I don't have those issues. I never go during peak season, so I don't really deal with over-crowding. I also am always able to get the ADR's I need. Although the decline in maintenance is there (I do not deny this), I think it is exaggerated. DL went through something similar and has since corrected. I expect WDW will do the same. I go about once a year, maybe twice. And I see myself continuing to go in the future. That is why I will be joining DVC in the next couple years.
I agree. I have no issues like that either. As with most everything these days, I continue paying a lot more for everything, not just WDW. And I know that it is crazy expensive to stay in the World but we continue to do so, and only at the Deluxe Resorts which makes us even crazier. We love it though. But again, I would always understand those that have problems with a product that they have been experiencing since the 70s or 80s and are indicating that it has declined in value. I think that it would be challenging for any institution to keep something fresh for 40+ years.
We bought into the VGF last summer before they were made available to the general public and the cost per point was still high. We will be going next week for 3 nights but will only be staying one night as we are spending one night each at the Contemporary and Poly club levels. On my birthday we will be trying out the VGF for the first time. We really like the GF beach pool so it was a good purchase for us. We have found that we love the GF in general (although I think that my wife's favorite is the Boardwalk or Yacht Club, she can't decide).
What I find interesting is that most people will equate frustration about price increases to the fact the WDW is not spending money on new rides. Unfortunately, to me anyway, it seems like WDW is going through this weird period where they are spending money on pretty much everything else but rides - i.e., new DVC (of course); new busses and bus center at MK; Disney Springs; monorail upgrades; a second ferry dock at the TTC; monorail automated upgrade; refurbs everywhere; MK hub, moat and additional exit walkway, etc. The last project involving anything close to new rides was NFL. The next expansion, not slated for over 3 years, is Pandora and the expansion of African near the new FotLK.
Maybe after they have spent a certain amount on infrastructure, I am hoping that more ride expansion will happen. It is obvious to me that FW in EPCOT and DHS needs serious work. I have only been going to WDW since 2009 and even I can see that already. I have recently watched videos on YouTube about EPCOT in its prime (yes, I am turning into one of those weird Disney aficionados) and I can see how amazing it once was and the current opportunity that is lost - talk about a loss on investment with all of those empty or less than adequate pavilions. Each one should house a major E Ticket. By the way, there was a particularly good video about WDW that was hosted by John Lithgow that I recently saw. It's worth a watch.
For now, though, my family and I love going. Since we are still relative newbies to WDW, I don't grapple with feelings of nostalgia that others do when there favorite ride is removed or the building sits empty and unused. I also can't recall a time when one night at the Poly only cost $38 because I have been spending tons of money for each WDW world vacation I have taken so that is all I know. I wouldn't qualify myself as a pixie duster either because we always make time for Uni on these trips. And we will be spending more time there after this summer (for obvious reasons). I think that in the future we will be doing what other people do. Use our DVC as our base of operations for visiting Orlando and spend time at WDW, Uni, and maybe a beach or two…but most of our time will be spent at WDW.
