WHY!!! Should I expect more from Disney

[WDWLVR]

Only speaking for myself - I like when I hear welcome home. We bought into DVC so that we could vacation at Disney for many years to come and so that we could vacation in a home - not a hotel room. When I hear "welcome home" it brings a smile to my face. Would it ruin my vacation if I didn't hear it - no way because we would still be home.

If I heard it when checking into a hotel (or like we did on the member cruise) all the better!

I do think there are some DVC'ers who feel they are entitled to special treatment, should get extra perks, should be treated better than others. I would also say that there are just as many in other groups that feel the same way (be they annual passholders, first time visitors, new parents, whatever). What I'm tyring to say is that you will also find SOME who feel they deserve more.

As for Magic and Pixie Dust - I feel it every time I visit. I'm away from home, away from work, getting to spend time with my DH. Very magical indeed and what better place to do it than Disney.

 

[HappyMommy2]

Pongo,

I can see your point. It really is all in the attitude. If someone goes into a vacation with overly high expectations (maybe more common with WDW vacations than with other places) and can't be flexible about things, even a small disappointment can be magnified to the point of "spoiling" the whole trip. Pretty sad! In the same way, if a person goes in with the attitude that they are going to have a bad time, and will wish they are somewhere else, they probably WILL have a bad time, too!

I think most of us here on these boards have very reasonable expectations for our trips. Sometimes small complaints--like an unfriendly CM or a lack of towel animals-- get blown out of proportion here, often because at times we use these boards to "vent" about things we might otherwise not even mention. My family loves WDW; for us it is a place very conducive to "magic," but the "magic" itself actually comes from us as we spend time enjoying each other and making memories together--it doesn't come from anything external. I guess I'm trying to say that, for us, at this point in our lives, WDW is the place that best captures our imaginations and encourages that family magic. For others, a different place--IOA, Yosemite, Myrtle Beach, or some other location might be that perfect spot. It doesn't necessarily mean one place "beats" another; it's just different. Here's to each family finding their magical place!

 

[Pongo69]

For others, a different place--IOA, Yosemite, Myrtle Beach, or some other location might be that perfect spot. It doesn't necessarily mean one place "beats" another; it's just different. Here's to each family finding their magical place

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Happymommy ITA with this. I'm not knockin Disney as someone thought I was it's just we have different preferences. My dh loves Disney, but it's different for my 15 and 10 year old. US/IOA appeals to them more because of the the 3D rides and rollercoasters. I also like these type of rides, but it doesn't mean that Disney is a bad place it's just different.

 

[Lewski709]

IMO, you got it.....everyone should find theirn magical place. Universal if for older kids, WDW is for any age kid who enjoys being a kid.

 

[cindysteve]

I understand that the magic isn't there for you. When I stay at a Disney Resort (any Disney Resort) I am not just paying for the room, I am paying for the whole experience. I do expect a different type of attitude from the CM and I do expect a certain level of service. The Disney extras are what makes Disney different from the Holiday Inn, Comfort Suites or HoJo's. What is different about those of us who experience the Magic is that we want to feel it. I also enjoy US and IoA. But I stay at RP for my FOTL and the Universal feel.

 

[skiwee1]

Originally posted by Caskbill
You say that you're not a DVC member and that probably explains your confusion. To many of us, DVC is like a family. And as a family, we kid each other about a lot of things. Things like our DVC resort is better than your DVC resort, or I got three 'Welcome Homes' when we checked in. It's all good fun. No one really thinks their vacation is ruined if they don't get a 'welcome home'. I think you'll find that as a group DVC members are less concerned about everything being perfect than other guests might.

Someone who's making a once in a lifetime trip to WDW, spending thousands of dollars for travel, lodging, meals, and tickets, might expect a lot. Maybe a lot more than they should. But DVC members know they'll be going back again next year, and the next year, and the next. We know every trip won't be magical. It does rain at times, it does get cold, not all CM's are the same.

I think you're putting more into it than there really is. Wishing someone Magic and Pixie Dust are simply ways to say have a great trip. It doesn't mean they should expect to get a towel animal. It simply means that hopefully their flights, or drive to WDW will go smooth, the weather will be good, and they'll have a great time.

BTW, I'm sure you understand that DVC resorts are 'home away from home' resorts. They are not hotel rooms but fully equiped condominium type vacation homes. A 'welcome home' seems appropriate with the intent of the program and the way Disney presents DVC in their sales. If someone gave me a 'welcome home' when I checked into a regular hotel room, I'd be insulted. I do not consider a hotel room a home.

Now of course, I won't argue that there are exceptions to everything and everyone, both some DVC members and some regular WDW guests. Some people just think they're king of the world. But for the most part these type of people are few and far between. Don't confuse some good natured kidding among members with that small minority of sourpusses you'll find in any population.

And may you receive lots of pixie dust on your next WDW vacation.

I am not insulted when the guard welcomes me home to the Poly! I live there 30 days a year and it is a second home to me. I wish I lved there more! LOL! You couldn't pay me to stay in an actual home away from home. The last thing I want to be in during my vacation is a condo! Give me a hotel anyday over a glorified apartment. Still I couldn't imagine anyone getting upset simply because they weren't welcomed home.

 

[Pongo69]

Originally posted by cindysteve
I understand that the magic isn't there for you. When I stay at a Disney Resort (any Disney Resort) I am not just paying for the room, I am paying for the whole experience. I do expect a different type of attitude from the CM and I do expect a certain level of service. The Disney extras are what makes Disney different from the Holiday Inn, Comfort Suites or HoJo's. What is different about those of us who experience the Magic is that we want to feel it. I also enjoy US and IoA. But I stay at RP for my FOTL and the Universal feel.

Cindysteve I love CBR and Coronado. If ever we went back I would definitely stay at either one. We went twice last year and I enjoyed both stays. We did Disney, US and IOA.I also considered staying at Contemporary but at that time the kids really liked what they saw in these two mods. I enjoyed the hamocks at night and walking Coronado at night which is really beautiful.

I will say that after staying onsite I would never stay off site. It is a big difference. I ABSOLUTELY LOVE OHANA'S. Their shrimp omg I have never eaten so many shrimp in my life.
Dh and I gave the kids an option to either go to Canada or back to Florida this Summer. Even though they picked Florida and Us/IOA I'm definitely going back to Ohana's.

 

[onecoolmama]

Let me take a shot at this. When I think of Disney..right off the bat I think MAGICAL.

The CM's are the first people most of us see at Disney. A greeting, and nice friendly smile...these are all the reasons that Disney is our favorite place. I love roller coasters and I love 3D rides...and I havent been to Universal..so I dont know how the cast members are there. But the Disney cast members make Disney that much more magical...which is what I think sets it apart from the other Amusement parks. (and the cleanliness!)

I think the reason people complain about a rude CM is not because they are not allowed to have bad days...but becasue it is sooo rare. Disney has raised the bar..and in doing so has raised some of our expectations. Do CM's make or break your vacation..NO! But the extra friendliness, the attention to detail, the amazing service...the pampering is the EXTRA magic that can turn a good vacation into an amazing one!

I hope you have a great vacation wherever you go!

 

[FOJMO]

Originally posted by Pongo69
One thing I do find interesting is that when someone says something negative about DISney your type rears its ugly head with all the sarcasm and rolleyes.

Sorry, Pongo. I guess I really meant to put in a great, big, smiley face for you.

So here you go...

There -- My type and I feel so much better now.

 

[Planogirl]

I believe that magic is mainly in the eyes of the beholder and there's nothing wrong with that. I find magic in many places because it happens to fit what I'm looking for. So I don't believe that you're missing something, you're just doing what works for you.

 

[Pongo69]

Originally posted by FOJMO
Sorry, Pongo. I guess I really meant to put in a great, big, smiley face for you.

So here you go...

There -- My type and I feel so much better now.

FOJMO are you from the teen board. If so I understand why your acting like this being a child and all, but if your an adult than you really need to grow up.

If it bothers you so much that people have something to say about Disney that you obviously don't like then become a Disney Spokes Person. YOU are reallly blowing this out of proportion. Calm Down- Chill Out it's not that serious.

 

[C.Ann]

About the only thing that really bothers me when I'm at Disney is dirty restrooms and overflowing trash cans.. Doesn't bother me in the least if someone does - or doesn't - say, "Welcome Home.."

I also thoroughly enjoy staying off-site (gasp!) and brace yourself, I also love to go OTHER places such as Universal, IOA, Sea World, etc.. That doesn't mean that I think anything "less" of WDW - just that I recognize there are other activities in Orlando and I enjoy them..

Have a great time - wherever you go!

 

[tink'smom2B]

So sorry you haven't experienced some *Magic* in your stay at wdw. On one of our trips to WL, a CM filled our room with towel animals and posed all our stuffed animals as if each one had been playing. My kids were absolutely delighted and it truly made our stay memorable. We are just now becoming members of DVC and even if they don't welcome me home, I know in my heart that there is no other place I'd rather be. After 11 trips to wdw, my heart longs to be in that magical place, even if it's only one week out of the year. It sure feels like home to me.

 

[Disney Doll]

I think there are several answers to the OPs question.

First, Disney has "trained" the public to consider them the best in vacation entertainemnt. They have raised the public's level of expectation to a very high degree with their ad campaigns (the most recent..."Magical Gatherings"...what sort of picture does that bring up in your mind?). Consequently, you have a high level of expectation, coupled with a sometimes low level of performance(even Disney messes up occasionally), and you have disappointment.

Second, society in general today has a certain degree of a feeling of entitlement. "I am entitled to stand in everybody's way to see this parade because I am spending a lot of money to be here"...and the rest of us are here for free?!

Third, with regard to the DVC folks. I am a DVC member, and while I don't get bent out of shape when a CM forgets my "welcome home", the fact remains that I have given a heck of a lot of money to Disney to guarantee that for the next 40 years or whatever is left that I am going to have a place to stay. I have essentially invested in their future.They know that I am coming back at least once a year or more often to spend money in their theme park. I am a guaranteed investment for them. For other folks who go to WDW, it may be a once-in-a-lifetime trip, or once every 5 years or whatever. It is in their best interest to make sure that they take pretty good care of the people who have given their organization a vote of confidence by buying into it. Now, do I expect to be treated like a queen when I am there? No. Do I get bent if I don't get a towl animal while I am there? No. But I also don't expect to be treated as if I don't matter a bit, because I have a rather large investment in their organization. Thankfully, I can truly say that I have never encountered what I would consider to be a terrible situation, or CM at WDW. The few times I've had "annoyances", they have always rectified them in a fair and timely manner, and to my satisfaction.