LETS FIX WDW

[Chef Mickey]

I agree to a point. However, Epcot is the only park I can think of at the moment -- not counting the water parks, of course -- that hasn't either seen expansion or is headed for expansion. We have had the New Fantasyland expansion at Magic Kingdom, we've got the massive Star Wars and Toy Story expansions coming to Hollywood Studios, and we've got Avatar coming to Animal Kingdom. That is a *lot* that they've put into updating and expanding the current parks. Even if I think it should have come sooner and been completed faster (which I do), at least it's happening.

Epcot does need a lot of love, but I'm not sure what's realistic expansion-wise at the other three parks given that. Which is why I suggested a fifth park. Which, BTW, I happen to think will happen at some point, but I'm not sure when.


I understand your premise. And, certainly, the crowds we saw last month when we were there during a traditionally "off peak" time make me believe they have capacity issues. But I still favor adding capacity rather than raising prices. Walt Disney World is already a luxury item, outside the realm of financial viability for many, as it is. To further put it out of reach of the average American family -- and pardon me for falling back on invoking Walt -- seems like something Walt Disney would have been aghast at. I think he'd much rather have seen his company invest and expand enough to accommodate the people, rather than working on ways to keep more people out.

I think Disney can absolutely handle the projects in place today AND a complete overhaul of EPCOT. There is almost no doubt in my mind they have big plans for EPCOT, but in typical Disney fashion, they are just dragging their feet.

As I said, they are capable but just don't want to do everything at once because of one reason: Money. They have the luxury of not needing to move quickly because the crowds are still so unbelievable.

They are frankly in a great position from a business perspective, but fans have to suffer while they take their team.

I'd almost support a Midwest theme park in Texas or South America before I'd support adding a brand new park to WDW. There is just too much potential in their existing parks to warrant adding a 5th park just yet.

Eventually, I think they need a 5th park there, but I think EPCOT should be completely built out, running, and all other projects should be complete. Furthermore, I'd support doubling the Magic Kingdom before adding a 5th park too. To me, adding a 5th park wouldn't necessarily decrease attendance...I actually think it would increase, much like the impact of AK.

To me, massive expansion of the MK or even more Disneys around the world would be better options. If you keep making WDW THE spot, it becomes THE place to be and more and more come. That's fine, but you need to be ready. Underneath it all, the MK is still built from the cloth of the 1970s. It's too "tight" there and massive expansion is needed to accommodate building crowds. MK will always be popular, so they'll have to address it at some point.

If you look at Tokyo Disneyland, you can tell it's a more recent "style" of park with much bigger walkways and open areas.

 

[xdan0920]

It would not surprise me to learn that some guests already do. I've seen drunk guests destroy topiaries so they could climb up onto them for a picture, I've seen them push and shove people to get where they want. I've seen them take things out of other people's hands because they wanted it more. I've seen them spilling drinks as they stumble around the world. Peeing in the fountains? Yeah, I'd believe it.

Two drunk women in their 20s climbed up onto a topiary in France two years ago destroying a bunch of flowers as they did it so they could get drunk pictures with beast. I could not believe my eyes, but later learned that this is the norm at Drunkcot. Where were the cast members and security? Nowhere to be found.

My cameras haven't picked up any of this. I've heard about it from teetotalers such as yourself. But have yet to witness such drunken shenanigans. I have seen rotten kids doing such things though. Which leads me to my next suggestion for fixing WDW.

No more kids. Kids smell bad. Behave bad. Make too much noise. Get in the way. Hog the fun stuff like resort water slides. Honestly, WDW would be a much better place if we eliminated everyone under 18.

 

[Figaro928]

I'm surprised no one brought up the monorails. Upgrading and expanding them would be a biggie.

Also... something that hasn't been mentioned, build an adult exclusive posh resort.

And because its a personal favorite, open up the top floor of the imagination pavilion PLEASE.

 

[ford91exploder]

I think Disney can absolutely handle the projects in place today AND a complete overhaul of EPCOT. There is almost no doubt in my mind they have big plans for EPCOT, but in typical Disney fashion, they are just dragging their feet.

As I said, they are capable but just don't want to do everything at once because of one reason: Money. They have the luxury of not needing to move quickly because the crowds are still so unbelievable.

They are frankly in a great position from a business perspective, but fans have to suffer while they take their team.

I'd almost support a Midwest theme park in Texas or South America before I'd support adding a brand new park to WDW. There is just too much potential in their existing parks to warrant adding a 5th park just yet.

Eventually, I think they need a 5th park there, but I think EPCOT should be completely built out, running, and all other projects should be complete. Furthermore, I'd support doubling the Magic Kingdom before adding a 5th park too. To me, adding a 5th park wouldn't necessarily decrease attendance...I actually think it would increase, much like the impact of AK.

To me, massive expansion of the MK or even more Disneys around the world would be better options. If you keep making WDW THE spot, it becomes THE place to be and more and more come. That's fine, but you need to be ready. Underneath it all, the MK is still built from the cloth of the 1970s. It's too "tight" there and massive expansion is needed to accommodate building crowds. MK will always be popular, so they'll have to address it at some point.

If you look at Tokyo Disneyland, you can tell it's a more recent "style" of park with much bigger walkways and open areas.

If EPCOT was a fully functional park with a bunch of E-tickets it would do much to allieviate the crowding because EPCOT was desigined with a capacity of around 150,000 I believe perhaps our resident historian can give us the exact number @marni1971 do you know what EPCOT's design capacity is?

If all the parks except AK (perhaps lasers there because of the animals) had a fireworks show and parades that would spread the night time crowds a lot more evenly because most would want to see ALL of the parades and shows.

 

[marni1971]

If EPCOT was a fully functional park with a bunch of E-tickets it would do much to allieviate the crowding because EPCOT was desigined with a capacity of around 150,000 I believe perhaps our resident historian can give us the exact number @marni1971 do you know what EPCOT's design capacity is?

In its hey day (not now) IIRC around 80,000. 100,000 max but not nice.

Futureworld alone had an hourly attraction capacity of nearly 24000.

 

[rob0519]

That will help keep the ticket prices down. Paying someone $40k a year to push a broom.

Disney, along with other companies had no problem paying a living wage to full time, benefitted employees for decades. That's what actually built the middle class after World War II.

People complain about the ticket prices because they don't believe they are getting value for their money. Part time or low paid employees complain because they can't afford rent, food and medical care. Additionally, they perform poorly because they see little value in doing an above average to outstanding job.

I believe if Disney paid for quality help to return the parks to the level of cleanliness and operational efficiency they used to have, people would not object to a raise in ticket prices for a superior experience. This, of course, would need some compromise in the board room as to an adjustment in financial expectations.

 

[njDizFan]

I won a democratically certified election and have nothing to apologize for.

I don't know why you had to make this such a partisan issue, George. Why are you trying to infringe upon my rights to urinate as much and as often as I wish. I say let the people have the ability use the potty as needed. This cap and trade mentality is going to ruin this for everyone. Disney is a business after all and I should not have to subsidize their income.

Besides that election was rigged. I demand a recount

 

[ford91exploder]

In its hey day (not now) IIRC around 80,000. 100,000 max but not nice.

Futureworld alone had an hourly attraction capacity of nearly 24000.

Thanks I thought it was higher, But compare that number to MK which begins to feel crowded at about 40,000.

 

[POLY LOVER]

Disney, along with other companies had no problem paying a living wage to full time, benefitted employees for decades. That's what actually built the middle class after World War II.

People complain about the ticket prices because they don't believe they are getting value for their money. Part time or low paid employees complain because they can't afford rent, food and medical care. Additionally, they perform poorly because they see little value in doing an above average to outstanding job.

I believe if Disney paid for quality help to return the parks to the level of cleanliness and operational efficiency they used to have, people would not object to a raise in ticket prices for a superior experience. This, of course, would need some compromise in the board room as to an adjustment in financial expectations.

They say you get what you pay for.

 

[Chef Mickey]

If EPCOT was a fully functional park with a bunch of E-tickets it would do much to allieviate the crowding because EPCOT was desigined with a capacity of around 150,000 I believe perhaps our resident historian can give us the exact number @marni1971 do you know what EPCOT's design capacity is?

If all the parks except AK (perhaps lasers there because of the animals) had a fireworks show and parades that would spread the night time crowds a lot more evenly because most would want to see ALL of the parades and shows.

Oh yeah, totally agree. However, I believe MK would still have a capacity problem. A fully functional EPCOT might just draw additional crowds, but people seem to gravitate back to MK due to the "classic" and most "Disney" factors.

To me, MK should be the park with the largest capacity because it's the most popular by nature.

 

[marni1971]

Thanks I thought it was higher, But compare that number to MK which begins to feel crowded at about 40,000.

MK has done over 90,000 on New Year's Eve.

 

[PizzaPlanet]

As problems are solved, new ones are created. That's just how it works.

 

[HauntedMansionFLA]

The Star Wars machine bothers me less right now, but you can tell that Disney is preparing for it to be in your face. I absolutely LOVE Star Wars, I hope they don't ruin it for me. I already expect that to be the case, and it makes me very sad.

Me too - I love Star Wars. This many Star Wars movies coming out this fast makes me nervous. I lost interest in Marvel with the mass movie releases.

 

[ford91exploder]

MK has done over 90,000 on New Year's Eve.

Wow people were nuts to butts that night glad I never visit on NYE!

 

[jloucks]

Oh for the love of all that is holy, will you PLEASE give your endless "Let's raise the prices!!" campaign a freaking rest. We get it. You are well off. Money is no object. You want the prices sky high so that only you and your financially elite comrades can enjoy the park and the rest of us scum can just play in traffic instead. But the whole thing got incredibly tiresome about the 250th time you advocated for this. Enough already. Sheesh.

...except that some of us agree with him, so yea, enough of the crowd loving, self deprecating, jealous, censoring prattle that got tiresome about the 300th time.

Oh, and 'decreasing crowds' exactly addresses the ops question.

 

[jloucks]

so the threads are full of the folks that feel the place has changed, there are things lacking, stuff needs to be done etc. to bring it back, so lets make one big list that we would like to see done at WDW. Just post single changes that are needed to bring our WDW back to its hayday. No long posts, try to keep it short and sweet. Positive changes only.

Drastic ticket price increase to decrease the crowd levels!

 

[DisneyManOne]

Oust Iger. No other way to say it. Besides, whomever his successor is gonna be (Staggs and Rasulo) has had ample experience in the theme parks, so I'm sure they could spruce things up.

 

[HauntedMansionFLA]

All kidding aside, EPCOT has much potential. If Disney would invest some real money in future world, they would really balance out the parks. World Showcase needs some love.

 

[wdwperry]

Im surprised nobody has brought up Dinoland. That land has a lot of potential with the popularity of dinosaurs with young children but they decide to build some cheap fair booths, a carnival style wild mouse, and a spinner. The only thing there that is relevant is Dinosaur! which in my opinion needs to go down for refurbishment soon. Wasn't working so well when I rode it a month ago.

 

[LAKid53]

I would have the RFID bracelet thingies keep track of whenever you enter the bathroom. After a certain number of entries in a day (3 if you're off property, 5 if you're on) you would be unable to flush, thus conserving water. Now, you may be entering a bathroom from time to time without using a potty, so there would be cameras scattered about recording. Since your RFID chip would record the time you entered the bathroom (say those tucked away behind Pirates of the Caribbean) you could call one of the bathroom monitors and say, "I know I'm at my potty usage limit, but if you watch the recording of my 9:53 AM entry into bathroom such and such you will see that I did not do any flushing of significance. I'm the guy in the blue blazer and the festive holiday tie." They could then credit your potty usage account with a credit re-enabling you to flush. Simple really. It would fix the parks by conserving water, forcing people to think before engaging in biological functions, and create shorter lines making "tinkle time" a more efficient experience for all.

Umm, as someone of mature years... and the corresponding weakened bladder that goes with maturity and child bearing...I protest. Especially in the warmer months when I'm drinking quarts of water to stay hydrated.

Nice try, George.....