I'm feeling so sad ...

[whiporee]

So Disney shouldn't build new attractions because it might lure more people? Wow, that's interesting logic and likely not what Disney is thinking at all.

That's not what i said. I said that people say building new rides will solve the crowd problems. I don't think it will -- I think it will, at the very least, keep them the same and probably amplify them. Not a reason not to do it, but it's not a solution to the problem.

Building more headliner attractions should be a foregone conclusion at both Epcot and DHS. Our visit two weeks ago confirmed what the FP+ tiering had been indicating all along- there just isn't enough there for the amount of people in the parks. And we were there in mid-May, a relatively low-crowd time.

Neither Epcot nor DHS were designed to be ride parks. Epcot was supposed to be a World's Fair type thing; MGM was supposed to be a collection of shows and backstage-type experiences. That they have "rides" is a result of a ride-centric visitor expectation based on visitor experiences at MK. Epcot and DHS are still pretty true to their original visions, it's just that a portion of the public wants them to be different parks than they are.

 

[Angel Ariel]

Neither Epcot nor DHS were designed to be ride parks. Epcot was supposed to be a World's Fair type thing; MGM was supposed to be a collection of shows and backstage-type experiences. That they have "rides" is a result of a ride-centric visitor expectation based on visitor experiences at MK. Epcot and DHS are still pretty true to their original visions, it's just that a portion of the public wants them to be different parks than they are.

I don't expect epcot or DHS to be mini MKs. They both need more to do, though. Whether it is revitalizing closed pavilions in epcot (wonders of life, anyone?), opening new pavilions or countries, Or adding more studios back into DHS...the amount there is to physically do in each park is not on par with the prices of admission. Don't get me wrong, I *love* what's there, but both of those parks need more quantity to handle the crowds they already have.

 

[bumbershoot]

You say you're sad, so something isn't sitting well with you.

We canceled 2 trips because I was unsure about the rollout and final configuration of FP+

Cancelled them because you didn't know what it would be like... (how could you ever have a first trip anywhere if you were afraid of what it would be like?)

now with the additional new policies about changing room reservations

Cancelling about something that's been talked about a lot, but on recent posts people are saying they were able to change rooms...

and the potential of tiered ticket pricing

Cancelling because of something in a SURVEY?

2 years ago Universal asked if I would go to a Lord of the Rings themed land. Has that been built? Will it? Doubtful. It was a question on a survey.


Maybe you're sad because you are cancelling out of fear. Why not GO and experience the things that have been implemented?

pick your restaurants 6 months in advance or expect to eat fast food

Our first WDW trip was in 2010 and I'm not sure that aspect of it has changed. NOW, however, it's easier to make changes on the fly IF you have a smartphone, because you can make ADRs online.

stay a week or face a penalty

Where has THAT been discussed? Even if you can't modify a stay and keep the same rate if that shorter/longer stay doesn't exist with that rate, it doesn't mean you can't book exactly what you want.

I guess my tickets will sit in my drawer

You ahve tickets, but you're letting yourself get freaked out about ticket pricing! WHY? Go, USE the tickets, SEE how you feel about things. See how YOU feel.

FP+ isn't my fave. It's better with my best friend than it is with my whiny hubby and son. But it's not evil. I'd prefer it go away but it's not dreadful. My friend and I got a FP+ for Mine Train less than an hour before we were going to ride it. I made the arrangements while IN Fantasyland. And that was over Veteran's Day/Food&Wine/Wine&Dine timeframe.

I guess universal does it that way?

Nope, not really. Just call (if you've made a room-only reservation) and they should be able to help you.

Ticket prices have always been front loaded.

YES.

Then we'll use our DVC as a home base as we spend more time at the ever-expanding USO.

Nooooo. Use up the DVC points and pay money for the Uni resorts. So much better, perks-wise, at Uni for Uni, than it is at WDW for WDW, and definitely better than staying at WDW for Uni.

a WDW vacation is becoming more like a structured cruise vacation

I'm not sure what cruises you've been on, but ours sure aren't structured, beyond the fact that we're there for the period of time that we booked for.

I don't fly so we are committing to 4 days driving for 3-4 days at WDW

You are in VA? Have you considered taking the Autotrain?

I used to love the planning but changes such as the notice needed for canceling a dining reservation mean that if you feel sick

When DS fell ill overnight, we cancelled with ZERO problems and zero charges. They do have a heart, you know.

We are only going for the kids sake this year but deep down it really irks me that we are spending $7000 on a 5 night vacation that as you say is still very unstable.

Why why why would you spend that much money on such a short vacation that's only for the kids? Go, stay at Pop or offsite, have fun with a lot less money being spent...

Late April.

And very recently people are writing that some reservations are getting changed...

 

[Nancyg56]

WOW! I am a worrywart by nature, and initially the FP+ rollout was pretty rough, so I was not unhappy that I had no trip planned. But I cannot imagine canceling two trips because afraid of FP+ or of making changes to a comfortable touring strategy.

I can only speak from my experience on the last trip, which was the last part of October. It was crazy busy! Way more busy than I had experienced in the past, but we got on all of the attractions we planned, and many we did not. I had FP for the dwarfs ride, but skipped it because we decided to hit the Laugh Factory instead, and that ran longer than we anticipated. I don't see how that is different than the old system. You had a pass, missed the window, you regrouped and moved on. In the end, it was just an attraction, and one we determined was not worth detouring for. Just like before.

ADR's bother you? I am a planner, so I love making ADR's 6 months in advance, but my friend is making them now for her last minute trip and she is scoring some doozies! You can find food in WDW, but maybe you cannot walk into your favorite at 6 PM without an ADR. You never could.

Personally, I do not toss the baby out with the bathwater, and I tend to roll with changes and try to make them work for me, so I guess I do not understand he entire problem you face. I respect it, but I don't understand it.

 

[Barnabe]

If the hassles of visiting WDW outweigh the fun you experience, I think it's time to move on. That's what we're doing. As I said, I'm sad about the decision, but we've tried the new WDW and we weren't able to do as much as we did on previous vacations for the same length of stay and the same crowd levels. So we can either stay longer to experience the same amount of rides or we can stay away.

 

[Jennytoon]

Neither Epcot nor DHS were designed to be ride parks. Epcot was supposed to be a World's Fair type thing; MGM was supposed to be a collection of shows and backstage-type experiences. That they have "rides" is a result of a ride-centric visitor expectation based on visitor experiences at MK. Epcot and DHS are still pretty true to their original visions, it's just that a portion of the public wants them to be different parks than they are.

I think this about AK too, every time someone calls it a half-day park and says there isn't much to do there.

I don't expect epcot or DHS to be mini MKs. They both need more to do, though. Whether it is revitalizing closed pavilions in epcot (wonders of life, anyone?), opening new pavilions or countries, Or adding more studios back into DHS...the amount there is to physically do in each park is not on par with the prices of admission. Don't get me wrong, I *love* what's there, but both of those parks need more quantity to handle the crowds they already have.

But, I also agree with this -- I didn't find an issue with WS, but the closure of most of Innoventions when we were there in May really made us feel like we might manage to feel that we were able to "finish" Epcot, which we never came close to feeling before. Part of that feeling is because we always spent loads of time in Innoventions and the ride pavilions -- even for the park that Epcot is supposed to be, the balance felt off to us.

For DHS, maybe it's the original vision that hasn't ever worked well for us and it's just not our park, but I've always found that given the length of the shows combined with the minimal start times, unless you line up the dominoes perfectly in advance there's not enough "filler" when you're waiting 45 minutes for the next show but your kids (and you) want to be doing something. In DHS it doesn't so much feel like we run out of stuff to do, as that we're always awkwardly waiting around -- and that's a problem no matter what the vision of the park is. I think it could be fine without more rides, but it does need more -- or maybe a better balance of -- "stuff to do" somehow.

 

[pigletgirl]

I think this about AK too, every time someone calls it a half-day park and says there isn't much to do there.



But, I also agree with this -- I didn't find an issue with WS, but the closure of most of Innoventions when we were there in May really made us feel like we might manage to feel that we were able to "finish" Epcot, which we never came close to feeling before. Part of that feeling is because we always spent loads of time in Innoventions and the ride pavilions -- even for the park that Epcot is supposed to be, the balance felt off to us.

For DHS, maybe it's the original vision that hasn't ever worked well for us and it's just not our park, but I've always found that given the length of the shows combined with the minimal start times, unless you line up the dominoes perfectly in advance there's not enough "filler" when you're waiting 45 minutes for the next show but your kids (and you) want to be doing something. In DHS it doesn't so much feel like we run out of stuff to do, as that we're always awkwardly waiting around -- and that's a problem no matter what the vision of the park is. I think it could be fine without more rides, but it does need more -- or maybe a better balance of -- "stuff to do" somehow.

But do we need to be constantly entertained by something? It feels as though nothing will ever be enough. Some of the best moments with my family have been when we were being sucked into yet another form of entertainment. Sometimes just having a quiet moment is just what is needed. To me it feels like the folks who complain will argue that there is never enough stuff. When does the line get drawn?

 

[Angel Ariel]

But do we need to be constantly entertained by something? It feels as though nothing will ever be enough. Some of the best moments with my family have been when we were being sucked into yet another form of entertainment. Sometimes just having a quiet moment is just what is needed. To me it feels like the folks who complain will argue that there is never enough stuff. When does the line get drawn?

While I agree that quiet moments can be the best memories, and have no shortage of those moments at Disney, I'm not paying admission for those moments. If I want those moments at Disney there are plenty of opportunities to have them in DTD, the resorts..places that don't charge admission. DHS and Epcot are shells of their former selves. I may love the shell, but I wish there were more substance.

 

[mom2rtk]

While I agree that quiet moments can be the best memories, and have no shortage of those moments at Disney, I'm not paying admission for those moments. If I want those moments at Disney there are plenty of opportunities to have them in DTD, the resorts..places that don't charge admission. DHS and Epcot are shells of their former selves. I may love the shell, but I wish there were more substance.

Most assuredly.

 

[Julylady]

"You say you're sad, so something isn't sitting well with you.

Cancelled them because you didn't know what it would be like... (how could you ever have a first trip anywhere if you were afraid of what it would be like?)

Cancelling about something that's been talked about a lot, but on recent posts people are saying they were able to change rooms...

Cancelling because of something in a SURVEY?

Maybe you're sad because you are cancelling out of fear. Why not GO and experience the things that have been implemented?"

I agree with Bumbershoot! OP....think more deeply about why you are cancelling these trips. I suspect it has very little to do with the changes at WDW. I think these changes might be the excuses you are using to cancel. But you are cancelling out of fear.

 

[mom2rtk]

And very recently people are writing that some reservations are getting changed...

Well, when it first happened my TA tried repeatedly to get it changed without having to rebook so I could keep my river view room. No dice. She was told it was a new policy and there was nothing they could do. Same with all the other people posting in those threads at the time.

All that tells me is that Disney is very inconsistent and can be sort of a crap shoot on stuff like this.

 

[Dis703]

I don't expect epcot or DHS to be mini MKs. They both need more to do, though. Whether it is revitalizing closed pavilions in epcot (wonders of life, anyone?), opening new pavilions or countries, Or adding more studios back into DHS...the amount there is to physically do in each park is not on par with the prices of admission. Don't get me wrong, I *love* what's there, but both of those parks need more quantity to handle the crowds they already have.

I don't agree that they "need" more to do at all. We just had our 5th trip in the past 4 1/2 years and found plenty to do in both parks. In fact so much so we didn't get to even do it all with a full day in HS and 2 days in Epcot. Although if others want to hold this view and avoid the parks to keep the crowd levels down I'll go along with it.

 

[PoohsFan1]

Am I missing something? I just motified a reservation with no issues the other day?

Same here, unless adding another night is not considered modifying .

 

[3Gsandme]

Well, when it first happened my TA tried repeatedly to get it changed without having to rebook so I could keep my river view room. No dice. She was told it was a new policy and there was nothing they could do. Same with all the other people posting in those threads at the time.

All that tells me is that Disney is very inconsistent and can be sort of a crap shoot on stuff like this.

They're doing it at Disneyland as well, so it's not just the World.

Honestly, when I read threads like this it's really no surprise. A lot of your serious Disney vets were able to take great advantage of the post 9/11 recession. Disney was desperate so they offered a lot of perks and you were lucky enough to be able to take them. Now, Disney doesn't have to do so much to get people into the parks and I'm sure if you went frequently in the decade or so following 9/11 you are really disappointed in the pricing and crowds and lack of magic. Who wouldn't be?

We are more sporadic visitors. We liked our 2014 trip so much that we have two on the books for 2016 (maybe 3. We'll see ) We had a wonderful time. Was it perfect? Oh, probably not. We had a few, small issues that weren't a big deal overall, but had I gone more during the "omg, we need bodies in the park!" era, I'm sure I would have been more bothered.

I think those people who went so much during that time ended up with a deep loyalty to Disney and Disney hasn't returned it to you. In all honesty, they can't but that won't keep you from feeling disappointed and used.

So, what do you do now? Vote with your money, folks. That's not sarcastic or passive-aggressive. If you're not happy with the changes, don't give Disney your money. If they continue to implement things that aren't friendly to the people spending thousands of dollars on their vacations and people stop coming they will be forced to make new changes or roll the old ones back.

I love disney, but thankfully, it's not my happy place. Maybe find a new happy place and keep disney on the side.

 

[BuckeyeBama]

If you are sad for cancelling, then it is time to book a trip. If you are sad because WDW is changing and you don't like the direction, so be it. They can't make everyone happy. With every change they lose some fans and gain others.

Enjoy your life, with or without Disney.

 

[itchin2go]

I don't agree that they "need" more to do at all. We just had our 5th trip in the past 4 1/2 years and found plenty to do in both parks. In fact so much so we didn't get to even do it all with a full day in HS and 2 days in Epcot. Although if others want to hold this view and avoid the parks to keep the crowd levels down I'll go along with it.

This isn't something we've ever going to all agree upon. It's entirely subjective.

I believe you had full days and a great time. However, for us, we left DHS after 1 hour ... bored and unhappy. Maybe that was bad planning on my part, but just because one family loves certain activities doesn't mean another family will.

 

[TDC Nala]

Tiered ticket pricing is not yet a reality. It was only a survey. I say go before they decide to actually do it.

And there is no such thing as "stay a week or face a penalty." There is no penalty, and issues come up only if you try to add or subtract days from an existing reservation. If you make changes more than 45 days out on a package you can cancel and rebook. Or just don't book a package. Do everything separate (won't work if you want a dining plan though).

And "pick your restaurants 6 months in advance or eat nothing but fast food" is NOT true.

 

[Dis703]

This isn't something we've ever going to all agree upon. It's entirely subjective.

I believe you had full days and a great time. However, for us, we left DHS after 1 hour ... bored and unhappy. Maybe that was bad planning on my part, but just because one family loves certain activities doesn't mean another family will.

Yes, everyone is different, but if you left after 1 hour bored and unhappy it sounds like you didn't even give it a shot.

I wonder did you even know what the offerings were before you went?

I've found for myself we never quite know what we might love the most until we actually try it. Like the Frozen show for example. I knew my kids would want to see it so we did, but DH, who doesn't care for Frozen and myself, who loved it but was feeling over it, both found it hysterical and very entertaining.

We also just did Figment for the first time this trip and everyone loved it. Wasn't expecting to enjoy it at all but we had time so we did it and thought it was pretty great.

On the other hand Universal holds no appeal to me. I look at what they have and just don't see much that I think we would enjoy. So we don't go. But I don't say that they should add more of this and that, we just don't go.

 

[Ambear]

On the other hand Universal holds no appeal to me. I look at what they have and just don't see much that I think we would enjoy. So we don't go. But I don't say that they should add more of this and that, we just don't go.

I mostly agree with this. I freaking hate DHS. The last time I went was miserable. It just holds no appeal for me. The most likely goal for that Park is adding more attractions but they'll probably be a lot of star wars stuff. That will make me dislike the park even more cause I don't like star wars. So obviously adding more attractions doesn't mean it's going to make the park better for everyone.

Basically I think people arent required to love all parks. The four parks should be distinct enough to stand alone and that means people aren't gonna love all of them. Adding more attractions doesn't necessarily mean it makes them better and more people love them. However I'd still love to see more attractions anyway because someone will love them. I just agree it doesn't fix all the problems, and especially doesn't fix the "this park sucks" problem.

 

[itchin2go]

Yes, everyone is different, but if you left after 1 hour bored and unhappy it sounds like you didn't even give it a shot.

LOL. It was not our first trip. We had experienced all the park had to offer on previous trips. We just didn't care to repeat most of the experiences. It's so sad when someone jumps to the conclusion that *I* must have done something wrong.

Surely, you don't believe that if your family enjoyed certain things, then others must too?

I was just talking to my daughter about this, and I asked her if she'd like to see the Beauty and the Beast show again ... no. How about the stunt show .... no. She said the only things she wants to do in that park are Star Tours and visit the shop that has all the Nightmare Before Christmas stuff. LOL.

I took you at your word that you enjoyed your full days at DHS. Please take me at my word that we've spent loads of time at DHS, but we've not found many experiences we care to repeat.