Senior executive changes

[GiveMeTheMusic]

DCL is the last place I can go and ENJOY the Disney experience. I see those ships, I talk about those ships, and I have PRIDE in the product. When I meet random people and talk about Disney(it happens WAY too often) I promote DCL every single time. WDW...never. As far as I'm concerned, those ships and the service are 100% Walt's Vision. They can't start chipping away at that or I won't have any love of Disney left

Please don't take this personally, as I'm directing it on a far broader level. I took one 7 night Disney cruise a few years back and was absolutely aghast at what I found. An absurd price point, all but inedible food outside of Palo (which was no V&A and couldn't be booked nighlty), adult activities that consisted of towel folding and art auctions and a lovely cabin, which I saw the inside of FAR too much. The shows were average to above average theme park fare, and the ship, while lovely, lacked any kind of distinctive whimsy. The cast was lovely. But overall, I was stunned at how subpar the experience was, especially for the double price they charge.

I'm just wondering what I missed, and how I missed it. After that MAGIC voyage, I'd be hardpressed to take a free Disney cruise. Yet, I hear people rave and rave about them, like your comments about Walt's vision above. I'm not downplaying your opinion or trying to be insulting, I genuinely want to know what I missed.

 

[zulemara]

Please don't take this personally, as I'm directing it on a far broader level. I took one 7 night Disney cruise a few years back and was absolutely aghast at what I found. An absurd price point, all but inedible food outside of Palo (which was no V&A and couldn't be booked nighlty), adult activities that consisted of towel folding and art auctions and a lovely cabin, which I saw the inside of FAR too much. The shows were average to above average theme park fare, and the ship, while lovely, lacked any kind of distinctive whimsy. The cast was lovely. But overall, I was stunned at how subpar the experience was, especially for the double price they charge.

I'm just wondering what I missed, and how I missed it. After that MAGIC voyage, I'd be hardpressed to take a free Disney cruise. Yet, I hear people rave and rave about them, like your comments about Walt's vision above. I'm not downplaying your opinion or trying to be insulting, I genuinely want to know what I missed.

Well for starters, you were on the Magic, which is going in for a major rehab. When I say Walt's vision, I look at the level of detail in the new ships, the innovation, and the spare no expense mentality.

Regarding adult activities, I never have a problem finding anything and I enjoy the new shows. That said, as long as there are drinks available, I'm always content It's been several years since I was on the Magic and I don't even remember what the shows were.

What I see at WDW is growing crowds, declining service, and an overall lack of quality. I think MAYBE things are getting better, but I personally believe as it stands right now that DCL is a far superior product and experience.

That said, I would pay full price for a Disney Cruise. I will NOT pay for WDW. Either I get in free from friends when I visit, or I won't go. Maybe EPCOT...maybe...and only because it involves World Showcase.

Go on the Dream/Fantasy or the Magic after rehab and I think you'll find a better experience

 

[Tim_4]

Well for starters, you were on the Magic, which is going in for a major rehab. When I say Walt's vision, I look at the level of detai in the new ships, the innovation, and the spare no expense mentality.

Regarding adult activities, I never have a problem finding anything and I enjoy the new shows. That said, as long as there are drinks available, I'm always content It's been several years since I was on the Magic and I don't even remember what the shows were.

What I see at WDW is growing crowds, declining service, and an overall lack of quality. I think MAYBE things are getting better, but I personally believe as it stands right now that DCL is a far superior product and experience.

That said, I would pay full price for a Disney Cruise. I will NOT pay for WDW. Either I get in free from friends when I visit, or I won't go. Maybe EPCOT...maybe...and only because it involves World Showcase.

Go on the Dream/Fantasy or the Magic after rehab and I think you'll find a better experience

It's interesting that World Showcase stands out to you as the sole high quality experience at WDW. Most people here throw fits about any new product offering that doesn't include an e-ticket ride. World Showcase is largely restaurants, meet and greets, shops, film/screen attractions, atmosphere entertainment, and an interactive game. To hear some people talk, those exact things represent the decline of WDW and the cheapness of TDO not wanting to invest in rides.

 

[zulemara]

It's interesting that World Showcase stands out to you as the sole high quality experience at WDW. Most people here throw fits about any new product offering that doesn't include an e-ticket ride. World Showcase is largely restaurants, meet and greets, shops, film/screen attractions, atmosphere entertainment, and an interactive game. To hear some people talk, those exact things represent the decline of WDW and the cheapness of TDO not wanting to invest in rides.

An interesting point. I like WS because A) it has booze and B) I am content to walk around with friends, talk, observe, pop in here or there to things, etc. That also is because I was a local for 4 years. It got to the point where I hardly went on E-tickets because I could only go on the weekends and there simply is no slow season anymore.

It really just comes down to me hating crowds, being bitter about PI, and frustrated with the lack of maintenance, show, and service quality around the parks. WDW's problems are a result of its own growth. You simply can't have 68,000 CMs and expect every single one of them to give the individual attention that's possible on DCL. Then again..getting rid of the college program or significantly reducing it might help that problem.

DCL on the other hand has a max amount of people on the ship. I can easily avoid the crowds 99% of the time, maintenance is top notch(if it's not, they fix it!), service is stellar, and there is a spare no expense mentality, or so it seems.

So to tie in to the original topic, it greatly concerns me that someone from PR is headed to DCL. DCL is fine, it's plenty profitable, let it be! Furthermore, I am equally worried about growth at DCL as I am about the management changes. If the rumors of 2 new ships come to light, bringing the total fleet to 6, I will be concerned at their ability to keep control over the CMs. There were definitely bumps with the Dream and Fantasy launches. I hope there are only bumps and no long term declines in service with continued expansion.