Originally Posted By leobloom >> I want to say that the ones who complain the most really need to take a break from Disney parks and go somewhere else for a change, but it sounds like Dave has been just about everywhere else. Maybe some of us are just easier to please. << I do go other places. But I keep thinking maybe Disney will get its act together and give me a reason to get an AP. Doesn't appear to be happening anytime soon, but I'll keep hoping. Why should criticism on a website affect how you feel about a place you go once in a blue moon?
Originally Posted By leobloom >> Do those 60-70 hours of work include hours spent puttering on LP debating the value of DVC? LMAO! << -- sometimes yes, and sometimes no - being honest -- Honesty's a good policy as long as you're not a politician.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo >>>That's a terrible excuse for Disney. Locals/regulars shouldn't have to do that. They should be able to enjoy everything just the same as those that only come once a year or less.<<< Agreed, my real anger with WDW is the quality is not as consistantly high as DL or what DLP used to be.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo >>> I want to say that the ones who complain the most really need to take a break from Disney parks and go somewhere else for a change<<< Well some of us also bought into a timeshare ;-) So going back happens. To be fair, Disney is better than most other theme parks, but it is not the same quality or better than it's own offerings, and that is the real rub. But yes, I have been many places, and as much as we loved our trip to DLP this year, it was the third fav of our other two major trips this year (2 weeks in Scotland, and a week in Spain).
Originally Posted By bobbelee9 <<<<I want to say that the ones who complain the most really need to take a break from Disney parks and go somewhere else for a change, >> That's a terrible excuse for Disney. Locals/regulars shouldn't have to do that. They should be able to enjoy everything just the same as those that only come once a year or less>> I am not excusing Disney, everything should always be at it's best. I just think maybe some people go too often and that they start looking for something/anything that's wrong. The old expression "familiarity breeds contempt" kind of applies here. You need to take a break from too much of the same thing.
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer >>>I am not excusing Disney, everything should always be at it's best. I just think maybe some people go too often and that they start looking for something/anything that's wrong. The old expression "familiarity breeds contempt" kind of applies here. You need to take a break from too much of the same thing.<<< Not really... I go to the same restaurant every week, and because the quality is kept up, I increasingly enjoy myself.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo >>>I am not excusing Disney, everything should always be at it's best. I just think maybe some people go too often and that they start looking for something/anything that's wrong. The old expression "familiarity breeds contempt" kind of applies here. You need to take a break from too much of the same thing.<<< Ah, but what if this is not the case. We went to WDW 4 years ago. The time before that was 2000, the time before that was 1981. And yet I found plenty wrong each trip, especially the last one (2000 was our best trip of the 3). What is the solution then? We go to Paris these days once or twice a year (used to be every 6-8 weeks before mortgage and kids - and during that time frame we loved it far more, but the standards were higher 10 years ago too). And Calfifornia, the last trip was 2 years ago, the time before that was 2002, and before that was 1986. Does this suggest familiarity breeding contempt, or diminishing standards. I suspect the latter.
Originally Posted By bobbelee9 Dave, your other trips non-Disney, how do they compare to years ago? With all your traveling, you'd be a good judge of these things.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo In some ways they have improved. Other theme parks have really pulled up their socks and are offering better quality. Normal hotels offer more services and things like flat screens as standard. Of course things like washing towels and sheets have diminished everywhere in the name of environmentalism. But this is my main complaint. While some companies have gotten worse (US cars for example) others have maintained or improved (Holiday Inn for example). Disney however keeps cutting and the gap has narrowed significantly. I think it speaks volumes that my daughter had to be convinced to leave our resort (Marriott) on her birthday to go into DLP. Or that they preferred Spain (Mikey - 7) and Scotland (Jessica - 5) - all three locations they had been before. Isn't that sad? I am pretty certain the kids would prefer the Disney offerings more along the lines of the ones that we grew up with. They do not find the characters or chicken fingers to be compelling. My kids actually like learning when they have fun, as I did.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Airlines - standards have dropped, pretty much across the board. Car rental companies - variable dependent on brand Hotels - Marriott, Ritz Carlton, Holiday Inn and Hilton in the main have improved (not as many traditional bell services on offer) - technology is the key area of improvement Restaurants - gaps have widened. Good restaurants and chains are still pretty good. Some have changed their models with fashion. Some have not improved at all. There is a trend for some restaurants to reduce their choice, but we have stopped going to these, others have expanded. Cruise ships - well they have almost all dumbed down service, but improved ameneties. The same consultants that have ruined cruising with upsell restaurants seem to be the same guys working with the mouse. But I do find we have a higher quality experience at some museums and Marriott resorts than Disney. And that is a shame, for they used to be the quality leader in family entertainment.
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer >>> Or that they preferred Spain (Mikey - 7) and Scotland (Jessica - 5) - all three locations they had been before. Isn't that sad?<<<< No, that means you are raising your kids REALLY REALLY REALLY right.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo It depends, given the Disney is aiming at kids these days. They will soon outgrow the mouse (something in my first 32 years I thought would never happen, and I suspect if they stuck with the original visions or even Eisner's first 10 year vision, would have never happened to me).
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer Sad for Disney, not for you. Kids appreciating the history and sense of a place is a great thing. And maybe if people start outgrowing Disney, which SHOULD never happen, seeing how diverse they once were, MAYBE Disney will start changing.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo I doubt it EE. I used to want to believe it, but after seeing 10 years of continued declines, and a focus on the Chinese market over the American one, I seriously think Disney would need a major shake up to change. Who is there with a personal interest? At least in the dark days of the Miller years, there were still awesome things and family with a legacy in the company. When Roy Jr sold his stock, everything changed, and not for the better. I have heard so many high level folks at Disney tell me Iger is not interested in the parks. Well if your CEO is not interested, then it is not going to improve. I just wish we could afford a buy out. Also, I swear people are getting more and more ignorant. The internet and choice of TV channels are a double edged sword. While it can open up a wealth of new horizons, it also means people get stuck in their comfort zones. Look at how many people watch Fox News and treat it as truth? Characters and brands sell. For the GOP, ignorance is applauded and intelligence is seen as elitism. Not great. What is wrong with being great? It seems unless they are shouting USA at the Ryder Cup or Olympics, it seems being great is not something they strive for. And it is a shame. I was raised in an America where learning was seen as a great thing, and a Disney park where inspiration was the magic, not a spotty teenager in a rubebr head.
Originally Posted By A Happy Haunt <<I swear people are getting more and more ignorant.>> they are. There is a mall/mob mentallity everywhere.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo The question is what can we do about it? I try to treat people the way I would like to be treated. Sadly I am wondering if it is all in vane?
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer >>>I have heard so many high level folks at Disney tell me Iger is not interested in the parks. Well if your CEO is not interested, then it is not going to improve. <<< I think everything hinges on that, honestly. I'm hoping for Iger to either change his views or be replaced. It seems the latter will help us. Honestly, if Staggs makes it to CEO, I would not be shocked to have positive things coming out of him.
Originally Posted By HokieSkipper <<I mean, Staggs IS being groomed for CEO, right? >> I don't think so.
