"Normalization of deviance" and Walt Disney World

[jaklgreen]

My husband and I are 69 and 59 respectively. We definitely traveled to Disney in "the good old days". My mother took us as teenagers in 1975. And interestingly, while we have increased our attendance (became DVC members in 2015), there are definitely differences in the beauty of a Disney park "back then" and now.

I can't remember what I had for breakfast yesterday, but still remember being in awe of the gorgeous landscaping, that was never less than perfect. The amazing topiaries on the way into the MK and truly no trash whatsoever. I remember loving the stories of how the only time work occurred in the parks was at night. And there was definitely not one cast member who wasn't insanely nice and helpful.

When I go into a store at home, or a restaurant or hotel you can tell instantly which places have strong management teams and which are poor (don't care or have no control). I don't know if Disney has just become such a large beast that they can't possibly manage the small important things, or just sadly are so corporate and so large they don't see or care about these small things. As the OP says and is absolutely spot on about, it is ALL of these small things (in decline) that are signs that Disney is drifting from it's core values/mission.

One note I will add, is people coming to the parks can be absolutely miserable in their behaviors, to their environment, fellow park goers and certainly to cast members. (I do want to give a shout out to the cast members who handle these people well, but the strain on the CM"s is obvious and they aren't always as pleasant and helpful as they could be, and used to be, to customers). But, if Disney is to continue to be THE vacation destination, they have to figure out new and innovative ways to manage these customers and the problems they generate.

This! They have become too busy. Look at what they have done to the hub by the castle for more room for all of these people. I also miss the beautiful landscaping and am glad that they are bringing some of it back to the Epcot entrance. One of the things that I do not like about Universal Studios is the lack of greenery. I feel like I am in a Six Flags or just any other amusement parks with long stretches of just concrete. And it is hard to try to manage such big groups of employees. It all depends on the attitude of management. They need people who can communicate and work well with their team, which is sometimes hard to find. I do wish that guest would remember that cast members are people too. Stop being so rude to them over nothing.

 

[bUU]

Is the ratio of poor to good things in the park worse, or have we become more aware when other people point them out online?

And another important question: How much do our negative feelings about this track to an increase in our negative feelings about things in society overall?

if things stay going the direction they have been.

There's no way to know that. It is as likely as not to not be true.

I'm fairly certain that studies have shown people increase speeds and speed just as much when speed limits are raised.

Sorry, but that's simply not true. People are going to drive the speed that they're going to drive based on the road and conditions, with the speed limit having only minor impact. "Raising speed limits by 5, 10, or 15 mi/h (8, 16, or 25 km/h) at the rural and urban sites had a minor effect on vehicle speeds. In other words, an increase in the posted speed limit did not create a corresponding increase in vehicle speeds." "The indirect effects of speed limit changes on a sample of contiguous and adjacent roadways was found to be very small and insignificant." These are from US Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration Report No. FHWA-RD-92-084.

 

[eliza61nyc]

I think you are largely spot on.

As the experience & entertainment value of WDW goes down and prices go up, we still go to the parks. Why? Nostalgia. It was so good “back when” that they hooked us for life, and now we can’t imagine not going, even though we see the pitfalls.

But...What about my daughter?...will she still have that feeling of “wow this is so great, it’s worth all the money they charge”? Maybe not, so maybe she stops going and doesn’t bring her kids to WDW. It will just be another place that charges premium prices without a premium experience to her.

It’s a long term game and Disney will lose if things stay going the direction they have been. They won’t lose with us, but they will lose with the future...aka Tomorrow’s Child (a bit ironic if I do say so lol).

See I totally disagree (lol respectfully). Remember you perspective is biased on what I call "the golden years". aka Martin's video's. The next generation is basing it on what they experience themselves. It's like when your grandfather use to say "IN my day..Now.." while they make nice stories, one just kinda listens and smiles. When I see martin's videos or here about all these great attraction, I just smile and say to myself I'm so glad they got rid of maelstrom.

Now I do agree that Disney COULD come up with original content and really develop new stuff. absolutely. but they have chosen not to. why? have no idea and truthfully it's not some thing that is important for me. My goal is to have a great, fun family vacation.

My sons are millennial's and they travel (thanks to their grandparents living in Europe). they are use to 4.00 bottles of water and 5 dollar cokes. They are use to going to a concert and paying 200 bucks for a ticket, so paying 380.00 for a park ticket for the week isn't shocking to them. Now granted they have the pleasure of not having a mortgage, electric and gas, lol so of course it's a bit different and I'm sure when they have children and spouses they'll look at the out put a bit different.

The point is each generation analyzes stuff through the filter of their own experience. They won't lose the future because they are giving THIS generation exactly what they want, lots of new rides and IP. now we don't particularly like it because we grew up on the stuff that is now boring and old.

 

[JIMINYCR]

The point is each generation analyzes stuff through the filter of their own experience. They won't lose the future because they are giving THIS generation exactly what they want, lots of new rides and IP.

Hmmmm. Disneys next patent idea.... Make guests walk through scanner devices that wipes out all past WDW park memories so when they enter the parks they get all new experiences that cant be compared to the past.

 

[larryz]

Hmmmm. Disneys next patent idea.... Make guests walk through scanner devices that wipes out all past WDW park memories so when they enter the parks they get all new experiences that cant be compared to the past.

All they have to do is crank up the voltage on the magnetometers.