The Disney Elitist Attitude

[tex1989]

Someone mentions that Disney markets things in certain ways that plant the seeds of exclusivity and certainly lead to a sense of entitlement. But that is the basis for the Disney to collect much higher prices for what they offer. Now don't anyone get their feathers up because we go three times a year, pay the prices and have indulged many times in the drinking of the Koolaide, but come on we pay premium prices for a room at even Pop Century when I can get the same if not better room in chain hotels and heck they even come with a free breakfast. But Pop has the themeing so it's worth it! You pay double and triple the price for food and drinks that I can get in my own hometown. No offense but the food and beer selection at the Biergarten that is a mile from my house blows the Epcot version clean out of the water. And mine was voted best Biergarten food in the country for like two years running.

So basically what I am saying is I love Disney and as a result I pay the price, and live with the rules, but believe me it does not make me feel elite. Five minutes talking to a non Disney person and explaining what it cost and the planning involved and the things you need to know and the crowds you have to face and they think you are anything but elite. Crazy maybe, borderline psycho maybe, but elite? No fricking way.

 

[cobright]

They end up taking it out on cast members. I don't know how the Cast Members at guest services put up with a constant stream of nattering nabobs of negativity. I would go insane if I had their job. Some people are truly nasty to them.

Some people really are nasty. Which is a shame, especially at GR, because those people really do want to fix your day. A lot of the time, when people get really riled up it seems more out of desperation. I remember a recent trip, we were getting some AP issue fixed at GR and there was a woman in one of the lines talking to a CM. It was one of the CMs that go through the line to pre-screen, and the guest was not having a good day. One of my anxiety disorder 'super powers' is being aware of the tone of voice being used by everyone around me. So I don't know what the guests issue is but over 3 or 4 exchanges of words her tone of voice is getting louder and more filled with emotion. I see the CM helping us has noticed right from the start. Then she says something, not quite yelling, maybe had the words "I just...." something, but she had that voice like sometimes you hear when an adult is just about to start crying. And this is not to disparage human beings for displaying emotions. But holy cow, the CM helping us moved fast. Gave us a polite, "excuse me a moment" and was right there calming the lady down, moving her out of line. Another CM showed up with a bottle of water and took over. I assume they got her squared away. It was a great display of professionalism. Moving really.

Pop Century when I can get the same if not better room in chain hotels and heck they even come with a free breakfast. But Pop has the themeing so it's worth it!

It's not even the theming for me. It's that the majority of Disney's value comes from their brand reputation. Nobody will pay that kind of money just for the bed, pool, and bus. I pay it because I know if there's an issue, they will make it right. I know they will be polite and professional.

I travel a lot and I have had truly shocking customer service experiences in every major chain. A Marriott desk clerk refused to give me a different room when there was a still-wet smelly carpet stain in the middle of my room. Then de-booked me when I came back with pictures of the fresh, probably dog, mess because I was pestering her.

I'm not a demanding guest and really bad service is rare, but it's practically non-existent at a Disney Resort.

 

[BuckeyeBama]

It's not even the theming for me. It's that the majority of Disney's value comes from their brand reputation. Nobody will pay that kind of money just for the bed, pool, and bus. I pay it because I know if there's an issue, they will make it right. I know they will be polite and professional.

I travel a lot and I have had truly shocking customer service experiences in every major chain. A Marriott desk clerk refused to give me a different room when there was a still-wet smelly carpet stain in the middle of my room. Then de-booked me when I came back with pictures of the fresh, probably dog, mess because I was pestering her.

I'm not a demanding guest and really bad service is rare, but it's practically non-existent at a Disney Resort.

I essentially travel for a living - spend 150-200 days per year in hotel rooms. I have stayed in $2k/night rooms and $45/night rooms, and everything in between. Disney Resorts are not special in any way other than theme. They do not provide better service or amenities than any hotel with a room at half the price, in my experience.

We love WDW resorts for the themes, the feel and the nostalgia - but the value is not even close to standard market value for similar amenities.

 

[Jrb1979]

I essentially travel for a living - spend 150-200 days per year in hotel rooms. I have stayed in $2k/night rooms and $45/night rooms, and everything in between. Disney Resorts are not special in any way other than theme. They do not provide better service or amenities than any hotel with a room at half the price, in my experience.

We love WDW resorts for the themes, the feel and the nostalgia - but the value is not even close to standard market value for similar amenities.

There is a reason they say Universal has the better hotels

 

[thanxfornoticin]

There is a reason they say Universal has the better hotels

Not sure who 'they' is, but there are 2 or 3 WDW resorts we would take over the best of the Universal hotels. And BTW - the Universal resorts are very nice, too. But given the choice between Hard Rock and Beach Club, or Portafino and Animal Kingdom Lodge, we'll do the Disney resorts. But since it's a matter of preference and opinion, it's OK. Just always hear a lot about this mysterious 'they'.

 

[karen4546]

It's really apples-to-oranges. No other parks anywhere, with maybe the exception of Universal, can be compared to the Disney parks. They can both be good experiences, for what they are and some may prefer one over another for their own tastes but it's kind of like comparing camping to going on a cruise. (And no, that doesn't imply camping is inferior - just very different.)

I agree. You can not compare WDW to any other theme park. I have been to SDC, several Six Flags, and Magic Springs. The details that WDW has in their parks is amazing. WDW to me is not a "thrill" park. Universal has many more coasters/rides that seem way more intense.

People vacation differently. Some like to camp and bring in lunches to the parks. Some like to get the dining plan to have their trip be more inclusive. Some like to stay at only Deluxe resorts. Some say they only sleep in the room and don't need any extras. Some go several times a year and some save for a once in lifetime trip.

I don't like camping. I like room service. I LOVE Epcot World Showcase. I don't like huge coasters. WDW checks all the boxes of what I like. Crowds, eh not so much but I can deal with the crowds.

I could spend our vacation dollars elsewhere, and we do have small getaways every now and then, but I am in for the long haul and will continue to spend the majority of our vacations at WDW-Preferably during F & W, F & G, and Christmas time.

 

[BuckeyeBama]

Not sure who 'they' is, but there are 2 or 3 WDW resorts we would take over the best of the Universal hotels. And BTW - the Universal resorts are very nice, too. But given the choice between Hard Rock and Beach Club, or Portafino and Animal Kingdom Lodge, we'll do the Disney resorts. But since it's a matter of preference and opinion, it's OK. Just always hear a lot about this mysterious 'they'.

Sure, but you will pay a lot more. I have stayed at almost every WDW resort over the years. My personal favorites are Poly and Beach Club. But they are crazily overpriced. The last time I stayed at Poly I paid $700/night.

 

[BrianL]

I essentially travel for a living - spend 150-200 days per year in hotel rooms. I have stayed in $2k/night rooms and $45/night rooms, and everything in between. Disney Resorts are not special in any way other than theme. They do not provide better service or amenities than any hotel with a room at half the price, in my experience.

We love WDW resorts for the themes, the feel and the nostalgia - but the value is not even close to standard market value for similar amenities.

The prices at Disney hotels can be explained by three things: location, location, location. I like to stay at them for the convenience of being near the parks and having transportation options. Yes, tehy are overpriced for the hotel, but usually by the time I add in renting a car and parking fees, it's getting closer. It helps that Disney is very consistent about offering great service. Other hotels do too of course, but it's not like you typicalyl get bad service at Disney. Even if the rooms are basic, the consistency and convenience justify the prices to me.

 

[thanxfornoticin]

Sure, but you will pay a lot more. I have stayed at almost every WDW resort over the years. My personal favorites are Poly and Beach Club. But they are crazily overpriced. The last time I stayed at Poly I paid $700/night.

I'm sure they are very, very expensive. I'm very fortunate to be a DVC member, so I haven't had to do a cash room in a while. Not sure I would have paid that much for the Poly!! But the Universal hotels, where we have paid cash, aren't exactly cheap - just cheaper in some cases, apparently.

 

[BuckeyeBama]

The prices at Disney hotels can be explained by three things: location, location, location. I like to stay at them for the convenience of being near the parks and having transportation options. Yes, tehy are overpriced for the hotel, but usually by the time I add in renting a car and parking fees, it's getting closer. It helps that Disney is very consistent about offering great service. Other hotels do too of course, but it's not like you typicalyl get bad service at Disney. Even if the rooms are basic, the consistency and convenience justify the prices to me.

Meh - We have also stayed at Bonnet Creek, party of 6 in a 2 bedroom suite for $300/night. One bedroom has a king, the other has 2 queen beds, the huge living room has a pull out sleeper sofa. It is right next to CBR - so on WDW property, and much less expensive than the two rooms at CBR which would still combine to be less than half the size. Oh yeah, full kitchen, dining room and washer/dryer in the room.

Same location. We have annual passes, so don't pay for parking. I guess I would save the $30/day car rental fee.

 

[MillauFr]

Gave us a polite, "excuse me a moment" and was right there calming the lady down, moving her out of line. Another CM showed up with a bottle of water and took over. I assume they got her squared away. It was a great display of professionalism. Moving really.



It's not even the theming for me. It's that the majority of Disney's value comes from their brand reputation. Nobody will pay that kind of money just for the bed, pool, and bus. I pay it because I know if there's an issue, they will make it right. I know they will be polite and professional.

The Disney difference. They always make it right. Even after my son exploded chunks all over the elevator lobby and stairs on the Disney Wonder the staff was kind, caring, and in no way made me feel uncomfortable. They even had the nurse call us later to make sure my son was ok.

 

[BuckeyeBama]

BTW - I love WDW Resorts. Love them. Just talking about the value.

 

[Turn the Page]

I have said it before and I will say it again, I know it is rather common for people to make the argument that you can find better quality rooms for half the price off property but I can't find them. And I have looked. Now, i'm not talking about airbnb or condos. I'm talking standard hotel rooms. After adding in the resort fees,parking fees, renting a car/shuttle fees, etc we have always found to comparable to Disney prices. I disagree that the room quality is all that different. If you're comparing similar resort categories that is. I would consider a value resort to be similar to say a Holiday Inn and find the room quality, resort amenities, and price to be somewhat similar. The Disney room is likely a bit smaller but the pool is way better. Add in the convenience of ME and we prefer to stay on property but, as always, different strokes and all that.

 

[Turn the Page]

The Disney difference. They always make it right. Even after my son exploded chunks all over the elevator lobby and stairs on the Disney Wonder the staff was kind, caring, and in no way made me feel uncomfortable. They even had the nurse call us later to make sure my son was ok.

On our most recent trip to WDW over New Years DS1 was really sick. I felt so bad for the housekeepers, he made such a mess multiple times. We cleaned it as best we could, stripped the beds and such, and left a big tip but still. We had 3 different staff members call to check on him and see if we needed anything. You just don't get that level of service everywhere.

 

[cobright]

I essentially travel for a living - spend 150-200 days per year in hotel rooms. I have stayed in $2k/night rooms and $45/night rooms, and everything in between. Disney Resorts are not special in any way other than theme.

I don't travel that much, but some years I spend 50 nights in various hotels and the last two years I've spend near that many nights in a WDW resort hotel. I can't think of a single time a WDW hotel CM has been overtly and intentionally rude. Something I have encountered occasionally at even very expensive hotels.

I understand that on some occasions Disney guests have found bedbugs. I haven't, but I did find them at a very very expensive hotel in Manhattan and was told that it was just something that happens and to leave if I didn't like the room, no refund of course. I wasn't even surprised.

Yeah, it's comparing the outliers. On paper, there's no comparison based on amenities and price. Even on service, as long as you are only comparing say the middle 90% of the distribution. But when I try to compare the 5% worst customer experiences in a WDW hotel to the worst 5% of experiences at any other hotel chain, there is no comparison. I know at PoR, I will not be treated rudely and that if there is something wrong with my room, they will fix it. That degree of certainty does not exist anywhere else at that price point.

Even the Portofino failed us. Our AC quit at 6:00PM in July and we were told they would fix it when we left for the parks the next day. I asked to be moved, they said they were booked. I asked to be moved to a different resort. Sorry, can't do it. 4 hours of sitting in the lobby tweeting about it and they found us a new room. It was a virtually identical suite with a $50 a night better view and apparently the guy had to make a phone call to get permission to move us into an upgrade. If this had happened even at a $120 a night WDW value resort I would have been gobsmacked.

 

[tex1989]

Not sure where this thread got headed down a compare value thread, maybe I did it by mentioning the Pop comparison.

I think many subsequent posts actually back up the elitist theory. I admitted in my post that I drink the Koolaide and pay the prices and fight the crowds and love the themeing and everything else about the place so you don't have to convince me. The difference is I am not for one second going to try and justify the value of a WDW vacation to anyone else. I am not trying to start a fight or a major disagreement but the very act of trying to justify the value of a WDW vacation is in it's own way elitist.

I can and have paid a lot less for some very enjoyable vacations, but will freely admit that we love Disney, always have. Since 1989 we have been over 50 times and will be back as soon as all this is over. But in the end this is a thread about elitist attitudes about Disney and all I am saying is I don't think I have one but see many that do.

 

[SaintsManiac]

There is a reason they say Universal has the better hotels

My stay at Hard Rock put all of my other Orlando hotel stays to shame. Love that place so much.

 

[wilbret]

Come on over to the premium Disney boards for the real discussion, folks.

I kid, I kid.

I think the root of the problem is access. Everyone has access to tons and tons of info. Everyone's an expert. Everyone's an insider. Everyone is playing the game. Whether you are are Disney expert, an expert virologist, expert educator... etc... And people live in echo chambers, surrounding themselves with like-thinkers. Any time an opposing view is met, it is met with absolute vitriol.

Me? I love every freaking type of park. I still go to fairs in parking lots when they show up. We are Six Flags and Lego pass holders, and I am a CaroWinds frequent flier. ;-)

 

[Jrb1979]

The last few days have really got me thinking of this thread. I am on other theme park boards. I never see people posting ways to get around rules that parks are planning on putting in place like I do here. Just cause you go to Disney doesn't make you better then anyone else. Rules are put in place for our health and safety especially during this pandemic. Til it's gone we have to get used to social distancing.

 

[wilbret]

The last few days have really got me thinking of this thread. I am on other theme park boards. I never see people posting ways to get around rules that parks are planning on putting in place like I do here. Just cause you go to Disney doesn't make you better then anyone else. Rules are put in place for our health and safety especially during this pandemic. Til it's gone we have to get used to social distancing.

What posts have said anything about breaking rules?