I have finally reached the point of disgust with Disney. I grew up on Disney and took my children a couple times a year. We had so much fun as a family. I would read these boards on a daily basis and watch everything I could get my hands on about Disney.
Unfortunately, the last time I felt excitement and anticipation was the installation of the cable cars. There were other times that I would follow some projects but they all seemed to be delayed or not what was originally promised. This is about the same time they started cutting out things that made the parks magical. The street performers, shuttles from the airport and getting excited about your trip, park maintenance and cleanliness, free fastpass, great food, and on and on.... I loved the bubble they put you in. Employees dressing neatly and using traditional uniforms for their land. Epcot truly being represented by their respective countries. The parks having their own identity and not just pushing the IP's.
This is so sad. I used to be upset, hoping to hear some positive news. Yesterday I heard a commercial for Disney and I immediately changed the channel. I was disgusted by the brand and didn't even want to hear it. I can get free tickets to Disney and discounted hotels and would still rather pay to go to Universal or somewhere else in the country. So sad...
I have no idea how to fix the issue. I could think of some people they should get rid of but it seems like an intellectual bankrupt company.
I can agree with some of your points, but not all.
Yes, a lot of things were 'cut' from the parks and over the past 20+ years there has been an increase in not getting what was 'promised.' I was just in WDW for a week last month and found the 'magic' is still there. Cast Members were more than cordial and 'clean.' 2020 and 2021 (CoVID years) allowed Disney to make significant cutbacks on staffing, which included 'Streetmosphere' characters, but they are slowly coming back.
I agree wholeheartedly that construction projects are taking way too long to complete, especially when most of the plans have already been developed and laid out before construction had ever begun. Are construction crews too small or lazy? Are plans unreasonable to start? Who knows? Is it possible that it is more difficult to do destruction/construction on parks that are in 'full' operation daily? Everyone wants to compare what is being done in Disney Parks to Epic Universe, but fail to recognize that EU was done on a 'bare stage.' There was nothing there for them to have to work around. Comparisons to the 'overseas' parks also fails because those parks have funding from their respective countries governments and/or corporations. Disney is not funding 100% of the construction like they have to in the US parks.
People look at the 'Blue Sky' development plans, but don't realize that those are 'ideas' and not etched in stone when presented. They often 'bite off more than they can chew' and get our hopes up way too high.
I get it...This is not what Disney was in the '80's and '90's. It never will be again. There are no longer 'sponsors' for most, if not all, of the attractions. The seemingly 'free flow' of money for projects is no longer available.
Bottom line for Disney IS the bottom line. If they can scrimp and save on projects and offerings without losing guests, they will. They are a corporation beholden to their stockholders much more than to their guests.
Granted, this is MY perspective/opinion only, and should be taken with many 'grains of salt.' I am not 'bashing' you or downplaying your concerns.
"The game never ends
When your whole world depends
On the Turn of a Friendly Card"
I agree with most of it too. It is sad. We have watched the American corporate machine eat away at a place we grew up loving and have so many fond memories. Seeing the constant corporate cuts while at the same time constantly raising pricing just to squeeze more profit out is almost disgusting.
I used to go to WDW for sure once every year, most years at least twice and sometimes three times. Now, it is rare for me to go once in three years. The last time I visited was for only one day while in Orlando for a convention and that was over 3 years ago. I may go to a convention next year and might make it over for a day or two visit while I am there but who knows. I miss the rides and attractions but then they are slowly taking some that I like away or completely changing them. Even the nostalgia factor is fading with every changed or removed attraction.
I have said it before and this is a proper thread to mention it again: I cannot explain how glad I am that I decided to hold off and give it more thought back about 15 years ago when I took the DVC tour and considered buying. I almost pulled the trigger that day and then decided to think about it a little more. I decided not to buy in at that time and to wait a bit to see how things went over the next couple of years. Things were already starting to change a little at that point and it concerned me enough that I thought about the fact that it may change to the point I wouldn't want to visit every year. Turns out I was right, unfortunately.
Oh man, I felt this post. I felt it because this was me years ago. I am sure most of you remember my posts, rarely was I ever able to post something positive. I know that got on a lot of nerves, but funny thing is, most of the stuff I posted, well, sadly, was and has become true.
With that said, sometimes it is good to take a step back from all things Disney, and find other things to occupy your time. That is what I did. And now? I don't have as much negativity as I once had. In fact, I do every year, maybe twice a year if my DVC points allow. And I always feel the magic.
As for construction, there is a reason Disney takes forever, and it is not lack of planning or workers. They purposely extend the budget over several quarters. Disney can have a new attraction up and running in a year if they wanted to. But they rather take 3 or 4 to spread out the cost. Bottom line. Wall Street. Shareholders. This is what the Board thinks about. Not guest satisfaction. Not the Disney fan.
As for getting rid of certain management folks, they have. Chapek was a disaster. Iger part 2 (or are we on part 5 now???) is not the Iger he was when he first came in. Of course, he was riding Eisner's coattails back then. Your next CEO will more than likely be Josh D'Amaro. I like Josh. But no idea what kind of CEO he will be.
The magic is still there though, you have to let yourself feel it.
You're dead if you aim only for kids. Adults are only kids grown up, anyway.
- Walt Disney
Well, hello all! I used to post on here all the time.
I cannot agree enough with Dizneyfreak2002. Walt Disney World used to be our go-to vacation for quite a while. And I got really burned out. But then we started to visit National Parks (and other NPS sites along the way). We have now seen about 42 parks and just over 200 NPS sites in our journeys. Because of that shift, I've snorkled with sea turtles in the USVI, i've seen a sunrise over Haleakala in Hawai'i, i've seen a glacier calve in Alaska, i've done a sunrise hike through the Badlands, hiked 17 miles through the Narrows in Zion, and been in more caves than I could imagine. It has been awesome. And it has allowed me to enjoy my Walt Disney World trips even more. Two years ago we added more DVC points and in the last two years we've been able to go on extended family trips to Walt Disney World and take my cousin (recently divorced) and his two sweet pre-teen daughters with us. We have definitely felt the magic.
I'm excited for D'Amaro to take the reigns of the company and see if this has a net-positive effect on Walt Disney World projects and expansions going forward.
2002 - 2022: 20+ visits (POR, BW, All Stars, VWL, CSR, BLT, BC, SSR, CB, Dolphin, OKW, Poly, offsite x8)
DL - 1996, 2019
Next up - January 2023 short trip! We just want to try that 50th Anniversary chocolate monstrosity at Mexico!
Hey AZ, hope all is well. Hope to see you engage here again!
I keep thinking I want to add more points, but those monthly maintenance fees, wow.
D'Amaro loves the parks, and we need someone like that in this role. We do need a creative. Hope Josh is a creative. But it is good that he knows what we, the fans desire. He is off to a good start. Let's hope he continues down this path and not become a bean counter.
You're dead if you aim only for kids. Adults are only kids grown up, anyway.
- Walt Disney
