Post here regarding WDW cutbacks, changes & Complaints

[DisneyHog]

Hi LuvTheMouse, I was just surfing for a bit of information about IOA as well. We go to WDW every year, and I have never ventured to the other area parks. I have definitely planned to try Citywalk on one of the nights due to the early park closings. I may also choose to spend a day in each of the Universal parks and save our Park Hopper days for next year. Who knows maybe the cutbacks will be a blessing in disguise and convince me to branch away from my beloved Disney and try new things.

 

[Briar rose108]

Has anyone else received a call?

I emailed Guest Services with my concerns about our upcoming November Vacation.

Today on my answering machine was a message from a Disney representative saying that they look forward to our visit and that while there have been some changes in WDW to rest assured that Disney would be as magical as ever.

Just wondering what responses everyone else has gotten?

Only 13 more days to go!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[disneefamily]

Disnee Dad Says............................................. Just to let you all know every post that says Hey Eisner is being sent to Disney by my computer savvy and DW Cindy. In the realm of things I understand that this is just a flat tire, now maybe two along lifes path. If Disney is not given a clue about their idiotic plans, who knows what will happen. I send these messages in hopes that some pointy head will say hey, these people are right!! Anybody remember Discovery Zone, a great place to go and run around at an indoor playground? A goner. Anybody remember Boston Market, great chicken, over priced, now they survive in the freezer section. How about Webvan, that hits really close to home because we supplied them, another goner. Owens Corning, remember the pink panther doing insulation commercials! Almost out of business, but trying to hang on. If Disney continues to alienate thier core business partner, "US", we may end up with Six Flags At Orlando. Any of you computer savvy people should send the posts of people cancelling, or cutting back to Disney. I've sent about ten, so I must stop, before they think I am some crazy dude, but I am, crazy about DISNEY!

 

[disneefamily]

Disnee Dad Says............................................... I guess they didn't tell you that everything was canceled, and they want you to pay for the air you breath!! Slight emblishment, it's an unknown world out there, please post what is going on as soon as you can.

 

[dutton]

I've been watching these boards on everyone's reaction to the cancellation of early entry and trying to decide on how I felt. Well after careful deliberation, I have decided that I am MAAAAAADD! This is why: I have been planning for this trip for 11 months(Dec.9-14)We were originally booked at SOG for $89 and I was paying for my room and my MIL, and my parents were in 3rd room(my dad is retired military). After Sept. 11 I saw here great rates on DD resorts,specifically Courtyard. My mom suggested that I try for this hotel since you basically have almost the same perks. Our main concern was early entry program. I have 4 children and I thought it would work well for us. I knew the $29 rate would save me a bundle of money. I had seen good and bad reports on the Marriott but I am an optimist and decided that Marriott has a great reputation.I knew that the money was due up front and non-refundable, and wasn't worried b/c we decided that being on site was more important even though we could get better accommodations off site for a family of our size. Now all of a sudden I am seeing early entry gone, later park opening hours, and Marriott has reduced operations of their eating facilities. I saw a rate of $109 for HIFS which would have accomodated all 7 of us plus we'd be in one room, plus that would include free food for kids and 2 adult dinners per night. For $50 extra each day, I thought that was a great deal!!Does anyone agree or am I being cheap? I'm extremely apprehensive now! Still excited, but definately apprehensive. I know the majic will still be there when I see the castle and my childrens eyes, but I just wish I hadn't been so impulsive and would have done better research. Well, I'm sorry to make this so long, but I feel a little better!Thanks for listening!

 

[disneyluv4]

I do not blame you at all!!! We were planning a trip in Aug. planned on getting reservations this month, but decided to hold back, with all the cuts and all I do not know if it is worth it. We have been too many times to count and I guess I am use to it with EE and all. We use EE almost every day. So I guess we will sit back and wait. I think my DH would like to go somewhere else this year, so it is not bothering him at all. But it is bugging the h@#* out of me!! Good luck and you will still have lots of fun, don't let it get you down.

 

[CHIPSTER]

I am very disappointed in the early entry policy and the closing of some of the restaurants. Let's hope it is very temporary. Funny they haven't change the hours for the marketplace -- wonder why?????

 

[BibbidiBobbidiBOO]

I too received a call from a guest service rep. I had e-mailed some specific questions and he was very helpful and reassuring. Disney has always had hours and attractions that are flexible with supply and demand. If parks increase in attendance, so will the hours. Very simple formula that most businesses use. How many vacations besides Disney do you all take? I have found that often a restaurant, store or an attraction I had planned on may be closed when I thought we could go. We went to Stone Mt. one time and the train was not running. So we did something else! On a tour in Austria that we paid full price for, we could not go see 1 of the homes. No one fussed at all. That is part of life.
You can see the glass partly empty or mostly full. I choose to see it mostly full.

 

[livsea2]

Those of you who received a reply from an email to Disney. How long did it take before they returned your message? I sent an email 5 days ago with specific questions and stated that if the cutbacks were significant I would cancel but I haven't heard from them. Should it take this long?

 

[BibbidiBobbidiBOO]

I sent mine Sat(20th) to the address that was on this board. The form on the disney site was not working at that time. I got the call yesterday(25th).

 

[Bill3]

I was glad to see someone-Hoosier Fantastacia speak up for common sense.WDW is a business and his run as such.Many people who hang out here at DIS see WDW as a personal playground that is maintained for them and a few friends.EE will be forgotten in a few months OR they will decide its costing them money by not having early entry and reinstate it.Over the years I don't think Eisner has made many decesions that has cost WDW customers.Hey-we loved Discovery Island, and were sorry to see it go, but I didn't whine for a year, and it didn't cause me to alter any vacation plans.Stuff happens everyday that I may not agree with but thats life.
EE, restaurants closing,shows being altered etc- life goes on.If life gives you lemons -make lemonade. Quit whining, your alive and can afford to take a vacation,that should be enough!

 

[Heather]

A large portion of this "whining" is legitimate disagreement with poor, improperly disseminated business decisions in a forum expressly created to share, trade, vent, and argue these opinions. Everyone is entitled to their opinion.

 

[livsea2]

Is that Disney isn't communicating the cut backs to the public. People are finding out AFTER they arrive. That's tantamount to stealing. People wont leave after they have arrived but might reconsider if they Know ALL the cutbacks before their trip. Disneys recent policy is to announce times and events 7 days prior, thus not allowing customers the opportunity to make an informed decision. The expect us to just go and hope they will treat us well. That is not right!

 

[Carrickdisfan]

I live in N Ireland and for the past 6 years I have visited Florida/Disney each year and despite what has happened I still plan to do so next year. WDW must realise that many people work hard to save for trips there - especially when it is from outside USA - it costs us a lot but living in N Ireland we think we deserve something to look forward to. Therefore if WDW decide to cut their hours they have to either:-

1. Refund some money to people who have bought hopper passes expecting a full day at a park.

or

2. Reduce the price of passes bought on a specific day that the hours are reduced.

Last year whilst in Universal they had to close the park at 7.00pm instead of 10.00pm due to a thunderstorm and when we commented that we had bought a daily pass and expected a full day they gave us a complimentary pass for use in the future - I cannot see WDW doing this. People have to budget for a Disney trip and they must realise this.

Thank you for hearing my views from a miserable N Ireland.

 

[BibbidiBobbidiBOO]

But Disney has always had shorter hours in the fall and winter. They have always adjusted them to the crowds! You can go in the summer when it is crowded, stay all day to do what you want OR go in the value season with less park hours but LESS crowds and you will have time to do what you want!
Enjoy it! We find Disney a happy place to go to. We have NEVER run out of things to do and have been several dozen times!

 

[Buckleybunch]

I got this quote from one of the other post! I guess I didn't know this??

Anyone else?

 

[dutton]

I am a very, very optimistic person---but, I am very disappointed in Disney! I made resv. for 2 rooms at the courtyard marriott in DD for $29/night b/c it was a great rate, we needed early entry and I knew Marriott had a great reputation. Now I'm hearing of awful service at the hotel, no EE, and I could have pd. $50 more a night to stay at HIFS and gotten free food!! I can't change plans b/c Marriott deal is non-refundable. This feels like a bait and switch tactic to me!! We need EE b/c we have 4 kids who get up early and will need a midday nap and then we were to spend evenings at parks. Now parks are opening later and closing earlier and I'm paying same amount for tickets that people pd. for all year and got better hours!! I wish they would offer discounted tickets for people going now thru 12/31!!Now we're just going to Disney parks the whole day and going to let 2 smaller children take naps in the stroller so that our older 2 will get full benefit. So, now there is no perk to being on site. I have been saving for 2 years to go and I feel a little cheated. I'm a very compassionate person and I understand cutbacks, but from what I'm seeing on these boards is that park attendance is normal for this time of the year! So, what is going on?!! Well I love Disney and am just venting b/c of loss of high expectations!Also, people are posting ideas of going to your pool and enjoying that time but we will be there in Dec. and I doubt it will be swim weather, esp. for a Georgia girl!HA!HA!

 

[luvaladdin]

I don't blame you, I'd be mad too. I was kinda, sorta planning on a trip leaving tomorrow for a week. I couldn't make up my mind if I should spend the money, and two weeks ago talked myself out of going. To tell you the truth, after hearing of all the cutbacks, I'm so glad I decided not to go. But to qualify that, we did just go in March anyway, so it's not as if we've never been or have waited a long time.

We always take advantage of EE and I absolutely love it - I'm a morning person and my kids are early risers, so it worked for us. BUT, I think you will still have a wonderful time, because Disney World is, well, Disney World! No other place like it, even with the cutbacks.

I would just plan on being at the park well before opening, so you can be at the front of the turnstile and get through the security check quickly. Then, at MK, just quickly make your way back to Dumbo, say, just as you would for EE. I'd follow the same kind of plan as EE, hitting all the rides in Fantasyland one morning and maybe all the rides in Tomorrowland another morning. Then there's plenty of "lesser" attractions that don't have long lines generally. And to look at it positively, maybe the cutbacks will encourage you to sit and relax more, realizing that commando touring is not what it's all about. You can spend time going on the monorail to different resorts, maybe eating dinner at one of them. Take advantage of the programs at Ft Wilderness - the campfire and movie. Do Downtown Disney one night - I'm not a shopper and we ended up not buying ONE thing there, but my kids liked walking around, playing with the legos, jumping with the squirting water in the sidewalk, etc. It was a great relaxing evening. Go the Poly one night for dinner, then walk along the torch lit path to the beach, sit in the hammock and watch the electric water parade. These are some of the things that we did this year as I tried to slow down and not be a commando (which is my nature).

Don't blame yourself for not doing more research - all these cutbacks were very sudden, and came one right after another. No one could ever have anticipated all that's happened beginning 9/11.

Have a wonderful trip, and be sure and let us know how it all went for you.

 

[pgjam]

I am very disappointed about the recent cutbacks both in the cancellation of EE and the cutback in hours. I went to DW last year the first weekend in December with a friend & had a blast. I talked my husband into pulling the 3 kids out of school for a long weekend because we can see the Xmas decorations & enjoy the parks. Now we can't go in early & the park is closing early. This leaves limited time to do everything we had planned. I was also expecting to see spectro-magic & that looks like a no go also. We are members of DVC & if this is the way DW will be in the future we will use our points to travel to other places. How Sad.
pgu in PA

 

[eeyore0062]

Boy, there really some on this post fanning the flames of negativity! We visited Busch Gardens today... yes the show times were cut, yes there were some rides closed, yes, there were also restaurants and shops closed, and YES, they staggered opening times among the different areas. Did that ruin our trip...NO! We had a fantastic time, and barely even noticed that those things were missing. If you go into something expecting to have a bad time, you will... it is a self fulfilling prophecy.