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

[Tiger926]

Hi,

Just seen this thread. The last time I visited was 3 years ago, I was really disappointed as I had been so many times before and things were so different.

Below is the letter of complaint that I wrote to Disney on my return highlighting just some of the issues.

I am going back this October and I am just hoping that things have since improved. Maybe the recession had affected things when I visited last, that's the only reason I could think of.

Hi,

I have just recently come back from a 3 week trip to Orlando from 10th September - 1st October.

This was my 7th visit and I have been every year since 2001.

I have to say that the service and hospitality at the Disney parks and resorts has deteriorated substantially. Never in the whole 7 years that I have been visiting have I ever experienced such bad service and rude staff.

I would like to take this opportunity to list the bad experiences that I had while I was on holiday.

1. We visited Typhoon Lagoon and walked up the stairs to the Crush 'n' Gusher ride. At the top we were faced with a member of staff. He snatched the dingy out of our hands, slammed it down, pointed to it and told us to 'GET IN'. That was it. He didn't even tell us to hold on or anything! My Fiancee & I were gobsmacked and could not believe we had just been treated like that.

2. I went to the World of Disney store in Downtown Disney. I approached a female member of staff to ask her a question. She gave me a blank look and ran off to get her colleague. Basically she didn't speak a word of English so had not understood what I had said let alone been able to answer my question. Her badge said she was from China.

3. We booked dinner at Cinderellas Royal Table. My Fiancee had pre-ordered 2 white chocolate slippers for my birthday. When they came out they were milk chocolate. We told our server and he just wasn't interested. He said there was nothing he could do as they were pre-ordered. At the end of the meal we had to pay for the desserts regardless.

4. I approached a cast member who was stood in front of the castle taking photos. I asked her if she would mind taking a photo my family & I. She reluctantly agreed and snatched my camera out of my hand. After, she just basically threw it back at me and didn't say anything.

5. In Animal Kingdom we had lunch in Asia. We ordered honey chicken and some drinks. I was waiting for our order when the lady behind the counter handed me just the food. I waited for a few minutes expecting our drinks to be served. I then realised that they had obviously forgotton. I asked about our missing drinks and had to wait a bit longer. I was then given them without a smile or an apology. Not a word was said!

Point 5 was a very common occurance. We would frequently visit food stands and be met with rude staff. I am used to being greeted with a smile and left with 'Have a nice day'. Things this time round were very very different. In general the staff were not as friendly or as helpful as they have been in my past visits.

I also think it is absolutely disgusting that Disney are now employing members of staff that don't even have basic English language skills. How are these staff members meant to meet the needs of the general public when they can't even communicate with them?

I am extremely dissappointed in the degredation of the service which has put me off from ever visiting Disney again. I have spent thousands of pounds visiting Disney over the years, and to travel on a plane for 9 and a half hours to be treated with such distain is a waste of my time and money.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Kind regards,

Angela Thomson

If I may...I am known as an amateur consumer advocate around here, as I frequently contact companies for both praise and concern. Each and every time I have contacted Disney, I have received a response - helps that I am an English teacher, and can write well too! LOL!

This kind of letter, although honest, is too long, and gets quite nit picky, and even discriminatory in places (constantly mentioning English as a second language CMs). You also mention that several CMs "snatched" stuff from your hands, and I'm not sure what to make of this, so they may not either. Please don't think I'm not believing you, it's just one person's snatch, may not be another.

If you want a personal response, and not just a cut/paste form, you need to always be brief, organized, no spelling errors and concise. I think there is so much going on in this letter, and at first read, it seems as if you weren't happy with any part of your vacation. You say you were treated with "distain" (it's disdain, by the way), and that is a very strong word. It means that you are basically saying that for most, if not all parts of your vacation, you were treated negatively and unwelcoming. You have basically said that you will never return to WDW, nothing went well, and that you were treated horribly, so how did you expect them to respond? Was there no positive aspect to any part of your trip at all?

I am not trying to pick on you, but as a member of this thread since the beginning, I know several people have mentioned communicating to Disney, so my intention is to provide help for those who would like to do so, as it makes for a higher chance of being contacted back about your comments. Disney does have a good track record with responding to guests, but you also need to remember that the mood and tone you set in your letter, will affect your chances of being answered by Disney.

Thanks for sharing your letter. Hope these tips help, Tiger

 

[brunette8706]

[/B]Quote:
Originally Posted by brunette8706
*
Matt-

Most people on this thread are disgruntled customers/guests who spend thousands of dollars to go to Disney. Most here on this thread love Disney but there are quite a few things that have been in the "decline" for the last few years to say the least.

I believe most people are sick and tired of raising pricing on buffets while taking more pricier food items off. For instance Boma, it was $26.99, 3 years ago now it's $35.99 plus tax and tip and if it's during a Holiday Pricing TIME add $4.00 on top of that, so now in essense you are talking $40.00! It's outrageous! Heck, I can get a better deal at the 5 star Shula restaurant at the Swan hotel. Further, the Holiday pricing, in my opinion is a way of gouging people. It's not just for Tweekend holiday for instance 4th of July it's pretty much for the whole summer! Why do they do this because THEY CAN! They are nickel and diming their guests.

First of all, comodity prices around the world have been skyrocketing, not to mention inflation. So it would seem logical that higher food prices would happen. I won't argue the holiday surcharge.

I've been to Shula's many times. Its a good steakhouse, but Im almost positive it isnt a 5 Star Restaurant. You cant compare. A hamburger at a theme park or ballgame, is going to be more than McDonalds. You know this going in.
Same with strollers, price has doubled in 1 year.

So dont rent your stroller there. There are many people in Orlando who will rent and deliver you a stroller far cheaper, and you would be supporting small Orlando businesses.
CM's are just not as helpful, and pleasant as they were in the past.

I dont know if we can say this as if it is true in all cases. In our experience (and we live in Orlando and go a few times a month), we've always had nothing but excellent interactions with cast members.
Some major deluxe resorts need to be better maintained, and are not. The list can go on and on.

This is kind of vauge. But if you're expecting to walk in to a Ritz Carlton, Intercontinental, or Waldorf Astoria when staying at a deluxe then yes you will be disappointed. But you should also know that going in.

So, to answer your question, no I don't think the average consumer is getting a "fair" market value for goods and services at Walt Disney World.

A price of a ticket (what, around $80?) gets you into the most popular tourist attraction in the world. You get access to 30+ attractions. You see not one, not two, but three parades (Celebrate, Move it, MSEP). You now get to see a state of the art laser show just before the largest fireworks display to ever be shown over the Magic Kingdom. Not to mention access to meet and greet with some of the most recognizable characters in the world.

I think if you go 6-8 times per year, then you are not the average consumer and probably dont view things the same way they do.
[brunette

Sorry everyone got upset, it was a difference of opinion which I know makes me ripe for a drilling in today's faceless internet discussion boards. It wasnt directed at anyone personally.

*
Hi Matt-

I would like to say no one here is upset with you. Just trying to answer some of your questions.

To answer your first statement in bold referencing the "commody prices from around the world have skyrocketed". This may be true, but to raise a price to nearly 40 percent in less than 3 years is ludicrous at best. Especiailly when they take off the prime rib and charge kids over 3 an exorborant price. Our local restaurants have not gone up 40 percent, neither should Disney in my opinion. They are doing this strategically and that is because of the so called FREE DINING. They want people/guests to think they are getting a great deal on the Free dining hence at the same time raise restaurant prices to a price point that is just outrageous.

Second, I'm not comparing Shula's restaurant to a hamburger at Disney. I'm comparing it to pricing at the Boma restaurant and or even the Yachtsman steakhouse. You can get a far superior meal at Shulas.

Third, in reference strollers, of course people can rent strollers else where it was just very convenient for guests to rent them here at WDW. Why the prices went from $18 - $35.00 in one year boggles my mind. Again, it is price gouging. If one family rented that stroller for a week, it would be more than a price for a rental car. It's terrible.

In reference to the Deluxe hotels, I'm not comparing them to the Waldorf, Ritz etc, but rather to a Hilton or Marrott. When guests pay a premium to stay at a Deluxe resort such as the Wilderness Lodge, the rooms should look attractive. Now the resort as a whole in my opinion is just gorgeous, but our room at WL was below par. Bedspread was worn and extremely faded, furniture, was chipped, tv didn't work. It was so bad that we moved to the YC. That place was amazing. So, no I'm not comparing deluxes with the Ritz, but when people pay a premium, $400 and up you should definintely get what you pay for. What I should know going "in" is that I will be at a Disney deluxe resort and everything should look good and work properly.

In regards of ticketing pricing, I don't think many guests will mind paying this price. But the price goes up every year and that doesn't include a fee for no expiration and if you want park hopping. Multiply that amount to the number of people in your family and it does get rather expensive. It's not cheap to go to Disney. I think people will and they do pay the price, but when you are paying a premium for this theme park(s) everything should be nearly perfect. We shouldn't see chipped paint, bad CMs, high prices on food/beverage, cheap merchandise, etc. and cutbacks throughout the theme parks. And don't get me started about the Christmas decorations that have dimished. Other people were complaining about the Halloween parties and Christmas parties in theme park where some of decorations and candy have really been cut back. At the same time guests are paying a premium for these parties.


Further, there has been cut backs on the fireworks at the Magic Kingdom and EPCOT. These are just a few things that people on this forum were very concerned about.

Thanks for stopping by and feel free to ask any question you want.

My last note, that I will reiterate again, is most people on this thread love Disney, most here go every year. This isn't a bash Disney thread, but rather a place where people can bring up legitimate concerns. So, I did want to get the record straight regarding that.

Thanks!
Brunette

 

[Tiger926]

[/B]Quote:
*
Hi Matt-

I would like to say no one here is upset with you. Just trying to answer some of your questions.

To answer your first statement in bold referencing the "commody prices from around the world have skyrocketed". This may be true, but to raise a price to nearly 40 percent in less than 3 years is ludicrous at best. Especiailly when they take off the prime rib and charge kids over 3 an exorborant price. Our local restaurants have not gone up 40 percent, neither should Disney in my opinion. They are doing this strategically and that is because of the so called FREE DINING. They want people/guests to think they are getting a great deal on the Free dining hence at the same time raise restaurant prices to a price point that is just outrageous.

Second, I'm not comparing Shula's restaurant to a hamburger at Disney. I'm comparing it to pricing at the Boma restaurant and or even the Yachtsman steakhouse. You can get a far superior meal at Shulas.

Third, in reference strollers, of course people can rent strollers else where it was just very convenient for guests to rent them here at WDW. Why the prices went from $18 - $35.00 in one year boggles my mind. Again, it is price gouging. If one family rented that stroller for a week, it would be more than a price for a rental car. It's terrible.

In regards of ticketing pricing, I don't think many guests will mind paying this price. But the price goes up every year and that doesn't include a fee for no expiration and if you want park hopping. Multiply that amount to the number of people in your family and it does get rather expensive. It's not cheap to go to Disney. I think people will and they do pay the price, but when you are paying a premium for this theme park(s) everything should be nearly perfect. We shouldn't see chipped paint, bad CMs, high prices on food/beverage, cheap merchandise, etc. and cutbacks throughout the theme parks. And don't get me started about the Christmas decorations that have dimished. Other people were complaining about the Halloween parties and Christmas parties in theme park where some of decorations and candy have really been cut back. At the same time guests are paying a premium for these parties.


Further, there has been cut backs on the fireworks at the Magic Kingdom and EPCOT. These are just a few things that people on this forum were very concerned about.

Thanks for stopping by and feel free to ask any question you want.

My last note, that I will reiterate again, is most people on this thread love Disney, most here go every year. This isn't a bash Disney thread, but rather a place where people can bring up legitimate concerns. So, I did want to get the record straight regarding that.Thanks!


Brunette

Just wanted to comment on bolded parts above:

1. Food pricing - I come from an Italian restaurant family that has been in business for over 40 years. When food costs go up, they can't really raise prices that much, as loyal customers can't afford it. We pay over $10.00/hr in minimum wage, yes you read that right, and yet prices are reasonable. What does Disney pay it's servers - $2 or 3.00/hour, and charges $40.00 for steak? It doesn't compute, except to make higher profit margins, or make up for lost revenue somewhere else.

2. Strollers - I mentioned this in this thread, but it's worth mentioning again, that Disney has outsourced stroller rentals since last year. Since that time, prices skyrocketed. There are several other local stroller rental companies that many DISers are now happily using, and they are much cheaper.

3. Epcot cutbacks - Just returned from Flower and Garden Festival, and there are less flowers than in past years as well. Still looks nice, but some areas are barren and need to be filled up, as they are immediately noticeable, especially to us regulars.

4. Bashing Disney - It really irritates me when people say this sort of thing. The only way to improve something, is to discuss it and offer solutions, of which there are many on this thread!!! Since many of us spend multiple weeks each year at Disney, we are definitely in a different place than first timers.

Tiger

 

[k5thbeatle]

Of course Disney is more than theme parks but their stock is at an all time high over the last 20 years. Now I'm not sure how this exactly fits with this thread but it's somewhat relative.

 

[act1980]

[/QUOTE]Did you get a response?[/QUOTE]

Hi yes I did. I have copied it below.

Dear Ms. Thompson,

Thank you for contacting the Walt Disney World® Resort.

We truly regret your disappointment with various aspects of your visit

to our Resort. When we receive comments from Guests, such as yours,

they are shared with various areas of our organization. This allows us

to identify what we are doing right, and what we can do better. You may

be assured that your observations have been shared and taken seriously.

If you should wish to discuss your comments further, or provide us with

additional details, you may call me at 407-560-3392. If I am not

immediately available when you call, please leave your telephone number

and an indication of the best time to reach you.

Ms. Thompson, thank you again for taking the time to share your

feedback.

Sincerely,

Lucretia Esposito

Executive Offices

Walt Disney World® Resort

 

[Donut23]

I suspect many of us would be far less grumbly if quality was maintained as prices rose.

I remember the last few minutes of our last night at EPCOT in December. We had spent 8 days and our little group would say...."remember - ________ was here last year......remember the decorations along this sidewalk........remember the Christmas music.......wasn't prime rib on the menu last year"....etc. It was just too much this time.

There I was, sitting in my little scooter in the handicapped fireworks viewing spot....looking across the lagoon to NO LOW OR Christmas tree stage....far fewer decorations. The my beloved Illuminations began.

There we all were - watching our fireworks which were a shell (hahaha - actually HALF of the shells) of Illuminations in the past. The fireworks are nearly half of what they were -absolutely true.....got the video to prove it.

Normally we leave with heavy hearts....heading down the hill at International Gateway - turning back for one last peek---listen to the music (no christmas music) - capture one last glimpse, close our eyes and lock in every memory.

This time, we all just walked out.....empty and sad for what it once was.


Ok, raise the prices for EVERYTHING - it was all overpriced to begin with. However, if you are planning to empty our wallets....keep the quality.


.......and they think we are stupid sheep who will either not notice.....of still come no matter what.

Disney, everyone has their "no more" point.

I gotta tell you (actually I DID tell them in a letter). There are FAR too many other really cool options for holidays which are much less $$$$ and far better service. You know, the way Disney USED to be.


...don't forget.....2 nights in NYC,12 nights on a Caribbean Cruise - aft-facing suite cabin......ALL for LESS than our 8 night Castmember Discount trip to WDW. Our little group will not have the chance to see Disney at Christmas this year. We will all be giving our $$$$$ to someone else.

 

[Planogirl]

I haven't noticed a decline in Disney, but then again I stay off site, don't rent strollers, never been to a buffet, and usually don't talk to CM's. We just go to the parks and have a good time

That is pretty much what we do now and like you we have a good time. The parks themselves are still great for the most part.

 

[Planogirl]

Do you truly feel you're not getting fair value?

I feel like we're getting fair value when we only visit the parks and only eat counter service and at the ever more rare full service restaurants. I don't feel that resort prices and most restaurants offer fair value and ticket prices are straining that.

I guess that it all amounts to underappreciated CM's, an "it's all about me" attitude, the high cost of providing services and a general sense that Disney is greedy. At least that's what a lot of the posts seem to indicate.

I, like so many, just want to be able to have a decent meal at a reasonable (if somewhat higher) cost without feeling rushed and definitely without breaking out in a cold sweat when I see the final bill. I also want a nice, clean resort with good amenities and service also at a reasonable (even though again a higher) price. I don't think that this is asking too much.

 

[Donut23]

Of course Disney is more than theme parks but their stock is at an all time high over the last 20 years. Now I'm not sure how this exactly fits with this thread but it's somewhat relative.

Not only are their stock prices high - their corporate profits have been obscenely high the last 6 quarters.

Disney isn't raising prices because they are at financial risk -don't kid yourselves. Take a look at their financials. Their price increases have SOOOO outpaced inflation. My God, their Deluxe Resorts have always been way too expensive for the quality you receive. You DO realize there is a BIG difference between a Disney Deluxe and a Deluxe room outside Disney? Our 60% castmember discount better represents the resorts prices compared to the beautiful properties outside......Bonnet Creek for example. In December you could stay at a 1 bedroom villa for $192 p/night- yup - bigger than DVC, better service than DVC, far nicer property surrounding the villa's than DVC.

Oh by the way, Bonnet Creek is rated 5 star. Disney tried - tried VERY hard but could never manage that 5th star for the Grand Floridian....it's always been a 4 star.

Why do they continued to take advantage of our wallets - because we allow them to.

On our last trip what we discovered.....the Castmember Prices for many things are where they SHOULD be priced. But hey, as long as the sheep will follow.....Disney will continue to take advantage of them.

Don't kid yourselves. Disney's prices increases of late are based on one thing only......GREED not the economy.



Ok, who is going to say......"Hey, how do you REALLY feal????????"

 

[pumpkin7]

the only thing i noticed last trip was how some things needed a lick of paint. one thing that stands out was the post box at mickeys house in toontown. of course now i know why they hadn't repainted it; because they were closing it lol, but quite a few places looked like they could do with a bit of paint.
and dear me, fix flicks eyes in ITTBAB! his one eye didn't move, and the other did. he looked creepy. other than that, i didn't really notice anything bad. i love disney!

 

[SallySkelington]

Keep in mind that no company is perfect and Disney is no where close to it behind the scenes. They do their best to provide the best customer service they can and there may be slip ups along the way. Go on vacation and don't worry about the little things that everyone seems to be nit picking over. Enjoy the magic while its there.

 

[goofy4prez]

Keep in mind that no company is perfect and Disney is no where close to it behind the scenes. They do their best to provide the best customer service they can and there may be slip ups along the way. Go on vacation and don't worry about the little things that everyone seems to be nit picking over. Enjoy the magic while its there.

I bolded a couple of your points I want to address.

1. No Walt Disney is no longer doing their best to provide customer care. While Walt himself may have always placed a priority in the customer experience it is no longer the philosophy of the company he has left behind. Profit at all cost has become the new mantra.

2. Little things would be having to wait 10 minutes past an adr, or receiving a cold baked potato, or perhaps needing another towel in the room. Finding filthy rooms, lower food quality while prices go up beyond the rate of inflation are not little things, just to name a few. Little things I agree, why worry. But many of the things discussed on this thread have not been rather little.

 

[lesabrowning]

I think many of us will have to agree to disagree here.

I don't agree that Disney has given up all Customer Care and I don't agree that the mantra is profit at all cost.

I also think as a group we will never agree on the "little things."

Lesa

I bolded a couple of your points I want to address.

1. No Walt Disney is no longer doing their best to provide customer care. While Walt himself may have always placed a priority in the customer experience it is no longer the philosophy of the company he has left behind. Profit at all cost has become the new mantra.

2. Little things would be having to wait 10 minutes past an adr, or receiving a cold baked potato, or perhaps needing another towel in the room. Finding filthy rooms, lower food quality while prices go up beyond the rate of inflation are not little things, just to name a few. Little things I agree, why worry. But many of the things discussed on this thread have not been rather little.

 

[brunette8706]

What Prez says. To sharpen the point, there is more and more complaints on this forum about such manners. The food is skyrocketing $26.99 Boma buffet 2008 now it's $35.00 and that is NOT including Holiday pricing. If it was in a Holiday month then it would be a whooping $40.00 per adult plus tax and tip. That's an approximate 40 percent increase. My understanding also is the councierge level offerings has been cut back, plus this whole Disney Standard does not equate to the way they market the standard on the DVD's you can ask for regarding their vacation rentals etc. As Prez states some of the DVC rooms have not been repairied and shows lack of updating. So, it's the little things that I can tolerate but the bigger things are starting to really upset people.

Brunette

 

[Planogirl]

It is true that many of us won't agree because we certainly do expect different things. We don't all have the same expectations.

We might also have different experiences. Maybe your resort was pristine while mine was dirty. Maybe you had a decent meal at the restaurant you ate at while I ate somewhere that was terrible. Which reminds me... I see a lot of comments about certain restaurants at WDW being bad. Shouldn't ALL restaurants run by WDW be at least decent if their service is so good? I never understand why there is so much disparity within one company.

 

[GOOFYsince71]

I believe that in our daily life we all work so hard, and dream of that WDW getaway to take us to another place...It use to be that from the time you arrived till you left, you really did feel like you were in another world.
Unfortunately, the cracks in the system are not being hidden behind an artists backdrop.....they are real and obvious. This is why so much disappointment comes to a head,,and people are not happy anymore. I just returned from my 40th trip,,after a 6 month winter in Chicago,,and went with the mindset that NOTHING was going to bother me,,,I just needed to get away...
2 hour check in because they made 3 mistakes on our reservation, yet they kept saying that it was the NEW computer system that they have been using since NOVEMBER (new?)......The wrong park passes...the CM who had no idea how to contact housekeeping, The Question we had about the Pool Bar hours that was answered " what pool bar?"......the girl at the register that said our dining plan was not on our resort key,,,and we would have to pay cash if we wanted our food....The CM in the middle of Animal Kingdom,,,who had to pull out a map to help us find the exit,,,(i knew it was a problem, when he had to first find the "you are here" dot on the map!)...The CM at MK who said,,,don't bother using your fastpass...the line is as long as stand-by....Oh,,,and the chef at the food court who said,,,are you sure you are allergic to this?....um...yep.....So......
I paid all my bills,,,took beautiful pictures,,,but do they still have that "glow" about them that they use to ..?.....It would take a miracle for the "magic" to be the same as it was years ago,,,BUT.....It is still magic to those who have NOTHING to compare it to.....Will I go back a 41st time?.....I guess, as long as I go with literally NO expectation of stellar service or Good Old Common Courtesy.....NO BASHING allowed,,,,,,,just an observation,,and not a complaint... P.S....I also was made to purchase a 1 day park ticket for THEM to be able to make my dining plan stick to my reservation,,,and now I have an $82 one day pass on my card that I don't need,,,and would cost me just $5 to add on to my next visit....oh well,,,complaining will not get me anything but writers cramp!!!

 

[rachel09985]

Working in a restaurant for 7 years as taught me one thing---when people make it public to complain they are only looking for one thing-- free stuff. I don't really give credit to people who complain anymore because I have seen so many complain just to receive something. And in today's world, where companies are fighting to retain customers, the company will honor their complaint and give them a gift certification or not make them pay. I am not sure if Disney does that a lot but it is what I have noticed working at a restaurant.

That being said I don't understand why you would keep going back to Disney year after year if you are unhappy when you get back and just find reasons to complain. I don't know about everyone else but if I am not happy about a certain place or find things that are wrong about somewhere- I don't go back.

I have been to Disney 4 times as an adult 2 times as a child and next trip in June and find nothing to complain about. However I am sure if I have gone every year for the past 30 years of course I find things to complain about because I would notice all the differences. When you frequent places often you are going to be very critical because you notice more things the more times you go and change is evident. If you are in the boat of going double digits to Disney wait a few years and go back I am sure you would appreciate it more.

As for customer service I think Disney does a great job. People are so friendly there. *Most of the time* people do/say what you make of it. You take their message into a tone you want to hear- whether it is sarcastic or grumpy or mean. They may not be mean but your impression of them will outlast the actual.

Families go there, spend thousands of dollars, and demand that they be treated as a royal family. People can be so mean and the castmemembers have to deal with rude people all the time who think they are above everyone else just because they are on the vacation and spending money. No thats not it- you treat other people how you want to be treated and thats that. In turn you should ideally receive the same treatment. I understand that doesn't always happen. In those cases the people that are genuinely not happy should not work in customer service. However, I don't recall any times of seeing that at Disney.

This is just my two cents but I really think if you are unhappy dont go back there, at least not for a while.

Cant believe this thread is as long as it is!!

 

[eliza61]

Working in a restaurant for 7 years as taught me one thing---when people make it public to complain they are only looking for one thing-- free stuff. I don't really give credit to people who complain anymore because I have seen so many complain just to receive something. And in today's world, where companies are fighting to retain customers, the company will honor their complaint and give them a gift certification or not make them pay. I am not sure if Disney does that a lot but it is what I have noticed working at a restaurant.

That being said I don't understand why you would keep going back to Disney year after year if you are unhappy when you get back and just find reasons to complain. I don't know about everyone else but if I am not happy about a certain place or find things that are wrong about somewhere- I don't go back.

I have been to Disney 4 times as an adult 2 times as a child and next trip in June and find nothing to complain about. However I am sure if I have gone every year for the past 30 years of course I find things to complain about because I would notice all the differences. When you frequent places often you are going to be very critical because you notice more things the more times you go and change is evident. If you are in the boat of going double digits to Disney wait a few years and go back I am sure you would appreciate it more.

Cant believe this thread is as long as it is!!

So totally wrong and offensive. You really think that every one here is trying to get a free disney stay out of this???

I find the exact opposite. Not all people complain to get free stuff, I know when I make complaints I want the stuff that was promised to me. This is with Disney, target or the kid cutting my grass. When I pay money, whether it's thousands of dollars to disney or 6.99 to Mcdonalds I make a contract to recieve a item.

You're the type of customer retailers love. You get a dirty room I suppose you sit quietly and thank your lucky stars to be at disney? Sorry, not matter what level accomadations I reserve, I insist on a clean room.

The number of times one visits has nothing to do with appreciation. actually going back is pretty much the highest form of appreciation but imo there is a big difference between appreciating some thing and being a sucker. I totally admit to being a demanding customer. I work too hard for my vacation dollars, so if you are a business and you make a claim of "magical", clean and superb service, better watch out because that is exactly what I am going to hold you to.

Personally, I love reading the complaints, they give me a truthful, well rounded picture of a place and you never know what complaint might lead to a helpful solution.

For me, so far, the good is still outweighing the bad but we have changed our vacation style. we don't eat onsite as much and we don't stay as long. but sorry if you are going to ask my opinion on a certain restaurant or hotel and I think it's crappy. I'm not going to give you sunshine and flowers and if I think a place has gone downhill, that;s exactly what I'm going to say.

 

[goofy4prez]

Working in a restaurant for 7 years as taught me one thing---when people make it public to complain they are only looking for one thing-- free stuff.

When I complain, I don't want free stuff, keep your free meals, free dessert, or 10% off your next visit, I could care less. I want to receive the quality I should receive in the first place, not an excuse from someone in the restaurant or an attitude such as you have just displayed. Sorry to flame you, but you are wrong.


Now that I have vented and just climbed off my soup box I feel so much better.

 

[GOOFYsince71]

So totally wrong and offensive.

I find the exact opposite. Not all people complain to get free stuff, I know when I make complaints I want the stuff that was promised to me.
I work too hard for my vacation dollars, so if you are a business and you make a claim of "magical", clean and superb service, better watch out because that is exactly what I am going to hold you to.
.

I agree,,,,in fact,,,when I talk about bad experiences,,it is not a "complaint",,but just a Observation of how things are as to how they Use to Be...NEVER expecting to get Free Stuff...
People NEED to see both sides of the story because if they don't, they will go on these trips with rose colored
glasses and then be much more disappointed because of unreal expectations.
I also work in a very busy restaurant chain,,and am not surprised anymore when a "guest" expects compensation for the smallest thing....I always have said,,,,You get what you pay for" and if you don't,,are we not allowed to question this?
I manage 150 people...I know it is a drop in the bucket compared to WDW employees,,,but if they start at the top,,,and make sure everyone is on the same page when it comes to guest service,,,I believe it makes a well rounded ,,, good experience...