Just back. My thoughts, observations etc.

[mommystieg]

That being said, I've been to the local Six Flags here in my town, and after seeing the utter lack of maintenance, I appreciated WDW more. Six Flags just had its big 50th anniversary here, and I expected them to at least spruce things up a bit, but it looked as run down and shabby as it ever has (peeling paint on rides, loose/rusted handrails, trash everywhere, etc.).

Howdy - we were at SFOT in April and it reminded me how much I don't like Six Flags and how much I appreciate Disney. I thought it very odd that the employees all wore shirts with this message to their guests printed across their backs:

"Have a heart and do your part. Help keep our park clean."

No catchy quote about fun or adventure or good times - just a plea to throw your trash away. It's too bad they have to remind their guests to throw away their trash. And I couldn't get over how much they had cluttered up the walkways with kiosks like at the mall. Really?? The last thing I want at a theme park is to be attacked by somebody trying to sell me a timeshare

OP - I am sorry your visit wasn't the value you had hoped.

 

[snoopy352]

I'm just going to point a few things out. Not trying to be a Disney apologist. Just trying to shed some light on a few issues.



As for value- I wouldn't exactly call Disney a "value" trip, nor would I consider it to be a LUXURY trip. Somewhere in the middle of the road. These are our average costs for 2 adults, no kids for an 8 day/7 night trip

Deluxe Resort- $900 (point rental)
Tickets with hopper- $450 (cost of AP per day for our average days per year)
Food- $400 (cook in breakfast and dinner, TS lunch)
Souvenirs- $100 (only occasionally)
Airfare: $500 (r/t from the midwest for 2)

Total= $2350
Total per person- $1175


As a comparison, our upcoming 7 day cruise to Bermuda
Cruise fare (per person)- $1300
Airfare (r/t)- $250
Excursions- $250
Souvenirs- $200
Total per person= $2000 per person



Comparatively, Disney is a steal

Eating your dinners in at DW is, in my opinion, skewing the odds in DW's favor. Most of us pay for our meals - if you add that to the total, the figure changes.

 

[walkdmc]

We just returned from a week at the BWV. It was our first stay there and we loved walking to/from DHS and Epcot. We only visited MK once and we didn't notice any trashcan issues. That said, we are selling our DVC and don't plan on returning to WDW anytime soon. (Well, we have the upcoming Tower of Terror 10 mile run but we're staying at the Waldorf). We burned out after 6 trips in 3 years.

I can't agree more with the OP regarding dining availability. I don't know if it was lack of free dining (was it? or was free dining offered last week?) or the CC reservation requirement but we were able to dine at Kouzzina and some other TS places without reservations. We also ate at Cali Grill but had ADRs for that meal. We got a call from them 3 hours before our scheduled ADR to see if we'd like an ADR elsewhere since the kitchen was having "technical issues" and they had a limited menu. We kept our ADR and had a great meal. We also had a nice meal with great service at Kouzzina's.

 

[origin62]

I'm just curious. What travel destination do you think is a better value than Disney and why?

The things you pointed out seemed so picky to me but everyone has different priorities.

I'm not sure why people complain about food prices. There are lots of options that are cheaper. You don't have to eat at a character buffet. You can get a dining plan to help with the cost. The prices are readily available before the trip so this shouldn't be a surprise.

Yes, I'm a Disney apologist. And until they stop making the magic or some other company is able to offer a better experience, I will be one.

I agree with you that Disney offers a singular, unique experience, and arguably at a reasonable price. But there is, sadly, no question that they have lowered their standards over the years with regard to maintenance, show quality, and service. Thirty years ago, you would have never seen trash, neglected paint/carpentry, burned out light bulbs, or attractions operating in less than perfect condition. Disney banks on the hope that the average guest just won't notice. And, unless they have been visiting since the 70's (or 50's), I guess most do not.

 

[Phatoomch]

I agree with you that Disney offers a singular, unique experience, and arguably at a reasonable price. But there is, sadly, no question that they have lowered their standards over the years with regard to maintenance, show quality, and service. Thirty years ago, you would have never seen trash, neglected paint/carpentry, burned out light bulbs, or attractions operating in less than perfect condition. Disney banks on the hope that the average guest just won't notice. And, unless they have been visiting since the 70's (or 50's), I guess most do not.

Thirty years ago the park was only 10yrs old so real wear and tear hadn't set in yet. I think for a place that is 40yrs old, the general overall condition is amazing.

 

[KCMiller]

OP, thanks for sharing your thoughts and observations with us. I recognize that these are your personal thoughts and observations, and recognize that not everyone will have the same experiences, but I do sincerely appreciate your sharing them with us here.

On a side note, my DD22, who is planning on heading back to her Mousey Overlord as soon as she gets her sheepskin, is going to apply for a PI first, but her long term career goal is to become a maintenance worker for WDW. And I hope she gets there, and gets that great job, and can help maintain the beauty and 'show' for all the lucky people who get to travel there.

KC

 

[origin62]

Thirty years ago the park was only 10yrs old so real wear and tear hadn't set in yet. I think for a place that is 40yrs old, the general overall condition is amazing.

Really? Then you're exactly the kind of guest Disney is hoping for. The management team, prior to the early nineties, placed a priority (actually it was the only priority) on show quality. That is no longer the case.

To your point, yes, parts of the property are 40 years old. To me that says that maintenence and renovation efforts are even more critical.

 

[Phatoomch]

Really? Then you're exactly the kind of guest Disney is hoping for. The management team, prior to the early nineties, placed a priority (actually it was the only priority) on show quality. That is no longer the case.

To your point, yes, parts of the property are 40 years old. To me that says that maintenence and renovation efforts are even more critical.

Cool - then they got me As I said before, I've been around the world and I still think the standards at WDW (when it comes to public attractions) is way higher than any others I've been too.

 

[KatieKat]

Regarding Cape May Cafe... I feel EXACTLY the same. We were at BC in April for the first time without a dining plan and paid OOP for CMC. It was $100 for us too, and we couldn't believe it! DH also commented that the crab legs seemed smaller than last time and the other food wasn't as good. We won't be going back.

 

[DisneyLindsay]

I've been on this board. I know how it works here. Mickey Mouse could set my hotel room on fire and people would still defend Disney

Oh My, I laughed so hard when I read this I thought I would choke!

 

[origin62]

Cool - then they got me As I said before, I've been around the world and I still think the standards at WDW (when it comes to public attractions) is way higher than any others I've been too.

Oh, they've got me too! Make no mistake, I love WDW (and DL). That's why it makes me sad that they aren't maintained as they once were. You are right in that Disney parks are a step above other attractions. It's just that they aren't up to the standard the company set for itself many years ago-a difficult goal, no question.

 

[miami305]

Oh My, I laughed so hard when I read this I thought I would choke!

Me too!

 

[maxiesmom]

I agree with you that Disney offers a singular, unique experience, and arguably at a reasonable price. But there is, sadly, no question that they have lowered their standards over the years with regard to maintenance, show quality, and service. Thirty years ago, you would have never seen trash, neglected paint/carpentry, burned out light bulbs, or attractions operating in less than perfect condition. Disney banks on the hope that the average guest just won't notice. And, unless they have been visiting since the 70's (or 50's), I guess most do not.

I think that 30 years ago people were not such slobs either. People had a certain level of respect for the businesses they went to, and had a different way of acting when they were out and about. I work for a major retailer, and we always have at least 2 janitors on duty. And they can barely keep up with the mess. It is disgusting how people act now a days.

 

[origin62]

I think that 30 years ago people were not such slobs either. People had a certain level of respect for the businesses they went to, and had a different way of acting when they were out and about. I work for a major retailer, and we always have at least 2 janitors on duty. And they can barely keep up with the mess. It is disgusting how people act now a days.

Sadly, you're right. We could fill a whole thread discussing the poor behavior and habits of some people at the parks!

 

[SnowWhite607]

We just got back as well. We were in a 2 Bedroom at BCV.

Ticket price increase had at least something to do with CM hourly/salary increases that they received over the last contract negotiations.

Child APs may have went away due to abuse that has been discussed.

DVC's annual pass price increase was pretty much nothing so I am not seeing much of the Disney Ticket Price increase being a reason not to go.

I didn't notice one single trash can overflowing. But then again, I may not have been looking...no wait, I recall now several times having to dump stuff into the trash can that required me to kinda stick my hand into the trash so I can turn it over and recycle the plastic later so with that said, I did not run into a single trash can that was overflowing.

I may not have been looking but I noticed nothing but beautiful landscaping myself, not a dead plant in sight.

I wasn't paying any attention to the light bulbs but if a bulb was not changed in the 6/7 days you were there I am not sure how that can mean they are not being maintained. How do you know that the bulbs are not checked every other Friday at whatever location you noticed them not working?

We ate at Cape May Cafe.....best meal all week. I guess you get what you pay for.

We went to the Land after 9:00 p.m. as it is opened during the time specifically to deal with Test Track being down and the place was empty. We got a Land boat to ourselves around 9:10 and between 9:25 and 10:00 went on Soarin' twice via the stand by line.I guess we were in two different places.

We missed WDW the minute we drove off property and planned our next trip the entire drive back home.

I had the same experience on 6-20-12. We walked into Soarin with a 10 minute wait in the standby line about 8:45. Rode, went right back to the standby line (about 9pm now) and the wait time said 5 minutes. So we rode it twice in 20 minutes. Cant beat that.

Just got home yesterday and I have to echo that the weather was not hot. It only rained really hard starting on Sunday so for the bulk of our trip, it was very nice.

 

[HayGan]

I can completely understand where the OP is coming from. IMHO, the quality of WDW vacations has diminished over the past few years while the cost continues to increase (at times significantly.) The food tends to be expensive for what you get, the parks aren't always kept to the standards that many of us who have been going for years are accustomed to and there are other items that to decrease the overall magic.

With that said, I still think that done properly WDW vacations can be a great affordable vacations for families. Those who aren't seasoned veterans (as many of us here are) aren't going to notice many things that we might such as lightbulbs or flowers. I still think that WDW is one of the cleanest & nicest parks in the world.

For some, the magic hides some of the reality and for others reality taints the magic. None of us are going to see it exactly the same.

 

[Chellymouse]

We arrived home this past Sun, just as TS Debby was starting to downpour and have to agree with OP on a few things. We were at SSR and found bus service to be surprisingly good. We also found the food to be much better this trip than the last couple of trips so we were happy about that. Except for T-Rex...don't EVER go to T-Rex. DH and I did notice some maintenance issues as well. Particularly with the AA on Splash Mt. There is a huge need for a rehab....it's obvious it hasn't been touched in awhile.

 

[DebbieB]

The buffets are crazy. In the past when I went with my friends, we usually did one character meal but it has gotten way too much. We used to do Chef Mickeys but $50 is too much for mediocre food. On our last trip, we did mostly breakfast in room, table service for lunch and counter service later. We had good meals at Trails End, Big River Grill.

 

[prfctlyximprfct]

I feel if you go to Disney looking for the loss of value you will find it. If you go and appreciate the magic of Disney, that's what you'll find. Disney is the most magical place on earth and I will never let anyone change my perspective of that.

 

[HayGan]

I feel if you go to Disney looking for the loss of value you will find it. If you go and appreciate the magic of Disney, that's what you'll find. Disney is the most magical place on earth and I will never let anyone change my perspective of that.

Sorry but no one can truly believe that. I can't imagine that those with complaints go into thier vacation looking for problems. I also can't believe that those who are "true believers" in the magic think that Disney can do no wrong.

A vast majority of thiose who go to WDW are believe in the magic and are hoping for nothing less. Just because they haven't snorted enough pixie dust to ignore some imperfections doesn't mean that they didn't go into their vacation looking for the magic or that they don't believe in the magic. Nothing is perfect - not even WDW or Disney (in general)!