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Where are all the Disney people at?
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FirstMate
My lil cowboy
Member since 10/10 7790 total posts
Name:
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Where are all the Disney people at?
I know some of you are true Disney fans. I wanted to take my kids again this fall but I'm seeing some really negative reviews. What are you hearing on the Disney fan blogs/boards?
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Posted 3/31/22 4:10 PM  |
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Long Island Weddings
Long Island's Largest Bridal Resource |
nraboni
Uggh...
Member since 10/09 6905 total posts
Name:
Nicole
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Where are all the Disney people at?
We went last December. It was magical. GO!
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| Posted 3/31/22 5:18 PM |
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KarenK122
The Journey is the Destination
Member since 5/05 4431 total posts
Name:
Karen
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Where are all the Disney people at?
I think with things opening up again and getting to full capacity it should be pretty close to it's magical status. We went over the summer with first timers and I was so upset for them because it was far from magical. We actual regret going and wasting all that money.
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| Posted 3/31/22 6:29 PM |
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BargainMama
LIF Adult
Member since 5/09 15657 total posts
Name:
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Where are all the Disney people at?
So we have been a few times during the Pandemic. Twice last year, and went to Disneyland in January and World in February. I absolutely wouldn't waste your money at World until something with their fastpass system changes. The paid lightening Lane is a joke. The times are slim. The crowds are out of control, and you won't get to ride much. My son is autistic, and we utilize their disability system, so that's why we continue to go. But my sister went recently and they got to ride pretty much nothing. Total waste of money she said. We much prefer Disneyland.
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| Posted 3/31/22 7:12 PM |
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Cruisin
LIF Infant
Member since 2/16 253 total posts
Name:
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Where are all the Disney people at?
We’re a big Disney family, usually (in normal-non pandemic years) we go once to twice per year and have been on all 4 Disney cruise ships at least once each. We went last spring break when masks were still required outdoors except for a quick photo, and there were standby lines only. Fast forward and we are headed there again for this upcoming spring break with HUGE changes in Genie +, crowd navigating etc. I feel like a novice. Literally. The only benefit is we don’t have any ‘must-do’s’ since we go often so that takes some stress off. My advice would be to be very researched and know what you are doing. The FB groups are very informative.
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| Posted 3/31/22 9:06 PM |
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PitterPatter11
Baby Boy is Here!
Member since 5/11 7619 total posts
Name:
Momma <3
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Where are all the Disney people at?
My friends went in January and said it’s not worth it. Even with the genie plus, they couldn’t get on many of the rides they wanted. They said it was better to go Beaches Turks and Caicos - it wound up being cheaper and everyone had a great time.
Message edited 4/1/2022 7:41:46 AM.
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| Posted 4/1/22 7:40 AM |
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kmr6107
LIF Toddler
Member since 7/07 463 total posts
Name:
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Re: Where are all the Disney people at?
Posted by BargainMama
So we have been a few times during the Pandemic. Twice last year, and went to Disneyland in January and World in February. I absolutely wouldn't waste your money at World until something with their fastpass system changes. The paid lightening Lane is a joke. The times are slim. The crowds are out of control, and you won't get to ride much. My son is autistic, and we utilize their disability system, so that's why we continue to go. But my sister went recently and they got to ride pretty much nothing. Total waste of money she said. We much prefer Disneyland.
When you went to Disneyland were you able to ride everything you wanted? We are going for the first time the beginning of August. We are going to do 2 days in disneyland and one day in DCA. Any tips would be appreciated. I purchased Genie + for all days. It doesn't seem to be much different than their old max pass system.
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| Posted 4/1/22 9:10 AM |
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lpg21
LIF Infant
Member since 9/21 342 total posts
Name:
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Re: Where are all the Disney people at?
We went in 2017 and 2019, going again this December....it is a lot more expensive then when I went in 2019.... My package costs about the same as what I paid in 2019, however my 2019 package included a dining plan. I had to buy Genie plus because Disney did away with fast passes and now has this paid system. I am also hearing in some facebook groups I'm in that there are a lot more people/crowds, probably because of people delaying their trips due to covid. I do hear a lot of people complaining of this disney ceo saying that he is money hungry and pushing the middle class out of disney with these outrageous price hikes/paid systems.
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| Posted 4/1/22 9:36 AM |
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BargainMama
LIF Adult
Member since 5/09 15657 total posts
Name:
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Re: Where are all the Disney people at?
Posted by kmr6107
Posted by BargainMama
So we have been a few times during the Pandemic. Twice last year, and went to Disneyland in January and World in February. I absolutely wouldn't waste your money at World until something with their fastpass system changes. The paid lightening Lane is a joke. The times are slim. The crowds are out of control, and you won't get to ride much. My son is autistic, and we utilize their disability system, so that's why we continue to go. But my sister went recently and they got to ride pretty much nothing. Total waste of money she said. We much prefer Disneyland.
When you went to Disneyland were you able to ride everything you wanted? We are going for the first time the beginning of August. We are going to do 2 days in disneyland and one day in DCA. Any tips would be appreciated. I purchased Genie + for all days. It doesn't seem to be much different than their old max pass system.
Yes! We rode everything in the parks and we only did 1 day in each park. We also went at a very dead time (last week in January). I love that the photos are included with the Genie Plus there also (unlike World). August will be much busier, but even their busiest isn't like World IMO.
We have been to World like 24 times, and Land 5 times, and I still pref Land. The ease of walking to the parks from your hotel, the fact that everything is SO close together, and they just have such unique lands (We LOVE Cars Land!), better snacks, better weather hands down and more nostalgia. It's definitely underrated when it comes to East Coast people!
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| Posted 4/1/22 10:49 AM |
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BargainMama
LIF Adult
Member since 5/09 15657 total posts
Name:
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Re: Where are all the Disney people at?
Posted by lpg21
We went in 2017 and 2019, going again this December....it is a lot more expensive then when I went in 2019.... My package costs about the same as what I paid in 2019, however my 2019 package included a dining plan. I had to buy Genie plus because Disney did away with fast passes and now has this paid system. I am also hearing in some facebook groups I'm in that there are a lot more people/crowds, probably because of people delaying their trips due to covid. I do hear a lot of people complaining of this disney ceo saying that he is money hungry and pushing the middle class out of disney with these outrageous price hikes/paid systems.
I think they keep increasing prices to just keep crowds down, and it's not working. I'm blown away how much their food prices increased. Especially a bottle of water, or even a simple Mickey bar. It's kind of gross. But yet we all still keep going! 
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| Posted 4/1/22 10:51 AM |
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kmr6107
LIF Toddler
Member since 7/07 463 total posts
Name:
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Re: Where are all the Disney people at?
Posted by BargainMama
Posted by kmr6107
Posted by BargainMama
So we have been a few times during the Pandemic. Twice last year, and went to Disneyland in January and World in February. I absolutely wouldn't waste your money at World until something with their fastpass system changes. The paid lightening Lane is a joke. The times are slim. The crowds are out of control, and you won't get to ride much. My son is autistic, and we utilize their disability system, so that's why we continue to go. But my sister went recently and they got to ride pretty much nothing. Total waste of money she said. We much prefer Disneyland.
When you went to Disneyland were you able to ride everything you wanted? We are going for the first time the beginning of August. We are going to do 2 days in disneyland and one day in DCA. Any tips would be appreciated. I purchased Genie + for all days. It doesn't seem to be much different than their old max pass system.
Yes! We rode everything in the parks and we only did 1 day in each park. We also went at a very dead time (last week in January). I love that the photos are included with the Genie Plus there also (unlike World). August will be much busier, but even their busiest isn't like World IMO.
We have been to World like 24 times, and Land 5 times, and I still pref Land. The ease of walking to the parks from your hotel, the fact that everything is SO close together, and they just have such unique lands (We LOVE Cars Land!), better snacks, better weather hands down and more nostalgia. It's definitely underrated when it comes to East Coast people!
Cars Land is my main reason for wanting to check out Disneyland. I know August will be more crowded but I am hoping with a good plan and genie + we will be able to ride on everything. I want to make rides they don't have at world a priority. The electric parade is coming back there and I hope it sticks around until after we leave. That is like my only memory of my first trip at Disney World 40 years ago and it hasn't been at World anytime I have went with my son.
What about restaurants? I am not thrilled about any of them. Some recommendations would be great. I do have a picky eater.
We are staying at the best western that is directly across the street so that will be nice a quick walk to the park. We had booked an airbnb because I like to have 2 bedrooms (husband's a snorer haha) but Anahiem has changed their rules for airbnbs has to be 30 night stay now.
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| Posted 4/1/22 11:11 AM |
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lpg21
LIF Infant
Member since 9/21 342 total posts
Name:
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Re: Where are all the Disney people at?
Posted by BargainMama
Posted by lpg21
We went in 2017 and 2019, going again this December....it is a lot more expensive then when I went in 2019.... My package costs about the same as what I paid in 2019, however my 2019 package included a dining plan. I had to buy Genie plus because Disney did away with fast passes and now has this paid system. I am also hearing in some facebook groups I'm in that there are a lot more people/crowds, probably because of people delaying their trips due to covid. I do hear a lot of people complaining of this disney ceo saying that he is money hungry and pushing the middle class out of disney with these outrageous price hikes/paid systems.
I think they keep increasing prices to just keep crowds down, and it's not working. I'm blown away how much their food prices increased. Especially a bottle of water, or even a simple Mickey bar. It's kind of gross. But yet we all still keep going!
Yes and I don't get it- supposedly they are keeping the parks reservation system in place even after covid in order to manage crowds...
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| Posted 4/1/22 11:27 AM |
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BargainMama
LIF Adult
Member since 5/09 15657 total posts
Name:
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Re: Where are all the Disney people at?
Posted by kmr6107
Posted by BargainMama
Posted by kmr6107
Posted by BargainMama
So we have been a few times during the Pandemic. Twice last year, and went to Disneyland in January and World in February. I absolutely wouldn't waste your money at World until something with their fastpass system changes. The paid lightening Lane is a joke. The times are slim. The crowds are out of control, and you won't get to ride much. My son is autistic, and we utilize their disability system, so that's why we continue to go. But my sister went recently and they got to ride pretty much nothing. Total waste of money she said. We much prefer Disneyland.
When you went to Disneyland were you able to ride everything you wanted? We are going for the first time the beginning of August. We are going to do 2 days in disneyland and one day in DCA. Any tips would be appreciated. I purchased Genie + for all days. It doesn't seem to be much different than their old max pass system.
Yes! We rode everything in the parks and we only did 1 day in each park. We also went at a very dead time (last week in January). I love that the photos are included with the Genie Plus there also (unlike World). August will be much busier, but even their busiest isn't like World IMO.
We have been to World like 24 times, and Land 5 times, and I still pref Land. The ease of walking to the parks from your hotel, the fact that everything is SO close together, and they just have such unique lands (We LOVE Cars Land!), better snacks, better weather hands down and more nostalgia. It's definitely underrated when it comes to East Coast people!
Cars Land is my main reason for wanting to check out Disneyland. I know August will be more crowded but I am hoping with a good plan and genie + we will be able to ride on everything. I want to make rides they don't have at world a priority. The electric parade is coming back there and I hope it sticks around until after we leave. That is like my only memory of my first trip at Disney World 40 years ago and it hasn't been at World anytime I have went with my son.
What about restaurants? I am not thrilled about any of them. Some recommendations would be great. I do have a picky eater.
We are staying at the best western that is directly across the street so that will be nice a quick walk to the park. We had booked an airbnb because I like to have 2 bedrooms (husband's a snorer haha) but Anahiem has changed their rules for airbnbs has to be 30 night stay now.
Ah, we usually stay at the Courtyard Marriott Theme Park hotel. It has a small waterpark and is also across the street, albeit a little further up Harbor. But I highly recommend it. 2 bathrooms, bunk beds in the room, it's great!
We don't do many sit down restaurants since their quick serve is pretty awesome. But we like Carnation Cafe (love Walt's Chili there). And if you sit outside you can see the parade floats go by when they do those little calvacade things. We love Minnie's Breakfast! They have a TON of characters (well on a normal year). It's so awesome! The Lamplight Lounge is great, love the theming and the drinks. The Mac n Cheese in a bread cone at the Cozy Cones are my favorite. Not sit down, but we get them every time we go. My kids are older, and not super picky so we just eat whatever and keep moving!
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| Posted 4/1/22 11:44 AM |
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BargainMama
LIF Adult
Member since 5/09 15657 total posts
Name:
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Re: Where are all the Disney people at?
Posted by lpg21
Posted by BargainMama
Posted by lpg21
We went in 2017 and 2019, going again this December....it is a lot more expensive then when I went in 2019.... My package costs about the same as what I paid in 2019, however my 2019 package included a dining plan. I had to buy Genie plus because Disney did away with fast passes and now has this paid system. I am also hearing in some facebook groups I'm in that there are a lot more people/crowds, probably because of people delaying their trips due to covid. I do hear a lot of people complaining of this disney ceo saying that he is money hungry and pushing the middle class out of disney with these outrageous price hikes/paid systems.
I think they keep increasing prices to just keep crowds down, and it's not working. I'm blown away how much their food prices increased. Especially a bottle of water, or even a simple Mickey bar. It's kind of gross. But yet we all still keep going!
Yes and I don't get it- supposedly they are keeping the parks reservation system in place even after covid in order to manage crowds...
It's not managing anything though. The crowds are the worst I've seen and we have been going there for over 20 years. It's just about giving you less for more money. The crowds were bad last May when we went. It was terrible. I mean they kept saying it was limited capacity. But they have a million plus capacity on a normal day (or something obscene), so it's what...900k now? It's just silly at this point!
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| Posted 4/1/22 11:47 AM |
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FirstMate
My lil cowboy
Member since 10/10 7790 total posts
Name:
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Re: Where are all the Disney people at?
Posted by BargainMama
Posted by lpg21
Posted by BargainMama
Posted by lpg21
We went in 2017 and 2019, going again this December....it is a lot more expensive then when I went in 2019.... My package costs about the same as what I paid in 2019, however my 2019 package included a dining plan. I had to buy Genie plus because Disney did away with fast passes and now has this paid system. I am also hearing in some facebook groups I'm in that there are a lot more people/crowds, probably because of people delaying their trips due to covid. I do hear a lot of people complaining of this disney ceo saying that he is money hungry and pushing the middle class out of disney with these outrageous price hikes/paid systems.
I think they keep increasing prices to just keep crowds down, and it's not working. I'm blown away how much their food prices increased. Especially a bottle of water, or even a simple Mickey bar. It's kind of gross. But yet we all still keep going!
Yes and I don't get it- supposedly they are keeping the parks reservation system in place even after covid in order to manage crowds...
It's not managing anything though. The crowds are the worst I've seen and we have been going there for over 20 years. It's just about giving you less for more money. The crowds were bad last May when we went. It was terrible. I mean they kept saying it was limited capacity. But they have a million plus capacity on a normal day (or something obscene), so it's what...900k now? It's just silly at this point!
That's all I keep hearing about is how crowded it is. People who have been regulars for years are astounded by the crowds so how is there any crowd control in place? That makes no sense.
I read an article recently about the crowds, the price increases, the problems with Genie plus and that rides keep breaking down and are not fixed efficiently and the CEO was quoted as saying something to the effect of "but they keep on coming!" So, basically, joke's on you, fools!
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| Posted 4/1/22 1:27 PM |
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BargainMama
LIF Adult
Member since 5/09 15657 total posts
Name:
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Re: Where are all the Disney people at?
Posted by FirstMate
Posted by BargainMama
Posted by lpg21
Posted by BargainMama
Posted by lpg21
We went in 2017 and 2019, going again this December....it is a lot more expensive then when I went in 2019.... My package costs about the same as what I paid in 2019, however my 2019 package included a dining plan. I had to buy Genie plus because Disney did away with fast passes and now has this paid system. I am also hearing in some facebook groups I'm in that there are a lot more people/crowds, probably because of people delaying their trips due to covid. I do hear a lot of people complaining of this disney ceo saying that he is money hungry and pushing the middle class out of disney with these outrageous price hikes/paid systems.
I think they keep increasing prices to just keep crowds down, and it's not working. I'm blown away how much their food prices increased. Especially a bottle of water, or even a simple Mickey bar. It's kind of gross. But yet we all still keep going!
Yes and I don't get it- supposedly they are keeping the parks reservation system in place even after covid in order to manage crowds...
It's not managing anything though. The crowds are the worst I've seen and we have been going there for over 20 years. It's just about giving you less for more money. The crowds were bad last May when we went. It was terrible. I mean they kept saying it was limited capacity. But they have a million plus capacity on a normal day (or something obscene), so it's what...900k now? It's just silly at this point!
That's all I keep hearing about is how crowded it is. People who have been regulars for years are astounded by the crowds so how is there any crowd control in place? That makes no sense.
I read an article recently about the crowds, the price increases, the problems with Genie plus and that rides keep breaking down and are not fixed efficiently and the CEO was quoted as saying something to the effect of "but they keep on coming!" So, basically, joke's on you, fools!
He probably laughs about it. I mean, I might also if hike my prices dramatically, provided less, and people still came in droves. He is probably thinking what fools. And we are, ha! With that said, we do have fun. We often fly free with miles, we use a lot of gift cards my given by family as gifts, and we don't spend a lot of money there. We have been so many times there aren't any "must do's" for us that would break the trip if we didn't get to do it. And my son is Autistic and it's one of the places he loves vs. just sitting on a beach somewhere. So that's why we go back. Although I think I'm Disney'd out for this year 
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| Posted 4/1/22 2:19 PM |
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phoenix913
LIF Adult
Member since 5/05 3034 total posts
Name:
V
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Re: Where are all the Disney people at?
We just got back last week. I mostly disagree with what everyone here has said. We had a fabulous time and did everything we wanted.
Yes, it's expensive, but I spent like $400 on a day at Liberty Science Center a few weeks ago with admission, extras, food, parking. So really everything is completely overpriced right now.
Yes, it's crowded, but imo not more than it has been in the past. We found the crowds manageable.
The most important thing you need to do is research lightning lane and know how it works. Know every detail. Know which rides are important to you and what day you want to ride them (if you have more than one day in a park.) You can't just show up at the park entrance and fly by the seat of your pants. This is not new. Disney has always been that way since FP began. You need a game plan and a good one.
I'm happy to give more specific tips and strategies if you want to share more details about your itinerary.
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| Posted 4/1/22 3:03 PM |
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NervousNell
Just another chapter in life..
Member since 11/09 54921 total posts
Name:
..being a mommy and being a wife!
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Re: Where are all the Disney people at?
Posted by BargainMama
Posted by FirstMate
Posted by BargainMama
Posted by lpg21
Posted by BargainMama
Posted by lpg21
We went in 2017 and 2019, going again this December....it is a lot more expensive then when I went in 2019.... My package costs about the same as what I paid in 2019, however my 2019 package included a dining plan. I had to buy Genie plus because Disney did away with fast passes and now has this paid system. I am also hearing in some facebook groups I'm in that there are a lot more people/crowds, probably because of people delaying their trips due to covid. I do hear a lot of people complaining of this disney ceo saying that he is money hungry and pushing the middle class out of disney with these outrageous price hikes/paid systems.
I think they keep increasing prices to just keep crowds down, and it's not working. I'm blown away how much their food prices increased. Especially a bottle of water, or even a simple Mickey bar. It's kind of gross. But yet we all still keep going!
Yes and I don't get it- supposedly they are keeping the parks reservation system in place even after covid in order to manage crowds...
It's not managing anything though. The crowds are the worst I've seen and we have been going there for over 20 years. It's just about giving you less for more money. The crowds were bad last May when we went. It was terrible. I mean they kept saying it was limited capacity. But they have a million plus capacity on a normal day (or something obscene), so it's what...900k now? It's just silly at this point!
That's all I keep hearing about is how crowded it is. People who have been regulars for years are astounded by the crowds so how is there any crowd control in place? That makes no sense.
I read an article recently about the crowds, the price increases, the problems with Genie plus and that rides keep breaking down and are not fixed efficiently and the CEO was quoted as saying something to the effect of "but they keep on coming!" So, basically, joke's on you, fools!
He probably laughs about it. I mean, I might also if hike my prices dramatically, provided less, and people still came in droves. He is probably thinking what fools. And we are, ha! With that said, we do have fun. We often fly free with miles, we use a lot of gift cards my given by family as gifts, and we don't spend a lot of money there. We have been so many times there aren't any "must do's" for us that would break the trip if we didn't get to do it. And my son is Autistic and it's one of the places he loves vs. just sitting on a beach somewhere. So that's why we go back. Although I think I'm Disney'd out for this year
That's actually brilliant business- give the people less, charge them more, make it miserable and they still come in droves and lap it up with a spoon and rave about it like it's the best thing since sliced bread and they'd pay ANY price and suffer ANY misery to have it.
Wish I would have thought of it....
Message edited 4/1/2022 4:25:50 PM.
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| Posted 4/1/22 4:23 PM |
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MrsWoods
LIF Adult
Member since 4/12 1461 total posts
Name:
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Where are all the Disney people at?
We are! And we won’t be going back till most is back to normal. Family went last week and they hated the new Genie + system
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| Posted 4/1/22 7:16 PM |
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DancinBarefoot
06ers Rock!!
Member since 1/07 9534 total posts
Name:
The One My Mother Gave Me ;-)
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Re: Where are all the Disney people at?
Posted by FirstMate
I know some of you are true Disney fans. I wanted to take my kids again this fall but I'm seeing some really negative reviews. What are you hearing on the Disney fan blogs/boards?
The people who make money off their Disney Blog will NEVER say anything bad about them.
That said . . . the post-pandemic Disney is nothing like pre-pandemic Disney.
Changes:
No magical express transportation to/from airport. You now have to pay in addition to your Disney reservations. For our family this is a $100 upcharge.
No free magic bands. Not a big deal to us, we have plenty. But a potential $20+ per person upcharge.
No Disney Dining plan. Again, not a big deal to us, since we get food discounts other ways, but one way (available only to Florida residents or DVC members) isn't back yet either.
Food prices across the board have gone up in Disney, and the portion sizes have gone down.
No more Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom game. Which was free to play, and should have been left running if for no other reason than to give guests something to do besides stand on line for rides during Covid.
No free fast pass + system. This is a big deal. My last trip was July 2021, so there were no shows, character meet and greets (due back 4/18), no scheduled parades etc., and park closing time was early (7pm vs 9pm or midnight) Normally, (as in before Covid) we got 3 FP at Magic Kingdom. We would arrive at rope drop, stay until lunch, leave, come back around dinner time, stay until close. The schedule would be arrive 8AM, leave by noon, return around 6pm, leave at 10pm. We would ride: Mine Train, Splash, Thunder, Space, Haunted Mansion, Pirates, Dumbo, Goofy coaster, tea cups, Buzz Lightyear, Peter Pan, Small World and Jungle Cruise. We would also do meet and greet with Mickey, Tinkerbell, and Daisy/Minnie/Donald/ Goofy @ Big Top Circus, and whoever we caught around the park (Fairy Godmother, step-sisters, Gaston, Peter Pan, Chip & Dale, Woody & Jessie). And of course, see fireworks.
On the July trip, due to early park closures, and social distancing on buses (which didn't actually happen, but was a "thing" when we planned the trip), we made a decision not to leave the park during the day like we usually do. Our Magic Kingdom days looked like this:
Arrive 9am for park opening. Stand in line for a ride. Oops. look it's time for lunch. Eat lunch. Stand in line for a ride. Stand in line for another ride. Look, the park is closing - time to get on the bus. I kid you not. We spent 3 days in Magic Kingdom, and between those 3 days we did not ride Haunted Mansion, Goofy coaster, Dumbo, Thunder, or Jungle Cruise AT ALL. We rode the other rides once, when normally we would ride them each day we visited.
Now, with the paid system (Genie, Genie+ and Lightening Lane) Disney has an incentive to make the "free" line move slower to
encourage guests to open their wallets and buy the paid system to shorten their wait times.
Park hopping has also effectively been eliminated with the new park reservation system. Not to say you can't park hop - but with the need for a park reservation, you can only go to a second park after 2:00pm, and then only if you can get a reservation - which you can't schedule before then. Also, once you leave the first park to hop to a second park, you can potentially be denied re-entry to the first park should you want to go back.
I have a friend who is going later this month after the character meet & greets are back to normal, and I'm waiting to see how much of a difference that makes in access to different things. But for my family, I think we will be making one more trip to see the 50th anniversary celebration, and then we will selling our Disney time-share. I just can't see continuing to spend the amount a Disney trip costs and in 10 hours of post-Covid park time, doing less (and getting less) than I did in 6 hours pre-Covid of park time.
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| Posted 4/2/22 1:11 PM |
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phoenix913
LIF Adult
Member since 5/05 3034 total posts
Name:
V
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Re: Where are all the Disney people at?
Posted by DancinBarefoot
Changes:
No free fast pass + system. This is a big deal. My last trip was July 2021, so there were no shows, character meet and greets (due back 4/18), no scheduled parades etc., and park closing time was early (7pm vs 9pm or midnight) Normally, (as in before Covid) we got 3 FP at Magic Kingdom. We would arrive at rope drop, stay until lunch, leave, come back around dinner time, stay until close. The schedule would be arrive 8AM, leave by noon, return around 6pm, leave at 10pm. We would ride: Mine Train, Splash, Thunder, Space, Haunted Mansion, Pirates, Dumbo, Goofy coaster, tea cups, Buzz Lightyear, Peter Pan, Small World and Jungle Cruise. We would also do meet and greet with Mickey, Tinkerbell, and Daisy/Minnie/Donald/ Goofy @ Big Top Circus, and whoever we caught around the park (Fairy Godmother, step-sisters, Gaston, Peter Pan, Chip & Dale, Woody & Jessie). And of course, see fireworks.
On the July trip, due to early park closures, and social distancing on buses (which didn't actually happen, but was a "thing" when we planned the trip), we made a decision not to leave the park during the day like we usually do. Our Magic Kingdom days looked like this:
Arrive 9am for park opening. Stand in line for a ride. Oops. look it's time for lunch. Eat lunch. Stand in line for a ride. Stand in line for another ride. Look, the park is closing - time to get on the bus. I kid you not. We spent 3 days in Magic Kingdom, and between those 3 days we did not ride Haunted Mansion, Goofy coaster, Dumbo, Thunder, or Jungle Cruise AT ALL. We rode the other rides once, when normally we would ride them each day we visited.
Now, with the paid system (Genie, Genie+ and Lightening Lane) Disney has an incentive to make the "free" line move slower to
encourage guests to open their wallets and buy the paid system to shorten their wait times.
Park hopping has also effectively been eliminated with the new park reservation system. Not to say you can't park hop - but with the need for a park reservation, you can only go to a second park after 2:00pm, and then only if you can get a reservation - which you can't schedule before then. Also, once you leave the first park to hop to a second park, you can potentially be denied re-entry to the first park should you want to go back.
You really can't compare a 2021 trip to now. It's so different. We were just there March 17-24 and the park hours were much longer. Magic Kingdom was open until 11 every night and the others until 9, but they all opened earlier. In one day at MK we rode everything in Adventureland and Frontierland, including the Swiss family treehouse and Tiki room and were only at the park for 5-6 hours. That's Pirates, Jungle Cruise, Carpets, Big Thunder, Splash, Haunted Mansion, Tiki Room, Treehouse plus we had lunch. If you know how to use Genie+ it works.
Also you're mistaken about park hopping. You don't need a reservation for your second park. They claim that you may be closed out due to capacity, but this has only happened once at MK on October 1 (the anniversary) for a few hours.
This is why it's so important to do your research and know all the details.
Message edited 4/2/2022 5:56:19 PM.
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| Posted 4/2/22 5:55 PM |
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Re: Where are all the Disney people at?
With all this bad press, I wonder if the amount of people going will go down now.
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| Posted 4/2/22 6:43 PM |
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DancinBarefoot
06ers Rock!!
Member since 1/07 9534 total posts
Name:
The One My Mother Gave Me ;-)
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Re: Where are all the Disney people at?
Posted by phoenix913
You really can't compare a 2021 trip to now. It's so different. We were just there March 17-24 and the park hours were much longer. Magic Kingdom was open until 11 every night and the others until 9, but they all opened earlier. In one day at MK we rode everything in Adventureland and Frontierland, including the Swiss family treehouse and Tiki room and were only at the park for 5-6 hours. That's Pirates, Jungle Cruise, Carpets, Big Thunder, Splash, Haunted Mansion, Tiki Room, Treehouse plus we had lunch. If you know how to use Genie+ it works.
Also you're mistaken about park hopping. You don't need a reservation for your second park. They claim that you may be closed out due to capacity, but this has only happened once at MK on October 1 (the anniversary) for a few hours.
This is why it's so important to do your research and know all the details.
I said in my post that a friend was going in a few weeks and I was waiting for her report to see how much things have changed.
Explain to me why I should pay $15 per day, per person to use Genie+. Disney is touting it as enhancing my experience - but prior to Covid my experience was excellent every time I went without having to pay them and extra $15 per day per person for the privilege.
I misspoke about a reservation for a second park, but you still can't park hop before 2:00PM, and then only to a park that isn't at capacity.
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| Posted 4/2/22 7:05 PM |
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BargainMama
LIF Adult
Member since 5/09 15657 total posts
Name:
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Where are all the Disney people at?
We actually hopped to all 4 parks in one day in March. It was a goal, and while exhausting, we made it! But I agree with a ton of what Dancin has said. We have been going to Disney for 20 years and go a couple of times a year. We know the ins and outside, and it's less for more. So much less.
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| Posted 4/2/22 9:46 PM |
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mommy2be716
LIF Adult
Member since 1/16 2921 total posts
Name:
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Where are all the Disney people at?
we were going to book to go in early november year because I have vacation days through the DOE that I can use any time. Was planning to go on an off-week, a week or two before thanksgiving, but we decided we are going to wait one additional year and let the kinks work themself out more. We've been to 7 or 8 times now, so we know the ins and outs for sure, but this whole genie+ thing has me iffy.
I also am still unsure about whether or not we will stay on property now, given they don't do the meal plan or the luggage tags/magical express to the hotels anymore. We are debating renting a condo off-property for cheaper, getting a rental car, and doing grocery shopping/making breakfast and lunches to bring to the park with us to keep costs down. We could get a 2 bedroom with LR and kitchen for a fraction of the price, and it might make some of the extras more worth it that way.
I just can't justify staying on property when we've basically lost every benefit to doing that. Being able to book fast passes 60-90 days in advance was awesome, vs only 30 days off property. But now that everyone has an equal shot and there's no on-property incentives, I see no desire to spend that money!
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| Posted 4/3/22 7:41 AM |
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