Is the magic really gone?

[Merlin]

I've been going to WDW very regularly since 1995 (my daughter was born in 1993) and although some things have come and some things have gone, the magic is better than ever.

In my opinion, 1995 is right around the time things started to decline. So if that's when you started going, it's easy for me to see why you wouldn't notice a major drop in quality. Even if you'd been there just a couple years before that, I think you'd know what some of us are talking about.

 

[Mouse's Magic]

I think that for some people, the magic may be gone. Of course, those are the people who find fault with everything and everyone. The magic of WDW/DL is there for those of us who WANT to experience it everytime we go.

I whole heartedly agree. Yes things change, but we all should change with it. Disney has something no other park or company will ever have...a sense of magic and a sense of complete affability. Not to point fingers but, just by reading posts on this website you can see how negative everyone is. Literally every single new topic posted will have a seperate topic posted describing the negatives of the original (Magical Express, Soarin' and its preshow). Life is to short to pick apart every miniscule detail. I think there is too much on the negative and not enough of the positive. Magic is there if you want to see it, but if you are purposely looking the other way, the magic will pass right by..... always believe in what you can't describe!

 

[Pluto Parking]

I started to work for Disney in 1990. Back then...
1.The Contempory looked like the 70's motel
2.Tomorrowland was Yesterdayland
3. Disney village was boring
4. Many of the attractions had paint chips, and needed TLC.

What I'm trying to say is we had problems back then too.

 

[speck76]

I started to work for Disney in 1990. Back then...
1.The Contempory looked like the 70's motel
2.Tomorrowland was Yesterdayland
3. Disney village was boring
4. Many of the attractions had paint chips, and needed TLC.

What I'm trying to say is we had problems back then too.

As I had posted quite a while back.....it is very easy to say "the magic used to be greater".

When we were younger, we did not notice some of what we notice today. On top of that, people typically remember the "good and bad" and not the "average". If you were to see a building with peeling paint today, are you going to remember that in 10 years....probably not.

On top of this, 10 years ago, many of use were teenagers or younger, so the magic could have been stronger, simply because it was all more believable at that age.

Like a coke addict, where you can not use the same amount of drugs each hit and expect to always get the same high, the magic is very similar......if Space Mountain was built in its current format TODAY, how many people would like it?

 

[Laura]

As I had posted quite a while back.....it is very easy to say "the magic used to be greater".

When we were younger, we did not notice some of what we notice today. On top of that, people typically remember the "good and bad" and not the "average". If you were to see a building with peeling paint today, are you going to remember that in 10 years....probably not.

On top of this, 10 years ago, many of use were teenagers or younger, so the magic could have been stronger, simply because it was all more believable at that age.

King of like a coke addict, where you can not use the same amount of drugs each hit and expect to always get the same high, the magic is very similar......if Space Mountain was built in its current format TODAY, how many people would like it?

I agree with you 100%!!! I think Disney tends to be more magical to those of us who grew up with it. My husband only went to Disney once as a child, and of course I've dragged him a bunch of times as an adult, but I can tell it's not as exciting to him as it is to me who has gone 1-2 times almost every year of my life since I was born 23 years ago. When I go on a ride like the Haunted Mansion its not magical to me because I think it's a great ride, its magical to me because I remember how excited I was going on it as a little girl and it brings back so many emotions and wonderful feelings.

Even though Rock N Rollercoaster is probably my favorite ride in WDW, I have literally no emotional attachments to it and if it closed tomorrow I wouldn't care. But when they redesigned "Journey Into Imagination" and put that idiot in place of the dreamfinder I was literally heart broken over it. I have so many childhood memories of the way it used to be and of sitting down with the dreamfinder and figment outside and being so awestruck by the little figment puppet (I didn't know he was just a puppet back then!) and when they took the dreamfinder away they took a piece of my childhood away, as stupid as that sounds. I'd be equally devestated if they ever did anything to the other rides I have so many memories of like Pirates, HM, etc. But all these new rides they come out with I don't get any "magical" feelings riding them, as much as I love them. Buzz Lightyear is an awesome ride, but the sentimental side of me wishes it was still the "airplane ride" from when I was little.

So anyway, what I'm saying is, if I went to Disneyworld right now and it was the first time I had ever been there I highly doubt I would feel anything magical. I would think "wow, what a nice, clean, friendly, fun theme park!" but I wouldn't stir up any emotions in me. But since the place has so much sentimental value to me I am overcome with emotion and excitement everytime I get near the property, and that is what I would describe as "Disney magic".

 

[nibblesandbits]

I agree with you 100%!!! I think Disney tends to be more magical to those of us who grew up with it. My husband only went to Disney once as a child, and of course I've dragged him a bunch of times as an adult, but I can tell it's not as exciting to him as it is to me who has gone 1-2 times almost every year of my life since I was born 23 years ago. When I go on a ride like the Haunted Mansion its not magical to me because I think it's a great ride, its magical to me because I remember how excited I was going on it as a little girl and it brings back so many emotions and wonderful feelings.

Even though Rock N Rollercoaster is probably my favorite ride in WDW, I have literally no emotional attachments to it and if it closed tomorrow I wouldn't care. But when they redesigned "Journey Into Imagination" and put that idiot in place of the dreamfinder I was literally heart broken over it. I have so many childhood memories of the way it used to be and of sitting down with the dreamfinder and figment outside and being so awestruck by the little figment puppet (I didn't know he was just a puppet back then!) and when they took the dreamfinder away they took a piece of my childhood away, as stupid as that sounds. I'd be equally devestated if they ever did anything to the other rides I have so many memories of like Pirates, HM, etc. But all these new rides they come out with I don't get any "magical" feelings riding them, as much as I love them. Buzz Lightyear is an awesome ride, but the sentimental side of me wishes it was still the "airplane ride" from when I was little.

So anyway, what I'm saying is, if I went to Disneyworld right now and it was the first time I had ever been there I highly doubt I would feel anything magical. I would think "wow, what a nice, clean, friendly, fun theme park!" but I wouldn't stir up any emotions in me. But since the place has so much sentimental value to me I am overcome with emotion and excitement everytime I get near the property, and that is what I would describe as "Disney magic".

I couldn't agree with you more! :sohappy:

 

[Tress4Pres]

Personally, I think the magic of Disney lives inside me everyday. Heck, just being on these forums brings back some of the memories!!!!! I think that is the thing about Disney magic for me. The 'true' Disney magic is the memories I have of past magical vacations and what better way to revisit those memories than to go to WDW "where magic lives."

 

[Lynx04]

The magic is still there. But, like seeing a trick over and over again, it no longer amazes as much as it did when you first saw it. :wave:

and we are getting disappointed with the magician because it doesn't amaze us like it use too.

Just like they say about drugs, it is never as good as the first time.

And of course as a child you become more attached to things then as an adult, so rides that come out now you will be less attached to it then as the attraction that you rode as a youngster or for the first time. Children, or first timers that grow up with MS, TT, TOT, or RnR, will be strongly attached to it most rides that come after that will seem to not be as magical.

Yes, while their are legitimate complaints about some of the things that are going on, or lack of things going on. Some of the complaints I think are a little overhanded. Having said that, I don't doubt anybody's patroit love for Disney on this site and I enjoy the enthusiasm.

 

[Scooter]

The Magic is still there.

There are a few on this board who feel it necessary to put down any Disney decisions or any changes in the park that the Disney people make, but in spite of these people, the majority of us who go to Walt Disney World every year or so, and see the smiles and laughter and the fun that makes Disney World such a wonderful place to be, know that the Magic is still there.

If you tear apart a babys rattle to see what makes it work, what have you got...nothing but a few pieces of plastic that do nothing...but if you just enjoy the rattle, and watch the joy and pleasure that it brings to the baby, and everyone around the baby, then the magic can be seen and heard, loud and clear.

For MY family, the Magic is not only there now, but it is as present and as strong as was 15 years ago when we went to Walt Disney World for the first time.

If people aren't feeling the Magic as much as they used to, then perhaps they are looking right past it, because it's still there...it's there in the eyes of the children, and the holding of hands and in the memories of familys from all over the world who come there to visit.

I don't critique Walt Disney World...I just go there and enjoy it, and on our past 15 trips, the Disney Magic has always been there..and the wonderful folks at Disney have never
let my family down.

 

[JeffH]

correcting a misunderstanding...



"Originally Posted by JeffH
I've been going to WDW very regularly since 1995..."

I've been going to WDW regularly since it opened in 1972 (at least 3 weeks a year or more)...
I've been going to WDW VERY regularly since 1995 after my daughter was born (every other weekend in 2003).

I knew what it was like in the beginning, I know the painfully slow development it went through before Mr. Eisner took over, and I've experienced all the wonderful new aspects that WDW (and Disney via ABC, the Disney channels, all the great movies, and the ice shows) has added including the new parks, resorts and Downtown Disney.
Despite the fact that we go up at least once a month, our experience is always as special as the last. And in the last 10 years, I swear that WDW went out of it's way to do things to enhance every one of our next trips. Very rarely, was I disappointed in something, never did I regret a trip.
Here are the significant disappointments that stick in my mind (not in any significant order)...
'04 MVMCP - cookies changed, no longer shapes with sprinkles (not festive)
'03 OsbLites - ran out of hot cocoa mugs right in front of us...ruined last walk thru OL before they tore them down forever.
Loss of Hunchback of ND show...this was too good to lose.
Loss of Nova Era (although they left, they weren't let go) in Italy
The new Imagination ride, the newer Imagination ride
The loss of the motion ride when they could have ADDED Test Track to the pavilion instead, keeping the pavilion family oriented.
The elimination of the character breakfast/lunch at Hollywood and Vine at MGM.
The replacement of Mr. Toad (just before the release of the movie), instead of just adding Pooh...but I'd rather have Pooh than Toad.
The elimination of the Diamond Horseshoe Review (and it's MNSVHP and MVMCP shows).
The elimination of Jolly Holidays at the Contemporary Resort.
The occasional moron cast member who fought over a pin trade (made up a new rule) or who gave bad information.
The elimination of the parade at Epcot (it created such a wonderful mood in the WS).
The elimination of the Jungle Book at AK (should have added Tarzan somewhere else, in the attraction starved new park)...but would rather have Tarzan than JB.
The elimination of Superstar TV, for no particularly good reason...one of the few places at MGM to cool down.
The loss of the Millennium Village with no new country to pick up the slack after it left.
The loss of the play areas added during the Flower and Garden Festivals.

but these disappointments are far overshadowed by the overall improvements and additions and experiences.

 

[monorail_man]

IMO. I think that when people refer to "loosing the magic" They rember how things were when they went as a kid or as you said during the "golden moment" of WDW.

I know that I wish things were still that way. But, With time comes change, good or bad. So just accept it, and don't get mad.

 

[diddy_mouse]

i find it sad that we have to question whether or not the magic is gone from WDW. to me, the level of magic depends on the person...if you've been going to the parks ever since you were a kid (myself included) there is a connection. for myself the magic has been amplified becase my future husband proposed to me in front of the castle.

i look at my fiance, who was anti-Disney and had never been to the park, and see how his whole attitude has changed toward WDW. he is just as excited as i am about returning and can't wait to experience all the attractions and shows and, well, everything. there is something about WDW that leaves an impression on you.

granted...some changes have been made, but the feeling of magic is still there. if it wasn't...we wouldn't look foward to the repeat visits we take. we wouldn't tell people about what a great time we had and recommend our friends to se it for themselves.

i think that we as Disney fans shoud look at the progress the theme parks have made over the years. there are so many things we can experience...true, some of our favorite attractions have falled by the wayside or become extinct, but progress is a good thing. and the magic is *definitely* there.

 

[Merlin]

I've read all the arguments in favor of "the magic" still being there. For the most part, they all mention expansions, new rides, new parks, etc. The thing is, I don't feel that's where the magic is. The magic has become tarnished over the past several years not because of a lack of new rides, but rather because Disney seems to really be moving away from it's core values. Just to clarify, there's a very clear distinction between a company's values versus it's policies. Policies change according to the times. Companies that refuse to budge on their policies usually fail. But companies should always stick to their core values. I don't think Disney has been doing that in recent years. Personally, this is what I'M referring to when I state that Disney is losing the magic to some degree.

 

[HennieBogan1966]

The MAGIC will NEVER be gone.

 

[scorp111]

Ask first-time visitors!
The magic is still there. But, like seeing a trick over and over again, it no longer amazes as much as it did when you first saw it. :wave:

My 1st visit ever was September, and it was a completely magical experience for me. Just reading about WDW made me decide to purchase an Annual Pass before I had ever spent a single day in the park. By day 2 of the trip, we were planning our return visit in April '05. We ended up going back in Dec for MVMCP.

So yes, it is still magical for 1st visitors. My mom, will be 57 years old when she makes her first ever trip with us next year....I think it will be magical for her as well.

 

[HennieBogan1966]

Welcome to the family Scorp.

 

[Horizons78]

Is the magic gone you ask? - I answer with this: Im an annual passholder and I live about an hour and a half away from the WDW grounds. Im in a park usually at least once a week. You would think that would get old - that being said, Im lucky if I dont wreck my car coming up to the magic kingdom parking lot as I am usually craning my neck trying to get a glimpse of any monorail out on the Epcot beam. I know its odd, but I cant let the doors close on leaving ticket and transport without reciting the "please stand clear of the doors..." in english and spanish. :lol: And no matter what I am headed into the Magic Kingdom for, or how crowded it is, or how much I think it wont have the same effect on me this time - I cant help but stop that instant I walk under the station and get that first glimpse of the castle while looking down main street. I hope I understand at least in some small part what one persons dreams can become and what they can do to bring happiness and hope to so many.

Is the magic gone you ask? . . . . Not a chance kid, not a chance.

 

[HennieBogan1966]

The Magic lives inside each of us.

 

[Atta83]

The Magic is what you make it. If you cant look beyond things and use your "imagination" then yes the magic is lost. I mean I enjoy going to the parks and I seem to loose myself there and imagine that I am a princess for one day, pretend to be that little girl that entered the park for the first time almost 10 years ago. So therfor thats why I say the magic is what you make of it. If you believe in the magic then nothing is lost, but if you think the magic is gone then its just poof gone to you.

 

[HennieBogan1966]

I agree with you that the Magic is what you make it Atta. Some people look for the silver lining, while others look for the cloud. It's a matter of attitude.