Is Disney quality really going downhill? About This Page:

[tcmary]

On our recent trip, with high school students, the only poor experience we encountered with CM's was when we arrived at All Star Sports. Many kids were commenting about the less than stellar greeting we received and the grumpiness of the bell hops. Our rooms were not ready and they were not expecting 60 carry on bags and backpacks. A young lady bellhop, called the other two men into the back, probably to cool off. When they returned they said they would be getting a pod to store our groups luggage.

[minniemagic]

We just got back a week ago. Our trip was great, I don't think we encountered any cranky or rude CM's this trip. We usually travel in May, but couldn't this year due to my DS job. Was Disney a little less pristine, maybe. But that was due to higher crowds. Like a poster said earlier, there were always CM's cleaning up, just not as fast as lower crowd times. It wasn't enough to gross me out, just a little noticeable. Our only meal that was a little less outstanding was O'hana dinner. Our reservation was made last minute by guest services (due to the fact that we were going to be at FW to go boating, but had to cancel). When we got to O'hana, the reservation was for the wrong date. They did squeeze us in. The meats were a little different from last time, but still great. The thing that made it all magical was the CM's.

[jojomima]

Originally Posted by notjustamom

I was there in April and can't say I noticed any decline in services. Eye of the beholder maybe but I'd say it hasn't changed.

Eye of the beholder I am sure has a lot to do with it. I have to admit that someone has to be really rude for me to notice or let it bother me. I am too focused on having a good time.

[jojomima]

[QUOTE=HiddenMickey;4554416]I think you asked about the wrong things.

I asked about the things that matter to me, I don't go to WDW for the meals, though I enjoy a good meal. The retail items are not on my list of things to enjoy either.
To each his own.

[kallell]

Originally Posted by jojomima

I've been reading some really disturbing things about WDW lately.
Not as clean as it used to be, cast members not as pleasant as they ised to be and some downright rude.
Last time I visited was summer of 2014 and I didn't notice anything off.

I just would like to hear from some of those that have recently visited and did not experience any of these things. We are planning a visit in November and these things are getting me down.

Thanks,

Honestly, I've gone probably once a year for the past 3 years and I think it's gotten better and better. In fact, I've always told people that one of the big reasons I love Disney so much is how clean and up kept it is. You never see a building that needs to be painted, rusted pipes, trash, or landscapes unkempt.

[kallell]

Originally Posted by tcmary

On our recent trip, with high school students, the only poor experience we encountered with CM's was when we arrived at All Star Sports. Many kids were commenting about the less than stellar greeting we received and the grumpiness of the bell hops. Our rooms were not ready and they were not expecting 60 carry on bags and backpacks. A young lady bellhop, called the other two men into the back, probably to cool off. When they returned they said they would be getting a pod to store our groups luggage.

I don't want to make any excuses, but I know a few folks who worked at All Star Sports. Many times, the cast members are placed there by random chance, and they aren't so much ecstatic with their luck. I can't blame them though, as comparatively ANY of the other parks might be better.

Again, not saying they shouldn't do their job well, but I think we all know what it's like to work at a place you are miserable at.

[NurseLesley]

Its funny you mention this because I recently had a friend who stated the same thing: Disney is going down hill.
I don't agree, but I only started going in 2002 so I don't have that long range frame of reference. I went last in February and it was awesome as usual!
My advice is to go to a six flags or other amusement park before you head to Disney and try to interact with workers and notice the park appearance...its sure to make Disney sparkle in comparison LOL
*We went to Universal Studios Islands of Adventure for the first time last August and I was highly disappointed. The park seemed clean enough for sure, but the cast members were ridiculously rude IMO. I have to say it just didn't cut it for me compared to Disney.

[HiddenMickey]

Originally Posted by kallell

Honestly, I've gone probably once a year for the past 3 years and I think it's gotten better and better. In fact, I've always told people that one of the big reasons I love Disney so much is how clean and up kept it is. You never see a building that needs to be painted, rusted pipes, trash, or landscapes unkempt.

Next time, you'll need to look a little closer. I didn't notice it so much on this trip but there are times I've been sad to see chipping paint, trash in corners, etc. The one that always gets me is the amount of dust in the Great Movie Ride. Look at the leaves on the plants in the boarding area. We've noticed that dust is the one thing that doesn't seem to go away. No one seems to dust attractions.

[revral]

The only thing I'm going to add to this is that I truly believe that you realistically can't expect an individual or company to apologize for or fix a problem if they don't know that there is/was a problem to begin with. The only way they're going to know about the problem is if they're told. Yes, 1000 people may have the same problem but if all 1000 don't say anything the company isn't going to know about the problem and therefore can't correct it. So, if your hotel room bathroom needs cleaning call housekeeping or the front desk & request that it be cleaned, poorly cooked/prepared meal or poor service in a store speak with a manager or supervisor etc. As long as you're polite, respectful & honest there's nothing wrong with speaking up.

[SuzieBC]

Just got back from Disney and had a fabulous time despite being in a wheelchair from a broken ankle! I have been going to WDW since 81 so I have seen a lot of changes over the years. However the biggest change I have seen is not in the service but the cost of everything. I understand inflation and why prices go up. But it does puzzle me that along with ticket and room rates they now have so many "extra" add-ons. For instance the paper disposable cups at the resorts now have a chip on the bottom allowing for 3 drinks per day. Unless you guzzle coke or really try to give drinks to a crowd, this seems silly. Disney signed an exclusivity contract with coke years ago and as part of it, Disney gets coke fountain drinks for free. We usually have the mugs which many years ago you could reuse as they actually had a notation on the side for endless free drinks and the cost like $5.00. You actually could bring them back year after year. Then they discouraged that practice and stopped having different mug designs for each resort. The current cost is $18.99 for length of stay. You have to drink a lot of coke! In years gone by they used to have free orange juice and milk at the drink stations as well.
Times change but more and more I notice more interest given to special add-ons that cater to the rich. Special seating, parking, events, areas closed off for VIP guests , even renting the castle suite to those who can afford it. That is not Disney to me.

[Jules92]

Just go to any other resort or any other theme park and you will see how great the CM's at Disney are. Of course everyone gets stressed out, overwhelmed or has a bad day, but I can never recall a sour moment with a CM and I know I can recall them at other places I have visited.

[thinkpink]

I won't "name names" but we have visited other local theme parks and always leave disappointed due to the rudeness of employees and the dirty and unkept rides and grounds.

However, I have never experiened this at WDW. Never. It is so clean and so well-maintained that we leave impressed every time.

In addition, we had some very amazing interactions with Cast members on our last trip (*and every trip). I do not feel the quality of customer service has slipped at all and I feel it may be improving. We have witnessed Cast members going out of their way to provide excellent assistance and always with a good attitude. Several times, we actually felt like we did them a favor by letting them assist us. Haha! The response given us was gratitude for serving us! Who else does that? That is purely Disney-style service.

One example:
We were heading to a show and wanted to take a Frozen Lemonade with us. It was hot and we ran to the kiosk and waited in line. When we approached the register, we were told lemonade was sold out but more was on the way. We did not have time to wait and so we declined and explained we were trying to catch a show. The CM was so kind and promised to hold one for us for after the show. Well, she actually brought the Lemonade to us at the show so we could enjoy it while we watched! (This was an outdoor show that allowed foods/drinks). We were shocked and surprised. Who does that???

So, as a review, this was a kindness...unnecessary and not life emergency level crisis. We only wanted to enjoy the Lemonade while watching the show (it was my DD who wanted it...so, we did appreciate the extra magic on her behalf.) The CM did not have to even mention that she would hold one for us...certainly she did not have to deliver it to us in the show! To say we were impressed is a total understatement.

This is the style of service at Disney. We have experienced it over and over...that is not an isolated incident. We are always "wowed" by the commitment to service and kindness and politeness of CM's. Their training is top-notch and they have a love of service and Disney and people...it shows in the extra's.

I believe they are always tryng to "plus" the experience for guests...just as Disney himeself wanted.

[jojomima]

I started this thread before our last trip this past November.
Not only was I worried for nothing, but actually had a "magic" moment.
We were celebrating my granddaughter's 5th birthday. She was wearing her birthday pin and as we boarded the bus driver wished her a happy birthday, as all the cast members had been doing. But as we took our seats, the driver announced that we had a special rider with us. Than she announced my granddaughters birthday and had everyone sing happy birthday. If you could have seen her face. That made the whole trip.
We never had anything but great service and pleasant cast members.

[srsatkowiak]

Originally Posted by jojomima

I've been reading some really disturbing things about WDW lately.
Not as clean as it used to be, cast members not as pleasant as they ised to be and some downright rude.
Last time I visited was summer of 2014 and I didn't notice anything off.

I just would like to hear from some of those that have recently visited and did not experience any of these things. We are planning a visit in November and these things are getting me down.

Thanks,

I just got back on the 5th from an 8 days trip, and let me just say that this was one of my least magical trips ever. The stomach bug is going through the parks and resorts like the plague. It hit us twice even after sanitizing and washing....so much washing, my hands are still raw. MK was just filthy. Bathrooms not be tended too, soap dispensers broken or empty, trash everywhere, vomit on benches, etc... I was so upset. One night, I wouldn't even let my kids out of the stroller to eat a snack as the tables were so nasty. I have been there more times than I can count in the last 15 years and have NEVER been sick or this upset. I wish I could say it was the crowds, but it wasn't even that bad. I have been there during Christmas break and Easter in recent years and never had an issue with trash. Something is going on there and it needs to be addressed. I have drafted a pretty emotional letter, just trying to find where to send it.

The resort was just okay. It was clean, but the staff was not friendly. I understand they were busy due to the Cheerleaders, but that doesn't give you the right to be a jerk when I ask questions for clarification. I expect a certain level of service when I stay at a Disney resort, regardless of resort classification, and I did not see that service being carried out to anyone. I want to see smiles, not scowls.

I hope others have a better experience with their upcoming trip. I feel like I need a Disney do-over.

[thinktink79]

hmm. I cant say that we have noticed anything like this... I hope everyone's trips to the WORLD have been pleasant ...