DON´T READ THIS TRIP REPORT....

cinders · October 29, 2009, 02:47:55 PM

Yea there maybe alot of repairs that need doing at dlp!....but its still a magical place ! I did find it a bit dis-heartening as i am stopping at Sequoia Lodge in 3 sleeps time LOL......tbh i wont be spending any length of time at the hotel.....as long as the parades are still as good and the characters are all happy still! i cant wait for my trip ! Lets just hope they havnt cut back on the fireworks :S !

ed-uk · October 31, 2009, 12:24:47 PM

You shouldn't feel too disheartened. This is what I mean about putting people off. We stayed in the Sequoia Lodge in July and all was well. Work was going on in the park. Pathways were being repaired, Plaza Gardens was being worked on. I don't really agree with the trip report it wasn't my experience in July. Infact we noticed the things that had been fixed. It is possible to look at it like that. But obviously somebody had a miserable time there hence this trip report. They have zoomed in on the faults with a camera at close range, and have drawn these things to our attention. But when you're there most people don't view it like that. Of course if people aren't happy with the maintenance and standard of service in restaurants they can complain to EuroDisney if they wish. And I agree that service and maintenance is important. And as EuroDisney have said, they'll do their best.

MagicStar · October 31, 2009, 01:52:47 PM

Quote from: "ed-uk"But obviously somebody had a miserable time there hence this trip report. They have zeroed in on the faults with a camera at close range. And have drawn these things to our attention. But when you're there most people don't view it like that. Of course if people aren't happy with the maintenance and standard of service in restaurants they can complain to EuroDisney if they wish. And I agree that service and maintenance is important. And as EuroDisney have said, they'll do their best.

"Somebody" had great Disney-Moments over the last years. But it should be allowed to mention bad things, too. Its even necessary. BTW: It would be nice to discuss on facts and not on sarcasm!!!
For me, Its starry-eyeing to think: Everything is perfect, cause Disney did it.
Yes, they said, they do their best. But they don´t - not at the moment!

ed-uk · October 31, 2009, 02:04:19 PM

People are allowed to mention bad things. They can and do. I don't think I said anything sarcastic. I based my comments on the trip report and the facts as I see them. We were told on the top of the trip report that our opinions were welcome.

ightenhill · November 03, 2009, 02:39:40 PM

I think some good points are brought up in the photographs of problems and current and outstanding issues. However we are subjected to nothing but images of doom and gloom (after all thats what the thread is about).

I think where the problem lies is, where does one draw a line and say what is an acceptable level of wear and tear before a refurb is required. Its totally unrealistic to say there should never be any.

In this day and age when costs are being screwed to the ground (and lets be realistic DLP had problems long before the credit crunch even started) no company can be exempt from the effects (including Disney and DLP). I have just returned last week (the TR is in the international section) from WDW and whilst the resort was absolutely spotless (but that's funded by DVC regular payments so it should be).. I could have quite easily taken similar pictures in any of the parks over there. There does tend to be a tendancy to think, but this is Disney so this can't happen, unfortunatley Disney have to live in the same real financial markets as anyone else.

A quick trip to Universal or Alton Towers quickly shows you how dirty and worn out a theme park can become however when the refurbs are cut too far back, at least there is some visual evidence at DLP that money is being spent on refurbs to some of the time, it just may not make sense to us immediatly as we don't get to see how the budget and the calander for that work has been planned.

At the moment my main concern with DLP is the lack of show style entertainment now the Lion King and Tarzan (even if it was seasonal) have been removed. When you start reducing percieved value for the tkt price your going to reduce foot flow, and when that happens your going to make funding refurbs even more difficult.

So well done for highlighting the photos and getting them (hopefully to the right person) more people really should do this to ram home that we are watching. However don't think its a unique to DLP problem; it isn't.

davewasbaloo · November 03, 2009, 03:34:05 PM

Quote from: "ed-uk"But it strikes me that some people want everything to be perfect all the time, and be faultless. I think they're doomed to disappointment. What with theme parks and hotels to maintain and keep up to scratch. The challanges are huge really. And very expensive.

I hate to point this one out, as many of these are off the mark. When Walt was alive and even for 30 years after, there were crews of cast members out EVERY night painting and refurbing so nothing got in this state. What changed was when Paul Pressler became the head of Disneyland, he let it rot and stopped the 3rd shift. In the end, it litterly cost lives. Sadly, he was then promoted to the head of resorts and it happened all over the globe.

It is not the Disney way. Other parks do it, but in the 54 years of Disney resorts, only the last 10 years has started the decline. How can anyone call themselves a fan and let the standards drop. It makes me sick frankly. And yes, the (poor or lack of) entertainment, the late opening and closing of attractrions, buffets everywhere, lack of maintanance, and shoddy theme incongruencies have gotten to the point where I do not want to go to DLP (It hurts too much - but my naive kids who know no better enjoy it). These posts are on here to raise awareness. The resort management team DO read the boards (and are used as some of the evidence for budgetary business cases). If you spot something in the park, raise it with city hall, or better, guest relations. But those of you who are pixie snorting pollyannas frankly make me sick, you are a part of the reason why the standards are slipping. The American management team say to themselves (the Europeans still don't know any better and they still spend their pounds and Euros with us, so why bother).

Same thing is happening in WDW.

Seems like the only place for a traditional Disney experience is in California or Japan. WDI built us one, but the last 17 years has been spent screwing it up, with the occassional improvement (ToT, Lion King/Tarzan Show etc.)

I want my local park, the one I have invested time and money in, to be the very best it can be.

ightenhill · November 03, 2009, 06:15:20 PM

I dont disagree with anything that happened all those years ago in Walts time. But modern markets are different and Disney have found themselves in financial problems over the years, ironically at the time Pressler was given the positon the board gave him the simple instructions to maximise profits and to some extent he fullfilled his brief. If blame needs laying it's at how Disney in the 80's and 90's as a company mismangaged the recession, so that they ended up having shareholders and CEOs clammering for money to come rolling in..

In an ideal world Disney should have been above all that, but it simply had got to big to fast and it had to survive in a real world.

DLP though does I agree seem to be making some odd decisions: frankly the entertainment decisions this year are diabolical to the say the least for the reasons I have given (you can't appear to cheapen your product especially when its Disney but DLP seemed determined at the moment to do so)

davewasbaloo · November 03, 2009, 06:26:16 PM

Agreed, you know it is bad when Legoland offers better Halloween decorations and entertainment than DLP, and Chessington offers equal decorations.

MagicStar · November 03, 2009, 08:30:42 PM

Quote from: "davewasbaloo"Agreed, you know it is bad when Legoland offers better Halloween decorations and entertainment than DLP, and Chessington offers equal decorations.

.... the same at Europa-Park

Tuvok · November 04, 2009, 01:34:51 PM

Quote from: "davewasbaloo"It is not the Disney way. Other parks do it, but in the 54 years of Disney resorts, only the last 10 years has started the decline. How can anyone call themselves a fan and let the standards drop. It makes me sick frankly. And yes, the (poor or lack of) entertainment, the late opening and closing of attractrions, buffets everywhere, lack of maintanance, and shoddy theme incongruencies have gotten to the point where I do not want to go to DLP (It hurts too much - but my naive kids who know no better enjoy it). These posts are on here to raise awareness. The resort management team DO read the boards (and are used as some of the evidence for budgetary business cases). If you spot something in the park, raise it with city hall, or better, guest relations. But those of you who are pixie snorting pollyannas frankly make me sick, you are a part of the reason why the standards are slipping. The American management team say to themselves (the Europeans still don't know any better and they still spend their pounds and Euros with us, so why bother).

I want my local park, the one I have invested time and money in, to be the very best it can be.

So, let's recap. If anyone doesn't agree with you about how you think DLP should run the resort, then they make you sick? They are the reason why, in your opinion, standards are slipping all because they don't complain and still visiting the resort?

Ok... Ever thought about that there are people that don't want/have to complain, because in their opinion, it still is the most magical place they can visit? Everybody has different standards, Dave. Yours are very high and you expect everything to be perfect. That's ok and I respect that, but please also respect the opinions of other people who are satisfied with standards that are lower then your own.

Looking at the record breaking attendance levels at DLP, most people are pleased with the current entertainment offering. I do agree with you that cancelling good shows like Tarzan and Legend of The Lion King is dissapointing, but we all know that the financial state of our resort isn't good. On top of that we have the economic crisis, which effects everything and everyone, including Disney. They have to cut on there expences, whether they like it or not. It seems like people are willing to except that all companies are cutting down on there costs, but if Disney does it, it's not acceptable anymore. We have to get through this period, Disney too. I think we will have new and bigger shows from 2011 if the next theme year ends. The economy will be better by then and DLP will have more money. 2012 will be the 20th anniversary year, so we will see new attractions, new parades and new entertainment.

Accept it and still visit the most magical place in Europe, or don't accept it and don't visit anymore. It's your choice and you're surely entitled to complain about the standards as you see them, but respect other opinions that are different then your own.

Annet · November 04, 2009, 01:48:36 PM

I guess it makes a difference if you visit the park frequently or, like me, you can only afford one trip a year. Sure it would be great if everything was always perfect, but in the few days I'm able to visit DLRP every year I'm not gonna ruin my trip by focussing on the negative stuff.

RnRCj · November 04, 2009, 05:32:05 PM

Quote from: "Tuvok"It's your choice and you're surely entitled to complain about the standards as you see them, but respect other opinions that are different then your own.

Thing is, 99% of people that have this opinion have not experienced the former standards of Disney. They don't know any better, so they don't complain. I can guarantee you if everyone had experienced the former standards they too would be disappointed, especially with the amount of money it costs to go there.

It's just like how you are disappointed that the Lion King and Tarzan shows are no longer running. You have experienced them yourself, and you know how they benefit the park experience. Whereas people that are visiting the resort for the first time this year will not even know about them, so they won't complain! :wink:

Quote from: "Annet"I guess it makes a difference if you visit the park frequently or, like me, you can only afford one trip a year. Sure it would be great if everything was always perfect, but in the few days I'm able to visit DLRP every year I'm not gonna ruin my trip by focussing on the negative stuff.

This is actually a reason why the standards should be raised. To some people Disneyland is a once in a lifetime experience, so Disney should make that experience the absolute best it can be. If people spend all that money only to find the resort is very shabby in places with weak entertainment offerings and lack of variety, they're going to feel disappointed, annoyed, and ripped off.

ed-uk · November 06, 2009, 06:26:12 PM

I'm amazed if Dave really thinks Legoland and Chessington have better Halloween themeing than Disneyland Paris. Anyway the themeing at Disneyland is far superior overall than Legoland or Chessington. Almost all the rides at Legoland are only suitable for children. And Chessington, well they specialise in steel roller coasters, and is part zoo. There's no great themeing at Chessington that I've ever seen. Each to their own. I think it is fair to say that Disneyland has made some cuts around the park this year. But I think that is down to the economic slowdown. We are going through the worst recession since the 1930's. Thats bound to have an impact on holiday resorts. The company has faced bankruptcy twice in the past. I want to see EuroDisney turning a profit so they can put that money back into the parks.

davewasbaloo · November 06, 2009, 06:42:18 PM

No, the parks are not Disney quality, but the gap is narrowing from both directions. And yes, this year, the decorations and entertainment (except for the hub show) were better at Legoland and Chessington, especially the amazing fireworks at Legoland.

I don't want that gap to close. Disney should be in another league, and they once were.

As for Legoland being kiddie rides, yes, some are, but I would say that the Dragon Coaster, Pirate Falls, Viking Splash, Lazer Raiders, the Spider, the Fairytale Brook and the Dinosaur cars are very much for the whole family.

Sadly, the rides at Chessington cannot compete, but the cast and the new animal experiences can.

ed-uk · November 06, 2009, 07:08:17 PM

I quite like LegoLand. But six rides suitable for adults isn't much. We saw the fireworks there last year, and we enjoyed them. But I liked Enchanted much better at Disneyland. Next year I hope to go to Disneyland for Bonfire night, I hear that's very good. Yes, Disneyland should be in another league. And it still is. They have more off everything. More rides, more shows and more restaurants. What did you think of the food at Chessington and Legoland? I didn't think it was up to much. The food isn't as good at Legoland as it used to be.