Pumbas Nakasak
Heading for the great escape.
Perhaps the sudden hike in prices and the huge number of rides that loose repeat ride value coupled with the lack of new attractions may be something to do with it. Just a hunch :shrug:
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The Magic has gone for us
- Thread starter Graham9
- Start date
Perhaps the sudden hike in prices and the huge number of rides that loose repeat ride value coupled with the lack of new attractions may be something to do with it. Just a hunch :shrug:
Pumbas Nakasak
Heading for the great escape.
habit
ttalovebug
Active Member
This is sad.
We all know there are cuts and rip-offs going on, and a few (or a lot) of things aren't working, running, or rehabbed like they should be. But no current problems with WDW are enough to change the essence and feel of my time there. It's still WDW. Your favorite ride might be long gone, Space Mountain may send you to the chiropractor, the yeti may not be working, you might not get to spend as many hours there as you used to, and so forth. But it's still the place you can spend precious time with your loved ones, be a kid again, make new memories and recall old ones. It's not perfect, but that doesn't mean there's no magic there. You just have to be open to it. I hope you will go again and rediscover what you have lost.
We all know there are cuts and rip-offs going on, and a few (or a lot) of things aren't working, running, or rehabbed like they should be. But no current problems with WDW are enough to change the essence and feel of my time there. It's still WDW. Your favorite ride might be long gone, Space Mountain may send you to the chiropractor, the yeti may not be working, you might not get to spend as many hours there as you used to, and so forth. But it's still the place you can spend precious time with your loved ones, be a kid again, make new memories and recall old ones. It's not perfect, but that doesn't mean there's no magic there. You just have to be open to it. I hope you will go again and rediscover what you have lost.
Pumbas Nakasak
Heading for the great escape.
Funnily enough a service also provided for less buy a number of Florida attractions.
dreamscometrue
Well-Known Member
Great point 'SWatsi'! We always enjoy the typical park experiences, but continue to be amazed at the detail and 'small' things. A number of these things are 'minor' (theming, entertainment, chatting with CM's, etc.), but they are in fact what adds the magic to WDW and sets it apart. We also, however, add several new experiences to every trip as well.
I started a thread several months ago called 'Lesser Known Magical Experiences' just so that the wise, experienced people on these boards might give me ideas for a few new things we could try each trip. I've made a list of about 60 or so. Some are simple excursions; ie: visit 'Beaches and Cream' for a kitchen sink, then check out the movie on the beach, while others cost a few dollars, ie: the X Trail Off Road Segway Tour. They are all wonderful becuase I share them with people I want to be with, and I'm on vacation-not at work.
I have enough things I want to try for the first time to keep my vacations at WDW fresh for many, many years to come.
I started a thread several months ago called 'Lesser Known Magical Experiences' just so that the wise, experienced people on these boards might give me ideas for a few new things we could try each trip. I've made a list of about 60 or so. Some are simple excursions; ie: visit 'Beaches and Cream' for a kitchen sink, then check out the movie on the beach, while others cost a few dollars, ie: the X Trail Off Road Segway Tour. They are all wonderful becuase I share them with people I want to be with, and I'm on vacation-not at work.
I have enough things I want to try for the first time to keep my vacations at WDW fresh for many, many years to come.
TwoTigersMom
Well-Known Member
Not necessarily the case for everyone :lol:. Since April of 2007, I've been lucky enough to go 6 times. I'll be going back in 3 weeks and again in June. Each of our trips are anywhere from 4 to 10 nights, with a majority of them being 7+ nights. The magic is definitely still alive and well for us. Sometimes, you have to be open to it and push it along a little, but it's there to be had. Of course, I consider telling my 7 year old to quit swinging on the chains then watching him as he falls off, almost in slow motion part of the magic as well :ROFLOL: What? I TOLD him to stop several times! :lol:
WallyWorld
Active Member
Maybe it just wasn't time to return.
Absence makes the heart grow fonder.....
Too much of a good thing....
FWIW
Absence makes the heart grow fonder.....
Too much of a good thing....
FWIW
NadieMasK2
Active Member
Two issues going in killed your trip:
1. Planning. Would have known about DHS closing and made dinner reservations.
2. Attitude. If you are looking for negatives you will find them, anywhere you go (even WDW!) When I step foot in a park I am looking through my inner child's eyes and find magic every time. Does that mean I don't notice things like ride effects not working, long lines, and less than friendly CM's...no, but it means I can let it go, because any day at WDW is better than a day of work!
1. Planning. Would have known about DHS closing and made dinner reservations.
2. Attitude. If you are looking for negatives you will find them, anywhere you go (even WDW!) When I step foot in a park I am looking through my inner child's eyes and find magic every time. Does that mean I don't notice things like ride effects not working, long lines, and less than friendly CM's...no, but it means I can let it go, because any day at WDW is better than a day of work!
unkadug
Follower of "Saget"The Cult
Perhaps it should be : Absinthe makes the heart grow fonder?
Hrudey3032
Well-Known Member
Hey you can't steal WDW1974's line! :ROFLOL:
BTW are you a fan of his as he always talks about Walmart
Walmart=Wally World
or a huge fan of National Lampoons Vacation? :ROFLOL:
just kidding
WDW1974
Well-Known Member
Amazing ... not even in the thread and I get dragged in!
They love me here ... they really love me.
Graham, I really feel sorry that your trip to WDW was less than magical. The product is definitely getting stale and I can sympathize with many (but not all) of the issues you had. The cleanliness issue at CS certainly would have resulted in me demanding another room (and since I am savvy enough to know they are refurbing now I'd have made sure I got a new room ... the smell of new paint and carpeting can go a long way at the end of a tiring day).
Anyway, that said I find it sad and telling that most (not all) of the respondents seem to feel the issue was you (and your family) and your 'tudes because they can't wrap their little minds around the fact that a lot of us -- who love WDW -- are finding it far less magical these days because of all the WalMarting and cutting quality ... these folks can't possibly grasp that WDW isn't as good as it once was (or even close) so they view a report like yours with suspicion and derision.
Rest assured, there are those of us out there who understand what you experienced wasn't the fault of you or due to you not planning well or looking for problems ... we understand because we aren't high on pixie dust.
But as to what another poster said about going to DL, I concur. If you're disenchanted with what The Mouse throws out like slop at WDW, you might be well advised to visit DL (or DLP ... or maybe take a DCL cruise) for what is still a first-rate Disney experience.
Thanks for the report.
progroupie
Member
Prices have been raised for the last 20 years so I'd hardly see that as being an excuse unless you want to make it one. In which case you might as well go ahead because you'll complain about everything else.
Hrudey3032
Well-Known Member
Well I don't agree with everything you say but I do like you and think you bring credibility to what you speak about.I just thought it was funny seeing the FWIW line in there and immedietely thought of you :wave: I think adding you into this discussion will hopefully make people see both sides of the issue here. Look I have been to WDW 7x since '99 and going a 8th come March and while I am not burnt out on WDW(it actually energizes me just being there) I can understand after seeing the same thing over and over can bore some people.What I like about going now is more the ambiance of WDW.I mainly go for Epcot now as that is my favorite park and I still enjoy the MK for the classics like HM or POTC.
I hope the OP will take some time away and come back to WDW with a renewed sense of excitement the next time they visit if they so choose too.
Wilt Dasney
Well-Known Member
Just to play psycho-analyst for someone I've never met a little further here: Some of the OP's complaints (shorter hours, lack of bang for the buck at the Christmas party) might be chalked up to the "getting less for more" theme which has become popular around here of late...but overall, the post just seems marked by the symptoms of Disney burnout. The boredom with seeing the same old stuff is a recurring theme in the post.
So while the nickel and diming might have exacerbated the discontent, I'm guessing that this person would have been bored no matter what kind of shiny wrapping accompanied the experience. I can empathize. Sometimes you just need to do something different with your downtime. :shrug:
So while the nickel and diming might have exacerbated the discontent, I'm guessing that this person would have been bored no matter what kind of shiny wrapping accompanied the experience. I can empathize. Sometimes you just need to do something different with your downtime. :shrug:
Pumbas Nakasak
Heading for the great escape.
Oh Im sorry I hadn't realised that only happy thoughts were allowed. Ill bear that in mind and ensure in future all posts are approved with lashings of positive Disney spin.
What a stroker :shrug:
dixiegirl
Well-Known Member
Agree!! We've said that every time we go....And there have been times that we go to the MNSSHP twice during our trip....
To the OP sorry the magic is lost for you...Maybe try another time of year or perhaps like someone else said, Disneyland. We've been going to Disney for the past 13yrs going at least 2 or 3 times a year , no magic lost for us. It is sad to me when I hear others who have said that they have no need to go back , or have a bad experience or just a bad trip in general.... For us , yes we've had trips that we'd rather not relive , and there are ones that we never want to end, either way we make the most of it...we always seem to find something different to try or see.. I know there are many out there like my family , but there are also many out there like your family. who feel the magic slipped away.....I hope you do get that magic back one day!!!
Here's some Pixie Dust!!!!!
ToTBellHop
Well-Known Member
The fact that the Disney image has become a bit more diluted (I realize this is my opinion, but there are certainly enough facts to support it) just means that I no longer need to go there every year like I used to. I do blame Disney for this, but it's just the way things are for now, so I've adapted until they (hopefully) change back to how things were. My advice to you--go on a cruise or 2 before returning to WDW. The absense will make your next visit more magical. I haven't been since 2006 and have no doubt that my honeymoon next year will be ultra-magical.
I wouldn't want my favorite place in the world to turn stale.
I wouldn't want my favorite place in the world to turn stale.
Susan Savia
Well-Known Member
I am so sorry to hear about your trip. As a rule of thumb, we always go at off times, do our own planning, stay offsite, use our own car and do frequently eat our dinners outside of the parks... We do not care for crowds, the hour long wait times and the fact that you can't get into many restaurants without a reservation 6 months back. We come into the parks at opening and leave most days at dark. We have no plans other then the park we plan to go to that day. If something doesn't work out, we change course, go to another park etc. We have always managed to see and do all we wish too many times over. Should you return to the World one day, I hope things will work out and be fun once again. :wave:
captainkidd
Well-Known Member
If you don't like it, then don't go.:shrug:
I'm not saying that you can't have any negative remarks about WDW. I do too, but all you do is complain about it. There ARE many things that aren't as great as they once were there. However, there are many things that are just as great, if not, better. Personally, I'm a lot happier now with Animal Kingdom than I was in 1998 when it opened. I'm very happy with all the choices of resorts there is. I think Wishes is the best fireworks show WDW has ever had. I think the entertainment in Epcot at WS is better than it has ever been.
If you think WDW is "slop", then heaven help you if you ever go to a Six Flags or Busch Gardens. I still go to WDW at least 3 full weeks every year and never once have I felt ripped off or as you put it, "Wal-Marted".
I'm not "high on pixie dust", I just don't constantly look for all the bad in life. I feel lucky that I'm even able to go to WDW at all. Many people in the world don't have that luxury. Clearly, you don't get the same feeling that many others get from the place, and that's fine. But to basically accuse those that would defend WDW of being blind to any problems is just plain ignorant. Your opinion isn't any more accurate than anyone else's, I don't care how much you think you know about WDW. It's just your opinion.