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

[Donut23]

WOW!

That is pretty bad. I hope he didn't get hurt. You'd really think you'd get some response to that!

Thank you for the concern. My DH is...nimble and bounces well.

 

[flicx]

Thank you for the concern. My DH is...nimble and bounces well.

Must be like tigger.Loves to bounce!

 

[brunette8706]

I think everyone on this thread should do a DIS MEET! I think that would be fun. After all we do have at least one thing in common! WE LOVE DISNEY!

Brunette

 

[brunette8706]

It looks like someone on the DIS posted about "HAS DISNEY WORLD LOST IT'S MAGIC" last year. Interesting...

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2218302

Brunette

 

[disneyphilip]

I believe (and it's only my opinion), the increase in prices for food is a combination of the following:

-general increase in costs--not something to be dismissed easily.
-incentive--an incentive for everyone to buy free dining. Disney makes out in so many ways when you're even more captive.
-just because--those of us who no longer stay on property don't have the option so they figure they can do it just because.

Yep. All that, plus our economic recession.

 

[ML_LovesDisney]

I'm here now and I think it's absolutely spectacular. No complaints here. Disney does a first rate job on everything and that's why you pay more to come here than say, Busch Gardens.

 

[disneynutz]

I am going to disagree with you here - I firmly believe that Free Dining has cost the Dining Department, and in that respect, they have to make up the money shortfalls. So, they raise prices, and add surcharges. Food prices never used to increase as much as they have the past few years since they introduced Free Dining.

Now, on a grand scale, Free Dining is bringing in more revenue to the theme parks bottom line, but on a smaller scale, it is costing the Dining Department - how can it not? They are actually giving away free product. Paying rack rate for a room has nothing to do with the Dining Department's budget. You have two different divisions sharing a promo, so I am hoping that the Dining Department is billing the resorts, as they are giving away free product in order to run this promo.

It would be interesting to see how Disney rectifies all of the different departments and cross promos that they have running throughout the year.

As a cash guest, I have no doubt that I am funding a revenue shortfall in the Dining Department for Free Dining - how else would they make this up? But, I am probably also supplementing other wastage areas too, like way too many staff working, etc. Disney charges higher prices on the menu, as they have no other choice. People who use the DP, don't pay for their food, they use credits, and people who get Free Dining don't pay for anything, as this package component is given free of charge.

Dining really has gone downhill in the past few years - we've eaten pretty much everywhere, and some of the restaurants have really changed their dishes greatly as of late. We've scratched off many restaurants and are eating in our villa more and more, as paying $26.00 for dry toast is no longer desirable to us.

Tiger

IMHO the DDP and "Free" dining is what caused Disney to lower the quality of food in the restaurants, standardize the menus, and increase the number of Guests served per hour.

The different departments subsidize each other even though they all have their own budgets. The huge profits made from the DVC is reported as Parks and Resorts and all Disney companies end up on the same balance sheet.

Bill

 

[KellyNY]

DH fell out of a broken balcony chair our first night at BC 3 years ago. We called several times and even mentioned it when we spoke with the resort manager. It WAS dangerous....and it was there when we left 10 days later.

I noticed that when you have problem and complain there, it is hit or miss. I was missing shampoo at CSR couple of years ago and when I called, mousekeeping brought me all sorts of products( huge plastic bag) in minutes, that is the service! However, rollaway bed was not in my room at POP at midnight when we back from parks, we checked in around 1PM, and I had to call several times with no results till I walked to the front desk hour and a half later and asked for a manager. Ashtrays were still full after I complained as well. Another time at CBR when I again had no shampoo, I had to call 2 times and second time got an attitude that it takes 30 minutes for request and it was said with attitude, but it was hour after I called first time, just a minor detail but still. So I pray for everything in my room to be fine on my trip in couple days because I know when you get a problem, sometimes it is a problem to fix it.

 

[Tiger926]

IMHO the DDP and "Free" dining is what caused Disney to lower the quality of food in the restaurants, standardize the menus, and increase the number of Guests served per hour.

The different departments subsidize each other even though they all have their own budgets. The huge profits made from the DVC is reported as Parks and Resorts and all Disney companies end up on the same balance sheet.

Bill

I agree that the DP has caused Disney to lower the quality and selection of food. Thanks for reminding me of that! So, those of us non-DP guests are subsidizing the plan with subpar food and service. It is costing me in a way!

We can then assume that the DP may be not as much of a cash cow as Disney thought it would be, or, it is giving away free food during the Free Dining promo period that has caused this? So, perhaps Disney's bottom lines aren't where they wish them to be for the DPs, and maybe this is due to food wastage, overordering, etc.? Or, it is such a huge cash cow, that Disney is milking it for every penny while they can by cheapening out on food? I bet it's a combination of both.

Just thinking aloud here...it would be so interesting to see the balance sheets for each of the departments!

Tiger

 

[Tiger926]

I noticed that when you have problem and complain there, it is hit or miss. I was missing shampoo at CSR couple of years ago and when I called, mousekeeping brought me all sorts of products( huge plastic bag) in minutes, that is the service! However, rollaway bed was not in my room at POP at midnight when we back from parks, we checked in around 1PM, and I had to call several times with no results till I walked to the front desk hour and a half later and asked for a manager. Ashtrays were still full after I complained as well. Another time at CBR when I again had no shampoo, I had to call 2 times and second time got an attitude that it takes 30 minutes for request and it was said with attitude, but it was hour after I called first time, just a minor detail but still. So I pray for everything in my room to be fine on my trip in couple days because I know when you get a problem, sometimes it is a problem to fix it.

This speaks to inconsistencies. We have stayed everywhere, both Disney and DVC, except for: GF, Bay Lake (have stayed at Contemporary though 2x), Treehouse Villas, and Hilton Head (will be staying there in March), and I have to say that some resorts are better than others in dealing with problems. I've had to go over Resort Manager's heads to DVC Member Services, and have had issues rectified immediately while still on vacation, or, upon immediately returning home. Some of the resort staff is not that good at dealing with issues, and depending upon the size of the resort, and whether it's shared between Disney and DVC, these all make differences in how problems are handled.

A few years ago though, we found that most resort staff was pretty consistent in handling issues, but not as of late. This speaks to more inconsistencies in the customer service area. It now requires guests to really keep on them, in order to get problems handled, and Disney of a few years back, was not like that.

I am so glad the other poster's hubby was ok, Tiger

 

[KellyNY]

I agree that the DP has caused Disney to lower the quality and selection of food. Thanks for reminding me of that! So, those of us non-DP guests are subsidizing the plan with subpar food and service. It is costing me in a way!

We can then assume that the DP may be not as much of a cash cow as Disney thought it would be, or, it is giving away free food during the Free Dining promo period that has caused this? So, perhaps Disney's bottom lines aren't where they wish them to be for the DPs, and maybe this is due to food wastage, overordering, etc.? Or, it is such a huge cash cow, that Disney is milking it for every penny while they can by cheapening out on food? I bet it's a combination of both.

Just thinking aloud here...it would be so interesting to see the balance sheets for each of the departments!

Tiger

I always believed that DP is not popular according to how strongly they advertize it besides Free DP. Most people are too busy running from ride to ride to actually seat and eat at TS place. I always believed that free DP is sort of advertisement for your future trips. We had it once, during original Free DP promotion and in 14 days trip we got our favorites which we repeat to go to. I wonder if current free DP will be able to do the same.

 

[rlcerabone]

I havent been to any theme parks in 7 years. I known passes are very expensive, but everything is. disney is still i think the place for vacation for young and old. As you can tell iam a member for over 10 + years. Things change but without change life is boring. Just me two cents.

 

[KellyNY]

I havent been to any theme parks in 7 years. I known passes are very expensive, but everything is. disney is still i think the place for vacation for young and old. As you can tell iam a member for over 10 + years. Things change but without change life is boring. Just me two cents.

All I can tell that you are member for 6 years, just saying.

 

[LuluLovesDisney]

All I can tell that you are member for 6 years, just saying.

lol I am glad you posted this. I was thinking to myself, "It is not 2014!"

 

[GadgetRick]

I agree that the DP has caused Disney to lower the quality and selection of food. Thanks for reminding me of that! So, those of us non-DP guests are subsidizing the plan with subpar food and service. It is costing me in a way!

We can then assume that the DP may be not as much of a cash cow as Disney thought it would be, or, it is giving away free food during the Free Dining promo period that has caused this? So, perhaps Disney's bottom lines aren't where they wish them to be for the DPs, and maybe this is due to food wastage, overordering, etc.? Or, it is such a huge cash cow, that Disney is milking it for every penny while they can by cheapening out on food? I bet it's a combination of both.

Just thinking aloud here...it would be so interesting to see the balance sheets for each of the departments!

Tiger

Can't be both, either it's a cash cow or it's not.

Personally, I really don't care about how each department is doing. I care whether I get what I'm paying for.

 

[Planogirl]

lol I am glad you posted this. I was thinking to myself, "It is not 2014!"

Maybe the poster lurked for several years before joining? The poster also mentioned not having been to any themeparks for 7 years. That is prior to joining so I dunno.

 

[Tiger926]

Can't be both, either it's a cash cow or it's not.

Personally, I really don't care about how each department is doing. I care whether I get what I'm paying for.

But, that's the thing - we as guests don't know which it is. That's why I have different theories, as none of us are privy to the spreadsheets. I do think it can be a combination of things for Disney though, and I think even if Disney is losing a bit on the Free Dining promo, they are ok with that, as it's bringing in guests, and it's cheaper than giving away free rooms or tix. People seem to love getting something for free, so free food is cheaper than free rooms or tix. I only mention this, as this is Disney's preferred promo of the moment.

I think as guests we should care how the individual departments are doing, as it is the only way you will get what you paid for. If the Dining Dept. is losing money for example, then you as a guest, are definitely not going to get what you paid for.

That is why I care about all areas of Disney, since we all know that each department together, has a total combined effect on the bottom line. So, if Disney feels the bottom line is not up to snuff, they'll make cuts across the board...they've been doing this the past few years, in mostly all areas of the company. And, I think it all speaks to us as guests, getting what we paid for, and it is exactly why Brunette created this thread in the first place.

Tiger

 

[Planogirl]

Well, I guess that in fairness we are in a way still getting what we pay for or we wouldn't go any more. I wonder if the casual visitor who goes on that once in a lifetime trip feels satisfied? It would be interesting to know.

 

[livie1205]

in short :YES I think it has gone down hill, will be still go ?YES but if it continues we may find another fav vacation spot.I will not go into why I feel this way because there are some that will defend wdw at all costs and I am not making my answer on what others think.

 

[KellyNY]

Well, I guess that in fairness we are in a way still getting what we pay for or we wouldn't go any more. I wonder if the casual visitor who goes on that once in a lifetime trip feels satisfied? It would be interesting to know.

Most likely yes because of Disney feel and because first commers unless on dining plan, concentrate mostly on rides and attractions then anything else, at least majority does. When you are repeated customer however, you notice more around you and you spend more time in TS meals and you can actually say difference between now and then, newbies have nothing to compare to.