Is anyone getting as turned off as I am?

[mom2rtk]

But is it really? As I asked before, did Disney go back on their promise to bring out the old bakery items later in the day?

I have no idea if they did. But it still wouldn't solve my desire to stop for a cinnamon roll for breakfast.

 

[Disneychick75]

​

Extreme planning is gonna kill me...I was always terrible with Rubik's cube And yes, cleaning is just not the same. I recall waking up at the resort in the middle of the night and watching mousekeeping dusting door and window frames, and groundskeepers and painters wearing headlamps to get the job done.Once upon a time Disney guests were 'protected' from the effort that it took to make the magic happen. Now it is not uncommon to find dust in our resort rooms, and to see trash floating around in the parks. When Disney lowered their standards they burst our bubbles.

The biggest contribution to the cleaning problem, IMO, was when Disney outsourced Mousekeeping and groundskeeping. When they were still in charge, things were a lot better.

 

[maxiesmom]

I have no idea if they did. But it still wouldn't solve my desire to stop for a cinnamon roll for breakfast.

No it wouldn't. But it did solve mine for a good cup of coffee and a tasty breakfast sandwich. As in every single thing Disney changes, they make some unhappy and some happy. They can't please all of the people all of the time.

I was curious if they actually followed through and bring out some non-starbucks pastry later on in the day.

 

[mickeyluv'r]

Oh my, the memories of what guest service used to be makes me sad. The parks used to shine , bathrooms were sparkling and I never saw a drop of trash anywhere- near pristine condition no matter how busy.....
No one pays that kind of attention anymore.

Sigh....

While I agree with much of your post...we should all avoid hyperbole.

Just last month, we met multiple wonderful Disney CM's. There are multiple staff members that we have known for years, and some we just met last month, who all share is a desire to do great work.

I know for a fact that at least one 'higher up' still takes the time to pick up trash that guests have carelessly dropped.

I've also seen cast members, who were NOT on the clock, take time to help complete strangers in difficult situations.

I agree, not all CM's are that wonderful, but many still are.

Also, it's always a mixed bag....losing the live performers in Epcot hurts. The Frozen fireworks in HS are pretty amazing. I sincerely hope Disney keeps them!

Meanwhile, I agree much of Epcot is woefully dated.

 

[RedSox68]

Loved the previous comment "Add, don't replace". I am in total agreement with that and I think the planning logic over the last several years is not consumer minded at all.

As for housekeeping -- way way way down in standards We stayed at Wilderness Lodge a few years ago and I could not believe how filthy our room was (food on the bathroom floor, trash under the bed, clothes left in drawers). And when I mentioned it to housekeeping one morning on the way out I got dirty looks and some nasty comments. Also, dead frogs in both the pool and in the gardening! I complained to guest services and we were comped some monies, but it didn't make up for the ambiance being ruined.

As for Epcot -- if you read restaurant reviews over the past five years, their reviews for places in the World Showcase have plummeted. Many many complaints about pricing, food quality and lousy service/attitude. We have actually cancelled some of our dinner plans based on the reviews for many of the restaurants. I remember going there in the 80's and 90's and feeling like we WERE in France, Italy, Mexico, United Kingdom, etc. Not so much any more. It feels and tastes generic!

And yes, we too noticed how unclean the parks, grounds and landscaping have become. It's like they don't care anymore about appearance or quality because they know they will get the thousands of visitors. Now whether any of those thousands will repeat their trips as much as they did in the past remains to be seen!

Worth repeating: as I mentioned previously, I planned a family trip this December to both Universal and WDW. We thought the Harry Potter addition to Universal was phenomenal (and yes, you are immersed in the experience) and can't wait to see Diagon Alley. Point is, this is when I truly realized the nightmare logistics of planning a trip to WDW as opposed to Universal. Universal doesn't have the need for me to plan 180 days in advance and I was done planning and booking in one weekend. WDW was a massive 6-month planning, headache inducing experience. If we ever go back, I plan on winging it. You shouldn't already be sick of a place BEFORE you even get there

 

[PatriciaH]

Absolutely. I couldn't wait for when we had a child that I could introduce to WDW. Now we have one, and next year we are taking him for his first trip at age 2. I always thought we'd visit every few years to experience it with him at the different stages of his life. But the way things have been going, the direction I well Disney is headed with WDW, I can honestly see us going this trip, then one more time when he is around 6, and calling it quits.

As silly as it sounds, part of me feels like I'm in mourning! Again, I get how crazy that is, but I'm just sad. I don't mind change. Even Walt would have been all about constant innovation. But I don't see change for improvement, I see change for money *only*.

Hey, I'm fine with paying. It's a corporation, I'm not stupid. But people don't give a corporation money just because. They do it to buy into something. And Disney's cache had always been that they are on the front line of magic, innovation, quality and unparalleled customer service. Always seeking to improve and be unmatched. In my opinion, they've declined on all those fronts. They aren't just resting on their laurels, but making short-sighted decisions out of touch with their customer. Which happens to many formerly innovative companies as they become too driven by this quarters financials and its impact on stock versus a long term greater gain.

Maybe today looks good for them, but I predict down this type of path lies a loss of the nostalgia and reputation that keeps people coming back and paying $$$$. There are too many other amazing things grabbing the attention of the next generation.

Great post. My husband and I just got back from Yellowstone National Park/Grand Teton National Park and Jackson. WY. We travel a lot and it was the most beautiful place I have ever seen. I was actually so annoyed it took us so long to get there and that we have been wasting so much of our money on Disney.

I love Disney-we used to live in FL. We normally visited 3 times a year since we moved back to MA. We have family and many friends there. After visiting several more of our beautiful national parks though we will be cutting WAY back on Disney trips. Probably one in the fall/winter to see my parents and friends. Already planning trips to Glacier NP and Volcanoes/Hawaii. And our Yellowstone trip was cheaper than Disney.

 

[mickeyluv'r]

Yes, this. We just got back from a 9 day visit with our three year old. We had a lunch ADR on a day we were very tired. After 4 days of sheer exhaustion (i.e fits) our daughter FINALLY took a nap at the hotel. We felt forced to wake her up to make the reservation because we didn't want to be charged $30 for not showing up. Needless to say, it was not a pleasant meal.

For a place geared toward children and families there is very little flexibility.

My husband decided half way through the trip we would not be returning as a family for next years vacation (we went last year as well, and DD and I went twice this year with my parents). DH has a very stressful, fast paced, over scheduled job and he said a week at Disney was just as much anxiety as work. Too much planning/scheduling/stress for vacation.

(Not to mention it was $70 for us to eat breakfast at our hotel. DD was charged $14.99 for eating a bowl of fruit loops...and she didn't even use milk! )

What has struck me, is that we used to look forward to the WDW food.

More recently, I caught myself thinking more about how many days of WDW food we could 'endure.' I vividly recall visiting Kona Café from about 2000 until about 2006, and the desserts were just always so exciting. One of our all-time favorites was early, about 2001, but still- there were lots of amazing treats!

Eisner wasn't the origin of the idea of keeping everything pristine. Walt was. Eisner merely maintained that concept.

I too recall, being simply amazed at how pristine the bathrooms were, even during very busy holiday weeks. Back then, I just never saw a dirty stall. they were all pristine. Every stall was functional.

 

[MikeandReneePlus5]

Great post. My husband and I just got back from Yellowstone National Park/Grand Teton National Park and Jackson. WY. We travel a lot and it was the most beautiful place I have ever seen. I was actually so annoyed it took us so long to get there and that we have been wasting so much of our money on Disney.

I love Disney-we used to live in FL. We normally visited 3 times a year since we moved back to MA. We have family and many friends there. After visiting several more of our beautiful national parks though we will be cutting WAY back on Disney trips. Probably one in the fall/winter to see my parents and friends. Already planning trips to Glacier NP and Volcanoes/Hawaii. And our Yellowstone trip was cheaper than Disney.

Bit a tangent question - but what made the Yellowstone trip special? What did you do there and would it be fun for tweens/teens?

I definitely would love to go there...I've always envisioned it as a series of hiking adventures.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

Desserts are the course that was cut back most completely to accommodate the dining plan (with the possible exception of the 2 credit restaurants).

 

[Angel Ariel]

Bit a tangent question - but what made the Yellowstone trip special? What did you do there and would it be fun for tweens/teens?

I definitely would love to go there...I've always envisioned it as a series of hiking adventures.

Go in the winter and do a snowmobile tour! It is absolutely incredible. I will never forget it!

 

[mom2rtk]

Bit a tangent question - but what made the Yellowstone trip special? What did you do there and would it be fun for tweens/teens?

I definitely would love to go there...I've always envisioned it as a series of hiking adventures.

You and your camera..... errr..... I mean family...... need to get there!

I'm not that into hiking, but I step out of my comfort zone and do some when we visit places like these and we all love it. Heck, on our trip to Utah this summer, my tween and teen just loved stopping along the road and throwing rocks in the river!

 

[MakiraMarlena]

Sure, they may have kept the theming of Main Street intact (which is a good thing), but the fact remains that the bakery (which was beloved by many) was replaced by it. I think most people don't really object to Starbucks... just to the fact that the bakery was a casualty in the process of bringing Starbucks in. Same issue being debated now concerning Maelstom/Frozen.

This is the truth...hardly anybody is screaming about Starbucks replacing the Fountain View Cafe at Epcot or an obscure merchandise location at DHS. It's all about the bakery. If the bakery didn't mean much to you, then it's not as much of a blow. Same with Frozen. If you enjoyed World Showcase the way it is, then you don't like them bringing in more cartoony features. Personally I'm wondering if someday when the Showcase is full of families with little kids enjoying Frozen in Norway and Mushu in China and Rapunzel in Germany (she's German right?) and a Belle sing along in France, whether there will still be a food and wine festival. That would make some of the folks here who want the festival eliminated very happy.

 

[RedSox68]

Bit a tangent question - but what made the Yellowstone trip special? What did you do there and would it be fun for tweens/teens?

I definitely would love to go there...I've always envisioned it as a series of hiking adventures.

Have to jump in here -- OMG we went there two years in a row in 2010 and 2011 in an RV. We loved it so much we want to move there. The scenery, wildlife, hotels, Old Faithful, the geysers, the buffalo.......I could go on and on. And their food is wonderful. It was a beautiful place and one of our most joyous vacations. Jackson is now our favorite city. We stayed at a hotel where the windows looked out onto the Teton Mountains -- just heaven. And the whole trip was a lot less than what a Disney trip would have been for a week

....back on topic

 

[doodle]

It would take far too many words to note all the things I miss about how WDW used to be - so I will just list the biggest change, imo.

The customer service used to be ASTONISHING! I think if you never experienced it, it is hard to explain what it was like. Before the Internet and cell phones, Disney could do spontaneous things and no one coming along the next day would expect it. For example, one November morning when we got to EPCOT before opening, there was a cast member there, giving out free coffee. When we thanked her, she said, "You're welcome. It's on the mouse."

In the hotels - there were so many extras - artistic animal towel displays with the kids' toys left in the room by mousekeeping, gifts on a Christmas morning trip left at the door, cast members that truly did whatever they could to help you. Once, I told a CM at the front desk about needing some fabric for something I was sewing. It was casual conversation. The next day, she had what I was looking for sent to our room. She had stopped by a fabric store and gotten it for me. Wow - that was a shock.

Once a cast member helped me play a trick on my family. It's too detailed to explain what she did here, but the cast members were so friendly and HAPPY. Perhaps now they are overburdened or cranky with all the FP+ stress, but I do not see the same level of magic. YES, there are still good CMs and yes, sweet things still happen, but it used to totally blow us away. Those days are gone.

. Yep. ITA.

 

[MikeandReneePlus5]

Go in the winter and do a snowmobile tour! It is absolutely incredible. I will never forget it!

Yes I have a standing invitation from some cousins that do an annual Jackson Hole snowmobile trip. The stories they tell are exhilarating and intimidating!!! Maybe one day....

But that would be just me.

You and your camera..... errr..... I mean family...... need to get there!

I'm not that into hiking, but I step out of my comfort zone and do some when we visit places like these and we all love it. Heck, on our trip to Utah this summer, my tween and teen just loved stopping along the road and throwing rocks in the river!

lol yeah, camera opportunities a no brainer.

I think we have one more Disney trip in us. 2015. But the family is getting older and I sense some wanderlust for different vacations. Then I will cast my eye westward...perhaps a dude ranch kind of thing...I'll have to research.

Either that or an all-inclusive beach thing which is ok I guess...but I always get bored after a couple days on the beach.

 

[mom2rtk]

Either that or an all-inclusive beach thing which is ok I guess...but I always get bored after a couple days on the beach.

I do too. But we have driven west 5 times and I never get bored. The variety of scenery is absolutely amazing.

But alas, I'm losing the vote next year. I think we're heading back to the beach next summer.

 

[cakebaker]

While I agree with much of your post...we should all avoid hyperbole.

Just last month, we met multiple wonderful Disney CM's. There are multiple staff members that we have known for years, and some we just met last month, who all share is a desire to do great work.

I know for a fact that at least one 'higher up' still takes the time to pick up trash that guests have carelessly dropped.

I've also seen cast members, who were NOT on the clock, take time to help complete strangers in difficult situations.

I agree, not all CM's are that wonderful, but many still are.

Also, it's always a mixed bag....losing the live performers in Epcot hurts. The Frozen fireworks in HS are pretty amazing. I sincerely hope Disney keeps them!

Meanwhile, I agree much of Epcot is woefully dated.

You are absolutely right, my apologies.

We had a wonderful CM on our last trip- It was so hot it was just miserable and my 2 yr old grandson started acting ill right before the msep was going to start. We'd been so careful with him, but I guess it was just too long in the heat, but he got flushed and nauseous. We were taking his shirt and shorts off to cool him down, planning on leaving as soon as possible when I cm stopped and asked if there was anything she could do- She went and got him a bottle of cold water, a cool cloth and stood there until he began to feel better. Just the nicest girl you could ask for.

So yes, it's still there and while it doesn't happen often, it isn't a case of never.

Thanks for making me remember a good story- they're not all bad.

 

[Angel Ariel]

Yes I have a standing invitation from some cousins that do an annual Jackson Hole snowmobile trip. The stories they tell are exhilarating and intimidating!!! Maybe one day....

But that would be just me.
.

It really wasn't intimidating when you were there. I was concerned about being cold, but I actually spent most of the time sweating! They make sure you are bundled up very well..between that and the compression gear we wore underneath the suits, we were quite cozy all day . I was afraid to drive the snowmobile too, but OMG it was so awesome! I would.love to go back some day!

Oh, and I'm.not sure what reasons it would be you alone for, but there was a 5 y/o on our trip...didn't drive, obviously..sat between driver and the handlebars. There were also a few 10-12 y/os. They all had a great time! And if its the snowmobiling itself, they do have vans with treads (like tanks!) That take you into the park also...the park in winter is just...gorgeous. absolutely gorgeous.

 

[Praying Colonel]

No it wouldn't. But it did solve mine for a good cup of coffee and a tasty breakfast sandwich. As in every single thing Disney changes, they make some unhappy and some happy. They can't please all of the people all of the time.

I was curious if they actually followed through and bring out some non-starbucks pastry later on in the day.

On our August trip, DW and I stopped in there mid-afternoon to get a baked good of some sort, and all we saw was the same stuff you see in every Starbucks on every street corner. We went down the street and got something at the candy shop.

 

[MikeandReneePlus5]

It really wasn't intimidating when you were there. I was concerned about being cold, but I actually spent most of the time sweating! They make sure you are bundled up very well..between that and the compression gear we wore underneath the suits, we were quite cozy all day . I was afraid to drive the snowmobile too, but OMG it was so awesome! I would.love to go back some day!

Oh, and I'm.not sure what reasons it would be you alone for, but there was a 5 y/o on our trip...didn't drive, obviously..sat between driver and the handlebars. There were also a few 10-12 y/os. They all had a great time! And if its the snowmobiling itself, they do have vans with treads (like tanks!) That take you into the park also...the park in winter is just...gorgeous. absolutely gorgeous.

I think they do a more aggressive trip...stories of driving at like a 75 degree angle straight up the face of a 40 foot snowbank...worried the thing was gonna flip straight back over them as it churned upward...stories of hanging wayyyyy off the side of the thing and trying to muscle it through various manauevers.

Don't get me wrong...I'd be up for that! But wow!

It is good to know however there are more moderate versions for families though...makes sense actually. I'm intrigued,,,,

I'LL DO MY OWN VERSION OF FROZEN THANK YOU VERY MUCH WDW!!!!