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

[Planogirl]

But the people have NO IDEA what others experiences are. They have no IDEA if I (or anyone else) has been once or 2000 times. It is the assumption of it that bothers me.

We've been going yearly (at least) since 1974. So maybe someone has three years more "experience" than me... that doesn't give them a right to say "well you probably don't see the decline because you weren't there during the good times"

I was there when MK was SO busy because it was the only park.
I was there when EVERY line was 60 minutes or more ALL DAY long because there was no fast pass.
I was there when there were only pictures taken of three of our four person family because someone had to take the picture since there were no photopass photographers.
I was there when staying on sight was an extreme luxury because there were no value resorts.
I was there when you HAD to rent a car to get around and carry the added expense because there was no Magic Express.
I was there when food options were extremely limited.

You see my point here? In my opinion there have been so many IMPROVEMENTS over the years that I see very little if any decline. What I see is a lot of changes happening. Some are good, some are not good. Some are good to some people (free dining) some are bad to some people (free dining).

Prices have increased. I firmly believe that food menu prices have increased in direct relation to use of free dining. Price adjusted tickets seem reasonable to me since there are things that have been added rides, parks, perks (fastpass, internal bus systems). I appreciate that there are all levels of hotels "on property" now that make it so most families CAN stay on property at an affordable cost.

Chipped paint (if I saw any) would not bother me. It especially wouldn't bother me if I wasn't able to go back a week later (or a month later) and see if that same paint were still chipped.

I've not in hundreds of visits "noticed" an overflowing trashcan or a dirty bathroom. That has absolutely no bearing on what someone else saw.

ALL just my opinions ~ but see I *think* the price adjustments are warranted. But again that is my opinion for me and my family. If I see something that is too expensive for us ~ we won't do it. At home and at Disney. I won't pay $38 for a buffet. I don't think it is worth it and I won't pay it. Especially when I feel as though that $38 is including say $18 to subside someone elses "free" diner.

I can only speak from my perspective.

I have been going for a long time much like yourself. I have seen a downhill trend and you haven't. We're both right in a way.

In my opinion, many of those things that matter to me aren't as good as they once were. Those same things probably either aren't as important to you or you see the changes as positive. I say probably because I have no way of knowing what your true thoughts are. You might say that I just like to nit-pick or not but that is how 'I' see it.

If someone complains they aren't necessarily wrong because you don't think that what they complain about is actually bad. They think it's bad and you don't. Who is right?

 

[flicx]

This is common at many deluxe hotels where you have to pay for recreational activities. Same in Carribbean, Las Vegas, Hawaii, Aquatica, etc. We've seen it at all of these places, so it's not just a Disney idea.

Paying extra for recreational items is very common, and should not be used as an argument as to why Disney is going downhill, IMHO.

Tiger

Sorry tiger I couldn't disagree more.You pay super primo bucks at the beach club.They advertise the pool heavily.A tube to float in a lazy river should have no extra charge IMO. A cabana yes a float no way! As far as I'm concerned more nickel and diming the guests.

 

[Michelle and crew]

Many expensive hotels charge for stuff like inner tubes. It is a standard. It also keeps down the crowds. I figure that the water parks charge for towels for the same reason our Y does. People were stealing them. A towel taken at the resort pool has a pretty high liklihood of being collecte by housekeeping.

I think that people see different things. I have been going since 1976 every year or two at most. Things change, and I tend to lean towards SueEllen's thoughts on it. I also love not having to decide which rides I will spend my e tickets on. I also think the way we look at the world is different. In the 70's you would drive down the interstate and see trash everywhere, rest areas were still often holes in the ground, there were less park areas, etc. Disney would have appeared far cleaner and more beautiful than the rest of the world. Now, people are less likely to toss out litter whether due to conscience or law. The rest areas that are open are beautiful, and there is landscaping everywhere.

Perspective. I am not saying that there haven't been cuts, etc. Just saying that it is also an affect of perspective.

 

[Donut23]

I feel that a bathroom ANYWHERE at WDW which smells horrible, 20 feet from the entrance is completely unacceptable and is representative of our discussion..... "disney standards" and decline. KellyNY was far more diplomatic about it than I would have been.

I have personally watched a young girl screaming "No Mommy, it STINKS" as she is being dragged into a bathroom. Disney standards?

Call me silly, but I have a basic expectation for public venues and one of those expectations is maintenance and cleaning of their bathrooms be it Disney, or the Ballpark at Camden Yards.

That day, at the restroom near EPCOT's bagcheck, Disney failed KellyNY and all other guests who where there. Clean bathrooms are part, albeit a small part, of Disney's responsibility.

 

[KellyNY]

I feel that a bathroom ANYWHERE at WDW which smells horrible, 20 feet from the entrance is completely unacceptable and is representative of our discussion..... "disney standards" and decline. KellyNY was far more diplomatic about it than I would have been.

I have personally watched a young girl screaming "No Mommy, it STINKS" as she is being dragged into a bathroom. Disney standards?

Call me silly, but I have a basic expectation for public venues and one of those expectations is maintenance and cleaning of their bathrooms be it Disney, or the Ballpark at Camden Yards.

That day, at the restroom near EPCOT's bagcheck, Disney failed KellyNY and all other guests who where there. Clean bathrooms are part, albeit a small part, of Disney's responsibility.

Thanks for reading my very long post, lol. Yes, I was very disapointed about it. When bathroom smells outside, that means it was not cleaned for a while and right next to entrance is a total shame. Only one conclusion comes to mind, decline. I never noticed dirty bathrooms on previous trips but there is only a first time for everything, unfortunately.

 

[Donut23]

Thanks for reading my very long post, lol. Yes, I was very disapointed about it. When bathroom smells outside, that means it was not cleaned for a while and right next to entrance is a total shame. Only one conclusion comes to mind, decline. I never noticed dirty bathrooms on previous trips but there is only a first time for everything, unfortunately.

I thought it was very thoughtful and fair. You participated in this thread.....then made the ultimate sacrifice for us and volunteered to go to Disneyworld and check things out yourself.......

I thought the trip report was an interesting read. Thanks!

 

[flicx]

Many expensive hotels charge for stuff like inner tubes. It is a standard. It also keeps down the crowds. I figure that the water parks charge for towels for the same reason our Y does. People were stealing them. A towel taken at the resort pool has a pretty high liklihood of being collecte by housekeeping.

I think that people see different things. .

I have been to other hotels with lazy rivers and have never paid for a tube.The beach club starts at 345.00 a night in value season (rack rate). Even with discounts thats big bucks as far as I am concerned.Now I have never stayed there but had I taken my family and went to the pool and been told sorry but you gotta pay to use the lazy river,Let's just say I would not be a happy camper!I will also say this, the other places I have stayed with lazy rivers never ever cost near what you are paying at Beach Club.I'll just have to have a different view on this one I guess.

 

[Donut23]

I have been to other hotels with lazy rivers and have never paid for a tube.The beach club starts at 345.00 a night in value season (rack rate). Even with discounts thats big bucks as far as I am concerned.Now I have never stayed there but had I taken my family and went to the pool and been told sorry but you gotta pay to use the lazy river,Let's just say I would not be a happy camper!I will also say this, the other places I have stayed with lazy rivers never ever cost near what you are paying at Beach Club.I'll just have to have a different view on this one I guess.

I have to agree again with you Flicx. I routinely stay at Crown Plaza's and hotel Indigo's and have never had to pay for internet access or the nickle and diming at disney Delux resorts. Ok, not 5 star hotels.....but neither is the Beach Club.

Honestly, know what came to mind the first time I heard about airlines charging for checked bags? I thought of the Disney phone charge for local calls. Too bad, Disney....we all trave with cell phones now....I guess that's why they are charging for pool noddles...to makeup for the phone charges.

 

[KellyNY]

I thought it was very thoughtful and fair. You participated in this thread.....then made the ultimate sacrifice for us and volunteered to go to Disneyworld and check things out yourself.......

I thought the trip report was an interesting read. Thanks!

I actually did schedule this trip last minute, about a week from the trip, so I guess I made ultimate sucrifice after all to check things out.

 

[TDC Nala]

If I remember correctly (I stay at BCV a lot but don't go to Stormalong Bay all that much) you have to pay for an inner tube rental but not for noodles (if you can grab one). I am not sure they provide noodles now though.

 

[KellyNY]

I have been to other hotels with lazy rivers and have never paid for a tube.The beach club starts at 345.00 a night in value season (rack rate). Even with discounts thats big bucks as far as I am concerned.Now I have never stayed there but had I taken my family and went to the pool and been told sorry but you gotta pay to use the lazy river,Let's just say I would not be a happy camper!I will also say this, the other places I have stayed with lazy rivers never ever cost near what you are paying at Beach Club.I'll just have to have a different view on this one I guess.

I just learned about this extra cost, I did not know before. I knew about other places charging for tubes but it actually listed on travel sites, like there is hotel in Cancun, do not remember which one with similar complex and they offer 2 options, booking with or without lazy river, it is open, no surprises. If I booked Beach Club, I would think I pay more for room but now with lazy river I do not spend for water park and then I would get an unexpected surprise with extra charge. I would be very upset.

 

[brunette8706]

Kind of like when people assume I do not know anything about Mexican food because I did not enjoy San Angel Inn?
I’m just some gringo that wants Tex-Mex.
This gets slung at me on a regular basis.

Or I am some elite that wants "flaming lama butt ala mode".

There are assumptions made on both sides of the argument.

I will listen to both sides but when someone tells me they would be just as happy with chicken nuggets and burgers at the Coral Reef as anything else they serve I really can’t take them seriously.
I have no issue if that is on the menu, but they should have no issue with me expecting better.

*
Yeah, I can remember a few years back, maybe a year ago, not sure, if you said something negative about Disney all "HE(( would break loose! Heck, you would be the jerk and anti-Disney. You would literally be attacked by dozens of posters. I try to keep things here on this thread as unbiased as can be. If someone states that they had a perfect time and everything was great, so be it. But, I know as many of you that there are some things that have been in decline. But as I said time and time again, Disney as a "whole" is a great vacation.

 

[drew64]

You do not pay extra for using the lazy river, and you can use it with no floatation device- been doing it for years with kids as young as 8.

You do not pay anything extra at all for using SAB. You pay IF you choose to purchase or rent a tube or to purchase a noodle, neither of which is needed to use the pool or the lazy river.

The lazy river is a short, circular part of SAB and not a long or meandering drift, just one small part of the complex.

I cannot imagine anyone choosing the BC or YC for just that small part of the acres of SAB, etc.

 

[brunette8706]

Trail's End used to be one of WDW's rare bargains and we loved going over there. At this price we won't be going back.

Price is what a lot of people don't think about. The DDP doesn't work for us financially so we pay out of pocket. Buffet prices are particularly outrageous and so not worth the cost. Eating offsite really saves us big bucks and is often tastier too.

*
Hey PlanoGirl!

Yes, it used to be CHEAP! Breakfast buffet at the Trails End used to be $9.99, Lunch used to be $11.99, and dinner was like $17.99. They also used to have a carry out at the buffett for about $9.99 you can carry out things from the buffet. They would give you a couple plastic trays with lids and a large soup container! You couldn't beat it. But I'm not going to pay $36 bucks for chicken and macaroni, and peel and eat shrimp. Heck we went to Shula's in August and got a 32 ounce PRIME RIB for $38.99 MINUS our $25.00 coupon! This is a first class restaurant with a deep discount! You couldn't beat it!

Brunette

 

[brunette8706]

I agree about buffet prices. I had Ohana reservation for this Tuesday and we canceled. I figured out that for $37 plus tax and tip per person I can get more at some other place. I like Ohana but I am not trilled with all salads and pasta and for some meat and shrimp at the end price is just too much. We ate for much less in Tokio Dining where we ordered what we actually wanted plus wine and it still cost us under $100. Buffets just not a good deal at all anymore in my opinion. We did not eat off site, no car, but if you drive I agree that it is better deal.

*
Hi Kelly!

Welcome back! We missed you. Yes, I couldn't agree with you more. I never been to the Tokyo dining. I should check it out next time we go, I dont' think that they take Tables in Wonderland do they?

Brunette

 

[Tiger926]

You do not pay extra for using the lazy river, and you can use it with no floatation device- been doing it for years with kids as young as 8.

You do not pay anything extra at all for using SAB. You pay IF you choose to purchase or rent a tube or to purchase a noodle, neither of which is needed to use the pool or the lazy river.

The lazy river is a short, circular part of SAB and not a long or meandering drift, just one small part of the complex.

I cannot imagine anyone choosing the BC or YC for just that small part of the acres of SAB, etc.

Exactly! It's a small fee to pay, if you so desire. It would be great if the cost was included, but I'm sure you would have abuse, stolen items, etc. and then that would go into maintenance costs anyway, and then they would charge higher room rates, or, start charging to use SAB.

Like I said, we've stayed at some more expensive resorts in the places that I mentioned, and they all charged for recreational devices. You can use all parts of SAB without having to pay any extra money.

Tiger

 

[brunette8706]

Are you sure that Trails End buffet is actually $36? The Disney website has been known to post incorrect and/or vague information. In fact, what the link actually does is give a price range for dinner between $15 to $35.99 (which is generally what one will pay for dinner at any Disney buffet and is not meant to be specific to Trail's End). I don't see anywhere on there what the actual price of the dinner buffet is.

*
Hi TDC Nala-

I'm just going by the official Disney Website. It does describe the dining as "casual" and the pricing. I'm thinking the $15.00 is for a child's meal and the $35.99 is for the adult meal. and Here ya go:

Location:
The Campsites at Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort
Service:*
Breakfast
Casual Dining
Buffet
American
$ ($14.99 and under)
Lunch
Casual Dining
A la Carte
American
$ ($14.99 and under)
Dinner
Casual Dining
Buffet
American
$$ ($15 to $35.99)

 

[flicx]

Exactly! It's a small fee to pay,

Tiger

How small of a fee?

 

[KellyNY]

*
Hi Kelly!

Welcome back! We missed you. Yes, I couldn't agree with you more. I never been to the Tokyo dining. I should check it out next time we go, I dont' think that they take Tables in Wonderland do they?

Brunette

Hi Brunette,
I missed board too. I wished I could have my computer there with me, I could post as we go but it would cost me extra for internet, lol. I am not sure about Tables in Wonderland, but with coupon I would stick with Kimonos, pretty much same menu. I wanted to try Kimonos but my girls did not want to leave Epcot. BTW, I did posted my sort of trip report on your thread if you dont mind. I had some less then magical moments for the first time this trip, but in general trip was good.

 

[Suellen]

Wish I could remember. But since so many seem surprised by the fee, at the risk of being an apologist, I for one am glad they charge a fee. It keeps it pretty much empty of them. Trust me if they were free the lazy river would be stuffed full of them and it isn't that big.

I loved floating in it without one and not having 18 million kids with them in there.