Ever feel the need to take a break from WDW?

[Sassagoula Billy]

Maybe it's work, maybe it's life, maybe it's oversaturation. Maybe it's cyncism over the watering-down-to-survive tactic they've been employing as of late.

Am I alone here? I haven't been able to complete my trip report because of all the ridiculous things I've been reading about this or that on the boards. I can't revisit because I'm disappointed. It's not that I don't respect people for expecting cheap food, lodging or entertainment at a cheap price, but I do disrespect them for cheerfully purchasing them at four times the value. Sure, Disney's always been expensive, and hey I'm from New York City. I'm used to expensive. Lately, however, especially with the $40 buffet price announcement and inconceivably ridiculous hotel lodging prices (have you seen how insanely priced things are getting?), it's no longer a question of the usual Disney Captive Audience syndrome. Economy schmconomy, this is cruel and unusual pricing.

Feeling bleak about it all. Really and truly bleak. And I don't even have a family to feed.

 

[TagsMissy]

Eh... it's a privilege not a right... Disney is a business first and foremost and runs on supply and demand. While not cheap it's not the most expensive place I've traveled.

 

[OrlandoMike]

But you gotta remember.... On that $40 buffet, you get soup, bisque, AND pate!

 

[Sphyrna]

I can't fully agree, Billy. Disney has and is continuing to offer discounts and promotions. You have the gift card promotion and the free dining promotion, and the room-only discount. It's these discounts that made me decide to book a trip for F&W next month. Although when I started looking at a December trip the pricing did start to get to me. It's amazing how quickly the difference between value and deluxe adds up on a longer stay. A week at a value was less than $800. Upgrade to deluxe and it's $2100!! And that's with either an AP discount or the room-only discount. I can only imagine what the pricing would be without it!!

I do agree on the food pricing. It's getting quite expensive to eat well on the trips. What makes this even worse is the quality of food and service has seemed to decline. Then you have the souvenirs. Everything is homogenized. Seems like you see the same things in the same stores. On one side it's WDW and the other side it's DL.

I'm not sure if it's the economy or just a change in Disney's mindset. I hope it changes soon but I doubt it will. Disney will continue to offer promotions to get people into the resorts, restaurants, and parks. We'll continue to pay too much for too little.

 

[hematite153]

I've never been much of a souvenir purchaser, so, I don't really notice all that much there. We purchased DVC 4 years ago because the projections for accommodation price increases were convincing -- and you can see this actualized outside WDW too. 5 years ago when we drove down we could find a decent, clean motel with breakfast for ~$50 at night. Now, if we want it to be clean, we need to be willing to spend ~$80-$100 or know secret locations. That's quite an increase in 5 years.

Likewise, we took our foster son to dinner at McDonald's last week and I was startled by the prices they charge for their food. I can spend the same amount for much better food in other locations. So, I'm starting to believe that fast food in general may just be outrageously priced. (That said, I don't get the fries, desserts or drinks at WDW unless I'm on a dining plan and the basic meals actually don't seem that highly priced.)

We tend to eat at the signature restaurants semi-frequently and although they seem expensive, on the rare occasions that I go to similar restaurants at home the prices are pretty similar.

Plus, owning DVC means that we generally eat breakfast in the room and usually several other meals as well.

 

[OrlandoMike]

But But But....

They are going to take your picture and project it on the castle!

 

[hematite153]

But But But....

They are going to take your picture and project it on the castle!

I am SO not interested in that!

But, I'll admit that if this pregnancy ever starts to feel secure I may look forward to the idea of my child's picture on the castle. So, I think I can see how they can turn this into money.

 

[Sassagoula Billy]

But see, that's precisely what I'm talking about. Homogenization, and greater interest in "the brand" as opposed to the unique and once individualized vacation experience. Hell, if people felt like cattle before in some places, now it's ubiquitous. And those of us who weren't using the dining plan now have to shell out even extra to the signatures to ensure an individualized, and above-(Disney) average dining experience. And that isn't always guaranteed anymore. And every counter service feels the same. The freakin' cocktail menu is the same. In short, the place is beginning to feel like one giant chain restaurant or Ikea or something.

And I think the free dining plan isn't cost-effective in the least. You're still paying rack rate, and would have a better deal taking advantage of room-only discounts or AP discounts, especially if you time your yearly visits within the same use of that AP to get two trips for the price of one park admission.

And as for Disney being cheaper than other destinations, or treating it as a privilege, I'm merely saying that the overall flavor of the place has changed to the point where it isn't worth the value that it used to be. I'm talking about VALUE. A $500 room should feel like a $500 room, a $40 steak should taste like a $40 steak. Remember, I'm in New York, I know all about inflation. We go through inflation long before the rest of the country in Manhattan alone. But still, businesses manage - for the most part - to give us bang for our buck.

And this castle wall projection development is... I can only call it "cheetos". That's my new word for these cray cray Disney announcements and decisions. Cheetos. Mass-produced cheese-flavored corn product.

 

[f86sabjf]

We most definitely got enough a few years ago after having our annual passes for fifteen years and only living no more than 60miles from WDW the whole time. We got so bad we could tell when they switched out plants and trees from week to week
I know something has changed out there just not sure what. Perhaps i'm picking up a vibe from the younger generation I dont like. I hate to say the magic is gone but i have been going since they opened and its getting harder to find.

 

[mikelan6]

Yes ... there are SO many amazing places in the world to visit. Cruises, South America, etc etc.

But in the end ... I always come back to WDW ... my home.

 

[hematite153]

But see, that's precisely what I'm talking about. Homogenization, and greater interest in "the brand" as opposed to the unique and once individualized vacation experience. Hell, if people felt like cattle before in some places, now it's ubiquitous. And those of us who weren't using the dining plan now have to shell out even extra to the signatures to ensure an individualized, and above-(Disney) average dining experience. And that isn't always guaranteed anymore. And every counter service feels the same. The freakin' cocktail menu is the same. In short, the place is beginning to feel like one giant chain restaurant or Ikea or something. ...

I don't recall any portion of my post suggesting homogenization or greater interest in "the brand".

But, I don't drink alcohol so I would never notice a similarity in cocktail menus -- I can tell you that the tea menus are unique at every TS I ate at in the last couple of years.

I also have food allergies that prevent me from being able to eat the items that are "the same everywhere" so, I end up with the one (or occasionally two) dish that I can eat and it's something different in every place. Maybe it's just because I'm used to having only one or two choices everywhere, but, I figure that if there are one or two (or, realistically usually three or four, but, I can't eat them) unique things in a menu then that makes it a unique dining opportunity. The fact that everybody also offers chicken (CS/TS), steak (TS) or burgers (CS) is simply a response to requests. But, nobody is making everyone order them.

And, yes, the free-dining promotion doesn't really save you money. Disney never really says that it does. They say that you can save up to XX% compared to rack rate and ordering the most expensive items in their most expensive restaurants AND they always include a child under 9 in those calculations. So, use your AP and get a better deal.

I don't know, I guess if you are really as unhappy as you sound, then, you probably should take a break from it. But, I'm not having the same experiences you are. I assume that is because I'm looking for different things.

 

[DVC~OKW~96]

I've thought about this thread for a couple of days.

As always, I think I'm middle of the road. Can I see changes in WDW that have affected the quality of the experience overall? Absolutely.

However, what doesn't change is the heart of the CMs (or most of them). They still believe, they still give their best, they still really do give a damn if you have a good experience or not.

I think WDW (corporation) has increased prices to what the market will bear. That's pretty standard. I think they've made cut backs to increase profit levels without increasing prices again (the increasing lack of cleanliness of the parks is one example of how cutbacks have had a negative affect).

I think the change up in entertainment in places like the World Showcase has really taken a toll. There used to be wonderful acts, Bella Nova, the Piper in the UK, the Gordoon in France... the Living Statues... now there are rudimentary acts, that seem lackluster.

Don't get me started on the food ok. Not sure who thought all the changes there were a good idea, but sheesh.

I remember years ago (seriously!) dining in Morocco and having truly authentic food. The service was almost embarrassingly good! Now, meh. As with most everywhere else.

Ooops, I said no food talk. Heh heh heh.

So yes, Billy. It's hard to find the magic anymore, but the CMs sure do still try.

 

[zeitzeuge]

But after being to WDW a couple times now (yeah, I feel like a pro ), although I've loved our trips, the hotel prices, reliance on dining reservations, busses for transportation, took it's toll on us. I'm not sure what we'd be like if we went all the time or considered it to be our home park. We plan on going back from time to time for something different, but I think if you take a break, try others places and head to the west coast and give Disneyland a try it might do you some good.

DL doesn't seem to have the level of commericialization (Ikea?) feel to it that I felt at WDW. It's still there at DL, believe me it's everywhere you turn, but somehow it retains it's quaint, hometown, uniqueness to it that I just love. The food service is always good and affordable (although not on the same level and cost as WDW), there's very affordable hotels within walking distance that are not Disney resort related, flights are always decently priced. It's worth a shot to give you something new to do. It just sounds like you need a break from it for a while. We asked ourselves if we lived in Anaheim and were able to go to DL whenever we wanted and although we'd like to say that the place would never lose the magic, I'm sure it would at some point. Thats when you step back.

 

[Sphyrna]

I can see what you're saying, Z. I've been doing 1 trip each year (for Gay Days) and some years I skipped it. This year I did Gay Days in June and I'm looking at trips in October and December. I'm already starting to feel saturated. I'll be looking for different things to do that normally get overlooked. Luckily, I can just walk around MK and be happy. It's the atmosphere I really enjoy.

 

[zeitzeuge]

I can see what you're saying, Z. I've been doing 1 trip each year (for Gay Days) and some years I skipped it. This year I did Gay Days in June and I'm looking at trips in October and December. I'm already starting to feel saturated. I'll be looking for different things to do that normally get overlooked. Luckily, I can just walk around MK and be happy. It's the atmosphere I really enjoy.

One thing that I think so many people enjoy about WDW, is that Disney saturation feeling. Everything from your hotel, dining, traveling around, shopping and the parks. Everything Disney. We tended to feel a bit overwhelmed due to that, like we needed a Disney break at night when we went back to our hotel although thats hard to do when you stay somewhere like Pop Centry like we did last time . I like that feeling of leaving Disney property and all things Disney at night and then having that Disney magical feeling the next morning, walking through the gates.

We need our nightly breather. lol

 

[OrlandoMike]

I feel the same on a lot of the issues you guys are discussing....and want to ask..

Have you ever tried DCL?

I think the reason I like it so much is its Disney in its purist form anymore...

No busses, no ad's, premier food lodging and entertainment offerings....

Just curious.

 

[zeitzeuge]

I feel the same on a lot of the issues you guys are discussing....and want to ask..

Have you ever tried DCL?

I think the reason I like it so much is its Disney in its purist form anymore...

No busses, no ad's, premier food lodging and entertainment offerings....

Just curious.

I've wondered about DCL for a long time now. Soon, DCL will be leaving out of Los Angeles and we thought about taking a cruise from there or trying one of cruises out of Florida too. I just didn't know if you have less of that Disney oversaturated feeling at all or not. Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't be a huge Disneydork if I didn't love all things Disney, but sometimes there's a point where I can't keep my smile on and the magic becomes irritating. LOL I had to call Disney custome service a few days ago while at work when I was having a really really BAD day. I even told her before hand that I was not in the greatest mood. Try as she might, she didn't perk me up but I did have to giggle afterwards when she said, "Have a magical day!!"

 

[OrlandoMike]

On the ship, you can do as little or as much "Disney" as you choose. Many people (here on the east coast) love to get off the ship in the Bahamas for example, myself, I prefer to stay on the ship...I paid for friendly Disney service after all.

The shows are optional, movies are optional, tracking down characters, pin trading, DVC lectures....they are all there if you choose to do them.

Or you can choose to just lay by the pool and relax, do wine seminars, food seminars, ship tours....

One thing I like is the lack of commercialization! Sure there are two gift shops, and a DVC desk....But other than that, its just one large ship filled with Magic, great food, exceptional service, and great Disney themed entertainment!

 

[hematite153]

I've only done one DCL cruise, but, I really enjoyed it. I agree with Mike, lots to choose from and you only have to do the commercial stuff if you actually want to.

We only did the 3-day cruise though and that was TOO short.

(But, I'm allergic to cigarette smoke and the build up of it after 3 days was at the limit of my management. I couldn't go on deck, or walk through the centre of the ship by the third day. So, I'll need to wait until they place more restrictions on that before I go back for a longer cruise.)

 

[OrlandoMike]

Pretty sure you can only smoke on deck 4....and deck 10...one side, not sure which....

And deck 4...no smoking during the day...