Disapointed

[eliza61]

I think Europe is very much like Disney in the fact that yes you can do Europe on a budget and it can also be very expensive. I've stayed at some hotels in Paris that ran me $700 a night and some that were only 250/night. So I try not to compare the two.
I live in the South Jersey area, every year people here flock to the NJ shore like salmon returning up stream to spawn. I don't get it. The water is filthy, ever try getting customer service from a college student who is there on vacation and a ocean front room will easily set you back 2,000 bucks for the week. Oh and to top it off, you have to pay to sit on a Beach (excuse me!!) but year after year its booked solid.
I'm fine with the fact not every one is a disney person, just like I'm not a shore/beach person.

 

[Momvic5]

I have to say something here about rude cast members. We just returned from WDW on Dec. 15th and had a very magical trip. All of the CMs we encountered were very kind except one. What started as a very sweet moment quickly turned tense. A CM in MGM came up to my daughter (8) and asked to look at her trading pins. My daughter agreed and then the CM asked if he could have one of her pins - not trade but have one of her pins. My mother not sure of what he was going to do politely asked why he wanted one of her pins. The CM looked at my mom and very rudely and loudly said, "If you would just wait a minute I will show you." Since my daughter was willing to give him a pin without trading he gave her a special pin set. That was his intention from the beginning but his rudeness to my mother ruined the moment. I was disappointed because this was my moms first trip to WDW, and though it did not ruin our trip or upset our day, it chipped away alittle of the magic of WDW for my mother. He was reminder that even though we were at the Happiest Place on Earth not everyone was happy and pleasant. Who Knew??!!

I am sorry you were disappointed in your trip. I think we could all sympathize.

 

[rt2dz]

I have to say something here about rude cast members. We just returned from WDW on Dec. 15th and had a very magical trip. All of the CMs we encountered were very kind except one. What started as a very sweet moment quickly turned tense. A CM in MGM came up to my daughter (8) and asked to look at her trading pins. My daughter agreed and then the CM asked if he could have one of her pins - not trade but have one of her pins. My mother not sure of what he was going to do politely asked why he wanted one of her pins. The CM looked at my mom and very rudely and loudly said, "If you would just wait a minute I will show you." Since my daughter was willing to give him a pin without trading he gave her a special pin set. That was his intention from the beginning but his rudeness to my mother ruined the moment. I was disappointed because this was my moms first trip to WDW, and though it did not ruin our trip or upset our day, it chipped away alittle of the magic of WDW for my mother. He was reminder that even though we were at the Happiest Place on Earth not everyone was happy and pleasant. Who Knew??!!

I am sorry you were disappointed in your trip. I think we could all sympathize.

See, that is exactly the type of CM we encountered over and over this past trip (Dec. 8-17). I've been to WDW over two dozen times and have never had that kind of treatment before, but this past trip that's all we got.

This had nothing to do with crowds--there were hardly any. Nothing to do with not planning--I know Disney and plans went easy. Nothing to do with transportation or hotel choice. It was just simply the way it was for this trip. It happens.

I have to say that the other guests at WDW were horribly rude--even DS6 was talking about it. I had certainly had my fill of rude people by the end of the trip and I think many of the CMs were probably feeling the same way. I was amazed at the number of out and out line cutters, people who shoved me (on purpose, with a big "move"--Into where? A wall?), people who grabbed merchandise out of my hands, etc.

The restaurant service was the worst. I could send the message with the tip this time, but next year there would have been a lot of manager talking, thanks to auto grat. DH and I have already decided we will not be going back to Hollywood and Vine and probably not the ESPN Club either. It was that bad.

And then we had CMs just out and out lie to us about things. Now there were some really nice CMs too. It's just the rude seemed to outnumber the good. Two rotten for every one nice.

Of course, I know that this is unusual, and it certainly won't stop us from going back next year. But had it been a first trip, I might not be so willing to go back to WDW again anytime soon. I think sometimes people forget that Disney is a multi-billion dollar corporation with a CEO and a board of directors with stockholders to answer to. It is about the bottom line; sometimes I think Walt would be very upset at how things are going. There are so many employees that even if only 10% are less than stellar, a person could encounter nothing but rotten people over the course of a week.

 

[PrincessBelle39]

I'm so sorry that people have been having bad times and rude CMs recently. We were there in Nov and I felt like I had some of the nicest, friendliest CM's ever. I wish everyone could interact with the same ones we did!

We have been here 26days now so far. In all that time we have only come across three rude cast members. Two of them were working at the same time on the Dinosaur ride in AK. The other a server in Hollywood & Vine. Other than that every cast member has been more than pleasant and friendly.

 

[Aunt Michelle]

Wow. I don't know exactly what to say. Family and I just returned from 7 night Disney trip last night. We visited Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, Epcot, Downtown Disney & MGM. We stayed at the All Star Movie resort. We were ALL very disapointed in the entire trip. From things not working in our room to rude employees at the hotel (several), to rude employees at the parks, to outdated and disapointing attractions at EVERY stop. My kids highlight of the trip was going to see Alvin and The Chipmunks at the movies....needless to say we won't be returning. To each his own I know and I'm happy for all you Disney lovers but I just dont get how you all go back again and again......

Sherm - I'm sorry you and your family were disappointed with your Disney experience, especially at such a magical Disney time. I am perplexed however as to why you started this thread. You didn't have a good time, and you won't be going back. I do not get the impression that you want us to "convince" you otherwise, so I am just curious as to what feedback you might be looking for?

 

[WildGrits]

Sherm,

Sorry to hear you had a crummy time. I love WDW. When I think of places to go and vacation, WDW is always my first thought.

But back in 02 we had a really crappy vacation there. That is why it was so long till we went back. I remember leaving there thinking how down hill it had gone and doubted we would ever go again.

But after many years we went back. It was awesome!!! And we are not, autograph & picture people. My kids would rather go to school than have a pic done with a character, well except for Stitch. We are not FANatics.

We do like to go back again and again because we never end up doing as much as we wanted to. I have yet to make it to Disney Quest.

But you are right. Some folks just plain don't care for Disney.

 

[disneygal2007]

Sorry you didn't have a magical time! Some people just are not Disney lovers (I know a few myself ), but for those of us who love Disney, we are able to find the magic each time we go. I can't imagine ever having a bad time at Disney! I would go WAY more than I do if I could convince DH. My DD4 said this morning "Mommy, I love Disney World!" That's my girl!

AMEN WELL SAID! Everytime we go all is missing is the big red bow on the welcome sign. My husband myself and the kids can't sleep in the days before the trip. We love Disney and true we have delt with bhvad guess never cast members but you just have a mind set of not letting anyone ever mess up what u have planned and saved for. Sorry about your bad time but go again you never know what can happen.

 

[David 1980]

I am sorry your trip was a bad one. I took my family of seven this past June and had a wonderful time. I did not have one bad day of our entire 7 day trip. I am not sure what you were looking for but it sounds like no matter what Disney did you would of not been happy?

 

[Nom]

Unfortunately, I have to agree with the original poster. I first went in '72 and have been back many times. (family in Florida) We just returned 12/4-12/10. We were at the parks for the rope drop each morning and avoided the crowds, utilizing FP later in the day. It just seems soooo much more commercial, more crowded (and we really walked on everything). I had hoped to spend time on Main Street in the Magic Kingdom revisiting and rediscovering old places and every "storefront" was just that...a store. We took our children in '99 and this was our first time back because of the changes. Where is the old penny arcade? I spotted some of the old machines at the train depot. I felt sadly sentimental and nostalgic regarding all the changes and in my opinion, many of them NOT for the better. The characters seem so remote and much of the spontaneity seems gone. I guess many of these changes were inevitable because of the crowds, but I miss the old Disney. We told our kids we would gladly accompany them back in 15 years when they present us with grandchildren! Until then, I plan to explore the rest of the real world!

ITA- I could have written this post myself based on my last trip! You're repeated every thought I had myself. I think people who did not go before the mid-90s don't realize how much more winderful WDW used to be back then. For those of us who do, it is a shadow of its former self. And that is a real shame.

So for us, we're taking a break from disney, at least US-based disney I actually have a business trip to Tokyo in May, so we may actually try out Toyko Disney- from what I read, they're still doing all the things that US-based disney used to do right.

 

[laceemouse]

I guess I just don't understand what folks expect WDW to be? It is a theme park for crying out loud, it is not supposed to be "the real world!" I also don't understand people who think only one "kind" of vacation is "good." I mean, it is not a "this or that" scenario. I mean, well, we enjoy all different types of vacations. We love WDW, but we don't want to just go there and nowhere else!
If all you like is camping and roughing it, don't go to WDW.....if all you like is the nitty gritty of the "real" city, don't go to WDW....if all you like is mega G multi-inversion coasters, don't go to WDW.....if you only like to eat at small little family owned cafes, don't go to WDW....if you can't stand to wait in line, don't go to WDW.....GET IT!
We just got home from a great trip! We spent several days in DC, we stayed in the city and rode the metro and saw homeless people and all of that stuff...then we spent a week in Williamsburg. It was all very educational and we loved it. It was a very different vacation from our Disney trips. We enjoy both kinds, but you cannot compare them at all, it is apples to oranges!
I guess we are just weird though. I find the "outdated" attractions nostalgic, I still love them!
There is no excuse for rude employees, but I have to say we have had very little of that in our many, many Disney trips. Could the fact that "I" am so friendly and happy when I am there have anything to do with it?????