Credit: Lee (myfrozenlife), FlickrDisney World has long been celebrated as “The Most Magical Place on Earth,” but behind the pixie dust, cast members are speaking out about a growing problem: guest entitlement.
A recent Reddit thread in the Walt Disney World community has given long-tenured employees the chance to share how guest attitudes have shifted over the years, and their stories paint a picture of frustration, nostalgia, and resilience.
“Entitlement Is Off the Charts”
One of the most upvoted comments in the thread cut right to the heart of the issue:
“Guests are far more likely to believe that they are entitled to something that guests 15 years ago would have never expected.”
Other cast members quickly echoed that sentiment, describing how this sense of entitlement now directly affects their interactions with guests. As one user put it:
“The entitlement is off the charts. If you wonder why CMs are more ‘stand-off-ish’ these days, it’s due to that.”
The Disappearing Perks
Several cast members noted that the company itself has changed over the years, eliminating perks that once came standard with a Disney trip. This, they say, has left guests expecting more while getting less.
One user listed just a few things guests used to enjoy without extra costs:
“Magic Bands, Extra Magic Hours, daily housekeeping, item delivery from park to resorts, Disney Dollars, Magical Express, FastPass… all while the cost of living has risen, wages are laughable… and yeah… pretty shite situation the mouse has decided is best.”
Others agreed, pointing out how the disappearance of once-beloved services makes life harder for families.
“The loss of bringing items back to the room and Magical Express (especially how your luggage would ‘magically’ wind up in your room) is a major blow. Before I had kids, I loved these services. Now with kids, getting them from the airport to the hotel is horrible.”
Post-Pandemic Shift
Many cast members believe the pandemic made things worse. Guests are returning with higher expectations, fueled in part by influencer culture and curated online videos.
As one CM explained:
“In my opinion, it’s far worse post-pandemic. I think much of it is to do with influencer culture giving the average person unrealistic expectations of an absolutely perfect experience with zero minor inconveniences.”
Another added that those expectations often lead to misplaced frustration:
“People set themselves up for disappointment. They watch YouTube videos that are cut and condensed and expect to have a 100% perfect day… Flexibility is necessary, but a lot of guests just aren’t, and somehow that usually ends up being my fault.”
The Bigger Financial Picture
Beyond attitudes, some cast members tied entitlement to the financial pressures of a Disney vacation. With prices rising, families feel more urgency to squeeze every bit of value out of their trip.
“10–15 years ago people could afford to come to Disney far more often. Now your average family probably comes once every 5–7 years and spend a war chest to do so. Naturally that family is going to be pushy/entitled… since they have no idea when they’ll be able to do this again.”
Cast Members Feel the Pressure
The recurring theme throughout the thread is that the frustration of guests often lands squarely on cast members, who are expected to fix problems they have no control over.
One CM summed it up bluntly:
“This is so true and unfortunately the CMs have to take the brunt of the guests’ overall decline in experience. People might still be willing to pay but that doesn’t mean they have to be happy about it.”
Another chimed in with a darker bit of humor, recalling guests frustrated over lightsaber purchases:
“Former Gatherer here. ‘Well what do I do with my lightsaber now?! I don’t want to CARRY it all day!’ The correct answer is shove it up your entitled a**.”
The Growing Divide
While not every comment was negative—some noted small improvements like the return of daily housekeeping at deluxe resorts—the general consensus is clear: guests are more demanding, and Disney offers less.
It leaves cast members in a tough spot, balancing the magic with increasing levels of stress. Or, as one long-time CM put it:
“Guests/general people are so much ruder than before 2020. I’ve been in the business for 20+ years and there is a clear difference between prior to 2020 and after.”
While guests are shelling out more money and expecting flawless vacations, cast members are left navigating the fallout. It’s a tension that shows no sign of disappearing—and one that may ultimately shape the future of the Disney experience.