For the first time in 20 years, I am not excited to return to Disney World.

[cjlong88]

Honestly not sure why more folks aren’t jazzed about Harmonius and Ratatouille

We absolutely loved both. Ratatouille is adorable and the ride has so many great little surprises. Definitely a re-ride for me.

My husband and I are not fireworks/shows people. At all. We have tried and we just don't get into it. We were walking back to the hotel when Harmonious started. We stopped and our jaws dropped. We could not believe how much we loved it. As a musician, I found the composition to be well constructed and arranged. Very interesting harmonic transitions between the songs and each tune in its language was absolutely beautiful. I loved how the classic songs were reimagined in a fresh way that really resonates with the style in which music is created today. Very modern but still had that Disney feel. The visual package was varied and beautifully executed. We loved how the arms changed the shape of the landscapes and how the fireworks complimented the new technology rather than constantly competing with what you're seeing below. We were simply in awe and we can't wait to see it again on our January trip.

 

[buckeyegirl1]

We absolutely loved both. Ratatouille is adorable and the ride has so many great little surprises. Definitely a re-ride for me.

My husband and I are not fireworks/shows people. At all. We have tried and we just don't get into it. We were walking back to the hotel when Harmonious started. We stopped and our jaws dropped. We could not believe how much we loved it. As a musician, I found the composition to be well constructed and arranged. Very interesting harmonic transitions between the songs and each tune in its language was absolutely beautiful. I loved how the classic songs were reimagined in a fresh way that really resonates with the style in which music is created today. Very modern but still had that Disney feel. The visual package was varied and beautifully executed. We loved how the arms changed the shape of the landscapes and how the fireworks complimented the new technology rather than constantly competing with what you're seeing below. We were simply in awe and we can't wait to see it again on our January trip.

We loved harmonious too, so much better than enchantment, and my 17 year old loved ratatouille, they did a good job with it!

 

[popy]

One thing is certain, you are going to loose your money, if you are conscious about money, then , your going have a miserable time.
your loss, Disney gains.

 

[stinkpickle]

I've learned to keep my expectations low. It's worked for me for several years already.

 

[tgropp]

I'd love to know what made you feel this way?

I’m here now. I’m having a good time….not great. People stopping and walking into everyone because they’ve on their phones. Everything done by phone and it was never like this. I don’t like the direction Disney is going. Rides are constantly down. Beyond crowded and many rude people. I’m glad I’m here but it’s sure different than it used to be

 

[Ricguz]

I’ve been visiting WDW since I was barely old enough to walk. I’ve gone every year since, I’ve planned multiple trips, had so many wonderful experiences.

I just returned from a trip early December and it is the first time I’ve been truly sad and disappointed. I kind of saw this coming, but I was hoping that I would go on the trip and I would be pleasantly surprised.

But the magic was just…gone. Disney World has always been my bright spot, it has gotten me through serious depression, abusive situations, terrible loss. And I’m so sad that it is no longer the place I know and love.

I know a lot of people won’t agree with this, but some people might feel the same. This is just my personal experience, so please don’t dog me for that. I hope WDW sees these complaints and maybe changes something. Who knows.

I’m hoping to use this time to travel to other locations and explore more. And maybe one day I will be back. Till then, thank you for the memories, WDW.

Thank you for such a personal and honest review. We love WDW, experience the magic every couple of years. The next trip is scheduled for Dec 2022. It is also one of my bright spots. When we are there, I feel like I am in my own little world. With all the reports I hear and see I’m afraid I’m going to be disappointed also. However I have put off this next trip in the hope Disney gets its act together, and we as guests can have the magic back. I feel for you. Give it time, I believe things will get better.

 

[JayMass]

I gotta say that my last trip to WDW in August 2021 was the best trip we've ever had! We usually go in February or April during Mass. school vacation weeks when it's packed. This trip, which was rescheduled for Covid half a dozen times, was during the 3rd week of August. While it was crazy hot, the crowds were manageable and we did everything we wanted to. Masks were a little annoying but they have become such a part of my everyday life (I'm a teacher in Mass where there's a mask mandate in all schools) that I usually forget about them.

I'm sorry so many people have had such a bad time recently. I haven't experienced the Genie which will make things very, very different.

I don't know about any of you, but when you walk into MK on the first day of your trip and spot the castle for the first time down Main St.--chills, goosebumps, the magic of Disney just hits me so hard!

 

[disney-inspired]

I’m here now. I’m having a good time….not great. People stopping and walking into everyone because they’ve on their phones. Everything done by phone and it was never like this. I don’t like the direction Disney is going. Rides are constantly down. Beyond crowded and many rude people. I’m glad I’m here but it’s sure different than it used to be

This was an issue before Genie+, basically as soon as smartphones were easily accessible to the regular folks it's been an issue. Social media, taking photos, texting, etc.
I wouldn't chalk it all up to G+.

 

[thanxfornoticin]

I’m here now. I’m having a good time….not great. People stopping and walking into everyone because they’ve on their phones. Everything done by phone and it was never like this.

People stopping with faces in their phones is not exclusive to Disney. It's everywhere! It's on city streets, at Universal, anywhere with crowds. It's 2021 and the way people do things now. Is it an overstatement to say 90% of the people visiting Disney have a smart phone or tablet? And I expect a large percentage of people checking out their phones at Disney has nothing to do with Genie+ or ILL, but daily communication with others not at Disney!!

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

I began feeling this way between 2016 and the last promised trips in 2018 long before covid and the recent changes. What Disney fails to realized is that I am the one with the disposable income (not retired/not burdened with a lot of debt). My kids can't afford to go to Disney without my help. My son was raised on Disney trips, DVDs, toys ect... I now have a grandson and I have not bought him one Disney related thing. Lost category one is merchandise. He is not going to be raised on Disney like his dad, therefore, Disney is losing long term the next generation. Lost category two is park vacations. If they screw up Disney cruises, that will be the third strike and Disney will be out all together.

Why does your son have to go to Disney, why does your grandson have to be raised on Disney?

For the other talk of posts coming off condescending (which FWIW I do kinda agree with) yours comes off talking about your finances such that you are and the presumption that somehow your children and their children have to like, enjoy and go as frequently as you do and that the future generations are just lost.

Your children may enjoy going to Disney and just can't afford it without your gracious financial assistance but they aren't obligated to nor should Disney be faulted if naturally interests changed.

FWIW my husband and I (in our 30s) are far more interested in Disney than our parents who couldn't care less..like while they don't judge us for going don't see Disney as some glorious place to go to. As always YMMV. I was taken to theme parks as a young kid (SeaWorld, Busch Gardens, WDW, DLR, Universal, etc) and I went by chance to WDW as I grew up only because my stepmom's family lived about an hour away so when we went to visit we would go but no one in my life has ever gone to Disney/grew up on it/raised on it. Although I think I could confidently say just about everyone I know my age at least was brought up with watching Disney movies of the Disney Renaissance era and merchandise but I can't see my grandparent boycotting Disney by not purchasing merchandise, that seems like punishing the kid because of your issues although as you've pointed out you're the one with the disposable income.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

I’m here now. I’m having a good time….not great. People stopping and walking into everyone because they’ve on their phones.

The phone thing unfortunately has been a complaint over the years but pre-dates MDE primary usage, usually it was in the context of taking photos for the most part, and like others said isn't just Disney. It even pre-dates smartphones as people used to stop for pictures with normal cameras but the number of people and the cameras on phones these days def. increases how many people do this, then on top you add in apps and it's like a perfect storm of no awareness going on.

We were just in Vegas and spatial awareness was as per usually sadly lacking. It reminded me of the days of the past when I actually used to go to the mall and was confronted with chains of people blocking access. People just sorta walk without thinking "oohh maybe there is someone behind me" so they may meander, stop abruptly, stop and stay in the middle, etc.

It's def. frustrating

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

Some of the talk about magic provided vs magic made seems to also surround technology and how that has changed. Much of the complaints comes from people who grew up or spent most of their adult lives going to Disney and it's only been in the very recent years that technology has sped up throughout the world and thus companies all over have been grappling with how they adapt. I'm not going to say Disney has adapted the best and I usually have quite a lot of complaints against Disney even as I have compliments or positive things but on this one it's a trend I've noticed on complaints. People want the old way but the old way was before things were so fast (like smartphone era where apps are normal and people for the most part expect an app integration in some way). So Disney tends to get complaints for not continuously updating things so they don't get stale (well like Epcot was for way too dang long) but then that tends to anger the people who want things to basically stay as a time capsule so they can relive the past good times they had.

It's okay to be disappointed, I think people have to be okay with letting themselves feel that way. At the same time people who went during the whole "Disney supplies the magic" time periods subconsciously made their own magic and can still make magic now. Part of that to me is letting yourself see the theme and live it in a different way than before. I have told this enough times on the Board but I'm going to revisit it here. Since going to places with my husband since I met him one of my favorite things is seeing him happy. On amusement park and theme park adventures it's hearing his laughter..always that. He has a very distinctive laughter and on the rides I don't go on (because they do loops, upside down, or too high of a drop) and I have the opportunity to hear his laughter it's just one of the best things and always makes me so happy. That to me gets counted as magic, although to be fair it's magic done at USO and other theme parks. And when I get the chance to be next to him on a ride it warms my heart like none other (even when I'm hangry which let's be real def. happens )

I can't sugar coat that some things just are exasperating and not customer friendly but I tend to read the posts with a light of more like "I want it to be like the olden days" but the olden days aren't the olden days because it's not the olden days in general no matter how much we try to make it.

On the app part we had that issue in DLR with MP where one day it just went down and they halted the sale of it. Out of 3 of us only my husband's phone worked and then about 3/4 through the day the other person's phone worked so I def. get technical issues. Sometimes it's the app has crashed (as was the case with MP) sometimes it's deleting cache or updating the app if needed, other times it's cell signal issues which sometimes being on wifi can help with that (not always but it can). I know that doesn't help with the mobile ordering part and someone could comment and say "why do I have to go through all that just to get food" I hear ya but just offering that potential advice.

 

[katyjeka]

We just returned from a 2 week trip, early December. My family has never been as excited about Disney as I have and have went along through the years for me. After returning this year we have decided as a family that our Disney trips are over for quite awhile. This was the trip that I woke up and realized we enjoy other things more. We work hard all year and I refuse to spend a vacation glued to my annoying phone. Every time I would go on the app I couldn't help but notice texts regarding work issues, very annoying. We encountered fantastic cast members and had a great time riding and enjoyed the shows however this is the first time we encountered so many angry guests. If I heard one more time that it costs a fortune and we have to get our moneys worth from idiot parents dragging their kids around I was going to scream. People attacking kids for sending bubbles in their direction, trying to sneak in the genie lines, refusing to move the whole way down a row when seating in shows like Lion King, arguing about masks with cast members and screaming because they could not get a meal at a sit down restaurant without a reservation. People are crazy!!! I'm sad as it is like closing a chapter in our life. I am looking forward to all the new places we are going to get to explore.

 

[Mai Ku Tiki]

We have voted with our wallets, and have no plans to return, which makes ME sad, because disney Was our happy place for so many years.
We shouldn't have to "lower our expectations" just to enjoy disney, IMO.

THAT is so well said. And makes ME so sad as well....

 

[Northernpioneers]

I’ve been visiting WDW since I was barely old enough to walk. I’ve gone every year since, I’ve planned multiple trips, had so many wonderful experiences.

I just returned from a trip early December and it is the first time I’ve been truly sad and disappointed. I kind of saw this coming, but I was hoping that I would go on the trip and I would be pleasantly surprised.

But the magic was just…gone. Disney World has always been my bright spot, it has gotten me through serious depression, abusive situations, terrible loss. And I’m so sad that it is no longer the place I know and love.

I know a lot of people won’t agree with this, but some people might feel the same. This is just my personal experience, so please don’t dog me for that. I hope WDW sees these complaints and maybe changes something. Who knows.

I’m hoping to use this time to travel to other locations and explore more. And maybe one day I will be back. Till then, thank you for the memories, WDW.

I’ve been visiting WDW since I was barely old enough to walk. I’ve gone every year since, I’ve planned multiple trips, had so many wonderful experiences.

I just returned from a trip early December and it is the first time I’ve been truly sad and disappointed. I kind of saw this coming, but I was hoping that I would go on the trip and I would be pleasantly surprised.

But the magic was just…gone. Disney World has always been my bright spot, it has gotten me through serious depression, abusive situations, terrible loss. And I’m so sad that it is no longer the place I know and love.

I know a lot of people won’t agree with this, but some people might feel the same. This is just my personal experience, so please don’t dog me for that. I hope WDW sees these complaints and maybe changes something. Who knows.

I’m hoping to use this time to travel to other locations and explore more. And maybe one day I will be back. Till then, thank you for the memories, WDW.

 

[tgropp]

This was an issue before Genie+, basically as soon as smartphones were easily accessible to the regular folks it's been an issue. Social media, taking photos, texting, etc.
I wouldn't chalk it all up to G+.

It has never been this bad before Genie….never

 

[fhtpdw20]

Sorry I struck some kind of nerve with MCM. Let me give you a little insight to my view. We were a MAJOR Disney family. For twenty years this was the only vacations we took. We were not interested in any other place other than WDW. We saved for those vacations in anticipation of new experiences through a child’s sense of wonder. We did not go into debt for vacations. My son enjoyed WDW so much that for his graduation present, he wanted a trip to Disneyland and that is where we went. We stuck with Disney through the ups and downs of 911 and recessions.

Yes, Disney is expensive but so is everything else. You name it, gas, utilities, groceries, rents, daycare etc.… Most young families simply cannot afford the vacation that Disney offers without incurring needless debt. There seems to be no end to the upcharges. I just read on Allears that parades are now a Genie plus offering and they are speculating that fireworks may be added to the list. Taking my family on multiple trips and showing my grandchild(ren) the wonder of Disney was a bucket list dream for me. That dream has died hard because I cannot show him the kind of Disney that his father grew up with where the magic lived and mattered. My view is that Disney is becoming the land of Dollars and Cents only. It has lost its heart. The customer service that Disney used to pride itself as number one is content now to be industry standard. Those of us that grew up on a visit with Walt Sunday nights and his vision of Disney have many fond memories of our children on vacation. I am in a somewhat a wistful state of mourning reminiscing the “what once was and is not now” like the passing of an old family friend.

To answer your question, no they do not have to be brought up on Disney. Yes, my grandson will see Disney; cannot help it is all over my house scrapbooks, music, décor, DVD collection. Will my kids be able to afford Disney without me, probably. You see it as punishing the child for not buying the merchandise. I see it as lesson learned from the past not to make it a major focus. If grandson gravitates to Disney product, then that is what he will get. I just won’t be pushing it or making it a priority.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

Sorry I struck some kind of nerve with MCM. Let me give you a little insight to my view. We were a MAJOR Disney family. For twenty years this was the only vacations we took. We were not interested in any other place other than WDW. We saved for those vacations in anticipation of new experiences through a child’s sense of wonder. We did not go into debt for vacations. My son enjoyed WDW so much that for his graduation present, he wanted a trip to Disneyland and that is where we went. We stuck with Disney through the ups and downs of 911 and recessions.

Yes, Disney is expensive but so is everything else. You name it, gas, utilities, groceries, rents, daycare etc.… Most young families simply cannot afford the vacation that Disney offers without incurring needless debt. There seems to be no end to the upcharges. I just read on Allears that parades are now a Genie plus offering and they are speculating that fireworks may be added to the list. Taking my family on multiple trips and showing my grandchild(ren) the wonder of Disney was a bucket list dream for me. That dream has died hard because I cannot show him the kind of Disney that his father grew up with where the magic lived and mattered. My view is that Disney is becoming the land of Dollars and Cents only. It has lost its heart. The customer service that Disney used to pride itself as number one is content now to be industry standard. Those of us that grew up on a visit with Walt Sunday nights and his vision of Disney have many fond memories of our children on vacation. I am in a somewhat a wistful state of mourning reminiscing the “what once was and is not now” like the passing of an old family friend.

To answer your question, no they do not have to be brought up on Disney. Yes, my grandson will see Disney; cannot help it is all over my house scrapbooks, music, décor, DVD collection. Will my kids be able to afford Disney without me, probably. You see it as punishing the child for not buying the merchandise. I see it as lesson learned from the past not to make it a major focus. If grandson gravitates to Disney product, then that is what he will get. I just won’t be pushing it or making it a priority.

See this comment above is so much better IMO at explaining the grievance you have and it's not as if you don't have any reason to make them of course you do. The other one you were throwing your finances around like a heavyweight champ, the outright that your son simply couldn't afford Disney without your help (which is now that he probably could though).

When it comes to Disney there are new people all the time, they may not be the same as before. That's why I mentioned our parents who never had an interest in really raising us to go all the time, they didn't start some generational stuff, it started with my husband and I (although as I said I did go when I was a young kid to theme parks and amusement parks I wasn't raised a loyalists to them). There are plenty of singles, couples (and ones without kids) and more who go and continue to go. It's not a generation lost just because you decided that the buck stops with you and your son can't go without you and your grandson won't be a Disney vacationer now too. That's sorta the reality and I understand that for some it's not what they want, that what they are used to is a generational pass down of Disney vacationers.

As far as the punishing comment your grandson is like the innocent bystander in your for lack of a better term majority boycott against Disney. It's your dollars you do what you want but the kid didn't ask to be part of some great cause here. Supply him with other toys that's totally fine but on the outside looking in it's in a way a punishing of the kid in order to show Disney. FWIW this part really has nothing to do with Disney it could easily be about some other thing.

A nerve wasn't struck, I just found the comment just as off putting as the others ones that had been called out, that's all. I appreciate your sentiment and comments in your above post, thank you for responding.

 

[fobo45]

I have to say I agree with not really looking forward to our trip. 1st our trip in September had to be changed 3 days before we were to leave. The after rebooking everything the cost went up about $2100.00 between airfare and the resort and ticket cost. Now I have to pay to get 5 from the airport and back. The extra money nighttime hours will not be for us even though we are paying more per night than some rooms in the deluxe resorts. Now this morning at 5:59 AM I have the Sci fi up ready to go. 6 it's show time hit the button no times available between 11:00 and 9:00. Sorry this is not possible in 3 seconds they were all gone. Chatted with a cast member she was very nice and tried to help but no hope. I really hope upper management gets a record bonus this year at some point the high enders will move on and they will have no one to pick up the slack. We have seen this happen time and time again when high ranking bosses chase the money.

 

[fhtpdw20]

Thanks MCM. The emphasis on money is not what I have or don't have to spend. The reason to bring it front and center is that IF Disney does follow the comments on this site, money seems to be the only motivator to interest them. As I have said before, Disney is looking for short-term make up of lost covid profits. They do not appear to value or be focused on long-term customer loyalty any more. I may be old-school but I am still helping to shape the future of Disney. I use to be one of their biggest cheerleaders. Now I am one of the worst critics.