With all the closures at WDW

[Figgy]

Doesn't it seem that in the end Disney is going to be hurting it self more? I mean I understand that they have hit a rough patch here but they haven't cut their prices and the people I feel for are those going to Disney for the first time with their kids. They get there and now their day is shorter there are less things to see and yet they are paying the same price. This is so sad. I have been going to Disney in the off season for years and never have I seen park hours like they ones they have going right now...

Does anyone know when things will change or what is Disney saying to the people at the parks. Are the parks just so empty that the hours aren't making that much difference? DL was packed while I was there so I am just wondering.

figgy

 

[lynxstch]

I was talking to a lady in line at the DS last weekend who had just come back from WDW..she said the hours were cut, the parks were packed, and security was so annoying that it spoiled their entire vacation..she also said that a lot of the cm's were in less than "happy " moods..not that I blame them, but that most of them wouldn't go out of their way for any guests..this sure doesn't sound like the happiest place on earth that I am used to..and I for one am postponing our trip till things get a little better at the world!

 

[Eeyore's Pal]

I felt very depressed about our upcoming trip and I began to wonder if we should cancel. I wasn't worried about dangerous circumstances, I just wanted to be certain we'd have a great time, considering this is the longest trip we've ever planned.

Then I began reading the Attractions Board -- especially the threads started by people who have just returned from WDW. Now, I can't wait to go !

I'd encourage everyone to read some of these threads for themselves, but here's the gist of it:

1. If you've never been before, you wouldn't know anything's been cut. There is so much to do that a 10% reduction can't possibly be noticed.

2. If you're a regular, you may find you have to make a few minor adjustments to your plans.

If you were an early bird, you're just going to have start out 1-2 hours later. Of course, that means you might actually get more sleep during your vacation. What a concept!

A few eating establishments are closed, but just a few. You may have to change a PS here and there.

Some shows that ran 7 times a day, now run 5. Just work your schedule around it. No big deal.

Some show that ran everyday, run only 5 days per week. Again, just work your schedule around that.

Park closing times may be earlier......or maybe not. Most recent reports are that the posted times are often extended, on the fly, in response to the day's crowd.
One member pointed out, that earlier closings mean that she and her family have had opportunities to eat dinner before 9 PM, which gave them time to relax(!) in the late evening. Wow, another crazy guest relaxing while on vacation. Who'd a thought!

And of course, everyone hates the fact that they don't have to wait in endless lines!

 

[Pins O Plenty]

As I am a regular to WDW and go at least once a week my biggest complaint has been security. To me if you are going to take the time to have security out front and checking bags, then have them check bags! I do not mind the delay, but if I am going to be delayed they should be doing something.

The last time I went to the park a lady next to me had a HUGE back pack. The security officer had her open it and looked in. She could have had a bowling ball hiddin in the bottom of this huge bag and he didn't even dig down inside. What exactly are they looking for?

I carry an EpiPen. If you don't know what this is, it is a long plastic tube with a metal tube inside that comes to a point. It is use in case you have an anaphylactic reaction to something you can just remove the cap and press it into your arm and you get an injection. Well, no one has even noticed it in my bag let alone asked what it is. You would think they would at least look at it funny.

Well that is my thought on security. As far as the workers go, I have noticed some are depressed and frightened and they should be. But I have not noticed any being rude. If anything they really seem to apreciate a kind word more than ever.

karen

 

[mchill53]

I was just at WDW last week and I had a great time. We did the Halloween Not So Scary Party and even had the first parade rained out, but rode the rides, had dinner, and waited for the next one to start. The hours are cut some, but not drastically for this time of year. An hour here or there, but they have done special character visits to hotel lobbies in the mornings for the families with kids so they can meet the characters and get autographs and pictures. The Ciinderella Surprise show at the Castle was great. After the show all the characters came out into the crowd and signed and took pictures. There were about 25 different characters, not all from Cinderella.
The hours for the off season are always shorter than the summer and I didn't feel cheated of anything while there. I feel Disney is doing their best to bring the Magic and Pixie Dust to all that go to WDW. Everyone has been hit hard during this time and are trying to do the best they can. We sometimes expect more magic from Disney than they are able to deliver, but I felt very special while there and the castmembers went out of their way to make my stay magical. I just hope everyone will sit back and take a look at what is really important and why complain about an hour cut out of your time in the park when you can spend that hour with the characters and your children in a much smaller group.
Hopefully no one takes offense with my post, but life is too short to do alot of complaining, look at the things they have done to make it a safer place to visit and enjoy.

 

[Dizneypins.com]

Going to the WDW parks a few times a week, I have found in past weeks above average attendance. Lots of people attended the Halloween party at MK actually more than past years.
This is still not peak tourist time so parks are not filled, so line are not really long. This is a great time to enjoy the parks. Epcots food & wine is a little crowded on weekends, so weekdays is a great time to enjoy that. This weekend is Super Soaps at MGM so it will be busy and maybe a little more security also.
New Parades at each of the parks are fantastic.
I say come down enjoy, lots to do, lots of fun.

 

[BeautyLLM]

I agree with most of what RobYn has to say. People are focusing on all the negatives...why not look at the bright side? The truth is, there is so much to do at WDW, that for the most part the things that have been cut won't be missed. And they also afford you the opportunity to go try new things that you never felt you had the the time for.

I think the thing we shouldn't lose sight of is that that Disney is a huge corporation which is business to make money, not to keep all us Disneyphiles happy. Now, they make their money by entertaining us and creating a magical atmosphere at their theme parks, but that entertainment and magic comes at great cost! These are tough times...the economy was struggling before 9/11...the Company is circling the wagons like most other corporations in America are doing right now. How many of us want a hostile takeover of the Company?? What do you think would happen to the parks then??

I can't wait to get to WDW on Nov. 29 and my only regret is that it is only for a few short days.

Leslie

 

[lisapooh]

I am so tired of hearing there is so much to do you won't notice the cuts. You'll have plenty to do. That may be true if your primary focus is rides but for us whose primary focus is the enterrainment it just isn't so. The major cuts seem to be the entertainment. They've cut out Cyrano in France (it was one of the few interpreted street entertainment in EPCOT). Much of the cut backs affect the handicapped who cannot ride the majority of the rides so it very much concerns me. We pay the same prices but are getting far less for our buck!

 

[doombuggy]

I agree with Leslie and some of the others who have made positive posts on this thread. I came back 3 weeks ago and found that I got to see all that I wanted to.

Yes, the Walt Disney company is probably one of the largest corporations in the world. And yes, I'm sure it takes a lot of money to run those parks. Paying the employees, electric bills, etc...must be $$$. I for one am glad that it is there for me to enjoy when I can. At least I have the opportunity to go back, not like some people. A young lady named Maryann was on her way from Boston to Los Angles on September 11th. She was on her way to Disneyland, but never made it there because the plane was on was taken over by hijackers and crashed into the World Trade Center. Maryann will never get to see DCA, DL or WDW again.

I hope this gets some people to stop their wining and start counting their blessings.

 

[GotAnyPins]

I'm afraid I have to agree w/ the positive posts....we are at the parks several times a week
and I haven't noticed anything negative w/ the cm or general attitude in the parks...The Halloween event
was wonderful, the headless horseman was awesome..and we had a great time, even though the pin
was sold out..

Being pin traders, we talk to the CM's all the time, and even though they have to adjust to some
changes in their hours, I haven't seen anyone take that out on the guests..

The park hours are shortened, but often are this time of the year..but if the park is full, they make one the spot adjustments on the closing time.

For me this is still the "happiest place in the world"..and I feel very fortunate that I get to go as often as I do..
I consider many of the cast members friends, and enjoy my time spent there w/ them...
I feel bad for lisapooh, that her favorite event was cancelled, but Disney usually will go our of their way to assist the handicapped, and Guest Relations would be the ones to try to help you...

I still can't walk into the parks without "feeling the magic" wether I have to have my bag searched or not...and if there were negative vibes being thrown off by the CM's, or anyone else, I sure would not feel that way when I left, or be back as often as I am..

just my opinion..
Donna

 

[Figgy]

That is great everyone. Ok now I am really excited about the upcoming trip...

 

[lisapooh]

Actually Cyrano was not my favorite but it is one of the only 2 interpreted street shows in EPCOT. My absolute favorite is Festival of the Lion King at AK which is interpreted 1 time per week. Only has been onterpreted once a week btw as interpreting services are only available at AK once a week. Twice a week for the other theme parks. I try to hit each park on the days that the interpreting services are provided so I can fully understand the shows. For special events I have to call and request an interpreter. With Disney now saying they will not give park schedules out until one week prior this makes things very difficult as requests for an interpreter require a 2 week notice.

 

[Maleficent n Diablo]

Maleficent says: I agree with the positive people. As a CM I hear a lot of things that I probably wouldn't hear normally. Before the company cut back on hours or entertainment I was working in Tomorrowland in the Magic Kingdom. I must say the majority of the Guests are very happy and have nothing but nice things to say. But there is that 1 out 20 that you could stand on your head, make their children smile and be as helpful as can be, and they will still have something to complain about. Diablo says: when push comes to shove, entertainment is a luxury item, and in tough times often the first thing to get cut. But, Disney has always been a resilient and innovative company, and even after recent events, find ways to lure crowds back to the parks. We have been going lately at least once a week, and have noticed increasing numbers especially the last two weeks. I find it disheartening to hear all this negativity, and would like to remind everyone of one basic truth - if you greet somone with a frown, you just might get one back. The cast members at Disney are human, and are feeling grief just like the rest of the nation. Please don't cancel your plans, this is becoming a mountain made out of a molehill.

 

[Maleficent n Diablo]

Maleficent says: I agree with the positive people. As a CM I hear a lot of things that I probably wouldn't hear normally. Before the company cut back on hours or entertainment I was working in Tomorrowland in the Magic Kingdom. I must say the majority of the Guests are very happy and have nothing but nice things to say. But there is that 1 out 20 that you could stand on your head, make their children smile and be as helpful as can be, and they will still have something to complain about. Diablo says: when push comes to shove, entertainment is a luxury item, and in tough times often the first thing to get cut. But, Disney has always been a resilient and innovative company, and even after recent events, find ways to lure crowds back to the parks. We have been going lately at least once a week, and have noticed increasing numbers especially the last two weeks. I find it disheartening to hear all this negativity, and would like to remind everyone of one basic truth - if you greet somone with a frown, you just might get one back. The cast members at Disney are human, and are feeling grief just like the rest of the nation. Please don't cancel your plans, this is becoming a mountain made out of a molehill.

 

[lisapooh]

I'm not going to cancel and dey my family the pleasure of riding the rides. I'll just be the person sitting in a power chair playing my GameBoy since I now have to provide my own entertainment. Entertainment may be a lluxury in terms of the able bodied but it isn't to those of us who are no longer able bodied.

 

[GotAnyPins]

To Maleficent n Diablo

Well said, and welcome to the boards...

I think of myself as one of the lucky ones, that lives so close, and gets to go to WDW
whenever I want.. and enjoy everything the world has to offer....

I personally am counting down for the Christmas decorations, the Candlelight Processional..(of course the
fact that our grandchildren, and some CM friends sing in it has nothing to do with it) ..and all the other Christmas hoopla
Christmas is the most beautiful time of the year here..

So come one and all, and enjoy..

Donna

 

[pintrader]

I want to address lisapooh specifically. If you have not been since the "incident" then I think you are judging Disney prematurely and unfairly. As I understand it "entertainment" has been "down" in ALL parts of the country including Broadway where it is the sole entertainment.

Please don't feel so gloomy. I may be wrong but your posts suggests that you are approaching your trip with a VERY negative attitude. Maybe I am just misinterpreting your posts to this thread. While I personally feel as if the CMs are somewhat less exhuberent than they have been in the past, can you imagine what it must be like to be someone who is uppose to make feel laugh, smile and feel good while they are just as keenly aware of all the potential "problems" that surround us all?

Maleficent and Diablo: I don't know who you are for sure, but I don't think you are a stranger to us here. but I want to end my post the same way you did.

If you greet somone with a frown, you just might get. The cast members at Disney are human, and are feeling grief just like the rest of the nation.

Please come and enjoy. Disney is VERY aware that a lot of us coming to WDW for an escape. They are doin all they can to keep us safe AND let us enjoy ourselves.

 

[lindamg]

I've been reading lots of threads this week, wanting to share my opinion, but not sure where to put it. Looks like you guys are the lucky winners! Having lived in Florida for longer than Disney has been here, I have spent quite a bit of time in Disney over the years. I went on a quick three-day jaunt last weekend to celebrate my 43rd birthday and do the "Halloween thing". I have NEVER had a better time at Disney than I did last weekend!

Of course there are things that I had planned on doing that I wasn't able to do. That didn't decrease my enjoyment by one little bit. In fact, I had a better time because I was looking for new things and doing things differently than I had before. Not to turn this into a trip report - but a few highlights to make my point: I stayed at the Wilderness Lodge for the first time. I am in love!! So, instead of leaping out of bed at the crack of dawn to do early entry I curled up in a chair in front of a fireplace, drank hot chocolate, and watched the people and characters. It was so relaxing and so much fun. I don't ride rides much, being a very-Pooh sized person at this point, throwing all that weight up and down roller coasters is not my idea of fun! Yet, not once did I have to resort to playing my Gameboy while others around me had a good time. Yes, I brought it with me it never even got unpacked. If I hadn't opened my eyes to what was around me and been flexible with my planning, I might just have thought there was nothing better to do. But what a waste that would have been!

The Halloween party was spectacular. I ate by myself at LTT and the servers and characters were Wonderful to me!! That was my very first character meal, and I did it alone! Now that took guts and I was so glad I had done it!! The CMs at the Halloween party were wonderful, and had no problem with an "old lady" trick or treating all by herself. Speaking of CMs, I had more positive interactions with CMs on this trip than I have ever had. I also saw more CMs "out and about" than I had noticed before. They were watching parades, watching fireworks, riding on rides; it was nice to see them participating also. From the servers in the restaurants, to the people selling pins, to CMs I just happened to be walking next to on the street, everyone was cheerful, and I was engaged in more conversations than I have been on much longer trips. Perhaps, it was because I was more open to them on this trip?

And perhaps there is the key - maybe it is MY attitude that makes or breaks my vacation, not Disney.

 

[JudithM]

Linda, I am glad you joined in on this discussion. I enjoyed reading your "trip report." It is nice to know that some guests are able to compensate for "things/"stuff" not currently available. For example, jJust think of what a nice relaxing morning you had! It made me smile just thinking of it . And yes attitude does play a BIG part in our lives.

Did you buy &/or trade any pins ?

 

[lindamg]

Thank you Judith. What a nice reply!

I'm not quite into trading pins yet (when I get them I want to keep them!) but I do have a growing collection. I was happy to be in the right place, at the right time and got the American Mickey head right before it sold out! Since I was there on Monday morning I did my first "stand in line to get the limited edition pin" thing. I got the three nephews Halloween pin and the Ichabod Crane one.

What's really scary is, I read on Dizpins that B&B has a tenth anniversary pin coming out and I actually put in for a day off of work so I can be there to get one!! Obviously I am a huge B&B fan.

You guys have me hooked now! I'm afraid it's downhill from here!