Dear Disney, A request from your loyal guests

[5DisneyNuts]

5DisneyNuts--

You strongly implied that Disney raises ticket prices just to put more money into their pockets. I'm just pointing out that the cost of running the parks is sure to have gone up too. Maybe some of the ticket price increase is just for the joy of having more money(which they are allowed to do). But a good chunk of it is going towards more expensive costs.

Not sure about the strong implication, but even so, their job is to put more money into their pockets. In fact as a public company the board is bound to do just that. I strongly hope the increase goes to more CM's that can control the crowds. I strongly hope the money goes to raises for the CM's that work there (especially given what many guests expect from them).

Yes, costs have increased; of course they have. Have costs increased at the same pace as their room and ticket increases? Not sure. Would love to hear that answer.

I think you might agree WDW cutbacks (as well as the increased expectations of guests), have had something to do with the enjoyment of their theme parks which seems to result in the increasing number of threads like this.

 

[WDSearcher]

To the OP - I think your letter is to the point and is not offensive. Since we travel to Dworld in either the spring and/or fall we have never encountered any of the tour groups. I can understand the position of some Diser's who have the "ignore and move on" attitude and also those who think something should be done about it. I can understand the reasoning that it would not be worth it to get into a confrontation with someone, but on the other hand a park guest should not feel threatened or intimidated by these large groups. Disney can certainly do something about this. It must be very annoying to be stuck on a bus with dozens of people chanting, tons of people cutting in line, blocking viewing areas, etc. Why can't Disney provide all guests (not just tour groups) with a list of what is and isn't acceptable behavior in the parks, hotels, transportation? The rules should be enforced so that the obnoxious behavior of a few does not spoil the experience for all.

No, the OP's letter was not offensive. Condescending, maybe.

You all make it sound like stopping all this "unacceptable" and "obnoxious" behavior is easy. Piece of cake. Just ask, and people will behave. If it were that easy, guests would police themselves.

Have you ever tried to get 65 chanting middle school cheerleaders to be quiet? Have you ever tried to tell a 6-ft tall, 250-lb man to go to the back of the line when you're 5ft 3 and 120 lbs and he says no? Have you ever had a guest come up to you and DEMAND that you make someone else move out of their parade spot when you didn't see who was there first and have no way of knowing who is right? Have you ever had a guest literally pull you away from something else so that you can tell a tour group leader to stop monopolizing the FP machine and then have the guest get angry at YOU when the leader just keeps going? It's not an easy gig. CMs are empowered to fix situations that they can fix. But putting on a nametage doesn't give them special powers.

 

[WilsonFlyer]

snip...as well as the increased expectations of guests...snip

I strongly disagree. Disney set this expectation in my mind 20 years ago when I started going. They taught me to expect the best. Disney no longer lives up this reputation. Let's point the finger where it needs to be pointed.

Day by day, month by month and year by year, WDW is becoming more and more just another Six Flags or Busch Gardens. Sad but true.

 

[maxiesmom]

I think you might agree WDW cutbacks (as well as the increased expectations of guests), have had something to do with the enjoyment of their theme parks which seems to result in the increasing number of threads like this.

I firmly believe the larger part is the increased expectations of their guests. Maybe because I work at a mall, and see it first had every time I am there.

Before the internet and discussion boards like this one, people were not aware off all of the perks and extras Disney was doing. My first trip to WDW was 14 years ago. I had never heard about towel animals, or birthday cupcakes, or divers that would hold up a sign for your loved one. Now it seems everyone knows, and a bunch of people feel slighted if they don't get what someone else got. Not too long ago there was a post from someone who was beyond livid that her child didn't get a free birthday cupcake. And tons of posters agreed that she should be mad!

Couple that with the whole "I don't work here so don't expect me to give a dang if I drop my trash on the ground, step on the flowers, yell at a Cast Member, pee on the seat" attitude of people, and it just isn't as easy to keep the parks nice as it was 14 years ago.

 

[DISNEY1975]

This is how I deal with the annoying tour groups.

I get an early start by driving my car to a monorail resort and have a nice relaxing breakfast. We then take the monorail over to MK or Epcot and do as much as we can in the morning. By lunch time when the annoying tour groups are in full force, we hop the monorail over to the Poly for a swim at the Volcano Pool. I usually pack our refillable mugs from our 2002 trip so we can have drinks and sit on the hammocks at that great resort (wish I could afford to stay there someday).

I like to do this on a MVMCP or MNSSHP night. After our afternoon at the Poly, we go over to MK. I make sure to get dinner reservations at 6:55pm, that way we are in for the party!! (usually those annoying tour group people are gone by then) After the party, we take to less packed monorail to the resorts to get the car I parked there that morning and go back to our hotel!

And thats how I avoid the annoying tour groups.

 

[Planogirl]

I see nothing wrong with the OP posting a wish list. I'm sure that just about everyone here has their own list in fact.

 

[5DisneyNuts]

I strongly disagree. Disney set this expectation in my mind 20 years ago when I started going. They taught me to expect the best. Disney no longer lives up this reputation. Let's point the finger where it needs to be pointed.

Day by day, month by month and year by year, WDW is becoming more and more just another Six Flags or Busch Gardens. Sad but true.

I am not a WDW apologist. I don't agree that WDW is becoming another Six Flags (just take a trip to Great Adventure in NJ). I think they are walking a fine line between remaining profitable and being what everyone expects them to be. They have to be careful that they deliver what they promise as a company.

I firmly believe the larger part is the increased expectations of their guests. Maybe because I work at a mall, and see it first had every time I am there.

Before the internet and discussion boards like this one, people were not aware off all of the perks and extras Disney was doing. My first trip to WDW was 14 years ago. I had never heard about towel animals, or birthday cupcakes, or divers that would hold up a sign for your loved one. Now it seems everyone knows, and a bunch of people feel slighted if they don't get what someone else got. Not too long ago there was a post from someone who was beyond livid that her child didn't get a free birthday cupcake. And tons of posters agreed that she should be mad!

Couple that with the whole "I don't work here so don't expect me to give a dang if I drop my trash on the ground, step on the flowers, yell at a Cast Member, pee on the seat" attitude of people, and it just isn't as easy to keep the parks nice as it was 14 years ago.

I totally agree with this. Guests have certain expectations - entitlements that did not exist before. Whether these come from general society or boards like these, the end result is going to be some unhappy people.

IMO, ignore what you can (just like in real life), report what is dangerous and move on.

 

[pta-mom]

This is how I deal with the annoying tour groups.

I get an early start by driving my car to a monorail resort and have a nice relaxing breakfast. We then take the monorail over to MK or Epcot and do as much as we can in the morning. By lunch time when the annoying tour groups are in full force, we hop the monorail over to the Poly for a swim at the Volcano Pool. I usually pack our refillable mugs from our 2002 trip so we can have drinks and sit on the hammocks at that great resort (wish I could afford to stay there someday).

I like to do this on a MVMCP or MNSSHP night. After our afternoon at the Poly, we go over to MK. I make sure to get dinner reservations at 6:55pm, that way we are in for the party!! (usually those annoying tour group people are gone by then) After the party, we take to less packed monorail to the resorts to get the car I parked there that morning and go back to our hotel!

And thats how I avoid the annoying tour groups.

You are funny!

 

[5DisneyNuts]

This is how I deal with the annoying tour groups.

I get an early start by driving my car to a monorail resort and have a nice relaxing breakfast. We then take the monorail over to MK or Epcot and do as much as we can in the morning. By lunch time when the annoying tour groups are in full force, we hop the monorail over to the Poly for a swim at the Volcano Pool. I usually pack our refillable mugs from our 2002 trip so we can have drinks and sit on the hammocks at that great resort (wish I could afford to stay there someday).

I like to do this on a MVMCP or MNSSHP night. After our afternoon at the Poly, we go over to MK. I make sure to get dinner reservations at 6:55pm, that way we are in for the party!! (usually those annoying tour group people are gone by then) After the party, we take to less packed monorail to the resorts to get the car I parked there that morning and go back to our hotel!

And thats how I avoid the annoying tour groups.

Now that's a plan!

 

[A Mickeyfan]

...

http://http://www.themeparkinsider.com/flume/201004/1895/

Here are the Top 20 United States theme parks for 2009:

1. Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom: 17.2 million +1.0%
2. Disneyland: 15.9 million +8.0%
3. Epcot: 11.0 million +0.5%
4. Disney's Hollywood Studios: 9.7 million +1.0%
5. Disney's Animal Kingdom: 9.6 million +0.5%
6. Disney's California Adventure: 6.1 million +9.5%

Are there anywhere near that many guests who frequent this board? The Wish Letter is nice, but in reality, even with pixie dust sprinkles on it
Disney would not comply with the wishes, even if all of us here wrote that same wish note.. and not all of us would. I know OP did not mean that we all should nor did she mean that it was a real one she was sending off. It is nice to dream sometimes, then reality hits us in the head.

Disney is a fun theme park, makes you feel like a kid again, I love it myself. With that in mind, I know it is a business that is out to make a profit. They will not impose a decibel ruler & start measuring sound & state how loud a person can be in the park. If they stop the chanting, what will be next, the screams on the thrill rides or even worse, the screams of a child having a meltdown. No, they would not do that.

Disney does already have a dress code & seems to enforce it when they stop people at the gate for wearing bathing suits. They aren't going to go much further than that because they are not out to be the fashion police.

Disney does already have some rules they expect their guests to follow, such as no physical confrontations with other guests. They expect you to pay for your items (if not you will be held accountable). That goes for paying for a child who is 3 years old too..because when you don't, that is just like stealing merchandise. They have posted height restrictions they expect every parent to follow, that goes for even the one who feels it is safe even if her child is only just shy of the requirement. Disney expects those who carry firearms to leave them outside of the gate, that goes for even off duty law enforcement. Disney does not allow you to bring in alcoholic beverages nor do they allow you to smoke all over the parks, they have designated areas for that. That even goes for the one who wants to just take a fast puff then put it out. Those are just some of what Disney expects.

So you see, Disney does have rules and regulations that are already in place. Disney is a privately run business, they run their parks the way they want to. They are in the business to make money. So if they allow chanting, who are we to ask them to stop it? If they allow PJ's, short shorts & spandex to be worn, who are we to stop it? If they allow a GAC pass to be used as a FP, who are we to really stop this? It isn't our park, we are a guest there and really should not be telling other guests what to do.

Yes, it would be nice to have everyone hold doors for you, not stand in front of you when you sit to watch the parade, not yell so loudly in your ear when near you, not shove their stroller into you, not run you down with their ECV, not stop in the middle of a path when you are walking, not drain the FP machines with one person there for 100 passes. Disney is magical, but they cannot perform magic by making everyone use their manner's. The magic comes from within you & if you let some of the "uglies" get to you, you will loose the magic you wanted to have while there. It would be great if everyone used their manner's, but they don't. They don't do it outside of Disney and they aren't going to do it inside.. and we are not the manner police to try and enforce it. We are on our vacation/trip, not someone else's. We have no right to force common decency on anyone. While I don't condone the lack of manners, there is no law against not having them.

If we were able to tell everyone what to do, what to say, when to do it, etc....etc..... we would be micromanaging others. We live in America, where we are suppose to be free. Yes, follow the laws & comply with rules/regulations that are in place, where ever they may be, but other than that, we are free to express who we are, not who someone wants us to be.

With all that I have said, I have not said I condone everything that Disney allows, but what I am saying is it is Disney's choice to allow what they allow, I don't feel it is our choice. I am not saying don't go to Disney, but I am saying don't go looking for good manners from everyone & please do not get mad when you don't find them. Why ruin your trip over the way someone is dressed. You aren't with them, you don't know them, what is it to you.

 

[OhioDisneyDad]

No, the OP's letter was not offensive. Condescending, maybe.

You all make it sound like stopping all this "unacceptable" and "obnoxious" behavior is easy. Piece of cake. Just ask, and people will behave. If it were that easy, guests would police themselves.

Have you ever tried to get 65 chanting middle school cheerleaders to be quiet? Have you ever tried to tell a 6-ft tall, 250-lb man to go to the back of the line when you're 5ft 3 and 120 lbs and he says no? Have you ever had a guest come up to you and DEMAND that you make someone else move out of their parade spot when you didn't see who was there first and have no way of knowing who is right? Have you ever had a guest literally pull you away from something else so that you can tell a tour group leader to stop monopolizing the FP machine and then have the guest get angry at YOU when the leader just keeps going? It's not an easy gig. CMs are empowered to fix situations that they can fix. But putting on a nametage doesn't give them special powers.

All I'm going to say is that this 6' 4", 300lb dad would be happy to assist you should you ever need help.

 

[maxiesmom]

Wise words.

 

[Madisonsmom45]

Bad manners is bad manners. If they have them at Disney, they have them at home. I try and treat everyone with a smile and a hello. People feel they have to cram every penny out of their Disney dollars. Stop the insanity. Just stop and smell the roses. I think Disney does try to provide a good show with pixie dust and magic. They probably do the best they can with crowd control. Every nationality is different and there are different customs in different countries.
People are people.
Disney is expensive no matter how you try to save a few bucks. It's still expensive and I can see why people act the way they do.
CM's have very little say in anything. And I am sure that Disney has a committee of some kind that patrols crowds to see what is going on and how they can improve.
Well, enough rambling. We all know what this thread is. http://www.wdwinfo.com/images/smilies/popcorn.gif
Pixie Dust to all with your upcoming vacations to the World...
http://www.wdwinfo.com/images/smilies/hug.gif
WDW we're coming home..
Bonnie

 

[Fantasmic23]

I'm getting a front row seat for this one...I may even stop half way down the aisle to ensure maximum viewing pleasure...

Me, too!

 

[KellyNY]

There is a solution for those problems, but they do not sell it at MK.

 

[Galls]

5DisneyNuts--

You strongly implied that Disney raises ticket prices just to put more money into their pockets. I'm just pointing out that the cost of running the parks is sure to have gone up too. Maybe some of the ticket price increase is just for the joy of having more money(which they are allowed to do). But a good chunk of it is going towards more expensive costs.

There has not been a significant amount of inflatio. It is to provide a constant growth in their bottom line.

 

[5DisneyNuts]

snipped by me - hope Mickeyfan doesn't mind...
So you see, Disney does have rules and regulations that are already in place. Disney is a privately run business, they run their parks the way they want to. They are in the business to make money. So if they allow chanting, who are we to ask them to stop it? If they allow PJ's, short shorts & spandex to be worn, who are we to stop it? If they allow a GAC pass to be used as a FP, who are we to really stop this? It isn't our park, we are a guest there and really should not be telling other guests what to do.

If we were able to tell everyone what to do, what to say, when to do it, etc....etc..... we would be micromanaging others. We live in America, where we are suppose to be free. Yes, follow the laws & comply with rules/regulations that are in place, where ever they may be, but other than that, we are free to express who we are, not who someone wants us to be. snipped by 5disneynuts.
QUOTE]

This totally sums it up for me

 

[Pjimmeyer]

Thanks a bunch rosebud4

I would be willing to pay more for more CMs and security to help with this but I'm not sure everyone would. I am also willing to become more involved to help the CMs spread the pixie dust.

 

[A Mickeyfan]

There is a solution for those problems, but they do not sell it at MK.

hmmm Maybe they should.. it would solve a lot of' problems... increase's profit & put an end to the ill's of the World! I think you are onto something... run with it, but don't run into anyone, be sure to pay to park, don't be too loud when you get there.. and dress for success

 

[nytimez]

This is how I deal with the annoying tour groups.

I get an early start by driving my car to a monorail resort and have a nice relaxing breakfast. We then take the monorail over to MK or Epcot and do as much as we can in the morning. By lunch time when the annoying tour groups are in full force, we hop the monorail over to the Poly for a swim at the Volcano Pool. I usually pack our refillable mugs from our 2002 trip so we can have drinks and sit on the hammocks at that great resort (wish I could afford to stay there someday).

I like to do this on a MVMCP or MNSSHP night. After our afternoon at the Poly, we go over to MK. I make sure to get dinner reservations at 6:55pm, that way we are in for the party!! (usually those annoying tour group people are gone by then) After the party, we take to less packed monorail to the resorts to get the car I parked there that morning and go back to our hotel!

And thats how I avoid the annoying tour groups.

Wow! I do almost the exact same thing! But first I tell the CMs at the gate that my 5-year-old is really 2, then we eat only at buffets (where they eat free). Also, to beat those tour groups, we need to cut in the line -- sorry, I'm meeting the rest of my group up front, LOL.