Better, worse, same?

[StAugBound]

DH and I have been going to Disney on a regular basis (1 - 2 times per year) for the past ten years, have been a DVC member for nine of them. We were discussing how Disney has changed over the past 10 years and for those that have been going for a long time, do you think it's better, worse or the same as "back then"? Just curious to hear others' thoughts.

 

[thebigman65]

hmmmmm.....that's a tough one....what I think is that it is all 3.....some things are worse, like run down rooms, rides that need serious updating, less CM's so therefore less service. Some things are the same, dole whips, pecos bills, sites, smells, sounds, those will always be there. Improvements?....I suppose the magic band system, (some people would say) FP+, Fantasy land, etc.

Disney is Disney, some things will always me the same and hopefully they will continue to try their best to improve things and have different experiences over the years....lots of rumours out there.....the fun thing is waiting to see what they think of next!

 

[disneynutz]

hmmmmm.....that's a tough one....what I think is that it is all 3.....some things are worse, like run down rooms, rides that need serious updating, less CM's so therefore less service. Some things are the same, dole whips, pecos bills, sites, smells, sounds, those will always be there. Improvements?....I suppose the magic band system, (some people would say) FP+, Fantasy land, etc.

Disney is Disney, some things will always me the same and hopefully they will continue to try their best to improve things and have different experiences over the years....lots of rumours out there.....the fun thing is waiting to see what they think of next!

I agree with some additions. Disney is now all about increasing attendance and processing guests. They changed out the seats at Pecos Bill's to make them more uncomfortable and to keep the guests moving.

MB's are a success with a 20% increase in POS sales. They are also used to adjust FP offerings and to control the guests queues and crowds.

Bill

 

[DizBub]

Well, for us "back then" started a long time ago. Forty years ago was our first visit. Only MK and Contemporary the Poly and maybe Fort Wilderness. We have seen the evolution of WDW first hand.

While I really dislike all the planning that they encourage you to do these days we really do appreciate the fact that we have the option to do none of it. We still do a lot of the same old things and it never gets old. We do miss some things that have gone away but there is so much more to replace them.

We have been DVC members for 5 years now and it has only enhanced our experience. It still feels magical all these years later. I like it better now.

 

[AirGoofy]

It's been 14 years since my first trip as an adult, 10 years of once or twice a year with dds, and 6 years as DVC member.

The better is definitely the resort. We stayed in the Value resorts and CBR fore buying into DVC. BWV and BLT are our two favorite resorts. We will probably try VGF and Poly just to try all of them at least once, but will enjoy BWV and the Boardwalk most every year for many more.

Worse is definitely the MBs and FP+. I never wear a watch and don't like wearing them. Yes, I know one can put it in the pocket or clip around a belt loop, but I just don't care for them. And, I still have to carry all the ID & cards with me, so no big thing. I haven't got used to FP+ yet. I had the park touring down with the FP legacy and we were able to ride more rides in the day. Hopefully, I can figure out FP+.

As for the same, I think it is still that Disney magic. When my children were young, being at WDW was Christmas every day. It REALLY was Cinderella meeting them at the castle for breakfast. My 3 year old lost the ability to speak when she first met Princess Aurora at the old Princess Pavilion in MK. As they have gotten older, it has waned some. But, we did the Mickey greet at MK for the first time this year and Mickey did some card magic tricks with all of us. Mickey spoke to us and it was real. I watched that Disney magic in my dds eyes again.

 

[sleepydog25]

The emotional attachment to Disney remains constant. Among other things, I met my wife through Disney, so certain spots, resorts, restaurants, and rides will always be special to us. On the down side, service in general appears to have regressed in the past 12 years with more of a focus by top level management on making shareholders happy at our occasional expense. That notion is never more prevalent than the dining experience. The homogenization of menus and flavors at most table service restaurants is regrettable (and avoidable). Cooking to the lowest common denominator for a majority of dishes has changed our eating habits and patterns as we now look for the hidden gems still found at some eateries. On the up side, we don't spend as much on food anymore. . .our way of snubbing the business side of Disney in some small way, I guess.