Best and Worst Changes to Disney

[tlmadden73]

Best
Fast Pass+ and Magic Bands -- I just think it is a neat perk. What other park LETS you skip the lines on several rides of your choice for free.
I just like having my ticket, room key, and being able to pay via the Magic Band as well. It is just so convenient.

Worst
Removing 20,000 Leagues under the Sea .. I can understand removing it for new FantasyLand (which is awesome), but it was just a dormant lake for 20 years and was just a character spot during that time? I think my son would love that ride.

 

[Serrina89]

As someone who hasn't been to WDW since I was a child (and I'm in my mid 30's now), I'm looking forward to going in May (44 days away!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!), but I see a lot of people saying that with all of these recent (or potential)changes, they are "paying more and getting (the same) / less", so as someone who doesn't know much about previous prices/perks and what I will be losing, I'm wondering if people can give me some specifics as to what costs more now and in return you are getting less. -Thanks.

EPCOT is a skeleton of what it once was. Instead of fixing the empty, closed down parts of the parks (that have been closed for years), they change things that don't need immediate fixing. Innovations is out the window, Captain EO is closed to show movie trailers. (I know many people weren't fans but really to show trailers????). Future world is mostly empty now..... Hollywood studios is getting a major overhaul on many things but a lot of rides/shows had to close for this change. It's just that Disney takes for-ev-ver (years think 3+.....) to rebuild attractions that universal could build in 6 months. Street performers roles have been cut as well as janitor cast members leaving the park feeling empty and dirty. All the while steadily increasing prices on tickets, for less enjoyment

When Walt created Disneyland his intention was for everyone to be able to afford to go...now disney nickel and dimes people so much you may feel like a second class citizen, going for the cheaper option. Food prices have dramatically increased and perks for those who stay on site are rumored to be diminished. (paying fees to cover magical express, possibly charging in the future for EMH).

We all understand that disney is a business, and the cost of living has increased. However, they way they are going about things leaves a bad taste in peoples mouths. Instead of requiring 15 fees a night for what was considered complementary, why not raise the price of the hotel 15 a night. Its the way they're doing things and the frequency that have people up in arms.

The main thing is that disney use to be a magical place that you could get lost in wonder and merriment, now you have a micromanaging, nickel and dime-ing big corporate business and people who love it too much remembering how it was who have to accept the fact that they can do nothing...and that it just how it is (me included).

That being said please enjoy your trip. This was just an answer to what bad things have changed. There's still magic in Disney...it just isn't as bright as we all remember it.

 

[KateKat23]

We too are so bummed about the jalapeño pretzels going away. My husband and I loved those. I miss alot of the old Epcot like Figment and the Dream finder and going upstairs in that building with color tunnel. I also miss Horizons. I get they have to keep up with the times but those were such classic feel good rides and attractions. I also miss that they are taking away the feel of the movies at Hollywood Studios.

 

[Tink415]

We like the new fantasyland but it seems more looks than substance. DIsney Springs should be interesting whenever it gets done.

Miss Toontown, choose your own flavor salt water taffy, benches to sit and rest, all the beautiful christmas decorations.

 

[msk]

Likes:
Excited about additions to AK and I can't wait to see them in the fall.
I love MB - they really make things easier
I'm going to enjoy Star War Land when it is finished.

No so much:
Sad about the nickel and dime mentality that appears to be happening and reservation fees.

 

[BeyondMidnight]

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[ktlm]

You said "Disney"'so I'm going with both coasts

Best: Carsland! It is amazing and we don't even like the movie Cars that much. It is beautiful at night too.

Worst: FP+ We have had 3 trips with it and we still absolutely hate it.

 

[CinderellasKastle]

The worst for me is them ripping down my childhood memories (Backlot Tour, Streets of America, Osbourne Lights) to make a huge land dedicated to a movie franchise I never really cared for in the first place. DHS used to be my favorite park back in the day. Now there's a couple rides I'll go on and call it a day. And it stinks because it'll be this way during construction and forever, since, like I said, I'm not a big SW fan.

 

[DisneyBum303]

I'm still raw about the disappearance of Beavertails in Canada. I know it's been years but the pain still lingers...

 

[Bullseye]

Best - More Star Wars wookie jedi sith kitty
Worst -Maelstrom, Osborne Lights

 

[funkyspunky871]

Like:

Magicbands and FP+. I think they're cool, and they work well with the way my family likes to tour the parks. I can understand why some still don't like it though. Just a matter of personal opinion.

The addition of starbucks in every park! YAASSSS.

Dislike:

Increased costs (duh!)

NO MORE ANIMATION BUILDING IN HS?!?! AGHHGHGH!!

Frozen Summer, Frozen Winter, Frozen everything, please leave me alone

 

[magical nugget]

Likes-
Everything going on at AK. AK is already one of my favorite parks and seeing them put extra love into it makes me so happy.
MB, they are amazingly convenient, but I'm just hoping to get more cool features from the MB.
DS, I was so glad that DTD got the boot, the overall look of DS is continuing to blow me away.

Dislike-
Fantasmic not getting the will needed attention. It always seems like in every show something goes wrong and just everything needs an update to that show.
Disney taking 5,000 years plus to build/refurbish, I'm just glad we always take our trips in late August.

 

[Boski]

Disclaimer...not all are recent changes

Best

1 - Adding capacity to attractions that are wildly popular(Soarin' & TSMM)
2 - Finally deciding it's time to reinvest in a big way in the parks after a period of stagnancy
3 - Leaving some of the classics alone in MK despite guests lack of appreciation for them(Tiki Room, CoP, PeopleMover, CBJ, HoP, etc...)

Worst

1 - Closing attractions down with no replacement in sight(WOL still angers me...and no, using it as festival space doesn't count as a replacement).
2 - FP+/MM/what a freakin' trainwreck like horrible idea.
3 - Counteracting #2 under "best"...taking FOREVER to build new attractions/lands from time first shovel hits the ground
4 - WDW across the board out of control $$$$. The increases in prices from park tix, to resorts, to food, to ??? is just crazy compared to past years.
5 - I am really sad what has happened to Main St. I really miss the Penny Arcade, the Main St. Cinema, the Magic Shop, etc.. It really captured the essence of what Main St was all about. It still looks nice from the outside as you walk towards the castle, but...

Nailed it.

 

[gorkt]

Positive additions: Going back to the old days, the addition of a large variety of lodging at WDW is the best addition to the original experience. I remember when it was just the poly and contemporary.

I am an outlier here, but I was so excited when they added Animal Kingdom. In many ways, it is still my favorite park, and I am extremely excited about the nighttime stuff they are adding.

The food and wine festival at Epcot was a stroke of genius.

I personally like FP+ and I think it will reach it's full potential once you can make fastpasses with the WDW app. I used it in the testing phase in 2013, and I loved being able to make reservations for rides ahead of time and especially later on my arrival day. I never liked the old FP system because the idea of running from ride to ride with park passes to get paper Fastpasses is not my idea of a relaxing trip.

Magical Express was a fantastic addition. I am excited about the additions to AK and DHS but those are years off.

I had a good time at the Wishes dessert party.

Negative additions:
I do not and never will like the Dining plan unless they make some drastic changes. It really does not fit the way our family eats at all and financially has become a bad deal for most people. I eat the way I want on vacation and I don't want to be thinking about how to "maximize" my credits by eating steaks and lobster at every meal. I add up my receipts and I have never come out more expensive than the dining plan, usually I am ahead by a few hundred dollars. I also hate the effect it has had on meal quality and pricing, plus the availability of certain reservations, which I think has all suffered because of the dining plan.

The extra nighttime parties are not my favorite, in general. I thought the Christmas party was a waste of time and money. I am not a big parade person, and the party was more crowded than I had anticipated. The other dessert parties don't have seating which I find absurd.

 

[k5thbeatle]

...

So what is the best change you have seen at Disney lately that you like?

What is the worse change you have seen at Disney lately that you dislike?

Far and away the winner of worst change by a long shot for me are the changes that occurred that now requires one to "micro-manage" ones vacation. The loss of spontaneity if you will. For the most part, you virtually must plan out where you will be and what you will be doing every step of the way, and worse you must do so 180 days out in most cases. (A close second for worst change is the entire concept of the dining plan) ...and please don't tell me other vacations take planning or that you always had to plan Disney. I realize this but it's not the same thing now.

As for best changes...I am honestly at a loss right now to pick something.

 

[amscherm]

Lots of people either hate or love FP+... I still haven't figured it all out - so I don't really know how I feel.... yet...

 

[Redarrow5150]

FP+ blows. Pay that kind of money for three rides/attractions is a joke even with getting additional FP+ when the more popular ones are gone. I will say if DIS ever has more single ride lines I would be happy with FP+

 

[ttintagel]

Best: a crop of new attractions and restaurants, with more to come in the near future!

Worst:;the continuing decline of Future World in EPCOT, tied with almost all of the 21st-century alterations and additions to the Haunted Mansion.

 

[danceteachermom]

Best and worst - FP+, I like having it most days because it is much better than running around for fast passes and getting to FP machines with wait times that conflict with meals or when you want to leave. I hate that last minute changes are hard now. Sometimes we just want to hit a different park than planned and sometimes our daughter wants to join other friends who happen to be on vacation too but FP+ makes that hard to manage.

Best - Festival of Fantasy, Magic Bands, Pool Parties/Camfires/Movies at resorts, Tangeled Potties, BOG

Worst- It has been awhile but the loss of Tarzan show, loss of DCR, adding more DVC to my favorite resorts, price increases in the Disney Performing Arts program (kids who perform used to get a nice deal on park admission, now not so much), Price increases across the board while Disney is enjoying record profits.

 

[Wood Nymph]

Best-
-fireworks at Hollywood Studios - both the Frozen fireworks and the current Star Wars fireworks are really good shows. I hope they continue the nightly fireworks there.
-MagicBands and fp+ I know there is a lot of hate for the fp+ because three is just never enough, but it is nice to at least have some guarantees. And it helps to structure the day.
- finally adding new attractions and events

Worst
- tiered rides - I hate that I can't do whatever three rides I want.
- Future World needs major improvements. It is really boring.
- outdated rides and attractions

The parks are more crowded than ever and there doesn't seem to be any slow periods anymore, but that doesn't really count in this list.