Because there NEEDS to be a poll: Is the Magic gone?

[4lowesonthego]

I picked "other" because the Magic is what you make it to be ... plain and simple!

I agree!!!

 

[meeko987]

The "Magic" is only make-believe that most of us are willing to take part in. So far, we have been able to suspend the reality that Disney is a business that answers to share holders, not park visitors; that Disney probably doesn't pay its employees much of a living wage, yet expects superior level of service; that Disney may have a significantly negative impact on the environment; that Disney's prices eliminate so many families from even considering a trip, that the "Made in China" label on most products probably means that underpaid and undervalued workers are probably cranking out my souvenirs, etc.

Somehow, the friendliness of the place (thank you, cast members!), the theme-ing, the excellence of the attractions, the music, the parades, and on and on, make it easy to ignore the reality and just go with it - year after year.

However, when reality starts throwing itself in your face, it is more difficult to give into the "magic." Accumulating trash, neglecting the upkeep of attractions, price increases much higher than inflation, and the like, do erode the magic. I'll just have to work harder to buy into the magic - but only up to a point. There may be a time - hopefully not! - that Disney means as much to my family as "Six Flags" or "Kings Dominion." Then, the "magic" will be gone.

 

[dwheaton]

I voted for the "nap" option since I think the testing will come around eventually. I think that I look at the "magic" a little differently than many. I'm most focused on the attractions themselves more than anything. As long as I'm able to ride them without a crazy wait and can walk through the parks, I'm usually good. The one difference is EPCOT, where I can just stroll around either FW or WS and still love it. That said, I'm not someone who thinks Disney can do no wrong, so they need to tread carefully at this point.

 

[Laz]

As I stated in another post, for me the Magic is still alive at Disneyland.

 

[fillyfill]

Magic still alive and well for me the last time I went and going again this year!

 

[MolonLabe]

How about "The magic has been greatly diminished" ?

 

[Wish Upon A Star]

For me, I still cry . .. not because of the "magic" we speak of, but what I feel about Disney World as a whole . . .I've been going to WDW since 1972 when I was just 5 and although it's not a "magical" place for me anymore, it holds a lifetime of memories . . .bringing our kids there for the first time in 99 and every year after until 2011, just me and DH doing our two annual trips (sometimes more) for F&G and F&W Festivals . . .it's not the rides, the CM's the anything . . .it's an escape from going to work everyday, it's twice a year of feeling like there is no cares in the world except just being together and sleeping in with no alarms and holding hands and laughing and escaping the day in and day outs . . .it's not about the rides, or shows or kiosks or anything, but just being able to feel free of the everyday stresses . . .I just love WDW for everything it makes me feel . . .

 

[agavegirl1]

I picked the nap option. There is the chance WDW will wake up and be magical! There is also the possibility it will lapse into a coma.

 

[flicx]

I voted other. There is still some magic. However a lot has slipped in my opinion. I think a report card with ticket price, room price, cleanliness, new attractions, food taste and price, new fastpass, monorail efficiency, cast member friendliness, etc. Would be a better barometer. If I would be giving a grade for the above Disney would be failing on some miserably, getting by on some and be good on very few. Magic is too vague. A report card would be better for me. Right now I think a C minus to D plus for an overall grade. IMO

 

[LisaBi]

For me, it is the accumulation of changes, mostly things taken away, over the last several years. I haven't been yet since FP+, so I'm not even talking about that. I have noticed the last few trips have been less magical than before. Things like no more Sword and the Stone ceremony, no more Push, no more paint brushes on Tom Sawyer Island, ridiculously climbing prices, more generic menus. Even the ME workers. They used to make you feel so welcome and talk. I even had one that totally ignored me and just interacted with DS. That was a very magical start to the trip....it made DS feel super special. Now they just point the way. I've observed a lot less pixie dust the last 5 years than the prior 5 years. (I'm not talking about personally receiving pixie dust .... Just about seeing it bestowed on anyone.) It really does feel like money is the only motivating factor now. It used to seem like a balance of running a good business model and making guests feel special. Now it feels like they are taking away all the little extra experiences that don't directly generate revenue and do not draw in crowds in and of themselves.

 

[rock_doctor]

For me, I still cry . .. not because of the "magic" we speak of, but what I feel about Disney World as a whole . . .I've been going to WDW since 1972 when I was just 5 and although it's not a "magical" place for me anymore, it holds a lifetime of memories . . .bringing our kids there for the first time in 99 and every year after until 2011, just me and DH doing our two annual trips (sometimes more) for F&G and F&W Festivals . . .it's not the rides, the CM's the anything . . .it's an escape from going to work everyday, it's twice a year of feeling like there is no cares in the world except just being together and sleeping in with no alarms and holding hands and laughing and escaping the day in and day outs . . .it's not about the rides, or shows or kiosks or anything, but just being able to feel free of the everyday stresses . . .I just love WDW for everything it makes me feel . . .

This post would have made Walt happy.

 

[DisDreamsAshley]

The magic is alive and well for me! Just like the previous poster, Wish Upon A Star, it's an escape for me. It's about the time away from work and my hectic, very stressful life, to a relaxing and fun place where I can be me with no cares, and spend quality time with the hubs. It's just my place.

 

[Squirlz]

I was there the first year they opened and I was there last month. It just keeps getting better! It all depends upon YOUR attitude.

 

[Wish Upon A Star]

This post would have made Walt happy.

Thanks!

 

[CarrieR]

I dunno about gone, but faded, or less shiny... yeah.

Hopefully the pendulum will swing back the other way sooner rather than later.

 

[Planogirl]

I voted for the nap. A lot of what made WDW so great is still sitting there so there's certainly hope that the pendulum will swing back as Carrie put it.

 

[Ofinn]

Our first trip to WDW was in 2010. We spent 10 days at the Poly 2 adults and 2 kids with park hoppers and water parks plus deluxe dining. The total cost was 5,800. I thought it was a magical and a great value for everything we got. We have made several trips since then. I tried to price out Poly for this May, but it wasn't available. I priced out WL with the same tickets and dining plan we had in 2010. The price was 7,700. I'm sure the Poly would be 1000 more. I think the price increases since we first started going have killed the magic for me. We don't care about the dining plan anymore, but still the price has gone up way faster than my salary. I just don't feel like it's a an affordable family vacation anymore. I have tried the values and mods for a night or two and hated them. I would definitely say the magic is gone for me, but it has nothing to do with fp+.

 

[Mad Hattered]

We're talking about WDW, right? If so, then they are definitely napping or in a coma.

 

[Rosanne]

For me, it is the accumulation of changes, mostly things taken away, over the last several years. I haven't been yet since FP+, so I'm not even talking about that. I have noticed the last few trips have been less magical than before. Things like no more Sword and the Stone ceremony, no more Push, no more paint brushes on Tom Sawyer Island, ridiculously climbing prices, more generic menus. Even the ME workers. They used to make you feel so welcome and talk. I even had one that totally ignored me and just interacted with DS. That was a very magical start to the trip....it made DS feel super special. Now they just point the way. I've observed a lot less pixie dust the last 5 years than the prior 5 years. (I'm not talking about personally receiving pixie dust .... Just about seeing it bestowed on anyone.) It really does feel like money is the only motivating factor now. It used to seem like a balance of running a good business model and making guests feel special. Now it feels like they are taking away all the little extra experiences that don't directly generate revenue and do not draw in crowds in and of themselves.

I agree with this. Also, for me, the way the profit-seeking has been handled has been too in-your-face for me. Of course, I know companies always want to make a tidy profit but, honestly, part of the magic was feeling like Disney cared about us and wanted us to be happy. Now, it feels so obvious that they're all about the money it makes me feel kind of unclean.

 

[*disgal*]

For me, I still cry . .. not because of the "magic" we speak of, but what I feel about Disney World as a whole . . .I've been going to WDW since 1972 when I was just 5 and although it's not a "magical" place for me anymore, it holds a lifetime of memories . . .bringing our kids there for the first time in 99 and every year after until 2011, just me and DH doing our two annual trips (sometimes more) for F&G and F&W Festivals . . .it's not the rides, the CM's the anything . . .it's an escape from going to work everyday, it's twice a year of feeling like there is no cares in the world except just being together and sleeping in with no alarms and holding hands and laughing and escaping the day in and day outs . . .it's not about the rides, or shows or kiosks or anything, but just being able to feel free of the everyday stresses . . .I just love WDW for everything it makes me feel . . .

Aww, I think this is so sweet. It made me smile....

I picked the nap option. There is the chance WDW will wake up and be magical! There is also the possibility it will lapse into a coma.

.....this made me crack up!(the ending just took me by surprise...like you said it so dead pan) .....

I was there the first year they opened and I was there last month. It just keeps getting better! It all depends upon YOUR attitude.

...and this made me vomit. sorry.

Oh, and I'm holding my vote back till we return next month. That is if the thread is still around.