Pumbas Nakasak
Heading for the great escape.
Always rent a car, saves running the risk of being stuck next to one of the weirdos you see roaming the parks.
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Wdw Beachclub- what has gone wrong with Disney??
- Thread starter Groupsure
- Start date
flynnibus
Premium Member
Ok, I think it's 'reasonable' for Disney to do better at it's transportation network than a public transportation system of a much bigger city with much greater variety. Instead, Disney with less routes, more predictable behaviors, and a closed system with almost no competition does WORSE than the public transportation network.
What happened to "the Disney Difference"?
The bus I commute on arrives every 12 minutes all day long and every 20 minutes on weekends. The bus has real time ETA status boards at each stop. They have a mobile app showing all routes, schedules, and real time ETAs for the next bus to your stop. It has a trip planner to tell you what mode of transportation and what routes are most effective to get from any two points.. and is integrated with google maps. And the bus is clean and reliable. The transportation system has buses, interzone buses, light rail, subways, and boats... all interconnected in one system
So to think an expectation of a closed loop system like Disney having 30minute waits, and none of the value added features... no I don't think that is 'reasonable' nor good enough for a premium product like Disney selling the service as a 'perk'
psukardi
Well-Known Member
You should count your blessing that you don't live in the DC/METRO Area. Buses that don't show up or mysteriously vanish from the app. Trains that are packed to the gills and running on their own mysterious schedule and every 30+ minutes on the weekends.
flynnibus
Premium Member
Actually I do live in the DC/Metro area but that wasn't the system I was referring to because that's not the one I use when I have to commute
I don't commute when at home.. but when working abroad.But again, just because there is something worse out there, and Disney is better than the worst.. why is that an acceptable standard?
Disney built it's empire by being above and beyond... not by being ranked #199 out of 200
DC Metro buses are the typical urban bus system that creates the stigma against public transit in the US. Slow, unreliable, dirty, and used by the 'less desirables'. That's a US city problem.. it's not like that everywhere.
jaklgreen
Well-Known Member
Years ago the busses were more frequent. Now it is a crap shoot when they are going to arrive. But the increase in the amount of ECVs that they have to load and unload has sky rocketed and I do not think that they have compensated for it. I still use the busses because we are on vacation and do not rush around but I have noticed a difference.
psukardi
Well-Known Member
Which is why I probably don't complain about Disney. The bar is set so low for me that I don't know any better.
flynnibus
Premium Member
Well.. I would look at this way. Disney sold you on transportation provided.. not necessarily a bus network. So I would be measuring it against the level of service disney promotes it as.
And from Disney's own website
"
How It Works
- Stop by one of the convenient and well-marked pick-up points at your hotel—and throughout Walt Disney World Resort—and, usually within minutes, your ride will arrive ready to transport you throughout the Resort. Keep in mind that certain destinations are not direct, and that you may be required to take a connecting mode of transport to reach your required stop."
And if I paid $400 to stay in animal kingdom and you provide me 'urban city bus service' - then I'd consider it a penalty, not 'good enough'
psukardi
Well-Known Member
You're right Disney did sell me on the transportation provided and by their own website are failing to meet their objectives. At the end of the day, they could do better and should do better. I don't know if their routes are pre-determined, if they are dispatched as the day goes on or how it works. However, using some newer technology they could probably improve their metrics without increasing the number of drivers
Been home 2 weeks and NO satisfaction survey for the first time ever from Disney. This has cemented my experiences that standards have slipped. We as a family for the first time in 20 years have decided to call it quits with WDW. The standards we use to enjoy are gone, prices have sky rocketed ($30 dollar t shirts...c'mon Disney! And Pin prices! No wonder no one wears them anymore...they are a joke)
In short, 40 min bus waits for our 86 year old mother in A wheelchair. Family birthday at the resort totally ignored. Wrist bands failing everytime at the gates plus never working throughout our stay for charging despite repeated attempts by staff to correct...poor value low quality catering on club level...the list this time is too big to ignore. I never thought to see this day but it is reality...a formerly devoted family customer lost.
In short, 40 min bus waits for our 86 year old mother in A wheelchair. Family birthday at the resort totally ignored. Wrist bands failing everytime at the gates plus never working throughout our stay for charging despite repeated attempts by staff to correct...poor value low quality catering on club level...the list this time is too big to ignore. I never thought to see this day but it is reality...a formerly devoted family customer lost.
disney4life2008
Well-Known Member
Please do not take what I am about to say as I am laughing at you - because I agree 100% with what you said.
I do not understand why people stay at these expensive disney resorts and nearly every post I have read from the moderates to the grand people have complained about slow bus service. I understand the MK resorts being on the monorail but that to 2 parks and its shared. The bus service is no better from what I hear going to the other parks. I have heard horror stories at Caribbean beach and POFQ.
With that said - I always stay at Sports for less than $80/night with my discount (if its more I do not go). And I have never experienced poor transportation. Even sharing the bus with 2 other resorts (which does not happen all the time) I have never had a problem. Its just comical that people stay at expensive places then have terrible bus service.
I do not understand why people stay at these expensive disney resorts and nearly every post I have read from the moderates to the grand people have complained about slow bus service. I understand the MK resorts being on the monorail but that to 2 parks and its shared. The bus service is no better from what I hear going to the other parks. I have heard horror stories at Caribbean beach and POFQ.
With that said - I always stay at Sports for less than $80/night with my discount (if its more I do not go). And I have never experienced poor transportation. Even sharing the bus with 2 other resorts (which does not happen all the time) I have never had a problem. Its just comical that people stay at expensive places then have terrible bus service.
psukardi
Well-Known Member
1. If you have issues with them, you should have raised them with a CM during your stay. Something as simple as going to the lobby & asking to speak with someone from Guest Relations could have helped put things back on track.
1A. If you haven't received a survey - send them an e-mail. They do read & answer & follow up. I've sent one scathing e-mail and one e-mail where it was all cheers. Both resulted in e-mail & phone follow-up.
2. A 40 minute bus wait is bad. However, was it 40 minutes every single time? Never once was one quicker than 40 minutes? I'd find it a bit hard to believe, but anything is possible.
3. The prices for everything have skyrocketed. A simple men's graphic tee [http://www.express.com/clothing/graphic+tee+to+exp+95/pro/2675308/cat1002] runs $30 or more [http://www.gap.com/products/coca-cola-t-shirt-P981421.jsp?pid=981421002&vid=1]
3. Family Birthday- Did you make a note of it on your reservation? Even if you did, I don't believe they're under obligation to go out and bring out the balloons and confetti for grandma. There are a lot of special unique snowflakes celebrating something every day.
4. Wristbands? That's odd - I've used them a few times now and the only issue I ever had was one time it didn't scan, but it was placement on the door & it only happened once.
5 Low quality catering on club level? What didn't you like? Food? Drink? Snack? There needs to be more detail.
disney4life2008
Well-Known Member
Your best best would be to contact guest relations. But it seems even that only goes so far now. It is not much they can change with transportation unless the director of transportation changes something.
surfsupdon
Well-Known Member
I have not gotten one yet either, and I've been home for 3 weeks. I'm waiting for one, b/c I want to cheer the Typhoon Lagoon Surf School and diss the AKL.
- drinks wise club level could not be faulted..foodwise...repetitive, low quality compared to other hotel chains concierge catering. They need to visit competitors to see where the standard is. A drinks machine out of action for 5 days? Unacceptable. Same food served every other day..unacceptable. Some items not replenished for considerable periods so guests went without.A serving area not big enough to cater for more than 3 adults a time, climbing over each other to reach items..i could go on and on! And don't think it was just us dissatisfied, we overheard numerous complaints about it...so again, Disney is WELL aware it was failing there.
They used to send them...but things have changed...Oh Boy have they
psukardi
Well-Known Member
Did the time of your arrival impact it or did you go at different times? I've noticed that in the mornings the service was better than it was at night.
rob0519
Well-Known Member
For everyone complaining about high prices and low quality the answer is simple: stop going to WDW. It's quite obvious the overall quality we previously enjoyed is gone, most likely for good. Vote with your wallets and stay away instead of giving them more money a n.a. d coming online to complain. Take a DCL cruise instead.
durangojim
Well-Known Member
I agree completely about DCL. the way I'd describe it is DCL is what the quality of the GF used to be 15 years ago. We're cruising more now and found WDW less.
flynnibus
Premium Member
what about us that have spoken with our wallets?
Last park trip was to DL.. and we'll have two cruises in before we even consider another park visit. Minus.. the two trips to Universal that will have happened in there too...