Here now. Observations and a couple of tips.

[BobC]

I am here now, at POR...been to WDW 6 times since 2005.You can feel the change of "attitude" in the parks more than the resorts. There are plenty of castmembers who are upbeat, but many just seem tired or worn down. The small stuff Iger is chipping away to save $$$ might not seem like much, but it was what added to the magic. Like the cast throwing out Cracker Jack to the crowd at Caseys openings, or the dance in the food court at POR, or even the "welcome to the magic kingdom" music on the busses as you approached MK. Just little stuff, but it made a difference. If they keep chipping away at the small stuff, it adds up. Too much is down now: BTMR, IASW and SFTH in MK, thats alot to be closed at once. We have had a fun trip, but add me to the list of people who can see Bob Iger has limited the supply of Pixie Dust.

They can only stretch a dollar so far before it rips to pieces.

I know there are MANY many many great Disney CMs through the parks who love their job, but many of them are overworked and home sick.

I knew someone that worked the overnight clean up crew and she was so exhausted daily it was sad. Maybe shorten the shifts of the CMs?

It's like steel workers as well (since I live in NW Indiana, a topic I know about.) They'd rather have 5 people working 100 hrs a week vs having 12 people work 40ish to save money on insurance/training/etc. They're compromising safety for dollars.

 

[BobC]

I will add to my original report that crowds are very low. Several CMs have commented to us that crowds this year are the lowest they have seen. That part is nice. Yesterday we went to HS in the late afternoon and due to rain and low crowds, we were able to FP Toy Story three times in a row. We probably could have done more. We did Epcot earlier today and the French Bakery literally had a handful of people there at noon with plenty of open tables. I've never seen it like this. Of course, some of that may be due to weather. It only rained this morning until around 10 and then started back around 4:30, though.

Grand Floridian is really nice and quiet. I cannot even hear other guests at all in the hallways. Service here is good.

I'm in your boat as well and am glad that crowds are low. However, it's good for us in the short term; but long term record low crowds will equate to a poorer experience for all of us next year and the forthcoming years.

Only two things can happen: higher prices to make up for the lower crowds; or removing more pixie dust to stretch their dollars.

 

[mom2rtk]

I'm in your boat as well and am glad that crowds are low. However, it's good for us in the short term; but long term record low crowds will equate to a poorer experience for all of us next year and the forthcoming years.

Only two things can happen: higher prices to make up for the lower crowds; or removing more pixie dust to stretch their dollars.

Remember a few years back when Fantasmic was only performed a few nights a week?

 

[Pooh2]

I agree with OP that the parks are not as clean as they used to be.
On our first trip, going back 24 years ago, as soon as something hit the ground a CM would appear from out of nowhere with a broom/dustpan and scoop/scrape it up and bathrooms were clean.

I do agree that guests are part of the problem (the mess ladies can create in a stall is just plain gross!) but that being said, we just went on our first cruise this summer on DCL to Alaska. The service and cleanliness of the ship was what we remember from the parks 20+ years ago. The level of customer service was like nothing we've ever experienced. The bathrooms and the ship throughout were spotless, CMs constantly picking up/cleaning.

If Disney can provide that type of service on the ship, they can step up their game in the parks.

 

[TavieP]

Wow! Halloween has STARTED?!

I was there from Friday to Tuesday and also shocked to see Halloween decorations up already! It was still August!

Nice to see them and everything, just a little weird!

Untitled by Tavie, on Flickr

(edited because that picture was huge initially, sorry!)

 

[mom2rtk]

I'm trying to figure out where all y'all find the grump CM. Do you engage them in conversation when you see them? I know DH and I both stop and chat with CM, asking about their day in general, telling them we appreciate them, etc. I wonder if being friendly brings friendly? No idea but there has got to be something to explain how so many say most CM are indifferent when we can go at the same time and find the CM engaging. But we put forth the effort to be engaging with them. Maybe that's the difference?

Or maybe the difference is that they had a different experience from you? Different CM, different day, different time?

 

[mom2rtk]

I was there from Friday to Tuesday and also shocked to see Halloween decorations up already! It was still August!

Nice to see them and everything, just a little weird!

Untitled by Tavie, on Flickr

(edited because that picture was huge initially, sorry!)

The first MNSSHP is tonight.

 

[TavieP]

I'll also add that the quality of the QS meals is highly variable, in my opinion. We did fine on this trip - steered away from places that have not been good in the past (Pinocchio's Village Haus, the Commisary - BLEARGH!) and had some very tasty QS meals at the places we did hit this trip:

Chicken and waffles at Backlot Express
Nachos and Southwest salad at Pecos Bill's
Shwarma platters at Tangierine Cafe
Fried Green Tomato sandwich and onion straw cheddar burger at Rosie's All-American

You just have to do a little research/have a few dozen experiences and learn what to avoid!

 

[AngiTN]

Or maybe the difference is that they had a different experience from you? Different CM, different day, different time?

Well of course that is part of it. But I was thinking more in a bigger picture thing. More in general than in specific instances.
There are numerous reports of bad attitude from CM. If there are that many reports one would think we'd encounter bad attitudes at least once in all our trips this year (7 so far, all 5+ days)
And we haven't. While they haven't all been spewing rainbows and pixie dust not a single one would be called having a bad attitude.
Something has to be at the root of our experiences being so incredibly different so I was tossing ideas out that maybe our encounters are different because we make a concentrated effort to engage with the CM we encounter. Nothing but at WAG (if any know what WAG stands for )

 

[miamimi]

I don't think the apathetic CM's, the park cleanliness, and the sub par experience can be blamed on the guests. I think these issues can be blamed on the executives who have cut the number of CM's in the parks and the resorts.

Disney management is responsible.

 

[tony67]

You really don't see the CM in the dress shirts and pants with trash pick up sticks? I see everyone of them with them. Picking up trash constantly.

Other than after a parade - no I don't see them like I used to - there was time were it seemed like there were so many it had become a bit of a joke on talk shows and such

I wish that would be improved, but it really won't be. Maybe have YUM!Brands come in and take over the QS and have KFC, Taco Bell, etc around the parks? I dunno...

I know I cant complain about frozen burgers, frozen nuggets, et al; but it's just not good for $10 lol.....

The burgers and nuggets are pretty bad - I'm sure they could do better - especially the roll they use for hotdogs and burgers.
I'll still take it over KFC or taco bell.
I also find there to be a lot of decent options for QS (most are at Epcot or the resorts) - I tend to avoid the TS meals the last few years as they are very disappointing - you can go 10 days on just QS and not eat a hot dog, hamburger or chicken nuggets

 

[cindyfan]

I'm trying to figure out where all y'all find the grump CM. Do you engage them in conversation when you see them? I know DH and I both stop and chat with CM, asking about their day in general, telling them we appreciate them, etc. I wonder if being friendly brings friendly? No idea but there has got to be something to explain how so many say most CM are indifferent when we can go at the same time and find the CM engaging. But we put forth the effort to be engaging with them. Maybe that's the difference?.

I really feel the need to point out that going to WDW is considered "entertainment"..... a "show"..... a place where we pay big bucks to be entertained...... and as such I don't think that the guest should be responsible for doing the "entertaining" by attempting to cheer up a CM that's in a bad mood! I feel guests have a responsibility to be respectful and polite, but EVERY Cast Member is trained that this is a SHOW they are part of..... hence the reason they are all called Cast Members! So.... yes... they have a responsibility to all the guests to put on that happy face! Not the other way around.

 

[DrunkJam]

I really feel the need to point out that going to WDW is considered "entertainment"..... a "show"..... a place where we pay big bucks to be entertained...... and as such I don't think that the guest should be responsible for doing the "entertaining" by attempting to cheer up a CM that's in a bad mood! I feel guests have a responsibility to be respectful and polite, but EVERY Cast Member is trained that this is a SHOW they are part of..... hence the reason they are all called Cast Members! So.... yes... they have a responsibility to all the guests to put on that happy face! Not the other way around.

Yes! This. I mean, of course, it is fair that CMS expect me, as a guest to be polite, respectful and reasonable in any request. I *hope* (but am not convinced given US working patterns) that any CM having a very bad day, or struggling will be supported by their employer. However, I have spent a huge amount of money, and time, on my holiday there, while I would be extremely happy to be paid by WDW to use my counselling qualification to help the CMs,behind the scenes, I expect them to be able to cope with a customer facing role, in a positive way.

 

[PamNC]

She meant that if declining standards are driving folks away, that's not really a win. I'd rather have a product that is up to par or above and beytond than walk-on rides.

That said, I have a lot of beefs with WDW about how they are running the ship lately. CM's are not one of them. We've had great service for all our trips this year.

I agree - I was there in late May/early June - CM's were great - no issues at all. The same as always and I've been going for years and years. I do think the food is suffering a bit - price and quality. I will agree with that.

 

[cindyfan]

Yes! This. I mean, of course, it is fair that CMS expect me, as a guest to be polite, respectful and reasonable in any request. I *hope* (but am not convinced given US working patterns) that any CM having a very bad day, or struggling will be supported by their employer. However, I have spent a huge amount of money, and time, on my holiday there, while I would be extremely happy to be paid by WDW to use my counselling qualification to help the CMs,behind the scenes, I expect them to be able to cope with a customer facing role, in a positive way.

YES!!! Couldn't have said it better!!!

 

[boomgoesthemickey]

Another thing to take into account is the amount of people who frequent this board now as opposed to the late nineties/early 2000's I wasn't around back than but I'm going to assume that it was a smaller community here and thus with an influx of more members it stands to reason the number of complaints/negative experiences was bound to go up.

 

[tony67]

Another thing to take into account is the amount of people who frequent this board now as opposed to the late nineties/early 2000's I wasn't around back than but I'm going to assume that it was a smaller community here and thus with an influx of more members it stands to reason the number of complaints/negative experiences was bound to go up.

well I think it is more accepting today of less than stellar views of Disney than it was back then ..and a few of those that were the most hardcore Disney defenders back than have become some of the people pointing out that thye feel the quality has dropped on the last 10-12 years

 

[cindyfan]

well I think it is more accepting today of less than stellar views of Disney than it was back then ..and a few of those that were the most hardcore Disney defenders back than have become some of the people pointing out that thye feel the quality has dropped on the last 10-12 years

YEP! I admit.... I'm one of those hardcore Disney defenders feeling the drop in quality!

 

[ScarletMLIS]

As a former college program cast member (Summer of '99) and someone who has been traveling to WDW since '96 (my very first trip and I was as an 18 year old), I absolutely notice the decline in the parks and in cast member service. My latest trip was in January and I remember the great and the bad. Most CMs were just part of the scenery, but I actually had a CM at Sci Fi not only roll her eyes but shout at me when I asked her a question about timing and my ADR. Frankly one of the biggest disappointments I see is the cutback in overall CM involvement. My sister did the college program before me and during both of our sessions there was just a higher level of CM engagement and activity. Does anyone remember when there was a 45 minute guided tour in MGM's Animation Courtyard? How about the long spiel for The Great Movie Ride? Or the interactive guides for The Backlot Tour? While these are all attractions, I worked the TTC. I also gave out information and a speech on the trams. I think there used to be more cases for interactivity that helped with everyone's engagement (employees and guests). Streamlining can be great, but Disney seems to have removed a lot of the personal touches and people might feel it.

 

[mgpan]

I'm glad prices don't matter during free dining

At least the food prices, but the resort prices in exchange, wow!