Oh Disney World... What Happened to you?

[216bruce]

Mini counter-rant
I know this is a WDW website but when you decide to dis the company you really need to look at the whole company. Disney Cruise Line and Adventures by Disney are still the gold standard in family travel, both at sea and of the 'guided' variety. So, quality is, and can still be a big deal with the company.
Unless DL has dropped off the face of the map quality-wise since last summer (yeah, I know...construction, changes, closures....blah blah blah) my experience there was fantastic last summer. Any RunDisney race is exceptionally organized and managed. The movies are, for the most part, wonderful family entertainment and immensely popular. Just because you (not just the OP) doesn't 'like' something doesn't mean it's bad. It just means you don't like it. Get over yourselves. I don't by any means love the invasion of Star Wars and Marvel everywhere as it ruins my sense of what Disney was in it's 'pure' form, but man, it's crazy popular. Iger ain't Walt but the company is sure doing well.
So....WDW....ask me in 5 years. I think it'll be just fine. Different?? changed?? hell yeah. That seems to be the problem more than anything.

 

[DisneyFans4Life]

No need to hope for the best. We just returned 2 weeks ago from the world and I can say everything looked great. The Cm's were great, the rides looked good. The only bad thing we delt with all week was the heat but you'll have that going to Florida in July.

I can't understand why so many people complain about Disney and nitpick everything they do. We go to WDW at least twice a month and never get tired of it and always have a great time! This past Saturday we spent at HS and I don't care what people say...it's still a full day park. We did all the rides and all shows (except BatB) and had just enough time for lunch and then to go see Fantasmic.

On top of that, the strap on my daughter's ear hat broke and a CM was nice enough to hand sew it back together. She then went a step further and reinforced the other side because she thought it was getting loose as well.

Disney is ever evolving and some attractions that we like will go away and we will get others in their place. I've said it before and I'll say it again...if someone isn't happy with Disney or feel it's too expensive, etc...don't go. You'll just make the parks that much less crowded.

 

[Jeff456]

I don't know what the standard of theme parks is like in the US outside of the big names but even the big parks in the UK like Thorpe Park or Alton towers who spend tens of millions on attractions are nothing like the standard or quality of Disney. I find visiting one of these parks which I still enjoy brings it into perspective, Disney still for the most part put almost all their competitors to shame.

 

[graphite1326]

also lets not forget that the ride it replaced was pretty bad and in a limited space as is all the epcot country rides.

I didn't mind the "pretty bad" attraction. It told us something about the country it represented and I found that interesting. A lot of people hated the film at the end. I often watched it. Of course I like to watch the History Channel too. I have never seen Frozen and never will. Not interested. I have seen a Utube of the new ride. Seeing that I will not waste my time standing in that long line.

 

[Matt_Black]

Disney can't win...

"This attraction has been here for nearly a decade! OMG! Why is it still here!!!"

*Disney changes attraction*

"OMG! Why did they replace that attraction! It was my favorite! CURSE YOUU DISNEEEYYYY!!!!!!!"

"Entertainment is stale. They need to add new acts and shows."

*Disney adds new acts and shows*

"What is this? That act sounds dumb! And they're putting it in ____? I love ____! It was a quite little sit down spot! And they RUINED it!"

 

[righttrack]

WDW is an odd mix of nostalgia and the brand new and exciting. What movie resonates with you is based on what you grew up with. For my kids (now late teens/early 20s) it's the Pixar movies, Lion King and Lilo and Stitch. For younger kids now, definitely Frozen and the newer Pixar movies. For me and my wife, certainly the classics, but as Gen Xer's we were kind of abandoned and lived through the dark years where Disney wasn't making new animated features. We looked at the classics that came before, and certainly The Lion King and Pixar movies were a wake-up call to come back to Disney. That's just movies, what about rides and attractions? You've got the equivalent of religious wars over changing anything or letting things rot.

Disney needs to be all of that for all of these people. It's a daunting task.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

Wow. Another new member with a rant

One wonders if someone "out there" has an agenda or something...

 

[DisneyManOne]

Disney can't win...

"This attraction has been here for nearly a decade! OMG! Why is it still here!!!"

*Disney changes attraction*

"OMG! Why did they replace that attraction! It was my favorite! CURSE YOUU DISNEEEYYYY!!!!!!!"

You accurately described the DCA Tower of Terror/Guardians of the Galaxy fiasco. A ride once loathed by the fans for not being as good as the original Floridian version and wanting something new and unique, replaced by something that's actually new and unique...and the fans loathe it.

There's just no pleasing some people.

 

[LongLiveTheKing]

I have never seen Frozen and never will.

My expectations of Frozen were through the roof from people talking about it all the time, but obviously it didn't live up to that hype when I saw it a few months ago. It's still a solid film, though. It's worth seeing if you like Disney animated stuff. Also, obviously it has Let It Go and understanding the context of the characters and what leads up to that scene can increase your enjoyment of it.

You accurately described the DCA Tower of Terror/Guardians of the Galaxy fiasco. A ride once loathed by the fans for not being as good as the original Floridian version and wanting something new and unique, replaced by something that's actually new and unique...and the fans loathe it.

There's just no pleasing some people.

Loathed is an overstatement. DCA ToT always has had an hour plus line.

 

[LongLiveTheKing]

"Entertainment is stale. They need to add new acts and shows."

*Disney adds new acts and shows*

"What is this? That act sounds dumb! And they're putting it in ____? I love ____! It was a quite little sit down spot! And they RUINED it!"

I think a lot of issues people have with the new rides is that they're replacing old ones, which makes zero sense for corporate to do since Disney bought all that Florida swamp land explicitely so they could EXPAND and wouldn't be constricted by the limited amount of property they got in Anehiem.

 

[Matt_Black]

I think a lot of issues people have with the new rides is that they're replacing old ones, which makes zero sense for corporate to do since Disney bought all that Florida swamp land explicitely so they could EXPAND and wouldn't be constricted by the limited amount of property they got in Anehiem.

My comment wasn't about new rides, though. This was about some of the new entertainment offerings.

 

[Chef Mickey]

You're right.

Based on Disney's earnings today, they are basically about ready to close their doors.

You doom and gloomers can't see the forest through the trees. There are some negatives which I acknowledge and am upset about, but there are still an overwhelming amount of positives that make WDW the best in the world.

 

[maroonmol]

Let's be honest here. Disney will never win, some people will LOVE a certain ride/show etc, some people will HATE it. No matter what Disney does, they will receive both praise and anger for their decision so I say we just enjoy WDW as it is right now, because if it ain't broke, why complain about it?

 

[DisneyFans4Life]

Let's be honest here. Disney will never win, some people will LOVE a certain ride/show etc, some people will HATE it. No matter what Disney does, they will receive both praise and anger for their decision so I say we just enjoy WDW as it is right now, because if it ain't broke, why complain about it?

This is such an accurate statement. If people nitpick and complain about what Disney does and doesn't do, why spend the money in going? I go to enjoy myself and don't worry about anything else.

 

[Disneyhead'71]

You guys do realize that you are being quite insulting to many thoughtful, insightful, and nuanced posters.

 

[21stamps]

When I read things like this online it always makes me wonder..

Have you asked any young children what they think of Disney World lately?

There are certain things that I miss, but plenty of the nostalgia from my own youth is still there.
As for the Hollywood Studios overhaul, so many children, and adults, are very excited for the new additions, even the ones that have already taken place. So many of us are going this year just to see the new Star Wars experiences, because our kids are so excited over it. To them Lauch Bay is a must see.

A lot of us have children who's first ever Disney movie was Frozen, and the ride is a must do., but Maelstrom wasn't.

A child doesn't look for negatives, they look at the magic that Disney World is, through new eyes, and a new generation.

I didn't notice smaller portions, poor customer service, dirty bathrooms, or any other "negatives" that have been constantly reported. I noticed my child's awe, excitement, and us creating memories together.

I think this is important to remember- we make the Magic on our vacations for our family. Disney just provides the backdrop, and it's an incredible one. More importantly, if you look for negatives you will find them anywhere.

OP- Ask a child what they think about Disney, you may be surprised that their answer is completely different than yours. At the end of the day, that's what matters most.

 

[21stamps]

11 official. Anna and Elsa are not part of the Disney Princess line yet. Besides, we've had a good deal of non-Princess movies- Wreck-It Ralph, Big Hero 6, Zootopia...

I absolutely loved Zootopia! In my opinion, The "moral of the story" was one of the best that Disney has done in quite sometime.

 

[Disneyhead'71]

When I read things like this online it always makes me wonder..

Have you asked any young children what they think of Disney World lately?

There are certain things that I miss, but plenty of the nostalgia from my own youth is still there.
As for the Hollywood Studios overhaul, so many children, and adults, are very excited for the new additions, even the ones that have already taken place. So many of us are going this year just to see the new Star Wars experiences, because our kids are so excited over it. To them Lauch Bay is a must see.

A lot of us have children who's first ever Disney movie was Frozen, and the ride is a must do., but Maelstrom wasn't.

A child doesn't look for negatives, they look at the magic that Disney World is, through new eyes, and a new generation.

I didn't notice smaller portions, poor customer service, dirty bathrooms, or any other "negatives" that have been constantly reported. I noticed my child's awe, excitement, and us creating memories together.

I think this is important to remember- we make the Magic on our vacations for our family. Disney just provides the backdrop, and it's an incredible one. More importantly, if you look for negatives you will find them anywhere.

OP- Ask a child what they think about Disney, you may be surprised that their answer is completely different than yours. At the end of the day, that's what matters most.

I believe you may be confusing The Walt Disney World Resort with Legoland. WDW isn't only about knee high screamin' snot monsters.

My youngest (16) would rather have a root canal than wait for a M&G or a pretty kiddie coaster.

 

[RobidaFlats]

When I read things like this online it always makes me wonder..

Have you asked any young children what they think of Disney World lately?

There are certain things that I miss, but plenty of the nostalgia from my own youth is still there.
As for the Hollywood Studios overhaul, so many children, and adults, are very excited for the new additions, even the ones that have already taken place. So many of us are going this year just to see the new Star Wars experiences, because our kids are so excited over it. To them Lauch Bay is a must see.

A lot of us have children who's first ever Disney movie was Frozen, and the ride is a must do., but Maelstrom wasn't.

A child doesn't look for negatives, they look at the magic that Disney World is, through new eyes, and a new generation.

I didn't notice smaller portions, poor customer service, dirty bathrooms, or any other "negatives" that have been constantly reported. I noticed my child's awe, excitement, and us creating memories together.

I think this is important to remember- we make the Magic on our vacations for our family. Disney just provides the backdrop, and it's an incredible one. More importantly, if you look for negatives you will find them anywhere.

OP- Ask a child what they think about Disney, you may be surprised that their answer is completely different than yours. At the end of the day, that's what matters most.

For what it is worth, Walt's daughters probably thought that the Griffith Park Merry-Go-Round was pretty great. He thought he could do better.

Without putting too fine a point on it: The measuring stick shouldn't be what makes a child happy or what the competition is doing.

 

[21stamps]

I believe you may be confusing The Walt Disney World Resort with Legoland. WDW isn't only about knee high screamin' snot monsters.

My youngest (16) would rather have a root canal than wait for a M&G or a pretty kiddie coaster.

I think at 16, if your child no longer enjoys the rides and doesn't like the characters, it may be time to take Disney off the annual to-do list.

I liked Disney World at 16, but not for a week long stay, 3 nights was enough for me at that age. Disney, sea world, universal, old town.. All of those make great combo activities. I definitely wouldn't choose a Legoland vacation for a teenager though.
I'm sure plenty of 16 year olds still enjoy a week at WDW only.. That's ok too, we're all different.