Disney is just not the same anymore!!!

[BuzzinDownToDisney]

I don't know if its there or not either. I keep seeing posts on various sites and threads of guests being sent to Tomorrowland. I do know that Josh doesn't show one on his MK map.

This is accurate. There are 3 kiosks in City Hall. One day upon leaving MK for a midday break I realized I forgot to book an evening FP. I asked the CM where the nearest one was, she told me by Buzz (Not even the closest one in Tomorrowland) I posted that here and someone suggested City Hall. Sure enough, 3 kiosks, never a single line since no one knew about them.

 

[minnie mum]

This is accurate. There are 3 kiosks in City Hall. One day upon leaving MK for a midday break I realized I forgot to book an evening FP. I asked the CM where the nearest one was, she told me by Buzz (Not even the closest one in Tomorrowland) I posted that here and someone suggested City Hall. Sure enough, 3 kiosks, never a single line since no one knew about them.

Well isn't that great. At least everyone who sees your post will know now.

 

[Angel Ariel]

So this is my issue: why does Disney oversell hard ticket events to the point where their guests don't get any value from the experience? I had the same experience last year and would never do it again.

Interesting..they were just talking about the MNSSHPs that are selling out on the DIS Unplugged podcast this week. Pete was actually hypothesizing that there are more parties selling out because Disney is *decreasing* the number of tickets available for hard ticketed events like MNSSHP. It was an interesting segment - worth checking out.

 

[mom2rtk]

Interesting..they were just talking about the MNSSHPs that are selling out on the DIS Unplugged podcast this week. Pete was actually hypothesizing that there are more parties selling out because Disney is *decreasing* the number of tickets available for hard ticketed events like MNSSHP. It was an interesting segment - worth checking out.

Just call me skeptical on that front.

Maybe they are selling more tickets because locals are not renewing their APs and are using hard ticket parties as a less expensive dose of Disney.

 

[cakebaker]

Interesting..they were just talking about the MNSSHPs that are selling out on the DIS Unplugged podcast this week. Pete was actually hypothesizing that there are more parties selling out because Disney is *decreasing* the number of tickets available for hard ticketed events like MNSSHP. It was an interesting segment - worth checking out.

Yeah, I don't believe he's right on that one. We went a MNSSHP years back and it was wonderful- much closer to Halloween than this one but the crowd was extremely easy to navigate and had no problems at all.

This one- You would've thought the rain would've thinned things out, but it didn't. We gave up at 11 or so, just because there was no point. Wall to wall people, this is the night my daughter got hurt while sitting waiting for the first parade- crowds were beyond crazy.

The 2 trips were as different as they could be and we couldn't believe it. We thought going early, there was no way it would be crowded- I believe it was a sell out from what I read here.

At any rate, not for a second do I think they're selling fewer tickets.

 

[Suvadoo]

Interesting..they were just talking about the MNSSHPs that are selling out on the DIS Unplugged podcast this week. Pete was actually hypothesizing that there are more parties selling out because Disney is *decreasing* the number of tickets available for hard ticketed events like MNSSHP. It was an interesting segment - worth checking out.

Yes I saw it, but based on what Cakebaker experienced it was pretty crowded. I'm guessing it's subjective. Personally, I would never go to these hard ticket parties again. They're too crowded.

 

[Joed88]

Whats the source? Haven't heard that.

 

[kbelle8995]

Change is okay. It's just right now I am not crazy about some of these changes.

Get rid of the Hat. Yes.
Add new restaurants and stores to DTD. Yes please
Starbucks- I'm actually okay with this.

FP+ works for some. It doesn't work for me. And getting around it is taking more time. It makes the park harder to tour for me at least.
Frozen in WS. NO just NO.
Construction is okay but Construction in so many places across the resort is a tough pill to swallow. I just wish they would finish some of this. Specifically, the Parking Garage in DTD.

Finish the darn parking garage.

 

[tony67]

Whats the source? Haven't heard that.

It helps if you quote the whole thought instead of picking out the line that you want..or at least quote it so people can go back to the actual post...

My thought is that they have seen a reduction in repeat business, but first time visits are going up.

No one wants to admit that the reason repeat business is down is because they have made bad choices.

 

[Luvchefmic]

Just call me skeptical on that front.

Maybe they are selling more tickets because locals are not renewing their APs and are using hard ticket parties as a less expensive dose of Disney.

I have been saying this for quite awhile now. I am one that has not renewed, I know many making the same decision. They are not just locals either. I have seen a number of posters around the boards saying they are holding off either renewing or purchasing APs for the first time. I wonder how many are making the same decisions and are not saying it on discussion boards.

Interesting what those numbers will be for TDC when it starts to make an impression. It may take some time but I think they will see. Perhaps 5 or so years down the road it will show something.


side note * yes posters PLEASE when you quote, quote the whole text ( with posters ID ) so we can respond or at least know what is being discussed

 

[wisblue]

Legacy was sooo much simpler than plus. Place ticket in machine pull out fast pass end of story. The computer part and poor IT department and design is just a few of the reasons why. Many have WIFI issues in the park due to traffic ,batteries run out on phones, glitches so on. It just didn't get any easier than legacy!

I would agree that the physical act of obtaining a paper FP was very simple once a guest knew that he or she was eligible to use the system.

But, as we all know, being able to perform that physical act has very little to do with the more important value of FPs, which is using them in an effective way to enable a guest to better enjoy their time in the park.

So, maybe the relevant question isn't which FP system is physically "easier" for a first time or infrequent guest, but which is more "useful" to help that guest have a better experience. And, my opinion is that FP+ is more useful for these guests because it allows them to get FPs before they leave home for some attractions that they have identified as their first choices.

With paper FP, those guests had to try to round up FPs in the park while they were trying to familiarize themselves with the layout of the parks and the location of attractions, and then get the feel for how to be in the right place at the right time to both use the FP they had and claim the next one. And then they might have to change their plans on the fly if a return time for a FP didn't fit with other plans, like meals or taking a break from the parks.

It's just my opinion, but let's not pretend that using paper FP EFFECTIVELY was as simple as "insert ticket..take pass".

 

[Angel Ariel]

It's just my opinion, but let's not pretend that using paper FP EFFECTIVELY was as simple as "insert ticket..take pass".

Again, I think even the above statement depends on how one toured.

For those of us that toured by land, grabbing a fp and staying in that land (or its nearby vicinity) until the fp return time came up, yes, using legacy effectively was as easy as "insert ticket, take pass."

I completly understand that many did not tour that way and legacy didn't work that way for them. But for those of us that did, we are not pretending or exaggerating when we say legacy was that simple for us.

 

[tony67]

It's just my opinion, but let's not pretend that using paper FP EFFECTIVELY was as simple as "insert ticket..take pass".

Yeah..Disney should have done a better job of explaining all this...I'm kind of surprised at how underused the old system seems to have been...or is that just revisionist history

I still think the new system should have been to replace the ticket machines with machines that you just walk up to at the ride and wave the band to get a FP

Still having the Kisoks to review and make FPs all over the park is also a good idea as well as the app...the idea of peopel not running all over the parks to get FPs is a good one

I also like the closing of the loopholes that allowed abuse.

One thing I've said all along is the FP+ system could be great...and maybe it will one day...


but right now....I'm not thrilled with it and Ill vote with my dollars..

If it works for you then great..more FP for you when I don't go

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

It helps if you quote the whole thought instead of picking out the line that you want..or at least quote it so people can go back to the actual post...

On that note, quoting you entire post didn't provide any additional helpful context. Sure you say first time visits may be up--but how do you know that repeat business is down? How do you know either point to be valid?

The DIS does not make for good statistical sampling. And the question remains: what is the source for your claims?

 

[ChicagoMom]

I've not read this entire thread so perhaps this has been addressed but why do they make you choose between Soarin' and TT? I've got FPs for all of our 'target' rides for our upcoming trip but had to choose between Soarin and TT because we're hopping to MK on our 2nd Epcot day and are using that day's FPs in MK. We'll RD TT so I'm not worried about missing it.

But I don't get why there isn't enough capacity to give FPs for both rides. ISTM that allowing people to book FPs for both rides at Epcot would make the lines more manageable for both rides. Also if we had FPs for both on the same day, we would be more relaxed as we walked through the park and would probably end up spending more money on food, etc. because we wouldn't worry about the lines.

Anyone know the reason behind this?

 

[mom2rtk]

But I don't get why there isn't enough capacity to give FPs for both rides. ISTM that allowing people to book FPs for both rides at Epcot would make the lines more manageable for both rides. Also if we had FPs for both on the same day, we would be more relaxed as we walked through the park and would probably end up spending more money on food, etc. because we wouldn't worry about the lines.

Anyone know the reason behind this?

They tried it without tiers. They ran out of slots too fast. It really is as simple as that. There aren't enough tier 1 alternatives in Epcot.

 

[tony67]

On that note, quoting you entire post didn't provide any additional helpful context. Sure you say first time visits may be up--but how do you know that repeat business is down? How do you know either point to be valid?

The DIS does not make for good statistical sampling. And the question remains: what is the source for your claims?

It's my opinion "My thought is...."

I'm not stating fact on that...I'm giving my opinion of what I think is going on....my speculation...and on this site 80% of what is discussed in speculation again IMO

And it's not just what I see on this site as I've said in many posts...it's also what I am seeing in my day to day life. I interact with a lot of people, and I am a goto person for people making trips to Disney where I work and hang out..and I'm surprised at how many first time visitors tell me they are not going back.

You can take that all with a grain of salt though ....it my opinion and my experience...yours may be different..and if your having a great time then I'm thrilled..

If this is a discussion board, and it is, then it is good to have both sides of the coin..but again it is almost all speculation and opinion and personal experiance

 

[Joed88]

Guest feedback is pretty useless, for the most part people only contact them to complain.
That's one reason they made the Jungle Cruise so generic..and made POC more plitically correct.

Also probably why they are selling smaller beers at Epcot - too many drunks in Epcot having a good time

Probably why we have no choice on hamburger and hot dog rolls - just healthy sawdust rolls. Why not offer both - I'm on vacation - I eat healthy all year long - give me a choice.

My thought is that they have seen a reduction in repeat business, but first time visits are going up.

No one wants to admit that the reason repeat business is down is because they have made bad choices.

Some of these include:
Much more limited choice on menus - everyplace seems to have lamb shanks and salmon for example. I no longer eat at any TS restaurants in Disney - they are on par (or worse than) Chilli's

Lower quality - the hotdogs at Casey's are not the same ones they had a few years ago - they are now some sort of Chicken Frankenfooter

The steaks in the park are now much lower quality - but they charge as if they are top quality.

The Escargot in France is no longer served in the shell - are they using cheap canned ones and charging top dollar?

Removing the little things that made Disney different - all the little things that people say are no big deal all add up. remove one character here - another here - all of them there - reduce the portions - buy a cheaper piece of meat - put more foam in the beer - charge for the seminars that used to be free - lets charge extra to meet fairy godmother...the list goes on and on and on

Instead of looking at the mistakes it's easy for management to say - we need to change everything so people come back.

Guest feedback says it's the same thing every year, so lets change it and save money at the same time. The rubes won't know the difference anyway - they will love the chainsaw act and they did not get those fools in the UK.

Not arguing,
just looking for a source that repeat business is down. Thats a huge deal if accurate.

 

[Suvadoo]

I would agree that the physical act of obtaining a paper FP was very simple once a guest knew that he or she was eligible to use the system.

But, as we all know, being able to perform that physical act has very little to do with the more important value of FPs, which is using them in an effective way to enable a guest to better enjoy their time in the park.

So, maybe the relevant question isn't which FP system is physically "easier" for a first time or infrequent guest, but which is more "useful" to help that guest have a better experience. And, my opinion is that FP+ is more useful for these guests because it allows them to get FPs before they leave home for some attractions that they have identified as their first choices.
With paper FP, those guests had to try to round up FPs in the park while they were trying to familiarize themselves with the layout of the parks and the location of attractions, and then get the feel for how to be in the right place at the right time to both use the FP they had and claim the next one. And then they might have to change their plans on the fly if a return time for a FP didn't fit with other plans, like meals or taking a break from the parks.

It's just my opinion, but let's not pretend that using paper FP EFFECTIVELY was as simple as "insert ticket..take pass".

If making FP+ reservations were easier, I might agree with you. But as Magic Bob said in a previous post: sign up for MDE, pick 3 FP rides you don't want, then pick times you don't want, then go back in the system to pick rides you do want for times you don't want and then go back in the system and try to get the rides and times you do want. It's a poorly designed program.

I think eliminating all FP's would be better for guest experience than the current system.

 

[tony67]

Not arguing,
just looking for a source that repeat business is down. Thats a huge deal if accurate.

NP Joe - I was not stating that in fact...it was just my free flow of thoughts...nothing more

That is all I am trying to get across...I make an effort to say IMO almost too much...IMO

I enjoy open and free flow discussion based on opinion..when I'm not here waiting for my code to build ...I am in a pub having the same type of free flow discussions