WDW (Former?) Cynics Anonymous

[Mike S]

Yes I’m having a bit of fun with the title lol

I’ve been thinking about it a bit and decided to make a general thread for fellow cynics like me or anyone really to discuss what just transpired at D23 2026 and our feelings regarding everything announced and the general direction of the parks going forward. It’s not just the Yeti being fixed and Imagination 4.0. It’s also Disneyland’s New Tomorrowland and Disneyland Paris getting back Space Mountain: From the Earth to the Moon. Any of these things alone or in combination would’ve moved the proverbial needle but all 4 at once is a mission statement and all this before talking about Tropical Americas and Villains Land both looking great even though I’ll always miss my Dinosaurs. Cars in Frontierland is the only one I’m still iffy on regarding execution.

In short: we won. All of us who voiced our displeasure for many years from a place of genuine care. While we’ll never get EPCOT Center back it seems we’re getting real quality back, our feedback being taken seriously, and I’ll take it.

I’m still not rushing to buy an annual pass though lol. Maybe after Tropical Americas

 

[Vinnie Mac]

Very very excited about the parks future. Never have we had this many things to look forward to at once. I still can't believe the YETI is getting fixed let alone all the other stuff. Dreamfinder back at Epcot? Maleficent thrill coaster at Magic Kingdom? Heck yeah

 

[HMF]

All they had to do was be rid of Iger, Funny how that works.

 

[nickys]

Generally I’m pleased with what they announced.

I’ll never forgive them for draining RoS and bulldozing TSI though.

 

[The Empress Lilly]

Generally I’m pleased with what they announced.

I’ll never forgive them for draining RoS and bulldozing TSI though.

Same.

I'm genuinely appreciative of this clear mission statement.

But as we speak they destroyed half a park that I once considered my favourite place in the entire world. Peculiarly, this was the straw that broke the camels back for me. I somehow got over Toad and Snow White, Horizons, Shark Reef, GMR, much as I resent every one of these closures. But something broke when they killed the Lake District.

Disneyland managed to build around the river for GE, despite being hemmed in. WDW has all the space in the world, yet felt the need to destroy half a park for a bizarrely ill-fitting ride and a pathway.

 

[The Empress Lilly]

Yes I’m having a bit of fun with the title lol

I’ve been thinking about it a bit and decided to make a general thread for fellow cynics like me or anyone really to discuss what just transpired at D23 2026 and our feelings regarding everything announced and the general direction of the parks going forward. It’s not just the Yeti being fixed and Imagination 4.0. It’s also Disneyland’s New Tomorrowland and Disneyland Paris getting back Space Mountain: From the Earth to the Moon. Any of these things alone or in combination would’ve moved the proverbial needle but all 4 at once is a mission statement and all this before talking about Tropical Americas and Villains Land both looking great even though I’ll always miss my Dinosaurs. Cars in Frontierland is the only one I’m still iffy on regarding execution.

In short: we won. All of us who voiced our displeasure for many years from a place of genuine care. While we’ll never get EPCOT Center back it seems we’re getting real quality back, our feedback being taken seriously, and I’ll take it.

I’m still not rushing to buy an annual pass though lol. Maybe after Tropical Americas

Maniacal data-driven Chapek used his data skills to extract money from the guests. It's deploying knowledge and technology to cater to an almost individual level to what guests respond to. Upsells, LL, price differentiation. Even deploying character exposure in a strategic manner ('guests show a strong emotional response to seeing their favourite character, increasing proneness to impulse spending'). It feels cold, harsh, being watched to be exploited.

This team seems to use the ever more refined data available in a more fittingly Disney manner: use it to give guests what they want. Make their dreams come true. Make Disney the best Disney it can be. The money will follow.

It's a slight shift, and no need to be naïve. Disney is a business and will be a business, but there are different ways to go about it.

 

[Br0ckford]

I'm very excited about everything that was announced and in progress. The skeptic in me says we still need to see how this plays out. A lot of stuff was already in progress. I am excited to see some of the maintenance and deferred maintenance they are planning or currently performing (Epcot ground lights, I'm looking at you)

We shall see what the future holds. I am cautiously optimistic.

 

[monorail81]

I’ll believe it all when I see it.

 

[Disstevefan1]

I am very happy with what I heard at D23 but talk is cheap.

Right away I am thinking IF and HOW LONG will it be before we see the Yeti working, The new Figment, and the DLR People mover.

Meanwhile Villains has not started and Cars is YEARS away from opening.

In my opinion, they were doing too much at the same time before the D23 announcements.

Disney with their D23 announcements has now set expectations for many folks.

Not for me. I have NO expectations. I expect the worst but hope for the best.

Right now, I want to see the ground lighting working around the ugly planter in EPCOT; if the lights work, it will take my attention off the ugly planter.

I am ready to be destroyed for my opinion.

 

[Mike S]

This team seems to use the ever more refined data available in a more fittingly Disney manner: use it to give guests what they want. Make their dreams come true. Make Disney the best Disney it can be. The money will follow.

It's a slight shift, and no need to be naïve. Disney is a business and will be a business, but there are different ways to go about it.

This is the same way I view Nintendo and for years was wondering why Disney couldn’t do the same lol

 

[JIMINYCR]

I dont know that we won....I do want to believe everything we are being told comes true. It seems that over the years we have constantly been promised things that gets us excited and give us hope for a much more exciting WDW. Then reality happens and our hopes are dashed. Until these items are actually in place and we can see them completed on site, I will be anxiously waiting and holding my breath. I do know that Disney has fallen behind in these past years and now they are trying to make up for lost time. At least something is waking them up and forcing them to get moving.

 

[hopemax]

I've been having a little fun with the announcements, and in general, the tone seemed better. The IP mandate, possibly backed off enough that some non-Studio IP projects can proceed. However, I'm waiting to see when and how strongly @marni1971 's vibes change. If we start getting little hints from @Moth and others, etc.

I too, believe there is a way to make money and satisfy fans with differing intensities at the same time. Not just by capitalizing on people's hate of waiting in lines or knocking off stuff on their children's bucket lists. But time will tell if Disney believes it too.

 

[marni1971]

I’ll never forgive them for draining RoS and bulldozing TSI though.

Same. Absolutely.

 

[Mike S]

Same. Absolutely.

And your thoughts on the rest?

 

[Goofyernmost]

Generally I’m pleased with what they announced.

I’ll never forgive them for draining RoS and bulldozing TSI though.

Same. Absolutely.

Same here, but there is a good chance that I will never be able to go there again to behold that wonderful view anyway. So I guess I have easily been able to just not care all that much anymore. I've moved on to being upset now that the same thing that will prevent me from witnessing it again is going to be responsible for my not being able to ride the Cars at Piston Peak.

 

[Mike S]

Same here, but there is a good chance that I will never be able to go there again to behold that wonderful view anyway. So I guess I have easily been able to just not care all that much anymore. I've moved on to being upset now that the same thing that will prevent me from witnessing it again is going to be responsible for my not being able to ride the Cars at Piston Peak.

Sad to hear that man. I hope whatever it is doesn’t keep you away from your day to day joys either

 

[hopemax]

Same here, but there is a good chance that I will never be able to go there again to behold that wonderful view anyway. So I guess I have easily been able to just not care all that much anymore. I've moved on to being upset now that the same thing that will prevent me from witnessing it again is going to be responsible for my not being able to ride the Cars at Piston Peak.

Father Time remains undefeated. I have similar worries about my Dad. If we are on the verge of a renaissance or not, will he even be around or capable to experience it. A 5-7 year timeframe and I really don’t know. At his age things can change rapidly.

Hope you still have the time for a few more memories.

 

[Goofyernmost]

Sad to hear that man. I hope whatever it is doesn’t keep you away from your day to day joys either

I guess I didn't word that correctly, I'm not sick, I'm just old and it is my spinal stenosis makes it impossible for me to enjoy the parks the way I once did. I'm still traveling but I decided to focus my attention on things that I have never done before that I always wanted to do. I have booked a Panama Canal Cruise in February. That requires very little long distance walking and be a brand new adventure. Thanks for your concern though, it is appreciated.

 

[Mike S]

I guess I didn't word that correctly, I'm not sick, I'm just old and it is my spinal stenosis makes it impossible for me to enjoy the parks the way I once did. I'm still traveling but I decided to focus my attention on things that I have never done before that I always wanted to do. I have booked a Panama Canal Cruise in February. That requires very little long distance walking and be a brand new adventure. Thanks for your concern though, it is appreciated.

No problem. Even if it’s not “sick” in that way my point still stands: I hope you’re not kept from your day to day joys. If you have small grandkids or great grandkids I hope you can still pick them up. Stuff like that, the stuff that matters.

 

[Goofyernmost]

No problem. Even if it’s not “sick” in that way my point still stands: I hope you’re not kept from your day to day joys. If you have small grandkids or great grandkids I hope you can still pick them up. Stuff like that, the stuff that matters.

No great's grands yet, and all my grands but one are in their twenties and frankly I would have trouble picking them up. I'm working hard on remaining mobile but sometimes it is more difficult than others and I hate being dependant on others. One thing I am sure of is that when I stop trying, it will be the end of even the restricted mobility.