We have had APs more on than off over the past 15 years. While in the beginning it was an attempt to get two week long trips in over two summers, for the past few years (since before the pandemic) we have had APs continually. We are out of state passholders, who are also DVC members. It has been common for us to make now between 6-8 trips a year. One is our week long trip, while the others are mostly long (and sometimes longer) weekends.
For the first time in a very long time, we are considering not renewing our APs when they come due in July. What makes this decision more difficulty is knowing that we may never be able to get Annual Passes again (only renewals have been available since November of last year). I have not made that final decision yet, but I will over the next three months.
I am wondering if others are in a similar mindset.
To be honest, not all of this is on Disney. My youngest will be a senior in High School this year, and while he loves going to Disney, I am not sure he will have the same time to go next school year. But, while we would certainly consider dropping his pass (as we have with our other children in the past), my intention was to still renew the passes for my wife and me.
I also do understand that the world has changed. Worker shortages, international travel issue, domestic travel issues, the concern over Covid19, all play a part here.
However, a significant part of this is also what we have seen of Disney in the past couple of years. I know some people do not like to hear others complain about our first world problems. I get it. However, I am starting with the premise that people were always willing to pay a premium for Disney, because of the environment, the service, and the attention to detail. The sprinkling of pixie dust every once in a while also added to the premium.
Sadly, what I have seen is price increases, while also having a declining level of service. Certainly, as a stock holder of DIS, I am glad to see the demand for a Disney vacation is there.
However, it is the overall quality of service that has been bothering me the most. Disney has pushed so much that was cast interactions to a self-service app that you need running your entire vacation. I have seen a drop in things like cleaning. Look around the EPCOT monorail station, it has almost as many cobwebs as the Haunted Mansion. Look at some of the more popular rest rooms. That along with the lack of some previous services (shows, characters, shops, restaurants, parking lot trams, etc), has made me ask why I am paying for this premium vacation? I remember a time when it was odd to see a crack on a piece of cement. It seems when one started, the entire slab would be replaced overnight.
I also feel the number of deals, that extra value that you would get has been disappearing. I also remember a time when a DVC full blown (Platinum Plus) annual pass was about $100 more than a 7 day parkhopper. That is how we got started with APs in the first place.
I get the feeling that Disney World is becoming more of a set of a few amusement parks, then the immersive world that it once was. And for that, I could take a tour of Cedar Fair parks, Six Flags, or any of the other independent parks like Dollywood and Hershey.
Sorry to be venting. I guess I am just curious, am I the only one that feels this way? Are you considering not renewing your Annual Pass? If so, why?
