not a magical time...

[Tiger926]

So I was wrong about the times the $$ for parking increased, I thought it had went up as well as the man who checked me out.... NOT that big of a deal...

BUT, it does matter in the sense that EVERYTHING is raising at disney...and I am sure other properties too..*(I wouldnt know, because in the last 6 years, i have ONLY spent my time and money in Disney).

So the increase started in 07 that is a 40% increase in less than 3 years for PARKING...

You spend your entire vacation RUNNING around, STANDING in line, WAITING for this or for that....its great during the few minutes your on the ride, or watching the show...but all the RUNNING, STANDING, and WAITING...doesnt seem like much of a vacation...

Everything goes up in price...we have a new tax starting, so everything in our country - which is one of the heaviest taxed nations in the world - is, or will increase. Believe me, I understand about prices going up. What do you think they should do? By the way, you can cure the parking problem by staying onsite or buying an AP = free parking! We haven't paid for parking in over 10 years.

Sorry you seem to have lost the magic of Disney...How do you propose Disney help with the structure of the parks? Many people love Disney, and so it's packed most of the year, how are they going to help the waiting and standing around when attractions and rides have safety restrictions on them? You can only board and load so many people at a time...And, you cannot turn guests away...What's the solution?

This is not a snarky comment, but I'm a solution focused person, so just wondering, what reasonable ways do you think WDW can improve guests' vacation experiences?

Tiger

 

[Jessica14]

The texting thing is my big pet peeve! It's downright rude. I for sure would say something. My son has some medical needs and for awhile we would meet with a team of drs and residents and interns. The interns/residents were texting while all these little kids were waiting to be examined in this huge, scary to them situation. You can be sure I let the head of the program know. They apologized verbally and with a letter and we moved on to another facility. We actually had this issue at our elementary school as well. We have wonderful teachers (I sub there), but we had one who would not stay off her phone even though the kids were there. The Principal had a fit and she got a transfer because she didn't want him to tell her not to use it during class hours.

I think that there is a general lack of professionalism with some people. I don't know if its because they are young or feel that they are entitled or think a job is beneath them, but I notice it quite a bit. I can't imagine that I ever acted that way on the job and 18, 20, what have you. I think I would have to say something.

I'm sorry your trip was not all it could be. I understand your frustration.
Jessica

 

[Tinkermom76]

I avoid paying for parking by staying onsite... as for the texting if I feel what I need right now is more important than their test I would say something to them, otherwise I am on vacation and in slow motion and if they need to send a text then I get an extra minute to look at stuff (the small stuff at the counter is great) Teens text really fast so that really doesn't concern me

As for the line, we are really lucky they have fastpasses. Here in Canada I buy seasons passes to Canadas Wonderland Theme Park and let me tell you the only time I don't wait in a line is during a rain storm. We couldn't even get a snow cone last time we went because the line was 20 minutes, so I will never complain about the lines at Disney ever again

I hope your next trip is better

 

[dzorn]

OP sorry your trip was less than magical. I would guess some of it is just Disney burn out. Even if the trip was the same it is percieved as less becasue it has be done over and over, especially if you have been doing it for 6 years.

We are going again this year but taking a break from the parks (must resist, must resist) and just hanging out at the resort and having a relaxing pool time vacation. Maybe you just need a different type of trip.

The texting would have irritated me. Depending on my mood and said "So Sorry you job is getting in the way of a social life. Do you know where I can find a manager"

Denise in MI

 

[goofy4tink]

I know that I always have a piece of paper and a pen/pencil within easy grasp when I'm at WDW now. I like to report any great CMs and want to get their names right. BUT...I am also going to start getting names, times and locations of the not so good CMs, and sending those along to Disney as well.
I know of one young man who was fired from his job as a CM at WDW. Why? Because he took his cellphone out of his pocket to check the time for a guest. The rules are that you do NOT ever take a cell phone out while 'on the clock'. So, if you see CMs talking on their cell phones or texting, take down their names and send them along. That's about the only way you can stop that practice.

WDW isn't as magical as it once was. Why? Who knows. I think that the more time that goes by, from the beginnings of WDW and Walt's vision, we see less and less magic and more and more of 'the bottom line'. And I understand that. But, if you don't pay attention to 'the magic', the bottom line is going to suffer. WDW will become no better than US/IoA..a nice theme park but nothing 'magical'.

Food qualities have gone down. I've been eating at WDW, at least twice a year, since '99. Sometimes I'm there three times a year. And the quality has declined. And a lot of the higher end choices are gone from the menus.

And prices for everything have gone up...a lot. But, we all know what we are getting into when we go to WDW. We are lucky to have these boards with so many posters who come back and let us know what is currently going on down there. We all know exactly what the situation is. We also know what it 'used to be like'..so we can compare and realize the differences. It is our choice as to whether or not we want to spend that addtl money at WDW.

 

[missfigment]

you know....while texting on the job isnt the most tactful thing to do...especially while your job is customer service....is it really the most surprising thing? IMO ...no. Im not shocked when I see it in the parks by CMs....or even with a cashier in a store here in my own town. Disappointed maybe but not shocked. This is what society has become unfortunately. We are a technologicly (i know i spelled that wrong) dependent people.

Im sure many of us have texted or taken personal phone calls on the job...maybe not every day but once and a while. (While Im sure there are some of you that havent...kudos and good job )...but it goes farther than that...look at our kids...we are raising them ("we" as a general term of use here) to be technologicaly dependent...you go into any restaurant and what do you see...family sitting at the table...one parent on a cell phone...a teenager texting their way through dinner..and a child with an ipod and earbuds...totally tuned out. This is family time. Heck, Im sad to see a kid with an ipod in their ears at WDW...your parents spent a ton of money on this amazing vacation and you are going to to tune them out??

Im not posting this to point anyone out ...Im simply just saying this is how society has become. Probably what I have to say next though will ruffle feathers and I'll get some major flames. So be it.

When I go to Disney, I expect to have a good time...but my good time is not going to be based if a CM is texting while on the job or if someone butts me in line. My mood on vacation is in my own control. Disney isnt this magical place where everything is just strawberries and creme...its a theme park and where it does hold a sense of "disney magic", you also have to realize that CMs are people too (a lot of them college kids) and you cant hold them to any higher standard than what you would any other store employee. Im not saying the texting on the job is acceptable...but read on to see what Im saying...
(the rest of this post...not necessarily talking about the OP but just to posts I see on this board in general)
Disney is a place full of really long lines...hot weather...families behaving badly....BUT its also full of great memories...fun ...and families having a great time too. You have to take the good with the bad. I just do NOT understand this notion that just because Im in Disney...then customer service has to be "magical".....I know that is the way Walt intended it...but the people who run Disney now...do not have the same vision. As unfortunate as that is.

Not saying you should accept mediocre service....but unless you complain every time to a manager about the server at Olive Garden who only came to your table twice during a meal...or write Customer Service Departments when your cashier is less than friendly when you go to a Target....why different for Disney? Unless something is totally outlandish...like the CM mouthed off to you..something like that..then I say "take it with a grain of salt".. okay...flame on

 

[Bounce_Tigger]

While texting on the job may seem normal, it is against Company policy. I had a friend who worked in one of the resorts last year who was terminated on his first offense. Disney doesn't mess around with that. You should have reported it immediately.

 

[Tinkermom76]

I teach my kids that they shouldn't tattle on their friends unless someone is getting hurt... I try to follow the same rule and texting really isn't hurting. Like a PP said ALMOST everyone has made a phone call, sent an email, texted and taken an extra 5 min on company time.... it's not right but adults do it all the time, thats where the teens learn it from

On this forum I see in posts all the time that people are typing the post from work. If we went to management about everyone who didn't do their job perfectly then there would be very few people with jobs

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

That's awful about the texting - was it teenagers? My thinking maybe a bunch of the new/summer hires might not know/appreciate company policy?

Awful, and inappropriate.

 

[kaytieeldr]

BUT, it does matter in the sense that EVERYTHING is raising at disney...and I am sure other properties too..*(I wouldnt know, because in the last 6 years, i have ONLY spent my time and money in Disney).

In slight fairness, the price of pretty much everything everywhere has gone up in that time - mostly not at the pace it's increased at Walt Disney World, though

So the increase started in 07 that is a 40% increase in less than 3 years for PARKING...

And I agree, that's entirely ridiculous - especially given that there seem to have been no apparent changes/improvements TO the parking lots.

 

[TDC Nala]

If you don't want to spend your time standing in line and waiting, or spend money for parking, maybe a theme park vacation isn't your thing. Standing in line is normal for a theme park, especially in summer. Especially Disney, whose new business model is cram 'em in and they'll eat whatever we serve them. It is working well for them.

As for the CMs most of them do a good job and I do remember having to wait to place an order at Tangierine Cafe once while the three girls working there read and responded to a text message on one's phone. Then the meat served was cold. Haven't been back there but if I do go back I will order the veggie platter.

Not that I think the texting and the cold meat were related - I think Disney may be cutting back on energy costs by cutting down on the energy expended to keep pre-made food warm.

If you're in a customer service job you shouldn't be keeping customers waiting while you text your boyfriend or your buddies or your mom or whoever. If you have a genuine emergency, ask your boss if you can get off the floor to deal with it.

 

[plutotek]

Slightly off topic, but I agree w/the PP's comment about the current generation being 'techno-dependent'. Unfortunately, it's hurting them in the long run, but it's a societal problem, not necessarily a parenting issue. Thirty-plus years ago, math teachers didn't allow calculators in class; the result was students that could do what might be construed as more complicated calculations in their head. Now?? Not so much. The relatively inexpensive price of home electronics allows for multiple TVs, computers, other electronic entertainment devices, things that weren't even considered 20-30 years ago.

This isn't a slam on anyone, because I am just as culpable as anyone else. I will now pack up my soap box and go read some of the other posts here on my laptop.

 

[Planogirl]

In slight
And I agree, that's entirely ridiculous - especially given that there seem to have been no apparent changes/improvements TO the parking lots.

That's a good point. I normally expect covered parking when I pay such rates.

I agree that the food has become more mediocre but it's not a bad thing if you know that going in. We can find enough decent food and we're really at WDW for the parks anyway.

The texting thing I haven't seen. That would be VERY annoying!

 

[Tara]

I want to know where people are going that they think $14 for parking is out of line? Heck, if I go to a concert for 3 hours, I'm LUCKY to get away with $10 at an uncovered, poorly attended lot! And parking at Six Flags over Georgia is $15!

 

[sabrecmc]

I want to know where people are going that they think $14 for parking is out of line? Heck, if I go to a concert for 3 hours, I'm LUCKY to get away with $10 at an uncovered, poorly attended lot! And parking at Six Flags over Georgia is $15!

I don't know if they changed it, but at one time, the parking at the new Cowboys stadium was $75 for premium parking and $25 if you wanted to walk 1/2 mile. I remember my group of friends out there joking that we could buy tickets, but we couldn't park, eat or drink....

Definitely write Disney about the texting and where you observed it. If they were operating a ride or in food service, that could be a safety issue. In any event, it is against Disney policy.

That being said, we were down there over Memorial Day weekend and the CMs were fantastic in the midst of incredible heat and crowds...I just keep thinking that I would be the most obnoxious CM if I had to sit out in that heat and deal with tourists all day for low pay and few benefits...I don't think I'm Disney material, lol!

 

[PIRATEGIRL007]

I don't think CMs should be able to text during work hours. I think everyone needs cell phones for emergencies, but texting should not be allowed. Sorry you didn't feel the magic this trip.

We had emergencies before we had cellphones and human kind survived just fine. You can't tell me WDW doesn't have landline phone that someone can reach an employee in case of a TRUE emergency and that they didn't in the years leading up to cellphones. I think this opens up issues such as texting and personal calls during work hours and should be prohibited at any place that focuses on customers (including my own workplace), IMO this is one of the biggest reasons customer service in everywhere from WDW to McDonalds has went downhill steadily over the past few years.

OP I'm sorry you had a bad trip, maybe you do need a break from Disney. Anytime I go anywhere else it makes me realize how good I have it at Disney and makes me eager to return.

 

[reiella]

I want to know where people are going that they think $14 for parking is out of line? Heck, if I go to a concert for 3 hours, I'm LUCKY to get away with $10 at an uncovered, poorly attended lot! And parking at Six Flags over Georgia is $15!

It's just the 'added' cost that feels like it's sneaked in. It's the reality of supply and demand more than anything. The cost will be what the market will bear. And for alot of these instances, the market will be exceptional cost because you don't have many options.

It's also an easy place to recover margin/profit due to this. Folks really don't think so much about the cost of parking for entertainment, but it nets the property owner ~3 to 4 dollar /head more currency.

Not sure specifically with Florida, but I do know that the actual cost of alot of parking lots has gone up alot due to various property taxes. The 'new' one that I've seen crop up is a tax based on how much the development on the property prevents water absorbtion/runoff. And that's just an area that parking lots don't do well in. And minimum wage increase does affect the cost of a parking lot [especially I imagine a 'disney' parking lot that they want well maintained].

 

[Donut23]

we just came back after a week in Disney world...

This was, for us...(wife and I) not a very magical trip... Dont get me wrong, the kids seemed to have loved it (with the exception of waiting in lines and the incredible heat)-but hey...its disneyworld in JUNE...gonna be crowded...gonna be hot..


The GOOD:

As far as rides... With fast passes in hand, we really never waited more than 35-40 minutes for any ride... used Parent swap and allowed the girls to ride twice *1st time we have used this adn it worked great for us***

My DD best friend went with us *her first trip** and she had a blast...they had more fun playing at the pool and spending $$ in the arcade...

The Bad:

With the exception of Ohana's Dinner the food and SERVICE in the resturants were horrible..
-Whispering canyon cafe- had the family skillet, the food was very dry, the server dropped off the 1st drinks to the table and returned when she brought the bill... that was it.. soemone else even brought the food.

1900 park fare - service was not bad, but the food was HORRIBLE... the character interaction was pretty good, with the exception of spending ZERO time with my 2 year old son... which was ok, b/c he really didnt see them as characters anyway...

OHANAS - AMAZING food and service...

Crystal Palace - service here was again, just ok... character interaction was GREAT...food was good,

all in all, with the exception of ohanas, everything seemed to have went WAY DOWN hill in the quality section.... we have eaten at all of these places multiple times, btw. and have never had even the 1st complaint... this trip was wayyyy different.

THE UGLY:
I was very disappointed with disney this trip... which makes me sad...
it for the first time was NOT the happiest place on earth.. CM's while not overtly rude, were almost dismissive and acted like you were not even there... multiple times I seen people put off while CM's finish sending or reading text messages...

I think we are done with disney for a few years.... if we can afford it next time we go back...

parking went up from 10 dollars a car last year...to 14 a car this year..

I'm always so sorry to hear when someone looses the magic. I happened to us a few years ago. Our solution was to spend more time at DL. Yes, shorter resort/park stays - long flights from the East Coast....but we feel the magic still lives there...at least in their castmembers.

I think we are beginning to see the affects of oursourcing castmembers, next to eliminating Traditions (new castmember training) and drastic $$ reductions in the quality of food served at WDW and DL....standardized menus actually cooked somewhere else and delivered. It's sad because they worked so hard any years ago to turn Disney into a foodie destination.

We finally returned in April and had a good time. DH did not know Flower and Garden when it was BIG and BOLD....so he didn't know any better.

We will be back for the holidays and I'm sure we will notice many more cutbacks...just the disney way.

We just have to lower our expectations from years past and enjoy the moments with our families and friends. I know seeing EPCOT without LOW will be a big blow for DH.

 

[Tinkermom76]

plus parking cost are Disney trying to recover some of the loss from people staying off site.. or trying to change your mind about staying off site. When you add the parking per day to your off site hotel rate Disney is hoping you will figure out it would be easier to stay on Disney property even at a value hotel

 

[mom2aandj]

BUT, it does matter in the sense that EVERYTHING is raising at disney...and I am sure other properties too..*(I wouldnt know, because in the last 6 years, i have ONLY spent my time and money in Disney).

So the increase started in 07 that is a 40% increase in less than 3 years for PARKING...

You spend your entire vacation RUNNING around, STANDING in line, WAITING for this or for that....its great during the few minutes your on the ride, or watching the show...but all the RUNNING, STANDING, and WAITING...doesnt seem like much of a vacation...

you realize you're wanting two contradictory things, right? The fact that things have become more expensive at Disney actually acts to keep the crowds lower. If it was cheaper, MORE people would be there, and there would be MORE standing in line.