By and large has Disney improved since you first went?

Pumbas Nakasak

Pumbas Nakasak

Heading for the great escape.
on reflection 17 years to replace the subs is is over so I suppose it is getting better ignoring the large Epcot pavilion in darkness and the reduced schedule off the night time show at the half day park of course. :drevil:
 
K

Krack

Active Member
Interesting question (one that will inevitably turn into a fight, im afraid) ...

My first trip was in '77 (as an infant), the first trip I can really remember was probably 79ish. Obviously, the resort has improved since then. In 1979, you had one park, two hotels, one water park and even BTMRR didn't even exist yet.

I think for most people, you'll find the high water mark of WDW was 1994ish (after Splash Mountain and Tower of Terror, before they started screwing with EPCOT).
 
Chrononymous

Chrononymous

Well-Known Member
I have been going since '82.

And I would have to say yes...and no.

Of course, the resort kept expanding and things were newer, better and more exciting...I loved the opening of both MGM and Animal Kingdom...and the amazing rides that were created for each park...but then as time went on it seemed to become more disappointing.
The old attractions would come down but nort always relaced with something better.

I would agree with krack...it was at its peak in the early 90's.
Now, there isn't even anything I care to see at Epcot anymore.
 
Bulldog1653

Bulldog1653

Active Member
The simple answer to the question is a resounding yes.

While I do see some things that should either be eliminated, redone or expanded, I can say without question that Disney has improved by leaps and bounds.

The quality is there and you don't have to look very far to find it. The case in point being the food. When you go to EPCOT and eat at the various restaurants in the World Showcase, you'll see what I mean.
Disney has a phenomenal exchange program in place and it makes the countries represented all the more realistic.

I do honestly think that the transportation quality needs to be improved in the worst way. There are WAY too many buses and the inefficiency is just plain sad. Although it's extremely expensive, if Disney was to expand the monorail service to include all theme parks, water parks, resorts, and Downton Disney, they would make life a LOT easier for guests.
 
Walt Disney1955

Walt Disney1955

Well-Known Member
I first went in 1991. Not a whole lot has changed in the Magic Kingdom since then (ignoring the expansion which isn't finished yet). But the "world" overall is better. How can it not be?

Since 1991:

They added Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach
Animal Kingdom
Splash Mountain
Tower of Terror


We've lost River Country and nothing has been replaced there since, which it should be. But overall the park does offer more than it did in 1991.

It's true there are some quality and nostalgic attractions that we lost like Toad, soon to be Snow White and Dreamflight. However they haven't shocked us too badly with the changes and put in some terrible things in its place.

On the flip side it wouldn't kill Disney to make food and drink a little cheaper and they should never ever rest on their laurels and keep in mind that quality is always better than quantity, although quantity is fine too as long as they are high in quality
 
The Duck

The Duck

Well-Known Member
For the most part, I believe that it has improved (first visit in 1975). There has been a stagnating slump for the past several years but I see signs of a renewal in the future. With the new Fantasyland and the return of the (old?) Tiki Birds, I feel more optimistic than I have in a long time. Now if they could just jump-start the Yeti...
 
THEMEPARKPIONEER

THEMEPARKPIONEER

Well-Known Member
I have to say... the 90's to me were better Disney days. one thin I noticed was that shows and parades seem smaller to me each year. I always notice in some shows that they tend to cut back on performers more and more each year.
 
Crockett

Crockett

Banned
By far it has improved. When we first started visiting, it was MK and Epcot only. No Splash Mtn, no DHS, only a couple resort hotels, no DTD, Boardwalk, you name it. The Disney Zoo was Discovery Island, not DAK.
When I first stepped foot on WDW property, I would have never dreamed of what the place is today. And like the song says, "There's a great big beautiful tomorrow.." :)
 
M

Motorpro

Member
I first went in 1981. At the time Disney World was the Magic Kingdom,2 Hotels and a Camp Ground. And it was great. When I went back the year they had added Epcot. And it was great.Over the years they have added alot(and sadly removed some stuff).Has Disney gotten better? Definatly!! But the expantion has also brought a differant clientel. What I found magical about back then was that people stood in lines and never compained. They were amazed by autioanimitronics. They enjoyed being on vacation and being in the happiest place on earth. Now (fueled on by fastpasses) they act like they are storming the beaches at Normandy.Run to this ,run to that, get upset because someone in a wheel chair gets on before them. They get to ride everything 12 times but they never really take the time to enjoy any of them. I find myself being pulled in to this but then I catch myself and remind my self I am in the Happiest Place on earth.
 
W

wdwfanatic4yrs

Member
lets see here, one of the earliest visits as a kid that i can remamber was taking a helecopter ride over epcot while it was being built. so since MK was the only park at the time and looking at how much they've expanded, i'd have to say yes.
 
blueboxdoctor

blueboxdoctor

Well-Known Member
Ok, so I don't think it's gotten worse since I first went (99 I think it was). However, they've started to let stuff get a tad old. I'd like to point out a few things such as: The Noodle Station, the big building in EPCOT behind test track that's abandoned, Drew Carry's Sound Stage (oh it's bad), shortening the back lot tour, and innovations to being so innovative. Sure, this may seem like a lot, but they've also added some neat stuff as well, and are adding the new Fantasyland. Overall, I have nothing to complain about that'll stop me from going, just little stuff that I find annoying. I think they're progressively getting better, and that some parks they ran out of money so they're not as good (Animal Kingdom and the front of EPCOT). But, as a whole, I'd take WDW over any other theme park/resort.
 

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