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

[Planogirl]

I think that it's the side street on the left that's gone, isn't it? There is still something on the right.

I don't pay much attention to the store along both sides of Main Street now because it's just all the same stuff as elsewhere. I do however go to the ice cream shop.

 

[disneyfan55]

I think that it's the side street on the left that's gone, isn't it? There is still something on the right.

I don't pay much attention to the store along both sides of Main Street now because it's just all the same stuff as elsewhere. I do however go to the ice cream shop.

you are correct. But back before Main Street was changed, it wasn't just the same old stuff! That's how the subject came up. There was a Magic Shop, Movie theater, Penny Arcade and the additional side street with flower carts and that is where the original Barbershop was located as well.

 

[Planogirl]

you are correct. But back before Main Street was changed, it wasn't just the same old stuff! That's how the subject came up. There was a Magic Shop, Movie theater, Penny Arcade and the additional side street with flower carts and that is where the original Barbershop was located as well.

I remember collapsing in the theater for a bit sometimes. I also remember the magic shop but we never checked it out.

 

[disneyfan55]

I remember collapsing in the theater for a bit sometimes. I also remember the magic shop but we never checked it out.

We used to visit the stores/arcades on each visit. I just loved that little side street that I painted a large watercolor of it and I'm looking at it now!!

Now we just go through those stores when Main street is full of people or the parade is on. The right side of the street is pretty much what it was except the movie theater is gone. At least the candy shop/icecream shop and glass/watch shops are still pretty much the same. Also, the side street on the right side - still there!

I just recalled that there used to be a real Bank on Main Street as well-next to where Guest Relations is inside the MK!

 

[Donut23]

We used to visit the stores/arcades on each visit. I just loved that little side street that I painted a large watercolor of it and I'm looking at it now!!

Now we just go through those stores when Main street is full of people or the parade is on. The right side of the street is pretty much what it was except the movie theater is gone. At least the candy shop/icecream shop and glass/watch shops are still pretty much the same. Also, the side street on the right side - still there!

I just recalled that there used to be a real Bank on Main Street as well-next to where Guest Relations is inside the MK!

WOW! You have many years of Disney travel under your belt and a great memory. I don't remember the bank.

I DO remember the Kal Kan Kennel Club my terrier LOVED it there, he had made friends there!....don't know how many times it changed in all these years.

My first trip to WDW was 1975...lived in Jacksonville for about 18 months. You never know how many friends and family you have until you move to Florida. We were at WDW quite often!

 

[swarlock]

Depends on what kind of "downhill" it is. Citing The Economy is only part of it.

As a visitor and Florida Resident for 14 years on I've seen both good and bad things happen to it. In all that time I've learned never to take anything for granted and not get spoiled by it all.

The thing I try to do whenever I'm there is talk to The Cast Members just to let them know they are doing a fine jpb despite the internal goings ons.

Still I go anyway because after all, It's the one place that makes me feel good and I feel better for it.

 

[Planogirl]

I had forgotten about the bank. I remember once withdrawing money there. It was a Sun-something I think.

 

[Donut23]

I had forgotten about the bank. I remember once withdrawing money there. It was a Sun-something I think.

Sun Trust bank....only bank on property. Why? They were the only bank to give Walt and Roy $$$$ at one time.

YEA Suntrust Bank!

 

[GadgetRick]

I guess the little things don't seem to matter much to the top brass anymore.

And that--in a nutshell--is the whole basis of this thread. It's not the BIG things we're complaining about (other than food), rather, it's the little things which made Disney, well, Disney. That was the details. They have been neglecting the details more and more lately...

 

[Suellen]

I had forgotten about the bank. I remember once withdrawing money there. It was a Sun-something I think.

I still have some Disney Dollars we got there. Back in the day.

 

[jmm476]

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Hi jmm476!

Glad you had a great vacation! That's always good to hear. We stayed at WL and didn't like the room so we moved to YC. We had a fantastic time, the YC is awesome.

Anyway, where did you stay, if you don't mind me asking? Yes, I can agree with you that some guests can be rude.

Brunette

We stayed at Pop. I wasn't expecting much, being a value, but we had a fantastic time and the cast members were fantastic. Our mousekeeper went above and beyond (IMO anyway) and we went to the front desk to ask questions several times and always received great customer service. Also, Pop had the best bus service of any hotel I've stayed at so far, which was an added bonus at 1am at MK we're getting 2 buses pulling up everytime while other hotels are still waiting for their 1st bus.

 

[Donut23]

And that--in a nutshell--is the whole basis of this thread. It's not the BIG things we're complaining about (other than food), rather, it's the little things which made Disney, well, Disney. That was the details. They have been neglecting the details more and more lately...

Bingo! You are so right.

It's like cleaning your house. Each week we clean our house....dust, vacume, clean the bathrooms, pickup all the dog cookies our terrier has hidden over the week (he is sure WE want them so he hides them for later.....and forgets where he put them!!). We get by for another week. The house looks OK and we are happy - just don't look too close.

Then we go into a real TEAR.....scrub the windows, wash the globes on all the chandeliers, clean the ceiling fans, dust the baseboards, wax the floors, clean the kitchen cabinets, polish the silver, plant some fresh flowers, edge the grass plantings, make those minor repairs that have been on the list for a while.

When you step back you realize the house REALLY shines now.

Disney executives seem to be satisfied with just getting by. "It's ok, nobody will notice". I guess that's OK for some. Trouble is.....many of us remember when Disney was "into a real Tear" and everything sparkled because anything less was unsatisfactory. You know, Disney standards we all grew to love.

It's so many of the little things they just let slide now. They CAN do it, they just choose not to.

For me, I prefer my home to shine.

 

[brunette8706]

OMGOSH! I don't remember a bank! I do remember SunTrust ATM, I think, but not the bank.

And I do think I know what the other poster is talking about. The little court/end street on the left of Main Street. Boy, I forgot all about that. Yes, I do remember the Magic Shop, the theater (don't they still have the theater there), LOL, I don't remember the Barber shop in the middle of Main Street though. I do remember Diamond something revue, on Main Street! LOL! It was a bunch of can can girls dancing and you can order sandwiches there and watch!

Heck, I remember the Kodak shop where people could literally rent camera's and camcorders. They stopped that years ago.

Brunette

 

[Goofy_Disney_Dad]

I haven't even come close to reading this entire thread, but I have read bits a pieces. I'm hoping this hasn't been discussed already but it is something I've thought about recently involving Disney and CM's.

My son applied and was accepted into the college program this year. I honestly didn't know much about the program but I think I've learned a bit about it over the past several weeks. There may be others here who could provide much more specific details to this as well.

When he was accepted he started looking at the different apartment communities he could select from when he arrived. I believe there are now 3 total. When I visited after he moved in I could not believe the size of these complexes and how many students must live at each one.

I know Disney uses this program to help with the part-time and, in most cases, lower skill requirement positions within the park. It's got to save them a huge amount of money on benefits and raises as most programs are around 9 months long. All of the pay I've seen is just at minimum wage. The students pay their own rent and I honestly believe they are a huge money saver for Disney. They are sent through the same training as any other new hire at Disney, but I honestly think many of them don't look at their position as a long-term choice and may not perform their jobs as someone with a long term outlook would.

I'm not saying this program isn't a great thing for Disney and the students involved, so please don't assume that is my intention. My son has learned and grown a great deal personally and professionally because of this program. I just think it may play a small part in what I've seen in this discussion.

Would any of you agree that this program might be the cause of some of the "less than magical" CM's you've experienced? Does anyone know how large of a percentage of total WDW cast members are in the college program?
I've seen CM's in the program who absolutely live Disney and do a wonderful job, but I've also seen and talked with student CM's who are less than enthusiastic about it all.

I may not be explaining this as well and in as much detail as I'd like, but I do think from what I've seen "behind the scenes" with some of the students in this program (even my own son included) there is some merit to my thoughts.

Anyone else with personal knowledge or experience in this care to offer some input?

 

[scubamouse]

All of the college program CMs we saw last week were fabulous and engaging. I actually didn't think the CMs were an issue at all, I thought they were as great as ever. My issue was much more that rides were down for hours at a time and how that messed with my touring plans.

And the food. It's very average everywhere other than signatures. And it's overpriced by 50% relative to what you can get offiste.

 

[BigGreen73]

My issue was much more that rides were down for hours at a time and how that messed with my touring plans.

Not picking on you. Just wanted to reference this comment.

There are a lot of guests who rely on specific touring plans now, either their own or from a TP website, every minute of everyday is mapped out. If just one thing falls out of place the TP is now thrown off. I have seen many, many guests using a TP fly off the handle, get visibly angry, get argumentative, verbably attack CM's etc because a ride was down or if something else may take them off their plan. I can't count how many times I hear this.

I don't use touring plans, never did, but if a ride or 2 is down, doesn't bother me one bit. Grab a FP, or just do something else. There is plenty to do at every park. I wonder if those that are really heavy on using TP's may look at the world a different way when something goes down or something throughs them off a plan? Possibilty? Who knows...

I remember when POTC ride went down once and a guest was yelling at one of the CM's who was standing "guard" like it was his fault. All the CM said was POTC is down and they do not have an ETA etc. That's it. The guest was walking off with her family saying that CM was so rude, calling him name etc. What?

 

[flicx]

And that--in a nutshell--is the whole basis of this thread. It's not the BIG things we're complaining about (other than food), rather, it's the little things which made Disney, well, Disney. That was the details. They have been neglecting the details more and more lately...

I also have issue with the price increases at disney.When you add it all up they don't go well together!

 

[brunette8706]

We stayed at Pop. I wasn't expecting much, being a value, but we had a fantastic time and the cast members were fantastic. Our mousekeeper went above and beyond (IMO anyway) and we went to the front desk to ask questions several times and always received great customer service. Also, Pop had the best bus service of any hotel I've stayed at so far, which was an added bonus at 1am at MK we're getting 2 buses pulling up everytime while other hotels are still waiting for their 1st bus.

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Glad you enjoyed POP. I think POP is one of the most popular value resorts in all of Disney. What boggles my mind is about housekeeping though. We had great housekeeping at the YC, but crappy ones at the WL. It also looks like you decent housekeeping at POP too, which is a good thing. I just don't understand why we hear good and bad from this service. It should be consistant along the board, but it isn't. Anyway, I'm glad you enjoyed your trip. We're off to stay at the YC again in February. Thanks for posting!

Brunette

 

[CTJKLAB]

Disney needs to get rid of free dining and their problems with people complaining about food decline will be solved.

I could not agree with you more, Snape!!

 

[Suellen]

I remember when POTC ride went down once and a guest was yelling at one of the CM's who was standing "guard" like it was his fault. All the CM said was POTC is down and they do not have an ETA etc. That's it. The guest was walking off with her family saying that CM was so rude, calling him name etc. What?

Bet when she retold the story he yelled at her for asking and was just downright rude to her while she was a perfect angel!