The worst decision WDW ever made?

[Matt_Black]

I didn't realize it had sold out so rapidly. Must suck for Disney execs to realize how much stuff could be flying off the shelves if only it was sitting there available for purchase.

Eh, it's not like Disney manufactures everything themselves. They license out to companies, like Mattel. Quite a few people dropped the ball here, so you can't pin everything on Disney in this instance (as much as some on the boards here would like).

 

[Astro Blaster]

Scrapping the integrated transportation infrastructure plan in favor of a bus-heavy scheme.

 

[Goofyernmost]

Scrapping the integrated transportation infrastructure plan in favor of a bus-heavy scheme.

That wasn't a mistake, that was a necessity, financial and common sense wise. The original integrated transportation of Monorail, tram, and boats still exist as it was in the beginning.

 

[lazyboy97o]

That wasn't a mistake, that was a necessity, financial and common sense wise. The original integrated transportation of Monorail, tram, and boats still exist as it was in the beginning.

It was a necessity only because suburban style sprawl took hold.

 

[Goofyernmost]

It was a necessity only because suburban style sprawl took hold.

They had the space, so they sprawled. Would it be better if everything were stacked one on top of the other?

 

[lazyboy97o]

They had the space, so they sprawled. Would it be better if everything were stacked one on top of the other?

Being organized does not have to mean being stacked one on top of another.

 

[Sneezy62]

I don't know that this counts as a decision but more a series of small decisions that have had an impact greater than their sum. It is the slow process of placing expediency before place making. I know that there are a few people on this board that remember the Magic kingdom before Pirates and Space Mountain. Every land had a distinctive feel. Pirates and Space Mountain did nothing to disturb that. I had not been back until recent years and the cumulative effect of Aladin and Tinkerbelle in Adventureland, Splash in Frontierland (fantastic ride, wrong theme for the place) and the disaster that is Tomorrowland have really made the park into an eclectic collection of loosely themed rides and shows.

 

[surfsupdon]

In theory Value Resorts are a good idea.

But this is Disney World, make the Resorts somewhat nicer than a highway chain. Way too small rooms, practically no amenities, no waterslides, no covered bus stops with benches to sit...everything is so basic. Just pretty cool thematic elements.

Even though a Value is the cheapest category, I feel they are the BIGGEST ripoff, especially when standard rooms are more than 200/night during certain times of the year.

 

[Astro Blaster]

That wasn't a mistake, that was a necessity, financial and common sense wise. The original integrated transportation of Monorail, tram, and boats still exist as it was in the beginning.

Perhaps true, but with Walt being about "the Show" and all - monorail/tram/boat = good show. Bus = bad show. That's all I'm saying.

Also whenever I stay at a "bus-only" hotel I 100% rent a car.

 

[rob0519]

In theory Value Resorts are a good idea.

But this is Disney World, make the Resorts somewhat nicer than a highway chain. Way too small rooms, practically no amenities, no waterslides, no covered bus stops with benches to sit...everything is so basic. Just pretty cool thematic elements.

Even though a Value is the cheapest category, I feel they are the BIGGEST ripoff, especially when standard rooms are more than 200/night during certain times of the year.

I agree completely. Great idea, bad execution. The worst I think are the no covered bus stops. As a value resort you have the youngest and more than likely the oldest guests staying at these resorts because of the lowest price. Those are the exact people that need to be protected from the Florida sun and rain. It certainly can't cost all that much in the grand budget to contruct and maintain sometype of shelter at each resort's bus stops.

 

[Todd L]

I think Letting the 20k lagoon sit there for 15 years looking patheic was Really bad..Glad to see them do anything with that space.

 

[Todd L]

Oh and leaving Pleasure Island in some sort of Quasi-closed state for how many years seems Really awful......I still shake my head when we walk thru there.

 

[okcthunder]

I think Letting the 20k lagoon sit there for 15 years looking patheic was Really bad..Glad to see them do anything with that space.

and filling it in was one as well. Could of made a NEMO ride at WDW as well.

 

[Todd L]

and filling it in was one as well. Could of made a NEMO ride at WDW as well.

Yeah..anything is better than that mess that sat there forever.Nemo would have been cool...My family would love that.

 

[George]

Another HUGE mistake was not putting me in charge of WDW with an unlimited budget.

 

[joeytomatoes]

This is an opinion based thread just wanted to see what everyone thought.... I think getting rid of the old FP system and filling in the Lagoon and Closing 20,000 Leagues.

There have been numerous things Disney has done over the past 15 or so years in my opinion that were bad ideas but in my opinion I think changing Main Street USA from the quaint charm of individual stores to a giant souvenir shop to purchase merchandise that you can get anywhere else in the park was the worst. Main street used to be another "land" so to speak in Magic Kingdom. you could stroll and spend an hour or 2 going in and out of all the cool stores etc . Now you walk in and after 5-10 minutes of seeing all of the same merchandise you just look to leave and go elsewhere in the park....

 

[Mouse_Trap]

Because it hasn't been mentioned enough......
Closing River Country

and something I don't think has been mentioned, Closing Discovery Island.

Really wish they hadn't changed "Alien Encounter" for "Stitch's Crap Escape", the Alien and time travel fitted better with Tomorrowland than Stitch. Besides, out of the entire park does having one less child friendly ride really matter? They probably could have used some better warnings though that was some it was pretty darn scary.

 

[Potter]

Allowing F&W to become a celebration of excessive drinking, public sex acts and an over-abundance of pervertedness rivaling that of "Burning Man".

 

[RoyWalley]

Another HUGE mistake was not putting me in charge of WDW with an unlimited budget.

George you said it.

 

[copcarguyp71]

Allowing F&W to become a celebration of excessive drinking, public sex acts and an over-abundance of pervertedness rivaling that of "Burning Man".

I have been to F&W three times and other than horrifically salty food I have never experienced any travesties like what you have outlined. Perhaps I am lucky but I have never seen any debauchery.