What (if anything) made you give up wdw

[Floridaman999]

I haven't completely given up, but I go much less now than I did in recent years. I think it's the bang for the buck factor that gets me. I just don't feel I get my moneys worth these days so I go to other vacation destinations instead. WDW is still in the mix, just not as common as it used to be for us.

 

[tvguy]

Went to WDW last year for the first time. Had a great time, but may not be back. Too spread out. And frankly, given that they KNOW it rains in Florida, and that the park has been there nearly 50 years I was shocked how many things/attractions were not weather proofed and had to close due to rain.

Went back to DL last month, confirmed our preferences for being able to be from the hotel into CA in 3 or 4 minutes, and to leave one park, and be in the other 2 minutes later. We literally were getting off Splash in DL, and 10 minutes later were getting on Grizzly River run in CA.

 

[TipsyTraveler]

Ah, distinctly I remember
It was the 18th of September...

And I was laid up with fever and chills in a $500/night room on dirty sheets that hadn’t been changed in nine days, calling the reservation line because MDE kept glitching, trying to swap one mediocre $100 lunch time for another, hoping to avoid paying a penalty fee, while the CM on the phone kept telling me my desired times were unavailable even though I was looking at availability at that very moment on my phone. I took what she was offering even though it wasn’t what I wanted, but when I got off the phone I realized she’d not only scheduled the reservation for the wrong time but also the wrong party size. So I still had to deal with that, but first I needed to reschedule all my fastpasses. But I couldn’t get to that just yet, as then the phone rang and security wanted to schedule my room check, so I had to get out of bed and get dressed. As I woozily paced the room trying to catch their arrival before they knocked and woke the baby, while running through my mental list of administrative tasks I still needed to complete, and listening to the guest in the next room urinating, I wondered, “Is this what vacation is supposed to feel like?”

 

[amberpi]

I agree the cms have changed so much. In contrast, we just got fantastic service on our recent stay at the Hyatt regency grand cypress and the way the employees fawned over the kids made the stay amazing - arranged animals in the kids room, getting the parrot guy to come out for them any time a team member saw them, stickers galore, special treats from room service, it felt “Disney” to me and I had lost a bit of that. We’ll be going back to WDW though certainly, the excitement of the kids during illuminations or getting off the hm. Wdw still gets my ticket money, and a lot of dining money. Their favorite souvenir from our last trip? Was the stuffed parrots from the Hyatt. DH bought them on a lark in the middle of the night (he may have had a few Manhattans) the kids woke up and tried to figure out how they flew in their room The lady had to give him the chocolate lollipops and another treat for each of them with the parrot on them. Small cost, but she'd seen him nightly and the little act meant a lot. I don't hear so many stories from WDW like this anymore.

@TipsyTraveler - I feel for you. We had a trip like that in August.

 

[tex1989]

Nothing!

 

[Hikergirl]

My teens aren't interested in going anymore. I have no problem with that as I feel the value of going for week long family vacations is no longer there. I still plan on going with my dh but only for F&W.

 

[cinnaminny]

Went to WDW last year for the first time. Had a great time, but may not be back. Too spread out. And frankly, given that they KNOW it rains in Florida, and that the park has been there nearly 50 years I was shocked how many things/attractions were not weather proofed and had to close due to rain.

Went back to DL last month, confirmed our preferences for being able to be from the hotel into CA in 3 or 4 minutes, and to leave one park, and be in the other 2 minutes later. We literally were getting off Splash in DL, and 10 minutes later were getting on Grizzly River run in CA.

This is why Disneyland will always be my main park, so easy, I love it....I also love the Grizzly River Run in CA also, I don't know how but the one in Animal Kingdom is not as good, not enough drops.

I've only been to WDW once, and I plan on going at least one more time for a very big trip, in about 3 years. After that we will play it by ear.

 

[smokeyblue]

I haven't given up. The level of service I've received at the values meets my needs and matches my expectations in relation to what I'm paying. I can pretty much say the same thing for the mods too, but for various reasons I prefer POP over the mods I've stayed at. If I stayed at a deluxe or wanted a "deluxe" experience, at Disney Deluxe prices I would be very disappointed. I've stayed at "deluxe" and upscale hotels elsewhere and from what I've seen and heard Disney doesn't rise to their level. So I get what OP is saying. If I wanted and could afford a deluxe experience I would want what she describes, not what Disney is offering.

 

[emer95]

I still love Disney and we’ll definitely go back someday, but not for many years. We used to go every other year when the kids were young. Our reasons for not going anytime soon are:

Cost
Crowds!
Desire to see new/different places
Kids grew up
Got tired of the same thing
Not a relaxing trip

 

[arminnie]

I haven't given up, but I've gone from going at least 3 times a year for the past several years (Flower & Garden, Food & Wine, Christmas) to I'm now taking a 2 year hiatus. It has nothing to do with Disney prices as I've owned DVC for a long, long time. We prefer to eat most meals offsite so TBH we don't spend all that much more money on food at Disney than we do at home.

My issue is that I have a rapidly progressing degenerative nerve disease. I've spent thousands and thousands of on medical equipment this year so I rented out about 3 years worth of DVC points (on 3 contracts) to pay for it. We've still got two non-activated APs so will be going again. Probably Christmas 2019 or early 2020.

But I am severely limited on what I can do at Disney now so we'll see how it goes when we do go back. None of that is Disney's fault. I'll see how I enjoy just looking, going to shows, and going on attractions that can load a wheelchair.

I do cringe at the resort prices - but I don't stay there so it doesn't really matter. The last time I stayed at AKL in a Savannah room it was $109. That was probably about 2003.

 

[amberpi]

I haven't given up, but I've gone from going at least 3 times a year for the past several years (Flower & Garden, Food & Wine, Christmas) to I'm now taking a 2 year hiatus. It has nothing to do with Disney prices as I've owned DVC for a long, long time. We prefer to eat most meals offsite so TBH we don't spend all that much more money on food at Disney than we do at home.

My issue is that I have a rapidly progressing degenerative nerve disease. I've spent thousands and thousands of on medical equipment this year so I rented out about 3 years worth of DVC points (on 3 contracts) to pay for it. We've still got two non-activated APs so will be going again. Probably Christmas 2019 or early 2020.

But I am severely limited on what I can do at Disney now so we'll see how it goes when we do go back. None of that is Disney's fault. I'll see how I enjoy just looking, going to shows, and going on attractions that can load a wheelchair.

I do cringe at the resort prices - but I don't stay there so it doesn't really matter. The last time I stayed at AKL in a Savannah room it was $109. That was probably about 2003.

I'm sorry to hear that. Wishing you a speedy, amazing recovery as much as possible.

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

Nothing. I still go. Plenty of new stuff to see. But I think a lot of people go so often that it gets old for them. And there are a lot of things at Disney where the repeat value for me is low. So I understand where hey are coming from. The three big shows at DHS were starting to get old for me. Same goes for Stitch or the laugh floor and several other attractions.
Also you have to realize that around here on the dis boards, things get blown out of proportion good or bad.
Dole Whips and Zebra domes aren't to die for. I remember one trip I was like where are the awesome zebra domes? I have to have one? Then I get one and I'm like What? That is what they're talking about? Did I just get catfished? Is this the dis equivalent of a snipe hunt?
And some of the things people think are catastrophic, I don't bat an eyelash over.
For instance, I thought dumping the pineapple for bread pudding with bananas foster was an upgrade. But around here you'd think Disney launched nuclear missiles and ended the world or something. Oh noes!! Disney has declined!! Dang dining plan!!! you rif raf are ruining our gourmet meals!!!!!!
I remember a Magic ruined thread that after a 5 paragraph diatribe that boiled down to Disney not making towel animals. I gave myself a face palm for wasting 2 minutes on that one.

 

[ronandannette]

We knew mid-way through our first and only visit in 2006 that we'd likely never be back. We're big Disney lovers and dreamed that WDW would be the best thing that ever happened to us but instead we found an OK experience, in grueling weather conditions, that cost a butt-ton of money and was just TOO MUCH WORK. And that was back way before anything along the lines of FP+ and all the contortions other describe having to go through now. We've re-visited DLR many times since and will continue to do so. There's nothing about WDW that even sounds tempting at this point.

 

[cabanafrau]

Nothing. I still go. Plenty of new stuff to see. But I think a lot of people go so often that it gets old for them. And there are a lot of things at Disney where the repeat value for me is low. So I understand where hey are coming from. The three big shows at DHS were starting to get old for me. Same goes for Stitch or the laugh floor and several other attractions.
Also you have to realize that around here on the dis boards, things get blown out of proportion good or bad.
Dole Whips and Zebra domes aren't to die for. I remember one trip I was like where are the awesome zebra domes? I have to have one? Then I get one and I'm like What? That is what they're talking about? Did I just get catfished? Is this the dis equivalent of a snipe hunt?
And some of the things people think are catastrophic, I don't bat an eyelash over.
For instance, I thought dumping the pineapple for bread pudding with bananas foster was an upgrade. But around here you'd think Disney launched nuclear missiles and ended the world or something. Oh noes!! Disney has declined!! Dang dining plan!!! you rif raf are ruining our gourmet meals!!!!!!
I remember a Magic ruined thread that after a 5 paragraph diatribe that boiled down to Disney not making towel animals. I gave myself a face palm for wasting 2 minutes on that one.

I've been 5 times since 1972, yet the last time we were there 5 years ago we all found it stale -- after a 7 year absence prior to that. As for the rest of the things you cited about overblown hysteria, none even made our radar. I try to hold out some hope there will be another change of course with management, but truthfully don't expect it. We thought we might head back to DLR, but that's not going to be before Star Wars hits and I don't think the crowd levels there will be at all enjoyable after the hordes descend.

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

I've been 5 times since 1972, yet the last time we were there 5 years ago we all found it stale -- after a 7 year absence prior to that. As for the rest of the things you cited about overblown hysteria, none even made our radar. I try to hold out some hope there will be another change of course with management, but truthfully don't expect it. We thought we might head back to DLR, but that's not going to be before Star Wars hits and I don't think the crowd levels there will be at all enjoyable after the hordes descend.

Fine don't go then. Have a nice day.

 

[amberpi]

I've been 5 times since 1972, yet the last time we were there 5 years ago we all found it stale -- after a 7 year absence prior to that. As for the rest of the things you cited about overblown hysteria, none even made our radar. I try to hold out some hope there will be another change of course with management, but truthfully don't expect it. We thought we might head back to DLR, but that's not going to be before Star Wars hits and I don't think the crowd levels there will be at all enjoyable after the hordes descend.

DLR could be downright scary when SW opens. I love how quaint the park is and even my SW loving butt just wonders if there was enough space to hold the land and the multitudes.

 

[Praying Colonel]

Also a combination of things. Increasing prices (some of them giggle-inducing), steadily declining quality of services, elimination of little things that enhanced our visits (e.g. RIP 4 For A Dollar, Mulch Sweat and Shears, Off Kilter and Mo Rockin), getting rid of legacy FP in favor of FP+ and the nickel-and-dime, upsell culture the WDW powers-that-be have cultivated over the last few years. As I said in another thread, I think about our WDW vacation 10 years ago and our most recent WDW vacation in 2016 and the 2008 vacation was vastly superior. No big deal to WDW I'm sure, but we choose to spend our vacation $ elsewhere.

As for why I continue to post--I like the DIS community. I post some on the other boards--more rarely than I used to--but most of my posts are here on the Community Board. Of my last 10 posts, 9 have been here. Since I saw the question here, I answered it.

 

[Princessclab]

Wait, so people who hate Disney now and refuse to visit Disney still post here so they can complain about how awful Disney is? "I hate Disney so much I still hang around a place people who like Disney gather so I can pee on it in front of them."

Cool.

Nothing. I still go. Plenty of new stuff to see. But I think a lot of people go so often that it gets old for them. And there are a lot of things at Disney where the repeat value for me is low. So I understand where hey are coming from. The three big shows at DHS were starting to get old for me. Same goes for Stitch or the laugh floor and several other attractions.
Also you have to realize that around here on the dis boards, things get blown out of proportion good or bad.
Dole Whips and Zebra domes aren't to die for. I remember one trip I was like where are the awesome zebra domes? I have to have one? Then I get one and I'm like What? That is what they're talking about? Did I just get catfished? Is this the dis equivalent of a snipe hunt?
And some of the things people think are catastrophic, I don't bat an eyelash over.
For instance, I thought dumping the pineapple for bread pudding with bananas foster was an upgrade. But around here you'd think Disney launched nuclear missiles and ended the world or something. Oh noes!! Disney has declined!! Dang dining plan!!! you rif raf are ruining our gourmet meals!!!!!!
I remember a Magic ruined thread that after a 5 paragraph diatribe that boiled down to Disney not making towel animals. I gave myself a face palm for wasting 2 minutes on that one.

 

[dyna]

Prices less an less for our money including quality of food. The new FP system made it impossible for the day guest who wanted to go into the parks for 3 or 4 hrs to ride many of the major attractions. Not had AP's since 2016 when our AP's ran out in Oct.

Turned out it was a good thing we had not renewed DH's health started failing at that time an now there is no possible way for us to go to the parks.

 

[handinpocket]

Enormous price increases

Cutting corners at every spot they can

New fast pass system

Having to pay to park at hotels

Crowds

We can have several vacations at other spots, for what one week at WDW would cost us. Just isn't worth it to us anymore.