Just back and not happy

[Gracie09]

I was going to just stay out of this but my kids are sleeping so I have a few minutes. I haven't read the whole 11 pages but here's my two cents for what's it's worth.
I was able to log on to mde a few minutes ago and get fp for both 7dmt and tsm for today. Maybe on some busy days that isn't possible but I have been periodically checking (because I am obsessive like that) and consistently can obtain fp for both these rides within a few days of the current date if not that day.
Food prices are about what I pay for a typical chain restaurant meal for my family of four (2 adults, 2 kids). Now I live in a high cost of living state so if you are coming from a lower col state I could see a bit of a shock. But most places around wdw have menus with prices posted outside the establishment so you can see what your in for. Bottled water again $2.50 is about what I would pay at a local deli for a 20oz bottle of water. At least Disney allows food and drinks in the park. Hershey doesn't allow either and actually made me dump my dds snack cup of goldfish and questioned the coffee I had purchased at their onsite Dunkin. They do allow one bottle of water per person there but that's it.
I will never understand the whole Disney shouldn't give any additional benefits to those staying at their resorts mentality. Disney is a business designed to maximize profit. So encouraging people to stay onsite is one way to do so. Why do you think magic express was created? Not to help people but to get them out of rental cars (where it was easy for them to go offsite) and into the resort restaurants and gift shops etc.
now admittedly I haven't one since fp+ started, my next trip is September, but I'm willing to give it a try and go with the flow to see how well it all works for us. My girls are already designing their bracelets and asking to watch the new rides, so we will see how it all works when we get closer.

 

[morethananyonex]

Because I paid the same price for my tickets to access the parks as the guys in Disney's hotel rooms, and Disney doesn't give the hotels away. I'd be fine with it if Disney cut off-siters a break in the price and charged those going to a hotel extra for those perky tickets they get. Just for comparison, most theatres here in Canada are owned by a major Canadian bank (Scotiabank)--yes, it's for real. Imagine if, for the exact same price as anyone else pays, by having a scotiabank account you could watch a movie a few days before it comes out. Hey, it's up to Disney, and it would be up to Scotiabank, but if you didn't want an account with Scotiabank, and you're not interested in shacking up with the mouse, in the end, the deal just serves to devalue the rest of the second class tickets. Disney is absolutely welcome to do that, but it seems to me to be a bad business decision in the long run. They're doing well now, but others will catch up. I know it's hard to believe... However, I've seen it first hand having worked for a certain once extremely popular phone manufacturer that spent a lot of time milking its cash cows and not enough time watching as the competition built Harry Potter... sorry... iPhones. Well, either way, I'm looking forward to my first visit in 30 years. However, I think I'll wait another 30 to visit one last time if Disney wants to keep the value so very low for us second class citizens. Hopefully for them they can cut a deal with Universal in the meantime, you know, because Disney hotels make everything else better, right? I figure in 30 years they'll have one hell of a theme park.

I haven't read most of this thread, but this caught my eye.

You realize what Scotiabank does for it's account holders and visa holders, right? They have the option to get a Scene debit or Visa card allowing them to earn free movies at Cineplex theatres much faster than a non Scotiabank member, for no reason other than they are giving Scotiabank more of their money (kind of like onsite guests). By simply opening up an account they are given multiple free movies, we've been offered huge amounts of Scene points if we sign up for their Visa.

The general public can get scene cards to earn points when they buy movie tickets, but can't earn at anywhere near the rate a Scotiabank customer can. I think your example is showing the exact opposite of what you want it to.

 

[clsteve]

Until Universal offers the ability to ride a monorail, take a boat ride, walk along a Boardwalk, and have access to multiple resorts (not just 3) the "value" will never even be close. If Universal was the size of WDW, FOTL would not be possible.

Monorail: don't need one

Boat ride: great boats between the Resorts and CityWalk

Boardwalk: CityWalk

Uni Resorts: True Deluxe Resorts, and Cabana Bay - their "Value" Resort has a pool complex that is better than anything at Disney outside of SB, plus Family Suites.

FOTL? Capacity and number of attractions is Disney's main issue. Look at the Headliner comparison: Uni has just about as many (more to many people, actually) headliners in 2 Parks than Disney does in 4.

"Value" is always in the eyes of the beholder, don't you think.......

 

[Grumpy4196]

I too have tried to refrain from jumping into this discussion. The value of Disney vs. Universal really boils down to individual families. I have recently returned from a 4 day trip to Universal with my wife, 2 adult sons and 2 grandchildren 1 & 5. For us it would have been money better spent at Disney as there was not much for the younger ones to do except hang out in suess landing. At MK they could have ridden everything except the mountains. So until my grandchildren both reach the age of at least 10 we will be spending our vacations at Disney. On a side note my sons and I get our Universal fix at our annual HHN trip. Both parks have their plusses and minuses just depends on what you are looking for in a trip.

 

[NYDisGuy]

This one line pretty much says it all. Disney seems to be clearly heading down the path where everything must be planned in advance and that I fear will be the straw that breaks the back of most vacationers.

How does this differ from going on a cruise and having to plan dinners, excursions etc.? All you are doing is picking 3 fastpasses and some dining options for your trip. I personally love the idea that I no longer have to rush the fastpass booth and can walk in and go on the 3 rides I picked out with options for extra FP later in the day. And maybe i'm crazy, but I never minded waiting on standby. Those wait times are usually never the time they say, and if they are who cares, you're on vacation.

 

[flicx]

There are a few points you raised in your opening post where I have different views, but on this point I agree. I think where the change has come in is that even though they were always 'for profit' they made the guest feel like it was 'for you'. It is glaringly apparent now that Disney is [openly] focused on the profit side and whether perceived or actual, it certainly translates to the guest as a decline in the value of the visitor.

Exactly. We have gone for over 30 years and this is how we feel too. Disney seems bent on the bottom line above all attitude now. Customer satisfaction has slid far down the list.

 

[Kellykins1218]

You're one of the few. Lots of threads over the years talking about how bad the food has gotten.

LOL I doubt it's a few. Complainers are just more vocal. I'm sure there are plenty of people who think the food is good.

 

[sonofanarchy]

Until Universal offers the ability to ride a monorail, take a boat ride, walk along a Boardwalk, and have access to multiple resorts (not just 3) the "value" will never even be close. If Universal was the size of WDW, FOTL would not be possible.

1.The monorail is down almost as much as it's up and running at Disney lately.
2.As someone else said, there are lovely boat rides from the resorts to CityWalk and the parks.
3.What do you mean when you say "access to resorts?" Universal allows you to pool hop. That's one benefit you don't get at Disney.
4.Universal may not be the same size as WDW, but it offers almost as many attractions, and far more headliners.

 

[JimmyV]

To plunder (a place). Not a wallet.

Yes, a wallet. It's an expression. Not to be taken literally. But you know that. Do a google search and enter only two words. "Wallet" and "Rape". You will find many entries. Not sure why the OP should be tied to the whipping post for using a phrase that appears in the Urban Dictionary. He didn't make it up. I get that you (and others) find the usage to be offensive. And I'm not going to debate that point. But the fact that you might find it offensive does not mean that the OP used the phrase improperly.

 

[lugnut33]

I think what's disappointing me more and more about Disney are all the new hard ticket events they are coming out with.

 

[EPCOTatNight]

Monorail: don't need one

Boat ride: great boats between the Resorts and CityWalk

Boardwalk: CityWalk

Uni Resorts: True Deluxe Resorts, and Cabana Bay - their "Value" Resort has a pool complex that is better than anything at Disney outside of SB, plus Family Suites.

FOTL? Capacity and number of attractions is Disney's main issue. Look at the Headliner comparison: Uni has just about as many (more to many people, actually) headliners in 2 Parks than Disney does in 4.

"Value" is always in the eyes of the beholder, don't you think.......

Exactly. I behold the value to be on WDW's side. CityWalk is similar to the Boardwalk? What about Downtown Disney? Any equivalent to Ft. Wilderness? How's their internal bus system? Can someone throw a rock from I-Drive and hit me when I'm in a Disney waterpark (it happened at Uni)? The monorail rebuttal was hilarious. Just throw the "we don't need it" answer when you can't come up with a comparison. "Need" is not the purpose of comparison. None of us "need" to go to theme parks. Lots of people think that Universal is a better theme park vacation, but WDW is a better vacation overall. Universal can only hope to beat out Disneyland, not WDW. The value goes beyond the parks and the resorts, and that's where Uni can never measure up. They just don't have the space. And finally, if it's about headliners, I'll go to Cedar Point. They beat everybody in that category. WDW doesn't do as many BIG rides, because LITTLE people can't enjoy them. That's why WDW is at the top of the hill, because they focus more on what people care about most, their children. With that said, Universal has done enough to make me want to go there, so they are doing something right.

 

[TDC Nala]

I do not have a problem with the hard ticket events. They are held after park closing (in most instances - they do close MK early for the Halloween and Christmas parties but they have been doing that for years) and have value above a typical day at the parks. Whether you personally value what they are offering is up to you - pay for the event, or don't pay for the event. You aren't losing anything by not paying for the event.

I'm going to Harambe Nights this Saturday in fact. Not the Villains thing because it's not worth booking another weekend just to go to that.

There's also the carving out of "VIP" areas for fireworks viewing - because Disney has figured out that guests will pay more for a decent view plus some desserts and beverages. I'm not so sure that is a bad thing either.

 

[Seeker615]

Until Universal offers the ability to ride a monorail, take a boat ride, walk along a Boardwalk, and have access to multiple resorts (not just 3) the "value" will never even be close. If Universal was the size of WDW, FOTL would not be possible.

The resorts have a lovely boat to take you to Citywalk. It's an option and not a necessity.

Like others have said you can pool hop at the resorts and being they are so close it is not a pain to do so.

Citywalk is fabulous. Plus again from your resort onsite you can walk to it as well as the parks. That is a huge plus! If you want a break you can just walk back to your resort. No waiting for shuttles! If your tired you can opt for a relaxing boat ride back to your resort. It's quick and easy!

I don't want Universal to grow too much bigger. It packs quite a punch the way it is.

 

[EPCOTatNight]

1.The monorail is down almost as much as it's up and running at Disney lately.
2.As someone else said, there are lovely boat rides from the resorts to CityWalk and the parks.
3.What do you mean when you say "access to resorts?" Universal allows you to pool hop. That's one benefit you don't get at Disney.
4.Universal may not be the same size as WDW, but it offers almost as many attractions, and far more headliners.

1.The monorail is down almost as much as it's up and running at Disney lately.
2.As someone else said, there are lovely boat rides from the resorts to CityWalk and the parks.
3.What do you mean when you say "access to resorts?" Universal allows you to pool hop. That's one benefit you don't get at Disney.
4.Universal may not be the same size as WDW, but it offers almost as many attractions, and far more headliners.

You can pool hop when staying at a DVC resort and it's far more than 3 resorts that you can hop to.

 

[wdwlver]

You can pool hop when staying at a DVC resort and it's far more than 3 resorts that you can hop to.

You can only pool hop if you are a dvc member, and only to certain pools.

 

[TDC Nala]

How many folks actually pool hop at WDW? Not sure how many actually do it at Universal either.

 

[ArwenMarie]

I think what's disappointing me more and more about Disney are all the new hard ticket events they are coming out with.

I agree.

Everyone says oh Disney tickets are cheap when you average them out over 7 days or whatever. Yeah, but if you go during a time of the year that has parties, you get kicked out of MK at 7 pm but I don't see any refunds LOL. If you decide to go to a party, then add on the price of the party onto your ticket price. Your choices are pay for a party, get kicked out and you also get the fun of dealing with higher crowds on the non-party days.

 

[EPCOTatNight]

You can only pool hop if you are a dvc member, and only to certain pools.

True, but it's more than 3. Also, you can pool hop at the All Stars and Port Orleans.

 

[morethananyonex]

You can pool hop when staying at a DVC resort and it's far more than 3 resorts that you can hop to.

When you are a DVC member, not just staying at a DVC resort.

There are a lot of areas Disney is better than Universal in, but having to spend tens of thousands of dollars for the ability to pool hop vs a couple hundred for a night's stay is not one of them. I don't personally care either way and probably wouldn't utilize it if it was allowed, but it's no contest between the two.

Also, the most desirable pools are restricted from being hopped to. Yay for Disney for allowing you to hop from Saratoga Springs to Old Key West for the pools when you pay huge amounts of money and commit to them for 40+ years?

 

[EPCOTatNight]

How many folks actually pool hop at WDW? Not sure how many actually do it at Universal either.

Great point. But if you're at Universal for a week, you may pool hop because you've done everything. Less likely at WDW.