Christmas Decorations This Year

[WolfpackFan]

Is it just me, but so far we've been to three parks - Epcot, MK and AK and there doesn't seem to be as many decorations out this year (not withstanding the Epcot Lights). DW has noticed it also. Also, we don't seem to hear as much Christmas music as we've heard in the past. If all of this is some type of Disney cost savings, I just don't understand. The parks and resorts seem to be absolutely packed with people. Last night at MK, it seemed like the crowds were larger than any other time we've been there including Easter and Christmas Day. I'm really kind of disappointed. This is our third year in a row coming to WDW at Christmas and so far the magic just isn't here. All we've seen so far is crowds, slow buses and CM's who don't seem to be real friendly. I saw one CM give a guest one heck of a time this morning at Pizzafarri related to the DDP. I mean he was absolutely rude. I felt very sorry for the lady. DW and I kind of go with the flow. We've done everything and seen everything pretty much you can do here, so if we miss something it doesn't matter. But if I was a first time visitor, I would be very disappointed.

 

[tecodis]

Is it just me, but so far we've been to three parks - Epcot, MK and AK and there doesn't seem to be as many decorations out this year (not withstanding the Epcot Lights). DW has noticed it also. Also, we don't seem to hear as much Christmas music as we've heard in the past. If all of this is some type of Disney cost savings, I just don't understand. The parks and resorts seem to be absolutely packed with people. Last night at MK, it seemed like the crowds were larger than any other time we've been there including Easter and Christmas Day. I'm really kind of disappointed. This is our third year in a row coming to WDW at Christmas and so far the magic just isn't here. All we've seen so far is crowds, slow buses and CM's who don't seem to be real friendly. I saw one CM give a guest one heck of a time this morning at Pizzafarri related to the DDP. I mean he was absolutely rude. I felt very sorry for the lady. DW and I kind of go with the flow. We've done everything and seen everything pretty much you can do here, so if we miss something it doesn't matter. But if I was a first time visitor, I would be very disappointed.

Actually, if you were a first time visitor, you wouldn't know that anything was missing. It's only us regulars that notice these things.

 

[BenandMorgsMom]

I do not post often but this is something I can not let go on...we just returned from 10 days at BWV last night. I noticed immediately the elimination of decorations as did my DH. I can remember when the holiday swag went balcony to balcony down the entire boardwalk. The lobby? The hooks are still there for the decorations, but they are missing. I will sum it up with a big sigh and as we sat in the airport my DH and I decided this is our last holiday trip. We both feel like we wasted a precious week of the "season" by being in Disney. How sad. I understand that if you never experienced how it "used to be" you would think we are all too demanding but it really used to be jaw dropping and now... not so much. Bright side? I had the best and prettiest Mickey head decorated door of the entire floor thanks to the DIS board. Only lost 11 heads over ten days to little elves in the night. LOL

 

[5forDiz]

......I had the best and prettiest Mickey head decorated door of the entire floor thanks to the DIS board. Only lost 11 heads over ten days to little elves in the night. LOL

Can you tell me details on how you did this ( or point me in the right direction) ?

Did you do this with magnetic strips and Mickey head paint sample cards from home depot ? ( I think this may be what you did )

My Dbro, DSisInlaw and nephews are going in a week and a half and I'd like to put something together for them.

many thanks

 

[BenandMorgsMom]

My DD and DS decided to go with the Home Depot Mickeys. We went with Forest Green and Mickey Pant Red for the inside pattern. We mixed in the traditional Black and highlighted with White. You could hear the little ones Oooooowwwing and Ahhhing outside the door. That is what the magic is about. Happy cutting. My eyes were going batty.

 

[tecodis]

Any pictures? Love to see what you are talking about.

 

[disneynutz]

Is it just me, but so far we've been to three parks - Epcot, MK and AK and there doesn't seem to be as many decorations out this year (not withstanding the Epcot Lights). DW has noticed it also. Also, we don't seem to hear as much Christmas music as we've heard in the past. If all of this is some type of Disney cost savings, I just don't understand. The parks and resorts seem to be absolutely packed with people.

Yes, Disney is cutting back. One of the reasons for the continued crowds is their "free" food and other discounted room promotions.

People just aren't spending money like they use to and Disney continues to feel the pinch. If it wasn't for their other companies, they would be in a hurt.

Bill

 

[WolfpackFan]

Well, I think Disney is being very shortsighted in their cutbacks. It is causing some of us regulars to rethink future Disney trips. For example, we've been to WDW four time in the last year; but have only one trip planned for next year and for that trip we plan to split the trip with WDW and Universal and Seaworld. I'm tired of the crowds and tired of the busses and very tired of seeing cutbacks. After our trip next Sept. I think we'll be using our points for other things than coming to WDW for a year or so. We've already booked a cruise with our 2011 points. After that we hope to do an exchange. Maybe by the time we come back, things will have improved for the better.

 

[disneynutz]

Hate to pop your bubble but IMHO Disney has shifted their business model. Quality and Guest experience is no longer at the top of their list. They now specialize in serving the masses with a lower quality product. Returning Guests aren't as important as bringing in new Guests.

Bill

 

[helenk]

I just got back today and noticed the same thing about the decorations. A few people waiting in line for the buses mentioned it as well.
I remember when there would be garland at the bus stops at MK.
The park decorations and resort decorations get skimpier each year.

 

[manning]

I just got back today and noticed the same thing about the decorations. A few people waiting in line for the buses mentioned it as well.
I remember when there would be garland at the bus stops at MK.
The park decorations and resort decorations get skimpier each year.

I remember when there were decorations everywhere and I go back some. If you compared then to now you would say is it christmas time here yet??

 

[BenandMorgsMom]

I will post my pictures...just have to download.

 

[WolfpackFan]

Hate to pop your bubble but IMHO Disney has shifted their business model. Quality and Guest experience is no longer at the top of their list. They now specialize in serving the masses with a lower quality product. Returning Guests aren't as important as bringing in new Guests.

Bill

I'm afraid you're right Bill. Case in point - at MK yesterday we were getting some ice cream at Mrs. Potts Cupboard. Typically you'd have one person taking orders and money and another person filling the orders. Yesterday there was just one person doing the two jobs. It made the lines a lot longer. I guess Disney is willing to give up some (maybe a lot) of guest satisfaction to save money. It's sad.

 

[WolfpackFan]

I will admit that going to HS last night, the lights there did seem to be fine (ie - about the same as last year). At AK yesterday, I didn't see as many Christmas trees as we've seen in past years. Epcot, has a lot of poinsettas, but not as many decorated trees either. Also, DW mentioned that she wasn't hearing as much Christmas music as we walk around. Now don't get me wrong - we're not walking around trying to note every little change. And we're still going to have a great time in spite of it all. But it is kind of sad that they are making cutbacks like they are. Osborne Lights last night was fantastic as usual, thank goodness.

We're heading out to Epcot shortly and then doing MK EMH tonight so we'll see how things are today.

 

[Coach81]

We'll be there in about 10 days.. we can't wait.. it will be our first trip to Disney for Christmas.. we are looking forward to a magical, blessed, vacation!!!

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

On the other hand they did start the Osborne lights before Thanksgiving again.

We were there in November and I was really bummed at the thought they were going to have them cut back again the same as last year. Instead we got to see them - yay!!!!

I do recognize though that they are also cut back in the size of the display from even a couple of years ago.

 

[WolfpackFan]

We just got back from Epcot for a rest before heading to MK for EMH tonight. DW is sharing the balcony with three zebras . From what we cold tell, Disney is basically cutting back on labor intensive decorations. We've noticed far fewer decorated Christmas trees, but quite a few just plain old trees. Far fewer poinsettas and those poinsetta tree thingees (not sure what they are called). But each country has their little display (which probably took all of 30 mins. to put up). Places where we've seen elaborate poinsetta displays are just plain old seasonal flowers, that are there basically year round. The front display next to the entrance is basically the same as last year. Just in general it looks like a lot of the Christmas decorations that required man hours are not being done this year. Like someone said if you were a first time visitor, you might not even notice. But those of us that have been several years would notice. We're heading to MK tonight for our only chance to see Wishes or Spectro this week. I bet it will be packed.

 

[mimmiepnp]

DS and I just got back 5 days ago. We both said the same thing while we were there. As pretty as everything was, we felt that were not as many deorations as in even the past year.

But we still had a great time........

Mimmiepnp

 

[Sammie]

I noticed too.

Also I found it interesting that some resorts such as Beach Club and even the villas are really decked out but Wilderness Lodge was not. The VWL is actually quite bare, nothing on the fireplace mantle but two pitiful poinsettas in foil paper that were dying.

But at the BCV, beautiful trees and swags and wreaths everywhere. There was really a difference in the two.

 

[dcfromva]

We just visted 1-6 DEC. My goal was to see resort decorations and also the Candlelight Processional and Osborne Family Lights. We also saw the Macys Parade at Universal (as well as a concert with Manheim Steamroller )

BW and BC both had their Gingerbread carosels. I had not seen the gingerbread house where they sell gingerbread products at BC before. (I don't think that is new this year, though). The CR also had a gingerbread place where they sold gingerbread-chef Mickey and IASW gingerbread. The gingerbread houses were set up at the GF and the American Pavilion. But, I couldn't find the little gingerbread houses they usually display at the Polynesian... I thought maybe it's early?