Say it isn't so!

[Csaks]

Sadly I think we will be done with Disney after this next trip. The excitement isn't there this time, it's almost forced. Looking forward to Universal and Halloween Haunt but not so much the house of the mouse.
I figured it would happen eventually but not so soon.

 

[Disneylover99]

That's sad, but understandable. It happens. Is there a specific reason why you don't feel excited?

 

[Csaks]

The thing that is really bothering us is the lack of spontaneity the World has these days.
We remember when you could pick your park for the day, go to guest services and choose a restaurant, get a reservation for that night and off you go. OK, we figured out how to use that system, a bit more planning, it's a little weird planning where you'll be six months out. I'm not sure if it is just our perception but the quality and choices of food in the restaurants seem to have gone downhill the longer the dinning plan has been around.
Now they also want me to pick when I'm going to want to be on a ride months in advance. We haven't experienced this new system yet but I want to know what was wrong with the old one. I remember we would walk down Sunset, see that ToT and RRC where about an hour wait. Get a Fastpass for one and stand in line for the other. We loved it, thought it was a great system, wait for one but get to ride two rides in the same time frame. I realize we didn't use it like some did but it worked great for us.
Stupid stuff like World wide merchandise instead of place specific within the park like they use to have. I remember one trip I had to go back to AK because that was the only place you could get a certain item. Downtown Disney was fun back in the day, Comedy Club, live entertainment on the street, just a great place to have adult fun. Now it's a big shopping mall from one end to the other, selling the same junk. Does Disney really need another set of stores that take way entertainment?
I realize this next one isn't World specific but the attitudes of people in general these days is getting worse. I don't care how much you have paid to be here, the Joneses and Smiths did as well. Why does that make you special? Why do you need to be an ****** to those around you or employees you interact with?
I wish I could pin point what has changed since that honeymoon trip back in 2001. We had a ball, there was something about Disney that our local park couldn't touch with a ten foot pole. We couldn't wait to get back, planned our return on the plane ride home. Just very disappointed that I feel this way about the World now. I'm sure it's a bit of us and a bit of them but somehow the higher ups seem to be sucking the thing that made Disney head and shoulders better than other parks, right out of the place.

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

The thing that is really bothering us is the lack of spontaneity the World has these days.

I hear you.

Have you considered also giving the SeaWorld parks a try, along with Universal? SeaWorld, Aquatica, Discovery Cove and Busch Gardens could make for a refreshing change too.

 

[greenclan67]

Csaks I am sure there will be a lot of people disagreeing with you here. But we totally agree with you. I can't deal with the line ups, the amount of pre planning, so many months in advance is NOT a vacation for our family. We like to have just as many resort days as park days. We are also big Seaworld and the family of parks less planning the line ups aren't bearly as long. I hope you find a new way to vacay.

 

[andrniki]

I hear you.

Have you considered also giving the SeaWorld parks a try, along with Universal? SeaWorld, Aquatica, Discovery Cove and Busch Gardens could make for a refreshing change too.

Yikes! I'd never go to SeaWorld after watching the film Blackfish. Don't give them your money! If you won't go to Disney any longer, stick with Universal. But NOT SeaWorld!

 

[dsneygirl]

The thing that is really bothering us is the lack of spontaneity the World has these days.
We remember when you could pick your park for the day, go to guest services and choose a restaurant, get a reservation for that night and off you go. OK, we figured out how to use that system, a bit more planning, it's a little weird planning where you'll be six months out. I'm not sure if it is just our perception but the quality and choices of food in the restaurants seem to have gone downhill the longer the dinning plan has been around.
Now they also want me to pick when I'm going to want to be on a ride months in advance. We haven't experienced this new system yet but I want to know what was wrong with the old one. I remember we would walk down Sunset, see that ToT and RRC where about an hour wait. Get a Fastpass for one and stand in line for the other. We loved it, thought it was a great system, wait for one but get to ride two rides in the same time frame. I realize we didn't use it like some did but it worked great for us.
Stupid stuff like World wide merchandise instead of place specific within the park like they use to have. I remember one trip I had to go back to AK because that was the only place you could get a certain item. Downtown Disney was fun back in the day, Comedy Club, live entertainment on the street, just a great place to have adult fun. Now it's a big shopping mall from one end to the other, selling the same junk. Does Disney really need another set of stores that take way entertainment?
I realize this next one isn't World specific but the attitudes of people in general these days is getting worse. I don't care how much you have paid to be here, the Joneses and Smiths did as well. Why does that make you special? Why do you need to be an ****** to those around you or employees you interact with?
I wish I could pin point what has changed since that honeymoon trip back in 2001. We had a ball, there was something about Disney that our local park couldn't touch with a ten foot pole. We couldn't wait to get back, planned our return on the plane ride home. Just very disappointed that I feel this way about the World now. I'm sure it's a bit of us and a bit of them but somehow the higher ups seem to be sucking the thing that made Disney head and shoulders better than other parks, right out of the place.

You don't HAVE to do any of those things. You can still just wander and get in whatever line you please. WDW isn't forcing you to make your FP selections early. Likewise with dining you can make an ADR or you can chance it, or eat quick serve or pack a lunch.

But for my family most rides ridden never meant a more successful day. We like the parades, shows, live entertainment, fireworks etc.

Many feel like you but the parks are busier than ever. This past week there were days where it was almost capacity and it was not a holiday. I'm sure Easter crowds will be huge. Different strokes for different folks.

 

[bankr63]

The thing that is really bothering us is the lack of spontaneity the World has these days.

Personally, I think you should consider putting spontaneity back in yourself. I agree that the blush comes off the Mouse eventually. So get out and discover what a wonderful place Central Florida is for a great vacation. We return year after year, and we always have a couple of days set aside for Disney stuff, but there is so much more to do in Orlando, and so much cheaper once you get out of the grip of Disney.

This trip, don't stay onsite. Don't eat at Disney's restaurants; Orlando has a vibrant dining scene from high brow restaurants to at least one of every chain existing in America. There are Atlantic and Gulf Coast beaches a bit more than an hour away in either direction. There are nature experiences. There are sports and adventure experiences. There are museums and galleries. Get out and explore and you can find enough there to keep you coming back for decades more. And you can still get your Mouse on without being his slave...

 

[Cottager]

I think I've said, "That's it, no more!" after every trip. Somehow, we still find an excuse to return back a few times each year. Even after trying out all of the other theme parks on both coasts and exploring the rest of Florida, we keep finding our way back to the World. My only regret is that I stopped buying Annual Passes by insisting that we wouldn't be returning.

Each trip, we change Disney hotels, try new on-site restaurants and experience new tours and activities. It's amazing how many different things there are to do besides the Parks but remain on-site.

I was concerned about trying to adjust to a new Touring plan with the FastPass+ system but I see we can now grab additional passes after our 3 are used up. We'll just book our 3 FastPass+ for first thing in the morning and use the new FastPass+ kiosks in the parks to book additional fastpasses on the fly for the rest of the day. Thank goodness Disney made this latest change!!!

 

[damo]

Yikes! I'd never go to SeaWorld after watching the film Blackfish. Don't give them your money! If you won't go to Disney any longer, stick with Universal. But NOT SeaWorld!

Oh gosh. You really need to do some research on Blackfish. There was a lot of misrepresentation going on there.

http://micechat.com/54370-blackfish-backlash/

http://www.prweb.com/releases/2014/01/prweb11517683.htm

http://marinemammaltrainer.com/the-truth-behind-blackfish/

 

[Csaks]

You don't HAVE to do any of those things. You can still just wander and get in whatever line you please. WDW isn't forcing you to make your FP selections early. Likewise with dining you can make an ADR or you can chance it, or eat quick serve or pack a lunch.

But for my family most rides ridden never meant a more successful day. We like the parades, shows, live entertainment, fireworks etc.

Many feel like you but the parks are busier than ever. This past week there were days where it was almost capacity and it was not a holiday. I'm sure Easter crowds will be huge. Different strokes for different folks.

I realize I don't have to do any of those things but thats what made it special for us at one time. Life was better without ADR's, we like to just get up and go where ever our hearts feel is the best place that day. Yes we have a rough plan as to what days, what parks but that changes all the time for various reasons. Now if we change our park plans for that day and we have an ADR there we have to go back because the chances of getting another one for the new park you have decided on is slim to none and slim left for home. As for rides, we have been so often and stay so long the last little while, if there is a big line we keep on going. I liked the fact I could walk up to RRC (My favourite), lines too long, grab a Fastpass and come back later.
I'm just going by our past experiences and how things have changed in my opinion for the bad, you are right different strokes for different folks. If you like the way things are now, knock your socks off and have a blast. We are going to give her one more go at it to make sure.

I think I've said, "That's it, no more!" after every trip. Somehow, we still find an excuse to return back a few times each year. Even after trying out all of the other theme parks on both coasts and exploring the rest of Florida, we keep finding our way back to the World. My only regret is that I stopped buying Annual Passes by insisting that we wouldn't be returning.

Each trip, we change Disney hotels, try new on-site restaurants and experience new tours and activities. It's amazing how many different things there are to do besides the Parks but remain on-site.

I was concerned about trying to adjust to a new Touring plan with the FastPass+ system but I see we can now grab additional passes after our 3 are used up. We'll just book our 3 FastPass+ for first thing in the morning and use the new FastPass+ kiosks in the parks to book additional fastpasses on the fly for the rest of the day. Thank goodness Disney made this latest change!!!

I'm glad they have fixed this little problem with FP. I hope by Oct they will have something for us Parkhoppers too. The last few trips we have changed it up, saw things we always passed by instead of the headliners, changed hotels, etc. thinking that was the problem. Plus it's getting damn expensive. Yes we could stay offsite do different things in town but Disney was why I go to central Florida. Staying onsite is/was part of the trip.
Thinking about getting a trailer in cottage country now, lots of nice places and your vacation buck goes longer and all summer. Glad we didn't buy DVC three trips ago, it was close. Maybe we just need a longer break in between trips to build the excitement?

 

[LLM]

Yikes! I'd never go to SeaWorld after watching the film Blackfish. Don't give them your money! If you won't go to Disney any longer, stick with Universal. But NOT SeaWorld!

I had the exact same thought! I wanted to visit SeaWorld until I watched Blackfish. My mind changed very quickly after that documentary!

Lisa

 

[Csaks]

Oh gosh. You really need to do some research on Blackfish. There was a lot of misrepresentation going on there.

http://micechat.com/54370-blackfish-backlash/

http://www.prweb.com/releases/2014/01/prweb11517683.htm

http://marinemammaltrainer.com/the-truth-behind-blackfish/

It's a typical Animal Rights fluff piece, stretch the truth a wee bit to tug at your heart strings so you'll 'donate now!' I'm sure there can be improvements but when you dig down they always embellish the facts.

 

[dsneygirl]

I realize I don't have to do any of those things but thats what made it special for us at one time. Life was better without ADR's, we like to just get up and go where ever our hearts feel is the best place that day. Yes we have a rough plan as to what days, what parks but that changes all the time for various reasons. Now if we change our park plans for that day and we have an ADR there we have to go back because the chances of getting another one for the new park you have decided on is slim to none and slim left for home. As for rides, we have been so often and stay so long the last little while, if there is a big line we keep on going. I liked the fact I could walk up to RRC (My favourite), lines too long, grab a Fastpass and come back later.
I'm just going by our past experiences and how things have changed in my opinion for the bad, you are right different strokes for different folks. If you like the way things are now, knock your socks off and have a blast. We are going to give her one more go at it to make sure.

We will 3 more trips in the pipeline. And we will because we keep going back. None of that stuff bothers us but lots of others here on the DIS are not happy so you can certainly vote with their $$$.

ADRs have been a requirement for at least a decade though to get anything decent. Since the DDP in 2005 an absolute must. I think probably post 9/11 was about the last of the "good old days" for getting walk ins at peak time/popular places.

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

Oh gosh. You really need to do some research on Blackfish. There was a lot of misrepresentation going on there.

http://micechat.com/54370-blackfish-backlash/

http://www.prweb.com/releases/2014/01/prweb11517683.htm

http://marinemammaltrainer.com/the-truth-behind-blackfish/

Thank you damo You saved me a lot of typing.

 

[greenclan67]

I agree Gina. These are the parks for me. Although not for everyone, I love tha laid back atmosphere of the SW family of parks.

 

[greenclan67]

I agree Gina. These are the parks for me. Although not for everyone, I love tha laid back atmosphere of the SW family of parks.

 

[kuhltiffany]

We switched to Disney cruises, and have done those or Universal our last few trips. DW just isn't the same anymore, we probably won't be back for a while...

 

[Salinger]

Oh gosh. You really need to do some research on Blackfish. There was a lot of misrepresentation going on there.

http://micechat.com/54370-blackfish-backlash/

http://www.prweb.com/releases/2014/01/prweb11517683.htm

http://marinemammaltrainer.com/the-truth-behind-blackfish/

I have no doubt that Blackfish wasn't 100% unbiased, but I'm just as sure that the few people quoted in the links above aren't either. Like all things, the truth lies somewhere in the middle.

What I do know, is that regardless of how well they're cared for, keeping killer whales in tanks like they do in Sea World and elsewhere, is the equivalent of forcing a human being to live inside a small studio apartment their entire life and never being allowed to go outside. That's not something I want to support financially, regardless of how well they might feed or treat that human inside the apartment.

 

[tgropp]

I understand the O.P's frustration . I wish that WDW vacations would be as magical as they used to be but the money driven mentality of Disney will never allow that. I have also noticed the rudeness of some guests that was never there in the 90's, but then the crowds that we now experience were never there except for Holiday times. I think the reason that I continue to go back is because of the time of year when we go. It is always at Christmas time and it is so magical at that time of year. The rides are secondary to all the other events that take place. Having said all this.....I for one am very happy with the excessive planning that is now available. When we were there this past Christmas, crowds were horrendous as usual. But with the option of picking three fastpasses, we would use them all up before noon and we would experience five major rides by lunchtime. Then it would be pooltime, waterpark or sometimes golf in the afternoon. We always had 5:00 p.m. dinner reservations and another 3 hours in the park (with less people there). The new system allows us to preplan so much relaxation time, especially now that we have a young grandchild to plan around. I understand that our way is not for everyone but I hope that the O.P. will someday rediscover the magic.