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

[KSDisneyDad]

The prices have gotten up there and the quality of the experience has gone down I agree.... Personally I knew that was going happen once they got rid of the McDonalds fries.... it was a sign...lol

-M

It's funny how perceptions change. I remember the complaints on these bulletin boards when Disney first introduced McDonald's fries. I actually find it a good thing that they are gone!

 

[KSDisneyDad]

Back from my 59th Disney trip since the first month Disney World was open.

OKW has been refurbished and is on great shape. Better than it has ever been.
POR looks better than ever.

Transportation was convenient and on time
Parks were spotlessly clean and all the attractions we wanted to see were open

I would rank it as one of our best trips ever.

Things change, attractions, dining and resorts go in cycles.

Find another place that does it as well and let me know where it is!

I could have written your post with the main difference that we've been going since the late 90's and we're "only" on our 16th trip. That said, we returned from 10 days at the Mouse this past June and concluded it was probably our best trip ever. YMMV

I would not look on this post at all, but every post comes to me as an e-mail. I am kinda tired of all the "arguing" about if Disney has gone down hill. I will go to Disney as often as I can for as long as I can. I am 65 and probably won't have a lot of trips left. But I have loved Walt Disney since the days of Mickey Mouse Club. Nothing is perfect in this life. So go when you can afford it and just think of Walt Disney who was such a great man who loved for children and adults to have magical times.

We don't think WDW has gone downhill, but I just wanted to comment that my perception is that many on this thread still love WDW, but just wish some things had never changed. Most seem to acknowledge that WDW has added a lot of wonderful things over the years, but that they have also taken some things away. They are just expressing that they think the negatives outweigh the positives, but that overall even with their perception that Disney has gone downhill from it's "prime", that it is still better than most other choices.

Many on here just like to add some counterpoints when a complaint is made that is just that - an opinion and that it does not mean everyone feels the same way. There is no indisputable proof that Disney has gone downhill in my opinion. But there are some Disney lovers who still enjoy going, but just wish some things were still like they used to be.

 

[manning]

All I can say is I know someone who has been in business for a long time. I can't remember him giving discounts. I asked him why. He said "If you price it right you don't need discounts" He also said he doesn't have to worry about greedy stockholders. Greedy is his word.

 

[KSDisneyDad]

Back to the Christmas decoration discussions:

http://www.wdwinfo.com/news/Theme_Parks_Attractions/Cinderella_Castle_to_feature_holiday_projection_show.htm

Cinderella Castle to feature holiday projection show
by Leah Zanolla
Nov 3, 2011

For the holiday season, Walt Disney World will feature two shows on Cinderella Castle each night. The popular "Castle Dream Lights" will make its debut for the season on November 8. Lights on the castle give it the appearance of being covered with beautiful glowing icicles every evening as it gets dark. The newest show, "The Magic, The Memories and You!", is full of images of park guests projected onto the castle and set to music every night before the fireworks. There will be a new holiday overlay that "wraps the Magic Kingdom landmark in colorful bows and boughs, gift paper and ribbons, ornaments, candy stripes and multi-colored strands of lights...and gingerbread."

As I've said earlier, I have never seen the Castle Dream Lights and would love to see them as the pictures look amazing. I have a feeling those lights and the new show cost more than the retired decorations.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

Once again, another great post! I am really enjoying your contributions on this thread. Thanks!

Gee, thanks! As an infrequent contributor to this thread, I'm glad I haven't totally rubbed everyone the wrong way!

*
MickeyMinnieMom-

They certainly do have a unique product especially the Deluxe resorts. Walking distance to EPCOT or you can simply take a monorail to the Magic Kingdom and or EPCOT which is cool. But you do as a consumer pay a higher premium because it's deluxe and because it's on the monorail system or it's walking distance to say EPCOT. With that said the consumer can stay at real 5 star resorts such as the Ritz Carlton which is pure luxuary for less money. Ritz Carlton without a discount is approximatly $309.00 per day or for $40.00 more at a price of $349.00 per day and it will include Buffet Breakfast, and Valet parking. You also get true luxury in accomodations. If you stay at the Waldorf Astoria which is on Disney property you can pay $179.00 per night with a AAA discount, and a FREE shuttle service to Disney. This is much cheaper than the monorail and EPCOT deluxe resorts. On the downside you do not get any "disney themeing".

brunette

You make a great point about the Ritz... however I think it's a great point for the thesis I am putting forth!! The very prices you cite are proof that Disney accommodations are NOT "overpriced" according to consumers. They are proof that people - when planning a Disney vacation - are willing to pay a premium for "Disney magic" even ABOVE The Ritz prices!!! That's pretty strong evidence that enough consumers think it's worth it - by definition.

The Ritz in Georgetown in DC is lovely... and The Loewes Regency on Park Ave in NYC is fantastic... but in Disney World - even for many of those who can afford the Ritz - there is NO substitute for that Disney magic. Companies charge what people are willing to pay - that's business.

 

[brunette8706]

I could have written your post with the main difference that we've been going since the late 90's and we're "only" on our 16th trip. That said, we returned from 10 days at the Mouse this past June and concluded it was probably our best trip ever. YMMV






We don't think WDW has gone downhill, but I just wanted to comment that my perception is that many on this thread still love WDW, but just wish some things had never changed. Most seem to acknowledge that WDW has added a lot of wonderful things over the years, but that they have also taken some things away. They are just expressing that they think the negatives outweigh the positives, but that overall even with their perception that Disney has gone downhill from it's "prime", that it is still better than most other choices.

Many on here just like to add some counterpoints when a complaint is made that is just that - an opinion and that it does not mean everyone feels the same way. There is no indisputable proof that Disney has gone downhill in my opinion. But there are some Disney lovers who still enjoy going, but just wish some things were still like they used to be.

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Hi! This was eloquently said. Thank you! brunette

 

[brunette8706]

Back to the Christmas decoration discussions:

http://www.wdwinfo.com/news/Theme_Parks_Attractions/Cinderella_Castle_to_feature_holiday_projection_show.htm




As I've said earlier, I have never seen the Castle Dream Lights and would love to see them as the pictures look amazing. I have a feeling those lights and the new show cost more than the retired decorations.

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Hi! Things like your link "NEW" (Christmas Decorations) adds a lot of useful information to this discussion. Thanks for posting. I am unbiased and I or "we" want to know everything NEW, OLD, Good or bad about WDW. This sounds interesting. Sounds like this is a positive. With that said, will they have the twinkle white lights on the Castle also?? Brunette

 

[brunette8706]

This thread is so silly.

There will NEVER be a definitive nswer to the question, just opinion after opinion after opinion, ad infinitum. It's like arguing over whether or not spinach tastes good or what is your favorite color. Pointless.

There's my two cents and I will never click on it again.

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Hey there Mike and Renee Plus 5!

Oh, I'm sorry you feel like this. What we want to read about is not only the bad and or negative, but the GOOD and POSITIVE. Maybe there was a restaurant you went to that was subpar or maybe you stayed in resort that was OUTSTANDING. We ALL want to know about it. We, meaning EVERY SINGLE person on this thread LOVE Disney. How do I know this? Because we all have an account membership at the DIS board, and most of us go to WDW. Now sometimes there are certain areas that some of have seen, have declined a bit, then we want to hear it. That's really how the premise of this thread got started. But on the other hand there may be some things that were OUT OF THIS WORLD FANTASTIC and we want to hear about that too. Sure there are discussions, and opinions on everything, some are positive and yes some are negative too. But this is just friendly discourse on everything Disney. This thread is anything but silly though.

Feel free to jump in....we would love to hear your comments..

Take care. Brunette

 

[KellyNY]

Gee, thanks! As an infrequent contributor to this thread, I'm glad I haven't totally rubbed everyone the wrong way!



You make a great point about the Ritz... however I think it's a great point for the thesis I am putting forth!! The very prices you cite are proof that Disney accommodations are NOT "overpriced" according to consumers. They are proof that people - when planning a Disney vacation - are willing to pay a premium for "Disney magic" even ABOVE The Ritz prices!!! That's pretty strong evidence that enough consumers think it's worth it - by definition.

The Ritz in Georgetown in DC is lovely... and The Loewes Regency on Park Ave in NYC is fantastic... but in Disney World - even for many of those who can afford the Ritz - there is NO substitute for that Disney magic. Companies charge what people are willing to pay - that's business.

that would be a proof if they ran no deep discounts all year long and hotels were full anyway but ...

 

[sparks19]

yes I'm sure the ritz is beautiful and luxurious and cheaper than Disney but... other than a nice room what do you get? Like someone else said for some people that Disney magic is worth it.

For example, on ur last trip we stayed at Bay Lake Tower (with a magic kingdom view... nothing more magical than watching my little girl fall asleep each night looking at the castle) and one day we returned from the parks and there on the table was a Cinderella trading pin and a nice card with a photo of mickey and signed by Mickey for her birthday. then there was a message on the phone from mickey and minnie wishing her a happy birthday. and one day we were coming in and the concierge chatted her up for a good 10 minutes. Making a big deal about her princess dress and eventually sending her off with a 10 foot strip of stickers LOL. Where else do you get that sort of thing? and the "welcome home" everytime we walked into the lobby.. it really was like coming home

so for us I don't feel it's overpriced for the effort they put into it. My husband tells everyone whenever they inquire about a disney trip "Disney just does everything right". Expensive? perhaps but overpriced? not to me. I've never walked out of a disney resort feeling like I didn't get my money's worth

 

[sparks19]

DOH double post

 

[brunette8706]

yes I'm sure the ritz is beautiful and luxurious and cheaper than Disney but... other than a nice room what do you get? Like someone else said for some people that Disney magic is worth it.

For example, on ur last trip we stayed at Bay Lake Tower (with a magic kingdom view... nothing more magical than watching my little girl fall asleep each night looking at the castle) and one day we returned from the parks and there on the table was a Cinderella trading pin and a nice card with a photo of mickey and signed by Mickey for her birthday. then there was a message on the phone from mickey and minnie wishing her a happy birthday. and one day we were coming in and the concierge chatted her up for a good 10 minutes. Making a big deal about her princess dress and eventually sending her off with a 10 foot strip of stickers LOL. Where else do you get that sort of thing? and the "welcome home" everytime we walked into the lobby.. it really was like coming home

so for us I don't feel it's overpriced for the effort they put into it. My husband tells everyone whenever they inquire about a disney trip "Disney just does everything right". Expensive? perhaps but overpriced? not to me. I've never walked out of a disney resort feeling like I didn't get my money's worth

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HI Sparks! Thanks for posting. What I was trying to convey is that the consumer does have a choice on where to spend their money for accomodations that are near Disney. I think it was a very fair comparison. The Waldorf Astoria is on Disney property and YOU can get a Disney view. YOu ask what do you get, well you get a bigger room, a more luxurious room, a view of Disney (as an option for $20.00 more per night), bigger pools with a lazy river, and FREE transporation to WDW.

With that said, some people may not have children or have older children and seeing the castle at night as beautiful as it is, may not be that important to them to fork out hundreds more per night. As I said earlier there is a lot of stiff competition out there for people that want deluxe accommodations at a much cheaper price point.

BTW here is a link on the DIS regarding the Waldorf Astoria. The link does provide photos.

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


Brunette

 

[sparks19]

Oh y es... well of course everyone has a choice on where to stay. We are still a free country for now lol so that's the beauty. People can stay where ever they want to off site, on site etc but overpriced is an opinion. expensive is a fact. but for it to be overpriced each individual has to evaluate what is important to them and what is worth paying for and what isn't. so for a couple who has no interest in seeing the castle or having the disney ambiance in their room it would be overpriced. For me I don't feel it's overpriced because those things are important to us. yes we could have stayed offsite for less money. we did one night after we checked out the friday morning and the differences between the seaworld hotel (I can't even remember the name of the hotel other than it was "the something at seaworld" or something like that lol) were glaringly obvious. It was a nice enough room and were we going somewhere else I wouldn't hesitate to stay at such a place but it just didn't have that something extra special that I feel we get at the Disney resorts and that's something that is important to us and we are willing to pay some extra for.

Now we have DVC so we aren't paying rack rates either and this upcoming trip we rented points and paid $500 for 5 nights in a studio at OKW. that's pretty much what we pay for a room at Country inn and Suites when we stop for the night during our drive down to Florida.

 

[KellyNY]

I see few very passionate people who claims rack price worth the money and disney hotels are not overpriced but those people are dvc or locals and infact do not pay those prices.
just saying.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

that would be a proof if they ran no deep discounts all year long and hotels were full anyway but ...

Do you have a comparison that shows that The Waldorf Astoria has a lower vacancy rate overall than do deluxe Disney resorts? That would be the data that could help support your point -- the rest is purely subjective. Some may want Waldorf's fancier linens while others will want a castle view -- different preferences. For many people, specifically while in Disney World, a castle has a premium to fancy linens, though. Not so in Manhattan where fancy linens compete against fancy linens (e.g. Trump Tower vs. The London).

However, the fact that Disney can support higher prices than the likes of the Ritz is evidence that consumers will support those prices while in WDW.

Having studied Disney in depth, I feel comfortable saying that they expect to hit different segments with these accommodations offerings, otherwise they would NOT have them on Disney property. Segmentation marketing is a BIG thing with Disney, across Strategic Business Units. You really have to look at the big picture of Disney as a whole company to thoroughly analyze their pricing strategy. Just comparing room prices between hotels doesn't get to it. They're NOT renting you a room -- they're selling you an experience.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

I see few very passionate people who claims rack price worth the money and disney hotels are not overpriced but those people are dvc or locals and infact do not pay those prices.
just saying.

We are DVC members. We've also paid rack rates. Just saying'.

In truth, I'm basing my posts on data and having studied Disney strategy in depth -- not really based on my personal experience. Though I would personally rather pay for the castle view than stay at the Waldorf for free while in WDW. Disney's got me pegged just right from a marketing perspective.

 

[WolfpackFan]

Just got back from a great week at WDW and the answer to the question is NO.

 

[KellyNY]

Do you have a comparison that shows that The Waldorf Astoria has a lower vacancy rate overall than do deluxe Disney resorts? That would be the data that could help support your point -- the rest is purely subjective. Some may want Waldorf's fancier linens while others will want a castle view -- different preferences. For many people, specifically while in Disney World, a castle has a premium to fancy linens, though. Not so in Manhattan where fancy linens compete against fancy linens (e.g. Trump Tower vs. The London).

However, the fact that Disney can support higher prices than the likes of the Ritz is evidence that consumers will support those prices while in WDW.

Having studied Disney in depth, I feel comfortable saying that they expect to hit different segments with these accommodations offerings, otherwise they would NOT have them on Disney property. Segmentation marketing is a BIG thing with Disney, across Strategic Business Units. You really have to look at the big picture of Disney as a whole company to thoroughly analyze their pricing strategy. Just comparing room prices between hotels doesn't get to it. They're NOT renting you a room -- they're selling you an experience.

So where is your data to support your point?
Can you show us how many people stay on site vs offsite, how many pay rack price and how many use deep discounts?
since you studied subject in depth, it should be no problem to share it and very useful for this discussion.

We are DVC members. We've also paid rack rates. Just saying'.

In truth, I'm basing my posts on data and having studied Disney strategy in depth -- not really based on my personal experience. Though I would personally rather pay for the castle view than stay at the Waldorf for free while in WDW. Disney's got me pegged just right from a marketing perspective.

And what was the reason you bought dvc? wasn't saving a big factor, so you would not have to pay rack price anymore?

 

[sparks19]

We are DVC members. We've also paid rack rates. Just saying'.

In truth, I'm basing my posts on data and having studied Disney strategy in depth -- not really based on my personal experience. Though I would personally rather pay for the castle view than stay at the Waldorf for free while in WDW. Disney's got me pegged just right from a marketing perspective.

this.

We've gone many times and paid rack rates. We just bought into DVC last year but we've gone many times before that it just made sense that if we wanted Disney to be our main vacation destination (to be honest I really have zero interest in the beach... I have a phobia of swimming in the ocean lol) that we would buy into a timeshare type program. We would still go even if DVC weren't a possibility. DVC isn't cheap by any means but we felt the investment was worth it for our family

If we didn't have DVC we would still go every year like we always did before we had DVC. but if I can save money... I'm going to do it. Disney has been a place we've visited since I was a little girl and I love it just as much now as I did as a child. it' sjust WORTH it to me and I don't feel like it's gone downhill at all. I've yet to have an unpleasant experience there (well an experience that wasn't caused by another guest lol and even those are few and far between). Every trip I leave thinking "that was the best trip yet" and every trip seems to top the previous one. sometimes I think you get what you give. If you go in with a bad attitude about it... you are going to miss out and you aren't going to have a great time. I don't go there and nit pick every little thing that happens. I don't go looking for everything that is wrong or not up to snuff. I just go in with a smile in my heart and know this is going to be magic and I've never been let down yet

Positive mental attitude but I see MANY guests during our trips giving the cast members a hard time about the STUPIDEST things. Like the time the line for Tiana was closed and this guy came up and FLIPPED out. why be like that? Sometimes you have to make your own magic. if you go in expecting everyone else to make your good time for you then you are going to be disappointed. if you go in with the attitude that you are going to have a good time come he!! or high water, you'll have a much more magical experience and I really thinkt he CM's notice people who are truly enjoying themselves and go out of their way to improve your already stellar visit. If you go in with a good attitude you are going to notice all the little touches and magic experiences that you might miss if you go in looking for the bad stuff.

LOL sorry I kinda went on a tangent there. I have just never had a bad time at Disney and it's always been worth every cent even when we paid rack rates

 

[KellyNY]

this.

We've gone many times and paid rack rates. We just bought into DVC last year but we've gone many times before that it just made sense that if we wanted Disney to be our main vacation destination (to be honest I really have zero interest in the beach... I have a phobia of swimming in the ocean lol) that we would buy into a timeshare type program. We would still go even if DVC weren't a possibility. DVC isn't cheap by any means but we felt the investment was worth it for our family

If we didn't have DVC we would still go every year like we always did before we had DVC. but if I can save money... I'm going to do it. Disney has been a place we've visited since I was a little girl and I love it just as much now as I did as a child. it' sjust WORTH it to me and I don't feel like it's gone downhill at all. I've yet to have an unpleasant experience there (well an experience that wasn't caused by another guest lol and even those are few and far between). Every trip I leave thinking "that was the best trip yet" and every trip seems to top the previous one. sometimes I think you get what you give. If you go in with a bad attitude about it... you are going to miss out and you aren't going to have a great time. I don't go there and nit pick every little thing that happens. I don't go looking for everything that is wrong or not up to snuff. I just go in with a smile in my heart and know this is going to be magic and I've never been let down yet

Positive mental attitude but I see MANY guests during our trips giving the cast members a hard time about the STUPIDEST things. Like the time the line for Tiana was closed and this guy came up and FLIPPED out. why be like that? Sometimes you have to make your own magic. if you go in expecting everyone else to make your good time for you then you are going to be disappointed. if you go in with the attitude that you are going to have a good time come he!! or high water, you'll have a much more magical experience and I really thinkt he CM's notice people who are truly enjoying themselves and go out of their way to improve your already stellar visit. If you go in with a good attitude you are going to notice all the little touches and magic experiences that you might miss if you go in looking for the bad stuff.

LOL sorry I kinda went on a tangent there. I have just never had a bad time at Disney and it's always been worth every cent even when we paid rack rates

sure you went before you bought dvc, but you did bought them to save money, so you would pay less. You can say that you would pay rack rate anyway but your dvc membership speaks differenrly.

You say it's all about attitude. are you suggesting that just because we see problems we are negative people? I'm glad you had no problems but I did and trust me when I tell you that I am wearing my bullet proof bobble on vacation, nothing gets me but I did not ask nor expected problems in hotel, I had no idea I will be hit with a smell from dirty bathroom outside EPCOT when I was not even close to it. I can continue my list but let me assure you that none of it was expected, I was not looking for problems. This thread is not about stupid complains and towel animals and all we discuss is real.