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

[jaklgreen]

We’ve been fortunate and always got them also but it’s an added level of stress I don’t need, especially while on vacation.

I chose not to be stressed by this. My life has not been the best and I had a lot of mental work to do. I refuse to allow myself to let something like this bother me. If I get it, great, if not, them's the breaks. I am actually just thrilled when I can be on property even if I don't go on a single ride, it is still much better than being at work.

 

[bjlc57]

we just got back.. the MAGIC IS THERE...its just bubbling UNDER THE SURFACE.. it's waiting for some one in MANAGEMENT TO TAKE CONTROL.. To bring it out.. 90 percent of the cast members have it.. but right now there is 10% who this is just a job and it shows.. the parks need repair.. thats MANAGEMENT.. that's the guy in charge NOT PUTTING HIS FOOT DOWN.. saying BUZZ LIGHTYEAR LOOKS LIKE TRASH.. CLOSE IT UNTIL ITS FIXED.. but you feel it in certain cast members.. they all WANT THE MAGIC TO COME OUT.. but some one needs to step up and lead.. and if this person can't get us back to magic.. its time for someone else..

 

[jaklgreen]

we just got back.. the MAGIC IS THERE...its just bubbling UNDER THE SURFACE.. it's waiting for some one in MANAGEMENT TO TAKE CONTROL.. To bring it out.. 90 percent of the cast members have it.. but right now there is 10% who this is just a job and it shows.. the parks need repair.. thats MANAGEMENT.. that's the guy in charge NOT PUTTING HIS FOOT DOWN.. saying BUZZ LIGHTYEAR LOOKS LIKE TRASH.. CLOSE IT UNTIL ITS FIXED.. but you feel it in certain cast members.. they all WANT THE MAGIC TO COME OUT.. but some one needs to step up and lead.. and if this person can't get us back to magic.. its time for someone else..

I agree, for decades Disney was what it should be. There is no excuse to let standards slip. I recently saw a post on FB by a newer cast member that worked at the Confectionary shop on Mainstreet. She took a picture of herself in her uniform that was extremely wrinkled and looked a mess. Several current and former cast members commented that it needed to be ironed and her response was, "my supervisors are laid back". And then another who claimed to be a supervisor at one of the resorts said that the lady was fine just as long as she smiled to the guests. It is the little things like that, that are all adding up.

 

[G00fyDad]

This past trip in October last year was going to be our last. That trip felt more like work than a vacation. The Disney magic that I have come to know and expect has been slowly declining over the years but during this last trip it was completely gone. The bad thing is now that I have two grandchildren (four and eight years old) my daughter wants to take them to Disney. She wants us to go with them but it's going to be either next year or the year after that before she can go. I'm hoping things will be different by then but I have already told her that this is going to be the absolute last time we go if they don't fix some things. I'm not talking about attractions. Those need to be fixed and that's just common knowledge. I'm talking about cast member behaviors and attitudes, the cleanliness of the parks, and they'll need to fix this genie plus garbage before I ever start going to Disney regularly again.

 

[Vegas Disney Fan]

I chose not to be stressed by this. My life has not been the best and I had a lot of mental work to do. I refuse to allow myself to let something like this bother me. If I get it, great, if not, them's the breaks. I am actually just thrilled when I can be on property even if I don't go on a single ride, it is still much better than being at work.

Easier said then done, we go to DL all the time so getting a boarding pass there doesn’t matter but when it comes to our once every year or two trip to WDW it is stressful. On our last trip I really wanted to ride Cosmic Rewind so it was stressful. We managed to get both a ILL and a boarding group but it was a concern right up until the times were secured.

Would it have ruined our trip had we not got one? Nope, but it would have definitely been a major negative and left a bad taste in my mouth.

 

[flynnibus]

So did spaceship earth survive (in comparison to world of motion) because of its ride building, and them not being able to put a roller coaster in it. You cant exactly demo the ball or add to the backend like energy. I know I am way off topic, but all of this talk has me thinking through some of their moves. So instead of it being iconic to epcot or a classic, they just havent been able to come up with anything better (that would actually work).

I think several factors have helped SSE

1 - Prominence as the park icon -- Makes it attractive to both Disney and sponsors to showcase (and harder to neglect!) Even when it was inbetween sponsors Disney kept it decent.
2 - Significant sponsorship - SSE has had large strong sponsors who have bankrolled major refreshes multiple times (with #1 helping a lot I bet).
3 - Strong reliance on physical sets with not too much leaning on period tech. This means the sets are more timeless and don't age quickly due to gimmicks standing out. Repair/Refresh but most scenes have stayed largely intact.
4 - A reward facing story line. Comparative to other attractions, SSE was less forward looking but rather focusing on the evolution and SIGNIFICANCE of communications. Less of the attraction is exposed to 'now' and the future.. tho they like CoP have struggled with the 'hand off' or near-present time reference scene. The climax has lost some punch, and the decent obviously has been reworked multiple times to (probably) lesser success... but the rest of the attraction had been able to float those weak points. The story lines have always been more abstract about the forward looking portion of the ride, making them age a bit better.
5 - Uniqueness - the omnimover obviously isn't unique, but the application and the 'magic' of how it all exists is pretty unique and immediately gives it something to the audience. While the building does give some pretty big constraints... As you mention, ripping out the ball just really isn't viable on anyone's agenda.. but I think the ride system is still a wow factor for guests. But they have done pretty radical changes to the whole post show and what used to be the communications hub. I think it's one of those 'could do more with what you already have' vs ripping it out.

I'm just kinda shocked Living Seas has made it as long as it has....

 

[NickMaio]

That's not who they are after. They want that family from Denver who comes once versus the hardcores who buy APs to get discounts.

Is there an echo in here?
Yes of course they are after that demographic - - - - I don't know why?
The reason for their success is their return customers.

Any marketing moron knows you need to create 5-10 customers for that 1 repeat customer.

 

[ppete1975]

I think several factors have helped SSE

1 - Prominence as the park icon -- Makes it attractive to both Disney and sponsors to showcase (and harder to neglect!) Even when it was inbetween sponsors Disney kept it decent.
2 - Significant sponsorship - SSE has had large strong sponsors who have bankrolled major refreshes multiple times (with #1 helping a lot I bet).
3 - Strong reliance on physical sets with not too much leaning on period tech. This means the sets are more timeless and don't age quickly due to gimmicks standing out. Repair/Refresh but most scenes have stayed largely intact.
4 - A reward facing story line. Comparative to other attractions, SSE was less forward looking but rather focusing on the evolution and SIGNIFICANCE of communications. Less of the attraction is exposed to 'now' and the future.. tho they like CoP have struggled with the 'hand off' or near-present time reference scene. The climax has lost some punch, and the decent obviously has been reworked multiple times to (probably) lesser success... but the rest of the attraction had been able to float those weak points. The story lines have always been more abstract about the forward looking portion of the ride, making them age a bit better.
5 - Uniqueness - the omnimover obviously isn't unique, but the application and the 'magic' of how it all exists is pretty unique and immediately gives it something to the audience. While the building does give some pretty big constraints... As you mention, ripping out the ball just really isn't viable on anyone's agenda.. but I think the ride system is still a wow factor for guests. But they have done pretty radical changes to the whole post show and what used to be the communications hub. I think it's one of those 'could do more with what you already have' vs ripping it out.

I'm just kinda shocked Living Seas has made it as long as it has....

All great points.
I guess I always compare it to wom/TT. I know GM wanted something different and maybe thats the entire reason. But to me WOM was better than space ship earth, outside of the building, although the outside views were really cool during the ride. I guess like Kodak killing the Dream finder, GM killing WOM, no sponsor demanded Space ship earth to die.
we will never forget...

 

[DznyRktekt]

All great points.
I guess I always compare it to wom/TT. I know GM wanted something different and maybe thats the entire reason. But to me WOM was better than space ship earth, outside of the building, although the outside views were really cool during the ride. I guess like Kodak killing the Dream finder, GM killing WOM, no sponsor demanded Space ship earth to die.
we will never forget...
View attachment 718572

Someone is being naughty standing up to get a photo of Spaceship Earth while the ride is in motion!

 

[Big T 1963]

I can't speak on all the assorted observations you made because I haven't been there since 2019 and probably will never be going again but I do have an opinion about the part of your post that I bolded. You are correct, our perception as a child is far different than that of when we are adults. The world is far more harsh in adult life and that carries over into everything. I never got there as a child. I was 35 at my first trip. For me there was a degree of Magic, but never the type that most people describe. For me the place was bright, fun and relaxing. It was a great experience for me in that, as Walt wished, we were able to do things as a family, laugh and have fun. But the mystical Magic as it has come to be known didn't really fully connect. I love the experience for what it was, not what I thought it was or should be. I enjoyed and looked excitedly forward to all 48 visits over 40 years and still would if I were physically and financially still able to do so. However, I never did it because it was magic, it was because it was entertaining and technologically great. Although I loved many of the original attractions, that keeping up with technology aspect is what made me enjoy the new and more advanced shows and displays. That's why I loved the original EPCOT and even though I miss the old attractions, I have continued to be impressed with what was change or created later.

I was never able to "immerse", I was only able to enjoy it for what it was, flaws and all.

Goofyernmost I couldn't agree with you more .. I too haven't been back to WDW since 2019 as well. Although I was able to enjoy a Magical day in DHS prior to Star Wars Galaxy Edge opening as I was excited to ride Slinky Dog Dash Alien Saucers and the updated version of Toy Story Mania I even enjoyed the green army men doing their afternoon drill. Topping the night off watching Fantasmic.. Based on discussions and streaming youtube videos Disney seems to keep missing what we expect of them to deliver that Magic that we come to know. Projects like Harmonious and now the Star Wars hotel are head scratchers . Hopefully the voices of the guests will be heard and they can bring that Magic back in a few years with Zootopia in AK and Enchanto in MK I closing I hope Disney will continue to tweak what is necessary for us to continue to feel the Magic

 

[MaryJaneP]

Is Omnimover just a (very) slow-motion roller coaster? Is that why SSE survives?

 

[DznyRktekt]

From what I have heard, both Harmonious and Star Cruiser are going to be total loss tax credits. Something like a $300 million tax break for demolishing the $1 billion Star Wars exercise, and quite a bit for Harmonious. I believe that is why they are completely demolishing the barges and hardware for the EPCOT show and not reusing anything. This is just hearsay, but maybe others with more tax knowledge can weigh in.

 

[NickMaio]

Someone is being naughty standing up to get a photo of Spaceship Earth while the ride is in motion!

That was an awesome ride

 

[Goofyernmost]

Both Spaceship Earth and World of Motion were nothing short of spectacular. In many ways WoM was better than SSE. The ride vehicles were bigger (they even had special ones with rear ramps where they could load wheelchairs whole without even stopping the ride). I'd even rank WoM above SSE in brightness, humor and spectacular sets. Of all the Omni mover attractions, the one that would have been the best to keep due to entertainment value would have been WoM. SSE is still there because it is the park icon and was built specifically for the attraction in it. It doesn't lend itself to many other things. SSE's point of spectacular is at that very top. After a massive number of rides on SSE I always hoped that there would come a time when it stopped long enough to just look at the earth image from space. It never did for me. Making that outside turn on WoM with the view of SSE was something that had to be experienced to appreciate.

 

[Jrb1979]

Both Spaceship Earth and World of Motion were nothing short of spectacular. In many ways WoM was better than SSE. The ride vehicles were bigger (they even had special ones with rear ramps where they could load wheelchairs whole without even stopping the ride). I'd even rank WoM above SSE in brightness, humor and spectacular sets. Of all the Omni mover attractions, the one that would have been the best to keep due to entertainment value would have been WoM. SSE is still there because it is the park icon and was built specifically for the attraction in it. It doesn't lend itself to many other things. SSE's point of spectacular is at that very top. After a massive number of rides on SSE I always hoped that there would come a time when it stopped long enough to just look at the earth image from space. It never did for me. Making that outside turn on WoM with the view of SSE was something that had to be experienced to appreciate.

I was more blown away from rides like World of Motion and Horizons than most of what they have added recently. IMO it's those type of attractions that made Disney different.

 

[BlakeW39]

I was more blown away from rides like World of Motion and Horizons than most of what they have added recently. IMO it's those type of attractions that made Disney different.

I really don't care for any of the newer IP rides Disney has created. They're all sort of whatever to me. ROTR is objectively the best but I still didn't love it. The last attraction Disney built that I really liked was Flight of Passage.

 

[NickMaio]

I was more blown away from rides like World of Motion and Horizons than most of what they have added recently. IMO it's those type of attractions that made Disney different.

Honestly - I believe that there are millions of people who would not only appreciate these types of rides but also ride them again and again.
It set WDW apart from every other theme park in the world. It made learning fun-engaging-and easy to access for almost everyone.

If they brought 1 nostalgic ride back from the dead - - the park would be exploding from interest.
"That's all I have to say about that"

 

[NickMaio]

I really don't care for any of the newer IP rides Disney has created. They're all sort of whatever to me. ROTR is objectively the best but I still didn't love it. The last attraction Disney built that I really liked was Flight of Passage.

ROTR I bet is great - it would be really nice to just wait in line for it instead of this sign up boarding group garbage. Or paying out of pocket.

We have been twice since it opened and have not been able to ride it yet.
Money grabs getting me down

 

[Club Cooloholic]

Is there an echo in here?
Yes of course they are after that demographic - - - - I don't know why?
The reason for their success is their return customers.

Any marketing moron knows you need to create 5-10 customers for that 1 repeat customer.

Eh. They aren't selling burritos for lunch. That one time customer who has saved up all their dough, will eat and stay on site and buy a bunch of trinkets for the kids in one trip might spend the same amount a pass holder living in FL does in 5. They both, and it's a hard balance.

 

[The Empress Lilly]

Both Spaceship Earth and World of Motion were nothing short of spectacular. In many ways WoM was better than SSE. The ride vehicles were bigger (they even had special ones with rear ramps where they could load wheelchairs whole without even stopping the ride). I'd even rank WoM above SSE in brightness, humor and spectacular sets. Of all the Omni mover attractions, the one that would have been the best to keep due to entertainment value would have been WoM. SSE is still there because it is the park icon and was built specifically for the attraction in it. It doesn't lend itself to many other things. SSE's point of spectacular is at that very top. After a massive number of rides on SSE I always hoped that there would come a time when it stopped long enough to just look at the earth image from space. It never did for me. Making that outside turn on WoM with the view of SSE was something that had to be experienced to appreciate.

An eye-level view of SSE with a monorail gliding past, and then of Energy and of the greatest of them all, Horizons. While you're doing the largest AA ride of all time, Motion. What a park.