I can say that one of the most frustrating parts of visiting Disney World is transportation. I don’t want to drive. I don’t want the hassle or cost of renting a car. I want service.
Not having the Disney bus to take us to our expensive hotel, requiring yet another cost to get there is not convenient.
This was an interesting article. Sadly, it’s all true. A bunch of free options where removed. I wish that Fast pass still was around. It was so easy and convenient. I highly doubt that a majority of the free offerings that Disney World once had will ever come back. There in it to make money {especially lately} not to satisfy all the guests {unless they have a lot of cash.} I wish that they would go back to the way that it was in the late 90’s. Free fast pass, extending evening hours, early morning hours, etc. There was also these souvnir cups that if you purchased one you could get free drinks {non alcholic I believe} for the rest of your stay {including at all the parks, water parks, and the hotels.} Does this still exists?
When I took my kids the free food plan was the only way I could afford it as a single parent. Plus using the magical express was one less thing for me to worrying about when travelling with kids so sad alk that matters now us money.
All I can say to all the latest cuts at Disney is talk about what money grubbers they’ve become. The cost of hotels, tickets, food & any souvenirs you want isn’t horrendous enough, now they want families to cough up even more money! I can’t believe anyone can even want to go there any more or can afford it. All while the execs make millions!
We never used the magical express for ourselves, but did use the service to check our bags at the hotel and have them transport to airport.
Fast pass was great because everyone was on the same level. The extra magic hours is what made it more attractive to stay at a Disney resort.
I would think if they saw a dip in merchandises they would bring back the package express.
I have been coming to Disney for over 20 years and have always stayed on site. The things I miss are fast pass and extended hours in the evening. The thing I also miss is magical express, I haven’t been able to use it as we always had a hire car, but the last 2 times we visited my husband was unable to drive due to MS. This would have been a great help.
We are coming in September but this is probably our last trip from UK.
Missed of DAS pass, now expected to pay for the privilege of there incompetence at not having enough ride attraction’s capacity & dollar grabbing at every opportunity, eventually there will be a backlash & it will all free fall, & it might be to late by then.
Missed of DAS pass, now expected to pay for the privilege of there incompetence at not having enough ride attraction’s capacity & dollar grabbing at every opportunity, eventually there will be a backlash & it will all free fall, & it might be to late by then.
We have every right to complain. Disney ceased to be great and forgot who it was. And if I don’t like what a business does, I just take it over myself, and make it great again. I look forward to ushering in the Make Disney Great Again era and taking Disney back to the 20th century where everything will be done by asking “What would Walt do?” again like Disney did for decades after his passing.
We’re still waiting. You’re gonna have a lot on your plate when you take over and therefore very little time to repeatedly comment here on this site, so I guess you’re nowhere near starting the takeover process with all this time on your hands.
I just don’t go any more and haven’t since 2020. It was clear that in 2019 Disney was staring to go downhill, and after the plandemic, we just said forget it. It’s not Disney anymore. And we’ve been going litterally since Disney World opened, and had our resident passes from the day they first started resident passes.
I have gone every year for 22 years until Covid. I also went there in 1973, guess that shows my age!! But the extras that they have taken away is unreal. I have no interest in going to the parks anymore, I don’t want to walk around staring at my phone and having to decide ahead what I am going to do. That isn’t a vacation, that is like work!! If you had never gone when all the free stuff was available, you have no idea what you are missing. It was wonderful. You can’t tell me they didn’t make money back then. I think you really made a lot of people think twice about vacationing there anymore. I know I am.
I 100 % AGREE with you I have been one such as you. That had the pleasure of those things in those days as well. It is really sad to know the simple things they did gave millions so much pleasure and fond memories. So I guess we have those to recall . It was a Wonderful time
I wish fast pass would com back! Now DAS has changed making so hard to achieve status it has us seniors definitely go less. This makes me sad & saves money by not going & eating there. But my 1st trip to WDW was in 1972, 15 yrs later again in EPCOT, have been AP since 2015 but it has gone from the top level to almost last level because of cost. I love Disney but not as much as I used to cause they are not being fair to seniors or disabled in the parks.
I miss Free Photo Pass with Annual Pass, they are pricey enough without the extra charge. Hotel Pick up was great, especially during Food and Wine when I bought tons of merchandise. I don’t buy as much now, because I don’t want to carry it around. Fast Pass worked great for my husband who is handicapped (he has a leg brace), he can’t stand for long periods of time, I know I could spend the money for Genie, but like I said above, my Annual Pass is expensive enough. I know I am complaining, but they keep increasing prices and not giving anything back.
Going there the week after thanksgiving. If half of what I have heard isctrue, it will be the last time. My wife has gone over 40 times and we have gone a dozen times since we have been married. The changes since 2008 when we went the first time are startling.
Having been to DisneyWorld almost every year since it opened, I am so disappointed with the lack of “magic” that I have not been back since 2019. I now have no desire to return. I almost have owned Disney timeshare and now use it to other destinations. They may be making money by charging for these perks, but they are losing many guests.
My big problem with WDW is requiring everything to be done on a smart phone. I hate the dern things and refuse to glue one to my hand. I have no problem ordering food from a menu or paying with either cash or a credit card. There are rides I would like to try, but until they bring back fastpass I do not see how I can.
I remember way back when you would purchase a ticket for the Magic Kingdom, they gave you a booklet of tickets where you had to choose between 3 rides/attractions in a particular area. We would decide as a family which one to do, and then continue through the booklet that way. There was no going on every ride and going to every attraction. We even had one particular time during one of our vacations when, I believe it was a couple, they were about to leave and wouldn’t be using anymore of their tickets, and so they gave their booklets to us. We had 4 young kids at the time. So When Disney changed it to where you could go on all rides and attractions and weren’t limited, that was amazing.
The next thing that we really loved was when Disney’s Magical Express came along. You arrive at the airport and head for the check-in, get on the bus and Disney took over. From the moment we stepped onto the bus, we stepped into a whole new feeling of what Disney was for us. Magical. I didn’t have to worry about having to get to our resort hotel. And when it was time to head back home we went from our resort, onto the bus, to the airport and to our gate.
That’s what I miss the most. Disney’s Magical Express. The 2nd thing I miss is the package pickup.
But I’ll tell you one thing. Be glad they never went back to paying for a ticket to get in and then being handed a booklet of tickets and having to choose between what THEY group together as your 3 options
And it will keep getting worse bc fans will keep paying these ridiculous prices! The only way it’ll change is if fans boycott Disney! (Which will never happen!) Fans stop spending money, Disney loses money & will make changes & give fans what they want! Just complaining isn’t enough!
I do get frustrated with this website and their stories. I clicked on the story expecting to see something new but basically everything listed as being removed was done a few years back, no new news here.
CMs mentioned that a big reason for removing Magical Express was because it wasn’t being used. Guests would reserve it and never show. It made it hard to staff when Disney couldn’t forecast appropriately.
Disney was all about making the experience better until now.
We have been going to WDW since our children since they were in first grade. Our children are now in their 50’s.
We are also annual pass holders for many years. Some changes have been good and improved the experiences until now. Others have been very detrimental and killing Mr. Walt Disney’s dream: “A place where he and his girls could have a place they could have fun together'”
I am a disabled veteran and depended on the Fast Pass due to my PTSD and injuries that make it difficult to stand in one paced due to injuries during service. It helped me not to think of some of the military past. My wife always stands behind me to keep others from coming up on me.
I now have to consider not going to WDW at all.
Sad days are ahead unless there are changes at the top of Disney. STAY out of politics and attend to the business.
Disney was all about making the experience better until now.
We have been going to WDW since our children since they were in first grade. Our children are now in their 50’s.
We are also annual pass holders for many years. Some changes have been good and improved the experiences until now. Others have been very detrimental and killing Mr. Walt Disney’s dream: “A place where he and his girls could have a place they could have fun together'”
I am a disabled veteran and depended on the Fast Pass due to my PTSD and injuries that make it difficult to stand in one paced due to injuries during service. It helped me not to think of some of the military past. My wife always stands behind me to keep others from coming up on me.
I now have to consider not going to WDW at all.
Sad days are ahead unless there are changes at the top of Disney. STAY out of politics and attend to the business.
Comments for Disney World Removed a Ton of Free Services, Leaving Guests Feeling Nickel and Dimed
M
I can say that one of the most frustrating parts of visiting Disney World is transportation. I don’t want to drive. I don’t want the hassle or cost of renting a car. I want service.
Not having the Disney bus to take us to our expensive hotel, requiring yet another cost to get there is not convenient.
Zilma Adriana Osle
This was an interesting article. Sadly, it’s all true. A bunch of free options where removed. I wish that Fast pass still was around. It was so easy and convenient. I highly doubt that a majority of the free offerings that Disney World once had will ever come back. There in it to make money {especially lately} not to satisfy all the guests {unless they have a lot of cash.} I wish that they would go back to the way that it was in the late 90’s. Free fast pass, extending evening hours, early morning hours, etc. There was also these souvnir cups that if you purchased one you could get free drinks {non alcholic I believe} for the rest of your stay {including at all the parks, water parks, and the hotels.} Does this still exists?
Jenn
Yes they do. But they cost around $20 for the length of stay.
Barbi Marshall
Yes, you can still get them, but they can only be refilled at the resorts. And both water parks have their own refillable mugs.
Linda
When I took my kids the free food plan was the only way I could afford it as a single parent. Plus using the magical express was one less thing for me to worrying about when travelling with kids so sad alk that matters now us money.
Candy
My family just came home on July 16, 2024 and they had the Free Dining package.
Candy
I believe that has always been the case. I have been getting those cups since 2012 and we could never refill at the parks.
Rose
All I can say to all the latest cuts at Disney is talk about what money grubbers they’ve become. The cost of hotels, tickets, food & any souvenirs you want isn’t horrendous enough, now they want families to cough up even more money! I can’t believe anyone can even want to go there any more or can afford it. All while the execs make millions!
Deb
Magical express and fast pass+ ,are the only things I really miss
Scott
We never used the magical express for ourselves, but did use the service to check our bags at the hotel and have them transport to airport.
Fast pass was great because everyone was on the same level. The extra magic hours is what made it more attractive to stay at a Disney resort.
I would think if they saw a dip in merchandises they would bring back the package express.
Pauline
I have been coming to Disney for over 20 years and have always stayed on site. The things I miss are fast pass and extended hours in the evening. The thing I also miss is magical express, I haven’t been able to use it as we always had a hire car, but the last 2 times we visited my husband was unable to drive due to MS. This would have been a great help.
We are coming in September but this is probably our last trip from UK.
Joe
Missed of DAS pass, now expected to pay for the privilege of there incompetence at not having enough ride attraction’s capacity & dollar grabbing at every opportunity, eventually there will be a backlash & it will all free fall, & it might be to late by then.
Joe
Missed of DAS pass, now expected to pay for the privilege of there incompetence at not having enough ride attraction’s capacity & dollar grabbing at every opportunity, eventually there will be a backlash & it will all free fall, & it might be to late by then.
dan
You all need to get a life and quit complaining. If you don’t like it don’t go. Also this site is mostly fiction so get a clue.
Steve
We have every right to complain. Disney ceased to be great and forgot who it was. And if I don’t like what a business does, I just take it over myself, and make it great again. I look forward to ushering in the Make Disney Great Again era and taking Disney back to the 20th century where everything will be done by asking “What would Walt do?” again like Disney did for decades after his passing.
Aunt Polly
We’re still waiting. You’re gonna have a lot on your plate when you take over and therefore very little time to repeatedly comment here on this site, so I guess you’re nowhere near starting the takeover process with all this time on your hands.
Mookie
Time to get crackin’, civvie.
Liza
Boycott them. Don’t go and then they’ll reduce prices.
Marie
I just don’t go any more and haven’t since 2020. It was clear that in 2019 Disney was staring to go downhill, and after the plandemic, we just said forget it. It’s not Disney anymore. And we’ve been going litterally since Disney World opened, and had our resident passes from the day they first started resident passes.
Kathy
We miss the Magical Express, Fast Pass, bag service to hotel, and although not free, wish the would bring back Tables In Wonderland.
Mary
I have gone every year for 22 years until Covid. I also went there in 1973, guess that shows my age!! But the extras that they have taken away is unreal. I have no interest in going to the parks anymore, I don’t want to walk around staring at my phone and having to decide ahead what I am going to do. That isn’t a vacation, that is like work!! If you had never gone when all the free stuff was available, you have no idea what you are missing. It was wonderful. You can’t tell me they didn’t make money back then. I think you really made a lot of people think twice about vacationing there anymore. I know I am.
Mike
I 100 % AGREE with you I have been one such as you. That had the pleasure of those things in those days as well. It is really sad to know the simple things they did gave millions so much pleasure and fond memories. So I guess we have those to recall . It was a Wonderful time
Bonnie
I wish fast pass would com back! Now DAS has changed making so hard to achieve status it has us seniors definitely go less. This makes me sad & saves money by not going & eating there. But my 1st trip to WDW was in 1972, 15 yrs later again in EPCOT, have been AP since 2015 but it has gone from the top level to almost last level because of cost. I love Disney but not as much as I used to cause they are not being fair to seniors or disabled in the parks.
Sandy
Magical Express should return. I’d even be willing to pay a few dollars for it.
Magic bands. Really how much does Disney pay for them. The get them in bulk.
Debbie
I miss Free Photo Pass with Annual Pass, they are pricey enough without the extra charge. Hotel Pick up was great, especially during Food and Wine when I bought tons of merchandise. I don’t buy as much now, because I don’t want to carry it around. Fast Pass worked great for my husband who is handicapped (he has a leg brace), he can’t stand for long periods of time, I know I could spend the money for Genie, but like I said above, my Annual Pass is expensive enough. I know I am complaining, but they keep increasing prices and not giving anything back.
AH
Going there the week after thanksgiving. If half of what I have heard isctrue, it will be the last time. My wife has gone over 40 times and we have gone a dozen times since we have been married. The changes since 2008 when we went the first time are startling.
Carol J
Having been to DisneyWorld almost every year since it opened, I am so disappointed with the lack of “magic” that I have not been back since 2019. I now have no desire to return. I almost have owned Disney timeshare and now use it to other destinations. They may be making money by charging for these perks, but they are losing many guests.
watson john
My big problem with WDW is requiring everything to be done on a smart phone. I hate the dern things and refuse to glue one to my hand. I have no problem ordering food from a menu or paying with either cash or a credit card. There are rides I would like to try, but until they bring back fastpass I do not see how I can.
Corrine
I remember way back when you would purchase a ticket for the Magic Kingdom, they gave you a booklet of tickets where you had to choose between 3 rides/attractions in a particular area. We would decide as a family which one to do, and then continue through the booklet that way. There was no going on every ride and going to every attraction. We even had one particular time during one of our vacations when, I believe it was a couple, they were about to leave and wouldn’t be using anymore of their tickets, and so they gave their booklets to us. We had 4 young kids at the time. So When Disney changed it to where you could go on all rides and attractions and weren’t limited, that was amazing.
The next thing that we really loved was when Disney’s Magical Express came along. You arrive at the airport and head for the check-in, get on the bus and Disney took over. From the moment we stepped onto the bus, we stepped into a whole new feeling of what Disney was for us. Magical. I didn’t have to worry about having to get to our resort hotel. And when it was time to head back home we went from our resort, onto the bus, to the airport and to our gate.
That’s what I miss the most. Disney’s Magical Express. The 2nd thing I miss is the package pickup.
But I’ll tell you one thing. Be glad they never went back to paying for a ticket to get in and then being handed a booklet of tickets and having to choose between what THEY group together as your 3 options
Renee
And it will keep getting worse bc fans will keep paying these ridiculous prices! The only way it’ll change is if fans boycott Disney! (Which will never happen!) Fans stop spending money, Disney loses money & will make changes & give fans what they want! Just complaining isn’t enough!
Greg
I do get frustrated with this website and their stories. I clicked on the story expecting to see something new but basically everything listed as being removed was done a few years back, no new news here.
Richard
Magic Express is my main issue.
J
CMs mentioned that a big reason for removing Magical Express was because it wasn’t being used. Guests would reserve it and never show. It made it hard to staff when Disney couldn’t forecast appropriately.
Wheater
Death of a Dream
Disney was all about making the experience better until now.
We have been going to WDW since our children since they were in first grade. Our children are now in their 50’s.
We are also annual pass holders for many years. Some changes have been good and improved the experiences until now. Others have been very detrimental and killing Mr. Walt Disney’s dream: “A place where he and his girls could have a place they could have fun together'”
I am a disabled veteran and depended on the Fast Pass due to my PTSD and injuries that make it difficult to stand in one paced due to injuries during service. It helped me not to think of some of the military past. My wife always stands behind me to keep others from coming up on me.
I now have to consider not going to WDW at all.
Sad days are ahead unless there are changes at the top of Disney. STAY out of politics and attend to the business.
The Dream has died!
Wheater
Death of Walt Disneys’Dream
Disney was all about making the experience better until now.
We have been going to WDW since our children since they were in first grade. Our children are now in their 50’s.
We are also annual pass holders for many years. Some changes have been good and improved the experiences until now. Others have been very detrimental and killing Mr. Walt Disney’s dream: “A place where he and his girls could have a place they could have fun together'”
I am a disabled veteran and depended on the Fast Pass due to my PTSD and injuries that make it difficult to stand in one paced due to injuries during service. It helped me not to think of some of the military past. My wife always stands behind me to keep others from coming up on me.
I now have to consider not going to WDW at all.
Sad days are ahead unless there are changes at the top of Disney. STAY out of politics and attend to the business.
The Dream has died!
Comments are closed.