Question and frustration...and sadness.

[bsjs0708]

First the question: is there really and spontaneity? Is there any way to wake up and change your mind on which park? What about dining? What about just deciding last minute to race across the park to ride your favorite ride real quick B4 the park closes?
Now the frustration:
With the need for park reservations, dining reservations, even quick service, there seems to be no way to get around planning,scheduling, Watching the time, dealing with apps, paying extra for the opportunity to ride certain rides? And losing some of those special, magical touches that made Disney stand out for visitors. Not to mention the value resorts aren't such a value anymore, heck we have 2 and a half weeks reserved for January at the Fort and the weekends are over 200/night...at..a...campground! I remember being excited to plan for a Disney vacation and now it is more stress than fun! Now, its alot like my 9 to 5 job...we've been doing Disney as a family since 1999 and this year none of us are "feeling it" no matter how much we want it, that feeling if nostalgia, warmth, "coming home" is quickly fading with the direction Disney has gone in the past few years. I get it! "Gotta change with the times"..."embrace change"...but considering the vast amounts of money we dole out for Disney, there are some things that should be left alone..."if it ain't broke"
What happened to Walts idea of "plussing" an experience?
Sadly, we are canceling, the family is sad but more for the changes in our beloved Disney than for canceling the trip.
Disney, we loved you, but this family is saying goodbye...

 

[MakiraMarlena]

1) Yes
2) Yes
3) Yes
4) Yes
With caveats. If you want to maximize your day you are going to have to plan. If you're visiting at one of the busier times you will have to plan. If you want to do stuff that almost everyone else wants to do as well, you will have to plan.

It's absolutely possible to pick your park reservation the same day. If it's a popular day, some parks might not be available. If that is a problem for you, then it's a problem for you, I can see where some would consider it a problem.
You don't need dining reservations for everything but you do need to be open to possibly trying a place that isn't on your radar most of the time. For some that could be a problem. if you are going on a very popular day the pickings might be slim, but that was always the case.
I don't know what to think about mobile order. I like not standing in line. Especially in covid times.
I am unaware that it's been made impossible to race across the park and get in your favorite ride before the park closes. I might be missing something. Unless the ride has a virtual queue, which right now is two rides.
Yes, the prices are high. The prices might be too high for many.

 

[Steve678]

I would say that the only real limitation to being spontaneous is not being able to hop until 2 but that was never an issue. We made dining reservations for lunch/dinner every day this week, cancelled all but 2 of them and changed the time on both of those to match our schedule. We could have easily changed our park reservations the morning of in we wanted but we were not too wrapped up in being in certain places each day. We had no real plans this week, were able to do everything we wanted to do and a lot more without any issues at all. Change is hard but none of the things you listed as a barrier to your trip are actually a real barrier.

 

[Marthasor]

We went in mid-June with zero ADRs. We either did mobile order (which was easy) or made ADRs day-of and ended up with some great restaurants (Chefs, Le Cellier, etc.). Of course you can run across a park and do standby for your favorite ride one last time before closing. Standby lines aren't going away.

 

[tobikaye]

First the question: is there really and spontaneity? Is there any way to wake up and change your mind on which park?

If I woke up today and wanted to change my park, then I could, all parks are open for reservations. As they move away from the attendance restrictions that were in place from the pandemic and reestablish cast members to proper level there will not be as many sold out days.

What about dining?

I was in WDW at the end of June/beginning of July. We made same day reservations, usually within 1-2 hours of when we would wanted to eat. This was the same as prior trips for me. I rarely make more than a few reservations for a week long trip. I made 3 prior to this trip and only kept 1, the rest were cancelled and we found other places to eat: Beaches and Cream, Wave, Whispering Canyon, and Il Mulino. We could have had some other restaurants that are deemed "OMG I got ...", but these were the ones we choose.

What about just deciding last minute to race across the park to ride your favorite ride real quick B4 the park closes?

I have not heard that this would be going away. It might be I am not up to date, but sorry, I rarely did this anyway, so for me, not a big deal.

For me, I do not think it will be much different than prior trips, maybe a bit more phone use, but heck, even before FP+, I was pulling up sites on my phone that told me the wait times or checking for a last minute ADR. I have never been a park commando and have always done a laid back trip to WDW where I make adjustments as I go. I do not see that being much different even with the new implementation. I am not going to stress about the changes until I actually try to see if I like. I figure it is the veggie approach. If I try the broccoli and do not like, oh well, I move on. If I like, yeah, how else can I use this.

..., but this family is saying goodbye...

Hopefully, you find a better fit for your family's future vacations.

 

[mousefan73]

Glad in a way ADRs are hard to get let minute. Keeps me from making the spontaneous error of forking over 200+for a family meal.

 

[cakebaker]

Is there any way to wake up and change your mind on which park? What about dining? What about just deciding last minute to race across the park to ride your favorite ride real quick B4 the park closes?

Yes, you can switch parks last minute, subject to availability and with increased capacity, that is becoming easier and easier. We did it a couple of times on our last trip, but moved from a full park to one that was not.
Switching dining reservations last minute has almost always been an issue with availability. We don't do sit down dining anymore and choose at the moment where we want to eat. No planning ahead at all.
And you still can race across the park to ride something at closing.

But if it no longer fits you, then changing up is your best option. I know the feeling of sadness that things aren't what they use to be and we aren't returning until more of the things we love are back. Hopefully soon. We have no intention of writing WDW off for forever, but for some, that's the best choice.

 

[cindyfan]

I totally feel your frustration! My biggest frustration is the cost!! How they can continue to increase prices at such ridiculous rates and continue to take things away. I am paying now for a value what I paid just 3 years ago for a moderate..... I looked at our trip for Sept 2018 and average night was $186 for Coronado Springs.... my trip at Pop coming up in 3 weeks is $205 per night!!!!!! Same time frame! same type of discount! It's just the rack rate has increased so much!!!!
On top of all the things that have been taken away!!
I like the good mix of spontaneity and planning. I liked the day of Fast Passes... and got used to the Fast Pass+ because it guaranteed I could hit the "big" attractions. We usually only did 1 or 2 table services the whole trip so that's not a big deal.
But.... the other huge frustration is the no hopping till 2pm! If I have to pay for Genie+ or wait till 2pm to hop to try for lower crowds and shorter lines?? I can see myself standing in the middle of MK at noon just simply angry!!!

And if I hear one more person say "Well, Disney is a business! and they have to answer to the stockholders! And they lost so much money in the pandemic!" ..... I think I will implode!!! The entire world was in the pandemic! Why is it acceptable for Disney to use this as their excuse to stick it to us?! This was their plan for years..... to just make this a rich people's vacation so they can make their shareholders rich.

 

[Ermise]

The point about how you, me, and many others are feeling is a very important one. Disney Parks is in the business of selling emotions: nostalgia, wonder, joy, feeling like a kid again, making precious memories with your children/family, etc. They recognize that and produce advertisements and announcements to evoke that from their target audience. That's how they drive sales.

As a fellow Disney veteran I'm sure I could go the parks today or later this year when the big changes begin to take place and have a great, productive vacation. I know what I need to do to make park reservations, what to do to maximize ride times and make dinner reservations, etc. We will figure out how to make the most out of Genie+, but the much bigger point people are missing or dismissing is I don't want to anymore and I know I'm not alone.

The latest string of announcements and changes are not evoking emotions of joy or excitement, but rather resentment, frustration, and sadness. We typically have gone annually and I couldn't wait to get back the following year. The time between trips was always spent listening to DPark Radio, excitedly planning for our next trip, watching live Youtube videos of people at the park, and keeping up on all the new and exciting changes that will be new to us on our next visit.

That excitement is gone for me so I just want to say I hear you and understand where are you are coming from.

 

[KittyKitty]

How they can continue to increase prices at such ridiculous rates and continue to take things away.

Because guests will pay for it. When guests stop coming, then Disney will lower(discount) the costs. Disney is adding also. New rides, new restaurants, new experiences.
It is your choice to modify your trip or not come if it's not worth it to you.

 

[mi*vida*loca]

I feel that this new system will leave more room for changes and spontaneity and less planning.

Yes you have to make park reservations but with increased capacity dates aren’t really filling up. They’ve even opened up for the 50th. You may have issues Xmas week but other than that I don’t see it filling up.

With FP+ if you had FP+ set at MK and decided you wanted AK instead you most likely weren’t going to get a FOP if you decided to switch parks. With G+ nothing is reserved until that morning so you can pick where to go when you wake up.

As for ADRs, during normal times we never had an issue booking same day dining reservations even at popular places. They really do open up. For a 9 day trip we only had 3 ADRs. The rest were made on the fly.

 

[loves to dive]

Sorry you are having to cancel. It is what you make of it.

We don't plan a thing except park reservations. We make ADRs day of (usually in the afternoon walking around) and have had no problems finding somewhere to eat. We always have park hoppers and like trying new places. We ride everything we want to ride. Do we wait in lines? Sometimes, sometime no. We rarely used the old FP system, we didn't like to plan and didn't like to have to be somewhere at a certain time. We don't plan on buying Genie +, again, we will just wait in line. We rarely eat QS so haven't even tried mobile order yet. We tend to snack our meals or do last minute ADRs (again hate to plan love to go by seat of our pants). We park hop all the time and have continued to do so even with the 2 pm restriction. I don't love it, but it's fine. Since we rarely rope drop and usually don't get to our first park until later in the morning, we ride a few rides, go somewhere for lunch or back to the resort for a break then hit park 2.

I actually think right now is the best time for those of us who don't like to plan. It's the way we have been doing it all along. We don't even look at the wait times on the app. We go to a ride and look at the line and how it's moving and decide from there. The only time I pull my phone out is to book an ADR or read on my Kindle while waiting in line or snap a picture.

 

[Dismama2boys]

The point about how you, me, and many others are feeling is a very important one. Disney Parks is in the business of selling emotions: nostalgia, wonder, joy, feeling like a kid again, making precious memories with your children/family, etc. They recognize that and produce advertisements and announcements to evoke that from their target audience. That's how they drive sales.

As a fellow Disney veteran I'm sure I could go the parks today or later this year when the big changes begin to take place and have a great, productive vacation. I know what I need to do to make park reservations, what to do to maximize ride times and make dinner reservations, etc. We will figure out how to make the most out of Genie+, but the much bigger point people are missing or dismissing is I don't want to anymore and I know I'm not alone.

The latest string of announcements and changes are not evoking emotions of joy or excitement, but rather resentment, frustration, and sadness. We typically have gone annually and I couldn't wait to get back the following year. The time between trips was always spent listening to DPark Radio, excitedly planning for our next trip, watching live Youtube videos of people at the park, and keeping up on all the new and exciting changes that will be new to us on our next visit.

That excitement is gone for me so I just want to say I hear you and understand where are you are coming from.

This expresses really well what I have been feeling. If my kids didn’t already know about our December trip, I would likely cancel it. I’m far from a Disney apologist, but I do understand the need for them to make money. I haven’t liked some of the decisions over the last few years, but none made me lose my excitement. Genie+ is apparently what the limit was for me, and I’m really in a funk about it, which has surprised me. For the first time I can remember in my life, I no longer feel happy when I think about Disney, and I’m really feeling that loss.

 

[seashoreCM]

(copied from another forum)

When things become "sold out" within three seconds of IPO you cannot blame Disney for putting big price tags on them.

 

[courtney1188]

I don’t know if this is something you’d ever be interested in, but a solo trip is perfect for not planning. It’s much easier to get Fastpass, and I assume it will be the same with lightning lane, as a part of one. Some of the nice restaurants have bars you can sit at if you didn’t make a reservation and you can nearly always find a space at them when you’re by yourself! For me, it’s the ultimate ‘be spontaneous and do whatever you want right in that moment’ kind of trip.

 

[katyringo]

Let go of the FOMO and you can be as spontaneous as you want- the one exception probably being park reservations.. but even those if your not going at a super busy time are probably easily changed day of.

 

[katyringo]

I believe genie plus will make trips even more spontaneous.

 

[SandyinMonterey]

We've been going to WDW (and DL) for the past 20 years as DVC and traveled there before many times. We even got married at WDW. For some years now, the planning has gotten to me. I say me because I'm the one who does it all. I never liked making FP 60 days in advance. I always felt we got a lot less FP that way. Genie + appears to me like the old paper FP system. Get a FP, use it, get another. I'm hoping that will help and be able to get more FP to ride more attractions. Now...the cost of it is the other side of the coin. I'm not certain how I feel about that yet, especially the upgrade to the more popular attractions. As far as dining goes for us, it has been our experience if we don't have an ADR, we don't get in. There have been many times we didn't want to eat at our ADR but nothing else was available. I remember years ago we thought about staying at Universal (I've never been there). I called because I had a lot of questions and I asked the lady over the phone about dining reservations and she responded, "it's not like that, we're not Disney." LOL! I understand park reservations at this day and age of Covid, and hopefully that will not be forever.

 

[hergosling]

People, the parks were getting too busy. They have to start to price people out. I'm sorry if it hurts your feelings. Fewer people in the parks actually increases the experience for the people who accepted the increases and paid more to be there. They will cater to the guests that can fork over more money, always. End of story. This is the way of the world. It will always make more sense to make more money off of fewer people. And hey, if the same amount of people keep coming, at the higher prices, then that's even better for Disney.

Take a look at the world around you. Everything is going up. I've done it in my own business. Increases in overhead costs, whether it be payroll, supplies, or goods to be sold, will always be passed on to the consumer. Have you noticed what a Big Mac costs now that all the fast food workers are getting paid $15 an hour??

In regards to hotel rates... I just had to pay $239 for a Saturday night stay at a crappy Hampton Inn outside of Syracuse, NY this past summer during a baseball tourney for my son. $219 a night for another one outside of Cleveland, OH- why shouldn't Disney's value resorts be as much as they are?? They're a steal considering where they are.

And not for nothing, they don't want everyone purchasing Genie+. Actually I'm shocked it's not more than the $15. If everyone buys it, then there will be no advantage and it will seem "not worth it". I'm reserving my judgement until it all plays out. I don't think they've released enough info yet. To my knowledge, they haven't even released what rides will even be on the Genie+ "list".

Personally, my husband and I have been feeling for a few years that Disney isn't "worth it". But my kids love it and I love making them happy. I wholly believe my money would be spent better elsewhere; but for now, that's where we keep going back to. When their wants change, or if we simply can no longer afford it, our vacation choices will too.

 

[GoingSince1990]

Lovers of spontaneity should be thrilled about FP+ being replaced by Genie. You will now be able to wake up in the morning, pick an available park on the spur of the moment, and be able to ride most or all of the best rides with very little wait, something that was impossible with FP+ unless you preplanned. And while people complain about having to use their phone, phones have vastly helped with being spontaneous, whether by letting people know about an unexpectedly short SB line somewhere, or an ADR for a restaurant suddenly becoming available.