Warning... What I am about to theorize may not be popular.

[Goofyernmost]

I have been occasionally active on certain individual happenings pertaining to redoing the parks, but, like the rest of you I have been focusing on those individual things. Anyway, I was sitting here thinking (always a dangerous thing) and it occurs to me that if anyone thought that Disney (in general) or WDW (in particular) is changing drastically, you really should connect all the dots here.

Many have said that they no longer care about those of us that have been loyal customers now and that they are destroying their fan base. Well, they needn't bother because age is primarily destroying us anyway. We do not have that many years of active theme park participation left under the best of conditions, so we are no longer a viable concern. What I see is a drastic and complete change in the theme park philosophy that is going to eliminate most all of the things that we hold near and dear to us. They can do that because we are not their current income source. They can do that without worrying about loss in business because they are catering to the newer generations that have a completely different set of requirements for their theme park enjoyment.

Many things are happening in DHS and we can all agree that many things are required to revitalize that park and make it worthwhile to new people. Epcot has changed, slightly so far, but I would guess much more in the future to a completely different mission. Energy to Guardians, possibly more Guardians in the area that once housed Wonders of Life. A completely different approach to the Imagination Pavilion to more of an Emotions Pavilion. So many things attached to an IP of either Disney direct IP connection or outside IP connection. There is a lot going on. Even MK will get a change, not as much, but, certainly different from what we are used to seeing. DAK is and has been since it opened a work in progress. It will continue it's focus on animals, but, also go pretty deep into fictional animals as well.

It's not your Fathers Buick anymore. We are going to be out of the picture before to long anyway and they are putting their money on a different generational desire. So we better be prepared to either accept the NEW Disney or find something else to do with our time. Our time is no longer. All we can do is stand here like the old person standing on his/her porch talking about how the world is gone to hell in a hand-basket and like I said accept it for what it is now or move on. We no longer are the artistic driving force.

 

[mikeh]

Speak for yourself. I've still got 50 years of theme parks left in me!

 

[DisneyDebRob]

Not sure if I should curl up in a corner or drink my sorrows away after reading that.
I understand your points and agree with a lot of them but I do hold out a bit of hope.
Some of the new merch they are bringing out, going back to years before keeps me a bit optimistic, also some of the rumored plans of updating some old attractions along with some new ideas like RoL, if that ever sees the light of day keep me hanging on. But you make some valid points.
Not going to start my car in a closed garage just yet.

 

[monothingie]

I wouldn't have so much of a problem with what was going on if there were a focus on quality and imagination. Parks and attractions don't last forever and need to be redone. But using the hot IP of the day and inserting it into a clone attraction is not something that is a long term strategy, unless you're moving to a six flags type expirience.

 

[Magenta Panther]

I wouldn't have so much of a problem with what was going on if there were a focus on quality and imagination. Parks and attractions don't last forever and need to be redone. But using the hot IP of the day and inserting it into a clone attraction is not something that is a long term strategy, unless you're moving to a six flags type expirience.

Well said. Like this a million times!

 

[xstech25]

I got a email survey from Disney 5 or so years ago and I wrote that WDW has so many attractions that are old, dated, and flat out embarrassing,they really either need to be upgraded or need to go.

DHS: Backlot Tour, Streets of America, HISTK Playground, Great Movie Ride, Beauty & The Beast Show, Little Mermaid Show
EC: Test Track needs major upgrade, Universe of Energy, Journey to Imagination, HISTA/Captain EO, Maelstrom, Three Cabelleros
MK: Stitch's Great Escape, Country Bear Jamboree, Tomorrowland Speedway

With all of the news going on the past few years you can tell i'm a happy camper about now .

A lot of you don't realize it costs a lot of $$$ to run these attractions, and if they suck why spend money maintaining and operating them? Get rid of them and put something that's going to be relevant.

 

[englanddg]

I got a email survey from Disney 5 or so years ago and I wrote that WDW has so many attractions that are old, dated, and flat out embarrassing,they really either need to be upgraded or need to go.

DHS: Backlot Tour, Streets of America, HISTK Playground, Great Movie Ride, Beauty & The Beast Show, Little Mermaid Show
EC: Test Track needs major upgrade, Universe of Energy, Journey to Imagination, HISTA/Captain EO, Maelstrom, Three Cabelleros
MK: Stitch's Great Escape, Country Bear Jamboree, Tomorrowland Speedway

With all of the news going on the past few years you can tell i'm a happy camper about now .

A lot of you don't realize it costs a lot of $$$ to run these attractions, and if they suck why spend money maintaining and operating them? Get rid of them and put something that's going to be relevant.

Explain "relevance" please.

At one point, Ellen was relevant, but at no point was Ellen's Energy Adventure a good ride.

 

[21stamps]

I've said this so many times, I think they know what they're doing.

The Star Wars and Marvel stuff is not just a new generation, it encompasses most of GenX, who now have their own children that they are bringing to WDW. I know so many parents who are just as excited as their kids are to meet Chewbacca, etc.

Last night my son and I watched Swiss Family Robinson. He loved it! Not SW excitement level, but really enjoyed it. I showed him photos of when we were at the treehouse in MK, and he is excited to go back and see it with a new appreciation.

I think there's room for both new/old/older to exist at WDW

 

[monothingie]

Well said. Like this a million times!

 

[SteamboatJoe]

Baby boomers have controlled pop culture for approximately 50 years. First as consumers, then as producers, and then as the executives behind the curtain. A major cultural shift has been under way for the past several years as more and more people from that generation retire and no longer have influence on things. I think it is something that generation sometimes has a hard time coming to grips with. In the words of Grandpa Simpson..."I was with it. Then they changed what it was. Now what I'm with isn't it. And what is it seems weird and scary to me. It'll happen to you!"

 

[englanddg]

Baby boomers have controlled pop culture for approximately 50 years. First as consumers, then as producers, and then as the executives behind the curtain. A major cultural shift has been under way for the past several years as more and more people from that generation retire and no longer have influence on things. I think it is something that generation sometimes has a hard time coming to grips with. In the words of Grandpa Simpson..."I was with it. Then they changed what it was. Now what I'm with isn't it. And what is it seems weird and scary to me. It'll happen to you!"

Um....no.

There was a whole generation that the boomers marketed to, and it wasn't the millennials.

 

[Me 'Earties]

I think you hit the nail on the head. Regardless if you agree or disagree with the changes being made, Disney has made a business decision to move in a certain direction. All those surveys they do? Well, that's marketing trying to figure out how to best get money from folks. And perhaps they are marketing to the new generation of spenders, which may not have a tie to the legacy ideas of the WDW parks; they may like the "new and exciting" IPs and that's enough for Disney to put money into those sort of changes.

 

[erwinalber4]

I understand Disney has to change and attract the next generation. I'm fine with IP based attractions and lands but there's an overall theme to each park it has to fit in a way that doesn't feel forced. Take Epcot for example, I'd love for there to be a Rhine River POTC style attraction that's original and creates a unique experience that makes you think and maybe you learn something along the way. But this new generation wants their movie favorites. This is why I understand and am not opposed to a let's say Mulan attraction in China. But there is a right and wrong way to do that. A complete ride through that's simply a re-creation of the movie may win over some but a completely new sequel like story line that gives you an actual role in the story would be a much more wholesome experience. Throwing what's hot now into an existing area that is not even close to the IP in theme is not the right way. Like Stitch for example. I'm pretty sure that took place in our current time (time it was released) and not tomorrow and definetly not the "future that never was". He's an alien and there's Sci fi qualities so it must fit right?

Also I agree this should move to General Discussion. It's great topic though and will make interesting conversation.

 

[SteamboatJoe]

Um....no.

There was a whole generation that the boomers marketed to, and it wasn't the millennials.

Certainly....I never meant to imply that Generation X didn't have its place or impact on culture. They most certainly did. I'm just suggesting that boomers have had some influence on the culture for a long time but that influence is rapidly waning and I think that explains some of the disconnect in the country today.

It is the rise of Generation X into those prominent decision making roles formerly held by boomers that I think is having a big impact.

 

[Me 'Earties]

I wouldn't have so much of a problem with what was going on if there were a focus on quality and imagination. Parks and attractions don't last forever and need to be redone. But using the hot IP of the day and inserting it into a clone attraction is not something that is a long term strategy, unless you're moving to a six flags type expirience.

You know you're gonna go anyway

 

[21stamps]

Certainly....I never meant to imply that Generation X didn't have its place or impact on culture. They most certainly did. I'm just suggesting that boomers have had some influence on the culture for a long time but that influence is rapidly waning and I think that explains some of the disconnect in the country today.

Poor Gen X'rs.. we're the forgotten/skipped over/irrelevant generation.lol

 

[englanddg]

Certainly....I never meant to imply that Generation X didn't have its place or impact on culture. They most certainly did. I'm just suggesting that boomers have had some influence on the culture for a long time but that influence is rapidly waning and I think that explains some of the disconnect in the country today.

I'd counter that Gen X is taking over. Gen Y (or Millenials, or whatever you want to call them) are the scraps at the table. You've got quite a way to go before you claim your place, though the generation as a whole seems to want to do so. I call it "little brother" syndrome...

 

[englanddg]

Poor Gen X'rs.. we're the forgotten/skipped over/irrelevant generation.lol

Except, we actually have real jobs that pay money.

 

[SteamboatJoe]

I'd counter that Gen X is taking over. Gen Y (or Millenials, or whatever you want to call them) are the scraps at the table. You've got quite a way to go before you claim your place, though the generation as a whole seems to want to do so. I call it "little brother" syndrome...

Generation X'ers may have some of the most disposable, non-retirement income at the moment but I hardly would say Millennials are scraps. It's simple numbers. The latter generation is simply bigger and thus will have a greater effect on the culture over time. It isn't a question of "attitude" or whose "better".

I have never quite understood the jadedness of Generation X. Many in that generation got to grow up during some of the most optimistic times the country ever experienced and got to graduate and start their careers in some of the best economic times the country has ever experienced.

 

[21stamps]

Except, we actually have real jobs that pay money.

Oh I agree with your statement. We are the one's "calling the shots" now so to speak. Which is why I think that what Disney is doing now is actually brilliant. Certainly not the failure that people are making it seem. Engage the parents, wow the kids- both with things they love.

I always get amused when people say marketing is always geared towards either Baby Boomers or Millennials, there's an entire group of people with children and money to spend in the mix.
Granted the Millennials were not hit by war, recession, home values tanking..and they do have money to spend..and have been the focus for quite a few years. Don't count the Gen X'rs out though, most have recovered and companies are realizing that.