not a minor repair. If it were it would have been fixed by now. That same sense tells me that this was an "original construction" engineering problem that wasn't foreseen and is now haunting them. Especially Joe Rhodes, I suspect that he cringes every time he even hears about it. That also holds true of some of the more minor AA's. It might require a machine shop solution that has to create a new part to replace the broken part or they might have to order something special to do the repair. We don't know that, but we assume that no one cares.

So, I take everything I hear with a certain amount of skepticism and I judge how I feel about things based on what I see and what my common sense tells me. Sometimes I feel that that more one goes to Disney the more one has time to look for flaws. Also the memory is a tricky thing. We remember what we want to remember and those that attended the parks when they first opened might have been so much in awe (like newbies today) that they just never noticed the problems. Now all they can think is ... this wasn't like this years ago. I beg to differ. I was there in the 90's and by comparison...it is much better today.

BTW...wait until they decide to fix the Yeti and they shut the ride down for a couple of months to repair it. You'll be able to hear the screams all the way across the ocean. WHY DID THEY CHOOSE THE TIME OF MY VISIT TO SHUT IT DOWN!! At least the coaster part was working...now I can't do anything.

Rant over...here's for a nice thick coating of Pixie Dust!

 

[WED99]

I was on Splash yesterday and found my self checking the state of the AA's..... thanks boards -.-