Adult Disney experience…is it disappearing?

[HelsBels16]

I am a U.K. DVC owner and have always loved visiting, but obviously have been unable to do so since COVID began.
I am reading more and more of the things I loved being removed - live music, streetmosphere actors, non-IP sit down restaurants…
And now the Aulani adult only pool is being removed.
I’m starting to doubt I will enjoy the same adult experience of DVC when I am finally able to return. Any thoughts?…
**I am still a fan and due to be going on a U.K. DCL sailing very shortly, but beginning to question DVC…

 

[DisneyOutsider]

The live entertainment is a big question for me also. It's not the same without them. But, it's still too early tell if live entertainment will make a strong comeback due to the current state of the pandemic. Like you, I'm pretty nervous that they'll use this to scale back on live performers permanently. But even if it does come back, it's going to take quite a while for it to all come together. WDW saw such a massive loss in talent over the past 18 months that we will never see again. It's such a shame and really makes me sad to this day.

On dining, between Disney Springs, EPCOT and the resorts, I think there's still plenty to enjoy for adults and think it's actually an area of big improvement over the past decade. Now only if we could get rid of the dining plan for good, we could really see a return to quality food in the parks.

I will say that if the lack of live performers and the presence of Disney IP around every corner will bother you, then this is not a good time to visit WDW.

The entertainment issue will hopefully gradually improve. The IP issue, unfortunately, will continue to get worse for the foreseeable future.

 

[HelsBels16]

The live entertainment is a big question for me also. It's not the same without them. But, it's still too early tell if live entertainment will make a strong comeback due to the current state of the pandemic. Like you, I'm pretty nervous that they'll use this to scale back on live performers permanently. But even if it does come back, it's going to take quite a while for it to all come together. WDW saw such a massive loss in talent over the past 18 months that we will never see again. It's such a shame and really makes me sad to this day.

On dining, between Disney Springs, EPCOT and the resorts, I think there's still plenty to enjoy for adults and think it's actually an area of big improvement over the past decade. Now only if we could get rid of the dining plan for good, we could really see a return to quality food in the parks.

I will say that if the lack of live performers and the presence of Disney IP around every corner will bother you, then this is not a good time to visit WDW.

The entertainment issue will hopefully gradually improve. The IP issue, unfortunately, will continue to get worse for the foreseeable future.

Thank you for your very thoughtful and comprehensive reply.

 

[DisneyOutsider]

Thank you for your very thoughtful and comprehensive reply.

That said, there still are a few live performers in the parks themselves, though they are now performing as stage shows versus the streetmosphere format. In MK you have Dapper Dans and the marching band (not sure about Casey's pianist). In EPCOT you have the jammitors, Voices of Liberty, and Mariachi Cobre performing on stages. AK and HS I don't believe has any of the performers returning yet.. maybe one of the acts in Africa is back, I think?

 

[Maistre Gracey]

What comes to mind for me, is the demise of Pleasure Island, and the “movie-fying” of every attraction. That just wrecks the historic and creativeness of the attraction….. PotC comes to mind, but there are many.

 

[bwvBound]

And now the Aulani adult only pool is being removed.

Oh, so sorry to read that.

 

[LPnerd]

Thank you for your very thoughtful and comprehensive reply.

what is an IP???

 

[bwvBound]

what is an IP???

Intellectual Property

 

[Boopuff]

I always thought Disney was making a huge mistake not catering to adults a bit more (make hot tubs adult only, some quiet pools adult only...) I get the argument that "disney is for families" well some families consist of adults! I remember reading somewhere an idea to have an adult only resort! What a dream!! I love all the shows, street performers, shops.. not a huge ride lover. I still don't understand why some of the bars can't be adult only all the time!

 

[HelsBels16]

I always thought Disney was making a huge mistake not catering to adults a bit more (make hot tubs adult only, some quiet pools adult only...) I get the argument that "disney is for families" well some families consist of adults! I remember reading somewhere an idea to have an adult only resort! What a dream!! I love all the shows, street performers, shops.. not a huge ride lover. I still don't understand why some of the bars can't be adult only all the time!

YES EXACTLY!!! WDW is (I believe) the most popular honeymoon destination in the world!

 

[BroadwayHermione5]

Entertainment is also adhering to Equity and other union rules. Broadway is slowly starting to reopen same with tours and concerts. Give them another 6-8 weeks to work out all the details and things will start coming back (for what its worth-VoL, Dapper Dans, the Savi person, FOLK and multiple other shows and characters are Equity or Equity eligible (meaning you can join) and a chunk of those have returned.

 

[ammo]

Trips haven't been the same since the demise of the Adventurers Club. Kungaloosh!

 

[Roxas_XIII]

I spent my whole childhood watching Disney planning videos and thinking Pleasure Island must be the coolest, most fun and grown-up place ever. I was able to go to it one time for a week with friends right after I turned 21 - only for it to close permanently a few months later. Grateful I got to experience it once. It lived up to the hype.

rip pleasure island

 

[CraigInPA]

When our relatives ask "Isn't Disney primarily for children?", we reply "We are our own children!"

 

[MissSha]

I always thought Disney was making a huge mistake not catering to adults a bit more (make hot tubs adult only, some quiet pools adult only...) I get the argument that "disney is for families" well some families consist of adults! I remember reading somewhere an idea to have an adult only resort! What a dream!! I love all the shows, street performers, shops.. not a huge ride lover. I still don't understand why some of the bars can't be adult only all the time!

I agree that Disney is a family place, but families evolve and change. Us parents who brought our young children to Disney, also brought those same teens to Disney, celebrated their high school graduations, college acceptances then graduations, new jobs, engagements, etc. with Disney. Now as empty nesters, I don't believe it's selfish to want some quiet adult time at the resorts....I think we've earned a little of that! There seems to be no restaurant experiences lately, even at "signature" restaurants, where we're not in a dining room with whiney exhausted children and parents who don't seem to care. There are children running around the beautiful lounges at the resorts so that quiet cocktail seems to be non-existent.

 

[HelsBels16]

I agree that Disney is a family place, but families evolve and change. Us parents who brought our young children to Disney, also brought those same teens to Disney, celebrated their high school graduations, college acceptances then graduations, new jobs, engagements, etc. with Disney. Now as empty nesters, I don't believe it's selfish to want some quiet adult time at the resorts....I think we've earned a little of that! There seems to be no restaurant experiences lately, even at "signature" restaurants, where we're not in a dining room with whiney exhausted children and parents who don't seem to care. There are children running around the beautiful lounges at the resorts so that quiet cocktail seems to be non-existent.

Absolutely - some of the DCL bars are adult only and there is a dedicated pool…for now…

 

[NuJoy]

()

 

[MissSha]

Absolutely - some of the DCL bars are adult only and there is a dedicated pool…for now…

yeah.....not thinking I'm keen about the cruise line......

 

[Castillo Mom]

Mom of three adult sons here and a daughter-in-law. How we experience WDW has certainly changed now that my kids are in their late 20s/early 30s. We of course still enjoy the parks but visit primarily for the festivals which I feel are more adult-oriented. We also prefer dining at the signature restaurants and although children are present, I still feel that we get that adult experience.

That being said, I'm very disappointed that the adult pool at Aulani is now open to minors. I love children, but it's ok for adults to have a small area to themselves for a bit if respite as majority of the resort is geared towards families.

Regarding DCL, I don't see the adult sections being converted.

 

[chrish2]

The separation of spaces (children only, mixed, adults only) on DCL is a key part of the offering. It give both children and adults a degree of freedom they wouldn't usually get in a family vacation.