When is enough enough?

[epcot2004]

I think we are on the verge of leaving Disney in our rear view mirror. It seems as though they really don't care about their core group of fans. The constant cutbacks and lack of detail as well as increasing prices are major factors. In addition we have grown weary or planning dinner reservations 180 days out and not FP+ 60 days in advance. The end of Off-Kilter's final performance complete with security on stage was the last straw. We do have a trip planned and are actually considering canceling it. I grew up on Disneyland and transitioned to WDW but I really think Walt would be troubled by the apparent disregard for what their core audience wants as evidenced by many posts on these forums. Yes, Off-Kilter was there for a long time but the show never got stale (Stitch anyone?). Now WS will have either no or inferior entertainment (they rarely make things better when cutting back) which is a major drawback for us. I do understand that they are a business and need to make money but the current leadership has lost sight (if they ever had it) and are turning the parks in to 'XYZ' Theme Park). They seem to be focused on the first timers and/or those who have no idea what used to be WDW. I am all for progress but they are progressing backwards in my opinion. Sorry for the rant but Disney has been a fixture for all of my memory but I do not think that are worthy of my money any longer. I welcome comments to snap me out of this viewpoint.

 

[Goofyernmost]

I think we are on the verge of leaving Disney in our rear view mirror. It seems as though they really don't care about their core group of fans. The constant cutbacks and lack of detail as well as increasing prices are major factors. In addition we have grown weary or planning dinner reservations 180 days out and not FP+ 60 days in advance. The end of Off-Kilter's final performance complete with security on stage was the last straw. We do have a trip planned and are actually considering canceling it. I grew up on Disneyland and transitioned to WDW but I really think Walt would be troubled by the apparent disregard for what their core audience wants as evidenced by many posts on these forums. Yes, Off-Kilter was there for a long time but the show never got stale (Stitch anyone?). Now WS will have either no or inferior entertainment (they rarely make things better when cutting back) which is a major drawback for us. I do understand that they are a business and need to make money but the current leadership has lost sight (if they ever had it) and are turning the parks in to 'XYZ' Theme Park). They seem to be focused on the first timers and/or those who have no idea what used to be WDW. I am all for progress but they are progressing backwards in my opinion. Sorry for the rant but Disney has been a fixture for all of my memory but I do not think that are worthy of my money any longer. I welcome comments to snap me out of this viewpoint.

I suspect that the security, on stage, was to protect them from that very fan base. The ones that will mob those folks to get autographs or objects, etc. It's to bad they are gone, but, I fail to see why having security there would be a problem.

 

[jakeman]

I think we are on the verge of leaving Disney in our rear view mirror. It seems as though they really don't care about their core group of fans. The constant cutbacks and lack of detail as well as increasing prices are major factors. In addition we have grown weary or planning dinner reservations 180 days out and not FP+ 60 days in advance. The end of Off-Kilter's final performance complete with security on stage was the last straw. We do have a trip planned and are actually considering canceling it. I grew up on Disneyland and transitioned to WDW but I really think Walt would be troubled by the apparent disregard for what their core audience wants as evidenced by many posts on these forums. Yes, Off-Kilter was there for a long time but the show never got stale (Stitch anyone?). Now WS will have either no or inferior entertainment (they rarely make things better when cutting back) which is a major drawback for us. I do understand that they are a business and need to make money but the current leadership has lost sight (if they ever had it) and are turning the parks in to 'XYZ' Theme Park). They seem to be focused on the first timers and/or those who have no idea what used to be WDW. I am all for progress but they are progressing backwards in my opinion. Sorry for the rant but Disney has been a fixture for all of my memory but I do not think that are worthy of my money any longer. I welcome comments to snap me out of this viewpoint.

When your perceive value of the product is less than the cost you pay you should stop purchasing the product. It's a personal decision as value is subjective.

 

[FutureCEO]

I agree Disney is becoming to the point of not being worth the price but as for security, well I think it was good for them to be there. No wants wants a mob out of control.

 

[Spike-in-Berlin]

The first time I thought about "enough is enough" was when I found out in 2012 that TDO introduced a new air conditioning policy! Ever recognized that even during hot summer months the AC in many shops and restaurants is so weak that it is much hotter than it used to be in the past? That you sometimes are sweating while you are ON an indoor-ride? Since I found out about this scandal, that TDO is even too greedy to give their guests adequate air conditioning any longer I decided that I will NEVER go to the World again between early May and late October. I could stand the heat of the summer because I could always cool down in some giftshops or eateries but now not even they guarantee a refuge from the searing Florida summer heat.
Soon I will go to DL for the first time. If I like it more than WDW, WDW won't see me again for years to come.

 

[DVCOwner]

If you do not feel Disney is worth the price, please stop going. Still I think you are really looking hard for something to complain about. Security for the band that was having fans already getting onto the stage as they were leaving had to be done. I think that I have heard so much in the last few years about "lack of details", but then I read why did they spend so much making the Tangle Bathroom Area so detailed. I think that several of the projects underway right now seem to show that Disney as turned the around and is doing something to upgrade the parks. Weather you like the projects or not, attention to detail seems to be back. The work on the Magic Kingdom HUB is showing a great deal of detail in the work and everything I have seen at Disney Springs is great. The new show area for the Circle of Life show is first class. I think things are getting better and once again am glad Disney provide security to protect the band when leaving the stage. If you saw in the video, you can see what looks like a band member thanking one of the security officers.

 

[wendysue]

I agree with the poster's view of the out of control technology aspect...having to book so far in advance and not being able to just be spontaneous. We too, have decided that our upcoming trip will be the last. We already had tickets bought in advance so decided to use them and be done. We plan on thoroughly enjoying our trip, and will also visit UNI to see if that might be a future destination instead, but they usually end of copying Disney in the technology dept. We just want to go somewhere that we don't have to constantly check to see if we can ride this, or eat there, only to find out it was booked solid months ago. (Don't have smart phones, and don't plan on getting them) Not trying to be negative, just understanding the OP's view.

 

[Walt Disney1955]

It happens. I have to wonder if I should keep my NFL Package on my cable. Is it worth it? I still think it is. It's a luxury, just like a Disney trip. We can survive without sports or Disney in our lifetime. So like others have said, if you feel you aren't getting your bang for your buck, don't go. I won't convince you to snap out of it, you work hard for your money.

I'll say this, I think I'd miss the mere prospect of going to Disney. I think if I were at a Six Flags park and vowed to never go to Disney I would find myself realizing what a real mediocre park is like.

 

[Gig 'Em Mickey]

I don't think you understand who the core audience of the parks is. As much as we would all like to think that it's us, it isn't. I don't disagree with any your opinions though.

 

[yaksplat]

I was reading these forums before my last trip and it was making me nervous. Did things go downhill at WDW? Was everything that people on these board were saying true? Were my kids going to even enjoy themselves?

Every complaint on this board should be taken with a grain of salt. We had a wonderful trip. Everything was as good as it always has been. I wish certain things were still open that were many years ago. *cough* penny arcade *cough* But it's still a magical place. I'd love it if several hundred thousand decided that it was no longer worth it to go. Maybe then the crowds would become more reasonable.

New fantasy land is a wonderful area. The detail is amazing. I love the tangled bathroom area, they did an amazing job with it. It's my favorite place to sit down and watch people and relax.

I believe that some people think that WDW owes them something, have unrealistically high expectations, and nothing is ever good enough.

 

[dreynolds1982]

I started writing a huge response but realizing it was turning into a book ha let me just say, I am a lifelong Disney fan and grew up going to WDW quite a bit. Since college, I've worked in both the front lines (Tower and Coaster retail) and corporate (group and convention marketing) side of WDW. I've seen WDW grow and change a lot over the years, some for the better, some for the worst. I'm also an avid amusement/theme park enthusiast in general and have visited dozens of them across the country, big and small. While there are always improvements that should be made, and some things need a good deal of work, in my opinion, Disney is still head and shoulders ahead of every other park that I've ever been to at least.

Also, something to keep in mind, as casual visitors, we really aren't WDW's target audience. WDW is the #1 tourist destination in the world. Things like MM+, FP+, MDE etc. are just a side-effect of WDW's growth over the years. WDW isn't the same place it was 20 years ago. It isn't the same place we all grew up to and fell in love with. And it won't be the same place 20 years from now. That all being said, I don't see that as a bad thing (especially as a Disney stockholder hehe), but it certainly can be difficult.

One thing to remember as things change, when you say Walt wouldn't like this or that, he as an idealist for sure, but he was also a visionary. Just look at his original plans for E.P.C.O.T. I think this quote of his says it all:

"Times and conditions change so rapidly that we must keep our aim constantly focused on the future."

 

[Britt]

(((Hugs)))

It's so hard when you start falling out of love with something like Disney!

I'm also having this struggle! My husband and I are taking a 10 year anniversary trip and Disney was both of our first choices! And when we priced it out...we realized how much more for the money we could get by going somewhere else!

So I think disney may be off our list for now, until some big changes are made!

 

[Mawg]

It's Disneyland for us in 2015. I'd rather wait and go to WDW in 3 to 4 years once there's some new stuff to see.

 

[flynnibus]

It's simple.. if it doesn't meet your needs.. don't go.

Stop trying to love it like a partner and see it for what it is... entertainment you paid for. If it's no good, stop paying for it.

I'm paying for a cruise next month... because they give me what we are looking for in entertainment and vacation. I didn't have send WDW a 'dear john' letter and neither should you.

 

[epcotisbest]

(((Hugs)))

It's so hard when you start falling out of love with something like Disney!

I'm also having this struggle! My husband and I are taking a 10 year anniversary trip and Disney was both of our first choices! And when we priced it out...we realized how much more for the money we could get by going somewhere else!

So I think disney may be off our list for now, until some big changes are made!

Gotta agree. We just got back from a week at AKL Kidani and with all the magicband, FP nonsense and construction etc... We are considering taking a two or three year break, except for the Princess half-marathon in Feb. that my wife does every year. But, that is a girls only long weekend in which they may or may not do anything other than running, resort hopping and pool lounging.

 

[epcotisbest]

It's simple.. if it doesn't meet your needs.. don't go.

Stop trying to love it like a partner and see it for what it is... entertainment you paid for. If it's no good, stop paying for it.

I'm paying for a cruise next month... because they give me what we are looking for in entertainment and vacation. I didn't have send WDW a 'dear john' letter and neither should you.

Not quite so simple if you have gone one to three times per year for the last 30 plus years. Some traditions are hard to give up. I used to go to every Georgia Bulldogs home game, but now would rather just watch it from home. Yes, I miss the excitement of being there, but don't miss the weather, loud obnoxious drunks cursing refs 50 yards away who will never hear them no matter how loudly they scream, and most importantly, no one has ever spilled a beer on me at my house.

 

[flynnibus]

Not quite so simple if you have gone one to three times per year for the last 30 plus years. Some traditions are hard to give up.

So like your own example... try something else instead of doing what you think you are 'supposed to do' and see what you end up with.

I took the wife to DL for our anniversary because I wanted to exposure her to that.. wasn't quite what she thought of a Disney getaway. I finally booked her a cruise a few years ago and she's in love. To me it reminds me of Disney service as it used to be. So we've been doing that. In Nov I have a few days and we are trying Discovery Cove.

You'll never know if you don't try. Don't forget you don't owe Disney anything.

 

[DManRightHere]

Do it. Leave!

 

[THEMEPARKPIONEER]

If I win the lottery I will build an expo just like Epcot, I will hire off kilter, World Showcase players, anyone else who left and adopt Maelstrom. Of course everything has to be named different for copyright reasons but it will be like the 80's all over again. I'm surprised no one has ever done that yet.

 

[EOD K9]

(((Hugs)))

It's so hard when you start falling out of love with something like Disney!

I'm also having this struggle! My husband and I are taking a 10 year anniversary trip and Disney was both of our first choices! And when we priced it out...we realized how much more for the money we could get by going somewhere else!

So I think disney may be off our list for now, until some big changes are made!

Britt my Dear, try DCL or DL. I think you and your family would have a wonderful time.