My Disney Woes...

[Marionnette]

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!

I understand your disappointment but you are allowing rumors and incomplete information to affect your mood.

First of all, there is no confirmation that Free Dining is a thing of the past. There have been PIN codes and bounceback offers that included them for next fall. UK guests are reporting that they have a general public offer for free dining (QSDP only) at the moderates and deluxes for the usual dates in Aug and Sept. Someone even posted that it's also available at the value resorts. Do not give up hope completely.

Second, the FP+ roll out does not mean the demise of FP for non-resort guests. There is only speculation as to how it will be implemented now that the testing period has ended. As far as the strict return times, there's a reason why Disney has them. It's to prevent the FP return lines from becoming too long. I'm actually happy to see that they have begun to enforce the times so that everyone with a FP enjoys the ability to board an attraction without much of a wait.

Third, there has not been any indication that Disney will charge offsite guests for FP privileges. Chances are very good that Disney will be marketing the advantages of FP+ in an effort to entice more people to stay onsite. Let's face it, EMH is not a big enough carrot but if I can be guaranteed that I can ride TSM, SPcM, RnR, EE and Soarin' without having to be at rope drop to get a FP, then it may be worth the extra cost of an onsite room.

Ticket price increases went into effect last August. I'm over that hurdle. I didn't think they were all that bad, actually. A 7-day base ticket went up about $20. That's less than $3 more per day. Hopping and WPF&M went up $1 each. My health insurance went up wayyyy more than that! And I need my health insurance, I can live without a trip to Disney!

And I'm actually happy that after years of thinking about it, I finally found a DVC contract that suited me and I pulled the trigger. No more waiting for codes. No more worry about resort prices that are going up faster than my healthcare costs. There's a cap that limits how much DVC dues can jump each year, so I know what to expect as far as what it will cost me to stay onsite. The rest of the world pays $649 for an adult PAP but I got ours for $425 because of DVC. And if I decide that Disney's food is too expensive or unrefined for my taste, I'll be able to cook in my DVC kitchen.

Yes, there are a lot of changes that I've seen at Disney over the past 25 years of going there. None of them have been bad enough to keep me from going back. However, I agree with the others who are encouraging you to explore other parts of the world. You can come visit Philadelphia any time you like. It's a wonderful place to visit and we'll show you some fine dining, Philly-style!

 

[sydneysmom]

personally, I don't see how people go to Disney every year, sometimes more than once a year. And the reason I say that is, to me, I think it would become less special. We went in 2010 and we decided we were going back in 2013. I have to tell you, after not being there for this long, we're all so freaking excited to get there !

But my DH and I talked and this probably will be our last trip for a good while.... we want to do a nice trip to Washington, DC, a trip to the National Parks, maybe Alaska, maybe a Disney cruise to Castaway Cay.... there's a big United States out there just calling! Sometimes being away from something will make you miss it and love it again.

Take a break and go someplace else.... if you love Disney, maybe try a Disney cruise..... but don't feel like you HAVE to go to Disney or else your vacation is going to stink.

 

[robsmom]

Wow. It is kind of nice to know that I have so many kindred spirits here. We made 5 or 6 trips in 8 or 10 years, so not every year but often. I loved researching and still love the DIS. I loved our trips, but began to notice the impacts of some of the changes. There are some positives to vacationing in the same spot each year. If you go to a a beach town each year, there is fun in the familiarity of revisiting favorite spots. On the flip side, there is fun to seeing new places and enjoying new experiences. I love with Disney that I could get a bit of both. I was able to get that new feeling by trying a new resort or new restaurants, but could enjoy a few old favorites as well. Gradually as the quality declined, the old favorites were not quite the same. The new resorts were not better than the old, etc. Our last trip was in 2009. In 2011 we did Universal for a long weekend with no Disney! We will go back at some point in the next few years because we have non-expiring park hoppers to use up. Until then, we are enjoying seeing the real world instead of Disney World. We have come to love cruises and all-inclusives. This summer we will be cruising in Europe. I still come to the DIS to get my Disney fix and I still check flight prices now and then. Someday a good deal will catch my eye, until then we will enjoy our break from Disney.

 

[brymolmom]

I understand your disappointment but you are allowing rumors and incomplete information to affect your mood.

First of all, there is no confirmation that Free Dining is a thing of the past. There have been PIN codes and bounceback offers that included them for next fall. UK guests are reporting that they have a general public offer for free dining (QSDP only) at the moderates and deluxes for the usual dates in Aug and Sept. Someone even posted that it's also available at the value resorts. Do not give up hope completely.

Second, the FP+ roll out does not mean the demise of FP for non-resort guests. There is only speculation as to how it will be implemented now that the testing period has ended. As far as the strict return times, there's a reason why Disney has them. It's to prevent the FP return lines from becoming too long. I'm actually happy to see that they have begun to enforce the times so that everyone with a FP enjoys the ability to board an attraction without much of a wait.

Third, there has not been any indication that Disney will charge offsite guests for FP privileges. Chances are very good that Disney will be marketing the advantages of FP+ in an effort to entice more people to stay onsite. Let's face it, EMH is not a big enough carrot but if I can be guaranteed that I can ride TSM, SPcM, RnR, EE and Soarin' without having to be at rope drop to get a FP, then it may be worth the extra cost of an onsite room.

Ticket price increases went into effect last August. I'm over that hurdle. I didn't think they were all that bad, actually. A 7-day base ticket went up about $20. That's less than $3 more per day. Hopping and WPF&M went up $1 each. My health insurance went up wayyyy more than that! And I need my health insurance, I can live without a trip to Disney!

And I'm actually happy that after years of thinking about it, I finally found a DVC contract that suited me and I pulled the trigger. No more waiting for codes. No more worry about resort prices that are going up faster than my healthcare costs. There's a cap that limits how much DVC dues can jump each year, so I know what to expect as far as what it will cost me to stay onsite. The rest of the world pays $649 for an adult PAP but I got ours for $425 because of DVC. And if I decide that Disney's food is too expensive or unrefined for my taste, I'll be able to cook in my DVC kitchen.

Yes, there are a lot of changes that I've seen at Disney over the past 25 years of going there. None of them have been bad enough to keep me from going back. However, I agree with the others who are encouraging you to explore other parts of the world. You can come visit Philadelphia any time you like. It's a wonderful place to visit and we'll show you some fine dining, Philly-style!

I agree that I might be jumping the gun a bit on rumors...but even with the FD that has been offered in PINS - it is QSDP only...So when before I could have saved $800 on my week-long trip - that amount is now cut in half. That is a significant difference. Yes, maybe I will be surprised and they'll still offer the regular DP with mods and deluxes...but I wouldn't put money on it.

Yes - maybe with the AP discount for DVC it is still worth it for those people who live close enough to utilize an AP. But for those of us who only vacation there 7 days a year, still not a good deal as we have to buy 'regular price' park passes.

I agree it's a wonderful place to visit and I LOOOOVVVEEE it. I just used to argue with disbelievers that it was also a great value for your money...not sure that I can do that anymore.

I agree that they might not charge for FP's to offsite guests - but I don't know how they would be enticing that many people to stay onsite unless they do so. I HIGHLY doubt they would put all this $$ into it (new website, new tickets, new ticket machines, marketing, testing) - without a boost to the bottom line at the other end. And I would guess that would be getting more people into their hotels to use FP OR purchase it if you are offsite.

Maybe I'll be proven wrong....I hope so.

 

[Marionnette]

I agree that I might be jumping the gun a bit on rumors...but even with the FD that has been offered in PINS - it is QSDP only...So when before I could have saved $800 on my week-long trip - that amount is now cut in half. That is a significant difference. Yes, maybe I will be surprised and they'll still offer the regular DP with mods and deluxes...but I wouldn't put money on it.

Yes - maybe with the AP discount for DVC it is still worth it for those people who live close enough to utilize an AP. But for those of us who only vacation there 7 days a year, still not a good deal as we have to buy 'regular price' park passes.

I agree it's a wonderful place to visit and I LOOOOVVVEEE it. I just used to argue with disbelievers that it was also a great value for your money...not sure that I can do that anymore.

I agree that they might not charge for FP's to offsite guests - but I don't know how they would be enticing that many people to stay onsite unless they do so. I HIGHLY doubt they would put all this $$ into it (new website, new tickets, new ticket machines, marketing, testing) - without a boost to the bottom line at the other end. And I would guess that would be getting more people into their hotels to use FP OR purchase it if you are offsite.

Maybe I'll be proven wrong....I hope so.

I hope you are proven wrong, too.

My guess is that all of the changes are geared towards getting more people to stay onsite. There are going to be more advantages to staying onsite than just the FP+ system. There will also be the cool, personalized park experiences that will be triggered by your RFID room key in addition to the usual perks of EMH, free parking, Magic Express, ADRs at 180+10 days and using your room key to charge to your account instead of carrying cash. For some people -especially the first-time visitor - that's going to be enough. For those who remember being able to get more for their dollar at Disney, it is probably going to fall short of the WOW factor.

 

[RachelsMommie]

OP, have you ever tried cruising? Not just on DCL, but Royal Caribbean or another line?

My family does every other year at Disney and every other year doing something else. One year it was a "tour of Texas"...we live in Dallas, so we visited San Antonio and the coast. This year, it's a cruise to the Bahamas from Galveston.

Also, have you ever given Disneyland a try? Might be a nice "different" vacation that still has the Disney name and it's fun to see the differences and similarities.

 

[chimilady]

I'm at the beginning of my Disney-going phase, as I and my husband both come from large families and there was no way. So yes, I'm picking up and taking your place. There is a lot of "Things were so much better back when ......" on the Dis, and people assuming because they are unhappy everyone else feels the same way. I know I'll be sad when my kids don't want to go to Disney anymore, but if you need a break, take a break. Or if you need a Disney fix, head to the other coast, or head to Paris and do a day or two at Disney there. I can still say with airfare, it's cheaper for me to spend a week at Disney than it is to drive an hour or more and spend a week at the NJ shore. (probably even moreso now after Sandy) So yes, perhaps it's not as cheap as it once was, but it's still providing lots of joy to others who will happily find a way to make visiting a priority.

 

[katrina1122]

DH and I just did 10 days over jersey week and election day and veteren's day with the last week of f&w, a 1/2 marathon and the festival of the masters at dtd. We only got 1 fp the whole time. Otherwise we waited less than 15 mins for everything. FP changes are not the end of the world.

As for changes, I'm still upset at how've the ruined by beloved future world from EPCOT Center. No more Dreamfinder, gone is the original Living Seas before Nemo dumbed it down. Gone is the World of Motion. Gone are the amaizing exhibits of Communicore East and West. I could go on. Does this stop me from going to wdw every few years? Nope. why? Because I still love Epcot even with out it.

As to tix price increases. I have tix from my childhood for like 50 for 3 days at MK and Epcot. I still go. Prices go up.

If you are upset, take a break for a few years. Wait for lots of new stuff and go back then.

 

[Marionnette]

DH and I just did 10 days over jersey week and election day and veteren's day with the last week of f&w, a 1/2 marathon and the festival of the masters at dtd. We only got 1 fp the whole time. Otherwise we waited less than 15 mins for everything. FP changes are not the end of the world.

As for changes, I'm still upset at how've the ruined by beloved future world from EPCOT Center. No more Dreamfinder, gone is the original Living Seas before Nemo dumbed it down. Gone is the World of Motion. Gone are the amaizing exhibits of Communicore East and West. I could go on. Does this stop me from going to wdw every few years? Nope. why? Because I still love Epcot even with out it.

As to tix price increases. I have tix from my childhood for like 50 for 3 days at MK and Epcot. I still go. Prices go up.

If you are upset, take a break for a few years. Wait for lots of new stuff and go back then.

You forgot the Wonders of Life Pavilion. I loved Body Wars and Cranium Command!

 

[hallie]

I hear ya! We live 20 minutes away and can no longer afford to go, too expensive.

 

[hsmamato2]

Well, I got back a few weeks ago, but it still feels like every trip, we see new things,experience different stuff....(we go about yearly) This past trip was a good deal for our fam- what with hotel deals and dining deals..... if the deals change,and we go back,we'll adapt! In my experience, there are always deals, depending on how flexible we can be in traveling. We also have been visiting other places now that the kids are older too...and loving it! But we still Love Disney....(funny, I offered one ds a special weekend trip this month,and he declined! He said he likes it yearly,b/c then it feels more special...) When I stop to think about it,he's right. We may go next year, but at a time when he hasn't been,so different stuff going on at that time....(FWIW, the deal I could've gotten for our quick weekend trip was REALLY good...)

 

[ntink]

when is the fastpass plus being implemented?

 

[huhwhat]

I really do not understand why people are so pissy over thr FP return time enforcement.

 

[brymolmom]

I really do not understand why people are so pissy over thr FP return time enforcement.

I wouldn't call my venting 'pissy' and that was only one small piece of the overall picture that is causing me to be upset. But it is very obvious why some people would be pissy....When you're used to going to the parks and not waiting in any lines and then a change is implemented that causes you to now wait in more lines and criss-cross the parks more often - well then that is a negative impact to your vacation enjoyment and might cause some pissy-ness. I see where you're coming from though - I totally don't get those who are on the other side and are fine with it. Just talked to one friend at work who goes at least once a year and she didn't even know about the FP time enforcement at all - apparently they very rarely even use FP's - they prefer to just wander the parks aimlessly, and if they see something they want to ride - they just get in the standby line. Now, I can totally get why the change wouldn't impact her - but I certainly don't 'get' touring the parks that way. But to each his/her own!

 

[brymolmom]

when is the fastpass plus being implemented?

My guess is by the end of this year it will be fully implemented.

 

[pigletto]

I really do not understand why people are so pissy over thr FP return time enforcement.

I don't understand someone who could read this whole thread, and all the threads going on in the other forums regarding huge changes, and possible negative impact and think it was about fastpass enforcement
I don't care about that, never cared about that, and wasn't even thinking of that when I wrote my reply. There's way more coming down the pipeline that will mean big changes than a fastpass enforcement time.

 

[eliza61]

I really do not understand why people are so pissy over thr FP return time enforcement.

because for some folks it negative effects the way they tour. For me it's a non issue but one thing I always realize is that what is important to me may not be important to other people. so for some this fast pass is really important to them.

no wrong or right.

 

[torinsmom]

I don't mind the FP enforcement. I just had to get a little more creative with how I toured, but it wasn't too bad. Not being able to use FPs at all would really affect me though. We have to go during summer, so we really utilize them. I hope that's just a rumor, because we can't afford onsite and I really prefer the room of offsite.

 

[Ginny Favers]

I have to admit that I was feeling the love waning over the last couple of times I went, just because at first it didn't compare to the memories I had, and then all the ride breakdowns and snafus with where we were staying had me a little frustrated.

Still, I went and booked again for this year. My kids are at the age where WDW is the top vacation destination.

And I keep thinking that maybe Disney will get the picture and make changes, but why would they? The parks are so crowded every day. I went during a less-crowded time and it still felt like it was wall-to-wall people. Even if they slip quite a bit, there's still no other vacation destination that comes remotely close to what they offer. I'm sure they realize that.

 

[Maddle]

I must really be stuck in the past - I still can't get over the Magic Your Way tickets! I'm still carrying a torch for the old, non-expiring Park Hopper Tickets - how long ago was that change? And I don't like the big blocks in the entry plaza of Epcot. That was when - 2000? It reminds me of a cemetary.

There, I feel so much better.

But seriously - I'm willing to pay big money IF I feel like the quality is there, but sadly, I do think it's dropping....and I think the new FP+ and Magic+ is just making it more complicated, not adding value.

It makes me sad too, because I love being there - but I don't like being treated like I am just a dumb bucket of dollar bills.

Maddle