Discuss what Disney is doing wrong part II

[NoLineOntheHorizon]

Do you think maybe we see the negative because most of us have gone so many times?? Think about it, there is something magical about your first trip (or 3 ) I bet I wouldn't have noticed half the stuff I see now back then. Sure things have changed, and not always for the better, but when you go and TRY to look for the positive things, you would be surprised how much positive there still is...

Yes, I would say that some people have gotten so used to going, and they can go at will now, that they have lost some of that magic they used to notice when they first started going.
Someone who rarely gets the chance to go, the magic could seem greater to them.

 

[maxiesmom]

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!

I'm a non-smoker, and I have asthma too. Honestly, I do not find it a great hardship to avoid the smoking areas. The smoking areas are realtively few, and as Colleen27 pointed out, it is rather hard to leave Disney World for a quick smoke.

 

[roliepolieoliefan]

Yes, I would say that some people have gotten so used to going, and they can go at will now, that they have lost some of that magic they used to notice when they first started going.
Someone who rarely gets the chance to go, the magic could seem greater to them.

I don't think thats it at all. We are one of those families that go every year, sometimes more if the budget allows, but after our trip this December it will be the last for a while. Next year, we will be taking the kids elsewhere. Why? It has nothing to do with WDW losing its magic. We still love WDW and I still get teary eyeed watchin the character show before rope drope at the MK, and just the whole happy atmosphere. With all the changes and cost cutting, its time for a change. We still love WDW and I'm sure will visit again, but it won't be for the next couple years for sure.

But: I feel people who go more often have a more vivid memory of what WDW used to be. People who only go every few years or if they are first timers don't realy know in the first place things that were taken away or changed.

 

[scarlet_ibis]

I'm a non-smoker, and I have asthma too. Honestly, I do not find it a great hardship to avoid the smoking areas. The smoking areas are realtively few, and as Colleen27 pointed out, it is rather hard to leave Disney World for a quick smoke.

I have sinus issues as well and smoke is a big trigger. (This is one of the reasons I get so mad at people who smoke outside the designated areas, and Disney's non-enforcement of it. Another is that I have to constantly be aware so that my children don't walk into a lit cigarette!) I could be really difficult about it and say that there are lots of things that are inappropriate to do in a children's theme park, and smoking is just one of them. But I'm okay with the happy medium of a designated smoking area, but I just wish they didn't take away all of the cool spots (like the terraces by the castle in MK).

 

[disneywego]

My biggest disapointment for disney was epcot.. the cm's there was so rude to my child at the time she was 6. I even told the cm she didn't have to be ugly to people and she turned and said it's been a long day I can be rude. LOL .... i went back to MK after that.. i don't feel epcot is for kids well maybe not smaller ones.

i dislike the trams... it's not disneys fault that people will push you out of the way to be the first one in the tram. maybe there should be more of them.

i well say there are a lot of over priced things . like BBB is pricey. i have done it twice. wish it was cheaper. the extra parties i wish was discounted if you have a ticket for that day.

i wish internet was free at all rooms. it's 10$ a day.

it's little things for me... but i guess it's not that bad i keep going back right LOL

 

[rbenn81]

..............

In years before it seemed like Disney was out to please the guest. We all know that Disney is a business and there to make money but it seemed like they hid it more. Now it seems like Disney's primary goal is to make money and if they can please a guest, so be it, but it doesn't seem like the priority.

I couldn't agree more. We had several instances on our last trip that really made me feel this was true. No one went out of their way to try and help me. KTTW card stops allowing DP credits to be taken off. Go to customer service at MK, told sorry can't help you only the resorts can help with DP issues. SO I have to go ALL the way back to AKL speak with the front desk, told the computer system for DP is down just charge it to your room and we can take care of it. BAck to MK, to meet back with fam.

That evening we go to use our card at GG to pay for our meal and again card not working. Tell 'em to charge it to the room have had issues with it. Manager comes out like thirty minutes later asks what's been going on, tell her I was told by resort to charge meals to the room if credits can't be taken off. She tells me she's tried that she can't get it to do anything. Leaves comes back 15-20 minutes later says she was able to get the DP credits removed and aopologized for the inconvience. Go to mousegears to buy some souvy for the extended family back home. Card declined again. Feel like an idiot standing in line with $$$ in souvies only to be declined.

BAck to AKL we go to only be told that " you have checked out of the resort sir, that's why your card is not allowing you to charge". me-I didn't check out, manager- our system shows you checked out today, me- I'm staying untill Sat. (this is Wed evening)manager-seems the cpu checked you out today. I'll get you checked back in your lugagae and stuff should still be in your room. me-Furious now, Why wasn't I told this afternoon when i came back here that this was the case, i get told that the cpu was down for the dp and that's what caused the problem.manager- I did not tell you that. me- I didn;t say you did, i said the cm that i spoke with earlier did. manager- i'm sorry that somebody told you that but i can't do anything about what soembody else told you. Me- just fix it please, i'm on vacation to have a good time. Not having a good time right now. manager-here's a card to get into your room. i'll leave kttw cards at the desk for you to pick up in the am. me-thanks.

get the cards the next morning. go to AK. go to buy lunch and guess what. no dp credits. back to hotel for the second day in a row. New manager apologizes immensely for foul up, gets dp added to card, gives me money for taxi back to AK. When i get my check out bill i notice a 250.00 purchase on bill that i didn;t make. Back to my home away from home, the front desk. Come to find out that when the second manager added the DP she failed to credit the DP and wound up billing me for it,then I had to explain the whole bleaping thing to the new manager so she understood that I had originally checked in on Sunday and paid for 6 days of the dining plan then. That I didn't check in on Thursday as my card and system showed.

Now you tell me, wouldn't you think that Disney would want to try and leave a good taste in my mouth. All I recieved for this was a bunch of I'm sorries and taxi fare money. No FP's nothing, I spent probably 3 to 4 hours out of my vacation, while my DW and DS6 and DD4 are in the parks enjoying themselves, trying to get problems that they created resolved. IMO, I just think that the customer service element isn't what it used to be.

 

[Doug7856]

There are a lot of difficulties for Disney in the current economic environment. These lead to short staffed areas, frustrations by cast members and guests, and some disappointments. In my complaining, I try to remember these difficulties and that they are faced by all, not just me. There is a reason we "invest" our money and vacations in Walt Disney World. It is a magical place. Yes, there are frustrations and I think the criticisms come because we love the place so much and want to protect what we love. While it is helpful to commiserate, the reality is we love Walt Disney World and enjoy our vacations there more than we like to complain!

 

[dejr_8]

Paragraphs are our friends.

I couldn't agree more. We had several instances on our last trip that really made me feel this was true. No one went out of their way to try and help me. KTTW card stops allowing DP credits to be taken off. Go to customer service at MK, told sorry can't help you only the resorts can help with DP issues. SO I have to go ALL the way back to AKL speak with the front desk, told the computer system for DP is down just charge it to your room and we can take care of it. BAck to MK, to meet back with fam. That evening we go to use our card at GG to pay for our meal and again card not working. Tell 'em to charge it to the room have had issues with it. Manager comes out like thirty minutes later asks what's been going on, tell her I was told by resort to charge meals to the room if credits can't be taken off. She tells me she's tried that she can't get it to do anything. Leaves comes back 15-20 minutes later says she was able to get the DP credits removed and aopologized for the inconvience. Go to mousegears to buy some souvy for the extended family back home. Card declined again. Feel like an idiot standing in line with $$$ in souvies only to be declined. BAck to AKL we go to only be told that " you have checked out of the resort sir, that's why your card is not allowing you to charge". me-I didn't check out, manager- our system shows you checked out today, me- I'm staying untill Sat. (this is Wed evening)manager-seems the cpu checked you out today. I'll get you checked back in your lugagae and stuff should still be in your room. me-Furious now, Why wasn't I told this afternoon when i came back here that this was the case, i get told that the cpu was down for the dp and that's what caused the problem.manager- I did not tell you that. me- I didn;t say you did, i said the cm that i spoke with earlier did. manager- i'm sorry that somebody told you that but i can't do anything about what soembody else told you. Me- just fix it please, i'm on vacation to have a good time. Not having a good time right now. manager-here's a card to get into your room. i'll leave kttw cards at the desk for you to pick up in the am. me-thanks. get the cards the next morning. go to AK. go to buy lunch and guess what. no dp credits. back to hotel for the second day in a row. New manager apologizes immensely for foul up, gets dp added to card, gives me money for taxi back to AK. When i get my check out bill i notice a 250.00 purchase on bill that i didn;t make. Back to my home away from home, the front desk. Come to find out that when the second manager added the DP she failed to credit the DP and wound up billing me for it,then I had to explain the whole bleaping thing to the new manager so she understood that I had originally checked in on Sunday and paid for 6 days of the dining plan then. That I didn't check in on Thursday as my card and system showed. Now you tell me, wouldn't you think that Disney would want to try and leave a good taste in my mouth. All I recieved for this was a bunch of I'm sorries and taxi fare money. No FP's nothing, I spent probably 3 to 4 hours out of my vacation, while my DW and DS6 and DD4 are in the parks enjoying themselves, trying to get problems that they created resolved. IMO, I just think that the customer service element isn't what it used to be.

 

[Kickapoo Joie Juice]

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.

I am a non smoker who understands that there are people who need to smoke in Disney (I understand it is an addiction and picking your vacation to try and quit would be very challenging.) I have no problem with designated smoking areas. I think it's kind of cruel to squeeze all the smokers into a room and make them light up there-phew that must stink!

I have sinus issues as well and smoke is a big trigger. (This is one of the reasons I get so mad at people who smoke outside the designated areas, and Disney's non-enforcement of it. Another is that I have to constantly be aware so that my children don't walk into a lit cigarette!) I could be really difficult about it and say that there are lots of things that are inappropriate to do in a children's theme park, and smoking is just one of them. But I'm okay with the happy medium of a designated smoking area, but I just wish they didn't take away all of the cool spots (like the terraces by the castle in MK).

I wish more people would use the designated areas, too. I'm ok with them not being next to the toilets, though, if you make it nice for them, maybe more smokers would go there.

I couldn't agree more. We had several instances on our last trip that really made me feel this was true. No one went out of their way to try and help me. KTTW card stops allowing DP credits to be taken off. Go to customer service at MK, told sorry can't help you only the resorts can help with DP issues. SO I have to go ALL the way back to AKL speak with the front desk, told the computer system for DP is down just charge it to your room and we can take care of it. BAck to MK, to meet back with fam. That evening we go to use our card at GG to pay for our meal and again card not working. Tell 'em to charge it to the room have had issues with it. Manager comes out like thirty minutes later asks what's been going on, tell her I was told by resort to charge meals to the room if credits can't be taken off. She tells me she's tried that she can't get it to do anything. Leaves comes back 15-20 minutes later says she was able to get the DP credits removed and aopologized for the inconvience. Go to mousegears to buy some souvy for the extended family back home. Card declined again. Feel like an idiot standing in line with $$$ in souvies only to be declined. BAck to AKL we go to only be told that " you have checked out of the resort sir, that's why your card is not allowing you to charge". me-I didn't check out, manager- our system shows you checked out today, me- I'm staying untill Sat. (this is Wed evening)manager-seems the cpu checked you out today. I'll get you checked back in your lugagae and stuff should still be in your room. me-Furious now, Why wasn't I told this afternoon when i came back here that this was the case, i get told that the cpu was down for the dp and that's what caused the problem.manager- I did not tell you that. me- I didn;t say you did, i said the cm that i spoke with earlier did. manager- i'm sorry that somebody told you that but i can't do anything about what soembody else told you. Me- just fix it please, i'm on vacation to have a good time. Not having a good time right now. manager-here's a card to get into your room. i'll leave kttw cards at the desk for you to pick up in the am. me-thanks. get the cards the next morning. go to AK. go to buy lunch and guess what. no dp credits. back to hotel for the second day in a row. New manager apologizes immensely for foul up, gets dp added to card, gives me money for taxi back to AK. When i get my check out bill i notice a 250.00 purchase on bill that i didn;t make. Back to my home away from home, the front desk. Come to find out that when the second manager added the DP she failed to credit the DP and wound up billing me for it,then I had to explain the whole bleaping thing to the new manager so she understood that I had originally checked in on Sunday and paid for 6 days of the dining plan then. That I didn't check in on Thursday as my card and system showed. Now you tell me, wouldn't you think that Disney would want to try and leave a good taste in my mouth. All I recieved for this was a bunch of I'm sorries and taxi fare money. No FP's nothing, I spent probably 3 to 4 hours out of my vacation, while my DW and DS6 and DD4 are in the parks enjoying themselves, trying to get problems that they created resolved. IMO, I just think that the customer service element isn't what it used to be.

Dude, that just sucks.

I'd be writing a letter to Jay Rasulo, Meg Crofton, and especially Jim Lewis (head of DVC). But I'd use paragraphs-you have a very good story to tell, it's hard to read it because of the lack of breaks. That sort of thing really shouldn't happen at Disney-the lack of continuity is just shocking.

Paragraphs are our friends.

 

[W.E.D.]

Yes, I would say that some people have gotten so used to going, and they can go at will now, that they have lost some of that magic they used to notice when they first started going.
Someone who rarely gets the chance to go, the magic could seem greater to them.

I agree with this 100%. I never have the opportunity to go more than once a year. BUT, the times I have gone two years in a row, the second time seemed to be missing something. For me anyway, I prefer to have some time in between trips.

 

[rbenn81]

Paragraphs are our friends.

Thanks. Had phone ringing & kid yelling so I just hit post without looking at how long it was. Went back and broke it into paragraphs.

 

[Kickapoo Joie Juice]

I think this will explain it nicely to all the people who are angry about this thread:

"Gadfly" is a term for people who upset the status quo by posing upsetting or novel questions, or just being an irritant.

The term "gadfly" (Ancient Greek: μυο̃ψ, myops)[1] was used by Plato in the Apology[2] to describe Socrates' relationship of uncomfortable goad to the Athenian political scene, which he compared to a slow and dimwitted horse. The Bible also references the gadfly in terms of political influence; The Book of Jeremiah (46:20, Darby Bible) states "Egypt is a very fair heifer; the gad-fly cometh, it cometh from the north." The term has been used to describe many politicians and social commentators.

During his defense when on trial for his life, Socrates, according to Plato's writings, pointed out that dissent, like the tiny (relative to the size of a horse) gadfly, was easy to swat, but the cost to society of silencing individuals who were irritating could be very high. "If you kill a man like me, you will injure yourselves more than you will injure me," because his role was that of a gadfly, "to sting people and whip them into a fury, all in the service of truth."

In modern and local politics, gadfly is a term used to describe someone who persistently challenges people in positions of power, the status quo or a popular position.[3] The word may be uttered in a pejorative sense, while at the same time be accepted as a description of honourable work or civic duty.[4]

 

[fey_spirit]

Disney Channel has its fair share of cartoons (the Replacements, Kim Possible, Phinis and Phurb (Sp?), Kusko Acadamy - or whatever it's called, and I know there are a couple more.).

But shouldn't Disney also have stuff for the older kids as well? Pre-teens and so forth? That's where Hannah and Suite Life, That's So Raven and the others come in.

I like that they have something for a wide age range.

That would be so much better than the rubbish the Disney Channel is currently showing. While waiting for Illuminations one night, a six year old girl started chatting to me about Disney and asked if I watched the Disney Channel. When I said "when I can" she started chatting away about Hannah Montana and the Suite Life which I can't stand! At her age, she should be watching cartoons!

We've just got back, and I have to say if I could change one thing it would be the food. It was the one area which Universal bettered Disney for me. In Islands of Adventure, my husband and I had a three course meal in mythos. It came to $43. A two course meal in Chefs de France cost us $56, and the food was no where near as good.

 

[DisneyFanSince71]

There are a lot of difficulties for Disney in the current economic environment. These lead to short staffed areas, frustrations by cast members and guests, and some disappointments. In my complaining, I try to remember these difficulties and that they are faced by all, not just me. There is a reason we "invest" our money and vacations in Walt Disney World. It is a magical place. Yes, there are frustrations and I think the criticisms come because we love the place so much and want to protect what we love. While it is helpful to commiserate, the reality is we love Walt Disney World and enjoy our vacations there more than we like to complain!

This argument doesn't hold water with me. Yes, the economic conditions are bad. But Disney is still making a handsome profit and they don't have the right to charge more, provide less and be allowed to play the "current economic environment" card.

This argument would work if an airline had a terrible accident and blamed it on the economic conditions ane their cutting back on maintenance.

 

[rt2dz]

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?

This may have been posted since I'm just catching up...

Walt Disney World Guest Communications
PO Box 10040
Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830-0040



I decided to write a snail mail letter as the first thread got into page 3.

 

[maxiesmom]

This argument doesn't hold water with me. Yes, the economic conditions are bad. But Disney is still making a handsome profit and they don't have the right to charge more, provide less and be allowed to play the "current economic environment" card.

This argument would work if an airline had a terrible accident and blamed it on the economic conditions ane their cutting back on maintenance.

I work for one of the few retail companies out there who is actually doing ok right now. How is it possible that they are doing fine while so many other are not? They have cut costs to the bone and have raised some prices. It is the smart thing to do, and Disney is doing the same thing.

You can't really even argue that Disney is charging more for everything. I have never seen so many room discounts or package discounts offered! for my trip in October I am only paying $99 plus tax a night for a Moderate resort. That is almost 42% off rack rate! That is an insane discount!

I would much rather Disney do a little cutting here and there, and stay profitable enough to remain in business than go crazy spending money. The smart thing to do is keep a tight hold on expenses.

 

[NoLineOntheHorizon]

I think this will explain it nicely to all the people who are angry about this thread:

"Gadfly" is a term for people who upset the status quo by posing upsetting or novel questions, or just being an irritant.

The term "gadfly" (Ancient Greek: μυο̃ψ, myops)[1] was used by Plato in the Apology[2] to describe Socrates' relationship of uncomfortable goad to the Athenian political scene, which he compared to a slow and dimwitted horse. The Bible also references the gadfly in terms of political influence; The Book of Jeremiah (46:20, Darby Bible) states "Egypt is a very fair heifer; the gad-fly cometh, it cometh from the north." The term has been used to describe many politicians and social commentators.

During his defense when on trial for his life, Socrates, according to Plato's writings, pointed out that dissent, like the tiny (relative to the size of a horse) gadfly, was easy to swat, but the cost to society of silencing individuals who were irritating could be very high. "If you kill a man like me, you will injure yourselves more than you will injure me," because his role was that of a gadfly, "to sting people and whip them into a fury, all in the service of truth."

In modern and local politics, gadfly is a term used to describe someone who persistently challenges people in positions of power, the status quo or a popular position.[3] The word may be uttered in a pejorative sense, while at the same time be accepted as a description of honourable work or civic duty.[4]

This was interesting, thanks for posting.

There is a danger, though, for everyone to assume they are being noble or serving the greater good whenever they are being a gadfly, or irritant. The internet sometimes gives people this feeling or delusion. Some irritants do not deserve the power or platform they are given. They are simply that, irritants, without prior knowledge or education about a particular situation.
Some points here are valid, yet many posts here are simply opinion, being sold as truth. This is the case with many "fan" sites or message boards. People gravitate toward the irritants or dissenters because mainly it appeals to the dissenting and/or negative side of their personality. Nothing is right in some people's eyes, therefore it is all wrong.
All that said, I do agree with what some are saying here, but I do think some of what we complain about is due to an overindulgence or being too aware now of how all the "magic" works. Or, by just being greedy and selfish and wanting Disney to meet all of OUR needs. Many that complain go over and over again so there must be something that they could say about what Disney is doing right.

 

[scarlet_ibis]

You can't really even argue that Disney is charging more for everything. I have never seen so many room discounts or package discounts offered! for my trip in October I am only paying $99 plus tax a night for a Moderate resort. That is almost 42% off rack rate! That is an insane discount!

I hear you. We booked two rooms at Pop and got upgraded to studios at SSR.

But many things are way overpriced to begin with. Anyone trying to pick up a gallon of milk from a resort store will tell you that. (Seconded by anyone with more than one DD trying to appease them at the BBB...)

 

[Colleen27]

I am a non smoker who understands that there are people who need to smoke in Disney (I understand it is an addiction and picking your vacation to try and quit would be very challenging.) I have no problem with designated smoking areas. I think it's kind of cruel to squeeze all the smokers into a room and make them light up there-phew that must stink!

I meant when we could book smoking resort rooms. DH is really nervous smoking in places where there are children, because of the chance that an overexcited kid could run into his lit cigarette. Back when we could get a smoking room, he didn't smoke much in the parks and not at all at the pool, bus stop, or other public resort areas. He still doesn't smoke much in the parks, but more than he did back when it was easier to get his fix in private, and at the resorts the smoking areas are often in places that he'd never dream of smoking if not for the current rules - right near buildings or bus stops, poolside, etc. It has gotten a lot tougher to be careful/courteous under the current rules; it was easier when he could smoke in the room or find some unoccupied out of the way corner to light up.

A prime example - there is a dead-end pathway at AK near Kali River Rapids. It curves off almost behind a gift shop and ends in a the gate to the behind-the-scenes area. That seems like an obvious place to have a cigarette without bothering anyone, but it isn't a designated smoking area. The little overlook on the heavily traveled Everest bridge, where everyone stops for a photo op and kids sometimes run along the little half-circle path? That's a smoking area. It is just bad planning.

 

[poolguy]

Having just returned and staying at the BC, I would like to see a few more buses added to some routes. While waiting at MK for the YC&BC bus to come some other resorts had 2 or 3 buses stop. Not too big of a deal over all, but would be nice.

BTW: I did see a few times where a CM at MK ran people down to tell them that they could smoke only in certain areas. It does happen.

They removed “Worms in the Dirt” at Whispering Canyon. My kids loved that.