Very interesting video

[Disstevefan1]

No one cares what some dead guy would want or not want. Nor are many people really asking.

Also, if you think the "evil" corporation is out just to make money (which it is, like all corporations as opposed to non-profits) then do you also think they care if their guests are average, above average, below average? Do you think they are concerned with what percentage of their disposable income they are using for a WDW trip.....or do you think they just care that it is being spent?

Your posts are some of the most entertaining posts!!

"evil corporation" and "Some dead guy" LOL, that's so funny!!

But seriously, I agree, todays Disney company is run by spreadsheets. In their theme park business, they are concerned with making the most money possible. I only wish their movie business was run that way.

You are correct. In their theme park business, all that other stuff, theme, guest experience, quality, value, is as dead as Walt is.

For what its worth, my Disney stock is still worth more now than when I got in.... thank you "evil corporation"

 

[MickeyLuv'r]

I think he meant those as examples rather than saying that everyone does all of those things.

No, they made an astounding statement that reeked of stereotyping.

 

[Chi84]

No, they made an astounding statement that reeked of stereotyping.

Stereotyping?! All he said was that people often spend money on things they can do without and listed examples. Some were innocuous, others could be considered vices but definitely legal ones.

I know I spend a great deal of money on eating out that I could save if I wanted to. I doubt there are too many people who completely forgo spending money on guilty pleasures.

 

[MickeyLuv'r]

I know I spend a great deal of money on eating out that I could save if I wanted to.

I truly don't care how you spend your discretionary funds.
They have nothing to do with the person I quoted or why I called out the post they made.

You know that.


The opening video of this thread was somewhat interesting, but the discussion is the same as so many other threads: there's the Disney bashers and the Disney defenders going after each other, and the discussion has almost nothing to do with the actual content of the video.

 

[Tom P.]

No, they made an astounding statement that reeked of stereotyping.

No, he didn't.

 

[JMcMahonEsq]

Your posts are some of the most entertaining posts!!

"evil corporation" and "Some dead guy" LOL, that's so funny!!

But seriously, I agree, todays Disney company is run by spreadsheets. In their theme park business, they are concerned with making the most money possible. I only wish their movie business was run that way.

You are correct. In their theme park business, all that other stuff, theme, guest experience, quality, value, is as dead as Walt is.

For what its worth, my Disney stock is still worth more now than when I got in.... thank you "evil corporation"

So the most visited theme park in the world is dead as far as quality, value, and guest experience? The price keeps going up and yet it is still..the most visited theme park in the world. What is more likely, that millions of people are paying for things that don’t offer a good experience, or that your opinion is not in line with the majority of customers? Is it more likely that year over same park is the most visited on the planet because there is no value there…r that what you value and what the market values is different?

As to Walt, do you realize that there is a significant portion of the customer base that have no idea Walt Disney was an actual person? How many average customers brining their kids to ride rides and visit their favorite movie characters have any idea who Walt was or what he thought? It’s not even a consideration for most people.

And even for the people that know he was the founder, what relevance does the thoughts of someone who has been dead for 60 years have on the operation of any modern business? The man died before the park was even opened. He is largely irrelevant to all theme parks the WDW operates around the world.

 

[DisneyHead123]

Stereotyping?! All he said was that people often spend money on things they can do without and listed examples. Some were innocuous, others could be considered vices but definitely legal ones.

I know I spend a great deal of money on eating out that I could save if I wanted to. I doubt there are too many people who completely forgo spending money on guilty pleasures.

Yeah I think the only stereotype there is "lists written by dudes', ha ha. If I had written a "top of my head" comment on things people waste money on, I probably would have included giving in to their kid's frivolous demands too often / buying them the Nikes they will outgrow in 6 months instead of generic shoes, vacations, accessories, and home decor. I don't even buy all of those things (the first two basically erased the last two from the list, lol,) but that's just what would seem like likely sources of spending to me.

 

[DisneyHead123]

I found this very interesting and I think this guy is spot on. This may be my last trip coming up after 25 years. We are not the rich people they want in the parks.

I think this is largely a summation of the arguments that were very loud during the peak Chapek years. In essence:

- Focusing too much on bigger spenders

- Not familiarizing a new generation with Disney

(Side note - I get that this guy covers many companies and mistakes are inevitable, but what the heck to the comment about rides suddenly being "down" for weeks or months at a time? There are scheduled refurbishments, but he's implying they're just not fixing a broken ride for months.)

On focusing on bigger spenders... I think, and maybe I'll eat these words, but I really think... they're taking a new direction there. I think there was finally a sort of collective admission that the parks are the cash cows for now, not streaming. As soon as that happened, there was a big shift towards expanding capacity. Reconsidering prices (or at least price increases) can't really happen in a way that makes sense until capacity is better, as the parks are already overcrowded at the current prices.

On the "next generation" - I think they're making some effort to attract more kids to the parks. But I also question the premise that nostalgia is the huge driver people think it is. As I like to say, I have never once nostalgically gone back to King's Island. 99% of what I did in my childhood is not stuff I care to do today. I actually think the parks are just appealing to adults, period, nostalgia or no.

 

[Chi84]

Yeah I think the only stereotype there is "lists written by dudes', ha ha. If I had written a "top of my head" comment on things people waste money on, I probably would have included giving in to their kid's frivolous demands too often / buying them the Nikes they will outgrow in 6 months instead of generic shoes, vacations, accessories, and home decor. I don't even buy all of those things (the first two basically erased the last two from the list, lol,) but that's just what would seem like likely sources of spending to me.

I still don’t know who or what is being stereotyped.

I do understand that there are a lot of people who will never have the means to visit the Disney parks because all their money goes to necessities. And the number who can afford to visit is decreasing.

But as far as calling someone out for stereotyping?

 

[Disstevefan1]

So the most visited theme park in the world is dead as far as quality, value, and guest experience? The price keeps going up and yet it is still..the most visited theme park in the world. What is more likely, that millions of people are paying for things that don’t offer a good experience, or that your opinion is not in line with the majority of customers? Is it more likely that year over same park is the most visited on the planet because there is no value there…r that what you value and what the market values is different?

As to Walt, do you realize that there is a significant portion of the customer base that have no idea Walt Disney was an actual person? How many average customers brining their kids to ride rides and visit their favorite movie characters have any idea who Walt was or what he thought? It’s not even a consideration for most people.

And even for the people that know he was the founder, what relevance does the thoughts of someone who has been dead for 60 years have on the operation of any modern business? The man died before the park was even opened. He is largely irrelevant to all theme parks the WDW operates around the world.

I get it, you say folks don't care/don't know about the dead guy Walt Disney World is named after - I get it.

I feel sorry about the kid who doesn't at least ask their parents who are PAYING who Walt is as they pass under the sign bearing his name - but that's another discussion.

I re watched the video this thread is discussing just to make sure I remembered it correctly. The video was describing how the parks were in the old days compared to now.

I have always said and you can search my posts, MK will remain on top because there are enough new or newish visitors who will visit who have no point of reference; they have no idea how much the quality, value, and guest experience has gone down over the years. It will take decades for them to see it.

Its only folks who have visited in the 70s, 80s, 90s who have a frame of reference who see it today

Yes prices go up on everything everywhere, Disney theme park prices significantly outpaced inflation while at the same time offerings has decreased, new or newish visitors just don't see it...... yet.

 

[Chi84]

I get it, you say folks don't care/don't know about the dead guy Walt Disney World is named after - I get it.

I feel sorry about the kid who doesn't at least ask their parents who are PAYING who Walt is as they pass under the sign bearing his name - but that's another discussion.

I re watched the video this thread is discussing just to make sure I remembered it correctly. The video was describing how the parks were in the old days compared to now.

I have always said and you can search my posts, MK will remain on top because there are enough new or newish visitors who will visit who have no point of reference; they have no idea how much the quality, value, and guest experience has gone down over the years. It will take decades for them to see it.

Its only folks who have visited in the 70s, 80s, 90s who have a frame of reference who see it today

Yes prices go up on everything everywhere, Disney theme park prices significantly outpaced inflation while at the same time offerings has decreased, new or newish visitors just don't see it...... yet.

If people are enjoying the parks, why is it so important for them to know what the parks were like decades ago and how much the “quality of, value, and guest experience” has gone down over the years?

What are you hoping to accomplish by giving them this perspective?

 

[JMcMahonEsq]

I get it, you say folks don't care/don't know about the dead guy Walt Disney World is named after - I get it.

I feel sorry about the kid who doesn't at least ask their parents who are PAYING who Walt is as they pass under the sign bearing his name - but that's another discussion.

I re watched the video this thread is discussing just to make sure I remembered it correctly. The video was describing how the parks were in the old days compared to now.

I have always said and you can search my posts, MK will remain on top because there are enough new or newish visitors who will visit who have no point of reference; they have no idea how much the quality, value, and guest experience has gone down over the years. It will take decades for them to see it.

Its only folks who have visited in the 70s, 80s, 90s who have a frame of reference who see it today

Yes prices go up on everything everywhere, Disney theme park prices significantly outpaced inflation while at the same time offerings has decreased, new or newish visitors just don't see it...... yet.

Do you think people know who the founder of Six flags was? Who the founder of universal studios is? Do kids driving fords on the weekend know what Henry’s philosophy was? Do fans of the Sox even know who Somers was? Hell i bet you many people can’t tell you who the founder of the company they work for was, and he at least had something to do with putting food on their table .

It’s just not the deep/important. He was a man, not a messiah. He didn’t cure cancer or invent the internet. For as much as I love him WDW the park is a leisure/luxury item/expense that while I love looking forward to goingwhile working 60+ hour weeks, it’s not like it saved people lives .

Also a video comparing how parks were “in the old days” is just useless, because the old days don’t exist anymore. If you had a Time Machine, and you had the option of spending money on Disney today, or going back in time and spending money on how parks were in the past, then that’s a comparison that might mean something. But of course you can’t. You compare one offering today of similar offering of today. And as I mention customers today are still making WDW the most visited park on the planet.based on the choices available to them

 

[Sweet tears]

I agree 100 percent! There are many EPIC things to do and see outside of Disney

Check this survey out - Notice who is missing:
View attachment 919944
A lot of folks do not like SeaWorld Orlando, but I happen to like it.....

All this tells me is that people who read the USA Today don’t like Disney. Can’t remember seeing any copies laying around the resorts. Narrow your participant pool and form the question right and you can get the answer you’re looking for.

Survey. Name your most reliable source for news. Option USA Today. Response Are they still in business.

 

[Disstevefan1]

If people are enjoying the parks, why is it so important for them to know what the parks were like decades ago and how much the “quality of, value, and guest experience” has gone down over the years?

What are you hoping to accomplish by giving them this perspective?

Folks are enjoying the parks and that's great. Its only the on the subsequent visits they will notice any difference and that is what the video that started this thread is about.

Just a small example, One year I got this great big pastry in France, it was huge and it was not expensive. The next year, I was remembering that great pastry, and when I got there..... it was this small pre packaged junk, and that was just year to year.

In Pacos Bill, my favorite was the taco salad, it was taco meat in a taco shell bowl, that was my stop to eat always. Of course its gone and the fixin's bar is gone too.

I remember there were WALLS of hats to choose from, last year I wanted a nice EPCOT hat, there was only like 4 different ones, none I liked. TAKE MY MONEY DISNEY - Nope! I left Creations (what a stupid name) disappointed I could not give Disney my money!

Free FastPasses gone. Free Magical Express gone and all the while prices for everything has gone up. There are many more things I could list.

At least for me, these little things stick in my mind and I sincerely look for goodness to replace it.

There are big things I truly miss, like the Osborne lights.... I don't want to talk about it

At least I got to ride Guardians for the first time ( I had to purchase ILL ) but I got to ride it and I will say its great, not sure I would pay again, but they got me to pay once and that's what they want.

 

[Disstevefan1]

All this tells me is that people who read the USA Today don’t like Disney. Can’t remember seeing any copies laying around the resorts. Narrow your participant pool and form the question right and you can get the answer you’re looking for.

Survey. Name your most reliable source for news. Option USA Today. Response Are they still in business.

I agree, survey questions can be worded in a way to get the desired results, its done all the time.

 

[MickeyLuv'r]

I get it, you say folks don't care/don't know about the dead guy Walt Disney World is named after - I get it.

I feel sorry about the kid who doesn't at least ask their parents who are PAYING who Walt is as they pass under the sign bearing his name - but that's another discussion.

I re watched the video this thread is discussing just to make sure I remembered it correctly. The video was describing how the parks were in the old days compared to now.

I have always said and you can search my posts, MK will remain on top because there are enough new or newish visitors who will visit who have no point of reference; they have no idea how much the quality, value, and guest experience has gone down over the years. It will take decades for them to see it.

Its only folks who have visited in the 70s, 80s, 90s who have a frame of reference who see it today

Yes prices go up on everything everywhere, Disney theme park prices significantly outpaced inflation while at the same time offerings has decreased, new or newish visitors just don't see it...... yet.

The Disney defenders don't want to hear this.

I too looked through this thread because the opening video was interesting and raised some good points. It would be interesting if we could discuss the merits of points raised, but perhaps that is not possible.

Alas, Mickeyluv'r is in my screen name!

I think for me, one of the biggest changes is not just the prices going up, but the loss of the little extras WDW used to have, like the golden fastpass we once got. Remember the era when CM's gave out Mickey glitter in MK if you were there at rope drop ? WDW pens? WDW used to do all sorts of unexpected service extras that weren't advertised. That's a big part of what made it so magical.

I recall one time, a child of my extended family lost a set of Mickeyears during the parade near the Main GS office. We stopped by the office just to report them lost, to see if anyone had turned them in. This was back when the hat shop had two Singer sewing machines and they personalized them while you watched with gold thread in cursive. The lost ears said, "first haircut" from the barbershop. the CM disappeared for a few minutes and returned with a replacement pair! That was such a magical moment!

Did you ever meet Chef TJ? He was an AMAZING CM chef. I think he retired during the pandemic, but he made magic many times over for guests. He mostly created off-menu dishes for guests who are vegetarian or had food allergies. Instead of making such guests feel like 'others' he made them feel special. and he always presented the food with a flourish. Just a truly great chef!

IMO, that's what I hoped this thread would discuss.

 

[Chi84]

The Disney defenders don't want to hear this.

I too looked through this thread because the opening video was interesting and raised some good points. It would be interesting if we could discuss the merits of points raised, but perhaps that is not possible.

Alas, Mickeyluv'r is in my screen name!

I think for me, one of the biggest changes is not just the prices going up, but the loss of the little extras WDW used to have, like the golden fastpass we once got. Remember the era when CM's gave out Mickey glitter in MK if you were there at rope drop ? WDW pens? WDW used to do all sorts of unexpected service extras that weren't advertised. That's a big part of what made it so magical.

I recall one time, a child of my extended family lost a set of Mickeyears during the parade near the Main GS office. We stopped by the office just to report them lost, to see if anyone had turned them in. This was back when the hat shop had two Singer sewing machines and they personalized them while you watched with gold thread in cursive. The lost ears said, "first haircut" from the barbershop. the CM disappeared for a few minutes and returned with a replacement pair! That was such a magical moment!

Did you ever meet Chef TJ? He was an AMAZING CM chef. I think he retired during the pandemic, but he made magic many times over for guests. He mostly created off-menu dishes for guests who are vegetarian or had food allergies. Instead of making such guests feel like 'others' he made them feel special. and he always presented the food with a flourish. Just a truly great chef!

IMO, that's what I hoped this thread would discuss.

That’s fair. There are a lot of posters who want to discuss memories of Disney’s past.

If it’s to commiserate I understand that a message board is the perfect place.

I do question the notion that current visitors need to be told that the experience they’re getting is not what it used to be.

They can’t go back in time to experience what is no longer there. They can refuse to go but all they’re doing is depriving themselves of what millions of people find to be an excellent vacation just because it used to be better.

Different people like different things. I loved everything about WDW in 2019 but struggled with the crowds. Our last trip in 2024 was much better.

 

[Disstevefan1]

I think for me, one of the biggest changes is not just the prices going up, but the loss of the little extras WDW used to have

The little extras - Like Magical moments!

Like the year of a million dreams! Our entire party got surprised with free pins!

Like when we found the paint brush on Tom Sawyer's Island, we got free FastPasses!

When there were paper FastPasses, we we loved to go to the end of the standby queue and make magical moments and give them our FastPasses!

Ah, the good ol' days!

 

[Gringrinngghost]

I think they rationalize, if they can have less people in the parks spending more money, the revenue will still go up at the same time the parks are less crowded, requiring less cast members, lowering their costs and less crowded parks may help the guest experience.

In my opinion, todays Disney does not worry about attendance for the sake of attendance as a measure of success in their parks like they did in the old days.

That's essentially what Iger said YEARS ago.

“The company was willing to sacrifice some theme park attendance in exchange for higher revenue and better guest experience” — Robert Iger in 2016

“In our zeal to grow profits, we may have been a little bit too aggressive about some of our pricing. I think there’s a way to continue to grow that business, but be smarter about how we price so that we maintain that brand value of accessibility.” — Iger in 2023

 

[MickeyLuv'r]

The little extras - Like Magical moments!

Like the year of a million dreams! Our entire party got surprised with free pins!

Like when we found the paint brush on Tom Sawyer's Island, we got free FastPasses!

When there were paper FastPasses, we we loved to go to the end of the standby queue and make magical moments and give them our FastPasses!

Ah, the good ol' days!

Wish my group had found one of the paintbrushes!

During YoaMD, we were surprised with earhats (themed to YoaMD) as we exited the preshow of Dinosaur. It was a perfect spot for a promo like that! It would be great if WDW brought back something like that again. I mean it wouldn't even have to be as big as the items they gave out that year. It was the surprise of it that made it so much fun.

Maybe parkgoers would be more cynical if the prizes were too small, but items like the transportation cards didn't cost much money, and those were a big hit with the parkgoers who got them. I keep hoping WDW will bring back some of those surprise treats.

In a way, this thread showcases exactly what has gone wrong. The discussions on this forum used to be more about sharing what we all loved about WDW, and the details that made it special. The insiders shared little tips. There was a big thread full of WDW recipes. Real WDW foods, but also ways people cloned WDW recipes like pog juice (pineapple/orange/guava juice offered at Boma and GF Cafe). The food was that memorable.

Remember when many kid meals came with different shaped character pasta? It made you want to eat kid pasta!

As I've said before, I appreciate your efforts to keep the forum lighthearted. You often try to balance what could be better with what should be improved.

The park that most reminds me of what WDW used to be like is Universal. Epic still has some flaws, but overall I've been impressed with the people working there. I loved the guy who gave us tips when we were about to board Dragon Racer's Rally. The characters have also been superb. We waited in a short line to greet Frankenstein and his bride. A toddler in the group ahead of us was a bit scared of Frank. His bride didn't miss a beat. She got down low, assured the girl Frank wasn't mean, and told him to give the girl a high five if she would have it. The little girl smiled at the sight of the big giant bowing down to her height for a high five. The family got a fun photo. I've now run into multiple roaming characters who embodied their characters very well. When we asked about the decor in one of the restaurants, the staff was happy to discuss and share details. Many staff members display a genuine enthusiasm and pride that makes the park fun to visit.