Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Welcome aboard CDD - glad you decided to post. I am glad people enjoy their Disney trips (as they should). I just wish Disney delivered in Fla what they do at the other resorts. It is not fair to people like you, Nikki, Bobbe, DVCDAD et al who find WDW more accessable. My issue is with the leadership team that treat their guests like rubes. For me, we have to travel to a different country to go to any Disney resort. I really want to love WDW (and parts of it I do). But sadly it is not what it was 10 years ago and even further back, and that makes me grumpy. That said, when I lived in California, I always questioned why Florida got all the cool stuff (and they did for a while). But with very few exceptions, they have been cutting away for so many years. Sometimes I do wish I didn't know what the other resorts offer. But on the flip side, I love comparing the differences of each one (and enjoying aspects of them all). I love Epcot, I love DAK. But to me a MK park is the heart of any Disney resort, and when WDW's heart seems to have cardiomyopathy, well frankly it is time to take evasive action. sadly Meg, Jay etc. are on a wait and see. Also my issue is that the resorts and buses are poor value to my mind, but could be great with little tweaks.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo The bit that gets to me is the vorciferous way people defend the actions of the execs in Florida and make it seem like I am the bad guy for pointing these things out. I want to love WDW, and a part of me always will. But I do not want to stand by while they diminish the experience further.
Originally Posted By ChiMike ^ Well I hope you get a chance at one point to head out there. Just a heads up, $2500 to spend could comfortably get you a 4-5 night stay on Disney property with park tickets and airfare. As an example, in early 2009 I found tons of airfare non-stop out of Charlotte for $198-$201 per person to LAX. That fare is hard to come by even in Chicago. It's not 8 days, but it's something new. Hope you get the chance to mix it up.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo >>>It's not 8 days, but it's something new. Hope you get the chance to mix it up.<<< I don't know, we went in March this year for 6 days and still did not do everything (though slowed by a 3 and 5 year old). Add in the real Universal Studios, the offerings of San Diego, and the other theme parks (as well as mountains, beaches, national parks, museums, deserts) there is a huge amount to do in SoCal
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<But there is always the way to disguise it- ie the fact that the cast holiday celebration discounts were reduced in length and scope but its all masked by the fact the card came peppermint scented this year... (and yes I'm still grateful we got something so I'm not totally complaining but it was an interesting insight I had..)>> Em ... exactly how has the holiday celebration (PART OF THE DISNEY DIFFERENCE) been cut this year? I'd have actually expected the opposite. When times get tought at WDW, management has usually tried to entice CMs to give their salaries back through discounts on lodging, food and merchandise.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 >> I have to point out that for a large number of us WDW is our only option. My family can't swing the cash to fly to one of the other parks. Ignorace must be bliss because we still love WDW. We don't complain because it is still much better than the alternatives.<< <<When I read things like this I don't know if I should feel bad or helpful. I try not to put my nose in peoples' personal affairs.>> I feel the same way. Everyone has different/unique circumstances (I well know that most here would never understand mine.) Yet I do feel bad that people aren't seeing more of the Disney universe and more of the real world when they tell me they always vacation at WDW. I worry about being a hypocrite (the trait I most revile in people) because there was a period in the 1990s for a few years when all my vacations consisted of driving three hours up Florida's Turnpike and checking in at a WDW resort. On the other hand, I firmly believe as a savvy traveler that I can arrange (maybe I should have been a travel planner? Nah ... no money in it.) a visit to many places like DL for far less than WDW costs. But, of course, some people are set in their ways. If they go to WDW, they only stay on property. Harbor Blvd. could scare them. Driving on the Southern California freeways could cause a lifetime of trauma. The thought of packaging other places (from Universal Studios Hollywood to Huntington Beach from Palm Springs to San Diego etc...) with a DL visit might be 'too much' for people used to arriving at WDW property and never even venturing off-site to McDonald's let alone Sea World or Universal. I dunno ... there are so many places I'd love to go that I haven't been, but then I realize that I am so much more well-traveled than most. I don't mean to ever be hard on folks for visiting WDW. I STILL love the place. I guess I just don't love it as much as I did 20 years ago when it wasn't WalMarted and DVC'd to death. I just know there is so much more out there ... even in the Disney world. After visiting DL, DLP, HKDL ... even taking a DCL cruise ... it gives a whole different perspective on WDW (some of it good, much of it, not so good) I can't help if that comes across when I rip WDW management for lowering quality while raising prices.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<I love Epcot, I love DAK. But to me a MK park is the heart of any Disney resort, and when WDW's heart seems to have cardiomyopathy, well frankly it is time to take evasive action. sadly Meg, Jay etc. are on a wait and see.>> Love that analogy. You've got a lot of heart, Dave. Unfortunately, I wonder if the folks who run WDW even have any souls.
Originally Posted By CarolinaDisneyDad Spirit, this is why i like reading other people's take on things. you guys are obviously much more well traveled than I am. I've never left the east. Most years WDW is the only time I leave the Carolinas. I feel like I am picking up a much broader perspective by reading from the more experienced. Jack spence did a remarkable journal about Disneysea on allears.net. When I see some of the things accomplished at the other parks, it gives me hope that disney will improve up to everyones standards.
Originally Posted By Disneybrad <<the fact that the cast holiday celebration discounts were reduced in length and scope but its all masked by the fact the card came peppermint scented this year.>> <Em ... exactly how has the holiday celebration (PART OF THE DISNEY DIFFERENCE) been cut this year? I'd have actually expected the opposite.> True, in fact if anything they have been extended, the Holiday Merch. Discount, is now runing all the way through Feb. They have even increased the in park discount from now till just befroe Chsristmas. The only thing if any, that has been tightened up on is the dining discount. I did notice that this year, le Celier, is not included, as is Norway , Cinderella's RT, and California Grill.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<True, in fact if anything they have been extended, the Holiday Merch. Discount, is now runing all the way through Feb. They have even increased the in park discount from now till just befroe Chsristmas.>> Yeah, a few friends offered me use of their 50% discount last week. Of course, if you book now with an AP rate you can get a 35% discount with your $49 rooms. (BTW, let me yet again take another shot at the geniuses who decided WDW should have 25,000-30,000 rooms and timeshares to fill ... amazing how much easier it is to weather a depression -- yeah, that's what I'm calling it! -- when you don't have all those rooms to fill, maintain and staff) <<The only thing if any, that has been tightened up on is the dining discount. I did notice that this year, le Celier, is not included, as is Norway , Cinderella's RT, and California Grill.>> Considering their meteoric rise in prices I guess that isn't surprising. It's probably much better for Disney if CMs are dining at the Germany or China at Epcot or Mama Melrose's at the Studios or places of that lower tier ilk than at places that are very popular, so I can't fault them even though if I were a CM I'd be peeved.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 ^^^^^^^^^^ are you talking the Tables of Wonderland (formerly DDE ) 20% discount ? I have yet to renew until I get ready to go back
