Disney is just not the same anymore!!!

[mmafan]

If the anti-Disney crowd would just take off their Disney hate glasses long enough to acknowledge that there are clearly major overhauls coming for DHS and Epcot, they would see that this is an exciting time, as things may be bleak at those parks now, but a complete park overhaul by some of the greatest Imagineers is cause for celebration.

 

[Planogirl]

If the anti-Disney crowd would just take off their Disney hate glasses long enough to acknowledge that there are clearly major overhauls coming for DHS and Epcot, they would see that this is an exciting time, as things may be bleak at those parks now, but a complete park overhaul by some of the greatest Imagineers is cause for celebration.

What major overhauls are coming for Epcot? All I know about is a weirdly placed ride overlay. Is there something else?

 

[Suvadoo]

If the anti-Disney crowd would just take off their Disney hate glasses long enough to acknowledge that there are clearly major overhauls coming for DHS and Epcot, they would see that this is an exciting time, as things may be bleak at those parks now, but a complete park overhaul by some of the greatest Imagineers is cause for celebration.

Please enlighten me, I have seen no announcements of any major overhauls with the exception being the Frozen ride. To my knowledge, Disney has not announced any plans for DHS and Epcot. So far, all I've seen announced by Disney are closures. Have I missed something?

 

[Planogirl]

Please enlighten me, I have seen no announcements of any major overhauls with the exception being the Frozen ride. To my knowledge, Disney has not announced any plans for DHS and Epcot. So far, all I've seen announced by Disney are closures. Have I missed something?

Rumors, lots of rumors. Allowing for those, I still don't see much going on in Epcot.

 

[goofy4tink]

I've been going to WDW since 1999. I've seen a lot of change....some good, some bad. Seriously? Guest input? Don't think so. An example. Back in '99, you could buy a pass to E-nights. That got you 3 or so hours in MK. It was a great thing. It wasn't overcrowded and you were able to get a ton done. Well, fast forward a year or two. Due to 'guest feedback', Disney did away with E-nights, saying guests wanted more character interaction. Their answer? Character caravans in resorts in the morning. People were not pleased. They want to get to the parks, and now kids see a character and things go off track. Guests were not happy. Those character caravans lasted a very short time. But we did get EMHs.
Epcot? Don't get me started. The Lights of Winter were a beloved part of the holidays for many people. There was a terrific tree lighting ceremony (that was always very crowded...well attended). Well...they took away the LoW...said it couldn't be replaced due to 'obsolete technology'.....sure. Then, they did away with the tree lighting ceremony. But heck....they gave us sporadic gospel singers by the fountain. They took away Off Kilter and out in a lumberjack show! Seriously? A lumberjack show?
I have no issue with FP+....it hasn't changed my fun or the way I do parks. I don't care for the sameness I get at most restaurants....I think that dining has been dumbed down unless you eat at a signature restaurant, and even those have been somewhat negatively impacted.
There used to be much more holiday decor.....not sure why it has been lessened, but it has. The special parties continue to increase in price, but offer less. When I first started goi g to MVMCP, about 10 years ago, we got a special keep sake button, a 5x7 photo, fewer people in the park. Now the price has almost doubled, the number of tickets sold hugely increased, but no extra nice perks. MNSSHP? Yes, the candy trails are fun. And the parade is terrific. But....now we have a special party, a costly one at that, going on within an already expensive party. One that takes characters away from the expected meet and greets.

I love Disney...I truly do. Bit after my stay in 10 days, it will probably be a once a year trip vs 2 or 3 trips a year. Disney won't miss me...they have plenty of first timers going, that are happy with what they are getting. This isn't to say that I think things have changed too much....I just feel that, for me, some things have been taken away, things that I really enjoyed and that made my stays wonderful. So, no AP renewal in Dec. and now I can get caught up on my DVC points.....won't be in a 'borrowing' situation soon.

 

[KimBean]

I'll ask you the same question. Based on the rumors and rough concepts how can you decide you will like it?

I didn't say I already liked it. I said I am excited about new possibilities. Just like trying new food I've never had before. Doesn't mean I like everything I try.

But, it's fun to try something new, because you don't know until you've tried.

 

[Planogirl]

I've been going to WDW since 1999. I've seen a lot of change....some good, some bad. Seriously? Guest input? Don't think so. An example. Back in '99, you could buy a pass to E-nights. That got you 3 or so hours in MK. It was a great thing. It wasn't overcrowded and you were able to get a ton done. Well, fast forward a year or two. Due to 'guest feedback', Disney did away with E-nights, saying guests wanted more character interaction. Their answer? Character caravans in resorts in the morning. People were not pleased. They want to get to the parks, and now kids see a character and things go off track. Guests were not happy. Those character caravans lasted a very short time. But we did get EMHs.
Epcot? Don't get me started. The Lights of Winter were a beloved part of the holidays for many people. There was a terrific tree lighting ceremony (that was always very crowded...well attended). Well...they took away the LoW...said it couldn't be replaced due to 'obsolete technology'.....sure. Then, they did away with the tree lighting ceremony. But heck....they gave us sporadic gospel singers by the fountain. They took away Off Kilter and out in a lumberjack show! Seriously? A lumberjack show?
I have no issue with FP+....it hasn't changed my fun or the way I do parks. I don't care for the sameness I get at most restaurants....I think that dining has been dumbed down unless you eat at a signature restaurant, and even those have been somewhat negatively impacted.
There used to be much more holiday decor.....not sure why it has been lessened, but it has. The special parties continue to increase in price, but offer less. When I first started goi g to MVMCP, about 10 years ago, we got a special keep sake button, a 5x7 photo, fewer people in the park. Now the price has almost doubled, the number of tickets sold hugely increased, but no extra nice perks. MNSSHP? Yes, the candy trails are fun. And the parade is terrific. But....now we have a special party, a costly one at that, going on within an already expensive party. One that takes characters away from the expected meet and greets.

I love Disney...I truly do. Bit after my stay in 10 days, it will probably be a once a year trip vs 2 or 3 trips a year. Disney won't miss me...they have plenty of first timers going, that are happy with what they are getting. This isn't to say that I think things have changed too much....I just feel that, for me, some things have been taken away, things that I really enjoyed and that made my stays wonderful. So, no AP renewal in Dec. and now I can get caught up on my DVC points.....won't be in a 'borrowing' situation soon.

Well said. You summed up nicely that it isn't just one or two things but an accumulation of cuts that makes a person wonder. WDW isn't the same and I don't mean that in a good way.

 

[Suvadoo]

I didn't say I already liked it. I said I am excited about new possibilities. Just like trying new food I've never had before. Doesn't mean I like everything I try.

But, it's fun to try something new, because you don't know until you've tried.

Agreed, I won't know how I like something until I've tried it. Agreed, I do not decide whether or not I'm going to like something until I've tried it. But I am not of the opinion that all change is good, nor do I believe everything Disney does is fantastic. However, so far, Disney's fantastics outweigh their flops.

 

[PetePanMan]

A very wise man once said: "I fear change" (Garth from Wayne's World)

 

[ZephyrHawk]

I hear you.

I haven't tried FP+ yet, and I will reserve my comments about it until after I do, but otherwise the changes I've heard about aren't bad. I didn't like the hat, and I'm hoping that all the stuff we're hearing about at DHS is a prelude to big, good new things there. I didn't care about the acts that have been replaced at Epcot, and I'm excited to see new things (in all honesty, I'm a little surprised at how much of a following Off Kilter appears to have had...its a band...just like I could get at home....nothing special). I am a little weirded out by the Frozen takeover of Norway, but you know, it's not like I was in love with the Maelstrom to begin with. Other folks say Disney is no longer clean, CMs are impolite, and the magic is gone...well, I haven't seen that yet. If I do, yeah, it will make me unhappy, but not judging something I haven't experienced.

All that being said, I am still pissed that they got rid of the Adventurer's Club.

 

[BuzzinDownToDisney]

What major overhauls are coming for Epcot? All I know about is a weirdly placed ride overlay. Is there something else?

You got me there. I think this is more from me seeing the unused space and lack of attractions and saying to myself "They have to have something planned, right?" I can't see how they plan to add so many new hotel rooms and not do a major expansion of Epcot. I'm totally guilty of blind faith here.

 

[Suvadoo]

You got me there. I think this is more from me seeing the unused space and lack of attractions and saying to myself "They have to have something planned, right?" I can't see how they plan to add so many new hotel rooms and not do a major expansion of Epcot. I'm totally guilty of blind faith here.

I think all of us are hoping the same thing!

 

[minnie mum]

If the anti-Disney crowd would just take off their Disney hate glasses long enough to acknowledge that there are clearly major overhauls coming for DHS and Epcot, they would see that this is an exciting time, as things may be bleak at those parks now, but a complete park overhaul by some of the greatest Imagineers is cause for celebration.

Wading with great difficulty through yet another example of exaggeration and hyperbole.....

I see no one on this entire board who is a Disney hater or who is Anti-Disney. Only people with deep concerns and dissatisfactions over particular aspects of WDW operations that have impacted their enjoyment during their recent or upcoming vacations. You are apparently incapable of understanding the difference. Contrary to your belief, it is possible to like WDW as a whole and at the same time dislike certain parts of it.

Please provide us with links to the announcements of these major overhauls that you so glowingly endorse. I seem to have missed the latest Disney proclamations of these exciting new additions. Please show us firm plans for complete overhauls of both Epcot and DHS. The rest of us have only seen announcements of closure after closure, reduction, and elimination.

Perhaps while you are at it you could tell us how you know that these mythical overhauls are being overseen and implemented by only the greatest and most visionary imagineers in the world.

At the moment, with the single exception of Avatarland, there is only rumor and speculation about what may or may not be coming. I highly doubt that anyone is so narrow minded that they will pan something that hasn't even been announced yet. At the same time, I am not so naive and impulsive that I am going to wet myself over something that is yet only a gleam in some bean counter's eye.

 

[Doug7856]

I doubt many here at Disboards hate Disney, but more likely love the Disney experience and are disappointed in the short sited plans of current management.

 

[BuzzinDownToDisney]

Wading with great difficulty through yet another example of exaggeration and hyperbole..... I see no one on this entire board who is a Disney hater or who is Anti-Disney. Only people with deep concerns and dissatisfactions over particular aspects of WDW operations that have impacted their enjoyment during their recent or upcoming vacations. You are apparently incapable of understanding the difference. Contrary to your belief, it is possible to like WDW as a whole and at the same time dislike certain parts of it. Please provide us with links to the announcements of these major overhauls that you so glowingly endorse. I seem to have missed the latest Disney proclamations of these exciting new additions. Please show us firm plans for complete overhauls of both Epcot and DHS. The rest of us have only seen announcements of closure after closure, reduction, and elimination. Perhaps while you are at it you could tell us how you know that these mythical overhauls are being overseen and implemented by only the greatest and most visionary imagineers in the world. At the moment, with the single exception of Avatarland, there is only rumor and speculation about what may or may not be coming. I highly doubt that anyone is so narrow minded that they will pan something that hasn't even been announced yet. At the same time, I am not so naive and impulsive that I am going to wet myself over something that is yet only a gleam in some bean counter's eye.

To your first point I will say there are posters who I have never seen post a single positive thing about Disney. Not a single positive.

To your point about the announcement being official about DHS. If you really think they are closing all these attractions with no plan to put something in place then I really can't help you. I feel that announcement is inevitable. There have been multiple speciation threads and blogs about Star Wars and Pixar expansion. The Maelstromp closing was speculated about, it happened not long after. This feels the same. Do you really think they'd remove the hat, AI, Backlot, rumored closing of Indy, Lights, Action etc. and have no plan to do anything with them? That's a legit question. I am curious about how deep your lack of faith in the runs.

I already addressed the Epcot thing.

 

[x5x5x5x5x5]

I've posted recently about my concerns over what appears to be Disney cutbacks. Far from being a Disney hater - it's my LOVE of Disney that fuels my concerns. Disney is my magic place. It's the destination that makes me feel completely safe and content - totally removed from any real world stress or worries. I've traveled to several different countries and extensively in the US so I don't say that lightly. It's my "happy place" as my DH puts it. I LOVE new exciting attractions and events - I fully embrace change in terms of improvements and upgrades. The parks should never stay stagnant. When I speak about concerns, I'm talking about reduction of services, food quality, details, entertainment, heck even bathroom cleanliness. What makes Disney my bubble is the acute attention to detail - acute! No other place pays attention to details like Disney. That's what makes (made) is special and magical for ME. And I'm noticing the decline. It actually pains me to write this. The details and starting to slip and it makes me really sad for new visitors and future generation visitors . . . I really hope that what feels like a squeeze for the almighty dollar doesn't make itself a permanent fixture. And hey I'm not knocking a company for trying to make money. I've been self employed virtually all of my life. There is a balance though - if you aren't careful, you can strangle what made you a wonderful success to begin with.

 

[SabbyR]

We only go every other year. If they are going to be taking away so much, even if they are planning on replacing it, I'd sure like a big discount for those of us who are there in the mean time.

 

[Luvchefmic]

To your first point I will say there are posters who I have never seen post a single positive thing about Disney. Not a single positive.
To your point about the announcement being official about DHS. If you really think they are closing all these attractions with no plan to put something in place then I really can't help you. I feel that announcement is inevitable. There have been multiple speciation threads and blogs about Star Wars and Pixar expansion. The Maelstromp closing was speculated about, it happened not long after. This feels the same. Do you really think they'd remove the hat, AI, Backlot, rumored closing of Indy, Lights, Action etc. and have no plan to do anything with them? That's a legit question. I am curious about how deep your lack of faith in the runs.

I already addressed the Epcot thing.

I will only address what I have bolded. Unless you have been lurking for years until you became a registered Dis member you have not seen what we see. It's only in the past year or so that there is so much negativity ( NOT hate ) being posted. There have been many things changing at WDW and yes many of us are not happy.

I am also SO tired of constantly reading ( not necessarily posted by you since I don't follow you that closely ) that long time WDW visitors don't like change, should go to DLR, go to other theme parks in the area, pretty much being told move along move along. We have legitimate concerns.

 

[BuzzinDownToDisney]

I am also SO tired of constantly reading ( not necessarily posted by you since I don't follow you that closely ) that long time WDW visitors don't like change, should go to DLR, go to other theme parks in the area, pretty much being told move along move along. We have legitimate concerns.

I am in full agreement with you on this. I find it to be a rude and lazy response. If someone has a complaint about a specific aspect of Disney, I think it's far more productive to try to find a solution or alternative than the "So don't go" reply. The only time I say that is when someone say they are dreading their vacation. We all work too hard to pay for our vacations, I'd never book one knowing it was going to cause me turmoil

 

[Jennasis]

To your first point I will say there are posters who I have never seen post a single positive thing about Disney. Not a single positive.

To your point about the announcement being official about DHS. If you really think they are closing all these attractions with no plan to put something in place then I really can't help you. I feel that announcement is inevitable. There have been multiple speciation threads and blogs about Star Wars and Pixar expansion. The Maelstromp closing was speculated about, it happened not long after. This feels the same. Do you really think they'd remove the hat, AI, Backlot, rumored closing of Indy, Lights, Action etc. and have no plan to do anything with them? That's a legit question. I am curious about how deep your lack of faith in the runs.

I already addressed the Epcot thing.

I like you....so believe me when I say this comes from a place of affection...Are you talking about posters having never EVER posted anything positive in their entire post history, or just nothing recently? Have you been reading every post everyone makes? Combing the archives and posting histories? Maybe you are...it'd be weird, but it's possible I suppose.

I get it. It seems like overwhelming negativity both in general and in the case of a core group (of which I occasionally get in lock-step with), but that negativity also comes from a place of love. They (we?) loved so much what Disney was, and are concerned for both what it is and what it is possibly becoming. I really do love that you have that blind faith in what Disney does. I used to, and sort of wish I still did. I will be among the first to eat crow publicly when something Disney has changed turns out to blow the original out of the water (I fully expect that will happen with Star Wars. Heck I am totally on board with an overhaul of DHS!). But so far the actual changes they've done or announced hasn't impressed me, and in some cases I downright dislike the new offering.

That said, still my happy place, still have 3 more trips planned between now and Fall 2016, still happy I bought DVC this year.