Some thoughts about my Disney vacation that ended yesterday

[fjm777]

I have not posted much but have been reading the boards here for many years. I have been to Disney World 11 times over the last 10 years and have just returned from an 8 day trip that ended on Saturday 1/28.

I want to start off by saying that we DID enjoy our vacation overall. There were many great moments during our trip and our first stay at the Beach Club was really special. But I would like to share some things that could have easily swayed our experience to negative.

First - Disney Food

We have taken advantage of the free dining many times now and all I can say is I feel the food quality has really gone down. The Rainforest Cafe and 50's Prime Time food needed some real help. The Liberty Tree, Cape May breakfast and the ESPN club were okay but nothing special. But I must say if not for the free dining there is no way I would pay the outrageous prices that all the restaurants charge. And speaking of outrageous prices, the counter service food is crazy expensive. $9 for a burger and fries not including a drink! Are they kidding! I got a chili dog at Hollywood Studios for $8, including chips (woo hoo), and it was absolutely pathetic. Also for a person who cannot eat chocolate, like me, the desert choices are quite limited. I mean how many times can I a guy eat carrot cake?

Secondly,

When we scheduled our trip, we carefully picked a week free of cheerleaders and the like only to find the parks over flowing with Brazil touring groups. I know this has been discussed many times here but I must say the chatter on the boards does not do justice to the experience. For example, we had fast passes for Star Tours and as we arrived at the ride there was a Tour Group leader with a GIANT stack of fast passes, passing them out as the group of 50 or 100 or so went in the fast pass lane. Also the same thing happened at the Toy Story Ride and again we waited for about 25 minutes in the fast pass line. It's not that they are there, it is that when they hit a ride, they hit in hard. I saw Space Mountain wait time go from 40 min to 80 min when a couple of groups had gone in (I was waiting for the kids to ride). We also had occasion to go into a ride not knowing that a group had just gone in. The wait time would be low on the board but we would end up waiting 2 or 3 times longer than posted. And I won't even go in to how many times they cut line to join their group. I kept thinking I guess I can wait in line while my family has a soda. Then right before I get to the ride I can text them and have them cut line on everyone and join me. It would be, after all, the exact same thing. I suppose there is no answer to this but it certainly was frustrating.

And this may sound evil but...

We were on Soarin and a lady to our right was taking billions of flash pictures. The cast member, 2 or 3 times, kept interrupting the sound to announce "No photography on the ride please". The lady continued to take pictures. At the end of the ride, the cast member came over and told her and her family to wait and began talking to them as many other people came over to loudly complain about how their ride experience had been ruined. I didn't stay to see the final outcome but I imagined the whole family being escorted from the park striking a blow for justice and against the rude populations of the world! My wife said "I haven't seen you smile so big this entire trip"

Anyway, thanks for letting me blow off some steam. Again, Overall we had a great trip and had many cast members who made our vacation special.

 

[Tom]

I have not posted much but have been reading the boards here for many years. I have been to Disney World 11 times over the last 10 years and have just returned from an 8 day trip that ended on Saturday 1/28.

I want to start off by saying that we DID enjoy our vacation overall. There were many great moments during our trip and our first stay at the Beach Club was really special. But I would like to share some things that could have easily swayed our experience to negative.

First - Disney Food

We have taken advantage of the free dining many times now and all I can say is I feel the food quality has really gone down. The Rainforest Cafe and 50's Prime Time food needed some real help. The Liberty Tree, Cape May breakfast and the ESPN club were okay but nothing special. But I must say if not for the free dining there is no way I would pay the outrageous prices that all the restaurants charge. And speaking of outrageous prices, the counter service food is crazy expensive. $9 for a burger and fries not including a drink! Are they kidding! I got a chili dog at Hollywood Studios for $8, including chips (woo hoo), and it was absolutely pathetic. Also for a person who cannot eat chocolate, like me, the desert choices are quite limited. I mean how many times can I a guy eat carrot cake?

Secondly,

When we scheduled our trip, we carefully picked a week free of cheerleaders and the like only to find the parks over flowing with Brazil touring groups. I know this has been discussed many times here but I must say the chatter on the boards does not do justice to the experience. For example, we had fast passes for Star Tours and as we arrived at the ride there was a Tour Group leader with a GIANT stack of fast passes, passing them out as the group of 50 or 100 or so went in the fast pass lane. Also the same thing happened at the Toy Story Ride and again we waited for about 25 minutes in the fast pass line. It's not that they are there, it is that when they hit a ride, they hit in hard. I saw Space Mountain wait time go from 40 min to 80 min when a couple of groups had gone in (I was waiting for the kids to ride). We also had occasion to go into a ride not knowing that a group had just gone in. The wait time would be low on the board but we would end up waiting 2 or 3 times longer than posted. And I won't even go in to how many times they cut line to join their group. I kept thinking I guess I can wait in line while my family has a soda. Then right before I get to the ride I can text them and have them cut line on everyone and join me. It would be, after all, the exact same thing. I suppose there is no answer to this but it certainly was frustrating.

And this may sound evil but...

We were on Soarin and a lady to our right was taking billions of flash pictures. The cast member, 2 or 3 times, kept interrupting the sound to announce "No photography on the ride please". The lady continued to take pictures. At the end of the ride, the cast member came over and told her and her family to wait and began talking to them as many other people came over to loudly complain about how their ride experience had been ruined. I didn't stay to see the final outcome but I imagined the whole family being escorted from the park striking a blow for justice and against the rude populations of the world! My wife said "I haven't seen you smile so big this entire trip"

Anyway, thanks for letting me blow off some steam. Again, Overall we had a great trip and had many cast members who made our vacation special.

Glad you had a nice time overall. Regarding the rest of your discussion...you're preaching to the choir!

 

[real mad hatter]

Hmmm!

Glad you had a nice time overall. Regarding the rest of your discussion...you're preaching to the choir!

Ok first the food,of course it's expensive,your in WDW.ever had a beer at a rock gig?but I think there's more to QS than burgers and dogs,like CHH at MK for example.Second,tour groups,been there,done it,got the photos to prove it.when we see a large group heading for the same attraction as us,we just divert course for something else.And third,well I agree about the silly lady with the camera,was she sitting next to you?.If she was sitting next to me I would tell her the flashes are causing me to throw up,then start convulsions over her lap,that would fix that problem.Hope these hiccups haven't put you off going back.:wave:

 

[Duckberg]

What can you say about the lady/pics @ Soarin it only takes one person to mess things up :brick:

PS Otherwise hope you had a good time

 

[coachwnh]

the picture thing really bothers me too! we have been on pirates so many times with the CM coming on saying no flash pictures, and what happens? they keep taking them. really takes away from the experience. i understand the excitement, but where are the manners? as far as the tour groups, lets just say i too have stories as so many here do, but i will NEVER let them ruin my trip. ive seen many non tour group kids be just a rude!

 

[bgraham34]

The only thing I am going to comment on is the food. Many people have been complaining that the food quality has gone down hill over the years, and I believe that to be true as well. Its the pricing in the Buffets that I think have gotten out of hand. As far as the pricing of QS I actually dont think 9 bucks for a burger and fry are not that terrible. Plenty of places are that price were I live, and I am not even talking about a sit down restaurant. The quality is better than McDonalds and you are paying more for that.

 

[DisneyJoe]

Rainforest Cafe is not owned by Disney

High food prices are not only at WDW - Six Flags, Jersey shore/Boardwalk, concert venues, many other vacation destinations too.

 

[Communicore]

We were on Soarin and a lady to our right was taking billions of flash pictures. The cast member, 2 or 3 times, kept interrupting the sound to announce "No photography on the ride please". The lady continued to take pictures.

Wow, ride ruiners. How appalling. What if you had been a first time rider? I remember a topic I started about idiots like these, especially in HM where this dude started to do a Ghost Host imitation.

 

[cowanfamily]

Gotta admit, I probably would have grabbed the camera and thrown it.

$9 dollars for a burger and fries is still cheaper than what you pay at a baseball game. A hot dog is now $6 and a coke is $5 at Turner Field in Atlanta.

 

[captainkidd]

I'd like Disney to initiate a new law - Any guest is free to grab the camera of another guest if they are taking flash pictures on dark rides, and smash it on the ground.

 

[draybook]

Just because other venues charge higher prices doesn't mean that $9 for a burger and fries isn't too high. And maybe you wouldn't have to pay that much at ball games if the players weren't making 10 million dollars a year.

 

[CamiLyn227]

The Brazilian tour groups with hundreds of unsupervised teens do irritate me while I'm at Disney (mostly Magic Kingdom and Epcot), but when I get home I just have to laugh at them with their matching shirts, "following the leader" flags, and their chants. I sure am glad that I am not in their group. I would hate to have to do what everyone else does when they want to do it. :brick:

 

[KCheatle]

I'd like Disney to initiate a new law - Any guest is free to grab the camera of another guest if they are taking flash pictures on dark rides, and smash it on the ground.

HAHAHA!!! Love this! That's exactly what I was thinking I would do in that situation but thought I would be chastised for saying it outloud! :sohappy:

 

[sweetpee_1993]

Just because other venues charge higher prices doesn't mean that $9 for a burger and fries isn't too high. And maybe you wouldn't have to pay that much at ball games if the players weren't making 10 million dollars a year.

Amen. Professional sports = overpaid divas. :hurl:

I'd have no problem shelling out $9 for a burger if it tasted good. They're so bland and more often than not taste like a frozen cafeteria patty that's been sitting under a heat lamp for a couple hours. :hurl: Is it a hockey puck? Or is it a burger patty? :brick:

 

[powlessfamily4]

$9 for burger and fries? That is what I pay at 5 Guys... granted 5 Guys is a much better meal... but there are plenty of places out there that overcharge for food.

As far as the Braziliian tour groups, there is nothing to be done. We can't kick out all the tour groups and cheerleaders. If we did how long do you think it would be before people would start demanding strollers and the handicapp go. No group would be safe. We just have to grin and bear it.

 

[mickeysshoes]

Amen. Professional sports = overpaid divas. :hurl:

I'd have no problem shelling out $9 for a burger if it tasted good. They're so bland and more often than not taste like a frozen cafeteria patty that's been sitting under a heat lamp for a couple hours. :hurl: Is it a hockey puck? Or is it a burger patty? :brick:

I fully agree!! I dont mind pay the price...QS or TS it it tastes good...even some what good is ok with me. But its like a hockey puck or a crappy dog then what are we paying for. Would like for it to taste fresh not stale and frozen. Its crazy but it like this all over.

 

[mickeysshoes]

I have not posted much but have been reading the boards here for many years. I have been to Disney World 11 times over the last 10 years and have just returned from an 8 day trip that ended on Saturday 1/28.

I want to start off by saying that we DID enjoy our vacation overall. There were many great moments during our trip and our first stay at the Beach Club was really special. But I would like to share some things that could have easily swayed our experience to negative.

First - Disney Food

We have taken advantage of the free dining many times now and all I can say is I feel the food quality has really gone down. The Rainforest Cafe and 50's Prime Time food needed some real help. The Liberty Tree, Cape May breakfast and the ESPN club were okay but nothing special. But I must say if not for the free dining there is no way I would pay the outrageous prices that all the restaurants charge. And speaking of outrageous prices, the counter service food is crazy expensive. $9 for a burger and fries not including a drink! Are they kidding! I got a chili dog at Hollywood Studios for $8, including chips (woo hoo), and it was absolutely pathetic. Also for a person who cannot eat chocolate, like me, the desert choices are quite limited. I mean how many times can I a guy eat carrot cake?

Secondly,

When we scheduled our trip, we carefully picked a week free of cheerleaders and the like only to find the parks over flowing with Brazil touring groups. I know this has been discussed many times here but I must say the chatter on the boards does not do justice to the experience. For example, we had fast passes for Star Tours and as we arrived at the ride there was a Tour Group leader with a GIANT stack of fast passes, passing them out as the group of 50 or 100 or so went in the fast pass lane. Also the same thing happened at the Toy Story Ride and again we waited for about 25 minutes in the fast pass line. It's not that they are there, it is that when they hit a ride, they hit in hard. I saw Space Mountain wait time go from 40 min to 80 min when a couple of groups had gone in (I was waiting for the kids to ride). We also had occasion to go into a ride not knowing that a group had just gone in. The wait time would be low on the board but we would end up waiting 2 or 3 times longer than posted. And I won't even go in to how many times they cut line to join their group. I kept thinking I guess I can wait in line while my family has a soda. Then right before I get to the ride I can text them and have them cut line on everyone and join me. It would be, after all, the exact same thing. I suppose there is no answer to this but it certainly was frustrating.

And this may sound evil but...

We were on Soarin and a lady to our right was taking billions of flash pictures. The cast member, 2 or 3 times, kept interrupting the sound to announce "No photography on the ride please". The lady continued to take pictures. At the end of the ride, the cast member came over and told her and her family to wait and began talking to them as many other people came over to loudly complain about how their ride experience had been ruined. I didn't stay to see the final outcome but I imagined the whole family being escorted from the park striking a blow for justice and against the rude populations of the world! My wife said "I haven't seen you smile so big this entire trip"

Anyway, thanks for letting me blow off some steam. Again, Overall we had a great trip and had many cast members who made our vacation special.

Glad that all the above did not spoil the entire trip. Its all in what we make of it and it sounds like you all did a great job!!!

 

[Gig 'Em Mickey]

We were on Soarin and a lady to our right was taking billions of flash pictures. The cast member, 2 or 3 times, kept interrupting the sound to announce "No photography on the ride please". The lady continued to take pictures. At the end of the ride, the cast member came over and told her and her family to wait and began talking to them as many other people came over to loudly complain about how their ride experience had been ruined. I didn't stay to see the final outcome but I imagined the whole family being escorted from the park striking a blow for justice and against the rude populations of the world! My wife said "I haven't seen you smile so big this entire trip"

It was probably MinnieMouse0830

 

[phllymouse]

I have not posted much but have been reading the boards here for many years. I have been to Disney World 11 times over the last 10 years and have just returned from an 8 day trip that ended on Saturday 1/28.

I want to start off by saying that we DID enjoy our vacation overall. There were many great moments during our trip and our first stay at the Beach Club was really special. But I would like to share some things that could have easily swayed our experience to negative.

First - Disney Food

We have taken advantage of the free dining many times now and all I can say is I feel the food quality has really gone down. The Rainforest Cafe and 50's Prime Time food needed some real help. The Liberty Tree, Cape May breakfast and the ESPN club were okay but nothing special. But I must say if not for the free dining there is no way I would pay the outrageous prices that all the restaurants charge. And speaking of outrageous prices, the counter service food is crazy expensive. $9 for a burger and fries not including a drink! Are they kidding! I got a chili dog at Hollywood Studios for $8, including chips (woo hoo), and it was absolutely pathetic. Also for a person who cannot eat chocolate, like me, the desert choices are quite limited. I mean how many times can I a guy eat carrot cake?

Secondly,

When we scheduled our trip, we carefully picked a week free of cheerleaders and the like only to find the parks over flowing with Brazil touring groups. I know this has been discussed many times here but I must say the chatter on the boards does not do justice to the experience. For example, we had fast passes for Star Tours and as we arrived at the ride there was a Tour Group leader with a GIANT stack of fast passes, passing them out as the group of 50 or 100 or so went in the fast pass lane. Also the same thing happened at the Toy Story Ride and again we waited for about 25 minutes in the fast pass line. It's not that they are there, it is that when they hit a ride, they hit in hard. I saw Space Mountain wait time go from 40 min to 80 min when a couple of groups had gone in (I was waiting for the kids to ride). We also had occasion to go into a ride not knowing that a group had just gone in. The wait time would be low on the board but we would end up waiting 2 or 3 times longer than posted. And I won't even go in to how many times they cut line to join their group. I kept thinking I guess I can wait in line while my family has a soda. Then right before I get to the ride I can text them and have them cut line on everyone and join me. It would be, after all, the exact same thing. I suppose there is no answer to this but it certainly was frustrating.

And this may sound evil but...

We were on Soarin and a lady to our right was taking billions of flash pictures. The cast member, 2 or 3 times, kept interrupting the sound to announce "No photography on the ride please". The lady continued to take pictures. At the end of the ride, the cast member came over and told her and her family to wait and began talking to them as many other people came over to loudly complain about how their ride experience had been ruined. I didn't stay to see the final outcome but I imagined the whole family being escorted from the park striking a blow for justice and against the rude populations of the world! My wife said "I haven't seen you smile so big this entire trip"

Anyway, thanks for letting me blow off some steam. Again, Overall we had a great trip and had many cast members who made our vacation special.

I was there in January also. I was shocked about the tour groups. I do not recall any talk of tour groups in January.
Our plan was to arrive the first day, get to AK, to us a half day park, grab a bite and go on a couple rides. We went over to Dino land and the burger place had lines out the door. Walking over we noticed other place had long lines (free quick service). So we sucked it up, and waited. Mostly tour groups in line. When we finally got our meal, there was no seats tour members saving seats for other tour members. After searching we headed outside, the door, this one lady did not want to move out of the way. I said excuse me about 4 times. Finally I just bumped her hard and pushed through. She hollered at me, but I just kept walking, my food was getting cold. I felt bad, I still feel bad, I am a very kind, quiet person, not a good way to start your vacation..feeling bad. After lunch we realized tour groups were everywhere, 50 minute waits for lines. FP for 5:45 which we did not plan on being there at that time. We went back to CBR to regroup. AK was a bust.
We were glad that we had ressys for lunch the next two days . It seems easier to get QS for dinner.
Also we noted that the tour groups really do not start taking over until 11ish, which gives time for the more popular rides in the morning. Also tour groups seem to thin out in the evening. In other words we reconfigured our game plan, and did not let them ruin our vacation.
By the way, I know it is really stupid of me to think this way, but I hate the flag leader of the tour groups. It is so bad, he is just a guy or girl earning a buck. For some reason I felt like telling them off, and it makes no sense. I laugh at my own stupidity.
One last note, for people who say go the opposite way. You see a tour group go the other way. No..January, there was no opposite way, they were everywhere, more so than when I was there in June.
So I do feel your pain on that.

 

[ght]

Rainforest Cafe is not owned by Disney

High food prices are not only at WDW - Six Flags, Jersey shore/Boardwalk, concert venues, many other vacation destinations too.

Yep, it just a simple fact that pretty much any place that has a captive customer is going to jack up the price on food. Heck, it is the same way at a lot of airports when they know you have no other options.