I have always enjoyed the musical acts at Epcot, and in particular, Off Kilter. I own all of their cd's and listen to them often. Seeing them has become a highlight of any trip for me. However, I was really becoming disappointed to hear more Top 40 covers, and less and less of the traditional celtic/rock fusion that I found so great about them. I hope that they continue on in some form. Despite the very homogenized sets that I saw on my last two trips, I still love their work, and will miss them terribly. And of course...I now have very little reason to visit that pavilion.
I keep trying to tell myself that change is good, and that a refreshing of the entertainment options for Epcot is a good thing...but...that just keeps getting overridden by the deep feeling of ANGER that I have instead. Because I know TDO is going to do this on the cheap. I know that this wasn't about a better experience for the guests, it was about money. I know that it means that besides getting Frozen shoved into a space that doesn't need it...this is all we are going to get at Epcot (yes yes...paint...they painted...yay...) and the powers that be will say that they did something for Epcot. Sadly, like others have pointed out...Epcot is basically becoming a series of festivals centered around a theme park.
I was really excited when it was announced that George Kalogridis was making a return to WDW. I heard all the great stories about how he would listen and actually answer emails, or how he really believed in making the parks great. I knew very little about him other than the anecdotes that poured forth. And I think that my anger stems from the constant stream of cutbacks and changes for the worse that have poured forth under his short watch. I don't blame him per se, as I know much was in motion before he arrived, but given that all I seem to hear about is MM+ and such, and see very little effort going back in to plussing the parks (yes, I know the FL expansion is nice, great restaurant surrounded by great theming and attractions for 9 year old girls mostly..lol, and AK is getting a land that is already irrelevant, and some sort of night time parade/show)... I just feel like he sold out and lost whatever vision he had. I mean, I know there are things going on....Disney Springs (more shopping!), and vague hints of Star Wars. But I keep coming away from it all with a feeling of its all sort of cosmetic, and cost/revenue driven. I don't feel like anything that is being done will make this a better vacation place for me. The solution to the crowding issues at the Hub was to fill in the moats and pull up the trees and pave over it all?? DVC is now EVERYWHERE and getting worse. I haven't been able to afford a Deluxe Resort besides a discounted AKL room in 6 years. But when is the last time a real, solid E ticket ride was announced?
I grew up in Winter Garden...I could see the glow of the Mouse House at night from my house. I have made countless trips there...I think 25 as an adult, let alone in my youth. I LOVE WDW. Like no other place. And I have, after all this time...started to think that I really don't want to go back anytime soon. I just don't think George and the rest of TDO deserve my hard earned money anymore. I'm just angry. And disappointed.
I apologize, as this turned into much more of a rant that I intended. But it's just how I feel now. Perhaps these cuts were the straw that broke my camel's back....
