Four Parks,One World,But is it still Magic?

[real mad hatter]

Good Morning Everyone. I always remember reading my first WDW brochure,not that long ago (2004) before my first visit,it stated,quote; " Imagine a place where dreams come true everyday. A place where the glass slipper always fits. Where the clock never strikes midnight. A place where the air is filled with pixie dust,and where little brothers get on with their little sisters.Then welcome to Disney World Florida." Unquote.However this week reading various threads on these forums,Ive never seen so many people complaining about things that spoil their vacation.Hey! Let me assure you that I would be the first to join that queue to complain if my magical vacation didn't live up to my expectations,but it always does.Yes it costs more $$$$$ each trip,what doesn't nowadays.So my question today is " Is it still magic to you ? I truly feel sorry for families who spend their hard earned bucks only for stuff to go wrong or to find out the magic is no longer there.One more thought,and I'am being serious here.I think they should be a separate thread for people who have had bad experiences,from rude CM'S to resort problems,attractions,etc.Your thoughts on this please.Does the magic still live in your hearts.?

 

[Figgy1]

Good morning Hatter you silly bird I can't believe it but I actuallt think it is more magical. I was there in the "glory days" of the 80s and yes some things were better(JIIwF) but that's another thread. But now there's so much more to see and do. More parks, resorts and more and better dining options. Ride technology has come a long way the one thing that is definately worse is when I hit I-4 heading north I cry more and I stay much longer now!!!

 

[AndyS2992]

I have been to WDW five times and had an awesome time every time but during my last visit I didn't really feel any 'magic', it just came across as a standard theme park which has never happened before Still had a good time and ignored looking for faults as that would just make things worse, but if you don't look for them then everything is great

 

[zurgandfriend]

To tell the truth the trip I remember the most with rude quests and a rude cast member was back in 1995. We have been many times and I have met mostly great guests and castmemebers so yes the magic is still there for me.

 

[marni1971]

Course its still there. Otherwise we wouldn't go.

Its just not there as much.

 

[Nemo14]

Course its still there. Otherwise we wouldn't go.

Its just not there as much.

and there are are tarps under it.....

 

[powlessfamily4]

I find it more magical each time I go.

 

[sgtmgd]

Yes indeed Hatter my friend..I find WDW more magical every trip..I dont lament about all the percieved failings that people so often want to complain about. I enjoy myself each and every trip, and while there are certain to be some dissapointments here and there....well thats the case wherever I vactation. I feel at peace inside WDW...truly happy and content...and thats not the case in other vaction spots...at least for me. A bad day at Disney is better than most days outside the WDW bubble.

 

[LuLaSue]

The magic still lives for me. I think as I get older, I may be feeling the magic a bit more. I admit, I often walk thru the parks with "Rose Colored Glasses" and I just allow myself to ride the magical wave. With this said, I have not drank all the Kool Aid...I see things that should not be or could be better but, I just let them go (at least until I get home). I won't allow a few instances to take away my magic.

 

[MerlinTheGoat]

Course its still there. Otherwise we wouldn't go.

Its just not there as much.

This. It's a bit tainted, but i still enjoy myself at WDW. And I still maintain hope for the future. Though i'm likely not returning for some time, at least not until new management takes over and shows whether they can get the place cleaned up.

 

[LowesChevy]

We will always hold WDW close to our hearts. It is a place we have been visiting for over 30 years and it is special indeed. I think the $$$ will always be worth it to our family because of all of the former and future memories.

I agree with yall though there has been a lot of negative reports, but I try to look at the facts when reading reviews. Sometimes people embellish a bit or perhaps not.Unfortunately bad things can happen to anyone at WDW or any vacation-experiencing rude people, sickness, attraction issues etc. Outside forces can make a trip less magical, but sometimes you have to ignore the negative and soak up your own fun.

We experienced a disaster in Oct with bed bugs-textiles had to launder all of our clothing, luggage and anything fabric. They had to find a room for the 6 of us and we had to move resorts midday. Then the items were not ready till the next morning and the park tickets didnt work the next morning at the gate-it just kept getting better! One fiasco after another, but the CMs found us an acceptable room, laundered our items and covered any expenses we inccured while not having our clothing. We can joke about it now of course, but what a nightmare! A few months later and we have already booked our next trip.

 

[rsoxguy]

I don't believe in magic, but I do believe in having fun with my family. My daughter's love for WDW, coupled with the enjoyment still derived from a day at WDW by my wife and I, are reason enough to go. Yes, I see some of the problems that involve cost and quality, and we will stop attending when they become a hindrance to our enjoyment. Until that time, we will enjoy the place for what it is; a nice resort that centers around theme parks.

 

[popcenturylover]

I can never get enough of the MAGIC! I think that every visit is more magical than the last especially, seeing it through our youngest daughter's eyes. This last visit was great! She loved everything! She was a month shy of 4 & was excited about it all from the airplane ride, to our resort, to the parks. I can only hope that it's even better the next time. Although, the next time, we can also bring along our Grandson! I can't wait!

 

[dopeylover]

I asked a very similar question a week or two ago @real mad hatter. I had been reading so many negative things on here, and we can all go back and forth on yet another thread about declining by degrees and all of that again, but really like anything else it's what you make of it. I get it, I get it, I get it that if we except mediocrity that's what we'll get, etc., etc., but in my very humble opinion, I'm a bit sick and tired of that song and dance, I personally needed a break from it regardless if I agree or not, and have been avoiding posts like that and focusing on the positive. No matter what you say, WDW positives far outweigh the negatives- And if you disagree, it's probably time for a WDW break.

If you're looking for negative things, you will find them, whether it's going to a movie, grocery shopping, or WDW. I still have moments being in the parks or thinking about experiences I've had there that take my breath away. There are still moments to me being in WDW that I truly feel there's magic and I am in a special place. And now sharing that with my little girl is truly one of my greatest blessings, b/c I know not everyone has the ability to do that. While I am there, I will continue to drink the Kool Aid, so to speak.

 

[dopeylover]

The magic still lives for me. I think as I get older, I may be feeling the magic a bit more. I admit, I often walk thru the parks with "Rose Colored Glasses" and I just allow myself to ride the magical wave. With this said, I have not drank all the Kool Aid...I see things that should not be or could be better but, I just let them go (at least until I get home). I won't allow a few instances to take away my magic.

Exactly. It's funny you mentioned the Kool Aid- I didn't read that til after I posted, lol!

 

[Britt]

I really don't know!! I know this past trip was NOT magical as you can really get, but I blame that on a guest in our group.

But it really did taint things for me. I came home and decided I was done with Disney, not going back and wasting the money.

Now, we're planning a 2014 trip for us, but even now, I'm wondering if its worth the cost or if we'd have just as much fun somewhere else, you know?

Idk. I think I need a break from the site. The complaints and snarky comments are effecting my groove and a trip report yesterday just was the cherry on top. He sounded generally miserable!

I GET the need for the complaints, I really do. And I get that it's because they "love the parks so so much more then others", but it ruins it for sure.

 

[KCheatle]

In answer to your question: yes, the magic is still there. In fact, there is no place that even compares IMO. The only issue I struggle with (and not to be a Debbie-Downer) is I feel like certain aspects of the parks (Frontierland, HS, generally, Future World, and imagination pavilion) have become somewhat decrepit. Now, I don't know if I feel that way because I'm getting older and so as an adult I notice things that I did not notice in my childhood? Maybe there were other aspects of the parks that were in bad shape when I was a child that I just didn't notice that now are great and one day these aspects will be revived too? Maybe Frontierland isn't that different (in fact, all I can think of that's changed is the Golden Horseshoe Revue)? Maybe my expectations for the "perfect" experience are just too high and, frankly, unrealistic? I don't know. It's not that I don't love WDW. I do. And the magic will always be there for me. But sometimes I wish I could still see it through the rose-colored glasses that I did as a kid and that my kids see it through now.

 

[KCheatle]

I really don't know!! I know this trip as NOT magical as you can really get, but I blame that on a guest in our group.

But it really did taint things for me. I came home and decided I was done with Disney, not going back and wasting the money.

Now, we're planning a 2014 trip for us, but even now, I'm wondering if its worth the cost or if we'd have just as much fun somewhere else, you know?

Idk. I think I need a break from the site. The complaints and snarky comments are effecting my groove and a trip report yesterday just was the cherry on top. He sounded generally miserable!

I GET the need for the complaints, I really do. And I get that it's because they "love the parks so so much more then others", but it ruins it for sure.

I know the feeling. Back in October I took myself off of this site for about 3 weeks. I found myself getting a very distorted view of WDW and it was not a view which I really agreed with based on my personal experiences with the parks. It may be good for you to take a break and then come back and really filter out the negative threads so that you don't get "bummed" again {hugs}

 

[menamechris]

There is still "magic" - but also is the realization that the "magic well" can run dry under the wrong leadership. I think many of us find the "magic" right now in the hope that things will change soon. Things can always turn around for the resort - but now is certainly not an amazing time for WDW. Creativity and innovation seem to be a pretty solid standstill.

 

[real mad hatter]

I really don't know!! I know this past trip was NOT magical as you can really get, but I blame that on a guest in our group.

But it really did taint things for me. I came home and decided I was done with Disney, not going back and wasting the money.

Now, we're planning a 2014 trip for us, but even now, I'm wondering if its worth the cost or if we'd have just as much fun somewhere else, you know?

Idk. I think I need a break from the site. The complaints and snarky comments are effecting my groove and a trip report yesterday just was the cherry on top. He sounded generally miserable!

I GET the need for the complaints, I really do. And I get that it's because they "love the parks so so much more then others", but it ruins it for sure.

. I couldn't agree more with what your saying.Ive had a ding dong battle on another thread with a couple of T...... But that's in the past.However I hope that these type of people don't take your love of Disney away.