2025 was an awful year

[WorldExplorer]

Don’t worry. 2026 will be even better

I might have given the wrong impression that I might be hopeful or watching to see if things improve in 2026. I'm really not.

I don't think they could disappoint me more and I don't expect them to ever announce anything I would enjoy (at least not something big enough to matter) again, so I look at what's going on with a train wreck watching perspective now. I mean, I had no hope for Zoogether whatsoever, I knew it would be bad, but we got a good thread out of it and that thread gave me way more entertainment than a ten minute show would've.

Kinda like terrible movies.

 

[jah4955]

I’ll meet you in Disney jail.

If it's truly on the 2nd floor of Mainstreet, and if we get to look out the windows....SURE

 

[Centauri Space Station]

losing core identities of 3 parks is certainly depressing. The Rivers of America, Muppet Courtyard, and Dinoland USA were not minor parts of the parks.

I wouldn’t put starlight on the list of negatives - it’s definitely a positive addition and a step in the right direction.

i don’t remember seeing misplaced DJ’s and that’s the type of thing I notice.

Muppet courtyard was a wasteland with crummy fast pizza place, decaying shop, a 30 year old show and mid italian place. Dinoland was a glorified carnival with dumbo clone and a zip coaster that closed years ago.

 

[Centauri Space Station]

- The year of constant shut downs.

Shutdowns like upgrading BTM, Buzz, a new monsters area with advanced coaster…

- The year they officially gave up on Animal Kingdom's theme.

Not even close, TA will be in vein of Africa and Asia and not a cheap roadside carnival.

- The Summer of constant DJs and random pop music playing in inappropriate places.

So streetmosphere is bad now. Got it.

- The year we got Zootopia: Better Zoogether. Then the only thing people agreed was good about it (animatronic) broke within two weeks.

It’s not broken

- Starlight debuted to thunderous "well that was okay"s. Then quickly started having issues.

What issues? SL is the first new night parade at MK in 30 years and far more appropriate to the park than PTN.

- One step closer to drinking around the Magic Kingdom.

They’ve had that since 2012. Atleast we got a highly themed area and a limit on drinks.

 

[Centauri Space Station]

Muppets could end up being a move - but losing Dinoland is definitely losing a core identity of the park.

Will the park be “better” - that’s a different discussion.

I’m not entirely sure if I think DHS is better now vs. lights motors action days. I know I personally liked the park better back then. But I can also see the popularity of Toy Story land and Galaxies Edge.

Not me. The waste of space empty facade area only used as walking space for 10 months a year, stunt show that had no repeatability and baked you on bleachers, and the already shrinking BLT that could’ve become the next Cars road trip we’re all inferior.

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

So streetmosphere is bad now. Got it.

I’m certain you know the difference between streetmosphere and DJ’s playing modern pop songs.

 

[jah4955]

They’ve had that since 2012.

Dang...about 14 years ago...it honestly felt like they began it about 14 months ago.

Tempus fugit.

 

[Centauri Space Station]

I’m certain you know the difference between streetmosphere and DJ’s playing modern pop songs.

Cool kids summer was full of streetmosphere, magic acts, and other performances

 

[Centauri Space Station]

2025:
-Brought us the best version of Test track to date
-Brought back little mermaid with an updated show
-Added a new villains show
-Gave GEO82 and made use of an abandoned space with good food and nice firework views
-Gave the first new night parade with great floats
-Gave pirates lair a highly themed area MK was in need of

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

Cool kids summer was full of streetmosphere, magic acts, and other performances

That wasn’t the complaint.

 

[networkpro]

 

[larryz]

 

[WorldExplorer]

"They're changing a fourth of Animal Kingdom to be about humans, fundamentally altering the entire point of the park. We also have an increased focus on cartoon animals that live in cities and suburbia (and unlike Mickey are not something that's always had a history of just being slotted into whatever and whereever and are not on safari), which was also not supposed to be here. This waters it down from a focused, unique experience to just a random grab bag of whatever Disney feels like advertising this year. We already have three parks that are random Disney billboards and didn't need another one. This park's theme is worth keeping."

"But I didn't like Dino-Rama so all the factual changes to the focus of the park don't count and I must defend anything Disney suggests replacing it with even when they absolutely do not need to pick something that doesn't belong in the park."

Every. Time.

 

[Chi84]

"They're changing a fourth of Animal Kingdom to be about humans, fundamentally altering the entire point of the park. We also have an increased focus on cartoon animals that live in cities and suburbia (and unlike Mickey are not something that's always had a history of just being slotted into whatever and whereever and are not on safari), which was also not supposed to be here. This waters it down from a focused, unique experience to just a random grab bag of whatever Disney feels like advertising this year. We already have three parks that are random Disney billboards and didn't need another one. This park's theme is worth keeping."

"But I didn't like Dino-Rama so all the factual changes to the focus of the park don't count and I must defend anything Disney suggests replacing it with even when they absolutely do not need to pick something that doesn't belong in the park."

Every. Time.

Who are you quoting?

 

[Chi84]

@WorldExplorer: Assuming you are quoting made-up conversations, this is what was actually said.

- The year they officially gave up on Animal Kingdom's theme.

I'm THRILLED Carnyland is gone forever (even if they replaced it with NOTHING).

You could look at it that *** dinorama replacements are not losing a core identity. Could possibly be an improvement.
Remains to be seen.

Dinoland was a glorified carnival with dumbo clone and a zip coaster that closed years ago.

So where in those actual quotes did you find this?:

"But I didn't like Dino-Rama so all the factual changes to the focus of the park don't count and I must defend anything Disney suggests replacing it with even when they absolutely do not need to pick something that doesn't belong in the park."

Every. Time.

Your reaction seems a bit hyperbolic, doesn't it?

 

[wdwfan4ver]

Muppets could end up being a move - but losing Dinoland is definitely losing a core identity of the park.

Will the park be “better” - that’s a different discussion.

I’m not entirely sure if I think DHS is better now vs. lights motors action days. I know I personally liked the park better back then. But I can also see the popularity of Toy Story land and Galaxies Edge.

I first went to WDW back when DHS was called Disney MGM Studios back in 1991. Studios backlot tour at the time was much longer than it was in the 2000s. That tour was a shadow of its former self by the time it closed for good in 2014.

Also LMA was not worth keeping due to the nature of Florida's weather. When LMA was around, I went to WDW in late August to early September. We went to LMA once and I can tell that attraction is worth a skip due to having a sun exposed stadium with little shading. The show itself was good, but that show was known to be brutal to watch in Florida's hottest months due to that seating I mentioned and I've read in the past that they don't change it up.

Streets of America also had the problem of having areas in the land that was only used 2 out of 12 months of the years. I did see the Osborne Lights in 2010 in my only time see WDW when the Christmas Decorations were up. They were great to see, but the park needed something all year round.

The issues with that section of DHS right now is not getting a rid of the backlot tour and LMA, its what Disney Management wanted in that space is the problem. The problem is Disney struggles with single IP lands and that is not just WDW problem considering the reputation Avengers Campus has in multiple Disney theme parks worldwide. The fact SGE could've been better than it is and Toy Story Land in general is known as a weaker land worldwide.



.

 

[HMF]

- The year of constant shut downs.

- The year they officially gave up on Animal Kingdom's theme.

- The year they officially killed Frontierland.

- Tiana's opened in 2024, but I think this year is when it sunk in that Disney gaves so little of a care they have no intentions of even giving the ride they killed Splash Mountain for proper maintenance. They put it on Disney Plus blatantly broken.

- The Summer of constant DJs and random pop music playing in inappropriate places.

- The year we got Zootopia: Better Zoogether. Then the only thing people agreed was good about it (animatronic) broke within two weeks.

- Asha's still here and taking up valuable space.

- Starlight debuted to thunderous "well that was okay"s. Then quickly started having issues.

- One step closer to drinking around the Magic Kingdom.

It's been so bad I think it's permanently changed how enthusiastic/tolerant I am for anything Disney related. I don't expect that enthusiasm to come back in 2026.

It was indeed an awful year both at Disney and in general.

 

[HMF]

Actually...I just realized something....MK went from "smoke any outside place you want" and ZERO booze. To "ZERO smoking ANYWHERE" and booze in multiple (so far) locations. A virtual 180

That is largely because of a change in the wider culture, not just Disney Management.

 

[HMF]

Imagine the level hutzpah to gaslight someone by telling them that their very valid and accurate criticisms and opinions are worthy of seeking therapy for, while the dusters and cupcake brigade continue to ravenously contort themselves to excuse and cover for, while without even a thought throw their money in greater sums at, ever heightening levels of mediocrity.

I am just happy that I find arguing about Disney far more entertaining and less stressful than what I talk about with my actual therapist.

 

[HMF]

While I agree that there were many poor moves made by Disney in 2025, not everything was awful. If you only want to focus on that which was bad then so be it. I can take the bad with the good and realize I can't control what Dis does and still enjoy my trip back. There are many positive things to enjoy and look forward to in 2026..

The only good aspect of 2025 and ultimately the re-imagining of EPCOT was Test Track and that is only because GM paid for it.