Discuss what Disney is doing wrong part II

[Mallow]

If we didn't care we wouldn't even be here to discuss it.

It's OK to criticize and discuss. I know that this might shock some people but Disney isn't perfect and has become even less so over time IMO. Talking about WDW is what these boards are all about and that includes the wrinkles and flaws.

I personally haven't seen the hatred you describe.

I agree, I haven't seen any hatred just concern about vacation dollars & some diminishing of the magic for some.

Just the fact that we are subscribers to the Dis shows we care enough about the topic at hand ie, Disney. Lets face it non-dis people just don't get us.

 

[KellyNY]

There's more than a few posts in this thread and the last one, that are filled with a near vitriolic WDW hate....I keep reading and saying to myself "if this person hates WDW so much, what the hell is the person doing on these boards?"


.....

I really wonder where did you see hate, not sure what post you are reffering to, I did not see any hate at all.

We all here because we do love Disney, but correct me if I am wrong, unconditional love goes to our families ONLY. We should not close our eyes if we see some bad changes to our favorite place.

Nobody would even think of comparing Disney with Six Flags, Disney have reputation( so is Universal ) and we have expectations we wish would be met.

 

[kelldawn]

2 Dec ago we did the Christmas party again and the price rose from 42 to 49.95 then last Dec it went from 49.95 to 58.00 I think and it was packed Mostly I believe because we did not have the wrist bands and there were masses of people around the castle just sitting and waiting for the Fireworks it was horrible. They HAVE to go back to the BANDS to sort them out. Not once did they ask me to show our Party card which we all had. And it isn't FREE cookies and Cocoa we paid for that in our party tickets.

Second. I don't like waiting this late to get our Dec calendar. I need to make ressies on Sept 8 and do not know when the Calendar is going to come out. It is a waste of time to wing it on dates when your not sure what the hours are.

Otherwise Yes, we do need more TS places to eat at especially MK. Not all of us want a Character sit down at night and or a buffet.

But overall I love the place and will probably be the last time for a while. Just cost too much to go with prices increasing. This is the first time I will have ever gotten to get a discount and am really looking forward to the free dining. It saved us 720.00 which is why we are going. I was going to cancel the morning it came out. Just too much for so so food.

 

[eliza61]

I agree, I haven't seen any hatred just concern about vacation dollars & some diminishing of the magic for some.

Just the fact that we are subscribers to the Dis shows we care enough about the topic at hand ie, Disney. Lets face it non-dis people just don't get us.

I'll add a 3rd to that. I love, love, love disney world but I do think the quality is going down. When I write (and I don't just vent here, when I have a problem I bring it to managements attention) of my concerns it's because I don't want it to turn into 6 flags or even universal.

I also write from a little nostalgia, this is strictly my problem and I accept that but it's hard to go some place for 13 years and not compare.

Lastly, I also complain with a lot of sadness. I'm a dvc'er so I invested for the long haul and for the first time I think I could do better else where. It started slowly, I noticed I eat more and more off site because the on site TS are mediocre with high prices. I noticed I buy less and less souvineers not because I'm getting older but because it's the same stuff in every shop.
I thought I'd be marking major milestones with a trip to the world but now I find we've cancelled our 25th anniversary trip in October and decided on Paris, specifically because we're worried about so-so meals during free dining.


A fellow disser made a wonderful comparison. In order to cook a frog you've got to slowly raise the temperature of the water so the frog won't jump out, by the time the water is hot it's too late. That's what disney is doing, a few cut backs here, a small price increase there....

 

[lacrosse_lady72]

I sooooo hate threads like this. It makes me wonder how people can be so negative?

I'm glad to be a blissful person.

 

[NoLineOntheHorizon]

I sooooo hate threads like this. It makes me wonder how people can be so negative?

I'm glad to be a blissful person.

Where is the "Discuss what Disney is doing right thread"? Is this it? No?

 

[rickybobby]

Back in the day, MK and other parks would close at 5 pm on most days during the timeframe of Mickey's Halloween Party. This was before they had the hard ticketed parties. So you would still not be able to go into the parks after sundown.
As for the food quality decrease, it is somewhat evident. I am in mourning after hearing of the demise of flatbreads at California Grill. Somebody say it ain't so. As a Passholder, we have always used the disney dining card, and have been paying for the food so many are getting free with their packages.

 

[Colleen27]

This isn't the first thread to go down this path and most of the complaints are very valid. But does anyone think Disney will do anything about it? As most of us have stated we are still going to go to Disney, so what incentive do they have?

I would be very surprised if Disney didn't monitor a fan site as huge as this one, at least casually. It isn't the only way they get information on customer preferences, of course, or even the primary way, but it is too big and too influential to ignore completely.

 

[scarlet_ibis]

I really think they need to ban smoking from the parks (not just make all of the cool out-of-the-way places smoking areas) and ENFORCE the no-smoking policy. I don't know whether it's the international character of EPCOT or what, but the amount of smoking around the International Gateway is mindboggling.

I think it should not be so hard to get decent ADRs. That's a huge part of the (mostly true) impression that a Disney vacation is so complicated to plan. I was making 6 ADRs for our upcoming trip and it took me almost 90 minutes. Never could get into Le Cellier or Chef Mickey's, and I've been calling for weeks on the Wishes Dessert Buffet, which I found out about too late.

I'm going to upset a few people and say that Disney needs to update classic rides and add more rides. On the first part, if you go to places like Islands of Adventure, you see how far ride technology has come and it feels a little like a ripoff to pay Disney prices to, essentially, wait an hour in line to ride in a little car past mostly static scenes for two minutes (think Snow White's Scary Adventures, Peter Pan, Winnie the Pooh, It's a Small World). I truly believe the Imagineers can do a lot better. And they simply need more rides to cut down wait times.

I hear the bus system has improved, but my jury's out on that for the moment. I wish they'd extend the monorail system to the other parks, or at least to the International Gateway entrance of EPCOT.

I go back and forth on the dining plan. I like it for the value it provides, but I don't like what it has done to the restaurants (selection of food, portion sizes) and service levels, in addition to how difficult it is to get ADRs. I also think you should be able to choose an appetizer OR a dessert on the dining plan.

 

[DisneyFanSince71]

This isn't the first thread to go down this path and most of the complaints are very valid. But does anyone think Disney will do anything about it? As most of us have stated we are still going to go to Disney, so what incentive do they have?

Perhaps Disney will perceive that we are the proverbial "tip of the iceberg" and we are speaking for many others who have not given voice their feelings, but just left.

We are a pretty low cost focus group.

 

[Colleen27]

There are people here that feel Disney's doing it right...or at the very least, feel they're doing it better than others. I, for one, scratch my heads at some of the posts here.

The alternative is what? Six Flags? Prices are up there as well...attendants there are grumpy and nasty. The bathrooms smell like the bronx zoo. Universal? Well, you complain to the wrong people over there and you might find you and your family banned for a year!


I understand the luster has worn a little for some....and ALOT for others. But at the end of the day, a great deal of Disney fans still feel there's some magic there.....

It is probably safe to say that even those of us with a list of complaints still think Disney is doing a lot right. It might not be as bright and shiny as it once was/could be, but it is still pretty good. We'd just like to see it getting better, or at least not getting worse!

As far as the alternatives, for my family the alternatives aren't theme parks. Universal is worth a trip, but it isn't an every year destination nor is it worth a week + to explore the way Disney is, and other theme parks are at best a one-day diversion from destinations we'd be visiting anyway. For us, the alternative is Disney every other year or every 3-4 years instead of every year, and spending more time and money exploring the real world in between.

 

[Colleen27]

. I am in mourning after hearing of the demise of flatbreads at California Grill. Somebody say it ain't so.

It ain't so. That was a temporary cut, because of a fire in the kitchen that damaged the flatbread oven. They're back and have been for a few months.

 

[luvdumbo]

I swear in the middle of my trip last jamuary the size of the waffle cones shrunk! They are a little bigger than a sugar cone now. Did anyone else notice this?

 

[KimDis]

Sooo... back to our regularly scheduled program...

After lurking on both threads I had to chime in. Just because I feel while some of the cuts and changes may appear to help Disney financially in the short term they may not be great decisions in the long run.

Ex - standardized resort mugs. I have 2 of the former versions of these babies (CBR & BC) and was REALLY looking forward to adding 2 more (resort specific mugs) during my stay in July. And since we were a group of 5, I wouldn't buy for me without buying for the family as well. And we didn't need the refillable option at all because we stayed club level at both resorts and had sodas and juices available 24/7.

IMHO this was easy money made on a collectible/souvenir. And now it's easy money lost as I would have spent $130 (before tax) but chose not to because the mugs just weren't particularly interesting or unique to me.

I also thought my retail options were limited. I used to enjoy going into MouseGear for special things I wouldn't find elsewhere in the world. But I didn't bother to go this time because I could find the same shirts, etc everywhere. Why not just buy it all in DTD where I can use my AP discount?

And no F! dinner package for me this year. What was the point when it made more sense to attend the 2nd show on the 2nd night (which was still scary crowded with lines down to the villains store 45 min prior) and all early reports indicated that you had to be there an hour ahead even with the package. Nope - we just chose to cancel our ADR's and hang out in the lounge for evening appetizers and then have a smoothie in line if we were feeling peckish instead of spending $155 (pre tax and tip) on table service for five adults (really 2 adults and 3 girls aged 10, 12, and 13 who eat very little).

Three instances where I would have spent more, but didn't due to cutbacks and standardization. I'd bet there are more examples out there...

 

[lacrosse_lady72]

Where is the "Discuss what Disney is doing right thread"? Is this it? No?

When did I say it was?

 

[WUVmyDISNEY]

I love Disney as well. Loving Disney does not make me look at it through rose colored glasses either. I personally haven't experienced too much negative on my trips thus far but I do agree with many of the points here. When I am there in Dec, there are 4 MVMCP nights at MK. Leaving me to have to leave early on each of those 4 nights. The DP will not be on my reservation this time, for the first time. I don't see the cost saving anymore as I used to. Too many things are not included etc. The FD actually would have cost my family more than the room only discount with DP as an add on, slightly more, but more nonetheless. I totally understand Disney is in business to make money, but when you have many frequent visitors who are seeing a decline in service with each trip, that is bad business. Cutbacks are happening all over, yes. But come on, continue to raise prices on food and strollers and krispie bars and surcharges for some dining locations just because of the holiday when you are cutting back on etertainment, shows and other things that we love? Bad. People who think this is a negative thread aren't seeing the point of it. Stating where improvements can be made and us discussing things we may not like or changes that we feel should be made should not be viewed as negative. We are all entitled to our opinions even though they may not all be shining. We do love Disney and we have a place here where we can discuss it and see how others feel. I have seen too often where people post their TRs or give their opinions that are not always what people want to hear, they get bashed for it and honestly, those are the threads I hate. I for one want honest opinions and value for my money as well. Anyway....still looking forward to a great trip in December and we will again be attending MVMCP regardless of the price! It was the highlight of our trip last year

 

[lacrosse_lady72]

Sooo... back to our regularly scheduled program...

After lurking on both threads I had to chime in. Just because I feel while some of the cuts and changes may appear to help Disney financially in the short term they may not be great decisions in the long run.

Ex - standardized resort mugs. I have 2 of the former versions of these babies (CBR & BC) and was REALLY looking forward to adding 2 more (resort specific mugs) during my stay in July. And since we were a group of 5, I wouldn't buy for me without buying for the family as well. And we didn't need the refillable option at all because we stayed club level at both resorts and had sodas and juices available 24/7.

IMHO this was easy money made on a collectible/souvenir. And now it's easy money lost as I would have spent $130 (before tax) but chose not to because the mugs just weren't particularly interesting or unique to me.

I also thought my retail options were limited. I used to enjoy going into MouseGear for special things I wouldn't find elsewhere in the world. But I didn't bother to go this time because I could find the same shirts, etc everywhere. Why not just buy it all in DTD where I can use my AP discount?

And no F! dinner package for me this year. What was the point when it made more sense to attend the 2nd show on the 2nd night (which was still scary crowded with lines down to the villains show 45 min prior) and all early reports indicated that you had to be there an hour ahead even with the package. Nope - we just chose to cancel our ADR's and hang out in the lounge for evening appetizers and then have a smoothie in line if we were feeling peckish instead of spending on $155 (pre tax and tip) on table service for five adults (really 2 adults and 3 girls aged 10, 12, and 13 who eat very little).

Three instances where I would have spent more, but didn't due to cutbacks at standardization. I'd bet there are more examples out there...

Now that is a post I can wrap my head around. Nothing petty about it, or people just being grumpy because they don't prefer something... it's a vaild point in terms of what Disney is doing wrong for both the consumer AND the company.

 

[Colleen27]

I really think they need to ban smoking from the parks (not just make all of the cool out-of-the-way places smoking areas) and ENFORCE the no-smoking policy. I don't know whether it's the international character of EPCOT or what, but the amount of smoking around the International Gateway is mindboggling.

That might be the only change Disney could make that would keep me from ever going again. Don't get me wrong, I don't think they should allow smoking everywhere and I absolutely think they should better enforce the current smoking policy, but to ban smoking from the parks would basically make it impossible for smokers to have an enjoyable visit. It just isn't practical to tell guests who smoke that they have to hike to the park gates every time they want a cigarette, and even if they did, then you'd have non-smokers complaining about the huge cloud of smoke around the gates and pushing to make the whole property non-smoking.

 

[lacrosse_lady72]

That might be the only change Disney could make that would keep me from ever going again. Don't get me wrong, I don't think they should allow smoking everywhere and I absolutely think they should better enforce the current smoking policy, but to ban smoking from the parks would basically make it impossible for smokers to have an enjoyable visit. It just isn't practical to tell guests who smoke that they have to hike to the park gates every time they want a cigarette, and even if they did, then you'd have non-smokers complaining about the huge cloud of smoke around the gates and pushing to make the whole property non-smoking.

ITA! I am not a smoker and I think it's a disgusting habit but I do not think it should be banned. A lot of people smoke, unfortunately, but I don't want to be in line with someone who is freaking out because they haven't had a smoke in a while, I wouldn't want someone telling me I can't give into my temptation on soda and I certainly wouldn't want a huge smoke plume at the gates of every park.

 

[scarlet_ibis]

That might be the only change Disney could make that would keep me from ever going again. Don't get me wrong, I don't think they should allow smoking everywhere and I absolutely think they should better enforce the current smoking policy, but to ban smoking from the parks would basically make it impossible for smokers to have an enjoyable visit. It just isn't practical to tell guests who smoke that they have to hike to the park gates every time they want a cigarette, and even if they did, then you'd have non-smokers complaining about the huge cloud of smoke around the gates and pushing to make the whole property non-smoking.

Well, maybe there is some middle ground. It sure is better than years ago when you couldn't even get through the exit lines to the rides without having people light up. But I miss the quiet little gardens and terraces where you used to be able to take your ice cream cones, eat away from the crowds, and feed the ducks. They're now smoke filled and loud. They aren't places that I want to take my kids, or even walk through with them.