I’ve noticed that the parks are not as clean as they were in 2019 (pre-covid). I’m noticing it in all businesses. First they were scared to death of surfaces, bleaching everything, now, no one cares. Walk into a Panera Bread and try to find a clean table.
When we went to WDW Christmas 2020 into January 5, 2021, we noticed that Fantasyland had trash everywhere. Walt would not like it. I hope they hire people to clean it up, and I hope they bring back maid service in the resorts. I debated with them for a discount once (they used to take $50 off the bill if you passed on maid service). Disney said they need the $50 for the maid to do a covid clean before and after each guest. I don’t like making my bed on vacation!
My family was there at the same time. The trash problem wasn’t localized to Fantasyland, but all of the parks had some form of trash clean up needing to be done. And some lack of touch up cleaning / painting was also evident in the parks. I’m not talking about the wear and tear of things like Mickey’s Runaway Railway queue falling apart, I’m talking paint on high touch light posts in MK, or the bridges in EPCOT China. They are letting things like that go that never would have been even thought of to forgo before. The stage is not getting dressed properly overnight like it used to be. That in itself is a “little thing” that’s really a magical experience breaker. It becomes a visual cue to everyone, guests and cast members. Cast members see the subtle changes and it becomes a new, lower baseline for them. It becomes almost infectious.
“Becomes almost infectious” is absolutely right, and is the real issue – it’s not becoming infectious; the infection has already set in, and is now becoming visible. All of the comments are pointing to a common core, which is a change in corporate culture that has extended it’s tentacles throughout the company. And correcting a negative change in a company’s culture is a very hard thing to do.
We just came back from 2 weeks at the parks. I never saw so much trash in my life overflowing everywhere. What was the ultimate was walking out of bathroom in HS with overflowing trash cans to find 2 custodians just standing outside talking and talking and then they never went in the bathroom. They just walked off Backstage.
Bull, this is not correct. They have chosen profit margin over customer experience and walt’s philosophy. Take a closer look at what has been occurring since about 2000 when they started to outsource and move from walt’s philosophy, they have moved so far from his concepts. He went through the depression Nd it was not about being or becoming an oligarch
Then they should stop paying themselves HUGE bonuses. Chapek has been an unmitigated disaster. Whatever “magic” there was before is fading fast. The bloom is off the rose.
I am usually the first to say let’s look at the big picture and be positive however I just read an article about Chapek’s salary… I think it is time to really assess what is going on and rethink things. Let’s start looking for the Magic again!
Bingo. Not only charging for full staff service but have substantial raised the cost of almost everything and we’re getting less and less. Was there in December 2021 and was disappointed at the lack of upkeep. Played mini golf at Fantasia Gardens and you can see really the neglect there. Just a sign of what’s going on around the parks in general. THEY MADE MONEY LAST YEAR…just not enough for their greedy little pockets. Don’t forget how much Disney owns aside from the parks
Because price is not a function of what you think you should receive, rather it is a function of Demand. Remember that good old econ class you took. If Demand > Supply price must go up. And right now, Demand is much higher than Supply so the price needs to go up more. Raise the prices!
I talked to someone in middle management in the WDW culinary dept. last December. He said the problem isn’t only the “virus” but that he can’t get staffing back after the big layoff including some of his friends because Disney jerked them around & they got jobs at other parks or are getting more money by not working !!
Good to hear from an inside voice who really knows what’s going on. And it goes along with what the news reports – short staffing is everywhere. People leave a job because they can find something better. Cheapec needs to cut his salary and pay his employees better, MAKE THEM WANT to come back!
They are not getting more money by not working. Now you are just making things up. The max unemployment in Florida is 275 dollars a week. That is the equivelant of minimum wage for 40 hours. Disney starts at 15 an hour. So they are making less than half what they would be making if working.
As for the lay off, Disney laid them off and still lost $4,200,000,000.00. That is right 4.2 Billion dollars were spent more than the income. The entire issue is that during the pandemic people discovered their were other jobs outside the service industry. So now the worker pool is smaller.
When the prices get lowered to the level of the service then we can discuss nitpicking. But when I spend $15k+ for a top of the line vacation I expect top of the line service.
Covid is not over, now you are making things up. More people died in Texas last week then the highest week in 2021 surges. Covid is here and killing people.
I am going for the first time in 3 years in March. Articles like this, news of fights, no more FastPass, eliminating/reducing parades & meet & greets. Plus, I can’t book a DVC room even if I offered up a kid. I am very worried…
Disney has definitely not been the same in recent years, some of this is Covid related, some of the issues started long before Covid when they started caring about profit over everything else. Don’t bash me for saying that, I know it’s a business, but when customers start complaining all about the same things, bonuses should stop, and a new leader should be put in place. There are plenty of other places people can choose to spend time and money. Seems like Disney has steered far off course, but with the right leader, this can be corrected.
Bonuses should be based on more than profit (I know, unrealistic). Customer satisfaction and perception should factor in. This is definitely not the Disney culture of not too long ago. Read ‘Be Our Guest’.
Still waiting for them to fix Btmrr!
The earthquake room doesnt work, the water falling around the train on the first lift isnt working, and the water feature at the end where you pass the dinosaur nones doesnt work. All these havent been working for years!!
I have not been to Disney World in 2 years. Have been going since 1975. No attention to detail and when they ran it right, incredible profits. I’m a firm believer in tradition, I have no desire to go back. Sad that the people making decisions are not good at what they do. 28,000 people laid off and are fighting to survive. One last point, I was a cast member who loved working there.
Jeff, You are so right! Almost all of the restrooms at Disneyland are disheveled, dirty, and unattended by ANY workers. Some are downright disgusting. I have grandkids, and almost cringe when they need to use the restrooms!
I mean, the whole experience has been tanking the last few years. I wonder if anyone from the Disney staff reads these comments. I highly doubt it if money is coming in.
I WILL SAY. I feel like I was a number one “salesperson” for disney. The amount of people I’ve convinced going and doing XYZ ir staying on property is crazy. These days I don’t think I have that same spirit in my message to friends and family. I did 3 days in 2019 pre-covid. My FL friends who go all the time have started cutting back and even considering ditching their AP.
I’ve noticed Disney has been falling apart lately and it’s so sad to watch. Walt Disney’s Dream is being destroyed by a Greedy CEO who just wants to double his pay.
We are FL residents and AP holders. Went in December and won’t be renewing our APs when they are up in March. So disappointed in the lack of magic WDW is known for. The 50 year anniversary is nothing more than a cash grab to sell merch. The fireworks had not a single homage to Walt or Mickey. Trash overflowing in the bathrooms, lines and fees to stand in line, price increases, things not being open, mask cops everywhere, grumpy CMs, withholding info on crowd capacity, charging for parking at on site hotels, eliminating magic express and so many other things. Hopefully things will change but until then, we will take our leisure time elsewhere.
I think the most confusing thing for me is all the construction. They had the entire parks shut down because of the pandemic. Why didn’t they do all of their refurbishments, constructions during that time? They had plenty of time and it would have been safe, no people. Now it’s like an obstacle course getting around in some areas. Rides are being shut down, making other rides’ lines much longer. So much is missing now because of those little details that Disney use to have. The cast members were in many cases one of the important details that added to the visits. Not great seeing so many empty ice cream or drink carts sitting there collecting dust. Increases in price but no obvious signs of the positive use of monies. I would say Disney is now more for profit and less about the people. Ruining their reputation.
Disney isn’t like it was when we’ve gone in the past.
For all the extra money Disney is charging WHY can’t they clean up the place?
We won’t ever be able to go back as we just can’t afford the higher prices and all the perks that have been taken away.
Disney is not the magical place anymore.
We need Walt’s magic back again.
What happen to the cleaning and repairing they would do every night? Do they not have the staff? How about instead of giving bonuses to guys that don’t need them you hire cast members!! Maybe we should all go “old school” and find CEO Chapek’s address and WRITE a letter and voice our concerns. Mail the letters. Then when he gets several thousand letters in his office – maybe he will get the point? Does anybody know where to send the letters? I will write one!
My wife and I had decided to go to Disney in December 2021 since the Holiday Fireworks show started up again. We stayed at the Dolphin/Swan Resort and as we walked around the Boardwalk and visited other resorts such as the Yacht Club and Beach Club, we noticed that the amount of Christmas decorations fell well short of what it was like 4 years ago when we were there at the same time of the year. This was our second time to Disney in 2021. We were severely disappointed in Disney’s new “Lightning Lane”… (it’s a ripoff)! It just seems like Disney is all about the almighty dollar anymore and could care LESS about the customers that they are gouging to increase their bottom line. Sad! After this last trip. Disney is NO LONGER a trip I’m willing to spend thousands of dollars for to entertain my family. I’m DONE with Disney!
I was there in October and found the same. Lack of attention to cleanliness and detail. Cast members are NOT all happy anymore. I was there th first year it opened and remember well waiting for the monorail at the poly and having heard a supervisor telling someone to change the rope on the railing because it looked worn. Now!! it doesn’t seem to matter. Really sad because I am a lifelong Disney person.
I hate to say it because I have been in love with Disney World my whole life but the last two times I have been there over the last few years, the magic has definitely diminished. I almost rather Universal over Disney now. If you were to say that 5 years ago I would look at you like your crazy there is no comparison, however experiencing Disney the last three years has show me how little they care about guests experience and how they only really seem to care about how to charge you more.
We too have noticed very poor maintenance at all of the Florida parks. Not what we’ve been used to, and not what we’re paying for. Disney became the most expensive park over the last 2 decades and for good reason, but no longer the same quality experience now. Chipping paint in queue lines, filthy unstocked bathrooms, food carts closed amid unprecedented lines at others – just a few of the many declines. Oh and Genie and Lightning Lane are jokes – just money grabs. Bob Chapek needs to be repalced with somebody that truly respects the Disney magic and its guests, and not just the dollars we pay.
Those that criticize the parks are the ones who can no longer afford the Magical Place on Earth. This is being done to weed out the riffraff in the parks. Kudos Bob, it’s working!
Clearly it isn’t working, since there seems to be weekly stories about fist fights breaking out in the parks. We have a trip planned to DL in 06/22, but wish I could convince my family to skip it.
The magic is gone; it’s all about the money now.
There Oct 31 to Nov 5 and could not believe the crowds. Spent 2 days at Magic Kingdom and only able to ride 4 rides each day because the wait times were so long. How could this be if they were operating at reduced capacity? Genie +, Lightning Lane, Photo pkg and My Disney Experience a waste of time and money. Spent so much money to wait on lines while constantly checking cell phone for updates. Not a good impression for our grandchildren’s first visit. Enough to be considering selling off DVC membership. Time to stop complaining to each other and start writing directly to Disney Board of Directors.
Until parks attendance falls dramatically, things will not change! Disney has proven time and time again, people will come to the parks and pay ever increasing admission fees, increased food costs, increased hotel costs, hotel parking fees, dirty parks, less services overall!
I was just at Disney world 2 weeks ago. Although we had a nice time, It is not like it used to be. I remember it being a much happier place. There’s fighting going on. Workers are not as friendly. Customer service needs some serious help.
I did notice the last time I was there. Parks were not as clean as in the past but the biggest thing for me was a ride, a very popular ride, malfunctioned and I was injured. That was mid September and I am still dealing with this injury. Never in all the 30 plus years I have been going to Disney would that have happened or would the parks be looking run down and dirty.
I just got back from a week at Port Orleans. Growing up going to Disney, I was horrified at my latest experience. “Cast members” are now just teenagers on their phones. The garbages and bathrooms were destroyed moments after the park opened for early entry, which leads me to think they were left from the night before. Rides have fallen into complete disrepair (forget Dinosaur, take a look at Country Bear Jamboree or some of the older attractions) And then there was the food. Quick service restaurants were mobbed and disgusting, slinging ice cold food that my dog wouldn’t eat and fine dining is dismal as well (Sent back our food twice and then eventually left the restaurant at Riverside.) The magic is gone. Covid, I imagine is partly to blame, but as prices continue to rise, I’m thinking something’s gotta give.
Yes, we were there in November and that was the #1 thing my wife noticed right away. There used to be cast member right behind you if something dropped on the ground and it would be picked up right away. Now, trash is everywhere, especially in overflowing trash cans near restaurants. It really ruined it for us, we didn’t even spend half a day in each park, it just wasn’t the same. Sad….
Okay I must be wearing blinders and rose colored glasses. I went to WDW from 01/02/2022 to 01/11/2022. I went to all four parks, number of them several times and I did not see trash everywhere or the bathrooms being complete messes. I also ate in several of the onsite restaurants and again they were clean and well staffed.
My focus is more on Disneyland. Since the Covid excuse, the company’s new inclusion key has undermined the Disney look. Male cast members dress like women, and security looks like unprofessional Neanderthals. My magic key pass expires in September, and when it does, that will be it.
We’ve been going to WDW for over 20 years and our kids grew up with these trips. The attention to detail and the beauty in the details set them apart. We knew they were painting and spraying down the parks/cleaning while we all slept. The decline in that care that really stood out to me on our last trip a few weeks ago in 12/2021 was the ponds in Epcot’s China. In trips past, we would walk around that garden area, the ponds clean with flowers and Lilly pads. Our last trip it looked like a swamp. It was one of the ‘a’ha’ moments for me (among many other changes over the last couple of trips) that sadly this is not the same place.
We had 8 people there the week before Christmas. Not once did a cast member say “Have a magical day.” to any of us. Genie + is a total disaster. Cast members told us under their breath they agree. My son called it Demon -. We used to be able plan our trips far in advance. With Fast Pass, we could structure our day before even going to pick our first ride to be at 10:30 if we wanted, and sleep in. This trip I had to wake up every morning at 6:00 A M Central to try to book one Genie + and one Lightening Lane, even the morning after not being able to get to bed until after 2:00 A M. because we went to the Christmas party, and hoped to able to pick a good ride an hour and a half after the parks opened. We had to be on our phones constantly. Many times a ride we wanted would not be available until hours after we were scheduled to leave.
There is little reason to book restaurant reservations if you don’t know if and when you’ll be able to get rides where and when you want. They keep jacking up the prices, and offering less. My wife called months in advance to ask if The Yacht Club still had room service, and was told yes, only to find out they no longer did. Even Holiday Inn offers room service. You can still call Housekeeping and request service, and they do come fairly quickly if you request things like towels and blankets. Overall, things seemed clean to me. I understand cast member frustration because of guest frustration. People are on edge because they are paying more for less, but that is no excuse for verbal and physical assaults. There are tons of cast members who’d give anything to get back to work, and are trying to earn money driving and delivering to guests and selling things on Etsy. They are not asking for a lot because they live and love Disney. It’s harder to find someone to help you, and the capacity was in no definition of limited. They are raking it in, especially Chapel We used to go three or four times a year, but are now only going once a year. It’s not worth it. The kids had a great time overall, except not getting on some rides, and that’s what matters.
Ya’ll think it’s bad being a guest right now (it absolutely is), imagine being a CM who just wants to work for the same company they hired into originally. Nothing is the same for us either. Backstage areas in need of fixing, cast discounts on QSR at WDW have been completely eliminated, our holiday discount existed for a single month this year instead of through the whole season like it has been since forever. Cast discounts, programs, offerings, etc have all been nuked. Even things as basic as stock in the break area vending machines has gotten abysmal. I’m at DL now, but started in 2016 at WDW, and the amount of things that just… well, are absolutely awful now, is far too high to count.
I love and appreciate the things like the new non-gendered Disney Look, and it’s the only thing that pulled me back after the COVID layoffs after getting scolded by leadership in various departments and across parks for years for daring to have longer hair (despite guests just assuming I was a girl and leadership not caring that I wasn’t a girl and calling me one themselves most of the time, except when it was to ride me about hair length). But if I could find a job that was as close to me as DL is and paid better, I’d take it.
And let’s not even get started on this incredibly frustrating and widespread issue at DL (probably at WDW as well but I’m not 100% sure) of us CMs through every department being worked 40+ hours every single week while they refuse to give us full time classifications because they’re too cheap to pay benefits. My partner has been a lead for over 5 years now, consistently gets compliments from guests and leadership every shift because of her constant positive attitude and true love and passion for her job, and has been denied a full time classification every single time that they’ve been opened since she started at the resort. This despite also being hand picked by management at Avengers Campus to be part of their opening team, as well. On top of that, also have a recreation management degree. She’s basically ignored for everything she should, without any personal bias, be given based on merit alone.
They treat cast just as badly as they treat guests now. Chapek needs OUT. He’s ruining everything.
New rule suggestion: No more Bob’s in charge. Bob’s have proven they can’t be trusted.
We were there in November 2021. Extremely disappointed. The resort we were at was dirty. Dust under the furniture. Bought the genie+ and it was a waste of money. Not sure we’ll go back.
We went last November and it was terrible , we have going for years and love going to Disney. Hollywood Studio everything was closed we did not feel the magic. But yet we going back this November. 2022 with 9 grandchildren and 6 adults ( my children and their spouse ) I do hope it will improve Louie
We were just at Disneyland at the beginning of the month. It was our first trip there, but we’ve been to WDW several times, most recently last summer. One thing my daughter and I noticed right away was the trash. There’s a lot there. The whole trip it felt they were seriously understaffed everywhere. The CM’s were doing a great job when we saw them. There just didn’t seem to be that many. We still had a fantastic trip. But the level of service I’ve come to expect from Disney wasn’t there.
This article is overflowing trash. The writer is out if state and relies on sources that are angry they have to put their masks on. I’m there every day spreading magic. There is no overflowing trash. People want things up a d running and complain when they see it worked on during the day. Try having to do intricate work at 2 am. Stick to taking Instagram pics and not crap articles to Rile up the Karen’s.
Marc, we can’t simply share our feelings & experiences without being called Karens’? Over 20 years going to WDW, loving the place, never complaining. This ‘Karen’ has a valuable opinion as a long time fan and customer, with a lot of knowledge of the place based on that. And sadness that it has changed forever in more ways then one and is gone. It is not solely pandemic related; however, greater changes recently that has tipped this over for a lot of people like myself. So we are just sharing our collective feelings & experiences & sadness. We will just kindly and in a non ‘Karen’ way, make a choice to visit/vacation other places (with our masks on)
I havent been, yet, going soon, and hope that i have blinders. i’m just happy to be with friends and family lol
but to those who say why couldnt they have done construction during closure of covid – umm – they were required to be closed? i dont think they were allowed in to work.
As a “former” CM in overnight custodial, I think I have enough insight to speak. When the pandemic hit, we were told told to double clean everything. No pay increase or support from our “coordinators” or management. When a few of my fellow CMs recognized this, they tended to do less and got away with it. Then came the layoffs…guess who went first.. the one’s actually doing the work. After 5 years, being 65 years old, and came down with medical issues, I medically retired. I can relate with the guests who actually pay and have to put up with the CMs lackadsical attitude. (They actually had that before COVID, but management supported them instead of us who did the work). I apologize to all of
you having to go through all this.
I’ll allow that staffing has been down in some areas. (There certainly does appear to be plenty of Cast Members around though. And COVID caused some set backs. That being said. Even prior to COVID the quality was backsliding. Frequent ride breakdowns, trash (Although I will blame some of this on bigger, sloppier crowds! And Disney struggling to keep up. But the nit-picky attention to detail is gone. It now appears to be about volume. From “trimmed” menus to contracted, work fast and get out landscaping. The worst was our recent stay at VGF, Our Studio was beyond disappointing. I did not make a big deal but I did make my concerns known. The cabinet doors were lose. The carpet had a large red stain. Which the at least attempted to clean. The carpet where the leg pads rest for the foot of the pull out sofa, had worn through. Disney did a horrible job of patching with 2 square foot pieces. Both of which were obvious! Deteriorate and frayed on all sides. Every flat furniture surface was scratched up significantly. Yes, I know these rooms see constant guests. But this is “Grand” Floridian!! Visiting the Main Lobby. The Victorian printed sofas and chairs were badly and noticeably stained and faded. The green sofas with a print pattern. The spaces between the print was dirty brown! And not just a little bit stained! It was easy to see where heads, arms and the backs of shorts clad legs made frequent contact!! And this was not new. Again scratched up table tops. Some would say I being picky. But this is the “FLAGSHIP” Resort at WDW. It’s evident that cost savings now have priority over quality. Disney should be mindful of the fact that it is that quality, Attention to Detail, and Magic! That keep people coming. Because, to be honest. Disney has some good rides. But they don’t have great rides. Most of their coasters are just slightly above “kiddie rides”. Fun? Sure! But thrill rides? Nope! And to charge an extra fee for Individual Lightning Lane for a near 50 year old (and also in need of a renovation!) Space Mountain Coaster, was one of the biggest slaps of all. As with the others. I can see the “individual” fee for a new and popular ride. But 4,5 and 6 year old rides, that were previously available with Free Fast Pass+. The gouging is getting absurd. I have been coming to Disney since 1976. My wife since opening month! I am DVC and AP. Stayed everywhere. I can say with certainty the quality is just slipping away. Most Cast Members are awesome! But honestly, some do forget they are “in character” the moment they clock in, til they leave. Management has let that, and quality slip. More than a little. That’s my 2 cents. I hope they work on it.
Comments for Fans Say Disney’s “Show” Is Going Downhill, Express Disappointment
beautiful gorgeous
I’ve noticed that the parks are not as clean as they were in 2019 (pre-covid). I’m noticing it in all businesses. First they were scared to death of surfaces, bleaching everything, now, no one cares. Walk into a Panera Bread and try to find a clean table.
When we went to WDW Christmas 2020 into January 5, 2021, we noticed that Fantasyland had trash everywhere. Walt would not like it. I hope they hire people to clean it up, and I hope they bring back maid service in the resorts. I debated with them for a discount once (they used to take $50 off the bill if you passed on maid service). Disney said they need the $50 for the maid to do a covid clean before and after each guest. I don’t like making my bed on vacation!
Patrick
My family was there at the same time. The trash problem wasn’t localized to Fantasyland, but all of the parks had some form of trash clean up needing to be done. And some lack of touch up cleaning / painting was also evident in the parks. I’m not talking about the wear and tear of things like Mickey’s Runaway Railway queue falling apart, I’m talking paint on high touch light posts in MK, or the bridges in EPCOT China. They are letting things like that go that never would have been even thought of to forgo before. The stage is not getting dressed properly overnight like it used to be. That in itself is a “little thing” that’s really a magical experience breaker. It becomes a visual cue to everyone, guests and cast members. Cast members see the subtle changes and it becomes a new, lower baseline for them. It becomes almost infectious.
Chris
“Becomes almost infectious” is absolutely right, and is the real issue – it’s not becoming infectious; the infection has already set in, and is now becoming visible. All of the comments are pointing to a common core, which is a change in corporate culture that has extended it’s tentacles throughout the company. And correcting a negative change in a company’s culture is a very hard thing to do.
Patrick Paul
They are not getting more money by not working in FL. $275/week doesn’t make up for actual employment . Nice try though.
Puckles
Then don’t make it, Karen.
Chandra Dewald
We just came back from 2 weeks at the parks. I never saw so much trash in my life overflowing everywhere. What was the ultimate was walking out of bathroom in HS with overflowing trash cans to find 2 custodians just standing outside talking and talking and then they never went in the bathroom. They just walked off Backstage.
Heather
They are not running at full staff due to Covid. Let’s not nitpick every single thing folks.
John
Bull, this is not correct. They have chosen profit margin over customer experience and walt’s philosophy. Take a closer look at what has been occurring since about 2000 when they started to outsource and move from walt’s philosophy, they have moved so far from his concepts. He went through the depression Nd it was not about being or becoming an oligarch
Steve
Then they should stop paying themselves HUGE bonuses. Chapek has been an unmitigated disaster. Whatever “magic” there was before is fading fast. The bloom is off the rose.
Nancy Thorsby
Agree 100%
Be Nice
I am usually the first to say let’s look at the big picture and be positive however I just read an article about Chapek’s salary… I think it is time to really assess what is going on and rethink things. Let’s start looking for the Magic again!
Trent
Then why are they still charging for a full staff experience?
Susan
Bingo. Not only charging for full staff service but have substantial raised the cost of almost everything and we’re getting less and less. Was there in December 2021 and was disappointed at the lack of upkeep. Played mini golf at Fantasia Gardens and you can see really the neglect there. Just a sign of what’s going on around the parks in general. THEY MADE MONEY LAST YEAR…just not enough for their greedy little pockets. Don’t forget how much Disney owns aside from the parks
Scott Lee-Ross
Because price is not a function of what you think you should receive, rather it is a function of Demand. Remember that good old econ class you took. If Demand > Supply price must go up. And right now, Demand is much higher than Supply so the price needs to go up more. Raise the prices!
mike
I talked to someone in middle management in the WDW culinary dept. last December. He said the problem isn’t only the “virus” but that he can’t get staffing back after the big layoff including some of his friends because Disney jerked them around & they got jobs at other parks or are getting more money by not working !!
SG
Good to hear from an inside voice who really knows what’s going on. And it goes along with what the news reports – short staffing is everywhere. People leave a job because they can find something better. Cheapec needs to cut his salary and pay his employees better, MAKE THEM WANT to come back!
Scott Lee-Ross
They are not getting more money by not working. Now you are just making things up. The max unemployment in Florida is 275 dollars a week. That is the equivelant of minimum wage for 40 hours. Disney starts at 15 an hour. So they are making less than half what they would be making if working.
As for the lay off, Disney laid them off and still lost $4,200,000,000.00. That is right 4.2 Billion dollars were spent more than the income. The entire issue is that during the pandemic people discovered their were other jobs outside the service industry. So now the worker pool is smaller.
Tana Lawson
When the prices get lowered to the level of the service then we can discuss nitpicking. But when I spend $15k+ for a top of the line vacation I expect top of the line service.
John
Covid is over. Stop blaming this made up shutdown for not being able to pick up trash.
Scott Lee-Ross
Covid is not over, now you are making things up. More people died in Texas last week then the highest week in 2021 surges. Covid is here and killing people.
Novak
The place has been allowed to turn into a Six Flags by Chapek hands down.
Peter Monaghan
I am going for the first time in 3 years in March. Articles like this, news of fights, no more FastPass, eliminating/reducing parades & meet & greets. Plus, I can’t book a DVC room even if I offered up a kid. I am very worried…
Nancy Thorsby
You should be. It is not the same!!
James Andjelic
You nailed it!
Megan
Disney has definitely not been the same in recent years, some of this is Covid related, some of the issues started long before Covid when they started caring about profit over everything else. Don’t bash me for saying that, I know it’s a business, but when customers start complaining all about the same things, bonuses should stop, and a new leader should be put in place. There are plenty of other places people can choose to spend time and money. Seems like Disney has steered far off course, but with the right leader, this can be corrected.
SG
Agree!
David
Bonuses should be based on more than profit (I know, unrealistic). Customer satisfaction and perception should factor in. This is definitely not the Disney culture of not too long ago. Read ‘Be Our Guest’.
Sam
Still waiting for them to fix Btmrr!
The earthquake room doesnt work, the water falling around the train on the first lift isnt working, and the water feature at the end where you pass the dinosaur nones doesnt work. All these havent been working for years!!
Tom
I have not been to Disney World in 2 years. Have been going since 1975. No attention to detail and when they ran it right, incredible profits. I’m a firm believer in tradition, I have no desire to go back. Sad that the people making decisions are not good at what they do. 28,000 people laid off and are fighting to survive. One last point, I was a cast member who loved working there.
Jeff
Bathrooms used to be the cleanest of any theme park. Now they are always dirty, never stocked, and have wet floors
Larry
Jeff, You are so right! Almost all of the restrooms at Disneyland are disheveled, dirty, and unattended by ANY workers. Some are downright disgusting. I have grandkids, and almost cringe when they need to use the restrooms!
Arthur
I mean, the whole experience has been tanking the last few years. I wonder if anyone from the Disney staff reads these comments. I highly doubt it if money is coming in.
I WILL SAY. I feel like I was a number one “salesperson” for disney. The amount of people I’ve convinced going and doing XYZ ir staying on property is crazy. These days I don’t think I have that same spirit in my message to friends and family. I did 3 days in 2019 pre-covid. My FL friends who go all the time have started cutting back and even considering ditching their AP.
Disney Fan
I’ve noticed Disney has been falling apart lately and it’s so sad to watch. Walt Disney’s Dream is being destroyed by a Greedy CEO who just wants to double his pay.
Annie Smith
We are FL residents and AP holders. Went in December and won’t be renewing our APs when they are up in March. So disappointed in the lack of magic WDW is known for. The 50 year anniversary is nothing more than a cash grab to sell merch. The fireworks had not a single homage to Walt or Mickey. Trash overflowing in the bathrooms, lines and fees to stand in line, price increases, things not being open, mask cops everywhere, grumpy CMs, withholding info on crowd capacity, charging for parking at on site hotels, eliminating magic express and so many other things. Hopefully things will change but until then, we will take our leisure time elsewhere.
Marcy
I think the most confusing thing for me is all the construction. They had the entire parks shut down because of the pandemic. Why didn’t they do all of their refurbishments, constructions during that time? They had plenty of time and it would have been safe, no people. Now it’s like an obstacle course getting around in some areas. Rides are being shut down, making other rides’ lines much longer. So much is missing now because of those little details that Disney use to have. The cast members were in many cases one of the important details that added to the visits. Not great seeing so many empty ice cream or drink carts sitting there collecting dust. Increases in price but no obvious signs of the positive use of monies. I would say Disney is now more for profit and less about the people. Ruining their reputation.
Chris
Maybe the “powers that be” should give up undeserved bonuses and hire back more of those they laid off!
Megan Posey
Thank you for whatever part of my past magic you helped create on my past trips.
Pamella
Disney isn’t like it was when we’ve gone in the past.
For all the extra money Disney is charging WHY can’t they clean up the place?
We won’t ever be able to go back as we just can’t afford the higher prices and all the perks that have been taken away.
Disney is not the magical place anymore.
We need Walt’s magic back again.
Bob
And just think this clown just had his salary almost doubled to 32 mil. !
dzneefan
What happen to the cleaning and repairing they would do every night? Do they not have the staff? How about instead of giving bonuses to guys that don’t need them you hire cast members!! Maybe we should all go “old school” and find CEO Chapek’s address and WRITE a letter and voice our concerns. Mail the letters. Then when he gets several thousand letters in his office – maybe he will get the point? Does anybody know where to send the letters? I will write one!
Larry
My wife and I had decided to go to Disney in December 2021 since the Holiday Fireworks show started up again. We stayed at the Dolphin/Swan Resort and as we walked around the Boardwalk and visited other resorts such as the Yacht Club and Beach Club, we noticed that the amount of Christmas decorations fell well short of what it was like 4 years ago when we were there at the same time of the year. This was our second time to Disney in 2021. We were severely disappointed in Disney’s new “Lightning Lane”… (it’s a ripoff)! It just seems like Disney is all about the almighty dollar anymore and could care LESS about the customers that they are gouging to increase their bottom line. Sad! After this last trip. Disney is NO LONGER a trip I’m willing to spend thousands of dollars for to entertain my family. I’m DONE with Disney!
Patty C
I was there in October and found the same. Lack of attention to cleanliness and detail. Cast members are NOT all happy anymore. I was there th first year it opened and remember well waiting for the monorail at the poly and having heard a supervisor telling someone to change the rope on the railing because it looked worn. Now!! it doesn’t seem to matter. Really sad because I am a lifelong Disney person.
Brian Z
I hate to say it because I have been in love with Disney World my whole life but the last two times I have been there over the last few years, the magic has definitely diminished. I almost rather Universal over Disney now. If you were to say that 5 years ago I would look at you like your crazy there is no comparison, however experiencing Disney the last three years has show me how little they care about guests experience and how they only really seem to care about how to charge you more.
Dave Hastings
We too have noticed very poor maintenance at all of the Florida parks. Not what we’ve been used to, and not what we’re paying for. Disney became the most expensive park over the last 2 decades and for good reason, but no longer the same quality experience now. Chipping paint in queue lines, filthy unstocked bathrooms, food carts closed amid unprecedented lines at others – just a few of the many declines. Oh and Genie and Lightning Lane are jokes – just money grabs. Bob Chapek needs to be repalced with somebody that truly respects the Disney magic and its guests, and not just the dollars we pay.
Lloyd Bonified
Those that criticize the parks are the ones who can no longer afford the Magical Place on Earth. This is being done to weed out the riffraff in the parks. Kudos Bob, it’s working!
Amanda
Clearly it isn’t working, since there seems to be weekly stories about fist fights breaking out in the parks. We have a trip planned to DL in 06/22, but wish I could convince my family to skip it.
Eileen Moffit
The magic is gone; it’s all about the money now.
There Oct 31 to Nov 5 and could not believe the crowds. Spent 2 days at Magic Kingdom and only able to ride 4 rides each day because the wait times were so long. How could this be if they were operating at reduced capacity? Genie +, Lightning Lane, Photo pkg and My Disney Experience a waste of time and money. Spent so much money to wait on lines while constantly checking cell phone for updates. Not a good impression for our grandchildren’s first visit. Enough to be considering selling off DVC membership. Time to stop complaining to each other and start writing directly to Disney Board of Directors.
John DeJones
Until parks attendance falls dramatically, things will not change! Disney has proven time and time again, people will come to the parks and pay ever increasing admission fees, increased food costs, increased hotel costs, hotel parking fees, dirty parks, less services overall!
Karen
I was just at Disney world 2 weeks ago. Although we had a nice time, It is not like it used to be. I remember it being a much happier place. There’s fighting going on. Workers are not as friendly. Customer service needs some serious help.
knifefight
consumerists lol
knifefight
you people have no empathy for the people forced to work and provide for YOU during a pandemic. Shameful.
Trent
Happy 50th.
Cindy
I did notice the last time I was there. Parks were not as clean as in the past but the biggest thing for me was a ride, a very popular ride, malfunctioned and I was injured. That was mid September and I am still dealing with this injury. Never in all the 30 plus years I have been going to Disney would that have happened or would the parks be looking run down and dirty.
Cindy
Maybe if they hadn’t fired cast members who wouldn’t or can’t be vaccinated they would have enough cast members to take care of things.
Alessandro Posillico
I just got back from a week at Port Orleans. Growing up going to Disney, I was horrified at my latest experience. “Cast members” are now just teenagers on their phones. The garbages and bathrooms were destroyed moments after the park opened for early entry, which leads me to think they were left from the night before. Rides have fallen into complete disrepair (forget Dinosaur, take a look at Country Bear Jamboree or some of the older attractions) And then there was the food. Quick service restaurants were mobbed and disgusting, slinging ice cold food that my dog wouldn’t eat and fine dining is dismal as well (Sent back our food twice and then eventually left the restaurant at Riverside.) The magic is gone. Covid, I imagine is partly to blame, but as prices continue to rise, I’m thinking something’s gotta give.
Sparky
Tim, where do you see Chapek getting defended??? I have yet to see any remarks in his defense!!
gregg
Yes, we were there in November and that was the #1 thing my wife noticed right away. There used to be cast member right behind you if something dropped on the ground and it would be picked up right away. Now, trash is everywhere, especially in overflowing trash cans near restaurants. It really ruined it for us, we didn’t even spend half a day in each park, it just wasn’t the same. Sad….
Edward Jackson
Okay I must be wearing blinders and rose colored glasses. I went to WDW from 01/02/2022 to 01/11/2022. I went to all four parks, number of them several times and I did not see trash everywhere or the bathrooms being complete messes. I also ate in several of the onsite restaurants and again they were clean and well staffed.
Ralph
My focus is more on Disneyland. Since the Covid excuse, the company’s new inclusion key has undermined the Disney look. Male cast members dress like women, and security looks like unprofessional Neanderthals. My magic key pass expires in September, and when it does, that will be it.
Matt
This. Is. Capitalism. Get used to it.
Michelle
We’ve been going to WDW for over 20 years and our kids grew up with these trips. The attention to detail and the beauty in the details set them apart. We knew they were painting and spraying down the parks/cleaning while we all slept. The decline in that care that really stood out to me on our last trip a few weeks ago in 12/2021 was the ponds in Epcot’s China. In trips past, we would walk around that garden area, the ponds clean with flowers and Lilly pads. Our last trip it looked like a swamp. It was one of the ‘a’ha’ moments for me (among many other changes over the last couple of trips) that sadly this is not the same place.
Tom
We had 8 people there the week before Christmas. Not once did a cast member say “Have a magical day.” to any of us. Genie + is a total disaster. Cast members told us under their breath they agree. My son called it Demon -. We used to be able plan our trips far in advance. With Fast Pass, we could structure our day before even going to pick our first ride to be at 10:30 if we wanted, and sleep in. This trip I had to wake up every morning at 6:00 A M Central to try to book one Genie + and one Lightening Lane, even the morning after not being able to get to bed until after 2:00 A M. because we went to the Christmas party, and hoped to able to pick a good ride an hour and a half after the parks opened. We had to be on our phones constantly. Many times a ride we wanted would not be available until hours after we were scheduled to leave.
There is little reason to book restaurant reservations if you don’t know if and when you’ll be able to get rides where and when you want. They keep jacking up the prices, and offering less. My wife called months in advance to ask if The Yacht Club still had room service, and was told yes, only to find out they no longer did. Even Holiday Inn offers room service. You can still call Housekeeping and request service, and they do come fairly quickly if you request things like towels and blankets. Overall, things seemed clean to me. I understand cast member frustration because of guest frustration. People are on edge because they are paying more for less, but that is no excuse for verbal and physical assaults. There are tons of cast members who’d give anything to get back to work, and are trying to earn money driving and delivering to guests and selling things on Etsy. They are not asking for a lot because they live and love Disney. It’s harder to find someone to help you, and the capacity was in no definition of limited. They are raking it in, especially Chapel We used to go three or four times a year, but are now only going once a year. It’s not worth it. The kids had a great time overall, except not getting on some rides, and that’s what matters.
Auggie
Ya’ll think it’s bad being a guest right now (it absolutely is), imagine being a CM who just wants to work for the same company they hired into originally. Nothing is the same for us either. Backstage areas in need of fixing, cast discounts on QSR at WDW have been completely eliminated, our holiday discount existed for a single month this year instead of through the whole season like it has been since forever. Cast discounts, programs, offerings, etc have all been nuked. Even things as basic as stock in the break area vending machines has gotten abysmal. I’m at DL now, but started in 2016 at WDW, and the amount of things that just… well, are absolutely awful now, is far too high to count.
I love and appreciate the things like the new non-gendered Disney Look, and it’s the only thing that pulled me back after the COVID layoffs after getting scolded by leadership in various departments and across parks for years for daring to have longer hair (despite guests just assuming I was a girl and leadership not caring that I wasn’t a girl and calling me one themselves most of the time, except when it was to ride me about hair length). But if I could find a job that was as close to me as DL is and paid better, I’d take it.
And let’s not even get started on this incredibly frustrating and widespread issue at DL (probably at WDW as well but I’m not 100% sure) of us CMs through every department being worked 40+ hours every single week while they refuse to give us full time classifications because they’re too cheap to pay benefits. My partner has been a lead for over 5 years now, consistently gets compliments from guests and leadership every shift because of her constant positive attitude and true love and passion for her job, and has been denied a full time classification every single time that they’ve been opened since she started at the resort. This despite also being hand picked by management at Avengers Campus to be part of their opening team, as well. On top of that, also have a recreation management degree. She’s basically ignored for everything she should, without any personal bias, be given based on merit alone.
They treat cast just as badly as they treat guests now. Chapek needs OUT. He’s ruining everything.
New rule suggestion: No more Bob’s in charge. Bob’s have proven they can’t be trusted.
Helen
We were there in November 2021. Extremely disappointed. The resort we were at was dirty. Dust under the furniture. Bought the genie+ and it was a waste of money. Not sure we’ll go back.
Louie
We went last November and it was terrible , we have going for years and love going to Disney. Hollywood Studio everything was closed we did not feel the magic. But yet we going back this November. 2022 with 9 grandchildren and 6 adults ( my children and their spouse ) I do hope it will improve Louie
Danie
We were just at Disneyland at the beginning of the month. It was our first trip there, but we’ve been to WDW several times, most recently last summer. One thing my daughter and I noticed right away was the trash. There’s a lot there. The whole trip it felt they were seriously understaffed everywhere. The CM’s were doing a great job when we saw them. There just didn’t seem to be that many. We still had a fantastic trip. But the level of service I’ve come to expect from Disney wasn’t there.
Marc Eline
This article is overflowing trash. The writer is out if state and relies on sources that are angry they have to put their masks on. I’m there every day spreading magic. There is no overflowing trash. People want things up a d running and complain when they see it worked on during the day. Try having to do intricate work at 2 am. Stick to taking Instagram pics and not crap articles to Rile up the Karen’s.
Michelle
Marc, we can’t simply share our feelings & experiences without being called Karens’? Over 20 years going to WDW, loving the place, never complaining. This ‘Karen’ has a valuable opinion as a long time fan and customer, with a lot of knowledge of the place based on that. And sadness that it has changed forever in more ways then one and is gone. It is not solely pandemic related; however, greater changes recently that has tipped this over for a lot of people like myself. So we are just sharing our collective feelings & experiences & sadness. We will just kindly and in a non ‘Karen’ way, make a choice to visit/vacation other places (with our masks on)
taximom4
I havent been, yet, going soon, and hope that i have blinders. i’m just happy to be with friends and family lol
but to those who say why couldnt they have done construction during closure of covid – umm – they were required to be closed? i dont think they were allowed in to work.
Tom
As a “former” CM in overnight custodial, I think I have enough insight to speak. When the pandemic hit, we were told told to double clean everything. No pay increase or support from our “coordinators” or management. When a few of my fellow CMs recognized this, they tended to do less and got away with it. Then came the layoffs…guess who went first.. the one’s actually doing the work. After 5 years, being 65 years old, and came down with medical issues, I medically retired. I can relate with the guests who actually pay and have to put up with the CMs lackadsical attitude. (They actually had that before COVID, but management supported them instead of us who did the work). I apologize to all of
you having to go through all this.
David C
I’ll allow that staffing has been down in some areas. (There certainly does appear to be plenty of Cast Members around though. And COVID caused some set backs. That being said. Even prior to COVID the quality was backsliding. Frequent ride breakdowns, trash (Although I will blame some of this on bigger, sloppier crowds! And Disney struggling to keep up. But the nit-picky attention to detail is gone. It now appears to be about volume. From “trimmed” menus to contracted, work fast and get out landscaping. The worst was our recent stay at VGF, Our Studio was beyond disappointing. I did not make a big deal but I did make my concerns known. The cabinet doors were lose. The carpet had a large red stain. Which the at least attempted to clean. The carpet where the leg pads rest for the foot of the pull out sofa, had worn through. Disney did a horrible job of patching with 2 square foot pieces. Both of which were obvious! Deteriorate and frayed on all sides. Every flat furniture surface was scratched up significantly. Yes, I know these rooms see constant guests. But this is “Grand” Floridian!! Visiting the Main Lobby. The Victorian printed sofas and chairs were badly and noticeably stained and faded. The green sofas with a print pattern. The spaces between the print was dirty brown! And not just a little bit stained! It was easy to see where heads, arms and the backs of shorts clad legs made frequent contact!! And this was not new. Again scratched up table tops. Some would say I being picky. But this is the “FLAGSHIP” Resort at WDW. It’s evident that cost savings now have priority over quality. Disney should be mindful of the fact that it is that quality, Attention to Detail, and Magic! That keep people coming. Because, to be honest. Disney has some good rides. But they don’t have great rides. Most of their coasters are just slightly above “kiddie rides”. Fun? Sure! But thrill rides? Nope! And to charge an extra fee for Individual Lightning Lane for a near 50 year old (and also in need of a renovation!) Space Mountain Coaster, was one of the biggest slaps of all. As with the others. I can see the “individual” fee for a new and popular ride. But 4,5 and 6 year old rides, that were previously available with Free Fast Pass+. The gouging is getting absurd. I have been coming to Disney since 1976. My wife since opening month! I am DVC and AP. Stayed everywhere. I can say with certainty the quality is just slipping away. Most Cast Members are awesome! But honestly, some do forget they are “in character” the moment they clock in, til they leave. Management has let that, and quality slip. More than a little. That’s my 2 cents. I hope they work on it.
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