Refurb Blues.....

[xipotec]

I had a bad day at work, and came home to the news, so yes , not happy......since right now WDW is my happy thought....and Dinosaur was suppose to have been finished by now....
(its going to be a 4 month refub assuming it does not get pushed back again.)

OP, Most of your MK list is after the first of the year, therefore have nothing to do with Thanksgiving. Your list is very misleading.

Actually, there are dated next to all the refurbs so no sure why its misleading at all? My initial point is the refurb list are LONG no matter when your going this fall or Winter...Seems like they only left off TG and Xmas week from refurbs....obviously due to the capacity they expect...

We just spent a week at WDW in September. During our trip the following were closed for refurbishment:
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
It's A SMALL World
Swiss Family Robinson Tree house
DINOSAUR
A lot of Hollywood Studios is gone / closed for Star wars and Toy Story land construction

Honestly even with all of that closed down, we still had an amazing vacation.

Very glad you had fun. I fully expect to have a blast also. I always say, worst day at WDW is better than any day at work. But your list just exemplifies my point. Your paid a good amount to visit parks that had major headliners off line all at once. I cannot remember a time when they took that many rides off from all the parks at the same time.

It would cost my friend an extra $300 to add the park hopper option for her family...the whole process has lost too much of the joy she used to get from it. The trip planning used to be an upward curve of positive feelings. Now it starts at a high, then continues to drop in a series of disappointments and frustrations. If it recovers at the end once she arrives at the parks, that's great. But it's still a far less enjoyable process.

Sort of on point....With ticket prices rising, but the list of reburbs growing, whats going on really at WDW? My main point was is the park getting old or under poor management?
The forums are FULL or Disney Apologists who can and will never see any fault in anything with the Disney brand. I am a HUGE Disney fan, but feel its important to look at thing objectively... many on the forum support WDW and all decisins made...like people support there initial presidential candidate no matter how crazy he/she gets over the course of the elections.

WDW is a SERVICE business. Taking attractions off line has a serious effect on daily wait time lines, restaurant availability and check out lines in shops...non of which is really in the spirit of a service based resort destination.

They seem to so this during slow times right? So, basically they are saying the guest during this time do not deserve a full experience???
While during peak full crowd weeks, they are sure to have everything running , even if they will refurb it the following "slower week"?
Add to this the slowing phenom of "capacity scaling" and you can see crazy bad service!!

Example: BTMRR closed for refurb
Stitch closed for seasonal operation (what ever that means)
Swiss family Tree house closed for refurb
Splash: reduced visits due to weather.
Add possible attraction down time due to technical issues....
Add possible "capacity Scaling"


No matter how you personally feel about each of these rides....the FACT remains that it puts pressure on the lines everywhere else. All these seem like they are possible. What would that do for the "normal slow times" at WDW. And how do you think most guest would feel at that point?

OP, you left off a biggie for a lot of people..... MSEP"

Yup thanks for that!

Not to mention, having to run with 6 month reservation windows, when WDW can't even tell us if Rivers of light would be running? We all saw them say it would be ready by summer? What happened with that? We made our plans based upon a show which several times was promised...but not delivered.

How about park hour not even being posted in time for ADR's?

I know a certain website that has given up on crowd calanders because they see the same thing...totally unpredictable policy with WDW.

 

[Hopefully]

WDW is a SERVICE business. Taking attractions off line has a serious effect on daily wait time lines, restaurant availability and check out lines in shops...non of which is really in the spirit of a service based resort destination.

This has to be one of the most misguided statements I have seen in a longtime. Walt Disney World is in the AMUSEMENT PARK Business. I find it totally offensive to all of the dedicated workers in the service industry who are lumped in with a amusement park.

 

[jkh36619]

My advice to anyone who only goes to WDW every 5 or 6 years or more, go during peak times. Spring Break, summer or late December. Slower times has closures. Been that way for ever and it should be no surprise.

 

[mom2rtk]

My advice to anyone who only goes to WDW every 5 or 6 years or more, go during peak times. Spring Break, summer or late December. Slower times has closures. Been that way for ever and it should be no surprise.

I would probably stop going first.

 

[BuckeyeBama]

I remember the golden days at WDW, when there was only one park, there were no fast passes, and the lines were ALL crazy long. We still had a good time.

There will be plenty to do if you go. If you wait, the list of ongoing refurbs will be just as long, or longer. Why? Because there are so many parks and so many attractions to keep maintained - and the number of attractions available keeps increasing.

 

[lustergirl]

Rehabs are a part of life no matter what amusement park. Sometimes I don't get all the hype. People complain that things need to be redone and when they are being refurbished they gripe about that too. There is still so much to do at Disney.

 

[Sparkly]

For goodness sake, if this is your attitude before you even go, you don't even stand a chance of enjoying it whilst you're there.

 

[miamimi]

I've been to WDW in January when many rides were closed. I've been in the pouring rain. I've been in massive crowds. Frankly, going in an off week in January with decent weather and short lines made up for the fact that my favorite ride (Splash Mountain) was closed (this was Jan 2014).

I also loved going in the slow times, but now FP+ and MDE has allowed the management to reduce staff when the parks are slower. Thus every day is a crowd level 7.

 

[miamimi]

This has to be one of the most misguided statements I have seen in a longtime. Walt Disney World is in the AMUSEMENT PARK Business. I find it totally offensive to all of the dedicated workers in the service industry who are lumped in with a amusement park.

I am part of the Service industry, as a nurse. But I thought the service industries included any business that was dealing on the front line with customers. So that would include amusement parks, hair salons, food service... No?

 

[Hopefully]

I am part of the Service industry, as a nurse. But I thought the service industries included any business that was dealing on the front line with customers. So that would include amusement parks, hair salons, food service... No?

I suppose you could look at it like that.
But I too am a nurse. I don't think the responsibilities and care attitude of a ticket taker at an amusement park the same way I think about the responsibilities and caring of a first responder or fire fighter or a nurse etc. I am in no way belittling all that WDW Castmembers do for us, but it is very different

 

[mom2rtk]

For goodness sake, if this is your attitude before you even go, you don't even stand a chance of enjoying it whilst you're there.

Do Disney reservations come with a crystal ball now? Because many of these closures were announced long after people purchased non-refundable plane tickets and park tickets.

Everyone knows Disney refurbishes rides and shows. But I completely understand the frustration of those traveling in early November this year. It's a lot more than is typical.

Sometimes people just need to vent and hear "I'm sorry, that stinks".

 

[yulilin3]

So Dinosaur is now out of our plans....extended the refurn to NOV 20th!!!! (they re assigned out FP to PW). No nighttime Rivers of light in AK. Kali that time of year can be empty due to colder weather....leaves KS and EE......well and Primeval Whirl.....

So if your not a "show" person....not much to ride there....Why extend park hours at all???

ALSO
MK ...BTMRR out of the picture as well.... Splash could be too cold to ride except in the mid day...

• Big Thunder Mountain closed 8/8/2016- 11/18/2016
• Liberty Square Riverboat closed 1/3/2017- 1/12/2017
• Walt Disney World Railroad closed 1/9/2017- 2/16/2017
• Hall of Presidents closed 1/17/2017- 6/29/2017
• Stitch's Great Escape- is now a seasonal attraction 10/2/2016
• Haunted Mansion closed 11/28/2016- 12/1/2016

At HS: No Osbourne lights

• Legend of Jack Sparrow closed
• Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show closed permanently 04/03/16
• Honey, I Shrunk the Kids Movie Set Adventure closed permanently 04/03/16
• Meet and Greet: Mike and Sulley at Street of America closed permanently 04/03/16

If they cannot get these up by Thanksgiving, the park lines will be crazy!!!!!
Seems like a record number of high profile refurbs in January as well.

In the past , it seemed like refurbs were spread out much better.

Park showing its age?
Bad Management?

In short SUPER bummed out about BTMRR already....now losing Dinosaur?

For your personal trip you are only impacted by a couple of the things you have listed. I don't know how many times people on these boards have said that "everything is closed" at DHS when that's not the case. All of the DHS closures you have posted were announced almost a year ago, I don't understand why you think there's a need to point them out.
I understand that BTMR, Stitch, HM will impact your trip at MK and Dinosaur at AK.
I agree with a PP that said it's all about the attitude you take when going to the parks. You at least know what is closed and can plan accordingly

 

[dramadrew]

I am super bummed about HM being closed when I am there in December. However, I am glad I know now opposed to just finding out about the extension while I am down there. Also, it will give us extra time to do all the things we want to do. Mine Train wasn't open during last stay, but we still had a great time.

 

[jkh36619]

I would probably stop going first.

So be it, but if the OP wants to avoid closures, that's what you have to do. There is no other way around it other than hope for the best

 

[BuckeyeBama]

Do Disney reservations come with a crystal ball now? Because many of these closures were announced long after people purchased non-refundable plane tickets and park tickets.

Everyone knows Disney refurbishes rides and shows. But I completely understand the frustration of those traveling in early November this year. It's a lot more than is typical.

Sometimes people just need to vent and hear "I'm sorry, that stinks".

Or maybe they need to hear that they can have a great time in spite all of this, but only if they go with the right attitude and allow themselves to have a great time. Most of how you feel about what is happening around you comes from within.

 

[hiroMYhero]

Because this is basically a discussion of refurbs and how amusement parks operate, moving to TP Community where the discussion can continue.

 

[DrunkJam]

Currently I can't tell whether Disney is reducing my enjoyment of Disney (too much planning, too much research and matching up time differences to call / go online to book anything) reduced offerings, less care, less service, worse food, higher cost.

OR the DIS is reducing my enjoyment of Disney. (How do I know all these things are true? I know the planning is arduous, and the time juggling etc, but otherwise....)

OR the circumstances are reducing my enjoyment of Disney (taking my children, so my daughter will have been AS WELL as my son, WITH their Dad before he is too ill to travel)

I HOPE that, having put in a bunch of research and work, our trip will be fun and awesome. I hope they do their reforms often enough to make sure people don't get hurt, the only one we would be super sad to miss is Soarin, cos it was DH most favourite TP ride EVER, other wise, we'll roll with it, but, I guess it just feeds into a negative feeling I am picking up.

 

[xipotec]

This has to be one of the most misguided statements I have seen in a longtime. Walt Disney World is in the AMUSEMENT PARK Business. I find it totally offensive to all of the dedicated workers in the service industry who are lumped in with a amusement park.

Unless you ask WDW themselves...since THEY consider themselves a service business in every way. Just call up 1 (407) 939-5277 and wait for the obligatory post phone call survey....it is ALL about service expectations.
WDW is DEFINITELY a service business....

"How can I make you stay more magical?" If that is not a service based question, I do not know what is.......

For your personal trip you are only impacted by a couple of the things you have listed. I don't know how many times people on these boards have said that "everything is closed" at DHS when that's not the case. All of the DHS closures you have posted were announced almost a year ago, I don't understand why you think there's a need to point them out.
I understand that BTMR, Stitch, HM will impact your trip at MK and Dinosaur at AK.
I agree with a PP that said it's all about the attitude you take when going to the parks. You at least know what is closed and can plan accordingly

As I said.....worst day at WDW, better than any day at work....

BUT, as the trip was planned in January due to need for time off, saving cash, ADR's etc etc.....some things were handled poorly. It's not about whether or not I will have fun, again, the intention of the thread is park management and if they are doing as good of a job as in the past.

• RIVERS OF LIGHT! THIS MAY 2016! Nope.....
• Dinosaur Refurb ends Sept 2016! Nope again....
• Stitch becomes "seasonal" Sept 2016
• BTMRR refurb announced March 2016
• No official park hours or entertainment schedule even posted until late July 2016.
• MK Closing early November 17 for Special Event (4:30) unknown since schedule not posted.
• Ending of MSEP announced August 2016

Not my trip but the September closures to me were unprecedented...

I still an doing the happy dance...but my face is like....

any more cancellations or refurbs and I be like.....

I am still going to WDW in 23 days......

 

[xipotec]

Well, it happened anyway....

Gaspirilla Grill suddenly closed for next 2 months.....we were planning on using it as. Quuck stop for foods.....

I guess if its for food safety reasons , its better closed.....I cant think of any other reason for a sudden closire with no previous annoucements.....

Anyone know why the quick cloaure?

 

[AmyA]

I remember the golden days at WDW, when there was only one park, there were no fast passes, and the lines were ALL crazy long. We still had a good time.

Oh my gosh, this just flashed me back to Spring Break, 1989...where my sister and I happily waited 2.5 hours to ride Mr Toad's Wild Ride!! I remember being antsy once we got 2+ hours in but I had no trouble waiting. Now, you couldn't pay me to stand in line for 2.5 hours for anything!

As for refurbishments, we were also disappointed that during our recent trip, BTMRR, Swiss Family Treehouse, and DINOSAUR were all being refurbished. However, we still had an awesome time and the closures didn't affect us except for the twinges of regret we had when walking by the closed attractions.