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

[ntsammy5]

I'm not frazzled though because I'm already in the eating offsite club anyway.

Ditto - but we still have an occasional meal onsite. R&C and Biergarden are particular favorites - and Jiko.............

 

[Tammy296]

I've been going since 2007. The food and "lil things" have changed since our first year. I never knew what it was like pre-ddp though so I cannot comment. I know in 2007 it was our BEST visit as far as the food went and value we got for the money spent on the vacation!!! : We were hooked!! Did they have free dining that year? I do not know but we didn't go during Free ddp.

Since then we've seen many things go off the menu that we really enjoyed. I can understand why Disney has done it. They have to make a profit - this is what they do. However, I'm not sure they were losing out (that much) in 2007 even. They make plenty anyway and I'm sure many go each year and they are still getting sold out at certain resorts. They could possibly not complain.

We've enjoyed our visit every year so it's hard for me to complain yet if it got much worse I don't know if we'd continue going. For the past 2 visits we've said every single time we wouldn't come back. I think it was more because when we got back home we felt we needed a vacation again (thus all the running and little relaxing)! And the lack of value in the food didn't help. I think last trip we might have enjoyed 1 meal out of the 7 days we spent there. Can I still complain? I think anyone can... but it probably won't matter until people got to a point that they just stopped going.

Would I pay OOP for the food now? Definitely not!! Would I have paid more for the food plan to get what I want? Not now. In 2007, probably!!! This is why we have never opted for the higher dining option this trip (because we see the cut backs in the menu options each year) the tipping included and appetizers going away REALLY hurt. As we watch characters going away and menu options going away it just gets worse. It makes me wonder if DDP is going away too?

If the DDP went away we'd probably never visit again as the DDP has made it easy for us to have a vacation "with little worry". It would be hard to get us to believe the food is any better after that point in time. I do think when Disney took away the tip included and the appetizer included part of the DDP they cut back a lot. The economy got worse and it was just something that didn't help!


The tip included is a feature you get at most any all inclusive resort. I might get pounded for this (please don't because you couldn't really change my mind on the thought no matter how you figure it - I do not feel bad for Disney they can take care of themselves). But the overall price of a vacation to Disney for a family of 4 still beats going to an all inclusive resort for 4. This year we priced 2 vacations. One at Disney for $2400 - $2500 flight & food included and one at Punta Cana all inclusive for $3800. However at an all inclusive resort for that amount you get a jacuzzi inside and outside the room, and the food choices and tipping are endless! So what did we choose? Again, Disney. Why? Because for the amount we could afford. It boiled ultimately down to price and the fact that for that amount we could take our kids too! It just worked out for us. So be it and we'll make the most of it no matter what...

And for those thinking that you really ARE getting Free Dining. Don't. It's a gimmick. You'll get what you pay for. Every year we price a value resort with dining (not free) and pay the same as we are for the first time on the Free dining except this trip we stay at a moderate resort. SO we'll actually be getting an upgraded resort stay for the same price we usually pay rather than any " real free dining". Dining at these places is never really "free".

In all honesty, you could not make anyone believe that meals actually cost what they are being priced out as currently. It again, is a gimmick to make you believe the dining package is a good option. Well it's fair to say it is a good option but not by the prices in comparison to OOP. Try thinking of it like this: it brings piece of mind that the food is paid for up front and no worries.

As the food declines, it gets easier to make your DDP last - you aren't exactly as crazy about spending your credits as fast. You end up with more credits at the end of your trip!

Now when our kids are raised and gone, we will probably go back to those all inclusive "just 2 of us" resorts. When Disney starts costing as much as those resorts then we'll start going to the other all inclusive. When the DDP goes away, we'll look elsewhere UNLESS paying OOP was REASONABLE in comparison to the food served. I think everyone has their reasoning and it's fair to say they have a choice. If Disney wants to keep or earn their customers, then they know what they need to do!

Ok so I've said my piece. Hope everyone has a FANTASTIC TRIP!!!

 

[JB2K]

I don't think it is exactly "Disney trying to earn a quick buck so much as it is the current economy - even for those who are getting-by, their perception of WDW is that of an "expensive place" and alter their vacationing plans to stay closer to home, if they go anywhere, at all.

Disney dining - They have increased all buffets services and lowered the quality of food, i.e. took off prime rib at Boma and a few other restaurants.

Buffets tend to be more appealing for those on tighter budgets -- don't believe me? Look at the parking lot of both your local Golden Corral and the one near WDW. As for the food quality, I agree and normally do the majority of my dining, elsewhere.

Disney CL Service - I've been reading that the food isn't what it used to be. Yet people pay a large premium for this. Food runs out and is not replenished etc.

I'm not a cruiser (yet), so no comment...

Christmas attractions - Took away the lights at Epcot. It was just beautiful. It totally ruined the whole effect last Christmas season.

The lights at EPCOT (like everywhere else) are electrically-powered - perhaps whoever wholesales the electric power to WDW raised their rates? If so, Disney probably had to decide between dropping lights at Epcot, or raising ticket prices...

Nickel and Diming the guest - Holiday surcharges for buffets. Okay, I can understand Thanksgiving and Christmas. But Memorial Day through 4th of July too! It's just plain wrong.

Again, the alternative would be to raise park admission prices?

Doubling the price of a stroller- Double stroller 1 1/2 years ago was $18.00 now it is over $30.00. If you multiply that by 7 days it's the price of a rent a car!

Agreed - but the bean-counters at Disney knows if this is something you need, you'll pay for it...

Ticket increases - Every August there is a ticket increase!

Of course - that's tied to several economic factors - if you'll notice, gasoline prices have also been on a roller-coaster ride over the past few years. If it makes you feel any better, I can recall a time where admission was well-under $20.

Brazilian groups- Extremely disruptive, rude, crass, and down right hazardous (blocking pathways), making loud noises outside of value hotel rooms in the early morning hours. There are 2-3 threads about this outrageous behavior, with hundreds of complaints from our DIS friends. Yet, Disney refuses to do anything about this.

I have heard this is a problem - fortunately, I stay at Shades of Green and things are much more quiet, there...don't expect WDW to do anything about it, as international travelers are something they cherish, a great deal...

With the economy in the tank, people out of jobs, it would seem that Disney shouldn't be this greedy, for a lack of a better word. I'm just starting to notice some of these ill effects taking place. This is just my observation.

As much as I hate to say it, but this is happening everywhere (and WDW is certainly no exception).

 

[d1gitman]

...And for those thinking that you really ARE getting Free Dining. Don't. It's a gimmick. You'll get what you pay for. Every year we price a value resort with dining (not free) and pay the same as we are for the first time on the Free dining except this trip we stay at a moderate resort. SO we'll actually be getting an upgraded resort stay for the same price we usually pay rather than any " real free dining". Dining at these places is never really "free"...

All I know is that when I price a WDW vacation during Free DDP, it costs me nearly $1000 less for my family of 4 for 10 days than when i price it during non-free DDP dates. Apples to apples on everything of course.

People can call it a gimmick, of course, it's a promotion to get foot traffic. Then again, one could say the 40% off rooms isn't really 40% off because you would then have to pay for food. Or the Gift CArd isn't really a gift card cause you are paying rack rates on room and food or that free kids isn't free cause the adults are full price.

Bottom line is all these promo's offered are discounts off the retail price. Given the choice, I'll take the discount vs. the retail price. I highly doubt that if promos were to go away that rack rates would somehow be lowered or even stay the same. Prices will continue to rise as everything does and promos will continue to vary.

 

[flicx]

Things are being changed as we speak I bet. Ugh, it doesn't look good at this point even though I hope that it's a mistake. Imagine paying $60 a person to eat at the Crystal Palace!!!!

This is nuts!60 bucks for a buffet? Is there filet mignon and champagne and lobster?I sure hope it's a typo!

 

[brunette8706]

This is nuts!60 bucks for a buffet? Is there filet mignon and champagne and lobster?I sure hope it's a typo!

*
Yeah, Tiger says she thinks it could be a mistake by the Disney IT Department! Big mistake isn't it!? Like I said earlier the Disney website, I'm sure gets millions of hits. The IT department really needs to be more competent.

Brunette

 

[Michelle and crew]

because you have never made a mistake? Lol, i feel for it people...

 

[TDC Nala]

Chef Mickeys and 'Ohana take TIW.

Please don't put a lot of stock into what you see on the WDW website. It's not the place to look for the best or most accurate info. Disney's seen to that.

Crystal Palace does NOT cost $60 per person. I thought we covered that. Are they putting the same price range down for Akershus or CRT?

 

[d1gitman]

...Crystal Palace does NOT cost $60 per person. I thought we covered that...

oh darn! i wanted to experience full priced food from the days of yesteryear

 

[flicx]

Chef Mickeys and 'Ohana take TIW.

Please don't put a lot of stock into what you see on the WDW website. It's not the place to look for the best or most accurate info. Disney's seen to that.

Well Nala this statement should never have to be made.That is a pityful commentary on disney if you can't trust their official website.You mean they can't even get their own info right? I can understand typos, but I truly hope you are wrong by saying not to put alot of stock in WDW"s website!

 

[rie'smom]

I don't think it is exactly "Disney trying to earn a quick buck so much as it is the current economy - even for those who are getting-by, their perception of WDW is that of an "expensive place" and alter their vacationing plans to stay closer to home, if they go anywhere, at all.



Buffets tend to be more appealing for those on tighter budgets -- don't believe me? Look at the parking lot of both your local Golden Corral and the one near WDW. As for the food quality, I agree and normally do the majority of my dining, elsewhere.

Sorry, I don't believe this. My in laws are worth well over 100 million$$$ as are many of their friends and they love buffets. While we are not as well off as they are, we love them too. Oh and we live in Cajun country home of the most delicious food and it's not that so called Cajun food that restaurants outside of our area try to imitate. We also live an hour from New Orleans which is also well known for its fine cuisine.

 

[Tiger926]

Well Nala this statement should never have to be made.That is a pityful commentary on disney if you can't trust their official website.You mean they can't even get their own info right? I can understand typos, but I truly hope you are wrong by saying not to put alot of stock in WDW"s website!

It is pitiful, but it's the way it is! Many of us regulars have known this for years!

I've emailed and spoken to very high up execs, and they know it's an issue, but they don't invest lots in the IT Dept., so it will continue to be a problem.

Technically, none of us know for sure that Disney isn't going to raise buffets to $60.00, but I have to believe that it's an error, as you'll see it across the board in many of the restaurant descriptions.

I've emailed many companies about this very thing, and honestly, most don't care, as many people don't read that closely to notice to begin with. As an English teacher, I read everything, so it's a big deal to me.

Sorry that you are frustrated by this, and you have a right to be, but many of us gave up on Disney IT years ago.

Tiger

 

[flicx]

It is pitiful, but it's the way it is! Many of us regulars have known this for years!

I've emailed and spoken to very high up execs, and they know it's an issue, but they don't invest lots in the IT Dept., so it will continue to be a problem.

Technically, none of us know for sure that Disney isn't going to raise buffets to $60.00, but I have to believe that it's an error, as you'll see it across the board in many of the restaurant descriptions.

I've emailed many companies about this very thing, and honestly, most don't care, as many people don't read that closely to notice to begin with. As an English teacher, I read everything, so it's a big deal to me.

Sorry that you are frustrated by this, and you have a right to be, but many of us gave up on Disney IT years ago.

Tiger

Wow it is that bad!The most visited theme park in the world doesn't have a competent IT department. Ridiculous maybe they should cut a few bonuses till this gets fixed!

 

[Planogirl]

My issue is that the casual traveler or newbie might look at the site and see those crazy prices. At least I sincerely hope that those are crazy prices.

 

[KellyNY]

Sorry, I don't believe this. My in laws are worth well over 100 million$$$ as are many of their friends and they love buffets. While we are not as well off as they are, we love them too. Oh and we live in Cajun country home of the most delicious food and it's not that so called Cajun food that restaurants outside of our area try to imitate. We also live an hour from New Orleans which is also well known for its fine cuisine.

Well, I hope your husband is the only child. On a serious note, some people love buffets, some, don't. I do not think it has anything to do with income. Some people like my DD like to have a bite of everything, I while go to buffet with her, only eat a particular shrimp salad I love.

 

[wanttobeinvienna]

It is pitiful, but it's the way it is! Many of us regulars have known this for years!

I've emailed and spoken to very high up execs, and they know it's an issue, but they don't invest lots in the IT Dept., so it will continue to be a problem.

Technically, none of us know for sure that Disney isn't going to raise buffets to $60.00, but I have to believe that it's an error, as you'll see it across the board in many of the restaurant descriptions.

I've emailed many companies about this very thing, and honestly, most don't care, as many people don't read that closely to notice to begin with. As an English teacher, I read everything, so it's a big deal to me.

Sorry that you are frustrated by this, and you have a right to be, but many of us gave up on Disney IT years ago.

Tiger

Stupid thing to point out here, but IT does not handle content of a website- they build the platform. Content varies business to business, but generally comes from publicity, PR, or development. If there the wrong information- make sure we point our fingers in the right direction.

 

[hookedonears]

There's no doubt that free food has taken a toll on the quality of the food at Disney. It's really a shame. The food has alway been as much a part of our trip as the parks. I truly can't say that now. We've been to the parks many, many times, though the food is one of the few thing that has made us want to go back year after year. As long as they keep giving it away, I don't see them spending more money on it to improve it.

 

[TDC Nala]

Was this thread talking about the same official Walt Disney World website that for a week now has been saying that the new La Hacienda restaurant does not accept DDP, when it does? We've had no fewer than 10 threads on that over on the restaurant board.

This site has, in the very recent past, shown information that Liberty Tree had characters (this was AFTER the temporary character meals while Crystal Palace was closed) and 'Ohana didn't, and the opposite is true ('Ohana has a character breakfast).

 

[mickeysgirl17]

There's no doubt that free food has taken a toll on the quality of the food at Disney. It's really a shame. The food has alway been as much a part of our trip as the parks. I truly can't say that now. We've been to the parks many, many times, though the food is one of the few thing that has made us want to go back year after year. As long as they keep giving it away, I don't see them spending more money on it to improve it.

I agree about the food. Many things from the menus are not on there anymore. They are taking a lot away, and quality has gone down as well as service in some places.

 

[Tiger926]

Stupid thing to point out here, but IT does not handle content of a website- they build the platform. Content varies business to business, but generally comes from publicity, PR, or development. If there the wrong information- make sure we point our fingers in the right direction.

But wouldn't the Disney IT Dept input the data? When I've contacted Disney about it, they refer to it as their IT Dept. At my school board, the IT Dept is the only department who touches the website - the other departments and all schools send the info our Communication Director for editing and such, and she hands off to IT Dept as even she has limited access to the website. She keeps the Blog and Twitter feed active each day, but the other inputting of data is done by IT Dept and their assistants. All errors and structural issues are handled by IT Dept. This is how Disney has explained it to me on several occasions with the issues that I've called about, but maybe I've misunderstood?

In the way they've explained it to me, they don't have a million separate departments inputing data onto their website. When they've returned my calls, the executives have said they have spoken to the IT Dept and they are working on the issue. I guess it may not be true though...?

If the Disney Dining Dept. is indeed inputting data as you suggest, then this is even worse, as they should absolutely know the correct price ranges, restaurant descriptions and menus.

Thanks for pointing that out, Tiger