Disney World (Orlando, FL) Complaint - Grand Floridian + Meal plan = disappointment - food plan reservations Character dining f-

Posted by tander on 2008-05-05:

I would never go there either, it's too commercialized, too expensive and too large of crowds for me.

Posted by HKong on 2008-05-06:

I have stayed at Disney hotels several times during off-season and have never had a problem getting reservations. I wouldn't get the meal plan, it is too expensive. Some Disney hotels have buses that do not stop at other hotels. Getting on those hasn't ever been a problem. You would probably have a better experience at a family-oriented Disney hotel.

Posted by yoke on 2008-05-06:

Hate to tell you, but the week you went was during spring break for many schools. We had friends that were there during that week and said it was wall to wall people. We were there in Feb and it wasn't that bad.

Posted by PassingBy on 2008-05-06:

One of the best times to go is the week after Thanksgiving. The parks are decorated for the holidays and the crowds are small. As to making reservations, or as Disney calls it 'Priority Seating', regardless of when you go make the reservations at least 60 days in advance.

Posted by Hugh_Jorgen on 2008-05-06:

Just a little bit of research before you went would have told you what to expect. Yes, Disney is expensive, and yes, it's crowded most of the time.

We usually rent a house or condo for the week. Last spring we stayed in a 3BR/2BA condo 10 minutes from the main gate - place was nearly new and fully equipped - the condo complex had two pools, tennis courts, game room, etc - all at no extra charge. We paid $125/night for the condo. The bonus was that with a fully equipped kitchen, we weren't having to eat out three meals a day.

Spend a few hours researching and you will find all sorts of web sites about Orlando and all the parks - best times to go, times to avoid, back roads to avoid the crowds.

Posted by Slimjim on 2008-05-06:

I've stayed at the Grand Floridian once in March and never encountered the bus problems you had. The Floridian does have monorail service too you can use. I'm with you on the meal plan though and yes, always book the character dinners as far ahead as possible.

Posted by GothicSmurf on 2008-05-06:

You most likely ran into my ex and his daughter. Had I known you were going, I would have had you say hello for me. :)

Go on off peak times.

Posted by Jersey D on 2008-05-20:

I can't speak too all of the issues you posted but I can tell you (and others) this: With regard to making reservations, you clearly did not do any research on line. Many of the available experiences book very quickly, and each resource I found on line professed the exact same sentiments. We called exactly 180 days in advance for my daughter's Princess Breakfast at the Royal Table in Cinderella's Castle, and was told we called 3 days too soon. I then called back on the prescribed date as close to 7:00 a.m. as possible and experienced no problem getting through and making the reservation. We also booked her Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique appointment in the same fashion.

We just got back from our WDW vacation and couldn't be happier with the results.

Agreed, the bus situation while staying on site is lack luster because of the sheer volume of people trying to access it at the same time (especially after the fireworks), but it still beats heading back to a car in a parking lot to deal with the traffic to go off site. On emore than one occasion they brought multiple buses to our stop as ours seemed to be longer than the rest on our particular side.

We opted for the dining plan after booking and separately paying for the Princess Breakfast, but we were very pleased to find out that with the dining plan, a point, is a point, is a point...Meaning: You can eat at the value resort food court, an "in-park" restaurant, character dining meal, or almost all of the high end restaurants>>>at the same cost. (Don't quote me but I think the Princess Breakfast is a two point per person experience.) We had the three table service daily dining plan for each of us. With my wife trying to stay a little healthy eating WW friendly breakfast cereal, we knew we wouldn't reach our alloted points for the week. Heck - We tried to burn three points getting into Ackerhaus in Epcot's Norway on our last day just to get Ariel's autograph for my daughter. Looking back (and preparing for the future should they offer the dining plan in the same fashion) we should have done nothing but character dining meals and meals at restaurant's like the Captain's Grill at the Disney Yacht Club. Of course, get those reservations in early too if you can. I know at least one other vacationing family that found theselves like we did ont he last day. Multiple points left and no one to give the food away to at the hotel.

One thing we didn't like about the dining plan is that it held no special purpose after making the reservation. We went to Epcot for a character dining meal lunch at the Garden Grill and arrived on time. After checking in at the desk we were told it would take up to 20 minutes to be seated. Another guest walked up without reservations and he was quoted the same 20 minute wait because the restaurant had availability. Irksome, but not a deal breaker by any means. Take your chances if you dare, but I'd still recommend reservations well in advance whenever possible.

Another "not so positive" issue we experienced centered around getting Ariel's autograph: Her Grotto in the Magic Kingdom was closed, and she wasn't available to regular guests outside of the Ackerhaus lunch/dinner meals. You'd think it wouldn't be such a big deal, but it sure was for us. This was my only child's first trip to Disney and she loves the Princesses. One of the most beloved characters Disney had ever come up with not available to "meet & greet"???? Who could believe such a thing? Fortunately we already had separate tickets to the Piarate & Pincess party where we caught up with Ariel at last.

Another word of advice: If you are into getting character autographs, they shut down the lines at the end of the scheduled "meet & greet" times about a half hour before end of the scheduled time frame. I saw many irate parents and sad kids at the end of the Pirate & Princess Party because they waited too long to try and get that last signature.

Let me tell you the best part of our entire vacation: Minnie Mouse spied my daughter on top of my shoulders dressed up just like her during the SpectroMagic Parade. Minnie pointed her out, waved, giggled and generally made us feel like we were being noticed. You'd think that would be enough to make an evening grand, but then walking down Main Street to leave, a cast member (Josh) came out from the Confectionery Shop and informed us of the following:

"Minnie saw you in the crowd during the parade and told me to come find you. She wanted you to have this because you (my daughter) made her so happy dressing up like her." He then handed my daughter a chocolate chip cookie that was more than a foot in diameter and about half an inch thick. My wife and I looked at each other in astonishment: Do they REALLY have that kind of communication during a major park event? Or was this just a small gesture by someone paying attention, making a little girl feel special, and/or acknowledging how much money had been spent on the Minnie Mouse outfit and giving back so little that meant so much to each of us? I don't want to know the real answer, I feel all warm inside just pondering the possibilities!!!

We already projecting our return to WDW and hope that it comes faster than we think it will. There are just as many individual positive Disney experiences for folks as there are negative. Personally I think Disney delivered the value for our dollars, and then some. Many folks believe that it isn't what happens to you but how you deal with it that matters. Life seems to move much more smoothly that way.

That's my 3 cents and I'm sticking to it!

Posted by KoolHandStu on 2008-05-25:

DJMD2, My wife and I also stayed at a Disney World Resort and although our resort problem significantly differs from yours, I can sincerely sympathize. Fortunately for us, my wife researched Disney World long prior to our trip there so we had dinner reservations established for our entire trip. Our food experience there was an excellent one and I am sorry that your's was not. We were quite impressed by the Disney World bus system to the various venues but did on a few occasions wind up on standing room only buses. Fortunately this was the exception rather than the typical transportation experience.

You are quite correct in your assessment that Disney wants all of your vacation dollars and would prefer you stay there for the entire vacation. We did venture off premises for a wonderful lobster and sea food dinner and although costly well worth the break from the Magic Kingdom.

Although our Disney World experience differed from yours and believe me, there was a significant problem at the All Star Movies resort, I don't question or doubt anything contained in your post.

It is extremely disappointing to spend thousands of dollars on a vacation, only to be very disappointed when all is said and done.

I regret you had a disappointing experience and really hope your next family vacation is much improved and gratifying.

Regards,

Kool Hand Stu

Posted by italianboarder on 2008-06-30:

I'm sorry you had such bad experience.
I worked for Disney for 5 years, from 1992 (opening of Disneyland Paris) to 1997. 4 Years in Paris and 1 year in Florida at WDW. Honestly I must tell you that at WDW we were treated like slaves while in Paris (under european laws), not saying we were kings, but it was fun, had great benefits and treated like normal workers most of the time.

The fact that your hotel room (a very expensive one) was not cleaned properly is unacceptable. I would have mentioned that to the Front Desk manager before leaving the property.
With all that money you could've visited better Disney parks.
Last year (April 2007) I re-visited Disneyland Paris (first time in 10 years and first time there as a guest) for their 15th anniversary, and I must say the place was even better than when I left it (I do miss working there a lot, now I live in Wyoming... different life).
Last April 2008, I visited Tokyo Disney Sea and it was amazingly wonderful. With the money you spent at WDW you could've visited either one (my Continental flight from Salt Lake City to Tokyo was $780 Round Trip), to Paris $650.
The thing that hit me the most in both places was the price of food. I had a seafood personal pizza inside the park at Tokyo Disney Sea for $6, a complete 3 course meal is less than $15, a glass of wine is $4 and a bottle is $20.
In Paris I found prices to be exactly the way they were 10 years before, which makes them more affordable now.

I hope you will visit Disney again (I left my heart there), but keep in mind that there are better places than Disney World. Places were on top of Disney fantasy you can also enjoy real culture, art and history.