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

[flicx]

What have they done on the pleasure island side? I haven't been there in two years and they were working on it.Is anything finished yet,or are they still working?

 

[Planogirl]

I don't dislike Universal. I've said on many threads how awesome WWoHP is, how Spiderman is possibly the best theme park ride ever, and how the Simpsons ride is brilliant. I wasn't the first on the thread to discuss WDW vs. Universal, so it's not really fair to blame me for that. That discussion has been going on a long time, on this thread and others. If someone is going to use Harry Potter to say how Disney isn't keeping up, then it is fair, I believe, to use Harry Potter (and Universal in general) as a comparison if I'm going to argue the other side. That's all I'm doing.

On this thread alone, folks have used examples from both Disney and Universal when talking about attractions, resorts, on-site benefits, pay scales for employees, out-of-date attractions, prices, and on and on. You may not see the correlation, but lots of us do. Sorry!

I wasn't just referring to you but in this case whoever keeps throwing Universal out there. I guess that I see it differently because Disney disappoints me because they are not comparing well to 'Disney' in my eyes. If Universal was a slum or as good as chocolate, I would still only compare Disney to itself and what I believe it is capable of. I was at one time silly smitten with WDW and I feel let down by what I see nowadays. I do however recognize that that is the eyes of the beholder, namely myself in this case.

I feel that I likely made you feel defensive. That was far from my intention. I just see it differently I guess and wanted to say so. If Universal isn't being slammed just to make Disney look better by some then I apologize for the assumption.

 

[Planogirl]

Well another year gone by and my biggest disappointment remains Downtown Disney. Something is lost there and I just cant place it. I love the Disney Store and that whole side but somehow the magic is lost when you cross the old Pleasure Island area into the opposite side.

That is one of my biggest letdowns too. I wasn't even as big a fan of Pleasure Island as some people but I did love the whole vibrant atmosphere and the interesting places to eat. I just find it so bland now but maybe the new construction will change that.

 

[Scrooge Jr]

That is one of my biggest letdowns too. I wasn't even as big a fan of Pleasure Island as some people but I did love the whole vibrant atmosphere and the interesting places to eat. I just find it so bland now but maybe the new construction will change that.

Maybe they need a Wal-Mart? to brighton up the area.

 

[TLSnell1981]

Maybe they need a Wal-Mart? to brighton up the area.

Ya' had to go there. TIIC will the suggestion.

 

[kparc]

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


Yes.

 

[goofy4prez]

I agree with your basic sentiment; it doesn't cost a CM anything to give a guest a little magic. However, the practical side of me has to say that it DOES cost Disney. By this, I mean that Disney pays less than Universal and many CMs make minimum wage. This is not the way to ensure that the CMs are up to the level that we (on this thread) want or have experienced in the past. If Disney wants to hire and keep people who are truly exceptional at customer service, they can't expect to do that on the lowest dollar amount.

I'm sorry, I don't think a persons wage should have anything to do with how they treat a customer. When I go to a McDonalds a Target (will not step foot in a Walmart), or anywhere else I expect to be treated properly. I am not looking down on one of these employees (including Disney) but if you don't want to be there then go back to school and get a skill or find another job. Income should not depend on how they treat a customer. As a small business owner I have a customer service rep/receptionist who is the lowest on the pay scale in my office and I expect her to treat a customer the same way any of my agents, office manager, or myself treat a customer.

An excellent example of this would be a Chick Fil-A Restaurant; I have never been to one where they do not great you with a pleasant greeting, thank you, and even have someone walking around the dining room to assist customers. The reason for this is because it is what is expected from their employees, anything less is not acceptable nor tolerated.

Overall, I don't have many complaints about WDW castmembers (most are excellent), but for me it doesn't matter whether they make minimum wage or $30 an hour I expect them to have a positive attitude. If they don't want to be courteous then they can go somewhere else and work that does not require contact with the public. Just my worthless two cents.

 

[TLSnell1981]

I'm sorry, I don't think a persons wage should have anything to do with how they treat a customer. When I go to a McDonalds a Target (will not step foot in a Walmart), or anywhere else I expect to be treated properly. I am not looking down on one of these employees (including Disney) but if you don't want to be there then go back to school and get a skill or find another job. Income should not depend on how they treat a customer. As a small business owner I have a customer service rep/receptionist who is the lowest on the pay scale in my office and I expect her to treat a customer the same way any of my agents, office manager, or myself treat a customer.

An excellent example of this would be a Chick Fil-A Restaurant; I have never been to one where they do not great you with a pleasant greeting, thank you, and even have someone walking around the dining room to assist customers. The reason for this is because it is what is expected from their employees, anything less is not acceptable nor tolerated.

Overall, I don't have many complaints about WDW castmembers (most are excellent), but for me it doesn't matter whether they make minimum wage or $30 an hour I expect them to have a positive attitude. If they don't want to be courteous then they can go somewhere else and work that does not require contact with the public. Just my worthless two cents.

A friendly, polite and cheerful attitude isnt part of job training. This is instilled earlier in life.

 

[goofy4prez]

A friendly, polite and cheerful attitude isnt part of job training. This is instilled earlier in life.

I agree; being friendly, polite, and cheerful is just not part of many peoples upbringing anymore in this generation of self entitlement. When I hire it is one of the characteristics I look for; if it's missing our interview is done. If they displayed it in the interview and it was part of an act to land the job then they can just keep on doing that acting performance day in and day out in their job or they can go work at Taco Bell or McDonalds. It may not be part of job training but it is part of job retaining. I guess I'm a dying breed; I treat people with respect and I expect the same thing in return, especially if I am giving them my hard earned $$$$ for a product or service they are offering.

 

[OllieDannyandMe]

A friendly, polite and cheerful attitude isnt part of job training. This is instilled earlier in life.

But Disney can be selective about who they hire. I do not believe that they are as selective as they once were.

Perhaps they are not being as selective, so that they can get away with paying their employees less.

 

[Tiger926]

Not sure if you all have seen the health food inspector thread on the Restaurant Board, so here is that link:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2764096

Very interesting findings in some of WDW restaurants, in terms of repeated critical violations (those restaurants would have been immediately closed in my city) and next steps in terms of rectifying those violations.

I think it speaks to Disney not properly hiring trained or experienced people for their kitchens, as well as their obsession with heavy profit margins, and their insistence in packing guests in restaurants.

Tiger

 

[brunette8706]

I'm sorry, I don't think a persons wage should have anything to do with how they treat a customer. When I go to a McDonalds a Target (will not step foot in a Walmart), or anywhere else I expect to be treated properly. I am not looking down on one of these employees (including Disney) but if you don't want to be there then go back to school and get a skill or find another job. Income should not depend on how they treat a customer. As a small business owner I have a customer service rep/receptionist who is the lowest on the pay scale in my office and I expect her to treat a customer the same way any of my agents, office manager, or myself treat a customer.

An excellent example of this would be a Chick Fil-A Restaurant; I have never been to one where they do not great you with a pleasant greeting, thank you, and even have someone walking around the dining room to assist customers. The reason for this is because it is what is expected from their employees, anything less is not acceptable nor tolerated.
Overall, I don't have many complaints about WDW castmembers (most are excellent), but for me it doesn't matter whether they make minimum wage or $30 an hour I expect them to have a positive attitude. If they don't want to be courteous then they can go somewhere else and work that does not require contact with the public. Just my worthless two cents.

*
Excellent post. Speaking of Chic Fil-A, their customer service is bar-none! It's just not average service, it's above average service. They always have a smile, always, ALWAYS pleasant, will deliver to your food at your table (with a smile). They always say thank you, yes ma'am, no sir, etc. etc. I love going to that place. Now with that said, why can't Disney do the same?

Brunette

 

[PeterPan09]

I'm sorry, I don't think a persons wage should have anything to do with how they treat a customer. When I go to a McDonalds a Target (will not step foot in a Walmart), or anywhere else I expect to be treated properly. I am not looking down on one of these employees (including Disney) but if you don't want to be there then go back to school and get a skill or find another job. Income should not depend on how they treat a customer. As a small business owner I have a customer service rep/receptionist who is the lowest on the pay scale in my office and I expect her to treat a customer the same way any of my agents, office manager, or myself treat a customer.

An excellent example of this would be a Chick Fil-A Restaurant; I have never been to one where they do not great you with a pleasant greeting, thank you, and even have someone walking around the dining room to assist customers. The reason for this is because it is what is expected from their employees, anything less is not acceptable nor tolerated.

Overall, I don't have many complaints about WDW castmembers (most are excellent), but for me it doesn't matter whether they make minimum wage or $30 an hour I expect them to have a positive attitude. If they don't want to be courteous then they can go somewhere else and work that does not require contact with the public. Just my worthless two cents.

I agree that it shouldn't matter what you're making-but the reality is for many people it does. Salary is the way the company shows you if they value you or not. If you don't feel valued by your company that can have an effect on your performance over time.

As for Disney's salaries-it's no secret that they are among the lowest in Florida. Those Chick fil A folks make more than many of the CM's you encounter on a trip. However, many of us chose to work there anyway because we love Disney and want to share that with the guests that visit. I also feel that if you don't love it enough to deal with the low salary then you need to move on.

I know that there are plenty of us who are still trying to keep that Disney ideal, but even the best of us have our moments when it all becomes overwhelming. I've seen CM's struggle to remain calm as a guest screams profanities at them, threatens their job or just plain orders them around like a slave. It may be one guest out of the many you deal with all week, but just like the one less than magical CM sticks in the memory of a guest-the one nasty guest sticks too. It isn't always easy to bounce right back.

I don't know if there is more of that guest behavior now than there was back when I was visiting in the 70's-80's-90's. My instinct says that there are-simply because the world has changed and people in general seem more entitled and demanding everywhere.

There are a huge number of reasons why things have changed at Disney-some are Disney's "fault" and some are the guest's "fault" and some are nobody's "fault". I think that there will have to be a lot of changes before we see the glory days return.

 

[#1PoohBearFan]

I may be crazy (okay, I'm crazy, but in a good way!), but I think WDW gets more magical every time I go back. And, if people want to complain, they can complain. It doesn't affect me.

 

[kparc]

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


Yes.

 

[Hook's Girl]

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

No.



I know for a fact that I've busted my rear to make that place magical for over five years. Many many quality Cast Members are doing the same. It can't have gone downhill since I'm making it a better place!

 

[DonnaBoo]

Do You think DISNEY has gone down hlll the last few years?
No.
I know for a fact that I've busted my rear to make that place magical for over five years. Many many quality Cast Members are doing the same. It can't have gone downhill since I'm making it a better place!

Thank you for working hard to make it a great place. Like I said in an earlier posting Disney is my happy place and an escape from my reality. It's people like you, who work your tails off, that make it the magical place it is for me and my dh. We appreciate you and the other Cast Members for your hard work.

 

[roydavid7771]

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

No.



I know for a fact that I've busted my rear to make that place magical for over five years. Many many quality Cast Members are doing the same. It can't have gone downhill since I'm making it a better place!

Couldn't agree with you more! I've seen enough loud, obnoxious fools ripping into cast members during my visits, and each and every time I am amazed at how well you folks handle complaints and concerns. I sometimes wonder what kind of example some of these people set for their kids when they like spoiled brats when something doesn't go their way....

Anyway, thanks again for making all of us smile every time we head down!

 

[kellyg403]

Couldn't agree with you more! I've seen enough loud, obnoxious fools ripping into cast members during my visits, and each and every time I am amazed at how well you folks handle complaints and concerns. I sometimes wonder what kind of example some of these people set for their kids when they like spoiled brats when something doesn't go their way....

Anyway, thanks again for making all of us smile every time we head down!

I will agree, I have seen some people rip a new one on castmembers, and the cm has been patient and tolerant. I would have had a few choice words. The oddest things to complain about. So, not CM who have changed so much as the general, entitlement seeking public. Its almost like no one has manners anymore. We actually watched a woman change a diaper on the baby and leave the stinky mess under the table she was sitting and eating at in Epcot. The trashcan not 2 feet behind her. So, how are the CM's even supposed to keep up with that type of guest. And there are more and more of them.

I don't think overall Disney has gone down hill. I do wonder though if budget cuts have caused them to reduce the numbers of CM's throughout the parks. Now, even though the resorts are getting refurbished, some of those rooms are in bad shape. At our stay in CBR last time, we had a gigantic hole in the sheets. There was no way the mousekeeper didn't see that! We had to take it off the bed because ds kept getting tangled up in it. So, I would agree the rooms in the resorts are leaving a bit to be desired. The grounds still are looking well IMHO but the rooms could be better.

Kelly

 

[Tiger926]

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

No.



I know for a fact that I've busted my rear to make that place magical for over five years. Many many quality Cast Members are doing the same. It can't have gone downhill since I'm making it a better place!

Thanks for all that you do for making our trips magical!

Tiger