I think “The Magic” is mostly gone for me…

[MagicRat]

This entitled wining how the magic is gone is completely an individual’s problem not a vacation destination. I am not attacking the OP but all threads like this one.

It’s the same thing on Springsteen message boards. People are complaining about stale set lists in Europe and they wouldn’t have spent money on tickets, airfare and hotels to see this and shame on Bruce. People you are going to Europe and seeing world cities. If a concert is bringing you down, I don’t know how to help you. If a park is no longer meeting your expectations, maybe there is more to it than just the park.

 

[King Racoon 77]

 

[Goofyernmost]

You misunderstand. I lowered my expectations of finding that "feeling" I kept trying to recreate from the distant past, not of Disney.
I'd explain more, but I think we can all agree it would be a pointless exercise.

I understood what you are saying and the problem is the some people think that Disney lowered expectations but they really just adjusted to the current society in general. If you've never been there are no real expectations, it is just that you hope for a good trip. Once you have been is when expectations change and many times those expectations are not realistic and are base on another time completely. I loved the dark rides and still do, but if all there was there now were dark rides I would be bored to tears. New things replace old thing, sort of the circle of life. Anything that doesn't change is not alive and well. Nostalgia is great but only for so long before it becomes stale and unappealing. Disney has maintained a lot of nostalgia and the things that are gone for the most part were things that people lost interest in.

Not everyone lost interest but enough to know that something new was needed. That is how the world goes round. A lot of things are gone and not all have been replaced, that would be where I get upset. If you are going to close something, that's OK, but replace it or don't whine about crowding and come up with punishment formula's to try and fix a problem if they had just done the job right. In life we always here about how you shouldn't quit a job until you have a new one. That applies to Theme parks too.

 

[eliza61nyc]

Yep.
Pretty much a weekly thing.

 

[dreday3]

I understood what you are saying and the problem is the some people think that Disney lowered expectations but they really just adjusted to the current society in general. If you've never been there are no real expectations, it is just that you hope for a good trip. Once you have been is when expectations change and many times those expectations are not realistic and are base on another time completely. I loved the dark rides and still do, but if all there was there now were dark rides I would be bored to tears. New things replace old thing, sort of the circle of life. Anything that doesn't change is not alive and well. Nostalgia is great but only for so long before it becomes stale and unappealing. Disney has maintained a lot of nostalgia and the things that are gone for the most part were things that people lost interest in.

Not everyone lost interest but enough to know that something new was needed. That is how the world goes round. A lot of things are gone and not all have been replaced, that would be where I get upset. If you are going to close something, that's OK, but replace it or don't whine about crowding and come up with punishment formula's to try and fix a problem if they had just done the job right. In life we always here about how you shouldn't quit a job until you have a new one. That applies to Theme parks too.

I'm just not even sure anymore if my nostalgia was really for Disney and the rides, etc., or is it for the times when long gone aunts/uncles were still here, my parents were 45 instead of 85 and we made these awesome memories at WDW.

This trip I really went in with a different view, not because of Disney but real life circumstances, where I'm not looking back wistfully but rather accepting life is different now and that's okay.

And now I feel like I'm enjoying other things I didn't and letting go of trying to recreate magic where maybe there never even was any?
Maybe the magic was (is) my dad!

Maybe this only makes sense to me, but that's okay, I'm happy!

 

[Goofyernmost]

I'm just not even sure anymore if my nostalgia was really for Disney and the rides, etc., or is it for the times when long gone aunts/uncles were still here, my parents were 45 instead of 85 and we made these awesome memories at WDW.

This trip I really went in with a different view, not because of Disney but real life circumstances, where I'm not looking back wistfully but rather accepting life is different now and that's okay.

And now I feel like I'm enjoying other things I didn't and letting go of trying to recreate magic where maybe there never even was any?
Maybe the magic was (is) my dad!

Maybe this only makes sense to me, but that's okay, I'm happy!

That is a big part of the nostalgia. My family was young when I first went and for a good number of visits after that. None of them exceeded the first one and many of those had little change happening. Later when my kids were in college my wife and I went but it wasn't the same. I escorted a few "challenged" people there in the late 80's to early 90's and that was fun too. After my wife left, I made about twenty trips solo. It was fun, but something was missing and that was sharing the experience with someone else. Freedom of total choice was great, but going with others was just more overall fun.

 

[BlakeW39]

This entitled wining how the magic is gone is completely an individual’s problem not a vacation destination. I am not attacking the OP but all threads like this one.

It’s the same thing on Springsteen message boards. People are complaining about stale set lists in Europe and they wouldn’t have spent money on tickets, airfare and hotels to see this and shame on Bruce. People you are going to Europe and seeing world cities. If a concert is bringing you down, I don’t know how to help you. If a park is no longer meeting your expectations, maybe there is more to it than just the park.

*eeeerrrrrr* wrong. no one is entitled because Disney isn't and never has done anything for us. We are paying customers, ones who are paying too much as a matter of fact and half the time for rides & attractions that don't work. that now they charge us a surcharge for.

but keep defending.

 

[BlakeW39]

I am truly sorry to hear this, @Mike S . I don't get bogged down in abstract qualities like "magic" but it is certainly sad to see TWDC treat its parks so poorly. The least I expect is all attractions to be fully working the great majority of the time— which is not a high bar at all, I mean if they can find novel ways of price gouging I'd think they can find novel ways of cleaning up their own d@mn parks, but oh well.

 

[Mike S]

I am truly sorry to hear this, @Mike S . I don't get bogged down in abstract qualities like "magic" but it is certainly sad to see TWDC treat its parks so poorly. The least I expect is all attractions to be fully working the great majority of the time— which is not a high bar at all, I mean if they can find novel ways of price gouging I'd think they can find novel ways of cleaning up their own d@mn parks, but oh well.

From what I’ve always heard the old “Disney Difference” is still alive and well at Tokyo Disney. Here in the states it feels pretty on par with how Universal Studios runs their parks. Some things work and are kept up, others not so much. Disney used to pride themselves to a higher standard than that.

 

[BlakeW39]

From what I’ve always heard the old “Disney Difference” is still alive and well at Tokyo Disney. Here in the states it feels pretty on par with how Universal Studios runs their parks. Some things work and are kept up, others not so much. Disney used to pride themselves to a higher standard than that.

I mean what Universal attractions don't work? I'd go as far to say that majority of the attractions at DAK don't work. Is there a case at a Uni park that I'm not aware of?

 

[Mike S]

I mean what Universal attractions don't work? I'd go as far to say that majority of the attractions at DAK don't work. Is that the case at a Uni park that I'm not aware of?

I hear from my brother that The Mummy is rough these days with a lot of effects not working and in my experience the animatronics on Jurassic Park are always rough looking.

To add another point ever since WWoHP opened in 2010 it seems like Disney has been chasing the Forbidden Journey crowd with most of their major E Tickets rather than the types of rides that set them apart.

 

[crispy]

I hear from my brother that The Mummy is rough these days with a lot of effects not working and in my experience the animatronics on Jurassic Park are always rough looking.

To add another point ever since WWoHP opened in 2010 it seems like Disney has been chasing the Forbidden Journey crowd with most of their major E Tickets rather than the types of rides that set them apart.

I was at Universal last month, and The Mummy was running perfectly after it's mini-refurb. They are doing some work on the River ride so agreed that it needs some love.

Although Universal has spent a lot into developing Harry Potter, the end result was Hagrid's which is pretty much my favorite coaster ever. They also recently opened the Velocicoaster which is pretty darn amazing. They are also building a whole new theme park so I am cutting them some slack.

 

[Mike S]

I was at Universal last month, and The Mummy was running perfectly after it's mini-refurb. They are doing some work on the River ride so agreed that it needs some love.

Although Universal has spent a lot into developing Harry Potter, the end result was Hagrid's which is pretty much my favorite coaster ever. They also recently opened the Velocicoaster which is pretty darn amazing. They are also building a whole new theme park so I am cutting them some slack.

Oh I’m definitely excited for what they’re bringing in the future especially if The Legend of Zelda takes over The Lost Continent like everyone expects.

Regarding The Mummy was the treasure room working with all of its effects including the falling door? Were you held up in the Scarab room after longer than it’s supposed to be? These are things my brother brought up.

 

[crispy]

Oh I’m definitely excited for what they’re bringing in the future especially if The Legend of Zelda takes over The Lost Continent like everyone expects.

Regarding The Mummy was the treasure room working with all of its effects including the falling door? Were you held up in the Scarab room after longer than it’s supposed to be? These are things my brother brought up.

Everything looked perfect on the Mummy with no hold-up in the scarab room. We did experience some issues last year but it was working noticeably better this trip.

 

[Mike S]

Everything looked perfect on the Mummy with no hold-up in the scarab room. We did experience some issues last year but it was working noticeably better this trip.

Good. This trip we were held at both track switches on Everest and my brother said this is something that’s become common at both resorts with certain rides.

 

[BlakeW39]

I hear from my brother that The Mummy is rough these days with a lot of effects not working and in my experience the animatronics on Jurassic Park are always rough looking.

True but at least the T. rex works. And I believe they are in the process of refurbing the Ultrasaurus. At a specific DAK rollercoaster though the one AA is still broken......

 

[thomas998]

The problem is you’re chasing something Disney isn’t even trying to deliver.

They don’t care about any of this, you’re just late to the realization that era is over and they are openly mocking you.

Sadly this is true. The reality is Disney started sliding decades ago, but like slowly cooking a lobster by turning up the heat gradually most people never noticed when it started.... but it has gotten to a point that most people realize that it has happened. It is just a matter of what was the straw that broke the camel's back.

Or if you want to at what point did they start down the road away from where they started. For me it was probably when Eisner took over, he was behind some of the early changes that took the magic out of the parks... just little things, like eliminating high end toys in the toy stores and replacing them with cheap merch which then morphed into nothing but themed garbage for whatever ride's exit was nearby. No longer could you get any cool souvenir of your trip it was now just a bunch of swag you could have just as easy gotten at a Walmart.

 

[Monkee Girl]

As dumb as it sounds, I was over Disney when they started charging parking fees at their hotels. From 2003 to 2018, I have gone with my cousin and Aunt every single years. once I went 3 times in one year based on how Easter fell and an impromptu Christmas trip, haha. It was our thing. We stayed Deluxe at the Polynesian and loved it. we were so obsessed with the Polynesia, we stayed there full on thru the remodeling. My Aunt didn't fly or float so the only way she would go would be to drive. So I drove with her while my cousin and her daughter flew. We always stayed for Easter, the most expensive time to go. so when they announced the addition of the parking, my aunt flipped her lid. they weren't charging day guests but the actual people paying $700-800 a night. It was outrageous and just the straw that broke the camel's back. Yes, I know we were paying for it in the resort price/fees (nothing is 'free') but to now separate it on TOP of the exorbitant price was just insulting. And that's when the curtain opened for me.

2019, I decided to take a break from Disney and went to Hawaii. I spent less on a week in Oahu than I did on a week in Disney and the hotel and service were top notch. I then realized I was finally ready to leave the Disney bubble and go other places. Places where I didn't have to spend 95% of my trip buried in my phone.

Don't get me wrong. I LOVE Disney and the memories I had there and still think about planning a trip to go back. but it can't be my annual vacation now. I mean, I AM 41 now and those I will always be a child at heart, I do crave adventure outside of the manufactered one from Disney. Every couple of years, maybe for a short weekend will be awesome and I'll never turn down a trip if someone asks me to go with them, but I need something Disney is no longer offering me. I want to see the other theme parks and the non-theme park areas in Florida. Just watching the growing greed of the company has been really sad. It's always been there but everyone has their melting point. What they did to the Polynesian was it for me. I begrudgingly tolerated the addition of the bungalows, cried over the removal of the fountain, angered at the charging of the parking fees and walked away with the destruction of the Luau cove for MORE DVC space. They ruined that resort and now the parks themselves are just a virtual cue and it's really sad. Some quick services you can't get into unless you mobile order, that was inconvenient. And now CHARGING $30+ a day for fast passes? complete BS. I'm just tired of all of it.

Break out of the Disney bubble and go other places. When you DO get back to Disney you can see it with better eyes and enjoy it better. Going every year, you find yourself so invested that it's not even an enjoyable trip anymore because you spend so much time being mad and complaining. The company instilled that kind of mindset in us but we HAVE to walk away before we really hate the company, lol. Which is sad because I love it but I need a break.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

"Disney doesn't feel as magical as it did 30 years ago when I was 7 years old."

Yeah, because you're not 7 years old anymore.

 

[Monkee Girl]

I agree with what is being said here. Went last September, had low expectations from what I had read and still didn't feel like I got great value for the price I paid but I still left feeling pretty satisfied and had a good time and will probably go back again, though no immediate plans. Disneyland California I think will be my next visit with a trip to Disneyland Paris once the Studio expansion is done.

Big gripe for me was Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween party, a complete waste of money and will not attend any such after parties again. And I guess the fact that all out quick service meals were hugely over priced and always cold and customer service from young CMs particularly was downright poor or non existent. They could do with a serious attitude adjustment. If you don't want to be there then quit and find another job. Older CMs were always lovely however. The place is definitely lacking basic maintenance and is looking very tired and run down. The 50th anniversary was a complete let down too. But aside from that, I didn't feel it was that much different from my previous trips other than my wallet emptying out much quicker than before.

The parties make me sad/angry. I've done the 'Pirate and Princess party', the 'NSSHP' and the 'Christmas party and had a blast with them. But the ticket prices got so crazy. what was a cheaper little night party ticket is now just as expensive, if not more so than a day ticket. And even though they SAY it's limited guests, the don't force the people out of the parks to there's really no difference getting onto a ride or meeting characters. I was over it when they started adding other paid events inside the paid events. Do they still do that villains/castle event? like, if I'm already paying $100+ for the party, why am I paying ANOTHER $50 for the added event? I'm not trying to say it's ALL about the money but it does open your eyes to just how greedy and price gougey they have gotten over the years. Just lots of 'offensive criminal side eyes' with the company anymore.