Not happy with expensive disney services.

[frijolefrito]

Before you start reading this pile of negativity this isn't something stemmed from one bad day. This is a trend I've been noticing more and more. I love Disney and everything about it. I'm just starting to feel more like a money giver and less like a "GUEST". All the regular stuff in the park I absolutely LOVE! From the chocolate covered pretzels to the new eating areas in California Adventure. I love the new rides like star tours and really feel the magic just doing the normal daily things. I use the fast pass service and even on a really busy day I am able to ride all the rides I want and enjoy myself.


I've been seeing a trend these last couple years and frankly I'm not happy with some of Disney's higher end services. I'll state the place and state my issue.

Steak House 55 and Club 33:

The first time I went it was in the trophy room and it was fantastic. The people where great and the food was excellent. Over the years the food and the service has declined greatly. I've also noticed portions shrinking and to me the ingredient quality just isn't there. This very time I went back I actually sent back food 3 times. If I'm leaving there spending a couple 1000 dollars per I expect more (this is including expensive wines ect). Honestly I can get a better steak at any chain better then what I've been getting. It also goes for the steakhouse 55. For either of these places I've tried ordering the "house specialties" to just getting what sounds good. I'm not saying the food is bad but these 100 dollar plates taste to me like 5 dollar quality. Finally I'm not a lush or a wine-o but if I ask you for an expensive glass of wine please fill it up to the customary level and not skimp.

Character breakfast's:

The only one I haven't done is ariel's. I liked storytellers but I didn't see characters much. I didn't like goofy's food but saw the characters more plus you get the picture. What I love about this experience is having my kids go OH LOOK GOOFY! Yes yes buddy eat your food. *food in mouth* OH look chip! We saw characters for like 5 minutes and there was 3 people eating in the restaurant.

The Disney hotel rooms:

I stayed at the normal newly remodeled hotel rooms and have to say those are great. You go up to the penthouse top floor sweets I've been not impressed. I've stayed in all 3 and I'd have to say the air conditioning had a smell to it and just the whole room felt.. moldy. I've felt this way in all 3. After one night we opted for single rooms that where around each other.

The tour for walt's apartment/the fantasmic VIP front seating service/both shows food seating service:

I forget the price but it was something like 1500 for that walt's apt tour. You get to look in take a picture and out. It's so quick it doesn't even seem worth it. The group seemed rushed and it also takes away from the mystery and awesome of his apartment. I think visiting walt's apartment should be one party and they should be talked to shown what's in there ect.

Now of course the fantasmic seating you want to do this once because it is an amazing show and being close makes it wonderful. I just don't think for the money you are paying you get what you pay for. They could get get better seats for you to sit on not these metal butt killers. For the vip seating I was sitting on steps... that's it. When I go my group gets up to the double digits and thing really add up. I'm just not happy I spent good money for the extra bells and whistles and I’m not getting it.

churro cart beats out club 33 any day.

So in summary I expect the disney magic to shine through with these luxury serivces and it's not. The normal services it's still there.

 

[OKW Lover]

Sounds like its time to start voting with your pocketbook. If you prefer the churro cart to Club 33 then go ahead and spend your money there.

 

[nunzia]

I have heard things have gone downhill some at Club 33..having never been there I'd like to try and see for myself, so if you'd like to put my name on the list I'll be there in August
Have you talked to management at all these places to express your concerns? I do believe Disney still has Guest Experiences as their goal (which of course translates to making lots of $$$ and nothing wrong with that). So if guests consistenly complain about things changes will happen.
I do the Fantasmic! dessert thing fo a chair..no matter how hard it's worth it..I expect to pay more than things are 'worth' at Disney because, well, they are worth it to me. As another poster said, the best way to vote is with your pocket..and talking to management. I'm always surprised how stingy wine servings are, but at my house I fill to the brim Maybe just buying the whole bottle would work out better for you.
I really enjoy Steakhouse 55 and I rarely order the steak. Last visit I had the soup, bread, potatoes and Creme Brulee.I was tired of being too full for dessert..next time I may just skip the potatoes too.
We really like Plaza Inn for Character breakfasts..many characters hung out and played for good chunks of time with our grandkids and even drew out the shy 8 year old..Priceless.
On our tour we got to spend alot of time in Walt's Apartment..we took the Adventures by Disney Backstage Magic tour and everywhere we went we had plenty of time and great guides full of wonderful Walt Stories..For not much more than your $1,500 (cannot figure out what tour THAT is) you can have a 6 day DLR and Holllywood trip with great hotel rooms and most meals included as well as go to places like the Studios, Imagineering, Jim Henson Studio, etc etc.
We stay at VGC, and the rooms are fabulous IMO..I have a great fondness for DLH and the remodeled rooms are wonderful. I haven't stayed in a suite so if there is a smell I'm sure management would want to know that.
Since you love the parks and the experiences there, I think I'd forget the high end stuff for awhile and just enjoy the low end offerings..not much beats a Red Wagon corn dog and a Dole Whip and you get both for what...$15?
Enjoy the good things

 

[Malcon10t]

Vote with your wallet, and don't go back. It seems to have lost its magic for you.

 

[bakerudall]

I hate to admit, but I sympathize with the poster. I have a large, low-income family that will probably never experience these services, but if I did ever save up for them, I would want them to add A LOT of magic, not just a few conveniences.

Also, I have had many friends and relatives tell me to avoid meal plans at DLR and save the money for meal plans at WDW, where the food is still a priority and well worth the money.

I love DL and am happy with corn dogs, pretzels, and window-service entrees. As far as steak goes, my grill out back is the best place to find it.

 

[DharmaLou]

My general rule in life is that the things that you spend a ton of money on usually never impress me to the point that I say "wow, that was money well spent".

 

[Malcon10t]

I've also noticed portions shrinking and to me the ingredient quality just isn't there. This very time I went back I actually sent back food 3 times. If I'm leaving there spending a couple 1000 dollars per I expect more (this is including expensive wines ect).

I'm sorry you haven't had a pleasant visit. I have always enjoyed my visit there. I have never spent a couple thousand dollars per person. I have had our group spend over a hundred per person. I've never had anyone say it wasn't worth it. I've also never left there hungry. While the portions on the 4-5 course meal may not be huge, they are extremely satisfying. We have always (except one visit) had outstanding service. While I am not a member, I always have at least 2 servers stop by to say hi and inquire on my visit. On weekends, the manager will usually stop by to check on us at least once, and on occasion Chef Marcel will come out to see how we are enjoying our meal.

Honestly I can get a better steak at any chain better then what I've been getting. It also goes for the steakhouse 55. For either of these places I've tried ordering the "house specialties" to just getting what sounds good. I'm not saying the food is bad but these 100 dollar plates taste to me like 5 dollar quality.

Seriously? I like places like Ruth Chris, but seriously, C33 chateaubriand is hands down 100x better.

Finally I'm not a lush or a wine-o but if I ask you for an expensive glass of wine please fill it up to the customary level and not skimp.

I had a friend who was a self proclaimed wine connoisseur. She once made a comment at our table when she felt her glass was under-filled. Another person at our table who was a true wine connoisseur explained that the pour was actually exactly where it was supposed to be, and explained why. I didn't pay attention to the explanation as I am not into the wines myself.

The only one I haven't done is ariel's. I liked storytellers but I didn't see characters much. I didn't like goofy's food but saw the characters more plus you get the picture. What I love about this experience is having my kids go OH LOOK GOOFY! Yes yes buddy eat your food. *food in mouth* OH look chip! We saw characters for like 5 minutes and there was 3 people eating in the restaurant.

I have never seen only 3 families eating in Goofy's. Even at opening, there are at least 15 families. I don't quite understand why you didn't allow your kids to enjoy the characters while they were there and kept telling them to eat.

The Disney hotel rooms:

I haven't stayed at the hotels in a while. I never found them to be worth the money, and prefer to stay at Residence Inn.

The tour for walt's apartment/the fantasmic VIP front seating service/both shows food seating service:

I forget the price but it was something like 1500 for that walt's apt tour. You get to look in take a picture and out. It's so quick it doesn't even seem worth it. The group seemed rushed and it also takes away from the mystery and awesome of his apartment. I think visiting walt's apartment should be one party and they should be talked to shown what's in there ect.

I have not personally done the tour yet, however, I have a lot of friends who have, and all of them have been given plenty of time in the apartment and Dream Suite. I figure you must have had someone on a really bad day.

Now of course the fantasmic seating you want to do this once because it is an amazing show and being close makes it wonderful. I just don't think for the money you are paying you get what you pay for. They could get get better seats for you to sit on not these metal butt killers.

The seats we have had have been cushioned, at least since they changed from the wooden seats.

For the vip seating I was sitting on steps... that's it.

Oh man, I *hate* that VIP seating. People coming there expect a chair when they are told they are part of VIP, and instead get the cement steps.

You didn't comment on VIP tours. Have you had good luck with those?

 

[drag n' fly]

I too would be disappointed if I spent that much money and felt I did not get my money's worth. Sometimes taking joy in the smaller things is what makes Disney magical. I am looking as much forward to my Tigger Tail as I am to my very first trip to Club 33. Are they different experiences on different scales ...yes however I will still get the same amount of joy doing either.

 

[furb & dez]

If something doesn't live up to your expectations, why on earth would you keep going back?

There's no impetus for change if you keep patronizing a business that doesn't meet your expectations of value. It's absolute folly on your part.

 

[helenb]

What is the VIP seating on concrete steps? I have never heard of that! When we did Fantasmic dessert package we had chairs!

 

[croppincolburn]

Have you done a Disney cruise yet? It gives you a Disney fix and it's relaxing. I personally haven't tried the concierge level but I bet it's great. Those concierge level suites fill up fast. Just a thought.

 

[Goofy's_Gal]

I forget the price but it was something like 1500 for that walt's apt tour.

Am I reading this correctly? It cost $1,500 to tour Walt's apartment? I don't spend that much for entire vacation to DL...I'd never spend that much for a tour.

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

Moving this over to our DL Community Board

 

[Malcon10t]

What is the VIP seating on concrete steps? I have never heard of that! When we did Fantasmic dessert package we had chairs!

The "VIP" seating is usually used for people on the VIP tour, people who have had issues at Disneyland and they offer them a place to see Fantasmic! to make up for the oops, etc. The area is the steps between the B and C towers. If you were seated at the Fantasmic! viewing, if you were on the side by the producer, it is the stairs to your left between the 2 sections.

Am I reading this correctly? It cost $1,500 to tour Walt's apartment? I don't spend that much for entire vacation to DL...I'd never spend that much for a tour.

At Christmas, they offered a tour, the Candlelight, dinner, meeting with Imagineers, etc for $1250 per person. I *think* it also included a night at the GCH.

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

At Christmas, they offered a tour, the Candlelight, dinner, meeting with Imagineers, etc for $1250 per person. I *think* it also included a night at the GCH.

Yep it did (price was for double occupancy).

 

[geekypeach]

I too would be disappointed if I spent that much money and felt I did not get my money's worth. Sometimes taking joy in the smaller things is what makes Disney magical. I am looking as much forward to my Tigger Tail as I am to my very first trip to Club 33. Are they different experiences on different scales ...yes however I will still get the same amount of joy doing either.

For sure! I can't speak to your specific sitiuations, but our big splurges (granted, on a much different scale) have been less than satisfactory for us as well. Concierge level at PPH (wow, we really do a better job of bringing Disney magic to our trips than they did!)... World of Color Picnics (got a much better viewing spot on my own)... Character meals (characters neat, food crazy overpriced!). Just not worth it, especially when magic abounds at Disneyland exactly as is.

We've decided to forgo any extras like this in the future. No sense in tempting fate!

 

[frijolefrito]

Of course I let my kids get down and go see disney characters. Sorry if I didn't make that clear. The character breakfast was the first one and it was actually during peak season too but yup 3 families. Maybe I was lucky/unlucky. I was just mainly referring to how they just didn't seem to be about much.

I don't think it's fair to say I'm thinking with my wallet. I would hope people give me the benefit of the doubt that I take into account it is disney and things will cost more. I go there happily to splurge but after multiple times it effects you.

I end up having to go because half of my party wants to go, some don't care, and me+mom+dad go.. ooook. I'm not going to ruin it for them or do anything negative that would impact people's vacation. I'm totally positive and never believe I should be rude even with feet eating stroller pushers.

Malcon10t: I'll try your suggestion next time I end up going.

I love Disney it never gets old to me. Like I said I'm feeling these "extra's" seem to be more to them about the money and less about the magic.

The vip tour is awesome!

I think I probably sound spoiled and ungrateful. I do save up alot of money and awhile to vacation I'm just thinking I could cut the extras out and almost stay an extra week. I would love that..

 

[fairycat]

I have to agree about Club 33, the first time we had amazing service, the last time was pretty bad. The server kept disapearing, only half listening to requests, before walking away, issues getting refills. Just the type of issues you don't expect with a place like Club 33. Also why even at their high end places (exception made for Napa Rose) can they not cook pasta? I have had more mushy pasta at Disney I can't even tell you.

But for great high priced events we loved NYE at Napa Rose and Easter Brunch at the hotel, I would do again and again no matter the costs.

 

[frijolefrito]

Not trying to hate or nothing.

 

[blackjackdelta]

We have had some minor problems over the years more with stroller nazi's and loud mouth drunks than anything else, broke a couple fingers on the last night I was there last year, but as far as eating or just the overall experience, everything was above my families expectations.

Jack