Long lines and lots of trash

[Spencer Wright]

For the first time in 18 years, I am not looking forward to my trip in a couple of weeks. This report is just another nail in the Disney coffin. Disney set its own bar high with the way the customer is treated and the way the parks are run. It is what people expect the Disney vacation experience to be and what they spend the extra dollar to get. Now it is just profit first and do more with less to include maintenance and staff. The lack of staff, dogs, security checks, spiraling prices, up charges everywhere you turn and now charging for parking, did Disney hire a former airline exec to run its parks? It is beginning to look like the Disney experience is turning into a do it yourself vacation. Go online schedule everything from check in to fast passes, you get the feeling they just don't want to deal with you as long as you spend a boatload of money.

I am going in August and have been really looking forward to it since my trip last August; and am in the same boat as you!!!

I have found browsing the Trip Report boards quite helpful. While there are mounting problems, it seems plenty of people are having amazing trips!



Also, we stay at AKL, and some resort front desks will provide restitution in the form of ample FP's if you come with complaints as indicated in this thread. AKL does this like it is going out of style. Last year had a day in Epcot where Soarn', Test Track, FEA, and Mission Space Orange were down. I LOVE the Nemo ride/aquarium (I can't remember the actual ironically enough) and Spaceship Earth but of course these were packed.

We went back and complained to the front desk and they provided three FP for that evening in MK on top of ones we already had. This easily made up for these issues. When we have had other issues, they act accordingly. Based on what I see on these boards, many due not pursue this option, and many resorts do not have the same level of care and commitment to a great guest experience; but it is a tip I always recommend.

 

[rileyz]

I’ve been going pretty much every year for 20+ years and the last few years the experience gets worse with every visit. If not for DVC and my daughters Disney obsession I wouldn’t even care if I went. Sadly my husband and I met because of Disney jobs during college and thus it holds a special place in my heart. I love Walt, Love the films but I’m sick of paying more for twice the crowds and 1/2 the experience of even 5 years ago.

 

[LISAMWDW]

And they are still adding hotel rooms! Makes me worried to be sure.

 

[Lady Hiss]

Just got back from 13 days at WDW and would like to share one example of a 'trash issue' and, what I'm feeling is the new normal for cast member interaction: We took a few moments one day to do the Coca Cola sampling stop in Epcot. There were paper cups littered throughout, and spilled Coke all over the floor. Three cast members were behind the counter, not greeting guests or even acknowledging them, talking amongst themselves. In the 5 minutes we were there not one made any move to clean up the cups OR look at any guests.

 

[akadada]

Just got back from 13 days at WDW and would like to share one example of a 'trash issue' and, what I'm feeling is the new normal for cast member interaction: We took a few moments one day to do the Coca Cola sampling stop in Epcot. There were paper cups littered throughout, and spilled Coke all over the floor. Three cast members were behind the counter, not greeting guests or even acknowledging them, talking amongst themselves. In the 5 minutes we were there not one made any move to clean up the cups OR look at any guests.

we saw tons of that too on our trip. Cast members simply doing nothing but standing around, chatting with each other. Rude. We came up to a restaurant at HS and the hostess was looking at her phone. Just crazy.

 

[akadada]

I am going in August and have been really looking forward to it since my trip last August; and am in the same boat as you!!!

I have found browsing the Trip Report boards quite helpful. While there are mounting problems, it seems plenty of people are having amazing trips!



Also, we stay at AKL, and some resort front desks will provide restitution in the form of ample FP's if you come with complaints as indicated in this thread. AKL does this like it is going out of style. Last year had a day in Epcot where Soarn', Test Track, FEA, and Mission Space Orange were down. I LOVE the Nemo ride/aquarium (I can't remember the actual ironically enough) and Spaceship Earth but of course these were packed.

We went back and complained to the front desk and they provided three FP for that evening in MK on top of ones we already had. This easily made up for these issues. When we have had other issues, they act accordingly. Based on what I see on these boards, many due not pursue this option, and many resorts do not have the same level of care and commitment to a great guest experience; but it is a tip I always recommend.

As my post noted just now, our expectations weren't met...but we still made the most of it and had a very good time where we could. You have a good attitude, so I know you'll have a great time! Have fun

 

[AngiTN]

Just got back from 13 days at WDW and would like to share one example of a 'trash issue' and, what I'm feeling is the new normal for cast member interaction: We took a few moments one day to do the Coca Cola sampling stop in Epcot. There were paper cups littered throughout, and spilled Coke all over the floor. Three cast members were behind the counter, not greeting guests or even acknowledging them, talking amongst themselves. In the 5 minutes we were there not one made any move to clean up the cups OR look at any guests.

It is harder and harder to find good workers everywhere, even Disney isn't immune. At one time they could be pickier but now probably not, for lots of reasons, not all their doing either, but some is for sure. They can't staff enough now so firing those who don't work isn't a good option

Luckily there are still great workers. We manged to avoid the crappy ones during our short trip, for the most part. Probably for that reason, it was short. 1 day at work each park. The only one I had significant problems with was our server at H&V.

Otherwise, everyone was great. It was DGD's birthday and she got lots of greetings and a few special acknowledgements we weren't expecting at all. She even stopped by Club Cool for her free slushier yesterday and we found it neat and the staff helpful then.

DH and I are back in April for a bit longer trip. Will be interesting to see if we find it different

 

[Tomh]

I agree that prices are getting ridiculous, but am just wondering where in the parks you've seen piles of trash first thing in the morning. I've never seen anything like that (or piles of trash anywhere at WDW, actually).

Last summer, I was in line for Tomorrowland Speedway, before the entire queue had even been opened, and there were several pieces of trash sitting on a ledge, which could only be reached from a section of the queue that had not been opened to guests yet.

 

[Ksdisney22]

Finally a good experience.

Ate at yak and yeti. Server was great. We are landrys members too. Wish we knew they were landrys when we checked in. We would have skipped the line.

Server overheard it was my daughter's birthday this past Sunday and brought her a cupcake with a candle and sang. Made all the difference and tipped her well.

Went to fop about 6 pm. Wait posted at 180. Actual wait 100.

My guess is they overposted to discourage since end of day or we just got lucky. Great ride.

 

[ShelsGoingToDisney]

I was there with my 13-year-old son last week. On a positive note, he had his birthday pin on and got many birthday wishes and several comped treats. More than we've experienced with other family members with pins in the past so that was nice.

Other than that I have to say I saw and felt much of what has been mentioned here. Parks are not as well kept up both in cleanliness and ride maintenance. I lost track of all the rides that were down, some multiple times per day.

I have visited at all times of year with the exception of over Christmas/New Years because I don't have a desire to fight those crowds, but last week was the longest wait times I have ever experienced and there were several rides we skipped altogether because I just don't wait in lines longer than 45 minutes! My planning told me last week would have been a lighter week than the rest of March, but if that was light I can't even fathom what it will be like over spring break weeks!

I also just left with an overall feeling of Disney being greedy and nickel and diming me because I just don't feel that I got the value for my money that I have in the past. I have never felt that before and it has left a bad taste in my mouth. This is the first time I have ever left WDW and not been antsy to book a new trip. I honestly don't know when I'll look to go again and if you knew me, that is not like me! It makes me sad to think the WDW that I have loved, my happy place, is dead.

 

[SUSIEQ]

Ok. Off navi. 200 min wait total to fp merge. Posted was 120 when entering.

Was it worth the wait? Would you wait that long again?

 

[North of Mouse]

Was it worth the wait? Would you wait that long again?

Oh, goodness, no! That ride, while nice and relaxing is just great for a FP. That's over 3 hours!! Actually, IMO, No ride is ever worth that wait - 30 min. max for us.

 

[SUSIEQ]

Oh, goodness, no! That ride, while nice and relaxing is just great for a FP. That's over 3 hours!! Actually, IMO, No ride is ever worth that wait - 30 min. max for us.

I feel the same way!

 

[wantingdisney]

For the first time in 18 years, I am not looking forward to my trip in a couple of weeks. This report is just another nail in the Disney coffin. Disney set its own bar high with the way the customer is treated and the way the parks are run. It is what people expect the Disney vacation experience to be and what they spend the extra dollar to get. Now it is just profit first and do more with less to include maintenance and staff. The lack of staff, dogs, security checks, spiraling prices, up charges everywhere you turn and now charging for parking, did Disney hire a former airline exec to run its parks? It is beginning to look like the Disney experience is turning into a do it yourself vacation. Go online schedule everything from check in to fast passes, you get the feeling they just don't want to deal with you as long as you spend a boatload of money.

 

[mousehouse23]

We're here this week, too, and while the parks are busy, we've had a better time than I expected to. Outside of Na'vi going down on us at RD this morning, we haven't endured any major setbacks or too horrible of wait times. We had a rough time at RD in HS yesterday, but that was to be expected, given our lack of FPs for a park that has just four rides. Even there, the longest we waited was 60 minutes for Star Tours (we did have to skip ToT), and we had a lot of fun for the few hours we were there.

CMs have been mostly pleasant, and I haven't had any bad bathroom/trash experiences, etc. One thing I have noticed is the difficulty in getting last-minute ADRs. I was hoping for a Via Napoli reservation tonight, but came up empty.

I would have some trepidation coming to WDW at this time for a first visit. But since we're repeat visitors, we're a little more go-with-the-flow, and are okay missing out on a few attractions.

And yes, the weather has been gorgeous.

 

[Tomh]

Ok, finally got it. As I had stated before, though there are people obviously in the line where this garbage is, when I first spotted it, the part of the line in front of it had not yet been opened, and it was first thing in the morning, no guests had been anywhere near it yet. This was obviously left there from the night before.

 

[Ksdisney22]

Was it worth the wait? Would you wait that long again?

Honestly no. Not with a 74 year old grandmother and a 10 year old. It's too much standing with no bathroom.

Don't get me wrong. Great ride. Worth it for first time. I was willing to do 120 but I would have definitely passed if the wait time was accurate. 3 h is a huge chunk of my day.

Hth

 

[OnSpaceshipEarth]

It is harder and harder to find good workers everywhere, even Disney isn't immune. At one time they could be pickier but now probably not, for lots of reasons, not all their doing either, but some is for sure. They can't staff enough now so firing those who don't work isn't a good option

Luckily there are still great workers. We manged to avoid the crappy ones during our short trip, for the most part. Probably for that reason, it was short. 1 day at work each park. The only one I had significant problems with was our server at H&V.

Otherwise, everyone was great. It was DGD's birthday and she got lots of greetings and a few special acknowledgements we weren't expecting at all. She even stopped by Club Cool for her free slushier yesterday and we found it neat and the staff helpful then.

DH and I are back in April for a bit longer trip. Will be interesting to see if we find it different

Not letting Disney off the hook, either, but there is a cultural shift that is hard to escape throughout our society. When that"s coupled with an Orlando labor pool that is beyond maxed out it does put Disney in a difficult spot.

Just curious, have most of the people here experienced a more magical experience with the cast members at Universal in general?

 

[claven123]

I think the real issue is a Disney trip worth the cost.... on my last trips; totally!!! After this last trip, I’m not so sure. That’s a sad state of affairs for me. Don’t get me wrong, I love Disney but something was different this time.....

 

[Hannahinwonderland]

Not letting Disney off the hook, either, but there is a cultural shift that is hard to escape throughout our society. When that"s coupled with an Orlando labor pool that is beyond maxed out it does put Disney in a difficult spot.

Just curious, have most of the people here experienced a more magical experience with the cast members at Universal in general?

I just want to say that Disney has PLENTY of cast members who are currently hired part-time, struggle to get enough hours, and would love to be full time. So I don't think that the issue is that they can't find people to work. The issue is that they don't want to pay people to be full time.