What Kind of experience do you expect when you go to Disney

POLY LOVER

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
there have been many discussions about expecting to much, getting to little, my service was great, my service wasn't so good. What do you expect from Disney when you go
Do we expect too much from Disney? i'm most interested if there is a different expectation between first time visitors and the veterans of Disney?
 
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fireworksandfairytales

Well-Known Member
In the Parks
No
When I go to Disney, I expect a seamlessly magical experience and a higher standard of excellence than I expect from any other vacation destination.
I expect cast members to be friendly (though I understand people have bad days and as long as a CM isn't unacceptably rude I wouldn't complain about it) and to acknowledge birthdays/special events. I expect a clean resort room and if there are any issues with things in my room that they be fixed promptly (broken toilet, tv not working, etc.). I expect for cast members to maintain the integrity of the "show" (my past two trips I've seen cast members walking in lands where they don't belong in costume, like a frontierland CM in tomrrowland, which to me is unacceptable. Walt made utilidors for a reason). I expect high quality attractions and experiences that make the price of admission worth it. And, most of the time, Disney meets my expectations.
For the majority of us, I don't believe we expect too much out of Disney, because the fact is that the expectations that we have (or at least that I have) come from previous experiences. And if we've already experienced it, then it means Disney is capable of meeting, if not exceeding, those expectations. I don't have such high expectations of Universal or SeaWorld, because I've never had such incredible experiences or wonderful guest service at those parks. :)
 

StephK

Well-Known Member
I have only been once and will go back in a couple of weeks & I expect the very best! Disney is all about immersing yourself wholly in your holiday. They advertise the whole package, the ultimate vacation experience! and we definitely pay $$ for it. So i feel as though after the months of planning and waiting that we deserve the greatest service available
 

StephK

Well-Known Member
I have only been once and will go back in a couple of weeks & I expect the very best! Disney is all about immersing yourself wholly in your holiday. They advertise the whole package, the ultimate vacation experience! and we definitely pay $$ for it. So i feel as though after the months of planning and waiting that we deserve the greatest service available
 

jonesenon4

Active Member
when we go to disney we expect nothing but a total escape from reality.we go to enjoy the atmosphere we do not look for or worry about what effect is not working.the cast members have always been courteous the parks are clean the rides are fun.when you go with expectations you are setting yourself up for a let down.we have been to disney around 100 time so i do feel safe commenting on this and will be returning in 3 days.
 

rkelly42

Well-Known Member
I expect to have a magical vacation, but that's on us. For the most part it is what you make out of your trip. Can you still have a great vacation when it's crowded or when you have run into a couple of not so magical cm's or guests. I try to put the little things behind me and keep a positive attitude and make it a special time for my family.
 

JIMINYCR

Well-Known Member
I expect to receive everything Disney promises me in their advertisements that I've paid for. Top quality resorts, restaurants and parks that are enjoyable and safe for my family. A variety of attractions, events, and experiences that provide pleasurable entertainment throughout the time I'm on property.
 

weird

Member
I expect to have fun with my family when ever we are able to go to Disney. Whether or not it is crowded, raining, we always have fun. Just this past trip, it poured several times while we were there. We just put on our ponchos and started splashing each other by jumping in the huge puddles.
 

POLY LOVER

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
I expect to have fun with my family when ever we are able to go to Disney. Whether or not it is crowded, raining, we always have fun. Just this past trip, it poured several times while we were there. We just put on our ponchos and started splashing each other by jumping in the huge puddles.

the question is, Did Disney meet your expectations.
 

DManRightHere

Well-Known Member
I expect clean, courteous, great attractions, prompt service (where applicable), nice details (park decor, resorts). About the same I expect of anywhere, except details. Anything beyond this is bonus.

Yes, a lot of people expect too much. I really enjoy just seeing the overall design of WDW. Architecture, the bubble, food choices, fireworks, films and rides we grew up with. Star wars helps too.
 

ShoalFox

Well-Known Member
In the Parks
Yes
The greatest amusement park experience on Earth. Nothing more, nothing less. I expect it to put other theme parks to shame with how much better it is.
 

Ben_since_1971

Well-Known Member
the question is, Did Disney meet your expectations.

Always. You can put a big 'ditto' next to just about every other answer here for me and absolutely does Disney live up to my expectations.

Has it been perfect all the time? No. But I realize that CMs are human, and the rare negative experiences make me appreciate the positive ones all the more. But I never expect perfection. I expect a magical place, that despite the thousands of changes over the years, is still the same place I remember since I first visited as a child more than 40 years ago. I expect that I will be creating new memories, and reliving old ones. I expect an escape from the outside world, and I get it.
 

SteamboatStitch

Active Member
From the establishments (the parks, resorts, etc.) I expect cleanliness, especially in the rooms if I am staying on site. No need to get overly crazy, I don't care about every spill or dropped item, but if the parks look like a dump or if the resort rooms feel like a rundown Motel 6, we have issues.

From the staff, I expect courtesy that should be expected of anyone in a position that has to interact with people on a daily basis, but I'm also realistic. Friendly greetings, please and thank you's, perhaps a smile if it wouldn't hurt too much. They aren't exactly being paid buckets so they shouldn't ever have to dance like a monkey just 'cus a random guest tells them to like some expect.

I don't expect anything out of other guests because that's just asking to be disappointed.

As for whether or not these expectations are met, there are always brief forgettable exceptions, but in the majority, they are. My cases of meeting rude or dismissive CMs are few and far between, enough to count on one hand, which is impressive given the number you encounter on one trip let alone the amount of times I've gone. The cleanliness has never been that big of a problem to me, though I have noticed a decline in recent years in regards to the parks keeping control of the litter.
 

POLY LOVER

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
reading the thread seems like some folks are expecting less and that's OK with them. Kind of surprising a change since the days of the be our guest promotion.
I was always amazed at the top notch service and my wife and I would always say that's why we came to Disney as opposed to some other vacation site. My experience has always been good so far. There have been changes that I do notice but I guess we have to accept it.
 

Chef Mickey

Well-Known Member
You always have to have realistic expectations. That is the number 1 thing.

Weather isn't going to be perfect. Cast members won't be perfect. Crowds could be an issue at times. Food may not be up to par. A drink may be flat.

However, these things will never ruin a trip unless you allow it to ruin your trip.

I expect:
  • To be treated with respect by Disney employees.
  • My room to be clean.
  • The parks to be clean (within reason).
  • A majority of attractions to be open.
  • Any reasonable issue I have to be dealt with fairly - This is a key when something goes wrong. They always try to make it right if you're reasonable.
I don't expect:
  • Perfect or even good weather
  • Perfect ride performance
  • Perfectly unobstructed views at shows, parades, and fireworks.
  • Food to be unbelievable no matter where I eat.
  • That planning isn't necessary or that I can "wing" it.
 

jloucks

Well-Known Member
there have been many discussions about expecting to much, getting to little, my service was great, my service wasn't so good. What do you expect from Disney when you go
Do we expect too much from Disney? i'm most interested if there is a different expectation between first time visitors and the veterans of Disney?

As a vacationer that has been to WDW several times, I know what to expect. I don't particularly like some of what I get.

I have trouble seeing the rational behind having ultra deluxe resorts, and then pairing that experience with a cattle-car style busing system and jam packed parks. There needs to be a complete luxury package available somehow. It would be pretty easy to do. Several weeks a year triple admission price and lease coach buses. You might not even have to lease buses if you cut attendance in half via increased ticket prices. You would not have to increase resort prices except for the value resorts. Double those prices. ...still keep them somewhat affordable. The whole point is not to gouge so much as reduce by half the number of people in the parks. Whatever that formula would be.

I would gladly pay the extra costs associated with not being pressed up against other people quite so tightly for a week.
 

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