PLEASE tell me it isn't so!?

[Tinkerbella16]

Don't let any negativity change your excitement and outlook of your trip! People are more likely to talk about the negatives or things they didn't like as opposed to the great things. The good always outweighs the bad! Be your own judge and have a great time no matter what!!!

 

[LuvtheGoof]

We go a few times a year, and have never been disappointed, or had a bad vacation. The CMs on our most recent trip (last week!) were just as great as on our past trips. We always have a great time, and look forward to our next trip. Have a great vacation!!!

 

[EmmabaRose]

I'm never disappointed in my trips to WDW. I get disappointed with THINGS that happen during my trip (seeing Splash in such a sad state disappointed me, the food at a certain restaurant disappointed me, not seeing the headless horseman ride before the Halloween parade disappointed me...) but the trip as a whole was not disappointing.

I think most people (I know I am) are disappointed with the fact Disney can do so much more to help spruce up the parks and it's frustrating because they don't. It seems though with the FLE and Disney Springs on the way that they are taking a step in the right direction, but this step is LONG overdue.

They increase park tickets yet don't give you new attractions and hardly keep maintaining the old ones (the Laughing Place on Splash anyone?) they cut some meet and greets, keep an old parade.. They increase dining prices while the food quality declines.. They raise resort prices yet cut EMH, a perk to staying on property. It just to me feels sometimes that with all these increases, where is all the money going? They keep cutting things to make more profit, but they profit should be used to keep creating more magic. Obviously they are spending to expand MK and create Disney Springs, but that's obviously not ALL of Disney's profits. That's only a fraction of them.

Disney is not the run down traveling carnival some people make it out to be. The parks just don't look as awesome as they used to and I think that is what frustrates people the most. But as far as coming away disappointed, you won't. Not unless you go in looking for everything that's wrong.

See, this is where I think the problem lies and the OP is coming from. I know I have certainly felt this way. When we read things like "it doesn't look as awesome as it used to" makes us feel bad. It makes us feel as though we are getting a second rate version of WDW because we were unable to go a few years back. And then you panic that it will not be as good as you remember and you will come away feeling cheated. And logically I know this is not the case. I know as soon as I see that big castle on my first morning I am not going to care who is upkeeping what or where this profit is going. I will just be so happy to be back there, and it will be everything I remembered and more. I don't look for anything wrong at a Disney park because, frankly, i don't want ot see it. If I'm looking for it I'm wasting time actually enjoying my holiday.

And as for rising prices, welcome to the economy right now. Money is tight so prices go up. And Disney is not immune to this. I treat it like any trip I take; it will cost more than usual so I budget for it. Plus they also know their name sells. If I've learnt anything from planning my wedding so far, it's that as soon as you put the word wedding in the name of something, the price will double. Same principle with Disney.

 

[yensid67]

Thank you all for your words of encouragement...it has helped me see that no matter what others say, I WILL FIND THE GOOD IN DISNEY! I will wait and be amazed and draw my decision from that! YOU WILL HEAR BACK from me when I return, SO LOOK FOR IT!(MAGICAL? will be the title of post) I know the night before I will be like a little kid on Christmas eve...I'M TOO EXCITED TO SLEEP! LOL

 

[DVC4bestvacations]

I will be going to WDW in 32 days and while I am excited to be going(its been 14 years in the making) I have a little fear I will be disappointed. I have read some of the posts on here for the past 175 days and I am worried! I know how things were when I was a Cast Member in 1998-1999. I know that change is a part of life, that we HAVE to accept. But some of the non-shalont, laspsed attitude I have read about concerns me! I understand that this costs to replace or invent new parades, etc. but its seems to me when Disney doesn't want to put money into something, it becomes obsolete. This is Disney for God's sake! They are masters of Magic and Fantasy! NOTHING IS OBSOLETE!(or shouldn't be) Maybe there is a different way to do it, but its never obsolete! I may be silly thinking that I will be disappointed in the long run, someone please tell me I am wrong! That I am overanalyzing this!?

First off don't buy into the negative posts here. It's been 14 years go have fun don't stress. The vacation is what you make it with alitle help from Disney. Write a great trip report when you get back home!

 

[PolynesianPrincess]

See, this is where I think the problem lies and the OP is coming from. I know I have certainly felt this way. When we read things like "it doesn't look as awesome as it used to" makes us feel bad. It makes us feel as though we are getting a second rate version of WDW because we were unable to go a few years back. And then you panic that it will not be as good as you remember and you will come away feeling cheated. And logically I know this is not the case. I know as soon as I see that big castle on my first morning I am not going to care who is upkeeping what or where this profit is going. I will just be so happy to be back there, and it will be everything I remembered and more. I don't look for anything wrong at a Disney park because, frankly, i don't want ot see it. If I'm looking for it I'm wasting time actually enjoying my holiday.

And as for rising prices, welcome to the economy right now. Money is tight so prices go up. And Disney is not immune to this. I treat it like any trip I take; it will cost more than usual so I budget for it. Plus they also know their name sells. If I've learnt anything from planning my wedding so far, it's that as soon as you put the word wedding in the name of something, the price will double. Same principle with Disney.

While I do see your point, it DOES NOT look as good as it did before. Anyone can see that. I'm not going to lie and spew rainbows and sparkles and tell everyone here it's better than it's ever been. Sorry. I don't think a lot of other posters here are that way either. I clearly stated that Disney still looks great and doesn't look awful as some people have stated but it could look better.

Obviously prices are going to go up. That's life. But last year, if I paid $39.99 for a pair of jeans, I was getting a pair of jeans. If this year I paid $49.99 for a pair of jeans, I'm still getting that same pair of jeans. Nothing has been taken away from what I'm buying. Last year if I spent $450 a night at the Poly, I was getting 3 extra magic hours at night. Now if I spend $500 a night at the Poly, I'm getting only 2 EMH in the evening. They are raising prices and taking stuff away. I think that's why some people are having a hard time jusifying these price increases evey year. We don't get raises at work to match the rate or increase amount at which most things increase in this country. Same thing with the dining at Disney. Prices keep rising and the quality of food goes down (probably to off-set the free dining) If the prices are rising, you should be getting the same quality of food you were receiving before because they're charging you more to cover the increase. They shouldn't be dropping the quality cut of meat you get but charge you more for it. Is the food terrible? No. Some of the dining is still really good in my opinion, but others may beg to differ. Unfortunately it's not just Disney where you see this, it's everywhere. Like you said above, I know when I first walk in and see the castle, I'm glad that I'm back at Disney and nothing at that moment matters. We visit 3-4 times a year. Obviously it's a place that we love. But when I do notice things that look bad (Splash Mountain, Expedition Everest both looking less than stellar come to mind..) it does make me wonder where the profits are going and I think any true Disney fan would agree. It doesn't disappoint me.. It frustrates me. Does it look better than it did a year ago? Absolutey. They've taken a step in the right direction, which is ideally what all of us want them to do.

 

[BoarderPhreak]

It's easy to about tiny little details and "hold Disney to a higher standard." Sure. But YOU try keeping such a massive property with that many resorts, parks, etc. absolutely 100%. It's just impossible. And all things considered, WDW is still waaay ahead of the competition.

I'll take WDW over anything else, anytime. Period.

 

[All Disney All The Time]

It's easy to about tiny little details and "hold Disney to a higher standard." Sure. But YOU try keeping such a massive property with that many resorts, parks, etc. absolutely 100%. It's just impossible. And all things considered, WDW is still waaay ahead of the competition.

I'll take WDW over anything else, anytime. Period.

Well said. Dayum well said. Our first trip was in the 1970s when we were in college. Only the MK and River Country were in existence, along with Fort Wilderness and a few hotels that we couldn't have afforded. And oh yeah, the original Discovery Island. Obviously WDW has exploded in growth since then. We refuse to play the "WDW has turned to crap since then" game.
We are also huge Red Sox, Patriots and Celtics fans. We don't jump ship because they don't win the titles each and every season.

 

[EmmabaRose]

While I do see your point, it DOES NOT look as good as it did before. Anyone can see that. I'm not going to lie and spew rainbows and sparkles and tell everyone here it's better than it's ever been. Sorry. I don't think a lot of other posters here are that way either. I clearly stated that Disney still looks great and doesn't look awful as some people have stated but it could look better.

Obviously prices are going to go up. That's life. But last year, if I paid $39.99 for a pair of jeans, I was getting a pair of jeans. If this year I paid $49.99 for a pair of jeans, I'm still getting that same pair of jeans. Nothing has been taken away from what I'm buying. Last year if I spent $450 a night at the Poly, I was getting 3 extra magic hours at night. Now if I spend $500 a night at the Poly, I'm getting only 2 EMH in the evening. They are raising prices and taking stuff away. I think that's why some people are having a hard time jusifying these price increases evey year. We don't get raises at work to match the rate or increase amount at which most things increase in this country. Same thing with the dining at Disney. Prices keep rising and the quality of food goes down (probably to off-set the free dining) If the prices are rising, you should be getting the same quality of food you were receiving before because they're charging you more to cover the increase. They shouldn't be dropping the quality cut of meat you get but charge you more for it. Is the food terrible? No. Some of the dining is still really good in my opinion, but others may beg to differ. Unfortunately it's not just Disney where you see this, it's everywhere. Like you said above, I know when I first walk in and see the castle, I'm glad that I'm back at Disney and nothing at that moment matters. We visit 3-4 times a year. Obviously it's a place that we love. But when I do notice things that look bad (Splash Mountain, Expedition Everest both looking less than stellar come to mind..) it does make me wonder where the profits are going and I think any true Disney fan would agree. It doesn't disappoint me.. It frustrates me. Does it look better than it did a year ago? Absolutey. They've taken a step in the right direction, which is ideally what all of us want them to do.

I see where you're coming from. When you go that often you get a keener eye for that kind of stuff. I can be the same, I get a kick out of seeing musicals more than once, and I can recite them backwards. Its great, but it also I means I can now spot when someone forgets a line etc, as opposed to someone seeing it for the first time for whom it would go over their heads entirely. Fully expect people to voice concerns about the parks, especially on a forum like this. It's your view and your absolutely entitled to it. I just wanted to put across how it can make some of those less frequent park visitors feel. It's why I avoid the sections where it's more common if at all possible. I know, it's the Internet equivalent of sticking my fingers in my ears and going lalalala. But as I say I'm reserving judgement until I go myself in a few weeks. if then, I feel things aren't as they should be I will call a spade a spade and say so. (for example, I do agree it's appalling they haven't fixed the yeti yet. EE didn't even exist when I was there before and I kind of wanted a functioning yeti for my first ride.)

I'm glad it's seems as though things are going the right way. I get the money thing, I'm hardly rolling in cash myself. I am horrible at spending money too, especially on myself. Knowing what it's costing just my fiancé and I is scary. The idea of what it must cost a family of four makes me want to cry a little! admittedly, I'm in good position because of dollar to pound exchange rates right now. I agree you should get equal or better for higher prices, but until people start voting with their dollars or their feet, its hard to see how that will change. Disney know they have an experience people will always shell out for. Although, will FLE, Disney springs, splash refurb etc they are beginning to realize that they can't just sit back on their haunches, they have to actually put their money where their mouth is.

 

[mcurtiss]

out trip this past month was my first time to WDW since 1983 and MK and EPCOT were everything I expected and more. It also gave me the opportunity to see it through my daughter's eyes which is always fun.

Yes, I miss "Mr. Toad's" and no, I don't miss "Mission to Mars" but I have those memories of my past visits and make new ones with my family.

 

[Goofyernmost]

(for example, I do agree it's appalling they haven't fixed the yeti yet. EE didn't even exist when I was there before and I kind of wanted a functioning yeti for my first ride.)

To be honest, it wasn't all that impressive when it was working. You went by it so fast that it was barely visible, in fact, some people never did see it. You aren't missing that much, seriously. That is probably one of the reasons why they haven't yet decided to spend thousands of dollars to make it work again. What would be the point other than to make some (very few) of those adamant Disney folks stop about it. Personally, I don't expect it to ever be repaired and not for that lack of maintenance ability, but for lack of a logical reason to fix it.

 

[EmmabaRose]

To be honest, it wasn't all that impressive when it was working. You went by it so fast that it was barely visible, in fact, some people never did see it. You aren't missing that much, seriously. That is probably one of the reasons why they haven't yet decided to spend thousands of dollars to make it work again. What would be the point other than to make some (very few) of those adamant Disney folks stop about it. Personally, I don't expect it to ever be repaired and not for that lack of maintenance ability, but for lack of a logical reason to fix it.

This makes me feel slightly better. I just had no idea if was a really prominent part of ride that would make it feel like there was massive hole in the whole experience. Looking at logically I can see how it's a blink and you miss it deal, considering how fast you are moving.

 

[Chuckles]

Stay off the forums untill you get home.

 

[mrdisman]

take everything people say with a grain of salt...draw your own conclusions

 

[Mammymouse]

The music, smells and sounds will bring you right back to that happy feeling of 1999. And then there's the monorail! The coolest thing there. Don't worry, we go all the time ( 5 or 6 short trips a year and day trips,too) and, while there are some changes, there is no better vacation spot in the world for us! Let the excitement begin!

 

[DizneyPryncess]

When I was asking around before my first trip to Disneyland, I have an overwhelming amount of people tell me I'd be disappointed. I expected to go there, and be disappointed. And I wasn't at all - I had an absolute ball. It exceeded my expectations. I realized then that I had to see it for myself, and make my own decisions. Some of the arguments might be right, some might be wrong. Some things may disappoint, others won't. But it never prevents me from having a fantastic time in Disney.

You should scan through some of the trip reports. There are some really detailed ones that will get you even more excited for your trip, and most are more than uplifting to read!

 

[mrdisman]

wh

When I was asking around before my first trip to Disneyland, I have an overwhelming amount of people tell me I'd be disappointed. I expected to go there, and be disappointed. And I wasn't at all - I had an absolute ball. It exceeded my expectations. I realized then that I had to see it for myself, and make my own decisions. Some of the arguments might be right, some might be wrong. Some things may disappoint, others won't. But it never prevents me from having a fantastic time in Disney.

You should scan through some of the trip reports. There are some really detailed ones that will get you even more excited for your trip, and most are more than uplifting to read!

why would someone say that?

 

[tnpoohbear]

I will be going to WDW in 32 days and while I am excited to be going(its been 14 years in the making) I have a little fear I will be disappointed. I have read some of the posts on here for the past 175 days and I am worried! I know how things were when I was a Cast Member in 1998-1999. I know that change is a part of life, that we HAVE to accept. But some of the non-shalont, laspsed attitude I have read about concerns me! I understand that this costs to replace or invent new parades, etc. but its seems to me when Disney doesn't want to put money into something, it becomes obsolete. This is Disney for God's sake! They are masters of Magic and Fantasy! NOTHING IS OBSOLETE!(or shouldn't be) Maybe there is a different way to do it, but its never obsolete! I may be silly thinking that I will be disappointed in the long run, someone please tell me I am wrong! That I am overanalyzing this!?

We are 25 days away and we are not worried at all! We were there last year the first week in May and had a fabulous time~ Looking forward to the same this year!

 

[Bloopers]

I work there and go a lot, and honestly don't understand half of the things people complain about. Go enjoy your trip and stop worrying about the things you read on here. Everyone's experiences will be different.

 

[badrew]

I will be going to WDW in 32 days and while I am excited to be going(its been 14 years in the making) I have a little fear I will be disappointed. I have read some of the posts on here for the past 175 days and I am worried! I know how things were when I was a Cast Member in 1998-1999. I know that change is a part of life, that we HAVE to accept. But some of the non-shalont, laspsed attitude I have read about concerns me! I understand that this costs to replace or invent new parades, etc. but its seems to me when Disney doesn't want to put money into something, it becomes obsolete. This is Disney for God's sake! They are masters of Magic and Fantasy! NOTHING IS OBSOLETE!(or shouldn't be) Maybe there is a different way to do it, but its never obsolete! I may be silly thinking that I will be disappointed in the long run, someone please tell me I am wrong! That I am overanalyzing this!?

Like many others have said, the Magic is still there and for someone that hasn't been there in 14 years, you will hardly pick up on the stuff that those of us that go yearly or more see. Don't let the thought of what you are reading on here get to you. I don't always like some of the things that I read or that I see, but in the end, the place NEVER ceases to amaze me and I always look forward to my next trip more so than a little kid Have a great time!