I guess, though I kind of don't count that as it was just a show for the media and invited guests. In the past, they at least put on some kind of little celebration for the fans on big anniversaries. This was the 50th, and they just ran the same small show they do every day and played that short, pre-recorded audio an hour or two later.
I get that the negativity can be a bit overwhelming sometimes among the fan community, but I do think they kind of have themselves to blame here for getting the fans so off-side with this anniversary.
My feeling is that this campaign is pointedly designed not to appeal to park fans. The ads, new shows, and statues could all have been planned for a 2020 campaign with the theme "The Magic is Calling" that had to be scrapped when the pandemic hit. There's not even an exhibit somewhere celebrating the history of the resort, which they even did for The Year of 100 Dreams. For those who showed up at the crack of dawn to celebrate the 50th in the park, the gestures were very half-hearted in the form of a free poster and free Photopass. Not even a small addition to the regular park opening to mark the occasion. That almost all they did to mark the occasion for fans was flog merchandise reads as very cynical.
Chapek fairly recently described parks fans as being resistant to change which, while it may have some truth to it, is a very undiplomatic way to speak about your most loyal consumers. I almost wonder whether there has been some directive within the company to ignore that segment of their audience beyond special merchandising offerings.
