Has Disney dropped the magic ball?

[amg35]

I think a pp hit the nail on the head when they said that those that know the Disney of the 70's-the 90's expect more because they experience the magic of that era. A truly wonderful time when Disney was not crowded, the staff was exceptional, and it was very clean. No need for fast passes, ADR's, or high-level planning. If you visited then, it is hard to say that the Disney of today is a top notch place. Regardless, there are those who will accept the Disney of today as the best.

Some will defend Disney no matter what you say, one poster said something a couple of weeks ago that was funny and true. He or she said something like, "If Disney decided to whack every fifth guest through the turnstile in the knee with a lead pipe, some people would defend Disney and tell you it's your fault for being one of the fifth customers in line."

But that isn't specific to Disney. We are planning a Royal Caribbean Cruise and you should read cruise critic. If I were to listen to all the experienced cruisers, I would cancel the cruise! the food is terrible now. Service is lacking. Too crowded, too expensive, loss of details. They are even complaining about towel animals!

Part of it is the world we live in now, things just aren't as personal anymore, more corporate. Part of it is just nostalgia. And then part of it is people looking back through rose colored glasses.

 

[anniemae]

But that isn't specific to Disney. We are planning a Royal Caribbean Cruise and you should read cruise critic. If I were to listen to all the experienced cruisers, I would cancel the cruise! the food is terrible now. Service is lacking. Too crowded, too expensive, loss of details. They are even complaining about towel animals!

Part of it is the world we live in now, things just aren't as personal anymore, more corporate. Part of it is just nostalgia. And then part of it is people looking back through rose colored glasses.

I do think that service in general has declined everywhere. I also don't think it's okay to justify it by saying, "well everywhere else has declined too, so its okay to be sloppy and lax with service, everyone else is doing it. The facts are that Disney used to not be crowded, service was impeccable, and the place was shining it was so clean. Now, not so much. They seemed to have shifted to quantity over quality.

If you were used to a certain level of service, then suddenly it changed, it's okay to be upset. It's like eating steak every night, then one night you are served taco bell. Now some people love taco bell and if you never had the steak, then taco bell is pretty good. But if you are used to the steak, you want to keep eating the steak.

 

[flicx]

Somebody earlier in this thread mentioned trash in the loading area of Haunted Mansion, and I noticed that myself. It wasn't just one item either, but quite a bit. No way it had accumulated there in just one day.

It's the newest ghost, you know the one they talk about at the end of the attraction. Unfortunately the 1000th ghost at Disney is a litterbug!

 

[amg35]

Dup

 

[amg35]

I do think that service in general has declined everywhere. I also don't think it's okay to justify it by saying, "well everywhere else has declined too, so its okay to be sloppy and lax with service, everyone else is doing it. The facts are that Disney used to not be crowded, service was impeccable, and the place was shining it was so clean. Now, not so much. They seemed to have shifted to quantity over quality.

If you were used to a certain level of service, then suddenly it changed, it's okay to be upset. It's like eating steak every night, then one night you are served taco bell. Now some people love taco bell and if you never had the steak, then taco bell is pretty good. But if you are used to the steak, you want to keep eating the steak.

It is definitely okay to be upset. Voice your complaints. Make the decision to no longer support the company. Completely acceptable..

Or accept and look at what you still love, also acceptable.

To lament same issues for years? Maybe time to move on.

 

[fairy oma]

What I have trouble with are the posts that insinuate that the OP (or anyone else) is doing something wrong. "You make your own magic" in particular. As other posters have said, if I want to make my own magic, I'll stay home and save the cash.

I really don't get the impression that most PPs are insinuating the OP is doing something wrong; but instead the comment "making your own magic" is a state of mind and to not let an irritable CM or a dirty bathroom ruin your vacation...it just isn't worth it. It is not a command nor a judgment of others and I expect that a majority of us have extremely high expectations of our WDW vacation and when something untoward happens it does seem to take some of the glow out of it.

I hope OP and their family enjoyed a better 2nd half of their vacation.

 

[itchin2go]

I really don't get the impression that most PPs are insinuating the OP is doing something wrong; but instead the comment "making your own magic" is a state of mind and to not let an irritable CM or a dirty bathroom ruin your vacation...it just isn't worth it. It is not a command nor a judgment of others and I expect that a majority of us have extremely high expectations of our WDW vacation and when something untoward happens it does seem to take some of the glow out of it.

I hope OP and their family enjoyed a better 2nd half of their vacation.

I didn't see where she said this was ruining her vacation. I just saw where she said she was disappointed.

I know some are well-meaning, but some seem ... flippant. There's a difference between saying "Try not to let those things get you down," and saying, "Nope - we make our own magic". One is well-intentioned advice, and the other implies that the OP is doing something wrong.

 

[WillAustin]

Somebody earlier in this thread mentioned trash in the loading area of Haunted Mansion, and I noticed that myself. It wasn't just one item either, but quite a bit. No way it had accumulated there in just one day.

We noticed it about a month ago too.

Maybe we define magic as something different then. For me a non working water cannon that I only notice isn't working because of all of my previous trips doesn't take away the magic from my vacation. I still laugh and giggle and have a great time on that ride. The non working water cannon doesn't cast a pall on the rest of my vacation.

I'd probably mention the non-working items to Guest Services, especially if my kids had wanted to use it.

 

[anniemae]

It is definitely okay to be upset. Voice your complaints. Make the decision to no longer support the company. Completely acceptable..

Or accept and look at what you still love, also acceptable.

To lament same issues for years? Maybe time to move on.

I don't know who is lamenting for years?? Some people are just pointing out the reasons they feel a certain way when being questioned about why they feel Disney standards have slipped. Some still go to Disney, others choose different destinations. Some can live with the changes, others cant. Different strokes.

 

[asc]

Yes. I've been on these boards for 'almost' 15 years and looking back on the yesteryear site, I realize how good it was and how downhill it's gone. Sorry. It has this is the first-time in such many years we will not be at Disney at all.

 

[amg35]

I don't know who is lamenting for years?? Some people are just pointing out the reasons they feel a certain way when being questioned about why they feel Disney standards have slipped. Some still go to Disney, others choose different destinations. Some can live with the changes, others cant. Different strokes.

Some people complain about things over and over, those are people I'm referencing. Perhaps you haven't seen those types of posters, but I have noticed a couple here and there.

Otherwise I think we basically made the same points.

 

[anniemae]

Some people complain about things over and over, those are people I'm referencing. Perhaps you haven't seen those types of posters, but I have noticed a couple here and there.

Otherwise I think we basically made the same points.

True!

 

[3DisneyFanz]

It is definitely okay to be upset. Voice your complaints. Make the decision to no longer support the company. Completely acceptable..

Or accept and look at what you still love, also acceptable.

To lament same issues for years? Maybe time to move on.

I'll move on when the fish jumps through the net on Splash Mountain again! Doesn't stop me from enjoying the ride it just disappoints me that Disney doesn't care enough to preserve their own show.

 

[Minnie121]

We had several in our BWV room in May as well. Maybe that was the cutoff??

I got one this past week. Looked like an elephant. It was a nice surprise.

 

[Davey Jones II]

But Davey us Disers are only a small subset of Disney customers.

Good tag team job, Hulk.

 

[Davey Jones II]

Someone on the previous page mentioned ride breakdowns as one of Disney's issues. That is a legitimate complaint, particularly if it seems to happen a lot. On our trip last October, we did experience a fair number of ride breakdowns -- but most of them were at Universal. We spent three days at Universal, followed by eight days at Disney, but Universal had at least twice as many breakdowns while we were there, leaving us stranded in line at Gringotts, Spiderman, and Transformers. Also, the wait for Minions was endless, although I'm not sure if that was due to a breakdown.

Again, I do believe that people are voicing legitimate complaints and concerns in this thread. But Disney's competitors have issues, too.

 

[Minniesgal]

If the parks are crowded, shouldn't Disney have enough custodial staff to make sure the bathrooms are clean?

Exactly there should be staff permanently in every bathroom continuously cleaning when it is busy just like is done in busy airports. Dirty bathrooms is totally unacceptable and is definitely Disneys fault

 

[maxiesmom]

Exactly there should be staff permanently in every bathroom continuously cleaning when it is busy just like is done in busy airports. Dirty bathrooms is totally unacceptable and is definitely Disneys fault

When I was at WDW in May that seemed to be how they were running things, a CM in each bathroom. Never saw a dirty bathroom either. But no, I don't blame Disney when they get messy. I blame the patrons who are too lazy to flush, to lazy to see to it that they are throwing their trash in the trash can and not on the ground. I've heard people make the excuse that someone is paid to clean up after them, and it makes me angry. How lazy can you be???? People shouldn't act worse than animals.

 

[darth sansa]

I've seen dirty bathrooms at WDW many times over. The busier bathrooms are really gross in the afternoon and evening, but there are a few that not a lot of people seem to know about that I go out of my way to use.

 

[Minniesgal]

When I was at WDW in May that seemed to be how they were running things, a CM in each bathroom. Never saw a dirty bathroom either. But no, I don't blame Disney when they get messy. I blame the patrons who are too lazy to flush, to lazy to see to it that they are throwing their trash in the trash can and not on the ground. I've heard people make the excuse that someone is paid to clean up after them, and it makes me angry. How lazy can you be???? People shouldn't act worse than animals.

.

Flushing toilets does not clean them. When they are used continuously they get dirty and need pretty much constant cleaning. This is not due to people behaving like animals it is the frequency of use. Hygiene dictates that Disney needs to keep on top of cleaning them and removing trash