Disney vacation planning videos...smh..

[mitchk]

Let me just start off by saying, I love Walt Disney World. With that said...what has been the deal with the vacation planning videos over the last 5, or 6 years? I have every one since 2001, and I must say, they have gotten real boaring, and ..I guess lame is the correct word. For example, I just got the 2015 one in the mail the other day, now, I have a 4yo baby girl who loves, I mean loves Mickeys house, to use her words. This September will mark her 5 trip there. We watch YouTube videos of all the rides all the time, and she can't get enough of them. Anyway, when the dvd arrived I thought great, she will love this. I put it on, about 5 min into the DVD she is playing with her dolls, not paying a bit of attention to the planning video. Then it hit me...theses videos are now just really speaking to parents about how to book a trip, now that's all well, and good, but what about the kids? I'd have to say right around the time of the what do you dream of planning video is when they really started going down hill. Remember how they used to be? Profiling attractions, fun interactive hosts, all that is gone, it's all about, come here it's magical...end of DVD. I just really think they need to get back to that old formula of getting you really excited, and hyped about your visit. I was just wondering if anyone else feels the same way I do.......

 

[Weather_Lady]

I feel that way, too. While I thought last year's was a big improvement over the previous few years, you're right -- it's all "nuts and bolts" and "let's sell you all the add-ons we can" instead of the emotional, evocative presentation they used to give. I'm afraid it's in keeping with a general shift in corporate focus.

 

[JohnD]

I have the 2013 and 2014 videos. The 2013 video looks like it was filmed in an Ikea showroom with an annoying woman host. 2014 was only slightly better. But stay tuned, someone will post the video of three hosts bouncing off each other. I can't remember their names. But it has been declared the favorite of all Disney planning videos.

 

[Cmdr_Crimson]

That is why I still stand by that the 2005 HCOE Planner by far was the best out of the dvd's

 

[mitchk]

That is why I still stand by that the 2005 HCOE Planner by far was the best out of the dvd's

Yes! Yes!! That's what I'm talking about! I always loved your profile pic... I loved Stacie!

 

[mitchk]

I feel that way, too. While I thought last year's was a big improvement over the previous few years, you're right -- it's all "nuts and bolts" and "let's sell you all the add-ons we can" instead of the emotional, evocative presentation they used to give. I'm afraid it's in keeping with a general shift in corporate focus.

So true...remember the one planning video where they gave a group of kids cell phones, and they were told what rides to go to? that was awesome.I try to show my daughter the old DVDs, but they don't have any of the newer rides in them so....

 

[ctxak98]

I also really like this one! Probably my second favorite planning dvd.



I just love how it feels real with real guests moments of magic they have shared at Disney World!

 

[mitchk]

I also really like this one! Probably my second favorite planning dvd.



I just love how it feels real with real guests moments of magic they have shared at Disney World!

I forgot about that one. Why can't they make them like this anymore My daughter would have it on repeat all day every day, that's real Disney Magic right there

 

[LilWalt]

I have the old VHS ones. They have gotten a little bland. We still love them and my son watches them in the car in the DVD player. It helps us between trips to get by till the next trip.

 

[mitchk]

I have the old VHS ones. They have gotten a little bland. We still love them and my son watches them in the car in the DVD player. It helps us between trips to get by till the next trip.

I hear you on that... I have to depend on YouTube to get my disney fix

 

[Jahona]

2014s wasn't bad. It was well edited and narrated if not a little lacking on details. I have the 2005 DVD as well and it's a classic for the 2000s. From what I've seen of the 2013 planning DVD, it was terrible. I couldn't sit through and watch the entire thing. I didn't know they had the 2015 version out yet. I'll have to order it in a few weeks.

I honestly don't see the point of the planning DVD anymore. You would get a lot more traffic and views if you were able to stream it online. You could do a more interactive experience beyond just video. I wonder if Disney realizes that physical media is being phased out and isn't putting as much into the planning DVD budget as they used to, and that's why the quality has fluctuated since the mid 2000s

 

[CaptainAmerica]

I honestly don't see the point of the planning DVD anymore. You would get a lot more traffic and views if you were able to stream it online. You could do a more interactive experience beyond just video. I wonder if Disney realizes that physical media is being phased out and isn't putting as much into the planning DVD budget as they used to, and that's why the quality has fluctuated since the mid 2000s

 

[LilWalt]

Captain I guess I never paid attention to that either. Thanks

 

[mitchk]

2014s wasn't bad. It was well edited and narrated if not a little lacking on details. I have the 2005 DVD as well and it's a classic for the 2000s. From what I've seen of the 2013 planning DVD, it was terrible. I couldn't sit through and watch the entire thing. I didn't know they had the 2015 version out yet. I'll have to order it in a few weeks.

I honestly don't see the point of the planning DVD anymore. You would get a lot more traffic and views if you were able to stream it online. You could do a more interactive experience beyond just video. I wonder if Disney realizes that physical media is being phased out and isn't putting as much into the planning DVD budget as they used to, and that's why the quality has fluctuated since the mid 2000s

It's funny you talk about streaming it. My cousin called me today, and said she was planning a trip for Nov. and she wanted me to basically break down what it's like there now, she hasn't been there since her high school senior trip in like 2001. Anyway, I told her this, and that, then I said I'll let her have my vacation planning video. I told her she could also get it off line, and she said, that's better what's the website I can stream it from? I said, nope you have to order the video, she resonnded that's pretty stupid, never really thought about it, but she's right

 

[Jahona]

@CaptainAmerica Huh that wasn't an option when I selected the planning DVD for 2014 last winter.

I still believe having it out in the open and not behind a signup wall would be more in their interest but it's nice to see it going online.

 

[Cmdr_Crimson]

If you want to take a look at a bunch of older planning video's this channel has a bunch of them....
https://www.youtube.com/user/interactiveWDW/videos

 

[JIMINYCR]

Yeah. When I have friends who have never gone to WDW show some interest I'll pass them a couple of the older VHS or DVD's to watch just to give them a glimpse of what they have to look forward to. Then I'll sadly tell them about some of the things that are now extinct. They always say whyyy?? That looked so cool. And I have to shrug my shoulders and say....Thats progress????

 

[mitchk]

I did not see this as well thank you sir!

 

[mitchk]

Yeah. When I have friends who have never gone to WDW show some interest I'll pass them a couple of the older VHS or DVD's to watch just to give them a glimpse of what they have to look forward to. Then I'll sadly tell them about some of the things that are now extinct. They always say whyyy?? That looked so cool. And I have to shrug my shoulders and say....Thats progress????

I hear ya, my grandfather, Gramps, got me hooked on Disney. This was in the early 80's... He had all the promo videos you could "buy" at the time....I still have those videos, and to look at things like . WOM, Horizoins, JII, EPCOT Center as a whole... I must say I was lucky enough to experience these attractions. As far as Magic Kingdom.. 20,000 leagues, Mickey Mouse Review, and Sky Way ..... I never got the chance to see MMR though... Like you said, I guess its just progress, just like Walt wanted, but, but, but..... What can I say I miss the past

 

[Doodlyday]

2008 is a good one. Lots of features, long presentation, and some excellent effects.