Where has all the "Magic" gone?

[Walt Disney1955]

Just to let you folks know, I posted a new thread and talked about my recent experiences at Kennywood Park in comparison with WDW. Don't get me wrong, Kennywood was a fun trip, but I think we tend to forget just how the "real" amusement/theme parks are like in the world. Disney is the absolute topper and always will be but when you look at your average theme park you long for Disney right away. So I think we tend to get jaded about the magic being gone.

It isn't gone. Because we all get that same feeling when we first see the castle no matter how many times we see it. It hasn't changed at all. Walt has been gone for 46 years and I think they do a marvelous job at preserving his memory and his legend. That's where the true magic is. The attractions are still like none other. You go on Ghostwood Estate at Kennywood (think of it as Haunted Mansion meets Buzz Lightyear) and while its a fine ride you can't help but compare it to Disney. It just isn't the same, there isn't that "touch". Disney has not lost that, don't worry

 

[Magenta Panther]

I understand the OP's melancholy. Sometimes it seems like the current Disney regime is too focused on cutting corners or pinching pennies or buying up stuff instead of creating it...but when I go to WDW, walk down Main Street and see the castle...I feel the magic of Walt's vision, and more than that, the potential of what might be. It's hard to describe. But it's exactly the feeling Walt wanted built into his parks, I think. It's still there. So I still have hope for greater things from the Imagineers. I am and first and foremost a Walt Disney fan, so if enough Walt is still in the parks, I'll still visit them any time I can.

 

[unkadug]

I understand the OP's melancholy. Sometimes it seems like the current Disney regime is too focused on cutting corners or pinching pennies or buying up stuff instead of creating it...but when I go to WDW, walk down Main Street and see the castle...I feel the magic of Walt's vision, and more than that, the potential of what might be. It's hard to describe. But it's exactly the feeling Walt wanted built into his parks, I think. It's still there. So I still have hope for greater things from the Imagineers. I am and first and foremost a Walt Disney fan, so if enough Walt is still in the parks, I'll still visit them any time I can.

But then I look to the right and to the left and realize that all the unique shops have disappeared to be replaced by The Emporium and the same merchandise everywhere.

 

[lightboy]

The magic that you all say you still feel is self-created...self-imposed...and artificial. It used to be real. Everything that you looked at, everything you touched, every person you came into contact with, every new attraction, every old attraction, every hotel you stayed at...truly an amazing product that holds no standard to anyone else. That was yesterday. It doesn't exist anymore...it's smoke, mirrors, and money now. Sure it's a business...but yesterday "also" worked and made money. And it did it with more integrity.

Those of you that claim magic (artificial) ARE Disney's best friend. And you ARE the reason why Disney feels like they don't need to keep the momentum going on quality, value, and out-of-this-world experiences...because YOU will still be happy no matter what they do.

I'm a firm believer that if TDO opened all four gates tomorrow morning and the streets were filled with vomit and trash...you'd still call it "magic". You'd assume one of the Tinkerbell fairies left it for you, and you'd kindly step over it.

So my two cents this evening are..."magic vomit". It doesn't matter what they do...you'll still call it magic. And the accountants love you for it.

But when does magic...stop becoming magic...

And start becoming...legacy and history...