I just got back from WDW after having worked there in 2 college programs and 2 advanced internships from 2004-2007. I was last there for a visit in Jan of 2010, so its been 7 yrs since I was there, until last week.
Just thought I would share some observations from my point of view.
Some of the changes are real obvious and I had been aware of from checking this website all the time. Wristbands for example. They certainly work very slick and make it very easy it get in the park. But they also make it easy to make purchases. Even easier than having charging privileges on the old plastic cards. Disney is making it as easy as possible to shake money out of us.
In the Magic Kingdom, I finally got a chance to see the new fantasyland, that was neat. That slow moving ride featuring Under the Sea from the Little Mermaid was really cool. The WDW steam trains were down. I don't think I have ever seen that before, at least not completely. People mover was different and named People Mover again, but is essentially the same.
One of the things I observed is that whenever I saw a film, I feel that they have all gotten a little less bright. I am not sure why that is, but one cast member I know thinks that its to discourage people from taking video. Who knows.
I also feel that someone has gone through the whole place and lowered the volume on everything. Everything is just not as loud as it used to be, which I am okay with for the most part. Some things were just too freaking loud.
Crowds I thought were busy! At Epcot, usually in the past I could go on just about anything with the exception of Soarin and Test Track without waiting. But even now, SSE has long lines well into the afternoon, weird. By the way I miss the old Spaceship Earth, much better ending. It gave you an inspirational push to go through the rest of the park. That is deeply missed.
Test Track received a well deserved facelift. A much better queue than that industrial complex type feeling they used to have. Though I wish they would have changed the track, even just a little.
The new Soarin was amazing! So much more crisp in resolution and they did a stellar job filming it. Love the Epcot flyover at the end. Although they kind of lost me when I saw the fireworks being launched above the parking lot.
Over at the Studios, I got to do the new Star Tours finally. While I like the new ride experience, I kind of think that the 3D on this ride is too much. There just seems like too much else going on for the 3D to really matter in my opinion, and the screen is not that big to really feel the effect.
Certainly great to ride Everest again at DAK. No changes there. Over at the Safari, they removed all references to the poacher chase, which I thought was fine.
I stayed at the French Quarter which had their pool closed for a couple days. When it was open, I noticed that the pool hours ended at 8pm, which I observed at other resorts as well. I think that is too early. When I get back from the parks, I would like to make a splash in the water.
Those Rapid Fill cups are something. I knew they would finally crack down on people filling older mugs.
Also, kinda strange we don't have a nighttime light parade anymore. We'll see what happens with that.
Finally, I hate what they have done to Downtown Disney which is now Disney Springs. New stores seem to mostly feature nothing but diamonds and women's handbags. Two things I have absolutely no interest in. I miss things like the Adventurers Club and Comedy Warehouse. Actual Entertainment from human beings, which has seen a decline over the years.
But overall I enjoyed my visit. Just wish they had a LOST TV show attraction. That would be cool.
Just thought I would share some observations from my point of view.
Some of the changes are real obvious and I had been aware of from checking this website all the time. Wristbands for example. They certainly work very slick and make it very easy it get in the park. But they also make it easy to make purchases. Even easier than having charging privileges on the old plastic cards. Disney is making it as easy as possible to shake money out of us.
In the Magic Kingdom, I finally got a chance to see the new fantasyland, that was neat. That slow moving ride featuring Under the Sea from the Little Mermaid was really cool. The WDW steam trains were down. I don't think I have ever seen that before, at least not completely. People mover was different and named People Mover again, but is essentially the same.
One of the things I observed is that whenever I saw a film, I feel that they have all gotten a little less bright. I am not sure why that is, but one cast member I know thinks that its to discourage people from taking video. Who knows.
I also feel that someone has gone through the whole place and lowered the volume on everything. Everything is just not as loud as it used to be, which I am okay with for the most part. Some things were just too freaking loud.
Crowds I thought were busy! At Epcot, usually in the past I could go on just about anything with the exception of Soarin and Test Track without waiting. But even now, SSE has long lines well into the afternoon, weird. By the way I miss the old Spaceship Earth, much better ending. It gave you an inspirational push to go through the rest of the park. That is deeply missed.
Test Track received a well deserved facelift. A much better queue than that industrial complex type feeling they used to have. Though I wish they would have changed the track, even just a little.
The new Soarin was amazing! So much more crisp in resolution and they did a stellar job filming it. Love the Epcot flyover at the end. Although they kind of lost me when I saw the fireworks being launched above the parking lot.
Over at the Studios, I got to do the new Star Tours finally. While I like the new ride experience, I kind of think that the 3D on this ride is too much. There just seems like too much else going on for the 3D to really matter in my opinion, and the screen is not that big to really feel the effect.
Certainly great to ride Everest again at DAK. No changes there. Over at the Safari, they removed all references to the poacher chase, which I thought was fine.
I stayed at the French Quarter which had their pool closed for a couple days. When it was open, I noticed that the pool hours ended at 8pm, which I observed at other resorts as well. I think that is too early. When I get back from the parks, I would like to make a splash in the water.
Those Rapid Fill cups are something. I knew they would finally crack down on people filling older mugs.
Also, kinda strange we don't have a nighttime light parade anymore. We'll see what happens with that.
Finally, I hate what they have done to Downtown Disney which is now Disney Springs. New stores seem to mostly feature nothing but diamonds and women's handbags. Two things I have absolutely no interest in. I miss things like the Adventurers Club and Comedy Warehouse. Actual Entertainment from human beings, which has seen a decline over the years.
But overall I enjoyed my visit. Just wish they had a LOST TV show attraction. That would be cool.
