WDW losing it's magic??

[whendoweleave?]

We just came back from a trip, and it was AWESOME. I am definitely not in the mood to complain!

That said, I am one of those die-hards who remembers what Disneyworld used to be like. So maybe I notice things that other people wouldn't notice.

I'm going to use Splash Mountain as an example, but I could use any number of attractions and point out similar little things. We rode Splash a bunch of times and it was great, we thoroughly enjoyed it. But I did notice a few things... there is one scene where Briar Rabbit jumps along behind some bushes. This seems to rarely work and was not working on this day. It's not a big deal (and most people probably didn't notice) but I wonder, "Is it beyond the technological know-how of Disney to keep that rabbit hopping?" If you looked behind the bushes (as I did), you could see Briar Rabbit slumped over like he'd been shot. LOL.

At the beginning of the ride, there was chewing gum spit out all over along the sides of the ride. It looked almost like one person spit out their gum and then other people saw that and figured that's where their chewing gum should go! This isn't exactly Disney's fault but it made me wonder, "When was the last time Disney cleaned up this ride?"

Finally, at the end of the ride, after the big drop, there's a spot where you wait for the boats ahead of you to move forward to the big finale scene. On your right side, there is a small rectangular area with controls inside it that move I guess to control the flow of boats past this holding spot. When the ride was constructed, there was a nice grate covering this rectangle so you didn't see the controls moving. Not long after, the grate came off and was never replaced. It made me think that someone, at some point, said, "Oh, the heck with it... that's good enough." But that would never have been "good enough" back in the day...

None of these things ruined this attraction for me, but when I think back to the perfect condition Disney used to keep their attractions, these little nitpicks make me a little nostalgic I guess...

My suggestion is to e mail this to the address i gave above. They may not even know about the missing grate,or the bubble gum on the ride.
I also have noticed that Briar Rabbit often does not hop. It works only about 50% of the time. Im not willing to excuse them for this and everytime i ride it and its not working i add it to my letter. I suggest everyone do the same.

 

[Atomicmickey]

Whee, I'm getting used to this place, I'm using difficult to decipher acronyms!:sohappy:

I mean, sorry. I should have said "The Seas with Nemo and Friends".

There's an angler fish, that I guess jumps out at you on the end of
a robot arm. The arm isn't, or wasn't moving. This caused much
angst. My understanding is, it's working now. Hope to see it when
and if I go back this fall!

I promise I'll swear off the Acronyms. It is a fun game to puzzle over some of them. TTFN!

 

[whendoweleave?]

Whee, I'm getting used to this place, I'm using difficult to decipher acronyms!:sohappy:

I mean, sorry. I should have said "The Seas with Nemo and Friends".

There's an angler fish, that I guess jumps out at you on the end of
a robot arm. The arm isn't, or wasn't moving. This caused much
angst. My understanding is, it's working now. Hope to see it when
and if I go back this fall!

I promise I'll swear off the Acronyms. It is a fun game to puzzle over some of them. TTFN!

Thanks for the info. :wave:
Im a little slow on the acronyms but i can normally get them. I spent the better part of an hour trying to figure that one out.

 

[agent86]

Worry not.. We have just returned from 2 amazing weeks at WDW - we were there every day and had no issues re. maintenance, cleanliness etc. Infact, I would even say that things were much impoved! Loads of tarps up around Fantasyland - so there are tons of improvements going on.

The Cast Members were all superb, really positive and on top form too.

Can't wait to go again next year!

:animwink:

You sure you weren't actually in Universal and just thought you were in WDW? :lol:

 

[DisneyPrincess5]

It sounds like you wan to write a letter based on what you've read here, not what you have personally experinced. I would say that unless you personally have had a negative experince you might want to hold off on the letter.

Yes, exactly.
You can't make a judgment simply by reading this forum or any other online source, because although some sources are news and fact based, many are opinions.
You must experience Disney in 'real life' and make personal opinions and judgments from that.

 

[PBarton]

Whee, I'm getting used to this place, I'm using difficult to decipher acronyms!:sohappy:

I mean, sorry. I should have said "The Seas with Nemo and Friends".

There's an angler fish, that I guess jumps out at you on the end of
a robot arm. The arm isn't, or wasn't moving. This caused much
angst. My understanding is, it's working now. Hope to see it when
and if I go back this fall!

I promise I'll swear off the Acronyms. It is a fun game to puzzle over some of them. TTFN!

Correct, the Angler fish is working again - we saw it working every time we rode it..

 

[ZuzuPetals]

Expectations at Disney World are higher than any other vacation destination in the world. This is true for first time visitors as well as fanatics like us. It is a HUGE resort with lots of nooks and crannies. I think all things considered, WDW is in fantastic shape. While we may say "I remember what it USED to be like..." I have to wonder how truly loyal our memories from 10, 15, 20 years ago really are and how much attention we were paying to details back then, before websites such as this one. While I love these websites, I have to wonder how much they influence our attention to these details.

Disney is a business and like any other company, they are struggling right now. This probably means they are trying to cut back on hours and maybe a few corners are being cut. As long as it is mostly a clean, safe place to vacation I will be happy. If you spend all your time focused on these little details, you won't enjoy your vacation and what is the point? Don't sweat the small stuff :wave:

 

[agent86]

Expectations at Disney World are higher than any other vacation destination in the world. This is true for first time visitors as well as fanatics like us.

You say this as though it comes from some sort of quantifiable data, but it's really just your own opinion, isn't it? After, expectations are based on the individual, not the place. Everyone's expectations of WDW are going to be different for each individual.

I agree with your explanation that Disney is struggling right now just like every other business. But it's really just that...an explanation. And while it may be a legitimate one, it doesn't change the fact that WDW continues to decline in quality, innovation, originality and guest service.

 

[Monty]

You say this as though it comes from some sort of quantifiable data, but it's really just your own opinion, isn't it? After, expectations are based on the individual, not the place. Everyone's expectations of WDW are going to be different for each individual.

I agree with your explanation that Disney is struggling right now just like every other business. But it's really just that...an explanation. And while it may be a legitimate one, it doesn't change the fact that WDW continues to decline in quality, innovation, originality and guest service.

So his statement is just opinion, but yours are fact?

 

[MickeyDent]

I recently went to WDW w/ my daughter and, aside from a few things here and there, the PARK seemed to be just fine. What it looked like to me is the people were changing.

Maybe it was just the heat or the crowds, but it seemed like the guest were the ones who were kinda killing the magic...

Maybe WDW isn't losing it's magic after all. Maybe we, as a society, are becoming more cynical.

Just a thought.......

 

[agent86]

So his statement is just opinion, but yours are fact?

You're making an assumption based on misreading what I wrote in my post. I didn't make the claim that his was just his opinion. I asked him if it was just his opinion (hence the question mark...a little grammar lesson for you). I can back up my statements with examples. For instance, I stated there has been a decline in innovation. Can you dispute the claim that Disney has not been as innovative in recent years? Unless you consider yet another parade, fireworks show or character meet and greet to be "innovative". I stated there has been a decline in service. Note how common it has become to read threads and trip reports from people complaining about bad service they've received at WDW and compare that to, say, a couple of years ago. I stated there has been a decline in originality. When is the last time you can recall Disney creating something truly original and different? If someone posed that question 10 or 15 years ago, it would be easy to name lots of things. And lastly, I stated there has been a decline in quality. This is backed up by threads that people have posted that include photos of areas of the parks that are badly in need of repair. Unless you have a conspiracy theory and believe those photos were doctored in some way, it's difficult to dispute that evidence. Also, Disney has removed or shut down things and left nothing but empty structures remaining. Case in point, Pleasure Island and Downtown Disney. Compare that to just 5 years ago. How is that not a decline in quality?

In contrast, Zuzupetals stated,
"Expectations at Disney World are higher than any other vacation destination in the world. This is true for first time visitors as well as fanatics like us."

Unless this claim comes from some sort of survey or other credible source, then the question remains as to whether it is merely just his opinion being presented in an authoritative sounding way.

All that aside, I notice you seem to have difficulty resisting the temptation to follow me from thread to thread, commenting on my posts (rather than the topic being discussed), and then, ironically, portraying me as someone who "likes to argue". Why do you suppose that is? Bored perhaps? :hammer:Or are you just obsessed with me? :lol:

 

[Fun2BFree]

In contrast, Zuzupetals stated,
"Expectations at Disney World are higher than any other vacation destination in the world. This is true for first time visitors as well as fanatics like us."

Unless this claim comes from some sort of survey or other credible source, then the question remains as to whether it is merely just his opinion being presented in an authoritative sounding way.

Disney parks have set the standard in the theme-park industry -- they have a reputation for innovation, cleanliness and family-friendliness. People don't rage as much about Universal or SW in terms of upkeep or theming because their reputation isn't as high. Can you imagine the frothy-mouthed rage if Disney built an unthemed giant steel eyesore rollercoaster or launched an edgy teenage-orientated promotion? Disney has been put on a pedestal by its fans -- they expect better than any other theme-park because that's the standard that Disneyland and its successors set.

Maybe WDW isn't losing it's magic after all. Maybe we, as a society, are becoming more cynical.

Absolutely correct. Blame it on having a forum to air grievances, or behind-the-scenes website updates making the average fan better informed, but since the internet's growth, complaints has increased everywhere. This is by no means exclusive to Disney: whether it's video-games, the latest Hollywood blockbuster, politics or any aspect of life, everyone's complaining about one thing or another.

It's the same across the board. We're more knowledgeable, more cynical and more nostalgic than ever, and we have a forum to tell the whole world. The silent majority, who enjoy their WDW trips and don't notice the small things, is drowned out by the outraged sensationalistic cries of the few that see the small details and blow them out of all proportion. Before the internet, what did we know about park maintenance or litter on the street? I'm not denying the rampant homogenisation going on in food and merchandise, but it's very likely that not much has changed on Disney's side -- we've simply lost our innocence and began to notice.

 

[unkadug]

I recently went to WDW w/ my daughter and, aside from a few things here and there, the PARK seemed to be just fine. What it looked like to me is the people were changing.

Maybe it was just the heat or the crowds, but it seemed like the guest were the ones who were kinda killing the magic...

Maybe WDW isn't losing it's magic after all. Maybe we, as a society, are becoming more cynical.

Just a thought.......

Cynical, unappreciative and self absorbed.

 

[Montyboy]

So his statement is just opinion, but yours are fact?

Monty, what are you doing? Now we are going to get a dissertation that goes over every nuance of every word of the previous posts.

I'm sure it will be entertaining.

 

[agent86]

Disney parks have set the standard in the theme-park industry -- they have a reputation for innovation, cleanliness and family-friendliness. People don't rage as much about Universal or SW in terms of upkeep or theming because their reputation isn't as high. Can you imagine the frothy-mouthed rage if Disney built an unthemed giant steel eyesore rollercoaster or launched an edgy teenage-orientated promotion? Disney has been put on a pedestal by its fans -- they expect better than any other theme-park because that's the standard that Disneyland and its successors set.

I agree 100% that Disney has set the standard, and also that they have the reputation that you've described. For the record though (and unless I've misunderstood the point of this thread), we're not comparing Disney to other places. We're comparing Disney to itself. And unfortunately, Disney has let that reputation slip over the past several years and has not done a good job of protecting that reputation.

 

[Montyboy]

I stated there has been a decline in service. Note how common it has become to read threads and trip reports from people complaining about bad service they've received at WDW and compare that to, say, a couple of years ago...

Do you really think the number of complaining threads proves that service has slipped?
If you brought this to me in a report as anything other than an aside, I would laugh at you. You should know better than this.

 

[agent86]

Here's a thread I just now stumbled upon that is yet another example of what I referred to earlier. Note how many people have jumped on the OP's bandwagon...

http://forums.wdwmagic.com/showthread.php?t=448702

 

[sweetpee_1993]

Glad to see this thread. I need the contact info, too. Not going to air my "review" here but definitely have stuff to address to the powers-that-be. :animwink:

 

[agent86]

Do you really think the number of complaining threads proves that service has slipped?
If you brought this to me in a report as anything other than an aside, I would laugh at you. You should know better than this.

I guess it's lucky for most successful businesses that they don't have you working for them in a decision-making position then. "Laughing" at consumer feedback is not exactly the brightest business move for any organization.

 

[Montyboy]

I guess it's lucky for most successful businesses that they don't have you working for them in a decision-making position then. "Laughing" at consumer feedback is not exactly the brightest business move for any organization.

You can do better than this. Now pay attention.

I didn't say I would laugh at the feedback (that part I would listen to.) I said I would laugh at you for presenting the number of threads as proof.