Unmagical Day at the Magic Kingdom

[psukardi]

If this was the first time the OP had ever been to the park and toned down the rhetoric I would have had some sympathy. However, when a claim of going to the park more than 2x & in this case 20 all sympathy goes out the door.

Listen, if you want a nice chill holiday where you don't have to plan or do any research - go to the beach or go on a cruise. However, if you're going to see the mouse you have to be prepared. Do I like the fact that I have to come up with a meal plan 6 months out, not knowing if that's the day I'll really be in the mood for Italian or French or just maybe would rather skip Dinner and go to a bar & have a few drinks? No. But I know that's how the game is played.

At first I thought OP was trolling; however, now that it's been verified that this has been posted to numerous sites - I don't think that's the case. And that's a shame

 

[mousehockey37]

Moral of the story must be this:

Unless you're really good at hiding the surprise (and can do ADRs and FP+ and keep it secret), don't do impromptu trips to WDW.. LOL

There are just too many people that expect to have the "perfect" vacation when there is no such thing.

 

[Crafty]

Unfortunately the vacation experience at WDW has changed out of all recognition in the last few years. Without a lot of advance planning a really bad time is almost guaranteed.

The ADRs place pressure on a family to get somewhere at a certain time as do the fast passes.

In the early 90s when we went to WDW with our small daughter, it was possible to walk up to a table service restaurant and be seated with a short wait. The characters were out in public and if you couldn't get an autograph, at least you could see the characters. Everyone waited in line. Now that seems like a fairy tale.

We have adapted to most of these changes because we have gone to WDW over the years. People like the OP who have not gone in a while are in for a rude shock if they haven't done research. I sympathize with the OP because I believe she was genuinely shocked by all the changes and because the parks are now so expensive.

 

[Master Yoda]

Unfortunately the vacation experience at WDW has changed out of all recognition in the last few years. Without a lot of advance planning a really bad time is almost guaranteed.

The ADRs place pressure on a family to get somewhere at a certain time as do the fast passes.

In the early 90s when we went to WDW with our small daughter, it was possible to walk up to a table service restaurant and be seated with a short wait. The characters were out in public and if you couldn't get an autograph, at least you could see the characters. Everyone waited in line. Now that seems like a fairy tale.

We have adapted to most of these changes because we have gone to WDW over the years. People like the OP who have not gone in a while are in for a rude shock if they haven't done research. I sympathize with the OP because I believe she was genuinely shocked by all the changes and because the parks are now so expensive.

Everything the OP mentioned have been in place since the OP's reported last trip in 2010. The trip from the TTC to MK has been a fact of Disney life since 1971. The only thing really new would have been the Magic Bands and I do not recall her even mentioning them.

 

[Mr.Skunkape]

Norway Troll by Mr.Skunkape, on Flickr

Just another Troll

 

[baskinthemagic]

My children, the Queen of Sheba and Little Lord Fauntleroy, were not allowed to pilot the Liberty Belle, walk the track of Space Mountain, feed the goat at the top of Big Thunder Mountain, or get room-service and take a nap in the Cinderella Castle Suite. They cried and cried until I left and got them a Grand Slam breakfast.

 

[Dog Ate Mouse]

To much energy being spent on this post. I think every one has pointed out the issues and feel it's time to just close this thread and move on. There are a ton more things of value to discuss and enjoy.

 

[Avenger117]

I didn't read all the other posts, but this was entertaining. The entitlement and the "prince and princess"...this is how the world ends up with Justin Bieber.

By the way, I'm sad to hear that any Disney CM's were rude to a guest, that's not really happened to me. I do understand why they are a bit protective of the seats though, I always go to Cosmic Ray's when I'm at MK and I HATE getting my food and going to watch Sonny Eclipse just to find tons of people not eating just hanging out and taking up tables. So it is hard to police that while still letting guests sit that are in the process of purchasing food.

One thing that I can sympathize with is the construction. I'm pretty bummed about an empty castle moat, hub construction, and Poly lobby construction when we go. At the same time, I'm happy that they are keeping the parks up to date.

 

[mousehockey37]

By the way, I'm sad to hear that any Disney CM's were rude to a guest, that's not really happened to me. I do understand why they are a bit protective of the seats though, I always go to Cosmic Ray's when I'm at MK and I HATE getting my food and going to watch Sonny Eclipse just to find tons of people not eating just hanging out and taking up tables. So it is hard to police that while still letting guests sit that are in the process of purchasing food.

They probably were not as rude as it was made out to be. Just like the CMs that made the little princess cry at the castle when they wouldn't say anything about Cinderella. Sure, are there occasions where you get a somewhat disgruntled CM, sure, it happens, no one is perfect, but perception is very easily skewed when you don't get the answer that you're looking for.

 

[marni1971]

Shall we use a shorthand version of the ops name to refer to them?

Like.... 101??

 

[eliz603]

As others have mentioned, the OP has posted this around the Internet, including a similar forum. She has come back and retorted, as well as her husband (I'm assuming, it could be the OP using another name, but the ISP address was the same). Not sure why they haven't done the same here, honestly.

Watching this unfold today has been interesting.

She lost me almost immediately - no one comes that many times and doesn't know you don't park directly at the MK and that you don't tour the castle.

 

[Master Yoda]

As others have mentioned, the OP has posted this around the Internet, including a similar forum. She has come back and retorted, as well as her husband (I'm assuming, it could be the OP using another name, but the ISP address was the same). Not sure why they haven't done the same here, honestly.

Watching this unfold today has been interesting.

She lost me almost immediately - no one comes that many times and doesn't know you don't park directly at the MK and that you don't tour the castle.

Do you have a link to the retorts?

 

[eliz603]

Do you have a link to the retorts?

Can I post a link to another Disney msg board?

 

[LucyK]

Ah, the smell of troll in the morning... the whole post reminds me of similar posts made by everyone at that forum who shall not be named.

Welcome Katibug101, I hope you brought some parfum with you to mask that troll smell

 

[Master Yoda]

Can I post a link to another Disney msg board?

Yes. It it is a forbidden site the link will simply not come through.

 

[George]

I agree with the OP. If I may add, my last trip was very unmagical too since the laser fight in the gigantic magic golf ball was turned off.

 

[Figaro928]

" No McDonald's french fries - sucks"

My day = complete

 

[eliz603]

I want to know what the OP was trying to accomplish by going on planning sites and complaining about how her day was horrible mainly because they didn't plan. It's not a cautionary tale. It's not even a horrible day tale because that would mean something had would have to happen, like receiving undercooked food or being stuck on a ride for 2 hours. I'm not above placing blame on Disney when it's due, but the fact the OP didn't know how to meet Cinderella or that ADRs require a CC to hold it isn't Disney making a royal customer service screw up. Were they really thinking they'd garner sympathy due to lack of planning?

 

[FettFan]

You lost me when you repeatedly referred to your children as princesses and prince.

To be fair... Maybe she gave birth to a litter of Yorkies?

 

[mousehockey37]

I want to know what the OP was trying to accomplish by going on planning sites and complaining about how her day was horrible mainly because they didn't plan. It's not a cautionary tale. It's not even a horrible day tale because that would mean something had would have to happen, like receiving undercooked food or being stuck on a ride for 2 hours. I'm not above placing blame on Disney when it's due, but the fact the OP didn't know how to meet Cinderella or that ADRs require a CC to hold it isn't Disney making a royal customer service screw up. Were they really thinking they'd garner sympathy due to lack of planning?

Don't forget that those mean CMs made her little princess cry because, gasp, they wouldn't march her to the front of the line wherever Cinderella was so she could meet her.