Recent trip left me a little disappointed...

[Atta83]

Well if you have nothing but college program kids working your not going to get the kind of respect that a full time person has.

 

[wdwmagic]

We had similar disappointment with the christmas party last year. It had to be the worst Disney exp I've had. They way oversold and then it was advertised as the last day being made special so we went on the last day. Nothing was done special from the other nights.

What was the advertising your saw about the last night being special? I've never seen anything from Disney indicating that.

 

[wdwmagic]

The hard ticket events are a joke.

Hey you! How would you like... to pay $60 dollars... to STAY in the park you ALREADY paid 80+ dollars to enter in the first place??? We'll even throw in the same amount of crowds, or more! We'll offer less to do!

But just so you don't feel completely ripped off, we'll throw in a special parade, fireworks show, and play Christmas music.

On the other hand, if you had not been in the park that day, paying $60 for 4pm to midnight, with smaller than normal crowds, plus special edition entertainment can be quite a bargain.

 

[Computer Magic]

On the other hand, if you had not been in the park that day, paying $60 for 4pm to midnight, with smaller than normal crowds, plus special edition entertainment can be quite a bargain.

That's a good point as I have done that but only when I first arrive. I don't usually buy tickets for the day I arrive as I fly in. So a special party is a good value. However, I found this to be very tiring day after running throught the airports, checking in and then spending till midnight at the parks. Not many people that spend 5+ days don't buy park hoppers so there is no advantage as they visit another park early in the day.

 

[Computer Magic]

I have to agree with some of the comments here. We were there for 12 days and just got back. Halfway in I wanted to leave - and I have been a WDW lover my entire life! The parks were unusually packed and with a lot of rude people. Also, the weather was unusually frigid too. We had no problems at all with CMs. We take the kids out of school to avoid crowds but it was crazy busy anyway. I'm thinking it's because of all the discounts and every year more people have the idea to go that time of year thinking it will be quiet.

BTW - A lady I met said she went to MVMCP and said it was packed - so bad you couldn't move and that she would never go again.

I can't believe that I - a huge WDW fan, that has grown up going to the World countless times and goes at least once a year - never wants to go back again! Anybody else have that feeling or am I the only one??

As I stated earlier, with the crowds, rude CM and people and weather my wife wanted to leave by day 4 of 8 days....

 

[loveofamouse]

What was the advertising your saw about the last night being special? I've never seen anything from Disney indicating that.

It was on the WDW site. Obviously, I can't pull it up from 2009 to show you but it was there and I wasn't the only one to see it. I talked with some other irked guests that night who read the same thing. Maybe it was a mistake but it was there.

 

[WDW Monorail]

The hard ticket events are a joke.

Hey you! How would you like... to pay $60 dollars... to STAY in the park you ALREADY paid 80+ dollars to enter in the first place??? We'll even throw in the same amount of crowds, or more! We'll offer less to do!

But just so you don't feel completely ripped off, we'll throw in a special parade, fireworks show, and play Christmas music.

The 8 hours the party guests have in the park cost about $7.50/hr. Just don't get there at 8 AM.
Doesn't sound like much of a rip off now, does it?

 

[the1nonlysinger]

We spent 8 days down there and just got back over the weekend. I still have to do my post-trip report, but have been so busy getting ready for Christmas and catching up at work that I haven't gotten there yet (haven't even looked at all of my photos yet!).

I am actually a bit relieved to read that others felt the same way as me. I thought I was just taking the opportunity to go there for granted. I was disappointed with this visit- lots of things going wrong, a lack of the normal Disney magic, and some ridiculous situations (including CMs). I was so disappointed that it wasn't as wonderful as my trip was two years ago. Granted, I think the major cold snap last week was really to blame for a lot of the misery. But still... We go to Disney expecting a quality vacation.

On the contrary to everyone else, we enjoyed the MVMCP- got right onto rides without a problem and it didn't really feel overcrowded. Main issue we had was how cold it was (reoccuring theme).

I'll obviously flesh it out more in my trip report but I've finally admitted the truth (which I was nervous to- for fear of the reactions it would provoke!).

 

[disneygirl1]

We just returned from WDW on Dec 5 and I noted a few things that disappointed me and left me feeling sad. First, for those other guests and cast members who weren't down right rude the rest weren't very friendly or willing to make conversation. I think this bothers me most because I've always loved talking to others about where they are from and just you know Disney talk, but not this time.

Second, I noticed that the so called cast members in most cases did not play they're role by using their monologues. It made the rides feel like everyday theme park attractions and not like being immersed in a disney story line.

Third, I bought christmas party tickets and we were sooo excited about them because we have never been at this time of year before. We entered the park before 4pm and had no problem getting our bracelets, but then made our way to main street about 6pm to find wall to wall people and no place to wait for the parade that didn't even start till 8pm. In the 5 hrs blocked off for the party we saw the parade and wishes while fighting tooth and nail to hold our spots. I really feel disney over sold tickets and don't think i will ever buy special party tickets again. We previously bought Halloween and Pirate/ Princess party tickets and didn't have any problems.

Well I'm just curious has anyone experienced any of the above in your recent trips and what are your thoughts?

We just returned from Disney last Sunday and I have to say that I agree with you on both accounts.

I feel like I too encounter a few not so happy CM's more so then I have on past trips, but I also ran into several who went above and beyond, so that sort of cancelled out the bad for me!

As far as the Christmas party... This was my 2nd time attended the party, and I promise you I WILL NVER fork out the $$$ for this event again!!!! It was so crowded it was crazy. I have also been to the Halloween party several times and I think that is GREAT.

 

[loveofamouse]

The 8 hours the party guests have in the park cost about $7.50/hr. Just don't get there at 8 AM.
Doesn't sound like much of a rip off now, does it?

But do they discount the $80 regular ticket? So you'd pay $80 to go during the day and $60 for the evening starting at 4pm. Is there a discount for the overlapping time? No. Truly, MVMCP only actually get about 2hrs mmore than regular EMH hours....maybe... EMH ends at 2am, right?

 

[thelookingglass]

On the other hand, if you had not been in the park that day, paying $60 for 4pm to midnight, with smaller than normal crowds, plus special edition entertainment can be quite a bargain.

Well, the general consensus seems to be that the crowds are not lower than average, and the park is sometimes jam-packed.

I suppose its a good deal for locals who aren't AP holders, but probably a pain for people on vacation who most likely purchased multi-day tickets in advance, and will have to buy another ticket that night if they want to go.

 

[Computer Magic]

We just returned from Disney last Sunday and I have to say that I agree with you on both accounts.

I feel like I too encounter a few not so happy CM's more so then I have on past trips, but I also ran into several who went above and beyond, so that sort of cancelled out the bad for me!

As far as the Christmas party... This was my 2nd time attended the party, and I promise you I WILL NVER fork out the $$$ for this event again!!!! It was so crowded it was crazy. I have also been to the Halloween party several times and I think that is GREAT.

Wow!! I know from reading your past posts how much you and your son enjoy Disney. When I hear people like you post, confirms what I felt during the same dates. I wish it was just me having a bad week. I would suggest emailing Disney. I did and Disney called today about my email. I have to call them back tomorrow. Only in numbers will things change.

 

[MKCP 1985]

For what it is worth, I just returned from a trip completely refreshed and couldn't have been treated better by Disney park cast members. We enjoyed the shows, special events and rides and had a great time.

Even the hopping Br'er Rabbit effect at Splash Mountain was working.


Walt Disney World is a great big resort with tens of thousands of guests per park per day and different people's experiences can vary substantially. Some of the people in our group had not been to Walt Disney World in over a decade and they all were blown away by the grandness of it all.

 

[jjharvpro]

this whole discussion board makes me sad...

 

[WDW_Emily]

Next time for parades, try to see the second showing. Typically the beginning and ends of the parade route are also less crowded. The most crowded locations for any Magic Kingdom parade are always going to be either end of Main Street (Emporium/Confectionary or Casey's/Ice Cream) and also in the Hub from the Main Street Bridge to Liberty Square. The least crowded spot tends to always be on the river side across from the Frontierland Shooting Arcade and Country Bear Jamboree.

Remember this for anytime you go. sitting near CBJ has become our favorite spot. In less busy times of the year there is hardly anyone there and the characters interact with you more during the parades. During busier times, you are not right next to people and can watch the parade comfortable. Some parts of Adventureland also give you a nice view of the fireworks.

We ran into the same thing as far as people go during our trip this past April. The cast members working ToT and KS were not in character at all as well as some other rides. The only ride I remember the CMs being in character was HM.

As for guest, can't control them:shrug:. We ran into guest who were rude, disrespectful, and abusive. I hate seeing parents hit there children or drag them away. But besides that people are rude. They will run you over with their strollers and then not think to say sorry to you. We also saw a lot of inappropriate clothing. whether it be too little of clothes, or inappropriate sayings, kids were seeing it.

 

[disneygirl1]

Wow!! I know from reading your past posts how much you and your son enjoy Disney. When I hear people like you post, confirms what I felt during the same dates. I wish it was just me having a bad week. I would suggest emailing Disney. I did and Disney called today about my email. I have to call them back tomorrow. Only in numbers will things change.

I hear you!!! I wish it was just me having a bad week too! But obviously that is not the case. I have thought about emailing Disney directly to complain or rather voice my concerns!. Would you be able to tell me to which email address I should send it???

 

[Computer Magic]

I hear you!!! I wish it was just me having a bad week too! But obviously that is not the case. I have thought about emailing Disney directly to complain or rather voice my concerns!. Would you be able to tell me to which email address I should send it???

wdw.guest.communications@disneyworld.com

 

[Computer Magic]

For what it is worth, I just returned from a trip completely refreshed and couldn't have been treated better by Disney park cast members. We enjoyed the shows, special events and rides and had a great time.

Even the hopping Br'er Rabbit effect at Splash Mountain was working.


Walt Disney World is a great big resort with tens of thousands of guests per park per day and different people's experiences can vary substantially. Some of the people in our group had not been to Walt Disney World in over a decade and they all were blown away by the grandness of it all.

maybe the good CM's were on vacation the first two weeks of Dec :lol: Maybe the crowds and bad weather made CM's and people rude.

I'm sure we weren't the cranky ones :lookaroun