mlayton144
Well-Known Member
This is a very normal part of the human condition - “familiarity breeds contempt” - the comments on these boards are living proof
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Losing Your Disney Faith
- Thread starter BasiltheBatLord
- Start date
Just go an do it, we did a cross country road trip and it was a blast, even during all.of this mess.
Rich T
Well-Known Member
Still staying away from all theme parks this year, but next year’s a possibility. They should have Mystic River Falls operating 100% by then as well.
Brer Oswald
Well-Known Member
I feel you 100%. This is the first year in 15 years that I haven’t gone to WDW. And you want to know what I miss the most? Tom Sawyer Island. Went there for the first time eve last year and enjoyed it.
Even with the whole Splash thing, my favourite attraction of all time, and I’m more concerned about the music and how Disney fans are going to treat me for still liking the property than actually being able to ride it again.
I would like to get out to Disneyland again, soak it all in. But I feel burned out with WDW in particular.
Even with the whole Splash thing, my favourite attraction of all time, and I’m more concerned about the music and how Disney fans are going to treat me for still liking the property than actually being able to ride it again.
I would like to get out to Disneyland again, soak it all in. But I feel burned out with WDW in particular.
PiratesMansion
Well-Known Member
I love Silver Dollar City! I miss those three years living in Central IL where I could drive down in half a day. Alas, back in Chicagoland now...
It's the same thing for me. Accelerating prices and decelerating value for the dollar. It just doesn't feel like they care anymore.
I will say that DL has given me much more appreciation for California as a destination-so much that's fantastic, and never-ending variety. So it's unlikely I'll completely stop going (nostalgia being what it is) until I either cannot justify it at all financially and/or they permanently muck with Pirates or Mansion.
I do still have more faith in DLR than I do in WDW, albeit not the level of faith I had in 2015 or that I currently have in the international parks by comparison.
But the point is, it's eroding. Virtually everyone who's been a long term fan has said it's eroding. And that really should concern Disney more than it probably is because of everything that's happened this year. Now is the time to course correct, and I can only hope that someone will actually have the wisdom to do it. Unlikely, but it certainly does feel like we are rapidly steamrolling into a point of no return, doesn't it?
It's the same thing for me. Accelerating prices and decelerating value for the dollar. It just doesn't feel like they care anymore.
I will say that DL has given me much more appreciation for California as a destination-so much that's fantastic, and never-ending variety. So it's unlikely I'll completely stop going (nostalgia being what it is) until I either cannot justify it at all financially and/or they permanently muck with Pirates or Mansion.
I do still have more faith in DLR than I do in WDW, albeit not the level of faith I had in 2015 or that I currently have in the international parks by comparison.
But the point is, it's eroding. Virtually everyone who's been a long term fan has said it's eroding. And that really should concern Disney more than it probably is because of everything that's happened this year. Now is the time to course correct, and I can only hope that someone will actually have the wisdom to do it. Unlikely, but it certainly does feel like we are rapidly steamrolling into a point of no return, doesn't it?
Darkbeer1
Well-Known Member
Do you remember DCA 1.0, and finally, a new boss finally admits that the original DCA was a joke, and not up to par, and spent a LOT of money to get it somewhere near Disney Standards. Then we got PP and GotG.
PiratesMansion
Well-Known Member
Those five-ish years DCA was respectable really were something.
FeelsSoGoodToBeBad
Well-Known Member
I would also recommend a visit to Dollywood. We went over Spring Break 2019 and lucked into the Festival of Nations. Great fun!
PiratesMansion
Well-Known Member
Dollywood is nice and has its charms, but doesn't *quite* live up to SDC, at least for me. It is interesting though in that is very much the WDW of their operating company (Herschend) to SDC's DL. Some things are definitely better-the flume, the train, the cinnamon bread, and certainly the water park. Some-the Dolly things and the Eagle habitat-are unique. If you're very familiar with one of the parks, it's interesting to compare their various equivalents ("oh, this is their version of the Opera House!") Craftsman's Valley is a spectacular area (and is basically SDC: the themed area). But ultimately it is missing a lot of the intangibles that make SDC such an interesting place. When I compare SDC to DL, it's not entirely hyperbole-both of those parks developed organically and have lots of little random details and touches that were clearly the product of an ownership who brought a personal and keen interest into shaping the park in a very specific, deliberate fashion. The layout came about organically and so the parks aren't quite as streamlined as their successors. By contrast, Dollywood, like WDW, is not only much bigger but has also evolved in ways that fundamentally differ from its original conception-ways that aren't necessarily bad and were arguably necessary, but rob it of the sense of place, cohesion, and personal touches that characterize SDC and Disneyland. Thus, Dollywood strikes me as a bit hollow and disjointed, the postcard version of the experience-it looks prettier and is more impressive on paper but lacks some of the warmth and substance of the original since some parts of the newer resort just don't mesh very well together.
Dolly's presence is both a blessing and a curse to Dollywood in my estimation. On the one hand, the park probably would be gone and the area in general much worse off without her-her company is the county's largest employer. You also get all of the cool Dolly things-the museum, cabin replica, and tour bus. However, it does muddle the park's identity and sense of cohesion IMO; the Dolly things are worthwhile but don't *quite* make sense in the park around it even as the park's overall identity and theme have shifted. The newer areas aren't as nice or as interesting as the pre-Jukebox Junction areas. I'll grant that it's nice to be able to walk more directly between the Tornado and Thunderhead compared to my first visit when they were both at dead ends and quite far from each other, but that new path is the exact anthithesis of the older part of the park and what made it special. I'll grant that I haven't seen Wildwood Grove, so perhaps that comes off better than the rest of the newer stuff.
I hope I'm not coming off as too negative, as Dollywood does a lot of things right. But SDC takes all of the things Dollywood does well and does them better but it's overlooked because it receives half the accolades. For understandable reasons (name recognition, location, etc), but frustrating ones nonetheless. Definitely go to Dollywood if you have the opportunity, but if I could only do one, I'd pick SDC every day of the week.
Dolly's presence is both a blessing and a curse to Dollywood in my estimation. On the one hand, the park probably would be gone and the area in general much worse off without her-her company is the county's largest employer. You also get all of the cool Dolly things-the museum, cabin replica, and tour bus. However, it does muddle the park's identity and sense of cohesion IMO; the Dolly things are worthwhile but don't *quite* make sense in the park around it even as the park's overall identity and theme have shifted. The newer areas aren't as nice or as interesting as the pre-Jukebox Junction areas. I'll grant that it's nice to be able to walk more directly between the Tornado and Thunderhead compared to my first visit when they were both at dead ends and quite far from each other, but that new path is the exact anthithesis of the older part of the park and what made it special. I'll grant that I haven't seen Wildwood Grove, so perhaps that comes off better than the rest of the newer stuff.
I hope I'm not coming off as too negative, as Dollywood does a lot of things right. But SDC takes all of the things Dollywood does well and does them better but it's overlooked because it receives half the accolades. For understandable reasons (name recognition, location, etc), but frustrating ones nonetheless. Definitely go to Dollywood if you have the opportunity, but if I could only do one, I'd pick SDC every day of the week.
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FeelsSoGoodToBeBad
Well-Known Member
All excellent points and very well stated. Dollywood doesn't have the warmth SDC has, which is somewhat ironic, considering it was once a SDC property before Dolly bought it. My one complaint about SDC (it has been almost 14 years since I've been there) was the HILLS! I loved the landscaping, and really appreciated all the shade while there during the heat of July, but there were times I'd be at the base of a hill, looking up to the apex from behind my son's stroller, and would seriously consider just waiting right there for the rest of the day. LOL
Where Dolly is concerned, I think you have to mention not only does her company employ MANY people in the area, she is a huge philanthropist and has donated vast amounts of time and money to the local area after the Gatlinburg fires. She also has a long-standing charity to provide books to children who otherwise would not have access to them at home. So while that doesn't contribute to my enjoyment of the park, per se, it IS nice to know that the money I spend on a vacation there will be passed along to the local community and not just used to line someone's (already quite plush) pocket.
One other park that I grew up going to and has changed a LOT is Santa Claus Land, now Holiday World and Splashin' Safari. It is only second to WDW in cleanliness and friendliness of staff in my (admittedly somewhat limited) theme park experiences. The coasters are fantastic and the theming works throughout all the lands of the park. When my kiddos were little, it was nice to have a small area with rides dedicated to them exclusively. Add in free parking, sunscreen, and sodas and it's a great deal in addition to being a lot of fun. That said, last time I was there navigating from one side of the park to the other could be a bit roundabout (and that was before they'd finished most of the rides in the Thanksgiving themed area). I miss the area that showcased vintage mechanical toys where you could press a button on the front of the display case and the figures and other items inside would move; each case was themed and told a little story, iirc. And the electric train display! That thing was FANTASTIC!
BayouShack
Well-Known Member
The SDC & Dollywood was interesting. I would have never picked up on those differences from pictures and videos I’ve seen. Would love to visit both some day. Until then, videos and google earth will do.
...speaking of which, I noticed just now how insane the parking situation for Dollywood is:
The quality is poor. But there’s a mile long stretch of a parking lot that is two lanes wide, that runs from the entrance to a larger lot.
I suppose WDW has a unique parking setup too.
...speaking of which, I noticed just now how insane the parking situation for Dollywood is:
The quality is poor. But there’s a mile long stretch of a parking lot that is two lanes wide, that runs from the entrance to a larger lot.
I suppose WDW has a unique parking setup too.
George Lucas on a Bench
Well-Known Member
Just found this concept art for Dollywood's Largest Ever Expansion. Sounds familiar. In fact, it looks familiar.
Seems to be done by whoever does Disney's art.
Seems to be done by whoever does Disney's art.
tirian
Well-Known Member
It’s a coincidence to see this thread, because I discussed the same thing with a friend last night. At the beginning of the pandemic lockdowns, I was frustrated that I had to indefinitely postpone a (now-canceled) trip to WDW. But as the months passed and Disney continued making terrible decisions across every division of their company, I realized my memories were far better than reality.
I was too enthusiastic about the parks themselves to realize how frustrating the experiences actually were. Recent trips to DL involved dodging privileged, obnoxious locals and groups of teens who presided over “THEIR” park. WDW required jumping through hoops to make FP+ and dining reservations, and then staying glued to a buggy app all day. Most of Epcot has been closed or outdated for years. The other parks exploited NextGen to cut staffing, thereby inflating the queues and feeling crowded on otherwise “slow” days. The hotels were outdated and insanely overpriced.
Then MMRR wasted trackless tech on giant sound stages and some projections. Then even more details leaked out about the clueless Epcot refurb. Then the new paint job was revealed on Cinderella Castle. Then the news broke about Splash. We’ve discussed that in other threads. The pro-change ignorance from Disney fan sites and the media was astounding. Later, the classic music was pulled in the deceptive, hamfisted name of “inclusivity.“ Corporations hide behind that word because it protects them from criticism.
Then I ran out of decent content on Disney+ and was left with either movies I’ve already seen many times, or tons of low-caliber entertainment from the cesspool that is the Disney Channel.
Finally, my local Disney Store reopened, and it’s full of cheaply made tees and plush like you’d expect from a tourist trap in Kissimmee.
My friend and I realized we’ve been making excuses for the company for years because of our own sunken costs from childhood movies and park memories. Instead of continuing to innovate, they’re still milking and remaking our ‘90s childhood classics out of cold-hearted corporate greed.
Cold, calculated marketing or political agendas* control everything the company has released within the last 4–5 years. People who think this is still the great, imaginative Walt Disney Company are blinded by Pixie Dust; that sort of WDC is dead. It exists only in memories.
So go ahead. Enjoy Brer Rabbit and his friends. Enjoy the music that was perfectly fine until a faceless corporation declared otherwise—but is still perfectly fine. Have a Zip-a-dee-doo-dah day.
Let the new “fans” drool over cupcakes and obsess over preschool-level entertainment, claiming it’s because they’re “kids at heart.” Let them turn up their noses at the actual work of the company’s visionary founder because it’s “old.” Let them think Olga’s Cantina is truly the best bar in America. Let them say it’s okay that you don’t go often anymore, because now you’re making more room for them. Let them call you a Doom-and-Gloomer.
This isn’t Doom-and-Gloom. I still like the parks and will return after there’s a vaccine. But I’ve also accepted I haven’t changed: the company has. The execs and WDI will laugh at the “Foamers” before moving on to other companies. If they’re not invested in the company’s legacy and unlimited creativity, why should we feel awkward for holding on to the classic magic?
*I’m talking about corporate politics, not American politics. You’d be amazed at how quickly execs will tank someone else’s project to get ahead, heedless of the millions wasted.
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PiratesMansion
Well-Known Member
Dollywood is quite tightly wedged between different hills and the entire property is like that, at least when it comes to the main park (I haven't made it to the water park or the hotel yet). That said, the park itself, while it does have elevation changes, is a bit flatter than you might expect given its location. SDC is sort of the opposite; it's a more expansive, sprawling layout, but basically the entire park is on a (at times quite steep) big hillside and very little of it is totally flat.
Nailed it.
@Stevek Definitely add Dollywood! You won't regret it, and make sure you get a loaf of cinnamon bread when you go!
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Stevek
Well-Known Member
I'm a sucker for cinnamon bread. Thanks for the tip!
tirian
Well-Known Member
George Lucas on a Bench
Well-Known Member
I want to go to Dollywood.
Brer Panther
Well-Known Member
Okay, this is likely gonna be a long post, just a fair warning...
My faith in Disney has been dwindling since, I'd say, 2014 or 2016. Regardless, when I went to Disney World in 2017 and 2019, I still had a great time. And I was really looking forward to going again in July (we had to postpone due to this stupid pandemic). I still love roaming the parks and going on attractions like Test Track and Kilimanjaro Safaris. However, the Splash Mountain debacle has proven to me once and for all that Disney isn't the company that it once was.
I wanted to believe that Bob Iger was a nice guy. But I'm sorry, he (or at least the current, post-2013 Iger) is quite possibly the worst CEO in Disney history. Even worse than post-Disneyland Paris Eisner. Why? Well, for one thing, under Iger's control, Disney has become an incredibly cowardly company. They won't build attractions not based on IPs anymore because they think people don't like IP-less rides. They don't make hand-drawn movies anymore because the most recent hand-drawn movies (including the very movie that they suddenly did a 180 on because it fits their agenda) flopped, conveniently ignoring that maybe the reason they flopped is because they put them up against big blockbuster films like Harry Potter sequels and Avatar. They're terrified of taking risks. They gleefully greenlit things simply to cash in on the success of other things - Maleficent and Cinderella made a ton of money at the box office, greenlight MORE live action remakes of our animated films. The Jungle Book was a success, greenlight a "live action" remake of The Lion King directed by the same guy using the same technology. Hasbro makes a lot of money off that "Littlest Pet Shop" thing, make this a thing.
As it stands, the company is blah, bland, soulless, cowardly, and condescending. It doesn't care about its fans. All it cares about is its image and making money. But, so long as at least a large percentage of the things that I love about Disney World are still there, I'll still go and have a good time.
My faith in Disney has been dwindling since, I'd say, 2014 or 2016. Regardless, when I went to Disney World in 2017 and 2019, I still had a great time. And I was really looking forward to going again in July (we had to postpone due to this stupid pandemic). I still love roaming the parks and going on attractions like Test Track and Kilimanjaro Safaris. However, the Splash Mountain debacle has proven to me once and for all that Disney isn't the company that it once was.
I wanted to believe that Bob Iger was a nice guy. But I'm sorry, he (or at least the current, post-2013 Iger) is quite possibly the worst CEO in Disney history. Even worse than post-Disneyland Paris Eisner. Why? Well, for one thing, under Iger's control, Disney has become an incredibly cowardly company. They won't build attractions not based on IPs anymore because they think people don't like IP-less rides. They don't make hand-drawn movies anymore because the most recent hand-drawn movies (including the very movie that they suddenly did a 180 on because it fits their agenda) flopped, conveniently ignoring that maybe the reason they flopped is because they put them up against big blockbuster films like Harry Potter sequels and Avatar. They're terrified of taking risks. They gleefully greenlit things simply to cash in on the success of other things - Maleficent and Cinderella made a ton of money at the box office, greenlight MORE live action remakes of our animated films. The Jungle Book was a success, greenlight a "live action" remake of The Lion King directed by the same guy using the same technology. Hasbro makes a lot of money off that "Littlest Pet Shop" thing, make this a thing.
As it stands, the company is blah, bland, soulless, cowardly, and condescending. It doesn't care about its fans. All it cares about is its image and making money. But, so long as at least a large percentage of the things that I love about Disney World are still there, I'll still go and have a good time.
tirian
Well-Known Member
Despite being a very good movie, Disney buried TPATF until they needed to make themselves look good. The media and many fan blogs are too cowardly to point that out.
I agree 100%. There’s still good stuff and I will still enjoy myself, but I’ve also accepted the “true” Disney Co. — outside the theme parks — is dead. At this point, it’s a zombie company living off marketing hype. That won’t last forever, either.
To say it another way, chunks of the parks DO still have that classic magic in many places, and I will continue to enjoy those moments! Yet I’ve also become realistic about the big corporate picture outside the parks themselves.