WDW Becoming Too Micromanaged

[Netsie]

I have been coming to WDW since 1980 when I was 5 years old. I am currently vacationing here and staying at Old Key West. I have noticed over the years just how micromanaged WDW is becoming. It is to the point that I feel hassled and violated. For instance:

- I had security personnel on a bike tell me to put my mask on even though I was by myself on the middle of a golf course. I was nice and so was he but I am alone in the middle of nowhere.
- We had a "security inspection" of our apartment whereby housekeeping (I think that is who he was) knocked on my door to check in on our room. I was nice and he was nice but I have no idea why Disney is invading people's privacy to check their rooms.
- We went to Fort Wilderness to look at the horses. The security personnel wanted to see a driver's license and said we should have a reservation for horseback riding to come on the campground and even look at the horses. Again, I was nice. They let us in cause I have DVC wristband but it was very unwelcoming. Went to see the horses but weren't allowed to pet them or go near them. They were behind 2 fences.
- Walked by pool at Wilderness Resort. It was cloudy and chilly out. Absolutely no one was in the pool or even hanging out around the pool deck. Yet the lifeguards were patrolling around the pool looking at the water in a systematic fashion. I get they are their to save people from drowning but no one was on the pool deck except other lifeguards also walking around the pool edge scanning the water. It was weird and almost robotic.
- Night swimming used to be relaxing and cosy. Now there are flood lights surrounding the pool that make you feel like you are swimming under operating room lights.
- Reservations, waits, and lines for everything from entering a park, to entering a store, to getting a hamburger.

I understand these are the rules at WDW and I follow them but I am wondering just how much people are going to get fed up with being over regulated on vacation. It is oppressive and micromanaged here to the point that I am considering whether it is more of a hassle than it is worth. I think I would rather go to the ocean and run free on the beach.

 

[Dave006]

We had a "security inspection" of our apartment whereby housekeeping (I think that is who he was) knocked on my door to check in on our room. I was nice and he was nice but I have no idea why Disney is invading people's privacy to check their rooms.

This has been a Disney safety policy for several years now. It is very common in many major if not all major hotel chains since a Las Vegas 2017 incident on Oct. 1st. Check each room that has guests assigned every day.

Yet the lifeguards were patrolling around the pool looking at the water in a systematic fashion.

That would have been a lifeguard rotation drill based on your description. Practice, practice, practice until it is muscle memory.

Night swimming used to be relaxing and cosy. Now there are flood lights surrounding the pool that make you feel like you are swimming under operating room lights.

The extra lightning and fencing at pools are for guest safety. There were a few well covered drowning incidents involving guests swimming at night in low light conditions.

Everything else is Covid-19 related and Disney has been clear about their policies. It is on their web pages, in MDE, signs everywhere and CMs assigned to enforce the rules for all guests comfort and safety.

Your experience at Ft. Wilderness was the expected action. Resort Hopping is actively discouraged at the current time unless you are a guest at the resort, have a reservation for dinning or in your case horseback riding since that is the only activity with a "reservation" at Ft. Wilderness.

Dave

 

[osufeth24]

I have been coming to WDW since 1980 when I was 5 years old. I am currently vacationing here and staying at Old Key West. I have noticed over the years just how micromanaged WDW is becoming. It is to the point that I feel hassled and violated. For instance:

- I had security personnel on a bike tell me to put my mask on even though I was by myself on the middle of a golf course. I was nice and so was he but I am alone in the middle of nowhere.
- We had a "security inspection" of our apartment whereby housekeeping (I think that is who he was) knocked on my door to check in on our room. I was nice and he was nice but I have no idea why Disney is invading people's privacy to check their rooms.
- We went to Fort Wilderness to look at the horses. The security personnel wanted to see a driver's license and said we should have a reservation for horseback riding to come on the campground and even look at the horses. Again, I was nice. They let us in cause I have DVC wristband but it was very unwelcoming. Went to see the horses but weren't allowed to pet them or go near them. They were behind 2 fences.
- Walked by pool at Wilderness Resort. It was cloudy and chilly out. Absolutely no one was in the pool or even hanging out around the pool deck. Yet the lifeguards were patrolling around the pool looking at the water in a systematic fashion. I get they are their to save people from drowning but no one was on the pool deck except other lifeguards also walking around the pool edge scanning the water. It was weird and almost robotic.
- Night swimming used to be relaxing and cosy. Now there are flood lights surrounding the pool that make you feel like you are swimming under operating room lights.
- Reservations, waits, and lines for everything from entering a park, to entering a store, to getting a hamburger.

I understand these are the rules at WDW and I follow them but I am wondering just how much people are going to get fed up with being over regulated on vacation. It is oppressive and micromanaged here to the point that I am considering whether it is more of a hassle than it is worth. I think I would rather go to the ocean and run free on the beach.

Don't like it, don't travel during a pandemic

 

[zoo2tycoon]

Everything you complain about is in Know Before You Go.

 

[loves to dive]

Disney has made it very clear unless you are in your room, at the pool or stationary and eating or drinking, you have to wear a mask. They aren't the only ones doing it.

They have been going in rooms for years now, again policy and other larger resorts do it as well.

I don't think you have ever been allowed to touch the horses, you could visit them but right now they are being extra cautious for everyone's safety.

The lifeguards were doing their job.

 

[Brett Wyman]

Dont feed the trolls.

 

[Starport Seven-Five]

I have been coming to WDW since 1980 when I was 5 years old. I am currently vacationing here and staying at Old Key West. I have noticed over the years just how micromanaged WDW is becoming. It is to the point that I feel hassled and violated. For instance:

- I had security personnel on a bike tell me to put my mask on even though I was by myself on the middle of a golf course. I was nice and so was he but I am alone in the middle of nowhere.
- We had a "security inspection" of our apartment whereby housekeeping (I think that is who he was) knocked on my door to check in on our room. I was nice and he was nice but I have no idea why Disney is invading people's privacy to check their rooms.
- We went to Fort Wilderness to look at the horses. The security personnel wanted to see a driver's license and said we should have a reservation for horseback riding to come on the campground and even look at the horses. Again, I was nice. They let us in cause I have DVC wristband but it was very unwelcoming. Went to see the horses but weren't allowed to pet them or go near them. They were behind 2 fences.
- Walked by pool at Wilderness Resort. It was cloudy and chilly out. Absolutely no one was in the pool or even hanging out around the pool deck. Yet the lifeguards were patrolling around the pool looking at the water in a systematic fashion. I get they are their to save people from drowning but no one was on the pool deck except other lifeguards also walking around the pool edge scanning the water. It was weird and almost robotic.
- Night swimming used to be relaxing and cosy. Now there are flood lights surrounding the pool that make you feel like you are swimming under operating room lights.
- Reservations, waits, and lines for everything from entering a park, to entering a store, to getting a hamburger.

I understand these are the rules at WDW and I follow them but I am wondering just how much people are going to get fed up with being over regulated on vacation. It is oppressive and micromanaged here to the point that I am considering whether it is more of a hassle than it is worth. I think I would rather go to the ocean and run free on the beach.

The first item certainly doesn't sound like you were following the rules.

 

[Netsie]

can anyone explain why there are helicopters flying over Disney Springs and Old Key West all day today?

 

[lovethattink]

can anyone explain why there are helicopters flying over Disney Springs and Old Key West all day today?

Tourists. You can book helicopter tours at several places near Disney. There’s one off of I-4 and one on 192, probably some others too.

Also police helicopters monitoring traffic.

 

[redrosesix]

I have been coming to WDW since 1980 when I was 5 years old. I am currently vacationing here and staying at Old Key West. I have noticed over the years just how micromanaged WDW is becoming. It is to the point that I feel hassled and violated. For instance:

- I had security personnel on a bike tell me to put my mask on even though I was by myself on the middle of a golf course. I was nice and so was he but I am alone in the middle of nowhere.
- We had a "security inspection" of our apartment whereby housekeeping (I think that is who he was) knocked on my door to check in on our room. I was nice and he was nice but I have no idea why Disney is invading people's privacy to check their rooms.
- We went to Fort Wilderness to look at the horses. The security personnel wanted to see a driver's license and said we should have a reservation for horseback riding to come on the campground and even look at the horses. Again, I was nice. They let us in cause I have DVC wristband but it was very unwelcoming. Went to see the horses but weren't allowed to pet them or go near them. They were behind 2 fences.
- Walked by pool at Wilderness Resort. It was cloudy and chilly out. Absolutely no one was in the pool or even hanging out around the pool deck. Yet the lifeguards were patrolling around the pool looking at the water in a systematic fashion. I get they are their to save people from drowning but no one was on the pool deck except other lifeguards also walking around the pool edge scanning the water. It was weird and almost robotic.
- Night swimming used to be relaxing and cosy. Now there are flood lights surrounding the pool that make you feel like you are swimming under operating room lights.
- Reservations, waits, and lines for everything from entering a park, to entering a store, to getting a hamburger.

I understand these are the rules at WDW and I follow them but I am wondering just how much people are going to get fed up with being over regulated on vacation. It is oppressive and micromanaged here to the point that I am considering whether it is more of a hassle than it is worth. I think I would rather go to the ocean and run free on the beach.

That lifeguard shuffle you saw...it's by the clock and they do it at every disney pool. They're checking that there is nobody laying at the bottom of the pool (but also that they can see the entire bottom of the pool). that's going to happen whether anyone is in it or not -- it's their job.

 

[DL1WDW2]

It is a very different world that we get to visit. They are protecting the guests and the castmembers . But it does feel more regulated because it must be. I am respectful but it is making me experience emotions that I have never connected as being a part of a Disney vacation. But I still love Disney and do not want it to ever close again. So try to understand and learn to enjoy a new world that we are all going to have to become familiar with.

 

[Netsie]

I get that it is all done for safety, safety, safety, and protection but at what point does it destroy the ambiance, freedom, and pleasure of being on vacation?

l think people misunderstood my post as just a gripefest. I get that WDW has to do these things for liability and to avoid lawsuits, but at what point does it become more of an aggravation than it is worth for the guest? At what point do they over-regulate themselves into just being too much of a hassle for guests to spend an expensive vacation?

I think I am there and like I said, I have been coming since 1980. And it is not just the COVID-19 restrictions. Those are temporary (at least I hope they are). It is more of the mentality that assumes everyone is the lowest common denominator and treats them accordingly. For instance, a disturbed man shoots up Las Vegas in 2017 so now everyone is subjected to room searches at WDW indefinitely. A person drowns while swimming in a pool at some point so now there are flood lights blasting down on the pool all night and lifeguards scanning the pool even though no one is even at the pool.

It just seems that feeling hassled or violated (the room search was really my breaking point) is now part of the Disney experience and I don't like it.

 

[FCDub]

Sorry that some temporary inconveniences have ruined your vacation

 

[Allison]

Stop going and move on. Nothing wrong with that but a grand exit is not required.

 

[cdh]

I’m sorry that some people responding don’t seem to understand that you can respect and understand Disney‘s policies and be frustrated by them at the same time. I get it....both sides. Disney is doing what they have to do to stay open during covid and keep people safe. Vacationers at Disney are dealing with lots of new restrictions that make their vacations less magical.

I’m thankful for some of the restrictions and others seem over the top. For what it’s worth, I love Disney but I’m going to Universal. It’s just easier right now. That doesn’t mean that my family is breaking up with Disney. We will definitely be back one day.

I can’t understand why people get so testy when posters vent about Disney related issues. I look at it as Disney being like family.....I can be annoyed and still love Disney. Saying “you can just stay home” over and over in response to people venting frustration about things that are different now seems to be an attempt at silencing people who are just saying that they miss the old Disney.

 

[Starport Seven-Five]

I think I am there and like I said, I have been coming since 1980. And it is not just the COVID-19 restrictions. Those are temporary (at least I hope they are). It is more of the mentality that assumes everyone is the lowest common denominator and treats them accordingly. For instance, a disturbed man shoots up Las Vegas in 2017 so now everyone is subjected to room searches at WDW indefinitely. A person drowns while swimming in a pool at some point so now there are flood lights blasting down on the pool all night and lifeguards scanning the pool even though no one is even at the pool.

As humans, we learn from our mistakes and correct policies to prevent them in the future. I'm not a huge fan of the room checks either to be honest but the pool one is 100% a good policy as the lifeguards are paid to be there regardless. Staying vigilant is how mistakes are prevented.

 

[redrosesix]

As humans, we learn from our mistakes and correct policies to prevent them in the future. I'm not a huge fan of the room checks either to be honest but the pool one is 100% a good policy as the lifeguards are paid to be there regardless. Staying vigilant is how mistakes are prevented.

They have been doing the lifeguard shuffle since before our first trip in 2008. they do something similar at the waterparks. Maybe people haven't noticed it but I did because I used to be a lifeguard (my daughter is one now) and bottom checks are routine. You have to assume a child may have slipped in without anyone seeing, and you know that it only takes 10 seconds for a child to drown. You don't wait for a parent to come looking for them.

 

[andreirublev]

I hear what you are saying and I think it's a matter of perspective. The world (yes, also the world of Disney) is a vastly different place from the 80s. It has to change to adapt to the times. And sometimes those changes will feel inconvenient, frustrating, or even offensive. One can choose to focus on all the great things about Disney but maybe some people are unable to get past the changes. Everyone's threshold is different.

Right now is an especially hard time, though. Although some may prefer to deny it, we are still in a global pandemic. So necessary precautions are probably exacerbating the negative changes.

 

[FCDub]

I’m sorry that some people responding don’t seem to understand that you can respect and understand Disney‘s policies and be frustrated by them at the same time. I get it....both sides. Disney is doing what they have to do to stay open during covid and keep people safe. Vacationers at Disney are dealing with lots of new restrictions that make their vacations less magical.

I’m thankful for some of the restrictions and others seem over the top. For what it’s worth, I love Disney but I’m going to Universal. It’s just easier right now. That doesn’t mean that my family is breaking up with Disney. We will definitely be back one day.

I can’t understand why people get so testy when posters vent about Disney related issues. I look at it as Disney being like family.....I can be annoyed and still love Disney. Saying “you can just stay home” over and over in response to people venting frustration about things that are different now seems to be an attempt at silencing people who are just saying that they miss the old Disney.

No one is trying to "silence" the OP. I think people are tired of hearing complaints about things that have been common knowledge and well publicized since re-opening.

"I wasn't allowed to pet the horses" is also just ... a hilarious thing to complain about.

 

[cdh]

No one is trying to "silence" the OP. I think people are tired of hearing complaints about things that have been common knowledge and well publicized since re-opening.

"I wasn't allowed to pet the horses" is also just ... a hilarious thing to complain about.

It isn’t hilarious if she used to be able to pet the horses....and I understand why they may not want people petting the horses right now. I happen to agree with the OP. Others feel differently and I respect their opinions. I have gone to Disney about twenty five times over the past seven or eight years. It’s a twelve hour drive and an expensive vacation but when we were there it was absolutely magical. Over the years we learned to avoid the crowds....we paid extra for every after hours party or early morning magic event offered during our trip, we used Minnie Vans instead of buses, we were in the parks early and late on the days with no parties and didn’t go during the middle of the day, etc. We did BBB makeovers for our daughter (sometimes two per trip) and every character meal possible. We maximized the use of fast passes by reserving the best rides at the 60 mark. That’s all gone now. All of it. Now it’s lines, lines, and more lines. The only way to avoid the lines is to pay around $3500 for a VIP tour. For our family of three for eight hours that is absolutely ridiculous.

I am completely on board with wearing masks and social distancing. My n95s are covered by cloth masks on a daily basis. I don’t mind most of the new rules and I understand why they are necessary but to pay the same amount for less is outrageous. Don’t bother telling me not to go because I’m not planning on going anytime soon. My hope is that one day things will be back to normal. I love Disney as much as anyone but I think that those of us who feel that we aren’t getting as much for our money as we have in the past should be able to say so. Sometimes people are just venting.....I think that we all do that about one thing or another from time to time.

We used to arrive at the Contemporary at around 4 pm and get a Minnie van to go to AK. Then we’d go to MK early the next morning, get a Minnie van to another park or DS, stay for a couple of hours, get a Minnie van back to the resort, nap/swim/shop, and go back to MK for the evening. Now, we’d get to the resort at 4 but that’s too late to go to AK and we’d have to ride a bus to get there anyway. The next morning would still be at MK but there would be no fast passes and we’d need to stay there until about noon, then go back to the resort and wait for a bus to go to the next park (after 2pm), stay at the other park for a few hours and ride a bus back. For those who don’t know, sometimes the wait for a bus can be thirty to forty five minutes in the sunshine. To park hop you have to ride the bus at least twice a day (more if you go to DS too). To me, the taxis don‘t feel as safe as Minnie Vans (which were driven by people who used to be cast members). If you go to MK in the morning and HS in the evening you absolutely cannot go to Epcot for lunch. The parks close so much earlier than in years past.....together it’s all too much.

IMHO the changes go way past covid safety. It feels like Disney is cutting as many corners as possible to see how much they can take away and keep people coming to the parks. If other people are going and having a great time then I wish them the best but Disney, in its current form, isn’t a fit for my family. So, I understand what the OP is saying.