Look, I get that Disney is a "for profit" organization and I get that they are trying to upgrade the consumer experience. These things I totally understand. I also understand that WDW and DLR are considered "treat" vacations. I get all that. I love going as much as the next guy. My problem is this. I just read a list of the new attractions, dining and entertainment that will become available to us in the next few years. 85% of those are dining venues. Only 15% fall into the attraction category. So. . .as I see it, you pay an exorbitant amount for your "B" listed motel (all-stars, pop century. . .etc) and then get tickets into the theme parks (which have gone up every year (including during the recessions of 1995 and 2008) and then find out that the new "stuff" at WDW is mostly overpriced restaurants with limited food offerings. Now, most of us watch Food Network or Cooking Channel so we know that fine dining is pricey, but when a counter service for two costs nearly 80 bucks, there is cause for a pause and to say darn, did I really spend that much for some bbq and a salad and fountain drinks? Then there is the cutting of service staff and lack of general cleanliness that used to be the signature stuff of going to Disney (i.e.; always very clean, CMs just the nicest of people, and fabulous service). I understand making a profit. But do they really like their regular customers talking about them this way? And maybe they don't care because the foreign soccer teams and the cheer squads will continue to make up the bulk of guests at the world. I, for one, am going in August because my son is going and wants me to join him and his family. However, I won't be subjecting my husband to this trip. Instead I am taking him to Italy for 1/8th of the cost (includes airfare, luxury hotel and rental car). At that price point, I can afford to eat in nice restaurants and just have fun.
