You get what you pay for

[SandraC]

Hi, I just had a conversation with dh about our WDW trip next month. We were chatting about the BUSINESS of WDW. He still can't get over what I spend on WDW trips (trips are my treat ~ he pays for everything else). I put it to him like this: I'm no dummy, I know WDW is a business like any other business out to get my money. BUT! I love good service and nice people and that's exactly what I've rec'd at WDW. I will go out of my way for good service and I always compliment the CM's for that. 30 days to go! I can't wait to go to NICEVILLE! S

 

[Humpbacks1962]

That has turned into a somewhat debatable concept...

I go to Disney as often as I can, but this year I am including an onsite stay at Universal's, as well. I feel Disney is losing the "more magic for your dollar" concept, taking away so many perks from guests and AP holders. It just may not be the single, best place to find nice people that make you feel special anymore.

I perceive that the "dream" side of Disney is being degraded by the "business" side. I am positive that what keeps guests coming back is the memories of pleasant experiences but believe that it may change with time if they keep taking so much for granted.


Wanda

 

[Spinning]

it's funny maybe my standards are lower or my expectations aren't as high. But I just got back and had a wonderful and magical trip as always. We go yearly sometimes twice so it wasn't a first trip for us. Granted we stay at FW so maybe that is the difference less fluff But I loved it we met and delt with wonderful cast members. Granted I missed Enight but the crowds were low so it didn't really matter and saved me $12 x4 EE we never went to and I guess if we did it would upset me but I loved the character meet and greet so did my kids!
So to us Disney has always been about the feel and magic created with in us and it just flowed into the parks. Granted I think if my kids were grown I would look at Disney totally different but right now my kids don't see any of the missing perks they just see the castle, Mickey and they make our magic!
We love Universal too and try to add it to our trips it does have a different feel but I think you are right, part of the Disney magic is past experience and for us IOA/Universal is new so we have a more execitment adrienal rush when we go there! That thrill seeking side!
Plus when I look at the expense of Disney I think of how much we pay to go to Hershey park or S. Street and then I don't think it is that out of line.

 

[SandraC]

I see your point. But I still feel the *magic* ~ more now than ever. With kids, April 2002 trip will be the our third trip. In 1998 it was an amazing trip with 4.5 year old dd ~ totally magical every moment! As I was planning last April's trip, I was reading these boards, and the business vs. magic issue was here. It had been three years since 1998 trip with dd and now we had 15 month old ds. After reading lots and lots of good and bad WDW business/magic talk from these boards, I prepared myself for less magic. Happy to report 2001 trip was just as magically, even more magic than 2001. The night before our trip, I called around to confirm ressies with everyone, including WDW. Our TA screwed up big time and the CM I chatted to on the phone fixed EVERYTHING! Just driving under the WDW arches gives me permanent goofy grin, and my family too. From the time we drove into the CBR parking lot and meet the most fabulous man in the parking lot, it was magic (April 2001). This guy looked like Paul Sorvino dressed in white Spanish miliary gear ~ he walked right up to our car and greeted us in the most amazing manner. He treated us like royalty and like family. I thought WOW ~ if this is how they treat us in the parking lot, this is going to be a great trip. Check in was just as just. A CM near the front desk jumped all over my kids with stickers and toys and colouring books. These folks were loaded with information. We got the room we pre-requested and it was lovely. CBR was extrememly fun! Even the CM who cleaned up in the food court was great to us ~ we ran into the same CM often and he gave my kids Mickey straws for FREE! Another time I asked dd what character she missed and wanted to see? She hadn't meet Donald yet, we asked at Customer Service in AK about Donald (it was our last day at WDW in 1998) ~ no more Donald that day. The CM asked where we were staying (Kids Village) and when we arrived back at Kids Village, there was a Donald Duck doll waiting for dd with an 8x10 pix of Donald and a personal note to dd explaining that he and Dasiy were shopping so he wasn't at AK and he was sad he missed dd and looked forward to meeting her. dd did eventually met Donald. Last April, the CM's were fabulous! dd got picked out of audiences all the time to participate. The CM at FP Spc Mt was so funny telling WDW goofy jokes to my family, I almost P's my pants. At GG Epcot, dd was extrememly tired and had a melted down, we had to leave the restaurant. The waiter gave us an entire giant white fluffy cake ~ I mean the whole cake, like 16 people can eat this thing! I can go on and on and on about the great FREE things we get at Disney, and recently, not long ago, not to be confused with *memories*. Even this trip (we leave in 29 days), each time I call CRO to book resorts or ask questions, we end up laughing so hard and chatting like friends. Why do we get free stuff and friendly service ~ because they want us to come back! I know that. We get treated pretty nice during lots of vacations and here at home ~ but WDW still does it for us. In 1998 and 2001 my dd didn't really care about going to WDW, she was 4 in 1998 and 7 in 2001. Now she and ds and thrilled about going! Even dh got Disneyfide! Hope you get your magic back! Have a great day! SaNdRa

 

[SandraC]

Spinning, you and I posted at the same time! LOL! I didn't get to read your comments. As far as things being taken away, like EE ~ I didn't really used that. I can see how BIG fans of EE would get upset. We booked all our PS at parks before opening. Got PS at Cindy's for 8am. Did that last year too and just hopped to Fantasyland after breakky and walked onto all the rides. We did everything TWICE in Fantasyland and it wasn't an EE day, just got early PS. I like the fact that the characters come to the resorts. It's a NEW thing for us. I didn't tell the kids about it, so it'll be a surprise! WDW adds attractions each year, and changes themes. YES ~ to get me to go back! But it works and I'm happy. Our theme park at home is expensive too. I do get want I pay for at WDW. Happy Days! Sandra

Oh yeah, to address the *WDW taking away stuff* theory. WDW does seem to replace what they take away with new stuff. They also seem to extend codes and deals. FP is a great new addition. I think WDW works hard for the money.

 

[welovemickey]

SandraC, I agree with you . . . I think DW is the most magical place on earth!!

Yes, Disney is a business, but what a business to be in - to make people happy! What a concept. Unfortunately, there are those that are always looking at the glass half empty and expect so much more. To them, I say "stay home, less grumpy people to deal with".

There are budget cuts, but I think the CM's are going out of their way to make them less noticeable and doing the best they can.

Only 20 more days 'til we're there!!!!!

Lisa

 

[Beanie]

I also agree, Sandra!! We just love Disney and find its "magic" even more now that my children are more aware of exactly where they are...It is inspiring to walk down Main Street with my kids and see everything through their eyes!! I just love it!! Only 3 more days to go!!!

 

[macs4us]

It doesn't matter if it is Disney or the Four Seasons, customer service is not what it once was overall. There are some people who are great, others who are not, and managers who are at times indifferent. On our last trip I was talking to a very nice CM doing the surveys in EPCOT. At the end of the survey he was curious to know why we came back to WDW so often, and we told him because of EPCOT - it was Walt's dream. The CM was very candid with me about their not liking many of the changes that had been made, and that 9/11 only sped up what was already going into motion. I know that DL is a mess, so where is the money going? Frankly, a lot of CMs don't think we are getting what we pay for...

 

[emmalgin]

I think that WDW is priced way out of whack and for that reason I may only be there a day this trip. The way they set up the parkhoppers and hold you at their mercy bothers me. A family of 4 pays $300 cdn/day. I guess in perspective that is not bad (vs. plays, golf, skiing...), but do it 3 days it verges on exorbidant.

Then compare it to USF where the three day pass for 4 is $400 cdn, it is no contest. Seaworld is also $30/person/day cdn. Thus 4-5 days are accounted for.

The so called bargains are either for Florida residents (4 days $99) or the companion ticket in Canada which has an expiry date and is only good on the 7 day pass, which very wisely shuts out USF and Sea World and expires May 13, 2002, so those travelling in summer, who may have more then a week can't use it.

As for service, that is the key to many corporations, and while also leaner it continues to be of paramount importance and competition means many are working harder to improve it. Look at my wonderful dealings with SouthWest Air this week. They got it.....

Just another opinion.....

 

[ceecee]

I have to agree that Disney goes out of their way to get you to come back. I did email them to see if early entry days were coming back. They emailed me back and then called a few weeks later. Sadly, early entry is not coming back (got so much done that first hour) but hopefully the charactor stops at the hotel will make up for it.

 

[Kimkimba]

I always remember Disney being magical. I'm taking my 4 year old ds for the first time this September, and know he will remember a lot of little things about it (just like my 13 year old dd does from her many trips).
There is no comparison for Disney to other theme parks. While we have Hershey Park, Sesame Place, Dorney Park, and Six Flags Great Adventure within an easy driving distance, they are all just as exensive as Disney for a day, and basically have NOTHING magical about them. Hershey Park is the only one we still visit as it is clean and a good family environment. The other parks are dirty (one verges on disgusting) and do not employ friendly people.
I can't wait to revisit everything about Disney. Our trip is all planned. Now all I have to do is wait another 6 months!

 

[DVC-LEROY]

Its been a whole new kind of magic going with our son (now 3). Going as a couple so many times we were becoming more critical of every little thing - now we look at the joy that every little thing brings to our son and we know that its worth every penny to go back again and again and again.

 

[ncbyrne]

I just had to post here ...LOL You mentioned going to "Niceville". Did you know there is a real town in Florida named Niceville? It's in the panhandle and it's where my brother-in-law lives! It got it's name from the founders who thought it was a very nice place to live - hence, Niceville, FL!