Here now. Observations and a couple of tips.

[Anesthesia Fine]

I am here now with DS5. We arrived Thursday afternoon and headed straight to MK after checking in at the GF. DH will join us today. We are here until next Sunday. First, GF is nice and really convenient to the parks. We have never stayed here before, but are here with a "Magical Deal". We are in Boca Chica on the fourth floor with a view of the pool. It is very quiet and relaxing. This resort may be my favorite.
...

Transportation from the Grand Floridian is great so far. I had read that buses are shared. Yesterday we went straight to HS, no sharing. On the way back we did share but just with the Polynesian. Monorail has been great.

We stayed at GF for a convention this year and liked it a lot. We were in Big Pine with a pool view, but were at the end toward Boca Chica so got a nice view of the water parade from our balcony. (I'm one of the weirdos who enjoy that one.) And agreed on the transportation! I ended up absolutely loving the boat from GF to MK, especially, but even with sharing the bus with the Poly it was a quick ride. I'd stay there again, some time.

 

[tony67]

I attribute the dirtier parks in a large part to the declining attitudes of park goers. People now a days think nothing of dropping trash on the ground rather than walk 5 steps to the close by trash can. Or get up and leave their QS table covered with their trash.

That is a good point - I do think Disney is not as good as they once were - but you are right that the general attitude of the park goers is worse and that is a big factor in this - I personally cannot imagine ever throwing trash on the ground purposefully - but I do see it more at Disney than anywhere else

I do think that attitude also extends to the new CMs as well - no amount of training will fix someone who has no work ethic or just a generally bad attitude.
Add on the bad attitudes they have to put up with from the guests who expect so much from them and even the best CMs have a breaking point.

 

[jetdoctor]

It's sad to hear people who for whatever reason aren't enjoying their trips, or say "It's not as good as it used to be". I just don't see Disney that way, and that's not how I felt on our trip there just a few months ago. At the same time, from my own perspective if that many people say they won't go back, I guess that'll lower the crowds for those of us who do go back. See...silver lining.

Hi again I guess we just disagree Disney is not as good as it used to be for many. But I am glad that you still enjoy it and it has a value to you and your family.

 

[jetdoctor]

MK seemed surprisingly very dirty when we got here Thursday afternoon.

I agree I park in the MK parking lot and those trash cans are full all of the time. Something I don't recall seeing even 5 years ago.

 

[cindyfan]

..........I think people set themselves up for disappointment when they go into the trip expecting things to be exactly the same as it was in the past.

I don't understand why a guest returning to a place they enjoyed last time wouldn't expect the same type of service/experience???
I am not going to say to myself "well, we really had a great time last year, so this year we won't!!"
I don't expect that things will remain the exact same (new attractions build, rides are updates, etc) but I absolutely expect the same level of service and entertainment! Especially if I am paying a much higher price!

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

I have a question about the dessert party. I'm toying with the idea of going but I'm going solo. How hard would it be to find somewhere to perch to eat/drink then go back for more without either loosing the place or finding another one?

I was there solo and it was difficult to find a place to put my plate to eat and drink. Luckily I found a nice group who let me join their table (thanks OhioStateBuckeye and soniam ) - otherwise I'd have ended up sitting on the stairs with other folks balancing my plate on my lap.

 

[TexasTSL]

I have a question about the dessert party. I'm toying with the idea of going but I'm going solo. How hard would it be to find somewhere to perch to eat/drink then go back for more without either loosing the place or finding another one?

The tables are high tables with no chairs. You just stand at them. We got there about ten minutes late and there were none left, but we sat on the stairs. There are a couple of bench-type areas to sit at outside the dessert area. The whole launch bay is open, so you can walk around. They refilled the desserts/drinks often, so you could get just a couple at a time and walk around even.

 

[mom2rtk]

I attribute the dirtier parks in a large part to the declining attitudes of park goers. People now a days think nothing of dropping trash on the ground rather than walk 5 steps to the close by trash can. Or get up and leave their QS table covered with their trash.

That still does not excuse Disney from the equation. If guests are dirtier than they used to be, Disney needs to staff at a higher level to handle the increased demand. Instead I have a hunch they are making do with less staff instead.

 

[TexasTSL]

Disney has noted a declining number of visitors. They are using that as a reason for more cutbacks. Cutbacks that will cause a greater decrease in visitors which will be cause for more cutbacks which will cause....well you get the picture. It's a declining spiral that may be the demise of the Magic. The die hards will look for the silver lining but reality may be tough to swallow.[/QUOT
I agree completely and do consider myself a diehard! I really am not a very negative person, but I am very much a realist, and I am reporting what I saw in my view from that standpoint.

 

[TheDisneyNurse]

Sorry to hear that you've had some bumps in your trip. But happy to hear that you've had some great moments, too. Wishing you a safe and fun rest of your trip with your DS

It's sad to hear people who for whatever reason aren't enjoying their trips, or say "It's not as good as it used to be". I just don't see Disney that way, and that's not how I felt on our trip there just a few months ago. At the same time, from my own perspective if that many people say they won't go back, I guess that'll lower the crowds for those of us who do go back. See...silver lining.

Oh, I wish! I suspect it'll be a mad house when I go in September. But, like you, I can't get enough of it!

 

[TexasTSL]

Can you expand on this.

Wh

[/QUOT

Just general indifference. I have noticed several times that guests have obviously needed help and CMs stand by and just ignore the guests, often in groups talking amongst each other, seemingly oblivious to guests. Also, a lot of small things such as not greeting people, not offering assistance, just not as friendly as in the past. I have heard several chatting amongst each other, even complaining. It's not horrible, but just not what I expect from Disney.

 

[TexasTSL]

Sorry to hear that you've had some bumps in your trip. But happy to hear that you've had some great moments, too. Wishing you a safe and fun rest of your trip with your DS


Oh, I wish! I suspect it'll be a mad house when I go in September. But, like you, I can't get enough of it!

Thanks! I don't even really consider them bumps. Maybe I'm not very good at expressing myself. I am having a great time. I just notice things are not as high standard as they were even last year. Like I said in a previous post, I am very much a realist and tend to report very factually as I see things. Maybe this comes off as I am not making the best of it or am concentrating on just the negative! Anyway, thanks again for the well wishes!

 

[FastPasser]

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[TexasKiwiPrincess]

I attribute the dirtier parks in a large part to the declining attitudes of park goers. People now a days think nothing of dropping trash on the ground rather than walk 5 steps to the close by trash can. Or get up and leave their QS table covered with their trash.

I completely agree. I had an opportunity to visit Paris a number of years ago. I was walking with my host in public and she dropped a wrapper on the ground. I automatically picked it up and put it in the closest trash can. She actually told me not to do that! She said that people are paid to pick up the trash, that's their job. If there isn't any trash, then they don't have a job. I was gobsmacked! She was basically saying it was her civic duty to litter and keep street cleaners employed! I still can't wrap my mind around that. I've been known to embarrass my kids by busing nearby tables when we leave. I also wipe down our table before and after with the baby wipes I keep in my park bag. I know *I* want to enjoy a clean park- it just takes a bit of personal responsibility to clean up your own mess.

 

[stephmarty]

I have also always found them to be the cleanest around! That's why I was really surprised. And Im not talking looking for trash. I am talking FILTHY with CMs standing around doing nothing about it. That's not the Disney I know. Maybe it was just an off day, but I am not oneto just look for problems. I love Disney and am always willing and able to understand things just happen at times. I do notice a decline though, and that is my personal opinion. Also, I did not say I will never go back, just probably won't do every year in the future. I appreciate reading opinions here and I wanted to give mine!

Don't you know you're never to point out flaws on here? If you see flaws, it must be in your head. It couldn't be there were actually any true areas for improvement, right? In all seriousness, I appreciate your fair and balanced report. We can't wait to be there in a little over 1 month. I hope those who notice areas for improvement will point them out so they can be remedied.

I would feel even more strongly about that if I was the one running WDW and my commitment was to provide a truly "magical" experience. If you bill yourself as magical, the expectation really is that you be so 100% of the time (whether that's realistic or not). That's the difference between a satisfactory (or even exceptional) vacation versus a magical experience. Magical is a high bar to set for yourself, to be sure.

 

[practicallyperfect77]

Thanks! I don't even really consider them bumps. Maybe I'm not very good at expressing myself. I am having a great time. I just notice things are not as high standard as they were even last year. Like I said in a previous post, I am very much a realist and tend to report very factually as I see things. Maybe this comes off as I am not making the best of it or am concentrating on just the negative! Anyway, thanks again for the well wishes!

Appreciate your report. I'll be there in 12 more wake ups. As my therapist says, "realists appear to be pessimists by those that are optimists". I too am a realist so understand where you're coming from.

 

[Hopefully]

That still does not excuse Disney from the equation. If guests are dirtier than they used to be, Disney needs to staff at a higher level to handle the increased demand. Instead I have a hunch they are making do with less staff instead.

I never said it excused Disney. But you would be among the first to complain about higher ticket prices secondary to higher labor costs. Personally I wish individuals were more considerate & responsible.
Your " hunch" has little or no basis in fact.

Don't you know you're never to point out flaws on here? If you see flaws, it must be in your head. It couldn't be there were actually any true areas for improvement, right? In all seriousness, I appreciate your fair and balanced report. We can't wait to be there in a little over 1 month. I hope those who notice areas for improvement will point them out so they can be remedied.

I would feel even more strongly about that if I was the one running WDW and my commitment was to provide a truly "magical" experience. If you bill yourself as magical, the expectation really is that you be so 100% of the time (whether that's realistic or not).

Pretty sarcastic.
If OP was cognizant of unacceptable conditions to meet her expectations, the best plan is to pro actively voice that concern to Guest Services, not a Disney fan website.

 

[Staarr11]

Thanks for letting us know your experience. Hopefully things will get better soon.

 

[mom2rtk]

I never said it excused Disney. But you would be among the first to complain about higher ticket prices secondary to higher labor costs. Personally I wish individuals were more considerate & responsible.
Your " hunch" has little or no basis in fact.

Truth be told, we have no idea whether the last round of ticket price increases funded needed staffing and upgrades in the parks or if they padded Mr. Iger's bonus. Additional revenue does not always equate to more spending on parks operations. Sometimes it does. Sometimes it doesn't.

 

[Hopefully]

Truth be told, we have no idea whether the last round of ticket price increases funded needed staffing and upgrades in the parks or if they padded Mr. Iger's bonus. Additional revenue does not always equate to more spending on parks operations. Sometimes it does. Sometimes it doesn't.

True
I agree

 

[loves to dive]

I was there solo and it was difficult to find a place to put my plate to eat and drink. Luckily I found a nice group who let me join their table (thanks OhioStateBuckeye and soniam ) - otherwise I'd have ended up sitting on the stairs with other folks balancing my plate on my lap.

The tables are high tables with no chairs. You just stand at them. We got there about ten minutes late and there were none left, but we sat on the stairs. There are a couple of bench-type areas to sit at outside the dessert area. The whole launch bay is open, so you can walk around. They refilled the desserts/drinks often, so you could get just a couple at a time and walk around even.

Thanks ya'll, I think I might skip it. I was only considering it for a good place to see the FWs, I'm height challenged and was thinking I could go to the dessert party, grab a few things to eat and drink then head out to the viewing area early. I guess I'll roll my dice and take a chance of just getting a decent place to see them.