Just Back...

[snoopy two]

With, unfortunately, a few disappointments. There are many missing decorations, but the biggest, by far, was no Lights of Winter at Epcot! I tried to speak to several CMs in the park and they either didn't know what the Lights of Winter were, or gave me the general response of "things change." The funniest one was from a gentleman manning the exit and he said he remembered reading something about that and it said guests would be upset, but he couldn't remember anything more about it. He was one that didn't know what the LOW were. I finally happened upon an electrician at DHS and overheard him talking about the Osborne lights. He said the technology for LOW was considered out of date, so that is why they did not put them up. I did notice that most all of the decorations had been changed to LED. I, for one, really missed them. He also told me that next year would be the last year of their contract with the Osborne's and their lights. He said they would continue after that, but with some different decorations. Another change was the spiel for the Wedway People Mover and Tomorrow Land Speedway. They have both been changed and, of course, I miss the old ones. Loved the previous voices and the new ones...not so much. The Wedway spiel sounds like a big advertisement to me.

I've been going to WDW during Christmas for many years. I've watched so many favorites go, that I am not surprised by it; just disappointed. As my pass price continues to rise, I have to admit that I am starting to wonder if it is worth renewing next year.

 

[CouchTater]

Just back here too and noticed lots of the litle touches missing such as you spoke of. I miss the Santa hat on the Earful Tower at DHS. Luxo Jr. was not working. I really miss the Christmas Country Bears. Tarzan did not swing across during the Great Movie Ride and many more things that would probably not be noticed or missed unless you were a frequent visitor. It was good trip but not a great trip.

 

[kappyfamily]

so what went right?

 

[CouchTater]

Weather was nice, crowds were manageable with the exception of MMVMCP. CP, fireworks and Illuminations were awesome! Not trying to be Eeyore lol

 

[DisneyNDecember]

With, unfortunately, a few disappointments. There are many missing decorations, but the biggest, by far, was no Lights of Winter at Epcot! I tried to speak to several CMs in the park and they either didn't know what the Lights of Winter were, or gave me the general response of "things change." The funniest one was from a gentleman manning the exit and he said he remembered reading something about that and it said guests would be upset, but he couldn't remember anything more about it. He was one that didn't know what the LOW were. I finally happened upon an electrician at DHS and overheard him talking about the Osborne lights. He said the technology for LOW was considered out of date, so that is why they did not put them up. I did notice that most all of the decorations had been changed to LED. I, for one, really missed them. He also told me that next year would be the last year of their contract with the Osborne's and their lights. He said they would continue after that, but with some different decorations. Another change was the spiel for the Wedway People Mover and Tomorrow Land Speedway. They have both been changed and, of course, I miss the old ones. Loved the previous voices and the new ones...not so much. The Wedway spiel sounds like a big advertisement to me.

I've been going to WDW during Christmas for many years. I've watched so many favorites go, that I am not surprised by it; just disappointed. As my pass price continues to rise, I have to admit that I am starting to wonder if it is worth renewing next year.

I am a frequent December guest & I know I will feel a hole in my heart when I don't get to sit in awe on a bench & watch the Lights of Wonder at Epcot dance with the wonderful music that played along. That was one of my many holiday traditions with my son at Disney & one of my favorites !!!

 

[High Voltage]

We stayed a week in late October and I just got around to filling out the postcard survey the other day. We had similar feelings after our trip. WDW is still great fun and we enjoyed ourselves, but the little things (and big things like LOW and reduced Fantasmic showings) have us questioning our AP renewals. So I said as much in the survey. Will it matter? Dunno, but I know Disney is a business and they are trying to see what the can eliminate before people react. I urge others who feel the same to do likewise. Now I understand some people will say small stuff is just that and to let it go, like the long thread about burnt out lights at GF. But to us it's almost a principle thing, paying more and receiving less sets a bad precedent, and all those little things that help create the "magic" of WDW, once gone, will not come back.

 

[addicted_to_WDW]

We always take a winter WDW trip and for several years in a row it was in December for the Christmas decorations. Unfortunately, each year was just a little less magical than the one before and rather than continue to be disappointed with the disappearing decorations we switched to January. The crowds will be light and we'll have a good time without feeling like Disney is continuing to take things away while raising prices.

 

[DisneyNDecember]

We stayed a week in late October and I just got around to filling out the postcard survey the other day. We had similar feelings after our trip. WDW is still great fun and we enjoyed ourselves, but the little things (and big things like LOW and reduced Fantasmic showings) have us questioning our AP renewals. So I said as much in the survey. Will it matter? Dunno, but I know Disney is a business and they are trying to see what the can eliminate before people react. I urge others who feel the same to do likewise. Now I understand some people will say small stuff is just that and to let it go, like the long thread about burnt out lights at GF. But to us it's almost a principle thing, paying more and receiving less sets a bad precedent, and all those little things that help create the "magic" of WDW, once gone, will not come back.

I could not have said it better myself !!!!!!!

 

[princessgirl2238]

to be honest, most cast members did not know what lights of winter was called even when it was put up. that and most of the cast members you probably asked were college program or international program and they would have not been here last winter.
disney is just like every other business and with the economy the way it is, cut backs are necessary. everyone is upset that disney had cut backs, but i would rather them cut back on things knowing that it'll probably change in a year (or few) then them have to do something more drastic (yes, it could happen).

 

[addicted_to_WDW]

to be honest, most cast members did not know what lights of winter was called even when it was put up. that and most of the cast members you probably asked were college program or international program and they would have not been here last winter.
disney is just like every other business and with the economy the way it is, cut backs are necessary. everyone is upset that disney had cut backs, but i would rather them cut back on things knowing that it'll probably change in a year (or few) then them have to do something more drastic (yes, it could happen).

So you think it is ok to cut things but raise prices?

 

[High Voltage]

to be honest, most cast members did not know what lights of winter was called even when it was put up. that and most of the cast members you probably asked were college program or international program and they would have not been here last winter.
disney is just like every other business and with the economy the way it is, cut backs are necessary. everyone is upset that disney had cut backs, but i would rather them cut back on things knowing that it'll probably change in a year (or few) then them have to do something more drastic (yes, it could happen).

I love Disney, but lets be honest, Disney is not like most other businesses hit by the recession, Disney is making cutbacks to maintain its profit margin for shareholders. Disney is in no danger of losing money or going out of business as many other industries are. Maybe I'm being pessimistic, but I almost feel like Disney is jumping at the "opportunity" of the bad economy, knowing people will accept cuts because "times are tough", when, in reality, Disney is not struggling to stay afloat, but is simply unwilling to suffer lower profits. When we the consumers accept this, hoping things will come back, we simply reinforce the cut services=make more profit mentality.

 

[snoopy two]

Does anyone else still miss County Bears Christmas over at MK? I can't imagine that costs much to change over for the holiday season.

Same with the big Santa hat and giant mistletoe over at DHS.

 

[BenandMorgsMom]

I feel the need to give my 2 cents on this topic. My family and I returned last night from a 10 day vaca at BWV. We are DVC members and have made multiple trips at Christmas time for the past 12 years. Well I don't know how to put it in words. Decorations? What decorations? I can not tell you in our experience the elimination of decorations over the years. One huge cut back is at BW....the rope decorated garland used to drape room balcony to room balcony down the entire boardwalk. Now that is decorating. If you look in the lobby, Garland used to swag across the entire check-in area. Now, it is on select openings, but the hooks are still there for the missing pieces. Big labor cost to swag garland? Guess so. My husband and I said as we awaited our flight that this is our last trip at the Holidays. We both felt like we missed a week of the "season" because we were at Disney. How sad is that. I could go on and on on things that have been eliminated but this cut back is something that really made us discuss how we are spending our travelling budget.

But it is all good. Because I learned how to decorate my door from the boards...we had the most festive door on our floor!

 

[Squirlz]

So you think it is ok to cut things but raise prices?

Sure. It's a business.

 

[KellyNY]

What can I say, it is very sad. I never did holiday season at Disney but I always wanted to see decorations. I wonder now, what is the point to go during questionable weather if decorations will not be there. OK, now LOW and other missing smaller things, but what next, Osborne lights, castle, I just to not get it.

 

[Mrs.Reese]

We just got back too and agree with many of the things said. We went specifically to see the decorations and all the holiday fun. We even paid extra for MVMCP. At one point, DH turned to me and asked where are the decorations? It was really sad. The parks really didn't feel that much different than any other time of the year. We both agreed that the MSNSHP is more fun and had more decorations. On the positive crowds were great

 

[cbsnyber1]

Disney is making cutbacks to maintain its profit margin for shareholders. Disney is in no danger of losing money or going out of business as many other industries are. Maybe I'm being pessimistic, but I almost feel like Disney is jumping at the "opportunity" of the bad economy, knowing people will accept cuts because "times are tough", when, in reality, Disney is not struggling to stay afloat, but is simply unwilling to suffer lower profits.

AMEN!! Could not have said it better. My company paid bonuses last year on profits of $38M. This year, citing the "tough business climate", no bonuses were paid. Just this month they were purchased (privately held company) and the news reports revealed they had profits of $53M this past year (this is when we learned they earned $38M last year). So, they could pay bonuses on $38M but not $53M?? Give me a break!! I wanted to puke when I read that - using the "bad economy" as an excuse to not dribble pennies out to those that earned them the profit.

Greed is alive and well in the business world. . .regardless of the business climate.

 

[High Voltage]

Sure. It's a business.

I agree, and as a business the only way Disney will change its current policy of cutbacks is if it feels it stands to lose more by people staying away. Out of curiosity and to put all this in perspective, I found Disney's latest fiscal year reported November 12, 2009. Disney Parks and Resorts: 1.4 billion net profit and Disney Co. as a whole: 3.3 billion net profit. Now granted these numbers are down from previous years, but hardly the image of a company needing to skimp on decorations and raise prices just to keep the lights on.

 

[kaffinito]

Greed is alive and well in the business world. . .regardless of the business climate.

And Disney is a very well run business. It's a business that entertains people, but as a pp said, as long as we keep going, and as long as they can make the cutbacks they want to without making us squeal then they'll continue to do so.

I'm just glad I get to go this Christmas to see the Osborne lights. If they could be gone next year, then I'd better see them before they get the axe too.

 

[Gracees]

Besides the lights at Epcot, we really missed the gingerbread houses at the Polynesian.

Your post could have been my post. I love Disney!! But it was the extras the kept us coming back year after year. I don't know that I will ever quit going entirely, but I don't think it will hurt as much if we just go every third year or so. Again, it was the extra touches that set it apart.

With that said though, I thought the CM's this trip were very nice and the parks and rooms themselves were clean. After reading some of the posts here, I was a bit worried about that, but our experience was good.