What they've taken away

[storey13]

If you listen to the language used by Chapek during the quarterly and annual calls, guest satisfaction is no longer a criteria for Disney executives, instead the metric to measure success is park spending per person increase vs the previous quarter/year. There is too much pressure (for all publicly traded companies) to constantly achieve higher and higher revenues and profits. This is to the detriment of all consumers. A company being successful is good in most cases (I can think of a few exceptions), but at some point, someone is going to have to stand up at Disney and say in the short term the shareholders are happy, but this may cost us a lot if we keep this going like this for too long. I really hope Chapek doesn't get renewed for another term.

We were supposed to go in October of 19, but my wife needed a surgery, so we rescheduled for Oct of 20, and then Covid happen, and now we are going this October. If I knew what I know now, I would show my wife what would happen in the future and I am 100% sure she would agree to delay her surgery till we returned from wdw. It wasn't an urgent medical issue.

I'm still hoping that some of my favorite things will return around the October 1st time frame like street actors, Hoop Dee Doo, and parades. I have a feeling that only one of those will probably show up though, and might be Hoop Dee Doo. It is very sad in general to think about because I love going to Magic Kingdom, and when you love something like a theme park, you tend to take it personally when things are taken away without much in return. I never got to play Sorcerer's of the Kingdom game and I was looking forward to doing it this time since this is a longer trip. Ok I'm rambling so I will stop.

 

[DISNEY1975]

Upscale, individual toiletries in the resort rooms.

I was at the Contemporary last week. There were still individual toiletries, but if its true they are moving towards dispensers, then I think that is disgusting and we really need to put a lot of trust in mousekeeping to sanitize.

BTW...Contemporary toiletries are H2O+. Never heard of it outside of Disney and they are hardly upscale. Dries out my skin and hair (sea salt soap??!) Stayed at an Embassy Suites recently, for 1/4 of the rate of CR, and they had Neutrogena products, which I feel are much better.

 

[whiporee]

If you listen to the language used by Chapek during the quarterly and annual calls, guest satisfaction is no longer a criteria for Disney executives, instead the metric to measure success is park spending per person increase vs the previous quarter/year.

As long as message boards, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram exist, there's no such thing as customer satisfaction.

Complaining is what we all do now. Any little issue gets a post, which then gets comments, which then gets likes suddenly it becomes the narrative. WDW could have an 95 percent customer satisfaction rate, but that would all get undone by one vlogger with a bunch of followers having a bad day.

As long as people keep coming, they are doing their jobs.

 

[overdisney]

They haven't taken it away but the price of snacks and a simple thing like a bottle of water costing $3.50 when you can buy the same thing at Costco comes out to 15 cents. You can bet Disney is buying water by the train load probably for 5 cents a bottle.

 

[Miffy]

As of this moment, they've taken away resort discounts. Currently there's nothing after the end of September. Also no bounceback--at least there wasn't when we were there in May.

For more than 20 years, I've never stayed onsite without some kind of discount.

 

[courtney1188]

I miss being able to eat at certain restaurants without it being a three course meal. My parents couldn’t afford dinner at CRT when we were kids, but they were still able to get a reservation and take us in for dessert so we could experience it. Now it’s all about limiting it to the people they can get the most money out of.

 

[DISNEY1975]

I honestly feel that Disney is treating their guests more like high rollers in a casino - the more money you spend, the more they will give you. This isn't Vegas, it's Disneyworld and I don't think anyone should be shut out of anything because they can't afford it. Every "class" should be able to experience the magic like they used to. It's still a very expensive vacation no matter where you fall in the food chain. JMHO.

I disagree. I am a frequent 10 - 12 day Deluxe resort visitor, always on the DxDDP, always buy a new D&B in the park, always buy my kids basically everything they want and I get ZIP. I have never once received a pincode, any special perk, any room upgrade, Actually, its almost the opposite. I do get to pay a top tier parking fee, but have to drive around for 15+ minutes looking for a spot. I do get to stand around waiting for a chair by the pools, I do pay a premium to stay at a monorial resort, with the monorail rarely running properly and my personal #1...I cant get a breakfast ADR at the resort Im staying at on checkout day. All I want is to have one last breakfast, finish packing and leave! Can I get that?? Never!!!! So what do I get with my leftover DxDDP dining credits, valued at around $35 per credit? 3 snacks! What does a QS leftover dining credit get you? 3 snacks. I do not think paying more gets you anything special at DIsney. Now....if you are European....dont get me started!!!!!!!!

 

[DISNEY1975]

I miss being able to eat at certain restaurants without it being a three course meal. My parents couldn’t afford dinner at CRT when we were kids, but they were still able to get a reservation and take us in for dessert so we could experience it. Now it’s all about limiting it to the people they can get the most money out of.

The reservation system in general drives me crazy. Last trip, we were a party of 3. Plenty of availability at restaurants for 2 and 4 guests, but 3 were difficult to find. They wanted to make sure every seat was filled, ordering food, and clearly would rather give the 4 top to 4 than to 3.

 

[overdisney]

I disagree. I am a frequent 10 - 12 day Deluxe resort visitor, always on the DxDDP, always buy a new D&B in the park, always buy my kids basically everything they want and I get ZIP. I have never once received a pincode, any special perk, any room upgrade, Actually, its almost the opposite. I do get to pay a top tier parking fee, but have to drive around for 15+ minutes looking for a spot. I do get to stand around waiting for a chair by the pools, I do pay a premium to stay at a monorial resort, with the monorail rarely running properly and my personal #1...I cant get a breakfast ADR at the resort Im staying at on checkout day. All I want is to have one last breakfast, finish packing and leave! Can I get that?? Never!!!! So what do I get with my leftover DxDDP dining credits, valued at around $35 per credit? 3 snacks! What does a QS leftover dining credit get you? 3 snacks. I do not think paying more gets you anything special at DIsney. Now....if you are European....dont get me started!!!!!!!!

Gotta ask why do you go back

 

[Bianca and Bernard]

I disagree. I am a frequent 10 - 12 day Deluxe resort visitor, always on the DxDDP, always buy a new D&B in the park, always buy my kids basically everything they want and I get ZIP. I have never once received a pincode, any special perk, any room upgrade, Actually, its almost the opposite. I do get to pay a top tier parking fee, but have to drive around for 15+ minutes looking for a spot. I do get to stand around waiting for a chair by the pools, I do pay a premium to stay at a monorial resort, with the monorail rarely running properly and my personal #1...I cant get a breakfast ADR at the resort Im staying at on checkout day. All I want is to have one last breakfast, finish packing and leave! Can I get that?? Never!!!! So what do I get with my leftover DxDDP dining credits, valued at around $35 per credit? 3 snacks! What does a QS leftover dining credit get you? 3 snacks. I do not think paying more gets you anything special at DIsney. Now....if you are European....dont get me started!!!!!!!!

They know they don't have to give you anything. You come and spend anyways! Why discount the cow, if you pay out the nose for the milk? (not being mean to you at all, we've done the same...just using your post as a point.)


They know people are going to come, no matter the cost. Put it on credit cards, scrimp and save at home, or jsut fling money at it....doesn't matter a person's situation, and Disney doesn't care. They are a business and they are out to make money. That's it.

When they weren't making money, they were handing over everything they could, to get people in the parks. Disney made themselves stand out with customer service and perks. And now that famed cs and perks are going, going, gone. And now that we are hooked, and money is rolling in, they string us along, taking away a little at a time.

If they lose my family of 11 (us two, 3 kids, 2 son in laws and 4 grandkids), there will be another family or two or three to make up for our 11, entering as we exit. Disney won't miss us at all; we will be the ones with the heartbreak. But, as with all breakups, we will get over it, and move onto the next big thing. For DH and myself, that will be traveling to see the grandbabies, and traveling the world (once we can safely, lol).

 

[3kidz4dis]

Are all these things being taken away next year? One in particular is the ME and the auto airline check in? Is this still available until the end of the year? Also, do we have to purchase the magic bands? Can we just use our phones? (we are DVC blue card owners, not sure if this makes a difference)

 

[DISNEY1975]

Gotta ask why do you go back

I often ask myself that too! But contrary to popular belief, Disney is actually an affordable vacation (minus the kids wanting evreything in sight and such cute things I have a hard time saying no!"

I love pre-paying my trip, which can only be done on a Cruise, All Inclusive and Disney. I have priced out many 10 - 12 day vacations and considering all...hotel/meals/all day entertainment, Disney is pretty on par with cruising and all inclusives...or at least they were up until a couple of years ago. Adding this fee and that fee is now slightly driving them over the edge.

Airfare to FL, from MA is relatively inexpensive for us. Beats flying to the Caribbean by far (Mexico doesnt interest me). Also Disney provides way more to do during the day/evening than an all inclusive. With a cruise, you still have to book excursions and nighttime activities are mostly for adults only.

The 10 day ticket with PH+Waterpark is a great value with tons and tons and tons to do. And the DxDDP gets us at all the dinner shows and some really great signature dining. Not to mention character breakfasts every morning!

A typical Disney vacation costs us $10K and another $1300 on airfare.

Airfare alone to the caribbean would be $3000, plus around $7K- 8K 10 nights for family of 5 with nothing more than pool and beach and a couple of daytime crafts/games for the kids.

A cruise we need 2 cabins for 5 people. My husband and I have to split up (unless getting a suite for over $12 - $14K). Its only 1 week and is around $7500K for the 5 of us. Plus, excursions for land days for 5 would be about $1500 more during the week and upgraded dining is about $200 during the week and a glass of wine at dinner, etc..etc.etc... Equals a Disney trip. Airfare to Miami is about the same as to Orlando, but we stay at a hotel one night prior to cruise and day we come back so we are not stressed about flight times. We do alternate bi annual Disney and cruise trips.

Land package...would depend on where/when... But Im sure hotel/meals/daily activities/gas/airfare would be about $8 - 10K for 5 of us...but...we would come home to a big bill after the vacation and that would not be relaxing for me tallying up our spending daily. We would also have to "wing it" for many meals and activities and getting 5 people in my family to agree on something takes a couple of hours! I like pre planning and pre paying and enjoying our vacation without a thought in the world!

 

[overdisney]

Me ends Jan 1 2022 so plan on paying about 50 bucks or so to get to the WDW resorts. If you rent a car remember resort parking fees ( not applicable if you are a DVC member) If you have old MB you can use them or purchase new ones, smart phones will work

 

[DISNEY1975]

Are all these things being taken away next year? One in particular is the ME and the auto airline check in? Is this still available until the end of the year? Also, do we have to purchase the magic bands? Can we just use our phones? (we are DVC blue card owners, not sure if this makes a difference)

I was there last week. If you have your old magicbands, you can still use them. We had to purchase new ones since our last trip was 2019, they were free and I dont like to hang on to things I wont be using. Ill surely hang on to my new ones!! Yes, you can use your phone...and they encourage that.

No luggage service. That was a kick to me since I had a breakfast at Cali Grill reserved, but had to cancel since we then needed more time at the airport to check our luggage. Little did I know the airport was not crowded at all and we flew thru security. Usually we are in line an hour with risk of missing flight!!

 

[DVCcurious]

Are all these things being taken away next year? One in particular is the ME and the auto airline check in? Is this still available until the end of the year? Also, do we have to purchase the magic bands? Can we just use our phones? (we are DVC blue card owners, not sure if this makes a difference)

Magical Express is available until 1/1/2022.
You do not have to purchase magic bands. You can use your phone for the hotel and the park pass. The hotel front desk will also give you the little plastic cards with your hotel and park pass on them so you can use the little card to unlock your door or get into the parks. The cards were free for us when we went in July.

 

[DVCcurious]

The only way Disney will bring stuff back is if attendance drops significantly.

And we all know that's not going to happen.

I expect further cuts in the future. I'll be really shocked if the parks are open past 8:00 except for "special" fireworks nights once per week at MK and Epcot. I doubt you'll see parades or much of any non-ride entertainment.

Frankly I expect it to be a lot closer to a six flags experience than a Disney experience.

My expectation is based on the trend in the parks for the past 11 years we've been going. A little bit less each year. More crowded each year. A bit longer waits for buses and to enter the parks. We are all frogs in a blender and we're just getting the temperature turned up on us and we're boiling away not realizing it because it's happening slowly. But if you compare your 2019 trip to you 2011 trip you will see the huge difference. And not just Fastpass, I'm talking about the "feel" of the experience. The "feel" or "magic" is not gone, but it is noticeably less than it was 10 years ago.

But I will still pay. And Disney knows that. So I sit like the frog and get the temperature turned up on me.

 

[EPCOT-O.G.]

The only way Disney will bring stuff back is if attendance drops significantly.

And we all know that's not going to happen.

Do we know that?

From what I'm gathering, the post-9/11 downturn and The Great Recession of 2008 really put a damper on things, and the Parks responded by extending a lot of promotions to entice people back. I feel like we're due for a market correction soon, which could have similar effects on things such as travel and vacations.

 

[MissionMouse]

Take things away during the pandemic, rebrand it, provide less and then present like its something new and special.

Recent example:

"With the kickoff of the 50th anniversary, enjoy extended evening hours on select evenings in select theme parks when you stay at a Disney Deluxe Resort or, Disney Deluxe Villa Resort or other select hotels"

 

[Marcus A. Jordan]

The only way Disney will bring stuff back is if attendance drops significantly.

And we all know that's not going to happen.

I expect further cuts in the future. I'll be really shocked if the parks are open past 8:00 except for "special" fireworks nights once per week at MK and Epcot. I doubt you'll see parades or much of any non-ride entertainment.

Frankly I expect it to be a lot closer to a six flags experience than a Disney experience.

My expectation is based on the trend in the parks for the past 11 years we've been going. A little bit less each year. More crowded each year. A bit longer waits for buses and to enter the parks. We are all frogs in a blender and we're just getting the temperature turned up on us and we're boiling away not realizing it because it's happening slowly. But if you compare your 2019 trip to you 2011 trip you will see the huge difference. And not just Fastpass, I'm talking about the "feel" of the experience. The "feel" or "magic" is not gone, but it is noticeably less than it was 10 years ago.

But I will still pay. And Disney knows that. So I sit like the frog and get the temperature turned up on me.

Exactly. And I’m afraid to compare a future 2023 experience to that 2011 trip. It’s gonna make 2019 feel like the good ole days

 

[overdisney]

Take things away during the pandemic, rebrand it, provide less and then present like its something new and special.

Recent example:

"With the kickoff of the 50th anniversary, enjoy extended evening hours on select evenings in select theme parks when you stay at a Disney Deluxe Resort or, Disney Deluxe Villa Resort or other select hotels"

Disney seems to be catering to the well off and the heck with the rest of you peasant Pay up or shut up