If he’s some sort of engineer and isn’t smart enough to read the fairly simple instructions, then that doesn’t give me hope that anything he’s done is done well or will last.
How hard is it to figure out you need a reservation before showing up? Want to park hop? Wait til 1pm. You only need the app to get the ticket to get in. Anything else is an add-on and not required or needed.
They have made fun vacations a complex price gouging experience. All the spontaneity of it is gone. Why get up before 7am each day of your vacation to try and buy genie+ and then be on the phone all day hoping to snag rides? It’s a joke.
just went to Disney Paris and it was a waste of a day. The app sucked , the lines were long and most of the feature rides were shut down that day
one shouldn’t have to do tons of research before going to a kids’ theme park. you should walk in the gates and have the experience unfold for you. that’s the experience they should be striving for
The saddest part of this new system is how often a person has to refer to the phone or turn the phone back on to show cast members the needed information.I see hundreds of faces just looking into their phones.A vacation is supposed to be more free , save schedules for the work week.
When I have to go on vacation and walk around with a phone and plan every step of the way, that isn’t a vacation. Vacation is for doing what you want, when you want. And pay more and more and more. When will that end? Ridiculous. Oh, I am sure that guy can figure it out but again, he wants a vacation, not have to work while he is on it.
Not relaxing at all.
Again – I agree. When we could go and park hop whenever we wanted – uncomplicated. They gave us “free” fast pass – I’m of the older generation and did learn how to use fast pass. Now it seems like they have so many different rules and all these new options for being able to see and do more but at an additional price when I think they’re prices are already getting so out of hand (and out of my budget) and it’s confusing to keep it all straight. I want to go back but not sure I’ll be able to figure it all out. When we first went 30 years ago – it was so simple. But park passes and that was it. Now it’s beyond complicated, for me at least. I think the younger generation is more capable to sorting thru and taking advantage of the new options. I guess I’ll have to get the help of my kids and even my grandkids, probably. 🙁
There’s nothing fun and relaxing about spending a fortune to micromanage your vacation with all these rules, reservations, apps and of course, more money grabs. I’m sure this guy CAN figure it out, but it’s a nightmare of a hassle. I agree with him.
I go but don’t use my phone much while I am there. I’m sure that I am missing some things but I am not going to be ruled by my phone !!!
As long as I can watch the fireworks I am happy.
No one does fireworks like Disney !!!
I live in Orlando, largely so I can be near the parks. I had an annual Florida resident pass from 2019-2020 before the pandemic – and it was amazing. On a Wednesday night if we got off work early we’d go to a park for dinner and grab a fast pass or two then head home. Now, there’s no annual passes beyond just weekdays w/tons of blackouts. And no spontaneous trips given the reservation system. So, my Disney dream has been over for a while – they don’t care about Florida residents anymore. They are making it so hard/complicated that the only people who can go are the ones willing to shell out all the $$ on their hotels, etc. – aka the big vacationers. I went once in April 2022 to the Magic Kingdom and it was the busiest I’ve ever, ever seen it. They are NOT limiting the number of people in the park. The reservation system only exists to fill the park to absolute capacity each day. Bob Chapek really broke a lot of hearts with his greed.
Having to rely upon your phone so much when visiting the Disney theme parks is just like having your boss require you to check in with him/her multiple times a day everyday during your vacation, beginning right at 7:00 a.m.
Yikes! Disney has become super annoying. Who wants to spend their vacation working – attached to their phone? I am not good at multitasking so I am out.
I agree! DW is way too confusing and using the phone constantly is ridiculous and takes away from the experience. I also dislike the park pass system as I have not seen any control of crowds at any of the parks we’ve been to.
Disney Parks have lost their way, and their heart and soul, blinded by greed. The younger generation will never understand the joy of going to the park, buying or already having a ticket for entry and just going in. Back in the 80’s it was simple to get in and be spontaneous, go with the flow of the park and enjoy your visit.
Today you pay about seven times the price to get in and then pay more for things once free.
During busy times the park would stop entry when capacity was reached. But capacity then was more sensible, you weren’t shoulder to shoulder packed in like sardines. They have increased the capacity cutoff number too much making it uncomfortable for guests giving many unpleasant experiences.
In the past, the only time I would pull out my phone was to take a photo or text others in a group where to meet up.
Disney once was the go to company for other companies wanting to learn to improve customer service, relations, etc.
Greed for the almighty dollar has destroyed the Disney experience. Once Disney was affordable to most families, not so much these days. Disney has decided to cater to those with deeper pockets and does need to worry if you have a bad experience. Someone else with a pocket full of money will quickly replace those who won’t or can’t afford go back…..
👍👍👍👍.. They have destroyed a wonderful adventure due to their greed by putting profit above guest happiness. The mouse has cancer and limited life span
How can I visit the parks if I have no smartphone? My phone just makes and receives calls and I refuse to buy a smartphone. Does that mean that I cannot simply go and visit?
Just adding to the chorus here. Visited May of 2022 and practically everyone was looking down at their phones and walking at the same time. People constantly bumping into you or stopping in the middle of a concourse figuring out what was on the screen. No shared experience except bad ones.
The one most important factor for my family was “the bubble” of leaving the outside world behind (everything paid for and no tech/phone needed) – being carefree and childlike the entire time. We took advantage of the free dining plan, adding the upgrade to table service due to severe food allergies involving additives. If we had to pay for the whole plan, it would have been way too expensive for our family of 4 considering the costs of the stay and tickets. As it was, it was around $12K not counting transportation there. The last time we went was 2015. It was a great vacation due to that “bubble”. With the changes made since, the magic we enjoyed (and would have brought us back many times) is simply nonexistent. Obviously, prices increase as years pass, but the greed is beyond blatant and their focus on the previously legendary customer relations has dissipated and ultimately is resulting in loss of revenue compared to what they could be making. Repeat customers ensure continuous business. One and domes don’t.
Comments for Former Imagineer Says Disney Parks Now Too Confusing to Visit
Aurora
If he’s some sort of engineer and isn’t smart enough to read the fairly simple instructions, then that doesn’t give me hope that anything he’s done is done well or will last.
How hard is it to figure out you need a reservation before showing up? Want to park hop? Wait til 1pm. You only need the app to get the ticket to get in. Anything else is an add-on and not required or needed.
Steve
Confusing is the wrong term. Hassle is the right term.
Billie
I agree!!
Charlie
They have made fun vacations a complex price gouging experience. All the spontaneity of it is gone. Why get up before 7am each day of your vacation to try and buy genie+ and then be on the phone all day hoping to snag rides? It’s a joke.
ian
just went to Disney Paris and it was a waste of a day. The app sucked , the lines were long and most of the feature rides were shut down that day
one shouldn’t have to do tons of research before going to a kids’ theme park. you should walk in the gates and have the experience unfold for you. that’s the experience they should be striving for
lovesdisney
The saddest part of this new system is how often a person has to refer to the phone or turn the phone back on to show cast members the needed information.I see hundreds of faces just looking into their phones.A vacation is supposed to be more free , save schedules for the work week.
Jay
So he didn’t visit since Feb 21 of this year? Like that’s soooo long ago or something? I don’t think he meant Feb of 2021, because they were closed.
Sue
That’s why Main Street was empty.
Barbara
I just don’t go anymore. Di$ney is just not what it once was
Sue
Amen. And I think that was the point he was trying to get across.
Mary
When I have to go on vacation and walk around with a phone and plan every step of the way, that isn’t a vacation. Vacation is for doing what you want, when you want. And pay more and more and more. When will that end? Ridiculous. Oh, I am sure that guy can figure it out but again, he wants a vacation, not have to work while he is on it.
Not relaxing at all.
Billie
Again – I agree. When we could go and park hop whenever we wanted – uncomplicated. They gave us “free” fast pass – I’m of the older generation and did learn how to use fast pass. Now it seems like they have so many different rules and all these new options for being able to see and do more but at an additional price when I think they’re prices are already getting so out of hand (and out of my budget) and it’s confusing to keep it all straight. I want to go back but not sure I’ll be able to figure it all out. When we first went 30 years ago – it was so simple. But park passes and that was it. Now it’s beyond complicated, for me at least. I think the younger generation is more capable to sorting thru and taking advantage of the new options. I guess I’ll have to get the help of my kids and even my grandkids, probably. 🙁
Charlie
Absolutely correct! Fastpass+ worked better and it was free.
Mason
Even the employees are calling it confusing.
Patti
There’s nothing fun and relaxing about spending a fortune to micromanage your vacation with all these rules, reservations, apps and of course, more money grabs. I’m sure this guy CAN figure it out, but it’s a nightmare of a hassle. I agree with him.
Victoria
I go but don’t use my phone much while I am there. I’m sure that I am missing some things but I am not going to be ruled by my phone !!!
As long as I can watch the fireworks I am happy.
No one does fireworks like Disney !!!
May
I live in Orlando, largely so I can be near the parks. I had an annual Florida resident pass from 2019-2020 before the pandemic – and it was amazing. On a Wednesday night if we got off work early we’d go to a park for dinner and grab a fast pass or two then head home. Now, there’s no annual passes beyond just weekdays w/tons of blackouts. And no spontaneous trips given the reservation system. So, my Disney dream has been over for a while – they don’t care about Florida residents anymore. They are making it so hard/complicated that the only people who can go are the ones willing to shell out all the $$ on their hotels, etc. – aka the big vacationers. I went once in April 2022 to the Magic Kingdom and it was the busiest I’ve ever, ever seen it. They are NOT limiting the number of people in the park. The reservation system only exists to fill the park to absolute capacity each day. Bob Chapek really broke a lot of hearts with his greed.
Mike
Having to rely upon your phone so much when visiting the Disney theme parks is just like having your boss require you to check in with him/her multiple times a day everyday during your vacation, beginning right at 7:00 a.m.
Diana
Yikes! Disney has become super annoying. Who wants to spend their vacation working – attached to their phone? I am not good at multitasking so I am out.
Dave Palmatier
I agree! DW is way too confusing and using the phone constantly is ridiculous and takes away from the experience. I also dislike the park pass system as I have not seen any control of crowds at any of the parks we’ve been to.
Nick
Disney Parks have lost their way, and their heart and soul, blinded by greed. The younger generation will never understand the joy of going to the park, buying or already having a ticket for entry and just going in. Back in the 80’s it was simple to get in and be spontaneous, go with the flow of the park and enjoy your visit.
Today you pay about seven times the price to get in and then pay more for things once free.
During busy times the park would stop entry when capacity was reached. But capacity then was more sensible, you weren’t shoulder to shoulder packed in like sardines. They have increased the capacity cutoff number too much making it uncomfortable for guests giving many unpleasant experiences.
In the past, the only time I would pull out my phone was to take a photo or text others in a group where to meet up.
Disney once was the go to company for other companies wanting to learn to improve customer service, relations, etc.
Greed for the almighty dollar has destroyed the Disney experience. Once Disney was affordable to most families, not so much these days. Disney has decided to cater to those with deeper pockets and does need to worry if you have a bad experience. Someone else with a pocket full of money will quickly replace those who won’t or can’t afford go back…..
TERRY TAYLOR
I agree completely here. Mantra now is only bring money and wait. Rides down as food quality DOWN with smaller portions and HIGHER prices.
Bill Jones
👍👍👍👍.. They have destroyed a wonderful adventure due to their greed by putting profit above guest happiness. The mouse has cancer and limited life span
Tony
How can I visit the parks if I have no smartphone? My phone just makes and receives calls and I refuse to buy a smartphone. Does that mean that I cannot simply go and visit?
Mark
Just adding to the chorus here. Visited May of 2022 and practically everyone was looking down at their phones and walking at the same time. People constantly bumping into you or stopping in the middle of a concourse figuring out what was on the screen. No shared experience except bad ones.
Kevin
Had a week-long vacation booked mid-2020. Haven’t had any desire to reschedule it based on all the changes.
Having to schedule everything is not an ADHD family friendly experience. I could handle Fastpass+ for one or two must-do things but that’s about it.
AB
The one most important factor for my family was “the bubble” of leaving the outside world behind (everything paid for and no tech/phone needed) – being carefree and childlike the entire time. We took advantage of the free dining plan, adding the upgrade to table service due to severe food allergies involving additives. If we had to pay for the whole plan, it would have been way too expensive for our family of 4 considering the costs of the stay and tickets. As it was, it was around $12K not counting transportation there. The last time we went was 2015. It was a great vacation due to that “bubble”. With the changes made since, the magic we enjoyed (and would have brought us back many times) is simply nonexistent. Obviously, prices increase as years pass, but the greed is beyond blatant and their focus on the previously legendary customer relations has dissipated and ultimately is resulting in loss of revenue compared to what they could be making. Repeat customers ensure continuous business. One and domes don’t.
Robert
Duck Fisney!
Zorba
Don’t have, nor want, a smartphone – or its attendant hassles – like this one! But Disney has gone “woke”, so I’m not going back anyway.
Comments are closed.