Has Disney dropped the magic ball?

[JoshuaShaw]

This the issue I have as well-

It seems to be that if you still see all the details you think are important and Disney is still a magical place for you then you're just settling for less or you're a Disney apologist. Not true.

For me, the parks are as clean as they've ever been as are the bathrooms. We love the changes at the MK and can't wait to see all the new things coming. The resorts are not in disrepair, in fact they're better every time we go. FP+ has improved our trips many times over. We didn't just adjust to it, it's been amazing how much better our trips worked with it. The things that make my trip magical and make me want to return are there- they've never left.

I understand for others, Disney just doesn't have it anymore. ....for whatever reason. What I don't understand, and have never gotten an answer that makes sense is this: If the bathrooms are filthy, you think Disney is run down, doesn't care, is only after your money, is too expensive, FP+ horrible, CM's are rude and on and on and on...why do you return? I would never go to a place that I felt that way about- no matter how much I used to like it.

Speaking for myself...

I still love Disney World. I've never met an overtly rude CM, walked into an unkempt bathroom, cut myself on broken glass, missed towel animals, or any other number of the myriad of complaints that get dismissed daily. What I do take issue with is people outright dismissing anyone's experience or criticism because they haven't witnessed it first-hand.

I've never had an overtly bad experience at Disney, but I'm also capable of recognizing that everyone's experience is different. To shrug off all criticism in an effort to dismiss the ones that may be hyperbolic is counter-productive. Sure, there are people on here who complain for the same of complaining. That doesn't mean every single time someone has a bad experience with Disney they're just being rabble-rousers. And yet, without fail, there are always people who come charging into every thread white-knighting for Disney, as if an attack on Disney is an attack on their very being. That's why so many of these threads devolve into the same line-drawn-in-the-sand battles: someone comes to the board to vent with seemingly like-minded individuals and is immediately met with a condescending answer like "make your own magic" or "just be grateful you don't have cancer."

You dont have to agree with someone to be empathetic to their situation.

 

[cakebaker]

Well then the only other answer wouldn't be appropriate at all so we'll just leave that one alone.

And there are plenty of answers to explain the other side that are equally inappropriate.

 

[itchin2go]

And there are plenty of answers to explain the other side that are equally inappropriate.

Isn't it possible that people just have different experiences?

 

[cakebaker]

Speaking for myself...

I still love Disney World. I've never met an overtly rude CM, walked into an unkempt bathroom, cut myself on broken glass, missed towel animals, or any other number of the myriad of complaints that get dismissed daily. What I do take issue with is people outright dismissing anyone's experience or criticism because they haven't witnessed it first-hand.

I've never had an overtly bad experience at Disney, but I'm also capable of recognizing that everyone's experience is different. To shrug off all criticism in an effort to dismiss the ones that may be hyperbolic is counter-productive. Sure, there are people on here who complain for the same of complaining. That doesn't mean every single time someone has a bad experience with Disney they're just being rabble-rousers. And yet, without fail, there are always people who come charging into every thread white-knighting for Disney, as if an attack on Disney is an attack on their very being. That's why so many of these threads devolve into the same line-drawn-in-the-sand battles: someone comes to the board to vent with seemingly like-minded individuals and is immediately met with a condescending answer like "make your own magic" or "just be grateful you don't have cancer."

You dont have to agree with someone to be empathetic to their situation.

I don't disagree with you at all except to say that it's a 2 way street.

Any positive thread is invariably invaded by those with an axe to grind calling people apologists, blinded by pixie dust and shills for Disney, just to name a few.

 

[GaryDis]

There is a ton of research that contradicts this exactly. All things held equally a higher wage makes workers more productive, more committed and value their jobs more. This is true in the long term as well as the short. It is not associated with a pay increase but rather a fair wage. I am sure a simple googling of wage and morale will tell you the same.

I did just that, didn't see a huge number of relevant results, but the first one I checked was this Slate article which agreed with the conclusion that wage increases produce only a temporary morale improvement.

And no theme park charges as much as Disney does. Therefore I hold Disney to a standard that I would never dream of holding Six Flags to.

FWIW, a one day MK adult MK pass is $105, a one day adult pass to any one of the other 3 parks is $97, and a one day adult pass to one of the UO parks is $102. A 4 day WDW ticket without hopping is $305 or $76.25/day and a 2 day UO pass without hopping is $150, or $75/day.

I haven't been to UO nearly enough to comment on how it compares with respect to any of the issues raised here. I just figured it was an easy claim to check. Also, FWIW, Six Flags New England tickets at rack rate (i.e. at the gate) are $62, but they've started doing priced by date advanced sales, so low attendance dates can be had much cheaper if you commit in advance.

 

[cakebaker]

Isn't it possible that people just have different experiences?

Absolutely. My point was- if you're going to be insulting and unreasonable you can bet there are others just as insulting and unreasonable. I probably could've said it better- I certainly don't subscribe to that reasoning for a vast majority of people I've seen here. But I also wonder why you chose to ask me this question and not the poster I responded to.

 

[itchin2go]

I don't disagree with you at all except to say that it's a 2 way street.

Any positive thread is invariably invaded by those with an axe to grind calling people apologists, blinded by pixie dust and shills for Disney, just to name a few.

Speaking just for me, I only wonder about those conclusions when someone will not say a bad word about Disney and when they dismiss seemingly valid complaints. Then I go, what's going on here? If someone simply has a different experience, that's to be expected. It sometimes feels like some would sooner crawl across hot coals then speak an ill word of Disney.

Most people are bound to have some good and some bad experiences. I have had plenty of good experiences at Disney World, and I'm vocal about them on these boards. But when I have a bad experience, I'll speak up about that too.

 

[JoshuaShaw]

I don't disagree with you at all except to say that it's a 2 way street.

Any positive thread is invariably invaded by those with an axe to grind calling people apologists, blinded by pixie dust and shills for Disney, just to name a few.

I guess I'm just clicking on the wrong threads, because I don't see an equal ratio. Of course, I'm not saying it doesn't happen, but in the last year or so I've seen a dramatic increase in one side shouting down the other with more consistency.

 

[cakebaker]

Speaking just for me, I only wonder about those conclusions when someone will not say a bad word about Disney and when they dismiss seemingly valid complaints. Then I go, what's going on here? If someone simply has a different experience, that's to be expected. It sometimes feels like some would sooner crawl across hot coals then speak an ill word of Disney.

Most people are bound to have some good and some bad experiences. I have had plenty of good experiences at Disney World, and I'm vocal about them on these boards. But when I have a bad experience, I'll speak up about that too.

I don't disagree. And there are some who I have never seen say a positive thing, so I question their motives as well.

I have certainly complained about things at WDW on these boards. I just don't see any point in continually venting about them. I said my piece, when someone asks about a specific thing and I have a negative opinion of it, I say so. Have many times.

None of them affect the overall operations or feel of the park. None of them make me think Disney is on a downward spiral. But until WDW decides to operate just for my personal benefit, I imagine there will be other things I'm not so thrilled with.

 

[cakebaker]

I guess I'm just clicking on the wrong threads, because I don't see an equal ratio. Of course, I'm not saying it doesn't happen, but in the last year or so I've seen a dramatic increase in one side shouting down the other with more consistency.

We'll just have to agree to disagree.

 

[3DisneyFanz]

I don't disagree. And there are some who I have never seen say a positive thing, so I question their motives as well.

I have certainly complained about things at WDW on these boards. I just don't see any point in continually venting about them. I said my piece, when someone asks about a specific thing and I have a negative opinion of it, I say so. Have many times.

None of them affect the overall operations or feel of the park. None of them make me think Disney is on a downward spiral. But until WDW decides to operate just for my personal benefit, I imagine there will be other things I'm not so thrilled with.

How could you possibly have anything to complain about when every trip is more magical than the last? That's kind of like saying you show up at park opening but don't do rope drop.

 

[cakebaker]

How could you possibly have anything to complain about when every trip is more magical than the last?

Not biting- fish somewhere else.

 

[larryz]

I have been to WDW dozens of times - hundreds of park days. I can tell you that I have never noticed a dirty bathroom anywhere on WDW property. Now, does that mean that you would agree that those bathrooms were cleaned sufficiently? Absolutely not.

The reality - we all have different standards, and we all notice different things.

I wish I could say the same. Was it isolated interstate Shell station bad? No. But it was dirty, and needed cleaning badly.

or maybe it had just been cleaned badly...

 

[larryz]

Correct, since "every single thing at WDW will be working 100% of the time" is an expectation that pretty much will never be met.

Well, if you're there in the MK, and only 75% of everything is working, don't you think you should get 25% off your $105 admission ticket?

 

[larryz]

Yeah, the make your own magic thing gets a little old. If you make your own magic then why bother going to WDW?

Indeed. If I'm going to do that, I expect a "Make My Own Magic" discount off the admission prices. At $105 for a one-day ticket, I expect them to make all the magic for me.

 

[larryz]

Has Disney dropped the magic ball?

No, I don't believe so, not at all.

Charge for steak, but feed them spam,
I do not like that, Sam I Am.

 

[MsMamaBear]

I had a rude cast member on my first trip. If it weren't for my daughter being right there, I would have had some choice words for her. I still refuse to go to that restaurant because it left a bad experience for me. Everyone else was wonderful though. Had to be or we wouldn't be going back. (Yes, I spoke to the manager and emailed about her. I used to not to, but now, I report it.)

 

[JimmyV]

I said they don't make wholesale changes based on a few complaints on an Internet message board.

This is provably false, at least insofar as other major entertainment/travel companies are concerned. I participate on Cruise Critic, which is, to the cruise industry, what the Dis is to WDW. There was a certain cruise line that decided to start charging a $2 surcharge for room service delivery that had previously been free of charge. The Cruise Critic Board lit up. The charge was reversed within two weeks. Another cruise line decided to change its corkage policy from $15 per bottle with unlimited bottles to $20 per bottle with a limit of one bottle per person per cruise. The change was to go into effect in two months time so as to provide some transition period. The Cruise Critic Board lit up. The policy was reversed without ever being implemented. Don't for a second think that a company like Disney does not react to the single biggest comments board that addresses its business.

We just got back from our Aug 16-Aug 20 trip and for us the magic is still there. ...

I will admit I noticed more trash laying around than I ever did before. The monorail had trash in several of the cars we rode ..... I noticed an empty water bottle floating in the water at Aladdin's Carpet Ride as we waited in line ..... an empty cigarette pack in the bushes as we walked up the ramp to the Epcot monorail station ..... the Haunted Mansion, right before you get on a doom buggy had trash all over ..... and the T&TC had trash blowing around.

But you can see, (I hope), how the things that you refer to in your second paragraph would cause many other people to report that Disney is dropping the ball. As you state, "for you" the magic is still there. For others, the things that you noted are clear manifestations of a lack of care on the part of a company that used to care. There is certainly no requirement that all people interpret what they see in the same manner. But for some of the cheerleaders on this Board who insist that nothing has changed and that the parks are every bit as clean as they have ever been, I would hope that they would read your post and take notice. (And take notice of what our hosts here on this Board have said on podcasts over and over and over again about cleanliness). It is one thing to notice that the parks are different, (read as "dirtier"), but not allow that to ruin your trip. It is quite another thing to pretend that nothing has changed.

I was referring to those for which they claim Disney has slipped and lost the magic and is no longer fun or spontaneous but are still booking one more trip

I think too many people are looking at this as a black and white proposition. Or, as a "go or don't go" proposition. But consider this. Let's say that in the past, on a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being the very best, WDW was a 10 and its closest competition was a 6. Now, WDW is an 8, and its closest competition is a 6.5. People are still going to go to WDW. They are still going to book one more trip. It is still going to be their vacation of choice. It is still the best in the business. But it just isn't what it used to be. There is room for this type of thinking. Which leads to...

That said it still depresses me that things remain broken for 3+ years. I think for people that don't know WDW from the 70s, 80s and 90s to now don't really understand the changes.

This....

Me personally, I do still enjoy our Disney trips. I have noticed some chinks in the armor, though. And it worries me. It's just not up to the standard that it used to be. It's still fun, we still like it, but I see erosion in little details and I worry for the future.

...and this.

When people vote with their wallets and come back time and time again, they are not necessarily saying that everything is perfect. They are saying that things are still worth paying for. But, at the same time, they can say that things aren't what they used to be.

 

[JacknSally]

This is a great tip!

Other things you can do to make things easier on housekeeping:
-Bring some counter and floor cleaner with you. Before you leave for the parks each day, wipe down and clean your hotel bathroom. Think of the time housekeeping can save if they don't have to clean every guests' bathroom.

-Obviously no one expect you to pack a vacuum cleaner, but if you bring a broom and dustpan you can sweep up your room every day, which should help minimize the amount of time housekeeping spends in a single room.

-Quit leaving unmade beds for the maids to deal with. Each resort offers laundromats. If you wash your sheets after sleeping in them and make your own bed, voila! Less time the maids are spent doing something we can do ourselves.

Give a little, get a little.

Actually, as a hotel manager myself, these tips are nothing but additional work for everyone involved. If you do these things, the housekeepers will still be required to go behind you and do them themselves. Otherwise, any housekeeper can walk into a room and say "nope, looks clean" and not touch it - that doesn't mean it IS clean. If you don't need/want these things done for your room every day and would like to save the housekeepers time, the best way to do it is to call the front desk or housekeeping and request no service - or at least let them know specifically what doesn't need to be done. Otherwise they are required to do everything as usual, so if you take the time to wash your bedding and make your bed, it's just going to get stripped and remade unless you tell them you don't need new linens. It's health code. They can't NOT do something just because it LOOKS clean. They have no way of knowing.

And stripping your bed the day of check out and leaving the dirty linens in a NICE, NEAT pile (leave your towels there, too!) is actually a big help. That genuinely is one less thing they would have to do.

 

[danny1649]

I can understand that many have different views, on this issue. Please don't become argumentative or insulting to your fellow Board Members. I have and fellow mod have been letting folks express their views. Your getting to personal with each other. (not all) So I ask that you, no name calling or infer they are anything but posters expressing a different view. I feel I will let discussion on this topic continue. Please be considerate of each other. If tone of thread continues to minor personal attacks and argumentative, I will need to close it.