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

[StarshipDisney]

I know I am a little late to this thread, but I think I have posted enough to say that many will already know that I agree with much of what I have read in this thread. We have no current plans to visit Disney again until things improve...assuming they ever do.

Tha magic is indeed gone. We will wait to see if Disney ever cares again.

 

[Mike S]

So I do have a question about Energy. I first went in 1983. And loved the ride, and it might have been my favorite when i was 8. But by the time that it was removed, its time was over. IF you read tourist guides or reviews, they told you to skip it, with its too long of a ride time (in todays world of short attention spans), people used it for the ac and to sleep.

The ride cost alot to run, and was usually 25 percent full (kind of like the star cruiser), a refurb wouldnt have helped it as it still would have been really long, with a ride mechanism that would always be a slow ride first watching a movie then a short ride through animatronics. No matter what they did, it would have been a D style ride in a location, cost and size that needed to be an A or B.

So my question, when does nostalgia outrank reality?

COP and other rides that have some of the same faults are saved due to history. While being an opening day attraction at Epcot and 35ish years later, it didnt qualify for that same historical status imho.

I’m not sure how all the timing is supposed to work but one possibility is they could’ve shortened the film segments.

 

[MickeyLuv'r]

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......

Overall, UNI is pretty good, but the last time I went on Jurassic Park, it was in bad shape. WDW's Dino ride is also in a sorry state, as was Primeval Whirl before it closed.

Both parks have a few rides that need TLC.

 

[Vegas Disney Fan]

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.

Good advice, we were “over“ DL, took a break, and refound the magic, sometimes a break is needed to change perspective.

 

[Kamikaze]

Last I checked that’s in the past, so yes.

Doing something once doesn't make it a pattern. And that one time was 20+ years before the attraction was replaced.

Why did they do it? Because no one went on it then either.

 

[Mike S]

Good advice, we were “over“ DL, took a break, and refound the magic, sometimes a break is needed to change perspective.

I actually have done that. I used to be an annual pass and multiple trips a year kind of guy. For years now I’ve been “I’ll go eventually when something new opens.” Before this trip the last time I went was last year for Guardians. Haven’t had an AP since I think a year or two before COVID.

 

[MickeyLuv'r]

There's a small pack of kids that have been oddly following my wife and I around for a few years now, and I can tell you unequivocally that Disney parks are just as magical for them today as they were for me 30+ years ago.

Ah, so they are beyond stroller-age!

 

[Monkee Girl]

Good advice, we were “over“ DL, took a break, and refound the magic, sometimes a break is needed to change perspective.

exactly. Going every year and doing it through construction and just watching it all happen in real time just got such a negative mindset out of us. I'm now in a 'it is what it is' mindset and can enjoy it like a regular place now. I'm always going to miss things I was nostalgic for but that's everything. Meanwhile I'm enjoying planning different places elsewhere. Graceland/Memphis is next on my list and there's a potential trip to Disney in Jan for the dance and cheer competition.

 

[shambolicdefending]

Ah, so they are beyond stroller-age!

I love this comment way more than I probably should. We have been proud contributors to the stroller problem for years, but we're down to the point where we can get away with one tiny umbrella stroller now, and that may very well be gone by our next trip. No need to thank me...

 

[WondersOfLife]

Universal is definitely on the up but they’re still far from Disney’s old standard, at least imo.

They have their own high class standard. That's why I get that sense of "magic." It's a different standard. I like that standard. It's always been consistent.

 

[MickeyLuv'r]

I love this comment way more than I probably should. We have been proud contributors to the stroller problem for years, but we're down to the point where we can get away with one tiny umbrella stroller now, and that may very well be gone by our next trip. No need to thank me...

Well then, technically speaking, you followed the kids around the park, for at least some of the day.

Small children in WDW are part of what makes it fun, IMO.

Then again, this past spring I happened to visit gorgeous park on a beautiful spring day. Part of what made it so special, IMO, was that it drew people of all ages, from all walks of life. The diversity of people all enjoying the same space is part of what made me appreciate the location. normally, I don't pay all that much attention to other people in public spaces, but all the smiles were infectious that day.

In that way, WDW still has a good deal of magic. Catching a stranger smiling and laughing, that's still great fun at WDW.

 

[DisneyHead123]

Depends where in WDW you ate then and where you eat now.

I remember eating in the Contemporary's cafeteria (prob late 1970's). WDW's cafeteria was very good compared to other cafeterias of that time period.

Disney quick serve burgers (1980's) were not good, but the type/quality of burgers and fries they served were not uncommon for that era.

Alas though, I also remember the few times we dined in what is now California Grill. Food there was excellent!

When Epcot was young, the World Showcase restaurants had comparatively great food for that era.

WDW food quality has had numerous ups and downs over the last 20 years. On my most recent visit this spring, some food was very good, some was terrible.
The food we were served at Pinocchio's was nearly inedible. Hot food was not hot, and cold food was not cold. The pizza was room temp, the chicken strips were rubbery, and we were not late picking up our food.

Not saying there were no decent options anywhere, but I think you could certainly say the ratio of good to crappy food has changed drastically, making good food much easier to find.

 

[mightynine]

Just how we felt after last years trip, and talking to normal tourist friends, we’re not alone. Upcharging. Value for money drops but prices rise. Poor to variable show quality.

Which is why we actively chose not to return this year.

And this should be a concern to management.

It's not that I don't want to go to WDW - I went once a year for many years - but when I start tallying up the cost for six nights in a hotel (All-Star level), five days in the park (probably with Park Hopper, even with the limitations) plus airfare for two adults, and then wonder how much extra per day we might have to add on top of that to maybe see a large chunk of the parks IF we're lucky enough to win the WDW App Lottery that day....the value for money question comes into play a heck of a lot quicker than it once did.

Maybe it's just a generational change, and the parks will continue to pile 'em in. Or maybe it'll be an iceberg they won't see until it's too late.

 

[Kamikaze]

I know I am a little late to this thread, but I think I have posted enough to say that many will already know that I agree with much of what I have read in this thread. We have no current plans to visit Disney again until things improve...assuming they ever do.

Tha magic is indeed gone. We will wait to see if Disney ever cares again.

Good luck to you!

 

[Ayla]

Disney stopped being as magical the minute i started being the one paying.

My first trip was at 30 years old, so I never had the privilege of someone else paying.

 

[ppete1975]

It was never good. So the answer to your question is day 1.

Ive seen your negativity towards it. Curious about a few things.

• What year did you first ride it
• How old were you

As a kid in the early 80s it was amazing, especially the dinosaurs.. which to be fair, might have been the whole reason it was cool to a kid.

Had I ridden for the first time in the late 90s or beyond it had been surpassed. And if I rode it for the first time and been older, I doubt it would have been as awe inspiring.

Just curiosity, everyone's opinions are their own.

 

[Kamikaze]

And this should be a concern to management.

It's not that I don't want to go to WDW - I went once a year for many years - but when I start tallying up the cost for six nights in a hotel (All-Star level), five days in the park (probably with Park Hopper, even with the limitations) plus airfare for two adults, and then wonder how much extra per day we might have to add on top of that to maybe see a large chunk of the parks IF we're lucky enough to win the WDW App Lottery that day....the value for money question comes into play a heck of a lot quicker than it once did.

Maybe it's just a generational change, and the parks will continue to pile 'em in. Or maybe it'll be an iceberg they won't see until it's too late.

The issue is that the parks were charging too little for decades. So yes, it was a much better deal, but they were undervaluing their product.

 

[Kamikaze]

Ive seen your negativity towards it. Curious about a few things.

• What year did you first ride it
• How old were you

As a kid in the early 80s it was amazing, especially the dinosaurs.. which to be fair, might have been the whole reason it was cool to a kid.

Had I ridden for the first time in the late 90s or beyond it had been surpassed. And if I rode it for the first time and been older, I doubt it would have been as awe inspiring.

Just curiosity, everyone's opinions are their own.

92.

I was 9. It sucked. 'Oh look dinos'. Great. None of the rest was interesting for a 9 year old.

Then there was the knee worship to Exxon. (Obviously I didn't realize this then)

 

[ppete1975]

92.

I was 9. It sucked. 'Oh look dinos'. Great. None of the rest was interesting for a 9 year old.

Then there was the knee worship to Exxon. (Obviously I didn't realize this then)

Its called sponsorship, theres been alot of rides you probably don't like. Especially in Disneyland where you used to have the monsanto aluminum hall of fame, monsanto home of the future, monsanto fashion and fabrics through the ages, general electric COP, Dutch boy color gallery, Epcot was nothing but sponsorship for its early existence. Or is it just oil that you dont like? In that case I hope you enjoy the Frozen overlay.

 

[ppete1975]

I’m not sure how all the timing is supposed to work but one possibility is they could’ve shortened the film segments.

the problem is the AI section is really short. Sadly I just dont know how this could have been rethemed without the ride system gutted regardless of what was put there.
Not saying they should have done what they did, or put the IP they did. Or if its a good fit. Just talking about the ride system and what was there.
And I am still mad the reflecting pool is gone.