WDW Long timers... What's BETTER now?

[tentaguasu]

Those of us who have been going to Disney only in the last decade or so often hear about how Disney just isn't what it used to be.

Of course it's disappointing to think that we missed out the Golden age. However, I also imagine there are things that are much better about the way it is now.

So as a counterpoint to some of the negative focus, what has gotten better at Disney over the last few decades?

 

[NYwdwfan]

Those of us who have been going to Disney only in the last decade or so often hear about how Disney just isn't what it used to be.

Of course it's disappointing to think that we missed out the Golden age. However, I also imagine there are things that are much better about the way it is now.

So as a counterpoint to some of the negative focus, what has gotten better at Disney over the last few decades?

The food - there are many more choices and price ranges for dining giving guests a choice of a quick theme park type meal or a high end culinary experience - with everything in between.

The technology - the castle projection show, the hitchhiking ghosts, the faces of the dwarfs on the mine car ride - all recent changes that are visually stunning and add to the whole experience.

 

[Tom]

The food - there are many more choices and price ranges for dining giving guests a choice of a quick theme park type meal or a high end culinary experience - with everything in between.

The technology - the castle projection show, the hitchhiking ghosts, the faces of the dwarfs on the mine car ride - all recent changes that are visually stunning and add to the whole experience.

I have to concur on food, and I wouldn't have said that a year ago.

We just took a 7-night trip to WDW in January, and my wife and I both agreed that both food quality AND variety has vastly improved. We go at least once a year - her since we got married in 2008, and I since 1984. I've seen the decline, and the lowest of low in food quality. I've seen where every QS location has the same dried out hamburger and chicken fingers on the menu. I've seen where TS meals had tiny portions and very poor food.

We went in Feb/Mar 2014, with the DDP, and found very little food to praise. We went briefly in August 2014 and it was the same. We were on property for a couple nights before and after a cruise in November 2015, but only at QS...but did notice a slight improvement.

On this January's trip, we were pleased with every single meal. 7 TS, and at least 7 QS. We each got something different every time, and never once was a meal unappealing.

Regardless of others' continued criticism, I firmly believe food quality and variety has improved in very recent history.

 

[surfsupdon]

We grew up going to Disney once or twice per year as kids, and we have kept that up as adults with either family or friend trips.

I would also agree the food is better, especially the counter service options! They have HEALTHY options! And a good variety of healthy options. That is great.

runDisney has made huge improvements overall as well.

The bus service has greatly improved. Sure, there are some horror stories, but overall the busses are more frequent and the time charts are helpful. (But the fewer seats and more standing room are the pits!!)

The entertainment at Disney Resorts is so much better. Movies, crafts, pool parties, dance offs, trivia, table tennis and billiard tables have emerged, and they are property wide.

AK is in much better shape now too, compared to its early years.

 

[radiohost]

Let me just take this opportunity to say the guest service across the board has gone from 5 stars to 2 1/2.

Back to thread...Definately the technology.

 

[WondersOfLife]

Test Track 2.0
Country Bear Jamboree upgrade
Fantasyland Expansion
and the addition of Jingle Cruise

are my top 4 favorites.

 

[FettFan]

Those of us who have been going to Disney only in the last decade or so often hear about how Disney just isn't what it used to be.

Of course it's disappointing to think that we missed out the Golden age. However, I also imagine there are things that are much better about the way it is now.

So as a counterpoint to some of the negative focus, what has gotten better at Disney over the last few decades?

The Haunted Mansion. It's currently in the best condition its ever been.

Then:

Now:

 

[Bairstow]

Except for relatively contained problems like the yeti not working and Dinosaur degrading, the entire Animal Kingdom has steadily matured and improved, and I think a lot of it just has to do with the trees finally growing out.
The new stuff at Harambe is especially nice.

Most of the interactive scavenger hunt game elements like the Kim Possible/Phinneas and Ferb thing at the World Showcase and the Pirates scavenger hunt at Adventureland are fun improvements and hopefully a sign of more to come.

Downtown Disney/Disney Springs has steadily improved, overall.

The new Fantasyland is great, and other than the dumb graveyard queue the Florida version of Haunted Mansion is the best in the world.

 

[Flippin'Flounder]

The technology - the castle projection show, the hitchhiking ghosts, the faces of the dwarfs on the mine car ride - all recent changes that are visually stunning and add to the whole experience.

I would also agree the food is better, especially the counter service options! They have HEALTHY options! And a good variety of healthy options. That is great.

The bus service has greatly improved. Sure, there are some horror stories, but overall the busses are more frequent and the time charts are helpful. (But the fewer seats and more standing room are the pits!!)

Jingle Cruise

The Haunted Mansion. It's currently in the best condition its ever been.

Most of the interactive scavenger hunt game elements like the Kim Possible/Phinneas and Ferb thing at the World Showcase and the Pirates scavenger hunt at Adventureland are fun improvements and hopefully a sign of more to come.

Downtown Disney/Disney Springs has steadily improved, overall.

The new stuff at Harambe is especially nice.

All of these, as well as the interactive queues, especially Pooh and BTMRR.

 

[WondersOfLife]

All of these, as well as the interactive queues, especially Pooh and BTMRR.

Don't forget Peter Pan's new queue as well. Probably the biggest improvement!

 

[Flippin'Flounder]

Don't forget Peter Pan's new queue as well. Probably the biggest improvement!

Probably, I haven't seen it yet though

 

[WondersOfLife]

Probably, I haven't seen it yet though

I wouldn't blame you.. The lines are still ridiculous!

 

[Flippin'Flounder]

I wouldn't blame you.. The lines are still ridiculous!

Yep, last time I was there I used FP+, and it looks like I won't be back till next year (But Avatarland will probably be open!)

 

[WondersOfLife]

Yep, last time I was there I used FP+, and it looks like I won't be back till next year (But Avatarland will probably be open!)

aaand new Soarin'/Frozen Ever After!

 

[Flippin'Flounder]

aaand new Soarin'/Frozen Ever After!

If we go to Epcot... We only go 3 days, so we always skip a park. Of course we'll probably skip DHS, but if Toy Story Land is miraculously opened before we're there, Epcot will get the boot.

 

[SyracuseDisneyFan]

The interactive queue at The Many Adventures of Winnie The Pooh.

 

[BoarderPhreak]

Nobody's mentioned the resorts. There are so many more options today than there were then. And they've been refurbed and improved along the way as well. The only thing that hasn't gotten better is the pricing.

 

[Little Green Men]

Probably, I haven't seen it yet though

The only times I went through the new queue was during the Halloween Party, and EMH. The wait was only 15 minutes.

 

[ThemeParkJunkee]

Better now? Animal Kingdom is starting to feel more like a finished park. Expedition Everest was a great addition to Asia. The addition of Value Resorts for an affordable (relatively speaking) option for staying on site. There is a huge increase in food options. I remember my kids having to choose for the fifth time between a hamburger, cheeseburger, cheese pizza, pepperoni pizza or chicken nuggets.

 

[Matt_Black]

Character meets. Even with the cuts, you've got a large number of different characters to meet across all the parks. "But what about the spontaneity? What about characters wandering around?" Bullstuff. I like to be able to plan or outline things. Where's Donald Duck meeting? Donald Duck is meeting right the heck there, at such and such times. So now I can choose to meet Donald, or not, at my leisure, instead of scouring the parks, keeping an eye out and my fingers crossed.