Just returned from WDW (pretty sad!!!)

[JMR859]

My wife and I just returned from WDW yesterday and I'm sad to see what that place has turned into. The parks were the dirtiest they have ever been, the managers were actually working as cashiers in the countries in EPCOT. The busses and boats were far and few between, the food was not up to their usual standards. I was just shocked being there. This was my 21st trip and I can honestly say that it's time to take a break from there until things get back to normal. The only positive thing that came out of our trip was the WONDERFUL cast members we met. They were outstanding! And it wasn't because they were worried about losing their jobs, they were genuinely happy. I take my hat off to all of them for working under terrible conditions making $8.35 hr.

 

[zorro77]

Sorry to hear about your bad experience. We have been their Jan/ Feb and have notice managers doing jobs they normal would not do but when its slow or especially in mornings they were running the show. I remeber esp and MK on a day a couple of years ago how we saw only managers by the rides.

 

[Mouseaholic!!!]

Not going to get better any time soon.

I posted in another thread - today they are having layoffs at all Disney divisions.

Here is the first line of the email that greeted people with a Mickey Mouse on their paycheck.

After months of making hard decisions across our businesses to help us adjust to a weakening economy, we’re now faced with the harsh reality of having to eliminate jobs in some areas.




My heart goes out to eveyone who is cut today. Very sad

 

[jimmymac]

Isn't this about the time for someone with the Disney rose-colored glasses to jump in and say that "The magic is still there and will never change"? These are very different and darker times we live in now

 

[goalie5hole]

Not going to get better any time soon.

I posted in another thread - today they are having layoffs at all Disney divisions.

Here is the first line of the email that greeted people with a Mickey Mouse on their paycheck.

After months of making hard decisions across our businesses to help us adjust to a weakening economy, we’re now faced with the harsh reality of having to eliminate jobs in some areas.




My heart goes out to eveyone who is cut today. Very sad

A grievance should be filed on any manager that's doing bargaining work.

 

[zulemara]

I could write pages on this, but I'll try to keep it short.

I can speak from direct experience that the watercrafts are operating at normal capacity. If there was any variance in that it could have been due to a special situation where a boat made a stop at a different resort to help a guest in a wheelchair or something like that.

As for the managers, first of all I think it is fantastic that managers are on the front line. It could be they are simply breaking a regular CM or something.

I can't comment on the buses or food other than to point to the large inconsistencies we seem to be having as noted on the podcast and in your experience.

With all that said, I could criticize the executives left and right and people ask why I still work for Disney and I say because if someone on the front lines isn't making a guest's vacation the best it can be, people will not come back. So to your comment about the wonderful CMs, I say thank you. It just proves my point.

 

[ryansall]

I used to work at a rival theme park, and trust me, it is not uncommon for managers to be out in the park spelling CMs or even taking full shifts during slow times. I'm glad to see it, actually, because it shows Disney is using labor properly.

Still, I hope things pick up, although I have a feeling it's going to be a while before we see crowds back in the 2005-2006 range. People just aren't spending money right now.

 

[JMR859]

Trust me Zulemara, you have no idea how much I respect the CM's who go in day after day, put up with #!^*@^% managers, make little money and still manage to put your vacation first!

 

[Ana~n~Joseph]

I thought managers were out working because they underestimated the crowds for this month (I know I did!) The parks did look understaffed though

 

[Magix]

Hmmm... I was there 1/7-14 and 1/18-21 and everything seemed to be operating normally. Plenty of buses and boats. Nothing odd about the food. The parks seemed very clean, like normal. Not sure what the OP ran into, but I certainly didn't experience anything abnormal (well, except that my friend got food poisoning at EPCOT UK, but, unfortunately, that happens at all kinds of restaurants).

 

[marsrunner]

We were there 1/20-1/27 and ran into none of the problems the original poster mentioned, except for the food, which is just so awful throughout the entire resort that it barely qualifies as food. The only exception we saw was the smoked turkey legs which were very good.
The parks were clean, the trash cans were emptied, managers walking around picking up trash when they saw it, ashtrays emptied regularly. Upkeep was just like ten years ago.

 

[jerinknox]

My wife and I just returned from WDW yesterday and I'm sad to see what that place has turned into. The parks were the dirtiest they have ever been, the managers were actually working as cashiers in the countries in EPCOT. The busses and boats were far and few between, the food was not up to their usual standards. I was just shocked being there. This was my 21st trip and I can honestly say that it's time to take a break from there until things get back to normal. The only positive thing that came out of our trip was the WONDERFUL cast members we met. They were outstanding! And it wasn't because they were worried about losing their jobs, they were genuinely happy. I take my hat off to all of them for working under terrible conditions making $8.35 hr.

Everything you said is 100% RIGHT ON from our Dec trip...

 

[KINGBOBOFTHENORTH]

Isn't this about the time for someone with the Disney rose-colored glasses to jump in and say that "The magic is still there and will never change"?

The magic is still there and will never change!

BobK/Orlando

 

[Peter Pirate 2]

The magic is still there and will never change!

BobK/Orlando

Never? Wow, that's an optimistic viewpoint.

 

[jfinke]

Bob forgot his <sarcasm> </sarcasm>.

In my interpretation at least.

 

[jimmymac]

The magic is still there and will never change!

BobK/Orlando

Yes, I suppose you could be right. When is your next "Of Course the World is Flat" meeting"?

 

[dreajoyanne]

Interesting, I just spoke with my mom who is there right now. This is her 10th Trip and she said she hasn't noticed the park being any dirtier or the buses running less.

She said that the only thing she did notice is that a couple of the QS restaurants in the MK are closed due to "refurbishment" take that as you will.

But she still said she is loving every minute and the "magic" is still there.

I have to say I was encouraged to hear this as I am going in June.

 

[mickeymedic]

I can only speak for 1 night at POR and 1 day at MK (Jan 29-30) but I did not notice the park being any dirtier than in previous years. We had no trouble getting a bus or boat in a timely fashion. And the food was about the same as previous years. The cast members that we interacted with were fantastic. I guess we will see what the parks and resorts look like in October when we go back.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

A grievance should be filed on any manager that's doing bargaining work.

Managers are allowed to work, per the contract
(a) For emergency purposes.
(b) In the instruction and training of employees or supervisors.
(c) Work of an experimental nature.
(d) Testing materials and production.
(e) Start up and closing down of operations.
(f) To protect Company property and/or to ensure the safety of guests and/or employees.
(g) To provide uninterrupted services in order to ensure a positive guest and/or employee experience.

About covers anytime.

 

[Scurvy]

Bob forgot his <sarcasm> </sarcasm>.

In my interpretation at least.

Somehow, given the whole Pleasure Island thing, I'm guessing you're right.