Post here regarding WDW cutbacks, changes & Complaints

[DancingBear]

Off topic, but--

Eeyore, I'm curious. I recently posted about my negative experience visiting the Carowinds amusement park here in Charlotte (dirty, loud, poor attitude of workers, etc.). My memories of Busch Gardens Wmsbg are much more positive--how did you find BG?

 

[tink2dw]

I paid for Peak Season $7000.00 to go to Florida to "do Disney".[i told u i was stupid]
I bought 3 Adult AP's,It was the cheapest ticket media,but the thought was in the back of my mind to
maybe return in that year to "do more Disney"

So, I started looking at Christmas HIGHER THAN PEAK SEASON PRICES,to "do Disney" again.[told u i was stupid]

Only, to find that for this HIGHEST PRICE SEASON OF ALL Disney has CUT the Fun of a "do Disney" by closing all my favorite shows,rides,and shorting the park hours,while canceling EE mornings and [FOR THE TRULY STUPID WHO INSIST ON PAYING 2 ADMISSIONS FOR THE SAME PARK]E NIGHTS My personal favorite.

My Question is: Who is the MOST Stupid??
ME or DISNEY?

 

[Disney Doll]

I don't know, but I'm tired of all the whining posts, so I will do what I am sure a million people are going to tell me to do and not read them!!!!!

Have a lovely day!!!!

 

[shamrock30]

I'm surprised at the rudeness in this post. Everyone has a right to their own opinion. Because of the cutbacks, my DH and I may cancel our November trip. If we don't outright cancel, we will certainly only spend a day or two in the parks. Disney is a business; I am a consumer. If they aren't providing what I feel is a decent value for my money, I don't feel I have any sort of "patriotic duty" to support them. It is a business transaction! Cutting EE doesn't bother me that much, but the shortened park hours and cancelled attractions do. When I booked our trip, Spectromagic was listed on the calendar for a weeknight showing. It was our number one priority as far as attractions went. Saturday is our travel day, both to and from Orlando, so even if they continue the Saturday showings it won't help us out. And as two adults who have been to WDW several times, we like to park hop to experience our favorite attractions and skip the ones we aren't crazy about. It will be pretty hard to do that with the extra-late openings and early closings. We're still going to Florida, but may go somewhere other than Orlando this year. I certainly don't feel obligated to spend my vacation time and money at WDW if it isn't living up to my expectations right now. And I certainly don't begrudge those who decide a WDW vacation is still for them, even with the cutbacks.

 

[cheeringmom]

A CM at WDW called me in response to my e mail re: concerns about park hours etc. She apologized about no EE or E nights and said not sure when they will return. She also said the park hours will be posted on a week to week basis. We are going over Thanksgiving and that was a concern for me. She did say, however, that parades are on schedule and to look for a snowglobe parade??? I guess the reason I was called because in my subject I wrote that this was not a complaint just a suggestion about keeping the hours longer for crowded times like Thanksgiving. No guarentees!! Oh well. She did say that there have been a lot of complaints and the higher ups listen to the guests so keep those e mails coming if you want to be heard because apparently they are listeneing! She also mentioned that people are finding out about park closings etc before the CMs are! Interesting! Anyway, just thought I'd give a report on my conversation. pam

 

[mnlovesdisney]

I just returned today from Disney. I was very disappointed to find rumors of EE being discontinued were true. Even more disappointing however was that in seven previous trips to Disney World we have NEVER had any problems with broken down rides and we usually go to the park four to five days per trip. On this trip we only went to the parks three and several times rides were broken. This happened on Test Tracks, Universe of Energy, and Dinosour. I think they have scaled staff back to the point they can no longer reliably keep the attractions running. To me this is a very, very sad thing that you can no longer plan on even being able to ride the rides due to parks being short on maintenance staff to keep them running properly.

 

[KProuty]

My answer isn't up there. I would cancel if I could get my money back, but I can't get my money back.

Katherine

 

[kimmar067]

Excuse me, but am I the only one to see a correllation between the votes (90% of the votes are VERY ANGRY PEOPLE who, no matter what, ARE NOT cancelling their long anticipated trips to WDW) and the complaints?Doesn't Disney see this? Even with these "horrible" times (slow economy, "terrorist" dangers, etc.) people are still choosing to go to WDW anyway. So tell me, what justification do they have for all these cutbacks? Some of these posts cited that there are so many "whiners", when indeed they certainly have a legitimate "ax to grind". If you have planned a vacation many months in advance, and your expectations are based upon those plans (regardless of WHERE your destination may be), you have every right to "whine". Okay, so the parks close early. Find something else to do. Doesn't that mean SPENDING MORE $$, when you already spent it for the day (a-la Park Hopper passes)? It will cost me $248 per day per park JUST TO ENTER (not including souvenirs, snacks, or meals) and then I have to spend an additional $40 to $50 to, say, play miniature golf? Either that, or shell out $10-$15 per child to "hang out" in an arcade. Sheesh! I could do THAT in New Jersey!!! I don't know how "empty" the parks are, but I can tell you this: I had a LOT of difficulty adjusting my PS's to accomodate the changes in park schedules, because PS's are UNAVAILABLE!!!! Yes, times are rough, and we must all stick together. However, I feel it is very unfair that the consumer is doing all the giving and Disney is doing all the taking......My DH was considering taking another vacation to WDW in Feb 2002, but now, NO WAY!!!!

(Okay, "soapbox" session is over! )

 

[Laurajean1014]

Can anyone give me the "skinny" on what changes to expect at WDW? Leaving on the 31st and want a "heads up."

Thank Y u.

 

[Esmerelda]

Back in early August, a friend of mine took a job at a hospital not far from Disneyworld in their ER. He left Ohio around August 1 (got a HUGE sign on bonus there too might I add) and was thrilled for a new beiginning.

I spoke to him yesterday, he was very distraught. He said in the last 3 weeks, he has been sent home on 3 different days (his shift is 5 days per week)!! He is driving back home just to work at the old ER where I still am. He said if this keeps up, he is going to end up with a different hospital because he can't pay his bills as it is now. He said the problem is, there is NO one at the parks and the "Mouse" rules the entire area. According to him, the parks attendance is so low its affecting the entire business industry within a 50-100 mile range of Disneyworld. I was not surprised when he told me all of this.

So, now you see how and why all the cutbacks...cancellations etc have come into play. Disney is still a business and will always be one even though to some of us its still the happiest place on earth.

I am just thankful to still have my job even if it is about 1000 miles away from the world......


off my soapbox now...
E

 

[Laurajean1014]

 

[noahsmom04]

I understand that there are many people that are upset about the recent cutbacks and changes that have happened at WDW. But I can't help but being upset about the attitude that some posters here seem to have. I know that when you spend a lot money you expect a certain level of service, that is totally understandable, but some of these posts seem downright selfish. Unfortunately there has been an inconceivable tragedy in our country that has cost us the lives of friends and family members, and has also seriously impacted numerous industries and companies worldwide. I'm sorry that due to that WDW had to make cutbacks, but consider for a moment the numerous people that no longer have jobs, the families that are forever incomplete and the fear that some people now live with on a daily basis.
Why not just be glad that you still have a family that you can take on a vacation and that you are still here to enjoy it! If you feel now that going to WDW is a waste of money then donate your vacation money to a charity or other organization that is trying to help people get their lives back together so that maybe someday they will know the magic and wonder of Disney that you seen to take for granted!

 

[travelgoddess]

We checked into the CR on October 20, that was the last EE day. My initial feelings were that of disappointment, but it faded fast. It made us slow down a little, and get a little more rest in the mornings. They are a business and I totally understand their decision. They are also closing POFQ til further notice, Blizzard beach was closed, Epcots hours were also shortened. All the CM's I spoke with said that things were picking up some.

 

[DW mouser]

Was planning a spring trip to WDW, but just got back from HRH (7days) and was very disappointed with all the cut backs. It definitely makes alot of difference having to pay the same for so much less, especially the parks closing early! Will wait until the regular hours return no matter how long that is, or a big reduction in the price of resorts and tickets!!

 

[eeyore0062]

Dancing Bear, to answer your question about BG-Williamsburg. It has won national awards for being the most beautiful park in the US, as well as having some of the best food, and I must agree on both accounts. The park is very tidy-- rivals WDW on that count, and the food is not only good, but it is reasonable in price for park food.

The shows are outstanding, and the rides are terrific too. Now, granted, it is not a Supercoaster park, like the Paramount or 6 Flags parks, but the coasters they do have have been included in the top 20. My favorites are Apollo's Chariot--a hypercoaster, and Alpengeist-- an inverted coaster that is like a run away ski lift--- really cool theming!. The other 2 big coasters are Loch Ness Monster--- a steel rail double looping coaster... It was the 1st to have interlocking loops, and Big Bad Wolf, which is really cool, because it uses the natural terrain of the land in its design. This is also an inverted coaster, but legs are inclosed, and the cars freely swing.

We get season's passes to this park every year, and have never regretted it. The CM's are nice, not of Disney caliber, but definitely many steps above some other parks.

I would be glad to pass on other info, do you have PM capabilities?

 

[4-me]

cjzap090750 Wrote:

She has had to take a 20% cut in her salary, and her husband, who also works in the Tourist Industry just got cut by 15%. Here they are with two new mouths to feed, and their annual salary has been reduced by 35%.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

A cutback is never good - but they only have an 18% pay cut -
not a 35% paycut. Maybe a little more or less depending on
if one salary is a lot more than the other. She has 20% on
her half - he has 15% on his half. It isn't 35% on the total -
more like 18% on the total.

If they both made 30,000 for a total of 60000

She now makes 24000
He now make 25500

for a total of 49,500 - which is a 17.5% decrease in salary.

Still upsetting - but don't let the numbers make it seem
worse than it really is.

 

[NSN]

A friend just received a tape from Disney that says there IS early entry for people staying at WDW resorts -- I told her the tape was probably made before the decision to stop this. She is getting cranky that this was sent out to her (she just got the tape on Saturday) with no mention of the changes. and thinks I'm mistaken. I don't think I am, am I?

 

[eeyore0062]

No, you aren't mistaken. EE mornings are on hold as of now, because the attendence at the parks doesn't warrent it. They were created when attendence was at record levels, to give the resort guests some extra time to see everything ahead of the offsite guests. With the level of attendence as low as it is, you can see pretty much everything you would like, in little to no wait during regular operating hours, so it was expedible, and necessary to save money.

As for the tapes, they were published before the cutbacks. This is a no win situation, because, if they redid the tapes, it would cost more money, which is what they are trying to save... but if a guest requests a tape, and they aren't available, that will cause "crankiness", as well.

Perhaps your friend will enjoy the Character Caravans at the resorts in the morning, or like me, enjoy an extra 1 1/2 hours of sleep.

 

[Bev J]

We have just returned from 10 day trip, 2 at POFQ, 4 day wonder cruise and 4 days at the Contemp.
For the most part we had a grand time. BUT the cutbacks really got to us. First day we got there the 20th there was a letter in our room with the cutback hours. I went down and asked about EE, sorry no more but we will have the character caravan, now we would rather have EE we can see all the characters we want in the parks. Ok I guess we will sleep in abit, go to the parks and it is crowded. If this is not a busy time then whoo are all these people. CM's were rude and acted like they would rather be any place but Disney. Now this was not all CMs mostly younger ones, who openly complained about being tired, would not help when asked about something. EVen the kidcot stations in epcot the CM back in The England area was making chef hats she just sat there and ignored the kids and colored on a piece of paper I tried to talk and joke a bit with her and she had none of it.
Our family loves Disney and we will go back. We will probably stay on site but with the low rates off site are really temptening now since the perks have disapered . We hope that EE returns and CoP returns someday also. I hope disney reads this site and sees that we don't think WDW is the happiest place on earth now.

 

[Miss Jasmine]

I know a lot of you are upset by the changes and uncertainity with WDW's hours, entertainment and perks

Please read this article to see why some of these cutbacks have been made. It addresses the cost of the upgraded security and the increased cost in insurance.

http://www.quicken.com/investments/...s/dj/20011030/BT20011030000193.htm&symbol=DIS

Maybe this will help us to understand the situation a little better.