Still great but not what it used to be!!!

[joeytomatoes]

A few ramblings of a middle aged Disney aficionado. Started going to Disney in mid 70s. Now 40 years later a few things I need to get off my chest.
1- Prices... come on $95.00 to get in the park and then another 14.00 or so to park your car!!! parking used to be free!!!! Read yesterday that a hot dog a Casey's corner is $8.09!! a hot dog for 8 bucks!!! what would Walt really think???
2- Main Street used to be an attraction all to itself. You could spend an easy hour or 2 going into the individual stores ie. candy store, ice cream parlor ,old time arcade and now it is just one big souvenir shop. Change is not always for the better...
3-Technology, when I first went to Disney World in the 70s everything was sooo advanced it was magical and now it seems that Disney is just in it for the $$. Jungle Cruise for example is a classic yes but the animatronics technology is 40 years old for Gods sake. You can see the same things in your local Home Depot at Christmas time. Keep the rides but make them cutting edge. Everything that was special or advanced in the 70s is now 40 years old.

 

[marni1971]

Fair points.

 

[bethymouse]

Times have changed too much, for a "timeless" attraction/theme park such as Disney World.

 

[Minthorne]

I wonder what meet and greet would replace Jungle Cruise...

 

[rob0519]

I don't think $90-$95 a day is an outrageous amount to pay for the type of all day entertainment you can get at the parks. Depending on the time of the year, with a parkhopper you can get up to 17 hours or so of activitiy on some days. On a per hour basis, that is actually pretty outstanding. If you're only going to be there for 3 or 4 hours, yes, that is outrageous. I've long said they should offer a discounted ticket for people arriving after 4:00 PM like that do for conventioneers on Disney Property.

Agree on Main Street. It used to take a hour or two to see all the different merchandise in all the different shops. Not to mention the Bakery and the Ice Cream Parlor. Now it's one big shop will all the same merchandise you can get anywhere in the resort.

$8.00 for a hot dog is a bit much, no doubt. I'm with you that the cost of most food items is excessive, but that is true at any ball park, stadium or other theme park as well. As long as we continue to pay it, they will continue to charge it and raise it.

I'm not sure exactly where technology fits into the long term strategy. If you attract the same number of people with muiltiple meet and greets and the same rides you have for 40 years, why spend the money? It's become a park of nostelgia not cutting edge. First time visitors don't know what the parks used to be and don't care as long as they have a good time today. There will always be more first timers to keep the doors open.

 

[rob45]

I miss the magic shop on Main Street.

 

[Bacalou]

The ONLY thing that will change this is competition. As announced, Comcast intends to go after WDW "hardcore" what ever that may mean. Big changes at WDW aren't going to happen just because...

I know this is quite a question but how do you feel about Future World? It is my opinion that it is the most misunderstood part of WDW for those that manage the parks.

 

[BiffyClyro]

Although I respect what you're saying, times have changed. People complain because things have changed. People complain because nothing/ little has changed lately. Also, your memories of the past are always going to be better than the present because they are special to you.

Complaints about prices, sure.

There is so many of these threads with the exact same topic that have come and gone, also. Wish people were a little more positive on this site.

 

[ImagineerDude]

$8 for a hot dog...ok true it's expensive but here's my thoughts: 1) when you pay as much as you do when you go to disney what's another $8 and 2) Have you seen prices at other theme parks nationwide? Don't just assume Disney is the only one with basic fast food at high prices.

$95 for a day in MAGIC KINGDOM is justifiable, for me at least. This past Christmas there was a day when you could go to morning EMH (7am) and potentially stay until 3am with nighttime EMH. 20 hours in a theme park is exhausting but don't say you didn't get your money's worth if YOU don't go from rope drop to closing. And hopping is just an extra benefit for more in-park hours and a little variety in your vacation.

If I really tried, I could spend hours on Main Street. I mean waiting in line for Starbucks isn't an easy in and out Meet Mickey, shop, dine (QS or TS), watch the parade, Trolley Show, Casey's Corner pianist, MiSiCi, the afternoon or nighttime parades, meet other characters or citizens of Main Street...have you even ridden on the trolleys or the fire truck? Or worn the fire chief's hat? I have...which now kind of grosses me out but I'm weird in a germy way Anyway, there is tons to do on Main Street, but true, not as much as there used to be and it's all pretty expensive.

Technology...you gotta pretty valid point there (as are your other ones), but I love Jungle Cruise and its corniness. Disney amazes guests of all ages with classic attractions and stories and nostalgia (what it's selling), and not necessarily technology. If it ain't broke, don't fix it...even though something new would be nice every now and then

but I truly agree with all your points

 

[joeytomatoes]

I don't think $90-$95 a day is an outrageous amount to pay for the type of all day entertainment you can get at the parks. Depending on the time of the year, with a parkhopper you can get up to 17 hours or so of activitiy on some days. On a per hour basis, that is actually pretty outstanding. If you're only going to be there for 3 or 4 hours, yes, that is outrageous. I've long said they should offer a discounted ticket for people arriving after 4:00 PM like that do for conventioneers on Disney Property.

Agree on Main Street. It used to take a hour or two to see all the different merchandise in all the different shops. Not to mention the Bakery and the Ice Cream Parlor. Now it's one big shop will all the same merchandise you can get anywhere in the resort.

$8.00 for a hot dog is a bit much, no doubt. I'm with you that the cost of most food items is excessive, but that is true at any ball park, stadium or other theme park as well. As long as we continue to pay it, they will continue to charge it and raise it.

I'm not sure exactly where technology fits into the long term strategy. If you attract the same number of people with muiltiple meet and greets and the same rides you have for 40 years, why spend the money? It's become a park of nostelgia not cutting edge. First time visitors don't know what the parks used to be and don't care as long as they have a good time today. There will always be more first timers to keep the doors open.

That's the point..Charging an additional fee to park your car, $8.00 for a hot dog and not updating technology etc.. just because you can or just because there are still people willing to pay or still walking thru the gates doesn't make it right. Its the spirit of why Walt built the park in the first place. To have a safe and fun and MAGICAL place that a family can go together and spend time together, not just charge what you can or as much as you can or just leave things as they are because people still show up. Disney used to push the envelope with its "imagineers" not just have an attitude of why spend the money if people still pay the bucks. Don't get me wrong its still a magical place but I think that the fact that their are no Disney's (Walt/Roy) left in charge so to speak and now this is big corporation it has lost sight of the reason the park was soo special

 

[joeytomatoes]

I don't think $90-$95 a day is an outrageous amount to pay for the type of all day entertainment you can get at the parks. Depending on the time of the year, with a parkhopper you can get up to 17 hours or so of activitiy on some days. On a per hour basis, that is actually pretty outstanding. If you're only going to be there for 3 or 4 hours, yes, that is outrageous. I've long said they should offer a discounted ticket for people arriving after 4:00 PM like that do for conventioneers on Disney Property.

Agree on Main Street. It used to take a hour or two to see all the different merchandise in all the different shops. Not to mention the Bakery and the Ice Cream Parlor. Now it's one big shop will all the same merchandise you can get anywhere in the resort.

$8.00 for a hot dog is a bit much, no doubt. I'm with you that the cost of most food items is excessive, but that is true at any ball park, stadium or other theme park as well. As long as we continue to pay it, they will continue to charge it and raise it.

I'm not sure exactly where technology fits into the long term strategy. If you attract the same number of people with muiltiple meet and greets and the same rides you have for 40 years, why spend the money? It's become a park of nostelgia not cutting edge. First time visitors don't know what the parks used to be and don't care as long as they have a good time today. There will always be more first timers to keep the doors open.

$8.09 for a hot dog is like other theme parks and stadiums etc. true but this is not like any other stadiums or theme parks etc. This is Disney World and is a special place. Let us not forget who had this vision and his principles etc. Just because you can charge this amount and people will pay doesn't make it right and doesn't fit in the principle of Walt's idea. Lets charge as much as we can and make as much as we can until people stop paying is not what Walt would have wanted, at least id like to think that.....

 

[janoimagine]

I miss the magic shop on Main Street.

And the arcade ... those old games were pretty cool.

 

[joeytomatoes]

I don't think $90-$95 a day is an outrageous amount to pay for the type of all day entertainment you can get at the parks. Depending on the time of the year, with a parkhopper you can get up to 17 hours or so of activitiy on some days. On a per hour basis, that is actually pretty outstanding. If you're only going to be there for 3 or 4 hours, yes, that is outrageous. I've long said they should offer a discounted ticket for people arriving after 4:00 PM like that do for conventioneers on Disney Property.

Agree on Main Street. It used to take a hour or two to see all the different merchandise in all the different shops. Not to mention the Bakery and the Ice Cream Parlor. Now it's one big shop will all the same merchandise you can get anywhere in the resort.

$8.00 for a hot dog is a bit much, no doubt. I'm with you that the cost of most food items is excessive, but that is true at any ball park, stadium or other theme park as well. As long as we continue to pay it, they will continue to charge it and raise it.

I'm not sure exactly where technology fits into the long term strategy. If you attract the same number of people with muiltiple meet and greets and the same rides you have for 40 years, why spend the money? It's become a park of nostelgia not cutting edge. First time visitors don't know what the parks used to be and don't care as long as they have a good time today. There will always be more first timers to keep the doors open.

Hot dog prices etc.. yes it is what other parks and stadiums charge but this is Disney and is a special place. I don't think Walt would have the philosophy if he were still alive of charging as much as you can until people stop paying or charging because people are willing to pay it. The same with technology, I don't think Walt would be happy with the attitude of "why spend the money if people are still willing to pay" Id like to think that he would continue to strive to get the best out of his "imagineers" and not be in it strictly for the $$$$.

 

[rob0519]

Hot dog prices etc.. yes it is what other parks and stadiums charge but this is Disney and is a special place. I don't think Walt would have the philosophy if he were still alive of charging as much as you can until people stop paying or charging because people are willing to pay it. The same with technology, I don't think Walt would be happy with the attitude of "why spend the money if people are still willing to pay" Id like to think that he would continue to strive to get the best out of his "imagineers" and not be in it strictly for the $$$$.

Honestly, I have great admiration for Walt Disney as a creator and dreamer, but I think it's time stop trying to imagine what Walt would do. The entire world and business climate is so different from the 50s and 60s when he was dreaming up the Florida plan that there is no comparison. Most corporations today are driven by shareholder value. While many of us would like to believe in Walt's principles, philosophies, visions, etc., unfortunately, unless Walt and his family continued to own 51% of the stock there's no telling the decisions he would have been forced to make to stay in business.

 

[drp4video]

$95 a day to spend an entire day at a park gives me a lot more bang for my buck than spending more than that to go see a 3 hour play, or a hockey game, or a concert. Just putting it into perspective. And if you stay longer than a day, say 5 days, it amortizes out to less than $95 a day. And heck, I think I spend about $180 for us to swim with dolphins for an hour or so. Everything has gone up in price, do I like it, no, but look how much time you get for $95 for a day in a park compared to the other activities I mentioned.