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

[KellyNY]

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Actually that is a GREAT QUESTION! No, we did not have ADR's. We decided to go to Shula's, Kimono's and Garden Grove various days on our trip. We simply made the reservation that evening. Garden Grove was NEVER crowded. You do not (at least I don't think you do) need to make ADR's 3 months in advance for these restaurants. I'm like you, when I feel llike eating something that particular day I just like to call and make the reservation. HTH.

Brunette

That's a great news. Thanks. We will definitely try those places and finally visit Swan/Dolphin.

 

[Pat329]

So, what perks do you want? It is just a choice of hotel rooms. It doesn't make you any more loyal, lol.

I think Universal gives free 'fast pass' status to all hotel guests. That's a nice perk that is free to the park and the guest.

 

[TLSnell1981]

[/QUOTE]

Can you imagine working all day in this heat, dealing with uncooperative people (a big percentage not speaking English) and trying to smile during all of it????

Yes I can, it's their job and not everyone is cut out for it. It shouldn't be all about the money. Doing what you love should be an important factor when choosing a vocation.

Sorry my friend we will never agree.The fact is disney is increasing what they charge at a rate way higher than inflation!That is not a good business model!Also saying that disney prices are fair is an opinion that I could just as easily call propaganda on your part!If you take a long look at disney history( which I highly doubt you have) you would see what alot of people are talking about.I have an opinion that you either own a ton of disney stock or are just blinded by pixie dust.One more thing, I sure hope the rest of the world never conducts business the way you have suggested.Because something is non essential doesn't mean you should try to charge as much as possible.(aka greed)

It's not just corporate greed. There's a reason Disney is outsourcing departments and hiring so many part-time employees. Wages and benefits are a huge factor in this decision. As a result, prices are soaring, but quality is declining. Maybe, Disney can qualify for a bailout? Oh wait...that's where WE come in....

 

[Tiger926]

That's a great news. Thanks. We will definitely try those places and finally visit Swan/Dolphin.

We ate at Garden Grove last month, and everytime we eat there, it is empty! Which is great for the kids, as we like the Medittarean night character meal, so they had Goofy all to themselves, and I mean, all to themselves. He sat at our table, took photos, autographs and played with my crazy toddler! It was a blast - we also had no problems with using Restaurant.com $25.00 coupon either.

Happy eating, Tiger

 

[KellyNY]

We ate at Garden Grove last month, and everytime we eat there, it is empty! Which is great for the kids, as we like the Medittarean night character meal, so they had Goofy all to themselves, and I mean, all to themselves. He sat at our table, took photos, autographs and played with my crazy toddler! It was a blast - we also had no problems with using Restaurant.com $25.00 coupon either.

Happy eating, Tiger

Thank you Tiger,
How wonderful it had to be to have attention of characters. My DD is 17, my mom is 63 and I am in a middle but we all love characters. Definitely going to sign for Restaurants.com Crazy question, do those coupons work for Disney TS places as well or I am pushing it?

 

[Tiger926]

Thank you Tiger,
How wonderful it had to be to have attention of characters. My DD is 17, my mom is 63 and I am in a middle but we all love characters. Definitely going to sign for Restaurants.com Crazy question, do those coupons work for Disney TS places as well or I am pushing it?

No, Disney owned restaurants, but there are a few Swolphin and Downtown Disney restaurants on there. I think right now they are 80% for the certs (got an email this morning)?

Happy planning, Tiger

 

[Indiana Rose Lee]

I think Universal gives free 'fast pass' status to all hotel guests. That's a nice perk that is free to the park and the guest.

Disney has 10x's the number of rooms. It wouldn't work. Everyone wants something special. I go to walmart 2x's a week. I'm a loyal customer. There are no prizes. The 'perk" for staying on disney property is transportation, hours, and "pixiedust" and "magic." At least that is what the resort snobs say, lol.

 

[LuluLovesDisney]

I thought of this thread when I was in WDW this week. I just got back and while some things were better, some were worse. I noticed some of the really damaged and graffitied spots I noticed last time were replaced/repaired and there have been a lot of improvements to the Grand Floridian. I noticed portions continue to shrink. Several waiters/waitresses even mentioned it. Our waiter at Coral Reef told us the Wave used to come with ice cream but now it doesn't due to cut backs so he recommended we order the almond gelato and share. The specialty milk shakes with liqueur in Sci Fi SHRANK to the size of a juice glass, not worth $10.50. We spent much less than usual though, because the gift shops seemed to sell mostly the same things, less variety. We did buy two nice prints of resort sketches which I thought were nice souvenirs. Most resorts had no resort specific merchandise except pins and some sketches. Grand Floridian, Poly and AKL still had resort merchandise though, some on sale, some not. I thought the "princesses" were great and their voices even sounded like them. I guess it has been awhile since I listened to the princesses so that was cool. Cast members were great, didn't notice anyone really doing a poor job and met some great CMs who went above and beyond. Lots of construction going on in MK, of course, but overall a great trip despite temps above 90 and rain every day So, some things have "gone downhill" but I was happy to see some things being fixed and repaired as well.

 

[KellyNY]

I think Universal gives free 'fast pass' status to all hotel guests. That's a nice perk that is free to the park and the guest.

Yes, but Universal has only 3 hotels, not possible at Disney and be honest I like free FP system in Disney and do not want spend extra on FP at Universal.
One more thing, FOTL perk is just to make you stay at those hotels. Unlike Disney resort, Universal is not far from anything and surrounding hotels as close as Universal hotels, and cost at least half the price, so the only way to make people stay there is to make them count what is cheaper, expensive room or expensive FP.

 

[flicx]

Actually we stayed at universal several times and used the free front of the line access for staying at their resorts.A very nice perk!If memory serves, you could go on each attraction once .

 

[NYDisGuy]

Yes, but Universal has only 3 hotels, not possible at Disney and be honest I like free FP system in Disney and do not want spend extra on FP at Universal.
One more thing, FOTL perk is just to make you stay at those hotels. Unlike Disney resort, Universal is not far from anything and surrounding hotels as close as Universal hotels, and cost at least half the price, so the only way to make people stay there is to make them count what is cheaper, expensive room or expensive FP.

You can say the same thing about Disney's ME though.

 

[bicker]

Not really sure where "I" have stooped to "personal attack[ing]" previous. ... Again, I am not "attack[ing]" you. I am responding to your statements with the same level of courtesy/respect towards certain others I've witnessed on the posts you've made to other members.

No, Jeff: "you are so absorbed in your own microcosm of existence" is not responding to my statements. It's a personal attack. Please stop. I respond with courtesy/respect toward others - Donut and I even commented about that. Don't confuse my disagreeing with people with the kind of disrespect that your comment, repeated above fyi, exhibits. Again, please stop attacking me personally. Thanks.

The "other aspects" of which you speak do not include the dissatisfaction felt by many returning guests/patrons.

As I said, those aspects are already covered by others far in excess.

I nor anyone else, can discuss your/our position without some measure of personal assessment.

Keep that to yourself. Personal attacks are not permitted here. Please keep your comments to the topic. Thanks.

Your "opinions" seem to have an awful lot of finality to them. In looking upon this thread you have offered little, if any acceptance or consideration to any view different than your own (again - in my opinion).

Nor has anyone who disagrees with me necessarily shown acceptance or consideration of any of the views I've put forward. Since I believe I'm correct, and Donut (for example) believes s/he's correct, such things are unnecessary. People can agree to disagree agreeably, without stooping to personal attacks. Thanks.

I think you're being silly here. Don't be so thin skinned, it's not personal.

Sorry, but that is no excuse for presenting personal attacks. Please stop flame-baiting. Thanks. And please let's have further discussions via PM. This doesn't belong in the thread. Please keep the thread to discussions of the topic itself, not of other posters. Thanks. I'd really appreciate it.

 

[bicker]

Sorry my friend we will never agree.The fact is disney is increasing what they charge at a rate way higher than inflation!

That's not unusual. Practically all discretionary services are.

That is not a good business model!

That factor doesn't determine whether a business model is good or not.

Also saying that disney prices are fair is an opinion that I could just as easily call propaganda on your part!

My point was that redefining business ethics was propaganda. You're essentially trying to redefine concepts in order to cast something which is not positive or negative as strictly negative. That's different from disagreeing about whether something is good or not. For example, what I think you mean is that you feel Disney prices are higher than you feel what they offer is worth. I utterly respect that opinion. Heck, I don't disagree with that assessment, in some cases. However, that's not what you said ... you seemed to imply that charging more than what you feel it is worth is unfair. See what I mean?

If you take a long look at disney history( which I highly doubt you have)

Bad guess. I'm actually pretty well-versed in the history of the Disney Company.

you would see what alot of people are talking about.I have an opinion that you either own a ton of disney stock or are just blinded by pixie dust.

Neither. I'm providing a balanced view of the issue, without any real vested interest myself.

One more thing, I sure hope the rest of the world never conducts business the way you have suggested.

The point is that this is how the rest of the world conducts business. The mistaken impression that it is not is perhaps a major source of disaffection on the part of many people.

Let's talk about AT&T, American Airlines, and Sears, next. I'm sure there are lots of folks willing to share very similar consternation with these service providers as you are with regard to Disney. That's because how I've described things is the way things are, even though we may not like it.

My big concern, in all this, is that I think this sort of thing has become self-fulfilling. People see others who are expressing expectations beyond what is promised, and so those people are, in a way, "infected" by expecting more than what is promised. Also, expressing dissatisfaction, itself, provides (a momentary) visceral reward, and so I think that also helps foster spiraling disaffection.

 

[smidgy]

Actually we stayed at universal several times and used the free front of the line access for staying at their resorts.A very nice perk!If memory serves, you could go on each attraction once .

no. the express pass that anyone can purchaseis the one that allows you to use it once only.
resort guests can ride again and again and again. in the express line.

 

[Pirate Jeff]

No, Jeff: "you are so absorbed in your own microcosm of existence" is not responding to my statements. It's a personal attack. Please stop. I respond with courtesy/respect toward others - Donut and I even commented about that. Don't confuse my disagreeing with people with the kind of disrespect that your comment, repeated above fyi, exhibits. Again, please stop attacking me personally. Thanks.

As I said, those aspects are already covered by others far in excess.

Keep that to yourself. Personal attacks are not permitted here. Please keep your comments to the topic. Thanks.

Nor has anyone who disagrees with me necessarily shown acceptance or consideration of any of the views I've put forward. Since I believe I'm correct, and Donut (for example) believes s/he's correct, such things are unnecessary. People can agree to disagree agreeably, without stooping to personal attacks. Thanks.

Sorry, but that is no excuse for presenting personal attacks. Please stop flame-baiting. Thanks. And please let's have further discussions via PM. This doesn't belong in the thread. Please keep the thread to discussions of the topic itself, not of other posters. Thanks. I'd really appreciate it.

Excuse me sir. It is you whom is commiting "personal attacks" upon others. You have declined to answer any discussion points I have made and have insulted me and others on this thread.

I see no further need to have any interaction with you as there are many quality individuals on this board whom I can have a civilized discussion with, whether or not I agree with them. No need to PM, I will simply follow the advice of Luckyprincess and place you on ignore I suggest you do the same, or is that too, a "personal attack"? If so, disregard please - pretty please.

 

[brunette8706]

No, Jeff: "you are so absorbed in your own microcosm of existence" is not responding to my statements. It's a personal attack. Please stop. I respond with courtesy/respect toward others - Donut and I even commented about that. Don't confuse my disagreeing with people with the kind of disrespect that your comment, repeated above fyi, exhibits. Again, please stop attacking me personally. Thanks.

As I said, those aspects are already covered by others far in excess.

Keep that to yourself. Personal attacks are not permitted here. Please keep your comments to the topic. Thanks.

Nor has anyone who disagrees with me necessarily shown acceptance or consideration of any of the views I've put forward. Since I believe I'm correct, and Donut (for example) believes s/he's correct, such things are unnecessary. People can agree to disagree agreeably, without stooping to personal attacks. Thanks.

Sorry, but that is no excuse for presenting personal attacks. Please stop flame-baiting. Thanks. And please let's have further discussions via PM. This doesn't belong in the thread. Please keep the thread to discussions of the topic itself, not of other posters. Thanks. I'd really appreciate it.

*
Bicker-

With all due respect, What Personal Attack? This is a discussion board, for heaven's sake. How can you have a discussion with someone if you can not address their point of view?. Furthermore, a personal attack would be saying something like, "You are *&?^%%." not suggesting that a person has a narrow point of view. That's "NOT" a personal attack, that's just stating the truth. This whole thread is about "What do YOU think"? It is NOT up for debate! Sheesh. Didn't Pirate Jeff just say Disney was great/awesome? This discussion has been civil which is great, and a good way to share ALL ideas positive and negative about Disney. There has been no personal attacks.

 

[bicker]

With all due respect, What Personal Attack?

The one I quoted. In the earlier message. That one.

This is a discussion board, for heaven's sake. How can you have a discussion with someone if you can not address their point of view?

I have no problem with address a point of view about the topic.

Regardless, this is now moved into beating a dead horse, and as a vegetarian, it is becoming objectionable. So do you have an on-topic point you'd like to discuss - something about whether Disney is declining in quality or not? Perhaps you can provide some insight about why you think that all this disaffection is not self-fulfilling, as I brought up.

 

[brunette8706]

The one I quoted. In the earlier message. That one.

I have no problem with address a point of view about the topic.

Regardless, this is now moved into beating a dead horse, and as a vegetarian, it is becoming objectionable. So do you have an on-topic point you'd like to discuss - something about whether Disney is declining in quality or not? Perhaps you can provide some insight about why you think that all this disaffection is not self-fulfilling, as I brought up.

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Bicker-

You chose to ignore the on topic discussions. As stated by me and others there are many things the Disney needs to address. Once again, here are just a few of my concerns. They are as follows:

"Do you think Disney has gone downhill in the last few years?"

My answer to the above question is "YES" it has gone downhill in the last few years. Here is the reasoning behind my point of view:

a. Disney Buffets have increased exponentially.
b. Disney incorporates a surcharge for Summer time and other prime times through out the year. This is called, in my opinion. PRICE GOUGING the guest.
c. Disney's mousekeeping has been below PAR. Cleaning rooms at 4 p.m. is unacceptable.
d. Disney ticket prices have increased 35 percent over the last 4 years.
e. Disney has cut back on food offerings at various restaurants, while at the same time increased prices.
f. Trails End lunch Buffet is being discontinued at Fort Wilderness.
g. The dessert buffet at Magic Kingdom is an outrageous $28.00 per person. Just to watch fireworks and to have dessert.
h. Double strollers have nearly DOUBLED in price in the last 2 years. They went from $18 to $30.00 A DAY!

This is the number one quintessential reason for my ire:

I feel like I am being taken advantage of and being RIPPED OFF.

These are just a few of my issues that I find that have gone down hill. This is something that can not be argued by anyone. This is the way I feel. This is what I feel Disney's main purpose of a customer is, to get as much of my money into their cash registers as possible. No one can cite any facts to challenge my feelings. There is no one that can challenge my point of view because it is mine. Anyone can cite example's of business models, mission statements, rules of profitable business practices, what is left is the WAY I feel about how my business is appreciated and a company where I spend THOUSANDS of DOLLARS A YEAR. These are my opinions and they can not be disputed.

Now with that said, we just got back from Disney late last night. Guess what? We had a fantastic time.

First we met a few GREAT DIS'ers who were just fun loving people. We had a great time with them and met them at Captain Cooks for a few dole whips. We checked in to the WL, which is a beatiful resort, except the accomodations were a little less appealing for me. I will post pictures later about that. We spent one night at WL, and transfered to the Yacht Club. The Yacht Club in my opinion is one of the most beatiful resorts I have ever been to! One word is "WOW"! It was GREAT! Accomodations were just beautiful, large balcony (over looking the lake and EPCOT fireworks), french doors, clean, freshly appointed rooms and bed linens. Hotel was beautiful, pool (stormalong bay) is awesome, it has a sandy bottom. Restaurants were good, beaches and cream was fantastic. I can't say enought good things about this resort! I highly recommend staying there. Mousekeeping was great also, we also had turn down service every night along with chocolates. I didn't want to go home! LOL! We are booking again for next February. Yes, we love, love Disney. But as stated in my post Disney is not perfect, and there are plenty of things that need to be addressed per my post.

Contrary to what anyone suggests, this was the primary purpose of starting this thread. To determine if others feel as I and if they don't, have an intellgient discussion about the reasons why. There are several members who disagree with me, whom I have had rational, polite discussions with. Unfortuantely not all members share that courtesty.

 

[flicx]

*
Bicker-

You chose to ignore the on topic discussions. As stated by me and others there are many things the Disney needs to address. Once again, here are just a few of my concerns. They are as follows:

"Do you think Disney has gone downhll in the last few years?"

My answer to the above question is "YES" it has gone downhill in the last few years. Here is the reasoning behind my point of view:

a. Disney Buffets have increased exponentially.
b. Disney incorporates a surge-charge for Summer time and other prime times through out the year. This is called in my opinion PRICE GOUGING the guest.
c. Disney's mousekeeping has been below PAR. Cleaning rooms at 4 p.m. is unacceptable.
d. Disney ticket prices have increased 35 percent over the last 4 years.
e. Disney has cut back on food offerings at various restaurants, while at the same time increased prices.
f. Trails End lunch Buffet is being discontinued at Fort Wilderness.
g. The dessert buffet at Magic Kingdom is an outrageous $28.00 per person. Just to watch fireworks and to have dessert.
h. Double strollers have DOUBLED in price in the last 2 years. They went from $18 to $30.00 A DAY!

This is the number one quintessential reason for my ire:

I feel like I am being taken advantage of and being RIPPED OFF.

These are just a few of my issues that I find that have gone down hill. This is something that can not be argued by anyone. This is the way I feel. This is what I feel Disney main purpose of a customer is, to get as much of my money into their cash registers as possible. No one can cite any facts to challange my feelings. There is no one that can challange my point of view because it is mine. Anyone can cite example's of business models, mission statements, rules of profitable business practices, what is left is the WAY I feel about how my business is appreciated and a company where I spend THOUSANDS of DOLLARS A YEAR. These are my opinions and they can not be disputed.

Now with that said, we just got back from Disney late last night. Guess what? We had a fantastic time.

First we met a few GREAT DIS'ers who were just fun loving people. We had a great time with them and met them at Captain Cooks for a few dole whips. We checked in to the WL, which is a beatiful resort, except the accomodations were a little less appealing for me. I will post pictures later about that. We spent one night at WL, and transfered to the Yacht Club. The Yacht Club in my opinion is one of the most beatiful resorts I have ever been to! One word is "WOW"! It was GREAT! Accomodations were just beautiful, large balcony (over looking the lake and EPCOT fireworks), french doors, clean, freshly appointed rooms and bed linens. Hotel was beautiful, pool (stormalong bay) is awesome, it has a sandy bottom. Restaurants were good, beaches and cream was fantastic. I can't say enought good things about this resort! I highly recommend staying there. Mousekeeping was great also, we also had turn down service every night along with chocolates. I didn't want to go home! LOL! We are booking again for next February. Yes, we love, love Disney. But as stated in my post Disney is not perfect, and there are plenty of things that need to be addressed per my post.

Contrary to what anyone suggests, this was the primary purpose of starting this thread. To determine if others feel as I and if they don't, have an intellgient discussion about the reasons why. There are several members who disagree with me, whom I have had rational, polite discussions with. Unfortuantely not all members share that courtesty.

Good post brunette! I agree with you on all your points!I'm glad to see a fellow diser who loves the parks like I do has some of the same concerns.Hopefully they address some of these issues before too much damage is done!

 

[brunette8706]

I was there the same time 8/1-8/8 and remember the TOTAL chaos by WDW during the outage of the monorails.We had ADR's for Narcoosee's that evening and the only transportation available from the MK to GF was the boat. The lines were incredible long, the monorail was down (not WDW's fault)and it was during a severe electric storm.

Finally we were informed at the dock they were going to run buses to the GF as well and were informed what bus stop to go to. After waiting about 20 minutes for the bus the driver informed all of us, "sorry" this bus is not going to the GF, you need to go to a different stop. Frustrated, dozens of us went to the other stop and waited about 15 minutes for this bus. WDW knew there were a ton of people needing transportation and they tried to force way to many people on the bus with the driver encouraging everyone to move down and pack in as much as possible. With the number of people waiting there should have been another bus dispatced. Finally, we decided to forget it and take a cab.

So with that, I have not been going to WDW for years like many on the DIS, so I can't say whether it's gone downhill or not. But I can say that while I love WDW, and I believe they do many things very well, I don't think they do everything they can do with excellence and to the best of their ability. I've seen sloppy room service, whether it's outsourced or not reflects WDW. Rude and obnoxious CM's at CS or retail outlets should not be tolerated. May I help you and thank you should not be an option,instead should be company standards at WDW, period. I'm sorry, a bad day or it's common elsewhere just don't cut it for me. I own a business, and the day one of my employee's does not treat my lifeline (customers) with respect, and I find out about it, it's their last day. Massive and obvious line hoping is also something that should not be tolerated.

As I said, I love WDW and think they do a lot if not most things very well; however, there are things I think they turn the other cheek on or really don't care. I can understand why Bruenette feels the way she does, and I think she does have validity to her concerns. Part of the high expectations guests of WDW have can be blamed on WDW themselves. They market themselves with this incredible experience of outstanding customer service and magic. You see it in the advertisements, travel channels on tv, publicity shows and etc. I'm not saying it's right, wrong, or indifferent but WDW helped create this beast.





I think your right, you do need to write or email and let them know about ones concerns. To be honest with you though, I'm not so sure they really care what someone has to say. The few times I've ever spoke, emailed, or snail mailed a concern or even a complement(yes, I've done that), I've never received any kind of acknowledgement from WDW.

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Hi Goofy4Prez! I concur with your post. You're right though CM's should say thank you but some unfortuanately do not. We had one CM show us what a CL room looked like at the main building of the Grand Floridian. And, boy she just seemed like she just did not want to be bothered! As if she was doing us a favor by showing us the accomodations. She was from my DH home town and she showed ZERO interest in discussing it. Oh well.

I will say though, that she was the only CM I ran into that week that was literally not obsorbed in the magic. LOL!

brunette