What would Disney parks be if guests got what they wanted?

[_caleb]

People are terrible at knowing what they want.

Did you know you wanted an iPhone?

Granted, Disney could improve, but it’s a tough ask for people to make a list of what they want and have it turn out optimally. You’d have the same problems you have now...some people mad, some people happy.

I think Disney should listen to big picture ideas, but people can’t build rides, park plan, and dream up storylines and themes.

I want Disney to keep the crowds down, wow me, keep it clean, have a great cast, etc. How they do that is what makes Disney, Disney.

I agree. In Disneyland, Walt created something people didn’t know they wanted. Since then, millions of people have experienced it and love it. As much as I want Disney to respond to guest input, I’m not sure that giving people what they say they want would necessarily be a good thing.

That said, if the choices are “give people what they say they want” or “give people a pale imitation of what we used to give them,” I’m not sure which would be better. I’d prefer that someone lead with a vision for Disney parks that give guests something they didn’t even know they wanted until they experienced it.

 

[Tick Tock]

While I am unable to speak for all guests as to what the parks would offer to meet their wishes, if it was up to me personally, all the wild ducks you see roaming the parks would be wearing mini suits and top hats.

And 20k Leagues would be back.

 

[RustySpork]

The only things I'd ask for are:

1. Reduce park capacity to pre-2014 levels, increasing entry costs if necessary
2. Reduce costs of merchandise and food
3. Invest more in the parks

#3 is already happening, and I'm not going to hold my breath for 1 or 2.

 

[Fishbait]

Depends on the type of guest. If it is the casual fan, probably not anything that would get me to the parks.

If it was true Disney fans, then it could be amazing. The hard-core fans are so much more in touch with traditional Disney vision than the people in charge currently. They are less concerned with making money and showing shareholders a profit and more concerned with guest satisfaction.

I would make these my focus areas to start

- I would get rid of fastpass for all but a handful of rides and it would only be available on-site,day of visit
- I would bring in management that valued employees and make the CMs feel like a cherished asset, insist that focus of the job is guest to feel valued
- Increase the focus on Disney IP (there are so many cool things they could do from the Disney/Pixar movies) and increase the attractions in the parks....I don't care about thrills, I want innovation and immersion

 

[xdan0920]

You would get exactly what we have been getting for the better part of a decade.

 

[Driver]

Exactly this. Most guests aren't super fans like those of us on this site, so they wouldn't be able to tell the difference between Six Flags and a Disney park, except that one has a castle. I've talked to people that have never stepped foot in a Disney park, but they say they don't get the hype because "Disney is just a bunch of kiddie rides, Six Flags has better rides".

If they had their way there would be a bunch of unthemed roller coasters all over Magic Kingdom, even in areas such as Main Street USA.

So true, to love Disney is to understand it is an immersion experience. Walt specifically wanted it to be different than the amusement parks that were available in his day. When he mentioned his idea to others they told him he was crazy. To make Disney a "ride" style park would be to make it like six flags or the others. I say as a fan, leave it as it is. If you want a " ride" park there are many out there.... go for it.

 

[KBLovedDisney]

Horizons back, technologically updated and advanced with new scenes and a well designed Exit that enters into a gift shop that supplies wonderful Horzions merch.

(One can dream.)

 

[Gitson Shiggles]

They’d all live happily ever after.

 

[Shouldigo12]

Depends on the type of guest. If it is the casual fan, probably not anything that would get me to the parks.

If it was true Disney fans, then it could be amazing. The hard-core fans are so much more in touch with traditional Disney vision than the people in charge currently. They are less concerned with making money and showing shareholders a profit and more concerned with guest satisfaction.

I would make these my focus areas to start

- I would get rid of fastpass for all but a handful of rides and it would only be available on-site,day of visit
- I would bring in management that valued employees and make the CMs feel like a cherished asset, insist that focus of the job is guest to feel valued
- Increase the focus on Disney IP (there are so many cool things they could do from the Disney/Pixar movies) and increase the attractions in the parks....I don't care about thrills, I want innovation and immersion

"True" Disney fans? Anyone who likes going to the parks is a true Disney fan.

 

[SourcererMark79]

ZOOTOPIA!!!

 

[Cmdr_Crimson]

How would it be like Six Flags as opposed to, say, Cedar Fair?

At least Cedar Fair knows what it's doing be run by a former senior vice president of finance and business development for WDW Matt Ouimet..

 

[RustySpork]

It wouldn't be Six Flags. It'd be Disney's Six Flags Resort Bunaglows and Buffet Resort!

Spoiler: buffet resort?

Spoiler

 

[RustySpork]

Really? I'd be so on board. You'd be able to make your salad right on the Living with Captain America in his Greenhouse Adventure.

Well, only because I probably wouldn't be able to afford it. Disney + Bungalows means it's a destination for 1%'ers.

 

[John park hopper]

If Disney ever would take our comment seriously and act on them they would....
Bring out a multitude of beloved characters that we only see at special events or never. Allow them to freely roam the parks.
Bring back some of the much loved, sorely missed extinct attractions we want.
Stop building hotels, that overcrowd the parks. Focus on adding more attractions to make lines and wait times reasonable.
Add another park with attractions that would thrill.
Give us character merchandise, other than the fab five, unique throughout the parks and add a magic shop with entertaining magicians.
Take better control over guests and tour groups who misbehave and ruin the park experience for those around them.

Could not have said it better ---If Disney would only listen

 

[mharrington]

At least Cedar Fair knows what it's doing be run by a former senior vice president of finance and business development for WDW Matt Ouimet..

But why is it we use Six Flags to sardonically describe a park chain that isn't Disney or Universal?

 

[LAKid53]

Strollerless, scooterless and pretty much empty, if I had my way.

 

[LAKid53]

Frozenstrom .

 

[TwilightZone]

But why is it we use Six Flags to sardonically describe a park chain that isn't Disney or Universal?

Because six flags is relatively unthemed.
Many say it's cheap, but honestly, I don't think that, those coasters cost a lot to build and maintain.
They just keep it simple, they are kind of like safer state wide carnivals (with better rides).

 

[Cmdr_Crimson]

But why is it we use Six Flags to sardonically describe a park chain that isn't Disney or Universal?

During the 90's when Time Warner ran the parks they would take a jab at Disney with their "Bigger Than Disney and a Whole lot closer to home" Tagline. At that time Warner Bros. was pushing all of their IP's and maintaining the theming aspects of the parks and looked amazing..However Time Warner dropped out in 1999 and Premier parks ( a carnival company) took it over and well...you can see how bland and pointless the parks look now.

Here is some examples of the Time Warner Era...

A Really good example when Warner Bros. Was trying to throw their IP's into their parks...

 

[mharrington]

Because six flags is relatively unthemed.

And Cedar Fair isn't?