The Cast Members keep us coming back…

[Itslostindreams]

It was said that “we want Disney to feel the same way about us as we feel about Disney” on one of the latest episodes. That statement really hit home for me. I’m currently sitting at Orlando International reflecting on our last visit and have so many emotions on my current “relationship” with Disney. I really have so much I would like to say but I recognize not everyone wants to read me go on and on. Long story short, I am someone who was accustomed to going regularly and this was my first trip in 2 years. As much as I felt I was prepared for things to be different there were just certain things that hit me in a way I wasn’t expecting. It wasn’t the fact that I had to wear a mask in doors, I certainly became accustomed to that in the last year and a half. It just seemed like some of the “spirit” of Disney was gone which I could write an entire thread about my feelings on that. Anyway, the Bottom line is, it’s a messy “relationship” but one that I am going to stay in (as some of us do). I truly don’t believe the executives at Disney care about us the way we care about Disney but I encountered many cast members who do and that’s the feeling I’m chasing. So as long as Disney continues to have these amazing cast members I will keep handing them my money.

 

[disneysteve]

Thank you for sharing this.

We are heading down on Wednesday for the GKTW/DIS event. It will be our first visit since August 2019, the longest we've ever been away. I don't know how it will feel but I'm hoping it feels good to be back. This will be a quick visit and then we'll be back at the end of the month for the 50th anniversary for a longer stay which will be the real test for me.

So many of the recent changes have been a turn off to me: park reservations, higher prices/lower perks, paid fast pass, etc. Right now, today, I'm really not sure how I feel but I also haven't experienced any of it yet, and haven't experienced anything for over 2 years. I'm hoping that these trips still hold the same magic for me. Time will tell.

 

[Itslostindreams]

I truly think you will have a great time. There are definitely some positives to focus on especially for your soonest trip. If it’s anything like the week we went (with the exception of Labor Day weekend) you won’t have to worry that you can’t have a fast pass for anything. We could literally walk off one ride and go right on the next all week. I think the weekdays were slower then the after hours event we attended. Even the transportation was much more efficient then normal. We actually got a bus driver to take us from one resort to another which was unheard of. Our dining was excellent. We took some of the recommendations from the Dining Show like Tusker and Trattoria plus we had a great experience at Boma and One of our best experiences at Ohana ever. Our server worked at Ohana prior to the pandemic but they placed her in Be Our Guest until Ohana reopened and she was so glad to be back home! The food at Trails End and Sebastian’s was really good too but I have to question both places leadership right now. They weren’t quite running at the same service level as the other places we dined at. It’s just the the parks themselves felt so different right now. We loved the short lines but in the same respect it was a little odd feeling. That could be one of the reasons the cast members were so great because of the time they had to spend with the guests. World Showcase feels the strangest without the international representation. We weren’t too thrilled about the merchandise selection. We typically look for more obscure merchandise and everything seemed very bland and basic, and sold out when it comes to sizes in t-shirts. I am sure they are struggling to get merchandise in like other retailers. At any rate, despite all the changes and all the things being taken away the cast members are still doing their part to make it an outstanding experience at least right now. When it gets really busy again I’m sure the changes made by the executives will have more of a noticeable impact…