some observations (economy)

[OneMoreTry]

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* Few public character meet-and-greets
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As an aside, the formal character meet and greet emerged long after WDW opened. Appearances, although not totally unpredictable, were not formally scheduled, and to see the characters you had to be in the right place at the right time.

Seeing the characters was not as common, but much more memorable in those "good ol' days."

More on topic, when there are less people at WDW (we were there 9/18/01 for 5 days), you don't NEED as many shows to provide adequate access for all. so reducing # of available rooms and showtimes, in my mind, is not a cut-back.

I guess I wasn't as sensitive to the reduced quality at the time -- it was so cool to be walking onto all the rides and into all the restaurants. To me a Mickey shaped plate versus another kind of plate is not a big deal. it's the food on the plate that counts.

In Sept 01, WDW offered to refund ALL nonrefundable deposits to anyone who was afraid to travel. To me, THAT IS quality and makes up for any necessary "cutback" during a very difficult time, which persists to this day. If you remember, WDW was considered a major target for a secondary attack, so I'm sure they had to invest significant resources in safety.

We can all sit back and complain and second-guess, but the bottom line is that DL has survived over 50 years and WDW over 30 in a time of incredible social and technological change, and they are still considered a standard of quality recreation -- DIS critics notwithstanding -- so the DisneyParks decision makers have my respect if not my agreement with every nitpicking decision.

 

[MiaSRN62]

OneMoreTry : but the bottom line is that DL has survived over 50 years and WDW over 30 in a time of incredible social and technological change, and they are still considered a standard of quality recreation -- DIS critics notwithstanding -- so the DisneyParks decision makers have my respect if not my agreement with every nitpicking decision.

There's always going to be up and coming families who want to take their kids to WDW/DL---who have never been---and they don't even realize what's been cut back. I really think it's people like you (in general) and me---the seasoned wdw travelers---, that notice the cutbacks. I miss the good ole days when the characters would just wander the park and wave. Now it's all generic.....all the characters lined up in qeues....in nice straight lines side by side. Cookie cutter gift shops.....etc....it used to all be better imho. But the number of hotel rooms (DVC and non), has ballooned. Yet, the parks aren't growing at the same pace as the hotels and they always appear more crowded than they have in the past. If disney decides to build any more hotels/DVC's in WDW, I think they need to add another park.

So I think WDW is sometimes just trying to keep afloat at the lowest dollar to them that they can. Sure this is in the best interest of Disney, but leads to a lesser quality of vacation to the guest---and it's the frequent flier guest that really takes note of this. Cutbacks like character interaction, cookie cutter/generic gift shops, parade cutbacks (remember Tapestry of Nations ?), the Disney Dining Plan (really hurt the quality of food and the ability to get reservations imho), restaurants closing (Bonfamilles at POFQ and there were a few others too that escape me right now)......remember little touches like when Mickey used to swim in the tank at the Coral Reef ? Mickey's Tropical Luau which was a really cute luau at the Poly with characters who would dance around with the kids.....I could go on. And I'm sure you're going to say that if Disney didn't do all the cutbacks, they'd not be able to stay afloat and the parks may not be able to operate as they do now period. I'm sure this is all sounding selfish ---all that I'm reminiscing about and missing. It's probably only us long-time guests that really feel the cutbacks. But I can recall times of the year where it was so nice and not overcrowded at the parks (times that used to be nice that no longer are : most of Oct, Nov and early Dec). Now it's just "jam 'em in there" and hope they don't notice that the "quality" of a wdw vacation has diminished. But alas, I know this is selfish of me. I just see what's been taken away and don't feel as much has been given back ? So I'm not sure the disney park decision makers have my "respect", as so much I understand why they need to do some of the things they have. I'm sure many would disagree with me.

 

[np4gp]

I just wanted to say that I was at MK today and checked out the shop near Magic Carpets of Aladdin (like almost right across from Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse) that sells Roxy and other surf type clothing. It has some great clothing and even the name brand Hurley, Roxy and other surfwear was included in the 40% off. I guess most people who goto the parks are looking for Disney gear, but I thought it was great that they were including name brand gear in the sale.

 

[LindaBabe]

And they made many of the walkways wider, or added them where they weren't before - to accommodate the larger crowds and cut down on the expensive landscaping. Did they really think we wouldn't notice?

I don't shop any more either - the stuff is BORING. I LOVED Disney AT HOME. But I'm not going to buy their furniture at those prices. Give me a quality towel I can use!

We used to only eat out at Disney - because it was good - adventurous - interesting. Now it's generic, enforced "healty" which I do at home not on vacation, overcrowded, and overpriced.

Sad.

 

[OneMoreTry]

.... I miss the good ole days when the characters would just wander the park and wave. Now it's all generic.....all the characters lined up in qeues....in nice straight lines side by side. Cookie cutter gift shops.....etc....it used to all be better imho. But the number of hotel rooms (DVC and non), has ballooned. Yet, the parks aren't growing at the same pace as the hotels and they always appear more crowded than they have in the past. If disney decides to build any more hotels/DVC's in WDW, I think they need to add another park.

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If I could change they way Disney did it, I would have wanted NO economy resorts on property. When I was a kid, my family could not afford to stay at the disney resorts, which were all "deluxe." We would eat at the resorts once in a while, but in the evening we would stay at the Red Roof Inn, which was only one of a few hotels on 192 -- at that time a road with 2 lanes surrounded by orange trees. Or we camped at Jellystone, where Yogi Bear would come by at breakfast time.

If Disney HAD provided a reasonably priced hotel, we might have stayed there, but then it wouldn't have been as desirable. I would much rather have stayed off property so that WDW would not have to compromise its excellence and reputation. But I guess they saw that as losing potential dollars. And were willing to compromise.

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I also wish for the good ol' days. But those days included a smaller, much slower Orlando, and an empty Florida Turnpike running through a state with 1/3 the population it now has, and a simpler world that hadn't seen 9/11 and was on the brink of another great depression -- and the clearer vision of what "magic" really is that Walt provided and which no one has really reproduced since. And a WDW with only one -- or two -- parks rising like shining dreams in the midst of foreboding swampland sweltering with the long-gone mysteries and anticipation that are now choked out by the sound and smell of an incessant caravan of buses.

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What I can say for WDW now is that it has survived with bits and remnants of the magic tucked away in corners waiting for those with eyes to see and ears to hear.

 

[Disneypirate85]

We returned from OKW on the 12/24, was there 4 days had a split visit, our 1st trip to this DVC, REALLY liked it, but why does the food service and Concierge close at 10:00pm?
The Parks were ok with about 10-15 minute waits until Monday 12/22 seemed like they suddenly got very busy, but was expected. We saw all the sale stuff but you know did not see alot of takers this trip, I'm sure the economy was on everyones mind sale or no sale
Also was commented earlier bout no Charactors in the resort the "Mouse's" were in Hospitality House Weds 12/23 signing autographs and taking pics from 8:00-10:00 pm no line I mean nothing, I went for a walk and was telling anyone I saw they were there.
Like everyone else will have to wait and see what our June trip will be like with this crazy economy.

BTW OKW owners, your Resort is Wonderfull and the staff there were amazing and extremely helpfull.

 

[SunnieRN]

Just butting in with my $.2 cents worth. First of all I grew up in CA and have been to DL over 35 times. Last Sept. I made my first trip ever to WDW and we bought at AK.
I love the fact that there are dining plan choices in WDW. At disneyland you do not have nearly the choices in the amount of restaurants, although there are numerous off site choices within walking distance. I didn't purchase the dining plan last time, however I most likely will in the future, as I will get the same quality food and service with or without it.
The CS food at DL is no better than that at WDW. There are a couple of good choices, the rest are average to bad. I have been told they purchase much of the food for FL and CA from the same vendors, not sure if this is true, but from a profit standpoint it wouldn't surprise me.
At least at WDW you have more choice if you choose to eat on site.
Bottom line, Disney is a business with one goal in mind, profit! Otherwise free dining would be offered to DVC members, there would not be cutbacks, just the profit margain might dip a little during hard times.
Disney has been in the amusement park business long enough to know how to make a profit even during the hardest of times. They are extreemly good at it!

 

[anna08]

Count me in on the reliable consumer who wants some Disney clothing with better taste. Disney, if you are reading, I will buy gladly and consistently buy your items if you can just make some for adults whom would like a little more classic look. My DH swears if the economy recovers quickly, it's my fault!

 

[MiaSRN62]

What I can say for WDW now is that it has survived with bits and remnants of the magic tucked away in corners waiting for those with eyes to see and ears to hear.

True OneMoreTry....and I just hope these bits and remnants don't get so hard to see that it no longer makes sense to spend thousands of dollars to vacation there every year. Right now, I am one of those people who can still see some of the magic----otherwise, I wouldn't keep going back. Just saying, it's getting a tad harder to see it every year.....what does the future hold.........

 

[fishermouse]

True OneMoreTry....and I just hope these bits and remnants don't get so hard to see that it no longer makes sense to spend thousands of dollars to vacation there every year. Right now, I am one of those people who can still see some of the magic----otherwise, I wouldn't keep going back. Just saying, it's getting a tad harder to see it every year.....what does the future hold.........

Sure Hope I never have trouble seeing it, still as magical as it was 30 years ago. Still have my Cinderella and still see the magic.
must be all the pixie dust

 

[OneMoreTry]

Count me in on the reliable consumer who wants some Disney clothing with better taste. Disney, if you are reading, I will buy gladly and consistently buy your items if you can just make some for adults whom would like a little more classic look. My DH swears if the economy recovers quickly, it's my fault!

Here, here!!

More tasteful Disney merchandise all around. Clothes, ETC.
Usually it is garish and kitsch to the max.

 

[Chellymouse]

I'm getting ready to start my TR for 12/12-12/20 and I can't agree more with everyone. The cuts were VERY noticible to DH and I this trip. I will say though, that this Dec. was more crowded than previous Dec. trips. It was really late summer, early fall crowds (for comparison) than we've ever seen in Dec. There were definite service "lacks" we noticed resort-wide. Dining wasn't as good, I can say we will NOT return to Tutto Italia EVER. The merchandise wasn't "up to par" so to speak...we didn't bring back nearly what we thought we would. While the majority of the CMs were "normal" there were some grouchy CMs and the service that we've become accostumed to just wasn't. don't even get me started about the bus service this trip! My concern is that Disney is known for service and frequent visitors have come to expect certain levels of service. Disney....if you need to trim a few things, we may gripe, but we'll understand, however, do NOT cut your service!