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

[flicx]

I have been away awhile and looks like I missed alot of fun. First off let my position on the price thing be known.A disney vacation is a major,major investment for my family.Alot of what gets lost in these conversations is the different income levels and areas of the country that we all live in.I think at a point in time disney was reasonable, but that time alas has gone by the wayside.Now I can only speak for my income level in a part of the country where a $45,000(household) a year income is the norm!I know there are people on here from Newyork,LA and other places where things cost alot more.Thus I think they don't expierience the sticker shock that alot of us small town people do.That all being said disney has raised prices faster than inflation!We are seeing less according to many seasoned disney people.Less food, less CMS,less shows,less attractions.All the while not less or even the same price.So that in itself is a problem,that if it continues will in my opinion cause alot of damage to this wonderful place.I know it has affected my trips already.I also realize I am only one family in a sea of many,but when enough people begin doing the same they will take notice,I just hope it isn't too late!

 

[brunette8706]

Of course. But for us that is the norm. And the tickets are actually better, including park hopping and water parks. My point is that the trip can cost what someone wants it to. Staying in 2 rooms at the boardwalk would make it $7500 dollars. We choose not to do that, lol!

Heck, we went to dl for free. How many places offer that?

So rather than cutting corners we 've made out.

*
Just curious, how are the tickets better?

 

[BigGreen73]

But they have always offered discounts (like free dining) even before the economy went down and even when tickets weren't that expensive...and if you think about it, its not just about 1 day tickets. Even during a package stay, now rates go by night. Every night of your stay could be a different rate depending on the time of year and the day of the week and rates are going higher.

Very true....That is a little annoying...Different room rates depending on the day of the week.....added cost to meals during peak time etc...When I went in 2004 tickets had no expiration and park hopper as part of the deal too. I think that cost as much as a base tickets does now. Not if you want hopper and no expiration it's extra. UGH!! Well, as long as I can afford it I'll keep going once a year or every other year...

 

[KellyNY]

Of course. But for us that is the norm. And the tickets are actually better, including park hopping and water parks. My point is that the trip can cost what someone wants it to. Staying in 2 rooms at the boardwalk would make it $7500 dollars. We choose not to do that, lol!

Heck, we went to dl for free. How many places offer that?

So rather than cutting corners we 've made out.

You found a way to make it affordable and it works for you but you stay off property because of the price. We do not discuss ways to make it cheaper but the fact that staying on property, eating on property and so on is expensive, even if you stay at value resort.

 

[brunette8706]

Very true....That is a little annoying...Different room rates depending on the day of the week.....added cost to meals during peak time etc...When I went in 2004 tickets had no expiration and park hopper as part of the deal too. I think that cost as much as a base tickets does now. Not if you want hopper and no expiration it's extra. UGH!! Well, as long as I can afford it I'll keep going once a year or every other year...

**
Good point. I forgot about that feature way back when. It used to be if you booked the last day in value season the pricing would reflect the value season price, not the higher season. Now it looks like they have higher rates on the weekend vs the weekday.

brunette

 

[KellyNY]

**
Good point. I forgot about that feature way back when. It used to be if you booked the last day in value season the pricing would reflect the value season price, not the higher season. Now it looks like they have higher rates on the weekend vs the weekday.

brunette

That is true. What is interesting, they have it only for value and moderate, not deluxe, wonder what is reasoning, if any.

 

[brunette8706]

That is true. What is interesting, they have it only for value and moderate, not deluxe, wonder what is reasoning, if any.

*
I never knew that. You would think it would be the opposite. Sheesh.

 

[d1gitman]

...That all being said:

1. disney has raised prices faster than inflation!
2. We are seeing less according to many seasoned disney people.
3. Less food,
4. less CMS,
5. less shows,
6. less attractions.

All the while not less or even the same price.So that in itself is a problem,that if it continues will in my opinion cause alot of damage to this wonderful place.I know it has affected my trips already.I also realize I am only one family in a sea of many,but when enough people begin doing the same they will take notice,I just hope it isn't too late!

1. i haven't studied actual numbers so i can't comment either way.
2. some view it as less, others view it as change.
3. if you mean DDP dropping appetizers and gratuity, i suppose you could call that a yes. If youe mean less choices in food, i would argue. Some restaurants have come and gone, some have been added. Either way, food is still being served. Many feel that the portions at may Disney eateries provide large portions.
4. no way to prove this unless one has access to Disney's employee database
5. less showings of certain shows, yes. less shows overall, i haven't heard that being the case.
6. less attractions??? based on what? i feel pretty confident in stating that over the years, overall, there has been a net ADD to the number of attractions. unless of course your math is based on 'saving or creating' attractions

While many of us do feel that Disney does need to get back to certain basics, I don't think it's a true statement to say they are going 'downhill'. They have changed lots of things, which does mean some things go away and new things come in. It's probably true we all would like more, but who wouldn't? Disney has expanded by leaps and bound over the years. Not in ways that everyone may prefer, but none the less, they have grown.

 

[KellyNY]

*
I never knew that. You would think it would be the opposite. Sheesh.

I think I confused everyone, sorry. I ment different price for different days. What you described GONE WITH A WIND, just like appetizer on DP.

 

[Donut23]

1. i haven't studied actual numbers so i can't comment either way.
2. some view it as less, others view it as change.
3. if you mean DDP dropping appetizers and gratuity, i suppose you could call that a yes. If youe mean less choices in food, i would argue. Some restaurants have come and gone, some have been added. Either way, food is still being served. Many feel that the portions at may Disney eateries provide large portions.
4. no way to prove this unless one has access to Disney's employee database
5. less showings of certain shows, yes. less shows overall, i haven't heard that being the case.
6. less attractions??? based on what? i feel pretty confident in stating that over the years, overall, there has been a net ADD to the number of attractions. unless of course your math is based on 'saving or creating' attractions

While many of us do feel that Disney does need to get back to certain basics, I don't think it's a true statement to say they are going 'downhill'. They have changed lots of things, which does mean some things go away and new things come in. It's probably true we all would like more, but who wouldn't? Disney has expanded by leaps and bound over the years. Not in ways that everyone may prefer, but none the less, they have grown.

You are absolutely right. Our costs have expanded by leaps and bounds over the years! ...... problem is, quality has not.

 

[brunette8706]

I think I confused everyone, sorry. I ment different price for different days. What you described GONE WITH A WIND, just like appetizer on DP.

*
Oh, okay! Gotcha! LOL! Yes, they never used to do that before, it used to be one price per what season or holiday you were in.

 

[d1gitman]

You are absolutely right. Our costs have expanded by leaps and bounds over the years! ...... problem is, quality has not.

isn't that true of everything these days? just look at our Presidents

 

[KellyNY]

isn't that true of everything these days? just look at our Presidents

Sheesh, no politics, remember, we do not want thread to close.

 

[red15sox]

It's funny how much people are complaining on this thread. I agree with everyone who has said the "old timers" will notice things more. It's true. Familiarity breeds contempt. We see the same things over and over, and if it isn't 100% the same, people complain. Now I realize that the people who are complaining are the minority, but still. If your aren't happy, don't go. Proving your point would be not spending your hard earned dollars down there, not going year after year and complaining on a web site.

Responding to the impolite CMs, I honestly don't know where you people are seeing them. I got for a about a month each year, and haven't had one instance of a CM being rude, obnoxious, bothered by guests in the 20 trips I have been. Even the housekeeping still make dolls with the towels and leave little surprises, going out of their way to make the guest happy. And I can't go anywhere without a CM striking up a conversation about sports/where your from, or commenting on one of the comic book shirts I wear. It makes you feel more welcomed. Even the CMs from other countries at World Showcase love to strike up conversations.

The main problem is that people hear the name "Disney" and expect above and beyond experiences. And when they aren't fulfilled, the trip is ruined to them. Has Disney gone down in quality? Not at all. Cleanliness is the same, just people look for imperfections and find them. Tour groups are kind of expected, but if you let them bother you, of course it's going to ruin your trip. People are self centered, and groups from other countries don't necessarily know how to act like Americans all the time.

Prices are going to go up, but if your smart about it, you will save a lot of money. My family buys the annual pass sense we go so much, and use that to save on the resorts. If we don't save enough, we stay outside. Going through different websites for rates is a smart thing to do. For the past few years, it has cost us around $15 a day with the annual pass (for the parks). And we save around 50% with the annual pass on resorts (this differs from year to year, but thats an average amount).

I haven't noticed a real dip in quality with the food, but I'm not surprised that others have. The DDP is the main reason, as many have said before.

Whats the lesson we need to learn? Be excited, but don't go in with massive expectations. Nothing in the world will be able to fulfill them

 

[smidgy]

It's funny how much people are complaining on this thread. I agree with everyone who has said the "old timers" will notice things more. It's true. Familiarity breeds contempt. We see the same things over and over, and if it isn't 100% the same, people complain. Now I realize that the people who are complaining are the minority, but still. If your aren't happy, don't go. Proving your point would be not spending your hard earned dollars down there, not going year after year and complaining on a web site.

Responding to the impolite CMs, I honestly don't know where you people are seeing them. I got for a about a month each year, and haven't had one instance of a CM being rude, obnoxious, bothered by guests in the 20 trips I have been. Even the housekeeping still make dolls with the towels and leave little surprises, going out of their way to make the guest happy. And I can't go anywhere without a CM striking up a conversation about sports/where your from, or commenting on one of the comic book shirts I wear. It makes you feel more welcomed. Even the CMs from other countries at World Showcase love to strike up conversations.

The main problem is that people hear the name "Disney" and expect above and beyond experiences. And when they aren't fulfilled, the trip is ruined to them. Has Disney gone down in quality? Not at all. Cleanliness is the same, just people look for imperfections and find them. Tour groups are kind of expected, but if you let them bother you, of course it's going to ruin your trip. People are self centered, and groups from other countries don't necessarily know how to act like Americans all the time.

Prices are going to go up, but if your smart about it, you will save a lot of money. My family buys the annual pass sense we go so much, and use that to save on the resorts. If we don't save enough, we stay outside. Going through different websites for rates is a smart thing to do. For the past few years, it has cost us around $15 a day with the annual pass (for the parks). And we save around 50% with the annual pass on resorts (this differs from year to year, but thats an average amount).

I haven't noticed a real dip in quality with the food, but I'm not surprised that others have. The DDP is the main reason, as many have said before.

Whats the lesson we need to learn? Be excited, but don't go in with massive expectations. Nothing in the world will be able to fulfill them

I, for one, was not "complaining", simply "discussing" (dnt' know if you read back enough to read my posts) and OF COURSE I don't have "contempt" for Disney!!! sheesh contempt is a hatred, bitterness, etc. as I've stated, hubby and I LOVE disney. we jsut dislike seeing c ustomer service, etc. "slipping".
and it's my opinion that it has. of course we don't go "looking" for imperfections. nor do we go with "massive" expectations.
and which one is it, anyway? are we going with poor expectations, looking for problems? or are we going with massive expectaions, then being disappointed. it has to be one or the other.
I did, in a previous post, list examples of CMs not being up to ususal Disney par. Not knowing answers to simple questions, not willing to find out the answers, etc.
and don't get me started on the "tour groups". you talk about self-centered? tome, running around the resort at all hours of the night, yelling, screaming, swearing loudly, banging on doors, kicking balls into your window, is self-centered. as is cutting in line, chanting during a ride or attraction, loudly chanting on a bus, shoving people in a DSA, because they don't want you to smoke, blocking walkways, giving you dirty looks and swearing at you in another language (yes, I know) because you want to pass with your heavy luggage, etc etc.
as I also stated previously, I can love someplace and not like some things going on with that place. and discuss it on a discussion board. without being told, "why don't you go some place else?"
and who said I haven't discussed these things with guest relations? I dont WANT to have to just roll over and accept things the way they are" I want things to improve, becuase I want to bring my grandchildren, and I want my son's to bring their grandchilren, and I want it to be as nice as it was when I first brought my sons (before they had kids).
the economy is bad. we all know that. at the restaurant where I work, we have to cut prices to compete with other restaurants, who are doing the same. I think it is crazy for Disney to raise prices at this time.
esp. when I see other things slipping. and I do.
and, I reiterate:and which one is it, anyway? are we going with poor expectations, looking for problems? or are we going with massive expectaions, then being disappointed. it has to be one or the other.

 

[luckyprincess]

We see the same things over and over, and if it isn't 100% the same, people complain.
I don't think people complained that it wasn't the same, they complained that the quality was less. Very different.

Now I realize that the people who are complaining are the minority, but still. If your aren't happy, don't go. Proving your point would be not spending your hard earned dollars down there, not going year after year and complaining on a web site.
If people are upset that the quality is not at the level it is normally at than they should complain. Not going isn't going to bring quality back - letting them know the issue will.

Responding to the impolite CMs, I honestly don't know where you people are seeing them.
I don't think that this means they don't exist...even other sites for Disney employees discuss rude CMs...

I got for a about a month each year, and haven't had one instance of a CM being rude, obnoxious, bothered by guests in the 20 trips I have been.
That's awesome for you!

Even the housekeeping still make dolls with the towels and leave little surprises, going out of their way to make the guest happy.
what about the guests that didn't receive this perk?

The main problem is that people hear the name "Disney" and expect above and beyond experiences.
Isn't this what Disney has suggested you would receive with them? Also, what about expecting the same service/cleanliness that they have always delivered? Is that above and beyond? Above and beyond their own standard or above and beyond another company's standard?


Cleanliness is the same, just people look for imperfections and find them.
How in the world can you find imperfections that aren't there? Also, many report that the cleanliness has indeed gone down. Are you saying that they are lying or wrong?


I haven't noticed a real dip in quality with the food, but I'm not surprised that others have. The DDP is the main reason, as many have said before.
Or just cutbacks on buying better quality or making menu's the same to save costs. Or DDP. Probably all, though.

Whats the lesson we need to learn? Be excited, but don't go in with massive expectations. Nothing in the world will be able to fulfill them

The last part I totally agree with.

 

[kbelle8995]

I don't know but the cost of going even with the deals is going up. And I'm having a harder time rationalizing visits.

I'm trying to justify getting an annual pass again. I'm not going as much as I used to. I used to go 3 or 4 times a year. Now I go once or twice.

I think there is still some magic and it is certainly still better than other amusement parks.

 

[disneyfan55]

*
Just curious, how are the tickets better?

I don't know what that means. before the MYW tickets, all tickets were hoppers/non expire. The waterparks weren't included unless you bought a ticket with them included. And before that there were the ticket books and A through E rides. Those actual tickets were good for always (or at least until no tickets were necessary. I'm sure I may have a few someplace mixed up with pictures. Last week I found a 1995 four day pass!

 

[disneyfan55]

Where are the "MODS" when you need one-I got zapped for something that was quite ridiculous(used a "bad" word without even cussing) got 30 points and probation!!! This thread has really become a "battle of wills/wits" or whatever,People are REALLY attacking each other,but yet no "MODS"? What's up with that? I guess it just depends on what kind of mood they are in,or the subject of discussion-Personally,I would shut this puppy down.

I was thinking the same thing. At first poster were just stating opinions, but now a lot of bickering. I, too, was contacted by a moderator when I first joined. My signature line had one to many lines!

 

[flicx]

Shouldn't we have high expectations from disney? As a long time patron(early 80's for me 70's for my wife) we have seen what we feel is a decline.The pricing in my opinion is alot of the culprit.The higher the tickets and rooms go the higher the expectations will be!I think rightfully so too.If I buy a cobalt I expect certain things,but if I buy a more expensive car like a BMW and I only get cobalt results I'm gonna complain! I will say this in less than 10 years at current raises in ticket prices about $3.00 a year it will cost a franklin(100) to get into the parks,never ever did I think I would see that.