The World's Most Magical Celebration - Walt Disney World's 50th anniversary

[dreday3]

I don't get it either. Apparently, COVID is responsible for supply and labor shortages everywhere but at WDW. There, it's greed and cost-cutting.

We have on the news here this Sunday morning in the background. They just talked about how finding beef, chicken, etc. will harder in the coming months due to factories having a limited workforce. Also canned goods due to price of aluminum.

I would expect everywhere, including Disney, to have to take certain menu items off from time to time the next few months.

We are still in a pandemic. The worst part is hopefully ending soon, but the repercussions will still take some time.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

The conversations we had with and overheard from other guests at the Oasis pool at Poly were very negative. Almost everyone had been coming to Disney for decades, and had been looking forward to the 50th. All agreed it felt like the ball was dropped.

Almost like traveling during a pandemic isn't as good as traveling outside of a pandemic.

Genuinely mind-blowing insight.

 

[Trauma]

You understand that people like going to Walt Disney World for the things they currently have, right? Even if they built zero new attractions ever, there will still be new and repeat visitors going to experience the existing slate of offerings.

You understand that small percentage changes in consumer behavior can have a major impact on the bottom line right?

 

[Sir_Cliff]

and now that I think about it, I wish there could have been a way to have all the guests on main street sing happy birthday to the park at the same time. That would really have shown management how bad they failed.
The park was just too quiet.

You weren't satisfied by the brief pre-recorded message from WDW president Jeff Vahle played over the loudspeakers in the hub at 10:05am?

If I'm not wrong, that was as close as they got to a 50th anniversary ceremony on October 1.

 

[beertiki]

Almost like traveling during a pandemic isn't as good as traveling outside of a pandemic.

Genuinely mind-blowing insight.

Two trips to Lauderdale by the Sea during the pandemic, no issues and we will be back. One trip to the Bahamas with no complaints.

Covid can not be a excuse for everything.

It rained, blame covid!

 

[mattpeto]

You understand that small percentage changes in consumer behavior can have a major impact on the bottom line right?

Here’s the thing…

I know your upset and even me, the hopefully optimistic Disney World cheerleader hasn’t agreed with every decision Disney has made.

But I don’t get why people with extremely negative perspectives on EVERYTHING still come to bother on WDW message boards? This is not completely directed at you…does it make you feel better to be angry and try to bring everyone down with your misery?

 

[dreday3]

Also, to be completely selfish...we leave in about 2 weeks and I hope to god that the crowd levels stay like this!

If we don't have Genie + by the time we go, I was worried about lines...right now, those worries are unfounded. Wait times right now are phenomenal!

I wish we had full housekeeping and I wish the quick-service place at our hotel wasn't still grab and go. But I get that's the way things are for now. I'm choosing to go during the pandemic, no one is making me.

 

[John park hopper]

What does labor shortages have to do with canceling the magical express?

Is Genie+ because of labor shortages?

I guess once the labor market stabilizes we can expect a return of lost benefits and lower prices.

Can’t wait!

Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha that made my day

 

[beertiki]

We were worried about not having fast passes. What we experienced was lines that moved constantly. A 20 minute wait in a constantly moving well themed queue felt like 10 minutes. 20 minutes in Rat felt like 40.

 

[dreday3]

We were worried about not having fast passes. What we experienced was lines that moved constantly. A 20 minute wait in a constantly moving well themed queue felt like 10 minutes. 20 minutes in Rat felt like 40.

Great!

We have a long trip - 9 nights. Sounds like we can be a bit more relaxed this trip. We have reservations at restaurants we absolutely wanted to eat at, anything else we can play by ear. Lot's of eating to be done at Food/Wine.

Also, so happy a lot of entertainment coming back at World Showcase.

 

[dreday3]

Oh also...The Magic Is Calling is GREAT song!!! So far the best thing to come out of all this. Watching the MK opening show with the new music made me kind of emotional!

You can't help but smile and dance to it.

 

[Trauma]

Here’s the thing…

I know your upset and even me, the hopefully optimistic Disney World cheerleader hasn’t agreed with every decision Disney has made.

But I don’t get why people with extremely negative perspectives on EVERYTHING still come to bother on WDW message boards? This is not completely directed at you…does it make you feel better to be angry and try to bring everyone down with your misery?

Is this a real question?

What forum for a product or service that allows free and open discussion has even close to 100% positive feedback?

It’s kinda how these things work when working properly.

 

[MisterPenguin]

Disney gives 50 22 gifts to their guests!!

Magic Abounds as Walt Disney World Resort Celebrates 50th Anniversary - Walt Disney World News

New attractions, nighttime spectaculars, entertainment, EARidescent décor and many more magical moments await guests during 18-month 50th anniversary event LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – On Oct. 1, 1971, Walt Disney World Resort officially opened to guests for the first time, the culmination of years...

wdwnews.com

I am sorely disappointed that none of the restaurants are serving Bacons of Magic.

 

[mattpeto]

Is this a real question?

What forum for a product or service that allows free and open discussion has even close to 100% positive feedback?

It’s kinda how these things work when working properly.

It's fair. I just think there might be better usage of your time (and maybe mine as well).

The negative crowd here and elsewhere has me wanting to go off the grid.

 

[ToTBellHop]

It's fair. I just think there might be better usage of your time (and maybe mine as well).

The negative crowd here and elsewhere has me wanting to go off the grid.

We have cookies with EARidescent sprinkles…we eat them as we remind ourselves that the current nighttime spectacular situation at WDW is better than literally every other Disney property. How about them fireworks at golden child, TDL?

 

[mikejs78]

I guess, but is a vaccine for under 5 being discussed anywhere even in theory? I didn't think that was a thing.

Trials for 2-4 and 6mos to 23 months are ongoing. Pfizer expects the results from the 2-4 trials in late October / early November, and the results from the 6 mos to 23 mos by the end of the year.

 

[dreday3]

You understand that small percentage changes in consumer behavior can have a major impact on the bottom line right?

Oh let's be real.

All the people upset right now about 10/1 are also people who booked specifically because they just had to be there for the 50th. 99% of those people are going back no matter what.

As for next year...use that spectacular song and make sappy commercials, hype opening of GOTG and people will come.

Enchantment and Harmonious criticisms will die down and positive comments will be the norm (already starting).

Will they ever go back to prepandemic levels? Will anyone?

 

[mikejs78]

Yet Chapek was chastised when he was making decisions in Josh's same role, head of Parks and Resorts.

To imply current issues are all Chapek's fault would mean the head of Parks and Resorts Job is worthless/nonexistent. Which isn't the case.

Josh started his role by getting rid of Splash, and it has all been downhill from there.

People have said he's friendly, he probably is, but it doesn't mean he's doing a good job in his role.

From what others have said, it seems that Chapek is much more active in the decisions regarding parks than Iger was, probably because that was Chapel's former job.

 

[ToTBellHop]

Oh let's be real.

All the people upset right now about 10/1 are also people who booked specifically because they just had to be there for the 50th. 99% of those people are going back no matter what.

As for next year...use that spectacular song and make sappy commercials, hype opening of GOTG and people will come.

Enchantment and Harmonious criticisms will die down and positive comments will be the norm.

Will they ever go back to prepandemic levels? Will anyone?

Never mind the fact that this narrative that mobs are canceling over a 10:45 pm fireworks stream that only the greatest fans suffered through is being grossly overplayed. What percentage of DPB viewers do you think hold APs or are DVC members and therefore planning on returning regardless of how the Stargate looks? Almost no one is even aware of what these fireworks shows are; cancelations are occurring at the same rate as they were on 9/27, presumably due to the ongoing pandemic and news that, if we wait a bit, most kids will be protected; the actual guest ratings of the firework shows are fine.

The approval ratings thus far are perfectly acceptable. They are admittedly slightly lower for Harm. No surprise there. Also, as we’ve seen, castle shows are easy to produce and use the same hardware. They can bring HEA back or make a new show in 2 years if they want. No big deal. Harm was a custom build so I would indeed expect some updates at some point. They want to still be using this hardware in 2031, so they’ll need a better product to keep people returning. Whether that is in 6 months or 2 years is unknown (to me, anyway). But people are not revolting in hoards.

 

[Trauma]

Oh let's be real.

All the people upset right now about 10/1 are also people who booked specifically because they just had to be there for the 50th. 99% of those people are going back no matter what.

As for next year...use that spectacular song and make sappy commercials, hype opening of GOTG and people will come.

Enchantment and Harmonious criticisms will die down and positive comments will be the norm.

Will they ever go back to prepandemic levels? Will anyone?

I’m willing to to go along with this.

First off you make great points and I agree with a lot of it.

Let’s try to find some common ground.

Can you agree that a meaningful percentage of visitors to the park come from positive word of mouth? Let’s say it’s 10% maybe 15% who knows it could be alot higher.

So Sarah takes her family of 4 to the parks, has the time of her life and returns home to evangelize Disney to all who will listen.

Sarah’s friend Emily later that week says to her husband “Sarah went to Disney and had the time of her life, we should really take the kids.”

The seed has been planted.

If we can agree on that, what percentage of the “trip reports” if you will have to go from positive to negative to start to have a meaningful impact

Things like canceling magical express and Genie+ will have an impact on guest experience and I think it’s much to early to know exactly what that will be.

Is it possible that recent changes can lead to a long term reduction in revenue for Parks and resorts?

In just don’t buy the Disney is invincible story line.

I am willing to take on a more positive view of the future if you can lay it out.

I think many people here make great points so I welcome the conversation.