What would Disney have to do to keep your family away?

[Diznotyzed]

While I can't say with certainty we'll never go to WDW again, after our last trip in Sept 2014 (our usual week after Labor Day, so lower crowds), our first and only with Fast Pass+, it feels like we're done. Our long string of yearly trips since 1998 is definitely over. We don't want to be tied to a schedule, and had long since given up eating at table service restaurants for that reason. We felt noticeably limited, and just didn't enjoy ourselves as much. We'll be headed cross country for a wedding this Fall, and it used to be a a given we'd fit in a visit to WDW at the same time, but now we just aren't interested.

So for us, it was Fast pass+.

 

[Disney Khaleesi]

When I don't feel the magic again.

Granted, we are not annual visitors. There's still a lot we haven't done at the parks. There's still new things for us. But, my Dad and I are both Disney lovers and we love talking about the parks and planning trips. We do take other vacations, so it isn't like Disney it the only place out there for us. But, it is easy to plan and we have some of our best memories from there. We do have plans to return, just not within two years. I'll be in college next year and that makes vacationing more difficult.

But, when I enter a park, I still feel the Disney magic. The price is worth it for us. We are comic book convention goers, we can handle the crowds. So, unless we stop enjoying our trips, we'll still be going back.

 

[Lisann]

I've been pretty close to throwing in the towel myself for all of those reasons and more: FP+, increase in the cost of park passes, increase in the cost of food, needing to book ADRs at 120 days in advance, reducing the PAP discount from 20% to 10%, raising the price of the TIW to $150, being chained to a plan made 60 days in advance because FP+ selections not available in the park I want to change to, reduction in entertainment in Epcot, no good discounts on park passes for DVC members and the shocking cost of WDW resorts.

My sentiments, too.

For me, it's mainly the cost of WDW, and mainly of the resorts. They are getting out of hand quite honestly. Without discounts, I couldn't stay onsite...and I already split the costs three ways with my sisters.

Also, I wouldn't want to see any more "classic" attractions change or close.

I know WDW would never do this...but maybe they could take some business away from Universal by actually lowering Disney ticket prices and resort prices. Hmm....something to think about, right?

 

[Accident]

For me technically disney already did it...

There was a 10 year gap that it was out of my price range as a single parent. Then after taking 1 trip, found it to be a little stagnant summer trip and we didn't go back again for 10 years because we didn't feel it was worth the cost or again I found myself in a position that disney wasn't affordable. The improvements that have started over the last fews years plus a better place for myself employment/financial wise has made it really exciting again. I never expected I would be an annual passholder that didn't live driving distance and now I'm getting ready to head down next week to seriously look at apartments and possibly move down in the next month.

 

[MickeysPal49]

I'd stop going altogether if they decided, as some posters have in the past called for on this board, that alcohol should not be served in ANY Disney park or resort.[/QUOT

As long as the European visitors are being targeted as guests, this will never happen. Other countries drink alcohol with meals as a normal occurrence.

 

[MickeysPal49]

Pricing and health will probably be when I would stop going to a Disney park. If I'm spending a ridiculous amount of money and still can't ride attractions like I used to, then it will be time to pack it in.

 

[andrewlb54]

For me is would be the exact opposite as MickeysPal49. Growing up I grew to love EPCOT as a kid as it was my parents favorite park. By no means were they alcoholics but they did enjoy a Margarita in Mexico. Now that I've grown and my wife and I have been together for 6 six years some of our favorite things to do is grab a Lapu Lapu at the Polynesian or a Sleigh Ride in DHS and go watch the lights dance(RIP Osborne Lights). We are not alcoholics but we are responsible adults you enjoy being on vacation at Disney and for us that includes a few adult beverages.

 

[MickeysPal49]

For me is would be the exact opposite as MickeysPal49. Growing up I grew to love EPCOT as a kid as it was my parents favorite park. By no means were they alcoholics but they did enjoy a Margarita in Mexico. Now that I've grown and my wife and I have been together for 6 six years some of our favorite things to do is grab a Lapu Lapu at the Polynesian or a Sleigh Ride in DHS and go watch the lights dance(RIP Osborne Lights). We are not alcoholics but we are responsible adults you enjoy being on vacation at Disney and for us that includes a few adult beverages.

As proof of my inability to post accurately, I was trying to quote a previous post that someone else had suggested that they would consider not going to Disney if alcohol was band from all parks. I've been going to MK for years and the lack of alcohol as not been an issue. There is no worry about this ever happening since other cultures drink alcohol with many of their meals and those visitors are very much being courted by Disney and other parks in the Orlando area. Sorry if I miss lead you.

 

[MickeysPal49]

My sentiments, too.

For me, it's mainly the cost of WDW, and mainly of the resorts. They are getting out of hand quite honestly. Without discounts, I couldn't stay onsite...and I already split the costs three ways with my sisters.

Also, I wouldn't want to see any more "classic" attractions change or close.

I know WDW would never do this...but maybe they could take some business away from Universal by actually lowering Disney ticket prices and resort prices. Hmm....something to think about, right?

Neither park wants to be known as the "bargain park". They will stay neck in neck at the ticket booth.

 

[Stigsmom]

We love the characters and will keep going in some capacity while my family still enjoys them.

With that said- I am not sure the parks are worth the cost for us anymore. Last spring, staying offsite, we spent 3 days at universal and a day at sea world with character meals and a couple trips to downtown/Disney springs mixed in. Everyone felt like they went to Disney world as much as on prior trips to the parks. I foresee most future trips to be centered on universal with some Disney springs time and character meals worked in.

 

[Tuxlux]

I agree with others when they say the attractions are not being maintained. Last time we visited we were stuck in a 7 boat crash in Pirates. Attractions were dirty and tatty.

But the biggest thing is the Disney behavior regarding American employees working in American parks.

In 2015 they fired their long time computer staffers and hired cheap contractors from India. They forced the American staff to train their own replacements or they'd get no severance package. The contractors were no better technically than the staff already there....they were a way to find employees they could underpay and use like indentured servants. The contracting practices of companies is to bring staff from India in with the promise they will be living in America and making mega-bucks to send home. What happens is they wind up here and find out they are underpaid for the cost of living and they are indebted to the contracting company that holds their visas.

In D.C. in federal contracts, I've been with A co-worker who we literally forced into a car and took to the hospital. He had a ruptured appendix. He kept saving "If I don't work I don't get paid. I don't have any insurance."

Federal Health exchanges have made some things better for some. Still most of our contractors work high tech jobs and have Medicaid cards.

This week Disney fired over 100 painters and maintenance workers and claimed they were overstaffed. Seriously? The parks are run down and being refurbed at the same time. Did they just use the move to fire local workers who belonged to a union?

When we went to the parks in 2015 the one thing we heard is that Disney strives to keep workers part time. One we met was overjoyed to finally get 40 hours a week so his family could have their own apartment.

This employee 3 card monty is an ugly practice. it makes me wonder if all those wonderful people, who make the magic for us, make a living wage for their work.

I hope that Walt would be ashamed of this money grubbing tactic on the part of the parks.

With the corporate behavior, rising prices, and run down attractions.......We are probably done with Disney.

Tuxlux

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

Long story short, if the crowds don't diminish or they get greater than I could see myself not going back.

I'm wondering if the opening of multiple new attractions btwn Toy Story Land, Star Wars Land and Avatarland might help in the long run -- spread people out more. Of course we'd see increases in attendance to draw more people to the new things -- especially at first -- but I wonder how that nets out from a crowd perspective a while after they're all open...

 

[shanethesaint88]

I'm wondering if the opening of multiple new attractions btwn Toy Story Land, Star Wars Land and Avatarland might help in the long run -- spread people out more. Of course we'd see increases in attendance to draw more people to the new things -- especially at first -- but I wonder how that nets out from a crowd perspective a while after they're all open...

I believe that will help tremendously. Maybe not at first because of the influx of the people going to check it out, but eventually it will. The reason MK is so busy right now is because of the all the construction or even the perceived construction that is taking place at the other parks. Plus I believe FP+ affects this too. Why go to Epcot and have to "waste" 2 fastpasses on rides like journey into imagination and space ship earth. Those rides rarely have super long lines. MK offers more bang for your buck. Way more attractions plus they have no tier system. You can fast passes for Space Mtn. Thunder Mtn. And 7DMT if you want. Which people like us may really enjoy the classic rides but most people go for the big "E-Ticket" attractions. So I definetly think that the new things will help the crowds out.

 

[Lumpy Dumpity]

My parents never took me to WDW every year instead throwing in vacations to other spots throughout the United States and Canada. I have been 5 times in my 17 years and I enjoy everything there is about Disney. When I become an adult and get married and raise a family I am going to do it exactly like my Mom and Dad did and not overload one place for vacation on me. They gave me an appreciation for Disney, but did not knock it down my throat so I wouldn't enjoy it for many years to come.

 

[kbelle8995]

I am at a crossroads on this. I am going back on an after four Epcot pass. I still love and enjoy Epcot. I did miss it during my break from Disney. I do not really miss the overcrowded Mk Nor do I wish to pay for two parks that are under construction. And My sister who travels during the same time wishes me to go with her to Epcot. But if my sister drops her pass I will drop mine as well. FP+, dirty bathroom and not exactly great experiences at Disney has really made me not want to go to the parks. Epcot is the one exception.

I am still on the Dis because I went over to Universal Studios During my break from Disney and this website has excellent boards on Universal.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

Cut way back on live entertainment? Oh wait they did that....

Let me see my next trip is..... Hmmm. I don't see one on the calendar!

And this is the first time I have been on the DIS is quite a while, just dropped by to see what the latest drama was

 

[Phoenixrising]

I'm on the borderline myself. When the cost to visit Disney in general is comparable to traveling to other destinations, it's hard to justify a Disney trip anymore. We have plans for a family WDW trip next year, followed probably by a solo trip to DL later that year. But I'm not ruling out traveling to other destinations if I can get a good deal on air and hotel for my solo trip. The WDW trip will be the last for the family, as we will be exploring other places for future vacations.

 

[yeheyprincex2]

The main factor keeping us away at this point are the crowd levels. Too high. Example, we have spring break coming up, I think my kids are off for 11 days, looking for somewhere to go. I refuse to go to WDW because of over-the-top crowd levels. BTDT, would prefer to flush the money down the toilet. We're basically down to one week in August that works for us between crowd levels and the school calendar but the weather stinks that week. Can't win!

I said the same thing when we discussed spring break 2016, no way to Disney. I don't know what I'm going to do when my boys are both in school full time and have to vacation with the school calendar.