I think I am finally sick of Disney...

[amandaC]

There, I said. It feels blasphemous to say and it saddens me too. I have been going to Disney virtually yearly since I was 2 years old in 1971. For many of the last 15 years we have gone 2-3 times each year. But this year, the magic wasn't there.

We just got back from a 4 day trip for Food and Wine. My favorite time at Disney. But things have changed too much. Some little and stupid, and some a little bigger. But they all add up. Between the price of APs, portions being smaller (darn you Earl of Sandwich and Goofy's!), food quality also declining, Party for the Senses not even close to the quality of previous years, bigger crowds, hating Fastpass plus, and even the thinner toilet paper, I think I'm just about done. The only thing that stayed magical were the cast members. If I hadn't just spent a ridiculous amount of money on APs and promised to take my son and a bunch of his friends to Disney for their graduation, I think I would sell some of my contracts.

I guess the upside is that it has cured my addonitis.

 

[DVC Doctor]

even the thinner toilet paper, I think I'm just about done.

Yep, I agree the thinner toilet paper is a deal killer for me these days...time to boycott

 

[WDW88]

We returned last week from a quick four day trip to use our AP that we had purchased this past January. We have trips planned for Thanksgiving (with the grandparents) and another week long trip planned in January 2016 at Fort Wilderness, just before our APs expire. The day we returned last week, my husband said he is through with Disney. Ugh! We are committed to the November trip, and by then we will have broken even with the cost of the AP, but I am still wanting to go in January. However, after January, I am soooo ready to give Disney a break. The exorbitant prices for food, parking (for those without annual pass and staying off property) and hotels (we are not DVC owners) is crazy! While we do stay off site from time to time, we are held captive a bit in the parks as leaving just takes too long. We work hard for our money, and I have decided to spend that hard earned money somewhere else...but not until after January! Withdrawal, here I come!

 

[lodgelady]

Agreed. Higher prices, crowds, too much planning, construction walls/ closed attractions...... We love our Disney memories too much to have the reality of now spoil them. We are taking a break. Just bought universal annual passes for the first time. Thinking about a few nights at Vero, then banking points until next year.

 

[amandaC]

Agreed. Higher prices, crowds, too much planning, construction walls/ closed attractions...... We love our Disney memories too much to have the reality of now spoil them. We are taking a break. Just bought universal annual passes for the first time. Thinking about a few nights at Vero, then banking points until next year.

Yes, I too hear the dark side calling. You can't beat the express pass when you stay onsite at Universal. We talked about trying Vero too, and Aulani.

 

[kid-at-heart]

Sadly we agree with OP. We have been to WDW about fifteen times since 2008 (and went a few times prior to 2008, prior our DVC membership) and loved it up until they started the fast-pass plus. We have been four times since they rolled out the fast-pass plus and each time has been a bust. Crowds are too heavy, even during the "slow" months. Can't ride any ride unless you have a fast-pass or are willing to wait in the standby line 45 minutes, ticket prices are extreme... Food is more expensive, way more expensive, portions smaller, food of poor quality.... Even the theming of the various DVC resorts are starting to look the same. And I hate that they removed the bed spreads. I need a heavier/warmer cover than the thin worthless blankets they now provide. At least give the option of calling housekeeping and requesting a comforter. One thing has kept the magic, the cast members are still awesome but even their awesomeness cannot make up for the other issues. We are taking a Disney break. I just banked next years points. Hopefully things will turn around. If not, then we will probably sell our points and spend more time visiting national parks, etc.

 

[alopez926]

Right there with you. We're over it.

In contrast, we so enjoyed our time at Universal this past spring. IMO, Disney paled in comparison. Cabana Bay was the bomb, the express passes were an absolute joy, and the ride technology was superior.

We're going mid-November and that's the last we will see of our beloved Mouse for at least a few years.

I hope the magic will return with some distance.

 

[PetePanMan]

anything new tends to feel fresh and different - a nice change. Isn't part of the problem the number of times of you have been and how close together the trips are? Maybe time for an extended break and then try out again after Avatar, StarWars etc.

 

[chris springer]

IMHO....it is what you make of the experience. Of course longer lines and increased food prices can bring down the overall enjoyment BUT think about what brought you to Disney in the first place. It's time away from the normal grind and you don't have to face reality until you go back home.....very sad...home! Yeah, you can get that anywhere but you chose Disney for many times and many years. Just like the PP said maybe you're burned out on Disney and anything new will seem "better". For me and the wife, we're going to keep on returning because we feel the magic!! Three FPs are enough in a day and we will wait in line for a ride that could not be FP and if we can add another, more power to us! I hope the desire for Disney doesn't burn out but just calms down for a short period so you can return with the excitement you have enjoyed over the course of many years.

 

[LoveBWVVBR]

Right there with you. We're over it.

In contrast, we so enjoyed our time at Universal this past spring. IMO, Disney paled in comparison. Cabana Bay was the bomb, the express passes were an absolute joy, and the ride technology was superior.

We're going mid-November and that's the last we will see of our beloved Mouse for at least a few years.

I hope the magic will return with some distance.

We just bought Universal APs last weekend and I have to agree with you. Universal is the bomb! It reminds me of how Disney used to be. We are local so we will get a ton of use out of the passes, and they cost way less than half of what Disney APs would have cost us.

Do you get the express passes if you stay at Cabana Bay? I wasn't sure you did. If so, we are so staying there!!!

OP, we felt the same...the AP price hike was the last straw for us. We put our DVC up for sale immediately afterwards.

 

[Alice Sr.]

I understand how you feel, my visit pattern is the same as yours. I considered selling a few years ago when my DD's were out of high school, but didn't get around to it and rented the points for a couple of years and used RCI. Then again when they rolled out the MB and FP+ I actually did sell two contracts after a particularly bad trip. In the meantime my youngest DD's gave us that cute little minion in my avatar (our one and only thus far) and another one do in April my oldest DD is getting married next year (giving them a honeymoon at Aulani - their 2nd trip). In the meantime I have actually added a resale contract with more points than the two I sold. I think giving it a rest is a good idea I would just hold off selling for a couple of years, you can always rent through David's. As far as the crowds go, we have always hated the crowds and usually only go to the the parks 1st thing in the morning and leave by 11:00ish to hit the pool. I actually like FP+, the food has gone back and forth for years. I can see where we will eat in our villa more in the near future as WDW does not have organic options and the TS quality/originality does not live up to the price but that could all change with the next CEO. So sorry for the long blah, blah, blah but just wanted to let you know I have been where you are and still succumbed to addonitis.

 

[alopez926]

We just bought Universal APs last weekend and I have to agree with you. Universal is the bomb! It reminds me of how Disney used to be. We are local so we will get a ton of use out of the passes, and they cost way less than half of what Disney APs would have cost us.

Do you get the express passes if you stay at Cabana Bay? I wasn't sure you did. If so, we are so staying there!!!

OP, we felt the same...the AP price hike was the last straw for us. We put our DVC up for sale immediately afterwards.

Hi there, you don't get the express passes at Cabana Bay which is unfortunate. Since there were only two of us, it was cheaper for us to stay at Cabana Bay and buy the express passes for a day vs. staying at the HRH or RPH or PBH. That would probably not be the case for a party larger than 2. Still, Cabana Bay is worth checking out. It's so cool! The suites are great! They upgraded us for free, which made us love them even more!

 

[LoveBWVVBR]

Hi there, you don't get the express passes at Cabana Bay which is unfortunate. Since there were only two of us, it was cheaper for us to stay at Cabana Bay and buy the express passes for a day vs. staying at the HRH or RPH or PBH. That would probably not be the case for a party larger than 2. Still, Cabana Bay is worth checking out. It's so cool! The suites are great! They upgraded us for free, which made us love them even more!

Oh that is cool that they upgraded you! My husband mentioned that they have suites at that hotel, but I was pretty sure I'd heard that there were no express passes there. I wish they'd give an option to buy the express pass with your AP (other than the "after 4") option. I'd pay double for that (and STILL be ahead of the game over buying Disney passes!!).

 

[DVC Doctor]

In contrast, we so enjoyed our time at Universal this past spring. IMO, Disney paled in comparison. Cabana Bay was the bomb, the express passes were an absolute joy, and the ride technology was superior.

Cabana Bay is the much less priced alternative value resort to Hard Rock, Portofino Boy, and Royal Pacific, BUT the express passes are NOT included. In addition, it is not as close to the two main theme parks.

SKIP THE REGULAR LINES FOR FREE with Universal Express Unlimited ride access a value of up to $89 per person, per day (valid theme park admission required) is only offered with the three On-Site resorts

 

[cm8]

We just bought Universal APs last weekend and I have to agree with you. Universal is the bomb! It reminds me of how Disney used to be. We are local so we will get a ton of use out of the passes, and they cost way less than half of what Disney APs would have cost us.

Do you get the express passes if you stay at Cabana Bay? I wasn't sure you did. If so, we are so staying there!!!

OP, we felt the same...the AP price hike was the last straw for us. We put our DVC up for sale immediately afterwards.

We too visited the dark side and we had a BLAST!! I was in awe! Park was clean, no shoulder to shoulder, no one yelling to fill in all available spaces, the parade was not crowded, and the character interactions were not rushed!! We too enjoyed it so much we are all headed back in December. The best part was being able to do walk ups at nice restaurants and not be turned away for not booking 180 lol.. The food was fresh, and the service was amazing! Not worrying about booking rides in advance was also a plus. For my family and myself, Disney has turned into a one park vacation.. and we're okay with that!! So goodbye pixie dust, hello diagon alley!!

 

[lovin'fl]

Just sold one of my contracts. Considering selling another. We are a family of 5 and 4 of us have expired PAPs with NO plans of getting new ones. We have a F&W trip coming up and I am not all that excited about it. After this, I am not sure when we'll be back...maybe Jan 2017 and then we'll also likely be visiting the dark side and not spending much time at WDW parks (just going to use DVC as a timeshare).

 

[dwight16]

that is just wild i have the exact opposite feeling just got back from a 5 day stay at wilderness after hitting BLT in august and having a quick 3 day planned in early December.....if anyone rips me off its the airlines but that is a whole another issue.........i don't think pricing is out of line at all after taking vacations over the last few years not in Disney i really don't feel like they are that over priced....so i am not really sure what "cheap" vacations are out there god a week in Ocean City NJ near the beach is 3-5k just for the house for the week not including anything else......if you avoid the things where Disney kills you its fine.....things like the 12 dollar small stuffed animals that are the size of a hand....or a set of pens for 20 bucks.....or the 18 dollar burger at scifi but if your smart and figure it out you can find a happy medium i am not saying its cheap but its not the end of the world.....

if i go out to a local dinner with my wife to a decent place its 100 bucks easy and god a beer in NYC or DC is just as expensive if not more then one in Disney .....so i don't get it why people blame Disney for being so expensive....but that's just me....

 

[CraigInPA]

Stayed at Hard Rock @ Universal for 4 days, followed by a 5 day stay at Disney Poly (not DVC) last year. Loved, loved the express pass at Universal. Even at Christmas time, it gave us an almost "walk on" experience for any ride we wanted. Some of the ride technology is VASTLY superior to Disney. However, by the end of day 4, I was dying to get to Disney. Why? Universal does not excel at food. While we had a good meal at Mythos, virtually every other in park option was counter service or food that we could eat anywhere. City Walk had some nice restaurants, and we had dinners there, but nothing quite stood out as exceptional.

 

[MsTessP]

It should be noted that the Express Pass at Universal does NOT include the Harry Potter attractions. Universal has no appeal to my kids other than the Harry Potter area. We would consider at least a night's stay at a Universal resort if the Express Pass included HP.

 

[mort1331]

Well thankfully we still get the Magic. We have been going every year and sometimes twice a year for the last 6-7. We find and do something new each time, and get a great experience out of it. I thought I too would get bored or overexposed to it since I dont like visiting the same place twice. But here I can for now keep going back for more. We became DVC members about 4years ago and last trip we only went to the parks half the time. The rest we enjoyed the boardwalk at night, Disney Springs for the whole day and just doing the activities around the resorts. If you just want parks and rides then go to any place, but if you actually experience all there is in the World you can be amazed every time.