Rope Lights Outlining Roofs on Deluxe Resorts Diminishing?

[sxeensweet]

I do not expect to see no lights out. But I do expect to see no more than one or two within a strand of a hundred, which is not an insurmountable expectation at all. I expect Disney to follow their OWN standards, the ones they once set for themselves. In this particular case, having entire strands out being unacceptable. And I expect not to see the same bulbs remaining out for weeks, months or years (broken lights should be addressed overnight and shouldn't even be allowed to last a week).

The preventative lightbulb maintenance ensured that the only lightbulbs you saw out were defective ones that died before their 80% life expectancy. And those were dealt with by night crews on a day to day basis, you didn't see the same bulbs burned out on multiple visits (as is commonly the case now).

I don't expect absolute perfection, but I do expect something as close to it as humanly possible (a level they're not even close to amounting to anymore). And what I expect from Disney management is to treat their attempts as if they were TRYING to achieve perfection. Just that attempt (even if it's never 100% flawless) will ensure the best experience we can possibly hope for out of WDW.

Totally get that I do but there is people that complain about the most minuscule things. Again not talking about the OP, because if they are all out yes that can be a problem.
On the other hand I'm talking about the others that complain on these boards about so many small things and im sure you know the types of things I'm talking about. Some do complain to the right people but there is a lot that just complain on theses boards and expect changes. I complain directly to Disney/ my resort if I have a problem and it is never usually over something petty if I do. It takes a lot for me to need to complain.
The OP should/needs to complain to management on property as I'm sure many have already, but it does not hurt to keep complaining to the right people.

 

[sxeensweet]

To say it best I will just agree to disagree with some points in this post. Life is not this serious. Lol I'm just thankful to have my Disney parks magic in my life with their flaws and all! Some people don't even get to ever experience Disney "magic"! So burnt lights and all I'm still blessed to be able to go as much as we do.

 

[marni1971]

The flagship resort has had awful looking lighting for a good five years now.

At worse, You could actually count the amount of bulbs that worked along the roof ridge as opposed to were broken.

It's worth pointing out it never did look like Main Street, but what is there should work properly.

 

[MerlinTheGoat]

The flagship resort has had awful looking lighting for a good five years now.

At worse, You could actually count the amount of bulbs that worked along the roof ridge as opposed to were broken.

It's worth pointing out it never did look like Main Street, but what is there should work properly. Including the central rotunda floodlighting.

Definitely easy to count the working ones on the main resort buildings now- zero. The main building is completely dark and has been for a while.

In 2010-2011, the amount of lights out was probably AT LEAST 1/3. I'd say that jumped to at least 1/2 or 2/3 by early 2012, maybe more. Skipped visiting WDW for the rest of 2012, all of 2013 and most of 2014. By the time I returned in October 2014 the entire building was dark with the sole exception of Narcoosees (and that one has plenty out as well and looks like a mess).

I'm guessing there's no intention or desire to fix this.

 

[wdisney9000]

They may have been more "perfect" in running things many years ago but with how much attendance has grown etc it will take even more and more effort to keep running things "perfectly"

Attendance has definitely increased. So have profits.

This isnt the Yeti were talking about. Its burnt out lights, a very fixable problem. I completely understand your position on how it doesnt ruin your vacation, but its part of a larger concept, that continues to be diminished in many areas. The pigeon holing of magic.

 

[matt9112]

It's not several bulbs, it's entire strands missing and only a few working. As I mentioned, the Grand Floridian is practically dark. If I was staying at one of those deluxe resorts, I would be mad. Can you imagine paying 400 a night for a hotel that cannot keep up with the basics of making the resort look good at night?

can you imagine paying 400 a night for a resort with far less lux than ones on the strip for 300?

 

[TheRabbit]

I'm not making excuses for Disney because I didn't notice! I'm just not nitpicky about lights and such when I visit as I am always just happy to be there! If they were all out yes I would notice it like the OP did, but still would not let it bother me whether I am staying there (as I have several times at these resorts) or not. Sorry like I said we will agree to disagree.

I understand not nitpicking lights and just being happy to be there, but I am wondering...is there anything at Disney or that Disney would stop doing or do differently that WOULD bother you with your visits?

 

[Yankee Mouse]

They probably just think that the tech to operate the lights is obsolete.

 

[dgp602]

Never said it was "impossible" to keep up I said it would be harder/not as easy to keep up!

I think the disconnect here is that we all expect very high standards from Disney. I know I expect lights to be out at UNI or Six Flags etc.., but I expect more from Disney. I want the "plussing" that Disney used to offer, so for me and many others, large expands of light bulbs out for long periods of time is very disappointing...

 

[sporadic]

No excuses. I take more pride in my holiday lighting displays!

 

[Goofyernmost]

Finally, they are getting rid of those gaudy, carnival lights on what should be a world class hotel. I don't think that you will ever see them again. They are unnecessary and out of place for the degree of luxury that the GF is supposed to be showing. I noticed they were all out in February and almost went into my happy dance. They didn't all burn out at once so someone made the decision to just get rid of them.

There are enough lights in MK, what the resort needs to do to class up the $600.00 per night resorts to reflect that higher standard. Yes, I know someone is going to point out the there are some 4 or 5 star hotels with outline lights in Europe and possibly in the U.S. Frankly, I don't care, all I can say is hallelujah! Just because it can be found elsewhere does not mean that it should be everywhere.

 

[Plowboy]

WWWD?

 

[sporadic]

They probably just think that the tech to operate the lights is obsolete.

This would be the most likely case I'd think. Either planning for migration to LEDs or killing it all together. Leaving it partially lit though is unsat.

 

[MerlinTheGoat]

Finally, they are getting rid of those gaudy, carnival lights on what should be a world class hotel. I don't think that you will ever see them again. They are unnecessary and out of place for the degree of luxury that the GF is supposed to be showing. I noticed they were all out in February and almost went into my happy dance. They didn't all burn out at once so someone made the decision to just get rid of them.

There are enough lights in MK, what the resort needs to do to class up the $600.00 per night resorts to reflect that higher standard. Yes, I know someone is going to point out the there are some 4 or 5 star hotels with outline lights in Europe and possibly in the U.S. Frankly, I don't care, all I can say is hallelujah! Just because it can be found elsewhere does not mean that it should be everywhere.

While i'm sure management appreciates your comment for justifying their incompetent stinginess, thank goodness your opinion is in the tiny minority (in fact you're the only one i've ever heard who doesn't like the lighting).

You're right that people will call you out for such nonsense though. Grand Floridian is based on the Hotel Del Coronado, a 4-star luxury hotel, it's supposed to have trim lights. It doesn't work without them-

Without the lights working it looks dark and uninviting. With them it's warm, nostalgic, elegant and classy. Sadly they've been broken for so long that it's very hard to find decent pictures with them on...

 

[unkadug]

While i'm sure management appreciates your comment for justifying their incompetent stinginess, thank goodness your opinion is in the tiny minority (in fact you're the only one i've ever heard who doesn't like the lighting).

You're right that people will call you out for such nonsense though. Grand Floridian is based on the Hotel Del Coronado, a 4-star luxury hotel, it's supposed to have trim lights. It doesn't work without them-

Without the lights working it looks dark and uninviting. With them it's warm, nostalgic, elegant and classy. Sadly they've been broken for so long that it's very hard to find decent pictures with them on...

Thank you....Just because someone don't like them doesn't mean that they do not belong!

 

[lazyboy97o]

While i'm sure management appreciates your comment for justifying their incompetent stinginess, thank goodness your opinion is in the tiny minority (in fact you're the only one i've ever heard who doesn't like the lighting).

You're right that people will call you out for such nonsense though. Grand Floridian is based on the Hotel Del Coronado, a 4-star luxury hotel, it's supposed to have trim lights. It doesn't work without them-

Without the lights working it looks dark and uninviting. With them it's warm, nostalgic, elegant and classy. Sadly they've been broken for so long that it's very hard to find decent pictures with them on...

Yes, but theme and showmanship have no place at Walt Disney World.

 

[MerlinTheGoat]

By the way, if anyone happens to have some older good quality pictures of the Grand Floridian when all the lights still worked, it would be great to see them. It's sadly alarmingly hard to find any with the hotel properly lit on a google search...

 

[Animaniac93-98]

Yes, I know someone is going to point out the there are some 4 or 5 star hotels with outline lights in Europe and possibly in the U.S. Frankly, I don't care,

I guess nobody should care about your opinion then either, since you have neither taste nor appeciation for theme and design.

 

[MerlinTheGoat]

I should mention, even the Disneyland Paris Hotel has MOST of its trim lighting functional apparently, not perfect but FAR more are working than not. A hotel and resort which I have heard comments indicating it's supposed to be in such poor condition that it's "falling apart" and being rebuilt over the next few years. Yet the vast majority of the lights still work (this pic is from May 1st apparently)-

http://www.distherapy.com/2015/05/disneyland-hotel-paris-americans-review.html

 

[Animaniac93-98]

I should mention, even the Disneyland Paris Hotel has MOST of its trim lighting functional apparently, not perfect but FAR more are working than not.

Yeah, well, that's DLP and WDW is...different and...stuff!