Has anybody NOT had a disappointing trip lately?

[MolonLabe]

I want to go, but am hesitant given such widespread complaints here about oversalted food, disgusting bathrooms, declining service, broken technology, layoffs and defections, crowds, construction, nothing new in years and decay/abandonment of whole areas of parks, rising costs in an increasingly poorly disguised effort to gouge the guest, and diminishing value. Oh, and loss of spontaneity due to FP+. So...still a good destination? Do we all just need an antidepressant and lessons in gratitude? I'm honestly not sure what to expect and whether even to go.

I think you are going to find everyone's answered are going to be colored based on their experiences and their expectations.

As a Florida native, I've been going Disney World for about 34 years now. I've seen from the eyes of a 3 year old to the eyes of a 36 year old father of three.

I've seen it from staying off site at small crappy motels and my single mother sitting through time share meetings to score us a couple days worth of tickets because she couldn't afford them to living a bit larger and my grand parents taking me without the time share schpeal and being able to buy a souvenir stuffed animal while I was there.

I've seen it through the eyes of a 21~ year old firefighter with a free AP because of the huge wildfires I helped fight back in the mid/late 90's...

I've seen it through the eyes of a father with 3 young kids who scrapped up enough money to take our first trip to WDW because "They have to go, while they still believe in magic"

I've also seen it from POP and the TPV of the Contemporary... twice. (done with school, started my own business, finally making money at that point)

I've seen the parks without fastpass. I've seen them with fastpass. I've seen them with both fastpass and fastpass+ (yea for being able to double dip that trip). I've seen.... a lot.

Attitude is a huge thing. Some people come back from a trip and list numerous experiences I would find unacceptable but then end with "but I still had a great time". This means one of only a couple of things: 1- they are on some sort of psychotropic drug that disconnects them from reality and logic 2- Disney is *their* happy place and nothing can change that Think UniKitty from the Lego movie. 3- They are just one of those very few "chill people".

Expectations is another. Expect the worst and you won't be disapointed. That's probably why our trip to Universal and Sea World was so amazing a few months ago. We didn't expect much and had a BLAST! Of course the express pass things helped a lot. You can have a lot of fun when your longest wait is about 15 minutes.

For me, the experience seems to be declining slightly every year. The food especially, I've noticed a cross the board step down the past couple trips.

Experience is another. Fastpass+ really has some people perturbed and for good reason. Those of us who utilized the system loved it. Those who didn't utilize (for whatever reason) love the new one.

There is a steep divide between the two camps usually for that reason. On one side the crowd with 5, 6 sometimes 9 Fastpasses on a MK day now only get 3 or 4. The other side who never used the FP+ now get 3 or 4 and it's "the best ever". Why is anyone surprised over that?

Having seen WDW from about every angle you can (short of also being a CM) I'd say, overall , WDW is declining. Part of it has to do with all the extra rude idiots who seem to be flooding the parks. I don't mean a certain age bracket or whatever. It seems people from all walks of life and all ages the level of rudeness from fellow park goers is going through the roof each trip.

So much so it's affecting our WDW time and we are going other places and doing other things during our usual WDW time. I don't even bother with an AP because it's not like we'll be doing trips more frequently than every 18 months or so at this point.

Next month we'll be going back, staying much more subdued and doing things much more "seat of the pants" for one more "trial". This could be the make or break trip for us.

 

[beedee12]

Please keep an open mind and go! My husband and I were just there in December (week before Christmas) and it was the most magical, amazing vacation we've ever had. The cast members were phenomenal, almost every single one of our meals was exceptional, and the crowds were more than manageable. I truly believe it is what you make it. Before we left, I made sure not to read negative threads. I went into the trip with a heart swelling with love for Disney. And, boy, was I rewarded. I can't even put into words how amazing that trip was!

 

[hippiechicken]

I had an amazing trip for Christmas, February, and march and can't wait to go back for Easter.

 

[Networth]

I have been to WDW more times than I can count (Florida Res with AP's since they started offering AP's) the only two things that come to mind are huge increase in the crowds over the years. and the fact they are not as driven about building.

Most nay sayers are burnt out for various reasons. People feel better to vent and where else than the Internet. I was just their a few weekends ago and did a longer trip in December and have a longer trip in August. Are some trips better than others? Of course. Are some average days better than others? Of course.

 

[Davey Jones II]

One complaint about our last trip: we got stuck in line a little more often than before, when rides broke down. To be fair, it happened at Universal, too. I don't know why it seems to be happening more often than before. Of course, there's some luck involved; sometimes you'll be there when it breaks down, and sometimes the line will never stop moving.

 

[SeilerBird]

My take on the complaints is that a lot of the complaining comes from people that go to Disney many, many times, over and over, at least once a year, if not more, so the magic has worn off a bit, or more than a bit. If you've never been, or haven't been in a very long time (like me and DH) it's going to be magical.

I am a local with an annual pass and I go a lot. The magic hasn't worn off and I have a fantastic time every time I go. If the magic ever wears off just shoot me and bury me.

 

[IrishNYC]

I am a local with an annual pass and I go a lot. The magic hasn't worn off and I have a fantastic time every time I go. If the magic ever wears off just shoot me and bury me.

I have no doubt you have a fantastic time! Some people just like to complain about how things were as good as they were "back then" and they don't stop complaining.

 

[sharadoc]

I find that half of the complaints are due to the changes. Five years ago, we all had figured out the best way to work the system and really felt that we had ultimate vacations. Now so many of the changes have taken that away and folks see everything through a negative lens. If you look at it as an all-new experience, you'll have nothing to compare to and it will be great!

I see folks on here talk about how many BOG reservations they have, or how many FPs/days they can ride 7D Mine Train and I realize that it contributes to the negative impressions from the people who CAN'T get those reservations. If we can all change our expectations to only do something once, and spread the wealth, then we'd all be happier by the end of the trip.

Just my two cents

We went in November 2014 (11/20-11/28) under the new system for the first time. It was fine. We got FP+ for everything but 7D, while on site since we didn't buy tickets in advance. It was annoying to have to "kill" time between the FPs, but it turned out to be a more relaxing way to spend the day. We still had a great time and will be back again in November this year.

 

[Princess Disney Mom]

I want to go, but am hesitant given such widespread complaints here about oversalted food, disgusting bathrooms, declining service, broken technology, layoffs and defections, crowds, construction, nothing new in years and decay/abandonment of whole areas of parks, rising costs in an increasingly poorly disguised effort to gouge the guest, and diminishing value. Oh, and loss of spontaneity due to FP+. So...still a good destination? Do we all just need an antidepressant and lessons in gratitude? I'm honestly not sure what to expect and whether even to go.

Yes, my last trip in January was great. We stayed at the Shades of Green and had a rental car so getting around was easy. The crowds were not bad considering it was a holiday weekend. We loved the beautiful mild weather. The FP+ worked fine. We were so excited to see our ride video in our account from the 7DMT; that was a nice surprise. We just had a relaxing good time.

 

[mom2rtk]

If we can all change our expectations to only do something once, and spread the wealth, then we'd all be happier by the end of the trip.

So we need to be willing to continue paying more while settling for less?

We'll have to agree to disagree on that point.

 

[JanaDee]

I will give you a hint about the stretching room... if you stand right by the wall underneath the picture of the lady with the parasol, that is the door that opens to the queue. You will be one of the first ones out and no pushing . We do that every time. Haven't seen that picture in years

Or you can choose to stand opposite that picture and be the last ones out, definitely no pushing then.

 

[nilla]

... construction, nothing new in years and decay/abandonment of whole areas of parks...

So what is the construction for?

There will ALWAYS be complainers. Disney for me is as wonderful as always. FP+ is fantastic. As someone else on here once said, attitude is the #1 thing that will affect the quality of your vacation.

 

[Cormoran]

Throughout this thread, I am reading posts from people who like FP+ telling me why I and other posters don't like FP+: I don't like change, I was a hoarder, I am unwilling to adapt.... I could go on and on.

What I don't understand is why people who like the system are busy focusing their attentions on why others don't like FP+. How can people who like the system speak for those who don't?

Last April I visited the parks for the first time with FP+ and I do not like it. I think it is ridiculous that guests now have to make ride reservations. I spend enough time in my job adhering to an hourly schedule, I just don't enjoy doing the same when I'm on vacation. I agree that it's only 3 attractions, but this is about how FP+ makes me feel. I also don't like that so many secondary attractions now have FP+ and so the SB lines have increased for these attractions. I can't just decide to hop on SE, because I now realize the SB line may be prohibitive for my family.

WDW will always be a place filled with wonderful memories for my family. I love Wishes, the MSEP, Illuminations, the beautiful landscaping, Cinderella's Castle, WS, EE, the shows. I could go on forever. But at this point, the hassles of visiting WDW are beginning to overshadow my family's enjoyment of the parks. We are trying again next month with lower expectations. But if we return home again relieved that the trip is over, it will confirm the WDW is no longer our happy place.

 

[momimouse27]

*Gasp!* I love Wolfgangs at the Marketplace...a fave of ours!

I couldn't agree more about the people who overexpect. Sometimes there are truly valid complaints, and when that's so I can understand why people get upset. But I would venture about 90% of the people who had a horrible time have unrealistic expectations. They see the Disney commercials with the kids running through the park holding a balloon in one hand and a character's hand in another...there's hardly another soul in the park-no crowds- and they think it's really like that. I guess if I'd never been before, I might expect that too, idk.

There is validity to the construction gripes and that Disney has let some things go, but good heavens I'm always just glad to be there. It's nice just to have a vacation and escape from the real world for a little while. I'll take Disney any day!!

BTW, our last trip, though it lasted only two days, was wonderful! We had a blast, even though it was Easter weekend and the place was packed. We stayed til late and my son and I watched Wishes from the TTA. It was great!!

 

[KeytotheCastle]

We just got back yesterday and had a wonderful get away.
It was our first trip as a family of 5, first ever time for the kids to Disney.
It was more of a learning trip. Now I know that the standard room at all star music is too cramped for our family of 5, even if we are only just sleeping there! I feel like the more we go, the more we will know and be prepared.
We had a wonderful time and I hope you do, too!

 

[Laketravis]

I've been thinking about this thread some more and it occurred to me that "concerns" may be inadvertently confused with "disappointment".

I think people who don't care too much about WDW can be disappointed. I think people who care a lot about WDW can be concerned.

Last night I looked at what FP's are left for Friday night and found that TT, Soarin, and MS were all gone. Was I disappointed? Sure, who wouldn't be. But I was actually more concerned on a different level because I began to think how forcing everyone to pick 3 could obfuscate demand data for WDW. Take Dumbo, for instance. They saw increased, uninfluenced, pure demand so they doubled the ride capacity by replicating the ride. Soarin and TSMM have also enjoyed high demand and are receiving capacity increases. But what happens when Captain EO sees enormous increase in usage simply because everyone has to pick 3? Does WDW look at that and consider building another? In other words, how can they now distinguish between pure and manufactured demand?

Yeah, probably too deep of a concept for this thread but then that is an example of how some of our concerns can be confused for disappointment.


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[momimouse27]

So what is the construction for?

There will ALWAYS be complainers. Disney for me is as wonderful as always. FP+ is fantastic. As someone else on here once said, attitude is the #1 thing that will affect the quality of your vacation.

Sorry for the double post...

Exactly! The complaints many times are that the parks have become outdated. I see the construction and all the changes as Disney realizing that they need to update to 1)make their customers happy and 2)compete with Universal. I think Universal's popularity has been one of the best things that has happened to our beloved WDW. They aren't out there all by themselves as the theme park kings anymore, and it forces them to step up their game and compete. Competition always forces the parties involved to better their product-hence all the construction and change. I am not a fan of all the change, honestly. I haven't fully experienced FP+ yet, but not happy about some of the things leaving Epcot(Fife and Drum, for example) but I know why they are doing it. I honestly don't see the change in the food service, like everyone else does. With one exception-had a bad meal at WCC-it was fine last time we were there.

But in the end, I think it will lead to the betterment of the park experience, and that's what everyone wants.

 

[Bonesdodisney]

We had a lovely holiday and I can't wait to get the chance to go back.

We went in September and although I had booked some fastpasses and most of our ADRs I was still able to change a lot of them as our plans changed. People may not agree with my but I like FP+ as I could have things booked, not have to rush to the parks etc.

I can only think of a couple of time where we got bad service in restaurants and had no problems with salty food.

Yes there was construction going on but they are making improvements in order to make future trips better and different.

I think it is important to go with an open mind and just enjoy your holiday

 

[BarbieGal457]

No one will ever agree on everything - someone, somewhere, will find something to complain about (in general, not saying these forums do that).

That said, we had a WONDERFUL trip over NYE. Yes the bathrooms were a little messy but it was packed and nothing that grossed me out, honestly. Maybe a little clean toilet paper on the floor? A few wet (but clean) hand towels that fell out of the trash? I must also say custodial was in there and working their butts off. The food was fine, if just average - your normal tourist/theme park meal. We did not do any fancy meals though, just BOG and Tony's, which I am not a fan of but at 9pm on 12/31, it was heavenly. Our room was clean, tidy, and well-kept. FP+ worked like a dream. It took away absoutely nothing and we were still about to be as spontaneous as we wanted. All CMs were extremely pleasant and helpful, even on such an insane day with very rude guests.

I wouldn't let what you see here or anywhere else turn you off. Everyone has such different expectations that I really think you need to go and try it again for yourself. Not to start a FP+ war here, but SO many people are so angrily against it but have never used it yet! I kept an open mind and we ended up loving it. I say go at least one more time and view the overall picture for yourself then decide. We had a fabulous trip and expect the same when we go back this summer!

 

[dkellumw]

We were there last week for 7 nights/8 days in the parks and had a wonderful time. We like FP+, scheduled them around our ADRs. Ready to schedule our Thanksgiving trip!