Has anyone noticed the amount

[Ihave3daughters]

It's like they say in sales:

"A satisfied customer tells 10 friends, a dissatisfied customer tells everyone."

For every one person you hear complaining about something, there are probably a few dozen who had an amazing time. Reading the negative threads can let you know if stuff that will influence your stay is going on (like AK Lodge closing, Haunted Mansion, price changes), but you shouldn't let them make your decisions for you!

Excellent point. The other day I made a reservation for fall break- 3 days at POP with the wife and kids, as a surprise for them (they'll find out at the airport). This CM (her name was Awilda) was the nicest, most wonderful person you would ever want to talk to. She even took a moment to tell me 'what a wonderful young man I must be' for surprising my family with this trip. She brought tears to my eyes (I'm welling up just typing this).

I thought, 'I need to post this experience on the DIS!'. But have I? Not until now. Just had better things to do. I may have complained about her if she was rude, but I never got around to praising this wonderful woman who got my vacation plans off on the very best foot possible.

I should have.

But I didn't.

Shame on me.

Well, now you know.

-Eric

 

[Snookies]

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.

Hey, I resemble that remark.

Seriously, I think most DVC members realize the maintenance fees are a significant part of the cost of ownership. At least, I hope they do.

 

[kentear]

Oh yeah and another thing...I have a MAJOR complaint to register about Walt Disney World!

Why can't I find the recipe for Dole Whips anywhere. It is ruining my vacations when ever I go because I get so upset that Disney doesn't seem to care that I can't find the recipe. Don't they know they are taunting me everytime I walk past the place that sells them?

It ruins my vacation every time I go. When will the madness end?!

Life is short, eat Dole Whips.

 

[barbeml]

Oh yeah and another thing...I have a MAJOR complaint to register about Walt Disney World!

Why can't I find the recipe for Dole Whips anywhere. It is ruining my vacations when ever I go because I get so upset that Disney doesn't seem to care that I can't find the recipe. Don't they know they are taunting me everytime I walk past the place that sells them?

It ruins my vacation every time I go. When will the madness end?!

Life is short, eat Dole Whips.

Now THAT is a legitimate complaint!

 

[vamathteacher]

I had an opinion on this thread... (and I hope it's not too long)

This is only my second post, but I am a long time lucker...

I recently just got back from Disney with my wife (on our honeymoon). We have visited Disney several times, but this was the first time I had ever stayed on their property (at the Wilderness Villas). I was amazed, and I mean amazed, at the number of people in the parks. I'm not going to say it ruined my experience, but it had an effect on it. I was blown away by the number of rude guests we ran into to. I know it's the summer crowd and it's better to visit the parks during the non-peak season, but since my wife and I are both teachers that's not really an option. It will be some time before we return...but that's not the fault of Disney. The reality of the situation is neither of us like big crowds, and Disney happens to have nothing but those 90% of the time.

But saying that is a double edge sword. We both like amusement parks and nothing, and I mean nothing, compares to Disney in terms of cleaniness and quality. I could stand on Main Street for hours every night and watch Wishes and marvel at how pretty Magic Kingdom is when lit up. But towards to end of our trip, when we were both ready to go home, I commented to my wife how hard it must be to be Disney. They have set the bar at a standard that really cannot be met. How do you please hundreds of thousands of people every day??

 

[Alicnwondrln]

I just wonder how many that are complaining, either contacted someone while on their trip to share thier concerns, or have emailed Disney to let them know their opinions.

Nothing posted here is going to change anything.

this is key. If you have a legit complaint and you dont say anything while there its hard to get resolved after the fact.
If you dont tell the mouse when your unhappy they wont know. They arent mindreaders

 

[G8r4evr]

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.

Great post

Personally, if I didn't care about Disney, I wouldnt take time out of my busy day to critique and share my experiences, both good and bad. I am sorry if that comes off as annoying, but my understanding is that most "discussions" include both the positive and negative aspects.

 

[heimlichfan]

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.....

Couldn't have said it better myself.

 

[wdw4us2]

Exactly.

I think the time is coming where Disney is going to have to either lower their prices or step up to the plate and make good on the prices they are charging.

Personally, I hope they step up and offer the experience that they once did.

ITA. (Please, no flames - just discussion.)

I am not a constant whiner and complainer, I'm just a Disney guest who has made well over 300 WDW trips during the past 35 years and stayed at every WDW resort on more than several occasions.

Some of the complaints are valid. To long time guests, it appears as though Disney is no longer concerned with what loyal guests want - they're just looking at the bottom line of how much money they can make.

Increased ticket (and AP) prices that are well over the price of inflation. Changing the room rate structure in order to charge more for weekend visitors. Raising the prices on all the rooms (especially the Deluxes) while offering fewer amenities (some of you are probably not even aware of what they once were). Eliminating most of the AP and Florida resident perks (have they forgotten who kept the parks going post 9/11?). Cast Members that are fine, but they're not at the level they were a few years ago. These are just some of the changes that have changed the WDW experience from what it once was.

Every time I post my opinion in the above manner, some poster who has made one or two trips to WDW always jumps in and comments as to how what I stated is simply not true - or that I'm just looking for bad things to point out. However, when your 16 and 13 year old begin to comment on the lack of something they once enjoyed, I take their opinion to heart.

I just wanted to point out that if things continue on the present course and there is another economic downturn, Disney is going to find fewer people who feel compelled to help WDW out as they did in the past.

 

[mcdee1980]

Hey y'all I just wanted to add my 2 cents. I love Disney and everything about the escape it provides. I'm from New Orleans. Disney about saved my life last year and I gladly paid them to do it. Disney provides an escape from everything that is wrong in my tourism dependent city. I work as a bartender for a huge hotel corporation and I know everything that goes on behind the scenes in a major upscale operation. I'll be back at Disney in 20 days (yea!) for my annual escape. I can't wait to get there. I have no problem over looking little glitches while I'm at Disney, because I know how bad things can really get when your hotel is operating at half staff and you basically live at your job pulling shifts in three different departments. My whole city is functioning at that level. The magic is still there. Yes I over plan. Yes I expect a lot, but just the feeling of walking into a place that makes the real world melt away is amazing.

 

[bullet875]

I think there are two factors as to whay it may seem like more poeple are complaining these days about WDW:

1. It's just a sign of the times. CNBC did a poll which states that 75% of Americans think that the economy is horrible and is getting worse. There has been noticeable inflation in the past year or so and it seems like prices shoot up daily on some items. Gasprices have double din 5 years. Since this is a WDW board, people are talking about their feelings regarding WDW...higher relative prices (based on stagnant wages) , less perceived quality. However, I'll bet if this were a board on another subject, you'd see similar amounts of negativity.

2. Many of us have been to WDW more than 20 times, and like me, some have started visiting when WDW opened. There is defintely a quality difference from 1971 to now...from park, attraction, and resort maintenance, quality of cast memeber interactions, etc. However, society in general has also changed, become for cynical and ruder as a whole and quality in general has lapsed in many of our products.

Some problems also stem from this change is society.People don't respect the property of others anymore. I can't tell you how many people I saw litter at WDW, throw merchadise every which way in stores, and touch things in attractions that they shouldn't touch (IASW and PPF are two where I saw mulitiple abuses this year because the ride vehicles come very close to parts of the attractions in some areas). Last year DD and I saw a guy literally get of his ride vehicale several times in SSE and touch/hug AAs ( and had pics taken..FLASH no less). It was 12 noon..and he was visibly intoxicated already.

Also,whe WDW advertises a "water view" that should mean pool or lake.Sadly these days it could mean drainage ditch, huge puddle, or pencil thin creek. Our "Epcot view" BC room this year actually gave us a view of huge ovegrown trees...you could see the very top of the Eiffel tower in the evening when it was lit up if you really looked on the diagonal from our room. However, we were lucky to get a full balcony and it was so humid that who wanted to sit out there and look at anything anyway? Plus we spent so little time in our room thar view didn't really matter (and I didn't pay extra...just standard room rate). However, I live at the NJ shore and I know that "ocean view " for many hotels here can mean that you have to literally lean over your balcony railiing and look sideways and maybe you'll see the ocean out of the corner of your eye.

I, for one, was shocked to see chipped furniture paint and a slightly stained carpet in my BC room this year. Also when we opened the closet door it literally fell off in our hands (maintenance did come and fix it promptly. 2 years ago we stayed at the Contemporary (North Garden Wing if it makes a diff). I was shocked to see the same carpeting in the hallways that was there in .....1971 (no joke). The air conditioning in the entire building (including our room) didn't work the entire time we were there. Drawer fronts were loose or falling off, and the patio door came off of it's track. Nothing was fixed while we were there. I later found out that they were going to demolish this buidling, but,still, I expect a lot more for almost $300 per night. I did write to WDW about my problems (even mentionting that my family was connected to 2 corp.sponsors and that I had been basically a yearly visitor since 1971) and guess what? I heard nothing back....that shows a definite lapse in customer service.

There's also been a noticeable lack of maintenance/upkeep on some parts of the parks that is noticeable to those of us who have been there yearly since opening...and defintely my DS 18 noticed a LOT. He has just returned from a trip to Japan the week before we went to WDW this year (graduation from HS gift) and had visited Tokyo Disney Sea and he drew a lot of comparisons between TDS and WDW ( though he does admit that alotof the difference is just because TDS is newer).

Howver, I have returned twice since then and will continue to return yearly or almost every year. These things were minor annoyances that we did not let ruin or trip.

Now, on the positive side....who else here thinks that Art the Greeter at the BC rocks?

He made my 12 year old's vacation this year!

 

[greenpea89]

Bullet875 - not to hijack the thread but I am so happy your DS was able to go to TDS!! TDS and TDL are our favorite Disney resorts and the Disney we visit annually (we are expats that live in Asia). Couldn't agree with your son more - they are AWESOME!! We are trying WDW again this year, after a 15 year hiatus, and we are really looking forward to a new Disney experience!

 

[chickenskin]

I said this on a complaint thread, but maybe we're lucky and have yet to have any bad experience on a Disney trip that was Disney generated. What I mean is that we've had many great trips with a few that were exceptional, but a few moments that were less than enjoyable due to experiences with other guests, this is not a Disney issue as they can't control how people act in public. Again, maybe we're just lucky, hope it holds out.

 

[JPN4265]

I noticed a lot of negativity as well. Also, look at the post counts on most of them, seems like a lot of them are new members to the DIS or at least it seems that way to me.

Good observation.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Oh yeah and another thing...I have a MAJOR complaint to register about Walt Disney World!

Why can't I find the recipe for Dole Whips anywhere. It is ruining my vacations when ever I go because I get so upset that Disney doesn't seem to care that I can't find the recipe. Don't they know they are taunting me everytime I walk past the place that sells them?

It’s not a recipe. It’s a pre-packaged mix. http://www.uec-hawaii.com/products2.html
(okay, pixie-dusted kentear's day; taking rest of day off )

 

[NYDisGuy]

I also think that some guests do ruin the experience for others. 1971 and 2007 are different years. People have gotten lazier, they throw trash on the ground and figure someone will sweep it for them. They leave their food on the table figuring someone will pick it up. It's the whole "I paid alot for my vacation so I will do nothing" attitude that is hurting the appearence. Unless you have a CM stationed 50 feet away from each other then this will never resolve. Even hotel rooms, the constant influx of people hurts the overall appearence. Whether someone is throwing gum on the floor, someone spilt something, a kid threw something on the wall, etc.

I agree that Disney should invest more into housekeeping, groundskeeping and maintenace. The problem is, especially on these boards and surveys, is that people want more rides in MGM, more things to do in Animal Kindgom, they want Epcot to be less boring, more attractions in MK, more busses because godforbid they stand for 20 minutes etc. Disney will not correct all these issues at once, but I do think they are getting the impression from overall consumers that the theme parks need more help then cleanliness which is ashame.

 

[ConcKahuna]

Oh yeah and another thing...I have a MAJOR complaint to register about Walt Disney World!

Why can't I find the recipe for Dole Whips anywhere. It is ruining my vacations when ever I go because I get so upset that Disney doesn't seem to care that I can't find the recipe. Don't they know they are taunting me everytime I walk past the place that sells them?

It ruins my vacation every time I go. When will the madness end?!

Life is short, eat Dole Whips.

http://www.recipezaar.com/185279

There ya go.

Of course I believe the Dole Whip in the parks is dairy-free, but it requires a soft ice cream machine.

 

[ConcKahuna]

Increased ticket (and AP) prices that are well over the price of inflation. Changing the room rate structure in order to charge more for weekend visitors.

Two comments on this. WDW is a business, as we all know. It has shareholders (I am one). The problem with any publicly traded company is it needs to maintain it's profits, if not increase them, or people will start offloading shares.

I personally don't think ticket prices are over the price of inflation, as the costs at WDW have gone way up. This last union contract they are offering pay increases to thousands of CMs. Even with these increases, most CMs hardly make enough to keep up with the local cost of living. Two bedroom apartments in the area go for close to $1,000 a month, and at starting pays of less than $8 an hour even after pay increases, it's hard. The thing is, Disney cant pay more without charging even more and still maintain a profit.

 

[Marie17]

1971 and 2007 are different years.

Thank goodness for that!

If you go to a great (or just about any really) hotel and have a problem - usually it is acknowledged and taken care. If you provide feedback to that hotel after you've left it in the negative - it is usually acknowledged.

I think that Disney takes their "we're Disney" attitude a little too far when they do not step up to the plate in those regards when a customer has issues.

If you are providing a service (which Disney is) then they do need to make sure that service is provided and if you are paying for a service, you are entitled to critique that service.

Example: I go to the same dry cleaners all the time. I expect them to give me my clothes back when promised. I expect that the buttons are not broken off. Recently they changed something and almost all my husband's shirts had at least one broken button. I could have just taken my business elsewhere and not mentioned it. I spoke with the owner and she mentioned that they have noticed that the services should not be where they were and they are working on it. She will be happy to replace the buttons and did not charge for the shirts. I did tell that I stopped going to another cleaner just because of that. Soon afterward - within a month - they now have a sign stating that no buttons will be broken. That's customer service. Acknowledging a problem AND taking care of it.

Disney has been told about the substandard housekeeping and grounds maintenance and seem to be taking the slow boat to correcting the problem.

I

 

[NYDisGuy]

Thank goodness for that!

If you go to a great (or just about any really) hotel and have a problem - usually it is acknowledged and taken care. If you provide feedback to that hotel after you've left it in the negative - it is usually acknowledged.

I think that Disney takes their "we're Disney" attitude a little too far when they do not step up to the plate in those regards when a customer has issues.

If you are providing a service (which Disney is) then they do need to make sure that service is provided and if you are paying for a service, you are entitled to critique that service.

Example: I go to the same dry cleaners all the time. I expect them to give me my clothes back when promised. I expect that the buttons are not broken off. Recently they changed something and almost all my husband's shirts had at least one broken button. I could have just taken my business elsewhere and not mentioned it. I spoke with the owner and she mentioned that they have noticed that the services should not be where they were and they are working on it. She will be happy to replace the buttons and did not charge for the shirts. I did tell that I stopped going to another cleaner just because of that. Soon afterward - within a month - they now have a sign stating that no buttons will be broken. That's customer service. Acknowledging a problem AND taking care of it.

Disney has been told about the substandard housekeeping and grounds maintenance and seem to be taking the slow boat to correcting the problem.

I

I rarely have heard complaints that Disney does not react to a problem if you call the front desk from your room. I even heard situations of Disney crediting a night for some problems. I agree with you that Disney may have been told they have substandard problems with housekepping which was in my original post, however, when you have a big company like Disney you recieve many complaints and in my opinion, people want more things in the theme parks which Disney seems to be focusing on. I'm going to go out on a limb and say that Brazillian Tour Groups get more complaints then general housekeeping, again just a thought.