Here now. Observations and a couple of tips.

[mom2rtk]

I am definitely not afraid of change and agree it is necessary, but the CM attitude is not the same as it was even a couple of years ago. I arrived last Thursday and noticed it right away. I think it is marked. My DH arrived on Sunday and without me mentioning anything abiut my opinion, pretty quickly remarked about the CMs. He wondered why most of them seemed ao unfriendly/indifferent.

Not all change is good. Labeling someone as "afraid of change" is just a way of dismissing their concerns.

I love MSEP but would love to see a new night parade in the MK. If we were heading to WDW this fall, I would be very upset there isn't a night parade. Yet I would be thrilled if they had decided to replace it with a new night parade. That's the sort of change I can get excited about. Just taking something out of the park is no guarantee there's anything coming to replace it any time soon.

 

[North of Mouse]

Thanks OP, for your thoughts. As veteran (since 1972) WDW vacationers, we have had to admit that price has finally exceeded value. And while we still know many CM's who are enthusiastic and caring, there are now just as many who could care less if we spent our dollars elsewhere. Yes, we still will visit. But we are discovering many new itineraries that will happily receive our disposable income. Poor food quality, continually increasing prices, continual cutbacks in staffing, live entertainment, less opportunity for spontaneity with FP+ (yes, we also see some advantages), overpriced lodging (really, $800 a night at high season for a GF room?? Sorry, that's a lot of meals fort a family. Especially when there are better equipped rooms down the road for half the dollars.) and promised shows and attractions that don't materialize are the reasons our decisions are based on. As for the original concept of Disney(land)(world), we're great fans and loved, appreciated and willingly paid for the extraordinary experience. We'll keep testing the waters hoping to again become impressed. And I do respect those who hold differing views. We are all at different places in our lives and see things a bit differently. That's as it should be.

,Yes, Yes!! We have also been going since 1972, and people that have only been going in the last 10-15 years cannot understand fully what we are talking about.

We, too, have cut way back on our trips there, even though we have always traveled to other destinations also. Doesn't mean we still won't be going to Disney occasionally and enjoying it, just means it used to be much better all way around.

Some changes have been better, but the majority IMO, have made it hard to just relax and enjoy our Disney vacation. To us the 80's, 90's were just about perfect. The advent of the DDP and FP+ have especially been detrimental, again our opinions.

 

[AngiTN]

We returned yesterday from a 5 day trip. We missed the trash you found but we found the rain you missed, so maybe that's why. It couldn't have stayed trashy, the rain was too heavy, it washed it away.
We got in on Saturday morning and it poured for at least an hour every afternoon, some days with intense lightening too. We made do but it was way more rainy than our past trips, going back to our Sept trip in 2011. Even our trips in April, May, June and July of this year were not as rainy.

I was there a year ago and the only complaint I had was the food.

I did the QS Dining Plan (no TS reservations except for the pizza place in Italy) and wasn't happy with the QS food. The burgers, chicken nuggets, pizza, etc are just awful to me and I think hospital cafe food is better. I was thrilled with my pizza in Italy.

#1 reason we rarely ever eat QS meals at Disney. There are a few that are not as you found but not many.

 

[minijeanie]

thanks for candid report. Do you know of any afternoon parties at the Grand Floridian on Wednesdays?

 

[minijeanie]

,Yes, Yes!! We have also been going since 1972, and people that have only been going in the last 10-15 years cannot understand fully what we are talking about.

We, too, have cut way back on our trips there, even though we have always traveled to other destinations also. Doesn't mean we still won't be going to Disney occasionally and enjoying it, just means it used to be much better all way around.

Some changes have been better, but the majority IMO, have made it hard to just relax and enjoy our Disney vacation. To us the 80's, 90's were just about perfect. The advent of the DDP and FP+ have especially been detrimental, again our opinions.

me too! back to 1972 as well.. Here is my big gripe this year. I find it incredible that I cannot eat at the resort I am staying because I tried to book an ADR at 160 days out instead of 180 days out. I am paying big bucks to stay at beach club and the fact that I cannot eat breakfast at cape may or eat anytime at Beaches and cream during my stay is ridiculous. I truly believe the dining system needs to be revamped and there should be some tables held for resort guests to be able to eat in the resort they are staying at. Years ago you just walked in and got a table. Wanted to stay another night at your resort no problem they just added a day to your bill. Pick up the phone, call the airlines and switch your ressies..No Problem, no fee change.. man I hate to sound old but I miss the old days.

 

[tony67]

Not all change is good. Labeling someone as "afraid of change" is just a way of dismissing their concerns.

This is far to common a tactic on here

Just taking something out of the park is no guarantee there's anything coming to replace it any time soon.

Yup - look at HS - if I did not have a hopper I cant imagine going to that park for a full day - especially if RnR is going to be down for maintenance.
Yeah - it's going to be great in 5 years - but what are they giving us for over increased ticket prices today?

 

[miamimi]

This is far to common a tactic on here


Yup - look at HS - if I did not have a hopper I cant imagine going to that park for a full day - especially if RnR is going to be down for maintenance.
Yeah - it's going to be great in 5 years - but what are they giving us for over increased ticket prices today?

Totally agree, but I think maybe 5 years is a little too optimistic at the rate Disney is moving.

 

[disneymagicgirl]

thanks for candid report. Do you know of any afternoon parties at the Grand Floridian on Wednesdays?

There was a sign up yesterday in gasps rolls for one supposed to be last night 8-10ish but was cancelled for rain.

 

[dragonfly57005]

I do have to agree with the QS in the parks. We ended up eating more at the Poly and Grand Floridian QS locations. BTW, I did have to laugh that the food in Gasprilla Grill is cheaper than anywhere else. For example, I was looking at a pizza on the Boardwalk and saw the price around $22. At the Grand the same pizza is priced about $17. Go figure!

I do think the room service at the hotels is really good. Also, the Tambu Lounge had some great food.

The fish 'n' chips in the MK and Epcot were our "go to" foods. Those meals were amazing.

That's DH's fav meals too- can't wait to enjoy them again in a few days!

 

[dragonfly57005]

There was a sign up yesterday in gasps rolls for one supposed to be last night 8-10ish but was cancelled for rain.

What party is held there? Is it only on Wednesdays?

 

[DrunkJam]

What party is held there? Is it only on Wednesdays?

Isn't there a mad tea party thing there for fireworks?
The party is free, but the desserts and drinks are charged.

 

[dres40]

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!

I totally agree. Everything is just a little bit less now. I remember on past trips my DD got a free Mickey Bar for her birthday from a cart in HS, or when a CM in Epcot had the time stop and help us untangle a marionette puppet we just bought in China. For me the cost cutting shows and I feel it's just not as special as it used to be. They CM's just don't seem to have the time to do much extra.... I don't blame the CM's at all, I blame the higher management. It just seems that the cost cutting is all that matters now. I wish Disney would adopt a Costco philosophy where running a company is just not about the all mighty dollar but a balance between customers , workers and profits. Pie in sky thinking... I know....

 

[DrunkJam]

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!

Yes. I mean, We re going back next year, after a gap of 5 years. I don't expect it to be the same, but, I do expect it not to be worse! I don't expect to get any extras (we have received a few in the past, birthday cupcakes towel animals - and they were all awesome, but, they were not part of the package, they were extra, unexpected bonuses) But I DO expect a high level of CM engagement, clean parks, and excellent service.
We might not have experienced WDW at it's best, but, when we were there, the CMs were really good, and they made our vacation special, that warm greeting, that engaging with the autistic kid in a way he could work with, that feeling that being inside the "disney bubble" made us feel on holiday and valued. I think we are certainly paying to buy into that.

 

[chigirl]

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.

 

[Tomh]

This is far to common a tactic on here


Yup - look at HS - if I did not have a hopper I cant imagine going to that park for a full day - especially if RnR is going to be down for maintenance.
Yeah - it's going to be great in 5 years - but what are they giving us for over increased ticket prices today?

Agreed. There is already some speculation that the night time parade at MK is not going to be replaced, allowing Disney to save some more money. It has been years since DHS has had a parade, and to be honest, with 10 days of park tickets, we didn't bother to visit DHS at all this year. The only things left in the park we were all interested in were Star Tours, TSMM, and Fantasmic. Not worth the price of the ticket.

 

[TexasTSL]

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.

This is exactly what I mean. It's just small things that really add up, and it is definitely noticeable.

 

[Ellwood970]

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.

I don't think people dropping trash is worse. In the early days there were CM there all day sweeping litter. It is Disney cost saving through the years.

 

[tony67]

I don't think people dropping trash is worse. In the early days there were CM there all day sweeping litter. It is Disney cost saving through the years.

True - you really don't see that as much any more it seems

 

[AngiTN]

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 totally agree. Everything is just a little bit less now. I remember on past trips my DD got a free Mickey Bar for her birthday from a cart in HS, or when a CM in Epcot had the time stop and help us untangle a marionette puppet we just bought in China. For me the cost cutting shows and I feel it's just not as special as it used to be. They CM's just don't seem to have the time to do much extra.... I don't blame the CM's at all, I blame the higher management. It just seems that the cost cutting is all that matters now. I wish Disney would adopt a Costco philosophy where running a company is just not about the all mighty dollar but a balance between customers , workers and profits. Pie in sky thinking... I know....

Quite funny you mention that. We had 3 CM at Morocco spend an hour untangling DGD's marionette just this past July. Still plenty of special if you ask us.

True - you really don't see that as much any more it seems

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.

 

[BobC]

We returned yesterday from a 5 day trip. We missed the trash you found but we found the rain you missed, so maybe that's why. It couldn't have stayed trashy, the rain was too heavy, it washed it away.
We got in on Saturday morning and it poured for at least an hour every afternoon, some days with intense lightening too. We made do but it was way more rainy than our past trips, going back to our Sept trip in 2011. Even our trips in April, May, June and July of this year were not as rainy.


#1 reason we rarely ever eat QS meals at Disney. There are a few that are not as you found but not many.

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.....