Has DisneyWorld lost the magic????

[BamaTigger]

I have been reading alot of negative posts for the past few months, and I have not been to WDW since 11/03.

So I just want some opinions for some recent park goers on the magic at WDW.

Has Disney lost some of their magic??

 

[civileng68]

No.

Now, when I went in 2003, I was a little nervous to be honest with you. I really was starting to think things at Disney may not be so hot. Then surge of Anti-Eisner crowds (such as myself) really made Eisner look like a horrible CEO (which I think he is). FITS was losing its luster and people were leaving MK at 8:00 at night to head to Epcot for Illuminations. Park hours at MK were really falling hard!

Example: When we were there in March (same week as this year) 2003, the MK closed most nights at 8:00. Last year, the same week, it closed at 10:00. This year the same week, it closed at 12:00. Things are looking up.

I think the introduction of Wishes really helped and then the addition of attractions being put in Walt Disney World is really helping.

The refurbishment of many attractions was important, such as Its a Small World. I still think some are needed. Some BIG ones.

I think still more dark rides need to be introduced.


HOwever, since 2003, things are incredible. The entire experience is better, and everyday that passes, is a day closer to Eisners stepping down.

There is NO magic lost and in fact, it's likely gained magic.


PS: I meant to mention also that in 2003 when the MK closes at 8:00 the week we were there, Pecos Bills and the other faster eateries closed at like 5:30. This time they are open until 11:00 I think.

 

[danny1649]

Plenty of magic on our visit we had a great time really charged our batteries up.WDW is for the most part a great experience,that said you are going to hit a bump in road anywhere even at Disney.You will encouter a rude CM,bad food,rude people, transportation problems,98º/º of your trip is going to be great so let that bump go and get on with good things you are going to experience.

 

[MinnieGi]

We have been going yearly now for the last several and we were just there in February and had a wonderful time. There was lots of work being done at the parks getting ready for the 50th anniversary celebration and it was wonderful to see! Looks like the celebration will be a great year to visit. We encountered many friendly cm's during our stay.

 

[BamaTigger]

Well I'm glad to be hearing the positive for a change!! Me and the hubby used to go about 2 or 3x a year and we havent been as fortunate to go as often, so I was just wondering. We dont want to go anywhere else, because we love the magic, and pixie dust, and the whole experience. (we have no kids, we are just big kids at heart!). I was feeling a bit nervous as to what to expect. We leave in 3 weeks for a week at the world!!!!!!!!!

Keep some more positive stuff coming!!!!!!!!!

 

[Got Quattro?]

Yes, disney lost it's magic, but it was well before 2003 or your last trip.

We have been going 2+ times a year since 1992. Around 1998 or 1999, or when Animal Kingdom came on line and the ABC / ESPN merger, there was a sharp decline in the overall apperence of the parks.

Prior to that time, you could walk anywhere in any of the 3 parks, and never see as much as a fallen dead tree leaf, much less trash. Since 1999, you frequently see trash on the ground and even piles of dead leaves. Grass areas and flower pots well over due for a cutting or fertilizer.

With corparate pressure to take proffits, head count was cut. the first thing to go was some of the little beutification touches.

I also think the hotel staf became over extended. All Stars, Movies, Animal Kingdom lodge, Pop century, Saratoga Springs all came on line, and the hotell staff had to be continually split. Each hotel lost some many expert staff to go set up and run the new hotels.

Although, it's not the same, Disney is still the best place in the world. Some day, it will make it back to it's glory of pre 1999. maybe the new CEO will help....but since he is a hand picked replacement by eisner.....I doubt it.

.

 

[civileng68]

Yes, disney lost it's magic, but it was well before 2003 or your last trip.

We have been going 2+ times a year since 1992. Around 1998 or 1999, or when Animal Kingdom came on line and the ABC / ESPN merger, there was a sharp decline in the overall apperence of the parks.

Prior to that time, you could walk anywhere in any of the 3 parks, and never see as much as a fallen dead tree leaf, much less trash. Since 1999, you frequently see trash on the ground and even piles of dead leaves. Grass areas and flower pots well over due for a cutting or fertilizer.

With corparate pressure to take proffits, head count was cut. the first thing to go was some of the little beutification touches.

I also think the hotel staf became over extended. All Stars, Movies, Animal Kingdom lodge, Pop century, Saratoga Springs all came on line, and the hotell staff had to be continually split. Each hotel lost some many expert staff to go set up and run the new hotels.

Although, it's not the same, Disney is still the best place in the world. Some day, it will make it back to it's glory of pre 1999. maybe the new CEO will help....but since he is a hand picked replacement by eisner.....I doubt it.

.

While I did say that the parks have not lost their magic and have gained it back from 2003, this post is EXACTLY correct.

I think what happens is Disney made huge cutbacks around late 2001 and maybe even before 9-11. While some may think that 9-11 is the cause for the big cuts, it really is not as the profits continue to grow.

Disney made a huge hiring freeze and layoff back then and I do agree that alot of corners have been cut, and there are the obvious signs in the parks that some of the refurbishments are not up to date and maintenance is behind.

Alot of this if not most, is from Michael Eisner. Now, I think since he was all but beheaded in the March 2004, Shareholder Convention, and since the new rise of Roy Disney's www.savedisney.com Eisner has really sort of tried a "comeback" to save his name sake for his other CEO ventures so that he does not become "ousted" from them.

I think for those listed things to really get better however, we dont need a new CEO we need a new board, such as Roy Disney is requested.

 

[bytheblood]

I think happily contributed by Eisner, Disney has lost some of its magic. He has destroyed a lot of what Walt wanted Disney to be. I think for those of us who love Disney based on Walt's dream, we can see some of the "lost magic" that was intended to always exist.

I disagree with the removal of church services. You take vacations from work, not from God.
I believe I read somewhere about 2 years ago that Eisner wanted to compete with USO and his move would be to turn WDW into a quad of thrill parks. Not at all what Walt would have intended for his "family" vacation spot.
There are other places where I feel the magic has lost a bit of its luster - if you will.

 

[GoofyBanker]

Still the best place in the world to take a nice family vacation IMO!

 

[Cruella DeVille]

Dear, Disney land will never lose it's magic... For the magic is in each in every one of us, I know that sounds liek something Cinderella would say but it's true! I've only been to Magic Kingdom twice [back to back days], and that was... three monthes ago and my heart aches to go again. I can't stand the anxiety, and that's why I devote my free time planning for my next trip and obsessing over character sheets. My answer to you, is no.

 

[Micca]

I think the answer is "maybe". On these boards you are dealing with people who are obsessed(I mean that in the nicest possible way) with Disney. Many people on these boards make multiple WDW trips every year. When you visit that often, you start to notice things that the less frequent visitor would not notice(because they are busy being entertained by all that is going on). It is still the greatest place on earth.