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

[disneyfan55]

When they give away a day free for public service or free dining isn't that a ++?

the free day was fine. Dining quality has gone down since the free dining has been introduced. I have gone for many years and the cleanliness/quality of service has gone down. For all our trips I kept costs down right from the start. We used offers/codes/AP discount etc. I specifically recall paying 114/night back in the 90s for Port Orleans. We had AP that back then you could upgrade any ticket to an AP so long as you went within a year. It made the cost of tickets go way down for us. I would buy a 5 day the first visit and then go back just before the year was up and upgrade to an AP for much less than the cost of another 5 day pass. We always brought drinks/snacks and breakfast. Just like now! I don't like were this thread had gone. I truly think the OPs intention was just to get opinions on the changes over the years that have made WDW less appealing. Yes, I still go, but I do notice many differences in what I mentioned above plus areas left to ruin like at POP River country and Discovery Island.

 

[red15sox]

Responding to lucky

Touching on cleanliness, I'm not saying their lying, I just think things get blown out of proportion. A tiny puddle of water could be seen as untidy to some.

The perk with the housekeeping, it's not a perk, they just do it. I have had this happen at every price range of resorts

Responding to other people:

If you tell tour groups they can't do stuff like chant on a ride or stuff like that, aren't you impeding on their enjoyment? If it gets to the point where it's bothering EVERYONE, thats one thing. But if its just bothering a small group, well that just sucks. I'm with you when I say that I have been pissed from a tour group being loud, not following the rules. But crap like that happens when your at a place when millions of people visit a year. Disney can't keep track of every tour group. It eventually would go back to the guidelines of Disneyland when it opened in the 50s. It's a double edged sword

Food for the counter service has definitely dipped in quality. But for the regular sit down services, I don't think so. The counter services, I'm not surprised with the DDP and the dip in the economy. I'm not happy, but I'll show that by not buying the food there and bringing my own.

Expectations wise, I go in knowing I'll have a good time, but no one is perfect. Thats why I have never had a bad time at WDW. I have big expectations, but not expectations that can't be fulfilled like some of the people on this board seem to have. People are human, sometimes things go a little sour. I remember the last time I saw a CM being rude was someone who was from Haiti not even a week after the earthquake. A guest in front of my family said something to their face, and they explained. The family actually didn't care and hoped everything was fine. The CM cheered up a little bit.

 

[goofy4prez]

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.

I don't think the issue is not being happy; it's more we are happy but there are things that can, need, and should be changed.


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.

I wish I had the same pixie dust floating over my head that you have for all those years in WDW where you have never, not once, experienced a cm that either failed to address you with a proper greating, or say thank you. Wish I could have said the same thing on August 8th, 2010 at Roarin Forks who neither acknowledged me, looked at me, nor thanked me for my purchase. The only thing I received was a low murmer if I was on the dining plan and sign here. Isolated incident, yes, but it is one to many times. I don't care if it's McDonalds, Taco Bell, Wal Mart, or the business I own. A customer is always, and I mean always priority one and should receive a proper greating and a proper thank you, period. My opinion, if you can't work with a proper attitude then get out of dealing with the public.

As for towel animals, yes I received them and yes, they were cute. However, I would have preferred my room made up prior to 4:00. When I come back at 3:00 to rest and let the kids hit the pool the room should be done. Further, when I pay for Club Level and includes turn down, it should be done around the time my room is first done. Often turndown was not done because we came back around 3 and left around 5 or so. Is that complaining ? yes it is, but it's also not unreasonable to expect anywhere that is "labeling" the service as an upscale package.


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.

While I think there is some truth to what you say about expectations, , like I posted previously, WDW has helped to market this image. We see tv specials about the Disney "magic", and the "swept away in the world of fantasy," the special travel channel productions from WDW, and even their own 20 minute commercial on the ME on the way to your resort brags of the incredible WDW experience. Don't get me wrong, it is wonderful, but not all is perfect in the land of Mickey Mouse.





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.

I agree



.

 

[smidgy]

If you tell tour groups they can't do stuff like chant on a ride or stuff like that, aren't you impeding on their enjoyment

of course not! how can anyone else enjoy the show when all you can hear is that? it's rude. as corny as it is, I want to hear the BEARS sing at country bear jamboree, not a bunch of teens chanting.

if they want to chant on big thunder, that's one thing. but I want to actually HEAR the narrator on Spaceship earth. I could go on and on.

it DOESN'T just bother a small group , it bothers everyone else who paid to see AND hear the attraction.

I LOVE teens! when my sons were teens, all their friends hung around OUR house. I don't mind SOME "antics". we all know that's NOT what I am talking about.

Disney has rules for ALL guests. that includes line jumping.
and all the other things I mentioned.

you failed to respond to those.

anyway, there ane many thigns I am unahppy with. but there are many more things I AM happy with. so I will keep going.

but I know people who can't afford the prices anymore. and I can't brag about it like I used to. (I still encourage people to go, but so many things I used to say are no longer true.)

and believe, I HATE to bash Disney, cause I LOVE it so much. and I dont' feel like I AM "bashing" it. jsut stating observations. yes, we still go. yes we will still have fun. but I wish they kept up with the "bar" that they set.

 

[LuluLovesDisney]

Why do people say "Well, don't go" whenever anyone complains about anything in WDW? If I went to Starbucks and they gave me spoiled milk or took my favorite drink off the menu, I'd complain, I wouldn't boycott Starbucks for the rest of my life. If people don't complain, companies might not be aware of how their changes are affecting consumers. Give the company a chance to make things right. If people didn't complain, we might still be drinking "New Coke"!

Bring on "DISNEY WORLD CLASSIC" is how I see it!

 

[smidgy]

Why do people say "Well, don't go" whenever anyone complains about anything in WDW? If I went to Starbucks and they gave me spoiled milk or took my favorite drink off the menu, I'd complain, I wouldn't boycott Starbucks for the rest of my life. If people don't complain, companies might not be aware of how their changes are affecting consumers. Give the company a chance to make things right. If people didn't complain, we might still be drinking "New Coke"!

Bring on "DISNEY WORLD CLASSIC" is how I see it!

wish I had thought of that analogy!!!

 

[d1gitman]

If you tell tour groups they can't do stuff like chant on a ride or stuff like that, aren't you impeding on their enjoyment

of course not! how can anyone else enjoy the show when all you can hear is that? it's rude. as corny as it is, I want to hear the BEARS sing at country bear jamboree, not a bunch of teens chanting.

if they want to chant on big thunder, that's one thing. but I want to actually HEAR the narrator on Spaceship earth. I could go on and on.

it DOESN'T just bother a small group , it bothers everyone else who paid to see AND hear the attraction.

I LOVE teens! when my sons were teens, all their friends hung around OUR house. I don't mind SOME "antics". we all know that's NOT what I am talking about.

Disney has rules for ALL guests. that includes line jumping.

live long and prosper.
and all the other things I mentioned...

In the word of Mr. Spoc "logic clearly dictates that the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few". in this case, the park guests are the 'many' and the tour groups, etc.. are the 'few'

 

[Sassagoula Billy]

Why do people say "Well, don't go" whenever anyone complains about anything in WDW? If I went to Starbucks and they gave me spoiled milk or took my favorite drink off the menu, I'd complain, I wouldn't boycott Starbucks for the rest of my life. If people don't complain, companies might not be aware of how their changes are affecting consumers. Give the company a chance to make things right. If people didn't complain, we might still be drinking "New Coke"!

Bring on "DISNEY WORLD CLASSIC" is how I see it!

Oh Lulu, I heart you. And moreso because you cited Starbucks as an example.

 

[bicker]

I have big expectations, but not expectations that can't be fulfilled like some of the people on this board seem to have.

And I think that's the crux of the issue. And it isn't just WDW - throughout the entire consumer marketplace, what's changed more than anything else is the extent to which consumers based their expectations on what they want instead of what they're promised. That is mostly what creates the gulf between what they expect and what they receive.

 

[Indiana Rose Lee]

*
Just curious, how are the tickets better?

Because they have have opened up the Youth Education http://www.disneyyouth.com/tickets/?location=WDW&program=youth-education-series . This allows me to buy 8 day park hoppers with 8 water park/disney quest tickets for approximately $170. Give or take. They changed the site and i can't find the list. hate that! This is a perk that has never been an option before last January.

This is 16 days of activity, plenty for 2 weeks. And we wouldn't normally bother with hopping because it isn't worth it by the time you add on the cost for between 6 and 10 of us depending on the crew heading down.

 

[Indiana Rose Lee]

Why do people say "Well, don't go" whenever anyone complains about anything in WDW? If I went to Starbucks and they gave me spoiled milk or took my favorite drink off the menu, I'd complain, I wouldn't boycott Starbucks for the rest of my life. If people don't complain, companies might not be aware of how their changes are affecting consumers. Give the company a chance to make things right. If people didn't complain, we might still be drinking "New Coke"!

Bring on "DISNEY WORLD CLASSIC" is how I see it!

I agree with this. I see it a lot in school threads. If someone disagrees with a school policy the standard answer is to pull them out. That is the dumbest thing I have ever heard.

Per closing the thread, the op can request a close, but why should it be? Because people are discussing a topic and disagreeing? What fun is conversation if everyone agrees with everyone else. Our differences are what make us interesting.

 

[goofy4prez]

And I think that's the crux of the issue. And it isn't just WDW - throughout the entire consumer marketplace, what's changed more than anything else is the extent to which consumers based their expectations on what they want instead of what they're promised. That is mostly what creates the gulf between what they expect and what they receive.

I don't believe the gulf between what the consumer expects and what they receive is solely based on inflated expectations on the consumers part. I think this is a two way street. We see the consumer who has sold their soul based virtually on price alone and not quality (big box retail mentality), and the business side, which has sold their corporate soul to no longer provide the best product (not saying WDW), but instead the least expensive product they can produce or offer to appease the profit margin. I'm not saying either is wrong, but both sides have given up a proper balance in purchasing and producing.

As a consumer, I expect to be treated for what I am, a shareholder (not a stockholder) in that company. I have a vested interest in that business for my consumer needs. If it's not successful, no longer values me, or no longer offers the product I need, I will not be able to obtain what I have from them, or I have to go elsewhere to get it.

As a business owner (and I am) I don't dispute the fiduciary responsibility I have toward my partners and those within my business who depend on receiving a paycheck every two weeks. However, I also have a responsibility toward my customers. They deserve to be treated with respect, they deserve to have high (realistic) expectations of our products, and they certainly deserve to feel a value for what they spend their hard earned dollars to receive.

Do guests of WDW have high expectations? Yes. Are some of those expectations too high and unrealistic? Yes. But on the other side, has WDW cut corners at the expense of their customers? Yes. Has WDW undervalued their customers with some of their changes or digression of excellence in some areas? Yes.

I guess what I am trying to say is IMHO it's not just the consumer more than anything else as you stated, It's both sides. We have become a society that has developed a microwave mentality in all we do, we want it now. We have become a society, business and consumer alike, that is interested in three people and three people only: Me, Myself, and I. With that said, there are exceptions, but it is becoming more far and few between.

You do type a good type, and type it with much eloquence; for that I do commend you. However, and please don't take this as a personal attack, I have yet to see you view the opinions on this thread from both sides of the fence. There are no absolutes here; You make some valid points and so do many others on this thread. Some of their points are very valid and very accurate; Some of your points have been very valid and very accurate as well. Things only get better in the world of consumerism when both sides understand and value each other.

 

[brunette8706]

I agree with this. I see it a lot in school threads. If someone disagrees with a school policy the standard answer is to pull them out. That is the dumbest thing I have ever heard.

Per closing the thread, the op can request a close, but why should it be? Because people are discussing a topic and disagreeing? What fun is conversation if everyone agrees with everyone else. Our differences are what make us interesting.

Excellent point!

 

[brunette8706]

Because they have have opened up the Youth Education http://www.disneyyouth.com/tickets/?location=WDW&program=youth-education-series . This allows me to buy 8 day park hoppers with 8 water park/disney quest tickets for approximately $170. Give or take. They changed the site and i can't find the list. hate that! This is a perk that has never been an option before last January.

This is 16 days of activity, plenty for 2 weeks. And we wouldn't normally bother with hopping because it isn't worth it by the time you add on the cost for between 6 and 10 of us depending on the crew heading down.

*
Thanks for posting this. I never knew about this group rate. Do you have to have kids to participate in this? I clicked on the link and it mentioned that an application should be accepted first, before you buy tickets.

 

[Indiana Rose Lee]

[/B]

Excellent point!

Thank you!

Yes, you need kiddos to participate. sorry. you can always borrow some!

 

[goofy4prez]

[/B]

Excellent point!

I'm glad you see it this way. If you saw it differently I would have to sabatage your next Dole Whip if we ever meet up again.

 

[brunette8706]

And I think that's the crux of the issue. And it isn't just WDW - throughout the entire consumer marketplace, what's changed more than anything else is the extent to which consumers based their expectations on what they want instead of what they're promised. That is mostly what creates the gulf between what they expect and what they receive.

*
I disagree. I think the consumer wants:

a. a fair price for products
b. doesn't want to be gouged by surcharges for buffets
c. their beds made and rooms cleaned before 4 p.m.
d. to be treated fairly by all Cast members
e. to be greeted with politeness i.e. thank you and welcome via cms


Bottom line consumers pay a premium for these types of expectations at WDW. The above is something a consumer should expect not want when going to WDW, in my opinion.

 

[brunette8706]

I'm glad you see it this way. If you saw it differently I would have to sabatage your next Dole Whip if we ever meet up again.

**
heheheehe! Yeah, we have to put together another DIS meet! How bout inviting everyone on this thread!? LOL! Remember the golden rule what happens at Disney stays in Disney! LOL!

 

[bicker]

I don't believe the gulf between what the consumer expects and what they receive is solely based on inflated expectations on the consumers part. I think this is a two way street. We see the consumer who has sold their soul based virtually on price alone and not quality (big box retail mentality), and the business side, which has sold their corporate soul to no longer provide the best product (not saying WDW), but instead the least expensive product they can produce or offer to appease the profit margin. I'm not saying either is wrong, but both sides have given up a proper balance in purchasing and producing.

However, you're not digging deep enough: Businesses pursue profit, not for its own merit, but rather to further the financial interests of their owners, which again comes back to society, such as the folks in society who invest their savings, for vacations, for college, for retirement, etc., in stocks, mutual funds, etc. It still comes back to people - on you and me - no matter how you slice it. Those unreasonable expectations we collectively hold as consumers, well we hold comparable expectations when we're investors as well. And that's what drives the way things are.

As a consumer, I expect to be treated for what I am, a shareholder (not a stockholder) in that company.

I think you meant "stakeholder" The term "shareholder" and "stockholder" are synonyms "stockholder, bondholder, part-owner, sharer".

I have a vested interest in that business for my consumer needs.

Again, I think your wording is problematic, and drive a misunderstanding of the reality. Consumers do not have a "vested" interest. They have a non-vested interest... precisely the opposite. That's one of the reasons why when the objectives of consumers and of owners clash, the objectives of the owners win - because the owners have a vested interest while consumers have a non-vested interest.

As a business owner (and I am) I don't dispute the fiduciary responsibility I have toward my partners and those within my business who depend on receiving a paycheck every two weeks. However, I also have a responsibility toward my customers.

As mentioned before, you need to operate legally, which includes being honest about what you're offering and what you're going to provide. You also need to provide what you offer safely, and assuring security. Those are the only responsibilities to your customers that could trump the responsibilities to the owners, for the reason mentioned above. You do have other responsibilities to your customers, but those responsibilities are subservient to the responsibilities to the owners. If it doesn't make a difference to the owners, then surely you should be fulfilling those responsibilities to your customers. Indeed, many responsibilities to customers actually serve the interests of the owners, and as such are responsibilities that should be fulfilled because they satisfy the responsibilities to the owners.

I guess what I am trying to say is IMHO it's not just the consumer more than anything else as you stated, It's both sides.

I don't disagree, but if push comes to shove, there is a priority, and it is the long-term best interests of the owners, over the interests of customers.

You do type a good type, and type it with much eloquence; for that I do commend you. However, and please don't take this as a personal attack, I have yet to see you view the opinions on this thread from both sides of the fence.

Well, to be fair, I disagree with the premise, and am asserting that the premise actually stems from something other than what is claimed. There is no way for me to see this specific thing from the other side of the fence without refuting what I actually believe. I did say, many times in this thread, that I respect the right of the poster to feel differently. That is effectively "viewing the opinions from the other side of the fence".

There are no absolutes here

Yes, there are. Some things I mentioned earlier in this message (such as the relative priority of vested interests over non-vested interests) are absolutes.

Things only get better in the world of consumerism when both sides understand and value each other.

Absolutely. Understand that businesses almost universally do understand the consumer half of the equation, while by contrast consumers understand very little of the marketing, sales and operations management half of the equation.

 

[brunette8706]

Thank you!

Yes, you need kiddos to participate. sorry. you can always borrow some!

**
SURE!!! LOL! Heck, anything to get a discount!