Just an observation

[krhewitt]

On our recent trip to WDW and FW I was surprised to find that some of the parks MK, HS and AK were just not as clean and the workers were not as happy and helpful as they use to be. On the other hand FW was kept up, clean, the people had smiles on their faces they asked if we needed help. What gives? I thought everyone was supposed to be happy at WDW. Always in the past it seemed that someone was behind you with a broom and dust pan ready to get any crumb or piece of trash that fell. I am glad that FW hasn't fallen prey to this. We were in the 400 loop the week of June 21-27. The comfort station was spotless and so was the laundry. The only gripe I really have is that there was water standing outside our campsite for a few days and it would smell funny in the hottest part of the day until it evaporated. Oh and the absence of some trees that would have provided a little shade. I love FW!

 

[becky1960]

I think the economy is causing some cutbacks in service. As far as being unfriendly I have noticed a little of that but I wont let them not be friendly. Being from Texas we just have to start talking and making them respond.

 

[photogal06]

We've noticed that too, the past couple of years. The parks (and especially the restrooms) aren't as clean as they used to be, and the staff overall aren't as friendly. It used to be, whenever we'd stop to use a restroom in the park, an attendant was there cleaning and would engage us in conversation. And I remember staff running around with brooms picking up every little crumb. We've found that the staff are still really friendly if we reach out to them (easy when you find someone from your home state), but we have to make the first move. Regardless, it's still the happiest place on earth for me! I'm glad to hear FW is a cut above, and I'm really looking forward to being there in November (c'mon November!)

 

[itch1]

We noticed the same over Easter Break! I was talkin with a CM and they said hour keeping lost like 700 positions, they are being asked to work doubles and split shifts to cover!
Hopefully in 4 or 5 years the economy will bounce back and they give the people what we are acostumed to.

 

[starbuc71]

As an Executive Director for a large corporation, I would always tell my employees how Disney always did customer service right. How did they get all CM to smile, greet everyone and go above and beyond, from street sweepers to mangers in the stores. I told staff if they were ever to visit especially the Magic Kingdom to observe the superior customer service. many took my advice and it was not a good report back. I had to agree since we went to the MK in March and indeed saw frowns on faces, dirty streets and overall alot of miserable CM's. I understand the economy and trimming back, but if your job is customer relations and is a major part of your business, it should be carried out. I hope things bounce back but even with bad service at times, how can you not enjoy disney, especially the Fort.

 

[3girlsfun]

I don't want to hear this! We went to Six Flags and the customer service was terrible, it was like everyone hated their existence. I hope it picks back up, but, if you are overworked, I'm sure your morale is down. Sad...

 

[campingdadof1son]

We went to Dollywood last week the staff there was really friendly and it was clean, but it's still not Disney, just a little cheaper.

 

[veraletta]

Economy is causing everyone even disney to cut back, lower cost.
If you were asked to work more hours and get less pay I guess you would be unhappy too.
As far as the park not being as clean I noticed that a few years back.
I don't think they have as many staff members like they used too.
All these cut back are hurting everyone. I just hope disney doesnt still keep cut back even when the Economy bounce back, just to line their pockets.
CM work so hard for low pay.

 

[starbuc71]

We went to Dollywood last week the staff there was really friendly and it was clean, but it's still not Disney, just a little cheaper.

Dollywood is our favorite theme park. Of course it's not Disney, but what a nice park. The people who work there are far beyond super nice. True southern hospitality. The park is small, usually not crowded plus nestled in the mountains. If you have never been, it's definatley worth looking at. Gatlinburg is sooooo nice. I just hate the drive to get there. Smoky bear campgrounds is highly recommended if your going that way.
www.smokybearcampground.com

 

[3girlsfun]

I love Dollywood also! So nice, and clean. I meant to say earlier, when I was at Disneyland, I wouldn't change my ODD in the baby changing areas, they were so gross. I changed her in her stroller, I got a few ugly looks, but, I figured the looks were better than anything she could catch in those areas!

 

[starbuc71]

I love Dollywood also! So nice, and clean. I meant to say earlier, when I was at Disneyland, I wouldn't change my ODD in the baby changing areas, they were so gross. I changed her in her stroller, I got a few ugly looks, but, I figured the looks were better than anything she could catch in those areas!

I was so mad at Disney last year. We were at the MK and the park closed at 10pm. We watched the fireworks right before closing then watched the mad rush of people hurry to the exit. My 1 yo son needed to be changed so we found a baby changing facility behind the crystal palace. It was 5 after 10 and the cm said sorry we close at 10. I was kind of appauled as he locked the door in front of myself and three other parents. At that point we all laid our children down on the bench in front of him and changed them all right there. Customer service once again.

 

[krhewitt]

I've never been to Dollywood but we camped in Gatlinburg with our first fifth wheel. I love that area. I will continue to go to WDW. My hope is that when the economy gets better we will see some of the "old practices" at WDW resurface.

 

[ftwildernessguy]

I've noticed over the years the quality of guest at WDW has deteriorated. They have become more rude and inconsiderate. They also expect CM's to take everything they can dish out with a smile. They throw their trash all around, get pushy, complain if they walk into a store and somebody doesn't instantly acknowledge their presence, and become irate if they have to wait for a table at a restaurant or their food isn't just the way they would make it at home.

 

[ftwildernessguy]

. The only gripe I really have is that there was water standing outside our campsite for a few days and it would smell funny in the hottest part of the day until it evaporated.

You're kidding, right?

 

[krhewitt]

It was my only gripe about FW! And no I wasn't kidding. I also agree that the guests are a bit more snippy for lack of a better term. I don't expect them to go behind me with a broom and dust pan I just observed that the number of workers that clean up the parks has declined and the cleanliness of the restrooms in some of the parks has declined.

 

[disneyfans95]

I think the economy is causing some cutbacks in service. As far as being unfriendly I have noticed a little of that but I wont let them not be friendly. Being from Texas we just have to start talking and making them respond.

I think you can't take one random post on the 'net and make that the "bible" for either good/bad of anything..

 

[4kids4karen]

I have noticed just ignorate guests. I would say some are rude and feel over entitled, but then there are the flat out idiot guest who let their 3 year olds stand on the bus even after the driver says 6 times all guest need to be seated. So the bus driver has no choice but to take off with the kid standing holding the bar. Then on the ferry a family with 4 kids letting the 2 year old climb from steat to seat (including the opposite side) the she stands on the seat next to her brother (no adult) and almost falls down towards the boat rails which are so wide she could fall through. This was the ferry between FWC and the contemporary. I even heard a cast members remark that people take for granted that nothing can happen at disney. There are still safety concerns that parents ignore! But of course if an accident happens... it's disney fault right?

 

[krhewitt]

Or the parents that scream out on the monorail for their child to stop licking the glass and put her tongue in her mouth when she is trying to get the massive sunscreen smudge off of the window after pitching a fit when an entire can of sunscreen is used on her. Or the man that receives a phone call that there is a snake on the monorail and he yells at the top of his lungs "if there's a snake on the train, get off". Or let's see the hour long monolog (sp) from someone "too good to ride a trolley from the private beach to shop when she gets in from the private flight." Or the kids that were playing chase and repeatedly kicking sand on my son and his girlfriend before the electric water parade when we asked them (nicely I might add) to play further down where we wouldn't get sprayed with sand. I get our point. You can prepare yourself for the heat, for the lines, for the waiting but you can't prepare yourself fully for the things that other people do that just don't make sense.

 

[starbuc71]

By no means do I want to start a parent bashing contest but as a father of young children who teaches them respect as my parents did me, It astonishes me the way some parents let thier kids run wild. I know kids will be kids but as stated earlier we have had the same experience with kids splashing my 2 yo or kicking sand at him and the big slob of father just laughing and almost to the point of encouraging him as we politely said something. I guess I just look at things differently when it comes to my kids now that I am a father .. and this is just not a disney thing but everywhere as all us parents know