Excitement gone!!!

[Mouseaholic!!!]

Our solution - Disneyland!

We traded in our WDW trip (in 8 days) for Disneyland. We generally travel to both each year - far more often in the past than now.

Anyway.....

All of the holiday events are up and running. Photos on Micechat show decorations throughout the parks ---- which seem to be reduced each year at WDW.

We have also found as WDW seems a little more shabby around the edges...DL has remained sparkling. Perhaps we do not know DL as well as WDW. We have over 15 years of 3 or 4 visits to WDW under our belts and only one trip to DL each year in the past few years.

Yes, it's a long trip for us from the east coast but know what......LOW was one of our FAVORITE things at WDW on our holiday trip. Now we can leave in 8 days with fewer regrets.

 

[DisneyHolidayFan]

Our solution - Disneyland!

We traded in our WDW trip (in 8 days) for Disneyland. We generally travel to both each year - far more often in the past than now.

Anyway.....

All of the holiday events are up and running. Photos on Micechat show decorations throughout the parks ---- which seem to be reduced each year at WDW.

We have also found as WDW seems a little more shabby around the edges...DL has remained sparkling. Perhaps we do not know DL as well as WDW. We have over 15 years of 3 or 4 visits to WDW under our belts and only one trip to DL each year in the past few years.

Yes, it's a long trip for us from the east coast but know what......LOW was one of our FAVORITE things at WDW on our holiday trip. Now we can leave in 8 days with fewer regrets.

This is why we might change to DL for the next holiday trip. It appears that they are not eliminating their holiday programs/decorations. In fact, they have IASM decorated and I believe Haunted Mansion which would be great! Have a great trip!

 

[Mary T in PA]

We are leaving in a week to start our trek to the world. I am sad that Lights of Winter is not at Epcot,, but I still have MVMCP, CP, Osborne, and some other things to look forward to and we can't wait to go.

For me, this trip holds special meaning, and no one is gonna scrooge it for me, they can try but it won't work... I will just smile and politely tell them to take the ebeneezer chat elsewhere.

Hope you have a safe trip and a wonderful time!

Mary

 

[WDSearcher]

First of all, they were not stupid. Secondly, it is more than just the Lights of Winter - this is just the last straw! I have been visiting WDW during the holidays almost every year since 1999. It is unbelievable how much has disappeared during this time - those that don't attend that often would probably not notice. Read the posts - decorations, quality of food, etc. appears to be lacking!! BUT, I will try to enjoy the trip and hopefully, it will not be as disappointing as I expect. By the way, not everyone likes the same things so it is not necessary to be critical!

You're already expecting it to be disappointing, so I predict you will return with a trip report that confirms it was. And really ... if they've been cutting things at such a massive pace since 1999, why keep planning trips there? Aren't you just setting yourself up for disappointment by continuing to book trips to a place that you think is slipping so badly?

At any rate ... I hope you have a wonderful trip and come back apologizing to WDW for thinking it was going to fail you!

 

[DebbieB]

I am going Dec. 2 to 9 and plan to have a fabulous time regardless. We have QSDP and only one TS ressie - so other than that one meal, the whole trip will just be "do whatever, whenever."

Hey - we are in DisneyWorld. A bad day in Disneyworld is still better than a good day at work!

You beat me to it! That's what I was going to say, sure beats being at work! I'm going Dec 5 to 11 and can't wait!

 

[mainegal]

No reason for you not to have a wonderful trip. Thre is still so much that WDW has to offer!

 

[crazycatlady]

We took our 4th family trip to WDW in October (our 1st since 2003) and it was the best one yet!! Was everything perfect? Of course not. But it was ABSOLUTELY WONDERFUL anyway and I started hounding the DH about a trip for 2010 on the long ride home.

Have a great trip!!! I'm jealous....

 

[bumbershoot]

This is why we might change to DL for the next holiday trip. It appears that they are not eliminating their holiday programs/decorations. In fact, they have IASM decorated and I believe Haunted Mansion which would be great! Have a great trip!

HM is decorated with the Nightmare Before Christmas overlay. That goes up at the end of September and stays through early January. So it's decorated, but not in pretty lights and such.

There's a whole thread dedicated to the December holidays at Disneyland on the DL forum...

 

[DisneyHolidayFan]

You're already expecting it to be disappointing, so I predict you will return with a trip report that confirms it was. And really ... if they've been cutting things at such a massive pace since 1999, why keep planning trips there? Aren't you just setting yourself up for disappointment by continuing to book trips to a place that you think is slipping so badly?

At any rate ... I hope you have a wonderful trip and come back apologizing to WDW for thinking it was going to fail you!

Please do not assume that I will return with a negative report - my husband and I will have a good time regardless of the cuts. Also, I did not say that the cuts were at a massive pace but that I have noticed how many decorations have been eliminated during the holiday season and am extremely disappointed. Epcot, IMO, now has very little holiday decoration as LOW were the holiday Icon of the park. And, for the past 2-3 years, WDW has gradually lessened this attraction and now it is gone. Besides reading the posts on these boards that indicate that WDW is failing, many of our friends have came back disappointed. I only hope that it is due to the economy and that in the future, things will improve. I also do not appreciate that you question why I continue to plan trips to WDW; it has only been recently that I have been extremely disappointed (by the way, I am a DVC owner - another reason that I will continue to plan either for WDW or DL). Are you a WDW expert as I notice that you always seem to know all the answers.

 

[jlatina32]

We were just there in October. I did not see any of the "grumpy" CM's people have posted about. To me, it is still very magical. However, I don't go expecting a perfect trip so I'm not setting myself up for disappointment. Go and have a good time. If you go expecting a bad trip, you'll have a bad trip.

I totally agree with you!! You have to go with that mind set otherwise you will be so unhappy at the happiest place on Earth.

 

[WDSearcher]

Please do not assume that I will return with a negative report - my husband and I will have a good time regardless of the cuts. Also, I did not say that the cuts were at a massive pace but that I have noticed how many decorations have been eliminated during the holiday season and am extremely disappointed. Epcot, IMO, now has very little holiday decoration as LOW were the holiday Icon of the park. And, for the past 2-3 years, WDW has gradually lessened this attraction and now it is gone. Besides reading the posts on these boards that indicate that WDW is failing, many of our friends have came back disappointed. I only hope that it is due to the economy and that in the future, things will improve. I also do not appreciate that you question why I continue to plan trips to WDW; it has only been recently that I have been extremely disappointed (by the way, I am a DVC owner - another reason that I will continue to plan either for WDW or DL). Are you a WDW expert as I notice that you always seem to know all the answers.

I was just basing my prediction on your words. If I misunderstood, I'm sorry. You wrote: "I will try to enjoy the trip and hopefully, it will not be as disappointing as I expect." (bolding is mine) To me, that reads like someone who is already expecting not to have a good time and who is already expecting to be disappointed. It doesn't read like someone who is looking forward to their trip and anticipating that they will have a good time.

You also said, "It is unbelievable how much has disappeared during this time", which comes across as you believing that a large number of things are gone. Again, if that's not what you meant, then I'm sorry for misinterpreting. But the way the post was written did make it sound as though you've been going year after year and seeing many many cuts and were now planning to be disappointed. I don't think me asking why you still go, if this is the case, was out of line. YMMV

I am not a WDW expert. That title is now and always shall be Robo's! (And maybe Cheshire Figment, if we're talking tickets.) I live in Central Florida, have spent a lot of time in the parks, and have worked in various departments at WDW.

Again ... my apologies if I misinterpreted your words or tone. It's hard to gauge attitude or tone in a written post. Have a wonderful trip!

 

[NikitaZee]

I guess I'm in the minority here, but I like to have everyone's opinion - good and bad - so I can plan ahead. I'm capable of sifting through information and deciding for myself what will impact my trip or not. If I see the negative reports piling up - about the same things - that suggests to me that Disney has some work to do - not that the people giving the reports are complainers or that they deliberately go to Disney expecting to have problems everywhere they go. (Edited to add: I'm not aiming that comment at anyone in particular - it's just my humble opinion)

I've gone on many trips to Disney. Some (most, actually) have been magical from beginning to end, and I can't think of one complaint. Some have been so-so, with good and bad. And some have been downright disasters.

BTW, my last trip to Disney we all came down with H1N1 and pretty much stayed in our room the whole time. The staff at the Polynesian were wonderful. BUT, I wouldn't say that a bad day at Disney is better than a good day anywhere else - Disney was the last place we wanted to be under those circumstances.

 

[mamaprincess]

Negativity can be highly contagious. Stay away from it!

I had found myself feeling a little gloomy and not so excited about our trip with each negative thread I entered. I decided to just not read anymore negativity and to focus on all the the things about Disney during the holiday's that brings me joy and now I'm super psyched again!!! I have never not had a brilliant time at WDW. Why would this time be any different. There are still so many things I haven't even seen and done and I've been going every year since 2004.

Have the most magical time ever and read the positive threads. Look at the parades on youtube. Don't forget to watch Disney Holidays behind the magic on HGTV on Nov. 29th.

 

[DisneyHolidayFan]

Negativity can be highly contagious. Stay away from it!

I had found myself feeling a little gloomy and not so excited about our trip with each negative thread I entered. I decided to just not read anymore negativity and to focus on all the the things about Disney during the holiday's that brings me joy and now I'm super psyched again!!! I have never not had a brilliant time at WDW. Why would this time be any different. There are still so many things I haven't even seen and done and I've been going every year since 2004.

Have the most magical time ever and read the positive threads. Look at the parades on youtube. Don't forget to watch Disney Holidays behind the magic on HGTV on Nov. 29th.

Hi Illinoisian!

Wish I could see the program but will be at WDW. Hopefully, it will be on when I return. And, thanks for the advice!!!

 

[DisneyHolidayFan]

I guess I'm in the minority here, but I like to have everyone's opinion - good and bad - so I can plan ahead. I'm capable of sifting through information and deciding for myself what will impact my trip or not. If I see the negative reports piling up - about the same things - that suggests to me that Disney has some work to do - not that the people giving the reports are complainers or that they deliberately go to Disney expecting to have problems everywhere they go. (Edited to add: I'm not aiming that comment at anyone in particular - it's just my humble opinion)

I've gone on many trips to Disney. Some (most, actually) have been magical from beginning to end, and I can't think of one complaint. Some have been so-so, with good and bad. And some have been downright disasters.

BTW, my last trip to Disney we all came down with H1N1 and pretty much stayed in our room the whole time. The staff at the Polynesian were wonderful. BUT, I wouldn't say that a bad day at Disney is better than a good day anywhere else - Disney was the last place we wanted to be under those circumstances.

I feel bad now to complain as nothing would be worse than to get sick while there. I had pneumonia in 1996 while at WDW and couldn't wait to get home.
I slept at the resort while my family continued the schedule we had made (I insisted that they didn't stay in the room with me). That was our very first trip to WDW so we went back the following year to make up for it and the year after and the next year .......... Hope your next trip is a lot more magical!

 

[NikitaZee]

I feel bad now to complain as nothing would be worse than to get sick while there. I had pneumonia in 1996 while at WDW and couldn't wait to get home.
I slept at the resort while my family continued the schedule we had made (I insisted that they didn't stay in the room with me). That was our very first trip to WDW so we went back the following year to make up for it and the year after and the next year .......... Hope your next trip is a lot more magical!

That's why we're going back in April Our stay at our favorite Polynesian was a little less magical than usual, so we're giving the Grand Floridian another go. Can't wait.

 

[Mouseaholic!!!]

I feel bad now to complain as nothing would be worse than to get sick while there. I had pneumonia in 1996 while at WDW and couldn't wait to get home.
I slept at the resort while my family continued the schedule we had made (I insisted that they didn't stay in the room with me). That was our very first trip to WDW so we went back the following year to make up for it and the year after and the next year .......... Hope your next trip is a lot more magical!

Pancreatitus in 2004 at the Grand Floridian - celebrating a friends 40th birthday. I thought I was having a heart attack - but decided if it was a heart attack - I would be dead.

I struggled through EPCOT, the birthday dinner and at 3 AM was wisked away to Celebration Health!

Being sick at WDW is no fun.

It was August - hot as poop and I had BOTH bathrobes on shivering on the balcony watching Wishes.

Not too much magic on that trip but I CAN report that in 2004 the ladies rooms at the Grand Floridian were SPOTLESS !!!

 

[DisneyHolidayFan]

That's why we're going back in April Our stay at our favorite Polynesian was a little less magical than usual, so we're giving the Grand Floridian another go. Can't wait.

We absolutely love the GF - our favorite resort!!!

 

[DisneyHolidayFan]

Pancreatitus in 2004 at the Grand Floridian - celebrating a friends 40th birthday. I thought I was having a heart attack - but decided if it was a heart attack - I would be dead.

I struggled through EPCOT, the birthday dinner and at 3 AM was wisked away to Celebration Health!

Being sick at WDW is no fun.

It was August - hot as poop and I had BOTH bathrobes on shivering on the balcony watching Wishes.

Not too much magic on that trip but I CAN report that in 2004 the ladies rooms at the Grand Floridian were SPOTLESS !!!

I can't believe you tried to watch Wishes! It had to be an awful experience. Hope you have had better trips to WDW!!!

 

[Katie Dawn]

I am not a WDW expert. That title is now and always shall be Robo's! (And maybe Cheshire Figment, if we're talking tickets.)

Don't forget bradk!

Also, doconeil is a bit of a "Fast Pass Theory" expert!

Thanks to all!