Ruining Disney - Nearly Complete!

[AdventureHasAName]

Nothing in there even remotely says they’re selling versions of the world as idealized by Americans in the 1950’s. Also, this printing is from nearly a decade ago and who knows when it was first adopted.

The standards were created in 1958 and didn't change for thirty or forty years.

What year did Walt say that?

1955 - it was soon after the park opened.

 

[Epcot81Fan]

In other words, most people aren’t looking to spend thousands to take their kids on vacation to strip clubs and tattoo parlors (or Six Flags)..

I realize that may be a hard concept to grasp for some.

 

[Marionnette]

Getting back to the OP, I'm going to echo many of their sentiments. Our last trip was in November and even before going, I had said it would be our last trip for a very long time. The parks weren't as clean as they used to be.

Does anyone remember the crew that would start painting at one end of Main Street and start all over again after they reached the end? Sure, it was all show but it gave the illusion of attention to maintenance. This year, we got a crumbling facade in DHS that should have been detected before it fell into the sidewalk.

Dining, which had always been a huge part of our visits just isn't as pleasant as in the past. In addition to smaller portions and soaring prices, the menus have become more limited and less appealing.

I'm not going to beat the Genie+ dead horse. There's nothing I can say that already has not been said, aside from the fact that I hate it, too.

The loss of DME is huge, IMO. Just when we are welcoming grandchildren (with all of their accompanying stuff) into our family, the one "perk" that made it so much easier to stay at WDW has been eliminated. Just being able to go from the gate at the airport with the gate-checked stroller directly to the bus would have been heaven. Now, instead of having everyone's luggage magically show up in our rooms, we have to go to baggage claim, wait for it to show up on the carousel and haul it off. Then we schlep to the rental car (dragging the car seat that we hope did not get damaged by the airline). For any young family that never experienced DME, they don't know what they missed. It was truly a game changer for so many people traveling with children.

As for cleanliness, you need only to look at the housekeeping schedule to know that the resort rooms are not being addressed in the same way they used to be. Value and Moderate resort rooms are still on an every other day schedule. It only returned to Deluxe resorts this past January. I can only assume that this is due to a shortage of housekeeping workers, but will it ever return to other resorts?

One final remark before I end this long post. I haven't encountered too many CMs that were anything less than cheerful and helpful. I personally don't care if they are tattooed, bearded or sport unconventional hardware. What I do care about is that they are good at their job and make me feel welcomed at WDW. The few that I've had the displeasure of interacting with on a bad day, I shrugged off. It was not worthy of wasting precious vacation time on.

 

[lightningtap347]

Of all the dumb discussions I've come across on this site, this certainly is one of them.

 

[Ayla]

Getting back to the OP, I'm going to echo many of their sentiments. Our last trip was in November and even before going, I had said it would be our last trip for a very long time. The parks weren't as clean as they used to be.

Does anyone remember the crew that would start painting at one end of Main Street and start all over again after they reached the end? Sure, it was all show but it gave the illusion of attention to maintenance. This year, we got a crumbling facade in DHS that should have been detected before it fell into the sidewalk.

Dining, which had always been a huge part of our visits just isn't as pleasant as in the past. In addition to smaller portions and soaring prices, the menus have become more limited and less appealing.

I'm not going to beat the Genie+ dead horse. There's nothing I can say that already has not been said, aside from the fact that I hate it, too.

The loss of DME is huge, IMO. Just when we are welcoming grandchildren (with all of their accompanying stuff) into our family, the one "perk" that made it so much easier to stay at WDW has been eliminated. Just being able to go from the gate at the airport with the gate-checked stroller directly to the bus would have been heaven. Now, instead of having everyone's luggage magically show up in our rooms, we have to go to baggage claim, wait for it to show up on the carousel and haul it off. Then we schlep to the rental car (dragging the car seat that we hope did not get damaged by the airline). For any young family that never experienced DME, they don't know what they missed. It was truly a game changer for so many people traveling with children.

As for cleanliness, you need only to look at the housekeeping schedule to know that the resort rooms are not being addressed in the same way they used to be. Value and Moderate resort rooms are still on an every other day schedule. It only returned to Deluxe resorts this past January. I can only assume that this is due to a shortage of housekeeping workers, but will it ever return to other resorts?

One final remark before I end this long post. I haven't encountered too many CMs that were anything less than cheerful and helpful. I personally don't care if they are tattooed, bearded or sport unconventional hardware. What I do care about is that they are good at their job and make me feel welcomed at WDW. The few that I've had the displeasure of interacting with on a bad day, I shrugged off. It was not worthy of wasting precious vacation time on.

(If this is Marionnette from the Dis, welcome!)

 

[JIMINYCR]

A beard neither promotes nor detracts from family values. That’s just an odd old way of thinking.

Walts criteria for standard of dress and look was the way it was set up. At the time he wanted a clean look with no beard. Thats the way it was. Back then this was the acceptable look for working in corporate offices and many businesses would pass on hiring someone who did not want to meet that standard.

 

[Californian Elitist]

Walts criteria for standard of dress and look was the way it was set up. At the time he wanted a clean look with no beard. Thats the way it was. Back then this was the acceptable look for working in corporate offices and many businesses would pass on hiring someone who did not want to meet that standard.

You just reiterated his point…unless that’s what you intended to do?

 

[John park hopper]

At least he's not wearing a dress and playing the Fairy Godmother in a salon for little girls.

Just give it time
Next Disney will be hiring the walking dead

 

[Smiley/OCD]

A beard neither promotes nor detracts from family values. That’s just an odd old way of thinking.

It works for the NY Yankees (I’m NOT a Yankee fan)…they’ve had a no facial hair (except for mustaches) policy since ‘73, and hair can not be below the collar…I know they’re not doing well this year, but they are the number one sports franchise in the US…it works for them…they don’t have to pay a premium for players and don’t have a shortage of prospects.

Again, here at the Jersey shore, Casino Pier in Seaside Heights has a policy of no colored hair (my daughter worked for them and had to change her hair from green to something more “acceptable”)
They have problems recruiting but so does every seasonal company…but they’re able to open every year…just sayin’

 

[Chi84]

The standards were created in 1958 and didn't change for thirty or forty years.


1955 - it was soon after the park opened.

The world changes. I first visited WDW as an adult in 1984 and have visited over 60 times since then. But I never thought the 50’s version of America was something to be emulated.

My kids were born in the 1980’s and had their own kids just recently. If you asked them what Disney represented or was “selling,” I guarantee “1950’s America” wouldn’t occur to them. They wouldn’t even blink at the CMs whose pictures are included here. They’re too busy having fun at the parks. What bothers some people doesn’t even register for others.

There are many ills plaguing Disney - greedy, shortsighted management being foremost - but I doubt too many people are deciding not to visit because of how the CMs look.

 

[J4546]

The world changes. I first visited WDW as an adult in 1984 and have visited over 60 times since then. But I never thought the 50’s version of America was something to be emulated.

My kids were born in the 1980’s and had their own kids just recently. If you asked them what Disney represented or was “selling,” I guarantee “1950’s America” wouldn’t occur to them. They wouldn’t even blink at the CMs whose pictures are included here. They’re too busy having fun at the parks. What bothers some people doesn’t even register for others.

There are many ills plaguing Disney - greedy, shortsighted management being foremost - but I doubt too many people are deciding not to visit because of how the CMs look.

And if they are good. Less whiners crowding up the parks the better imo

 

[Smiley/OCD]

I've finally had enough. After being an annual Passholder for 9 years in a row and around 22 years, I'm done for now and will not renew. I'm good. Admittedly, I go a lot, but I just don't want to go back based on the experience I continue to notice is worse and worse.

This isn't one of those posts about Disney is so bad it can never recover, but its current quality state, value, and experience is not conducive to multiple visits anymore. I find after 2-3 days, I'm ready to go home now.

I don't hate Disney - I still love the parks, many attractions and the great cast that have tried to make it magical. However, the magic seems to slip away every time I go.

A few points I've noticed that are basically common at this point.

• Genie+ is a disaster. I despise this process, service, the cost, etc. Everything about it sucks.
• The prices are just stupid for the value.
• Almost zero personalized service.
• Abysmal ride maintenance.
• Construction is too slow.
• Too much IP.
• EPCOT is basically a shambles.
• Hollywood Studios is hopeless unless you want to pay to ride everything and you still can't.
• Bathrooms are atrocious.
• So much of everything is dirty and broken.
• Cast member quality is massively worse overall. Some good ones but a lot of bad.
• Food quality and value is worse than I can remember all over the place.
• Still no loyalty programs at Disney Hotels or at Disney in general. They don't care about repeat customers.
• Bob Iger needs to go. He's lost control and doesn't have a clue anymore. Is he senile? He seems defensive on earnings calls too.

There are some great cast members still, but the overall cast has taken a massive nosedive in terms of caring, kindness, and flat out doing their job. So many just don't care. It's not all of them, but it's too many.

I'm Mr. Business and perfectly fine paying premiums when you deliver premium products, but Disney is just out of control while not delivering premium experience. Dessert parties, fireworks cruises, set menus, and raising ticket prices are not premium experiences. You can go an entire day without even interacting with a Cast Member. Many of them don't even speak (entrance, exits, ride cast, characters - Hell, even servers barely talk sometimes).

I read their quarterly report and it turns out WDW is down and it seemed plausible based on the crowds I saw in June and then again in July. Are people finally done paying the stupid prices for lower quality than we had 20 years ago?

While I agree with many of the points you’ve made and how the parks aren’t up to the same standards as in past years, again we get to that never ending argument that the restrooms are atrocious and the parks are dirty…my wife and I were there in December and the parks were clean, neat and orderly and except for one in AK, (which I mentioned elsewhere and was being cleaned by a CM as I walked in), the restrooms were clean too.
I’m not saying, you didn’t encounter lackluster conditions and I’m NOT a pixie duster or an apologist, but photos would go a LONG WAY in justifying your argument and narrative. Maybe we’re the luckiest SOB’s on the planet, but we’ve never encountered filthy parks…

 

[John park hopper]

Any private business can set the dress the dress code and personal appearance code --lawyers wouldn't come to court in a bathing suit a nurse can't dress in however they want. Disney has chosen to abandon any any standards. yes times have changed must Disney allow the extreme.

 

[Chi84]

Any private business can set the dress the dress code and personal appearance code --lawyers wouldn't come to court in a bathing suit a nurse can't dress in however they want. Disney has chosen to abandon any any standards. yes times have changed must Disney allow the extreme.

Don’t they still have a published dress code? I think they are setting their own standards; maybe you just don’t agree with the ones they’ve set.

 

[Smooth]

So... should Disney have any kind of standard of appearance in dress? As long as the CM's are nice and do a good job, anything else doesn't matter? It would seem there needs to be a line drawn somewhere. So, where?
Ok.. so.. IMO... set the standard high. I think most folks want to go to Disney and sèe things in different way than they see in our day-to-day life.

 

[Epcot81Fan]

Somehow my local In N Out and Chick Fil A can have well groomed, professional employees and yet Disney can only make excuses..

I travel extensively and rarely see these types of pathetically low standards on airlines, cruises, hotels, or any premium service experience.

Disney wants to continue to charge for the “Disney Difference”, but then accepts standards that are not any different than the local carnival.

They trade off the nostalgia of what the parks used to be, not what they actually are today.

Unfortunately for them, millions are experiencing the reality of dirtier parks, eroding maintenance, Fantasyland looking like it is run by a prison release program, etc. and that false perception erodes daily.

 

[Chi84]

So... should Disney have any kind of standard of appearance in dress? As long as the CM's are nice and do a good job, anything else doesn't matter? It would seem there needs to be a line drawn somewhere. So, where?
Ok.. so.. IMO... set the standard high. I think most folks want to go to Disney and sèe things in different way than they see in our day-to-day life.

I believe they do have a published dress code. Honestly, we were just at WDW in May. We visit frequently and have not seen the type of CMs being described as "carnival workers" and people from a "prison release program." Maybe people concentrate more on what's important to them. People who are younger don't tend to equate clothing with values as much as those from older generations. And the older generations are not going to continue on forever.

 

[J4546]

Curious why they don’t show these CM’s in their ads and they still pretend the parks are run like it’s 1975 with clean cut, fresh faced CM’s.

Which way to the deep fried Oreo stand and Zipper?!

View attachment 737312View attachment 737313

(Again, not a critique of these individuals, but management’s lack of consistent standards for appearance and professionalism)

Its sad that this is your argument. As if these 2 people dont meet "your standard" for what is acceptable. I dont see anything wrong with these 2 people at all, esp if they are acting in a professional manner. But keep shaming people because they dont look how you think they should look at a theme park.


Feel free to go to Universal, because Ive never seen beards or tattoos on the workers there /s

btw you people complaining should post a pic of yourselves so we can all see the standards you hold

 

[flynnibus]

The world changes. I first visited WDW as an adult in 1984 and have visited over 60 times since then. But I never thought the 50’s version of America was something to be emulated.

My kids were born in the 1980’s and had their own kids just recently. If you asked them what Disney represented or was “selling,” I guarantee “1950’s America” wouldn’t occur to them. They wouldn’t even blink at the CMs whose pictures are included here. They’re too busy having fun at the parks. What bothers some people doesn’t even register for others.

What does their your children's awareness of the origins have to do with challenging the reality of it?

I bet if you asked them "Do you notice anything different about the staff when you are at Disney vs when we are at Six Flags?" they'd probably pickup on a thing or two.

Someone doesn't need to understand the the methods or whys to gain from the system, even if only subconsciously.

The cast's appearance, standards, and expectations have always been part of the show at Disney... the very reason they are called cast to begin with. The ideals of what image someone would project is almost always tied into someone's social and cultural sphere. Disney had the clean-cut, idealized, and stereotypical take on male and female appearance rooted in his Atomic American family of the 50s. A take that has been modernized over time, but frankly we all know it clinged more to it's origins than it was a progressive. A take that pushed back against counter culture and other movements in the decades after... a take that even alienated Disney many a time as the brand was felt dated and out of touch at times. And while Disney has largely inched it's way forward in modernization at several key points... it largely was still trying to project that wholesome, clean, sharp look one would expect from a young adult who was respectful and did what they were supposed to. That prototypical white shirt, clean cut 1950s male. No beards, no jewelry, no tatoos, etc.

Whether or not every person appreciated that look, or even cared, it doesn't negate that Disney standards came from that and was something they were quite diligent on until recent years.

 

[Smiley/OCD]

Its sad that this is your argument. As if these 2 people dont meet "your standard" for what is acceptable. I dont see anything wrong with these 2 people at all, esp if they are acting in a professional manner. But keep shaming people because they dont look how you think they should look at a theme park.


Feel free to go to Universal, because Ive never seen beards or tattoos on the workers there /s

btw you people complaining should post a pic of yourselves so we can all see the standards you hold

A) I don’t have (or ever had) a beard…
B) I don’t work for TWDC, so that’s a ridiculous statement…and we as guests DO have a dress code to enter the parks…