Is Disney at fault for disappointment?

[DoingDisney]

I didn't see any news about this on google when I searched, or the DLR board in discussion today. Do you have a link?

I know they've been testing scanning fastpasses at Space Mountain, but it was scanning paper fastpasses, with the following quote from a Disney official provided in an update to **************:



This is the latest I've seen. I'm not doubting you, just interested in a source as we are headed to DLR soon and trying to stay on top of what's happening there.

This is the test they are doing, some people have ventured it might open the door to FP+, but this seems to be a completely different animal .

 

[3DisneyFanz]

I really do wonder why you think it is more on the individual ? Disney spends millions hyping the expectations people have about the parks. They call it "the most magical place on earth" ... and you think its the individual to blame for having high expectations ??? This honestly boggles my mind.

Haven't you heard that the magic is in you and you now have to create your own magic. Things are tight at Disney now so they aren't in the magic making biz anymore. They provide the vessel but the rest is up to you.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

On the beginner point, when you google "disney world planning", after the official sites, the next sites listed are:

1. Mousesavers
2. Touring Plans
3. WDWinfo.com (the DIS planning pages)
4. Allears
5. disneytouristblog

With such high google visibility, all on page 1 right near the top, I think it's pretty safe to put these sites in beginner research territory.

Agreed. My mother-in-law and step-father-in-law (they are in their late 50s/early 60s) don't use a computer at all to review anything for our vacations-they still call for everything. They wouldn't know how to search for planning through Google (they wouldn't think to put in key words like disney world planning) and would likely get very overwhelmed by all the information throughout all the sites..they may use Disney World website though.

I'm totally not saying the other sites shouldn't be used for even a beginner (because they are fabulous at getting people information) but some people get overwhelmed easily, don't know how to effectively search on the internet, or use Social Media sites for help (like Pinterest which keeps many websites, blogs, and information all in one place or Facebook which gives me many links to current news stories about Disney World, etc.

 

[GPC0321]

I haven't been there in 2 1/2 years but over Easter it was a well know fact that if the park was too crowded, they wouldn't let anyone else in unless you were staying at their resorts. We knew there was a chance of that happening so we made sure we got there early morning.

We're staying on site when we go, so we don't have to worry about being shut out, but we're also doing AM EMH/RD on our MK day (Easter Sunday) so that we can get as much done as possible without the full brunt of the crowds. We'll still be there when it's at peak crowd times, but we'll have a good chunk of our attractions done by then and will be alternating between less-popular things and our three FP+. We're fortunate that we don't want to ride the mountains or 7DMT or meet any characters. That helps.

I wanted to say earlier that one of the things that definitely can alter one's experience is whether or not kids are involved. I don't mean that in a bad way, but little ones get tired easier, aren't always the most patient things, are pickier eaters, and don't always have the same priorities at WDW that their well-meaning parents had when planning the itinerary. I'd say it's much more important to have a flexible "go with the flow" mindset when visiting with younger children. I can see how balancing the need to get your money's worth and the need to let your kids have fun and do their thing could be stressful.

 

[Mkrop]

The point is that you can be shut out, so WDW can and do control the crowds if they so choose.

Also as pointed out, planning for different ages, types of families etc can make planning easier or more challenging. When you have no interest in the headliners, like the mountains, trying to plan and not feeling disappointed is pretty easy to accomplish. Our family likes the smaller rides, Jungle Cruise is a family fave. But we are certainly disappointed with changes that WDW has made that we cant enjoy the rides we like the most over and over again. That is WDW's fault...since we were easily able to accomplish this prior to FP+.

 

[ArwenMarie]

I really do wonder why you think it is more on the individual ? Disney spends millions hyping the expectations people have about the parks. They call it "the most magical place on earth" ... and you think its the individual to blame for having high expectations ??? This honestly boggles my mind.

Yeah, "magical" is a really heavy word to use from a marketing perspective. It's no wonder people go in with high expectations.

 

[Laz]

Apparently they are doing a FP+ test at DL today.

If FP + is installed at DLR, my money will be going in non Disney park vacation destinations. Good luck to them, but it is not for me.

 

[Mkrop]

Yeah, "magical" is a really heavy word to use from a marketing perspective. It's no wonder people go in with high expectations.

I also think that Disney has always prided themselves as a superior customer service company...I mean people may not know much about Disney but they do know that. They write books about it, Disney goes into other companies and give seminars, so the expectation is high from that and the marketing magic.

So when things do go wrong, or there are long lines for buses etc, people wonder where this superior customer service they heard about is and this could wind up disappointed

 

[disneyseniors]

Have I deleted 1 post from this thread , you can continue to make your thoughts any way you want do so. I made my statement , heaven forbid I make a post on Board I moderate. Did I say one word about any posts by quoting it. Did I say one word against anybody. It's ok for you to quote my post in your replies and attack me as a simpleton because of my post. If you really want to do something write to Guest Relations. Do you think that Disney reads every post good or bad on the Dis. I don't like getting hit with stones so I go out of my way not to throw them. If I am not allowed to make a simple statement that I feel this way. I will not say anything to anyone on this board unless they break Dis posting guide lines, my statement did not cross any Dis posting guide lines. Unless you folks don't want to give me the freedom I give you. Then we are going to have a problem. Danny a moderator for 16 years I have seen 100 or more threads just like this one. I try to avoid arguments and shut down threads that I've seen a 100 times.If anyone thinks that they can do a better job please give me your name and I will pass it on to Webmasters for consideration.It is a great job all except for the pay which is $0.00 PS I have owned DVC at OKW since 1992.

Good grief, calm down, please! No one says you can't express your opinions. We all should be able to, no matter how many times you have read through them or not.
I'm only stating MY feelings. Like you, I have seen these condescending remarks several times in these threads. It's like they disregard others experiences and thoughts with the same comments, "You need to find the magic within you", if you don't like it, don't have the money, couldn't get fp's, aren't happy, then just don't go".

I'm glad that others have had no problems with anything at Disney. That's wonderful. However, many, many others (as shown on these threads), seem to be having some real problems and would like to DIScuss them on discussion boards like this. Hearing these comments can help solve these problems,or at least let people vent if they want to. What is lost in all this is that we all love Disney, or we wouldn't be upset about certain things. We want to discuss them. That's all.

As far as being a moderator, you chose to do it. Those remarks were argumentative and confrontational ,, and will be dismissed as such. Have a good day.

 

[kittyab]

We were at Guest Relations at HS last week and woman went bizerk on a CM because she couldn't get a dinning reservation (or the time slot she wanted). She said they should do better by her since she spent thousands on her vacation.

I guess someone should had told her if she is going to spend that much money she should had done more research?

 

[Mkrop]

We were at Guest Relations at HS last week and woman went bizerk on a CM because she couldn't get a dinning reservation (or the time slot she wanted). She said they should do better by her since she spent thousands on her vacation.

I guess someone should had told her if she is going to spend that much money she should had done more research?

I hate to hear about them yelilng at a CM, but when WDW shows commercials where someone can just waltz up to the front desk and getting their way magically, then I would have to think that WDW is partially to blame as well. This lady probably thought she could do the same thing at the park.

AND how nutso would she have been if someone had said exactly that??? Oh man!

 

[maxiesmom]

We were at Guest Relations at HS last week and woman went bizerk on a CM because she couldn't get a dinning reservation (or the time slot she wanted). She said they should do better by her since she spent thousands on her vacation.

I guess someone should had told her if she is going to spend that much money she should had done more research?

I always wonder if those people think everyone else got in for free.

 

[maxiesmom]

I hate to hear about them yelilng at a CM, but when WDW shows commercials where someone can just waltz up to the front desk and getting their way magically, then I would have to think that WDW is partially to blame as well. This lady probably thought she could do the same thing at the park.

AND how nutso would she have been if someone had said exactly that??? Oh man!

Seriously? And do you think they believed their front desk CM should have fairy wings? Come on, grown ups have no excuse for that sort of behavior.

 

[Mkrop]

I always wonder if those people think everyone else got in for free.

This is why I could never be a CM bc I would want to say just that lol!

I have said that on a Facebook page when someone has said that.

 

[Mkrop]

Seriously? And do you think they believed their front desk CM should have fairy wings? Come on, grown ups have no excuse for that sort of behavior.

Like I said btw that and Disney's rep for superior customer service, yes I think that ad sends the ABSOLUTELY wrong message to folks,wings or not. I think there are plenty of other ways to show the magic of a Disney vacation. There is another ad currently with a young teen boy that is having a blast with his family, bonds with his sister, and the family gets a picture in front of the castle and guess what their are crowds behind them..gasp! It is a great commercial and yet it is pretty realistic as well.

 

[maxiesmom]

Like I said btw that and Disney's rep for superior customer service, yes I think that ad sends the ABSOLUTELY wrong message to folks,wings or not. I think there are plenty of other ways to show the magic of a Disney vacation. There is another ad currently with a young teen boy that is having a blast with his family, bonds with his sister, and the family gets a picture in front of the castle and guess what their are crowds behind them..gasp! It is a great commercial and yet it is pretty realistic as well.

I like Disney's magical vacation commercials. I loved the one where the little girl walked thru the door and was suddenly a princess. Or the one where Peter Pan's ship flew around picking up people to take them to the parks. I think adults should have enough common sense to tell the difference between reality and commercials.

 

[MrToadsWildRide]

Two important points.

1. I did not read this entire thread, so someone probably already said this.
2. I have absolutely no data to back up what I'm about to post.

I think (make sure you read point 2 above) that Disney hotels are the only hotels where you cannot eat at the hotel's restaurant unless you make an advance reservation. Okay, maybe I do have some data to back up this outrageous claim. I've stayed at a lot of hotels over the years and a restaurant in a Disney hotel is the only hotel restaurant that I've ever been told, "Sir, we are completely booked. Reservations only."

I'm not talking about Cinderella's Table in the Castle (which I believe is an urban myth, as I've never eaten there nor even seen it) or a food court. I'm talking about places like the Yatchman's Steak House. I've (recently) watched people hang their mouth open as they were told the Steak House was full, go try and eat in the bar.

So who's fault is it? Well, seeing as Disney knows you really, really need a reservation for a unique experience like, eating at the restaurant in your hotel, I would have to say ... Disney should make that really, really clear to everyone who books a room. A simple, "Sir, if you plan on eating while staying at our Deluxe resort, you better make an ADR."

The other day (as in mid-week now-ish, not July 4th-ish) I tried to eat at the Epcot resort area. As in, anywhere in the Epcot resort area. I (party of one) got turned away from Flying Fish, the new Italian place, ESPN line was waaaay out the door, Cape May's, and The Yatchman's. I ate at the Yatchman's bar. Which by the way filled up full by the time I left.

So, I think Disney could work a little harder to ensure people who stay (spend lots and lots of money) at their resorts have a good experience. I classify eating as a good experience.

 

[3DisneyFanz]

I like Disney's magical vacation commercials. I loved the one where the little girl walked thru the door and was suddenly a princess. Or the one where Peter Pan's ship flew around picking up people to take them to the parks. I think adults should have enough common sense to tell the difference between reality and commercials.

Those are completely different than showing a family walking to the desk and telling what they wanted to do and the CM making it happen. People talk about "magic" all the time but I don't suspect they think Merlin is flying around making things happen.

 

[maxiesmom]

Those are completely different than showing a family walking to the desk and telling what they wanted to do and the CM making it happen. People talk about "magic" all the time but I don't suspect they think Merlin is flying around making things happen.

I think the fact that the CM shown has fairy wings should be a clue.

 

[3DisneyFanz]

I think the fact that the CM shown has fairy wings should be a clue.

I think the bigger clue would have been for her to say "You should have thought about that 6 months ago. Grab a hotdog, ride the Carrousel and make your own magic."