What is going on with resort guests?

[branv]

Color me surprised, but I am on these boards every day and I've not seen this "rash" of entitlement that others are going on about. Do they exist? Well, yes. Are they taking over? Well, errr, noooo. In fact, I have to work fairly hard to find a post where someone is honestly ranting because they didn't get something for nothing. Some of them may have hoped they'd get pixie dusted, but not a single one of you has really said even that is wrong. Sure I get it...it's annoying when people put themselves first, break the rules THEY decide aren't worth following, and generally bully or whine their way through life and vacation.

But really...is it so much that most people are this way, or that a small percentage are and sadly, that is what we are choosing to focus on?

Honestly, so often on this board when I do I read threads where someone intends to do something, once people politely explain to them why that is breaking the rules and why it creates a problem for others, they often are embarrassed and change their plans. It's only a few hard cases and trolls who really plow through, kicking left and right. I would argue that sometimes it is the people chastising who end up being far ruder -- they could give the person the benefit of the doubt, as at some time we all do things out of ignorance that later we wished we'd known better. And all it would have taken was a thoughtful heads up, instead of a finger wagging.

Yes, entitlement is higher these days. Amazing how it's so incredibly prevalent, yet it always seems to be EVERYBODY ELSE who acts this way, and "neeeeever me!" A me, me, me attitude is bad for society in many ways, but so is spending too much time worrying what other people are doing.

I also wonder why, if this is really an outcry against rude, ignorant behavior, why nothing has been said about the posts that have implied observable poor manners at WDW are a result of a lower economic class of people having access to WDW due to discounting? Which is ironic since some of the WORST behavior I have seen has come from people who act entitled because of the money they do have or their committment to preserve it in their own wallets. Bad behavior isn't limited to any one economic or social class, clearly. I simply find it telling that those posts have been given a free pass.

 

[TiaMaria]

I don't condone the behavior you are referring to.I have said this repeatedly. I happen to think and believe that I have shown disney has raised prices above reason.I really don't appreciate you posting my quote with this type of behavior.Simply because I understand why a person could feel that they should get extra you lump me in with this WOW!

First of all, I certainly am not lumping you in with this. I have never said such a thing. Did you notice that I did not say the word "you" once in that post?

Secondly, in reference to the portion of your post that I have bolded above, that is EXACTLY my point! Disney owns this business - they get to set/say what price point is reasonable - not anyone else. People who do not agree with what Disney thinks is reasonable, do not have to go to Disney. Only a business owner can say what is reasonable, based on what the market will bear. Business 101. Colleges and Universities teach it every day all over this country.

Again, some people (I'm not saying you) seem to think that it's OK to scam and basically steal from Disney because Disney's prices are so high. Or maybe they do it just for fun - who knows. I'm saying those are not valid reasons.

A Disney vacation - or any vacation for that matter - is not a basic human right - it is a privelage that one earns.

When I was a kid, my family took vacations to Lake of the Ozarks. Not Disney. Did we moan and complain or feel cheated? Certainly not. Those trips were the highlights of our summers and some of our most treasured memories. Heck, some years, when my Dad's line of business didn't have enough work for him, or he declined taking vacation days in lieu of a big Christmas bonus check so we could have presents, we didn't go on vacation at all. Did we feel cheated or moan and complain? Nope. Not ever. Nor did my parents (at least not in our hearing). We were kids. We played with each other and our friends in our neighborhood. We were perfectly happy. The first time I went to Disney I was 13 and a guest of my best friends family. Loved it. Did I mind not going back until I was in my 20's? Nope. Once in my 20's and making a good living, was I happy to go back with my family and parents. Yep. Would we EVER have considered scamming or stealing to get something we didn't pay for or felt we were "entitled" to - nope.

So to summarize - a Disney vacation is not a basic human right. If a person cannot afford to go and stay as they like or they think that Disney charges too much - then they don't HAVE to go.

JMO, of course!

 

[mrbghd]

So to summarize - a Disney vacation is not a basic human right. If a person cannot afford to go and stay as they like or they think that Disney charges too much - then they don't HAVE to go.

Amen to that!!

 

[gogo]

Color me surprised, but I am on these boards every day and I've not seen this "rash" of entitlement that others are going on about. Do they exist? Well, yes. Are they taking over? Well, errr, noooo. In fact, I have to work fairly hard to find a post where someone is honestly ranting because they didn't get something for nothing. Some of them may have hoped they'd get pixie dusted, but not a single one of you has really said even that is wrong. Sure I get it...it's annoying when people put themselves first, break the rules THEY decide aren't worth following, and generally bully or whine their way through life and vacation.

But really...is it so much that most people are this way, or that a small percentage are and sadly, that is what we are choosing to focus on?

Honestly, so often on this board when I do I read threads where someone intends to do something, once people politely explain to them why that is breaking the rules and why it creates a problem for others, they often are embarrassed and change their plans. It's only a few hard cases and trolls who really plow through, kicking left and right. I would argue that sometimes it is the people chastising who end up being far ruder -- they could give the person the benefit of the doubt, as at some time we all do things out of ignorance that later we wished we'd known better. And all it would have taken was a thoughtful heads up, instead of a finger wagging.

Yes, entitlement is higher these days. Amazing how it's so incredibly prevalent, yet it always seems to be EVERYBODY ELSE who acts this way, and "neeeeever me!" A me, me, me attitude is bad for society in many ways, but so is spending too much time worrying what other people are doing.

I also wonder why, if this is really an outcry against rude, ignorant behavior, why nothing has been said about the posts that have implied observable poor manners at WDW are a result of a lower economic class of people having access to WDW due to discounting? Which is ironic since some of the WORST behavior I have seen has come from people who act entitled because of the money they do have or their committment to preserve it in their own wallets. Bad behavior isn't limited to any one economic or social class, clearly. I simply find it telling that those posts have been given a free pass.

Totally agree with your post.

 

[dmccarty]

Sorry, but as pricy as Disney is...You get a whole lot for your $$$.My summer trip to the Jersey shore cost almost the same and was not nearly even remotely as nice.

Agree. We went to the beach for a three nights a few years ago and it cost almost $1,000! And it was off season! Our WDW trips are about $2,000 not including room. We are in DVC so figuring room cost is interesting. For sake of argument lets say seven nights at AKL/AKV is $1,000. Total trip cost is $3,000 for eating out a couple of nights at Signature restaurants, sending the kids to a club house, and staying at a deluxe hotel.

That to me is a cheap vacation compared to the beach where one can only sit in the sun burning and bored while itching at sand lodged into sensitive spots.

In 1985 there were two parks at WDW. Now there are four.

$68 three day pass with park hopper is today $271. With inflation the $68 would be $134 in 2009 money. Ticket prices has doubled compared to inflation. But the number of parks has doubled. Seems like a wash.

Wanna complain about ticket prices? There is talk about movie tickets going for $20. Which wont bother us since we don't go to the movies much. In fact DW and I have only seen one movie together and that was to take one of the DKs to see a Harry Potter movie. For what we paid to get into the movie we could have bought a couple of DVDs of the movie.

People do feel more entitled these days. Saw a bunch of it this weekend at work. Which is not unusual. What the CM's see at WDW is not unusual. One of the comments I heard this weekend was, "What makes them think they are so special?"

Later,
Dan

 

[flicx]

So to summarize - a Disney vacation is not a basic human right. If a person cannot afford to go and stay as they like or they think that Disney charges too much - then they don't HAVE to go.

JMO, of course!

I don't think I am the only one who feels disney is outta hand with these prices folks.I didn't even begin to talk food or gift shops either.So I am glad to see you don't mind basic 300 to 700 percent increases.Quite frankly I feel it is outta hand,and I have cut back the amount of times my family goes.As far as disney owning the business you are correct,I feel it is sad that it is fast becoming a private country club for the wealthier set.In my opinion Walt Disney didn't start all of this as a money making machine.Seems that is what it has turned into,according to some on here they(disney) should get all they can,how sad!So that is what I consider greed.Funny maybe you didn't read Walt's quote in the earlier post"Disneyland is a work of love".We didn't go into disneyland just with the idea of making money." Food for thought!

 

[OllieDannyandMe]

I have NO problem with people asking for upgrades..BUT if they aren't handed to you( not you directly) freely, pixie dust-like, then I expect you to move on and accept it.Not stand there at the desk for 20 mins backing up the line , ranting and raving like a lunatic, and sadly I have witnessed this behavior MANY times in my trips to WDW.

This post reminds me of something that happened during a trip to the Contemporary Resort back in 1982, so I guess it's not a new phenomenon.

My family was waiting in the lobby of the Contemporary. A man was at the registration desk upset about something, and he began to yell at the CM. I was only 15 at the time, so it really made an impression on me. I can remember the CM saying over and over again that she would do whatever it took to solve the problem. She kept asking him what he would like for her to do, and she kept saying that she would do whatever he wanted. But I don't think he was really hearing her. He was so wrapped up in his tirade and getting his anger out at the expense of this young girl, that he kept missing what she was saying. She was offering to fulfill any request, and he just kept on yelling. It was awful.

 

[zuzu310]

Totally agreed! I think we are living in an "era of entitlement" as one poster said. My husband and I are just so blessed to be getting to come this year at all. I'm not expecting anything more than what we booked but just the regular customer service at Disney is in my opinion above and beyond. My grandmother always said that she griped about never having any nice shoes growing up until she saw a man who had no foot. It's a good philosophy to live by!

 

[Disneyadore]

I don't think I am the only one who feels disney is outta hand with these prices folks.I didn't even begin to talk food or gift shops either.So I am glad to see you don't mind basic 300 to 700 percent increases.Quite frankly I feel it is outta hand,and I have cut back the amount of times my family goes.As far as disney owning the business you are correct,I feel it is sad that it is fast becoming a private country club for the wealthier set.In my opinion Walt Disney didn't start all of this as a money making machine.Seems that is what it has turned into,according to some on here they(disney) should get all they can,how sad!So that is what I consider greed.Funny maybe you didn't read Walt's quote in the earlier post"Disneyland is a work of love".We didn't go into disneyland just with the idea of making money." Food for thought!

Walt was a clever business man with a great vision but a greater talent to make money. All this "Walt would turn around in his grave" is so out dated. He was not some kind of saint that gave all his money to the poor.

But you made me curious and I called my mother to ask what a bread was costing so many years ago. We came to the conclusion that the price for a bread was 500% higher than when WDW was build. O God those greedy beakers.
Disney is not a God giver right you have to visit it nor is in a public institution that lives on public money. Millions will never be able to visit there just as millions will never see the Eiffel Tower. I suppose you would call the French greedy also.

If something is not in your reach you simply cant blame it on the business just on yourself.

 

[flicx]

Walt was a clever business man with a great vision but a greater talent to make money. All this "Walt would turn around in his grave" is so out dated. He was not some kind of saint that gave all his money to the poor.

But you made me curious and I called my mother to ask what a bread was costing so many years ago. We came to the conclusion that the price for a bread was 500% higher than when WDW was build. O God those greedy beakers.
Disney is not a God giver right you have to visit it nor is in a public institution that lives on public money. Millions will never be able to visit there just as millions will never see the Eiffel Tower. I suppose you would call the French greedy also.

If something is not in your reach you simply cant blame it on the business just on yourself.

My friend there is quite alot wrong with what you just said.Walt Disney gave alot of his money to charities.I personally own a check from 1959 where he donates 250.00 to a church.He was quite a giver.Bread also has not gone up 500% since 1985 (where are you buying bread?)All of my numbers are from 1985 to now!I also wouldn't compare a trip to France with one in my own country.So lets see if gas was 700% higher today than in 1985 you wouldn't call the oil companys greedy? I guess not cause if something is not in your reach you simply can't blame it on the business just yourself!

 

[DisGirl23]

What's changed in gasoline since 1985? What's changed in bread since 1985? I would think that the ingredients are pretty much the same.
But, since 1985, Disney has added 2 theme parks, 2 water parks, numerous hotels, a shopping and entertainment district, special events, elaborate fireworks and shows, shall I continue... all that costs money.
I understand your views on the cost but, please find a different comparison other than a loaf of bread or a tank of gas.

 

[flicx]

What's changed in gasoline since 1985? What's changed in bread since 1985? I would think that the ingredients are pretty much the same.
But, since 1985, Disney has added 2 theme parks, 2 water parks, numerous hotels, a shopping and entertainment district, special events, elaborate fireworks and shows, shall I continue... all that costs money.
I understand your views on the cost but, please find a different comparison other than a loaf of bread or a tank of gas.

First of all that is a cost of living comparison(1985 to now).Disney has exceded this greatly.Adding theme parks and hotels and water parks cost more money yes,but they bring in way more than they cost.Instead of going to parks for two days you now go for 4.Disney now has a bigger chunk of the shopping and hotel business in orlando too.Yes you have the initial cost but what a cash crop you are reaping.I really don't know what you want me to compare to.A day at disney now costs more than three times than it used to(1985),parking is now 7 times higher,these are facts sorry. The whole story of now there is more to do doesn't work,you are paying proportinally to do it.

 

[vicki_c]

1985 - bread - $.55
2010 - bread - $2.50
(average prices found online - took average 2010 price from 3 different ones I found)

Increase = 354%.

1985 one day ticket - $19.50 (average of 3 1985 prices reported by allears)
2010 one day ticket - $84.14

Increase 325%.

Citations:
http://qrc.depaul.edu/djabon/cpi.htm
http://allears.net/tix/tixpix80.htm
http://www.mousesavers.com/wdwticketprices.html
http://www.csgnetwork.com/percentchangecalc.html

 

[flicx]

Wanted to show that I am not crazy and just ranting here so i just looked up some prices from 1985 milk 2.26 a gal/now 3.17, postage 22cents/now 44 cents(soon), eggs .80 cents dz/now1.17 a dz, gas 1.20 a gal/ now2.79 gal.I have already shown disney prices so no need to be repeating I don't see any of these things that are up 300% to 700%.?

How about these prices too? I don't know where you are buying bread either it's less than a dollar a loaf here in PA!

 

[DisGirl23]

Cost Of Living 1985 (taken from the people history

How Much things cost in 1985
Average Cost of new house $89,330.00
Average Income per year $22,100.00
Average Monthly rent $375.00
Average Price for new car $9,005.00
1 gallon of gas $1.09
Movie Ticket $2.75
US Postage Stamp 22 cents
Bacon per pound $1.65

Not sure where anyone else is living or paying these prices today but, if you are, please let me know!

 

[flicx]

I quit you guys are right disney should gouge all they want.They are a business after all and they should try to get as much as they can.Nothing wrong with that idea is there.In 25 more years when tickets are 4 times higher and cost over 300.00 a day don't complain, smile and have a wonderful disney day.

 

[vicki_c]

I quit you guys are right disney should gouge all they want.They are a business after all and they should try to get as much as they can.Nothing wrong with that idea is there.In 25 more years when tickets are 4 times higher and cost over 300.00 a day don't complain, smile and have a wonderful disney day.

You really are missing the point that is being made - obviously you're not going to change your mind, but you're the one that brought up comparisons with consumer goods and I was just trying to show that you are wrong - the increases are not necessarily out of line with other things in the world. If you get bread for $1, great for you, but the AVERAGE price in the U.S. for bread this year is around $2.50.

Additionally, you can't just compare things like food anyway, because much of those prices are subsidized in one way or another. Something like movie tickets is probably a fairer comparison and I believe they have gone up about 500-600% from 1985.

I just don't see that a 300% increase in 25 years is out of line (not sure what item you were referring to as a 700% increase). And I fully expect that in another 25 years, it will increase maybe in the same proportions as well. But so will other things, including people's salaries. If my $300/day ticket still represents the same proportion of my income as an $84 ticket today, I still won't be complaining.

 

[skater]

I quit you guys are right disney should gouge all they want.They are a business after all and they should try to get as much as they can.Nothing wrong with that idea is there.In 25 more years when tickets are 4 times higher and cost over 300.00 a day don't complain, smile and have a wonderful disney day.

 

[mrbghd]

I don't think I am the only one who feels disney is outta hand with these prices folks.I didn't even begin to talk food or gift shops either.So I am glad to see you don't mind basic 300 to 700 percent increases.Quite frankly I feel it is outta hand,and I have cut back the amount of times my family goes.As far as disney owning the business you are correct,I feel it is sad that it is fast becoming a private country club for the wealthier set.In my opinion Walt Disney didn't start all of this as a money making machine.Seems that is what it has turned into,according to some on here they(disney) should get all they can,how sad!So that is what I consider greed.Funny maybe you didn't read Walt's quote in the earlier post"Disneyland is a work of love".We didn't go into disneyland just with the idea of making money." Food for thought!

I am sorry you feel that way, but I have accepted the cost increases as the "cost of doing business" as they say. I can afford to go two or three times a year if I want to; so does that make me a bad person? Everything in life cost money my friend. If you are unhappy with the costs then stay home. If you think it is unfair, then stay home. If you do not like the basics of how capitalism works move to China. Lastly, just because you have to cut back the number of times that your family can go doesn't make it unfair that I can go multiple times. The thought that it is unfair is part of the sense of entitlement problem that we have in this nation today.

 

[Ava]

I agree with all of this. In a way I DO blame the DIS. Of course, as someone said the 'culture of entitlement' is more to blame but I wouldn't have known about most of this without the boards. It never would have occurred to me to pool hop, reuse my refillable mugs, or ask for an upgrade. I've been to Disney five times and never knew about towel animals. Sheer embarassment keeps me from doing any of this, but I have to admit that you do suddenly think about an upgrade.

Sorry, this is all the way back from page 2 but I had to comment because this is so true! My favorite "never would've thought of it if I didn't read DIS" thing is to book a cheap reservation at the FW campground that you don't intend on using, just to get the on-site perks like EMH. I never in a million years would've thought of this if I hadn't read the "suggestion" here on the DIS. (I also would never do it, even though it's not technically breaking any rules.)

If I'm ever in a position to stay at a hotel that HAS different levels/views, I'll just be so happy to be staying deluxe I won't give a hoot about upgrades!