Is Disney still Disney?

[sarabi]

I love Disney as it is and as it has been all the times I've gone. It's not really about the rides to me, though. It's about the attitude.

That said: I think change makes every person anxious, especially when it affects a place you love. I remember being furious when I heard about Expedition Everest. I thought a mountain would detract from the Tree of Life centerpiece. I thought it would be imposing to the park. I thought it was a terrible idea.

Then I went. The mountain was beautiful and themed perfectly and fit in very well with the park and the ride is my favorite ride on property now.

Moral of the story being: For every change someone disagrees with, someone else is happy for it... and it might even turn out to be you!

 

[MousDad]

lightboy, you make some good points. But hasn't nearly every E-ticket that's been introduced in recent years been geared more to the teen/adult set, rather than the young child set? Toy Story Mania (if it's considered E-ticket) would be the first to break that trend, that I can think of any way.

 

[WildLodgeFan]

It's called "change".

Life without change would be boring.

So would Disney.

And as Walt said - Keep moving forward. Pixar is now a piece of Disney, making an even richer environment for Disney to choose from. I think Disney is recognizing a changing world and responding to it. Like you I miss some of the more original non-character rides perhaps, but the world is changing and evolving and Disney has to respond to that to keep creating the magic.

 

[hrcollectibles]

Because if nothing changed we'd have people complaining that nothing has changed.. I miss Alien Encounter.. But there really isn't much we can do about it

 

[PanfanAL]

Disney is still Disney. It is just a different Disney. When you think about it, I am sure it is hard to change and maintain the same feel. Let me explain. I remember going to Disney World when all that was there was Magic Kingdom and 3 resorts. Most people stayed off site because the resorts were very expensive. We stayed 3 days and rode everything many times. Crowds were big but nothing like they are today. And everything was a new experience. I had never seen rides like those before with all the theming. Even the monorail was amazing because I had never seen anything like that before. Over time those things become normal, and we long for that something new and amazing, but we hate to see our old favorites go. I love to see new rides but I get sad when my Wife and Son can't experience rides I did as a child. it is impossible to have both. I still love it, and to them they aren't missing anything because it is all new to them. Maybe I am just rambling, but maybe some of understand what I am trying to say. I still love it, just as much as I did. I just have a love for early WDW, and Later WDW. I am just glad I got to experience both, and hope to experience as many years of change as I can.

 

[yankspy]

Disney is still Disney. It is just a different Disney. When you think about it, I am sure it is hard to change and maintain the same feel. Let me explain. I remember going to Disney World when all that was there was Magic Kingdom and 3 resorts. Most people stayed off site because the resorts were very expensive. We stayed 3 days and rode everything many times. Crowds were big but nothing like they are today. And everything was a new experience. I had never seen rides like those before with all the theming. Even the monorail was amazing because I had never seen anything like that before. Over time those things become normal, and we long for that something new and amazing, but we hate to see our old favorites go. I love to see new rides but I get sad when my Wife and Son can't experience rides I did as a child. it is impossible to have both. I still love it, and to them they aren't missing anything because it is all new to them. Maybe I am just rambling, but maybe some of understand what I am trying to say. I still love it, just as much as I did. I just have a love for early WDW, and Later WDW. I am just glad I got to experience both, and hope to experience as many years of change as I can.

I have to agree. An example would be Tomorrowland. It looks nothing like it did when I was a kid but I have adapted to it and I still feel the magic when I am walking through it. I will admit that I get nostalgic when I see pictures of the old Tomorrowland but change is a part of life.We also used to stay off-site when we were kids but now, through DVC, we stay on-site and it is just something more that I never got to experience when I was a kid.

 

[Pocamahontas]

Ditto. Think how bleak things would be (for the Disney brand of animated films) if there were no Pixar films the past 12 years. Pixar was more than happy to pick up that dropped ball.

Truthhh, and if you take a good look at Pixar films, they hold the same moral as old Disney Movies, the kind Walt always wanted. For example, Ratatouille directly follows the ideal: "If you can dream it, you can do it"
(even if you're a Rat :ROFLOL...((we all know we like rodents at Disney World...especially Mice:animwink).

I understand what you guys are saying about change, but like it's been said, Walt wanted change. He knew that the parks would constantly be different, and he liked that. So can we really complain, and say that the parks are not the way Walt wanted them to be...when really they are?

I think everyone here will agree that the magic is still there. We probably wouldn't be on this forum if it wasn't. And isn't that the most important part? Not who the parks most appeal to, teens or kids, or not...because really there IS something for everyone, maybe not as much as we'd like, but it's still got everything from Space Mountain to Winnie the Pooh, and Pirates in between.

I understand the points you guys made, and some of them are very justified, but to me, Disney is still Disney: the place where everybody's a kid, and anything can happen.

 

[kcw]

READY?

OH GOD...the attack of millions of characters (although they are pretty cool...well some of them)...replacing the type of theme park entertainment Disney used to be known for (check Youtube if you don't believe me...live music can even make adults sit through character shows with more ease). MK is entertainment dead in leau of crappy kiddy shows encouraging the 3-9 age range to be a pirate or a cowboy.

But isn't Disney about letting you feel like a kid again? I'd venture to say that if many people (who don't like the shows/parade/characters, what have you) would allow themselves to be entertained, instead of the mindset, "this is for kids, heaven forbid I enjoy it because I'm ___ yrs. old"... then they would. Heck, I'm almost 21 and I cry everytime I see Dream Along. I LOVE seeing the characters, I'm a huge fan of the pirate & princess parties, and though I didn't keep that part of your comment, I really enjoy MILF!

I think it's all about the mindset. If you go into it thinking that it's lame and Disney has forgotten about the adults, then duh, you won't enjoy it. That's basic psychology.

 

[wdwmomof3]

Disney is still Disney to me. Although I hate that they don't have some of the rides that they did when I was a kid, I love what they are doing. Change is good. We would get board if there was never anything new. I do wish that they put in a few more rides for the older kids, but not the huge roller coasters that you can see from miles away. Leave that to Universal & others to do. Disney does an amazing job and as long as I can, I will keep coming back to see what they will come up with next.:animwink:

 

[RedBaron]

I believe that Disney is still Disney, but it does have an identity crisis every now and then. They don't seem to have the same quality that they used to. I think some people use the word change as a way to defend Disney for making crappy rides and attractions. There is a difference between making a quality change and a change. I believe I have seen some signs of good changes and hoping that it continues and starts to spread all throughout the company.

Very well put and was thinking something along the same lines. I am not against change, and some things have been changed for the better and some things they have changed and just destroyed an attraction. A good example would be the Living Seas, it used to be an Ok attraction and I think the Nemo addition was really great and I enjoyed it much more than before. A bad example would be that horrible Imagination ride. I had not been to WDW in over 10 years and went back last year. Imagination was the first thing I got to ride and almost cried when I saw what a disaster it was.

But back to the original post. I guess you left me sort of confused. One minute you say that you wish WDW had more rides like Peter Pan and Small World and then the next minute say that you wish they had a bunch of extreme thrill rides? Wow, talk about a big jump in extremes. I think each park has plenty of thrills to go around, (maybe too many since there seems to be more and more things that my kids wont be able to go on for a long time and things we cant all ride together as a family) and also a nice assortment of dark rides (dark rides are my favorite and always wish they had more). In general I think they have a wide variety of things to make everyone happy.

I am also guessing that you do not like Pixar? I guess I did not feel that WDW was being taken over by Pixar, but then again I guess i don't differentiate between Disney and Pixar since they are one in the same to me and I enjoy both equally.

As for the Dinosaur ride, I guess maybe they are trying to make a happy medium? For me, the ride vehicle was not all that wild and it did not bother me, however my mom (age 64) was not happy and said it was too unnecessarily bumpy. For myself (age 35) thought that the actual dinosaur was terrifying and pretty intense, and that aspect did not bother my mom at all? Go figure. Everyone is different and don't think that toning down a ride would make it less magical? Same goes for Mission space I did not get a chance to ride either version, but think it is great that people have 2 options. I also loved Alien Encounter and did not get a chance to see Stitch either, so cant give an opinion there.

As for WDW being less magical than it was 10+ years ago, I don't really think so. Sure, there are many rides that I miss, some changes that I don't like, some changes I do like. I still had a great time and think I will continue to have a good time there in the future.

 

[tractorm3]

i am not what we say would be a thrill junkie, i love to slow down with the old classic rides small world, peter pan, pirates, but all im saying is they should have/kept some thrill rides intense.


Nothing against pixar at all. i have loved all the movies disney/pixar has made but i wish the newer rides comming out were more disney-ish then pixar-ish.

I know Disney has been through alot and evolved beyond what any one thought. Isnt it time Disney annouces a new e-ticket or some thing big?

 

[Pumbas Nakasak]

Yes but only when viewed through the arched window.

 

[kangaand2roos]

I know alot people aren't thrilled about Pixar but I agree with the "Pixar is Disney" mentality. I have two small children and my 4 year old son has been obsessed with Lightening McQueen since the day he saw the movie CARS in the theater. He has seen alot of the classic Disney movies and likes alot of them but CARS is his favorites. It is what appeals to children now, for good or for bad. I just can't find fault in a Disney-Pixar movie, when I see my son watch a movie for the 500th time and his face lights up like it is the first time he has seen it.

 

[wedway71]

Disney lost its edge against Pixar and other studios like Dream Works for the fact that Disney stopped the focus on its Core Units which were Animation and Theme parks.

They were ANIMATION and Theme Parks and noone could even come close.They got cocky and thought that they could be great at everything they did. They bought sports teams and got into other ventures that actaully took them away from their core business.

While they were doing a juggling act with a hand in everything ,companies like Dream Works and Pixar had only one focus-Animation.

Now Disney realizes that sticking to the core business Units allows it to focus and be competitive.It is even better now WITH Pixar.

 

[nibblesandbits]

i am not what we say would be a thrill junkie, i love to slow down with the old classic rides small world, peter pan, pirates, but all im saying is they should have/kept some thrill rides intense.


Nothing against pixar at all. i have loved all the movies disney/pixar has made but i wish the newer rides comming out were more disney-ish then pixar-ish.

I know Disney has been through alot and evolved beyond what any one thought. Isnt it time Disney annouces a new e-ticket or some thing big?

Well, a couple of things on this:

First there still is thrill type rides. I'm a moderate thrill junkie myself...and I enjoy M:S. Just b/c there are two versions doesn't mean it's bad...and they might have toned down the original just a little, (I think they did that) but I know I still felt a little ill on it when I went. I've done both versions and it's nice to have that choice.

Rock n'Rollercoaster...how much more of a thrill can you get? TOT...I can't ride it b/c it makes me sick...so in my mind, a pretty good thrill. I think once they re-do Space we're going to get a thrill...not as much as RNRC, but it will be better. BTMR is a thrill to me. Everest is a thrill...So is Test Track.

The only ride it seems you have a beef about truly is AE...which is now gone. And while I understand your beef, I also understand 100% why Disney took it out. As a 16 year old, first time rider, that ride scared the crap outta me! I was absolutely terrified and I knew it was fake! I vowed never to go back on...that's how much it scared me. And if it were still around, I would definitely be skipping it.

You can only imagine what happened when younger children rode it. (And you know they did despite the warnings.) While Stitch may not be the best replacement...I definitely understand why they took AE out. And while I don't think that Disney tries to cater just towards children...I believe taking it out was a better choice b/c I'm sure it was a big headache for them while it was there, regarding parents complaining to guest services. (And maybe even some adults complained b/c it was too scary for them too.)


I also understand your wanting more Disney rides than Pixar...but I will state what I state to everyone who has this beef. Pixar is Disney now!

If they hadn't started as two seperate companies, would this be a complaint that was had? No! No one would have any problems with these new Pixar attractions that are being built. They would have more than likely loved them, b/c Disney was building new attractions! And some of these new Pixar attractions are cool!

I don't understand the problem. They are the same company now. They are all under the Disney umbrella. Just like Pirates is under the Disney umbrella, and Narnia is under that umbrella. It's just a little more wide reaching now. Pixar and Disney are one.

I do admit though, I would like to see some attractions built that do not revolve around any characters...and I'm sure we'll still get those, but the characters really are Disney's bread and butter, so why not include them?

Last...I think we are close to getting some announcements soon. How soon? I don't know, but from the rumors we've been hearing around the Disney community, there are some things brewing. I think Disney wants to wait to announce everything at once though...so I'm sure, within this year, we will get some new announcements coming.

 

[lightboy]

But isn't Disney about letting you feel like a kid again? I'd venture to say that if many people (who don't like the shows/parade/characters, what have you) would allow themselves to be entertained, instead of the mindset, "this is for kids, heaven forbid I enjoy it because I'm ___ yrs. old"... then they would. Heck, I'm almost 21 and I cry everytime I see Dream Along. I LOVE seeing the characters, I'm a huge fan of the pirate & princess parties, and though I didn't keep that part of your comment, I really enjoy MILF!

I think it's all about the mindset. If you go into it thinking that it's lame and Disney has forgotten about the adults, then duh, you won't enjoy it. That's basic psychology.

I'm pretty sure you aren't sure about your audience here (me). I do like shows, parades, and characters. I work in Entertainment at WDW...and I'm not a performer.

You know, in a hybrid guest vote/critic vote survey I saw published (Pre-Nemo:TM though), not one WDW made it in the top 10 of best theme park shows in the country. Funny, eh? Biggest theme park resort in the world....biggest entertainment company in the world....don't tell me they can't afford it.

I'm pretty sure it's safe to assume that if Mickey came out, hopped up and down a couple times (which he happens to do a lot)...you'd be satisfied. But the fact of the matter is that is NOT what Disney is all about. We need to get back to wow-ing our guests...and touching them. Nemo and Christmas were definitely good starts, we need to grow on that. Looks like they just might...with Block Party (great!), and POD on the horizon.

P&P? Worst hard ticket event ever. Disney's just getting greedy now. The fireworks are the ONLY thing I would pay money to go see. Parade is awful, horrid, boring! And attendance is low. The offerings are very miniscule...I know...I opened the event.

Trust me, I want to be entertained. But I want to be entertained in the traditional, high quality Disney way. I won't settle for less unfortunately...even when it comes to the small shows.

And yes...Dream Along IS cute

(But the entertainment isn't really what I was mainly referring to...thanks for your post however.)

 

[lightboy]

The only ride it seems you have a beef about truly is AE...which is now gone. And while I understand your beef, I also understand 100% why Disney took it out. As a 16 year old, first time rider, that ride scared the crap outta me! I was absolutely terrified and I knew it was fake! I vowed never to go back on...that's how much it scared me. And if it were still around, I would definitely be skipping it.

You can only imagine what happened when younger children rode it. (And you know they did despite the warnings.) While Stitch may not be the best replacement...I definitely understand why they took AE out. And while I don't think that Disney tries to cater just towards children...I believe taking it out was a better choice b/c I'm sure it was a big headache for them while it was there, regarding parents complaining to guest services. (And maybe even some adults complained b/c it was too scary for them too.)

Yes yes, well no offense, but if that made you had nightmares at 16...I don't ever think you should ever go do anything remotely scary ever again! And for God's sake, don't go to a haunted house, or ride virtually any dark rides at the "other theme park in town", or even Dinosaur for that matter!

There are just as many other adults, teenagers that loved it. Scared the crap out of me as well, but I knew it was fake though...of course Aliens are fake! (wait, are they? nevermind, different topic)

Tower is JUST AS if not scarier than AE...could you imagine if they turned that into a kiddy attraction? Same argument darling.

It was something for the older age range, and I thought it fit in perfectly with the "old" but futuristic Tomorrowland. And definitely made me think..."wow, what if?"

But wait, that's what it's supposed to do!! :wave:

Again...my argument simply stated...

HAPPY MEDIUM for all. Not every attraction has to be for kids and adults. The ones that are for both are great. But you can have some simply kiddy attractions (Pooh's Playground), and some...well...big kid attractions.

Next time I go to the park as a guest...I'm going to complain that Pooh's Playful Spot doesn't cater to me hehe

 

[MousDad]

Nothing against pixar at all. i have loved all the movies disney/pixar has made but i wish the newer rides comming out were more disney-ish then pixar-ish.

I hear this all the time. I have racked my brains trying to figure out what the striking difference could be between the two, and I can only come up with 2 things.

Pixar's story tend to have a more "real world" setting, and they rely less on songs.

But then I look at MTR, and it has more of a real world setting, and doesn't rely on songs. Maybe that's why the Disney animation lovers didn't like it that well? (I absolutely loved MTR myself.)

IMO, neither of those 2 areas have any impact on the "heart" or "feel" of the picture (as to whether it embodies the Disney spirit or not). To find much difference between the 2 past this seems like grasping at straws to me.

 

[wannab@dis]

Ok well fellow Disney fans, i have had some thing toiling in my gut for a while and I want to vent it off and hopefully get some imput from all of you and prove me wrong. It seems to me like disney is in "recestion" and has gone away from the disney i knew 10-20 years ago.

Maybe YOU have changed in the past 20 years more than Disney has changed? I wonder if the whole "Disney is not as good as it once was" mantra could better be explained by looking inward. Maybe the changes that bother people are more associated with their changing lives as they grow up and/or get older than it is about something that Disney is doing or not doing.

Also, keep in mind that your memories of a past event will always elevate the positive. The whole... Yesterday was always better... The golden years that never were.... etc.

 

[yankspy]

Yes yes, well no offense, but if that made you had nightmares at 16...I don't ever think you should ever go do anything remotely scary ever again! And for God's sake, don't go to a haunted house, or ride virtually any dark rides at the "other theme park in town", or even Dinosaur for that matter!

There are just as many other adults, teenagers that loved it. Scared the crap out of me as well, but I knew it was fake though...of course Aliens are fake! (wait, are they? nevermind, different topic)

Tower is JUST AS if not scarier than AE...could you imagine if they turned that into a kiddy attraction? Same argument darling.

It was something for the older age range, and I thought it fit in perfectly with the "old" but futuristic Tomorrowland. And definitely made me think..."wow, what if?"

But wait, that's what it's supposed to do!! :wave:

Again...my argument simply stated...

HAPPY MEDIUM for all. Not every attraction has to be for kids and adults. The ones that are for both are great. But you can have some simply kiddy attractions (Pooh's Playground), and some...well...big kid attractions.

Next time I go to the park as a guest...I'm going to complain that Pooh's Playful Spot doesn't cater to me hehe

I have to say that I believe that AE embodied a lot of the disney ingenuity for me. It was a non-character attraction, which is a common complaint about some of the current ones, and it was completely unique to Disney. The theming was awesome, everything from the sinister nature of S.I.R.(which heightened your anxiety) to the heart pounding loud crash that was heard when the lights went out and the glass broke. It told a story and built up to a climax just like a good book or movie. It was totally immersive and held it's audience completely captive.(at least for me) I am sure that there were practical reasons for removing it and I may be in the minority as far as my opinion about it, but I do miss that one.