None of this is new. For all the “upgrades” that Disney has crammed down loyalists throats, it has become literally the worst experience. When we we kids and even into my adulthood, Disney was a very different experience. Now it is nothing more than a VERY expensive exercise in misery. We haven’t been in 2 years but the last time we went, not even at a high-season time, conditions were almost exactly as described here. No dining reservations, long lines, it was literally awful.
Good reply and I haven’t been to DW for over 25 years when they started going PC and adding Fast Track for $$$ instead of figuring out how to manage crowds better.
The last trip to DLand was 17 years ago and the price of everything, admissions etc violated the Walt Disney drive – to allow low paid workers the ability to enter the Park and have $$ to spend afterwards- this was pre-credit card eras!
My family recently visited WDW for one day this March after not going for 6 years.
My two kids are now 15 and 12. As we were leaving the park all four said the day thing. “That was nice but not coming back anytime soon” (as in another 6 years). Way too crowded for nothing new to experience. We live in FL, but can’t help but wonder what a drain it has to be for a family to come from half way across the country.
And yet, Disney continues to build high capacity hotels with no way to comfortably accommodate this higher level of room occupancy. It appears Disney’s need to suck as much cash as possible out of its parks is really reaching a breaking point. The number of rooms on site keeps growing but none of the parks are growing at a commiserate rate. End result, lots of guests spending large amounts of cash for a very diminished experience. I feel bad for folks going now, who have no idea how special the experience was in the past.
Totally agree we live in Fl now and the family would go mo they and we were DVC members at 2 resorts, we started seeing this mess coming and sold off both interest in both the properties, didnt renew our passes and stop visiting after 9 years. We now visit universal and frankly we like it better.
They use to expand parks and rides proportional to hotels. Now they just build hotels and DVC timeshares. DVC is a spiral bad for both Disney and owners. Disney must continue to build new DVC hotels, like a ponzy sceme against themselves; they must continue to show sales and growth to their bottom line. While DVC members continously have their points devalued over time, requiring buying more to keep taking the same vacation. From the beginning they slowly added more ropes. When was the last new park added? Is there any plan to expand capacity like a new park? For over 15 years they have focused on refurbishment and revising existing rides. Which also means no new park restaurants, only the ones at new hotels, which are few. Since 2019, their game has been raised prices to slow demand, charge for things that were free, and monetize new ways for things like vip seats. The only way things will get better, is a whole new park!
If you are disabled but not in a way accepted by DAS if you don’t buy the lightning passes you are going to have a really bad experience. I’m rethinking going to Disney all together in the future because if I don’t get into the park super early I risk it being at capacity if I go during peak times or if am not able to secure the lightning passes, I’m not going to get to do a lot and I don’t have the energy to stand in long lines. Sad but true.
I have flights booked to Orlando for a 5 day trip to Disney World. I’m 67 yo and I’m bring my 10 yo granddaughter with me. I’m getting very anxious about flying with ICE at the airports and now we might not get on any rides, shows, or restaurants. What do I do?
As long as you’re legal to be in this country you’ll be fine to get on your flight. Take carry ons if possible to skip bag drops. Download the Disney app now and try to book things.
Or also see if you can visit anytime another theme park. SeaWorld and universal I prefer over Disney tbh
No need to worry about ICE. They are there to help make things run smoother. Quite honestly unless your a wanted illegal you have nothing to worry about. Don’t believe the scare tactics. Go and have fun.
Corporate greed at its finest! Disney needs to limit number of admissions it sells to make sure people are not having this mediocre experience caused by triple digit wait times. Demand is all times high, therefore the supply should be better managed, instead of maximizing profit and letting guests down!
I think the majority of the problem lies with so much of the parks are closed (shut down rides/areas closed off, etc ) and Disney is still having the same attendance numbers as before. There is only so much space that the crowd can take up. It’s like you have a 100,000 seat stadium – sold out, then close off 1/4 of it. It is totally wrong to be doing all this work at the parks, at one time.
Today’s park hours tell the story. Animal Kingdom is the only park with an 8 am opening time. The other three parks open at 9 am. Some of the crowding could be alleviated with 8 am opening times. I remember 7 am park opening times during peak seasons in the past. Early birds could get in and clear out Fantasyland, Tomorrowland and high priority attractions in the other 3 parks which would make room for folks who arrived q little later. The early birds were likely to exit the parks by lunchtime. That kept midday crowds slightly lower. I believe those longer park hours lowered the Misery Index and made the experience so much more manageable for everyone. People weren’t all crammed together during a compressed time frame.
All n all we shouldnt even Call it Disney because Walt would be furious at what they have done with his Dream. This place is nothing more than a money grab and for what you pay it’s definitely not worth it I used to live in Florida and not far from “Disney world” I know that what was once a fun experience has turned out to be a major nightmare. My mom used to work for “Disney” also she loved working at the “Disney” store but hated working for ” Disney world” the place is not what it once was and never will be again. Once you go W0KE you eventually go broke. It’s such a shame what this place turned into. Maybe stop putting bars on every corner like a McDonald’s that might also help
We were there 2 weeks ago and are DVC members. My husband and I wondered how the parks are going to support the new 900 room hotel they are building at the old River Country. No new rides, many down for extended refurbishment. We decided next time we go we would spend more time at resort and traveling around and much less park time. Just not the same and with the added cost of LL not worth it.
We were there for Spring Break and we were able to do everything we wanted but the the best rides you will only ride once, twice if you are okay waiting 2 hours. For the price you pay Disney should be not be overbooking. They know they are well passed capacity of providing a magical experience and continue booking and selling tickets. You absolutely have to upgrade to have the lightning lane passes or you will probably get to ride 5 rides and spend the day just waiting in line. The cast memebers arent what they use to be either. I got ran over several times by them. No guest right of way just wherever they were headed was all that mattered. There use to be this genuine happiness that filled the parks but now its just a business to make as much money as possible. Some of the attractions really need an update too. Come on its a small world is creepy and old and they supposedly renovated it but they should have replaced it. Still looks old and dated and my kids hated it. Probably costs close to 10k and will also probably be the last time.
Universal florida has 5 rides at 5 minutes. Islands of adventure has 5 rides at 5 minutes & sea world orlando has 6 rides at 5 minutes. Thought I help with providing average wait times. Please look at other options like universal or Orlando Seaworld
Disney is no longer interested in the experience of the past, 15-20 years ago. When you could go and take a family of four and enjoy the parks without all the stress of reservations, fast passes and be affordable. All Disney is interested now is that Fast Cash. How many people can they get into a Hotel and stuffed into a park.
Disney has so much land but has not expanded any of the parks in size.
The days of going to Disney like in the old days 4-5 times a year are over it’s now like once every five years if that.
Comments for Families Turned Away as Disney World Systems Hit Terminal Capacity
JennB
None of this is new. For all the “upgrades” that Disney has crammed down loyalists throats, it has become literally the worst experience. When we we kids and even into my adulthood, Disney was a very different experience. Now it is nothing more than a VERY expensive exercise in misery. We haven’t been in 2 years but the last time we went, not even at a high-season time, conditions were almost exactly as described here. No dining reservations, long lines, it was literally awful.
Scott C.
Good reply and I haven’t been to DW for over 25 years when they started going PC and adding Fast Track for $$$ instead of figuring out how to manage crowds better.
The last trip to DLand was 17 years ago and the price of everything, admissions etc violated the Walt Disney drive – to allow low paid workers the ability to enter the Park and have $$ to spend afterwards- this was pre-credit card eras!
Josh
My family recently visited WDW for one day this March after not going for 6 years.
My two kids are now 15 and 12. As we were leaving the park all four said the day thing. “That was nice but not coming back anytime soon” (as in another 6 years). Way too crowded for nothing new to experience. We live in FL, but can’t help but wonder what a drain it has to be for a family to come from half way across the country.
Deb
And yet, Disney continues to build high capacity hotels with no way to comfortably accommodate this higher level of room occupancy. It appears Disney’s need to suck as much cash as possible out of its parks is really reaching a breaking point. The number of rooms on site keeps growing but none of the parks are growing at a commiserate rate. End result, lots of guests spending large amounts of cash for a very diminished experience. I feel bad for folks going now, who have no idea how special the experience was in the past.
Deb
Totally agree we live in Fl now and the family would go mo they and we were DVC members at 2 resorts, we started seeing this mess coming and sold off both interest in both the properties, didnt renew our passes and stop visiting after 9 years. We now visit universal and frankly we like it better.
Former Guest
They use to expand parks and rides proportional to hotels. Now they just build hotels and DVC timeshares. DVC is a spiral bad for both Disney and owners. Disney must continue to build new DVC hotels, like a ponzy sceme against themselves; they must continue to show sales and growth to their bottom line. While DVC members continously have their points devalued over time, requiring buying more to keep taking the same vacation. From the beginning they slowly added more ropes. When was the last new park added? Is there any plan to expand capacity like a new park? For over 15 years they have focused on refurbishment and revising existing rides. Which also means no new park restaurants, only the ones at new hotels, which are few. Since 2019, their game has been raised prices to slow demand, charge for things that were free, and monetize new ways for things like vip seats. The only way things will get better, is a whole new park!
JJ
If you are disabled but not in a way accepted by DAS if you don’t buy the lightning passes you are going to have a really bad experience. I’m rethinking going to Disney all together in the future because if I don’t get into the park super early I risk it being at capacity if I go during peak times or if am not able to secure the lightning passes, I’m not going to get to do a lot and I don’t have the energy to stand in long lines. Sad but true.
Julia
I have flights booked to Orlando for a 5 day trip to Disney World. I’m 67 yo and I’m bring my 10 yo granddaughter with me. I’m getting very anxious about flying with ICE at the airports and now we might not get on any rides, shows, or restaurants. What do I do?
Kris
As long as you’re legal to be in this country you’ll be fine to get on your flight. Take carry ons if possible to skip bag drops. Download the Disney app now and try to book things.
Or also see if you can visit anytime another theme park. SeaWorld and universal I prefer over Disney tbh
Cat
Ice isn’t going to bother you. They are doing the walk around instead of TSA. They moved those agents to gates.
Lari
Lightning passes are your best friend. Also make your dining reservations as soon as possible.
Betty
No need to worry about ICE. They are there to help make things run smoother. Quite honestly unless your a wanted illegal you have nothing to worry about. Don’t believe the scare tactics. Go and have fun.
Chris
Don’t listen to these idiots. It is expensive, but you’ll be fine.
Suzie
Corporate greed at its finest! Disney needs to limit number of admissions it sells to make sure people are not having this mediocre experience caused by triple digit wait times. Demand is all times high, therefore the supply should be better managed, instead of maximizing profit and letting guests down!
Cat
Ice isn’t going to bother you. They are doing the walk around instead of TSA. They moved those agents to gates.
Cat
Next week starts many Northerners spring break. So glad I don’t have to go anymore when schools not in session
D
I think the majority of the problem lies with so much of the parks are closed (shut down rides/areas closed off, etc ) and Disney is still having the same attendance numbers as before. There is only so much space that the crowd can take up. It’s like you have a 100,000 seat stadium – sold out, then close off 1/4 of it. It is totally wrong to be doing all this work at the parks, at one time.
Scoop
Today’s park hours tell the story. Animal Kingdom is the only park with an 8 am opening time. The other three parks open at 9 am. Some of the crowding could be alleviated with 8 am opening times. I remember 7 am park opening times during peak seasons in the past. Early birds could get in and clear out Fantasyland, Tomorrowland and high priority attractions in the other 3 parks which would make room for folks who arrived q little later. The early birds were likely to exit the parks by lunchtime. That kept midday crowds slightly lower. I believe those longer park hours lowered the Misery Index and made the experience so much more manageable for everyone. People weren’t all crammed together during a compressed time frame.
James
All n all we shouldnt even Call it Disney because Walt would be furious at what they have done with his Dream. This place is nothing more than a money grab and for what you pay it’s definitely not worth it I used to live in Florida and not far from “Disney world” I know that what was once a fun experience has turned out to be a major nightmare. My mom used to work for “Disney” also she loved working at the “Disney” store but hated working for ” Disney world” the place is not what it once was and never will be again. Once you go W0KE you eventually go broke. It’s such a shame what this place turned into. Maybe stop putting bars on every corner like a McDonald’s that might also help
Joni Keane
What happens if you have a reservation and they shut off admission? I assume you get a refund???
Betty
We were there 2 weeks ago and are DVC members. My husband and I wondered how the parks are going to support the new 900 room hotel they are building at the old River Country. No new rides, many down for extended refurbishment. We decided next time we go we would spend more time at resort and traveling around and much less park time. Just not the same and with the added cost of LL not worth it.
ZH
Families still go to Disneyworld?
Acoop
We were there for Spring Break and we were able to do everything we wanted but the the best rides you will only ride once, twice if you are okay waiting 2 hours. For the price you pay Disney should be not be overbooking. They know they are well passed capacity of providing a magical experience and continue booking and selling tickets. You absolutely have to upgrade to have the lightning lane passes or you will probably get to ride 5 rides and spend the day just waiting in line. The cast memebers arent what they use to be either. I got ran over several times by them. No guest right of way just wherever they were headed was all that mattered. There use to be this genuine happiness that filled the parks but now its just a business to make as much money as possible. Some of the attractions really need an update too. Come on its a small world is creepy and old and they supposedly renovated it but they should have replaced it. Still looks old and dated and my kids hated it. Probably costs close to 10k and will also probably be the last time.
Benjamin Collins
Universal florida has 5 rides at 5 minutes. Islands of adventure has 5 rides at 5 minutes & sea world orlando has 6 rides at 5 minutes. Thought I help with providing average wait times. Please look at other options like universal or Orlando Seaworld
Don
Disney is no longer interested in the experience of the past, 15-20 years ago. When you could go and take a family of four and enjoy the parks without all the stress of reservations, fast passes and be affordable. All Disney is interested now is that Fast Cash. How many people can they get into a Hotel and stuffed into a park.
Disney has so much land but has not expanded any of the parks in size.
The days of going to Disney like in the old days 4-5 times a year are over it’s now like once every five years if that.