Thinking Disney needs to shape up

[Livvie]

DW and I are planning a second honeymoon for the last few days of June. Have already made reservations for POFQ King Room, Deluxe DDP, Memory Maker, 4 day tix.

With all the discussion about cutbacks, loss of quality, CM attitudes, etc... looked up similar dates and tried to put together a package at USO. Same 4 days - Royal Pacific Resort with front of the line access, 4 day tix, Mears shuttle round trip to and from MCO... almost $900 less than the Disney package.

Now to be fair, US doesn't offer a dining plan or memory maker, but then Disney doesn't offer unlimited front of the line access either. Both hotels here are moderate value; I could save another $400 or so by dropping down to Cabana Bay Beach at US. Oh, and I've included the Keys to the Kingdom tour that we booked at Disney in the price there.

All this is to say that I'm seriously thinking about switching to USO for this trip. Maybe I'm just one of many who is becoming more disillusioned with Disney and their money grubbing practices recently.

Take your wife to Hawaii.

 

[Shanti]

DW and I are planning a second honeymoon for the last few days of June. Have already made reservations for POFQ King Room, Deluxe DDP, Memory Maker, 4 day tix.

With all the discussion about cutbacks, loss of quality, CM attitudes, etc... looked up similar dates and tried to put together a package at USO. Same 4 days - Royal Pacific Resort with front of the line access, 4 day tix, Mears shuttle round trip to and from MCO... almost $900 less than the Disney package.

Now to be fair, US doesn't offer a dining plan or memory maker, but then Disney doesn't offer unlimited front of the line access either. Both hotels here are moderate value; I could save another $400 or so by dropping down to Cabana Bay Beach at US. Oh, and I've included the Keys to the Kingdom tour that we booked at Disney in the price there.

All this is to say that I'm seriously thinking about switching to USO for this trip. Maybe I'm just one of many who is becoming more disillusioned with Disney and their money grubbing practices recently.

I suggest that you and your wife spend your honeymoon with your mutual first love, the Disney parks, but that you get better value for your money by staying offsite at somewhere like Bonnet Creek Hilton. It's on property & has complimentary park shuttles, but it's a real hotel with a great pool/mini-water park, not a glorified motel like POFQ. I imagine that will increase your enjoyment of the trip & lessen the resentment that you're expressing now: knowing you aren't paying Disney through the nose for mediocre accomodations, but still getting to enjoy the magical parks. You can always add US days to that. I just wouldn't nix the Disney magic on a sentimental occasion.

 

[BigAlsGal]

Spend your money where you want. If my DH took me to universal I might file for divorce....

 

[SnipsNSnails]

The Royal Pacific is a beautiful hotel. We stayed there in Dec. 2014. We were just at POFQ a few weeks ago. Loved that too but RP is like staying at the Poly, maybe even better. We had a beautiful view from our room, could see Hogwarts. I think 3 nights is perfect for a USO trip. You can easily see it all at a leisurely pace with plenty of time to enjoy the resort and Citywalk. Depends on what you want to do at WDW. If you are trying to see it all, it will be long days. USO is more relaxed no ADRs or FP, so no schedule to keep or as much pre-planning. I think it depends what you want out of the trip, what you have seen before, etc.

 

[pens4821]

I know people say things about staffing and poor attitudes but we were there in February and had no issues. Not once did I feel we were missing anything or find a ride CM. there may be a lot of refurbishments/construction but there is still plenty to do for a week and miss some stuff.

 

[MolonLabe]

DW and I are planning a second honeymoon for the last few days of June. Have already made reservations for POFQ King Room, Deluxe DDP, Memory Maker, 4 day tix.

With all the discussion about cutbacks, loss of quality, CM attitudes, etc... looked up similar dates and tried to put together a package at USO. Same 4 days - Royal Pacific Resort with front of the line access, 4 day tix, Mears shuttle round trip to and from MCO... almost $900 less than the Disney package.

Now to be fair, US doesn't offer a dining plan or memory maker, but then Disney doesn't offer unlimited front of the line access either. Both hotels here are moderate value; I could save another $400 or so by dropping down to Cabana Bay Beach at US. Oh, and I've included the Keys to the Kingdom tour that we booked at Disney in the price there.

All this is to say that I'm seriously thinking about switching to USO for this trip. Maybe I'm just one of many who is becoming more disillusioned with Disney and their money grubbing practices recently.

We did that 2 years ago (see my signature). Stayed at Lowes Royal as well. Very nice hotel, my only complaint was the "Disney sized" rooms. That's why we hardly ever stay on property anymore.

It was a fantastic trip, we had a blast and their CM's were fantastic and the front of the line couldn't be beat!

After our AP's run out, we're taking at least a year off Disney, we'll do Sea World and US/IOA again. I was about $300 for a 12 day hopper ticket to all the parks with the "city pass".

They are two very different places but still a lot of fun.

Anyway, it's a great change up from the Disney grind.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

I agree with another poster..it's not exactly fair either way to compare WDW and USO because they really are completely different though they share the aspect of being a theme/amusement park.

I think it becomes difficult when you compare just based on cost alone. I don't think there is anything wrong with either decision you make as it can be quite refreshing to just try something new. So maybe this trip go to USO and see how you like it there's nothing wrong about that just don't make yourself think about cost alone in deciding;I've seen plenty of people do that and it seems to set people up for certain expectations that may or may not be met.

 

[Jennasis]

Either way I'm sure you'll have a wonderful time. None of us internet strangers can tell you what would be best for you (just what's best for us!). Congratulations and have a blast!

 

[tstidm1]

I enjoy both places. Both places have strengths and weaknesses. I took a break from Disney World last year and had a blast at Cabana Bay. I was thinking about staying at Cabana Bay when I did the May trip to enjoy the resort, but decided that it would be better to stay at WDW instead. I plan to do a UOR Deluxe in Spring 2017 and enjoy Unlimited Express for a change. Trying new things is a good thing to avoid Theme Park or any form of travel burnout.

 

[revdon64]

WOW! Love all the responses and the great feedback. After discussion with DW, she really wants to eat at Cali Grill and do the Keys to the Kingdom tour (2 things we probably couldn't do with our single digit aged boys), so we'll stay put for this year. Although, we're both still a bit disillusioned with everything going on at Disney and will be keeping a close eye on it. We're actually starting to talk about doing mommy/daughter and daddy/son trips and those might work better at USO, especially as they get a little older. I guess the bottom line is, add us both (she reads the Chip and co DA boards) to the list of folks who aren't happy with Disney's current direction and modus operandi.

 

[revdon64]

@revdon64 ~ Cost has been such an important factor in the planning of this trip. When you asked about DL over WDW, you ultimately decided on WDW because of the difference in airfare even though many had suggested DL.

So, with all your WDW plans in place and you're still factoring out the costs of a US stay, you may be happier going to US.

Does your spouse have an opinion as to destination?

It was actually cost of airfare AND travel time. We only have four days and flying to California vs flying to Florida was a difference of at least one full day in the parks.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

Maybe since you've decided to go to Disney, perhaps quit keeping such a close eye on the stuff that you believe will just disillusion you further for awhile. At least for this one last trip.

 

[revdon64]

Maybe since you've decided to go to Disney, perhaps quit keeping such a close eye on the stuff that you believe will just disillusion you further for awhile. At least for this one last trip.

That would just about require DW and I to give up reading our respective boards though, wouldn't it? LOL!

 

[goofyintoronto]

If you are leaning that way anyway, that is probably what you need to do. I can tell you my most recent trip was October, and I didn't see a loss of quality or run into a bunch of grumpy CMs.

I was there in October as well and I agree, I didnt see loss of quality or bad CMs either. It was a great trip.

If you think you would prefer US then by all means go...but by your own calculations I'm not sure how much cheaper it really will be.

I was thinking the same thing.

I can seldom find much to occupy myself with after 2 days there. I just don't get the same feeling at US/IoA that I get at WDW.

Same here. After two days, I find myself bored at US/IoA. Its just not the same as Disney....its a different vibe. Of course everyone is different.

It's not Disney. It doesn't feel like Disney. It's just a theme park IMO, so *for me* it's a cheap substitute. I was very sad the one time I booked US over Disney. Never again.

Yup. Same here!

 

[hookedonears]

DW and I are planning a second honeymoon for the last few days of June. Have already made reservations for POFQ King Room, Deluxe DDP, Memory Maker, 4 day tix.

With all the discussion about cutbacks, loss of quality, CM attitudes, etc... looked up similar dates and tried to put together a package at USO. Same 4 days - Royal Pacific Resort with front of the line access, 4 day tix, Mears shuttle round trip to and from MCO... almost $900 less than the Disney package.

Now to be fair, US doesn't offer a dining plan or memory maker, but then Disney doesn't offer unlimited front of the line access either. Both hotels here are moderate value; I could save another $400 or so by dropping down to Cabana Bay Beach at US. Oh, and I've included the Keys to the Kingdom tour that we booked at Disney in the price there.

All this is to say that I'm seriously thinking about switching to USO for this trip. Maybe I'm just one of many who is becoming more disillusioned with Disney and their money grubbing practices recently.

But you've chosen Disney!

 

[revdon64]

But you've chosen Disney!

Yeah, it was our first choice and we've pretty much settled on it. We likely won't regret that choice and we are still anticipating it. Really this was just kind of wetting a finger and sticking it in the air to see which way the wind blows (or is that reference too dated?).

 

[kay1864]

Now to be fair, US doesn't offer a dining plan or memory maker, but then Disney doesn't offer unlimited front of the line access either.

One caution: front of line access does not apply to the two main Harry Potter rides (Forbidden Journey and Gringotts), or to the Hogwarts Express.

 

[Hopefully]

Maybe since you've decided to go to Disney, perhaps quit keeping such a close eye on the stuff that you believe will just disillusion you further for awhile. At least for this one last trip.

That would just about require DW and I to give up reading our respective boards though, wouldn't it? LOL!

I fear going into it with a negative attitude will set you up for a bad trip.
Good Luck

 

[georgina]

It's not Disney. It doesn't feel like Disney. It's just a theme park IMO, so *for me* it's a cheap substitute. I was very sad the one time I booked US over Disney. Never again.

Nope, it's not Disney and SHOULDN'T feel like Disney, because it's Universal! In many ways it's better than Disney. And I say that as a Disney fan (but not someone who gushes on and on about 'Magic') The theming at IOA and the Harry Potter areas is fantastic.

I do think the OP should not change his trip based on the negative reviews he reads on here. The many more peole who enjoy their trips don't often post that.

 

[epcotty]

Universal is really good and doesn't deserve the snubbing it gets sometimes. If it's not your cup of tea, fine. But I think Universal puts as much effort into everything as Disney ever does. We still love Disney and still go to Disney more often though, at least for now. Disappointed with the more recent decisions by Disney though