Discuss what Disney is doing wrong part II

[KimDis]

Just want to be clear here. I truly think Disney is unmatched in their ability to provide an incredible backdrop for a vacation experience. I have NEVER come back from a Disney vacation and thought it wasn’t money well spent. Travel is my passion and so I do it both inside and out of the US and can say that my travels have in no way diminished my Disney experience or desire to visit the parks often. Disney vs. non Disney vacations are not an “either or” proposition for me - I love to do both.

And I believe that 85% of the people who’ve posted on this thread believe in the overall value of Disney’s product too.

So why even have a thread like this? Because I think we feel there’s room for improvement. And Disney has created a connection to their guests that encourages a certain level of expectation.

The company encourages its guests to feel involved and invested in the product. They do this every time they same “welcome home” to you when you stay at their resorts (DVC or otherwise) or ask you to take a survey in the parks and after every phone call to them. And they do this when they ask you to invest so much in a Disney vacation because while you may have a wonderful experience elsewhere, it's not a Disney experience.

They even sell consulting engagements and customer service training based on a perceived unparalleled ability by them to exceed customer expectations. Customer service and creating a top notch, customer focused product is what they do.

And since Disney has set the bar for the “plus” experience and for continual improvement I hold them to that standard. I think most of the folks here are saying given that standard, there are areas that they could improve upon.

 

[rt2dz]

Just want to be clear here. I truly think Disney is unmatched in their ability to provide an incredible backdrop for a vacation experience. I have NEVER come back from a Disney vacation and thought it wasn’t money well spent. Travel is my passion and so I do it both inside and out of the US and can say that my travels have in no way diminished my Disney experience or desire to visit the parks often. Disney vs. non Disney vacations are not an “either or” proposition for me - I love to do both.

And I believe that 85% of the people who’ve posted on this thread believe in the overall value of Disney’s product too.

So why even have a thread like this? Because I think we feel there’s room for improvement. And Disney has created a connection to their guests that encourages a certain level of expectation.

The company encourages its guests to feel involved and invested in the product. They do this every time they same “welcome home” to you when you stay at their resorts (DVC or otherwise) or ask you to take a survey in the parks and after every phone call to them. And they do this when they ask you to invest so much in a Disney vacation because while you may have a wonderful experience elsewhere, it's not a Disney experience.

They even sell consulting engagements and customer service training based on a perceived unparalleled ability by them to exceed customer expectations. Customer service and creating a top notch, customer focused product is what they do.

And since Disney has set the bar for the “plus” experience and for continual improvement I hold them to that standard. I think most of the folks here are saying given that standard, there are areas that they could improve upon.

Well said.

 

[flminivanmama]

See, that's the thing, it was different when WE were growing up. Times were simpler.
We used to go to the Smokies every year when I was a kid, and I enjoyed that kind of thing (rafting, climbing trails etc.)

Kids today can't be bothered with it. Give them the fast rush and go!
I tried, you don't know how hard I try to get these kids to do things we did when we were kids, even the simpler things like (searching for 4 leaf clovers, catching mosquito hawks (dragon flies), playing king of the hill), just can't get them interested.
So when we attempt these type of outings, even though me and DW might enjoy it, we don't know because the kids aren't interested and throw fits.
As my 17 yo told me a few years back. "I go to school 9 months out the year and get a history lesson, I don't want it on my vacation" That's the mentallity of a teen and younger.

my kids are still all interested and excited by all of it - history, nature, playing outside, etc.... 9, 9, and 8 - all boys....

 

[BayouMickey]

my kids are still all interested and excited by all of it - history, nature, playing outside, etc.... 9, 9, and 8 - all boys....

lol I have two girls (6) (9) and a brooding 17 old son.. maybe there lies my delima.

 

[chuckml]

My negative is that it is hard to find the smoking sections. Seems they aren't marked anywhere except for MK. You have to look for the ash tray on top of the garbage cans. Don't mind smoking there but would like to find them easier as they don't seem to be (not all) where they are marked on the map.

Amen! I know that I'm a second (or third) class citizen because I decide to light up, but throw me a bone! I always smoke in the designated areas, but they sure don't make them easy to find.

 

[Colleen27]

A lot of it depends on the age of kids too. What a child enjoys at 2 isn't what they enjoy at 9, which is still different than what they enjoy at 16.

I'm currently pregnant with baby #4. This one came as quite the surprise. The age difference between this baby and DS#1 is 9 years. DH and I talked about how vacations are going to need to alternate between who the trip is for. Thankfully, we take two vacations a year and can do that. My mother used to complain that vacations were difficult. The age difference between my oldest sister and my brother are 15 years--we all have the same two parents; we're just all spread out in age.

We've got 10.5 years between our oldest and our youngest, so I totally sympathize on that count! We have a wonderful solution, though, in my mother who is divorced and doesn't like traveling alone, so often chooses to travel with us. She doesn't do thrill rides, whitewater rafting, scuba diving, or any of the more adventuresome things that DS11 wants to do, so we just pick a nice resort with a good pool and some nice walking trails, museums, or other more mellow activities nearby, and we all vacation together but go our separate ways some days to cater to each child's interests and abilities.

I think that personality is more of a factor than age, though. DS11 is at that age where a lot of kids would find outdoors/historical destinations "lame", but he loves them. He's not really into theme parks, though (not even Disney! ).

 

[Colleen27]

See, that's the thing, it was different when WE were growing up. Times were simpler.
We used to go to the Smokies every year when I was a kid, and I enjoyed that kind of thing (rafting, climbing trails etc.)

Kids today can't be bothered with it. Give them the fast rush and go!
I tried, you don't know how hard I try to get these kids to do things we did when we were kids, even the simpler things like (searching for 4 leaf clovers, catching mosquito hawks (dragon flies), playing king of the hill), just can't get them interested.
So when we attempt these type of outings, even though me and DW might enjoy it, we don't know because the kids aren't interested and throw fits.
As my 17 yo told me a few years back. "I go to school 9 months out the year and get a history lesson, I don't want it on my vacation" That's the mentallity of a teen and younger.

Ack, I would have a SERIOUSLY hard time parenting kids with that attitude! Mine are still youngish (11, 8 & 1), but right now they're just as happy catching fireflies or climbing sand dunes and touring forts as they are riding roller coasters. Our travels have ranged from staying in a semi-rustic (running water but no TV/internet/phone) cabin in the woods and enjoying the best hiking, swimming, and historic sites northern Michigan has to offer, to all-go, all-the-time at Disney, to lounging on the beach at an all-inclusive resort near Tulum, and they always have a good time. It is kind of funny to ask them where they want to go next, because being kids and having a naturally limited view of the world, they always answer with the place we visited last, whether it was a big trip somewhere fabulous or just a weekend at the indoor waterpark!

 

[flminivanmama]

lol I have two girls (6) (9) and a brooding 17 old son.. maybe there lies my delima.

LOL - probably the brooding 17 year old mostly - I think I've been lulled into a false sense of security they do grow up...

 

[Colleen27]

Amen! I know that I'm a second (or third) class citizen because I decide to light up, but throw me a bone! I always smoke in the designated areas, but they sure don't make them easy to find.

And it seems like every trip, they're fewer, farther between, harder to find (because they keep taking away/moving the ones we remember), and less enjoyable to use (lacking either seating or shade or both). In the vein of "you attract more flies with honey", fewer people would break the rules if the smoking areas were easy to find and at least somewhat comfortable.

 

[eliza61]

Just want to be clear here. I truly think Disney is unmatched in their ability to provide an incredible backdrop for a vacation experience. I have NEVER come back from a Disney vacation and thought it wasn’t money well spent. Travel is my passion and so I do it both inside and out of the US and can say that my travels have in no way diminished my Disney experience or desire to visit the parks often. Disney vs. non Disney vacations are not an “either or” proposition for me - I love to do both.

And I believe that 85% of the people who’ve posted on this thread believe in the overall value of Disney’s product too.

So why even have a thread like this? Because I think we feel there’s room for improvement. And Disney has created a connection to their guests that encourages a certain level of expectation.

The company encourages its guests to feel involved and invested in the product. They do this every time they same “welcome home” to you when you stay at their resorts (DVC or otherwise) or ask you to take a survey in the parks and after every phone call to them. And they do this when they ask you to invest so much in a Disney vacation because while you may have a wonderful experience elsewhere, it's not a Disney experience.

They even sell consulting engagements and customer service training based on a perceived unparalleled ability by them to exceed customer expectations. Customer service and creating a top notch, customer focused product is what they do.

And since Disney has set the bar for the “plus” experience and for continual improvement I hold them to that standard. I think most of the folks here are saying given that standard, there are areas that they could improve upon.

Well said. You've described me & my family perfectly!!

 

[Planogirl]

I don't feel disappointed in Disney but then maybe I don't expect as much. I do see where they are lacking in my view but disappointed? Naw.

But then I'm one who likes another themepark resort just as well plus I love going to other places. So what do I know?

As for kids, I have a 16 year old son who does like to go to other places. History not so much but some nature is OK and he enjoys museums, aquariums and even zoos. Kids aren't all the same.

 

[Glenn]

This thread sure has grown. I would encourage any of the folks here that have been to the world in the last yr & are concerned to write Disney. Do not Email them, sit down and write a well thought out letter about your trip & concerns. A letter will get more attention since it takes more time than an email. Will they listen? Who knows about some things. Where they might listen is when you say " I spent way less money on things this trip because...".
My cousin has been a DVC member for years with lots of points & he's been saying what lots of people here have. Last yrs trips saw him eating in or off property more than in the parks or resorts which is a change. This yr they are only going for 8 days with banking or renting the rest of his points. They normally go a scattered 3 wks. When cut backs happen they hardly ever are returned, look at the lack of a parade in Epcot.

 

[KimDis]

This thread sure has grown. I would encourage any of the folks here that have been to the world in the last yr & are concerned to write Disney. Do not Email them, sit down and write a well thought out letter about your trip & concerns. A letter will get more attention since it takes more time than an email. Will they listen? Who knows about some things. Where they might listen is when you say " I spent way less money on things this trip because...".
My cousin has been a DVC member for years with lots of points & he's been saying what lots of people here have. Last yrs trips saw him eating in or off property more than in the parks or resorts which is a change. This yr they are only going for 8 days with banking or renting the rest of his points. They normally go a scattered 3 wks. When cut backs happen they hardly ever are returned, look at the lack of a parade in Epcot.

You know Glenn that's not a bad idea at all. I may just sit down and do that this weekend... I mean what's the point of complaining (for me) if I'm not going to at least do something about it...

 

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

You know Glenn that's not a bad idea at all. I may just sit down and do that this weekend... I mean what's the point of complaining (for me) if I'm not going to at least do something about it...

Yes, a letter is much better than an e-mail, but where would you send it to ensure that it gets read by someone who can possibly use the information?

 

[honugirl]

I would actually like to see the smoking areas gone. I'm allergic to cigarette smoke and end up having an asthma attack if I'm around it. I would love to be able to sit in MK and enjoy my dole whip near the Jungle Cruise, but I can't because there's always smokers in there so I have to try and battle for a table or eat on the fly. It has made life so much easier in my state since they banned smoking in public places. I can go to bowling alleys now and out to watch my favorite bands. It's a big plus!

 

[fey_spirit]

And if I feel like I'm getting good return for my money I don't mind contributing to your dividends... but when they pull the stuff they've been pulling - I spend my money else where.

My stay at Disney world went from a week to four days and now it's just one day at Epcot because the idea of spending more then that on the parks at this point makes me a little queasy.

In order to injoy Disney you must rembember it is a corporation. And as a corporation it has stockholders who want to see a profit. Its not like one person makes any one decision. Its whole purpose is to make money.

Once you are willing to understand that your dollars are someone elses profit or retirement fund then the prices make sense.

You are there to enjoy your self, but to make money for Disney.

The prices and the private parties keep the stockholders happy.

Just spend your money wisely and thanks for the dividends.

 

[Willow25]

I love this thread!!! It is important to keep Disney honest in regards to the decisions they make that affect us their customers. I currently live in Australia where there is not enough competitiveness in the retail world to keep retailers honest in regards to their customer service. Therefore the expectation is that the retailer is always right not the customer. We do not want that to happen at Disney, therefore we the customers must continue to keep them honest. Lets all write letters with our complaints!!!!

I for one believe that we all hold Disney to a higher standard because Disney has always been at a higher standard. I don't mind spending the $$$$$'s at Disney because it has always been good value for money in the past. If that changes well I might have to change my vacation plans.

 

[Planogirl]

I read the other "positive" thread and I wish that some of them would understand that most here don't hate WDW. Discussing the place in honesty is healthy IMO but to each their own I guess.

I wonder if writing would really help? I don't know exactly what I'd say.

I would just love to be able to dine without fighting the mobs and would love to see some creativity in more of the restaurants. I understand that it's difficult to serve that many people each day but this is Disney who is supposed to be a cut above everyone else. Isn't there a way?

 

[scarlet_ibis]

We've always found the managers of the resorts to be bend-over-backwards responsive and helpful, so if your issue is with a resort, I'd start there.

Unfortunately, our issues usually aren't so much with a resort (and if they are, they are promptly resolved), but more often with things like dining and bus service.

 

[Colleen27]

I would actually like to see the smoking areas gone. I'm allergic to cigarette smoke and end up having an asthma attack if I'm around it. I would love to be able to sit in MK and enjoy my dole whip near the Jungle Cruise, but I can't because there's always smokers in there so I have to try and battle for a table or eat on the fly. It has made life so much easier in my state since they banned smoking in public places. I can go to bowling alleys now and out to watch my favorite bands. It's a big plus!

The difference between Disney and everyday life, though, is that in everyday life a smoker can step outside the bar or bowling alley to have a cigarette. You can't just step outside Disney World!

I think it was better when we could just book a smoking room and be away from any non-smokers that would be bothered, but now Disney's left smokers no choice to smoke in private. I know they billed it as a guest comfort move, but the reality is that doing away with smoking rooms lowers insurance rates and saves on cleaning and rehab costs. And I'm pretty sure non-smokers were more comfortable when rule-abiding smokers like my DH were smoking in a designated smoking room rather than a designated smoking area by the pool or the bus stop.