With so many closings,what am I paying for?

[kandb]

The refurbs were announced this summer. I know Dinosaur was back in June and it was scheduled to re-open 10/17. I think anyone planning a trip within a few weeks of a refurb end date is taking a chance that it will not be open. Its not like Disney is keeping it closed on purpose to annoy people. Disney isn't actually magic and pixie dust so they do have real world problems and that includes things not being ready by their estimated date.
I get being annoyed, but not sure what the Op's point is. They chose to pay whatever full freight is during a time when there are refurbs planned. Live and learn I guess.

RnRC has an opening day of Nov.7. I read that in an article dated August 30. Its not like there wasn't notice OP.

_____


This trip was purchased long before the summer, and, hence, long before the June and August dates mentioned above. It required coordinating the schedules of multiple families who booked multiple reservations. Indeed, the reality is that a Disney vacation requires planning well in advance – usually well more than two months out (which was August in this case) or four months out (which was June in this case).

As to the point of the original post, it is not a difficult one: The point is that one begins to question whether the trip is worth it when announcements of the closures of one important attraction after another trickle in all the way up to almost the eve of your (expensive) vacation.

It is no answer to say that attractions close sometimes – multiple headliners do not have to be refurbished at the same time. And it is no answer to say people should be on notice that multiple closures may occur up to the eve of your vacation – especially when Disney essentially requires that you plan so far in advance. This is the first time in ten trips that this has happened to us; but if this is the new normal, then we will reconsider before committing again.

You're 100% correct. If you want a Disney vacation and want to eat in the restaurants that are important to you, you have to book at LEAST 6 months in advance. Disney is very hard to do at the spur of the moment. I know it can be done but you miss out on a lot. I don't blame you for being frustrated. Some people will always side with Disney on these boards no matter what.

 

[tizzant]

We started planning our trip August 10th. We're going October 30th. In that time there's been a few million announcements of things closing or refurbing or disappearing (MSEP is the biggest of these. I'm STILL irritable about such short notice- there's no way they couldn't have said that 6 months early). With the way they've been handling things, unless we're REALLY wowed, we'll likely let this be the single WDW time forever (especially with the $$ we've shelled out-good grief) and go back to DL instead. You know. The park that actually plans things ahead of time when they ask people to do the same.

 

[AMusicLifeForMe]

I'm really sorry this has happened. The frustration that has come out of the extension of Dinosaur's refurbishment is understandable. However, we do not know the reason why Disney is doing this and they will most likely not share why they are extending it. All we know is that this attraction has been in need of a refurbishment for a really long time. Disney might have found something during the refurbishment that might need some extra time to fix. I also understand the frustration that comes with having several headliners being down at once. I would just like to share that the fall and spring seasons are known to be the time Disney does a lot of their refurbishments. That is due to the "less" crowds that they see during these times of the year. If you want to see attractions at full force, it's best to go during the summer or during the Christmas season. However, Disney can plan a refurbishment at any time, so you might still see attractions closed during those months.

 

[tizzant]

Again, it's not the fact that they're there. It's that so many of them have popped up so fast with so little warning, or so many things have gotten nixed recently with less than 60 days' notice, to be honest. It seems like poor planning on their part. Ultimately I don't really care about Dinosaur, it's just kind of the last straw.

 

[AMusicLifeForMe]

Again, it's not the fact that they're there. It's that so many of them have popped up so fast with so little warning, or so many things have gotten nixed recently with less than 60 days' notice, to be honest. It seems like poor planning on their part. Ultimately I don't really care about Dinosaur, it's just kind of the last straw.

With the way they've been handling things, unless we're REALLY wowed, we'll likely let this be the single WDW time forever (especially with the $$ we've shelled out-good grief) and go back to DL instead. You know. The park that actually plans things ahead of time when they ask people to do the same.

Growing up around Disneyland and moving away just recently, I can tell you first hand that Disneyland has planned sudden refurbishments and closings as well. This can happen at any time. I'm sorry that your first trip to WDW is not what you were hoping for. Just go enjoy it. There are a lot of things that you can do there that Disneyland doesn't have. I hope you go in with an open mind.

 

[emonade8]

I wasn't thrilled with Big Thunder being down but refurbs happen.

Then RNRC was announced and I was less than pleased but ok, we'll survive without our favourite attraction.

Now add another major attraction (for us, we love dinosaur) to the list.

I am not amused. At all. And yes, I know refurbs happen but I can't recall a time when 3 major attractions were down at the same time like this.

This is exactly the way we feel. Every time we turn around, something else that we love is now off the table. We're experienced WDW travelers; we know refurbs happen. But this is the first time we've ever had 3 headliners down, plus no nighttime parade at MK. Not to mention Sum of All Thrills having bitten the dust. I'm not sure when the BTMRR refurb was announced, but I know everything else was announced well after we booked our trip. My husband has to pick his vacation time at the beginning of the year, and my kids have very busy volunteer schedules that we have to work around, so there's no changing it at this point.

We'll still have a great trip, but that doesn't mean we can't feel disappointed or feel that some of the value of our vacation has been lost.

 

[Accident]

So this is a mixed feeling to me. There unfortunately is a precedent of someone seriously hurt (killed) from a ride. I don't want to say it was poor maint as I don't know the details but the ride broke. I'd rather see the ride down and down as long as it needs to be and be safe. I also think that disney could be doing some of this faster but again I don't know details but we've seen what walt and roy could make happen and we need that disney back. i'm also looking at what they are working on and how things look as they finish up the little touches like painting here and there and it's really hitting just how much some things were ignored for too long so I welcome getting it fixed and I hate to say it, it's just the start of that ignored honeydo list they are poking right now. I'm also thinking they might have delayed too much doing the mega crowded frozen years and now it's a scramble to get back on schedule before we have the new lands years leading into the 50th. so I'm happy to see this stuff finally happening I like change, I like clean.

Now with that said, my original plans was to take 5 or 6 years off, let them get caught up and then come down maybe for the 50th. for full disclosure, my story ends with having moved to the orlando area but it was actually to get my cost of living lower so we could do some of these traveling dreams to see other properties and explore the areas of the work they are in (or nearby). i'm pretty sure we're probably not going to renew annual passes next year though and get on with that seeing the other properties thing. who knows, maybe the next move will be near one of them

 

[Queen of the WDW Scene]

Well I guess my thought is... why are you going?

I personally still enjoy going even when multiple attractions I like are closed because its Disney World!

I doubt many people are thrilled about the prices lately but unless you want to boycott there's not much else to do.
And I don't want to boycott a place that much of my everyday life revolves around.

 

[Jerusalem Gal]

OP, I'm totally with you. I've planned this trip for months, purchased crazy-expensive international plane tickets, have everything nice and ready, when they suddenly decide to inform us of all these closures.
I frequent these boards and am usually up-to-date on refurbs, etc. but there were quite a few surprises this time around. MAJOR attractions that are closing or not re-opening.
Of course I'll have fun- it's Disney World! But I was really looking forward to every attraction on that list and am very disappointed.

That being said, I hope you (and I and everyone else going) have a wonderful trip and make some beautiful memories!

 

[mom2rtk]

What does it mean that Stitch will now be a "Seasonal" attraction??

It means it will only be open during peak season. I wouldn't care one bit, but my poor friend is one of the handful of people on the planet who actually likes the ride! I felt so bad telling her about that one after the others had already piled up over the last few months.

 

[mom2rtk]

Growing up around Disneyland and moving away just recently, I can tell you first hand that Disneyland has planned sudden refurbishments and closings as well. This can happen at any time. I'm sorry that your first trip to WDW is not what you were hoping for. Just go enjoy it. There are a lot of things that you can do there that Disneyland doesn't have. I hope you go in with an open mind.

DLR is a different beast entirely. Refurbishments are definitely announced much later in the game. But you don't have to book ADRs 6 months in advance. Not only do you not have to, but you cannot. (And before anyone tells me I don't have to book ADRs 6 months out, let me disagree now. If you want to eat at certain places and not hover over your keyboard every day for months, or be incredibly lucky, then yes you do have to book them 6 months out.)

When DLR announces their last minute refurbishments, you can usually go to the website and move any affected dining times. But generally that's not needed because you don't have to plan "park days". The 2 parks are side by side so you can adjust on the fly. And you don't have to adjust your fastpasses. HUGE difference. Not one fastpass is issued at DLR until the day of. All things are still possible when you walk in the park each day.

 

[Missyrose]

As was the case many times before, paying full freight, including for deluxe resort accommodations.

I understand the disappointment (I arrive tomorrow), I truly do. But I don't like the insinuation that deluxe guests are somehow more entitled to having fewer things closed.

Frozen is a horrible show.

Wow, you are truly one of the first people I've seen say that. The whole Frozen Summer Fun event was indeed thrown together in a matter of weeks, but the singalong ended up being one of the best parts and lots of people were thrilled when Disney re-did the theater and proved the show was sticking around. I think it's cute and the historians make the show memorable.

We started planning our trip August 10th. We're going October 30th. In that time there's been a few million announcements of things closing or refurbing or disappearing (MSEP is the biggest of these. I'm STILL irritable about such short notice- there's no way they couldn't have said that 6 months early). With the way they've been handling things, unless we're REALLY wowed, we'll likely let this be the single WDW time forever (especially with the $$ we've shelled out-good grief) and go back to DL instead. You know. The park that actually plans things ahead of time when they ask people to do the same.

You mean the same DL/DCA park that still hasn't announced night time entertainment times for November other than WoC?

Well I guess my thought is... why are you going?

OP came back and said, it's a multi-family trip. No real way to get out of it now.

 

[tizzant]

Well I guess my thought is... why are you going?

I personally still enjoy going even when multiple attractions I like are closed because its Disney World!

I doubt many people are thrilled about the prices lately but unless you want to boycott there's not much else to do.
And I don't want to boycott a place that much of my everyday life revolves around.

Refunds would be impossible for everything.

You mean the same DL/DCA park that still hasn't announced night time entertainment times for November other than WoC?

In no way is DL perfect, but they sure don't wildly just do -this- much -this- often.

 

[mom2rtk]

In no way is DL perfect, but they sure don't wildly just do -this- much -this- often.

I think the big difference is that while DLR does not commit on schedules and entertainment until the late in the game, they don't have a system that necessitates guests locking in anything very far in advance. It just hurts more when WDW makes last minute changes because adjusting your schedule can be so convoluted and difficult.

 

[Hikergirl]

You're always sticking up for Disney. How about hiring more workers to get the refurb done faster? or not dragging their feet when they are adding new additions to their parks and it taking YEARS? Check out how quick Universal's construction takes. Yes, I know, we can go to Universal instead but that's not the point!!!!

LOL, I'm always sticking up for Disney? Not quite, I'm just not always whining about what they do wrong. In situations like this yes I will stick up for them because like I said in the real world **** happens. I know that probably shatters your magical view of Disney but folks, its really just an amusement park.

I forgot though, those on this board know everything. They know exactly how Disney should work, how they should run things, how many people to hire, what time of year to do this and do that. Funny how none of you actually are working for them though. You would think with all your expert advice and knowledge they would be searching for you so that you can make it all perfect

 

[AMusicLifeForMe]

DLR is a different beast entirely. Refurbishments are definitely announced much later in the game. But you don't have to book ADRs 6 months in advance. Not only do you not have to, but you cannot. (And before anyone tells me I don't have to book ADRs 6 months out, let me disagree now. If you want to eat at certain places and not hover over your keyboard every day for months, or be incredibly lucky, then yes you do have to book them 6 months out.)

When DLR announces their last minute refurbishments, you can usually go to the website and move any affected dining times. But generally that's not needed because you don't have to plan "park days". The 2 parks are side by side so you can adjust on the fly. And you don't have to adjust your fastpasses. HUGE difference. Not one fastpass is issued at DLR until the day of. All things are still possible when you walk in the park each day.

I have always preferred Disneyland's fastpass over Walt Disney World's fastpass+. I was so happy Disneyland decided not to go with that system. It was rumored for so long that they were. I know you can make dining reservations for Carthay Circle and Blue Bayou sometimes a week out. Personally, even with the attractions closed at Walt Disney World right now, I would still go there. The Star Wars construction at Disneyland I feel has taken a lot of life out of the park. That's due to making Walt's trains close for a very long time, the Mark Twain and canoes closing because they are making the Rivers of America smaller, and a popular nighttime show, Fantasmic, is not running. However, I don't realize how Disney could not have made alternate versions of the show being on stage, because the water is still out there in front of Tom Sawyer Island. Yes I know the big ships can't run, but I think the smaller ones would be able to, and they can easily find a way to put the Peter Pan scene on the stage. With some recent late closures, I'll say Paint the Night, Disneyland Forever, and World of Color: Celebrate were announced with not much warning that they were leaving. I can have fun either at Walt Disney World or Disneyland Resort. However, Disneyland will always feel the most like home to me.

 

[mom2rtk]

I have always preferred Disneyland's fastpass over Walt Disney World's fastpass+. I was so happy Disneyland decided not to go with that system. It was rumored for so long that they were. I know you can make dining reservations for Carthay Circle and Blue Bayou sometimes a week out. Personally, even with the attractions closed at Walt Disney World right now, I would still go there. The Star Wars construction at Disneyland I feel has taken a lot of life out of the park. That's due to making Walt's trains close for a very long time, the Mark Twain and canoes closing because they are making the Rivers of America smaller, and a popular nighttime show, Fantasmic, is not running. However, I don't realize how Disney could not have made alternate versions of the show being on stage, because the water is still out there in front of Tom Sawyer Island. Yes I know the big ships can't run, but I think the smaller ones would be able to, and they can easily find a way to put the Peter Pan scene on the stage. With some recent late closures, I'll say Paint the Night, Disneyland Forever, and World of Color: Celebrate were announced with not much warning that they were leaving. I can have fun either at Walt Disney World or Disneyland Resort. However, Disneyland will always feel the most like home to me.

We're about to make our first trip back since the 60th stuff ended. I'm bracing for the loss of the railroad, Fantasmic and Thunder Ranch. But we're going during Holiday Time, so I'm hoping that helps soften the blow. My fingers are still crossed that "select nights" for PTN might include at least one night on our trip.

I think the biggest difference for me is that regardless of what happens, at DLR all things are still possible until very late in the game. Most ADRs can be changed, and fastpasses do not disappear before your arrival.

My friend and I have planned trips for our families at the same time before (not necessarily shared trips, just trips around the same time). We share our excitement and talk about what we look forward to all year long. It has been painful watching her plan her trip this time. The excitement is not there. It just seems like one frustration after another. She's a die hard Disney fan. But I honestly don't know if she'll go back after this experience.

 

[jhoannam]

Then don't go.

Because it's that easy to cancel a $3k vacation the week before. Honestly if we didn't have non-refundable military tickets I would have just switched our vacation to US, but that's not possible. It's really frustrating when you have to change plans - last minute - that have been set for almost 2 months.

 

[GillianP1301]

I understand some disappointment when a favourite ride is down for refurb during your vacation, but I don't understand questioning the value of the WDW experience. You either think it's worth it or you don't and if the closure of a handful of rides tips the scale for you, then you're probably better off vacation elsewhere. WDW is open 365 days a year, every attraction requires maintenance and the only way to do that is close them temporarily. I actually think they do a pretty decent job of spreading around the closures between parks and different times of the year. Our trip this year had BTMRR, Dinosaur and IASW all down for refurb. BTMRR is my DS favourite ride and other than a brief "that's a bummer", it wasn't even part of the conversation for the rest of the trip.

 

[KStash]

I'm angry about the closures as well. I booked this vacation a year ago for my family of 8 to go for the first time (first Disney trip for all of us). I've spent a LOT of money that I can't get back and now many of the thrill rides are shut down. We aren't traveling with little ones, it's teens and adults. I'm beginning to wish I booked a couple days at Universal instead of all 6 at Disney.