WannaBWendy
Well-Known Member
I gave it an A- because Disney is still the best spot for a vacation. The minus? Well, there should be water under the turtles in Splash, the yeti should move, etc.
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Your Grade for Walt Disney World
- Thread starter ParentsOf4
- Start date
TP2000
Well-Known Member
That's what is called Grade Inflation. The younger generation sees nothing wrong with it, since nearly everyone born since 1975 has been told their whole life that they all have "talent" and "strengths" and "value" and that they are each "truly special", and no one can be simply mediocre or average at anything, much less actually fail.
What was once a B+ becomes an A+, and what was once a C- becomes a solid B "with potential!".
I give WDW as it currently stands a B, but 15 years ago I would have given it an A- or maybe even an A. Never an A+ though, as the climate of central Florida always manages to take the bloom off the rose of even a perfect visit.
I would give Tokyo Disneyland/DisneySea the same A rating today, as the A+ is unattainable for Tokyo for two reasons; the climate much of the year, and the gray and sterile industrial surroundings found just off property there. (Would it kill them to plant some street trees landscape the sidewalks and paint the concrete buildings something besides gray?)
wdwfan4ver
Well-Known Member
My grade is not based on Potential. I first went to WDW in the early 1990's as a teenager. I seen decline with my eyes compare to the 3 times I went in the 1990's. In 1992, I would have gave WDW an "A".
My grade is based on the fact there is a lot of attractions that I enjoy despite the fact I enjoy some attractions that not everyone on the boards enjoy such as Soarin' and Test Track. I love the shopping at WDW.
My grade on Magic Kingdom is based the fact Tomorrowland is the only land I thought MK had flows. Rest of the Magic Kingdom in my eyes is excellent.
I give World Showcase "A" because it is a "A" in my eyes. I love the attractions World Showcase has despite the age of the films. I love to look at the shops at World Showcase and the other thing is World Showcase in my view is a great place. The only thing lacking for World Showcase is another attraction, but that isn't enough to drag a grade from "A" to a "B" Plus. That flaw means World Showcase is almost perfect in my view.
No mention of DHS or DAK. What about those?
Also, you mentioned you would have given WDW an A in 1992. What do you give it today?
ellie-badge
Well-Known Member
I can see why you asked. I dunno, I just love WDW so much, and always have. It was a big part of my childhood and as such has become a huge part of my life, along with everything else relating to Disney... it's hard for me to give it any less of a rating, I guess. The only comparison I can think of is maybe a family member. Yeah, so Little Timmy sticks his hand in the cookie jar when you tell him not to and has gotten into trouble at the principal's office a few times before, but you love the little guy all the same.
wdwfan4ver
Well-Known Member
DHS in my eyes today is a C-. Star Tours: Adventure Continues is a great update. My C- goes to the fact I actually am done with the park by 1:00 P.M. outside of Fantasmic along with a combination of things. I am done outside Fantasmic despite looking at the shops at DHS. I still enjoy Muppet Vision 3d. I go on Toy Story Midway Mania, Great Movie, and One Man's dream besides the two attractions I mention. I go to Fantasmic once on the trips I go on. What brings the down is multiple things. The theme is a mess compare to what is was in the early 1990's. Attractions need an update or be get a rid of. I am not referring to getting a rid of TOT or Rockin Roller Coaster. Staring Rolls is a great counter service, but food at DHS overall isn't that great based on my experience.
AK is B- to me. I go half a day at the park, but I go there 2 times a trip. AK has a wonderful theme, has some attractions I enjoy. AK does lack attractions and Hopefully Avatarland will happen as result if doesn't kill the theme of the park. Dinoland is a mixed bag to me. AK isn't open that late either. I really can't comment about the parade or the food since I didn't experience it yet because of the time I like to eat and the time I leave the park.
I would give WDW a "B" today.
Future World was better in 1992 despite the fact I love Living with the land, Soarin', Test Track, and most of Spaceship earth attraction. DHS in 1992 was work in progress, but had a great theme at the time. Backlot was an excellent attraction in 1992 compare to now. DHS today is a mess and it brought the grade despite the fact there there is attractions that I enjoy. MK is almost as good as it was in 1992 except for Tomorrowland. I didn't remember Lap bars, attractions, or Monorails breakdown back in 1992 compare to what see on my last 3 trips there. Nighttime shows today are old outside of Memory, magic and you. I like the old shows though although I think the Main Street Electrical seen it better days. Downtown Disney/Pleasure Island what it once was although I like some of the shops
mickeysbrother
Well-Known Member
I gave it an A+.. Why u ask well its the best place in the world. Why would i give it anything less. Yes i know it has some flaws but it always had flaws. nothing is perfect. Cant wait to go back.
Tomi-Rocket
Well-Known Member
A. No A+ because there is no such thing as perfect.
Yes, what that "someone wise" person once said when building Disneyland was:I gave it a B+. I was gonna give it a A-, but decided to give it a B+ because it is still #1, but it has a lot of updating and expansion to still do and as much as I want it to be A+, to me that is perfection, but someone wise once said it will never be complete
I completely understand when someone writes "WDW is the best place on the earth" and gives it an A+. I have a more difficult time understanding when someone writes "Despite its problems and being better in the past, I still gave WDW an A+". (Not an actual quote, just hyperbole for effect.) I'm sure I'm projecting my own feelings onto "someone wise" but I really do think "someone wise" would be disappointed with the current state of WDW if he could see it today.
Vtlsgns2
Active Member
I gave it an A- because there are some things that should be maintained but are not. For example, the artificial palm trees in the loading area for Great Movie Ride appear "dead." How long is something left to rot, so to speak, that even a fake tree looks dead? They look like something out of that show, "Life After People," or whatever it's called.
It STILL manages to get an 'A-' because I love going to WDW for the things that are intangible. WDW is still able to pull this off.
It STILL manages to get an 'A-' because I love going to WDW for the things that are intangible. WDW is still able to pull this off.
captainkidd
Well-Known Member
Yeah, I'd say Shookie hit the nail right on the head. There is a nostalgia feel that still very much exists today at WDW. For example, I love sitting on a bench in front of the castle with a box of popcorn and a Coke. To me, that's somehow magical. Of course, that moment doesn't last as long as it used to because of the awful Parade with the repeating chorus that boogies it's way around the castle square seemingly every 20 minutes.
Shookie also mentioned rising ticket prices. Now, we all know that prices have gone up at all theme parks. However, last night, I was looking at what our tickets will cost next year. I have an AP for Disney, so I priced out four 10 day park hoppers. Over $1,500. I also priced out 5 Universal Annual Passes. Only $1,100. That really left me with much to think about.
I voted for a B-, for all the reasons Shookie mentioned, but what dropped it just a bit further down was the sharing of buses at resorts you pay upwards of $400 per night to stay at, and the cheap entertainment they've thrown at us (aforementioned parade, Tomorrowland dance party).
Sharkreef11
Well-Known Member
Disney world is doing something right because that's the only place I ever want to be. I think about it constantly and I am extremely passionate about it. I start countdowns hundreds of days before my vacation and talk about it non stop until it's here. When it's over, I feel a huge depression slip over me for weeks. That to me, tells me they found the right combination. Obviously, is in the "A" range. To be critical, I feel it could be even better. As it is today, I think there is so much that is untapped. I would love to see more pixar attractions. I can't believe the new snow white mine cart ride won't open until 2014! Those are somethings that frustrate me. I wish there could be more available at times. I just think some of the parks are way under developed. I like Animal Kingdom but I feel it truly hasn't changed all that much since it opened. Yes avatar "is" coming but we are looking at what, 2016, maybe for that even. I will give an A-. Nothing changes my love for WDW and I will continue to be passionate about it and spend my days getting pumped for the next vacation, but I feel there is room for improvement.
ShookieJones
We need time for things to happen.
Strangely enough, I had two experiences with this last night.
First I was editing some of our Disney videos and I had taped a couple of down moments with the kids at the MK and in two of the separate scenes around the hub there is either a show or hub event\ parade blaring in the background...and I thought to myself...wasn't there a time when you could just chill --- enjoy all the theming and just the awesomeness of it all ---and not have something loud and overbearing happening every 5 seconds.
Secondly...I started pricing out some WDW vacations for next May similar to the one we take every year and nearly fell out of my seat when I started looking at the pricing. I'm literally on the cusp of cut backs to what we traditionally do each year or --- YIKES! being priced out completely.
Maybe it's just the way the world is going...but it's awfully brutal when your slapped in the face by the one thing you look forward to all year round to get away from the real world that's kicking your a$$ to begin with.
real mad hatter
Well-Known Member
My vote was A+ because ive yet to find a vacation that can make me laugh and cry and can be so much fun planning.
olinecoach61
Well-Known Member
I gave it an A-, it needs a little work in some areas but there is no where I would rather go.
captainkidd
Well-Known Member
Strangely enough, I had two experiences with this last night.
First I was editing some of our Disney videos and I had taped a couple of down moments with the kids at the MK and in two of the separate scenes around the hub there is either a show or hub event\ parade blaring in the background...and I thought to myself...wasn't there a time when you could just chill --- enjoy all the theming and just the awesomeness of it all ---and not have something loud and overbearing happening every 5 seconds.
Secondly...I started pricing out some WDW vacations for next May similar to the one we take every year and nearly fell out of my seat when I started looking at the pricing. I'm literally on the cusp of cut backs to what we traditionally do each year or --- YIKES! being priced out completely.
Maybe it's just the way the world is going...but it's awfully brutal when your slapped in the face by the one thing you look forward to all year round to get away from the real world that's kicking your a$$ to begin with.
I think the idea of being priced out completely is very normal. I know I'm not technically there yet, but there gets a point where you simply can't spend that kind of money, even if you have it. I know this will sound crazy, but we've simply spoiled ourselves with our vacations. Staying in the nicest resorts, closest to the parks, going for a long time. It'd be tough to cut back on all those things. By no means do I feel as though "Damn, it's just not fair!" We're lucky we can afford to go at all, and I know that. It's all simply in the context of the thread that I say this.
Heroin addicts constantly think about their next fix, alcoholics constantly think about their next drink. It doesn't mean either is "doing something right".
Just so you don't think I'm a WDW basher, I think about WDW all the time too but I only gave it a B+. It's a great place to visit but there are problems and WDW has been heading in the wrong direction for over a decade. In terms of inflation adjusted dollars, WDW is more than twice as expensive as it was in the 1970s and 1980s. Having been to the parks in those decades, I don't feel I've been getting my money's worth lately. But I continue to go which means Disney management is playing me for a fool. (You know what they say about a fool and his money.)As of right now, WDW's "GPA" is 3.28, almost exactly a B+, which puts me right smack in the middle of everyone who has voted so far.
DisneyDebNJ
Well-Known Member
I gave it a B+. I love how I feel while there as well as the change in my family's attitude. The recent and not-so-recent short cuts Disney has taken (DDP, EMH etc) as others have stated, are a bit of a letdown. But in saying that I still go just about every year, I have a great time, memories made, memories relived. ALL of us here can go anywhere for vacation, yet we chose Disney. My DH swears Disney has a Cult following LOL, I believe he may be right!! Like I say every visit... no one does it better than Disney! That's my story and Im sticking to it!! LOL