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

[rachel09985]

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.

Haha..Well I completely agree with both of you! Im not saying it is wrong to want those things, I do too if Im paying money. Im just repeating from experience- but a single free standing restaurant and Disney are two completely different things so I guess it isn't right to compare. And plus my restaurant wasn't exactly in the best part of town. Disneys clientele is higher class.

 

[rachel09985]

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

No not really. I guess I should have clarified to restaurants. I dont think you can compare Disney and a single standing restaurant.

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.

Agree also. If my hotel room was dirty I would ask for a new room not wanting anything free either. Definitely wouldn't complain about a bathroom at a restaurant though.

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.

Im glad the good is still outweighing the bad, it is when the bad outweighs the good that you shouldn't go anymore. I definitely see both sides of this. I think working in the restaurant industry makes you bitter, but I definitely want to have a good vacation after spending $2k and wouldn't be happy if we had a dirty room, especially if we had bed bugs!!!!

 

[queenreen]

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.

Disney used to worry about the little things. As a business woman from Florida I had the honor of listening to many of Disney's higherups as guest speakers, they always referred to "bumping the lamp". This was an animation technique in Roger Rabbit that was done when Devito hit his head on a swinging lamp, they took hours to draw in shadows that most movie goers never noticed but took the extra effort for those that would notice.

Disney no longer does this and when I interviewed for a job at Disney no one had even heard about this, and it shows in the presentation they now give to return guests.

Will I continue to go? Yes I love Disney but I no longer have the expectations that I used to. They don't run the rides at full capacity any more, making the lines longer. They have cut back on food quality and amount all the while raising prices. And yes, it is the returnning customer that is bothered.

I just wish Disney would get back to the time when they "bumped the lamp" for their loyal customers.

 

[GOOFYsince71]

Disney used to worry about the little things.........
Will I continue to go? Yes I love Disney but I no longer have the expectations that I used to.
I just wish Disney would get back to the time when they "bumped the lamp" for their loyal customers.

Very well said......
That would be TRUE Disney fashion,,,to Un-complicate things...to make them as they once were....to bring back the Magic.....
Sadly,,,this is not the world we live in ,,,so your comment about "no longer having the expectations".....is a fair one,,,the less you expect,,,the less you are disappointed...

 

[brunette8706]

I just had to let everyone know about this person's experience at Ohana, a restaurant that we DO like. But this is another reason how Disney is more about Quantity vs Quality. Quick synopsis the dishwasher was broke at Ohana and guests were served with paper plates and paper utensils! Unacceptable.

Read on.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2686534



It's entitled, "We Used To Love Ohana" on the Disney Dining thread under "Disney Dining Reviews"

 

[Tiger926]

I just had to let everyone know about this person's experience at Ohana, a restaurant that we DO like. But this is another reason how Disney is more about Quantity vs Quality. Quick synopsis the dishwasher was broke at Ohana and guests were served with paper plates and paper utensils! Unacceptable.

Read on.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2686534



It's entitled, "We Used To Love Ohana" on the Disney Dining thread under "Disney Dining Reviews"

After having eaten pretty much everywhere on property for years, we consider 'Ohana to be one of the worst restaurants at WDW. The manager is absolutely horrible - very apathetic and uncaring towards guests, and really has no idea how to run a restaurant in an efficient manner, and the staff is very subpar, as is the food.

This doesn't surprise me that they had problems, and couldn't handle it, as the staff and management over there are not very good.

I am happy that in the update, Disney is refunding that OP's credit card, as should have been done.

We have been comped several times by Disney over the years for issues at restaurants, without even being asked, so glad they stepped up and handled it. Disney has food warehouses throughout the resort, so they should have been able to get utensils and plates brought in. Not sure what their problem was? Epcot handles thousands of people for special events, so they have a fully stocked catering department full of supplies!

The restaurant should have handled it better that day - we were also at Magic Kingdom that day, and it was pretty busy.

Glad to hear it worked out, but again, another example of Disney faultering in the dining area.

Tiger

 

[KellyNY]

I just had to let everyone know about this person's experience at Ohana, a restaurant that we DO like. But this is another reason how Disney is more about Quantity vs Quality. Quick synopsis the dishwasher was broke at Ohana and guests were served with paper plates and paper utensils! Unacceptable.

Read on.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2686534



It's entitled, "We Used To Love Ohana" on the Disney Dining thread under "Disney Dining Reviews"

Hi Brunette

This story is absolutely unacceptable. I cannot imagine spending all the money for TS place and given paper/plastic tableware with some excuses on top. If I want to eat from plastic, I will eat at McDonalds and pay accordingly.

 

[meredith1]

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.

I've never been to WDW. We are planning our first trip. I couldn't agree more. We are paying a thousand dollars a day for CR, dining and tickets. For that kind of money, I do expect what has been promised. I've never been there and I am going on, and paying for, what they are promising me.

 

[meredith1]

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.

I've never been to WDW. We are planning our first trip. I couldn't agree more. We are paying a thousand dollars a day for CR, dining and tickets. For that kind of money, I do expect what has been promised. I've never been there and I am going on, and paying for, what they are promising me.

 

[brunette8706]

Hi Brunette

This story is absolutely unacceptable. I cannot imagine spending all the money for TS place and given paper/plastic tableware with some excuses on top. If I want to eat from plastic, I will eat at McDonalds and pay accordingly.

*
Hi Kelly!

Hope your doing GREAT!

Yes, can you believe Disney would do that? THey should have at least told the guest this before they were seated. Yes, unacceptable indeed!
*

Hi Tiger-

Yes, at least they did get it resolved after a few complaints to Disney, but it should have never happened to begin with and to pay FULL price!

 

[rachel09985]

I just had to let everyone know about this person's experience at Ohana, a restaurant that we DO like. But this is another reason how Disney is more about Quantity vs Quality. Quick synopsis the dishwasher was broke at Ohana and guests were served with paper plates and paper utensils! Unacceptable.

Read on.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2686534



It's entitled, "We Used To Love Ohana" on the Disney Dining thread under "Disney Dining Reviews"

I read this too and that is crazy. If a dishwasher is broke they should close the restaurant...How in the world did they wash even the dishes to prepare the food? That is one of the most integral parts of a restaurant. They could get in serious trouble if their dishes were not up to code on sanitation. I would have probably still ate there but it wouldn't have left a good impression on me.

 

[Tiger926]

*
Hi Kelly!

Hope your doing GREAT!

Yes, can you believe Disney would do that? THey should have at least told the guest this before they were seated. Yes, unacceptable indeed!
*

Hi Tiger-

Yes, at least they did get it resolved after a few complaints to Disney, but it should have never happened to begin with and to pay FULL price!

Absolutely! That's why I mentioned that we have been comped for various reasons over the years at WDW, without us even asking for it. Shows how idiotic the management is over there at 'Ohana. Guests should absolutely been given warning of the situation, comped or discounted if eating there, and have been brought fresh dishes.

Totally dropped the ball! Tiger

 

[SallySkelington]

The OP of that thread posted an update with the response to Disney of her complaint. While I agree it should have been handled differently Disney already was running around trying to get them fresh dishes from other locations. It was a mistake and Disney was trying to fix it. They also gave her a full refund of her receipt plus tips. I do agree that it was best to turn customers away though. Having people worrying about clean dishes and eating off of plastic is humiliating...

 

[KellyNY]

*
Hi Kelly!

Hope your doing GREAT!

Yes, can you believe Disney would do that? THey should have at least told the guest this before they were seated. Yes, unacceptable indeed!
*

Hi Tiger-

Yes, at least they did get it resolved after a few complaints to Disney, but it should have never happened to begin with and to pay FULL price!

Totally agree, they had to let guests know in advance, how many complained anyway and why anyone has to deal with bad service on vacation even if it was resolved after all. I pay money to be relaxed, not stressed. I understand that things happen but the problem is when it happens too often and not properly handled, it is annoying and shades vacation overall.

 

[Planogirl]

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!!!

I would have been livid if I'd had to deal with what you did. I find your calm attitude inspiring. You should not have had to deal with that though and you shouldn't have had to buy a 1 day pass because of their error.

Oh well, you just have to move on and enjoy the good stuff.

 

[Planogirl]

I'm trying to imagine cutting grilled meat with a plastic knife. Wow, that is just insane!

Couldn't they share the dishwashing with the Kona Cafe? Since some close to one another restaurants do share facilities, I hope that the Kona Cafe wasn't dealing with the same issues.

 

[goofy4prez]

I just had to let everyone know about this person's experience at Ohana, a restaurant that we DO like. But this is another reason how Disney is more about Quantity vs Quality. Quick synopsis the dishwasher was broke at Ohana and guests were served with paper plates and paper utensils! Unacceptable.

Read on.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2686534



It's entitled, "We Used To Love Ohana" on the Disney Dining thread under "Disney Dining Reviews"

WOW, that is unbelievable, and I really enjoy Ohana. That is worse than the experience I had at Le Cellier back in January 09. I'm not sure I would have been able to sit down and eat at this place or any TS with plastic forks. And if they used a spork (like Taco Bell) then I am certainly gone; I hate sporks.

 

[jiminyfan]

I have noticed a great deal of a decrease in the quality of the food at WDW. Where before you had Filet, Strip is the cut of choice. Artist Point is an example of this for their Buffalo. Jiko used to offer Ostrich and now it is gone. I have noticed a lot last year as we went early in the year before the free food deals and some of the menus had some wonderful choices, went back in August with free food and they were gone.

The level of the meats are not as good, more fat on steaks I have noticed. And I have been told this by a few of the chefs I met in my travels. They do their bests with what they are given.

We fortunately have TIW (DDE to us old folks) and now that the Dolphin restaurants take it we are happy with Shula's and BlueZoo as replacements for California Grille. It seems even V&A has gone to supplemental pricing for anything above their basic faire, which too has been cut back from its high standards of a few years ago.

Sadly, this seems to be the future. Last year, Disney made statements that the free food deals and other major promotions would not be part of the 2011 marketing plan and then they offered Free food for almost the entire year.

We still love Disney and keep going back, the CMs, the Attractions and the feeling we get there over rule the food changes. We just watch where we go and what we order. Overall, it is still a good value to us.

I just long for the days of the 5-10 pound LOBSTERs we used to get at Narcoosee's. YUMMY! Nothing like have a lobster served to you of a meat platter.

 

[Donut23]

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.

I think you nailed it here. People - especially some of the frequent fliers for many years - are willing to accept lower standards for the Disney experience. Perhaps they have too much pride to admit Disney can no longer meet the standards of the past - who knows!

Disney knows this so they no longer need to stress customer service, maintenance, etc. which they did in the past. As long as your cost center makes the required 16% profit increase over the day last year - you are golden! Why try to keep up the standard if people continue to pay inflated prices and accept less. This just means more $$$ for the stockholders now.

When you let something go - it's still going to take $$$ to bring it back. WDW is beginning to become a little "long in the tooth" at 40. Let me give you an excellent example.

Space Mountain

We were at DL before the 50th anniversary and SM was closed - closed for a long-long time. They completely replaced the track and the ride was brought up to current technology. It is now one of our favorites - we laugh the entire time! It is a GREAT ride!

When we heard they were going to re-do SM in WDW, we assumed it would be the same......take a tired ride overdue for a facelift and turn it into some spectacular. Nope, they did it on the cheep.......like putting another layer of makup on an old actress who is still pretending to be young. We don't even bother because it's just a shadow of SM in DL.




Ah heck.There are SOOOOO many other options in the travel industry which offer FORMER Disney service and standards and are far less $$$ than a current Disney experience. I was shocked when I looked around last December - and I was basing comparisons on castmember rates.

We have always been so very lucky to take advantage of these discounts and free passes for ourselves and friends. With the downturn in the economy, it just doesn't make $$ sense anymore because many other choices have maintained their experience. There are some WICKED GOOD deals out there now!!! We will still go and hug DL - since the 50th anniversary it's been in far better shape but WDW needs some TLC before we return.

 

[disneynutz]

I read somewhere last week that in the good old Disney days, they had a policy that when a light bulb had reached 80% of it's life, they replaced it so that Guests would never see a burned out light bulb.

I can understand that to reduce costs and increase profit the 80% policy was discontinued, but you would think that they would at least replace the burned out light bulbs.

We have noticed some bulbs being burned out for over a year.

Bill