Holding my breath when I open Dis Boards

[Delphinidae]

Does anyone else find themselves as of late holding their breath when they open the Dis? I feel like every time I open the website and forums there's some more crazy news, price increase, ride closure, etc.

I just feel like the changes are happening overwhelmingly fast!

Anyone? Anyone? Buehler? Buehler?

Yes. We have a trip planned for this August and everything I keep reading just stresses me out. All the changes and all the complaints from everyone recently, especially regarding the lack of customer service and the feeling that the magic is gone. This will be our first trip since 2012, and the first trip EVER for my husband and I don't want him to be let down, especially because I always talk about how Disney's level of service is so much better than most and how "magical" the place is. It seems like they are getting WAY too greedy and getting away from what they used to be, and I don't want my Disney ruined, but I'm not seeing much positivity around here lately and I'm seriously beginning to rethink the trip altogether.

When I started coming here 2 years ago everything seemed much cheerier. There is definitely a more subdued tone to the boards now. I think all the changes have everyone even more stressed.

Agreed.

 

[momimouse27]

I honestly may have to stop coming here for a bit. I have found myself almost looking away when I open the page, just because everything is so negative. I am planning a Sept trip and am really looking forward to it, but the threads I used to enjoy end up bumming me out.

People have every right to complain, I just guess I'm not as disturbed by a lot of it. The idea of the resort fee bugs me the most. I also really hope EMH isn't done away with for good. But the one day tiered tix don't really affect me, and I don't plan on paying for the after dark stuff. I sympathize with those whom it does affect. I don't ride thrill rides. I've been so many times that my touring style has become very laid back. I just enjoy being there. But opening up the front page is almost stressful.

My November trip was nice, and still magical, even though I was unhappy with DHS. I may have to get my fix in other ways.

 

[bemccar1]

Agree. I've been a Disney-goer for decades and a follower of all info regarding Disney (aka disboards reader) since 2003 and I don't recall a time when announcements about various rate increases and announcements (or speculation) about the start of extra-fee add-ons (some of which were previously free) coming at such a rate!

Somewhat put-off by the greedy face Disney is painting for itself, even my hard-core WDW fan DD15 is considering "trying out" Universal....something that up until now she flatly refused, referring to Universal as "the dark side". LOL

I never even LOOKED at a Universal ticket before (and thought it was blasphemous!). But after all these changes, I actually looked for our May trip

 

[Saturn23]

I was just commenting yesterday about how all these changes are coming at once. We're planning a day at Universal on our next trip and we've never done that before. I'm thinking if this keeps up this next trip may be the last before we make the switch.

 

[disneyseniors]

Last night I read about the Disney after Dark with $150 charges, and nothing extra, just ice cream and beverages.
I told my husband," Ha, at least they aren't bothering with the early morning EH because we never do the EEH's, so it won't affect us!"
Wellllll, was I wrong!!!! Just read about Disney's early am fantasyland package. No particulars on it yet, but it does affect us now!
So, I guess I gotta watch what I say from now on. It seems like we just don't know how low Disney will stoop to grab our money!!!!!!
My husband and I love Disney, always stayed onsite, went every year. This is the first year we are thinking of renting offsite (for much less and better rooms/condo's). We are exploring Sea World, Universal, the beaches, all the other places in Florida. I can only say we are very disappointed and saddened by Disney's most recent money grab.

 

[LoveThatMouse!]

I had not been on the Disboards for about 6 months.
3 1/2 weeks ago, I booked our resort reservations...the next day ticket prices went up.
In those 3 1/2 weeks, I've learned about the possibility of the Frozen ride opening while we're there, ROL rolling out while we're there, and a Disney after Dark event the night that I've planned our MK day. Today I learned that my youngest won't get to exempt out of one of his final exams because we're taking him out of school to go to Disney.
It is a roller coaster ride of emotions, that's for sure.

 

[js]

Magic After Dark = MAD

 

[rwdavis2]

You're missing that you can buy a Universal park-to-park season pass for MUCH less than a 3 day pass to Disney.* Universal deluxe hotels are nicer and MUCH less expensive than Disney deluxes, and staying there gets you unlimited "front of the line" access to most attractions.

*Blackout dates apply to the cheap pass.

Amen.

 

[ellie05]

I had not been on the Disboards for about 6 months.
3 1/2 weeks ago, I booked our resort reservations...the next day ticket prices went up.
In those 3 1/2 weeks, I've learned about the possibility of the Frozen ride opening while we're there, ROL rolling out while we're there, and a Disney after Dark event the night that I've planned our MK day. Today I learned that my youngest won't get to exempt out of one of his final exams because we're taking him out of school to go to Disney.
It is a roller coaster ride of emotions, that's for sure.

I guess you didn't notice the food prices going up? I literally went to look at the menus for April trip to plan our food budget the next day almost everything went up $1-3 per plate.

 

[mom2rtk]

I guess you didn't notice the food prices going up? I literally went to look at the menus for April trip to plan our food budget the next day almost everything went up $1-3 per plate.

They are leaving no stone unturned.

 

[crazymomof4]

I agree and it's not the folks or the DISBoards themselves...its the money grab by Disney. I am all for special / VIP / Private extra fee events. But now it seems that small things (if the rumors are true), things that we all have grown to expect are going to cost us. I am thinking of the survey folks filled out recently on the resort fees. If you offer a special / VIP / Private event people will pay for it. But make it truly special / VIP / Private. I know when I did the dessert party - for one evening I felt like royalty. I felt like I paid for something above and beyond what everyone else was getting. And this is fine. But to have to pay to use transportation around the parks or get EMHs...that's just nuts (and I am just speculating - not saying anything is set in stone). I hope that Disney is reading these boards and taking notes of all the folks ready to jump to Universal. .

I could have written this! My thoughts exactly. A devout WDW fan for decades. Known for my soapbox talks about what a "value" WDW is considering what you get. But if more and more things shift toward "a la carte"... the value decreases.
And when you think about it, how many "extra fee" add-on type things can one family (or person) afford? A baseline wdw vaca is a major expense for many (most?) people. Many like to throw in a few character meals, maybe a dessert party.... So OK that's still do-able. Exactly how many of these "add-ons" does Disney think we (regular WDW patrons) can afford to pile into one vacation budget?
Here's my prediction: Many visiting parties will trade off the add-ons they do now for the new add-ons. So quite possibly things costing extra that used to be filled to capacity (like character meals and dessert parties) may NOT be filled bc people are choosing to put that money toward one or two of the NEW add-ons.
I'm not sure that Disney grasps the concept that our vacation spending budget (as well as our checking accounts) ARE NOT a bottomless pit from which to draw money!

 

[summerw]

I totally agree it's not the people here. When so many changes that hit you in both the itinerary and pocket at once, it's hard to stay upbeat about it all. I don't mind change, but the pics of the tiny ca grill portions, the cuts to cm staffing, the slow release of later hours and fewer shows and parades.... It's just too much. Don't make me plan 6 months in advance and then go hog wild a week before we leave changing everything. Just rude.

I was honestly excited about fp+ and still am even though it's negatively affected wait times. I understand and support disney trying to move ahead tech wise. All these extra charges and reduction of offerings, isn't trying to better anything except money in their pocket

 

[johnnyr]

Does anyone else find themselves as of late holding their breath when they open the Dis? I feel like every time I open the website and forums there's some more crazy news, price increase, ride closure, etc.

I just feel like the changes are happening overwhelmingly fast!

Anyone? Anyone? Buehler? Buehler?

Yep. I know what you mean. I can remember a time when I was excited about getting up early to check when AP discounts were released and the excitement it caused on these boards. The threads were many pages long. Now they are just a few pages with minimal excitement. Everyone is posting their frustrations with all the changes, but I'm afraid it is falling on deaf ears. I understand progress and the need for change, but they are biting the hands that feed with all these price increases and cutbacks. It shows. The lower level of service is noticeable and has declined drastically over the past 5 years.

 

[recmouse]

Oh this is just mean. Now I must know. ;-) is it being discussed elsewhere? Got a link?

But yes, op. We leave in 8 days and I'm feeling anxious. Usually it's just good anxious before a trip. Part of me wants to lock my phone and computer up so there's no new drama for at least a day or two. I'm just waiting for an email saying our wishes fp is cancelled for April 2. I just read a dining review where the portions at ca grill were smaller than a f&g portion. Gees.

We're arriving on the 3rd... I understand your feelings. As much as I'm excited - I'm anxious too hoping I haven't missed anything with all the changes. Pretty sad going into a vacation this way! I'm not expecting to have a bad one though either!

 

[StirlingSilver83]

I am a hardcore Disney fan and we vacation there at least once a year and I stalk these boards lol...Anyways this year we had to skip a vacation to Disney bc a big expense came up and couldn't afford both...I am starting to think we dodged a bullet skipping this year at Disney lol...hopefully next year things will have calmed down a bit...keeping my fingers crossed!

 

[recmouse]

I am a hardcore Disney fan and we vacation there at least once a year and I stalk these boards lol...Anyways this year we had to skip a vacation to Disney bc a big expense came up and couldn't afford both...I am starting to think we dodged a bullet skipping this year at Disney lol...hopefully next year things will have calmed down a bit...keeping my fingers crossed!

We can only hope!