Losing cusstomers

[ShayBells]

I'm sorry you've experienced all that! I had to call Disney the other day about an account issue (my fault, easily fixed) and I didn't wait more than 30 seconds for a castmember to pick up the phone. It was so fast, they even interrupted the "please hold" recording.

Website issues? Haven't experienced any lately, knock on wood. They really seem to have worked out the kinks since our last visit (last year).

Account issues? Well, they've stopped automatically withdrawing the remainder of your payment from your card, which was a bit of a surprise. But, probably a lot more secure. No account issues.

Room refurbs that strip the unique theming? I thought they'd been adding a bunch of themed rooms lately, such as the princess rooms and pirate rooms and that whole Art of Animation thing. Those are all new(ish), no? Most room refurb photos I've seen seem to be an improvement... but that's likely a matter of personal taste.

I do appreciate my good fortune, and am happy to bubble on about our upcoming Disney vacation to anyone who asks. I'm also well aware that sometimes the places we go become overly familiar and seem to lose their luster, and maybe someday that'll happen with Disney. Knowing that doesn't make me sad. It'll just be time to explore exciting new vacation venues!

And, when that time does come, I won't be hanging out here any more, either. I'll have found new boards, to talk about my new favourite places.

I've had longer hold times. Last year never had to wait at all. All three times I've called this year was all 10+ minute waits. Maybe I just got unlucky each time but going from never waiting to waiting that long is hard to swallow but I do have to say I love the holding music until my last call when I got stuck with its small world for a good five minutes lol

 

[disneynutz]

I'm sorry you've experienced all that! I had to call Disney the other day about an account issue (my fault, easily fixed) and I didn't wait more than 30 seconds for a castmember to pick up the phone. It was so fast, they even interrupted the "please hold" recording.

Website issues? Haven't experienced any lately, knock on wood. They really seem to have worked out the kinks since our last visit (last year).

Account issues? Well, they've stopped automatically withdrawing the remainder of your payment from your card, which was a bit of a surprise. But, probably a lot more secure. No account issues.

Room refurbs that strip the unique theming? I thought they'd been adding a bunch of themed rooms lately, such as the princess rooms and pirate rooms and that whole Art of Animation thing. Those are all new(ish), no? Most room refurb photos I've seen seem to be an improvement... but that's likely a matter of personal taste.

I do appreciate my good fortune, and am happy to bubble on about our upcoming Disney vacation to anyone who asks. I'm also well aware that sometimes the places we go become overly familiar and seem to lose their luster, and maybe someday that'll happen with Disney. Knowing that doesn't make me sad. It'll just be time to explore exciting new vacation venues!

And, when that time does come, I won't be hanging out here any more, either. I'll have found new boards, to talk about my new favourite places.

I was quoiting a post about the DVC and that is what my comments were about. The DVC hold times have increased and we seem to have more DVC account and website issues.

Bill

 

[DizDaD7]

I had issues with the website 2 weeks ago. I needed to purchase additional tickets and add additional people to my account and I couldn't. As far as account issues, the MB" scontinue to have problems. Last week for example no one could charge their meals using the bands. Disney ended up comping meals.
I'm glad you haven't had any problems, but that does not necessarily mean others haven't. I'm glad you'll move on to other exciting vacation venues if the magic of Disney fades. I am the Disney nut in my family and I come on the boards to share with other people who feel as I do. Yes, I am disillusioned and disappointed in Disney's current direction, but I remain hopeful that things will improve. I think that's true for others who share my opinions on these boards.

I'm in the same boat...That's why I commented on your quote earlier on....I realize all the changes and things that aren't like what they used to be but, I honestly don't get that OMG feeling anywhere else, on any trip...We do other vacations , for sure too. Whether that be Winter vacays, in the poconos or VT. or Summers down the shore or in OC. Md. Or even Williamsburg or Niagara Falls, or U.S.....It's just that I am always comparing on how these people treat us as opposed to Disney CM's

 

[lgpav1]

If they don't update things - they will lose more than if they don't. Besides, I have heard people say they will not go back to a store/restaurant/___ (fill in the blank) and then they go back. With the attendance level, I don't think they need to worry. I think they may see people who go every other year - change to go every three years. By adding new people - they will be OK!

 

[Planogirl]

No one here has a crystal ball and can predict the future. I do agree that for the foreseeable future WDW will be fine even if only because of the name "Disney". Will that go on forever? Who knows? It is clearly expensive and getting more so and it's also a difficult place to visit in many ways. It can also be a lot of fun so only time will tell if the bad aspects ever outweigh the good for most people.

 

[Maleficent Dragon]

Once they have your initial investment, they don't seem to care whether you come back or not. LOL

Speaking as an owner, I would say this is true.

 

[cjparker0110]

I had issues with the website 2 weeks ago. I needed to purchase additional tickets and add additional people to my account and I couldn't. As far as account issues, the MB" scontinue to have problems. Last week for example no one could charge their meals using the bands. Disney ended up comping meals.
I'm glad you haven't had any problems, but that does not necessarily mean others haven't. I'm glad you'll move on to other exciting vacation venues if the magic of Disney fades. I am the Disney nut in my family and I come on the boards to share with other people who feel as I do. Yes, I am disillusioned and disappointed in Disney's current direction, but I remain hopeful that things will improve. I think that's true for others who share my opinions on these boards.

I am sorry for your experiences. My last real trip to Disney had a few issues. That was before Magic Bands. The keys to your hotel could be used for your meals and purchases, etc. The first day we were there they did not work. Good thing we had cash. Then on our 4th day, they did not work again. We weren't overly concerned. Glitches happen with technology. I also remember that we had confirmed our reservation and even double checked it our second or third day. When we arrived, it took several phone calls before we were allowed in because we weren't on "the list."

We never once complained or worried about the experience. Why? As someone else said, WDW is huge! It is managed more proficiently than any of our city, state or federal governments can handle. Some things are for the better. Some are not. But that's why they keep changing. I'm happy with the current state of things (though it's been too long since I've been). Maybe I'll feel different after my 2017 trip. But for now, I love all things Disney!

 

[poeticdiabetic]

This all reminds me of that Yogi Berra saying: "No one ever goes there anymore. It's too crowded."

I've been to WDW 5 times in 10 years. Some visits were better than others. And some things I absolutely miss. And other things, not so much. But that's what change does. It satisfies and dissatisfies. But the main barometer is revenues. If revenues keeps going up and attendance is high, the changes are considered successful- even if it doesn't satisfy your personal tastes.

Personally, I wish they changed the DDP to include tips again. And I wish that you can have FPs at different parks on the same day. But I keep getting outvoted by the dollars- including those from my own wallet! But if that was so important that it would keep me home or make me go somewhere else, I wouldn't pay. But I pay because to not that big of a deal to me.

 

[dsdeleon]

As a repeat customer letting the family of 4's AP (and trips 3x/yr) go this year, I think an accurate measurement of customers like myself would be the 3rd parties like TouringPlans and Owner's Locker subscriptions. Obviously any declining revenue is private info but I have been wondering how these kinds of companies are doing with the changes.

 

[Cormoran]

As a repeat customer letting the family of 4's AP (and trips 3x/yr) go this year, I think an accurate measurement of customers like myself would be the 3rd parties like TouringPlans and Owner's Locker subscriptions. Obviously any declining revenue is private info but I have been wondering how these kinds of companies are doing with the changes.

That's a great question. I never thought of that. Duh! I had already decided not to renew my touring plan subscription.

 

[dawgsgirl]

I think that losing the rabid fan base could be risky. After 9/11 and the economy fall out, rabid fans and locals kept them going. In this day and time, another disaster could happen any time to bring travel to a stop. Then Disney will need the addicts.

 

[goodgodmrsmolly]

Attendance is at an all time high so apparently the amount of "long timers" that have decided to stay home is inconsequential. For now, anyway.

AOL once was so big they bought Time Warner, there were more Kmart's than Walmart's, Polaroid is no more, Bteamax was better then VHS..... lots of things on top have come crashing down. It is the little things that companies need to watch if they want to stay on top. Hopefully this is an aberration and Disney gets back to doing things right. But until they feel it in the pocketbook, it might not happen and by then, it might be too late.

 

[Robo]

AOL once was so big they bought Time Warner, there were more Kmart's than Walmart's, Polaroid is no more, Bteamax was better then VHS..... lots of things on top have come crashing down. It is the little things that companies need to watch if they want to stay on top. Hopefully this is an aberration and Disney gets back to doing things right. But until they feel it in the pocketbook, it might not happen and by then, it might be too late.

Even closer to Disney... Kodak.

 

[kittyab]

Once they have your initial investment, they don't seem to care whether you come back or not. LOL

not true, they want my annual fees.

I think some people are becoming disappointed because they have unrealistic expectations.

 

[Cormoran]

not true, they want my annual fees.

I think some people are becoming disappointed because they have unrealistic expectations.

I'm really surprised at how DVC owners are treated. I would think Disney would offer bigger discounts to owners.

 

[Planogirl]

AOL once was so big they bought Time Warner, there were more Kmart's than Walmart's, Polaroid is no more, Bteamax was better then VHS..... lots of things on top have come crashing down. It is the little things that companies need to watch if they want to stay on top. Hopefully this is an aberration and Disney gets back to doing things right. But until they feel it in the pocketbook, it might not happen and by then, it might be too late.

I've been using the Rome analogy but I like yours better. There's also Pan Am and how long have Sears and Best Buy been teetering right on the edge?

 

[MolonLabe]

It has become pretty clear to me that Disney has really become less and less interested in repeat customers and is really focused on the new, once in a lifetime customer. Disney seems to feel that there's not enough bang in the repeat customers buck. They don't want customers who want "discounts" or who want to do things on any kind of budget; they seem to almost be trying to weed those customers out, as they only really want to deal with those customers who are going all out, staying at the more expensive resorts, spending the most money etc. That is at least the perspective I, and many others that I've talked to, on the situation. It stinks for us personally, but obviously Disney thinks it's working for them. I do think there will come a time that they may regret it, but I think that will be quite a while from now.

Wdw lost $10,000 from us last year. This year, while we are going back, we're doing it very low key and saving the other 6k for another trip later in the year, we're still deciding on that one but putting that into the next budget will open up a lot more possibilities.

We also dropped from once every 8 months or so to once every 18 months. Who knows how this next trip will play out but this may be it for a long while.

I've been going to wdw for 33ish years. Over 100 visits.

I *want* to keep going but Disney keep pushing me away. The Mickey colored glasses I used to wear aren't dark enough to keep me from seeing all the issues.

 

[Cormoran]

Wdw lost $10,000 from us last year. This year, while we are going back, we're doing it very low key and saving the other 6k for another trip later in the year, we're still deciding on that one but putting that into the next budget will open up a lot more possibilities.

We also dropped from once every 8 months or so to once every 18 months. Who knows how this next trip will play out but this may be it for a long while.

I've been going to wdw for 33ish years. Over 100 visits.

I *want* to keep going but Disney keep pushing me away. The Mickey colored glasses I used to wear aren't dark enough to keep me from seeing all the issues.

We're spending more on our Orlando trip this year, but a lot less of the budget is going to Disney. I feel like I am paying more and experiencing less. So in response to this we are staying at the Swan instead of a Disney resort, we're eating most of our meals off property, and we're dividing out theme park time between Universal and Disney. On previous trips, 100% of our vacation budget was spent at Disney.

 

[maxiesmom]

I guess it makes people feel better to post how much money Disney is losing from them. But if the parks are even fuller than before, they are getting that money back from some other family. Who may be spending even more $$$.

 

[nilla]

This year will be our 10th annual family trip to WDW. Not sure when this time was that you could go without planning and still have the best possible experience, but it had to be before 2006.