Post here regarding WDW cutbacks, changes & Complaints

[yup I'm Goofy's sis]

So, what's the strategy for those of us who have always followed the "go early, leave at 11:00 a.m., return at 4:00 p.m for a long evening" plan? We last visited in '98. Our boys are old enough to consider staying all day [10, 14, two college-age], but will we enjoy the hot, crowded mid-day experience? Does a respite in a cool restaurant really make it bearable? I don't want to be one of those zombies just plugging along at 4:00 p.m., but I am concerned about the decrease in total park hours.

We'll be at Port Orleans in early August. Longer hours and full capacity schedules have always justified our summer/peak crowd trips--any other advice from recent visits?

Hi Goofy Tom!

1990 Carribean Beach
1994 FW cabin
1998 FW cabin

 

[Eeyore2U]

 

[milmore104]

I didn't realize that anything was going on in Disney. I knew that they were laying people off but Can you please fill me in on what else is happening? I am planning a trip in late October to mid Nov. I don't want anything to change it.
Also I was reading other peoples posts on the matter and they kept talking about EE what is that?
Thanks for all the help!!!!!

 

[Jasmine13]

They aren't laying anyone off at this time... that was last fall. Go and enjoy yourself!

 

[BigDis2002]

EE is early entry to the parks.

 

[rykdad]

It's evident to me that it will be a long while before EE comes back to WDW. Because of this, my family and I decided we'll be staying offsite on our next trip. It looks like there are plenty of attractive alternatives. Our most likely option is Holiday Inn Family Suites.

 

[Russell]

Same here. Going in October but because of no EE, I've decided to stay at Holiday Inn Family Suites. Plus, with the shortened park hours, the option of coming back to the resort for an afternoon rest is pretty much over.

 

[eeyore0062]

We are also going in October, but we are staying onsite. Unfortunately, voicing complaints with your wallet is only hurting you, as they won't make the money at the resorts, and funnel it into things such as perhaps EE mornings. If you enjoy staying offsite, that is your perogative, but to do it out of spite, is another thing.

 

[SnackyStacky]

Originally posted by eeyore0062
Unfortunately, voicing complaints with your wallet is only hurting you, as they won't make the money at the resorts, and funnel it into things such as perhaps EE mornings.

Voting with one's wallet is one of the most powerful ways to vote! However, instead of just voting with the wallet, send an E-Mail or a letter to them and let them know why you've chosen to stay off-site.

 

[Jasmine13]

If you have a complaint, they only real way to rectify it is to let the people in charge know that you aren't happy! Just to withhold your money by itself isn't going to do any good, as then they may just think that the ressies are down because the econony is bad, or something. Personally, if I could afford to stay onsite, I would because to me that is where the Magic is.... and has nothing at all to do with Ee mornings, or E ticket nights. I think that we have all become spoiled in the 90's when the economy was good, and places could afford to give you something for nothing. Times have changed, and we have to change our attitudes to go along with them.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

1) We had a timeshare on-site (DVC) and off-site (Orange Lake).
2) We now have two off-site at Orange Lake (hint: no more DVC).
3) I simply cannot see the value of added cost for less benefits.
4) It is also a shame that guests are caght in a Catch-22.
5) If we come in droves, it's less services until the bucks improve.
6) If we stay away, it's less services until the bucks improve.
7) I am not anti-WDW, just anti-short-term-money-decisions.

8) It is a shame that after the ABC & Family mergers, Disney has to make up the cash flow and profit by diminishing the WDW experience rather than cutting at ABC and their other sudsidiaries.


PS - I know people say what about the DVC discounts, but I get just as much and more from American Express, and the new VISA programs.

 

[Eeyore2U]

Originally posted by TheRustyScupper


3) I simply cannot see the value of added cost for less benefits.
4) It is also a shame that guests are caght in a Catch-22.
5) If we come in droves, it's less services until the bucks improve.
6) If we stay away, it's less services until the bucks improve.

Please, please, please tell me what has been taken away other then EE.

 

[Jasmine13]

Many say that operating hours for the parks have been cut, but other than an hour here or there, we haven't noticed the difference. I think the running of Spectromagic has been limited to weekends during the off season, as well as the MK fireworks. We don't go to Disney for these reasons, so it hasn't affected us in the least. When hard economic times hit, companies have to make decisions about what can be cut that least affects the overall running of the operation. Disney has done that, as have many other companies. Unfortunately, more people are apt to complain about the cuts at Disney. Sorry, I just don't see it!

 

[madcoco]

We had a wonderful stay as always and only a few problems which didn't have to do with any cutbacks.Spectromagic was only one show a night(except for some days around the 4th). People were lining up hours before. Definitely worth doing the dinner pkg. Some of the food counters were understaffed other than that we didn't notice much of a change as well.One cutback for a good reason is they are no longer allowing the homing pigeons/doves to fly around the park.It seems like everytime they would release them fewer would come back.Some of the local redtail hawks were hanging around waiting for a meal.

 

[JRinCO]

We're arriving at the Dolphin on 7/30 and are a bit confused about all the fuss on these cutbacks. Someone who's been recently, please fill me in on the following questions:
Besides EE being a thing of the past, what else will we miss?
What are the current hours for the different parks?
How do the early closures affect the evening shows?
Is a 4 Day Park Hopper long enough?
Thanks.

 

[eeyore0062]

JRinCO, you should be fine, the parks will be operating under their summer hours, which means the MK will open at 9 and close at 10... there will also be E ticket nights, which are an onsite perk on Tuesdays and Thursdays at the MK.

Epcot will open FW at 9 and close at 7, and WS will open at 11 and close at 9.

MGM will open at 9 and close at 9.

Animal Kingdom for July 30-August 3 will open at 9 and close at 6 and then starting August 4th will open at 9 and close at 5.

Hope this helps, and don't let anyone worry you, you will still have a magical time without EE morning!

 

[juliesue]

Well, we just returned from our trip at the end of May. I thought we would really miss EE and was disappointed going there.

But, what we found out, was that we had a much more relaxed vacation because of the park hours. We didn't feel like we had to get up at the crack of dawn to get into the parks before the crowds.

Now, I realize we went at a quiet time when school was still in session (that was on purpose), but we did not have to worry about getting to do everything we wanted to do. Most weekdays, we walked right on to very popular rides (even at MK). In fact, we were able to ride them multiple times everyday.

They cut the hours because of smaller crowds, so remenber that when you are so disappointed. It's not like you will have to deal with the 3 zillion people that used to be there when EE was in effect. It's only 2 billion people now!

 

[sandyrob]

I'm a first time user, so I hope I don't break any rules of etiquette. I called today to check park hours during our stay (the week of 8/25) and this is what I was told by a disney rep.:

MK 9-6
EPCOT 9-7 and Worldshowcase 11-9
MGM 9-8:30
AK 9-5

Someone on this board earlier said MGM is now closing at 7 pm. Does anyone know which is true?

 

[kaabost]

We are visiting the last Monday of Sept. through the first Thursday of October. We were thinking that we might try to add Friday to the trip as well so that we could MAYBE see Spectromagic and Fantasy in the Sky. Thanks Disney! You took the temptation away and now I will not spend additional money on extending my trip.

I suppose I am selfishly light hearted about the Oct. hours because I will be staying at the beginning of the month and this is what I expected (except for Friday). However,-wow- I would be pretty annoyed if I were going mid-late Oct. paying more for hours that are shorter (in some cases) than the value season.

With such light crowds, I am sure that people can get everything done with the provided hours, but me, I pay for the wonderful park atmosphere and I would like as much time as possible IN the parks. I suppose I will flock to Epcot every night along with everyone else.

 

[Eeyore2U]

Originally posted by kaabost
I suppose I am selfishly light hearted about the Oct. hours because I will be staying at the beginning of the month and this is what I expected (except for Friday). However,-wow- I would be pretty annoyed if I were going mid-late Oct. paying more for hours that are shorter (in some cases) than the value season.

With such light crowds, I am sure that people can get everything done with the provided hours, but me, I pay for the wonderful park atmosphere and I would like as much time as possible IN the parks. I suppose I will flock to Epcot every night along with everyone else.

Sorry you don't like the hours. But since we go in Feb, after President's Week we always have shorter hours and Spectro only on the weekends. You'll be surprized at what there is to do at night.