How the uninformed views a deluxe

siskaren · Feb 26, 2015

sukhakuli said:
It sounds like they are from overseas and there was some cultural disconnect. I remember watching a British family try to get ketchup for about 10 mins at Pizza Planet because they kept calling it tomato sauce and the kid behind the counter didn't have a clue what they wanted.

I didn't really pay attention to this at first, but why would they have wanted ketchup at a place that sells pizza? I checked the menu at allears.net, and they don't sell anything like burgers or fries that you would typically put ketchup on. Or is ketchup on pizza a British thing?

SillySallySews · Feb 26, 2015

siskaren said:
I didn't really pay attention to this at first, but why would they have wanted ketchup at a place that sells pizza? I checked the menu at allears.net, and they don't sell anything like burgers or fries that you would typically put ketchup on. Or is ketchup on pizza a British thing?

My in-laws are American as they come, and they put ketchup AND mayonnaise on pizza. Thankfully my husband is nothing like his parents and finds this as revolting as I do.

We went to Myrtle Beach for NYE. Got there late on the 31st, stayed only one night, and spent the day at the aquarium and on the boardwalk before going home. We spent maybe $500 total (and I think I'm estimating on the high end), including gas, hotel, and food. I researched the heck outta our hotel and restaurant choices before we left and it was a one night low-cost trip that was only a few hours from home. I cannot imagine flying to another country and spending tens of thousands of dollars on a vacation and not seeking out as much information as I possibly could before leaving home. I also cannot imagine going to another country and just expecting them to have all the foods I'm used to. Only someone living under a rock would not know that as Americans we love our sugar lol! There is variety at Disney for anyone who is willing to look at a map or walk up to a concierge desk and ask. Maybe I am a horrible person for feeling this way, but people like this get no sympathy from me. Sadly trip advisor and the like are full of reports like this. My favorites though are the ones who complain that they went to Disney in the summer and it was hot lol.

soar2014 · Feb 26, 2015

I completely understand the person in the article. When my parents took us in the 70's we just showed up. No research, no plans, just showed up around 10 am. LOL! So laughable now right? But that's how most people vacation, and that's what we Dis-ers count on so we can plan how to tour.

Jing · Feb 26, 2015

Miaka1 said:
I do agree about the Breakfast foods. I'm American, texan in fact, and I hate sweet stuff for breakfast. I'd take cold cuts, cheese, maybe a bagel, or croissant, over mickey waffles, any day of the week. But I researched, and know where I can get these things ( hello, epcot)

I'm there with you - show me the protein!

partigus · Feb 26, 2015

I agree that this guy was TOO far off base, but I have a lot of friends who look at me like I'm crazy regarding all the planning. I'll hear things like "how can I decide what I want to eat in advance, I can't just go to..." all the time. I think it's worse when people are going "deluxe" especially if they have stayed at a 4 seasons/ Ritz, etc before...They expect to relax and have their whims catered to....welcome to The World!

TravelandLeisure · Feb 26, 2015

I personally am not willing to invest thousands of dollars into *anything* without doing a certain amount of research. I just don't understand how some people spend huge sums of money and travel thousands of miles to just "wing it." Understandably a vacation should be relaxing, however IMO it is the pre-planning that lends itself to this upon arrival. Zero sympathy for this guy in my book.

IrishNYC · Feb 26, 2015

ive certainly taken the "wing it" route (all over the U.S. and Europe), and when I was young and able to be somewhat irresponsible it was great, but I have never vacationed without at least minimal research since having a child, because I don't want to disappoint her with things like seeing character meals I didn't plan for.

parismeow · Feb 26, 2015

This review kinda makes me mad, it sounds as if this guy felt entitled more so then others during his trip and got mad when he didn't get his way.

It baffles me that people plan holidays without doing even a little bit of research. If he had done this then he would have realised he needed to make reservations.

Also getting mad about food choices?? any one going to another country should expect different food choices. its not like i would expect to go to China and get burgers every night for dinner!! seriously! what was this person thinking!!!

bumbershoot · Feb 27, 2015

wdwrich said:
Perhaps for the same reason when I traveled overseas to places (both East and West) where plenty of Americans visit, the hotels there didn't have menu items specifically for American tastes?

IrishNYC said:
For the same reason I don't go to Europe and expect to receive American-style anything.

I'm trying to figure out what one huge place in another country gets the volume of people per day that WDW does, with so many of them being American. I mean, all at once, not over a year.

The hotels we stayed at in England and Ireland had some foods that would cater to typical Americans. They ALSO had food their home-country vacationers would care for.

What would it hurt Disney to put some simple non-sweet foods on the menu? We end up ordering "off" the menu at Disney breakfasts often. I often ask for eggs if there are egg dishes on the menu, because I cannot eat a pancake without some extra protein. I would LOVE cheese; I had slices of swiss cheese for breakfast just today. (after some Thin Mints LOL...I'm under a lot of stress and we had to get my MIL to a doctor's appt and I was hungry and in a hurry...the combo doesn't sound like it would be something one could survive, but weirdly it was OK) But I wouldn't know that I could do this if I was in some other country and/or wasn't so bold about getting my protein.

MakiraMarlena said:
Americans in general do not eat cold cuts or cheese for breakfast

Poor Americans in general. Cheese is tasty. Especially with an apple. At breakfast.

sukhakuli said:
I think the Disney pools are cold, too.

I've read many posts by people wondering if they are heated. Some pool heaters can break; my brother owns a pool and has a weekly pool guy (and plenty of money to have it fixed) and he has lost MONTHS to his heater being broken, because pool heaters are apparently delicate little flowers. I've experienced pools that feel warmer than others at Disney. So he went on a day when the heater hadn't been working wonderfully. OR they feel that an 80 degree pool isn't all that warm. Plenty of people feel that way. My sis in law won't get into a pool unless it's in the 90s.

mousefan73 · Feb 27, 2015

delete

mousefan73 · Feb 27, 2015

Guys in defense of this guy. it does take more than a "little research" to fully understand how dining ADRS really are. Knowing that you need to make reservations vs. knowing you need to make them at 180 days out for top locations is a different story.. Sorry but I understand if I was spending this much money and lets say arrive on day one and decide to make a ressie for the end of trip and its a nogo, I would get upset (checking in and getting told a week later no availbility). especiallly if staying at said hotel (300 plus a night) and couldnt even get a dining time in my own hotel.. That would tick me off. I am also well traveled all over the world.. Disney is the ONLY place you can spend money and still bet told, sorry should have book 6 months ago.. so you can be the most traveled person in the world and be disappointed at WDW.

Also Disney does sent out emails etc... saying hey you can now make your resverations, but honeslty any normal, not in the know, person would say.. heck I have 6 months I got time!! In any other circumstance, who knows what, when and where we want to eat 180 days from now?!? Alot of people might just stick at the disney site, there is alot of infos.
But I have yet to see anywhere on the disney site " if you do not make make an ADR 4-6 months out, you will not get a table / good times at BOG, CMs, CRT, OHAna etc....".

I would think "normal" and I mean non-disboards people like us ( who turn disney planning into a second job), do do their research a bit.. But keep in mind there are some people whose definition of a vacation looking at a brochure, picking and booking and then that is it. Heck it is a vacation, not wedding planning.. KWIM??

MakiraMarlena · Feb 27, 2015

Sure, but how often can you go to a restaurant in the USA and order cheese for breakfast. Unless it's a cheese omelet. And the restaurants serve what the guests tend to want.

What he is demanding would be like Americans going to Europe and expecting to be served an American style breakfast. And then getting mad because it's "different." Seen that happen too.

You can get burgers in China if you know where to look, but you have to know where to look. Same with this guy. He didn't know where to look, just expected to be able to get what he wanted.

And just how specific do we want Disney to get? "Restaurant reservations are strongly recommended" isn't enough? Do we have to narrow it down as far as "If you want these restaurants it must be at six months, these you must give it at least four, these you don't have to worry about?" This stuff changes as the tastes and desires of guests change, is Disney expected to keep up with that? That is why you have Disney expert travel agents, Disney travel blogs and Disney message boards. WDW is complicated. There are places you can go if you want an easy vacation but that isn't one of them. If you don't do your research then you can't expect someone else to do it for you.

Hisgirl · Feb 27, 2015

In regards to sugar at breakfast, we do tend to offer so many white flour sugary items on our US menus. I would always choose eggs, a lean meat, cheese etc over that. The perfect breakfast for me would be greek yogurt with NO flavoring added, walnuts and fresh fruit. I've ordered breakfast off many menus in WDW and gotten an egg/meat/oatmeal choice and felt energized all day. I'm surprised this fellow couldn't see those choices.

MakiraMarlena · Feb 27, 2015

it was likely not the type of meats or grains he was looking for.

RogueKnits · Feb 27, 2015

parismeow said:
This review kinda makes me mad, it sounds as if this guy felt entitled more so then others during his trip and got mad when he didn't get his way.

I think that's what bothered me most about it--the entitlement. It could have been written with an attitude of "If you're going to Disney, be aware of this." But it was like he had this idea in his mind of how Disney was supposed to be (without doing any research to see if that idea was close to accurate) and then fires off a negative review when it didn't meet his expectations.

I mean, there are plenty of things I'd change about Disney, but none of them are vacation ruiners. I also wouldn't give negative reviews for something that can be figured out with a little research. If I go somewhere and the room is dirty, the service is terrible and the food is objectively bad (as opposed to "not the type of food I'd eat at home"), those are the things that merit a negative review. The fact that the pool is chilly in January is not something I'd make a big deal about (or even know about, because January and pools do not mix for me, even in FL). If he had visited in August I wonder if the complaint would be "Why is the pool so warm?"

KimmiP · Feb 27, 2015

I think my issue is not only that he he booked something and didn't think it through, but he booked the #1 tourist desitination in the WORLD and didn't bother to think it would be busy or need advanced planning. Hey it's like going to NYC around Christmas time and being shocked that the tree at Rockerfeller Center is insanely crowded. Who would think anyone would want to see that? :sad2:

mylittlebuttercup · Feb 27, 2015

I don't have much sympathy for people who obviously don't spend at least a little time researching a vacation (or working with a TA) before dropping a boatload of money on it. It is shame that he had a bad time, but I would never drop thousands of dollars on a vacation and not plan/research unless it were a guided tour (and even then I would still probably research!)

WDWOswald · Feb 27, 2015

I have a different take than many of you on this review. I think the reviewer is spot on about his observations:

1. Disney deluxe hotel rooms are comically small for the price ($600+/ night at the grand Floridian)

2. Although reservations are commonly needed many places- you can call the day of or night before and get a reservation. At disney this isn't true of almost all of their more popular restaraunts.

3. When you pay the price disney wants for a deluxe you should receive world class service and a concierge should take care to make sure you have a teriffic experience as a foreigner.

4. All deluxe hotels should include at least a continental breakfast for their guests. Hampton Inn can do this for $120 a night but Disney can't for 4 times the price? Really?

5. Restaraunt food often is poor considering the price paid. Expensive character buffets feature quick service quality breakfast and lunch options. Chef Mickey's charges way too much to offer such a poor spread.

6. Disney commercials show incredible character interaction that is so far from reality that anyone would be surprised at how limited it often is in person.

7. Deluxe hotel guests should be offered a different tier of in park experiences- more fast passes etc.

8. Rooms should all be more in line with the royal guest rooms at port Orleans and less in line with the bland themes of hotels like the beach clubbed bay lake tower. Guests expect a disney experience at a disney resort, and the deluxe resorts could push this immersion more without it being garish or uncomfortable.

9. People are ridiculous and the parks and hotels are so overwhelmingly incredible and so filled with wonder and joy that it should amaze you to the point that you forget about all this stuff and just have lovely memories from a place that nowhere else on earth can compare to.

dixonsontour · Feb 27, 2015

An issue may be that he used a TA who didn't advise anything. I'm UK based and we don't have specific disney TAs. The ignorance of the high street TAs many first timers use is staggering. I also post on a UK disney forum and the amount of posts that are my TA said this..then are told it is wrong...but still believe the TA. There was one the other day where someone had got a dining package that covered disney and universal.

wdwrich · Feb 27, 2015

1. Disney deluxe hotel rooms are comically small for the price ($600+/ night at the grand Floridian)
Not really. I've stayed in deluxe hotels on Madison Ave in Manhattan, and my rooms were smaller than any WDW deluxe.

2. Although reservations are commonly needed many places- you can call the day of or night before and get a reservation. At disney this isn't true of almost all of their more popular restaraunts.
And a small amount of research would have revealed this fact and afforded the opportunity to make reservations in advance.

3. When you pay the price disney wants for a deluxe you should receive world class service and a concierge should take care to make sure you have a teriffic experience as a foreigner.
Are you saying that foreigners should be treated better than Americans at WDW???

4. All deluxe hotels should include at least a continental breakfast for their guests. Hampton Inn can do this for $120 a night but Disney can't for 4 times the price? Really?
Many non-Disney deluxe hotels don't include breakfast.

5. Restaraunt food often is poor considering the price paid. Expensive character buffets feature quick service quality breakfast and lunch options. Chef Mickey's charges way too much to offer such a poor spread.
The food prices unfortunately, are driven by demand. One could classify all of the Disney restaurants as inside-the-park eateries, with the associated high prices.

6. Disney commercials show incredible character interaction that is so far from reality that anyone would be surprised at how limited it often is in person.
And Subway commercials show sandwiches that look far better than the one you actually get when you eat there. That's advertising. Not saying it's right.

7. Deluxe hotel guests should be offered a different tier of in park experiences- more fast passes etc.
You might have a point here, though others will surely disagree.

8. Rooms should all be more in line with the royal guest rooms at port Orleans and less in line with the bland themes of hotels like the beach clubbed bay lake tower. Guests expect a disney experience at a disney resort, and the deluxe resorts could push this immersion more without it being garish or uncomfortable.
I think the rooms should reflect the theme of the hotel, and for the most part they do. If one wants 24-hour Disney in your face, then stay at a value that offers that experience.

9. People are ridiculous and the parks and hotels are so overwhelmingly incredible and so filled with wonder and joy that it should amaze you to the point that you forget about all this stuff and just have lovely memories from a place that nowhere else on earth can compare to.
Agreed!

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