We're here now and after 3 days of parks we wont be coming back again

[mom2rtk]

I was going to say the same thing. In most restaurants in the "real world," it's really not permitted, or at least it's frowned upon, to go take up a table but not order anything. Maybe this works in a Starbucks or McDonald's but even then I'm sure it's not something those businesses are going to be promoting. I'm the kind of person who buys a soda at McDonalds if I need to use their restroom, because it's not a public bathroom right? It's for patrons. Same goes for tables, as far as I'm concerned, and in somewhere as crowded as Disney World, I completely understand why this would be the rule. I'd be pretty irritated to go buy my lunch somewhere and then not have a table bc non-eating people were taking up tables.

Most restaurants in the world are not in a theme park where you already paid top dollar to enter and you intend to spend the entire day on your feet.

 

[rebelbuddhist]

Getting tired of all the complaining on the boards. If you are not happy with WDW, vote with your wallet and don't return. Our Dec, 2021 trip was one of the best we have had over the past 11 years. We plan extensively but have plans B and C just in case. We don't commando tour but are in the parks or a table service in the resorts for 10-12 hours/day. We plan downtime in the parks and nearby resorts and are fine with just people (as well as parade) watching.....If one doesn't think s/he is getting the money's worth, then find somewhere where you do. Nothing at WDW is an inalienable, god-given right for any of us. The world (not just Walt Disney's) has changed like it or not so we have changed our expectations, planning, and evaluation since we can not singularily change the worlds

 

[AnnabelleTheTalkingTree]

Most restaurants in the world are not in a theme park where you already paid top dollar to enter and you intend to spend the entire day on your feet.

I do understand your point, but it still makes sense to me that tables in dining locations should be reserved for people who are actually dining. I'm far from pleased with A LOT of Disney's recent decisions/changes, but this is one that I actually feel is sensible.

 

[reddog21]

That's a problem of inadequate infrastructure for the people they serve every day. The answer isn't to block those nasty non-payers from entering. The answer is to add more seating (with more restaurants if needed) or to decrease the number of guests there every day.

The building is only so big for more chairs. Limit capacity because people want to sit in a restaurant without ordering food, terrible idea. How about you can, sit in the restaurant if you actually order food because you know it's an actual restaurant.

 

[Miffy]

I'm just back from a week at POFQ and going to all the parks. I think it's more than obvious that there are serious staffing problems at the resorts and parks. Not only are there not enough CMs, but there are not enough experienced CMs, particularly in the restaurants, but, really, everywhere.

Yet every CM I encountered was kind, as helpful as they were able to be, and doing their best.

 

[mom2rtk]

The building is only so big for more chairs. Limit capacity because people want to sit in a restaurant without ordering food, terrible idea. How about you can, sit in the restaurant if you actually order food because you know it's an actual restaurant.

I'm saying crowds have grown so much that they need to add another location with more tables. If they can't grow that infrastructure, they should limit the number of guests to a smaller number than what they're allowing in now.

 

[Miffy]

This really has nothing to do with the OP's experience, since they wanted to see Sunny Eclipse . . . but . . . there are not nearly enough places to sit down throughout the parks, and if you want to sit in the shade, there are REALLY not enough places to sit. This is particularly true of Epcot, with MK coming in a close second.

DAK and DHS are much more shade-and-sit-friendly, although even they could use more shaded general seating (i.e., not a restaurant) areas.

 

[reddog21]

This really has nothing to do with the OP's experience, since they wanted to see Sunny Eclipse . . . but . . . there are not nearly enough places to sit down throughout the parks, and if you want to sit in the shade, there are REALLY not enough places to sit. This is particularly true of Epcot, with MK coming in a close second.

DAK and DHS are much more shade-and-sit-friendly, although even they could use more shaded general seating (i.e., not a restaurant) areas.

I'm definitely not going to argue that in the summer when it's 95 outside there's not enough shade areas around however I don't agree with that people who are trying to have a meal
should have to fight people for a table who are just getting out of the sun.

 

[Dis Dragon]

We were there two weeks ago and stopped for some buffalo chips at Trilobites, They have quite a few tables around there and all of them were taken by people not eating food from there. It was intensely frustrating. Not that it would accomplish much but they should attach some table signs specifying they're for use for patrons of Trilobites...

 

[Miffy]

I'm definitely not going to argue that in the summer when it's 95 outside there's not enough shade areas around however I don't agree with that people who are trying to have a meal
should have to fight people for a table who are just getting out of the sun.

I want to make it clear that I wasn't in any way saying that I thought it was okay for people not patrons of the restaurant to be sitting there. I don't think it's okay. But I also think that Disney needs to have more shaded seating areas--not just seating areas at restaurants--in all the parks.

 

[Dis Dragon]

I want to make it clear that I wasn't in any way saying that I thought it was okay for people not patrons of the restaurant to be sitting there. I don't think it's okay. But I also think that Disney needs to have more shaded seating areas--not just seating areas at restaurants--in all the parks.

They need more shade in general, there's not much of it to go around. I'm looking at you Toy Story land and the World Showcase...

 

[wfjny]

OP, I am not sure if this is your knee-jerk response after a disappointing and frustrating experience, or is a settled decision arrived at after a good bit of thought.

Disney should be doing better. I agree. But I also understand there are things that are still in flux. For example, entertainment offerings that suck guests out of line for rides and makes wait times more tolerable. All rides and dining firing on all cylinders to increase bandwidth and further suck up crowds. A new IT system in G+/ILL that was not ready for prime time but can be fixed given time. And pent-up demand from visitors over the last 2 years to "get back to their happy place" thus stressing the system. Plus more I am sure.

I would rather wait and see how things shake out before coming to any final decisions that Disney USA is somehow ruined forever.

Finally, I see a lot of frustrated people on this forum who are using the forum to bash Disney every chance they get. I am sorry you are all so upset and agree that you have a reason to be upset and the right to complain. Just know that I am not going to spend time debating you about Disney's failures. I hope things get better for everyone sooner rather than later.

I cannot speak for the OP, but I agree with their assessment.

Look, we are out of state passholders, and DVC members. Yeah, we went all in a while ago. And we have loved it.

However, our past two trips have not been very good. As a AP, our cost is actually rather low. It is an 8 hour drive. And since we go a lot, if a line is two hours long, I do not have to do that ride.

But even walking thru the parks last month was aggravating. Next weekend, we will be meeting up with some family members that will be there. I know it will be great to see them, but i am also noticing that we do not seem to have the "Happyness" that we normally do.

I guess we will see how next weekend goes...

 

[TheDailyMoo]

Oof. The trips with my young child were literally the worst. They weren't a vacation at all, and I was exhausted to the point of hysteria by the time the trips were done. Do I have the marvelous memory of my little guy facing me in his Ergo, looking up at the twinkle lights in the Disneyland trees and whispering "Disneyland...." in awe? Yes. And I also have the memories of me stopping him and his dad from arguing, from realizing it was 9pm and we hadn't eaten since lunch and I had to be the one to figure it out, and of having at least one crying jag on every trip due to being bone-tired and wiped out...

I strongly urge @TheDailyMoo to temper expectations thoroughly, and plan LOTS of downtime. And pool time without any expectation of hitting a park later on.

I went this past June with my 3 year old and 1 year old. You have to watch for your children’s temperament for sure and not overdo it at the park. But if you listen… it is a really special time watching their eyes light up when they experience things for the first time.

I brought grandma with us and that was a huge addition I highly recommend.

Haha I'm fully aware of the insanity it's going to be as it's basically crazy enough when we're just home or going anywhere local! I'm very sure it'll be one of those things where years down the road you forget all the stress and only remember the great times...or at least that's how I'm fooling myself into going! lol

 

[mom2rtk]

Getting tired of all the complaining on the boards. If you are not happy with WDW, vote with your wallet and don't return. Our Dec, 2021 trip was one of the best we have had over the past 11 years. We plan extensively but have plans B and C just in case. We don't commando tour but are in the parks or a table service in the resorts for 10-12 hours/day. We plan downtime in the parks and nearby resorts and are fine with just people (as well as parade) watching.....If one doesn't think s/he is getting the money's worth, then find somewhere where you do. Nothing at WDW is an inalienable, god-given right for any of us. The world (not just Walt Disney's) has changed like it or not so we have changed our expectations, planning, and evaluation since we can not singularily change tghe worlds

It's a discussion board. People are going to discuss the good AND the bad. I personally think it's helpful so people have accurate expectations when they visit.

 

[rebelbuddhist]

It's a discussion board. People are going to discuss the good AND the bad. I personally think it's helpful so people have accurate expectations when they visit.

It's a discussion board. People are going to discuss the good AND the bad. I personally think it's helpful so people have accurate expectations when they visit.

You are so very correct but state the obvious.

 

[DonTheDuck]

I genuinely don’t disagree with anyone but my take is if I go knowing that: entertainment and attractions are partially shut down, we are in a period of great inflation on all costs nationally, staffing shortages are massive especially on roles related to housekeeping, retail, customer service etc and a company was so directly impacted that it was actually shut down for months and lost billions, still has to deal w social distancing rules, etc…. I have to grade on something of a curve and I am taking a risk.

And Disney to me is as ahead of the post Covid curve as any other experience.

The options to me are go and enjoy and experience some semblance of normalcy or just wait until it’s actually normal again.

Yes they had an extremely profitable quarter but costs were cut dramatically and things are (were) rebounding much faster in 2021/22 than anyone ever expected when business decisions were made.

I don’t really believe anyone is intentionally trying to ruin or limit the Disney experience.

I think there are a lot of good people trying to keep their jobs by figuring out how to manage a blend of tv audience canabalization, the death of the movie theater, Covid closures of theme parks, etc. all while 70s level inflation is all around us (and yes inflation is as bad as the late 70’s, if the government used the same calculation today they used then we would be at 15%). Oh and now pulling cold out of a massive media market like Russia.


Maybe Chapek figures it out, maybe he doesn’t. I am confident he is trying. It’s safe to say he’s not trying to get fired.

I have a great time when I go. My 2021 trip was very special. It’s good to have the pleasure and good fortune to travel and have fun.

Think about where we all were two years ago.

 

[RamblingMad]

...I can sum up your disappointment and frustration in two words:

BOB CHAPEK

It was starting to go downhill before he started. FP+ with reservations for rides months in advance killed any spontaneity. Bring back paper fast pass. WDW was best in the late 90s.

 

[RamblingMad]

It's a discussion board. People are going to discuss the good AND the bad. I personally think it's helpful so people have accurate expectations when they visit.

Yep. I keep waiting to hear good news. I really want to ride the new Tron ride, but WDW still is a mess.

 

[lowlight]

Not gonna lie, playing content

I genuinely don’t disagree with anyone but my take is if I go knowing that: entertainment and attractions are partially shut down, we are in a period of great inflation on all costs nationally, staffing shortages are massive especially on roles related to housekeeping, retail, customer service etc and a company was so directly impacted that it was actually shut down for months and lost billions, still has to deal w social distancing rules, etc…. I have to grade on something of a curve and I am taking a risk.

And Disney to me is as ahead of the post Covid curve as any other experience.

The options to me are go and enjoy and experience some semblance of normalcy or just wait until it’s actually normal again.

Yes they had an extremely profitable quarter but costs were cut dramatically and things are (were) rebounding much faster in 2021/22 than anyone ever expected when business decisions were made.

I don’t really believe anyone is intentionally trying to ruin or limit the Disney experience.

I think there are a lot of good people trying to keep their jobs by figuring out how to manage a blend of tv audience canabalization, the death of the movie theater, Covid closures of theme parks, etc. all while 70s level inflation is all around us (and yes inflation is as bad as the late 70’s, if the government used the same calculation today they used then we would be at 15%). Oh and now pulling cold out of a massive media market like Russia.


Maybe Chapek figures it out, maybe he doesn’t. I am confident he is trying. It’s safe to say he’s not trying to get fired.

I have a great time when I go. My 2021 trip was very special. It’s good to have the pleasure and good fortune to travel and have fun.

Think about where we all were two years ago.

I agree with some of this, but I still can’t figure out where the brilliant idea to roll Genie+ out as a beta test and charge a lot for it fits into your explanation. It’s like seeing your house burning down and throwing gasoline on it. “Gee our parks are in disarray, we are short staffed, inflation is crazy, and we are still trying to get back to normal after Covid, I think the best thing to do is try out a new feature that will vastly change the way people tour our parks and charge a ton of money for it”-Chapek, while using the toilet, probably. The complaints on this board have always been here, especially after Covid, but Genie took it to a whole new level. It was poor timing, poorly done, tone deaf, and Disney deserves all the flak they are getting for it.

 

[Lilsia]

As I stated, there were lots and lots of empty tables, 20 at least, and I've always watched SE on all previous visits without issue with plenty of empty tables around. As stated, these are the things I saw that have changed.

I understand where you're coming from but at the same time, dozens of people can say well I just want to do this I just want to sit for a minute etc. And now the tables are full. Everybody has a reason why they want to just come into the restaurant for a few minutes when they're not eating. I for one appreciate that they don't let people in unless they actually order food. It is made everyone's meal time much more enjoyable when you don't have to walk around with a tray full of food getting cold looking for a table. We just got back two days ago and even though it was busy the lines were nowhere close to 30 to 45 minutes for the food booths. I do agree that a lot of the cast members don't have that same Disney spirit that they used to have. And that comes from management. I would say if they got better management than it would trickle down.