Goodbye WDW AP, Hello DCL

[ChrisnKim913]

I had been struggling inside for a while trying to make the argument as to why I keep paying year after year for a WDW Annual Pass. My wife and I have enjoyed taking our 4 year old daughter over the years, whether it’s just for a day, a weekend, or for a week. Since having our daughter we have taken a week long vacation at WDW the first week of February but that all changed this past February when we made the decision to take a Disney Cruise instead. My wife and I have both become annoyed with the state of the parks and the constant money grabbing (especially charging for parking at the resorts), so we decided to try DCL. After sailing on DCL it is hard for me to believe that DCL and WDW are actually part of the same company. They are both a ‘premium vacation’ when it comes to price point, but to me that’s where the comparisons stop. The customer service that comes from the cast members on DCL compared to WDW isn’t even close. The cleanliness on DCL is incredible. You never go anywhere without seeing a cast member cleaning and every public bathroom I stepped foot in on board looked like I was the first one to use it that day... a far cry from any of the rest rooms at WDW lately. DCL excels in making you feel appreciated and that you being there matters to them... I can’t say the same for WDW.

So three weeks ago it came time to renew our passes for WDW. For the first time in the 8 years we have had passes, we decided to not renew and to put our money towards another DCL Cruise. I love WDW, don’t get me wrong, but enough is enough. Until WDW can shift its focus back to the customer, I will be sailing on DCL where the customer is it’s top priority.

 

[Peppeperoni]

I can understand the points you’re comparing, but comparing a cruise to a theme park is apples and oranges. I’m just not a cruise guy

 

[Farro]

We've been to WDW a number of times and on a couple Royal Caribbean cruises. We found DCL to be way too expensive in comparison.

Cruises are nothing like a trip to visit the parks. Cruises can be fun if it's your thing (turns out it's not ours ), but I agree with above, there's no comparison. And to be fair, cruise ships have to be cleaned meticulously to combat noro-virus.

Now, visiting the islands and the beaches is AMAZING, so I'm sure you will enjoy that and it seems like you already love cruising. Have fun!

oops sorry! I thought I was answering this on the theme parks/attractions board...

 

[cakebaker]

You’ll never find a theme park that operates on the level of a cruise line. But I’m glad you found your niche. I love them both!

 

[lklgoodman]

Welcome to cruising. I haven't been to WDW since before Animal Kingdom opened, I think it was being built. I wouldn't even know how to plan a trip there now. You've picked a great time to get into DCL. Your dd is the perfect age plus you don't have to stand in a hot, long line to see the characters on the ship! Also, Disney has 3 more ships coming out, starting in 2021.

 

[cvjw]

OP, I could have written your post. Except we have been annual pass holders since 2008. Ours expire next month, and we aren’t renewing. We discovered Disney cruises and aren’t looking back! I am about to book our 6th one in about 2.5 years.

Our family is done with Disney parks. That fact was cemented last weekend. No one wants to go back and we have been on 50+ Disney parks vacations.

 

[pixiedustedme]

Welcome aboard! We love DCL cruises, partially because of the travel aspect of it, but also because of the comfort, cleanliness, excellent service, fun activities, and very good theatrical shows. Disney's private island is a gem. When cruising, in addition to Disney fun and entertainment, we also get to see new places: the Caribbean, Alaska, etc. We're traveling more apart from Disney, too. But we still love the WDW deluxe resorts, and the parks, too.

 

[Baduist]

I actually found it to be the opposite.

I was surprised by DCL because I found it not only to be far below the customer service standard I got used to at the parks, but also not the best cruise line (which was totally my expectation).

I’d still choose it over others because, well, Disney... but I do think they have room for improvement.

 

[pixiedustedme]

And to be fair, cruise ships have to be cleaned meticulously to combat noro-virus.

People pick up illnesses at the parks, too, as well as in any place that has lots of people, particularly children. Schools and daycares spread sicknesses, including noro, like wildfire. So cruises are not unique in needing to be careful about this. Disney cruises do an excellent job of keeping everything clean and in good repair.

 

[Farro]

People pick up illnesses at the parks, too, as well as in any place that has lots of people, particularly children. Schools and daycares spread sicknesses, including noro, like wildfire. So a cruises are not unique in needing to be careful about this. Disney cruises do an excellent job of keeping everything clean and in good repair.

I'm sure they do. RC did too.
I've also never encountered dirty bathrooms in WDW in all the times we've visited, so they do a great job there too.

 

[cakebaker]

People pick up illnesses at the parks, too, as well as in any place that has lots of people, particularly children. Schools and daycares spread sicknesses, including noro, like wildfire. So cruises are not unique in needing to be careful about this. Disney cruises do an excellent job of keeping everything clean and in good repair.

In fairness, cruise ships are particularly at risk due to the closed environment. DCL does an outstanding job of making sure their ships are as clean as possible.

 

[pixiedustedme]

In fairness, cruise ships are particularly at risk due to the closed environment.

No more at risk than an elementary school classroom. As a teacher, I know this firsthand. Illnesses spread in waves through childrens' schools.

This poster started a thread to celebrate her family's transition from parks to cruising. That celebration shouldn't be met with warnings about illness, which as I noted, is just as likely to be contracted anywhere there are crowds and/or children.

Disneyland was the epicenter of a measles outbreak a few years ago, but there is no need for someone enthusiastic about an upcoming trip to Disneyland to be met with warnings about measles.

 

[FastPasser.]

I think the apples and oranges thing sums it up for me. Neither is perfect, but there's not enough to complain about with either WDW or DCL. And because of my somewhat unique position with Disney, I don't have to choose between buying an AP or cruising, so it's not a matter of cost. I'll continue to do both.

 

[ChrisnKim913]

I understand theme parks are different than cruises. What is the same no matter what is customer service and standards. Disney is known for having the highest standards and I see that on DCL but it has eroded away at WDW. Best way to let a company know how they are doing is with your money, and that’s what we are doing.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

We do both, but I completely agree with you that the customer service on DCL far exceeds what we find in the parks. It's just a whole other ball game and DCL hits it out of the park. It doesn't stop us from going to the parks. I just set my expectation levels based on where I am and what I've experienced in the past with both vacations.

 

[fla4fun]

I'm sure they do. RC did too.
I've also never encountered dirty bathrooms in WDW in all the times we've visited, so they do a great job there too.

I have encountered dirty bathrooms but I put a lot of the blame for that on the guests. How hard is it to pick up a paper towel if you drop it, or to flush when you’re finished? I imagine it’s pretty difficult for the cleaning crew to stay on top of.

I was at WDW during a virulent norovirus outbreak a few years ago that was so bad people were just vomiting everywhere (literally). I managed to complete my trip without catching it, but it gave me a better insight as to what people go through on a cruise with an outbreak. Nothing like walking down the hall of your hotel with piles of vomit ridden sheets on either side . . .

 

[Mickey's Best Girl]

WDW has become rather disappointing to me as well.

I’ve had APs, we’ve taken a trip every year since 2006 (when I got my DD hooked on the Mouse) and our trips are usually quite lengthy.

Now the constant upcharging, increased resort rates/ticket prices and lower value IMO have me vacationing elsewhere.

Do I miss my happy place? Heck ya I do! But I refuse to “punish” Disney by giving them my money elsewhere.

We will return to WDW at some point, but it’ll be a few years.

 

[imahistorygeek]

Since having our daughter we have taken a week long vacation at WDW the first week of February but that all changed this past February when we made the decision to take a Disney Cruise instead. My wife and I have both become annoyed with the state of the parks and the constant money grabbing (especially charging for parking at the resorts), so we decided to try DCL. After sailing on DCL it is hard for me to believe that DCL and WDW are actually part of the same company. They are both a ‘premium vacation’ when it comes to price point, but to me that’s where the comparisons stop. The customer service that comes from the cast members on DCL compared to WDW isn’t even close. The cleanliness on DCL is incredible. You never go anywhere without seeing a cast member cleaning and every public bathroom I stepped foot in on board looked like I was the first one to use it that day... a far cry from any of the rest rooms at WDW lately. DCL excels in making you feel appreciated and that you being there matters to them... I can’t say the same for WDW.

So three weeks ago it came time to renew our passes for WDW. For the first time in the 8 years we have had passes, we decided to not renew and to put our money towards another DCL Cruise. I love WDW, don’t get me wrong, but enough is enough. Until WDW can shift its focus back to the customer, I will be sailing on DCL where the customer is it’s top priority.

We've been AP holders for at least 5 years. We've had some really great times at WDW. Like you, we've become less impressed with what is happening at the parks and it all really came to head when we visited DLR this past November. In our opinion, DLR was superior. It really colored our view of WDW. We decided last month to not renew our APs and focusing on cruising instead. At this point, we enjoy cruising a lot more than the parks.

OP, I could have written your post. Except we have been annual pass holders since 2008. Ours expire next month, and we aren’t renewing. We discovered Disney cruises and aren’t looking back! I am about to book our 6th one in about 2.5 years.

Our family is done with Disney parks. That fact was cemented last weekend. No one wants to go back and we have been on 50+ Disney parks vacations.

We have four planned and are really excited. We decided during our last WDW trip (it wasn't terrible, it just wasn't great) in January that we wouldn't renew or be back for a while, maybe a few years.

 

[mmouse37]

I had been struggling inside for a while trying to make the argument as to why I keep paying year after year for a WDW Annual Pass. My wife and I have enjoyed taking our 4 year old daughter over the years, whether it’s just for a day, a weekend, or for a week. Since having our daughter we have taken a week long vacation at WDW the first week of February but that all changed this past February when we made the decision to take a Disney Cruise instead. My wife and I have both become annoyed with the state of the parks and the constant money grabbing (especially charging for parking at the resorts), so we decided to try DCL. After sailing on DCL it is hard for me to believe that DCL and WDW are actually part of the same company. They are both a ‘premium vacation’ when it comes to price point, but to me that’s where the comparisons stop. The customer service that comes from the cast members on DCL compared to WDW isn’t even close. The cleanliness on DCL is incredible. You never go anywhere without seeing a cast member cleaning and every public bathroom I stepped foot in on board looked like I was the first one to use it that day... a far cry from any of the rest rooms at WDW lately. DCL excels in making you feel appreciated and that you being there matters to them... I can’t say the same for WDW.

So three weeks ago it came time to renew our passes for WDW. For the first time in the 8 years we have had passes, we decided to not renew and to put our money towards another DCL Cruise. I love WDW, don’t get me wrong, but enough is enough. Until WDW can shift its focus back to the customer, I will be sailing on DCL where the customer is it’s top priority.

We made the switch (preferring DCL over WDW) back in 1998 with the Official Maiden Voyage of the Disney Magic. We had been die hard WDW fans going every year with our 3 kids. Heck, we even had our honeymoon at the Poly back in 1979 when the Lagoon View rooms were only $65.00 per night!!!! I still have the receipt! Since stepping onboard DCL on July 30, 1998 I knew I was "home". We still love WDW and try to go often but my preferred Disney vacation is cruising, hands down. Don't get me started on MDE which is intolerable. We have two short WDW trips this year and both are screwed up on MDE. I dread the phone call trying to straighten it out.

I just find there is SO MUCH more work involved in trying to plan a WDW vacation than a DCL trip. I love knowing when and where I will eat dinner without trying to months in advance to secure a reservation.

May 18th will be our 43 DCL and I get just as excited as I did on our first DCL!!!

MJ

 

[LizGirl]

We've started alternating every few years. We've done DCL the past 3 years. Now we are planning to get APs this fall and do a year of parks. We'll go back to DCL in 2020!

We love them both but I do agree that the WDW costs and money grabbing has become very annoying. Having said that DCL isn't exactly bargain pricing. LOL!