Friends went to Disney...... but didn't enjoy it

[Sam]

I too can understand why perhaps your friends weren't too impressed. I think unless you are a Disney fan or you've got children it's not really the same.

I love the parks but I must admit I wasn't too impressed with the customer service. I actually had a sercurity guard rip me to peices as we were going through the ticket barriers because I told my DD off for sulking. I didn't even raise my voice to her I just told her to behave herself or we were going home, I was not going to put up with her mood. To her credit she put on the smile and got over it but in the mean time this security guard shouted at me and told me that I was not welcome as Disney was a happy place and it no place to reprimand a child. My DH was shocked at the over reaction from the guy and started to laugh at him, I just told him to mind his own business and when I wanted his opinion on how to bring up my child I would ask for it. He just stormed off, I could understand if I'd been shouting and screaming at Megan but it was all very calm.

Another instance was in Down Town Disney. I wanted to pay for an item in the Disney Store the two staff were busy having a chat and when they stopped and finally served me the young gentleman looked me up and down and said "yes"? with an attitude. I paid for my item and instead of him putting the change in my open hand he dropped it on the counter beside it. It was almost like he was fed up because I interupted their conversation. As someone who has run customer service training courses I was fuming. I did respond to him with the following comment "did you sue them"? his reply "sue who"? me "the customer service and charm school you went to as it didn't work".

I also found the life guards at Blizzard Beach were rude too, the way they spoke to people was disgusting, they seemed to be on a power trip. If I had caught any of my lifeguards at my old club speaking to customers like that they would have been in my office for a long chat about how to treat people.

To be honest I found Disneyland Paris staff far superior to Florida, they were friendly, helpful and the french lady in the shop at Davey Crocket remembered us everytime we went in and made a real effort to get to know us. Nothing was too much trouble and she was great at teaching the children french.

Yes the parks are expensive as is the food and merchandise, but then again it's the same here if you go to Alton Towers, Warwick Castle etc.

I still love Disney despite the price and staff. I don't expect great service from the staff and so I don't feel disappointed by them, we don't let them or the cost spoil our fun.

[DisneyFreak]

What I find odd is that they chose to go and stay at Universal because it was geared more toward younger couples, but the one day they decide to do Disney they go to the Magic Kingdom which is the most kid orientated park around.

I always tell people not to bother with Disney unless they go all in or are at least staying in the area for a good amount of time. I have heard more horror stories when people try to take in all of Disney in a mere 4-5 days.

[Britchick]

the only thing i liked about the other parks was the Universal hotels and Discovery Cove, Harry Potter was good but apart from that i was a bit bored tbh. Could have been in Alton Towers. I wonder if the magic fading is about a natural progression, we've seen it and done it. Some people have been quite often and it's not enough to make you want to keep going? When we lived in SC we went 8 times in 3 years and i'd had enough for a while but we loved our trip last year, customer service was mostly good, i don't really like having too much attention. Most of the food that we had was good, not exceptional but fine for what we wanted. I like fine dining but not particularly bothered about it on holiday, i don't want to dress up and behave, the themed disney restaurants with their hustle and bustle and ability to not get dressed up suit me just fine.

[Tinkfan]

Do they charge a deposit for all reservations now? They didn't in December! I think the mistake most people make is not doing their homework when they go. It's almost like not being prepared for school or work. The parks are very confusuing when you don't know where you are or where you're going. If you don't stay on-site you miss the magic hours that reduce crowding. If you don't know where you are going to eat, you eat junk food or spend alot of time and effort to find something you like. You don't know when and how to use the fast pass and it's usually a train wreck so to speak

[Johnie]

I absolutely do not understand people spending a ton of money on vacation and not doing even a little bit of research. Now I fully admit that I go to Disney and usually play it by ear. But I didn't do that for the first several times!!

Anyway, either people get the magic and no explanation is necessary. Or they don't get it and you can talk until your blue in the face. But I do agree that you have to go all in to even get a feel for it.

I haven't noticed rude CM's but I have noticed that prices have gone up tremendously. When they first started offering the free dining plan, we could go for over a week, stay at Pop, have the dining plan for 4 adults, 1 day tix for each and it was less than $1000. Now it's over $2000 and true you now have to buy 2 day tix for everyone but really. It's doubled in price!

I also miss the fact that you could only get certain merchandise in certain places. I hate how the same stuff is everywhere. My biggest disappointment is probably the villains store in DHS. It really should be named The Nightmare Before Christmas Store :-(

[Wendy]

I also miss the fact that you could only get certain merchandise in certain places. I hate how the same stuff is everywhere. My biggest disappointment is probably the villains store in DHS. It really should be named The Nightmare Before Christmas Store :-(

That is my one big gripe I loved the exclusivity espcially when bringing back cuddlies for the children when the tag said Walt Disney World and not just plain old Disney Parks

[catrancher]

I also miss the fact that you could only get certain merchandise in certain places. I hate how the same stuff is everywhere. My biggest disappointment is probably the villains store in DHS. It really should be named The Nightmare Before Christmas Store :-(

Yep. Me too! I used to collect polo style shirts when we went. It used to be a great game to find ones with specific logos on them. Got them for "Port Orleans Resort" (both Riverside and French Quarter), had one from the "Adventurers Club", and many others. Now, with the exception of a few places, all of them either say "Walt Disney World" or some such generic thing. Obviously cheaper to manufacture but nowhere near as enticing for the guests and souvenir hunters.

Tom (... they're breaking up that old DisneyWorld of mine!)

[Kate]

As someone who doesnt visit all the parks though, i find that its perfect that you can get all merchandise in all shops

[uscwest]

Yep. Me too! I used to collect polo style shirts when we went. It used to be a great game to find ones with specific logos on them. Got them for "Port Orleans Resort" (both Riverside and French Quarter), had one from the "Adventurers Club", and many others. Now, with the exception of a few places, all of them either say "Walt Disney World" or some such generic thing. Obviously cheaper to manufacture but nowhere near as enticing for the guests and souvenir hunters.

Tom (... they're breaking up that old DisneyWorld of mine!)

Tom I feel the same way. I too used buy them too.

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[Tink]

Yes that's very bad, go and sit on the norty step and don't come off until I say you can....

OOooooerrrrrrrrr!!!!! Listen to her now! Yes, Miss!