Unfortunately, this is still the truth. TDO may be dead on paper; but, the mindset is still very much in play. I'll be putting my much more comprehensive thoughts together eventually in Spirit's thread; but, nothing has really changed in Orlando. The old ways are still very much in place.
The windfall that is coming Orlando's direction for the 50th comes with a warning about "beware TDO bearing gifts". While yes, it sure is exciting to have a whole slew of "upgrades" coming online as it seems the sleeping giant has finally awoken in the swamps after 20 some years of malaise. The danger is what happens AFTER the Emperor's New Clothes go on display and the spotlight turns after the 50th? Will all of those shiny new toys retain their luster? What good does buying the new Ferrari if you aren't going to keep the factory shine on it?
Considering the first of the shiny new toys is enjoying the first summer online, Smurf Village is already showing some very non-Disney Parks signs of neglect. Graffiti that has been in place for weeks still hasn't been painted over and while TDO is doing a markedly good job of making sure at least their resort guests get a crack at Pandora with the extended Magic Hours being well... extended again, what about the rest of the parks? Well, here in the peak of the summer season on a Friday night, the Magic Kingdom is closing at 10:00pm! Simple maintenance projects that I saw behind walls in June were still under walls in July. Effects that were broken were still broken.
The easiest way I can put it is WDW is your child that keeps bringing home D's and C's on their report card when you know they can get an A (like Pandora and Happily Ever After).
In what should be the start of a new golden age in Orlando with the new attractions, transportation, and resorts coming for the 50th - will it be the beginning of a return to form or just providing more opportunities to come up short and letting the giant go back to slumber? All I know is it better be the former as it's going to be a LONG way until the 75th and I don't think WDW could survive another quarter century of tarnish.
There is no excuse for not plussing WDW's Fantasmic in time for the 50th other than simply the don't care. TDO's excuse is the rubes are still lining up for it, so why bother... and unfortunately, they are right. WDW needs stronger advocates.