pyrophoric
Member
It's not so much the economy that is hurting Disney as much as Disney is hurting themselves.
Heck, who can afford tickets over $100 per person with park hopper? There is nothing in our economy to justify that price. Sure, gas has gone up but that is it. With the stocks tanking and another depression looming, I would bet we would see $200 Disney tickets by 2010.
Sure, tickets are still pretty cheap if you get multiple days but what about the people who just don’t have the time or want to take an entire week at Disney? Add to that the fact that the parks (not just Disney) feel stale.
Epcot: The only reason we go to Epcot anymore is for the world showcase. Things like the test track, aka I-75, and mission to Mar are just bland. We are basically paying an admission fee to pay higher prices on food/souvenirs.
MGM (Refuse to call it Hollywood Studios): I still like a lot of the attractions because they remind me of when I was a kid and love the Tower of Terror but still yearn for something new. Rocking Rollercoaster was a good addition IMO and long overdue but things like this shouldn’t be so few and far between. With the billions they make, you would figure attractions would get more than just a new coat of paint every few years.
Magic Kingdom: Don’t know what to say, it still feels EXACTLY like that same park I visited when I was 5 years old (my first time at a Disney park). That can be both good and bad. Sure, I love to relive my childhood but the need/want to do that is not strong. So I end up visiting this park about 1/20th the amount of times I would if it were updated. Then you figure the two best rides are so far away from each other, I would rather MGM where you can just fast pass back and forth between Rockin and Tower.
Animal Kingdom: Worst park thus far. First, being a new park I obviously have no childlike attachment to it. Second, there are very few actual rides. Third, because it’s new it’s overcrowded for what it is (not Disney’s fault). Fourth, the ride(s) are poorly designed.
On our first and last trip to Animal Kingdom, our coaster got stuck at the top of Expedition Everest and they had to walk us all down through the inside. It was actually cool to see the inside but would have rather not have had it happen by getting stuck. In addition to that, the guide was stupid enough to give us a free fast pass back to the ride. First, it was almost park closing. Second, why would we want to get back on a ride that is clearly broken?
Then we felt duped by riding the Wildlife Express Train. When we got into the park it was just after opening and all the lines were packed accept that one (was only a 30ish min wait). One of the Disney employees was standing in front of the entrance and shouting that the line was shorter than all others in the park and people should hurry before it fills up. We had never been to the park and the map didn’t give a clear explanation of what the Train was for ... so we got in line. Once we got on the train and saw the couple billboards and realized the ride was over ... we were so frustrated we almost went home.
Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon: I actually have nothing really bad to say about these two. There isn't a lot you can expect from a water park and with this you still get the Disney feeling to a point.
Bottom line, for the price the Disney parks aren’t worth it anymore if going for just a day. I am taking my family to the parks in two weeks but we had already decided that before we saw the price increases. We have agreed that this will be our last Disney trip for a VERY long time!
Heck, who can afford tickets over $100 per person with park hopper? There is nothing in our economy to justify that price. Sure, gas has gone up but that is it. With the stocks tanking and another depression looming, I would bet we would see $200 Disney tickets by 2010.
Sure, tickets are still pretty cheap if you get multiple days but what about the people who just don’t have the time or want to take an entire week at Disney? Add to that the fact that the parks (not just Disney) feel stale.
Epcot: The only reason we go to Epcot anymore is for the world showcase. Things like the test track, aka I-75, and mission to Mar are just bland. We are basically paying an admission fee to pay higher prices on food/souvenirs.
MGM (Refuse to call it Hollywood Studios): I still like a lot of the attractions because they remind me of when I was a kid and love the Tower of Terror but still yearn for something new. Rocking Rollercoaster was a good addition IMO and long overdue but things like this shouldn’t be so few and far between. With the billions they make, you would figure attractions would get more than just a new coat of paint every few years.
Magic Kingdom: Don’t know what to say, it still feels EXACTLY like that same park I visited when I was 5 years old (my first time at a Disney park). That can be both good and bad. Sure, I love to relive my childhood but the need/want to do that is not strong. So I end up visiting this park about 1/20th the amount of times I would if it were updated. Then you figure the two best rides are so far away from each other, I would rather MGM where you can just fast pass back and forth between Rockin and Tower.
Animal Kingdom: Worst park thus far. First, being a new park I obviously have no childlike attachment to it. Second, there are very few actual rides. Third, because it’s new it’s overcrowded for what it is (not Disney’s fault). Fourth, the ride(s) are poorly designed.
On our first and last trip to Animal Kingdom, our coaster got stuck at the top of Expedition Everest and they had to walk us all down through the inside. It was actually cool to see the inside but would have rather not have had it happen by getting stuck. In addition to that, the guide was stupid enough to give us a free fast pass back to the ride. First, it was almost park closing. Second, why would we want to get back on a ride that is clearly broken?
Then we felt duped by riding the Wildlife Express Train. When we got into the park it was just after opening and all the lines were packed accept that one (was only a 30ish min wait). One of the Disney employees was standing in front of the entrance and shouting that the line was shorter than all others in the park and people should hurry before it fills up. We had never been to the park and the map didn’t give a clear explanation of what the Train was for ... so we got in line. Once we got on the train and saw the couple billboards and realized the ride was over ... we were so frustrated we almost went home.
Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon: I actually have nothing really bad to say about these two. There isn't a lot you can expect from a water park and with this you still get the Disney feeling to a point.
Bottom line, for the price the Disney parks aren’t worth it anymore if going for just a day. I am taking my family to the parks in two weeks but we had already decided that before we saw the price increases. We have agreed that this will be our last Disney trip for a VERY long time!
