Has anyone noticed the amount

[RacingPrincess]

We went on two trips to Disney. The first to the Grand Floridian was not that great, BUT I feel a lot of it had to do with expectations that no one can fullfill. We wanted everything to be perfect, well when you scrutinize everything so closely, there is no way that your trip can live up to them.

Our next trip to Disney at the Poly (and everywhere else for that matter) I relaxed and said hey I am here to have fun, and it doesn't need to be perfect, lets just have some fun and enjoy. Needless to say We had a fabulous time and we can't wait to go again. So it is sooo true, you make your own magic!!!

As for some patrons on the trip that can't behave, for example sitting at Captain Cooks and a mom is yelling at her kids they better shut up and eat and enjoy this d*&( trip because it costs a lot of money and so forth. We don't let them ruin our trip. If anything our children notice them and we use it as a learning tool.... We all work too hard to go on these wonderful trips to let a small percentage of inconsiderate people ruin it for us.

Just some food for thought

 

[SharkyGoddess]

didn't get anything for a birthday/anniversay or fill in the blank.

I don't think as many people would complain about the "celebrations" if there wasn't such a big deal made out of them when reservations are being made. I know personally that when we made reservations and asked about birthday surprises we were given the idea special things would happen. So for other people who may have mentioned their "special days" as well and were told they would receive special treatment and didn't, it's understandable how that could have been a negative experience for them.

Everyone is entitled to their own opinions, thoughts and emotions. What I don't get are the number of DISers who attack their fellow board members (especially the newbies) and blatantly call them liars and degrade them for their upsets. True some of the complaints are frivolous, such as the towel animals. Some are simply a case of a person who is new to disney not knowing the importance of ADR's. I surely didn't until I came here, before that, ADR's had NEVER crossed my mind. When someone complains, rather than attacking them, why not be a little more compassionate and understanding and try to help them learn better for next time?

 

[kikiq]

When I was "researching" for the trip we just took...to read these boards, you would have thought the resorts were coming close to run down dumps.
I took all of it with a grain of salt.

We just got back from Poly/ASMU. Both resorts were beautiful, no heaping trash cans, no dirty linens, no rude cast members, no run down facilities and the Disney magic was out in full force. Yes, the volcano pool was crowded as was the ASMU pool...but it's summer and it's hot. We took the buses all over exploring wdw timing how long it took to get from parks to AKL, from SSR/OKW to the parks. Only once had to wait more than 20 minutes and even then the bus driver that dropped us and another family off tried to get an OK from his dispatcher to take us to DTD. At night we noticed that the value resort buses had more people BUT hey, there are more people at those resorts.

I will echo what people have been saying...make your own magic...if you put out magic, you get magic in return...if you put out complaints and expect the worse...guess what, that's probably what you get.

 

[stitchrulz]

Everyone is entitled to their own opinions, thoughts and emotions. What I don't get are the number of DISers who attack their fellow board members (especially the newbies) and blatantly call them liars and degrade them for their upsets.

Well said!

(And although some of us may be new to the DIS, that doesn't necessarily mean we're new to DISNEY.)

 

[branv]

So now we're complaining about complaining?

Frankly, I know some complaints seem frivolous and sometimes they make me want to give people a V-8 smack. Should we grateful to even have a glass half full, or complain that we paid expecting a full glass but it's half empty? Personally, I think there's room for both and I try to remember a wonderful quote I read in the newspaper the other day.

"Both optimists and pessimists contribute to our society. The optimist invents the airplane and the pessimist the parachute."
- Gil Stern

So if you TRULY don't like it when people are negative, than counter that with a positive thought: the only way things ever change for the better is because someone stood up and..well, complained. Even if it's just to a friend, or on these boards, it's a start.

 

[smfnj]

When we went in 2003, we were very disappointed in Disney...we felt the Magic had "disappeared." Cast members never smiled or were outright rude; guests were screaming at kids; the service was under par for what we had become accustomed to with Disney.

Maybe your visit coincided with very tough union negotiations.

Steve

 

[bavaria]

I wouldn't mind the griping so much if alot of it wasn't for really minor things. lately there have been a lot of "ruined" vacations because of:

No towel animals left by housekeeping.
Its packed in the parks during the summer.
Can't get a sit down meal without an ADR.
didn't get anything for a birthday/anniversay or fill in the blank.
Disney raised their prices.

Just seems like a lot of whining going on.

I would add that there are also a lot of 'new' whines that we haven't seen around much before, such as smelly people and people not speaking English.

I will say that my previous three stays this year were all excellent, and I have certainly not always had great stays in past.

Like many regulars here, I have stopped reading/posting on a lot of topics/boards on this website because I can't let the negativity have an impact on me. There are happier, more objective places on the internet to talk about WDW these days it seems

 

[Cool-Beans]

IMO, Disney service has taken a turn for the worse. It is a slow slide, but the slide over the last 10 years even, is noticeable.

They have also made so many, many cutbacks. There aren't WOWs at every turn anymore the way there used to be. Less street entertainment, less cleaning people around - that sort of thing.

I'm not saying Disney isn't a great vacation - it is. I still like it a lot and still go. It is just that I think there is a lot of merit to much of what people say.

 

[bavaria]

When you combine

1. access to information available now on the internet (ie how many knew about waking Tink before reading about it here?)
2. increased prices (which are simply a fact - prices for most goods and services increase every year)
3. cost containment measures by Disney, which may or may not be noticeable to the guest
4. Year of a Million Dreams (which sometimes seems to be 'Year of a Million Disappointments')
5. higher occupancy=less flexibility for room requests; higher park attendance=longer wait times

it does make sense that there are some disappointments....

 

[fla4fun]

It also seems like more people are willing to post/comment when they've had a negative experience, than when they have a positive experience. I've noticed a lot more threads lately that start out with several paragraphs listing in minute detail everything that went wrong, and then at the end, a couple of sentences that say by the way, we had a great time and we're going back next year. Personally, I prefer the more balanced posts, where they start off with all the things that went right, and then mention the things that didn't and how they were fixed (or not fixed) at the time. I feel those posts are a lot more informative and give a more well rounded view of the resorts and parks overall.

It also seems like more and more posters are out to get something from Disney for the slightest inconvenience. The first post that comes to mind is one where a guest didn't get a room request fulfilled for a specific building at a resort. Yes, they got a room, nothing was wrong with the room, but because it wasn't in the exact building they requested, they were going to contact Disney and make sure they got the magic next time. What?!? It's no wonder prices keep going up, if Disney is having to compensate people for things like this. There are times when Disney does need to step up to the plate, apologize, and make things right for a guest. But it seems like so many people are taking advantage these days, especially if they made a "request" that wasn't honored. And all those people are posting right here.

 

[Lilolvr]

You will always hear from the guests who have a negative experience, that's just human nature.

I think boards like the DIS, just create such an expectation from Disney that if one thing does not go according to Plan A, i.e., towel animals, room location, a rude CM, the vacation is a complete disaster, the resort is terrible or management is incompetent. Things are bound to happen. Then if they are not compensated for said disaster, gotta get a free upgrade or free something, the writing spree begins. And it always starts on the boards. The littlest thing will set guests off.

 

[lustergirl]

I have been to disney several times and have NEVER had a bad experience yet. I welcome the thought of going there on vacation and prefer to go nowhere else. I am grateful that my family is able to go on vacation there every year and sometime 2x a year. I have a little girl that lives down the street that has cancer ( the type that affects her bloodstream). Her parents are not wealthy people and could never dream of going to disney. I mentioned it to here mother one day that I would like to put her name in for a free trip to disney through the "make a wish foundation" here at home. The little girl is obsessed with Cinderella. I think about this constantly and am very grateful for the chances that I have had to go to disney. Anything remotely negative that happens I take with a grain of salt and to me disney is still the most "magical place on earth". Unfortunately usually the only negativity I experience about disney is reading some of these posts. People need to lighten up and realize that they have it good in life to just get the chance to be able to vacation at disney. I think alot of people go there expecting everything to be perfect, well sometimes they are not as we are all human and make mistakes.

 

[Mom2Evie]

There are other disney discussion forums that I find much more negative than this one, with personal attacks and sarcastic comments all the time. I think some of those people are migrating here!
You know, I still think the DISboards are an overall positive place. THe negative ones stand out in our minds because they're so different than our experience or opinions. Take a look at any of the boards right now. I'm willing to bet the positives still far outweigh the negative posts. Even when people log on and complain, the responses are usually upbeat, "sorry your experience was bad, mine was great. Maybe next time you could....." Those kinds of things.

 

[Snookies]

There are some really good posts on this thread. To pick out just a few for additional comments...

These boards have become so negative that I have decided to only drop by every few days.

I also STRONGLY believe you make your own magic. If you go to Disney or anyplace whining and looking for flaws you will find them, if you go looking for magic and prepared to have a good time no matter what you will.....

I had noticed that you weren't posting as frequently. I hope that changes because I always enjoyed reading your comments. I always enjoy reading posts by spiceycat and Sammie too. I agree with your make your own magic view of the world. Sometimes I wonder if some of the things I've observed at WDW result from trying to do too much in too short a time. I don't think that most of my friends and colleagues that ask me about planning a trip to WDW allocate enough time for their trip. There are a variety of good reasons for the time constraints they impose on themselves, but the end result is that when there, they try to do too much and this may affect their post-trip observations. When they ask me if (fill in the blank) days is enough for WDW, I always answer no, regardless of what number is filled in the blank.

I wouldn't mind the griping so much if alot of it wasn't for really minor things. lately there have been a lot of "ruined" vacations because of:

No towel animals left by housekeeping.
Its packed in the parks during the summer.
Can't get a sit down meal without an ADR.
didn't get anything for a birthday/anniversay or fill in the blank.
Disney raised their prices.

Just seems like a lot of whining going on. I saw on world news tonight where a pastor of a church has declared in "no more complaining" month in his congregations because evidently it had gotten out of control. he was the person of the week.

This post made me stop and think. We've been to WDW 13 times since 1987 (and I'm a rookie newbie compared to many of the posters on these boards). 10 of these trips have been in the last 9 years. 11 of these trips involved staying onsite for at least a portion of the trip. We have never...

had towel animals (well maybe 1 or 2);
seen a standby wait for Peter Pan less than 60 minutes except at opening;
tried to get a sit down meal without an ADR (or a PS or whatever they're calling pseudo reservations at the moment);
received anything for a birthday or anniversary (& we've been there for many of them).

Given that we keep going back, these things are obviously inconsequential to us. If they're consequential to others, that's OK too. My point is that these things are related to expectations and the making your own magic comment. We don't expect these types of things and we don't really notice if they're there or not. In terms of making your own magic, for any staying at a resort with a community hall like OKW or SSR, you can sign up for a class at community hall and learn to make your own towel animals. DD really liked that class.

The towel animals is always a good one to laugh at. We were there 9 days last year, and not one. Although, I didn't know what they were and honestly could care less if we received one.

I had to listen to my father yesterday gripe about the prices and he hasn't been to WDW since 1998! People just like to complain I guess. I just booked a 9 night trip, hotel, tickets, food for under 3k (POR). My parents just dropped $5k on a 6 night trip to Atlantis to lay around. I don't find the prices all that different from many of the other popular vacation spots.

IMHO, this is an excellent point. I know that a trip to WDW is expensive even if you seek to economize. I always suggest, however, that WDW is a relatively less expensive trip than trips of similar lengths to other resort areas. Ignoring airfare, you may spend signifcantly more for a week in Hawaii, or a week in California. etc... Even w/price increases and cost cuts, I think WDW remains a good value.

There are other disney discussion forums that I find much more negative than this one, with personal attacks and sarcastic comments all the time. I think some of those people are migrating here!
You know, I still think the DISboards are an overall positive place. THe negative ones stand out in our minds because they're so different than our experience or opinions. Take a look at any of the boards right now. I'm willing to bet the positives still far outweigh the negative posts. Even when people log on and complain, the responses are usually upbeat, "sorry your experience was bad, mine was great. Maybe next time you could....." Those kinds of things.

In the 6 or 7 years that I've been reading threads on the DIS (lurked for years before I posted anything), I think a lot of the posts are positive. Sometimes I think some of the information is overly positive since I've always believed that if a restaurant serves bad food or is overpriced, for example, we should say so. But if anyone remembers reading the posts on rec.arts.disney.parks (these were the days before allears and mousesavers), you know how negative and critical internet discussion can be. In its most heated moments, the DIS doesn't even come close to some of those discussions.

 

[bavaria]

Another thing which I think may lead to all this 'disappointment' is the extreme preplanning which now seems to occur.

People don't just make dining reservations at 180 days out - they actually select which menu items they plan on eating, and have their family members do the same. Then when the menu changes, it seems to cause chaos - take a look at the Restaurant Boards and DDP board today and you will see several threads along those lines.

Personally, I PREFER the menus to be updated and rotated on a regular basis to keep them interesting.

But short term trips with little advance planning are usually the exception on this website, and usually done by those of us who have been many times before and are a little more willing to go with the flow.

When one preplans every day down to order of attractions and menu items, one mishap can 'ruin' an entire day, according to some of the posts here.

I prefer the 'good old days' without preplanning. It's still that way at Disneyland Paris and I think that it makes for a much more relaxed group of people!

 

[shaniadobie]

I have been to disney several times and have NEVER had a bad experience yet. I welcome the thought of going there on vacation and prefer to go nowhere else. I am grateful that my family is able to go on vacation there every year and sometime 2x a year. I have a little girl that lives down the street that has cancer ( the type that affects her bloodstream). Her parents are not wealthy people and could never dream of going to disney. I mentioned it to here mother one day that I would like to put her name in for a free trip to disney through the "make a wish foundation" here at home. The little girl is obsessed with Cinderella. I think about this constantly and am very grateful for the chances that I have had to go to disney. Anything remotely negative that happens I take with a grain of salt and to me disney is still the most "magical place on earth". Unfortunately usually the only negativity I experience about disney is reading some of these posts. People need to lighten up and realize that they have it good in life to just get the chance to be able to vacation at disney. I think alot of people go there expecting everything to be perfect, well sometimes they are not as we are all human and make mistakes.

Well said, I agree 100%

 

[disneyfan67]

I just wanted to add something. If you see me being critical about Disney, it's because I love the parks, the history of the company and it's founder. I care about the company and would like to see it's theme parks and resorts be around for many generations to come. I'm critical at things I see that harm the company, it's image, and can impact a guests experience. I don't believe in wearing rose colored glasses when looking at Disney and I don't gush over every decision Disney makes, likes it the best thing they ever done. That kind of fan mentality is scary and it allows Disney to get away with a lot of unpopular changes. There's nothing wrong with speaking up and trying to make a change for the better. The internet fan websites have helped in making changes by pointing out things that need to fixed.

I agree some people take things way too far about no towel animals and they couldn't get a certain room number they wanted, etc, etc. This is a byproduct of the many Disney related internet boards and how much information is available to the people who use them. Some of this is a good thing, obviously some of it can have a negative effect. Disney in reality would prefer sites like this don't exist, except for a smaller ones that are a 100% pro Disney and don't question any policies. Disney would rather have guests who don't know about pin codes, money saving tips, what buildings or rooms to ask for, and repeat guests who see small changes over the years add up and make a big difference today. Because you love something or someone, doesn't mean you should overlook everything they do wrong and spin it into something it's not.

If being negative is by wanting Disney resorts and theme parks to hold to the high standards that they themselves, set up years ago, then label me as such.

 

[Marie17]

To each their own. I personally am not justified in critizing Disney for any park experiences (as it has been about 18 months since my last visit so things may have or have not changed) but I am disappointed in all of the changes. Change is great but when it seems that all the changes are more heavily weighted in the favor of the bottom line is what makes some of the magic disappear.

The only real favorable thing to the ordinary guest is that the water parks & more option is now tied into how many days are purchased - that's a good thing. At the top of my head it seems that most everything else is detrimental to my pocketbook balance. I am sure that posters will let me know where I am wrong....

The only thing I get ticked about is whenever someone mentions a downfall or decline in something Disney SO MANY PEOPLE seem to want to classify that person as a troll. It is sort of irritating that you cannot critique Disney.

 

[disneyfan67]

To each their own. I personally am not justified in critizing Disney for any park experiences (as it has been about 18 months since my last visit so things may have or have not changed) but I am disappointed in all of the changes. Change is great but when it seems that all the changes are more heavily weighted in the favor of the bottom line is what makes some of the magic disappear.

The only real favorable thing to the ordinary guest is that the water parks & more option is now tied into how many days are purchased - that's a good thing. At the top of my head it seems that most everything else is detrimental to my pocketbook balance. I am sure that posters will let me know where I am wrong....

The only thing I get ticked about is whenever someone mentions a downfall or decline in something Disney SO MANY PEOPLE seem to want to classify that person as a troll. It is sort of irritating that you cannot critique Disney.

That the problem with fans who cross over the line and become diehards or fanatics. It just isn't with Disney either. It can be over sports teams, auto racing, politics and politicians, vacation destinations, clothing lines, etc, etc. I saw this quote on a thread in the Rumor and news section of this board and found it quite appropriate and very truth telling.

There's a point where people cross over from having an interest in a subject to a place where they tie their self esteem to the object of their interest. Fans who become devoted to something that strongly rarely want to hear opposing views. If one’s self worth is tied to something on the outside, an attack on that is taken as a personal attack.

Is one of the downsides of "lifestyle branding".

Here's the thread it came from.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1537245&page=3

 

[barbeml]

The only thing I get ticked about is whenever someone mentions a downfall or decline in something Disney SO MANY PEOPLE seem to want to classify that person as a troll. It is sort of irritating that you cannot critique Disney.

So true. I made the mistake of talking to DVC owners and mentioning the 600-pound gorilla in the room (annual dues/fees) that no one likes to mention as part of the overall cost.