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

[Tiger926]

We just got back, were there 11/15 to 11/19. Everything was wonderful- my only complaint would be the prices. Food prices are INSANE now, seems like Disney is really pushing for everyone to get the dining plan. Well it worked on me because next time I'll definitely be on it!

It hasn't worked for us. After spending literally thousands of dollars on Disney food, we have slashed our budget. We are used to doing DxDp or TIW and eating 2-3 TS meals per day, but no more!!! We will be eating most of our meals in our DVC villa in the summer, with a few select TS restaurants during our 11 days. We are sick of spending so much money on subpar food and service. Don't even get me started on the buffet surcharges - a buffet character meal used to be less than $30.00 a few years ago, and now they are up to $40.00 not including tip, during peak seasons. And why the heck do we have to pay surcharges for peak season anyway?

Just returned from a great trip. The bathrooms were not up to par and the photopass photographers we saw seemed very disinterested. We didn't let it dampen our trip one bit though.

Bathrooms have been problematic for years, and Photopass CMs have been like this for a couple of years too. We can't believe how disinterested some of them are in the summer months. Sorry you had to deal with those issues, but glad you had a great trip.

Tiger

 

[Planogirl]

The dining plans don't work real well for two people either or at least I've never found an advantage. We just stick to counter serve and a few favorite full serve and the rest offsite. It's the only way I can see us saving money.

 

[Albytaps]

We did the DDP (with the TS meals) for the first time and my only complaint is that you have to make ADR's and then plan your trip around that. From now on we'll keep doing the regular CS dining plan, I like that one. It'll come in handy for the F&W festival with 2 snack coupons per day.

 

[pipervali]

Has anybody seen a decrease in ride quality?

2005 brought us Everest, and that's the only new E-Ticket ride to be built as an original Disney attraction. Everything since then has been brought over from another park or has been lame. Rides like the Nemo thing at EPCOT are just throwaways--its a short, rehashed dark ride used as a marketing strategy. Also, things like Stitch! are evicting solid, original rides for the sake of milking the Disney characters for all they're worth. And don't get me started on Monsters Inc Laugh Floor--why is that in Tomorrowland???

I spent an hour trying to find a few presents for my friends who are original Disney fans. It was like torture trying to find something solely Pluto related in World of Disney. Everything seems targeted towards the newer characters.

 

[W.E.D.]

Has anybody seen a decrease in ride quality?

2005 brought us Everest, and that's the only new E-Ticket ride to be built as an original Disney attraction. Everything since then has been brought over from another park or has been lame. Rides like the Nemo thing at EPCOT are just throwaways--its a short, rehashed dark ride used as a marketing strategy. Also, things like Stitch! are evicting solid, original rides for the sake of milking the Disney characters for all they're worth. And don't get me started on Monsters Inc Laugh Floor--why is that in Tomorrowland???

The FE sounds like it'd be a good idea, but it seems like its just a bunch of meet and greets (again, milking their characters) with no real creativity. Just another aspect of it...

Don't forget about Voyage of the Little Mermaid, supposedly an E-ticket attraction. And it sounds like some sort of new coaster in Fantasyland as well.
I do agree with your opinion that they've mainly been re-theming existing rides, which I don't like either.
My beef with ride quality is the upkeep. Splash Mountain goes down every year for a rehab, but somehow whenever I'm there many pieces aren't working, sound will be off-sync, etc. How about taking care of the rides that already exist?

 

[hookedonears]

I know this has been talked about many times before here, but the issue has come to the forefront more and more about the cleanlyness of the bathroom facilities at the parks. Clean bathrooms are one of the things that have always impressed me about Disney. Clean bathrooms are one of the many things that set Disney apart from other places. I heard recently that certain guest have found the bathrooms in several parks to be so disgustingly filthy, that some guest have searched out cast members to have them cleaned. Unfortunately, I haven't been able to see these problems in person, because we haven't been to WDW in over 2 years, but if these things are true, this would be a perfect example where Disney has gone down hill over the past few years. I know Disney's profits are down for the last quarter and I'm sure they're looking for anyway possible to cut cost. It would be a tremendous mistake, however to make cuts in areas that directly affect their guest and this would be one of them.

 

[brunette8706]

Regarding the food- when we went in November the ribs at Flametree were awful! I thought that was the place to go for great BBQ? Anyway, it just looked like some freezed dried piece of meat, yuck, and I'm not a picky eater.

I still LOVE BOMA hands down though! That's the best buffet in all of Walt Disney World.

Brunette

 

[goofy4prez]

Regarding the food- when we went in November the ribs at Flametree were awful! I thought that was the place to go for great BBQ? Anyway, it just looked like some freezed dried piece of meat, yuck, and I'm not a picky eater.

I still LOVE BOMA hands down though! That's the best buffet in all of Walt Disney World.

Brunette

There's the "hands down" comment. (remember the g2g).

I have to agree with you about the Flame Tree. We have gone there at least a half dozen times and they were always very good. This past time in August and I was disappointed. Perhaps it was a bad week.

 

[flicx]

The dining plans don't work real well for two people either or at least I've never found an advantage. We just stick to counter serve and a few favorite full serve and the rest offsite. It's the only way I can see us saving money.

I really agree with you plano.Paying the rack rate for the room for my wife and I was no bargain with free food! I wish they would just get back to good room only discounts.

 

[rie'smom]

I know this has been talked about many times before here, but the issue has come to the forefront more and more about the cleanlyness of the bathroom facilities at the parks. Clean bathrooms are one of the things that have always impressed me about Disney. Clean bathrooms are one of the many things that set Disney apart from other places. I heard recently that certain guest have found the bathrooms in several parks to be so disgustingly filthy, that some guest have searched out cast members to have them cleaned. Unfortunately, I haven't been able to see these problems in person, because we haven't been to WDW in over 2 years, but if these things are true, this would be a perfect example where Disney has gone down hill over the past few years. I know Disney's profits are down for the last quarter and I'm sure they're looking for anyway possible to cut cost. It would be a tremendous mistake, however to make cuts in areas that directly affect their guest and this would be one of them.

We left Disney today and some of the bathrooms (AK, MK) disgusting-again. I couldn't even find cleaning women and had to report it to CMs.

 

[Planogirl]

I still love Boma too but it's kind of pricey for a buffet. I just remind myself that it's a unique place and that helps. Plus it's wonderful just to visit AKL.

 

[TLSnell1981]

Dining quality declined, December to May, and from May to September. I wonder, how bad it will be this month. Each trip, we schedule fewer ADRs. I'd rather eat a bowl of cereal in the room.

 

[jmpurdy]

Why, oh why can't they take out the paper towel dispensers and replace with blowers? Have posted this in the past and just don't get it. So much more economical, cleaner and less mess. Anyone have an answer? Would love to suggest this formally.

 

[GiGi30]

We've been twice a year for the last 3 years. Last week was our last trip for a while since I am pregnant with our 3rd and will not take an infant back to WDW ... too much running to Baby Care Centers to nurse, schedule disruption, etc. I haven't really noticed any difference other than the food at O'Hana's seemed to be drier and overall not as good. But, that's just one night!

 

[TheAceOfAces]

Why, oh why can't they take out the paper towel dispensers and replace with blowers? Have posted this in the past and just don't get it. So much more economical, cleaner and less mess. Anyone have an answer? Would love to suggest this formally.

I agree with quite a bit that's been said in this thread, but I have to object to this one. The reason they have paper towels is because, unlike hand dryers, they actually get your hands completely dry. (Actually, the real reason probably has to do with something along the lines of always having to repair/maintain the dryers, but effectiveness is another extra benefit of paper towels.)

 

[Planogirl]

We saw a new type of hand dryer somewhere. I can't think of where... But you stick your hands into this partially enclosed area and warm air blows from all directions. My hands were almost instantly dry.

 

[jmpurdy]

I agree with quite a bit that's been said in this thread, but I have to object to this one. The reason they have paper towels is because, unlike hand dryers, they actually get your hands completely dry. (Actually, the real reason probably has to do with something along the lines of always having to repair/maintain the dryers, but effectiveness is another extra benefit of paper towels.)

Really? Those high powered dryers are amazing. The high cost of paper towels and waste considering AKL is so animal friendly with no plastic straws, etc., should equal a huge savings for WDW using the blowers. I don't think repairing the air dryers comes close to paying the # of employees to keep the garbage off the floors and emptying the huge amount of trash from all the bathrooms at WDW. The amount of waste adds up really quickly. Our local mall has no paper towel dispensers anymore. I'd love to see a cost comparison.

 

[flicx]

We saw a new type of hand dryer somewhere. I can't think of where... But you stick your hands into this partially enclosed area and warm air blows from all directions. My hands were almost instantly dry.

I believe the dryers you are talking about are from dyson.They do really work well!

 

[Albytaps]

We saw a new type of hand dryer somewhere. I can't think of where... But you stick your hands into this partially enclosed area and warm air blows from all directions. My hands were almost instantly dry.

I think they have those in Universal. It's amazing how they work. Just put your hands in and as you pull them out it feels like all the water is being scraped off (without hurting of course!)

 

[Massillon Dad]

They really push the envelope, have the most clean restrooms, and better pricing