[royorb1]

Cut backs, Crummy rides, less than magical experience. Is WDW on the beginning of a downswing?

[karliebug]

I have no idea what you are talking about. I always have a magical experience and haven't noticed any cutbacks or "crummy" rides. We were there in August and It was as wonderful as ever.

[rlander]

NO!!!! ABSOLUTELY NOT!!!

[Dana]

I am not really sure how to adress this post, so I am going to do the best I can. How can you say that WDW is on a down swing when they are opening all these new attractions in the next two years? They are making their trips more affordable to everyone with their new packages starting on 1/2 (didn't you expect the cut-backs with this?) and even though there are bad experiences here and there, the over all service at WDW is top-notch and better than any service you will find anywhere. You cannot simply take a few incidents and make that the norm for WDW. There are flaws, yes. Just there are flaws with everything in life. Yes, they have made some cut-backs in the last few years...that is obvious, but hardly a downswing. It's as simple as this: if you don't like it, don't go. Pay the prices or don't. Overall, WDW is the best vacation I can think of. I feel I get my money's worth with every single trip or I wouldn't be stupid enough to go back.

[Disnyfan83]

Originally Posted by royorb1

Cut backs, Crummy rides, less than magical experience. Is WDW on the beginning of a downswing?

Yikes! I think someone is having a bad Monday morning!! WDW is what YOU make it! My trips there have never been anything other than happy fun and purely magical experiences.

[DisneyTeacher]

Originally Posted by royorb1

Cut backs, Crummy rides, less than magical experience. Is WDW on the beginning of a downswing?

I don't keep up on all the news but I thought Disney was recovering after 9/11. I knew of major cuts back then but I haven't heard of any since then. Travel was down all over the country and world, not just WDW.

I am not sure which crummy rides you are talking about. I have my favorites and my less favorites, no one is going to like all the rides equal. I have heard the new Stitch attraction is less than great but for that one there are 5 newer rides/attractions that are great. Mission Space are Mickey's Philharmagic are new and are both awesome.

We have been to WDW twice in the last two years for 8 day stays each and have had more than a magical experience both times. I haven't seen the magic decline, in fact each trip gets better and better. We have met very nice CMs in both trips, I just can't complain about service.

I tend to see the glass half full in life. Can you tell?

[MerlinMatt]

About a month ago, I started a thread called "WDW, the Good, the Bad and the Ugly"

The point of the thread was to provide an opportunity for people to vent about bad experiences and counter it with good experiences.

If you read the thread, the overall tone of it is good.

I don't think it's quite accurate to say that Disney is "cutting back." I think it's more accurate to say that they are re-allocating where they are spending money, as every company does. The vacation industry as a whole is rather tepid right now, so all things considered, Disney is actually doing quite well.

As for the rides and new attractions, the only new one that seems to be getting a lukewarm reception is Stitch. Mickey's Philharmagic is terrific as is Mission:Space. Fantasmic is now a few years old, but that's a great addition. New adds on the schedule seem to be equally promising with "Soarin'" at the Land, Crush N' Gusher at TL and Expedition Everest at AK. Also, Space Mountain is due for a total rehab next year. So, honestly, I'm not sure what you mean by this.

As for the magic, you're completely wrong. Just do a search here on magic or magical and you'll find PLENTY of stories of Disney magic.

So, clearly Disney is NOT on a downswing.

[roxie]

Originally Posted by Disnyfan83

Yikes! I think someone is having a bad Monday morning!! WDW is what YOU make it! My trips there have never been anything other than happy fun and purely magical experiences.

My thought exactly!

[skwak]

Originally Posted by Disnyfan83

Yikes! I think someone is having a bad Monday morning!! WDW is what YOU make it! My trips there have never been anything other than happy fun and purely magical experiences.

I agree completely. We have always had the best times at WDW.

[tigger]

Ummm no Eisner is leaving...

[royorb1]

Originally Posted by Disnyfan83

Yikes! I think someone is having a bad Monday morning!! WDW is what YOU make it! My trips there have never been anything other than happy fun and purely magical experiences.

No, I'm just asking because I have been reading posts that state these opinions. And I will go back to WDW because I enjoy it (heck I'll be there in less than 3 months). I see that maybe this was a stupid post, so what, it's only a question. I'm glad I'm wrong if I am wrong

Once again- STUPID POST WDW is the best!

[MerlinMatt]

Originally Posted by royorb1

Once again- STUPID POST WDW is the best!

I guess this was a Disney intervention.

So long as you're willing to admit that you have a problem, that's the first step towards treatment.

Roy... stay AWAY from the dark side!

[CaribBeachNut]

Originally Posted by royorb1

Cut backs, Crummy rides, less than magical experience. Is WDW on the beginning of a downswing?

We've noticed the same thing over the past several years and came to the same (unfortunate) conclusion that the magic has been decreasing over the years. The level of service has definitely decreased. I can give you two instances: Gone are the free double decker buses that once took you around Epcot's World Showcase, and the free package delivery to your hotel used to deliver your packages to your room. Now they are delivered to the resort store (at least for CBR to OPR). Definitely a decrease in service and I didn't see any comparable decrease in costs. I have only seen increase in costs. With that said, staying on site is still a bargain as it is cheaper to stay at CBR than it is to stay at most of the decent hotels in USA. It is very worth it. But this point doesn't fit into this discussion, only the first part above.

[tinkerbell]

Originally Posted by CaribBeachNut

We've noticed the same thing over the past several years and came to the same (unfortunate) conclusion that the magic has been decreasing over the years. The level of service has definitely decreased. I can give you two instances: Gone are the free double decker buses that once took you around Epcot's World Showcase, and the free package delivery to your hotel used to deliver your packages to your room. Now they are delivered to the resort store (at least for CBR to OPR). Definitely a decrease in service and I didn't see any comparable decrease in costs. I have only seen increase in costs. With that said, staying on site is still a bargain as it is cheaper to stay at CBR than it is to stay at most the decent hotels in USA. It is very worth it. But this point doesn't fit into this discussion, only the first part above.

While I still agree there is plenty of magic still there .. I also agree with this. CaribBeachNut, I bet like me you remember when you checked in to the CBR you received a "passport". The soap no longer comes in Boxes .. and the shampoo bottles are all smaller. There have been many "little" extra's that have disappeared. One of the things I noted about our last trip in August was I had to pay for Mickey Straws at the food court .. a few years back these were free with childrens meals.
Also there was a time when WSC was open the same time as Future World.
The Magic is still there ..but saddly many of the extra's are not.

[jk8]

There was an article in our local paper about companies cutting back on employee Christmas parties recently. I saw this and many other cost cutting measures at my old job. Disney seems no different to me. While by all appearances they are "raking in" the money times are different everywhere.

Perhaps I'm "lucky" since this year was my first trip and I don't know any different. I think everything is magical!