Do you remember the Magic ?

[PBB]

Do you remember the Magic ?? and now Magical Gatherings ??

I found it interesting that Disney advertises current stays based upon past magical experiences instead of making a new one for you.

Sounds like the same thing that the studio continues doing by recreating or producing no-nothing sequels to Disney successful movies in the past. When is Disney going to do something original instead recreating an old Disney movie. When are they going to remake Apple Dumpling Gang or Herbie the Love Bug. ?? Whatever happened to originallity ?

I stayed in the Villas at Wildnerness Lodge for the past week and to be honest with you the Magic is no longer there. I have been to Disney over 35 different trips over the past 33 years and have been one of WDW biggest fans.

I have no complaints about The Villas at Wilderness Lodge and was very pleased about my accomodations.

The rest of my vacation was boring, lifeless and less than magical. Ticket rates were outrageous and a attractions closed ( 1/2 of tommorowland was closed).

Poor Epcot is getting old and tired looking. How many more sponsors are going to leave the pavillions ?? Corporate partners are no longer re-signing and can you blame them ?? The living seas was embarassing ! I could not wait to get out there. The land was closed at Dinner time.

Without going on and on........The parks are in very bad shape. Employees are going through the motions and the little extra's that made moments magical are no longer there . Everything is about how much money can be extracted out of your wallet.

I was talking to a florida resident and we compared discounts and basically they have more discounts available to them than we do and we have made a +/- 40 year commitment to vacationing with them. I would imagine DVC is a money making division for Disney or they wouldn't continue building more complexes at the park. Too bad they treat us like the capture audience that we are and not loyal customers.


I am concerned that the park management and cost associated with going to the park will soon hinder my DVC investment. This is something that never occured to me while purchasing DVC 6 years ago. I have been very pleased that the DVC points have increased in value since my purchase but I am concerned that this will soon reach its plateau and start to slide. I am pleased that I am close enough to utilize the Hilton Head property because I dont believe I will be going to WDW anytime soon (even though I purchased an annual pass)

For the Disney Management people who read these boards, I remember the Magic and that you have sucked the life out of it.

I am sorry for the negative post. I appreciate the opportunity to vent in the forum !

Thanks,

Patrick

 

[rocketriter]

I think it's fair to say that bin Lauden and the recession sucked the life out of the parks, not just Disney management. They had the unenviable job of supporting incredibly high-maintenance park and ride systems while tourist income plunged, investment income plunged, and insurance costs soared. Do I agree with all the decisions they made? No. Could I have done better? Probably not.

Now the crowds are back and the dollars are pouring back in. Let's give management a year to plan and implement a return to the quality level we're used to.

 

[WDWLVR]

I guess I'm a glass half full kind of person because the Magic is still there for me each and every trip. We try and do something new and different each trip. In addition to Member Homecoming this past trip we also did the Segway tour. It was amazing and I definately saw parts of World Showcase that I had never seen before.

The reason DVC works for us is that I know I don't have to see and do everything each trip. I come up with a short list of must-do's for that trip (a favorite ride, a new place to eat, etc.) and that makes me very happy.

Sorry to hear you've lost the Magic - hope you find it again soon!

 

[ceejay13]

I, too, have to say the magic is still there for me. Our last visit was 6 months ago and two more planned for Sept. and December and we can't wait. We also don't do the parks as much with our DVC membership and APs but still find it our favorite and most relaxing place to visit. Sitting on Main Street at the MK gives me the same goose bumps it always did as do the other parks. I'm sorry to hear about your visit, wish it was better for you.

 

[goofy4wdw59]

Yes, I hope you find the magic again. With the crowds coming back, things will probably improve. We usually make our own "magic" on our vacations.

I was talking to a florida resident and we compared discounts and basically they have more discounts available to them than we do and we have made a +/- 40 year commitment to vacationing with them. I would imagine DVC is a money making division for Disney or they wouldn't continue building more complexes at the park. Too bad they treat us like the capture audience that we are and not loyal customers.

I agree. DVC is a money-maker or it wouldn't be building & selling like it is. IMO, from a business point-of-view, it would benefit both DVC members and WDW & DVC/Company to provide an admission discount. I'm a wishful sort, so, I'll keep wishing for one.

NOTE: I am not a professional, this is just an opinion. I bought an accomodation, etc.etc.
I don't know what freebieland is

 

[Maistre Gracey]

The Magic is alive and well as far as I'm concerned. I do not see the parks as being in bad shape. I also didn't see one half of Tomorrowland closed. Alien Encounter is being transfomed into Lilo & Stitch, and CP is open when needed.
Even though I am content with things as they are, I look at things like Mission: Space, and soon to be Everest (?), and say yeah!!! Even the smaller improvements, such as Wishes, shows me that management is commited to bettering WDW.

We brought my sister and BIL down last April, and they were completely blown away by WDW.


All that being said, everyone has the right to their own opinion.
Thanx for sharing yours...

MG

 

[jade1]

Agree to some but the expense part (extracting money from your wallet) ? You could drive in what, 8 hours, maybe $50 in gas, no car rental, stay at the best resorts in WDW on points, go to the parks the entire time on your AP? Thats like a $3000 to $5000 trip for most families and you can do it for $50. You have a kitchen and Publix just like home so food is no more than home either. Heck you would probably save $50 not running your AC a week in Atlanta. Quite crying and start packing. I WOULD.

 

[BostonDisneyKid]

The magic is live and well with me and my DVC Family, more so then ever!!! I've been 16 times to date and look forward to the next trip as much as I enjoyed the last. It sounds like you need a break for a while and maybe with some time you will once again see the "magic" as you once did. As they say, absence makes the heart grow stronger!!!

 

[PBB]

Apparentlly, this was the wrong place to post my opinion. I appreciate the loyalty everyone has to Disney. However, DVC'ers are a polarized group of loyal Disney people.

Jade- Your comment about my crying was out of place. I am stating an informed opinion about my experience on this trip and comparing it to my past experiences. I found no magic. I have not been to WDW for 4 years and guess what ? The magic is gone. I guess if I lived in MN it would be magical to go anywhere...... I never complained about the cost of rental car or gas. Nor did I complain about DVC. I find the accomodations to be outstanding. I guess I could hitchike down and live in a pup tent as well to save money as well.


I found the employees and conditions of the parks not up to the Disney standard is all. They are the ones who set the high standard not me and bragged about it. Now, they are not living up to it. Do I find the park prices staggering ? Yes, I do. $ 232 per day for a family of 4 is crazy. Disney promotes themselves for being the best and I dont believe they are anymore. I was embarassed when I went to Beaches and Cream at the yacht club for Ice Cream and saw the condition of Storm Along Bay. It was a wreck and a mess from no one cleaning the place up. What a shame not to maintain such a great resort.

I remember when Disney did not advertise the theme parks because word of mouth advertising was the best thing for them. That and the Wonderful World of Disney television show. Have you noticed that when Disney has a bad product they up the advertising dollars to get the people in the theater. The alamo was a prime example.

Someone also mentioned Bin Laden. Corporate America has blamed everything on 9/11 and Bin Laden. Funny, how Eisner and the executive team did not refuse a bonus until things were straightened out. I dont think Walt Disney would have taken the bonuses.

The travel industry has gotten back on their feet by discounting and attracting travelers back with better service and pricing. Disney went the opposite direction. In bad economic times what did Disney do ?? Raise rates, take away product and services. Is it a wonder that theme park attendance is lower than ever. Ronald Reagan (God Rest his Soul) did the same with taxes. Cutting taxes was windfall for the economy and created the largest expansion ever. Disney has outpriced their true customer and that is the middle class consumer.

Also, I mentioned half of tommorowland was shut down. That is an accurate comment. TimeKeeper, Alien Encounter, Carousel of Progress were shut down. Space mountain, Grand Prix raceway and Buzz lightyear were open, hence 1/2 of tommorowland. Whether, they are under refurb or not. 1/2 of was shut down.

I cant wait for Roy Disney and Stanley Gold to rekindle the magic !

 

[wisbucky]

The magic for us is still there.

I find it amazing that there are complaints about the way Disney is run but yet it is still the #1 vacation spot in the world. That speaks for itself. Now the question is why? Disney must be doing something right either in advertising or customer satisfaction that it continues to bring people in from all over the world. Maybe we are like WDWLVR and we look at the glass as being half full. There are numerous people who will always look at the glass as being half empty. This could be why people find flaws at Disney. They want to!!!!! Or maybe it is because some people have vacationed themselves out at Disney and just need a break. I believe, people will look for things that appear run down or very poorly done if they get bored with certain places. Maybe PBB you just need a break. I think you said it yourself when you said, "you have been one of WDW biggest fans". But yet you found numerous areas that did not meet up to your standards in one trip. I hope you find the magic again.

 

[bom_noite]

Perhaps you will find the Magic again. 6 years ago I had the opportunity to work in WDW as a contractor on a data processing project. I was amazed when I found one of the worst corporate environements I had ever seen. Very political and everything revolved around the bottom line. Everyone was watching out for their backside. And, finding scapegoats and worrying about political fallout was more important then just getting the job done.

When things went bad, the folks at WDW felt like my boss was a good target - and they set their sites on him. A very effective and proven individual was shreaded to bits by these folks. It was unbelievable and sad.

For 4 years after I said I will never step foot in that place again. Four years later I mellowed and realized the Magic is not in WDW, rather, the Magic is within yourself. You just have to allow yourself to let your imagination run a bit. Maybe stay away for a year and that will help you rekindle the feelings - it helped me.

Regardless, it is the job of the folks at WDW to help cultivate it - to bring it out. And, I will agree that WDW has slipped.

I too feel that Mr Disney and Mr Gold would go a very long way to reshaping things. And, I certainly hope they succeed in their quest.

But, for now begin thinking about what cultivated your original feelings and try and get back there. It still is a magical place if you let it be.

 

[RobDoc]

Originally posted by PBB
Apparentlly, this was the wrong place to post my opinion. I appreciate the loyalty everyone has to Disney. However, DVC'ers are a polarized group of loyal Disney people.

You may be right. Since it appears that your complaint is about the Theme Parks and admission prices, perhaps the Theme Parks Board would be a better venue for this. It certainly isn't about DVC and is off-topic for this forum.

If you want to complain about DVC, then this would be the best place to complain.