Lookout Cay long pier.

[Mags2002]

Again they could use the smaller chairs instead of as many loungers so that there would be more rows available (and therefore more seating). They could (as mentioned) stack & secure them like they do on deck. There are solutions to this that don't involve bulldozing the dunes

If you want a smaller chair then it is not unreasonable for a Guest to move these to wherever they want them, they aren’t heavy

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

They could hire more locals to help with setting up the beach and beach pull... They aren't limited to the crew on the ship to provide this service. I think a lot of this thread boils down to DCL could do better but is focusing on cutting corners to keep their profits up.

This is a great compromise so that the crew doesn’t have to do this while packing up to depart.

 

[dreamer17555]

T

There is a huge difference between stacking and moving chairs onboard and doing it in the sand/water in the heat when you’re rushing to get it done before you also have to be back on the ship

Wouldn’t it be possible for DCL to hire locals to do this job? This is not a private island. DCL is choosing to have its onboard crew do this job. There are other options

 

[Mags2002]

Wouldn’t it be possible for DCL to hire locals to do this job? This is not a private island. DCL is choosing to have its onboard crew do this job. There are other options

I suppose it could be possible. But Disney knows that it works with crew doing it as this is how it is done on Castaway so I would assume it will stay this way. I am just thankful I don’t have to do it!

 

[dreamer17555]

People have also been sitting on a towel on the sand. This is completely normal for a beach day in most parts of the world

Yes, laying on a beach towel (and last time I checked, DCL doesn’t provide beach size towels) is completely normal- what’s not normal is paying the Disney premium and not getting the Disney service.

I can go to my local beach for free. When I’m paying extra for Disney, it’s because I want the Disney service and that includes safe and easy accommodations. I don’t want to need to carry a beach chair across dunes so I have a chair to sit in to watch my child swim (And saying the chairs are light is relative. Similar to how some guest struggle with the pier)

When the larger ships are at LP it looks like you have to be there very early to get one of the oceanfront chairs. I’m not talking about people who stay an extra hour or two on the ship once it’s docked not finding chair except behind the dunes.

If DCL wants people to go ‘sitting on a beach towel’ route, they could at least provide beach towel sized towels, not just bath sized they currently give out.

 

[gsdweller]

Yes, laying on a beach towel (and last time I checked, DCL doesn’t provide beach size towels) is completely normal- what’s not normal is paying the Disney premium and not getting the Disney service.

This is your image of Disney service. I think what they have is fine. That is my image of Disney service, and I am fine with it. If you are not, perhaps a different destination is in order.

 

[Lucien Franciosa]

I think a lot of this thread boils down to DCL could do better but is focusing on cutting corners to keep their profits up.

All for-profit companies to stay in business have to balance resources, user experience and cost. Yes, no doubt Disney could have improved on some of the issues here by spending more, but that more will always get passed on to the consumer. How much more are you willing to spend for your cruise? There are a lot of people saying the cost of a Disney cruise is already too high.

To have lower prices, companies either cut services, or provide cheaper experiences, or work for economy of scale. Disney is still one of the smaller cruise lines, they can't be the Walmart of cruising.

I understand my perspective isn't popular. I just have some empathy for companies trying to both innovate and provide a quality product that its consumers can afford.

 

[justafigment27]

Yes, laying on a beach towel (and last time I checked, DCL doesn’t provide beach size towels) is completely normal- what’s not normal is paying the Disney premium and not getting the Disney service.

I can go to my local beach for free. When I’m paying extra for Disney, it’s because I want the Disney service and that includes safe and easy accommodations. I don’t want to need to carry a beach chair across dunes so I have a chair to sit in to watch my child swim (And saying the chairs are light is relative. Similar to how some guest struggle with the pier)

When the larger ships are at LP it looks like you have to be there very early to get one of the oceanfront chairs. I’m not talking about people who stay an extra hour or two on the ship once it’s docked not finding chair except behind the dunes.

If DCL wants people to go ‘sitting on a beach towel’ route, they could at least provide beach towel sized towels, not just bath sized they currently give out.

I can’t like this post enough!

People sit on a towel or a beach blanket at the beach because you don’t want to lug your beach chairs and an umbrella to the beach or pay a beach service for a reserved set.

 

[Lucien Franciosa]

When the larger ships are at LP it looks like you have to be there very early to get one of the oceanfront chairs. I’m not talking about people who stay an extra hour or two on the ship once it’s docked not finding chair except behind the dunes.

We are all speculating. Regardless, what ARE you talking about if not the difference between getting the best seats is leaving promptly versus people who stay an extra hour or two? Seems to me that is exactly what you are talking about. Rope dropping has always existed.

I just dont buy the argument (pun intended?) that because you pay x for an experience it means you should be guaranteed getting everything you want. I pay a lot for park tickets, but if I don't do rope drop there is no doubt my experience will be different than those that do. I know I know, vacations are for relaxing. But why do we go to the parks?

Disney has always been the more you pay the more you get kind of company. When Disneyland opened you bought tickets for rides.

 

[dreamer17555]

All for-profit companies to stay in business have to balance resources, user experience and cost. Yes, no doubt Disney could have improved on some of the issues here by spending more, but that more will always get passed on to the consumer. How much more are you willing to spend for your cruise? There are a lot of people saying the cost of a Disney cruise is already too high.

To have lower prices, companies either cut services, or provide cheaper experiences, or work for economy of scale. Disney is still one of the smaller cruise lines, they can't be the Walmart of cruising.

I understand my perspective isn't popular. I just have some empathy for companies trying to both innovate and provide a quality product that its consumers can afford.

How much more money are we actually talking though?

For instance, hiring locals to move chairs. I’m guessing at most they would need a crew of 20 (plus admin so for my math I’m using an even 30) If they worked 6 hours (3 setting up, 3 taking down - which seems very high considering) even at $15 an hour seven days a week we are talking under 19k. Assuming two people in each stateroom on the larger ships which are going to be the primary ones that have issues with chairs- the cost increase? Less than $10 per guest.

Yes. I am absolutely OK with paying $20 more for my entire cruise (for the two of us) if it means that I don’t have to carry a chair over dunes to be oceanfront.

 

[dreamer17555]

We are all speculating. Regardless, what ARE you talking about if not the difference between getting the best seats is leaving promptly versus people who stay an extra hour or two? Seems to me that is exactly what you are talking about. Rope dropping has always existed.

I just dont buy the argument (pun intended?) that because you pay x for an experience it means you should be guaranteed getting everything you want. I pay a lot for park tickets, but if I don't do rope drop there is no doubt my experience will be different than those that do. I know I know, vacations are for relaxing. But why do we go to the parks?

Disney has always been the more you pay the more you get kind of company. When Disneyland opened you bought tickets for rides.

If it takes you a while to cross that pier or takes you a while for DCL to provide transportation across the pier it shouldn’t be difficult to find seats oceanfront assuming you are off the ship in say the first 30 minutes.

And there are plenty of people who will cruise Disney, who will not go to the parks anymore because of how difficult it is to manage. My family cannot rope drop- the crowds at opening are a nonstarter for my neurodivergent son. And we are not discussing the parks we are talking about a cruise, which is an entirely different type of vacation.

Cruises are considered more of an all-inclusive sort of vacation with certain up charges, of course. I think it’s reasonable for people to have anticipated that they when they went to a private Disney beach they were going to get similar seating as to castaway and not behind dunes.

 

[Lucien Franciosa]

How much more money are we actually talking though?

For instance, hiring locals to move chairs. I’m guessing at most they would need a crew of 20 (plus admin so for my math I’m using an even 30) If they worked 6 hours (3 setting up, 3 taking down - which seems very high considering) even at $15 an hour seven days a week we are talking under 19k. Assuming two people in each stateroom on the larger ships which are going to be the primary ones that have issues with chairs- the cost increase? Less than $10 per guest.

Yes. I am absolutely OK with paying $20 more for my entire cruise (for the two of us) if it means that I don’t have to carry a chair over dunes to be oceanfront.

The point is, tradeoffs are always made. You can always make the argument, just add this one thing, won't make a huge difference. Sure, and then there is the next thing. and the next thing. Someone has to make the decision on where that line and balance is. There are no doubt hundreds/thousands of such decisions that were made about LC. And while you might be okay with paying $20 to avoid carrying a small chair 100 feet, someone else might not be. Me I wish they had invested more money on the paint schemes. Maybe they will later. For all I know that is built into next year's budget.

I am not saying you are wrong, or that I am right, just pointing out some realities here. I hate hand waving. Personally I like your idea of hiring more locals to do more tasks to offload the work from boat cast members, but that's because I think the boat cast members are over worked as it is. That I would gladly pay more for, but someone else might not. Heck just look at the controversy surrounding tipping.

 

[Lucien Franciosa]

If it takes you a while to cross that pier or takes you a while for DCL to provide transportation across the pier it shouldn’t be difficult to find seats oceanfront assuming you are off the ship in say the first 30 minutes.

I dont think anyone has presented data if you don't cross in the first 30 minutes you wont find a good seat. The only person I saw that commented on time actually said chairs stayed empty for a half hour or more. Just a lot of speculation.

 

[North of Mouse]

Replying about the long pier, even though it seems very long, there are a lot of long walks in regards to Disney's various 'destinations' in parks. One that stands out to us is the walk from Epcot's buses to the admission gate (our buses always seem the fartherest out lol. The pier is 1/2 mile - I think - and is in such a beautiful setting. One fix, IMO, is to put 2-3 shaded oasis' with benches and water available. That would provide needed breaks and allow refreshing.

 

[ShaneDJ]

I understand my perspective isn't popular.

I just have some empathy for companies trying to both innovate and provide a quality product that its consumers can afford.

Thank you for your empathy for the Bob Chapek Pier.

 

[insureman]

I understand my perspective isn't popular. I just have some empathy for companies trying to both innovate and provide a quality product that its consumers can afford.

That was sarcasm right? Sometimes I can't tell with your posts. DCL's quality has steadily gone down hill for at least the last 10 years.

 

[Lucien Franciosa]

That was sarcasm right? Sometimes I can't tell with your posts. DCL's quality has steadily gone down hill for at least the last 10 years.

Strange, I have no problem with your posts. You forever feel the need to put down LC though you’ve announced no plans to actually see for your self. You feel no need to consider reality, and you like to keep this thread that you started going. But to answer your sarcasm, no, I wasn’t joking. It’s easy to criticize from a centric point of view but I acknowledge that it’s thousands of balancing decisions that need to be considered. I am sincerely interested in solutions, and that requires understanding the underlying issues. So that’s where I start. I don’t start with bad Disney should put out trams because I say so. This thread is titled ‘long pier’ so I’m just not interested in furthering your ‘Disney quality is down’ agenda.

 

[Lucien Franciosa]

Thank you for your empathy for the Bob Chapek Pier.

How clever of an argument using a derogatory phrase. Yes that was sarcasm.

Yes I choose a pier over tendering, worse (sarcasm again), I am for an ecologic approach versus dredging the reefs and bulldozing the habitat. If I need a cart I know I just need to ask. Mock me if you wish, but I actually have skin in the game and will be finding out for myself in September. When is your cruise to LC?

Disney isn’t perfect but I haven’t found anything better for my family. So I restrict my complaints to reality. But hey, I liked the Wish and the Galactic star cruiser as novel experiences so I suppose that makes me strange. Whatever. Mock on!

 

[DCLMP]

Well we've gone from the grueling marathon 10 minute walk to having to move a chair. Can't wait to see what is next. They should rename it the LP boot camp.

 

[Kwami]

Well we've gone from the grueling marathon 10 minute walk to having to move a chair. Can't wait to see what is next. They should rename it the LP boot camp.

And you have to get your own food! They don't even bring it to the table for you!

Unbelievable.