cut backs on mvmcp

[Ricmiclvsthemouse]

My DH and I have not been to WDW since 1995 and we have a trip planned for this September. I'm getting very worried about WDW--is it even the same place as in 1995? I know there are new attractions,etc., but I'm afraid that it will not be the magical place we have always loved.

Disney has always been spotless and now people are saying it isn't. Don't they have the overnight work crews any more? Why doesn't Disney enforce their standards on the new cleaning crews?

Can't we do something about this? Write letters, sign petitions, something?

Btw, I have never been to the MVMCP, but I think I would miss the special button and free photo. I hope the MNSSHP will be fun--we're going this year and I want it to be special.

Do you think I'm expecting too much of our Disney vacation? Or are we in for a disappointment?

Thanks for any input you have.

 

[MickeyCrazed]

I'm getting very worried about WDW--is it even the same place as in 1995? I know there are new attractions,etc., but I'm afraid that it will not be the magical place we have always loved.

Do you think I'm expecting too much of our Disney vacation? Or are we in for a disappointment?

Don't worry. WDW is still magical.

Most of the complaints come from people (like myself) who usually visit 2 or more times per year. Because we go so often, it is easier for us to see the gradual decline.

Since it has been 12 years since your last visit, there will be so many new attactions to visit, you will probably be too busy to concern yourself with the little details that people in my position notice.

 

[Another Voice]

you will probably be too busy to concern yourself with the little details that people in my position notice.

What a magical way of looking at it – “ignorance is bliss!!!!”


No one wonder they think we’re stupid…

 

[Kim&Chris]

Hi all -

What I'm about to say may not please everyone....but I suppose it will simply fall into the category of personal opinion. If I offend anyone, my apologies.

You cannot find anyone more dedicated to the "Spirit of Pixie Dust" than I am. I met my brand new husband standing in line at Big Thunder Mountain and we are both.....mouseaholics. Both of us have a LONG history with WDW with many years of wonderful memories. We plan to begin many MORE years of wonderful memories together now.

Having said that, I must express my concern and disappointment at the gradual - but continual decline in the physical condition of WDW and Resort Hotels.

I first noticed the decline a few years ago with the bathrooms in the parks after Disney switched to contract employees - cost savings. Remember those days years ago when you could go into a park bathroom after the fireworks and they were clean? With growing frequency I choose to not....inhale or simply wait until I am back at the hotel. By the end of a long day many park bathrooms are simply too filthy.

On our last trip to the Beach Club we found.....balcony furniture broken, lukewarm water, lobby bathroom odor you noticed before you even entered the bathroom, mousekeepers still cleaning rooms at 6 pm at night, light fixtures along the side walkway to IG were not fastened shut (all the covers were loose and askew), trash in the stairwell was not cleaned during our 8-day trip (we picked up the big stuff but the stairwell was never swept - and it was dirty!), decrease in Holiday decorations not only at resorts but also in the parks, gradual decrease in AP perks and event perks (ie: Halloween and Christmas Party perks), paint worn off of high-traffic doorways - you know, where you naturally grab the door (even on GRAND FLORIDIAN doorways!)

It was the little things....but combined simply were unacceptable for a hotel that charges $315 during VALUE season.

This year we will try the Boardwalk instead even though I have been a faithful Beach Club girl for many years.

My husband works for ABC and after slash & burning of two more bureau's last week, we are all too aware of the devistating cost cutbacks Disney has imposed on it's various cost centers. The Resort and Park managers are doing their best with slashed budgets but you can see the difference.

We are all managing our budgets with more attention.....fuel costs, energy costs at home, college tuition - even that gallon of milk costs more now. I appreciate that Disney must keep their costs in line. It's just disappointing to see the parks and resorts loose some of their "twinkle". They are getting a little "shabby around the edges".

Ok, my 2 cents.

Thanks for the listening.

Cathy

I just wanted to say I agree 100% regarding the Beach Club. I guess I had high expectations, but boy, was I disappointed. I know EXACTLY what you mean about the lobby bathrooms. I went in there and thought I was going to pass out. For a deluxe resort, this is ridiculous.

I've also noticed the condition of the park bathrooms. I can remember a time when those bathrooms were amazingly clean all throughout the day. Now, half the stalls have overflowing toilets, tissue all over the floor, sinks have gobs of wet towels just lying there. It's really sad. Of course, it's hardly all Disney's fault - guests are the ones making the messes, not the employees.

 

[Another Voice]

Of course, it's hardly all Disney's fault - guests are the ones making the messes, not the employees.

That depends on how you look at it.

One of the things that Disney learned very early on at Disneyland was that guests were more likely to tidy up after themselves if the place was already clean. No one thinks anything of dropping another popcorn box on the pile already in the street - but if the place is clean people are more likely to find a trash can.

This little bit of social behavior has been employeed even in places like New York City. Remember when all the subway cars were covered with spray paint? Then they started cleaning the cars everynight; no car was allowed if it had any graffitti on it. The problem stopped; far fewer "clean" cars ever sprayed.

Disney has cut back its maintenance and custodial staff to the point where the mounting piles of trash counteract the "self-policing" nature within people. It's another example of where a small cut produces a negative impact many times the cut's size.

 

[manning]

I know, Disney is not an airplane.

Whenever you see a crash the investigation reveals that a number of little things had caused the crash.

Well Disney is cutting many of the little things.

All the things that add up to make it a great place.

Welcome to adventure land. Oops it's Disney.

 

[lovemickeyshouse]

Only reason i am goin back to disney is free dining for 10 nights other then that no way i go back there my ap is over october 1st and its goodbye for me till at least 2009

 

[TiggerFreak]

WoooHoooo,
If all you folks complaining about the wear and tear stop going,
The place will see less wear and tear and look better for the rest of us!
Shorter lines,
less whiney kids upset because parents are upset over the state of the parks,
Closer parking,
happier CM's not having to deal with so many irate guests.

I see a great upside to all the folks that are not going back until the parks meet their expectations.

Now if those of us still going will keep the bad press going well after they fix or improve something . . .

Maybe that was the plan all along . . .

Or maybe its a plot by the EVIL Universal Overlord to bring down the Mouse.

 

[Mouseaholic!!!]

It's all supply and demand. When the downturn happens, and sadly it will sometime in the future, the cost and effort to bring Disney World back to Disney standards will be high and it will take time.....just like that old "fixer" on House Hunters!

I guess I do have high standards....the old Disney standards.

We will give it one more chance. The good thing, my husband and I can find our own magic....even with the dirty bathrooms!

We are, however, more than happy to share our travel $$$ with people who still offer Disney-style maintenance and customer service.

Want a great family family vacation for all ages....step on a cruise ship. Personalized childrens programs, unlimited destinations, exposure to new places and cultures for everyone and talk about a Dining Plan.....no counting table-service meals......just call room service 24 hours a day! Now THAT's a dining plan!

 

[KMovies]

I believe that things have changed since Disney was alive.

Yes, it was probably very fine to expect people to clean up after themselves in the 50s.

But this is the 2000s.

Just look at the floor of a movie theatre after a sell out. Most people leave their cups and bags behind, spill stuff. It certainly isn't like that before the movie starts.

 

[DancingBear]

Gee, it's a wonder then that we here in the 21st century aren't just swimming in trash everywhere all of the time.

 

[DisneyBarlans]

Disney World is still the cleanest theme park I have ever been to, even with the declining standards. Anyway, back to MVMCP-can someone tell me if the 50% off coupon on photopass is only good for printed pictures at the party, or could I say, order the cd either at the party or at home.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

. . . Cokes are still 3 bucks: 2.00 20 oz. bottle . . .

1) You would think they would lower the price.
2) Especially since WDW pays ZERO DOLLARS for the Coke products (including Dasani).

 

[tropical depression]

Disney World is still the cleanest theme park I have ever been to, even with the declining standards.

way too many things wrong with that argument

 

[EUROPACL]

Originally Posted by Dznefreek
. . . Cokes are still 3 bucks: 2.00 20 oz. bottle . . .).

You're right..2.39 + Tax for a "large"....I was waaaaaayyyy off. I guess we should be happy they haven't replaced coke products with a generic Disney brand at a slightly higher price.

 

[OKW Lover]

2) Especially since WDW pays ZERO DOLLARS for the Coke products (including Dasani).

I've seen this claim before, but I'm having a hard time understanding how that can be so. Yes, I know that Coke is a sponsor of Disney. And I don't doubt that by sheer volume Disney would get a good discount. But isn't it the Corporate Coke, not the local bottler that is the sponsor? If I were the local bottler, I wouldn't want to be forced by Corporate Coke to give my product away.

Similarly, if it is because of sponsorship, would Disney get all its cars, trucks & busses free because GM is a sponsor?

 

[Mouseaholic!!!]

The Coke agreement is with "corporate coke" but Disney pays nothing to serve coke products - Coke considers it advertising. The agreement includes the requirement that "Coke" be prominent - on the cups, signs, etc. Honestly, Disney does not pay for the Coke products it serves us.....and Coke is not the only sponsor like this. Whenever you see a brand name prominently displayed - that company has a special advertising agreement with Disney.

Every time you see a brand name in a movie or television, that company has paid for that placement - it's just one arm of advertising business.


Now don't worry about the magic at WDW - it's still there in spite of the cost-cutting and payroll cut backs. When you go as often as many of us do, we begin to feel WDW is ours.....and we become more critical - just like you notice when your kitchen floor is dirty but the people at your dinner party never see it.

It's not filthy and you will be perfectly safe there....it's just not the same as it has been years ago.

There is more than plenty to do and see there.....you will have a magical time I am sure.

 

[KMovies]

I believe that the fountain syrup might be provided free by Coke; but not the bottled products.

Just imagine how many bottles they sell any given day.

 

[manning]

Just imagine how many bottles they sell any given day.

Alot. The heat index this week there is suppose to be around 104.

 

[rlduvall]

I believe that the fountain syrup might be provided free by Coke; but not the bottled products.

That's what I had heard, too. I never thought it was also all the bottled Coke products.