Hi everyone, Looking for feedback. It's been a few years since I've gone to this board. I really appreciate the resource and the informed people who participate.
Back in 2018 as a family we said we had enough with Disney. We used to go every year for almost 20 years (including when I was a kid), then backed off to every other year and then by 2018 it was such a horrible experience in terms of staff, planning, costs, hotel quality (we stayed at Yacht club and it was a dump) CM rudeness, food quality, crowds, and just overall loss of magic. We were noticing quality problems from about 2014 to 2018, and then by 2018, it was too much. Also they got rid of the nightime parade and the night show at the castle is just a TV screen. The best parts that remained like Flower & Garden / Food & Wine and some of the legacy rides were great, but not enough to justify the experience. It was all just so different than from years past.
My kids were 6 and 8 at the time. They still kind of enjoyed it because my wife and I did our best to keep our frustration to ourselves. We didn't want to ruin their experience so we just kept it in. They have been able to anchor on just the good memories (which is really great for them).
They asked then if we'd ever go back. We told them we would "consider" it again in four years thinking enough time would pass for us to reboot our interest while they're at prime ages for full experience of the parks...well 4 years is coming fast and they remember.
I've, for the most part, completely stopped paying attention to Disneyworld stuff and everytime I try to dip my toes into it I have viceral disgust for trying to navigate planning a trip. The required planning is simply overwhelming and pricing seems insane as well (planning late Feb or early March) Almost double what we paid, however I'd not stay at Yacht again. I just used it as a benchmark. And from what I read here occasionally, it seems like the 50th experience is stuggling with Covid issues, while it looks like there's a regular complaints about key rides being down/closed for unexpected reasons.
Anyway, I'm trying to keep an open mind the best I can and wondered a few things for those of you who have been to Disney over the long term and especially the last 10 years.
1. Has Disney gotten better or worse since 2018? You can define whatever that means to you.
2. Is the planning harder or easier? How so?
3. Given the 50th, I understand there's a lot more to do. . . but are the additional rides/attractions worth it?
4. My kids LOVE Harry Potter. We've never been to Universal. Should we just go there instead? Or perhaps try to do both in one week? (Although that pricing is even more insane).
5. If we do go, should we just hire a tour planner for us so I dont' have to devote dozens of hours of time to planning the trip? If so, who?
I know our posture is negative and the topic might be contentious, but I'm hoping this is a positive conversation. We welcome a final attempt at a resurrection of interest for our kids. Many thanks in advance!
Back in 2018 as a family we said we had enough with Disney. We used to go every year for almost 20 years (including when I was a kid), then backed off to every other year and then by 2018 it was such a horrible experience in terms of staff, planning, costs, hotel quality (we stayed at Yacht club and it was a dump) CM rudeness, food quality, crowds, and just overall loss of magic. We were noticing quality problems from about 2014 to 2018, and then by 2018, it was too much. Also they got rid of the nightime parade and the night show at the castle is just a TV screen. The best parts that remained like Flower & Garden / Food & Wine and some of the legacy rides were great, but not enough to justify the experience. It was all just so different than from years past.
My kids were 6 and 8 at the time. They still kind of enjoyed it because my wife and I did our best to keep our frustration to ourselves. We didn't want to ruin their experience so we just kept it in. They have been able to anchor on just the good memories (which is really great for them).
They asked then if we'd ever go back. We told them we would "consider" it again in four years thinking enough time would pass for us to reboot our interest while they're at prime ages for full experience of the parks...well 4 years is coming fast and they remember.
I've, for the most part, completely stopped paying attention to Disneyworld stuff and everytime I try to dip my toes into it I have viceral disgust for trying to navigate planning a trip. The required planning is simply overwhelming and pricing seems insane as well (planning late Feb or early March) Almost double what we paid, however I'd not stay at Yacht again. I just used it as a benchmark. And from what I read here occasionally, it seems like the 50th experience is stuggling with Covid issues, while it looks like there's a regular complaints about key rides being down/closed for unexpected reasons.
Anyway, I'm trying to keep an open mind the best I can and wondered a few things for those of you who have been to Disney over the long term and especially the last 10 years.
1. Has Disney gotten better or worse since 2018? You can define whatever that means to you.
2. Is the planning harder or easier? How so?
3. Given the 50th, I understand there's a lot more to do. . . but are the additional rides/attractions worth it?
4. My kids LOVE Harry Potter. We've never been to Universal. Should we just go there instead? Or perhaps try to do both in one week? (Although that pricing is even more insane).
5. If we do go, should we just hire a tour planner for us so I dont' have to devote dozens of hours of time to planning the trip? If so, who?
I know our posture is negative and the topic might be contentious, but I'm hoping this is a positive conversation. We welcome a final attempt at a resurrection of interest for our kids. Many thanks in advance!
