Pixie dust is gone

[eliza61]

nope still a happy place for us.....as in life it is what you make it........

I quoted this poster but anyone feel free to jump in.

LOL. can I ask you a question mma, what does this mean? I get that a lot here and it always baffles me.

I once posted about getting stuck in a hurricane and some one said "life is what you make it".

as if singing a happy song after shelling out thousands of dollars really makes every thing better.

I think I'm your average optimistic person but I also like to think that I am a consumer. My money and what I spend it on is important (not saying those things are not to you).

Are you saying if I get a subpar room and I just take a "positive" attitude that will solve my problems...

I truly don't get it. I got a new a/c a few years back from sears, they did a lousy job, do people really say "oh well, life is what you make it".

I really am trying to get to that zen level but I can't.

Now for me, Im ok with Disney losing it's pixie dust, I mean I've never been one of those people who thought that Disney was the only place on the planet where one could have "magical" vacations, so I just chalk it up to Disney will get a lot less of my cash and I'll see more of the world.

I'm just trying to understand how the saying "life is what you make it" is supposed ot make a vacation better.

 

[RealBlast3]

I quoted this poster but anyone feel free to jump in.

LOL. can I ask you a question mma, what does this mean? I get that a lot here and it always baffles me.

I once posted about getting stuck in a hurricane and some one said "life is what you make it".

as if singing a happy song after shelling out thousands of dollars really makes every thing better.

I think I'm your average optimistic person but I also like to think that I am a consumer. My money and what I spend it on is important (not saying those things are not to you).

Are you saying if I get a subpar room and I just take a "positive" attitude that will solve my problems...

I truly don't get it. I got a new a/c a few years back from sears, they did a lousy job, do people really say "oh well, life is what you make it".

I really am trying to get to that zen level but I can't.

Now for me, Im ok with Disney losing it's pixie dust, I mean I've never been one of those people who thought that Disney was the only place on the planet where one could have "magical" vacations, so I just chalk it up to Disney will get a lot less of my cash and I'll see more of the world.

I'm just trying to understand how the saying "life is what you make it" is supposed ot make a vacation better.

What people are trying to say is to have a good attitude about what many would consider are "small" problems. Now, if your head has been speared by a piece of the Hub impaling you, you have a right to grouse. But if you weren't able to get all the fast passes you wanted or get a reservation for Be Our Guest, that doesn't mean the magic is gone and Disney is out of pixie dust.

Like, save the bold declarations for when something bad truly does happen and try to remember, they've only happened to you and not draw a conclusion that Disney's error with you means it has lost the pixie dust for everyone.

And honestly, expressions like "The Pixie Dust is Gone!" really need to stop. People would take posts talking about their trip problems alot more seriously if people weren't so dramatic and disparaging to Disney World on the whole.

 

[tony67]

My last trip to WDW was terrible. On the way through the turnstile, a piece of the wrought-iron gate broke off and impaled my skull. The EMTs were able to saw off the post, but because I had an iron rod sticking out of my head, I was unable to ride Space Mountain.

Reply: You should be happy just to be at Disney. There are so many other things to do besides ride the rides. You should have had a good attitude despite the iron rod sticking out of your skull and made your own magic.

Well at least your MB worked - did you at least make your FP window or did you get a few extra out of that? LOL


"You should be happy just to be at Disney. " - this is the one comment that I see all the time and it really annoys me over and over again.

I recall discussing how bad the food at Disney (In this case Coral Reef specifically) has gotten back about 8 years ago and a women actually came on here and said "I don't care if the give me a cheeseburger as long as it's at Disney I don't care. I'm just happy to be there" (and to clarify this she insinuated that I should be too)
Well that's great for you if you want a cheeseburger at a fish restaurant - but I always went to Epcot because they had great food - it was nothing like what it is today.

 

[RevKjb]

Does anyone else feel this way? Being sprinkled with "pixie dust" now feels like being pelted with "rock salt"! What happened to the Disney we were all in love with? Now we cringe at the thought of a Disney vacation. p.s. We used to feel like the phrase below in my signature...we miss that

Having just returned from the world 24 hours ago, I think the forced slower pace of FP plus is a good thing. Slower pace allows one to reflect more on the ambience and the non-ride offerings of the house of mouse. I will continue to use my DVC to vacation for quite the foreseeable future. 0P I hope you find the pixie dust again.

 

[jahber]

HAve a great time and make your own pixie dust

I don't think the pixie dust will ever go away for my family. We don't wait around for cast members to make special things happen for us, we make our own magic.

Disney is magical in your mind set only and always has been. period.

It is up to YOU, not Disney, to provide the magic. There have been some excellent posts in here that I am proud to see of vacationers taking the pixie dust by the reigns and making sure they and their family have a wonderful time. It never happened by accident before and it won't happen by accident in the future.

To me, Disney is like Christmas... if you don't believe... you don't receive.

Pixie Dust is what you make it.

However, after reading Bellanota's post, I realize we need to take part in making the pixie dust happen.

Another case of creating an answer to your question yourself. No one has said that no matter what, if your trip isn't perfect, it's your fault.

OK, so what are these posters telling us, if not "you didn't have a good time because you didn't make enough pixie dust/believe enough/work hard enough to have a good time"?

And certainly no one here said the magic was lost because our trip wasn't perfect. That's ridiculous.

Anyway, no amount of "believing" is going to undo endless tech support issues or the fact that I can't get a FP+ at 30 days out for the only ride my youngest child can ride in DHS. Am I supposed to just "believe" that my baby will be OK with a 100 minute wait and he'll be fine? Okey doke.

 

[DisneyGuy]

What is Pixie Dust anyway? Is it a feeling? An item? a surprise (that happens to be free of charge; like an upgrade at the resort)?

 

[ms tom morrow]

I quoted this poster but anyone feel free to jump in.

LOL. can I ask you a question mma, what does this mean? I get that a lot here and it always baffles me.

...

I'm just trying to understand how the saying "life is what you make it" is supposed ot make a vacation better.

Personally, I interpret that more along the lines of "having a positive attitude will bring you positive things, having a negative attitude will bring you negative things." I do think that's true to an extent; if you go into your vacation (or anything!) expecting the worst, odds are you'll find something to prove your hypothesis. On the other hand, if you go into it with an open mind you're more likely to be able to roll with the punches rather than letting something ruin your day. Having said that, I understand that this only holds true to a certain extent in reality, especially in regards to an expensive vacation that's loaded with memories, nostalgia, and supposed "pixie dust."

FP+ has it's advantages and disadvantages for me, personally. I love to plan way in advance, we always stay at a deluxe on site for at least 7 days, we take time for meals at signature restaurants, do hard ticket add-ons when available, and perhaps most importantly, have never been rope droppers. This makes us pretty much ideal for the new system, which I definitely take advantage of. For example, we've been to WDW 10+ times and were only able to get a paper fastpass for TSMM once! So, even though I haven't had a problem snagging a FP+ for TSMM (yet?), if I did it would really be no different than the old system for me. On the other hand, we don't have kids and miss the old days when we could zip around the crowds and strollers collecting more paper fast passes in a day than some families used in a week.

Overall, the advantages outweigh the disadvantages for my touring style, so with the understanding that improvements will come (booking additional "rolling" fast passes from website/app, etc) I'm happy with the new system. Don't get me wrong, I would have rather had a billion dollars spent on new attractions instead of my magic plus, but my magic plus is here, and it's fundamentally changing WDW vacations. I'm willing to change with it and leverage the advantages it gives me rather than focus on what once was. For some people, the disadvantages may outweigh everything else and in those cases I can understand that it's painful to see something as treasured as WDW vacations turn into something frustrating, particularly at this price point! Unfortunately, I think Disney has made it pretty clear that you either get on board the my magic plus train or get left at the station.

 

[tony67]

Unfortunately, I think Disney has made it pretty clear that you either get on board the my magic plus train or get left at the station.

Well....that's a great way to run a business...and I guess we should just accept it?

 

[Planogirl]

If an unfortunate incident happens to you on your trip, such as your Magic Band not working properly and you have to go to Guest Services each time and waste a half hour before you can enter the park, that is...an unfortunate incident and damn unlucky.

But it's also exceedingly rare? Things happened before MDE and Magic Bands as well. Hotels in Hawaii and Aruba also can lose your hotel reservation and planes can overbook and lose your luggage.

Does it mean that the magic is gone for Hawaii and Aruba if you have an unfortunate experience? I mean, no one is saying that trips can't get rocky and sometimes Disney messes up and for whatever reason can't fix a problem that you waste hours on trying to address. It's just bad luck, though.

To make a blanket statement like, "The magic is gone!" because of your one bad experience is what gets people's goat. I don't know why you had such bad luck on your trip but sometimes these things happen at any locale and blaming Disney and painting them as a magic-less place because of it is going to get on people's nerves.

Like, you have my sympathy and maybe Disney failed you or perhaps there were other reasons for a perfect storm of problems on your trip, but that doesn't mean the pixie dust is gone in Disney World. If you've decided it's gone for YOU, well, then fine, but it's still just one negative experiences out of millions.

I don't know why people seem to think that one bad experience means that Disney World can now be painted a pixie-dust place. Also, I said it before, but I really think such threads, especially since they're so inflammatory, belong in the Trip Reports forum, rather than here. One Trip Report opinion is just that - it doesn't mean you should make blanket statements regarding Disney World and acting like they're news.

Personally I like to read people's views both good and bad, extreme and mild. I think that blanket statements are made by both sides of the equation. They are true to those individuals.

What is Pixie Dust anyway? Is it a feeling? An item? a surprise (that happens to be free of charge; like an upgrade at the resort)?

To me, it's a made-up feeling and nothing else. I often say that magic (or pixie dust) is in the eyes of the beholder and I still believe that.

 

[BigAlsGal]

The pixie dust is still all over the place. I love it!! Can't wait to roll in it again soon!!!

 

[ms tom morrow]

Well....that's a great way to run a business...and I guess we should just accept it?

I don't think it's necessarily a bad way to run a business; you're never going to please 100% of the world. You make a vision/strategy/goals for your company - in this case having people commit in advance to WDW, data mining guest info, etc - and make decisions to advance that strategy. The risk is that people won't like that vision and reject your product completely.

I think a lot of things have declined at WDW, but Disney's ability to make a buck isn't one of them. I'm sure they know there are people who aren't going to accept this new direction, but the bean counters have evidently decided it's worth it.

Although WDW is much more than a business to most of us, it is, in fact, a business, and they have a right to run it as they see fit. As consumers, we also have the right to decide whether or not we use their business. As I said, I personally am accepting the changes and am using whatever advantages it provides. I sympathize with those who hate FP+ and all those who have had "ruined vacations," but I'm not sure what other choice you have, other than going to DLR. You either keep vacationing at WDW and make the best of it, or decide to vacation elsewhere. I just don't see them backing down from FP+ at this point... do you?

 

[larryz]

and oh by the way I planned and booked my vacation on warship in a warzone with internet so slow we have to use mobile facebook and mobile banking site.

And thanks for your service...

 

[wen8jr]

Just got home tonight from WDW and we've decided that this is our last trip unless grandchildren come along years from now. Yes, we enjoyed our vacation but it is nothing like it use to be for us. And it has nothing to do with how we approached the trip either as we were so looking forward to it, it has everything to do with that feeling that we usually get but did not feel this time around.

FP+ & bands worked fine for those we prebooked - but once used by noon adding more was a moot point as nothing was left.

MNSSHP tickets would not work (showed up as park regular park tickets) and had to trek all the way back to City Hall and wait in line where we had to be issued new ones. There were tons of people in line upset.

Mine train was down at MK in the morning, had to back track to that ride later in the day. Nice little ride but not sure why all the hype or why it took so long to build.

MNSSHP - way too many tickets sold for this event compared to prior years.

Very big issue for me that I always thought WDW was a step above on: the parks, buses and boats are not as clean - especially the bathrooms. Bathrooms were so dirty, the sinks are stained, paint peeling and they use to smell nice all the time but did not at all this trip. The bus windows and hand bars were filthy, even first thing in the morning.

The parks really need fresh paint in many areas - something Disney use to keep up very well. It is looking very dated and in need of TLC.

Walls everywhere due to construction (AK, MK, DTD). Sure, we want them to add new things but it was very bad this trip to the point that the atmosphere was affected by it.

Cast members not very pleasant overall. Some even out right rude - especially at counter service. And it seems like there aren't as many CMs as there use to be which may be part of the problem. We felt like herded cattle all day long on the rides.

Photographers - we paid for Memory Maker and only encountered 2 photographers (one at AK and one at Epcot) who went out of their way to make special photos for us. Some even seemed put out to take pictures or snapped only one or two. Maybe this is because we are adults (my DS is 19 years old). We are glad to have the ride photos and a few of those out in the park turned out good but otherwise not so sure it was worth it.

The Swan was great, it was our first offsite stay but the location is perfect, the renovated rooms were nice and the buses were very convenient/quick compared to when we've stayed onsite.

We had a good time overall as we didn't let the above get to us. However, we've always chosen Disney for vacations as they always held a higher standard and had customer service that could not be beat. This time it really just felt like a theme park vacation with people pushing and shoving and not "Disney" magical at all. We feel Disney is putting greed before customer service these days. This was the first time we couldn't wait to leave and make the 12 hour drive home.

On the flip side, Universal is just getting better every visit. We stayed there for 3 nights before heading to WDW. The parks were super clean. The rides are very cool and up to date. There was a huge difference with the staff there compared to Disney - they were super super nice everywhere we went from the hotel, guest services, in the parks and City Walk. They truly made us feel special (like Disney use to). Visitors at Universal even seemed happier, smiling and joking. At Disney it seemed like so many people were having melt downs and walking around with haggard/frustrated faces while pushing their way through heavy crowds.

For us it is sad, but we know its time to move on.

Our opinion is only one of many but I will send Disney an email about our experience.

 

[Jennasis]

Just got home tonight from WDW and we've decided that this is our last trip unless grandchildren come along years from now. Yes, we enjoyed our vacation but it is nothing like it use to be for us. And it has nothing to do with how we approached the trip either as we were so looking forward to it, it has everything to do with that feeling that we usually get but did not feel this time around.

FP+ & bands worked fine for those we prebooked - but once used by noon adding more was a moot point as nothing was left.

MNSSHP tickets would not work (showed up as park regular park tickets) and had to trek all the way back to City Hall and wait in line where we had to be issued new ones. There were tons of people in line upset.

Mine train was down at MK in the morning, had to back track to that ride later in the day. Nice little ride but not sure why all the hype or why it took so long to build.

MNSSHP - way too many tickets sold for this event compared to prior years.

Very big issue for me that I always thought WDW was a step above on: the parks, buses and boats are not as clean - especially the bathrooms. Bathrooms were so dirty, the sinks are stained, paint peeling and they use to smell nice all the time but did not at all this trip. The bus windows and hand bars were filthy, even first thing in the morning.

The parks really need fresh paint in many areas - something Disney use to keep up very well. It is looking very dated and in need of TLC.

Walls everywhere due to construction (AK, MK, DTD). Sure, we want them to add new things but it was very bad this trip to the point that the atmosphere was affected by it.

Cast members not very pleasant overall. Some even out right rude - especially at counter service. And it seems like there aren't as many CMs as there use to be which may be part of the problem. We felt like herded cattle all day long on the rides.

Photographers - we paid for Memory Maker and only encountered 2 photographers (one at AK and one at Epcot) who went out of their way to make special photos for us. Some even seemed put out to take pictures or snapped only one or two. Maybe this is because we are adults (my DS is 19 years old). We are glad to have the ride photos and a few of those out in the park turned out good but otherwise not so sure it was worth it.

The Swan was great, it was our first offsite stay but the location is perfect, the renovated rooms were nice and the buses were very convenient/quick compared to when we've stayed onsite.

We had a good time overall as we didn't let the above get to us. However, we've always chosen Disney for vacations as they always held a higher standard and had customer service that could not be beat. This time it really just felt like a theme park vacation with people pushing and shoving and not "Disney" magical at all. We feel Disney is putting greed before customer service these days. This was the first time we couldn't wait to leave and make the 12 hour drive home.

On the flip side, Universal is just getting better every visit. We stayed there for 3 nights before heading to WDW. The parks were super clean. The rides are very cool and up to date. There was a huge difference with the staff there compared to Disney - they were super super nice everywhere we went from the hotel, guest services, in the parks and City Walk. They truly made us feel special (like Disney use to). Visitors at Universal even seemed happier, smiling and joking. At Disney it seemed like so many people were having melt downs and walking around with haggard/frustrated faces while pushing their way through heavy crowds.

For us it is sad, but we know its time to move on.

The Swan isn't really offsite...and the transportatio0n is provided by Disney.

 

[msb578]

The Swan isn't really offsite...and the transportatio0n is provided by Disney.

I just want to say thank you for saying this! The terms that get tossed around are just not accurate.

No, it isn't owned by Disney, but Disney treats the Swan/Dolphin very much like a partner, and these hotels couldn't have a better on-site location.

If they want to participate in an on-site benefit, it seems Disney will negotiate with them to let them buy in.

 

[wen8jr]

The Swan isn't really offsite...and the transportatio0n is provided by Disney.

What exactly is your point with your comments? It's pretty clear we know where we stayed.

The Swan is not owned by Disney - it is a Westin (we are SPG members) which is why I said offsite even if it is treated as "onsite". And we are very aware that we got on a Disney bus or boat every day.

My point with the buses is that The Swan has better pickup and more consistent timing than when we stayed at WDW owned resorts. However, all the buses were very dirty. Even the bus drivers used rags to touch things on the buses which was very telling as well.

I think you guys confuse people more with your terms - when staying at The Swan you do not get a magic band, the dining plan, Disney gift cards do not work, etc. Yes you get some benefits like transportation but to me that does not define the resort as "onsite". But hey, I'm not the one making the rules...so be it.

 

[Planogirl]

What exactly is your point with your comments? It's pretty clear we know where we stayed.

The Swan is not owned by Disney - it is a Westin (we are SPG members) which is why I said offsite even if it is treated as "onsite". And we are very aware that we got on a Disney bus or boat every day.

My point with the buses is that The Swan has better pickup and more consistent timing than when we stayed at WDW owned resorts. However, all the buses were very dirty. Even the bus drivers used rags to touch things on the buses which was very telling as well.

I think you guys confuse people more with your terms - when staying at The Swan you do not get a magic band, the dining plan, Disney gift cards do not work, etc. Yes you get some benefits like transportation but to me that does not define the resort as "onsite". But hey, I'm not the one making the rules...so be it.

Thanks for your review. I agree, so be it.

 

[Jennasis]

What exactly is your point with your comments? It's pretty clear we know where we stayed.

The Swan is not owned by Disney - it is a Westin (we are SPG members) which is why I said offsite even if it is treated as "onsite". And we are very aware that we got on a Disney bus or boat every day.

My point with the buses is that The Swan has better pickup and more consistent timing than when we stayed at WDW owned resorts. However, all the buses were very dirty. Even the bus drivers used rags to touch things on the buses which was very telling as well.

I think you guys confuse people more with your terms - when staying at The Swan you do not get a magic band, the dining plan, Disney gift cards do not work, etc. Yes you get some benefits like transportation but to me that does not define the resort as "onsite". But hey, I'm not the one making the rules...so be it.

Are you allowed to make your FP+ reservations 60 days out when staying at the Swan/Dolphin? Do you get EMH access?

 

[ArwenMarie]

Just got home tonight from WDW and we've decided that this is our last trip unless grandchildren come along years from now. Yes, we enjoyed our vacation but it is nothing like it use to be for us. And it has nothing to do with how we approached the trip either as we were so looking forward to it, it has everything to do with that feeling that we usually get but did not feel this time around.

FP+ & bands worked fine for those we prebooked - but once used by noon adding more was a moot point as nothing was left.

MNSSHP tickets would not work (showed up as park regular park tickets) and had to trek all the way back to City Hall and wait in line where we had to be issued new ones. There were tons of people in line upset.

Mine train was down at MK in the morning, had to back track to that ride later in the day. Nice little ride but not sure why all the hype or why it took so long to build.

MNSSHP - way too many tickets sold for this event compared to prior years.

Very big issue for me that I always thought WDW was a step above on: the parks, buses and boats are not as clean - especially the bathrooms. Bathrooms were so dirty, the sinks are stained, paint peeling and they use to smell nice all the time but did not at all this trip. The bus windows and hand bars were filthy, even first thing in the morning.

The parks really need fresh paint in many areas - something Disney use to keep up very well. It is looking very dated and in need of TLC.

Walls everywhere due to construction (AK, MK, DTD). Sure, we want them to add new things but it was very bad this trip to the point that the atmosphere was affected by it.

Cast members not very pleasant overall. Some even out right rude - especially at counter service. And it seems like there aren't as many CMs as there use to be which may be part of the problem. We felt like herded cattle all day long on the rides.

Photographers - we paid for Memory Maker and only encountered 2 photographers (one at AK and one at Epcot) who went out of their way to make special photos for us. Some even seemed put out to take pictures or snapped only one or two. Maybe this is because we are adults (my DS is 19 years old). We are glad to have the ride photos and a few of those out in the park turned out good but otherwise not so sure it was worth it.

The Swan was great, it was our first offsite stay but the location is perfect, the renovated rooms were nice and the buses were very convenient/quick compared to when we've stayed onsite.

We had a good time overall as we didn't let the above get to us. However, we've always chosen Disney for vacations as they always held a higher standard and had customer service that could not be beat. This time it really just felt like a theme park vacation with people pushing and shoving and not "Disney" magical at all. We feel Disney is putting greed before customer service these days. This was the first time we couldn't wait to leave and make the 12 hour drive home.

On the flip side, Universal is just getting better every visit. We stayed there for 3 nights before heading to WDW. The parks were super clean. The rides are very cool and up to date. There was a huge difference with the staff there compared to Disney - they were super super nice everywhere we went from the hotel, guest services, in the parks and City Walk. They truly made us feel special (like Disney use to). Visitors at Universal even seemed happier, smiling and joking. At Disney it seemed like so many people were having melt downs and walking around with haggard/frustrated faces while pushing their way through heavy crowds.

For us it is sad, but we know its time to move on.

Our opinion is only one of many but I will send Disney an email about our experience.

Sorry the Disney portion of your trip was a disappointment. Glad you had fun at Universal. I agree, it does feel more relaxed there for some reason, probably a combination of things.

I also agree on the bathrooms at the Disney parks. During our trip in August, they were the worst I ever saw them. Still usable, but not great.

 

[Zhaan]

I understand what you are saying. We haven't been in 1.5 years which is a long time for us to go without a trip to WDW. I'll be the first to say I haven't been with FP+ yet so I'll have to decide AFTER the trip, but I already made my 60 day reservations and didn't like having to know which park to go to which day that far out. We used to hit up to 3 parks a day. Now with the 3 FP+ spread out at least 1 hour apart (if you are lucky enough to get them that close together) I really don't see us doing that anymore either.

I'm trying to stay positive but really this next trip is going to be telling for me and will determine how often I go. I don't see me stopping entirely, but it may be an every 2 years thing instead of a 3 times a year thing.