Posted wait times wildly off...WAY LONGER!

[MickeyWaffles]

Considering the size and scope of WDW and all that it must take to run that place, I think it's amazing. I also think the CMs are fabulous, not "cheap labor" as a PP posted. They are what add the extra magic to every trip.

I totally agree. I’ve been going since I was born (almost 35 years) and now bring my own kids. We go every year, sometimes twice, and have not noticed any major shift in the quality of service, cleanliness, etc.

Of course, there’s a bad egg here and there, but by and large we have experienced the same level of above and beyond service and magic as always. We’ve had some truly incredible CMs on our last few visits in particular.

Also, when I was in the CP 15 years ago, I was the “cheap labor” mentioned. I took great pride in my job, as did most everyone I knew - many of whom still work at WDW to this day, delivering a top notch experience for guests daily.

 

[Dug720]

Neither have I. If I did, I wouldn't keep going back. I'm always puzzled at those who have so many complaints, yet keep giving Disney their money.

This! You can see the same phenomenon on the DCL board on here (and pretty much any cruise line on Cruise Critic). People fuss and complain, yet they keep going. Makes it hard to take their complaints about how bad things are seriously - because I know if I was on vacation somewhere and things are THAT bad, I won't be going back.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

This! You can see the same phenomenon on the DCL board on here (and pretty much any cruise line on Cruise Critic). People fuss and complain, yet they keep going. Makes it hard to take their complaints about how bad things are seriously - because I know if I was on vacation somewhere and things are THAT bad, I won't be going back.

That makes me feel like my dad back in the day with Blockbuster videos. My stepmom often got late fees. He would go in huffing and puffing stating they better remove the late fees and how silly it was to charge them in the first place and he wouldn't be going back. After a few months of a hiatus he was back

I'm sure at some point I've been guilty of saying I won't ever go back to a place and yet I do but I vast majority of the time say it and mean it (like I don't really want to visit Jamaica again once was enough lol).

It's why as frustrated as I get sometimes with Disney I'm not prepared to say I'm done with it completely (though Paid FP may meana longer than 6 year time period in between visits). That said I'm an infrequent visitor who loves to explore other places too. My investment in Disney Parks that is is likely much less than someone who goes quite often or every year or two or someone who can't imagine not staying onsite.

 

[Disneypro1]

This! You can see the same phenomenon on the DCL board on here (and pretty much any cruise line on Cruise Critic). People fuss and complain, yet they keep going. Makes it hard to take their complaints about how bad things are seriously - because I know if I was on vacation somewhere and things are THAT bad, I won't be going back.

I agree I take only about 1% of the complaints and whining on here serious. The rest is just ridiculous complaints that have zero legitimacy. Some folks can’t be satisfied and look for things to complain about. Entitled comes to mind about a lot of the complaints.

 

[jodifla]

No but telling someone "Your job is to do X" is very rude. For all you know she had asked, and was being brushed off. Again, you were not wrong to be upset. But she was probably not the one causing the problem and not deserving of your ire.

I want to add, I have been there! I will never forget Winnie the Pooh and the line that went on forever. The CM would let 4 standby guests in (and I watched when I got close enough to see what was going on) and then clear the FP line, which rarely was empty. Very Frustrating!! I wanted to go and give that guy a piece of my mind, sooo badly!! But all that would have happened is that I would have looked like an idiot, and probably scared a few children.

If you don't speak up, then things don't get fixed. The problem here is totally on Disney: accurate ride time estimates. The cast members working the line are part of that process.

Probably 40 people angrily walked out of the line past this cast member after spending at least 30 minutes in line and It wasn't until she was confronted that she picked up the phone to track down what was going on. At some point after the managers finally got involved, and then the line really started moving.

The managers at the end thanked us for the heads up.

 

[Farro]

Reading this is timely.

This man at work told me two weeks ago that he and his daughter were going to WDW for their visit that Friday and didn't even know about fast passes!!! I was like, um, you'll still have fun!

So he got back this week and I fully expected him to not have liked it due to the crazy crowds, etc. Well, they just loved it. They waited in long lines, but mostly he said the level of service he received in the parks was above anything he's ever experienced. They are planning to go back next year.

It's funny how we can become so jaded, yet to others who go for their first time, they are still blown away!

We did have a bad day at DHS last time with broken rides, so I certainly understand ride frustrations.

 

[jodifla]

No but telling someone "Your job is to do X" is very rude. For all you know she had asked, and was being brushed off. Again, you were not wrong to be upset. But she was probably not the one causing the problem and not deserving of your ire.

I want to add, I have been there! I will never forget Winnie the Pooh and the line that went on forever. The CM would let 4 standby guests in (and I watched when I got close enough to see what was going on) and then clear the FP line, which rarely was empty. Very Frustrating!! I wanted to go and give that guy a piece of my mind, sooo badly!! But all that would have happened is that I would have looked like an idiot, and probably scared a few children.

I don't do Winnie the Pooh without a fast pass anymore -- I agree that standby line is excruciating. But I knew the wait time when I got in line. It was accurate so there was nothing to mention.

 

[jodifla]

We spent today in Typhoon Lagoon. I hadn't been there in years. Beautiful park. All was perfect.

 

[ScubaCat]

I agree I take only about 1% of the complaints and whining on here serious. The rest is just ridiculous complaints that have zero legitimacy. Some folks can’t be satisfied and look for things to complain about. Entitled comes to mind about a lot of the complaints.

And yet, here everyone is venting about someone having a different experience. About half the time things are great. I just think at the ever growing price point, they could improve in certain areas. If you think it's great, then enjoy. I think it's above average nowadays vs. excellent in the past. I had better customer service at cedar point last year than at Disney. C'est la vie.

 

[maxiesmom]

If you don't speak up, then things don't get fixed. The problem here is totally on Disney: accurate ride time estimates. The cast members working the line are part of that process.

Probably 40 people angrily walked out of the line past this cast member after spending at least 30 minutes in line and It wasn't until she was confronted that she picked up the phone to track down what was going on. At some point after the managers finally got involved, and then the line really started moving.

The managers at the end thanked us for the heads up.

Again, I have no problem with you approaching someone about the problem. But from what you posted your approach wasn't polite. That is what I have a problem with.

 

[peteykirch]

Disney customer service took a nose dive when they decided to prominently fill front line positions with College Program kids. While I'm not saying all CP hires are awful, when you fill out the bulk of your employee roster with people who are only there on short term contracts, don't get proper training, etc it's a recipe for disaster.

 

[whiporee]

Disney customer service took a nose dive when they decided to prominently fill front line positions with College Program kids. While I'm not saying all CP hires are awful, when you fill out the bulk of your employee roster with people who are only there on short term contracts, don't get proper training, etc it's a recipe for disaster.

I actually think it's the opposite. A lot of the problems at WDW -- to the extent there are many -- are from older and retired workers who had to take a job to make ends meet. For younger kids, the job's a fun prologue to their future. But if you're older, laid off, retirement not making it as far as you need it to and you HAVE to take this kind of gig where you wear a nametag and a uniform (at a stage in your life when you thought you were far past it or when you've done so much more), it's not fun and it's easier to become resentful and not bring the excitement or energy most expect from the parks. Most unpleasant or incompetent CMs I've run into have been the older ones, not the college kids.

I'm sympathetic to their situations, and I'm glad WDW has jobs for people who need them. But the influx of older CMs has done more to change the energy of the park than the college kids.

 

[peteykirch]

I actually think it's the opposite. A lot of the problems at WDW -- to the extent there are many -- are from older and retired workers who had to take a job to make ends meet. For younger kids, the job's a fun prologue to their future. But if you're older, laid off, retirement not making it as far as you need it to and you HAVE to take this kind of gig where you wear a nametag and a uniform (at a stage in your life when you thought you were far past it or when you've done so much more), it's not fun and it's easier to become resentful and not bring the excitement or energy most expect from the parks. Most unpleasant or incompetent CMs I've run into have been the older ones, not the college kids.

I'm sympathetic to their situations, and I'm glad WDW has jobs for people who need them. But the influx of older CMs has done more to change the energy of the park than the college kids.

Yet this is completely 100% the opposite for Disneyland, where there are much more older CMs who treated and looked at Disney as a career not as a line on a resume that you worked at for 5 months during the summer. It's generally accepted the CMs at Land are much better than World, and that stems from the fact the bulk of the Land employees are older, better trained, etc.

 

[DLgal]

I never understood the debbie downers when it comes to WDW. I mean compared to any other vacation destination I've been to..and that's a lot state side. I have never been to any thats darn near perfect..To us WDW/DLR is. Especially Disneyland. Is immaculate. WDW is also, but with DL being the founding father of theme parks..its always set to a massively high standard.
And, DL lives up to that. Considering the millions that goto Disneyworld..It is simply amazing how perfect things are.
We just love it..every time.

WDW has been slipping noticeably on the cleanliness lately.

But you are right about DL. Just spent 8 hours there yesterday and never once walked into a dirty bathroom. And I have to go a LOT. LOL!

 

[cakebaker]

WDW has been slipping noticeably on the cleanliness lately.

But you are right about DL. Just spent 8 hours there yesterday and never once walked into a dirty bathroom. And I have to go a LOT. LOL!

It’s not generally accepted by me. We’ve been 4 times and the last two the service was so awful that we won’t return. WDW isn’t perfect, but not once have they failed to make things right when they screw up.

 

[DLgal]

It’s not generally accepted by me. We’ve been 4 times and the last two the service was so awful that we won’t return. WDW isn’t perfect, but not once have they failed to make things right when they screw up.

Okay. I have been to Disneyland over 400 times. I have not once had an experience that makes me not want to go back. I had a very annoying glitch with my AP in 2016 that required numerous visits to the ticket booths to resolve, and in the end, Disney went above and beyond in a way that just made me appreciate them even more. My whole family was given a 3 month extension on our APs, food vouchers worth over $100 and a handful of anytime, any ride fastpasses, simply because I had to spend maybe a cumulative 90 minutes dealing with an IT glitch. That was the "worst" experience I have had at Disneyland and it was resolved fantastically. We have also received a lot of magic in the way of hotel upgrades to suites and CL over the years.

I've also been to WDW 30 times or so. I've gone every year since 2003, and several times before that, growing up. So, it's very easy for me to do side by side comparisons. I'll be back at WDW in 3 weeks. I just went to Disneyland yesterday, and will be back the next 2 weekends in a row.

 

[Toolulu22]

Exactly. We saved all year for this trip. Crowds are fine. It is spring break after all. But closed rides, mismanaged lines, broken rides.. those fall under WDW's responsibility.

At Star Tours, the cast members just shrugged when they were asked what was going on and said they couldn't do anything about it. I told her it was her job to manage the line and that the time listed should reflect the truth, not be a total fiction. She finally picked up the phone and I heard her shock when she found out half the lanes were closed.

We told a second cast member after we waited for an hour... the Disney app was saying 20 minutes. She also said " nothing I can do about it." After finally getting off the ride 75 minutes later, we ran into two managers and complained to them.

They said they had mechanical problems but hadn't known about the wrong line times until we brought it up to one of the cast members, who finally made a phone call.

Other people were just storming out of the ride. We told the managers they need yo empower their workers to solve problems.

The managers called ahead to Fantasmic so we could still use our fast passes.

I can't imagine how this is going to play out when DWGE opens it they are struggling to handle spring break.

I agree with this sentiment completely.

People are spending thousands of dollars on vacation and not all are savvy to the ins and outs of planning (ex. FP the moment of first availability, Touring Plan or similar and so on). The costs are going up and restrictions are increasing.

A snag here and there is inevitable, but if a ride is constantly breaking down the maintainence needs to increase or capacity decrease. If the Disney App is grossly inaccurate then find a way to make it more accurate. I think that it is valid for people to expect a better experience with increasing prices and not feel as though they got shafted.

If you feel that issueing a complaint about these things is being a downer then that is your opinion. I don’t like to complain when on vacation, but if something bothers me and isn’t up to what is expected I will talk to management. I most instances they are understanding, accommodating and will try to make the situation right. On our last Disney trip, between my husband and I we spoke to management three separate times. That was the first time in all our times at WDW that we’ve felt the need to do so.

 

[ScubaCat]

Disney customer service took a nose dive when they decided to prominently fill front line positions with College Program kids. While I'm not saying all CP hires are awful, when you fill out the bulk of your employee roster with people who are only there on short term contracts, don't get proper training, etc it's a recipe for disaster.

This has unfortunately been my experience on a few occasions as well. CP is great for all sorts of jobs, but just not everything.

We once (never again) bought the fantasmic dining package and went to go in 30 minutes before the time on the voucher and were told by CP person #1 that the theater was already full. We eventually decided to go in anyway and CP #2 was nervously yelling for everyone to back because the theatre was full and nobody else could go in. We then went down to guest services where CP #3 (who couldn't have been more than a week past his 18th birthday) was left all to himself to handle about a minor mob of 20+ people in the same situation. All he was able to do was ask how long people were staying and suggest we come back another night. Now, did any of these kids do anything wrong? Not at all. The problem is upper management that cheaps out on payroll and didn't properly staff both of these places. I called when I got home and a very nice woman in guest services added us to a guest list for a future trip. So, the problem was resolved with "disney magic", but what if we weren't going back the following year?

So do we go every year and have a good time? Absolutely. Everyone's situation is different and every trip is different. It's a major investment to visit a vacation resort and Disney is certainly no exception. Complaints are not invalid just because you didn't personally experience them, and at this price point, I see no problem calling it out. I want others to be aware in the short term and I want them to improve in the long term.

One last point: If Disney can afford $71B to buy Fox, they can afford to hire some more janitorial staff. And, they can afford to fix up some of these older attractions. (Peoplemover vehicles bumping each other... who'd've thunk it?)

 

[cakebaker]

Okay. I have been to Disneyland over 400 times. I have not once had an experience that makes me not want to go back. I had a very annoying glitch with my AP in 2016 that required numerous visits to the ticket booths to resolve, and in the end, Disney went above and beyond in a way that just made me appreciate them even more. My whole family was given a 3 month extension on our APs, food vouchers worth over $100 and a handful of anytime, any ride fastpasses, simply because I had to spend maybe a cumulative 90 minutes dealing with an IT glitch. That was the "worst" experience I have had at Disneyland and it was resolved fantastically. We have also received a lot of magic in the way of hotel upgrades to suites and CL over the years.

I've also been to WDW 30 times or so. I've gone every year since 2003, and several times before that, growing up. So, it's very easy for me to do side by side comparisons. I'll be back at WDW in 3 weeks. I just went to Disneyland yesterday, and will be back the next 2 weekends in a row.

I don’t give a business many chances. Once and it’s a fluke, two and it’s a pattern. That’s why it always puzzles me that someone will complain constantly, yet still keep giving Disney their money. I’m sure DLR could care less if they lost my business, but I don’t care if they did so we’re even. I am much more familiar with WDW. I’ve been going yearly at least, often more, since 1987. I’ve lost count, but have made well over 60 visits. I don’t stay loyal for that long if they’re doing it wrong and I can say the same of it as you do of DLR- not once have I experienced anything so bad it made me not want to go back. If I did, I’d make my complaints known and I’d quit going.

I know what my experience was and yours, regardless of how often you go, in no way changes what I experienced. We stayed at the Grand Californian on all our stays. The first was just before the 50th, not impressed, but not awful. The 2nd was for the 50th and it was excellent. The last two have gotten progressively worse. I only returned the 4th time so my grandson could enjoy Cars Land before he grew out of it. Now we’re done. It’s very much a local park.

I’m ok with you liking DLR better, it’s nothing to me. I was just pointing out not everyone agrees with you.

 

[Tiggerlover91]

It’s very much a local park.

I'm curious. I've heard many say this. Why is Disneyland more a local park and Disneyworld is more a tourist destination? I mean people come from all over the world to go to Disneyworld. This doesn't happen at Disneyland?