Are we (the fans) holding Disney to too high a standard?

[jknc]

Are we being too harsh or not critical enough?

They delivered with SWGE, ROTR, TSL, Flight/Pandora. Maybe not so much on Navi, Smugglers Run, Harmonius?

Tron is a copycat but Guardians has high expectations. Nobody was asking for Ratatouille, were they? But then again nobody was asking for Pandora either.

 

[Jennasis]

Just FYI, I suspect this thread will be moved to the community board or the theme park community board as it has nothing to do with planning. So if you notice it missing on this board, look in those others.

 

[gharter]

I don't think we are holding them to a standard any different than where they were.
They have added some great rides and lands.
But, they removed the parades, night time shows (that are just coming back, but no word on Fantasmic yet), gave us Genie +, paid rides, loss of Disney magical Express, raised ticket prices a lot.
A lot of missteps that they should be called out on.

 

[Miffy]

Disney set the bar on high standards. It's one of the things that I, a definite Disney fan, love about them. I hold them to their own high standards and refuse to lower them.

 

[wdw&sonny]

Disney is not holding themselves to their own standards. We are just reacting.

 

[Jonfw2]

I think this is an exceptional question and my answer is absolutely yes.

Disney fans (and really, it’s not at all exclusive to Disney- people who are fanatical about anything are the most critical of it) are so often Comic Book Guy from the Simpsons when he described himself as the world’s biggest Itchy and Scratchy fan…and then immediately went on to detail everything he hated about it.

Psychologically, there’s an ownership in going out of your way to make sure people know you hate the things you love. And it also serves as a reminder that you’re maybe just a little bit better or more advanced in your relationship with that thing than you are.

 

[Jfsag123]

You know the saying "you get what you pay for"? That's how I used to justify our WDW trips. Yes, they were expensive, but for what we got, it was worth it. Disney came with a high price tag and high standards that at least came close to meeting that price tag. Now the price has risen and the services provided have dropped. There are very few businesses for which this would be an acceptable practice and the number of people trying to defend it with Disney is astounding. I am a super fan. I have loved Disney my whole life. I still refuse to look the other way and call it pixie dust as they charge me more and offer less.

 

[dez1978]

yes and no. Disney set those standards for themselves. They held those standards of customer service for decades. Now those things are lacking or going away entirely. Personally, I'd be fine with things going away if the price was adjusted accordingly. But come Jan1, when ME goes away, room prices won't go down. My DVC dues won't go down. The shows and entertainment that haven't returned, I'm ok with that, but the ticket prices are still going up. I just expect the same level of service and experince if I'm paying the same or more. Just as I would at any local business or theme park. And if Universal can be up and running as normal with all of their stuff going, then there is no excuse for Disney. Yes it's bigger and requires more staff. But Disney could pull those staff if they wanted to. They could do whats needed to get those people hired if they choose.

However, I also think that guests aren't holding themselves to the same standards as they used to. So part of the problem currently lays with the guests as well and Disney can't control all of that.

 

[heresabe]

It's just that the perks- the perks I value the most- have either been eliminated or are now an extra-cost. And the changes have been instituted one after another, in quick succession.

 

[DduzDis]

Disney used to serve as the service model literally. There was Disney training for how to serve patients in the hospital I worked at to get patient satisfaction numbers up. Now Disney can't even keep their own customer satisfaction up. They have certainly slumped and it is fair that they be called out on it.

 

[luv2cheer92]

I'm not one that has been calling them out, because for me, they have been meeting, if not far exceeding in some cases, the same standards for my trips that they always have. But I definitely feel like some people are.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

I actually love Smugglers Run, and Harmonius is impressive, it's just apparently not what most Disney fans expected from Disney. But then, where do those expectations come from.

probably also some frustration with them targeting new stuff to kids and younger visitors and current mores rather than using nostalgia. The nostalgia fans do not like this, obviously.

As for the prices, they will go up so long as there are guests willing to pay them. so all of that is not on Disney. Disney's biggest issue may be that guests who are being priced out are angry because they see it as greed and unnecessary, and they won't be back. They're taking a gamble that they won't need the angry guests someday.

 

[scrappinginontario]

Just FYI, I suspect this thread will be moved to the community board or the theme park community board as it has nothing to do with planning. So if you notice it missing on this board, look in those others.

LOL, you called it. Discussion is most welcome but thread has been moved to Theme Parks Community board as it's not directly about planning a trip.

Discuss away....

 

[DisneyGuy]

I haven't been back since the pandemic started but have plans to return in February. I am not expecting Walt Disney World to look exactly like it did during my last visit (2019). I am expecting to get a Disney-light version, at a high cost. That is my choice and I know it going into the trip. The world is not normal right now and Disney is no exception. Local restaurants, stores, entertainment venues, have not returned in full and if they are open they are short staffed, some struggling, have product shortages, and so on. I don't think Disney will go back to what it was for a number of years now, if at all - some of that is on them, but not all.

I think what they've done and are doing in the parks is great (although, some overlays aren't nearly as good as the previous rides) but they do keep expanding as already mentioned We would be getting even more it the pandemic never happened.

The perks have been taken away and a few brought back with an up-charge. It's one thing to pay more for something you used have included, but if it doesn't work, or as well, that is an issue (i'm looking at you, Genie+). I haven't experienced it yet but have been keeping up on the reviews/reports. I'll make my own observation when I go on my trip. There aren't many benefits to staying onsite now, however, no matter what, you still have guaranteed transportation to parks and depending on where you stay, walking distance to some of them - I think that alone will always keep me onsite. I'm also looking forward to the extra hours.

I do expect friendly and helpful cast members. I am sure they are all dealing with a lot of added stress right now. Cast member attitudes and cleanliness of the resorts and parks are high on the list of exceptional Disney service.

 

[DisneyGuy]

probably also some frustration with them targeting new stuff to kids and younger visitors and current mores rather than using nostalgia. The nostalgia fans do not like this, obviously.

This was my biggest disappointment with both "Harmonious" and "Enchantment". Newer characters have taken over - at first it was just Anna and Elsa everywhere which was a given but now it seems like the classics are being pushed aside. I like Frozen, Moana, Coco, etc - but they do not bring the same emotions when I see them on screen or hear their music - it's good, but not Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin or Lion King good. I have since taken a step back and realize that there's a whole new generation of fans/kids who want to see their favorites and now Disney is catering to them - so the classics are taking a backseat. I feel like the 90's films co-existed nicely with the older classics but it seems with the new shows they really got pushed aside this time. Maybe i'll see it differently when I go but where is "When you wish upon a star" - that is more Disney than any modern film has to offer. I get it though and I understand why they are doing it - hopefully I'll still enjoy the shows. I have to move on with the parks and I realize it can't stay the same forever - but I do hope one day more nostalgia from the classics will return.

 

[jknc]

If we really held them to a high standard wouldn’t they have reimagined EPCOT a decade ago?

 

[Nabas]

Considering they prices they charge for hotels, food, and theme parks, Disney isn’t being held to a high enough standard.

 

[DavidNYC]

You're focusing on the wrong standards. What you have focused on is your opinion of how much you personally enjoy specific rides which won't match up with other families who visit. There are far more important and impactful aspects to ways Disney has royally screwed up the Theme Park Division and Imagineering. At the prices they're charging - they deserve all the criticism they get.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

I'm pretty sure WDW will never again be like it was on and before my visit on March 8, 2019. then again, it will never be like it was when I started coming regularly in 2000.

 

[jknc]

You're focusing on the wrong standards. What you have focused on is your opinion of how much you personally enjoy specific rides which won't match up with other families who visit. There are far more important and impactful aspects to ways Disney has royally screwed up the Theme Park Division and Imagineering. At the prices they're charging - they deserve all the criticism they get.

Um, what I posted were just some examples and collective feedback from others I’ve read on these boards for discussion.