Just Back (10/10 - 10/15): Hanging up my Disney Ears

[heykateeleigh]

I think a lot of this is grounded in perspective. For nearly two years I either worked at WDW or lived only 20 minutes outside of one of the main gates. I went about 3-4 times a week for the entire time I lived in Florida. I never got tired of it and I knew when it would be busy and planned mentally for it. And to let crowds "ruin" or "spoil" a vacation is absurd. So it takes you a few more minutes to get to Tomorrowland after the fireworks or you have to spend an hour in line waiting for RNR. That's time spent with family still. Yes, it's hot and waiting is a bore, but you're there with people you love and like-minded people who love Disney surrounding you. You only have a bad vacation or experience if you let it. It's your mentality that can ruin it for you.

I can't wait to go back, even considering moving back to Central Florida so I can go a few times a week again. It's my happy place and no matter how much construction they do, what the crowds are like, Disney keeps pumping out magic and fun, changing what they do constantly to keep it entertaining. I'm a WDW girl for life.

 

[heykateeleigh]

By the way, the decline in service and accompanying difficulties with planning a trip is not reflective of how many visits you have made over the years. Only that you may be aware of what once was...

That's not to say that it can't be enjoyable, but for some of us it is less so.

Having gone there over 100 times in less than 2 years, I highly disagree. Our service was always phenomenal, the CMs were courteous and sweet, sometimes going out of their way for special magical moments like handing us Mickey bars because the stand was closing late at night. Simple gestures. Whenever it was busy or hot, a smile to a miserable CM went a long way in brightening up their day. But their level of service is still as great as ever, and I've been going since I was a baby.

 

[mom2rtk]

I think a lot of this is grounded in perspective. For nearly two years I either worked at WDW or lived only 20 minutes outside of one of the main gates. I went about 3-4 times a week for the entire time I lived in Florida. I never got tired of it and I knew when it would be busy and planned mentally for it. And to let crowds "ruin" or "spoil" a vacation is absurd. So it takes you a few more minutes to get to Tomorrowland after the fireworks or you have to spend an hour in line waiting for RNR. That's time spent with family still. Yes, it's hot and waiting is a bore, but you're there with people you love and like-minded people who love Disney surrounding you. You only have a bad vacation or experience if you let it. It's your mentality that can ruin it for you.

I can't wait to go back, even considering moving back to Central Florida so I can go a few times a week again. It's my happy place and no matter how much construction they do, what the crowds are like, Disney keeps pumping out magic and fun, changing what they do constantly to keep it entertaining. I'm a WDW girl for life.

I absolutely agree it's a matter of perspective. And the perspective of a local who can go at any time will always be different from someone who only gets to go once a year (or once a lifetime). You can just skip this or that because of a long wait, and be happy doing less if you know you'll be back next week to try again.

 

[aviva5675]

One way I WANT Disney to more easily take my money is by being able to charge to my magic band as a Fl resident pass holder. If I drive over for the day I want to be able to charge things (like yesterday, food and wine booths) to my band (the credit card already linked on my MDE account)--- But you can't. Have to be a resort guest. Stupid.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

One way I WANT Disney to more easily take my money is by being able to charge to my magic band as a Fl resident pass holder. If I drive over for the day I want to be able to charge things (like yesterday, food and wine booths) to my band (the credit card already linked on my MDE account)--- But you can't. Have to be a resort guest. Stupid.

You know I could see that as being very convenient but I also get why they haven't. It's an incentive to stay on-site in order to get that perk. Technology-wise it would be easy to allow that especially if you pay monthly you'll have a card consistently charged if you pay monthly. They could always expand that charging to magic band to FL Resident or even AP holders too but at least right now it's an added "perk". I'm sure there are plenty of FL Residents and AP holders who choose to stay on-site when they go but I'm also sure there are plenty that like to stay off-site (could be a cost-saving thing) and if you're lucky to be within close driving distance you're more likely to just go home after going to the parks rather than staying at a hotel period.

 

[Julylady]

I agree 100% with the OP. We have been going to Disney since 1990 with various assortments of family and friends. No two trips were alike and we adored them all. But the last couple of years have been different. We have noticed many changes which to me are summed up as the result of cutting costs. Our last trip was April 2016 and the parks were very crowded. I did notice a reduction in staffing even though the crowds were immense. For example, no cast member checking for fast passes at the 2nd check point. Many people jumped the line and got away with it. Also, at Soarin only one side was open. At the Mexico ride, there was only 1 cast member attempting to load boats. People were ignoring her and just jumping into the boats. The bathrooms were hit and miss. Sometimes clean and sometimes filthy. I understand they are now cleaned on a schedule to reduce staffing costs rather than cleaned continuously. In our hotel, we had room service plates across the hall that stayed there for 3 days without anyone taking them away. And I could go on and on.

If you just started visiting WDW in the last couple of years you would accept these things as normal. But for long time visitors, the changes are very very apparent. And as a DVC owner, they are alarming. There are so many examples of Disney increasing cost while simultaneously decreasing value for those costs. There is another thread right now where a deluxe tour is switching lunch at Brown Derby for lunch at Sunshine Seasons food court with no reduction in cost. When people called to complain they were told it was due to Guest Feedback. Yeah, right.

At the end of our last trip, we started talking about doing a different vacation next year. And we are. We are spending a week at a Florida beach instead of WDW. And its not because we are sick of Disney theme parks, but we not willing to spend more time at WDW given our Spring 2016 experience. Just last week we decided that our next Spring trip will be Disneyland resort. (Added - We always do another big trip each year as well in addition to Disney).

Why am I posting? As was stated earlier, part of the reason is to mourn a loss. Disney World is not the same place it was before. I miss how it used to be. Another reason is financial. I am struggling about whether or not to sell my DVC contract. And last, maybe, just maybe, someone from Disney is monitoring these boards and noting our concerns.