Did you have any disappointments while visiting WDW?

[scouthawkk]

DS's biggest disappointed in August (just about 3 at time): he really wanted to meet Donald Duck. We went to every place Donald was supposed to be, but wasn't! The one time we found him, there was no line, Donald was waving at everyone walking past, and DS got really excited and went running up...only to be turned away by the CM standing with him...Donald was there for a private event, and can be found later in (whatever the place was the guy mentioned). The CM in the Donald outfit was willing to give DS hug and all (he didn't care about autograph, just wanted a hug and pic taken) but the handler wasn't budging...DS cried for almost an hour...nothing made him feel better, not even a balloon and ice cream!! It was finally Cinderella that brought him out of his fit! Never did find Donald again that entire week...

Biggest disappointment for DH and I: we stayed at FW in my father's 5th wheel trailer. The campground was just not as kept up as it use to be when we both camped there growing up. DH even had a very nasty (and I mean NASTY-won't say exactly what because it makes me squeemish just thinking about it) experience in one of the showers at the comfort station. He immediately reported it (after switching stalls and re-showering). Never got any real response out of management. It was never actually reported to the maintence crew until our last day there when DH ran into one of the crew outside and mentioned it. We did (eventually) get a partial credit on our stay for the incident, but only because we kept complaining, and trying to make sure it had been taken care of. Everytime we called, or mentioned it at the front desk, they didn't seem to know what we were talking about. Finally, DH talked to a different manager that apologized for not getting a response or follow-up about it. (The lack of follow-up is what the manager cited for the credit, not for being sorry about the incident).

That, and no matter how much extra time we allowed for transportation to and from (anywhere) we seemed to always be late for our dinner ressies. One night we left our campsite 2.5 hours early, and we were still 30 minutes late! And there really wan't anyone else on the busses/boats or whatever we were taking...they just never seemed to run on schedule the entire time we were there! Don't think we will stay at FW again (don't think you could pay DH to stay there)...

Next trip (summer 2007) will be at the Poly. Hopefully that will make things better with DH. Now, if only we can track down Donald!

 

[smfritz03]

Ours was our character breakfast as Chef Mickeys---the kids didnt even like it. The characters were really rushed and kinda rude. (and we were there early enough that it wasnt even busy and there were empty tables)

 

[scouthawkk]

Just realized-I am no longer earning my ears!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[ainmama2001]

RAIN! Then, when we tried to take "cover" we were getting some nasty looks from CM's who were running the shops because we were all in there. You'd think they'd be happy that they had a captive consumer base!

 

[OhioTony]

Ours was probably Restaurant Marakesh. While the food was excellent the service left alot to be desired. Our head waiter seemed to really rush us. Our bill was brought before we were even finished with our main course and then we never saw him again. The food was great and the belly dancer was great for the 5 minutes she performed.

 

[goofie4goofy]

I'll second whomever complained about MVMCP. We were on-site last year 12/2-12/9 and went to MVMCP on a Tuesday night. The crowds were horrible! We didn't even seen crowds like that during the daytime. 45+ minutes wait for Winne the Pooh, 60 minutes wait for attractions in Tomorrowland. There were CM in the middle of Tomorrowland directing traffic with flashlights, hollering "Keep moving. No stopping and standing" I felt like I wasted money.

Uh OH...I just bought my tix for this year. I got tix for Tues night 12/13 because I figured it would be less crowded...Oh well! We most likely will not go on rides...but more for the decorations and smow at night.

I'm glad we are having diner at CG before the party...I'll have a martini or three and maybe it won't be so bad.

 

[Princess Mindy]

Don't those Americans know how much damage that extra 75 pounds is doing? Don't they know how much more they would enjoy WDW if they were in better shape? Is there anything we could do to help them make better choices? Is it fair that the people who are making healthy lifestyle choices will have to pay the medical bills of those who have made poor lifestyle choices (i.e. smoking)?
And then I wonder how many more Americans won't even go to WDW because they are too out of shape or worried about people being rude to them.

I'm sure they all know. No need to remind them. I have read several posts that stress the importance of not judging people. I believe that this statement applies here too. People who are overweight have many many many reasons for being so, and the fact that they are walking around outside at Disney is a step in the right direction to being more healthy. It is a very difficult and arduous process which isn't helped by fit people openly worrying about their bad lifestyle choices for selfish reasons.

 

[bigmac5]

My 3 biggest disappointments with our trip this past week were things that weren't Disney's fault.

1) I didn't take time before our trip to get used to the amount of walking we'd do- I felt like an old (or at least middle-aged), out-of-shape lady (which I am!) for tiring out so fast. I didn't get blisters, but my feet just ached so much, and my ankles were so stiff and sore. Next year, I will start walking each day a couple of months before we leave so I won't be in such bad shape again!

I started walking about 2 months before we left. I walked about 30 minutes every night. I guess that made a difference because I didn't mind the walking at Disney--the rest of my family complained about it. And another good thing I am proud to say I am still walking every night.

 

[k5thbeatle]

I was wondering if any of you every experienced any Disney disappointments on your vacations?...Does anyone else have any let down stories???

Yes, just one. We had to eventually come home!

 

[dixiedizfan]

On our last trip we ate at CRT and waited in the throne room before being called to our table. No Cinderella, Fairy Godmother, noone at all for the kids to see, either before, during or after our lunch.

Second time wasn't really a disappointment, I guess. Our family rode in the front of the monorail from MK to Epcot. While that was neat, our monorail pilot never acknowledged or spoke to us at all. There was another CM guy in front with us, and he and the pilot conversed with each other throughout the ride, and acted like we weren't even there. Thought they could've at least said hello!

 

[ainmama2001]

Did you buy CRT as a "character lunch"? If you did, I'd complain BIG TIME. That's not right at all. I bet they'll give you your money back. Did you ask one of your servers if any characters would be there?

 

[dixiedizfan]

No, it wasn't a character lunch, but I had read before going that one of the characters, either Cinderella or Fairy Godmother, were usually always in the throne room for pictures. So I couldn't complain, but was disappointed anyway.

 

[grumpymakesmehappy]

In all of the years that we have visited Disney, there is only one event that stands out in my mind. We encountered a REALLY rude security guard at the entrance. He definately was not not having a magical day. He was so rude that we went to Town Hall to report him. They apologized for him and were more than gracious to us. But one unhappy CM was not going to ruin our trip. You just have to realize that we all have bad days. Heck, 1 negative experience verses millions of postive memories.....I'll take that anyday!!! Walt should be proud of the legacy he left!

 

[spot28]

Our worst trip the park was just so busy you could not move. Lines for rides I get...but for food, for restroom, for fastpass, for walking, for breathing...it was ridiculous. We arrived at the parking lot a 9 am and not even in the park until around 11. Left at 1pm. It was the only time I thought they should just not let people in.

 

[cara loves the poly]

The Coral Reef, if you don't get a seat by the aquarium w/kids --forget it! The price, the portions, just an overall disappointment.

 

[goofy's friends]

We had the same monorail experience!!!!! I wonder if it was the same guy. Even my daughter noticed it---she said"Well, he wasn't very friendly, was he?" It was still fun to do.

 

[ZoZo]

I'm sure they all know. No need to remind them. I have read several posts that stress the importance of not judging people. I believe that this statement applies here too. People who are overweight have many many many reasons for being so, and the fact that they are walking around outside at Disney is a step in the right direction to being more healthy. It is a very difficult and arduous process which isn't helped by fit people openly worrying about their bad lifestyle choices for selfish reasons.

I totally agree. It's a lifelong battle for many people, and it doesn't help having people criticize them. If it were easy for people to be thin and fit, don't you think everyone would do it?

 

[flbelle82]

To all of you who have bad waiter/waitress experiences, I competely sympathize, bad wait staff can completely ruin a meal, but also keep in mind, they just can not find people to work at the restaurants! I live in Orlando and they are simply begging people to apply at this point. The crowds have picked up very rapidly and they just can't keep up, but remember, they are trying to find people who understand the magic!