Just got back! only one issue: airconditioning!

[WaDiWo]

hi all!

what a wonderful trip we just had to WDW!! crowds were above average but manageable. Weather was hot in the morning, rainy in the afternoon -- hey it's summer. The parks were immaculately clean, most of the CM's were friendly and helpful, attractions were awesome as always, meals ranged from "better than I expected" (coral reef) to absolutely awesome (Sanaa) ...

but there was one issue, only one issue, that forces me to [gasp] complain.
It was the AIR CONDITIONING!!

please, disney, please please please turn up the airconditioning in the attractions. for years I've welcomed and looked forward to that cold blast of air, the "wall of air" so to speak, that greets you when you enter a shop, a bus, a boat, or any indoor attraction.

for some reason, this trip, the temperature was warm, or in some cases, hot, INSIDE the attractions.

ok, the good -- yes, it was downright cold in Innoventions, and inside the Mexico Pavilion, and the rainforest cafe ...

but absolutely warm in many of the other attractions, like American Adventure (twice we went, twice we were sweating), Spaceship Earth (don't you miss the good ol' days of relaxing in the AC in here), Hall of Presidents, and many of the shops. In fact, the shop next to american adventure had it's AC OFF!! and just kept all the doors open. the boats between DHS, Epcot, and the epcot resorts similarly had the AC off.

now, before you all blast me ... no, i did not check the temperature myself. yes, i'm sure it was warmer because I and people i asked felt warmer than in previous trips (yes very recent very frequent trips). No I did not ask a CM about it nor did I complain about it to anyone there. No it did not ruin my trip. I still had an awesome time. just something i noticed.

I simply post here as my observation because this is a forum of people like me who like to notice and discuss the little details about WDW. And AC, my friends, is a little detail that affects guest experience.

anyone else notice this? is disney cutting back on the AC because of the economy? please turn it back on.

 

[*NikkiBell*]

While this isn't very good news, I am happy to hear that the parks were super clean. I feel that Disney has been lacking in this area over the past 2-3 years and have been hoping for it to get back to normal.

 

[Becx N Gav]

I do hope they turn up the AC - DH really feels the heat. I'll let you know what I think in Sept, we may spend a lot of time in the room where we can control it

Glad you had a great time

 

[stitch teacher]

We were there June 21-29, and we also noticed the reduction in the air conditioning.

So no, it's not just you!

 

[mainegal]

Is this a cost cutting measure?
We are running the a.c. less here, too.

 

[carol1231]

I totally agree with everything you mentioned! We just returned yesterday afternoon and spent 2-1/2 weeks at the world. Went on Spaceship Earth twice, thought I would suffocate. Took the boat from Epcot to BWV, suffocating again. I know that the temperature outside is hot and it's hard to cool these places, but we go at the same time each summer and I don't remember complaining about how warm it was inside the boats. I did think they are probably trying to save a watt here and there and turning the air conditioning to full blast doesn't save any.

 

[dwelty]

duplicate Post

 

[dwelty]

Unfortunately, this is all part of the Green movement that WDW has been pushing since 2006. Ever been in your room and have the A/C turn off in the middle of the night because the motion detector on the thermostat thought no one was in the room? You can thank the Green hotel movement for that. (All resorts on WDW are now "Green"). I am sure the same movement has begun in the Theme Parks, As we noticed the same thing on our May trip.

People need to let WDW know, enough is enough. We pay PLENTY to visit, they should ensure that their guests are comfortable.

They tried a similar move in 2007 by lowering the pool temps in the winter. There was such an outcry that they backed off this energy saving move rather quickly. (Search the boards for "pool temps") So if people speek up, usually they back down.

 

[WaltD4Me]

Unfortunately, this is all part of the Green movement that WDW has been pushing since 2006. Ever been in your room and have the A/C turn off in the middle of the night because the motion detector on the thermostat thought no one was in the room? You can thank the Green hotel movement for that. (All resorts on WDW are now "Green"). I am sure the same movement has begun in the Theme Parks, As we noticed the same thing on our May trip.

I cannot stand the motion detector AC units. I've stayed in several hotels that have them and they are awful. I understand the conservation aspect, but who wants to come back to a hot hotel room after a day in the parks? And even though it's night time the rooms still get very warm when the AC shuts off when you are sleeping. I was in Vegas a couple years ago and stayed in a hotel with motion dectector AC, but I didn't know it and I couldn't figure out why I woke up sweating in the middle of the night, I thought the AC was broken...it was very uncomfortable, it woke me up every night and I had to get up and walk around to start the AC back up.

 

[ADP]

We just returned as well and noticed the reduction in A/C. I always thought Disney's A/C was cranked higher than usual; however, there seemed to be additional reductions over the years, and now it's to the point where it's more noticable by guests.

I'm sure this is party a cost cutting measure; however, I wouldn't exclude the idea of Disney trying to be more "green". Everyone is trying to do their part with energy conservation. By Disney lowering their A/C standards it shows they are trying to do their part.

 

[WaDiWo]

if it is part of a cost-cutting measure, I understand that the economy has affected everyone, and yes Disney has always strived to be a part of the green movement ...

however, I believe Disney said that their cost-cutting, job cuts, etc. would NOT affect guest experience. tough to run a business I know, but airconditioning during a Florida August is a huge part of guest experience.

Anywhere we can voice this? I just got a WDW from the company about my trip, but there was no place for comments.

 

[dwelty]

They way to voice your concern is to write to Guest Relations at WDW. Hand Written letters get the most attention. I wrote a letter last year complementing Disney on something and got a call back a week later. I have heard that they are usually as responsive to constructive criticism. Start the letter out about what they do well, and then mention your recent experience with A/C in the parks. I am going to write as well.

 

[Dsmurf16]

I have noticed this problem on the last trips we have had. IMO being a DVC owner we should be able to control the AC to what ever temp we want!! We pay yearly dues and can't keep the AC on when we sleep is a bit silly. I don't mind that Disney is going Green but I think they can come up with better ideas than messing with the in room AC, but I will still enjoy coming down every year no matter what!!!