Our un-magical Day

[dvczerfs]

Yes - I have often traveled as a solo adult with one or both of my kids and experienced just this.

I really - really like that you are now seated after you order your food at the WDW counter service restaurants. If one of us needs to sit and wait while the rest get in line and order they find a bench outside and we text them when we are ready to find a table together.

wow! happy 80th birthday nana!!!! hope im still going when im 80!!

 

[Marlea98]

I can't believe that some of you are defending some of the stupid "new" rules that Disney has implemented and just accept them. I have not been to the Magic Kingdom in at least five years because I recently had two babies so yes I was unaware of the changes. Perhaps if you had been to Disney ten years ago before the economy crashed and they let go of all their good cast members you would realize how much it sucks now. You never had to wait in line for an hour to see a princess. They were strolling in the park. They were not locked up in the "Princess Fairytale Hall". I was at the park for twelve hours and it was my 40th birthday and NO cast members even said happy birthday! Three! I've gone on my birthday or kids birthdays before and we got fastpasses for the day, free dessert at the restaurants, a happy birthday autograph picture from Mickey. I wasn't watching where I was walking and missed a step and twisted my ankle at HS. I would have loved a pumpkin coach and a Goofy escort around the park for the rest of the evening, but all I got was a lousy seat on a bench until my ankle felt better and a lovely yellow bruise the next day. Not getting the Royal Treatment sucks, hey?Um, do you guys not remember this stuff. It's wrong that nobody is complaining especially when Disney set such a high standard of customer service. Are you all in La La Land? "It's okay. Disney can do no wrong even if they are making me wait in line and pay up the a** for everything!" And don't tell me I'm a bad mother for "not doing a little planning". This was an improptu trip. Hubby said, "Hey it's your birthday. Surprise we're going to Disney!" So I had no time to plan "180 days" in advance. You never said that in your opening post so how on earth do you expect people to know that here? BTW, my first ever visit to DLR was when I was 40. I had a 'first visit' button and nobody picked me to be the family of the day. Poopy heads, didn't they realise I was the ONLY ONE there that day who was 40 AND it was my first visit!!!!! Now you have to prompt the cast members to be nice to you? When I was at uni/college we had prompt cards in our hands for oral presentations of assignments. Maybe you should make up some prompt cards to give to CMs for next time? Maybe you could open an Etsy shop selling said prompt cards to WDW/DLR/DCA guests so that they can hand them to CMs on their next visit and they wouldn't have to go through the hassle of verbally prompting CMS to be nice to you. You can patent that idea yourself. The CM's are very good now at saying "NO". Darn, I didn't hear any CM tell me 'NO'. I did say it a lot to my kids though when they bugged me for something at every store we went in to, if they spin the tea cups faster because I didn't look green enough or vomit fast enough on the first try or try and convince me that churros were an essential part of the nutritional requirements of 12 and 13 year olds (although I could secretly agree with them if I wasn't trying to save our bank balance from the clutches of the dentist...). I did hear many CMs tell me to have a great day, I love your accent, thanks for waiting patiently... Oh, wait, I tell a lie - a CM did tell me NO. Splash Mountain was down when we went back to ride and I asked if they new how long it would be before it was back up and running. They said no. That's it, my holiday was ruined. Seriously! I'm through trying to defend myself. Below is a list of things that suck now. Go ahead and try to come up with more lame excuses about why it's okay.


Pleasure Island - Gone - That sucks
NO ADVENTURERS CLUB - REALLY, REALLY SUCKS
Toon Town and Mickey and Minnie's house - Gone - That sucks
Having to wait in line for over an hour to see characters - That sucks
The new Fastpass system - only 3 for the whole day - That really sucks
Having to give a credit card to make a reservation at a restaurant - sucks
Not letting a mother with two small kids sit down at a restaurant while her husband purchases food from the restaurant - sucks
No McDonald's french fries - sucks
Running out of pineapple Dole Whips - only had orange - that really sucked
Both Splash Mountain and Pirates were broken - sucks
Nobody to trade pins with - or very few cm's - sucks
Cinderella Castle Closed - sucks
TERRIBLE customer service - sucks
No variety in food (only burgers) - sucks
Highest Ticket Prices EVER for a TERRIBLE experience - sucks
A 'LOCKED UP' Mickey Mouse (REALLY!?!?) - Totally SUCKS

Yeah, especially about the Dole Whip. As it was my first trip to WDW I was excited to try the Dole Whip. I got to try Pineapple but not the orange because my daughter wanted the orange and by the time I finished my pineapple one I was too full to try the orange. Then when we went back the next day it was really warm outside and the line was really long and I didn't want to wait in it for a small Dole Whip so I went on a ride and forget about wanting one in the first place. Darn you Disney for making me forget all about my whims because of your fun rides!!!! That really does suck.

I find it horrible that everyone on this board seems to defend Disney. Responses from people on here who claim that if we cant afford the prices then don't go, it's not whether we are able to afford the prices it's the value and the experience that we are supposed to get from it. I would like to get every green light on my way to work when I've overslept because I've been up late the night before watching a movie, but it's not going to happen. Further more Walt Disney created Disney World to give 'EVERYONE' a magical experience not just the super rich.

"Do what you do so well that they will want to see it again and bring their friends." -Walt Disney

"You can design and create, and build the most wonderful place in the world. But it takes PEOPLE to make the dream a reality." - Walt Disney

"You reach a point where you don't work for money." - Walt Disney

"I only hope that we don't loose sight that it all started with a mouse." - Walt Disney

"To all that come to this HAPPY place: Welcome; Disneyland is YOUR land. Here age relives fond memories of the past, and here youth may savor the challenge and promise of the future. Disneyland is dedicated to the ideals, the dreams, and the hard facts that have created America... with hope that it will be a source of joy and inspiration to all the world." -Walt Disney

"I don't want the public to see the world they live in while they're in the park. I want them to feel they're in another world." -Walt Disney

"We believed in our idea... a family park where parents and children could have fun together." - Walt Disney

"Disneyland is a work of love. We didn't go into Disneyland just with the idea to make money." - Walt Disney


Changes and improvements to the park are fine but making it such a corporate experience rather than a magical guest oriented experience is ridiculous. The prices at every other park in the Orlando area are much less expensive sometimes by half so you can bet that my money will not be going to support a non-existent mouse. Wash out your mouth! The Mouse is real. Just like fairies and talking dogs!You all may be willing to roll over, hand over your cash and say "thank you sir may I have another?" but for me and my family we will not willing to roll over. As a travel agent as well, I will not be recommending any Disney Parks to my clients their time and money are better spent elsewhere. Again, you are doing yourself and your clients a disservice by saying that. When I took my teenagers ten years ago,See, this is where my doubts about the validity of your posts come into play. I had to go back to your first post and check this but you said that you have a 14 year old and a 12 year old and two younger ones. One 14 year old not not a teenagers make. Teenager, singular, not teenagers plural. I think you are just clutching at straws here because you had a ****ty trip and your whole view is clouded by it. Life is what you make of it. it was a much different, better and easier experience. I'm not mad because I didn't get my way. I'm mad because Disney's way of doing things now is sub-standard.

Well, instead of whingeing about it why not apply constructive criticism and come up with feasible suggestions for how things could be done that would suit every single visitor to their theme parks? Saying something sucks is not helpful or informative.

 

[Marlea98]

You're incorrect that the analogy written with regard to the restaurant was wrong and that it would be correct if I went to a steak house expecting sushi. I did not say that the OP went to the park with the expectation that it would be like universal or busch gardens. Instead I was suggesting that Disney only maintain the expectations and service they had given in the past. Why is it unreasonable to expect quality service and a quality experience? Do we not pay very high ticket prices, food and souvenir prices as well?

My father used a expression growing up "Champagne taste on hamburger wages." in the case of Disney it is "Hamburger taste on Champagne wages."

It is NOT unreasonable to expect a 'Magical Experience" and if Disney failed her on that then they should be held accountable.

I went to bed last night after preparing for a cyclone that was forecast to be making tracks toward where I live. I wake up this morning to find the track has moved further north and therefore my preparations were for nothing. The Bureau of Meteorology failed me and I believe they should be held accountable. Or at least come over and help me flip the trampoline back up.

 

[tjmw2727]

wow! happy 80th birthday nana!!!! hope im still going when im 80!!

Thank you so much for your greeting!!

We are so blessed to be taking this trip with our family as we have been through so much in the past few years as a family.

I told my Mother In Law that I will push her uphill 24/7 in a wheel chair if that is what it takes to make this visit special for everyone and I will. We will be with our kids, my MIL, SIL, sister, nieces and nephews for 7 days at Disney.

Contrary to the OP nothing is going to be more special than this trip because I have planned it! Fast Pass +, downtime, a few restaurant reservations and lots of resort/pool time.

And you know what.....if none of that works we will still be away from home, together, and will work on plan B

 

[dvczerfs]

Thank you so much for your greeting!!

We are so blessed to be taking this trip with our family as we have been through so much in the past few years as a family.

I told my Mother In Law that I will push her uphill 24/7 in a wheel chair if that is what it takes to make this visit special for everyone and I will. We will be with our kids, my MIL, SIL, sister, nieces and nephews for 7 days at Disney.

Contrary to the OP nothing is going to be more special than this trip because I have planned it! Fast Pass +, downtime, a few restaurant reservations and lots of resort/pool time.

And you know what.....if none of that works we will still be away from home, together, and will work on plan B

that what the place means to me! fp.....adrs.......characters don't really mean to much when you look at the entire picture. great memorizes with the family is what its all about. have a great time!!!!!

 

[tjmw2727]

that what the place means to me! fp.....adrs.......characters don't really mean to much when you look at the entire picture. great memorizes with the family is what its all about. have a great time!!!!!

Yes it is what you make it and my mother in law, nieces and nephew are the most important "characters" on our trip!

Thanks again for your well wishes - right back at you

 

[Teresa Pitman]

You know, you might want to read some of the trip reports to get a different perspective. I especially like the ones from DisneyKid4Life (Rob). He knows how to plan and he knows how to find the magic even when he's sometimes disappointed.

I am sometimes sad when things I loved go (like the Adventurer's Club). But that's life - things change. My motto is "Don't cry that it's over, be happy for the good memories you have." I miss some of the old things, but I'm enjoying some of the new things at WDW and I will keep going back.

TP

 

[seenellie81]

The fact that the OP is upset that they charge your credit card if you are a no show, i am sorry but it makes me happy. This is the reason disney did it. People dont want to be charged so they wont miss their reservation. Or they wont make a reservation because they may miss it and dont want to be charged. This in turn keeps spots open for people who plan and will make their time slot.
From my understanding and what i have read, the MK parking has always been far away. Didnt Walt want it this way so that when you leave your car and enter MK you are leaving the world behind and entering a magical one?
I dont go to the MK to see water in a moat. Its pretty that the water is there but, if they needed to drain it that would not ruin my day. The front of the castle is often closed through out the day for various reasons, anyone who as gone to MK knows that.
Why would Cinderella be in the castle? Why would you expect every cast member you come across to give you something for nothing??
Man people will find things to complain about no matter where they are or what they are doing!
Your poor kids, what a debbie downer you are to vacation with.

 

[dvczerfs]

You know, you might want to read some of the trip reports to get a different perspective. I especially like the ones from DisneyKid4Life (Rob). He knows how to plan and he knows how to find the magic even when he's sometimes disappointed.

I am sometimes sad when things I loved go (like the Adventurer's Club). But that's life - things change. My motto is "Don't cry that it's over, be happy for the good memories you have." I miss some of the old things, but I'm enjoying some of the new things at WDW and I will keep going back.

TP

im with ya! I find myself on youtube watching mission to mars, dream flight, horizons and a lot of the attractions that are no longer there.
I do like the new things also. the only thing that got me was when I found out that main street bakery was going. now, we go to star bucks and enjoy there food. we still sit in tomorrow land terrace and whatch the people while we eat. kinda forgot all about the bakery.
for me its more then just rides. rides are great but my wife and I have had some of the best times just sitting on a bench in a park and just watching. I could sit and watch all the people, moms,dads kids the parades, the band going up and down. watching the trolley going up and down main street.

I told dw when I retire I don't need a big house, fancy car, just sit me by the fountain in epcot in the morning and call me when its time for supper!

 

[goofymoma]

That's Love - Brad Paisley Okay, that explains this. I actually agree with them that the product that Disney Parks offers is sub-par, and that is because I have spent years researching Disney on forums like this. I'm actually researching FastPass+ now. I have no sympathy for either of them. It is the consumer's job to research big-ticket items before purchasing them. James and Katie - go complain to George Kalogridis. That's my advice - take it or leave it.

I am now completely convinced there is NO away she is a TA - she's never been out of Florida!!!! I used to work with someone who's mom was a TA and she went on all kinds of trips, nope not buying it!

 

[Zobie]

OK I do have to agree with the OP on one statement. I miss the Adventurers Club too.

 

[Lisa71]

Wow..the OP and a few are very unhappy..I would love for every trip to be perfect but it is not. My suggestion is to travel to a third world country and see real struggle for food and clothes. Maybe visit an orphanage full of kids who will never have parents. Help make their day and find real joy. Disney is fun and fantasy and a business. I do not agree with or love every policy ...but I live in the US and have enough blessings to count that I hope I can always be the better person instead of being bitter and ranting.

 

[TipsyTraveler]

I am now completely convinced there is NO away she is a TA - she's never been out of Florida!!!! I used to work with someone who's mom was a TA and she went on all kinds of trips, nope not buying it!

On her other profile, a decade ago, she was talking about being a TA and getting TA discounts. So I believe that part is true -- or at least was as some point. Plus, she was from Milwaukee back then, so she's been out of Florida. If you're going by her TripAdvisor profile, that was probably set up on the fly for the purposes of complaining.

 

[knewton64]

I can't believe that some of you are defending some of the stupid "new" rules that Disney has implemented and just accept them. I have not been to the Magic Kingdom in at least five years because I recently had two babies so yes I was unaware of the changes. Perhaps if you had been to Disney ten years ago before the economy crashed and they let go of all their good cast members you would realize how much it sucks now. You never had to wait in line for an hour to see a princess. They were strolling in the park. They were not locked up in the "Princess Fairytale Hall". I was at the park for twelve hours and it was my 40th birthday and NO cast members even said happy birthday! Three! I've gone on my birthday or kids birthdays before and we got fastpasses for the day, free dessert at the restaurants, a happy birthday autograph picture from Mickey. Um, do you guys not remember this stuff. It's wrong that nobody is complaining especially when Disney set such a high standard of customer service. Are you all in La La Land? "It's okay. Disney can do no wrong even if they are making me wait in line and pay up the a** for everything!" And don't tell me I'm a bad mother for "not doing a little planning". This was an improptu trip. Hubby said, "Hey it's your birthday. Surprise we're going to Disney!" So I had no time to plan "180 days" in advance. Now you have to prompt the cast members to be nice to you? The CM's are very good now at saying "NO". Seriously! I'm through trying to defend myself. Below is a list of things that suck now. Go ahead and try to come up with more lame excuses about why it's okay.


Pleasure Island - Gone - That sucks
NO ADVENTURERS CLUB - REALLY, REALLY SUCKS
Toon Town and Mickey and Minnie's house - Gone - That sucks
Having to wait in line for over an hour to see characters - That sucks
The new Fastpass system - only 3 for the whole day - That really sucks
Having to give a credit card to make a reservation at a restaurant - sucks
Not letting a mother with two small kids sit down at a restaurant while her husband purchases food from the restaurant - sucks
No McDonald's french fries - sucks
Running out of pineapple Dole Whips - only had orange - that really sucked
Both Splash Mountain and Pirates were broken - sucks
Nobody to trade pins with - or very few cm's - sucks
Cinderella Castle Closed - sucks
TERRIBLE customer service - sucks
No variety in food (only burgers) - sucks
Highest Ticket Prices EVER for a TERRIBLE experience - sucks
A 'LOCKED UP' Mickey Mouse (REALLY!?!?) - Totally SUCKS

I find it horrible that everyone on this board seems to defend Disney. Responses from people on here who claim that if we cant afford the prices then don't go, it's not whether we are able to afford the prices it's the value and the experience that we are supposed to get from it. Further more Walt Disney created Disney World to give 'EVERYONE' a magical experience not just the super rich.

"Do what you do so well that they will want to see it again and bring their friends." -Walt Disney

"You can design and create, and build the most wonderful place in the world. But it takes PEOPLE to make the dream a reality." - Walt Disney

"You reach a point where you don't work for money." - Walt Disney

"I only hope that we don't loose sight that it all started with a mouse." - Walt Disney

"To all that come to this HAPPY place: Welcome; Disneyland is YOUR land. Here age relives fond memories of the past, and here youth may savor the challenge and promise of the future. Disneyland is dedicated to the ideals, the dreams, and the hard facts that have created America... with hope that it will be a source of joy and inspiration to all the world." -Walt Disney

"I don't want the public to see the world they live in while they're in the park. I want them to feel they're in another world." -Walt Disney

"We believed in our idea... a family park where parents and children could have fun together." - Walt Disney

"Disneyland is a work of love. We didn't go into Disneyland just with the idea to make money." - Walt Disney


Changes and improvements to the park are fine but making it such a corporate experience rather than a magical guest oriented experience is ridiculous. The prices at every other park in the Orlando area are much less expensive sometimes by half so you can bet that my money will not be going to support a non-existent mouse. You all may be willing to roll over, hand over your cash and say "thank you sir may I have another?" but for me and my family we will not willing to roll over. As a travel agent as well, I will not be recommending any Disney Parks to my clients their time and money are better spent elsewhere. When I took my teenagers ten years ago, it was a much different, better and easier experience. I'm not mad because I didn't get my way. I'm mad because Disney's way of doing things now is sub-standard.

Please take a long look at my below listed Trip reports that you will see listed in my signature & there you will see that if you simply:

1) research your next vacation.
example - the internet has a lot of things you can find to read up on.

2) read up on your next vacation.
example - I have tons of readng materials I also keep on any vacation place I visit.

3) Watch any applicable dvds about your next vacation.
example - on the way back from Heathrow in August, I will be watching the DL Christmas parade dvd as well as "The Boys" Disney dvd PLUS reading, "Mary Poppins She Wrote", a biography about PL Travers.

4) read any applicable travel blogs about your next vacation.
example - DISBOARDS, RICK STEVES.COM, CIE TOURS.COM, TRAFAGLAR.COM

5) ASK QUESTIONS ABOUT YOUR NEXT VACATION (if you don't know something).


AND MOST IMPORTANTLY
6) CHILL OUT CUZ ITS A VACATION.




With the exception of my "IF I WERE A FRAGGLE" Trip report (Take note how I don't list it in my signature), you will see that I do not have the vast amount of overwhelming over melodramatic issues that you seem to have.


AND...........
please feel free to look at my before and after pictures on page 9 of my "San Fran, Rose Bowl" trip report as I have naturally dropped 104 pounds recently.
(weight loss blog starts on page 6 of the above listed TR)




FYI - The ABD's Backstage magic TR?? From march 2010??? the "If I were A Fraggle" TR?? THAT WAS MY FAULT - I didn't know - but nontheless, MY FAULT.
I had no business mixing WDW Bznes with DL Bznes in regards to CM's.


Hey....I seriously didn't know it's not wise to do that. NOW I DO. LESSONS LEARNED.





ANYWHO -
So, hopefully you can go forth now with a little bit of wisdom yourself since you have now undergone all of this & parley it into a better "next Time."


Perhaps and just perhaps, this may help entice you into doing something a little different when it comes to your next vacation.



Hmmmmm......would a Trip report be coming from you now??





So, hope all goes well with you and your family. Take a deep gulp of air. you will make it.





P.S.
me?? SHOOT - I vacation plan approx 3 to 4 YEARS in advance and do the things I have listed above as I don't have these kinds of issues......so look out in approx 38 more months as "H YES" I plan on celebrating........
(TR FORTHCOMING)




HAVING PAID O-F-F MY HOME MORTGAGE -

(You are subscribed to the thread "Mortgage Payoff Party ideas - help! - this is BIG for us! UPDATE post #48" by PinballFamily, there have been 7 post(s) to this thread, the last poster was honeybunches.http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2942545 )


......and have I got some fun plans once I hit $0 balance.







T.T.F.N.
& Cheers Y'all









"MY VERY 1ST TRIP 2 WDW / DISNEY WONDER" 01-07-09 to 01-15-09 (w/pics & video)
www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2062857
MY ADVENTURES by Disney "Spirit of America" Sept 2009 trip report ...
www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2201584 - Cached

 

[dvczerfs]

OK I do have to agree with the OP on one statement. I miss the Adventurers Club too.

KUNGALOOSH!!!!

 

[kaytieeldr]

Thank you so much for you incredibly sarcastic response; I really appreciated it.

Clearly you've never eaten McD fries over here, or you'd know what I'm talking about.

Truly, why would anyone from the United States go to Great Britain and eat McDonald's? Surely you have even fast food chains we don't, so even someone just looking for fast food would be more likely to try shops we don't have here?

Please reread the post you quoted. There wasn't a single hint of sarcasm in it, much less any comment about "really appreciat[ing]" any inferred message.

 

[Hisgirl]

To the OP: I'm so sorry Disney wasn't what you were expecting. I can easily imagine how someone who hasn't been in a while, could come, expecting things to be the way there were back in the 90s or even more recently.

Disney isn't anything like it used to be....but what is? Our lives have been consumed with electronics and people have lost the art of communication. this younger generation is interacting with one another via 26 letters and their thumbs. .

The Us population has grown and travel has grown, so South Americans are filling Disney with tourists, unlike in previous years.

Disney is different. This is a message that needs to be shouted from the castle top. Don't come with old expectations. Plan. Research. Don't expect the CMs to be different from the young folks you see outside of Disney. Plan. Research. Don't expect any freebies.

It's still a wonderful place, unrivaled by any other vacation spot. But it has changed. And I don't see it ever going to back to the way it was.

There's just too many people able to travel and spend lots and lots of money which makes the stockholders very very happy. Keep that one in mind.

As long as way too many people happily hand over their hard-earned money without Disney having to work hard convincing them to do so, Disney will continue to offer a product which isn't really 'costing' them. Things that come at a price, are highly valued and Disney isn't really having to work hard to get millions of folks to book plans. Thus, they aren't feeling the need to please.

Just my two cents.

 

[jeneric997]

To the OP, we have been to Disney over 30 times in the past 14 years and a lot of things have changed, some for the better and a lot for the worst.

I think where you are losing sympathy is that when you are demanding to see Cinderella and no one else is, you should have asked if they don't let people see her after the show- they haven't done that in years. If you are the only one standing there trying to get in to the castle, it should be a hint that they don't do that. I remember the first time we went and noticed we couldn't walk through the castle and were disappointed so we asked about it, but we didn't expect them to open it for us.

Disney is full of children who want to see characters, that's why they've set up meet and greets! They can't cater to every child who cries. With that I do agree it is sad that they have hidden them away, where you can't see them without standing in line. You might have better luck at Epcot, where they are outside. I will warn you now- the Frozen sisters are extremely popular- hours of wait time!

The seating policies at CS were implemented, because it is almost impossible to find seats once you have your food. I will agree that CMs are a bit over the top at times, but it could be because guests try to take advantage of them.

I don't like the CC guarantee on ADRs, but I know why they implemented the policy- too many no shows and it's an easy way to get money!

Complaining about CMs who are just following policy and demanding you get compensated won't sit well here or many forums. If you don't like the policies that Disney has implemented, by all means contact guest services.

I'm sorry you had a bad time- it was a lot of changes at once. I hope your kids had a good time!

 

[Toffeewoffy]

No, I haven't, and most likely you haven't eaten them here either!

I have been to Florida 9 times, actually. And yes, I have had McD there: the worst we had was at the one which used to be at DTD. Lukewarm and chewy!! Try telling anyone what a great taste experience that is!

Give me BK fries anytime ...

 

[dvczerfs]

I have been to Florida 9 times, actually. And yes, I have had McD there: the worst we had was at the one which used to be at DTD. Lukewarm and chewy!! Try telling anyone what a great taste experience that is!

Give me BK fries anytime ...

well since we are talking about fries. since mcd ruined there fries in 2007/2008 .....

http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/money/industries/food/2007-01-29-mcdonalds-trans-fat_x.htm

and now they taste like card board, yes I have tried card board.

my vote goes to wendys for fast food French fries!