Without the entertainment, the only difference between WDW and other parks is the price. We are planning a trip Universal in November and bought one of the 15 month season passes. Universal may have less offerings, but I don't really mind because the trip is fairly inexpensive. Same with Dollywood. We are passholders and have not noticed any big differences in the entertainment that is being offered.
They certainly have. I think it has been about 10 years since I held a WDW AP and I felt that way at that time. Couple of bright spots over the years led me to 3 - 4 day FL tix but I really haven't seen the quality added that says "disney" to me. I'm not their demo any longer.
That's exactly what it is.
You seem to assume those of us still going or planning to go find these things, this loss of stuff OK. I don't. But I accept that its happened. There's a difference. Yes the rides are important, they are a major part of the whole thing from the very beginning. Walt didn't didn't spend millions back then on rides to promote a parade, marching band, free horse drawn trolly rides. It was just the opposite. All that entertainment was scattered around to provide an atmosphere to SELL TICKETS to ride the rides because the rides were not free. All that entertainment around Epcot pavilions is to draw in people, to make them happy so their mental state will change and prompt them to buy food and merchandise.
That would be an interesting experiment to run.
After mid January, tyvm!
God Bless ‘Murica and the pixie dust for which it stands. This was a hilarious speech, but you won’t get my vote.Quit spending money on anything Disney. Period. Parks, merchandise, movies, Disney +, everything. Quit engaging in anything Disney related - this includes internet forums, it really does. Have to drive the data so that it shows a decrease in interest. Same with NOT clicking on any news articles, just as with any other topic, every click shows interest. Don't like celebrity Z, every time you click on an article about Z it registers as 'interested in Z' and you'll keep seeing articles about Z.
So until you happen to see the headlines you've been wishing for, you don't read the article. Common wished for moves by Disney: "Disney to restore all entertainment" "will spend gazillions on new attractions", "open 5th gate", "shift more money to US parks" Wishes Fireworks Show to Return" "Marvel to be Removed!" "No more IP!"
"New CEO hired who is totally theme park focused who idolizes Walt and will reinstall Walt's vision" You know, that sort of thing.
Its the only way. But you have to get tens of millions, not just the 18 million who were going every year, but the tens of millions PLANNING on going to go along with you.
Not going to happen. Maybe that's too strong, lets say "very unlikely to happen." The tens of millions who weren't there 10, 20, 30, etc years ago don't know what they don't know, don't know what was (from personal experience) and are going there to visit what IS. Every year millions of new first time visitors go to visit What Is.
So, acceptance. Accept that the Disney you might have loved is gone and likely not returning. Accept that your personal Disney era is over. Then decide to go or not.
I'm not at the end of my personal Disney era yet. I still find value in spending some days in a place with happy music, generally happy often huge crowds of people, people gathered in one place seeking more or less the same things. There is a bond, an energy, a vitality that exists in that, that resonates through the spirit, the core. Its similar to any large event, and sports arena atmosphere. We've been to Disney on a couple of its busiest days of the year. Packed in tighter than a fraternity party on Greek Week, and it was marvelous and I recommend it, at least once.
Again, the only way to make the things you and so many of us seek to be important again to the company is have tens of millions of people around the world to just cease all Disney related interaction. Since the odds are against that, have to decide how much more you want to pound your head against the wall, how much digital ink to spill complaining and wishing, how much of your spirit to invest. Maybe that's the fun part of a great number of people in forums: the constant arguing, thought experiments, what ifs, whatever. But in the for Disney: $$ talks, b.s. walks. Just a fact of life.
I'll be there in January. Going to be very interesting to say the least, and I suspect under my criteria, fun.
All the best!
I enjoyed the lack of crowds, being able to ride what I wanted to in one day, and not feeling rushed or having to fully plan out my day. The character sightings were also nice but not a high priority for me even when things were normal. Different strokes for different folks. I totally understand how it’s not worth it for a lot of people but for me it worked. I’ll be glad when the fireworks return though.
Not sure what was so hilarious, but clearly hit a nerve. So sorry this is happening to you!
I would have enjoyed the lack of crowds that were seen when they reopened. Other than the typical summer heat mixed with fewer AC options - that was probably an excellent time to visit the parks.
Someone needs to count the staff in the emporium. If they are fully staffed you have a window into the minds above, cut everything but lines, stores and some dining you have increased per guest spending? Nice goal in these times.
If you take the pandemic out of the equation, they have been cutting entertainment and raising prices for years. I think everyone understands that layoffs were inevitable this year although I don't think cutting their entertainment staff was smart. It just gives people even less incentive to visit WDW. They also haven't done any thing to mitigate their losses in the parks.
