My Disney Woes...

[brymolmom]

Just sitting here a bit melancholy about Disney stuff over the last couple of years. Now, mind you, I realize entirely how very lucky I am that this is even on my radar as a concern - some people have real problems and this ain't one of them. But I wanted to vent a bit anyway.

I'm not happy about changes the last few years at Disney. I fully realize they are a business and the almighty dollar is the be all - end all for them. And so I realize why they are making these changes. It just makes me sad that my obsessive Disney visiting is likely about to come to an end.

First with the fastpass end time enforcement. Well, whether or not you agreed with people using them late the bottom line is that it is causing many people to wait in more lines. And, yes, I was very spoiled before and did not wait in lines pretty much at all. Maybe one or two standby lines of about 30 minutes for my whole trip - other than that 15 minutes or less.

And then the ticket increases that were frankly more than I had envisioned.

Just doesn't seem logical to pay MORE money to wait in more lines.

And even if I was able to use the current FP's to still make it desireable - The new FP+, I believe, will cause me to wait in more lines than ever. Only one FP for TSMM and RNR (if we're even allowed to get one of each). My kids love going on RNR at least 5 times during our visit to DHS, and we'd maybe do it first thing to go on once at standby...But I think our days of riding it more than twice max are at an end. This makes me sad.

I also like staying offsite AND onsite. But I've only ever stayed onsite with the free dining promotion and likely that's mostly a thing of the past too. And staying offsite will more likely end up with NO FP's or have to pay for them....

We have some old non-expiring passes that we're using in August. We'll see what's happening with FP's at that time (and if the 'old' system isn't in place anymore our old non-expires likely won't get us ANY FP's - thus completely eliminating the benefit and cost effectiveness of buying them). But depending how things are going at that time - We'll see what happens for us at that time. We're also going to Universal for the first time as part of our August trip and might end up vacationing there more often.

One thing I'm happy about is that I never bought into DVC even though I investigated and ran the numbers many times over the last 8 years.

I'm so into WDW that my family thinks I have a problem - but I'm feeling it begin to wane.

All that said - I'm sure many of you will be happy to hear this all as my family will be 4 fewer people in the lines with you!

 

[ceecee]

Since you feel that there is so much wrong with Disney, maybe you should choose another vacation distination. Maybe you have burn-out. Every time we go somewhere else, we realize how easy everything at Disney is!

 

[eliza61]

One thing I'm happy about is that I never bought into DVC even though I investigated and ran the numbers many times over the last 8 years.

I'm so into WDW that my family thinks I have a problem - but I'm feeling it begin to wane.
All that said - I'm sure many of you will be happy to hear this all as my family will be 4 fewer people in the lines with you!

Don't think of it as waning, think of it as changing. Remember this is a disney board of course folks here think disney is the "End all and be all"

While I love the mouseworld and still go, I just go differently.

I do have a dvc but I have a small contract and definitely have recouped the purchase price (maybe twice over).

I also have what I percieve as a down slide at the mouse world. The almost catastrophic drop in food quality was my "watershed" moment but basically I use to hold disney service and quality as the gold standard to which I measure other places. For me (and folks don't flame me, I;m saying "For me") that is no longer the truth. the last 3 years I've had many "service" issues with my rooms and meals where I had to send my food back.

Just look at it differently. We use to be a annual some times twice a year visitor. Now we definitely skip a few years. We also use to go for at least 9 nights when we visited. Now 5 days are quite enough for me.

Don't worry to much about fast passes. I've been going to the world for almost 20 years (more if you counted the trips when I was young) and one thing I've found Disney is the master of changing things. When I first started going ADR's were PS and there were no fast passes. In a few years it can all change.

Take a break from the mouseworld. Truthfully, I have found I can vacation plenty other places for just about what we spend at disney. we're deluxe people so I know my price point is a bit higher.

two years ago I went to Paris for 100 more than it would have cost me to go to the world. that was including airfare (I got a flight for 500 bucks round trip ). Vegas is always cheaper for me and the hotels are better the food is way better and I don't gamble.

Take a break and discover other places.
Yes Virginia there are all inclusives that are just a kid friendly as disney
Yes Virginia there are national park resorts that have just as much to entertain kiddies as Disney.
There is a big wide world (even if you stay in the states) out there. Don't ever believe that you can't have "magical" vacations else where.

This summer my family is probably cruising. I've been checking deals and they are no more expensive than the world.

EXPLORE

 

[pigletto]

I can completely understand where you are coming from. There are just too few details about Fastpass+ and what it will entail to really form any solid opinions right now but some aspects of it aren't appearing to be very good.

I can completely understand that others may not share my view and are excited for the changes, however I just can't get excited about something that will limit and reduce spontaneity even further.

When I first joined here, there were so many veterans who had complaints about this or that and I was so excited about my trips that I kind of just labled them grumblers and went about my merry planning way. I've learned that they had legitimate disappointments, I was just too new to it all to relate.

I don't expect Disney to be anything but a business and I would never say I am shocked at the changes that have and are occurring. But yes, I am disappointed. And the changes are too numerous to list.

I think the bottom line is that we make memories over the years, become invested emotionally in those memories and then can't help but feel a little stung when it feels like we are being priced out or pushed out by change.

We have had some wonderful trips and I will never regret them. My family is however moving into a new phase and our demographic is likely not the intended target for marketing anymore. We always knew Disney was a phase of our lives that at some point would be different. We've done a lot of other travelling and then put it on the back burner for a number of years and many Disney trips because it was the complete package and gave us everything we wanted in a vacation. It's not at all bad that it's time to do something new in the coming years, it's just a little sad to move on to a new phase I guess.

And yes, I am very glad that we too decided not to go with DVC. We may at some point become just as enamoured with Disney again and want to go back all the time, but I would never want to be locked into vacationing there, especially in the direction things are currently moving.

We just liked things the way they were. Not the end of the world but disappointing.

 

[brymolmom]

Great thoughts and ideas about exploring elsewhere, and I'm sure we will do more of that. But it still makes me sad because WDW is our favorite place - but I just can't justify it like I could in the past.

We did go to the Bahamas a couple months ago - so this is my longest break in between WDW visits in years. And I miss it. I also have a son who is borderline Asperger's - so 'the routine' is really good for him and he knows and loves Disney.

I do want to go to the Grand Canyon and out west. I guess I'll start planning that trip depending how this August goes.

 

[crisi]

You'll find new favorite places. We had a fantastic vacation in Washington DC - my daughter would go back in a heartbeat. My son liked Hawaii a lot (which was more expensive). We all liked an all inclusive in Mexico - very laid back.

We have DVC, but we have a small contract and we've gotten our money out of it. But we spend less time in the parks than we did.

 

[wdw4rfam]

I feel you on ALL of this, and after many years, I have a feeling that after this coming trip we will finally be taking a break for a couple years. The changes and price inceases have worn me out, and really the planning used to be half the fun, and every year I am starting to have less fun with it. I know we are not alone in this either.

 

[rojen]

I'm pretty sure this is all gonna backfire on Disney. Even with the economy improving, we're all stuck with the 'value' mentality that the recession gave us. There is very little value to be had at Disney anymore. The rack rates are ridiculous, the food is subpar, and outside of the new attractions things are getting pretty threadbare. They've probably overbuilt their hotel capacity as well. Eventually their numbers will change and they'll have to start bringing back more and better sales. Take a year off and things will change.

/I certainly don't think the food at Disney is worth paying for, so without free dining I'll be eating before coming to the park.
//They've lost me as someone who was 'captured' and spent all their time and money on property.

 

[StacyMarie]

We have gone to Disney 4 years in a row and were looking to go for a 5th this summer; however, I think we have finally been priced out of vacationing at Disney. We are actually looking to take a break this year from Disney and spend a week in Mexico at an all inclusive for A LOT cheaper than a week at Disney. We just can't justify the cost anymore. It's getting more and more ridiculous every year. This has been the subject of conversation in our house for the past 2 weeks as we are getting ready to make the final decision. I think we are going to be taking a Disney break for a couple years and trying some other places.

 

[aes74]

The thought occurs to me that if you have some real concerns about certain Disney programs, you should write them about it. I think you can even email to make it easier.

I am a hardcore Disney fan but have felt similar frustrations. The straw for me is that new fantasyland sucks. The two attractions open so far are seriously lame. I have talked to a bunch if people who have had the same experience so I know it's not just me. Little mermaid is another ride just like Nemo...you ride in a cart and go through scenes from the movie....zzzzz.

If you want to take a break this year might be the best. It is phenomenally crowded due to new fantasyland.

 

[Eastern]

Don't think of it as waning, think of it as changing. Remember this is a disney board of course folks here think disney is the "End all and be all"

While I love the mouseworld and still go, I just go differently.

I do have a dvc but I have a small contract and definitely have recouped the purchase price (maybe twice over).

I also have what I percieve as a down slide at the mouse world. The almost catastrophic drop in food quality was my "watershed" moment but basically I use to hold disney service and quality as the gold standard to which I measure other places. For me (and folks don't flame me, I;m saying "For me") that is no longer the truth. the last 3 years I've had many "service" issues with my rooms and meals where I had to send my food back.

Just look at it differently. We use to be a annual some times twice a year visitor. Now we definitely skip a few years. We also use to go for at least 9 nights when we visited. Now 5 days are quite enough for me.

Don't worry to much about fast passes. I've been going to the world for almost 20 years (more if you counted the trips when I was young) and one thing I've found Disney is the master of changing things. When I first started going ADR's were PS and there were no fast passes. In a few years it can all change.

Take a break from the mouseworld. Truthfully, I have found I can vacation plenty other places for just about what we spend at disney. we're deluxe people so I know my price point is a bit higher.

two years ago I went to Paris for 100 more than it would have cost me to go to the world. that was including airfare (I got a flight for 500 bucks round trip ). Vegas is always cheaper for me and the hotels are better the food is way better and I don't gamble.

Take a break and discover other places.
Yes Virginia there are all inclusives that are just a kid friendly as disney
Yes Virginia there are national park resorts that have just as much to entertain kiddies as Disney.
There is a big wide world (even if you stay in the states) out there. Don't ever believe that you can't have "magical" vacations else where.

This summer my family is probably cruising. I've been checking deals and they are no more expensive than the world.

EXPLORE

Great post. I feel the same way about the food, and we also are very satisfied with 5 nights. For Dis'ers who have never cruised: now might be a good time. My kids loved their first cruise so much that they cried when we were getting off the ship.

It's really sad that Disney is letting quality go down so far in order to get so many people into the parks. It's a different experience today from when I first visited 30 years ago: some of it is better, but too much of it is worse.

 

[4luv2cdisney]

I feel the same way.

At least many of you are finding other vacation options that your family is enjoying. We cannot agree on anything and have just simply not been traveling at all. The good news is the "vacation fund" is nice and fat, but we have no place to go. Sigh.

A big part of the problem for us is that we are not willing to spend more to go when the park is going to be packed. I really want to go at a slow time, but with DD in high school now, we can't take her out so easily. So, we're stuck with Spring Break or Thanksgiving only....big crowds, high prices and no discounts = no way! Throw some free dining my way, and I'll reconsider.

We can't travel in the summer and warm weather destinations are the only ones we'll consider. Wish I could come up with an alternative. I'm itching for a trip!

 

[kandb]

I could have written your post, OP. I am also a big disney lover, but within the last year, I am starting to have a change of heart. We have gone yearly for the last 6 years, but currently have no plans to go this year. It just seems like disney has gotten more expensive and you get less then you ever did before. Alot of the deluxe hotels are $500+ per night and the dining plan keeps increasing in price. Another thing, when I go to disney, as much as I love it, it seems stressful at times. I feel like I am always trying to beat the crowds, get to the rides before the lines get too long, get to lunch early so we don't have to wait and I am always thinking ahead so "we don't miss anything". It's just not the type of vacation where you, you sit back and enjoy it.

 

[jessica52877]

Right there with you too OP! We have had horrible service (food and hotel) the past 4 trips from value up to deluxe. I do not plan on giving them my $ if they can't get it right! We enjoy other destinations although it is very hard for me to find a place cheaper then Disney to go!

 

[torinsmom]

I am praying that they don't do away with regular FPs. I don't mind onsite guests have the FP+, but soon WDW will be like Universal, where you have to wait in long lines unless you want to pay for the privilege of "skipping" the lines. I love, love, love me some Disney, but I can't afford to stay onsite unless there is a great deal, and there usually isn't during the times I can travel. If they get rid of FP, I will probably go once every 3-4 years max, instead of every year. We will spend more time at Universal when we come to Orlando, or spend more on our annual beach trip.

 

[4luv2cdisney]

I could have written your post, OP. I am also a big disney lover, but within the last year, I am starting to have a change of heart. We have gone yearly for the last 6 years, but currently have no plans to go this year. It just seems like disney has gotten more expensive and you get less then you ever did before. Alot of the deluxe hotels are $500+ per night and the dining plan keeps increasing in price. Another thing, when I go to disney, as much as I love it, it seems stressful at times. I feel like I am always trying to beat the crowds, get to the rides before the lines get too long, get to lunch early so we don't have to wait and I am always thinking ahead so "we don't miss anything". It's just not the type of vacation where you, you sit back and enjoy it.

When we go to WDW with the inlaws, my FIL's favorite line is "Hurry up and wait!" Must say it 20 times a day

 

[North of Mouse]

I see where you're coming from OP, but we have always vacationed in other places, as well as Disney, so maybe it doesn't bother us as much.

We also started going to Disney the year after they opened (when it was just the MK), so have seen many, many changes so we tend to expect them, and just go with the flow. We still enjoy it very much. Also, we don't get stressed when we do go, because we don't do advance planning (other than a few ADR's), tend to stay 10 days, and tour according to our feelings each day.

There will surely be lots of upset DVC members as changes may affect their desire to visit (or not). A close family member has three weeks (not sure the points) at BWV and now rents at least two weeks during F&W. They actually decided they prefer camping in FW w/trailer as they can bring their pets with them. They also go a lot less because of the changes.

Anyhow, when it comes down to the bottom line, seems Disney will always have a following - lots of newbies coming on to replace burned out ones, or those remembering when-----------xxxx.

As you posted OP, Disney is foremost a business, and like any large business, they will go as far as they can. There are millions of people lined up to go, and looking at ressies, they are all waiting to get in.

 

[Leajess99]

When we go to WDW with the inlaws, my FIL's favorite line is "Hurry up and wait!" Must say it 20 times a day

Is he an Army veteran??? That is something you get very used to in the Army.

 

[Leajess99]

I see where you're coming from OP, but we have always vacationed in other places, as well as Disney, so maybe it doesn't bother us as much.

We also started going to Disney the year after they opened (when it was just the MK), so have seen many, many changes so we tend to expect them, and just go with the flow. We still enjoy it very much. Also, we don't get stressed when we do go, because we don't do advance planning (other than a few ADR's), tend to stay 10 days, and tour according to our feelings each day.

There will surely be lots of upset DVC members as changes may affect their desire to visit (or not). A close family member has three weeks (not sure the points) at BWV and now rents at least two weeks during F&W. They actually decided they prefer camping in FW w/trailer as they can bring their pets with them. They also go a lot less because of the changes.

Anyhow, when it comes down to the bottom line, seems Disney will always have a following - lots of newbies coming on to replace burned out ones, or those remembering when-----------xxxx.

As you posted OP, Disney is foremost a business, and like any large business, they will go as far as they can. There are millions of people lined up to go, and looking at ressies, they are all waiting to get in.

And lots of people coming from foreign countries. I am also burned out with Disney and we were there last in November. The service has really gone down hill and one CM will tell you one thing while the other has a totally different thing to say. For example, at Pop on our trip the one CM said she could put the fght information in for the Magica express but come the next morning when we took the information up there, the next CM said she could not and you had to call for it. It had already been 3 calls to get it setup and it was a mess. Same things with GACs, one says no and another says yes.

 

[4luv2cdisney]

Is he an Army veteran??? That is something you get very used to in the Army.

Yes, but I had no idea that is where it came from!