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

[yedliW]

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

We caught it early morning, it is very well done. The interactive aspects are very nice, and it's nice that most of it is inside, and AC, normally, we only ride it on FP+. We like the ride.. just not worth the 70+ min wait for a 3 min ride.

I'm not normally into parades, but the new Festival of Fantasy parade is well done.

 

[Pumbas Nakasak]

the merchandise. disney has removed park and ride specific merchandise so that regardless of outlet you are presented with some of the finest generic tat china can manufacture. this removes the need to spend hours debating over what to buy reducing stress on your vacation.

 

[mortimor]

Going back over the years that we have been there. I would have to say the biggest one for use would be the implementation of the extra magic hours regular scheduling. With the next couple of years it will be incredible with the additions to HS. Yes there are alot of negative comments about what little there is to do at HS and EP, but I remember EP prior to Soarin, HS before Toy Story Mania and the morning dash at MK was to Space Mountain.... and we always found enough to do. My only concern moving to the future will be how packed every park is becoming on a daily basis.

 

[WondersOfLife]

The addition of SUM of All Thrills in Innoventions is the only significantly better change in that area... But still.. A significantly better experience that Disney hasn't had before, 10 years ago.

 

[copcarguyp71]

Thinking back to say the early 90's and comparing to now the first thing that comes to mind is fireworks and the associated shows. Some concerted efforts have been made on immersive queues too. VOTLM is a very good example of this...although the ride itself falls short IMO.

 

[Chef Mickey]

Character interatction is the best it's ever been.

AK was a welcome addition to the classic 3 parks.

Rides like ToT, RnR, Everest, Splash Mountain, Test Track, Mission Space, etc have all been very welcome additions since around 1994.

The good old days in particular usually refer to EPCOT because the difference today versus then is pretty stark. We did get Soarin', Test Track, and Mission Space, but Future World is a shell of its old self.

MK, with the new space in Fantasyland, is probably the best it's ever been. They closed Snow White, an egregious transgression, but there aren't a lot of other terrible decisions. They do need to do something with Tomorrowland Speedway and New Fantasyland should have been better, but the decision to keep Carousel of Progress might right all wrongs.

 

[Chef Mickey]

Thinking back to say the early 90's and comparing to now the first thing that comes to mind is fireworks and the associated shows. Some concerted efforts have been made on immersive queues too. VOTLM is a very good example of this...although the ride itself falls short IMO.

The interactive queues and money spent to make them more fun might be the biggest complaint I have today. In terms of Test Track 2.0, VOTLM, and 7DMT, the queues are more impressive than the actual ride.

I wish they put every dollar they wasted on 7DMT and VOTLM queues and put it into the actualy attraction. Test Track 2.0 is essentiall the same right with the lights turned off and a bunch of touchscreen computers in the queue.

I despise wasting money on queues and skimping on the main event.

 

[AMartin767]

the merchandise. disney has removed park and ride specific merchandise so that regardless of outlet you are presented with some of the finest generic tat china can manufacture. this removes the need to spend hours debating over what to buy reducing stress on your vacation.

Wow the sarcasm in this is as thick as icing. . . and much appreciated by the way. The fact is, many things are much worse right now than better.

 

[brea]

I would say that their continued use and improvements on technology is what's been better. People do tend to focus on what's NOT there anymore that made them fans but the improvements are there and they do more than we think for the overall experience

 

[jaklgreen]

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.

I think a lot of that is due to people's attitudes now. 20 years ago the vast majority of society was not a bunch of entitled jerk heads. If you are constantly being berated and treated like crap, its not always going to be easy putting on a happy face. Especially at minimum wage. For the most part the cast members want to be nice and helpful, but they are also human and have bad days. I think in general society has become a bunch of @&$ holes.

 

[jaklgreen]

I was also going to say the food is much better.

 

[KCheatle]

I think there are actually a lot of things we take for granted now that if they went back to the "old way" we'd miss them. For example, Fast Pass (whether FP or FP+) is hugely helpful I think. I remember when I was little and how long we had to wait for Dumbo. That was our favorite ride, and my poor dad would stand in line for hours for it. Now, whatever my kids' favorite ride is, I can make sure we can walk on it, and do so multiple times each trip.

I think the immersive-experience is better. Although Disney always felt like a "different world," I think they have really taken that to a new level since I was a kid. I truly forget the real world when I'm there. There's just so much going on in WDW, that I don't have time to think about what's going on at home!

On that same note, I love that kids walk around in costumes now. We never did that when I was young. I think it's great that there are little princesses and pirates every where you look, and that the cast members really get into it. My kids love the attention they get when they're in costume. That's a fantastic experience for them.

There's certianly more, but I've gotta get back to work now

 

[Rinx]

I do think the food quality and selection has improved but I think most dramatically the resort pools. Fantastic theme and size upgrades plus more slides and play areas.

 

[Goofyque']

Long Long timers here. We see improvements every trip. First of all to go back to the beginning, all access park tickets. No more buying a booklet. FP+ is great, we still remember FP-, and no FP at all. Magic Bands, great, Love them especially in the water parks. Park Hoppers. Star Tours. Expedition Everest. AK. 7DMT. Innovative new restaurants. Many affordable resorts on property . Transportation. FoF (IMHO, the best parade sine Tapestry of nations, and Jammin' Jungle) We have gone from the very beginning, and find something new every trip. Boo naysayers, we love WDW!

 

[fireworksandfairytales]

-Fantasyland. I really miss Toontown, but I love the addition of New Fantasyland.
-Quick service food options. It's not exactly the same thing in every single quick service restaurant you go into now, which is really nice.
-We have a spectacular MK afternoon parade now with Festival of Fantasy.
-The Jingle Cruise holiday overlay for Jungle Cruise. I love that Disneyland does overlays for attractions and I'm so happy that we have one now as well.
-Disney Springs.

 

[JoMarch]

I'd have to say the whole no worry airport experience and the Magical Express. In the day you had to reserve a MEARS bus to bring you to and from...and you had to grab your own bags each way.

Also - the technology....I can't wait to see what technology brings in another 10 years.

The WDW dining was always an "event" - but now the options and experiences are amazing.

Animal Kingdom - I'm glad they are adding to it. When it first opened, it was a quick walk thru experience.

 

[Launchpad McQuack]

I definitely have to agree with the improvements made to attraction queues. Peter Pan is now an attraction that I actually want to go through the actual line for. Our daughter's first trip will be later this year, and the first attraction she is going to do is going to be Peter Pan, which we plan on taking her to at rope drop so we can go through the queue with her (without it taking over an hour).

 

[copcarguyp71]

The interactive queues and money spent to make them more fun might be the biggest complaint I have today. In terms of Test Track 2.0, VOTLM, and 7DMT, the queues are more impressive than the actual ride.

I wish they put every dollar they wasted on 7DMT and VOTLM queues and put it into the actualy attraction. Test Track 2.0 is essentiall the same right with the lights turned off and a bunch of touchscreen computers in the queue.

I despise wasting money on queues and skimping on the main event.

I agree...which was why I said VOTLM ride itself was lackluster. But...you have to admit if the ride followed up on or topped the queue that it would be wayyy more worth while. Just my two cents that at least they tried at some level...now they just need to follow through in the 7th inning stretch!

 

[THEMEPARKPIONEER]

Festival of Fantasy blows any old Magic Kingdom parade out of the water, the firework shows are better, Epcot has the best fireworks show they have ever had and it's at its prime, Animal Kingdom is getting an expansion and a nighttime show, allot is happening to Hollywood Studios and hopefully Epcot will be next.

 

[DVCOwner]

I make a lot of trip without kids and I think that Disney Springs is a great improvement over anything that has been there before and it still is getting larger and better every trip.