Originally Posted By danyoung >...then I proceed to sit on the curb on Main Street and enjoy the parade of bad tourist fashions, which is my way of having a magical time at WDW.< I'll do my best to be entertaining for you in December!
Originally Posted By RoadTrip <<That is my issue with most people here... You *choose* to overlook the problem... and as long as you choose to do that, you are indirectly contributing to the decline. I don't think it will diminish your enjoyment of WDW one bit if you did take the time to go into Guest Relations and said... "you know, I really am having a great time here... you folks are the best, but just wanted to share with you a couple of issues that I feel could make for my vacation to be even more "magical" and enjoyable... such as ____ and ____." >> That is pretty easy to say for a person who can go to WDW 100 times per year and doesn't have to pay thousands in transportation and lodging to be there. I'm not going to waste my precious vacation time complaining to someone at Guest Relations when more than likely that complaint won't go anywhere anyway. I wrote a letter once to the Front Desk at the Boardwalk. Although I usually love the rooms there, this particular Studio stunk. Not an overwhelming stink, but a definite odor around the mini-refrigerator in the wet-bar area. Obviously, the mini-fridge should have been pulled out and the area underneath it mopped. I said in my letter that I was not looking for any type of freebie. All I wanted was to give them the chance to make my vacation experience what it should be by taking care of the problem in my room. What did I get? Not a danged thing. Nothing was done to the room. There was no response to my message. So why should I bother? When (and if) it gets to the point that I don't think WDW is worth the money I will sell my DVC points and vacation elsewhere. That, in the end, is all that Disney listens to. Money. Frankly, I think Universal Florida is a danged fine Theme Park and I LOVE their on-site resorts.
Originally Posted By DLFAN1979 ""Look for handsome guy wearing a DLP Phantom Manor Tee."" TDLFAN, if you come near w/ that, you KNOW im going to HAVE to steal it from you They need an HM version of that!
Originally Posted By TDLFAN >>I said in my letter that I was not looking for any type of freebie. What did I get? Not a danged thing.<< You obviously do not know how to complain. You got them off the hook by telling them you wanted no freebie. Stupid remark. You should have told them to fix the problem to your satisfaction or else, warn them you will be taking your business to an off property resort. As long as you give the impression that you are tolerating the problem somehow... you screwed your complain and achieved nothing. >>Nothing was done to the room. There was no response to my message. So why should I bother? << Again... nothing was done because you failed to pursue this seriously and without care. You see? I would bother, and let them be bothered by my concern. I am sure something would be done as soon as I demand my money back. After all, Disney only understands money, you said... right?
Originally Posted By TDLFAN >>TDLFAN, if you come near w/ that, you KNOW im going to HAVE to steal it from you They need an HM version of that!<< I did go to EPCOT and posted a report somewhere else, with photos. Furthermore... I don't look that handsome without a shirt Too fat.
Originally Posted By TDLFAN >>I'm not going to waste my precious vacation time complaining to someone at Guest Relations when more than likely that complaint won't go anywhere anyway.<< Dennis-in-CT was well regarded about his complaint in regards to the changes to APers' hotel procedures last year... he complainted loud and clear and got a very personal response and a very nice room in the Saratoga. I pays to complain when the quality you expect from Disney is not there. Not doing so is weak, regardles of you being on vacation or not... and the fact that you are wasting a lot of money to come here... should be reason enough to be more vocal about it. Makes not sense to pay thousands in air transport, hotels and incidentals and be lineant of mediocre service. Finally, I do not go to WDW 100 times a year as you so smugly presume... That would be about 175 or so yearly.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<Is it just me are does it seem like there's been an all out attack directed at Spirit in a couple of post in a couple of different threads here lately. I wonder who he ticked off this time?>> Me too. It's so hard to tell with so few people able to handle the truth! <<He's such a charmer.>> You've noticed. I'm touched. I find I appeal greatly to the 'I got daddy issues' crowd ... young gals AND guys ... I guess it's cause I'm so cute and cuddly!
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<Although I still see the magic in the Magic Kingdom, I have to agree with TDLFAN and the Spirit on most of their points.>> Well, Trippy, we ARE right. And I never said there was no magic at the MK ... just that much of it has left. <<What really brought the decline home to me was on our last trip when I caught myself saying to my wife "Let's use the restrooms in Morocco... they're usually pretty clean">> I just got my leg puked on by a stranger in there last month, so I don't have happy memories. Then, while leaving the park through the IG exit, on the bridge between UK and France there were two huge piles of vomit. People were oblivious. I saw one CM walk by and just pretend he didn't see anything, so I left a loud complaint with the CM and Secuity at the IG entrance/exit ... but that was a health/safety issue. Those are pretty much the only times I'll complain anymore. I'm reasonably sure that I'm 'in the system' at Disney thanks to a few morons in the exec suites who have issues with the truth, so I try and limit complaints to things I don't leave a paper trail after. I did complain at DL about some hateful graffiti in the Alice restrooms behind Sleeping Beauty Castle at DL in January, only to return a week later and it was still there. I went back and complained loud and proud at City Hall. I also posted about it on Micechat (where I was accused of making it all up) ... not sure what happened but it was subsequently removed. It should have never been there for me to see because a CM should have noticed it when cleaning and it should have been taken out of service. Beyond that, I just don't complain ... if I started, I'd never stop because they've let so many things just go. But I'd really like to gently nudge this topic back to the MK as it's spreading out and losing its focus.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<That is pretty easy to say for a person who can go to WDW 100 times per year and doesn't have to pay thousands in transportation and lodging to be there. >> I can't go to WDW 100 times a year. I live 185 miles away. It costs to go. A cheap weekend for me is still $1,000 between hotel and food. That's why I'm always cognizant of what WDW resorts have been refurbed and which ones are next on the list. But just because I visit more frequently shouldn't put the burden on me to bitch more. Frankly, as a DVC 'owner' you've got more invested as you're tied to the Mouse until 2043 unless you try and dump the points ... and let's face it, Disney makes it very difficult for you to sell to anyone but back to them, and they're not so amicable when it comes to the price either, from what I've been told. So, if the bathrooms are dirty, take 20 minutes out of your day and let people know and tell them you EXPECT it to be taken care of immediately.
Originally Posted By TDLFAN >>while leaving the park through the IG exit, on the bridge between UK and France there were two huge piles of vomit. People were oblivious. I saw one CM walk by and just pretend he didn't see anything, so I left a loud complaint with the CM and Secuity at the IG entrance/exit ... but that was a health/safety issue. Those are pretty much the only times I'll complain anymore.<< What a coincidence.... there was a fresh pile of vomit in front of Test Track at EPCOT Center yesterday during my walk there, but at least 3 CMs were taking care of the matter. So I will give them KUDOS this time.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo >>>I prefer the quality, over the quantity, which frankly...has become way too excessive and unnecesary at WDW.<<< Here, here. That's why we will choose to go to California next year rather than Florida! MPierce - you are right on!!!
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<Here, here. That's why we will choose to go to California next year rather than Florida! MPierce - you are right on!!!>> Yep ... MPierce ... one smart dude and member of my posse ;-) I agree that DL -- and DLP -- are much better resorts to get around and not feel overwhelmed. Being a Floridian, WDW is fine for me, but when I see a family trying to see and do everything in a week or 10 days (and get off-property to do Uni, IOA or Sea World) I feel for them. ... No matter how much they push themselves, which ain't my definition of a vacation anyway, they're going to come out tired and frustrated at all they missed. Bigger is not better. It's also quite noticeable that, except for Spring Break and CHristmas week, WDW guests never seem nearly as happy, relaxed or cheerful as their DL and DLP counterparts. In many cases, I see loads more miserable faces than smiles and that does bother me because WDW should -- even now -- put a smile on your face.
Originally Posted By danyoung TDLFAN, you and I see things more and more the same, as you slowly realize just how danged smart I am. But I have a problem with this comment - >It pays to complain when the quality you expect from Disney is not there. Not doing so is weak, regardles of you being on vacation or not.< Everyone sets their own threshhold on where they need to complain. I'm with Trippy in that my time is so short and so valuable to me that I don't want to spare even 20 minutes for a dirty bathroom or an overflowing trashcan, as unacceptable as I think those situations are. I have only complained one time in my long history of going to Disney parks. That was during the MK's 20th (or 25th??), when there was a big celebration, Hillary Clinton, Roy Disney, Eisner & a bunch of others were at the MK for some speehifying, 1076 trombones on Main Street, etc. Disney did a huge job of promoting this event, and I actually changed my plans so I could be there. When the event finally arrived, I was horrified to find out that I couldn't get anywhere near the event itself, but I was welcome to watch it on video walls that were set up in Tomorrowland and Frontierland. Completely unacceptable! My complaint was taken seriously, and I got an apology and some single day tickets (the apology was much more important to me!). Unless something rises to that catastrophic (for me) level, I don't want to spend my all too short time complaining about stuff that they already know is a problem. But I fully support those who will take the time - perhaps you can force some change.
Originally Posted By TDLFAN You know...Danno, that was the 25th anniversary morning on Oct 1, 1996. As you recall so well... YES, most of Main Street was closed and guests were sent behind Main Street, pass the Trash Compactor behind the bakery and out thru tomorrowland. I was ticked off as well... Still I did not move from my spot in front of the Walt Disney Story theater area.. Approximately 15 minutes before the parade up Main Street was to begin, Main Street was opened to guests in the area. I quickly took my spot in the area where the Sports shop is located now..formerly the Magic shop and Tabacco shop? From there..along with many others who didn't allow themselves to be tricked into going to TL for the TV showing of the event, I watched the entire parade of dignitaries.. you name it, Eisner, Hillary, Roy, other special guests etc etc... and then we sat in the middle of Main Street, as the 25th anniversary rededication ceremony unfolded in front of us..and I had a great view. Of course, you may also remember half way thru the ceremony, a major storm moved thur the area and basically drenched everyone at the castle stage. In contrast to you, I went up to City Hall and thanked them for reopening Main Street for those of us who had looked forward to being there than morning. The girl in Guests Relations explained to me that the Secret Service had requested Main Street to be closed off as long as possible to avoid overcrowding the area as there were safety concerns for the 1st Lady being so close to so many people with basically no barricades to protect those in the parade. This same delay tactic in the part of Disney is what caused the major traffic backups up I-4 on new year's eve Dec 31st, 1999 at EPCOT Center. When they had chosen to close the parking lot very early and telling guests the park was closed and full BEFORE 9am!! The truth of the matter is they were making sure their on-property hotel guests would have access to the park before off-property guests could, as they had to uphold that garranty for on-property guests who had planned their vacation to be there for the Millenium. Yet, those of us who drove up to WDW at 7am that morning, had to endure major traffic backups on I-4, 192, and every road leading to WDW. Then had to park at the studios and walk to the EPCOT resorts area, where the line to enter EPCOT started at the Yatch Club pool area. Even in line, CMs were telling people in line "There is no garranty you will be able to enter EPCOT, it's very full.. we suggest you got to MGM or DAK.." By the time we passed the Beach Club, CMs there were telling us... "You may or may not make it into the park... It's pretty full...jada jada", and by the time we got to the canopy close to the boat dock, the Cms there, were telling us "You'll make it in just keep moving, have tickets ready!!" Once inside the park, after a lot of hassle and major ordeal... we found an EPCOT that was totally uncrowded and manageable.. Of course, as the day went by the crowds did get pretty nasty in numbers... My only rant about these two particular days at WDW was Disney not being truthful to guests. Tell me "we have to control the crowd due to the expected high number of visitors so bear with us..", but to tell me.. "the park is full and capacity is at max", was a downright lie. >>I'm with Trippy in that my time is so short and so valuable to me that I don't want to spare even 20 minutes for a dirty bathroom or an overflowing trashcan, as unacceptable as I think those situations are.<< That sounds a bit hypocrytical to me. You knwo some things are unacceptable but won't take a few minutes of your trip to let Guest Relations know about it. They may already be awared of the problem, but they also bank on guests being accepting of those situations in order to excuse them from acting on and fixing the problems. When you turn your face the other way on purpose and excuse the situation, then you have no right to say these problems are unacceptable to you. It's inaction like that which allows Disney to get away so much in terms of dimishing quality and "magic" as they put it.
Originally Posted By RoadTrip <<I have only complained one time in my long history of going to Disney parks.>> I've complained three times... 1) The time when the Boardwalk Studio had a rather nasty smell around the fridge as I mentioned in a previous post. 2) We were checking in at the All Star Music once and were told that because of higher than expected occupancy (overbooking) we would have to change rooms during our stay. I told them that was just not acceptable and they would have to make some other arrangements. They resolved the situation by putting us in a room at Dixie Landings for the same price. 3) We checked in to our room at the Villas at Wilderness Lodge and it clearly had not been cleaned after the prior occupants left. There were towels on the floor, unmade bed, etc. I called housekeeping and reported the situation and said I wanted someone to take care of it right away. After 20 minutes we were still waiting for housekeeping to show up. I called again and said (nicely but firmly) that we wanted to go out for dinner and I wanted someone to take care of the room immediately so that we could freshen up with clean sink, towels, etc. The manager of housekeeping was up in the room within 5 minutes and she took care of it herself. So yes, when I find something truly unsatisfactory I make myself heard. But a dirty bathroom? Sorry, but if I complained every time I was in a dirty bathroom at WDW I would get nothing else done.
Originally Posted By fkurucz <<It's also quite noticeable that, except for Spring Break and CHristmas week, WDW guests never seem nearly as happy, relaxed or cheerful as their DL and DLP counterparts. In many cases, I see loads more miserable faces than smiles and that does bother me because WDW should -- even now -- put a smile on your face.>> I wonder if this is caused by the fact that for those people WDW is a big, expensive vacation, and they feel that they need to get their $5000 worth and just try too hard (that wonderful Florida summer weather must also be a factor). What I like about a 5 day DLR trip is that you can take your sweet time and smell the roses (be sure to do it on week days), and you will spend quite a bit less.
Originally Posted By TDLFAN >>2) We were checking in at the All Star Music once and were told that because of higher than expected occupancy (overbooking) we would have to change rooms during our stay. I told them that was just not acceptable and they would have to make some other arrangements. They resolved the situation by putting us in a room at Dixie Landings for the same price. << See what a firm complaint will get you? Results. >>3) We checked in to our room at the Villas at Wilderness Lodge and it clearly had not been cleaned after the prior occupants left. There were towels on the floor, unmade bed, etc. I called housekeeping and reported the situation and said I wanted someone to take care of it right away. After 20 minutes we were still waiting for housekeeping to show up.<< Again, yoou screwed up. You needed to return to the front desk and demand you get a new room right away. It was simply ludiocrous and silly of you to stand by waiting for some housekeeper to show up.. I would never do that (stand in the middle of someone else's mess) I honestly believe you are affraid of complaining or simply do not know how to do it.
Originally Posted By RoadTrip <<Again, yoou screwed up. You needed to return to the front desk and demand you get a new room right away.>> When I asked for a different room location at check-in I was told the room we were assigned was the only one available. When we discovered the room had not been cleaned I figured housekeeping was my only option since I had already been told nothing else was available.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<So yes, when I find something truly unsatisfactory I make myself heard. But a dirty bathroom? Sorry, but if I complained every time I was in a dirty bathroom at WDW I would get nothing else done.>> Hey Trippy, why don't you email this to Erin Wallace? You do realize how sad that statement is. WDW's restrooms used to always look spotless ... now they look like those at a low-rent football stadium after a game! It's one thing if you just saddle up to a urinal and try not to touch anything, but imagine taking a 5-year-old into some of them.
