Chipping the magic away: an interesting dinner conversation

[Inkmahm]

once they closed the Adventurers Club I barely noticed anything else - but did notice the cutbacks in the Food & Wine festival - can't wait to see what they do this year.

I actually heard that the CM who was in charge of F&W was let go as part of the recent WDW downsizing and that Disney was considering canceling for this year. I sure hope that is wrong.

 

[d-r]

it's because they fired so many people

 

[jade1]

She chalked it up to DVC-Disney burnout.

While the staff at all stars were pleasant she said they always felt "rushed" like the poor cm had 20 jobs to do.

DVC can also make your All Star stays a little less impressive.

 

[Deb & Bill]

You know, I was thinking that Illuminations seemed shorter. It only takes about 12 minutes now and I was sure it used to be closer to 20 minutes long.

Our housekeeper has been very good, even left us a towel animal on Full Cleaning day (we got a rabbit). Then we took it apart and used the towels.

I haven't noticed any shortage of CMs at the water parks. But they did stop making caramel corn at Sleepy Hollow and now you can buy a premade bag at multiple locations with half the corn for the same price as before.

 

[Tara]

But they did stop making caramel corn at Sleepy Hollow and now you can buy a premade bag at multiple locations with half the corn for the same price as before.

I think it's been about 2 years since they've served caramel corn there - it was always my favorite treat at MK, so I miss it!

 

[TDC Nala]

I actually heard that the CM who was in charge of F&W was let go as part of the recent WDW downsizing and that Disney was considering canceling for this year. I sure hope that is wrong.

Nora Carey was let go in the downsizing. They are not cancelling. The schedule, but not events, has been announced for this year. Waiting to see the events.

 

[Entropy]

That's my fear also Diane. I had heard a rumor that Fantasmic was being retooled or possible totally scraped because it's so expensive to put on. They have already cut the number of days it is showing and I doubt if they will ever go back to showing it once a day. The Broadwalk used to be teaming with activity at night, now not so much

I think it's harder when you are a dvc'er because those "little" things tend to make Disney unique and different. Stuff like signature dishes at various restaurants that have gone by the way side.

Yay. What a waste of real-estate. The WDW version is very weak compared to the Disneyland original. What's with the Indian canoes paddling to the Pocahontas white men are evil song? That "steamboat" is comical. It looks like it was made in high school metal shop on a low budget.
The whole thing is a cheap-knock-off on a grand stage.

 

[Pooh46]

We're at the BWV right now. As some say, there may be "chipping away" going on at WDW with these economic times, but I have to say, we've had a GREAT trip this time. The meals we've had have all been outstanding as well as the service - just returned from Jiko tonight. The mousekeeping has been much better than usual and a couple of small problems that we had were taken care of immediately. Today when I was at HS, there were many streetmosphere characters out which was just before HSM. I also saw many costumed characters. I'm sure it depends on when you happen to be in the park.

However, I will also chime in that I really, really miss my caramel corn from Sleepy Hollow! The pre-bagged just isn't the same.

I watched the workers dismantle the Spoodles sign today - getting ready for the new signage. They put a temporary Spoodles sign over the area made of cloth or canvas with the Spoodles logo.

 

[Inkmahm]

Nora Carey was let go in the downsizing. They are not cancelling. The schedule, but not events, has been announced for this year. Waiting to see the events.

Also heard that if they still have the F&W festival that the Party for the Senses will be changed to something like an Asian theme with different countries being represented. And no more dinners from the various countries.
I'm also waiting for the event schedule to come out to see if any of that is true.

 

[BostonDisneyKid]

Originally Posted by Deb & Bill - You know, I was thinking that Illuminations seemed shorter. It only takes about 12 minutes now and I was sure it used to be closer to 20 minutes long.

I believe since its opening in 1999, Illuminations (2000): Reflections of Earth, show has been approximately 12 mins and at an approx. cost of $17,000 per show. They do extend it at various times for holidays (Christmas season, New Years Eve and 4th of July). In 2007 they did extended it 4 minutes for the 25th anniversary of Epcot Celebration. I bet you were comparing to that version in 2007...


Another interesting fact: In the last 15 years, Epcot has had to cancel IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth and its predecessor, IllumiNations, only three times due to bad weather. All three occurrences were due to hurricanes

 

[Sue's Mum]

IMHO this has been going on for years. For instance, the hotels, in particular Fort Wilderness, are not as themed as they used to be and the merchandise is not as varied as it once was. All of this does detract from the Disney experience but relative newcomers will not be aware of the difference, of course.

 

[crisi]

IMHO this has been going on for years. For instance, the hotels, in particular Fort Wilderness, are not as themed as they used to be and the merchandise is not as varied as it once was. All of this does detract from the Disney experience but relative newcomers will not be aware of the difference, of course.

I first went to Disney in 1984 and was really impressed with the variation in merchandise. My next trip was in 1989, and a lot of the unique things, and higher end things, had disappeared. They came back in the 90s, were hard to find again right after 9/11 and have been there - although never what I remember from those first trips, again for the last few years. This last trip was spotty - fewer choices in hats or jewelry or clothing.

To me, it seems hit or miss.

Food has been similarly hit or miss - in 1984 - right after Epcot opened - it was fantastic (although limited), by 1989 you might as well eat cardboard. In the late 90s, it was really good again....and now we've been slipping back to you might as well eat counter service.

 

[Chic]

Regardless of all the possible cut backs mentioned in this post, I'm going with my family to Disney World next week and we are going to have the time of our lives. I can't wait to hear my 2 year old daughter yell, "yay", when she sees the castle at the Magic Kingdom. I can't wait to ride the slide at the resort pool. I get hungry thinking about the great food at Nine Dragons, Chefs de France, and Le Cellier. I look forward to sitting in EPCOT with a beer comfortably on a bench watching the happy families walk by with their children. It will make me smile when my daughter smiles while riding the Carousel, Dumbo, and Winnie the Pooh. In my eyes, Disney Magic still lives.

 

[momx2]

Regardless of all the possible cut backs mentioned in this post, I'm going with my family to Disney World next week and we are going to have the time of our lives. I can't wait to hear my 2 year old daughter yell, "yay", when she sees the castle at the Magic Kingdom. I can't wait to ride the slide at the resort pool. I get hungry thinking about the great food at Nine Dragons, Chefs de France, and Le Cellier. I look forward to sitting in EPCOT with a beer comfortably on a bench watching the happy families walk by with their children. It will make me smile when my daughter smiles while riding the Carousel, Dumbo, and Winnie the Pooh. In my eyes, Disney Magic still lives.

Ahh...and let me say, I'm here now and while I did not dine at LeCellier, the food at Chefs de France and Nine Dragons were excellent.

On to the OP....I will say that some of the magic has came and went through my visits here. Our first visit was during 9/11, so I can't compare to prior 9/11. My girls, 8 and 11 still get excited and scream as we pass the gates to WDW, but there are things that don't excite them or me the same. We used to think Chef Mickeys was the best, including the food. We finally gave up on it about 2 years ago as nearly inedible. The castle food has priced itself out for me. We went 3 times and thought it terribly crowded and overpriced and that was before the last few price increase that included the portrait.

We are slowly discovering new things that suit us just as well. This time my DH played golf 2x and he had never played here before. The girls and I went to the spa at SSR and love it. I try to schedule at least one new thing per trip. We don't actually stay in the parks all the time. We have been here 8 nights and have visited MK 2 mornings and 1 evening, HS 1 morning, Epcot 1 morning and 1 evening and AK 1 morning and will go back to Epcot tomorrow morning. We love the resorts and like the DVCs and room to spread out and relax on vacation.

Is some of the magic gone? Yes, but as my children age I imagine that would have happened whether or not the economy took a hit or not. I would never invest in DVC just based on 1 park or 1 or 2 attractions because things come and go. I do expect to find ALL the magic again when I am blessed with grandchildren one day. I also would love to take some of my girls friend who have never been to see the magic because I do believe it is still there, we just look past it sometimes.

 

[alamode]

My three kids and I just took our first family vacation to WDW in May. Every second of the trip was magical to us, so much so that I toured SSR and just put a bid in on a resale last week.

Not having gone since 1982 as a high schooler with my parents, I can't agree or disagree with the opinions of everyone so far. I just would like to say that if you go to WDW enough times to notice these many differences, you are one of the very few privileged people to do so. For every person complaining that it "isn't like the good old days", there are thousands of people that would love to take your place, and experience the magic for themselves.

I'm not criticizing anyone for complaining about valid gripes, just remember any day at Disney is better than what 99.99% of the people in the "real" world are going through.

 

[bobbiwoz]

My three kids and I just took our first family vacation to WDW in May. Every second of the trip was magical to us, so much so that I toured SSR and just put a bid in on a resale last week.

....

Congratulations and Pixie dust!

Bobbi

 

[lugnut33]

I first went to Disney in 1984 and was really impressed with the variation in merchandise. My next trip was in 1989, and a lot of the unique things, and higher end things, had disappeared. They came back in the 90s, were hard to find again right after 9/11 and have been there - although never what I remember from those first trips, again for the last few years. This last trip was spotty - fewer choices in hats or jewelry or clothing.

To me, it seems hit or miss.

Food has been similarly hit or miss - in 1984 - right after Epcot opened - it was fantastic (although limited), by 1989 you might as well eat cardboard. In the late 90s, it was really good again....and now we've been slipping back to you might as well eat counter service.

For really cool clothing check out TrenD at DTD. Lots of really unique Disney stuff.

 

[Goofy's apprentice]

I agree that some things have changed to the detriment...but that is from my opinion. Other things have changed for the positive.

I for one am encouraged when I see that they are making changes to respond to changes in the economy. We need to realize that, while in the business of "making magic', their first priority is to 'make money'. Without that they won't survive. Many large companies have difficulties adjusting to changed economic times. Disney seems to perpetually 'tweek' to stay in the game. This is highly preferred to drastic changes. On our part we need to speak up when we feel the changes are detrimental so that they hear it and use that for future decisions.

 

[edk35]

On to the OP....I will say that some of the magic has came and went through my visits here. Our first visit was during 9/11, so I can't compare to prior 9/11. My girls, 8 and 11 still get excited and scream as we pass the gates to WDW, but there are things that don't excite them or me the same. We used to think Chef Mickeys was the best, including the food. We finally gave up on it about 2 years ago as nearly inedible. The castle food has priced itself out for me. We went 3 times and thought it terribly crowded and overpriced and that was before the last few price increase that included the portrait.

We are slowly discovering new things that suit us just as well. This time my DH played golf 2x and he had never played here before. The girls and I went to the spa at SSR and love it. I try to schedule at least one new thing per trip. We don't actually stay in the parks all the time. We have been here 8 nights and have visited MK 2 mornings and 1 evening, HS 1 morning, Epcot 1 morning and 1 evening and AK 1 morning and will go back to Epcot tomorrow morning. We love the resorts and like the DVCs and room to spread out and relax on vacation.

Is some of the magic gone? Yes, but as my children age I imagine that would have happened whether or not the economy took a hit or not. I would never invest in DVC just based on 1 park or 1 or 2 attractions because things come and go. I do expect to find ALL the magic again when I am blessed with grandchildren one day. I also would love to take some of my girls friend who have never been to see the magic because I do believe it is still there, we just look past it sometimes.

I like your take on this thread. I feel the same way. Sure a lot has changed since I first went with my best friend while in college wayyyyyyyyyyyy back when. Every time we go ...we do see small changes here and there ...BUT not enough to keep us from going. HECK NO. Plus as we have gotten older and our kids......we just see things differently. We vacation differently just since becoming DVC members 2 1/2 years ago. WE have enjoyed life outside the parks too. It is not all about the parks for us anymore either. Sure we go but we also enjoy other things within WDW.

Life changes.....people change, everything around us in our day to day lives eventually changes and we learn to adapt.

I am fine with change, I am in for the long haul when it comes to DVC and WDW!!!! Bring on the changes ...even if they are not so great changes....everything seems to always work out in the end anyway!!!!

 

[LolaBunny]

I also agree to some extent. My DH and I bought into DVC 2 years ago thinking it was a great deal.........we now believe it is not for us and plain on selling. Our family just returned from a trip to SSR just today and though our experiance was ok. It was just that, just ok. The only magic was after sitting for 3 nights in a row for Wishes my DD finally got to see Tinkerbell fly.

So here is my take on the whole thing.....

The Parks: Are dirty.......I have been to Disney since it opened in 1971... The one thing you could count on was a clean bathroom. MK bathrooms were stinky and dirty!!!

Our Resort: Our room was generally clean, but on our trash/towel day we did not get towels nor was our trash changed and when we would set it outside our door for pick up, it set there for a day. We never saw anyone else around us and the resort was supposedly 90% booked.

CM's: RUDE, RUDE, RUDE, DID I MENTION RUDE. None of them acted like they liked what they were doing. Except for PETE AT THE NOODLE STATION, and the waitress at TREX.

PRICES: WAY OVER PRICED FOR EVERYTHING.......

GAC: We also have recieved a GAC, for a member in our party...The last night we were there he wanted to ride Splash MTN, there was a 40 minute wait...they told us he would have to stand in line as there was no alternative entrance....We left. We have had a GAC for him for years and never had so much trouble with it as this year. What is up with that?
I guess my family has just outgrown DISNEY, it's funny because my daughter just graduated and has always said she wanted to work there, now she doesn't.

I always said I wanted to work there too.. I don't either.