The average guest it not like the rest of us. Yes the theme and story is what makes Disney parks special, and has cemented their legacy. But soooo many visitors never truly notice those details. They just go because it’s Disney, and has a long, well regarded history.
While I think those details, the theming, story, do matter, regardless if the average guest notices. But we also need to recognize we are now in a time where many will just look for something that is pretty, seems high tech or fancy, or trendy, and could care less about the story, as long as they can get the perfect instagram or TikTok post out of it.
Before being a Disney fan I always thought Splash Mountain to be a water ride with singing animals (couldn’t get out any story from it, had to actually be told the story online to understand it). And really, the same goes for TBA.