Do You think DISNEY has gone down hlll the last few years?

[tubtruck]

I am starting to think Disney is a big joke!

The best joke I heard today was on the bus to the Animal Kingdom, the bus commentary suggesting that we should try the latest ride in The Animal Kingdom. :- Its called Expedition Everest.
Thought to myself oh it was also the latest ride way back 4 and a half years ago in March 2006.

Disney are becoming rubbish. They only want to milk the present infrastructure and build nothing but dvc resorts. The transport service is a shambles, how about a light railway, anything but busses. Come one Would Walt have wanted busses, the only people where I live who travel on them are poor people, and when was Disney actually interested in them?

 

[flicx]

 

[Mickey Gator]

I am starting to think Disney is a big joke!

The best joke I heard today was on the bus to the Animal Kingdom, the bus commentary suggesting that we should try the latest ride in The Animal Kingdom. :- Its called Expedition Everest.
Thought to myself oh it was also the latest ride way back 4 and a half years ago in March 2006.

Disney are becoming rubbish. They only want to milk the present infrastructure and build nothing but dvc resorts. The transport service is a shambles, how about a light railway, anything but busses. Come one Would Walt have wanted busses, the only people where I live who travel on them are poor people, and when was Disney actually interested in them?

I will make it easy on you Tubtruck, stay in the UK and leave the Florida sunshime to us Yanks .

 

[Planogirl]

I am starting to think Disney is a big joke!

The best joke I heard today was on the bus to the Animal Kingdom, the bus commentary suggesting that we should try the latest ride in The Animal Kingdom. :- Its called Expedition Everest.
Thought to myself oh it was also the latest ride way back 4 and a half years ago in March 2006.

Disney are becoming rubbish. They only want to milk the present infrastructure and build nothing but dvc resorts. The transport service is a shambles, how about a light railway, anything but busses. Come one Would Walt have wanted busses, the only people where I live who travel on them are poor people, and when was Disney actually interested in them?

I tend to be critical but I can't say that I agree that WDW is that bad. It's still fun with a lot to do and I certainly wouldn't call it rubbish.

I don't care for buses either but I understand why they use them. Light rail would be enormously expensive and complicated.

 

[TLSnell1981]

I definitely remember the days...the park never looked worn, the droopy flowers were replaced and the CM's ALWAYS wished us a "magical day"! Of course, the food was tasty, reasonably priced and pretty unique...especially in the World Showcase.

We've watched the increases and other negative changes over the years...and they're disappointing. At some point, you'd think it WOULD be enough, but too much greed and not enough caring seems to be the norm. I hope they get a grip before they pass the point of no return.

 

[bicker]

It seems like they are more interested in what the shareholders want

They better be. Remember Enron? Disney had better care about doing what's best for their shareholders; they're obligated to do so; it is their fiduciary responsibility.

And Disney's shareholders should have no qualms about taking all actions shareholders can take, up to and including suing company directors personally, should the company routinely place any other considerations, other than safety and security, over what's best for the shareholders.

 

[bicker]

I tend to be critical but I can't say that I agree that WDW is that bad. It's still fun with a lot to do and I certainly wouldn't call it rubbish.

In another thread, folks are essentially bashing each other up in a Horizons versus Mission:Space throw-down. A rather significant number of people are indeed saying that Horizons was boring, and that Mission:Space is the best attraction that was ever there at Epcot. Whether you feel one attraction or the other is better is actually irrelevant: What's important to understand, in the context of this thread, from what's going on in that thread, is that Disney has to appeal to many different guests, and that not every guest wants the same things. To expect that everything at WDW will be driven toward appealing to one's own personal preferences is unreasonable.

 

[Snape]

I tend to be critical but I can't say that I agree that WDW is that bad. It's still fun with a lot to do and I certainly wouldn't call it rubbish.
I don't care for buses either but I understand why they use them. Light rail would be enormously expensive and complicated.

I agree. We still have a fun time in the parks but we don't stay onsite anymore because the prices Disney charge aren't worth it. Sure, 20 years ago a room at the CR was worth $250 because the service was there and nothing was outsourced. Now the companies Disney hired to perform some of the important jobs like Housekeeping are performing below average at best.

 

[Pirates4me]

I am starting to think Disney is a big joke!



Disney are becoming rubbish. They only want to milk the present infrastructure and build nothing but dvc resorts. ?

Looks like you are a DVC member. Did they suck you in?

 

[Pirates4me]

I will make it easy on you Tubtruck, stay in the UK and leave the Florida sunshime to us Yanks .

Right on my fellow sun seeker

 

[Donut23]

Looks like you are a DVC member. Did they suck you in?

It is not my intention to change the 'drama' of this page to a DVC conversation. However, we have also watched the gradual changes at WDW for the last decade. As others have said, it's not enough to keep us away (although our last December trip was spent at DL because DH could not bring himself to look at World Showcase without Lights of Winter)......it's not enough of a change - yet - to keep us away.

Disney is affordable for us because DH is a long-time castmember. If we were waiting for a room discount and actually PAYING for tickets....a Disney trip would be long off our list of yearly choices.

It's all about how much they can cutback and still keep guests arriving and the $$$ flowing. Each of us have a that breaking point.

Most of us LOVE/ADORE/CHERISH our Disney trips but most of the ticket sales are those infrequent guests (who probably don't know how to work the system like we do). Disney LOVES them because they pay more and don't notice the changes.

One of the reasons we have not considered DVC is.....we are worried that eventually Disney WILL cutback enough where we will say....enough! We have already said it once about WDW last year.

 

[Don Disney]

I am starting to think Disney is a big joke!

The best joke I heard today was on the bus to the Animal Kingdom, the bus commentary suggesting that we should try the latest ride in The Animal Kingdom. :- Its called Expedition Everest.
Thought to myself oh it was also the latest ride way back 4 and a half years ago in March 2006.

Disney are becoming rubbish. They only want to milk the present infrastructure and build nothing but dvc resorts. The transport service is a shambles, how about a light railway, anything but busses. Come one Would Walt have wanted busses, the only people where I live who travel on them are poor people, and when was Disney actually interested in them?

It's a good thing that there are busses for the"poor" people,although,where we live,sometimes it is BETTER to take the bus,so you don't have to worry about dealing with tolls,or some of the"less than considerate"drivers acting like idiots on the road!! AND-How in the heck are those"poor" people going to get to WORK? As far as DVC'S(timeshares),I think that it is quite ridiculous to pay for something that you can't own...time! Disney,just like everything else is subject to the times we live in-such a shame greed is the norm in the Corporate,and Private sector for a lot of businesses-Can you say Wall Street Bankers? Truly a shame that it seems like good old-fashioned values like quality,fair pricing,and decent wages for a job well done does'nt seem to matter to a lot folks in charge these days.It's all about the money.

 

[Donut23]

Ok, I had a second thought I wanted to bring up.....

Disneyland

A few years before the 50th anniversary our beloved DL was VERY shabby. If you traveled there a year before the 50th, there was a TREMENDOUS number of attractions closed down - bringing the park back in shape. Ok....not a complaint, however. I will always we happy that they renovated SM sooooooooooo well!

50th anniversary arrived and DL sparkled.

I finally dragged (kicking and screaming) DH to DL a few years ago. He FELL in love with it and we also noticed how clean it was. Castmember were soooo friendly - it seemed so much better run than WDW....especially because the "decline" we are talking about was already apparent at WDW.

Fast forward to the last 2 years (recession years). We all know WDW park attendance is down. Did you know that DL attendance is UP....12%!! Yes, there are many reasons for it - good marketing to locals and MILLIONS of people live within an easy drive of DL.

Anyway, they are fixing the problems with CA (yes, it was not well planned originally). World of Color is a success beyond even the best guesses of the Disney Grownups. (They now are planning 3 shows a night and lines for the fastpass machines are clogging the walkways in CA. They have also added a great perk for resort guests....30 EMH each day for resort guests....so they can be first in line for WOC fast passes).

Anyway....Burbank is spending the $$$$$ on DL and it is making GREAT $$$ for everyone out there.

A DL trip is now part of each year's travel discussions. You can see the difference between the two locations in the blink of an eye.

Are the Disney grownups planning to let WDW decline as much as they did DL before the 50th. I hope not.

WDW is where DH and I met and we love it there. In places WDW looks a little like Cinderalla BEFORE she met the Fairy Godmother.

 

[bicker]

Can you say Wall Street Bankers?

Can you say employees hoping to retire someday and live off of 401(k)s? Folks regularly forget how they themselves benefit from the economy as it is, and how that they would be personally adversely affected if the economy were to turn into what they suggest it should be like. However, the real question here is whether we really want this thread taken off onto this inflammatory tangent you've started us down? Personally, I'd rather we avoid that, and just say that it is a shame that not everyone gets what they want, all the time.

 

[Snape]

I am starting to think Disney is a big joke!

The best joke I heard today was on the bus to the Animal Kingdom, the bus commentary suggesting that we should try the latest ride in The Animal Kingdom. :- Its called Expedition Everest.
Thought to myself oh it was also the latest ride way back 4 and a half years ago in March 2006.

Disney are becoming rubbish. They only want to milk the present infrastructure and build nothing but dvc resorts. The transport service is a shambles, how about a light railway, anything but busses. Come one Would Walt have wanted busses, the only people where I live who travel on them are poor people, and when was Disney actually interested in them?

I just re-read this based on someone else linking it. I've learned something new on the Disboards - only poor people ride public busses/transportation.







Good to know.

 

[Planogirl]

In another thread, folks are essentially bashing each other up in a Horizons versus Mission:Space throw-down. A rather significant number of people are indeed saying that Horizons was boring, and that Mission:Space is the best attraction that was ever there at Epcot. Whether you feel one attraction or the other is better is actually irrelevant: What's important to understand, in the context of this thread, from what's going on in that thread, is that Disney has to appeal to many different guests, and that not every guest wants the same things. To expect that everything at WDW will be driven toward appealing to one's own personal preferences is unreasonable.

I agree - arguing over which attraction is better is like arguing over whether blue is a nicer color than red. There is no right answer.

However, one would hope that in Disney's attempt to appeal to as many people as possible that they would try to appeal to most. I suspect that more would prefer Mission:Space as much as I hate to admit it.

 

[bicker]

I'm not even sure that appealing to more people is the whole story. In addition, they really need to attract the most people. So attractions that are excuse-robbers are very valuable. While many people will put Epcot in the YES column just on the strength of the sounds, smells, tastes and sights of the countries, and many people will put Epcot in the YES column just on the strength of the entertaining-but-somewhat sedate experiences offered by Spaceship Earth, Journey into Imagination, Universe of Energy, and even Soarin'; it takes thrill rides like Test Track and Mission:Space to fill-in a big gap in Epcot's dossier. An attraction need not necessarily be appealing to most people; it can be worthwhile just because it gets the park "over the hump", by removing the reason some families may have to skip Epcot overall.

 

[Planogirl]

This adds merit to those that argue that WDW needs more thrill rides. I don't see anything at Epcot as particularly thrilling and I would bet that to some the rides are a snooze fest. I think that big thrill rides could change the overall atmosphere at Epcot though and they may not want to go there.

 

[bicker]

I guess what I was saying before, though, was that the question is "How far do they need to go?" I don't think it is black-and-white: They can go all the way as you suggest, i.e., put some more thrill rides so the park attracts thrill-ride enthusiasts. However, they may only need to just address the nullification factor, i.e., the resistance folks who like thrill rides exert on their families, with regard to not visiting Epcot at all. What I was trying to say was that maybe they can overcome that nullification factor with just a couple of thrill rides, no more thrilling than M:S and TT. KWIM?

 

[flicx]

I definitely remember the days...the park never looked worn, the droopy flowers were replaced and the CM's ALWAYS wished us a "magical day"! Of course, the food was tasty, reasonably priced and pretty unique...especially in the World Showcase.

We've watched the increases and other negative changes over the years...and they're disappointing. At some point, you'd think it WOULD be enough, but too much greed and not enough caring seems to be the norm. I hope they get a grip before they pass the point of no return.

Very well put.I think alot of the people who have gone to disney for alot of years definitely notice alot of what you are referring to.