Disney is different now

[mom2rtk]

Her experience is most likely an anomaly and not the norm...

What is the alternative?
Should Disney stay stagnate as others progress? If they did then people would complain that they are not investing in the infrastructure. Now that they do, they complain again...moving Disney forward and taking advantage of people use of cell phones and apps is a move in the right direction.

So then your answer is yes? You are OK with her family being "collateral damage". You know, since it's in the name of progress?

I'm not. I think it's absolutely ridiculous.

 

[2Tiggies]

Sums up my thoughts too. I have agreed to pay Disney more than a $100,000 over the next 50 years (probably a lot more) with DVC purchase and tickets etc.

I expect great service for that money. And I expect it every single trip.

I too agree with JimmyV. And with what you said. Funny, about a year ago I was talking to some friends and said how I now regretted dipping out of purchasing DVC at the very last minute a few years ago. A few weeks ago, conversation in my living room with the same friends went along the lines of:

"I think I dodged a bullet not committing to DVC. I'm not making any plans to rebook until we are back from this one. "

I look at the sacrifices we make in our everyday lives all year round; things we go without because it's all part of the sacrifice for our special vacation and really bites: At some point, you have to draw the line. I think we stepped over it already by booking this year, so we will make the most of it, but I'm not willing to commit all our savings and sacrifices if I feel my experiences are progressively deteriorating in what we perceive to be value in our visits. And I don't for one moment believe we are the exception. Most folk who go to Disney have had to work a bit and go without a few things to get the cash together to pay for it. Precious few are able to just book without worrying about budget.

 

[BuckeyeBama]

Try telling that to the family in this thread.

Is it really OK to sacrifice people's expensive vacations as "collateral damage" on the way to technological progress?

Yes, it is. Not a popular view, but the truth.

 

[mom2rtk]

I'll never quite understand this admonition. Suppose you went to a resort and spa noted for its golf course, spa tratments, beauty salon and dining. You pay $1,000 per day for your stay and use of the facilities. During your stay, the golf course is cut back to 15 holes because they are rebuilding three of the holes. The spa is training new massueses and the massage you get is sub-par. You go to get your hair done and some incompetent stylist chops off a hunk of your hair. And the restaurant's food is served cold instead of hot, and is completely flavorless. Are you supposed to ultimately brush all of this off because "you are on vacation"? It is possible for a vacation destination to fail to live up to reasonable expectations and WDW is not immune from this phenomenon.

That about sums it up.

I'm thinking that if you booked a trip through Disney but were having "glitches" with your credit card and checking account, Disney would not be as understanding as so many around here seem to think their customers should be.

 

[morethananyonex]

Yes, it is. Not a popular view, but the truth.

Whose truth? Disney's truth? Probably. I can't understand why any guest would feel like that's okay though. What's stopping their family from being the "lucky" one?

I know I am not willing to sacrifice precious vacation time in favour of progress, unless Disney is footing the bill of course.

 

[2Tiggies]

Yes, it is. Not a popular view, but the truth.

 

[Mad Hattered]

They are, they just broke ground on Avatar land in Animal Kingdom and are finishing up the completely redesigned Fantasy Land...

You mean the project they announced in 2011 has FINALLY broken ground in 2014? Sounds about right.

 

[BuckeyeBama]

I'm thinking that if you booked a trip through Disney but were having "glitches" with your credit card and checking account, Disney would not be as understanding as so many around here seem to think their customers should be.

I don't think that WDW patrons who are unhappy should be understanding. I think that they should vote with their feet. But I really don't feel bad for Dis posters who knew that this change was happening, went anyway, and were less than thrilled with their experience.

I took my chances when I went in January. I knew of the changes. Had that trip gone as I expected, it would probably have been our last trip. But I would not have blamed Disney for my bad experience. I would simply have accepted that WDW was moving in a different direction and made a choice.

I would also have posted my displeasure on this board. But, since my trip was 6 weeks ago, I hope that I would be over it by now and happily planning my next vacation - wherever that might be.

 

[BuckeyeBama]

I know I am not willing to sacrifice precious vacation time in favour of progress, unless Disney is footing the bill of course.

Then don't. No one is forcing you to do so.

 

[North of Mouse]

Sums up my thoughts too. I have agreed to pay Disney more than a $100,000 over the next 50 years (probably a lot more) with DVC purchase and tickets etc.

I expect great service for that money. And I expect it every single trip.

Sure glad we did not go the DVC route. We have been going with AP's for the last several years. This year - it's off to other places already planned - no Disney trip for us this year, or next, and maybe never.

We started going in 1972 (MK) and no one loves Disney more than we, but we are totally disgusted with all the changes full of glitches and are going where we can relax on vacation.

 

[morethananyonex]

Then don't. No one is forcing you to do so.

I'm responding to your statement that it's the "truth" that people should sacrifice their vacations in favour of progress.

I'll ask again, whose truth is that? Surely not many guests. It's not my truth. Is it yours? Are you willing to have your vacation screwed up in favour of progress?

 

[BuckeyeBama]

I'm responding to your statement that it's the "truth" that people should sacrifice their vacations in favour of progress.

I'll ask again, whose truth is that? Surely not many guests. It's not my truth. Is it yours? Are you willing to have your vacation screwed up in favour of progress?

No, you are responding to what you wanted to read into my post. The truth that I was referring to is the fact that it is okay for Disney to make changes whenever they wish. Someone is going to be in the parks ever time they make a change. So someone is going to be impacted by the change. With some changes, the outcome is great and the test users are pretty happy. Remember the first testers of FP+ who got those FPs plus regular use of FP-? They all loved being a part of the test phase.

But when things don't go well, people get very upset. But Disney is going to make changes. Like it or not. And some folks are going to be negatively impacted. This is the real world. That is the truth.

 

[North of Mouse]

Try telling that to the family in this thread.

Is it really OK to sacrifice people's expensive vacations as "collateral damage" on the way to technological progress?

Yes, it is. Not a popular view, but the truth.

I would also have posted my displeasure on this board. But, since my trip was 6 weeks ago, I hope that I would be over it by now and happily planning my next vacation - wherever that might be.

Then don't. No one is forcing you to do so.

You sound like such a nice, understanding, kind, encouraging person.

 

[ellie05]

Here are some of the pictures. Can anyone let me know if I can send this pictures in my email to disney? Or should I print them out and send a letter instead?

 

[mom2rtk]

I don't think that WDW patrons who are unhappy should be understanding. I think that they should vote with their feet. But I really don't feel bad for Dis posters who knew that this change was happening, went anyway, and were less than thrilled with their experience.

I took my chances when I went in January. I knew of the changes. Had that trip gone as I expected, it would probably have been our last trip. But I would not have blamed Disney for my bad experience. I would simply have accepted that WDW was moving in a different direction and made a choice.

I would also have posted my displeasure on this board. But, since my trip was 6 weeks ago, I hope that I would be over it by now and happily planning my next vacation - wherever that might be.

But how are you really going to know if the system works for you if you don't try it for yourself?

Seriously, that has been the mantra here for how long now?

 

[morethananyonex]

No, you are responding to what you wanted to read into my post. The truth that I was referring to is the fact that it is okay for Disney to make changes whenever they wish. Someone is going to be in the parks ever time they make a change. So someone is going to be impacted by the change. With some changes, the outcome is great and the test users are pretty happy. Remember the first testers of FP+ who got those FPs plus regular use of FP-? They all loved being a part of the test phase.

But when things don't go well, people get very upset. But Disney is going to make changes. Like it or not. And some folks are going to be negatively impacted. This is the real world. That is the truth.

The question you responded to was:

Is it really OK to sacrifice people's expensive vacations as "collateral damage" on the way to technological progress?

to which you responded:

Yes, it is. Not a popular view, but the truth.

The PP didn't ask whether or not Disney can make changes whenever they wish. The conversation is about people like the family referenced in the thread who spent hours trying to resolve issues created by Disney and Disney alone that have caused major issues during their vacation. Again, it may be Disney's truth that it's okay to sacrifice guests time and money like that, but I doubt many vacationers have that same point of view.

What you're talking about is an entirely different issue. This conversation was not about whether people like FP+ or not, it was glitches and things of that nature that are occurring that people have no control over. Those can happen to the even the most passionate FP+ supporters. What is being discussed has nothing to do with FP+ itself. Seems you just took the opportunity to respond about "FP+ whiners" when that wasn't the topic being discussed

 

[king kamehameha]

This is, and was, my exact description and definition of them messing with their "core." Its very sad... I hope they figure it out. You never put your employees in harm's way for extended periods of time. Its criminal if you love your business and its a suicide mission. This is the Exec's problem not the CM's but its also our problem too. Its really hard to want to pay out thousands for a "different" experience as described by so many above.

I'm telling you folks, they're scrambling at the top. They don't know what to do. The stupid thing doesn't work. How in the world being Disney could they be so stupid... Having your MBA will never outweigh common sense.

This

 

[bcrook]

Sure glad we did not go the DVC route. We have been going with AP's for the last several years. This year - it's off to other places already planned - no Disney trip for us this year, or next, and maybe never.

We started going in 1972 (MK) and no one loves Disney more than we, but we are totally disgusted with all the changes full of glitches and are going where we can relax on vacation.

I will remain happy with my purchase as long as the quality of the services I agreed to buy remain as good as when I purchased. But things are definitely trending down right now in this ridiculous roll out. My trip in October was filled with much of the same stories as the OP, and my villa at Kidani was filthy too. We spent hours at the front desk. I have burned up all of my DVC points, I am saving them for a big reunion trip in 2016. We can only hope things are improving by then.

 

[DisneyAllyC]

Let's see, so far we have a clean room, nice cast members and a great FP+ experience. I don't know where you guys are vacationing but we are obviously not in the same place. Yes its really crowded but I don't even mind. I'm way too happy to be here.

 

[2Tiggies]

But I really don't feel bad for Dis posters who knew that this change was happening, went anyway, and were less than thrilled with their experience.

I do get what you are trying to say here, but to be fair, when these people you refer to air their concerns pre-trip on the boards, they are pounced on by others telling them to lighten up, stop complaining and not to knock it until they've tried it. It just feels like no matter what your views right now, if you're not happy with the way things are right now, you're between a rock and a hard place