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

[Pirate Jeff]

Smidgy:

First of all, I'd like to send you a huge "thank you" for your very kind and supportive words! They mean a lot, really!!!

Disneyfan55:

It's a Small World is "closed for refurbishment" as we speak!! I have no idea nor have I read what they are doing but it has been closed for some time now (odd, seeing as it was just refurbished a few years ago...) maybe some more informed DIS'ers could fill you in!

TLSnell:

Like "Smidgy", I agree with you. We share the same concerns, and the concerns shared by the OP (in my assessment..). I love Disney. I have forgone several exotic vacations in lieu of Disney, even though I am a grandparent. There is something about being there. I've been so many times, I don't do all things on each visit. Simply put, there is something about walking around World Showcase (my favorite Disney area) sipping a glass of either a French red or an Italian White listening to the sounds of Celtic tunes or sitting on a bench near England and dialing the phone booths when tourists step into the "box". It is still "magic" to me. I love being there and cannot think of it going away.

Members who've responded:

Just because some of us "complain" doesn't mean we are "bashing" Disney. And thank some of you for suggesting but frankly, I am well aware I "don't have to go" although I don't feel anyone whom doesn't know me has any merit to make such a suggestion.

No my magical friends, I am an avid Disney Fan and spend a lot of money there. Thank you but I will decide for myself where I spend it and, speak out of when I feel I am being exploited or disregarded. It is a feeling that all of us feel. It doesn't mean we "hate Disney". On the contrary. We "love Disney". Some of us, have been around long enough to know how these changes have taken place over the years. We still "feel the magic"!

Some of us, recall days when you could walk off "Spaceship Earth" and get on an "Earth Com" and speak to a representative to make a dinner reservation for the evening. No 90 day advanced window...., just getting off a really cool ride and thinking how more cool it was, to talk to a person on a screen as if they were right in front of you. Imagine the possibilities.....

Just because some of us remember the way things were and aren't always happy with the way things are, doesn't mean our opinions are irrelevant or we "hate Disney". We don't, I assure you or we wouldn't be here.

Disney raised the bar years ago. I refuse to apologize for expecting them to keep it at the same level.

Nuff said.

Pirate Jeff.

 

[Tiger926]

Smidgy:

First of all, I'd like to send you a huge "thank you" for your very kind and supportive words! They mean a lot, really!!!

Disneyfan55:

It's a Small World is "closed for refurbishment" as we speak!! I have no idea nor have I read what they are doing but it has been closed for some time now (odd, seeing as it was just refurbished a few years ago...) maybe some more informed DIS'ers could fill you in!

TLSnell:

Like "Smidgy", I agree with you. We share the same concerns, and the concerns shared by the OP (in my assessment..). I love Disney. I have forgone several exotic vacations in lieu of Disney, even though I am a grandparent. There is something about being there. I've been so many times, I don't do all things on each visit. Simply put, there is something about walking around World Showcase (my favorite Disney area) sipping a glass of either a French red or an Italian White listening to the sounds of Celtic tunes or sitting on a bench near England and dialing the phone booths when tourists step into the "box". It is still "magic" to me. I love being there and cannot think of it going away.

Members who've responded:

Just because some of us "complain" doesn't mean we are "bashing" Disney. And thank some of you for suggesting but frankly, I am well aware I "don't have to go" although I don't feel anyone whom doesn't know me has any merit to make such a suggestion.

No my magical friends, I am an avid Disney Fan and spend a lot of money there. Thank you but I will decide for myself where I spend it and, speak out of when I feel I am being exploited or disregarded. It is a feeling that all of us feel. It doesn't mean we "hate Disney". On the contrary. We "love Disney". Some of us, have been around long enough to know how these changes have taken place over the years. We still "feel the magic"!

Some of us, recall days when you could walk off "Spaceship Earth" and get on an "Earth Com" and speak to a representative to make a dinner reservation for the evening. No 90 day advanced window...., just getting off a really cool ride and thinking how more cool it was, to talk to a person on a screen as if they were right in front of you. Imagine the possibilities.....

Just because some of us remember the way things were and aren't always happy with the way things are, doesn't mean our opinions are irrelevant or we "hate Disney". We don't, I assure you or we wouldn't be here.

Disney raised the bar years ago. I refuse to apologize for expecting them to keep it at the same level.

Nuff said.

Pirate Jeff.

What an awesome post, Pirate! Tiger

 

[WildGrits]

I love your post Pirate Jeff.

I have been to WDW many times starting in the 70/80's when CS was a burger sitting under a heating lamp. So if you ask me is the food going downhill? Not to me.

Yes, some TS's that use to be my favs have gotten the three strikes and are out for us. I'm talking to you Cape May Cafe But that has also has forced us to try new places.

In all our years we only had one trip that left a sour feeling. But that was after 9/11 so we kind of give them the benefit of the doubt.

Since then we have been back and have had a terrific time.

And for the money? It seems like a lot but when we have priced out other places, they still come up on top.

 

[goofy4prez]

Smidgy:

First of all, I'd like to send you a huge "thank you" for your very kind and supportive words! They mean a lot, really!!!


TLSnell:

Like "Smidgy", I agree with you. We share the same concerns, and the concerns shared by the OP (in my assessment..). I love Disney. I have forgone several exotic vacations in lieu of Disney, even though I am a grandparent. There is something about being there. I've been so many times, I don't do all things on each visit. Simply put, there is something about walking around World Showcase (my favorite Disney area) sipping a glass of either a French red or an Italian White listening to the sounds of Celtic tunes or sitting on a bench near England and dialing the phone booths when tourists step into the "box". It is still "magic" to me. I love being there and cannot think of it going away.

Members who've responded:

Just because some of us "complain" doesn't mean we are "bashing" Disney. And thank some of you for suggesting but frankly, I am well aware I "don't have to go" although I don't feel anyone whom doesn't know me has any merit to make such a suggestion.

No my magical friends, I am an avid Disney Fan and spend a lot of money there. Thank you but I will decide for myself where I spend it and, speak out of when I feel I am being exploited or disregarded. It is a feeling that all of us feel. It doesn't mean we "hate Disney". On the contrary. We "love Disney". Some of us, have been around long enough to know how these changes have taken place over the years. We still "feel the magic"!


Just because some of us remember the way things were and aren't always happy with the way things are, doesn't mean our opinions are irrelevant or we "hate Disney". We don't, I assure you or we wouldn't be here.

Disney raised the bar years ago. I refuse to apologize for expecting them to keep it at the same level.

Nuff said.

Pirate Jeff.

Well stated Pirate Jeff, and agree whole heartedly. To complain or have concerns for something doesn't mean you dislike something nor does it mean you should either go find something else instead or just put up with it. I understand things change, attractions become outdated and need to go, meunus change, and etc. but standards and level of quality should never suffer once you set the bar for the product and service you offer.

I am not a lifelong Disney fanatic, in fact I was a late bloomer. But with that, there are things I didn't like at WDW even though I love the place and will go again (setting next years date soon). As I mentioned, the first and foremost is courteous people. When I go to a CS and receive a very rude cashier at Roarin Forks who neither can say "may I help you" and "thank you" nor said one word and just took our card to pay for the food is UNACCEPTABLE ANYWHERE. PERIOD. When I receive the exact type of response at a shop in DTD having just spent $250 on t-shirts and other items a thank you and eye contact is expected, again anything else is unacceptable anywhere. I won't even get into the rude bus driver during the lightning storm that knocked out the monorail our first night there. To WDW's defense, these were very isolated incidents and almost every cm was courteous and went the extra mile to assist. However, if it is instilled into their training and orientation that there will be zero tolerance for anything but a courteous greeting and thank you regardless of how they may feel, these incidents would not take place. It does not take place in my business I own because I have a zero tolerance and my employees know that.

Another area that I was disappointed with and the one incident I politely complained about at the resort is the time of room service. If I am paying for concierage and it has turn down service, my room should not first be made up at between 4-5 pm. When I come back to the resort during a mid break day the room should already be made up. Just about every day when we came back to the resort around 2-3 to swim relax and then head out, the room had not been made. I should resonable expect to come back to a room in mid afternoon and expect it done. Turn down service should be after I leave a room in the mid to late afternoon. Because of them doing the room so late most of our visit we did not get turndown.

And since I'm on a roll (therapeutic). One of the days we were in our room to relax and while an afternoon storm rolled through we put up the do not disturb sign. We headed out to MK for EMH's that evening and admittingly forgot to remove the sign. At 7:00am, after being out until almost 3:00 am that morning, a couple of guys from concierage knocked on our door waking us up. They stated policy required them to check on us. Ummm, could you have done this a little later or perhaps later that mornings housekeeping, when cleaning the room could look in the closet or under the covers to see if there were any dead bodies in the room. I have traveled often, and have stayed in some top rated hotels and never experienced this.

Ok, I feel better now. I am putting on my flame suit and ready to take the fiery darts for breaking the sacred rule of not finding everything in the kingdom to be perfect or even having the audacity to express an "opinion" on a board that is here for the purpose of expressing our opinions.

 

[mickeysgirl17]

well, I guess you can only go "downhill" if you are slipping. semantics here.

hubby and I LOVE disney. just returned from a July trip. going again in dec.

just becasue we keep returning doesn't mean we like "everything" going on. and no, you can't say, "well you keep coming back... so.... they are doing things right..."

last year, hubby Nebo started a thread much like this. listed a number of things we were disapointed with. (no more frozen coke at POP, we made a point to visit CSR hotel for their FF, which were repalced with crappy thin fries, much fewer dancers, etc. between the floats in Spectro, many more, too many to mention.)

little things, that only seasoned disney veterans would notice.
I can't beleive they keep raising the prices in this economy. I don't CARE if it's a business... DO NOT quote me and quote stock prices....I know the whole "what the market will bear" theory. please, I do NOT want a lesson in economics 101!!!!!!

whew! that "disclaimer".. out of the way...

It is MY OPINION (the OP asked for Opinions, I think it is still "her" thread")...

many people keep going because they "just, gol'darn it" love it. but we still see the "slipping" in many things.

that is what this thread is about. these various "slippings"
like how long is that wonders of life pavilliongoing to sit empty. and what a great topic! don't even get me started on the "lack of Imagination" Pavillion.

I see it the most in the little things. the lack of cleanliness. I used to BRAG about how clean disney was compared to six flags, cedar point, Indiana beach, etc etc.
the ashtrays are over flowing (of course, it doesn't help that they eliminated half of the DSAs), there is garbage, wrappers, on the street (disney did a study on how far someone will walk with a scrap of paper before throwing on the ground, and situated the trash cans accordingly) but now, they are overflowing.
water fountains not working.(sorry, hubby has to take a blood pressure pill and shouldn't have to wait inline for free water at a CS)
cursory cleaning of the rooms (still good, MUCH better than the Knight's Inn on the way down) but lots of dust under the beds, yucky whatever in the drawers, rings in the tub,toilet etc.) nothing I would call and complain about, but many do. just not"up to Disney par" which was "ALWAYS above and beyond" in the past. Disney spoiled me .. in the past... it was EXCELLENT!!! now it's acceptable.
one of the biggest disappointments is the CMS. I bragged to all my friends.. "at disney, you could stay at a value resort and still be treated like royalty!!!"
" in the parks, you look all ragged from a hot day, sweaty, etc. and any CM will treat you like you are the queen of england!"
now, I am NOT a high maintainence person. that is why it surprised me so much!
as a server, I never give a customer an "eye roll" no matter how busy I am. if a customer asks me for something, I never say "Yeah, I'll get to it in a minute!!! I'm busy right now!"
but the CMS, used to always be there (I don't mean in the restaurants, the servers there have been great) to answer your questions, or else find you the answer. numerous times in the past 2 years, WE ask a CM a question, and they act like "how should I know? not my job"
there was a Cm standing at the dock at BW for the whole purpose of telling you where the boat will go next. the CM replied "It goes to the Swan, and I think , maybe the Dolphin, too" (for those who don't know, it's the same stop) another CM (at the store)told hubby the store opened at 9 AM. we like a newspaper. so he went down at 9 am and all the papers were gone becasue it o[pened at 8am.
the fountains at epcot was shut down for refurbishment. we asked a Cm at the gate "any idea when the fountain will be reopening?" answer.. "what fountain?"
I know, I know, you will tell me they were new, didn't know, etc etc.
my point being, it USED to be that CMS were always there to help you, and if not, lead you to the correct answer.

at a Counter service that served coffee "where can I get TEa?" " gee, I don't know." me, "can you find out?" answer "I have no idea".

all these may seem like silly little things (and they really are) but this is just a FEW of MANY we have encountered in the past 2 years.
I could go one and on.
many, many little things we have noticed that have gone "downhill" since we fell in love with Disney. and yet, the prices keep going up, up up.
can they keep cutting down on "service" and keep raising the profits? should I keep spending my money there in spite of that? and the merry mayhem that ensues when Nebo and Smidgy stop going to Disney, and their grown children have them committed because they must have "gone off their rocker" and went to Vegas instead!!

You took the words right out of my mouth! I feel exactly the same! Can't believe they are still raising prices!!!

 

[bicker]

As long as people find greater value in WDW, year after year, they'll continue to raise prices, year after year.

 

[Donut23]

As long as people find greater value in WDW, year after year, they'll continue to raise prices, year after year.

....and as this thread demonstrates.....the number of repeat guests who watch the decline is growing. Eventually it will grow to include....dare I say it...a trip OTHER than Disney. Each guest who takes their travel $$ somewhere else is a risk for Disney...especially now. They may find....their new experience has more value than a Disney trip....and God knows it's probably less EXPENSIVE.


It takes 8 times the effort and cost to bring in one new guest vs. a return/satisfied guest. In addition, a happy guest is the BEST advertisement for any business. Obviously there seems to be a growing (and in our eyes valid) concern for falling Disney standards. When frequent guests talk about....."the way it used to be....ok, it's still ok if you don't look closely". Hardly the roaring endorsement of times past when you couldn't help but say..."It is soooooo beyond great. Trash was picked up before it hit the ground and eveything is so clean and well run".

Disney is slowly loosing it's cheerleaders - cannot deny that!

As others have said......we say it because we have the courage (especially here) to stand up and say..."Disney, you can do better because YOU set the standards you are breaking now". We say it because we LOVE Disney and care about it's future.

 

[panthergirl]

....and as this thread demonstrates.....the number of repeat guests who watch the decline is growing. Eventually it will grow to include....dare I say it...a trip OTHER than Disney. Each guest who takes their travel $$ somewhere else is a risk for Disney...especially now. They may find....their new experience has more value than a Disney trip....and God knows it's probably less EXPENSIVE.


It takes 8 times the effort and cost to bring in one new guest vs. a return/satisfied guest. In addition, a happy guest is the BEST advertisement for any business. Obviously there seems to be a growing (and in our eyes valid) concern for falling Disney standards. When frequent guests talk about....."the way it used to be....ok, it's still ok if you don't look closely". Hardly the roaring endorsement of times past when you couldn't help but say..."It is soooooo beyond great. Trash was picked up before it hit the ground and eveything is so clean and well run".

Disney is slowly loosing it's cheerleaders - cannot deny that!

As others have said......we say it because we have the courage (especially here) to stand up and say..."Disney, you can do better because YOU set the standards you are breaking now". We say it because we LOVE Disney and care about it's future.

Awesome post. We KNOW Disney can do better because we have experienced it first hand! I still love my Disney trips but I get sad when I think of the spotless parks, beautifully maintained rides, and unique restaurant options that are now a thing of the past.

 

[bicker]

....and as this thread demonstrates.....the number of repeat guests who watch the decline is growing.

Or at least the number of repeat guests who say that is growing. Although I'm not even sure that's the case either. Beyond that, it's a bit like saying that the number of human beings who have died is growing.

Eventually it will grow to include....dare I say it...a trip OTHER than Disney.

It always had. Nothing new there. Heck, we visited WDW every year for many years, in the 1980s and 1990s, but then we turned our attention to other destinations and cruises.

Each guest who takes their travel $$ somewhere else is a risk for Disney...especially now.

Again, no real change there.

They may find....their new experience has more value than a Disney trip....and God knows it's probably less EXPENSIVE.

We're going back to WDW next year because it is so INexpensive. Everything is relative.

It takes 8 times the effort and cost to bring in one new guest vs. a return/satisfied guest.

Again, no real change there.

Disney is slowly loosing it's cheerleaders - cannot deny that!

It always has slowly lost its cheerleaders, just like every other destination. Just like they slowly gain cheerleaders. Load-levels seems to indicate clearly that Disney is still gaining cheerleaders faster than it loses cheerleaders. That's probably why they're moving forward with yet-another resort.

 

[jimmymac]

[

We're going back to WDW next year because it is so INexpensive. Everything is relative.

WDW is INexpensive? How many suns are there on the planet you inhabit?

 

[bicker]

Just the one sun, here.

Yes, WDW is INexpensive.

 

[jimmymac]

Just the one sun, here.

Yes, WDW is INexpensive.

And President Obama is a Muslim. I guess we have different concepts of reality

 

[bicker]

No, not reality. I've simply done the comparison shopping recently, so I know how inexpensive a WDW vacation is, as compared to the other destinations we've considered.

 

[Indiana Rose Lee]

[

We're going back to WDW next year because it is so INexpensive. Everything is relative.

WDW is INexpensive? How many suns are there on the planet you inhabit?

It is if you want it to be. We are taking 6, buying YES tickets, and staying offsite for two weeks. Total cost for room and tickets will be about $2000. Not bad at all for a vacation with entertainment. We could do a trip at the beach off season for less but it would not include entertainment. Same goes for Vegas.

So for us it is inexpensive. It is all a matter of perspective.

 

[si-am]

No, not reality. I've simply done the comparison shopping recently, so I know how inexpensive a WDW vacation is, as compared to the other destinations we've considered.

Disney is super expensive compared to some vacations and inexpensive compared to others.

I don't think you can make a blanket statement that Disney is INexpensive in general unless you're comparing it to something specific.

 

[d1gitman]

Just the one sun, here.

Yes, WDW is INexpensive.

While i consider WDW to be a great value, i wouldn't go so far as to say it is INexpensive. Deeming something EXpensive or INexpensive is relative to ones viewpoint and/or economic situation. In fact, a wealthy person could still hold the viewpoint that it is a lot of money to spend and therefore considers WDW to be EXpensive.

With regards to the cost of a WDW vacation, some are on the bottom looking up at the sticker price while some are in teh middle right in line with the price and others are on top looking down at the price.

In the end, it is all about perspective. Which is true about most things/situations in life.

 

[luckyprincess]

Wow - great posts guys!! I'll say that Andy and I went on a 7 day cruise to the Eastern Caribbean, airfare included, hotel before hand included, meals included, 9th deck balcony cabin in the middle of the ship where it juts out, all excursions (parasailing, snorkeling, swimming with stingrays, treetop canopy tour, Magan's Bay) all entertainment and had an amazing time - for a sum total of $2200.
Next week, we are staying at AKL, savannah room, airfare included, no meals, 5 day park hopper with water park option for $2100.
I expect it to be really fabulous. My sis-in-law looooves Disney and goes all the time. She still seems happy with it so I'm hoping its as fun as it was 10 years ago. I'll let you know what I thought in a week. I went to IoA in April and was totally WOWed by that and Sea World, so I'll probably compare cleanliness, employees, ride technology, park layout -to that. But I will be honest, that's for sure!
Just FYI - on the resorts board someone posted an article saying Disney attendance is down by 2%....

 

[Indiana Rose Lee]

lol, hope it is down for your trip! And enjoy Sea World. We find it to be a really peaceful balance for Disney.

 

[bicker]

I don't think you can make a blanket statement that Disney is INexpensive in general unless you're comparing it to something specific.

Which, of course, each of us is, when we're planning a vacation.

 

[Donut23]

No, not reality. I've simply done the comparison shopping recently, so I know how inexpensive a WDW vacation is, as compared to the other destinations we've considered.

$300+ in value season for a EPCOT resort room.....surely you jest (sorry....wasn't calling you Shirley!!!!)

We travel with castmember benefits.....resort discounts, n/c for tickets. We use my travel benefits for free flights and free car rentals and we STILL have fabulous trips otherplaces for far less.....and we travel well.

Disney INexpensive.....Thanks for the Laugh!