For what it's worth, here's my letter....
To whom it may concern,
My name is xxxxxxxxxxxx and I’ve been a satisfied Disney World Premium Annual Passholder off and on for the last 10 years.__ Currently, I’m a passholder wondering if I should renew again this Thanksgiving when my anniversary rolls around.__ While there are great benefits and advantages to holding this annual pass, there have been several changes at WDW that are beginning to make the experience less than “Disney-like,” and to that point, I’m not really sure what I’m paying for anymore.
As an avid Disney fan, not just of the parks, but all things Disney, I try keep in touch with Disney’s progress and what they are doing in the present, and near future.__ I love coming to the parks to experience new attractions, revisit the classics, take advantage of the countless dining options, and am always looking to spot and experience things I may have missed during my last trip.__
On the other hand, I make sure that I make a trip down at the times of year that bring the most joy and excitement to my life, that remind me just how spectacular and superior Disney theme parks are over the thrill ride parks like Universal.__ WDW during the Holidays is that time for me.__ However, over the last few years it seems as though Disney has been taking to cost-cutting measures that effect the very things that separate it from the rest of the wannabes.__ A few years ago the Country Bear Jamboree Christmas overlay was scrapped. __Last year the Epcot tree lighting ceremony disappeared. __The classic 'Twas the Night Before Christmas' show in Tomorrowland is now gone, and the Christmas Carolers over in Camp Minnie-Mickey have left, too. And now today, I was reading about the Lights of Winter at Epcot and how they may not be coming back.__ This made my heart sink into my stomach as one of my Disney holiday rituals of sitting under the arches and enjoying the relaxing music and lights, something that represents true Disney holiday magic, will be gone forever.
My wife and I are about to have our first child and plan to make these annual trips to Disney each year, just as I did with my parents, but the cutting of all of these small, special, Disney details are making me wonder if these trips are going to be worth the money. If Disney keeps at this rate, when my kids are teenagers and want to go to Universal because the “rides are so much better”, I won’t be able to convince them otherwise.__ In today’s world, and even more so in years past, I’d be able to point out all of the history, the creative__Imagineering, and__the unwillingness to stop at “good enough”.__ All of which are character traits I’d like to instill in my children.__ I’d like to teach them that the little things matter, that the time and money spent on the extra detail__or going the extra mile to make someone’s experience great is worth more than a few thousand dollars.__ In the short term, that money might be great, but taking away that detail could cost you more in the long run than the money you save today.__
I think Disney is the place where you get to recognize possibilities, appreciate art, admire architecture, and experience the brilliance and compassion of some of the greatest minds of our world. __To those people who think the Lights of Winter are insignificant to a great Disney holiday experience, I say they really haven’t had a chance to understand the emotional side of Disney, instead they’ve been focusing on the bottom line.__ Unfortunately, that’s not how Disney got to be what it is today, and I sincerely hope Disney doesn’t forget that, otherwise they will soon have to answer the question "why would I choose to go to Disney over ____."
Please reconsider this decision, and if costs must be cut, consider other possibilities that are less significant.__
__
Kindest regards,
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
