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View Full Version : December Trip Report (Finally!) PT 5


yepod
02-04-2002, 06:07 AM
Conclusion & observations

General
We are huge Disney fans but we still are aware of the Disney ˇĄdark sideˇ¦ & will tell it like it is! Hope the truth offends no one! I believe in reading the Unofficial Guide to WDW, Birnbaums Official Guide & the DIS. In other words I feel you need to be aware of the good, the bad, & the ugly in regard to the truth about Disney. We are HUGE supporters of the CMs as they are the biggest assets to the Disney MAGIC (I canˇ¦t emphasize this enough!) Also, I am a big advocate for buying everything separately, as resort packages are overpriced for what you get.

GOOD
- Cast Members, Cast Members, Cast Members. I know I canˇ¦t put them on a par with the rescue workers of 9/11 but they are high on my list of persevering in the face of a serious challenge.
- Transportation Buses & Monorail
- New parades & 100 years of Magic attractions
- New attractions like the 2 new spin rides that my DD loves. My DW commented on how long it took Disney to expand the market on the ever-popular Dumbo ride!
- Mousekeeping with their scenarios with the stuffed toys
- DDs reactions to the Magic!
- Great weather
- Low crowds

BAD
Unacceptable
- Dirty bathrooms ˇV Not only did we notice this but we had CMs comment to us on their disgust (& bruised pride)!
- Cut backs ˇV Evident in understaffing of most everything except transportation. Noticed several rides with only one CM running the whole ride resulting in poor cueing. In Fantasyland I noticed a line of baby strollers straight out from one ride & on opposite side of street a line of guests resulting in no where to walk through at. When I asked a CM about the problem they informed me that it was the part time CMs that used to help with the rides.
- Poor cross training - CMs were disoriented & not trained as the result of being relocated or as a result of sudden schedule changes. I am all for Disney trying to save the CMs there jobs but what happened to that excellent training & scheduling that we grew to appreciate with Disney?
Disappointing
- Gum on streets & walks - Not a big deal to me but it shows how Disney is slipping.
- Construction - Out in the open during daylight hours with little or no facade to hide it. You see this everywhere else but Iˇ¦ve never seen this at Disney before.
- Maintenance - Tree trimming & painting during the day.



- Despite what some might say is a mixed report, weˇ¦re going back in October to hopefully see the Not So Scary Halloween party. We will be doing Universal for a couple days of our week (weˇ¦ve never even considered this before in our 5 visits to Florida).
- We will NOT be staying on property as we feel some of the magic has left there.
- I still think the Disney Club & our annual passes are good money savers.

WE STILL APPRECIATE THE DISNEY MAGIC!

Marla Hellwig
02-04-2002, 07:24 AM
Thanks for posting your observations. You had a nice trip. Thanks for posting!

Annie&Hallie'sMom
02-04-2002, 10:25 AM
Thanks for the very honest comments on your trip.

I have to say that I agree with you. I LOVE WDW and I think the CMs are the greatest. But over the past year or so, I've noticed the slipping like you did. It's really a shame. But as you said, it won't stop me from going back again!

Poohshoney
06-24-2002, 02:35 AM
I hope all the bad points have cleared up before you go in October. I'll be watching for your report!:wave:

vald1977
06-24-2002, 11:27 AM
Thanks for taking the time to post your report :D ! I am looking forward to hearing your observations after your October trip. Hopefully, you will find things much improved. Please post a trip report and let us all know what you thought of wdw, MNSSHP, and Universal. Have a great trip :) !