News Disney's own survey is a list of Walt Disney World's 50-anniversary shortcomings

[Joel]

They're telegraphing loud and clear that they believe it's a given that people are so possessed to come that they need only be reminded that it's here. And to some extent, for a short while, they may be right.

They would have been right in my case if they hadn't fumbled it so terribly. I went from being 100% sure I'd go during the 50th to wondering what in the foreseeable future would even compel me to go again.

 

[Virtual Toad]

I have to sheepishly admit that I ordered a Japanese import CD of parade music because I was so nostalgic for the parade version of that song!

It was a good CD, actually. Strange they released it only in Japan considering it was all Disneyland/WDW music.

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Just have to chime in to say-- I have this one as well and it's incredible. Remember the Magic, Spectro, Fantasmic, Illuminations 25, Cartoon Spin, Alien Encounter, the Dick Dale soundtrack for DL's Space Mountain and more. Insane!

 

[CaptainAmerica]

I can break it down to something even simpler - "Remembering the magic" is an aspirational idea. "Answering the call" sounds perfunctory. They might as well have said "Book a Trip".

Harmonious has a similar problem.

Reflections of Earth was about how awesome the world and humanity are, how far we've come, and how in the future it'll be even better. Harmonious is about how today sucks and maybe the future will be better if we learn how to stop being so awful.

"Someday" was an absolutely disastrous choice for the finale, particularly given the creative choices made in the rest of the show. It turned what would have otherwise been an inoffensive, albeit uninspiring, clip show and turned it into a transparent exercise in political pandering.

 

[TalkingHead]

I have to sheepishly admit that I ordered a Japanese import CD of parade music because I was so nostalgic for the parade version of that song!

It was a good CD, actually. Strange they released it only in Japan considering it was all Disneyland/WDW music.

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I remember the second disc was a mini-CD, probably the first I’d ever seen. Seems like the only time a portion of Alien Encounter’s score was released, too.

Speaking of park CDs, when Disneyland’s 50th occurred, there was a massive box set of park music assembled by Randy Thornton. The biggest thing that stands out to me with WDW’s 50th is the lack of any similar labor of love — music, book, anything. And this is the company division that used to be the leader in packaging and selling nostalgia. Talk about a business that’s lost its way…

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

I can break it down to something even simpler - "Remembering the magic" is an aspirational idea. "Answering the call" sounds perfunctory. They might as well have said "Book a Trip".

…too subtle.

That “per guest spending” isn’t gonna increase itself on its own.

 

[brb1006]

Harmonious has a similar problem.

Reflections of Earth was about how awesome the world and humanity are, how far we've come, and how in the future it'll be even better. Harmonious is about how today sucks and maybe the future will be better if we learn how to stop being so awful.

Helps that Reflections of Earth was originally created to celebrate the 21st Century.


I'll never forget how moving "Celebrate the Future Hand in Hand" (Theme to The Millennium Celebration) because it was a very optimistic song to contrast with the Y2K scare that was occurring at the time.

 

[Disney4family]

I'm just confused. If I am the magic, how is the magic calling, and whose call am I answering?

 

[Sir_Cliff]

I'm just confused. If I am the magic, how is the magic calling, and whose call am I answering?

I guess they're suggesting we check in with ourselves?

You Are The Magic does also specify that it "doesn't matter where you go", so, you know, go to Disney World if you really want to, but don't feel obliged.

 

[Minthorne]

Helps that Reflections of Earth was originally created to celebrate the 21st Century.


I'll never forget how moving "Celebrate the Future Hand in Hand" (Theme to The Millennium Celebration) because it was a very optimistic song to contrast with the Y2K scare that was occurring at the time.

Love this. This is what Disney used to be - I miss it.

 

[CAV]

They recently had a campaign "Walt Disney World now more than ever." No kidding! Parking at resorts. Resort rates rising depending in the day. Park pass increases. $5 for a soda. Who came up with this one???

#NowMoreThanEver: Check Out All the New Experiences Debuting at Walt Disney World Theme Parks Today

We’ve been counting down to this day for a while … and it’s finally here! Now, more than ever, is a great time to visit Walt Disney World Resort, as today a TON of new experiences debut at all four theme parks. Let’s take a look!

disneyparks.disney.go.com

 

[James Alucobond]

Harmonious has a similar problem.

Reflections of Earth was about how awesome the world and humanity are, how far we've come, and how in the future it'll be even better. Harmonious is about how today sucks and maybe the future will be better if we learn how to stop being so awful.

"Someday" was an absolutely disastrous choice for the finale, particularly given the creative choices made in the rest of the show. It turned what would have otherwise been an inoffensive, albeit uninspiring, clip show and turned it into a transparent exercise in political pandering.

I think the choice of "Someday" could've been mitigated somewhat with appropriate narrative place-setting. Like, if some narration prior to it had acknowledged both how far we've come and how far we've yet to go while reaffirming our commitment to keep improving, it would've eliminated the possibility of reading it so negatively.

Honestly, it's kind of hilarious to think about how the song is supposed to be a wink and a nudge to the viewer of Hunchback to imply that we're in that fairer place now (with the millennium that they pray to speed along being the one in which Hunchback takes place), but in the context of Harmonious, it feels like a far-flung future that discounts all of the progress made between 1502 and now.

 

[FeelsSoGoodToBeBad]

That’s what I’m afraid of. I haven’t been in 3 year (thanks Covid) and will be here June 1-12 with low expectations now.

Just got notice park hours changed then as well. Opening earlier now. Not sure that’s a good sign with the crowds unless this is to try to help some with the genie+ fiasco

We'll be there during part of that period and I got the notice as well. My fear is that the crowds are going to be bigger than anticipated, hence the expanded hours, but I'm going to hold out hope for otherwise....anything otherwise.

 

[AEfx]

Where is the option for "you've sucked all the magic out of visiting Disney parks by forgetting what people loved about it for the majority of those fifty years"?

 

[Animaniac93-98]

I remember the second disc was a mini-CD, probably the first I’d ever seen. Seems like the only time a portion of Alien Encounter’s score was released, too.

Speaking of park CDs, when Disneyland’s 50th occurred, there was a massive box set of park music assembled by Randy Thornton. The biggest thing that stands out to me with WDW’s 50th is the lack of any similar labor of love — music, book, anything. And this is the company division that used to be the leader in packaging and selling nostalgia. Talk about a business that’s lost its way…

Wasn't there a rumor of a similar box set for WDW's 40th?

It's not just WDW's 50th. They really don't put much effort into anything these days...and yet they're spending more money?

 

[GhostHost1000]

They recently had a campaign "Walt Disney World now more than ever." No kidding! Parking at resorts. Resort rates rising depending in the day. Park pass increases. $5 for a soda. Who came up with this one???

#NowMoreThanEver: Check Out All the New Experiences Debuting at Walt Disney World Theme Parks Today

We’ve been counting down to this day for a while … and it’s finally here! Now, more than ever, is a great time to visit Walt Disney World Resort, as today a TON of new experiences debut at all four theme parks. Let’s take a look!

disneyparks.disney.go.com

(Give us more money for less) “now more than ever”

 

[yensidtlaw1969]

I'm just confused. If I am the magic, how is the magic calling, and whose call am I answering?

 

[TalkingHead]

Wasn't there a rumor of a similar box set for WDW's 40th?

It's not just WDW's 50th. They really don't put much effort into anything these days...and yet they're spending more money?

Quite possibly. The last major park-adjacent CD box set that I recall was the 64 Worlds Fair one (still got a copy I never got around to opening!). Incredibly stupid that they never did a massive set of Epcot music for collectors.

 

[Animaniac93-98]

Quite possibly. The last major park-adjacent CD box set that I recall was the 64 Worlds Fair one (still got a copy I never got around to opening!). Incredibly stupid that they never did a massive set of Epcot music for collectors.

I guess the investment vs payoff for a mass produced, thin $35 t-shirt is better than setting up a specialty team to restore and assemble a playlist, design packaging and print the discs for a limited run...even if it still turns a profit. Of course itunes/digital is a thing...

Disney only likes it when they can charge a premium for minimal effort.

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

To add to that there is no reason to bring that stuff back when people are filling the parks with out it.

There is no reason to offer many attractions and shows then. Could close all but the most popular attractions.

Even new attractions don't impact attendance.

Avatar and Star Wars didn’t impact attendance?

I’m not for it, but I’m certain Guardians will impact the attendance of Epcot.

Enjoy the memories, because entertainment like that is never coming back.

Not necessarily. The pendulum will most likely swing back again.

 

[JoeCamel]

I guess the investment vs payoff for a mass produced, thin $35 t-shirt is better than setting up a specialty team to restore and assemble a playlist, design packaging and print the discs for a limited run...even if it still turns a profit. Of course itunes/digital is a thing...

Disney only likes it when they can charge a premium for minimal effort.

I wonder if they have complete rights to all the music to be able to assemble and sell it. I would think it is wholly owned but as you say it seems like easy money to put it out on digital. Discs are dead