Disney is no longer an enjoyable experience

[Jrb1979]

I went to DLR with my family in June, expecting to be somewhat disappointed; but we all had a wonderful time. None of the changes had any adverse effect on our experience. The best part what being with the ones I love.

I can do that at Knotts for much cheaper and have just as much fun

 

[NannyBeBe]

I agree that Knotts is fun, but a long way to travel for a one-day experience.

 

[TheSouthernBelle]

Bob chapek is ruining the Disney parks. After looking into all the new b.s. to deal with and lack of ANY of the perks and benefits of staying at Disney resorts I've decided to boycott Disney, that includes canceling Disney+ and selling my shares in the company. We all need to send the message that these changes are unacceptable. Unfortunately bob and his band of thieves won't listen until they feel it in their wallet.

I understand many people feel this way but so far, it's not made any dents in their attendance. So long as people have children and desire to check the box that they took their kids to WDW/DL, they'll be in business. While I don't want the recession to be long lasting and as catastrophic as 2008-2012, it would be nice to see a slow down at WDW in terms of attendance. But truthfully, a recession is about the only thing I see slowing them down. I don't really think there's a large enough collective population out there that really pay mind to Bob Chapek, disney politics or what is/used to be a disney perk. To be honest, I would guesstimate that the bulk of disney guests really don't care to know about any of it. And really does it matter, if it's not a benefit now, no sense on focusing on what used to be.

Everyone is free to do as they choose and if more people who feel the way you do and don't come to disney, I totally support less people in the parks.

 

[Cheburashka]

What perks and benefits are you speaking of?

• All park hours used to be longer- that was huge.
• Resort pool hours used to be longer.
• Regular very late night complimentary Extra Magic Hours and regular morning Extra Magic Hours were huge. The limited "extra" hours they give now don't come close.
• There were more parades and shows, such as the Welcome Show at the entrance to Magic Kingdom right before opening every day, and the Electric Light Parade in MK and Rivers of Light at Animal Kingdom.
• Complimentary FastPasses.
• Complimentary Magic Bands.
• Complimentary Magical Express plus luggage service from home to hotel room. The latter was huge for me when I first took my autistic 5 year-old son to WDW as a single mom. They handled all of the luggage and Orlando transportation seamlessly and I couldn't have done the trip without that. You might say, "well that's just you", but a lot of people with disabilities and mobility issues go to WDW, and things like that meant a lot because they made the trip easier and less intimidating.
• Special bounceback resort discounts used to be available to book for a future stay while you were staying at a Disney resort.
• Toiletries used to be in individual bottles that you knew weren't shared and that you could take home to use during future travel or as a souvenir.
• Live musicians playing regularly in the Grand Floridian lobby.
• Resorts, tickets and APs were much more affordable even just 5 years ago. The price increases have outpaced inflation many times over.

None of this stuff is ancient history- these perks and benefits have all been taken away within the past 7 or 8 years. When you read about some Disney veterans being disgruntled, this is why.

 

[RivShore]

• All park hours used to be longer- that was huge.
• Resort pool hours used to be longer.
• Regular very late night complimentary Extra Magic Hours and regular morning Extra Magic Hours were huge. The limited "extra" hours they give now don't come close.
• There were more parades and shows, such as the Welcome Show at the entrance to Magic Kingdom right before opening every day, and the Electric Light Parade in MK and Rivers of Light at Animal Kingdom.
• Complimentary FastPasses.
• Complimentary Magic Bands.
• Complimentary Magical Express plus luggage service from home to hotel room. The latter was huge for me when I first took my autistic 5 year-old son to WDW as a single mom. They handled all of the luggage and Orlando transportation seamlessly and I couldn't have done the trip without that. You might say, "well that's just you", but a lot of people with disabilities and mobility issues go to WDW, and things like that meant a lot because they made the trip easier and less intimidating.
• Special bounceback resort discounts used to be available to book for a future stay while you were staying at a Disney resort.
• Toiletries used to be in individual bottles that you knew weren't shared and that you could take home to use during future travel or as a souvenir.
• Live musicians playing regularly in the Grand Floridian lobby.
• Resorts, tickets and APs were much more affordable even just 5 years ago. The price increases have outpaced inflation many times over.

None of this stuff is ancient history- these perks and benefits have all been taken away within the past 7 or 8 years. When you read about some Disney veterans being disgruntled, this is why.

If your going back 7-8 years, I get it! I was thinking more the last year or so of reductions where more has come back than my low expectations expected.

 

[MamaMermaid]

Only you can decide the value for yourself/your family. It doesn't mean it's true for everyone else.

 

[Cheburashka]

If your going back 7-8 years, I get it! I was thinking more the last year or so of reductions where more has come back than my low expectations expected.

A lot of that has gone away since reopening, including the shorter park hours, no complimentary FastPasses, no Magical Express or luggage service, no complimentary Magic Bands, no bounceback offers, ending GF live music, etc.

If you go in with low expectations, then sure, they'll be exceeded. In mid-2022, the time for low expectations should be over. Covid should no longer be an excuse.

 

[luvnwdwgal]

We went last November with our son, daughter-in-law and 3 granddaughters. It was the girls first trip. Yes, things have changed. Yes, I’m not thrilled with all the changes, but we had the best vacation ever. It truly was wonderful and that’s why we go to WDW. We all plan on going back next year too. It is what it is. You either make the most of it or stay home. Your choice.

 

[TLSnell1981]

We went last November with our son, daughter-in-law and 3 granddaughters. It was the girls first trip. Yes, things have changed. Yes, I’m not thrilled with all the changes, but we had the best vacation ever. It truly was wonderful and that’s why we go to WDW. We all plan on going back next year too. It is what it is. You either make the most of it or stay home. Your choice.

You don't have to stay home. There are many amazing destinations other than WDW with a lot more bang for the buck...less stress too. I can spend three weeks in Europe vs one week at the World. The Bahamas, Caribbean and all of the Americas...great vacations for less money. The DGKs have started asking for alternatives. Let me say...HUGE in my book.

 

[BamaGuy44]

That’s cool if that’s what you want to do, but why are you telling us what “we all” need to do? I don’t love all the changes but we still enjoy WDW quite a bit. So thanks but I won’t be doing any boycotts.

But I promise while I’m there I’ll spend my money and not yours, so we both win!

 

[RamblingMad]

Disney is enjoyable. The planning is not.

 

[TLSnell1981]

Disney is enjoyable. The planning is not.

And DL is definitely a different experience than WDW.

 

[RamblingMad]

And DL is definitely a different experience than WDW.

I prefer DL. I'm not a fan of FL humidity and all of the transportation at WDW. Park hoppers also make more sense at DL. And the nearby hotels are cheaper.

 

[FlightlessDuck]

It’s tough utilizing a timeshare without the ability to purchase an AP. An Eight day PH is almost as much as a DVC pass. Really not much incentive especially with the removal of many perks, addition of a la carte experiences and price increases. Add the current divisiveness…it’s not as attractive as it once was. There are too many negatives.

I assumed the person I was talking to was selling shares of stock, not a timeshare.

 

[Dan Murphy]

I assumed the person I was talking to was selling shares of stock, not a timeshare.

"shares in the company" would refer to shares of stock in my mind also.

 

[longboard55]

What I see most of the changes are for crowd control and are to benefit the out of town travelers. Disney is just too popular

 

[slo]

I was just there in May and had a great time. I loved G+ and the convenience it provided. I was able to sleep in, schedule rides for later in the day, etc.

As per a point another PP made, do you really think Chapek is a one-man show that makes all of the decisions, alone? No input from any board members?

I’m glad to see I’m not the only one that likes Genie +.
DD18 and I mastered it, tag teamed it, and had a great experience

 

[igrsod]

I’m glad to see I’m not the only one that likes Genie +.
DD18 and I mastered it, tag teamed it, and had a great experience

Here's the thing, you can for sure get "value" out of it. It's really not that expensive. BUT, to me, I used to get that same thing for free not that long ago. I could plan the LL/FP out in advance so that our day had a seamless flow including our dining reservations. And I didn't need to be endlessly tied to my phone all day. Those are the things that make me not want to give Disney any money for a something I don't want. Why would I pay for this?
We did two vacations since Genie + was launched and never bought it once and did everything we wanted to do. We had one day of Genie + gifted to us for an incident at the hotel, and we didn't do much more than we did when we rope dropped and had a good plan.
I can see how some people can like it, it's just not for me.

 

[BamaGuy44]

Here's the thing, you can for sure get "value" out of it. It's really not that expensive. BUT, to me, I used to get that same thing for free not that long ago. I could plan the LL/FP out in advance so that our day had a seamless flow including our dining reservations. And I didn't need to be endlessly tied to my phone all day. Those are the things that make me not want to give Disney any money for a something I don't want. Why would I pay for this?
We did two vacations since Genie + was launched and never bought it once and did everything we wanted to do. We had one day of Genie + gifted to us for an incident at the hotel, and we didn't do much more than we did when we rope dropped and had a good plan.
I can see how some people can like it, it's just not for me.

I get that point of view, but disregarding cost, I like G+ more than the old FP+. Planning in advance was cool, but if you changed your mind about which park to go that day, sorry no fast passes for you at all. Park passes can make it hard to switch if passes are gone but that’s rare. And your choices were pretty limited because of the tiers. I’m able to get way more line skipping with G+ than I could before. And the “tied to your phone all day” thing is WAY exaggerated. Doesn’t require much time in the app once you get used to it. A minute or 2 every couple of hours. FP+ was the same after the original 3. Looking at your phone for times, etc. now the 7 am thing really does suck, no denying that.

People have different ways of touring and it fits our style very well, but not others, I get that. I think people had pre-decided to hate G+ because it used to be free and now it’s not (not you, just in general), but if you look at it just as a system it’s pretty good IMO.

 

[Sinder]

I definitely agree that Disney is not enjoyable the way it once was, but the message you want to send won’t be heard. For every repeat Disney guest who chooses not to return there will a first timer taking their place. They will have an enjoyable magical trip and maybe even become the new repeat guest. In 20 years they will be here having the same conversation lol

I took my last trip almost a year ago. After decades of going it just wasn’t the same. That’s OK, things change and there are so many other places to visit in this world. You’ve got to do what you’ve got to do, but not to “send a message” just do it for yourself