Is WDW Still a Premium Experience?

On Apr 7, 10:58 am, BigBob <BigBob...@cfl.> wrote:
> Is WDW still a premium experience, or, are we just being charged like
> it is?


Absolutely worth every cent we spend there.

On Apr 7, 8:39 am, Peppermint Patty <cinderella...m> wrote:
> On Apr 7, 10:58 am, BigBob <BigBob...@cfl.> wrote:
>
> > Is WDW still a premium experience, or, are we just being charged like
> > it is?
>
> Absolutely worth every cent we spend there.

As with anything,You get out what you put into it, If going to Disney
World is becoming a bland experiance,maybe it'd not what they are
offering,maybe it's the emotional impact of going there has lessened
for you. I don't know what you do at Disney or even when you Go. When
you go can make a BIG difference in your experiance.
signed
TDCMufassa
Keeper and Guardian of The Legend of the Lion King

> > Is WDW still a premium experience, or, are we just being charged like
> > it is?
>
> Absolutely worth every cent we spend there.

>
>I agree with Patty-
>
>Judy

Tho things have changed thru the years, I still consider my trips to WDW
well worth the money. As with most things I spend $$ on, I usally do some
research to get the most bang for my buck. This would include options such
as staying on or off property, level of accomodations and time of year. It
really does depend on what you value most and what you make of your own
trip.

I agree with both Patty and Judy.

Ellen :)

> Me thinks maybe some of the people who responded didn't bother to read
> the article.


You're right but I was answering the question posed in the subject
line.

> > Overall WDW is still
> > awesome and it's still the best.
>
 Now, Disney is just a few degrees better than the
> competition, but still charging prices like it's far and away the best.


If only the powers that be read this group and took heed! I will
agree that having to plan meals months in advance is annoying. And
it's getting mighty expensive to stay on property and the nice
discounts that used to be offered aren't as generous anymore. But as
long as the rooms and restaurants are full and people are willing to
pay the price, why should they change anything? Even though the
economy in the US is hurting, this is great for the foreign travelers
as we've read on other threads here before. From Disney's
perspective, why should they fix something that doesn't seem to be
broken? I'd like to see some tweaks done but I would still rather go
to WDW than anywhere else on my vacation.

"BigBob" <BigBobxxx@cfl.> wrote

> Is WDW still a premium experience,

No.

or, are we just being charged like
> it is?

Yes, and then some.

> > Is WDW still a premium experience,
>
> No.
>
> or, are we just being charged like
>
> > it is?
>
> Yes, and then some.

I just returned from a spring break trip with spouse and kids. We
visit almost every year from the Midwest. My family came down to WDW
every other year when I was a kid, and stayed at Fort Wilderness, so I
like to compare the Disney experience over the decades, and from trip
to trip.

In my view, the article is largely on point. Although, I have to say
I was pleasantly surprised by several things this year. Briefly, (1)
the Magical Express from the airport was a downright model of Prussian
efficiency; everything else went smoothly as well; (2) the Bibbidi
Boppidi Boutique was a big hit with my young daughter; (3) the
Monsters and Turtle Talk shows were a lot of fun -- even for someone
who loved the old Tomorrowland and the original Living Seas format and
hated to see them go; (4) the Haunted Mansion rehab was first rate;
and (5) the Pirates/Princess Party, while costing a bit of extra
money, gave us an Elvis Presley experience by having the Magic Kingdom
rides almost to ourselves for five hours. (Other families stood in
long lines for character greetings while we walked on and off our
favorite rides).

Although I have criticized the Year of a Million Dreams myself, I must
tip my hat to the Epcot England crew, which knocked themselves out
(KidCot CM plus Alice in Wonderland) on a rainy night to present kids
with an extended spiel about booking a dragon slaying adventure,
complete with "dream" tokens and certificates. If this spiel was
there before, I missed it. Sure, I understand they could do that
without all the hokey promotion, but it still deserves commendation.
Also, far from detecting decline, I saw young people all over the park
lending unusual levels of energy and fun -- making WDW seem newer and
less passe than ever.

My biggest beef remains the lack of integrated transportation. I
don't like riding buses to theme parks -- and never will -- having
grown up with boat rides and monorails. Bottom line: if there is
"decline" risk for Disney, it is losing the annual visitor to bi-
annual or tri-annual mode, and losing boosters like me who encourage
friends and co-workers to take their first plunge. If they get
snagged with buses, big crowd-to-ride ratios, and the other items
mentioned in the article, then Disney could see a downturn. For now,
however, I think Disney's future looks very bright.


..

I've been hesitant to chime in. I agree with most of the article in
question, but this post made me HAVE to answer.

.. Bottom line: if there is
> "decline" risk for Disney, it is losing the annual visitor to bi-
> annual or tri-annual mode, and losing boosters like me who encourage
> friends and co-workers to take their first plunge. If they get
> snagged with buses, big crowd-to-ride ratios, and the other items
> mentioned in the article, then Disney could see a downturn.
>

I always talk about how much I love Disney, and one of the guys I work with
had a chance to go for his Niece's dance team competition. I convinced him
to go for it, even though he wouldn't have much free time.

He stayed at All-Stars, and commmented on how "crowded" it seemed. The only
park he got to go to was Epcot. Because of the long lines (he didn't
understand Fast-Pass), they rode ZERO rides and spent most of their time in
the World Showcase. While he had a "nice" time, he has no plans to ever go
again. They couldn't eat at any sit downs because they didn't have PS's. The
lines were too long. The hotel too crowded. He enjoyed it, but never felt
the magic, especially for what it cost him.

My wife and I have gone from AP 4 time a year visitors to "maybe we'll be
able to afford going this year" due to rising costs and seemingly "less"
magic each visit. (Exeception, staying at the Contemporary, our first
Deluxe, was very magical).

Just my 2 cents that rising costs to visit have not only turned off new
visitors, but have caused those of us that WANT to go as often as possible
to have to give up the magic

Ginny Favers wrote:
> Jean m wrote:
>>>
>> We go to WDW twice a year. We spend 1 to 2 months in the winter at
>> Ft. Wilderness (yes, Ginny, it is worth it!) Jean
>
> Ooo you have to start another thread and tell me what kind of camper you
> have, and what it's like "living" at Disney for so many weeks at a time!
>
We have a 26' Prowler but friends who go with us have a fifth wheel. It
is wonderful being there so long. If there is a line, skip it and go
back another day. One of the best parts is eating! We have our main
meal at lunch and get to try all the restaurants. We do have the Disney
Dining Experience. Ft. Wilderness is the ultimate camping experience.
If you have any questions, just ask. Jean

On Mon, 7 Apr 2008 23:14:41 -0500, "jaywalker" <jscott@new.>
wrote:
>I always talk about how much I love Disney, and one of the guys I work with
>had a chance to go for his Niece's dance team competition. I convinced him
>to go for it, even though he wouldn't have much free time.
>
>He stayed at All-Stars, and commmented on how "crowded" it seemed. The only
>park he got to go to was Epcot. Because of the long lines (he didn't
>understand Fast-Pass), they rode ZERO rides and spent most of their time in
>the World Showcase. While he had a "nice" time, he has no plans to ever go
>again. They couldn't eat at any sit downs because they didn't have PS's. The
>lines were too long. The hotel too crowded. He enjoyed it, but never felt
>the magic, especially for what it cost him.

No offense, but this was really, really bad advice.

If you're a veteran, a day there is great. If you don't have a clue,
(and don't even have someone who *does* know WDW with you,) a day
there will only be a bad experience. (Not to mention staying at
All-stars, but that's a personal preference.)

When I was reintroduced to WDW back in 2000, it took me a couple
of days to realize what WDW really was. Escapism at it's finest.
It's an experience, unlike any other if you know *how* to experience
it.

I took a newbie down there a couple of years ago, and amazed the
<bleep> out of him. The biggest obstacle in my way, was to teach
him *not* to diss any entertainment venue until he saw it. And it
took a couple of days to prove my point.

It takes more than a day, and if that's all you have, you probably
won't get it, and won't go back.

Keane
===
When stars are born, They possess a gift or two,
One of them is this, They have the power to make a wish come true...
- Wishes