For the first time in 20 years, I am not excited to return to Disney World.

[disneydreamer781]

Someone said earlier that you have to make your own magic to have a good trip. That’s not the Disney that I remember, They promised to supply the magic and that’s what brought us back.

I agree. That is not the Disney I knew either. I don't buy into that because if that's the case then I could have just stayed closer to home or gone somewhere else or done something to make myself happy or feel some "magic" for a lot less.

 

[Selket]

Early entry is just a joke. That 30 minutes does nothing and the way they hold people back just makes for more crowds and longer lines. I truly wish they would change it to how it was during COVID, where they opened the parks early and let people roam, so crowds wouldn’t build.

I disagree with this statement. I made sure we were on a bus at 7:30 so that we could be in line at Hollywood Studios by 8:10. In that first half an hour we rode RnRC, TOT and Star Tours - well worth me getting up and getting to the bus station. Also the extended hours for deluxe guests was well worth staying in the parks.

We had this experience at Epcot - arrived quite early for EE for resort guests and were held in one of the holding pen areas until they let us in and by the time we got to Frozen the wait was over an hour. EE didn't work well in that park (early December).

 

[Doug7856]

As I read these posts, I can't help but think of The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause where Frost takes over the North Pole and there are upcharges for everything, the magic is gone and everything is about the dollar.

The common theme of this thread seems to be that the magic is elusive lately.

We had a really good trip in July and had a December trip planned (would have been last weekend). After the pricing for Disney Very Merriest After Hours were released and Geenie+ and the out-of-control COVID outbreak in Florida, we decided to cancel our trip. We'll try again next year. Hopefully, Disney figures all of this out. My real worry is that Disney bean counters have replaced the magic with algorithms and lost why we all come to the Happiest Place on Earth.

I know many will disagree with my view, and that's fine, but I think ajollyholidaywithjo has really hit the nail on the head with how many people feel about Walt Disney World right now. Everyone should let the people at Walt Disney World know how they feel (good and bad). The email address is guest.services@disneyworld.com.

 

[parasail_of_congress]

N/A

 

[bsmcneil]

It's curious that you don't have any answers to questions so that we can better understand the exact issues you were facing. Typically I would recommend contacting Disney to voice your frustration, but they would likely ask you the exact same questions. I never defended Disney in my entire post. If my comments make you feel responsible for the issues you had, or for me trying to understand the exact problems you were facing, I'd recommend rethinking your position.

Just as a point of information: I'm not the OP but I felt like your post challenged them when clearly they were coming to share their experience (which is part of what this forum is about). It might've been different if they had asked for your help. I've definitely never had Disney Guest Relations immediately jump to "Well what did you do and let's see how you contributed to this problem?" I find that their responses are often - we're sorry you encountered a problem! And then they'll go from there. And from my varied experiences with customer service or working with the public, I've definitely found that people's defenses go up immediately if you're challenging what they're saying after they experienced something negatively (as opposed to letting them say what they need, and if they needed to vent or problem solve). So - maybe it's not just about the OP or their positions (or experiences).

 

[parasail_of_congress]

N/A

 

[MakiraMarlena]

it wasn't really WDW's job to "supply" the magic. I've been on this board almost 20 years and the complaints have been going on the entire time and still before that. There has always been something to complain about.

However, WDW has made it clear that they are looking to interest a new brand of guest, which they do every few years, and some of the other guests who are used to various "old" ways of doing things are not going to enjoy that. Those guests may well decide they are going to go elsewhere and that is normal.

 

[Jennasis]

Just as a point of information: I'm not the OP but I felt like your post challenged them when clearly they were coming to share their experience (which is part of what this forum is about). It might've been different if they had asked for your help. I've definitely never had Disney Guest Relations immediately jump to "Well what did you do and let's see how you contributed to this problem?" I find that their responses are often - we're sorry you encountered a problem! And then they'll go from there. And from my varied experiences with customer service or working with the public, I've definitely found that people's defenses go up immediately if you're challenging what they're saying after they experienced something negatively (as opposed to letting them say what they need, and if they needed to vent or problem solve). So - maybe it's not just about the OP or their positions (or experiences).

I felt the same way about that post. Had a reply all typed out and then deleted it. Not worth my time.

 

[Jennasis]

Someone said earlier that you have to make your own magic to have a good trip. That’s not the Disney that I remember, They promised to supply the magic and that’s what brought us back.

Completely agree. Hilariously the song during Enchanted now is "YOU are the magic!"....indeed, because Disney itself sure isn't.

 

[Tink-osophy]

...I think that perhaps Disney should have improved their on site internet access before demanding that everyone use it to do almost everything. ...

...But really, is it necessary to demand that your customers have the latest technology at their disposal?

I agree.

Didn't Disney used to care about how these things impacted on the Guest experience? I always got the impression that, though hiccups happen, Disney aimed to consider all aspects of the experience, to make it as smooth as possible, because, surely, that is a fundamental part of their Guests having a 'magical' experience.

...We had tons of glitches with genie plus, not worth what I paid for etc. We also had some pretty legitimate problems with housekeeping that were never resolved. I was on my phone a ton, it made the ' quality time' for the week with my children that we normally have non existent. ...

Sometimes that’s true. Other times it’s not.

I went in completely stoked—first trip in five years!! I wasn’t intimidated at all by the app use. And yet the lines, lack of app functionality, lack of offerings, and lack of customer service just made it terrible. We bailed after day 3 of 7 and came home. I’ve never left any vacation early (save one year we left the beach one day early) and certainly never entertained leaving Disney except with a tear in my eye. Had one this time too, but for NONE of the usual reasons. Sorry for all like me who are going now and being the “Genie-pigs” (as one DIS’er says) at top end pricing and getting the “oh well” customer treatment

It's such a shame reading your respective experiences. They definitely don't reflect the safe hands I always felt in when at Disney.

...it wasn't really WDW's job to "supply" the magic. ...

Surely, I'm reading this wrong! Disney have long marketed their magic and charged accordingly and many, many of us have enjoyed it first-hand. Yes, there's the element of an upward spiral of...

their magic-> our enjoyment -> more magic etc.

...but they definitely got the ball rolling.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

yes, they did foment high expectations. But they can't please everyone, and they have again changed their idea of who they are trying hardest to please.

 

[Arielfan98]

I’ve been visiting WDW since I was barely old enough to walk. I’ve gone every year since, I’ve planned multiple trips, had so many wonderful experiences.

I just returned from a trip early December and it is the first time I’ve been truly sad and disappointed. I kind of saw this coming, but I was hoping that I would go on the trip and I would be pleasantly surprised.

But the magic was just…gone. Disney World has always been my bright spot, it has gotten me through serious depression, abusive situations, terrible loss. And I’m so sad that it is no longer the place I know and love.

I know a lot of people won’t agree with this, but some people might feel the same. This is just my personal experience, so please don’t dog me for that. I hope WDW sees these complaints and maybe changes something. Who knows.

I’m hoping to use this time to travel to other locations and explore more. And maybe one day I will be back. Till then, thank you for the memories, WDW.

Same here. I was disappointed when I felt like I had to use my phone for every little thing. I love planning ahead, don't get me wrong, but the new Genie + and mobile ordering stuff even for snacks is too much for me. I just want to walk around the parks and enjoy myself.

 

[Mai Ku Tiki]

As I read these posts, I can't help but think of The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause where Frost takes over the North Pole and there are upcharges for everything, the magic is gone and everything is about the dollar.

The common theme of this thread seems to be that the magic is elusive lately.

We had a really good trip in July and had a December trip planned (would have been last weekend). After the pricing for Disney Very Merriest After Hours were released and Geenie+ and the out-of-control COVID outbreak in Florida, we decided to cancel our trip. We'll try again next year. Hopefully, Disney figures all of this out. My real worry is that Disney bean counters have replaced the magic with algorithms and lost why we all come to the Happiest Place on Earth.

I know many will disagree with my view, and that's fine, but I think ajollyholidaywithjo has really hit the nail on the head with how many people feel about Walt Disney World right now. Everyone should let the people at Walt Disney World know how they feel (good and bad). The email address is guest.services@disneyworld.com.

Uh Oh! Maybe we need to find out if Santa Claus 3 is Chapek's all-time fave film!!
That would explain A LOT!!

(Proud signer of REMOVE CHAPEK petition.)

 

[Mai Ku Tiki]

it wasn't really WDW's job to "supply" the magic. I've been on this board almost 20 years and the complaints have been going on the entire time and still before that. There has always been something to complain about.

However, WDW has made it clear that they are looking to interest a new brand of guest, which they do every few years, and some of the other guests who are used to various "old" ways of doing things are not going to enjoy that. Those guests may well decide they are going to go elsewhere and that is normal.

Ummm.....Disney's entire brand has been about 'magic.'
I still have plastic bags going back decades with their slogans about magic & dreams & wishes.
A quick google search finds so many...

I'm a Disneyholic...From the MM Club & my Mouseguitar when I was 3 to having retired nearby, fulfilling my lifelong dream. Started visiting WDW in '72 A LOT.

Disney sold MAGIC (not the DIY kind) & lived up to its promise most (not all) of the time.
But no denying Disney's brand is supposed to be MAGIC.

 

[Tink-osophy]

yes, they did foment high expectations. But they can't please everyone, and they have again changed their idea of who they are trying hardest to please.

Not just expectations, but follow-through. They had their own brand of 'magic' which, regardless of technology, target audience, trends etc., they realised pretty consistently. ...Much of it through their eye for detail, allowing for market-leading customer service. ...Customer service, which in that sense, looked after everyone.

(Personally, though, I experienced the magic of WDW well before seeing their, now, regular promotions of it;, so, for me, the expectations came from actual previous experiences.)

IOW, no, of course, you can't please all of the people all of the time, but Disney used to do a really good job of pleasing the majority more consistently,

 

[jknc]

Honestly not sure why more folks aren’t jazzed about Harmonius and Ratatouille

 

[fhtpdw20]

I began feeling this way between 2016 and the last promised trips in 2018 long before covid and the recent changes. What Disney fails to realized is that I am the one with the disposable income (not retired/not burdened with a lot of debt). My kids can't afford to go to Disney without my help. My son was raised on Disney trips, DVDs, toys ect... I now have a grandson and I have not bought him one Disney related thing. Lost category one is merchandise. He is not going to be raised on Disney like his dad, therefore, Disney is losing long term the next generation. Lost category two is park vacations. If they screw up Disney cruises, that will be the third strike and Disney will be out all together.

 

[Jennasis]

Honestly not sure why more folks aren’t jazzed about Harmonius and Ratatouille

Because both were...fine. Neither were spectacular. Harmonious was okay. Better than Epcot Forever but a country mile. But no Illuminations. And Ratatouille? It was cute. And that's all I have to say about it.

We all know they are capable of SO much more. They just didn't. Maybe because they feel they don't have to, and maybe they are right. We used to hold them to a higher.. the HIGHEST standard. Now I've lowered my expectations because they don't deliver anymore. And that is how I will continue to enjoy Disney...by expecting mediocrity.

 

[disneyseniors]

Because both were...fine. Neither were spectacular. Harmonious was okay. Better than Epcot Forever but a country mile. But no Illuminations. And Ratatouille? It was cute. And that's all I have to say about it.

We all know they are capable of SO much more. They just didn't. Maybe because they feel they don't have to, and maybe they are right. We used to hold them to a higher.. the HIGHEST standard. Now I've lowered my expectations because they don't deliver anymore. And that is how I will continue to enjoy Disney...by expecting mediocrity.

Jenasis: I find it sad that you had to lower your expectations to enjoy Disney!
They have really dropped the ball on guest satisfaction and attractions IMO.
And they charge more for much less.
We have voted with our wallets, and have no plans to return, which makes ME sad, because disney Was our happy place for so many years.
We shouldn't have to "lower our expectations" just to enjoy disney, IMO.

 

[buckeyegirl1]

We went thanksgiving day through the next week. Tried genie for thanksgiving and wasn’t worth it at all, didn’t buy it again. Having to be up everyday before 7 even if your not going to the parks until later was not worth it. Housekeeping was non-existent, we took out our own trash and cleaned our room best we could. Had numerous issues and spent hours on the phone trying to fix them, over charged for our room and never got a straight answer why or all of it refunded. Multiple rides down everyday for hours at a time. We were stuck on avatar for over 30 mins, people were starting to have panick attacks being stuck in those seats, it was awful. All we got was an offer to ride it again, no thanks! Their was even a fight at Epcot while we were there. Didn’t care much for enchantment either. And what happened to the food quality, it has went down big time since we were there precovid but the prices have gone up significantly! Also waited an hour and 15 mins for a bus from cbr one evening while about 15 stopped for other parks including the skyliner parks that weren’t supposed to have bus service. And to top it all off Magic express (actually it was one of the plain white buses) lost our luggage on the way back to the airport and the bus driver yelled at us and left us at the airport with no luggage and information on what to do. I was in tears, not the way to end our trip. I sent multiple emails about our experience and have gotten zero response. We are huge Disney fans but we all agreed it will be our last week long trip. We have a Disney cruise booked and we are hoping the service ect is still there.