Top 15 Things Guests Want to See Changed at Walt Disney World | 10/22/19

[@aLife2Dai4]

4:31 #15 - Open a 5th “gate” aka a new theme park vs fixing the existing parks. 8:19 #14 - Start listening to your fans 14:49 #13 - Consistency in service at the resorts 18:42 #12 - Special holiday parties are too crowders 24:08 #11 - Replacing photo pass cast members w robotic photo boxes 26:25 #10 - WDW needs new monorails and complains about other forms of transportation 29:55 #9 - Bring back free entertainment vs cutting the back 34:58 #8 - Bring back late extra magic hours vs now charging for it 40:24 #7 - Cleanliness has deteriorated 44:15 #6 - Crowd management has to improve; specially at fireworks and leaving the park 47:40 #5 - Adjustments need to be made to MyDisneyExperience and FastPass+ (ps- i do love this app! 💯 so meet the first person Pete 🤣😜) 51:43 #4 people drinking too much at Epcot 56:00 #3 - Spot the nickel and dime for Everything aka resort parking fee 59:10 #2 - Pay full time cast members what they deserve 1:02:17 #1 - Level of service from cast members needs to improve Hope this helps! I agree w some not all of these but I’m happy that there will be a positive side of what we love at Disney coming too 🥰

[@DISUnlimited]

Thank you for doing this! Some of the times will be off a bit after the video goes through its edit and the first minute of black is removed, but based on past comments I know this is something that people definitely want :)

[@ColonelCarnage]

Getting drunk at Epcot is something I’ve done multiple times before

[@aLife2Dai4]

DIS Unplugged glad i can help! I do find these helpful which is why i did it! 🤗 great video and here is hoping for some positive changes! 🙌🏻

[@cathysherman4108]

Drinking around the world is a big problem

[@rogelioavila5810]

aLife2Dai4 pl

[@trucean]

Episode was amazing! 100% agree with this list. Especially the machines replacing photographers. In the past year I got to witness the most adorable display with Snow White try to get a shy little boy to come play with her, he wouldn't move, so she did. The photographer followed and now his parents have that precious moment forever, something a stationary machine could never capture!

[@fishlawyer1]

I really have a problem with ticket prices and AP prices going up during times when parks are under construction and portions are inaccessible

[@repunzeled5648]

I think mystery shoppers or undercover guests and focus groups is a great way to help also. They have those people stop you to take the surveys but it’s not the same. There was a program on TV called Undercover Boss. Amazing things the management found wrong and also good things too.

[@YannLL]

I posted earlier but now that I've seen the whole episode: that was one of the best and most interesting episodes ever. Well done guys!

[@annettestasi5582]

I miss extra evening hours. I remember going to dinner at 7:00 and still having the whole night to enjoy the park. Now you have to eat dinner too early or too late is you want to go into the parks in the evening.

[@keshiakeshia7944]

Annette Stasi agreed extra magic evening hours is what I miss the most! I remember going to MK and staying until 3am. They don’t even offer that kind of extension during hard ticket events.

[@Tundra1980A]

More of these discussions please

[@lindseyhiltz8734]

#11 I completely agree!! My last trip, I was at animal kingdom and saw goofy meeting with people. He spotted a little boy, not older than 4, walking with crutches, and ran over to walk next to him and say hi. The photographer followed him and started taking pictures of goofy and the little boy walking. It’s things like that that make Disney so magical! A photo box can’t create those magical moments!!

[@AMagicProduction]

34:10 YES! When I was a kid I remember Magic Kingdom use to close at 11 almost every night. Now I see the most popular theme park on Earth close at 9pm and that’s just so weak

[@candacebosse]

Booking dining 6 months ahead and fast passes 2 months ahead puts added stress on a vacation.....not to mention the stress of the cost. I went to Disneyland in Anaheim this past year and LOVED maxpass.....and not having to schedule my supper 6 months ahead was really nice.

[@margaretd3710]

This is the best episode ever!! Pete, send a copy of this video to each executive! They need to see this.

[@wdwdavid2246]

Great show! While I understand the 5th gate idea ... I fear Disney would just build more hotels and cram another 100,000 people onto the property. What am I missing?

[@iKnowAguy4]

Thank you Pete and Everyone for ALWAYS talking about your real life Experiences and NEVER holding back, or catering your options and input to make people or Disney feel good. This is why you are 1 of 2-3 of THE ONLY channels and info. I EVER Share w my friends, family, and clients. And THIS is why I am SO VERY Excited to be apart of your World after Feb. 😉😬🏰

[@kateg3815]

This was an excellent list everyone! There is one thing I would add... if you are going to raise the price on merchandise, make sure the quality also improves. The price of ears keeps increasing and the quality is going way down hill.

[@SGAnascar]

I agree with the Social media being a big influence. I don't think that I would have gone twice in the last four years because of finances if I hadn't started watching The TimTracker, The DIS, HappisetVlogsonEarth, and PammiePlusParks. I wouldn't have even thought to go if not for these KZbinrs.

[@nicolemclaughlin7663]

I could not agree more about the photo pass photographers. I have some absolutely amazing pictures when my son met Mickey for the first time in 2016 when he was 9 months old; my favorite is just mickeys glove reaching towards my son like he’s going to tickle his tummy and my son had the biggest brightest smile on his face. Fast forward to our trip this past August when my son and daughter met tinker bell and that stupid box didn’t get ONE good photo, I don’t even have one where all three are looking in the same direction. So glad I spent the extra money 🙄

[@repunzeled5648]

Nicole McLaughlin There is a petition that over 94,000 people have signed ‪The Walt Disney Company: Keep the Disney Photopass Photographers - Sign the Petition! chng.it/wYy7v4yx via ‬

[@nicolemclaughlin7663]

Expedia Reviewer just signed. Thanks! 👍

[@lindadoesvancouver]

I agree with Ryno, I said this last week. Restaurants in parks especially, should be first come, first serve. Only the character buffets and signature restaurants in the parks should require reservations. For example I love Mama Melrose but not enough to decide 6 months in advance when I want to eat there.

[@randylevin7120]

Pete, Disney should hire you as a consultant, you’d be perfect!!!

[@carriec.9834]

If Pete was a billionaire, he could be activist board member otherwise not sure how much gets through. This current crop of executives is about earnings, acquisitions, movies/merchandise and building the multi media empire.

[@loserface5000]

I love this group of people

[@bkstarkey]

They let the monorails rot for the last 15 years. They are 10 past expected life. They focused on too many hotels and left items to go down hill.

[@carriec.9834]

I agree. My memories was the Disney monorail literally being part of the magic. I’m still disappointed Disney didn’t invest in expanding monorail service but instead put up these “dangling” sky trams. As if they’re Holiday World midwest Usa. Walt Disney would definitely be disappointed the monorails have been so relegated at WDW.

[@stephaniekyle6969]

I love the part at the end about the young boy that wants to wear princess dresses. My son Ryan has proudly worn his Elsa dress on two trips and was Moana at the Halloween party two years ago. Ryan is now 5 and on his 4th Elsa dress but seems to have taken a detour for Elpheba from Wicked. She is his latest favorite musical character. The Disney character give him lots of extra attention when he marches around in his Elsa gear!

[@julietallen1111]

Great show! I was supposed to cook dinner an hour ago and I'm sitting here glued to KZbin!

[@craigj6865]

I'd like to see some change in the rules for parking at resorts. For example, I just recently stayed 5 nights at Fort Wilderness Cabins and then switched resorts and am now in the middle of a 5 night stay at Destino Tower at Coronado Springs. All I wanted to do was drive my car over to Art of Animation and spend about $90 at the Ink & Paint shop. The guard told me they were not allowing any parking besides people staying at the resort unless I had a restaurant reservation. I drove away thinking, that place has a food court and no reservations are required. I know they don't want to have people parking at AOA and then taking the Skyliner to one of the parks and basically parking for free for the day. Most rules are made for the small percentage of people that take advantage or cheat the system. It's a shame that they couldn't give me a 15 minute or 30 minute pass to go spend what I feel is a significant amount of money (without having to spend the additional money to take a Minnie van from my resort to another resort or to take two buses over and 2 back since buses don't tend to run between resort hotels). Probably doesn't sound like that major of a deal to those who have annual passes or who are locals, but as someone who is blessed to be able to come once a year to WDW, I use the shopping function on My Disney Experience and plan out where I'm going to have to go to get certain collectibles, attire or other souvenirs. This year the plan was Momento Mori in the Magic Kingdom for some Haunted Mansion items, World of Disney for some household items and Ink & Paint (being one of the few places that sells the Skyliner mug and Skyliner replica vehicles.) Maybe the merchandise will eventually show up on ShopDisney.com - I have my doubts.

[@earlwatt7677]

Another option would have been to take the bus or the Skyliner to AOA.

[@craigj6865]

@@earlwatt7677 Right, but it would actually be 2 buses to AOA and 2 buses back since the buses don't run directly from resort hotel to resort hotel. You'd have to take a bus to one of the parks or to Disney Springs and then transfer to a bus going to AOA. Or, to your second point, you would have to take a bus (or drive) to Hollywood Studios and then take the Skyliner to AOA with a transfer at Caribbean Beach. In either case, it just seemed like a lot of travel just to spend some money on collectibles when it seems like it would be easier to get a 30 minute pass and drive over to AOA and park there for a short period. Anyway, I didn't want to sound like I was complaining. I just think Disney should make easier for people who want to spend money.

[@earlwatt7677]

@@craigj6865 True. It's a pain. Just looking at options to get there. When we travel to Disney, we fly in and only use Disney transportation until we sneak over to Universal and use Mears to get us there and back.

[@MissLauraSquared]

Craig J Agreed!

[@carriec.9834]

Craig J you’re the type of customer/fan Disney needs to be valuing.

[@Zolfka1]

5th gate should be a disneysea. I want that so badly. It would work with the synergy they want from cruise line possibly. And I think it looks like a gorgeous park

[@XXmojoXXjojo]

Look at the views on this video compared to others , this is clearly a emotive subject that needed to be spoken about thank you the dis team for using your platform for good !!!

[@sfdave65]

The #2 point goes beyond disney. It's a whole retail/service industry idea that because you work in that field, you are less than someone who works at a desk. We as a society have to got to change our perception of this, or it will always be the same and nothing will change. Until the people who are experiencing it demand it (not the workers), nothing will change.

[@rickpalermo7886]

Bernie Sanders is one of the few people with any power who is fighting for these workers.

[@coreyhopkins1661]

I completely agree with Craig regarding the Halloween Party. We had an excellent experience at the party on Columbus Day. We knew we weren’t going to get to everything, but we made sure to do the things we felt were the most important. This was our first party and I certainly would go again.

[@TheJingle7147]

I have an observation about the pay of Disney Castmembers. They are paid terribly because they are "less than". Why can't the suits take a pay cut? As a nurse, perhaps I'm underpaid, but let me tell you, I would agree to a pay cut by a couple dollars an hour if it bumped the pay of my CNAs/nurse techs. They bust their butts and deserve waaaaay more than what they get. They are our front line. They deserve the best. Same with our housekeeping staff. How much money do you really need, Chapek/Iger?

[@earlwatt7677]

The thing is, those executives are sought as well. If Disney isn't paying market price, they will go somewhere else, and Disney would get second-tier talent. Same for Castmembers. If they have other options in Orlando, they will take it. Disney will have to pay market prices, possibly slightly higher, to get good talent. But taking from one to give to another only drives talent from both to other employers.

[@TheJingle7147]

@@earlwatt7677 I understand what you're saying. So, where does Disney come up with the money to pay castmembers a liveable wage, have an appropriate number of castmembers, AND not price the guest out? I'm asking sincerely, business is not my area of expertise.

[@earlwatt7677]

@@TheJingle7147 Disney is a bit of a victim of its own success. People want to work for Disney. For example, when I was a teenager, everyone wanted to work at the theater in town, and fewer wanted to work at fast food. But fast food paid 35 cents an hour more, and the theater paid minimum wage because people wanted to work there no matter what the pay was. Several Cast members aren't looking to climb the corporate ladder at Disney (some are, for sure) moreso than having the resume of having worked for Disney. They have a long line of college students seeking internships from across the nation, and they don't have to pay them well. So, Disney is able to pay cast members less and still have several waiting in the wings for the jobs. This hurts those who may actually want to make a career out of it. The law of supply and demand applies. As long as there is a steady supply of Cast members at the rate Disney is paying, they have no reason to change. It's no different than a meat packing factory who hires immigrant workers. They should be paid much more for the hard work they do, but there is a line of immigrants ready to take the jobs, so the company can get by with paying as little as they have to pay as long as all the spots are filled. The solution is competition, but that requires a comparable theme park or competing business.

[@benharper6028]

We need more people like Bernie Sanders. He's one of the few people in power with the guts to call out the insane pay gap between the average worker and the few at the top. Disney is the poster child of this problem.

[@earlwatt7677]

@@benharper6028 I'd be glad to discuss your opinion on politics but not on this forum that is many people's escape from it. Feel free to reach out to my profile and we can discuss in a more appropriate setting.

[@dlfendel2844]

Ships have to be constantly repainted due to protection from salt-water/air corrosion. As for Steve's VERY good point re. keeping a lid on trash, this is what is known in urban circles as the "broken windows" concept--that leaving properties unpainted and windows broken encouraged others to treat them shabbily. It is a proven fact of human behavior in crowded areas.

[@melissaslater5943]

Totally agree with #3 - just add $5 a night across the board and get rid of the parking fee. They are penalizing those of us who have to drive. I live two hours away - I'm not going to fly from Jax to Orlando! But even though I live within easy driving distance I do stay on site at a Disney resort - I rarely drive down just for the day.

[@cellphonekid2]

Haha, Kevin! "I don't dangle." A truly great discussion today.

[@acatismansbestfriend5719]

YES!!! I come to Disney 4 or 5 times a year from out of state and we decide 1 month or less in advance to travel. I have almost switched entirely from WDW to DL because I cannot find a place to eat or a ride to ride anymore in Florida.

[@bodyloverz30]

They don't want you to stay; the big management termination day I witnessed, they lost so many people, including many from Disney University. Disney does not want to pay benefits and by 2012 the CEO stated in an earnings call, that the "college program was vital for Disney's Parks profitability. How is this even possible: well it is due to Disney paying substandard wages, while getting back most of their meager wages in rent. WDW is basically like an old "company town" where you never get ahead and are thrown out when your worth more or compleaty drained out.

[@multidayticket]

The Tokyo Disney Resort Line (the Tokyo Disney Resort monorail) is a fully owned subsidiary of The Oriental Land Company who owns the resort. The line and all stations are on their private property. There is no support or ownership by the government. They are building new monorails because they have high standards for maintenance and operations.

[@scottbarretto5539]

I took my first ever trip to wdw in 2016 and my favorite memory is dancing down an empty main street at 1am with friends, it was a moment that solidified this was going to become a yearly thing. Now, I’m an annual pass holder who will not be renewing next year unless there are some serious changes. Things I enjoyed even just 3 years ago are now behind a paywall. It’s sad

[@outabout1961]

AGEEED!!! About the photo pass people! We had a photographer in the France pavilion that took pictures of our 3 teens that rival their Senior pictures (or even our wedding pics!!). The time spent during those shots will be remembered forever.......can't get that from a robotic box!

[@bodyloverz30]

Lets get real: when I left Disney in 2012, the year they fired the Hawaiians & the valets at Polynesian, I knew that the traditional Disney experience was dead.

[@darthepirate3033]

George B I stayed at the Polly once years ago and thought it was amazing, went back the next year just to eat quick service and the entire atmosphere had changed for the worse. I can’t remember what year it was but that was definitely the year Disney service started sliding across the board.

[@brainysmurf74]

Could u explain, what do you mean “ fired the Hawaiians” many dont know what that means

[@bodyloverz30]

@@brainysmurf74 There were Hawaiian singers and musicians who performed in the lobby and were a key fixture for presenting the culture to the Islands. They along with all the valets were let go (the valets now work for a private, no benefits company) and the others often had more than 20 years with the company.

[@bodyloverz30]

@@darthepirate3033 Plus it was really sad to see them remove the lobby fountain, which had been their since the opening.

[@carriec.9834]

George B that affected the whole atmosphere at the Polly but again it was probably a cost/service savings like everything else except..compensation for top executives. Disney has been chiseling guests for years but as long as they could “bring the magic” it was tolerated. Like Pete said, there’s a tipping point to their approach. Disney has always been a business of course, but Walt Disney was about more than quarterly earnings calls.

[@locutusnj]

I for one.. And I know I'm not the only one.. Wouldn't be ok paying more. We already pay a premium to stay there and the prices for tickets are way above what most can afford. Me my wife and two kids already pay almost six hundred a day for entrance to a party and food. That is ridiculous.

[@sweetchilit]

Totally agree about park maintenance. I went in March of this year and was shocked at how dirty and rundown areas of the parks were compared to my last trip in 2005. The guest services had also declined since my last trip. I heard a number of cast members saying disparaging things, cursing, etc., a situation I never witnessed on any prior trip. And I know 2005 wasn't a fluke since I went annually in the 2000s before my 14 year break.

[@dee_mcgee11]

Thank you so much for this episode. This was one of the best discussions. I only hope someone in the Disney executive offices is listening.

[@suechun8871]

I agree later extra magic hours until 2 am

[@suechun8871]

Mono rails are the heart of Disney USA

[@carriec.9834]

At least midnight

[@bodyloverz30]

You all should do a road trip and try the Hershey Park & Hotel Hershey ; as well as the Cedar Point Park & Hotel Breakers.

[@MC-mi2sh]

Yes it would be great to see how other parks and resorts measure up!!!

[@MissLauraSquared]

Love Cedar Point and the Hershey Park! They’re both great!

[@charlesnye6193]

Yes, they should absolutely do a Cedar Point (America's roller coast!) trip and video! Brilliant idea! Pete, send Steve & Fiasco!

[@redsenay]

Why does it cost more but you get less? The execs gotta get their extra billion dollar cut of the pie.

[@fredturner7079]

"I don't dangle" !!!!

[@Juslovdisney]

Amen collecting data was the exact reason for magic bands and my Disney experience and it sucks

[@franklinmimi]

I think Magic Bands are important . From my personal experience it became far to easy to use it for making purchases. You get caught up in the excitement and neglect to see how quickly these add up ,then comes the total bill when you check out ! I have to believe Disney realizes the "Benefits of the convenience of the Magic Band. If at sometime I go back , I will not be using my Magic Band for my purchases.

[@lindseymarie9004]

I love Disney Experience and Fast Pass Plus! I went in March 2019 and we rode every ride that we wanted to, and was able to alter reservations and make new fast passes on the spot. We rode/saw 9-16 rides/shows (may I add , WITH old/slow moving people) at each park not rushed. AT ALL. I think my Disney Experience is a great way to plan!

[@daniellachichi9871]

AMEN to this. Pete as always the voice of Disney reason. I really enjoy episodes where Kevin and John are present. Especially kevin always bringing up good past points and views others often forget. All of you are gems. Thank you.

[@daniellachichi9871]

P.S. it is so sad that EXTRA MAGIC at night is non existent - others don't remember but the parks used to be open super late 1am 2am?...and were not SPECIAL ticketed events (cash grab). Those were the best times my bro and I would ride everything and frolic in am empty park. ALL NICKEL AND DIME us now. I feel for the family that tries to just show up at the parks thinking they will do anything significant. If you don't plan you really suffer. The streetmosphere actors in DHS will be missed the most. I have the best memories of seeing that police officer actor giving people tickets for a banana peel he found in the middle of sunset and it was hilarious as a kid. I always stopped to watch their bits (unless I had a fastpass rez). I just don't see the Disney difference with that missing now...

[@mynineridesshotgun]

Great episode. It felt similar to the episodes that Dustin used to host covering different lists. Enjoyed it.

[@ALXM1]

Great show as always. I’ve been coming over from Europe to WDW every year for the past 3-4 years with my family. Most 10days+ stays on property each time so you can imagine the spend is relatively high. I have ‘influenced’ many friends to go to WDW being a hardcore fan of Disney and parks over the years. This year I stopped doing it with the same passion simply because as you said, I don’t feel the offer is worth it until improvements (especially a new gate) are made or executives start listening. I can imagine people like you which have been going for years or your entire life feel that to a much higher degree. Don’t get me wrong though, you still get much more for your money at WDW vs the money grabbing DLP we have in Europe so it could be worse :)

[@naosnejeblvw2033]

Thank you for this video. It is not only a video about Disney parks. It is a lesson of business management. It makes me think about the profit x customer experience balance. One of the best episodes ever. I hope other blogs and podcasts join you to push for better services in the parks.

[@carlettemsstanley600]

My positive would be the cast members. I have had so many magic experiences because a cast member took a minute to do something beyond their job description. Also the friendliness of the cast members dealing with cranky people all day and still smiling!. The cast members to me make the whole experience!

[@vedekbarb]

When Magic Kingdom was open till 3 am for Extra Magic Hours, it wasn't every night and there were not morning EMH at MK the next morning. The exception may have been the week between Christmas and New Years when crowds were obscene. So, yes, for that week, park turnover took a bit of doing when night EMH went till 3 am, morning EMH was at 7 am and MK was open to day guests at 8 instead of 9.

[@keshiakeshia7944]

vedekbarb missing those days!

[@nicolefernandez96]

vedekbarb I agree. We usually stay the last week of the year at the cabins. We like to just hang out during the day have dinner and take the boat to MK and just hang out till two in the morning. We would have so much fun.

[@birgitb.]

We went to WDW at eastern with our kids (12+15). It was their first visit and our fourth (last visit was altough in 2002). It was a really great trip and I would love to come back soon (but it is so expensive we have to wait a little bit). The best experienes we had with the cast members especially when we started pin trading. This was so much fun - we loved it. My favorite list is: pin trading, cast members and of course the rides. Of course there is so much more (food, theming, hotels). But I think these are my three best things 😊 Best wishes from Germany 🖐 Birgit

[@MaxJL76]

All spot on! Great discussion with a lot of great feedback and suggestions I hope Disney has a brain and listens to all these criticisms.

[@carriec.9834]

They have a mind for money. It’s business ppl, enormously wealthy (not that there’s anything wrong w that as long as they maintain the magic) as opposed to Imagineers. Walt Disney remained an Imagineer at heart.

[@shaun3423]

I chuckle every time Pete mentions the show sponsors at the beginning. The show Pete hosts brought to you by companies Pete owns. I find it funny.

[@julieoisawesome]

Was there for 8 days last week. The night show at MK was so packed, that standing space in-front-of and behind the castle was overwhelmed over an hour before the night show so we simply watched the fireworks from Tangled bathroom area but watched several families just look devastated that they couldn't see the show. My heart broke for the folks that weren't able to catch the show. The bathrooms were flipping nasty all week. The only clean ones were in Animal Kingdom on a Tuesday. Then, a man who was speeding extremely fast on his scooter ran into an eight year old and knocked a child on the ground and didn't stop or apologize. There were too many people in the park. People were turning into animals.

[@BCWoodworks1]

Very much enjoyed this weeks episode, I like the change of format.

[@graycat10001]

Omg, yes! I’ve absolutely thought about working at Disney as a front line cast member when I retire. I’m years away from retirement, but I’ve always thought that would be a fun job to have after corporate.

[@Nut899]

If anyone watching feels strongly about these points, please bring it up to someone at Disney next time you visit. Even if you visit once every 3 years.

[@georgeshrout2188]

How, I don't think they listen to anyone but the Stockholders!

[@Nut899]

George Shrout whether they act upon our complaints or not depends on the existence of a considerable amount of complaints, not a lack of them

[@annmarieparker7045]

That’s so true rhino. I am up at midnight 69 days prior making sure I get fast passes and dining rezzies. By 12:05am it’s hard to find anything left!

[@floridafamilyfun1597]

I hate how I keep telling first timers how wonderful Disney is (or used to be back when I first started going) and today's Disney not meeting those old standards. Not long ago, I helped a friend plan her family first trip. She spent almost $10,000 that she saved for three years! The whole time she was there, I got texts of pictures of dirty bathrooms, chipped paint, and ridiculously long lines. She waited an hour at Pirates and when she got to the front of the line, there was only one cast member loading the boats and half the boats were going empty. She encountered unhelpful and even rude Cast Members when I had told her that Disney treats the guests like royalty. She says she will never return and she is telling everyone she knows to cancel their trips! Frankly, I don't blame her. We chose not to renew our Annual Passes last year and instead purchased passes to Universal for all of those same reasons. It makes me so sad because I know how Disney used to be!

[@JTC-go3kg]

Magic kingdom was open to 10 or 12 I’ve been coming since I was 7 yrs old I’m 44 .. I remember it was just the magic kingdom .. I’m glad they are revamping .. the disney pride needs to be reinstated.. you never saw paper on the floor .. always sweeping and vacuuming

[@garyruotolo]

would love a fifth gate of tragic kingdom or previously closed rides, but the cost to build a whole new park is much more than to add to existing parks (until there is no more room to add)

[@Ashleew]

I love my Disney experience and the magic bands. But I didn’t go as an adult before they had them. But I do 100% agree they should reserve 25% of restaurants for walk ups. And allow people to cancel their reservations just a few hours before instead of the day before.

[@defhermit]

I love that you're kvetching about the neighbor mowing her lawn!

[@KingOMiami]

FANTASTIC episode folks!!! So many of these items listed are things I have thought about the last few years on our trips up to WDW.

[@repboy1]

The ferry sinking made me laugh out loud .Titanic 2

[@TripNWithRed]

I love the honesty of your channel. No jabs or drama. Just real issues and concerns. I have noticed a few things lately that seemed out of character for Disney. The Not So Scary party was super crowded the other night and wait times were really long for a special ticketed event. My son commented on how drunk people were at Epcot. The fees have skyrocketed for everything. Change is good but not when quality suffers.

[@swampsagacity4685]

GREAT SHOW, GUYS! Thanks for taking & reporting on your survey.

[@lynnbenoit8200]

I got a semester's worth of credits at my college for doing the college program. But of course I had to pay tuition. The program was a great experience, I loved every moment of it. I had been coming to Disney from the early days and I am still going to Disney now. Still a fan.

[@PDawg]

If you know how to work the system to its fullest potential, Fastpass+ is a great system. I’ve been able to ride every ride in Magic Kingdom within the span of one day using the system almost exclusively. The problem is, while it works for me, the average guest is not going to be constantly refreshing and running all over the park to get to whatever fastpass they received. Ultimately, the system works amazingly for me, but I recognize that I am in the small minority as I take getting fastpasses to the extreme to optimize my time at WDW. The few times I’ve gone and taken it easy, it is much more difficult to get on rides.

[@ginafriebel2568]

We have to leave epcot before night time now. Last time we were there with my kids and a drunk group of adults tripped and fell on to my daughter. It was terrible. So sad

[@tracyb4891]

This was one of the best show ideas!! Great job

[@cellphonekid2]

John is so quick with that Willy Wonka reference!

[@brightnshiny5541]

Great episode! Thanks John, for the laugh with the “fizzy lifting drink” comment. Love you guys!

[@abbiejoliec3133]

I want the next Disney CEO to be paid less so that the cast members can be paid more.

[@WickstarRunner]

Every million dollars you take from the CEO gives each CM $33 per year.......wouldnt make any difference

[@abbiejoliec3133]

WickstarRunner There’s $100 each for them right there at least.

[@margaretd3710]

Great idea! Iger currently makes $65.6 million/year. How about he donates $25 million to cast member's paychecks? He'd still make $40 Million, which isn't chump change, and that money would make a real difference in the lives of the cast members. Or, Disney could just settle for making less of a bottom line and pay their employees a living wage.

[@rickpalermo7886]

@@WickstarRunner Defending the status quo... how noble.

[@benharper6028]

@@margaretd3710 Bob Iger makes well over 1,000 times more than the average Disney employee. We need more people like Bernie Sanders on the side of workers earning a living wage

[@gloriadorau4585]

Totally agree what was said. We no longer go every year (sometimes twice a year), currently MIGHT go next year before 50th which will be 3 years. It's not the same. I miss all the little side shows, we would spend a day just to watch them. Great show, thank you for all your hard work.

[@davidmay1225]

My family has switched from days in the park to Disney cruises just because the service is so much better on the boats.

[@MoKXGu1]

We go to Disneyland once a year and Disneyworld once a year . Disneyland has a friendlier feel , which is based on the attitude of their employees . They're more cheerful and more helpful . And the guests are far more polite and friendly .

[@mattjbg7025]

It is a bad sign for Disney's brand when these people are pulling the fire alarm. Keep the flame alive.

[@ZebraLens]

College Program interns do have the option for college credit, when I was an intern, I was given the option to take some Disney University classes which would count towards college credit.

[@dlfendel2844]

BTW, perhaps the old psychiatrist joke should be applied to Disney management: "How many shrinks does it take to change a lightbulb?" Answer: " Only one, but the bulb has to want to change." :)

[@bkstarkey]

Hard ticketed events are, quite honestly, cash grabs.

[@citylvr1]

It is also creating a two class system in the parks. Guests pay a lot of money and are subjected to large crowds and long waits in line. But, if you have MORE money, you can pay for an extra after hours experience and don't have to deal with those..

[@haphazardtube8027]

A Tragical Kingdom? Yes, please!

[@keyman6689]

We tried using the ferry to MK a couple years ago. We were almost to MK when we stopped for a couple minutes. Then we turned around and went back because the other ferry broke down in the dock. No ferry for us anymore.

[@dallaswalsh2026]

Thanks for a great show - first time commentor but thought it worthy. Sorry for the slow post but we are 15 hours ahead :-) We are from Australia so a lot of your content is not overly valid to my family and I but we enjoy a lot of it. On this topic regarding one off visitors and day guests spending money. We are making our second trip to Orlando in mid November. We came to your great state in 2011 for Disney World. My point is back in 2011 we enjoyed 19 days - 7 in Universal and other Orlando attractions (plus jet lag recover :-) then a fantastic 12 nights in WDW to end our trip. A theme park trip of a lifetime - wrong we are back again. This year we are spending a glorious 26 nights in your state (and a lot of money as our dollar is rubbish at the moment :-). But for your Disney executives we are spending 12 nights at Universal and 14 nights at WDW. We love Disney but the value offered at Universal is more appealing to us and the % of our trip has shifted towards Universal as you can calculate. ( we are not even thinking about visiting other attractions/parks like we did in 2011. Anyway thought you might be interested in that and wonder if other one or two off visitors are thinking the same things. Keep up the entertaining work.

[@heatherrauner6627]

This has been one of my favorite episodes.

[@mikedallmeier]

Spot on with everything said. Last year was the final Halloween party for us! So crowded and miserable we left early. We’re DVC members and usually purchase annual passes but not anymore. We’re tired of dealing with the lack of spontaneity we use to have at the parks. Trips to the “happiest place on earth” are not what they use to be. Like Pete said, the magic is gone...

[@rainbug714]

Agree X 15! On our trip in September, there were so many things that just seemed “off”. The lack of streetmosphere was the most apparent. 90% of the time I felt like I could have been anywhere. Totally lacking the Disney “feels”. I will say we stayed at Port Orleans French Quarter and I have ZERy complaints there. Room was immaculate, cast were outstanding, and transportation was smooth and efficient. We had excellent cast member interaction all across property. The Halloween party was a train wreck. Way to many people. I will not pay for an “exclusive” event again that is anything BUT exclusive. We only get 1 shot at it. We don’t have the option to go multiple times, so it is a real bummer when you miss a huge amount of the offerings due to crowds.

[@garbageman18]

I'm currently at Disney and I have to say that my interactions with cast members I have interacted with at the multiple resorts I have visited have been great. However, the cast member experience at the parks have been sub-par. Compared to what I've seen in the past, these cast members look miserable and don't even acknowledge you when you enter rides. Checking in for fast pass the past two days, I have had only 1 cast member say something like "Hi, enjoy your ride".

[@stephenarcher2242]

Hit the nail on the head on a lot of things, I especially agreed with the “drinking too much at Epcot”, as a pass holder who goes multiple times per month I avoid Epcot due to this issue.

[@massacmongo995]

Wish WDW LISTENED to their "Guests" .Love Disney but not what it has become . Thanks for being honest

[@YannLL]

I went to a Halloween party back in 2017 (last week of September) and it was as advertised: walk on rides. Looks like I was lucky since then!

[@momokoblue8032]

Those days are long gone. Today it's like going on the busiest day in July.

[@YannLL]

@@momokoblue8032 Yes I know... I won't be going back on my next trip. After Hour events seem the better option (until they start over selling them!)

[@ophthodoc]

You guys this was honestly the best segment I've seen on this channel. I agree with each and every thing. I am in the middle of packing up after a 9 day stay (first stay since 2016), and I can honestly say, wow, this place has issues. I was tentatively planning on a December 2020 stay but I'm going to cancel. I honestly feel fleeced, the crowds were overwhelming (and nobody seemed to be having a good time), and can see the disinterest on many of the cast member's faces. Grieving for the place that once was... I'd love to be a guest commentator to discuss everything in detail as it would take way too long to type. Rhino it was nice to meet you at Animal Kingdom the other day!

[@carriec.9834]

When WDW removes “Snow White’s Scary Adventure” ride for a photo meet n greet, I began to catch on to Disney corporate values. At least Mr.Toad’s was replaced by the creative Winnie the Pooh ride but losing the Snow White dark ride which was a perennial favorite of three generations, was..a let down. What next? Peter Pan for a Marvel character photo and merch shop?

[@briantelesh3745]

Regarding the FP+ it can be improved for sure, but for a non FL resident AP I like being able to plan in advance and I am not a rope drop person. I hated that when TS Mania came out if you didn't get there at open you were not getting a FP and it was 100+ min standby. Staying on property or as I am a DVC having a FP+ advantage is great and that's what I ❤ about FP+ and I can sleep in. I am dead set against any kind of pay system like max pass. I pay enough for my AP and with FP+ I can make as many trips as I want with no out of pocket except food, tips and merch staying On my DVC points. The Tiers are the thing they need to fix or open it up to cross park FP+. I literally have booked trash FP+ for a show or crap attraction and scanned in then left to make a 4th FP+ at another park.

[@saraarnett2557]

If parking charges were an attempt to keep guests on property they should have an in and out charge instead of a nightly fee. Or a long term parking option with magical express. They are punishing people who drive down and don’t leave till they go home.

[@janett253]

I personally know people that park at the Y&BC and say they are eating there and then walk to Epcot and avoid the Epcot parking fee. I've written to Disney about this but it goes on at all the resorts. They should have a time limit on eating there. But since you can just pull out of the parking lot and not see an attendant there is no way to enforce it. But I have no choice but to drive to Disney because I live in SW Florida. So I am penalized a resort parking fee because I drive to Disney.

[@deborahsills1122]

consistency in service - absolutely!! I am a DVC member, and maybe I've been spoiled by member services, but I am going down for a short stay at All Star and have had to call the "regular" help line and it is awful! the first two times, the "systems were undergoing magical upgrades" and "could you call back later" and then I call back and the cast member kept coughing (very loudly) directly into the phone!

[@annapower1833]

Wow guys. One of your best here! Great discussion. So glad you are moving to the positives next week. I totally agree - cast members are a huge part of the answer. Not enough of cast members. Cast members need better training and mentorship. And the cast members need to be used more effectively and efficiently - Craig’s example re parking is an excellent one. A number of the issues raised could be resolved with hiring, and properly training cast members throughout Disney World.

[@dorkultra]

rewatching this post pandemic is really interesting

[@walterwillis5351]

The issues you have brought up such as cleanliness and condition of the park is something I noticed at Disneyland as well. In the early to mid 2000's there was a definite difference in park condition compared to the 6 Flags park - but then a few years ago I noticed rails where paint had peeled off, chunks of wood missing from wood props, etc. Bathrooms were clean though. :) But the rest of the park was starting to feel just like 6 Flags - a discount theme park. All the things you mention - even the extra magic hours - comes down to manpower. They have been reducing manpower to reduce labor expense - labor is expensive, not just what you pay people but also the additional costs associated with them such as employee insurance, benefits, HR costs, and SS tax (yes, the company pays half your SS tax - you pay 7.65%, the company pays 7.65%). They may pay you $15 an hour, but you may cost them $50 per hour - or more. Maybe the HRB (High Rafter Bats) need to stop taking those huge pay raises and instead leave it in the wages budget so more people can be hired. BTW - love the shows. We are going in February to WDW 15 years after our last visit. Can't wait to see how things have changed since then. I know the eating options have changed from 15 years ago. Will also be looking at the resorts with an eye to DVC.