Decline in levels of service and cleanliness

[G8RFAN]

It's not like a football game where visitors are epected to fill their seats during the whole game. When I go to EPCOT for a ride and then dinner, do you not count my entrance because I didn't come in when the rope dropped in the morning? Do you say that my MK visit that morning didn't count because I didn't stay all day? Just like a restaurant, there are rounds or flows of people at certain times of the day at each park. A 50 seat restaurant can serve 300 people in one day.

 

[mjstaceyuofm]

It's not like a football game where visitors are epected to fill their seats during the whole game. When I go to EPCOT for a ride and then dinner, do you not count my entrance because I didn't come in when the rope dropped in the morning? Do you say that my MK visit that morning didn't count because I didn't stay all day? Just like a restaurant, there are rounds or flows of people at certain times of the day at each park. A 50 seat restaurant can serve 300 people in one day.

That's why AV says it's impossible to come up with real attendance figures. Nobody knows what Disney does or doesn't count for attendance. Admitting that they "double count" attendance would be bad fo Disney. So would admitting people only go to the parks for portions of the day.... Thus
they don't realease statistics.

 

[Another Voice]

Even Disney doesn't know how to count the guests. There isn't a real answer. If you go to the Magic Kingdom in the morning, have lunch at the Polynesian and then go to dinner at EPCOT Center - where do you get counted?

Typically Disney counts a guest only at the first park they enter for the day. It makes things simple, but there Early Mornings tends to skew the results. A good chunk of the resort guests all head to the early parks - even if they don't spend a lot of time there. While it might really help the numbers for Animal Kingdom, it doesn't mean that guests spend the majority of their day there.

Then there's also the problem of the total number of guests for the year. If you use the Disney method and you stay four days - you're counted as four guests. So it's really measuring guest/days, not the actual number of people who have travelled to Orlando to see WDW.

And with the numbers in this thread, Disney hasn't released real attendance figures for years and years. What you see published is a guess of the growth over the numbers that were estimated the year before, which was based on a swag from the year before that. Disney isn't going to say anything if the numbers are overstated (good for the stock price).

 

[danj]

This past trip in July my wife and I commented that the cleanliness of the parks and resort had really declined since our last trip.

 

[Peter Pirate 2]

This past trip in July my wife and I commented that the cleanliness of the parks and resort had really declined since our last trip.

We were at Epcot Thursday night and we commented the exact same. I've never seen it quite so messy...Then we went to Universal last night and it made Epcot look sparkling, so it may just be day by day but it seems attention to detail is failing across the board.

 

[Pigsty333]

Not only have the parks cleanliness declined, prices have gone way up, and there have been numerous thefts reported, but also the quality of service in the rooms have declined as well.

Check out these two links:

http://s93.photobucket.com/albums/l76/amickeyfan/AS Sports June 2007/

http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1482033

Whether its a value, moderate or a high end resort, this is not acceptable anywhere. Disney needs to step up to the plate and revamp their services, instead of drawing every bit of blood from their "guests." This is not a magical vacation, and to hear some people saying it is nitpicking, is not right. You don't get this at LaQuinta, Sleep Inn, so why at Disney.

They have outsourced a lot of their services out to many companies and the pride is no longer there. When Disney had their own housekeeping, baggage handler service, it was much better. Not anymore. I gave up my year pass and don't even go as often as I used to.

The above photos are not the only ones - I had a group of 30 also staying here and it was a complete nightmare.

Needless to say - this is not acceptable and Disney needs to treat their guets and the travel agents too, a lot better.

 

[annievtaylor]

I have been travelling to WDW since the 70s and i am stunned at how we get fleeced in the UK for tickets....I think its outrageous that my 10 year old is now an "adult" and has to pay $792 for a 7 day ticket just like us...US residents get tickets much cheaper and yet if US residents go to any of our attractions , everyone gets the same rate or discount.
I know I can get discounted tickets through maple leaf etc etc , but for non expiration 7 day tickets they go up even more to over $1000!
Its starting to get unjustifiable now and after all these years we are considering other options.
Service and standards have dropped , but in the UK our service industry is absolutely mediocre anyway so many people here do not complain. I have made a complaint and the woman at Disney is due to phone me on Monday...will keep you posted.

 

[amw]

I have been travelling to WDW since the 70s and i am stunned at how we get fleeced in the UK for tickets....I think its outrageous that my 10 year old is now an "adult" and has to pay $792 for a 7 day ticket just like us...US residents get tickets much cheaper and yet if US residents go to any of our attractions , everyone gets the same rate or discount.
I know I can get discounted tickets through maple leaf etc etc , but for non expiration 7 day tickets they go up even more to over $1000!
Its starting to get unjustifiable now and after all these years we are considering other options.
Service and standards have dropped , but in the UK our service industry is absolutely mediocre anyway so many people here do not complain. I have made a complaint and the woman at Disney is due to phone me on Monday...will keep you posted.

I don't understand Would gate tickets not be cheaper than what you're quoting? There is no different price based on where you've travelled from.

Using the pricing on Mousesavers:
http://www.mousesavers.com/mywpricechart20072008.html
A 7-day MYW adult with everything including no expiration would be $435US with taxes. That's buying at the gate.

I know I can order from online brokers no problem, and we're in Canada. Have you looked at undercovertourist? They have free shipping to the UK. The same all-included 7-day ticket from them is $386.

I don't think the non-expiry price ($100) is worthwhile on a 7-day ticket.

Trust me, compared to Canada's Wonderland, Disney tickets are cheap

 

[annievtaylor]

I understand these prices are cheaper , but what i am saying is that , in the UK you are advised to buy tickets before you go through tour operators etc and then they charge over $700 on the disney website...how can they justify that difference in price from the ones you have quoted? Only experienced travellers would go online and research other prices or even think there would be such a difference. I certainly do not agree that my 10 year old should be classed as an adult either.

 

[EUROPACL]

I understand these prices are cheaper , but what i am saying is that , in the UK you are advised to buy tickets before you go through tour operators etc and then they charge over $700 on the disney website...how can they justify that difference in price from the ones you have quoted? Only experienced travellers would go online and research other prices or even think there would be such a difference. I certainly do not agree that my 10 year old should be classed as an adult either.

Who "advises" you to do this without checking online how much tickets really cost? Not Disney. I'm sorry the excuse that you need to be an experienced traveler in this day and age is not going to work either...and who exactly is it that is charging you these prices? Not Disney? Someone else I'm betting.

 

[Ang1e]

Annievtaylor - if you haven't yet bought your tickets please please consider buying them from undercovertourist or mapleleaftickets. I've used both in the past and received excellent service. There really is no need to pay the prices you're mentioning.

I have no problem with paying adult prices for my children. They are tall enough to go on all the rides therefore should pay the same. Just my opinion.

As to the original topic of standards of service etc I really don't have anything to complain about. We've just returned and couldn't fault the service we received. We stayed off-site to keep the budget lower which in turn enabled us to do some non-Disney things.

Didn't realise how great the Disney CMs were until we did Busch and Seaworld. Could have been worse though - we could have stayed here for the summer and visited some UK theme parks The service, food and non-cleanliness is probably best not mentioned!

 

[ploeb]

Sorry, I agree, Disney service has really gone down! And frankly, when I spend $225.00 a night on a room, I want good service. I have paid less then $100.00 for a room at the DLR calif. and recieved amazing service(last year). This year "garbage!" Rooms dirty, CMs were rude and unprepared(in July!). It was a weird experiance for me, and when I made a complaint, "Oh, sorry." Was the response. In response, I sent the book "The Disney Way" to the mgr. I hoped it helped.

 

[amw]

I have paid less then $100.00 for a room at the DLR calif. and recieved amazing service(last year).

Was that a DLR room? We just did Disneyland last March and to stay on site started at $270/night for a "moderate" hotel. Disney hotels were far pricier there then WDW (understandably you can walk to the parks). I know you can stay across the street from DL at motels or HoJos for well under $100, but that's a great deal you received at a Disneyland Resort!


$225/night is really not all that much compared to some other cities. I know you can get far cheaper in Orlando, but if you expect 5-star service for $200/night.... I'm heading to New York for a weekend this Fall, and to stay at the Hyatt -- not even a nice one -- is $400 for a Saturday.

I don't think complaints about price should be the same as complaints about service. Good service should be expected at any cost point. What is expensive to some, is pennies to another, and vice versa. If both scales of people are leaving WDW disappointed, then Disney has failed. If, however, they keep getting return customers on a yearly basis...

I think this thread is a no-win one... but we can't blame Disney if agents overseas are charging too much for tickets, or if some people expect luxury from moderate prices. It's obvious from posters on each board that levels of cleanliness and above-and-beyond customer service have declined, and that's what Disney should be focusing on.

 

[fitzperry]

In response, I sent the book "The Disney Way" to the mgr. I hoped it helped.

Classic. I love this!

 

[katdocnorf]

Everyone gets mailed a survey about their stay. Does anyone make sure they put the problems and dislikes on that survey?

I know in the past I let some things go and not put it on my survey b/c I thought it was petty meaningless little issues. This time I had a lot off petty meaningless issues and I made sure I put it on my survey. Whether these surveys get read or not I don't know but it least I feel like I made them aware.

When we checked in to our cabin at Fort Wilderness we had a couple of light bulbs burned out. The murphy bed's head board was broken and hanging off. The trim board in the front around the murphy bed was broken and nail sticking out. Dishes in cabinets all had dried on, caked on food on them. Pitcher even still had remnents of tea (liquid) in it. Girl at take out side of Trail's End just did not have a clue about anything. Kept turning us away everytime we would come up there and want a milk shake to go. Finally we went over to the lounge side and asked bartender and he got us our milk shakes. When we came back a couple of days later to pick up DD Birthcake we ordered. We got her again and once again she seemed like to didn't know what she was doing. I made sure I put all of this in my survey somewhere.

If no one complains to where it needs to be complained to nothing will ever change.........

 

[barbeml]

Everyone gets mailed a survey about their stay. Does anyone make sure they put the problems and dislikes on that survey?

Funny you should mention that.

Prior to our stay last October, we always got surveys and completed them. There was really nothing to complain about until we stayed at CSR last fall and could not get our room serviced for three days, despite making numerous calls and then begging for clean towels (at least).

For the first time, they did not send me a survey. Wonder why.

 

[EUROPACL]

Everyone gets mailed a survey about their stay. Does anyone make sure they put the problems and dislikes on that survey?

If no one complains to where it needs to be complained to nothing will ever change.........

Sorry NO. Everyone does not get mailed a survey...in fact many..many trips and stays at the world and not a one.


...and where exactly is it that you think the complaints need to be sent or heard by?

 

[ploeb]

Was that a DLR room? We just did Disneyland last March and to stay on site started at $270/night for a "moderate" hotel. Disney hotels were far pricier there then WDW (understandably you can walk to the parks). I know you can stay across the street from DL at motels or HoJos for well under $100, but that's a great deal you received at a Disneyland Resort!


$225/night is really not all that much compared to some other cities. I know you can get far cheaper in Orlando, but if you expect 5-star service for $200/night.... I'm heading to New York for a weekend this Fall, and to stay at the Hyatt -- not even a nice one -- is $400 for a Saturday.

I don't think complaints about price should be the same as complaints about service. Good service should be expected at any cost point. What is expensive to some, is pennies to another, and vice versa. If both scales of people are leaving WDW disappointed, then Disney has failed. If, however, they keep getting return customers on a yearly basis...

I think this thread is a no-win one... but we can't blame Disney if agents overseas are charging too much for tickets, or if some people expect luxury from moderate prices. It's obvious from posters on each board that levels of cleanliness and above-and-beyond customer service have declined, and that's what Disney should be focusing on.

Well I suppose that being that I was not in another city, and that I was in Disneyland, and F.Y.I, sometimes you can get a room at the PPH for $89.00-$99.00 per night, its an AP deal-but works for me. I expect Disney service Also, I was not complaining about the price, I was complaining about the service. And I have not looked into the prices at HoJos or any others, so I cant comment,but I will say this I absolutely expect 5 star treatment for my stay at any of the 3 DLR hotels and so should everyone else. As you mentioned, it may have only been $225. a night (5 nights) but it was still good money. Add in the $11.50 +18% gratuity, and your talking $280.00 per. night, thats $1400.00. And I stayed in July.

 

[YoHo]

just FYI, I'm pretty sure all the DLR hotels are considered approximately the same service level. For sure they don't have value, Mod and Deluxe.

What they DO have is the friendly neighbor hotels and those range in service from Motel 6 up to 5 star and priced to match with a bit of an up charge for location.

 

[mitros]

Everyone gets mailed a survey about their stay. Does anyone make sure they put the problems and dislikes on that survey?

I know in the past I let some things go and not put it on my survey b/c I thought it was petty meaningless little issues. This time I had a lot off petty meaningless issues and I made sure I put it on my survey. Whether these surveys get read or not I don't know but it least I feel like I made them aware.

When we checked in to our cabin at Fort Wilderness we had a couple of light bulbs burned out. The murphy bed's head board was broken and hanging off. The trim board in the front around the murphy bed was broken and nail sticking out. Dishes in cabinets all had dried on, caked on food on them. Pitcher even still had remnents of tea (liquid) in it. Girl at take out side of Trail's End just did not have a clue about anything. Kept turning us away everytime we would come up there and want a milk shake to go. Finally we went over to the lounge side and asked bartender and he got us our milk shakes. When we came back a couple of days later to pick up DD Birthcake we ordered. We got her again and once again she seemed like to didn't know what she was doing. I made sure I put all of this in my survey somewhere.

If no one complains to where it needs to be complained to nothing will ever change.........

Exactly! And not only that, but if there was something wrong in your room, you should not wait till you get home and wait for a survey. You need to call housekeeping or the front desk IMMEDIATLEY, and demand everything be put into "ship-shape" condition. We are paying "premium" prices to stay at WDW resorts, and we should expect things that are out of order or broken to receive immediate attention. In other words DO NOT wait till you get home, complain on site! Folks do not seem to understand that the time to get these things fixed is while you are on site. I have said this before, don't wait people, lodge your complaints while you are there!