Just home, my thoughts

[North of Mouse]

As to the meet and greet times, I think some people are not getting what I mean. Anna and elsa felt rushed. And honestly, if disney really cared about guest experience wouldn't they limit more the number of people either getting in line or booking a fast past for these hot ticket meet and greet / rides? It feels now like it's more about quantity and how many people can we pack through an attraction a day, and less about ensuring the quality of the experience is good. Sure there will always be those people that want more, bigger, better, but I assure you that's not me.

It's true that Disney does allow too many FP's for the Anna & Elsa meet & greet, But in all honesty, would 'you' have wanted to be one of the ones that your child 'could' not see them because the 'cut off' for the 'number' seeing them was past?? I think not, so yes, that is why they have to be rushed, and limit the greeting time, so more little girls can have that pleasure!

They 'cannot' give unlimited time as some little ones 'never' quit talking and would 'never' know when time is up! Really can't see how you are upset about this, and think your dd should have had more special time, while so many others were waiting.

They don't have enough 'space' for most other attractions to accommodate all guests, hence the limit on FP's (just another way for them to use the 'coupon' system that they used to have - limiting E tickets, etc) to spread people out to all the rides whether you wanted them or not!!!!

The 'New Disney' - NOT the improved Disney!!!!

 

[DVCcurious]

Funny, and a dime a dozen these days. We have seen elseas around at the local indoor play parks. But don't you know "the real one lives at disney world mommy!" Lol. It's funny, she was aware this year that the costumed characters were just people, but still thought the princesses were real. I love the way a kids brain works.

I have a 5 year old DD also and she said the same thing. She knows Mickey Mouse isn't real because "mouses aren't 5 feet tall". But she still believes the princesses are real. We're going to WDW on April 1-April 6 and I don't want to take her to see Cinderella in the theater because I know that the Cinderella at WDW will not look like the Cinderella in the movie and I don't want her asking questions about it and ruining her fun.

 

[tmbacon]

Found this interesting little paper that looks at the cost of opening a new park (including Disney) in terms of dollars spent per first year guest - which led me to believe that Disney's ongoing decision to not open a 5th gate isn't due to cost:

Initial Investment Cost per First Year Attendee

From the paper:

"When viewed in this manner, it is quite apparent that the majority of parks (59 percent) were opened at a cost per first-year attendee of less than $100. Almost a third or 29 percent invested somewhere between $101 and $200 dollars, and only a few invested more than $200—six percent invested between $201 and $300, and six percent invested more than $300."


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Off-topic slightly (OP, I apologize); but what, from your point of view, might be the reasons Disney is delaying opening a 5th gate, if it isn't due to cost? I have not admittedly been following this topic.

 

[JanaDee]

Wow, this thread has exploded!

I appreciate all the comisseration and story's both positive and negative experiences.

As to expectations, no, it was not a matter of my expectations being too high. I'm generally a person with low expectations. Very easy to please. There was just so much about this vacation that felt rushed, pushed, herded it was unfortunate. Interestingly I didn't feel the same mentality at universal the two days we spent there. Funny enough one of the days was pouring rain, we were drenched, but it felt more relaxed, more fun, more something I can't put my finger on. I had booked universal because dh is not a Disney fan. I never expected to enjoy it much, I love my disney! But right now if I planned another trip to Florida universal would be on my list, not Disney. And honestly, I hate that lol.

As to the meet and greet times, I think some people are not getting what I mean. Anna and elsa felt rushed. Elsa literally drapes an arm around a kid and herds them on mid sentance. I was thinking about the few other meet and greets we did. Chip and dale in HS was probably just as quick. But they goofed, and hugged, and played, and never once ushered dd out. It certainly wasn't much longer, a minute and a half, 2 minutes at most, but it didn't feel like we were shoved out. And chip and dale don't even talk! And honestly, if disney really cared about guest experience wouldn't they limit more the number of people either getting in line or booking a fast past for these hot ticket meet and greet / rides? It feels now like it's more about quantity and how many people can we pack through an attraction a day, and less about ensuring the quality of the experience is good. Sure there will always be those people that want more, bigger, better, but I assure you that's not me.

I was interested to read the thought about Disney's best times in the mid 2000's. We went in 2008, and 2010. I remember we noticed a few downgrades in 2010, bus issues, toon town closed, bad service at the resort. But I don't remember feeling letdown at the end.

It was still a good time, because let's face it, anytime you don't have to pack lunches, heard kids into the school bus, help with homework, shovel snow you're winning. The kids had some great times. It wasn't all awful, and overall I would rate it "ok". It just wasn't enough to consider going back anytime soon.

That is a good point. I don't want to invest all the time and money Disney requires and come home feeling the vacation was "just ok". At that point, it is time to invest the time and money in somewhere else.

 

[mom2rtk]

It's true that Disney does allow too many FP's for the Anna & Elsa meet & greet, But in all honesty, would 'you' have wanted to be one of the ones that your child 'could' not see them because the 'cut off' for the 'number' seeing them was past?? I think not, so yes, that is why they have to be rushed, and limit the greeting time, so more little girls can have that pleasure!

They 'cannot' give unlimited time as some little ones 'never' quit talking and would 'never' know when time is up! Really can't see how you are upset about this, and think your dd should have had more special time, while so many others were waiting.

They don't have enough 'space' for most other attractions to accommodate all guests, hence the limit on FP's (just another way for them to use the 'coupon' system that they used to have - limiting E tickets, etc) to spread people out to all the rides whether you wanted them or not!!!!

The 'New Disney' - NOT the improved Disney!!!!

But Disney ultimately crafts the reality. There aren't enough slots because Disney chose to have them available in only one park. Other characters are available in more than one park. Some are available in all 4 parks. Same thing with ride capacity. I thought the great advantage of opening a park in central FL was the luxury of space. Attraction capacity is only limited by what Disney will spend money to create.

 

[Cormoran]

But Disney ultimately crafts the reality. There aren't enough slots because Disney chose to have them available in only one park. Other characters are available in more than one park. Some are available in all 4 parks. Same thing with ride capacity. I thought the great advantage of opening a park in central FL was the luxury of space. Attraction capacity is only limited by what Disney will spend money to create.

Totally agree. I am so frustrated when Disney is defended for having 1 A&E M&G! As Jimmy V suggested, they could have an A&E character meal at a floundering resort restaurant. For example, Shutters @ CBR. They could make big bucks and more people would be able to see A&E.

In a lot of circumstances, guests are visiting parks infrequently so this is their only chance to see Elsa & Anna. I just think Disney could do a better job of accommodating guest demand.

 

[ArwenMarie]

It's true that Disney does allow too many FP's for the Anna & Elsa meet & greet, But in all honesty, would 'you' have wanted to be one of the ones that your child 'could' not see them because the 'cut off' for the 'number' seeing them was past?? I think not, so yes, that is why they have to be rushed, and limit the greeting time, so more little girls can have that pleasure!

They 'cannot' give unlimited time as some little ones 'never' quit talking and would 'never' know when time is up! Really can't see how you are upset about this, and think your dd should have had more special time, while so many others were waiting.

This is just my experience, not the OP, but there was a noticeable difference in the length and feeling of the A&E greet versus the other greets, and we still do quite a few of them. I don't think anyone is expecting unlimited time. I guess the thing is, yes, they are trying to accommodate more FPs, but at some point if quality suffers, then they need to regroup IMO.

 

[mom2rtk]

That is a good point. I don't want to invest all the time and money Disney requires and come home feeling the vacation was "just ok". At that point, it is time to invest the time and money in somewhere else.

Like Disneyland?

 

[sharona]

Funny! The grass is always greener.

 

[JanaDee]

Like Disneyland?

Somewhere non-Disney.

 

[jon18uk]

I haven't read all the posts, but the OP & a few others on the front page got me thinking about something.

Many people say Disney isn't as good any more and a lot of that is due to crowds making lines long and some experiences rushed, basically the parks just keep getting busier.

Therefore who would be willing to pay more for a more exclusive experience? This could be a range of experiances such as, getting to spend 30 minutes with princesses or a special dinner (similar to the Imagineer lunch) with characters where there is only a small number of tables so you get exclusive time with characters. Or maybe a more exclusive park (similar to Discovery Cove which is restricedted to 1,300 guests) where admission cost is higher but you have more chance to do things as there are fewer other guests.

 

[perditax]

I think lots of people would be willing to pay more. If that wasn't the case, Disney wouldn't be able to jack up prices ahead of inflation consistently.

Example: Club level rooms. People are obviously willing to pay more to feel 'exclusive'. Enough people are willing to pay more that you usually can't get a table at the club lounges.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I haven't read all the posts, but the OP & a few others on the front page got me thinking about something.

Many people say Disney isn't as good any more and a lot of that is due to crowds making lines long and some experiences rushed, basically the parks just keep getting busier.

Therefore who would be willing to pay more for a more exclusive experience? This could be a range of experiances such as, getting to spend 30 minutes with princesses or a special dinner (similar to the Imagineer lunch) with characters where there is only a small number of tables so you get exclusive time with characters. Or maybe a more exclusive park (similar to Discovery Cove which is restricedted to 1,300 guests) where admission cost is higher but you have more chance to do things as there are fewer other guests.

You mean, like this:

http://allears.net/din/girlstea.htm

 

[ach222]

I know we've moved past this point, but we had such a wonderful Elsa this past January. She would come over and get the next child from the waiting area between her and Anna and kind of swoop them into her space with her cape. She would get down on the ground with all of the little ones and chat for (what I thought was) a long time. She seemed to be genuinely invested in each child - so special. It was somewhat funny because she was clearly mismatched with the Anna that was in the space who was not much of a meet & greet (fine but not anything special) and the space between Anna and Elsa would fill up with kids who Anna had breezed through. This Elsa clearly didn't care and spent as much time as she could with the kids.

I can certainly see how OP would see the A&E m&g as the supposed highlight of her trip. The highlight for me is always going to be what makes my kids the happiest and it's easy to imagine that A&E could do that for some children. It's such a shame that it's really down to luck of the draw as far as which friend of the character you meet that day.

2015 was the first trip for us as a family (and for me since my childhood) and as a 'first timer' I very much felt the magic - I had very realistic expectations as I had hung out on the Dis for months before going. Nothing was nearly as dire as I had read. I can imagine it being very frustrating for those who have been going for years and remember a higher quality experience. However, Disney is still doing a good enough job that first timers like my family were blown away with our experience and plan to go back. I'm sure the natural cycling of guests will continue.

 

[Robo]

Off-topic slightly (OP, I apologize); but what, from your point of view, might be the reasons Disney is delaying opening a 5th gate, if it isn't due to cost? I have not admittedly been following this topic.

One simple answer is that opening a new gate is more costly than building new attractions spread across the existing 4 parks.

 

[Laketravis]

One simple answer is that opening a new gate is more costly than building new attractions spread across the existing 4 parks.

And building new attractions would be considered a poor fiduciary decision without first doing what you can to squeeze every ounce of yield out of what you already have (FP+).


.

 

[geenerbell]

I think the saddest part of your report is that seeing Anna and Elsa was supposed to be the highlight of your trip. Curious----how much time do you think each child should get with the characters?

Snarky!

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Snarky!

That isn't what the poster meant at all.

Their intent was that it was sad that the one thing looked forward to turned out to be extremely disappointing. And that is what is sad--because it should have at least met minimum expectations.

If that happened to you, would you not agree?

 

[Cormoran]

Funny! The grass is always greener.

If you're refering to DLR, then yes IMO the grass is a lot greener!

 

[JimmyV]

I truly think the mid 90's to early 2000's were what I considered the best era for Disney to date. So much was constructed in that era, prices were very affordable, especially in offseason. Heck they were still putting up whole parks then.

I might agree in terms of "atmospherics" and pace of touring and "growth vibe". But I think the peak of attractions and entertainment came a bit later. Consider that: (* denotes a major attraction)

• Animal Kingdom opened in 1998
• Kali Rapids* was added in 1999
• Everest* was added in 2006
• Dinosaur* took its current form in 2000
• Tarzan Rocks ran from 1999-2006
• Finding Nemo-The Musical debuted in 2007

• Fantasmic* debuted in 1998
• Rockin' Roller Coaster* opened in 1999
• Sounds Dangerous (Drew Carey Version) opened in 1999
• Millionaire debuted in 2001
• One Man's Dream opened in 2001
• Lights Motor Action started in 2005
• Toy Story Midway Mania* opened in 2008

• Test Track* opened in 1999
• Mission Space* opened in 2003
• Soarin'* opened in 2005
• Turtle Talk debuted in 2005
• The Nemo Overlay to the Living Seas opened in 2007
• Wonders of Life closed in 2007

• Pleasure Island closes in 2008

In terms of maximum attraction bang for the buck, it is hard to place WDW at its peak until Kali, Everest, RnR, TSMM, TT, MS and Soarin' were all up and running. That is why I move the peak away from the mid to late 1990's and over to the mid-2000's. To me, that is when the summit was reached. Since that time, there has been an erosion of live entertainment, atmospheric characters, Pleasure Island, DHS attractions/tours, and an entire Epcot pavilion. (Two, if you count the pillaging of Norway).

But I get your point that the mid-1990's was a great time in terms of crowd management and relaxation value. In some ways, it can be argued that the addition of the 4th gate transformed what a "week at WDW" felt like. And a 5th gate would alter the dynamic even further.