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

[disneyphilip]

First, that was awfully nice of you to tip that girl $20 dollars! WOW! But, I guess that's what you get when Disney makes cuts. They let go 1500 employees recently. Why, I don't know! Stupid move on their part. I guess they are looking for ways to SAVE MONEY, but on the other hand it just backfires, hense the dirty bathrooms and other mishaps.

Brunette

Well, keep in mind that we are still in the middle of a HUGE economic recession.

 

[MaleficentandGoons]

Thank you, Planogirl. That's exactly what I'm trying to say. I'm glad someone got it.

That's VERY TRUE! I got that! Here is my BIG WHAT THE HECK Disney! WIFI! I'm staying at Hilton Garden in for 109 next week in NY Free WIFI! Why can't I have that at Disney. That's where I think things could change, the penny pinching at the hotel levels. I want fresh linens everyday. YES, that is how it is at home. Towels are used once a day in my house and sheets are changed every other day. I don't think it's too much to ask for at a hotel where I'm staying for over a week. Cutting back shows times(ie Fantasmic) .

 

[Tiger926]

Well, keep in mind that we are still in the middle of a HUGE economic recession.

That really has no bearing on Disney at the moment - park attendance was up last year - by about 1% over the previous year, with close to 50 million guests @ WDW. DisneyLand was up 8%, and all other theme parks in the U.S. pretty much reported drops in attendance - Universal saw huge drops (which they will make up for this year with Harry Potter though). They are packing it in with Free Dining; therefore, they must staff the parks accordingly. They have to staff the parks to be able to handle the messes of milllions of guests. If they are bringing in guests, they have to staff the parks in order to be able to maintain those guests. Disney was the only theme park anywhere that saw an increase in park attendance, despite the hurting economy.

In the parks, the economy wasn't that much of an issue last year, as park attendance was good. Did you see how much profit Disney made last quarter? Over 1 billion dollars....! Now, that was a combination of all divisions, but still, Disney parks used to be overstaffed, in my opinion, and now they are way understaffed in certain areas. Understaffing means messes, problems and issues.

Perfect example: Checked into Boardwalk last month, the week of July 4th. They were sold out on both Disney side, and DVC side of resort, yet there was 1, yes, 1 CM at the desk. There were tons of people in line. I had to wait almost 45 mins. to check in. It was ridiculous!! I have stayed at almost all Disney resorts, at super busy times of the year, and I have never waited almost 1 hour to check into a hotel. They were seriously understaffed, and most of the staff we dealt with that week, were very crabby. They were feeling it, as were the guests.

Tiger

 

[brunette8706]

For a little more money than a moderate Disney hotel you can stay at a 5 STAR Waldorf Astoria, Bonnet Creek, which is essentially on Disney's property. This hotel is PURE LUXURY! The Waldorf is a reknown hotel noted for it's service and attention to detail and of course luxury all the way around. For a mere $199.00 a night it can not be beat. Now Disney has some REAL COMPETITION!

check it out for yourself!

http://www.waldorfastoriaorlando.com/

Brunette

 

[Suellen]

For a little more money than a moderate Disney hotel you can stay at a 5 STAR Waldorf Astoria, Bonnet Creek, which is essentially on Disney's property. This hotel is PURE LUXURY! The Waldorf is a reknown hotel noted for it's service and attention to detail and of course luxury all the way around. For a mere $199.00 a night it can not be beat. Now Disney has some REAL COMPETITION!

check it out for yourself!

http://www.waldorfastoriaorlando.com/

Brunette

Have you stayed there? How was it?

 

[brunette8706]

Have you stayed there? How was it?

*
Hi, Suellen!

No, I have not, but it LOOKS GREAT! And the price is right for being a true 5 star resort. They do have a thread about it on the RESORT board.

Brunette

 

[brunette8706]

Suellen-

My bad, it's on the Orlando Attractions forum:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2262762

Brunette

 

[Donut23]

Suellen-

My bad, it's on the Orlando Attractions forum:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2262762

Brunette

WOW, just checked out the link....the rooms are beautiful!.....so much bigger than DVC and decor is classy. Take a look at that link everyone then go over to AllEars and look at the the newly renovated BWV or BCV. NO Comparison!

Now I understand why collegues (20 year WDW veterans) now stay only at Bonnet Creek! Whew!

Ok, let's recap just for grins.....

Bonnet Creek - 1 bedroom villa - 902 square feet - Nov 28 arrival - 1 week....(discounts available, not applied to this reservation). $197.10 p/day Oh yes, one more little item.....5 star accommodations.
Amenities (for those of us unfamiliar with this resort)

Wyndham Bonnet Creek Resort is an entertainment complex of its own featuring two monster swimming pools; three hot tubs; two eateries, La Cantina and La Cocina Pizzeria; fitness center; playground; game room; 18-hole miniature golf course; and a 250-foot Lazy River, complete with an interactive wading pool where you can float and play in the warmth of the Florida sunshine. Daily activity programs for kids (and adults too) that offer limitless fun in the state-of-the-art activities center.

2 Outdoor Swimming Pools
Lazy River
“Get Out & Play” Activities Program
Exercise Equipment
Outdoor Hot Tub
Game Room
Miniature Golf
Playground
Free scheduled transportation to Disney Theme Parks
Disney Tickets Available at the Guest Service Desk
King size bed in master bedroom
Jacuzzi tub
Washer/dryer
Balcony


DVC-1BR villa - BCV or BWI - same dates....let's see.......

814 square feet $465 p/night - 3 1/2 star rating


Bottom line after all the dust settles.....cannot argue the $$$$ value of Bonnett Creek and you cannot argue the difference between a 5 star luxury and a 3 1/2 star hotel.

As I said earlier in this thread.....Disney tried HARD to get a 5 star rating for the Grand Floridian. Never were able to get the rating.....and that's WDW's flagship.

Hummmmm, me thinking Bonnet Creek will be a GREAT value to many guests! Even with our castmember rates DH and I just looked at each other and said, hummmmmmmm, the cost difference for a proposed GF stay will pay for our parking and I think it would be great to try out 5 star luxury for a change.

 

[livie1205]

my answer was yes BUT I think its so for two reasons...one, the rude and nasty guests are worse then ever (and some of them even have the nerve to show their lime green mickey heads) and in turn it makes the CMs cranky and rude...I seen alot of rude CMs last trip! I think though its guests making them crazy...I try now to instead of giving a complaint even if something is bad finding the "good" thing and saying "i thought my service at so and so was great...

 

[Donut23]

my answer was yes BUT I think its so for two reasons...one, the rude and nasty guests are worse then ever (and some of them even have the nerve to show their lime green mickey heads) and in turn it makes the CMs cranky and rude...I seen alot of rude CMs last trip! I think though its guests making them crazy...I try now to instead of giving a complaint even if something is bad finding the "good" thing and saying "i thought my service at so and so was great...

Don't forget the castmembers are dealing with a couple of years of layoffs.....not to mention the big ones last year. The layoffs were EVERYWHERE inside the Disney operation.....oops, not so much at the executive level, howerver.

Everything is happening with fewer people to make it happen. Not only does this initially affect morale (you know the........all vacation is cancelled until morale improves), their stress is greater, expectations at all levels remains the same. Now add a manager or two who are dancing the "Disney Party Line" who don't really give a poop about the castmember (every company has a few of these).....don't forget the heat. Sometimes I'm surprised the castmembers can find their smiles at all in the summer!

Not at all an excuse for bad behavior - but we try to give the castmember the benefit of the doubt. Disney has made it less and less pleasant to BE a castmember.

 

[mariepapa]

Plus, do you really think there is the same prestige to being a CM as there used to be? Most of the positions are low paying jobs and it seems to be one that they just hire anyone to do. I remember that it had a certain amount of prestige years ago when I was younger. But I think those days are long gone.

 

[Tiger926]

WOW, just checked out the link....the rooms are beautiful!.....so much bigger than DVC and decor is classy. Take a look at that link everyone then go over to AllEars and look at the the newly renovated BWV or BCV. NO Comparison!

Now I understand why collegues (20 year WDW veterans) now stay only at Bonnet Creek! Whew!

Ok, let's recap just for grins.....

Bonnet Creek - 1 bedroom villa - 902 square feet - Nov 28 arrival - 1 week....(discounts available, not applied to this reservation). $197.10 p/day Oh yes, one more little item.....5 star accommodations.
Amenities (for those of us unfamiliar with this resort)

Wyndham Bonnet Creek Resort is an entertainment complex of its own featuring two monster swimming pools; three hot tubs; two eateries, La Cantina and La Cocina Pizzeria; fitness center; playground; game room; 18-hole miniature golf course; and a 250-foot Lazy River, complete with an interactive wading pool where you can float and play in the warmth of the Florida sunshine. Daily activity programs for kids (and adults too) that offer limitless fun in the state-of-the-art activities center.

2 Outdoor Swimming Pools
Lazy River
“Get Out & Play” Activities Program
Exercise Equipment
Outdoor Hot Tub
Game Room
Miniature Golf
Playground
Free scheduled transportation to Disney Theme Parks
Disney Tickets Available at the Guest Service Desk
King size bed in master bedroom
Jacuzzi tub
Washer/dryer
Balcony


DVC-1BR villa - BCV or BWI - same dates....let's see.......

814 square feet $465 p/night - 3 1/2 star rating


Bottom line after all the dust settles.....cannot argue the $$$$ value of Bonnett Creek and you cannot argue the difference between a 5 star luxury and a 3 1/2 star hotel.

As I said earlier in this thread.....Disney tried HARD to get a 5 star rating for the Grand Floridian. Never were able to get the rating.....and that's WDW's flagship.

Hummmmm, me thinking Bonnet Creek will be a GREAT value to many guests! Even with our castmember rates DH and I just looked at each other and said, hummmmmmmm, the cost difference for a proposed GF stay will pay for our parking and I think it would be great to try out 5 star luxury for a change.

In all fairness to Disney, Bonnet Creek has to discount as they are a new hotel. They are located kind of technically on Disney propery, but no Disney benefits, so they have to pull people in with lower rates. Now, based on the photos I've seen, they won't have to do this for long, as it's a beautiful resort.

I imagine this is just to lure guests in, and make a name for themselves, and by next year, they will probably raise rates to an appropriate level. If you check similar resorts, such as Marriott World Center, their rates are much higher, and they are even further off of Disney property.

I don't think you can compare Bonnet Creek to DVC now - you can only compare it when it is out of this newlywed phase, and raises its rates. Then and only then, can you make a true comparison. And, I can't remember if it's also a timeshare/vacation club resort? If so, then they all discount like this - Hilton and Marriott do it all of the time. Hilton Vacations Resort on I-Drive is stunning, and I got a fabulous Honors Reward Rate of $129.00/night when it had just opened. Why? Because they were expecting us to take a tour and purchase. We just needed 1 night before we checked into DVC, so we didn't take the tour, but they did give us a bit of a hard time about that at first.

In the meantime, for those of you who take advantage of this beautiful resort, I say have a wonderful time, as it looks great! It has some similar amenities to DVC, but again, it does have more of a luxury feel to it, that DVC resorts don't have. I have stayed pretty much everywhere except GF, but have spent a ton of time there as we eat at the restaurants, but from what I've heard, GF is in need of reburbishment as well. Disney's definition of luxury as compared to other hotel brands, is different, I will agree there.

Tiger

 

[disneyfan55]

In all fairness to Disney, Bonnet Creek has to discount as they are a new hotel. They are located kind of technically on Disney propery, but no Disney benefits, so they have to pull people in with lower rates. Now, based on the photos I've seen, they won't have to do this for long, as it's a beautiful resort.

I imagine this is just to lure guests in, and make a name for themselves, and by next year, they will probably raise rates to an appropriate level. If you check similar resorts, such as Marriott World Center, their rates are much higher, and they are even further off of Disney property.

I don't think you can compare Bonnet Creek to DVC now - you can only compare it when it is out of this newlywed phase, and raises its rates. Then and only then, can you make a true comparison.

In the meantime, for those of you who take advantage of this beautiful resort, I say have a wonderful time, as it looks great!

Tiger

Just wondering is Bonnet Creek the resort near CBR? I recall something being built the last few times we were at CBR in the early 2000's.

 

[livie1205]

Don't forget the castmembers are dealing with a couple of years of layoffs.....not to mention the big ones last year. The layoffs were EVERYWHERE inside the Disney operation.....oops, not so much at the executive level, howerver.

Everything is happening with fewer people to make it happen. Not only does this initially affect morale (you know the........all vacation is cancelled until morale improves), their stress is greater, expectations at all levels remains the same. Now add a manager or two who are dancing the "Disney Party Line" who don't really give a poop about the castmember (every company has a few of these).....don't forget the heat. Sometimes I'm surprised the castmembers can find their smiles at all in the summer!

Not at all an excuse for bad behavior - but we try to give the castmember the benefit of the doubt. Disney has made it less and less pleasant to BE a castmember.

while I agree with this they know what the job is (to make pretend magic,all smiles and no pointing lol) so if your going to work there some things you just have to suck up (heat,crowds crazy guests) not that they should be abused but I saw 2 CMs scream at guests for small things...one screamed at a lady for stepping over a line chain when no one was even comming to the line,it was wide open and she was trying to catch up to her family that was at the END of the line before the ride doors opened.It was uncalled for and very rude.The CM then put his hand over his name tag so she could not see his name,I felt bad for her.
If disney is treating the CMs so bad then maybe its time for their union to step in but if they let it go the magic will be less and less...
I also think some guests get so full of themselves and think they know everything and they dont and it could be really hard on CMs.

 

[Tiger926]

Just wondering is Bonnet Creek the resort near CBR? I recall something being built the last few times we were at CBR in the early 2000's.

You can get it by going down Bonnet Creek Parkway - it's a long winding road to the resort. We haven't actually gone over to the resort yet, as we are always busy, but we started to take a little drive down there, and turned around, as the baby needed something at the time, so we cut our exploration short.

Photos and reports of the resort sound great, but we have no reason to stay there as we are DVC members. But, if we ever need 1 night or extend a stay, we could possibly do it there, as it really is on Disney property.

Tiger

 

[Figment632]

Disney World Yes due to terrible management it has been going down since 1994

Disneyland no

 

[KellyNY]

Bonnet Creek is a beautiful resort but would not work for us, unless we rent a car.

 

[MagicKingdom05]

Even if it has, a week at Disney is still better off then a week at home and having to go to work.

 

[disneyfan55]

You can get it by going down Bonnet Creek Parkway - it's a long winding road to the resort. We haven't actually gone over to the resort yet, as we are always busy, but we started to take a little drive down there, and turned around, as the baby needed something at the time, so we cut our exploration short.

Photos and reports of the resort sound great, but we have no reason to stay there as we are DVC members. But, if we ever need 1 night or extend a stay, we could possibly do it there, as it really is on Disney property.

Tiger

thanks! how do you feel about DVC? Just wondering, it does seem to be a costly investment, and then the yearly fees. Thanks! My daughter is interested, but I have read that the timeshares really aren't all that worth it unless you do go deluxe yearly with no discounts - just what I've read.

 

[disneyfan55]

Disney World Yes due to terrible management it has been going down since 1994

Disneyland no

after thinking on it, your year sounds good to me. I really hadn't noticed much difference until our 1995 visit (the one prior was in 1993) so that year sounds pretty good to me!