Walt Disney World's new marketing campaign - 'The Magic is Endless'

[21stamps]

My family really enjoys the evening at MK. The parade (oops), Wishes, and just enjoying lots of attractions after many people have given up and gone home. It's probably our favorite thing to do at WDW.

The fact that I may have other options doesn't mean that the value of my pass isn't hurt by the ticketed event. It's the same as if they shorten the hours for MK. In the past my pass gave me so many evening hours in MK, now it gives me less.

"In the past" is the key phrase there. Like I said, "in the past" I didn't have to pay for luggage on Delta, "in the past" elementary school wasn't the same cost of a year at a community college, or more..."in the past" early learning/childcare wasn't more than a year at a state college..and "in the past" automobiles were less expensive.

We could use those 3 words for soooo many things.. and we could all live in a constant state of frustration. OR, we could make the best of what is TODAY, and focus on what we CAN do.

I do hope that you enjoy Disney again! There are still plenty of evenings where you can enjoy those things, even with the parties going on.
The key to it is just taking it for what it is, not what it was.

 

[pax_65]

If there were 5 parties in the evening at MK during my trip, and I only got evening EMHs at other parks on two of those nights, I'd be seriously annoyed. What are you going to do the other 3 nights? Enjoy the shopping at Disney Springs? Catch up on television? Read a good book?

 

[wdisney9000]

Of course I have been upset and screamed at my tv. I even shed a tear or two after the National Championship with UF. I didn't go online and rant and rave about them. I had a moment of anger and said "we'll get 'em next year". There is a difference between short lived aggravation and constant whining and complaining

But have you gotten upset and screamed at your tv more than once? Gotten upset at more than one call, or more than one game? (im sure the answer is yes). Whats the difference if a person gets upset about multiple "calls" Disney is making? And I completely agree that on occasion some people go overboard, but thats the same as the fan who throws a bottle on the field or curses at the ref. Is it appropriate? No, but its done out of passion. They curse at the ref because they love their team, not hate them. TDO will throw a hail mary on 1st and 10 from their own 20 yrd line in the first quarter of the game and there are fans who praise it, every time.

When they make a good call (in WDW) I will praise it, but more often these days they just make short sighted decisions that are 100% motivated by profit, but they slap a few buzzwords on it and a special cupcake and try to make it seem as if it were as good as a new D ticket. And Im not saying they shouldnt be motivated by profit, but dont polish a turd and try to sell it to me as a rare gem.

 

[pax_65]

The key to it is just taking it for what it is, not what it was.

Yeah, as you can tell I'm definitely not there. What can I say... I miss what it was.

 

[ford91exploder]

"In the past" is the key phrase there. Like I said, "in the past" I didn't have to pay for luggage on Delta, "in the past" elementary school wasn't the same cost of a year at a community college, or more..."in the past" early learning/childcare wasn't more than a year at a state college..and "in the past" automobiles were less expensive.

We could use those 3 words for soooo many things.. and we could all live in a constant state of frustration. OR, we could make the best of what is TODAY, and focus on what we CAN do.

I do hope that you enjoy Disney again! There are still plenty of evenings where you can enjoy those things, even with the parties going on.
The key to it is just taking it for what it is, not what it was.

Or we can try to change those things which bother us through all avenues available to us. Too many take the 'You can't fight City Hall' attitude.

 

[LuvtheGoof]

If there were 5 parties in the evening at MK during my trip, and I only got evening EMHs at other parks on two of those nights, I'd be seriously annoyed. What are you going to do the other 3 nights? Enjoy the shopping at Disney Springs? Catch up on television? Read a good book?

EPCOT, HS or AK. And yes, we enjoy an evening at DS as well. One night we are doing the monorail crawl, and on another night we are going to Jellyrolls. So much more to WDW than MK.

 

[ford91exploder]

Much better than Unforgettable Happens Here, what a yucky slogan that was.

But it WAS accurate...

 

[brb1006]

FUN FACT: The young boy in this commercial is Courtland Mead...

Besides doing small commercials he was also on the ABC Miniseries version of Stephen Kings The Shining. But, he's mostly recognized by his 3 Disney Character voices Gus Griswold of Recess, Lloyd of Lloyd in Space, & Ned of Nightmare Ned..

I forgot about Lloyd In Space. I hadn't seen that show in a very long time it was also one of the first Saturday morning shows that I can remember.

 

[21stamps]

If there were 5 parties in the evening at MK during my trip, and I only got evening EMHs at other parks on two of those nights, I'd be seriously annoyed. What are you going to do the other 3 nights? Enjoy the shopping at Disney Springs? Catch up on television? Read a good book?

If you wanted to do MK every night during your trip, and not attend the party, then the simple solution would be to go during the several other months out of the year when parties are not going on.

But have you gotten upset and screamed at your tv more than once? Gotten upset at more than one call, or more than one game? (im sure the answer is yes). Whats the difference if a person gets upset about multiple "calls" Disney is making? And I completely agree that on occasion some people go overboard, but thats the same as the fan who throws a bottle on the field or curses at the ref. Is it appropriate? No, but its done out of passion. They curse at the ref because they love their team, not hate them. TDO will throw a hail mary on 1st and 10 from their own 20 yrd line in the first quarter of the game and there are fans who praise it, every time.

When they make a good call (in WDW) I will praise it, but more often these days they just make short sighted decisions that are 100% motivated by profit, but they slap a few buzzwords on it and a special cupcake and try to make it seem as if it were as good as a new D ticket. And Im not saying they shouldnt be motivated by profit, but dont polish a turd and try to sell it to me as a rare gem.

My favorite phrase- "profit is not a dirty word". I just find it odd that so many people take issue with a company trying to generate a profit..i.e. Dessert Parties, EMM, etc, the ranting about them is strange to me...if you choose not to do them then it doesn't impact your vacation in the slightest bit, so why rant?

Or we can try to change those things which bother us through all avenues available to us. Too many take the 'You can't fight City Hall' attitude.

I take the "live in reality" route. I have a daily reminder that life can change in an instant and you can't go back to what "was". The key to a happy life is accepting that things change, and move on. By all means fight for certain things! Disney desert parties, holiday parties, and paid extra hours aren't really one of those things though..because they are, again, avoidable.

EPCOT, HS or AK. And yes, we enjoy an evening at DS as well. One night we are doing the monorail crawl, and on another night we are going to Jellyrolls. So much more to WDW than MK.

We aren't even doing any parks on 3 of our days. Kiddo is doing a Pirate Adventure Cruise, we are renting bikes at WL to ride to FW, a round of mini golf, parasailing, sea raycers, campfire and activities at the resort, a few table service restaurants, and hitting the pool if weather allows.

 

[brb1006]

^This is at the heart of the whole issue. From a business standpoint, they're looking at income potential from upcharges and the upper class customer supports that model. The reason for all the "Disney haters" is that we remember the old model, which was "Your Pass is Your Key to the Magic" (a slogan they used) - once you were in the door, you didn't really have to worry about anything. Disney took care of everything and treated all guests like VIPs.It didn't matter if you had an AP or single day pass, if you were staying on 192 or the Grand Floridian, whether you had dinner reservations at Victoria & Albert's or were just planning to grab a dog at Casey's.

If the new thinking wins out, we'll be asked to pay for things that used to be included as part of your pass - which makes me very sad. I refuse these things on principle, it's honestly not even a financial decision.

I need to find a commercial that used that slogan.

 

[LuvtheGoof]

We aren't even doing any parks on 3 of our days. Kiddo is doing a Pirate Adventure Cruise, we are renting bikes at WL to ride to FW, a round of mini golf, parasailing, sea raycers, campfire and activities at the resort, a few table service restaurants, and hitting the pool if weather allows.

You mean you found other things to do at WDW besides going to a theme park? Who would have thunk that.

 

[pax_65]

EPCOT, HS or AK. And yes, we enjoy an evening at DS as well. One night we are doing the monorail crawl, and on another night we are going to Jellyrolls. So much more to WDW than MK.

To use this Thursday (October 20th) as an example... MK has MNSSHP in the evening. Epcot closes at 9pm (EMH are in the morning). AK closes at 8:30pm and the Studios close at 7pm. So that means there's nothing open after 9pm on Disney property outside of the hard ticketed event and DS.

While I appreciate your creativity in finding other stuff to do (we do the monorail crawl too, and enjoy visiting other resorts), these are outside of the value that your park admission pass gives you.

 

[brb1006]

I think what bothers me about Disney is that it has changed the whole vacation experience for me. In the past, I'd get to Disney and I could just relax. There weren't a lot of big decisions to be made. In fact, I usually let the kids decide what they wanted to do. Everything was paid for - I didn't really worry about money. We just relaxed and enjoyed every day.

Now I feel like I have to actively manage everything more. I'm more "on guard" and aware of how my money is being spent. Everything has to be planned in advance including FPs and ADRs. Changing those plans carries consequences that must be weighed.

I still enjoy WDW but it's slowly becoming a different kind of vacation than what I've loved for so many years.

I remember the early 2000's were the last years that WDW was more focused on relaxation before Magic Bands became a big deal.

 

[WildcatDen]

I wouldn't count on it anytime soon. At our age (my husband and myself), there may not be another one in our lifetime..

If you are that close to death, maybe an electrical parade at a theme park is the least of your concerns?

 

[wdisney9000]

My favorite phrase- "profit is not a dirty word". I just find it odd that so many people take issue with a company trying to generate a profit..i.e. Dessert Parties, EMM, etc, the ranting about them is strange to me...if you choose not to do them then it doesn't impact your vacation in the slightest bit, so why rant?

I dont have an issue with up charge events. I have an issue with 15 up charge events created in one year that for the most part are all exactly the same. They used to do better than that. Much better. And as I said, nothing wrong with profit, thats the point of going into business, but how far must they abandon the principles that made them great before certain people admit that its gotten ridiculous?

I own a small business. I dont raise my prices unless there is a reason. I dont raise my prices annually, or because I renamed a product, or because a new employee tells me, "lets raise prices and cut quality and portions and claim it as profit". I dont let one of my products suffer just because Im getting ripped in Shanghai.

 

[21stamps]

To use this Thursday (October 20th) as an example... MK has MNSSHP in the evening. Epcot closes at 9pm (EMH are in the morning). AK closes at 8:30pm and the Studios close at 7pm. So that means there's nothing open after 9pm on Disney property outside of the hard ticketed event and DS.

While I appreciate your creativity in finding other stuff to do (we do the monorail crawl too, and enjoy visiting other resorts), these are outside of the value that your park admission pass gives you.

But how much do they "owe" you with that park admission? One park is open for 13 hours. AK is now open 11.5 hours. HS closes at 7 normally this time of year.
If you want to do the "they took away" argument, then be fair and see what you've gained- extra time at Epcot and AK.

All I'm saying is- look at the big picture. Maybe you still can't justify it, and that's fine, but you have to at least recognize that there are other options available for you to utilize your ticket.

 

[LuvtheGoof]

To use this Thursday (October 20th) as an example... MK has MNSSHP in the evening. Epcot closes at 9pm (EMH are in the morning). AK closes at 8:30pm and the Studios close at 7pm. So that means there's nothing open after 9pm on Disney property outside of the hard ticketed event and DS.

While I appreciate your creativity in finding other stuff to do (we do the monorail crawl too, and enjoy visiting other resorts), these are outside of the value that your park admission pass gives you.

Well, except we are making 3 trips with 20 park days already scheduled for our APs. Our current average is $27 per park day, and if we add another trip, that will go down even farther. Hard to say that there isn't value for only $27 a day.

 

[asianway]

I dont have an issue with up charge events. I have an issue with 15 up charge events created in one year that for the most part are all exactly the same. They used to do better than that. Much better. And as I said, nothing wrong with profit, thats the point of going into business, but how far must they abandon the principles that made them great before certain people admit that its gotten ridiculous?

I own a small business. I dont raise my prices unless there is a reason. I dont raise my prices annually, or because I renamed a product, or because a new employee tells me, "lets raise prices and cut quality and portions and claim it as profit". I dont let one of my products suffer just because Im getting ripped in Shanghai.

I am firmly in the "WDW is not expensive enough" camp. Prices need to increase to the point to keep the riff-raff out. $1500 APs and a ticket pricing structure more in line with Tokyo(no more add the 6-10th night for $4 nonsense). Make the MK premium vs the other 3 parks for tickets more drastic, like $50. Upcharge events should have more thought given to them than a dessert party to mirror every night show or preferred parade seating for a prix fixe meal at Tony's. Add back entertainment(real entertainment, not the 5th meet n' greet factory in the MK) and give back some elbow room and Id be content.

 

[brb1006]

I wouldn't count on it anytime soon. At our age (my husband and myself), there may not be another one in our lifetime..

How old are you.

 

[Nemo14]

How old are you, I'm sure you ain't in your 80's to worry about not living to see the new parade.

According to her profile, she is 83.