I think I am finally sick of Disney...

[DVCjj]

Sadly we agree with OP. We have been to WDW about fifteen times since 2008 (and went a few times prior to 2008, prior our DVC membership) and loved it up until they started the fast-pass plus. We have been four times since they rolled out the fast-pass plus and each time has been a bust. Crowds are too heavy, even during the "slow" months. Can't ride any ride unless you have a fast-pass or are willing to wait in the standby line 45 minutes, ticket prices are extreme... Food is more expensive, way more expensive, portions smaller, food of poor quality.... Even the theming of the various DVC resorts are starting to look the same. And I hate that they removed the bed spreads. I need a heavier/warmer cover than the thin worthless blankets they now provide. At least give the option of calling housekeeping and requesting a comforter. One thing has kept the magic, the cast members are still awesome but even their awesomeness cannot make up for the other issues. We are taking a Disney break. I just banked next years points. Hopefully things will turn around. If not, then we will probably sell our points and spend more time visiting national parks, etc.

Count me in for hating the removal of the bedspreads. I know there are many who disagree, but I can't stand that cheap 'blanket setup'. I'm so sick of freezing. It makes matter worse to have those totally inconsistent thermostats. (yes, I know they are sensor driven). Wish they could replace them with wonderful NEST thermostats. And comforters. Having stayed at 3 Hamptons recently, what a difference. And the Heavenly Beds at S&D. The idiotic 'blanket set up' is the exact opposite of Heavenly.

OK....rant over.

 

[lovin'fl]

Count me in for hating the removal of the bedspreads. I know there are many who disagree, but I can't stand that cheap 'blanket setup'. I'm so sick of freezing. It makes matter worse to have those totally inconsistent thermostats. (yes, I know they are sensor driven). Wish they could replace them with wonderful NEST thermostats. And comforters. Having stayed at 3 Hamptons recently, what a difference. And the Heavenly Beds at S&D. The idiotic 'blanket set up' is the exact opposite of Heavenly.

OK....rant over.

So....that reminds me. What is with the thermostats? I noticed during our Aug and Oct trips that we'd set it and be comfortable but then while sleeping it would be hot. When we'd come back to the room it would be hot so we'd jack the thermostat and then we'd be freezing. So, they're on a motion sensor?

 

[imaginiff]

Count me in for hating the removal of the bedspreads. I know there are many who disagree, but I can't stand that cheap 'blanket setup'. I'm so sick of freezing. It makes matter worse to have those totally inconsistent thermostats. (yes, I know they are sensor driven). Wish they could replace them with wonderful NEST thermostats. And comforters. Having stayed at 3 Hamptons recently, what a difference. And the Heavenly Beds at S&D. The idiotic 'blanket set up' is the exact opposite of Heavenly.

OK....rant over.

I think replacing the bedspreads had something to do with cleanliness, upkeep and bedbugs. Hotels I have visited when driving to WDW all seem to now have the non-bedspread approach.

So....that reminds me. What is with the thermostats? I noticed during our Aug and Oct trips that we'd set it and be comfortable but then while sleeping it would be hot. When we'd come back to the room it would be hot so we'd jack the thermostat and then we'd be freezing. So, they're on a motion sensor?

The newer DVC's have the motion sensors. Someone once posted a tip to tie a helium balloon to a chair in front of the thermostat at night...the movement will supposedly keep the sensor doing its thing. I know some people have said they called maintenance to "override" the thermostat. I don't know if that is true or not. If you are staying at Animal Kingdom, however, I understand that NO balloons of any kind are allowed on property because of the animals.

 

[andiraye]

I think replacing the bedspreads had something to do with cleanliness, upkeep and bedbugs. Hotels I have visited when driving to WDW all seem to now have the non-bedspread approach.

This is correct. Pretty much all the hotel chains these days have eliminated bedspreads for sanitary reasons. Those old bedspreads were icky - they were basically never washed.

 

[udflyer00]

This is an unfortunate topic, that thankfully we aren't at. I do agree that the prices keep going up that it does make it hard to justify the expense, but for us living in Ohio we go in cycles. And with 4 kids in school we can't take them out so unfortunately we end up at Disney during those overly crowded times. However we just roll with it. We do book our FP+ right when our window opens so we're at least able to hit the big rides we want, but as mentioned we can only go in cycles due to the cost of AP's for 6. So we usually get our AP's, vacation Summer, Christmas/NYE, Summer and then take a year off to "try something different". We just ended our cycle, and just finished booking our Summer '16 vacation to HHI, our 1st time back since 2012. I'll miss Disney next summer because our next true trip won't be back down until Summer '17 when we start up the cycle again, but by then it'll be fresh and exciting again to see what's changed in the 2 years. Don't get me wrong, I would go everyday if I could, or maybe 6-7, or more times a year, but with the kids and the distance to travel it's just not possible so maybe this helps keep the magic for us each time we go down. Yeah we've seen and done pretty much all of it, but it's a nice break from the daily grind of life..

 

[McGreezy]

There, I said. It feels blasphemous to say and it saddens me too. I have been going to Disney virtually yearly since I was 2 years old in 1971. For many of the last 15 years we have gone 2-3 times each year. But this year, the magic wasn't there.

We just got back from a 4 day trip for Food and Wine. My favorite time at Disney. But things have changed too much. Some little and stupid, and some a little bigger. But they all add up. Between the price of APs, portions being smaller (darn you Earl of Sandwich and Goofy's!), food quality also declining, Party for the Senses not even close to the quality of previous years, bigger crowds, hating Fastpass plus, and even the thinner toilet paper, I think I'm just about done. The only thing that stayed magical were the cast members. If I hadn't just spent a ridiculous amount of money on APs and promised to take my son and a bunch of his friends to Disney for their graduation, I think I would sell some of my contracts.

I guess the upside is that it has cured my addonitis.

I have to say, we've only been once, this last week of October, and we won't return due to the crowds, prices, and the overall "Un-magical" experience. Yes, we could barely move last week. So sad, because I DID do my research, for over a year actually, stayed up and booked my FP's, ADRs, and while we did get on the rides we wanted the overall experience was just sooooo...ugh...pushy, crowded, sweaty and expensive. We were left with many wonderful memories, don't get me wrong, but it feels more like a one and done experience. I can't even fathom that this is what Walt dreamed of when he came up with this place. Pushy, rude, sweaty people, dragging their screaming kids on rides they DON'T want to go on in 90 degree heat because they had to wait 2 hours to get on one ride, while the overwhelmed cast members barked orders at everyone like we were cattle. All set. I can get that experience for much cheaper much closer to home. It's too bad, it must have been so wonderful at one time.

 

[McGreezy]

I have to say, we've only been once, this last week of October, and we won't return due to the crowds, prices, and the overall "Un-magical" experience. Yes, we could barely move last week. So sad, because I DID do my research, for over a year actually, stayed up and booked my FP's, ADRs, and while we did get on the rides we wanted the overall experience was just sooooo...ugh...pushy, crowded, sweaty and expensive. We were left with many wonderful memories, don't get me wrong, but it feels more like a one and done experience. I can't even fathom that this is what Walt dreamed of when he came up with this place. Pushy, rude, sweaty people, dragging their screaming kids on rides they DON'T want to go on in 90 degree heat because they had to wait 2 hours to get on one ride, while the overwhelmed cast members barked orders at everyone like we were cattle. All set. I can get that experience for much cheaper much closer to home. It's too bad, it must have been so wonderful at one time.

And we too, LOVED our Universal day. Epcot wasn't bad until the evening, but overall the parks at Disney were all overcrowded, but Universal, while still busy, didn't feel insane like the Disney parks did.

 

[udflyer00]

I have to say, we've only been once, this last week of October, and we won't return due to the crowds, prices, and the overall "Un-magical" experience. Yes, we could barely move last week. So sad, because I DID do my research, for over a year actually, stayed up and booked my FP's, ADRs, and while we did get on the rides we wanted the overall experience was just sooooo...ugh...pushy, crowded, sweaty and expensive. We were left with many wonderful memories, don't get me wrong, but it feels more like a one and done experience. I can't even fathom that this is what Walt dreamed of when he came up with this place. Pushy, rude, sweaty people, dragging their screaming kids on rides they DON'T want to go on in 90 degree heat because they had to wait 2 hours to get on one ride, while the overwhelmed cast members barked orders at everyone like we were cattle. All set. I can get that experience for much cheaper much closer to home. It's too bad, it must have been so wonderful at one time.

McGreezy,
I have not been able to head down to WDW in late October, but I believe it was probably that busy as everyone wants to be there during Halloween, or get 2 seasons in 1 trip as the park starts to transition over to the Christmas feel. I do know though there are times between Labor day and probably starting mid October that there is like NO ONE in the parks if you want that "we own the place" feel. I'm jealous of those with no kids, or those that don't mind taking them out of school for a bit, or just the locals that are able to attend the parks during this time because man to have 10 minute waits would be A-W-E-S-O-M-E... lol... Even with the crowds though in the summer we feel like we are able to get on all the stuff we want at least once, but we just "know" that because it's summer time some things could have a 45-60+ minute wait if we REALLY wanted to ride that. Then we just decide to tough it out, or wait for the extra magic hours where the kids and I are able to run all over the park riding multiple big rides in that 2 hour window.

I don't know though, everyone has different expectations, which lead to different experiences. I know everyone likes to get their money's worth for their trips cost, but at the same time it is a destination that everyone wants to attend, which leads to the crowding. Other parks don't have the same types of crowds because people aren't traveling from around the world to attend. Locally I can walk around Kings Island and have everything done in the entire park by mid-afternoon during the summer. But KI is not Disney, so the crowds aren't there.

Hopefully some of these expansions they have planned will help "distribute" the crowds more over the years to come, but the tried and true originals are still going to be crowded as those are the ones on everyone's "Must Do" list.

 

[DVCjj]

This is correct. Pretty much all the hotel chains these days have eliminated bedspreads for sanitary reasons. Those old bedspreads were icky - they were basically never washed.

But all the Hamptons (and the Heavenly Beds of the Westins, etc. etc.) have quilts. I presume they are washable and certainly better than thin sheet-paper thin blanket- thin sheet combo. (even though I think some of the bed runners are very pretty.....namely, Poly and Aulani). Just wish it was over a quilt.

I think I hijacked this thread to complain about the bedding and I apologize.

 

[McGreezy]

McGreezy,
I have not been able to head down to WDW in late October, but I believe it was probably that busy as everyone wants to be there during Halloween, or get 2 seasons in 1 trip as the park starts to transition over to the Christmas feel. I do know though there are times between Labor day and probably starting mid October that there is like NO ONE in the parks if you want that "we own the place" feel. I'm jealous of those with no kids, or those that don't mind taking them out of school for a bit, or just the locals that are able to attend the parks during this time because man to have 10 minute waits would be A-W-E-S-O-M-E... lol... Even with the crowds though in the summer we feel like we are able to get on all the stuff we want at least once, but we just "know" that because it's summer time some things could have a 45-60+ minute wait if we REALLY wanted to ride that. Then we just decide to tough it out, or wait for the extra magic hours where the kids and I are able to run all over the park riding multiple big rides in that 2 hour window.

I don't know though, everyone has different expectations, which lead to different experiences. I know everyone likes to get their money's worth for their trips cost, but at the same time it is a destination that everyone wants to attend, which leads to the crowding. Other parks don't have the same types of crowds because people aren't traveling from around the world to attend. Locally I can walk around Kings Island and have everything done in the entire park by mid-afternoon during the summer. But KI is not Disney, so the crowds aren't there.

Hopefully some of these expansions they have planned will help "distribute" the crowds more over the years to come, but the tried and true originals are still going to be crowded as those are the ones on everyone's "Must Do" list.

Thank you for your reply! Yes, I think that was it, while we did most of what we wanted, it was just too crowded to feel like we were able to truly experience the magic we were looking for for that crazy cost. I mean, after you factor in lodging, flights, spending money, etc. we calculated this cost us close to $7000. SEVEN THOUSAND DOLLARS. So yah, I did have certain expectations you would say. They weren't super high, but when it's too crowded to move...not magical. As a matter of fact, muy hubby kept jokingly looking at me and saying "So...feel the "magic" yet???" Haha. It really wasn't all bad, I know I'm very complainy, we did have several moments that took our breath away! But the end of the week was just awful at MK. It really tainted the view sadly.

 

[udflyer00]

Thank you for your reply! Yes, I think that was it, while we did most of what we wanted, it was just too crowded to feel like we were able to truly experience the magic we were looking for for that crazy cost. I mean, after you factor in lodging, flights, spending money, etc. we calculated this cost us close to $7000. SEVEN THOUSAND DOLLARS. So yah, I did have certain expectations you would say. They weren't super high, but when it's too crowded to move...not magical. As a matter of fact, muy hubby kept jokingly looking at me and saying "So...feel the "magic" yet???" Haha. It really wasn't all bad, I know I'm very complainy, we did have several moments that took our breath away! But the end of the week was just awful at MK. It really tainted the view sadly.

I definitely hear you about the costs... We are a family of 6, and at $3800ish in AP's we can only do the "on a year", "off a year" to manage the costs for all of us to go. So the 1st trip is always the "expensive" one, and the days after that first trip are just bonus... lol Thankfully we're able to drive down from Ohio so that keeps the costs down a bit as we can drive down and spend the night in a super nice hotel and still come out cheaper than flying all 6 of us... I miss being there in 2.5-3 hours, but I don't miss the $1500+ we would spend in plane tickets. Again with never going during Halloween, we've been down there for the week of New Years, and at MK for 3 NYE. I love the excitement of the NYE party and try to forget the fact that we had to stop our park touring to camp out in a spot by 5-6pm to ensure we have a great view of the castle and such for midnight... It's definitely busy during the summer though, but maybe that's what we've come to just expect because it is a place that draws from all over the world, and until they maybe add a 5th full park to truly dissipate the crowds even more I don't think it will get anymore spacious. But again everyone "Must" go to MK so I think even adding more parks, or more attractions at HS or EP or AK, MK will always be busy because that's the Disney "icon" everyone has to see the castle, ride the originals, see the princesses, etc. I do think the extra magic hours help thin the herd though at the parks because we always joke that we can ride so much more in that 2 hour 11p-1a window than we did in an entire day... lol

Unfortunately it's a business and I truly think supply and demand is driving it so as long as the crowds keep going we'll continue to see the prices rising year after year, until that tipping point is reached and then maybe someone at the top will realize they've taxed to tourists for all they can spend on a 3-5 day trip for the average traveler. Thankfully as DVC members if we miss something one trip due to the crowds we know for sure there will be a return trip sometime in our future to hit it again and we just keep pressing enjoying what we can, but for the once in a lifetime traveler, it's getting very hard I think for that crowd to justify the prices even more.

 

[njmeisje]

Aulani still uses the antiquated line system for anything worthwhile (subject to interpretation). We won't buy there until I don't have to wait in the early morning hours to sign up for kids club activities.

My kids are adults now, so the kids stuff holds no interest for me. I'm also more of a beach person, so don't need to fight for a pool chair. The only line I stood in in Hawaii was at Matsumoto's Shave Ice. WORTH IT!

 

[DeeCee735]

After reading all of these negative posts, and agreeing with some things myself, I have to say......I still can't wait to get there!

 

[bobbiwoz]

My sister is there right now, part of a group of 9 people including a 2 and 6 year old. They are having a fantastic time. It is possible!