Have Disney Parks changed their image and are no longer aimed at families and children anymore?

[BrianL]

We love most of the festivals at Epcot, but honestly the drinking is out of hand. We've had several poor experiences there because of it, and need to plan our days/nights in the fall around avoiding weekends at F and W. That stinks- it's a good part of our trip and I wish more was done to keep the atmosphere "family friendly".

Also, we love the MK but what's new there that appeals to teens/young adults? Seems pretty kid oriented to me?
My kids weren't thrilled that the "cool" Splash Mountain is now yet another princess ride- totally understand the need for the updates there but my point is you could argue that any change is for/geared towards this, or against that....

IMO, plenty for all to enjoy when you factor in all of the parks- especially water parks for us- resorts, and DS.

Well, TRON is more geared toward older kids/adults for sure - it's more of a thrill ride. Beak & Barrel is also geared toward adults. MK as a whoile though is probably geared toward younger kids more than any other park, and that is probably how it should be.

 

[Elephantay]

Well, TRON is more geared toward older kids/adults for sure - it's more of a thrill ride. Beak & Barrel is also geared toward adults. MK as a whoile though is probably geared toward younger kids more than any other park, and that is probably how it should be.

Yes, and other than Tron- which was a loooong wait, it hasn't had anything added for older teens/young adults. So my point was to say that park isn't geared to the older crowd. I try to convince my college kids to go on HM, but they like BTM,,SM, and Tron...so I'm happy there are things elsewhere for them to enjoy. We still all want our family trips!

 

[OKW Lover]

We love most of the festivals at Epcot, but honestly the drinking is out of hand. We've had several poor experiences there because of it, and need to plan our days/nights in the fall around avoiding weekends at F and W.

If you can plan your Epcot festival visits for noon you won't see any drinking issues.

 

[Elephantay]

If you can plan your Epcot festival visits for noon you won't see any drinking issues.

Thanks- but we love the nights at the parks the best, and don't do well in the heat, so...
We've been appalled some of the things we've seen there. Not very Disney and nobody doing a thing about it which is ridiculous.

 

[lukemorenus]

I don't see it as a binary question. Disney still has amazing attractions for young children and can also cater to an older crowd.

Just because another demographic group gets something doesn't mean it's being taken away from you.

 

[ellbell]

It was always Walt's intention to appeal to adults as well as kids.

 

[DodgerGirl]

I think when Disney Parks began to appeal to the adult audience was when the Grand Floridian Resort opened in 1988 because back then that resort was catered at first to adults because of the restaurant Victoria And Albert's but when Walt Disney World debuted the All-Star Resort series those resorts catered to families and older kids and teenagers. But once character dining at 1900 Park Fare debuted at Grand Floridian Resort they began changing their image and catered to families. But when you have Disney's Animal Kingdom that park originally had a younger child image because young children have always adored animals and Animal Kingdom is a prime example as a theme park for younger children. But what I think Magic Kingdom should do is add exciting rides for older kids and teenagers because that what it truly needs. But what I think is making Disney Parks drawing families and children away from their parks is the overdoing of IP with iconic brands like Marvel Star Wars and Pixar because in reality the truth you can have too much of certain IPs. I mean if Walt Disney World decides to build their version of Avengers Campus in Disney's Hollywood Studios it would attract the teenagers and older kids who like Marvel along with adult Marvel fans

 

[ellbell]

I think when Disney Parks began to appeal to the adult audience was when the Grand Floridian Resort opened in 1988 because back then that resort was catered at first to adults because of the restaurant Victoria And Albert's but when Walt Disney World debuted the All-Star Resort series those resorts catered to families and older kids and teenagers. But once character dining at 1900 Park Fare debuted at Grand Floridian Resort they began changing their image and catered to families. But when you have Disney's Animal Kingdom that park originally had a younger child image because young children have always adored animals and Animal Kingdom is a prime example as a theme park for younger children. But what I think Magic Kingdom should do is add exciting rides for older kids and teenagers because that what it truly needs. But what I think is making Disney Parks drawing families and children away from their parks is the overdoing of IP with iconic brands like Marvel Star Wars and Pixar because in reality the truth you can have too much of certain IPs. I mean if Walt Disney World decides to build their version of Avengers Campus in Disney's Hollywood Studios it would attract the teenagers and older kids who like Marvel along with adult Marvel fans

Ummm I'm 44 and adore animals

 

[bettertheangel]

I think when Disney Parks began to appeal to the adult audience was when the Grand Floridian Resort opened in 1988 because back then that resort was catered at first to adults because of the restaurant Victoria And Albert's but when Walt Disney World debuted the All-Star Resort series those resorts catered to families and older kids and teenagers. But once character dining at 1900 Park Fare debuted at Grand Floridian Resort they began changing their image and catered to families. But when you have Disney's Animal Kingdom that park originally had a younger child image because young children have always adored animals and Animal Kingdom is a prime example as a theme park for younger children. But what I think Magic Kingdom should do is add exciting rides for older kids and teenagers because that what it truly needs. But what I think is making Disney Parks drawing families and children away from their parks is the overdoing of IP with iconic brands like Marvel Star Wars and Pixar because in reality the truth you can have too much of certain IPs. I mean if Walt Disney World decides to build their version of Avengers Campus in Disney's Hollywood Studios it would attract the teenagers and older kids who like Marvel along with adult Marvel fans

Walt Disney World will not be building the Avengers Campus at Hollywood Studios. There is a contract in place that prevents them from doing so.

Honestly, if you had been to the parks recently, you'd see that there is enough to cater to all ages.

 

[EastYorkDisneyFan]

Walt Disney World will not be building the Avengers Campus at Hollywood Studios. There is a contract in place that prevents them from doing so.

Honestly, if you had been to the parks recently, you'd see that there is enough to cater to all ages.

Yes, it's referred to as the master licensing agreement, and anything that is featured in Universal Studios Florida is off limits. The reason why they can get away with Gaudreans of the Galexey is that they aren't fetured anywhe in the land at Universal.

 

[KPeterso]

I think when Disney Parks began to appeal to the adult audience was when the Grand Floridian Resort opened in 1988 because back then that resort was catered at first to adults because of the restaurant Victoria And Albert's but when Walt Disney World debuted the All-Star Resort series those resorts catered to families and older kids and teenagers. But once character dining at 1900 Park Fare debuted at Grand Floridian Resort they began changing their image and catered to families. But when you have Disney's Animal Kingdom that park originally had a younger child image because young children have always adored animals and Animal Kingdom is a prime example as a theme park for younger children. But what I think Magic Kingdom should do is add exciting rides for older kids and teenagers because that what it truly needs. But what I think is making Disney Parks drawing families and children away from their parks is the overdoing of IP with iconic brands like Marvel Star Wars and Pixar because in reality the truth you can have too much of certain IPs. I mean if Walt Disney World decides to build their version of Avengers Campus in Disney's Hollywood Studios it would attract the teenagers and older kids who like Marvel along with adult Marvel fans

Well, I am late 40s and love animals and Animal Kingdom is my #1 park. I would skip Magic Kingdom or Hollywood Studios to go to AK if I could not visit all parks in a trip. There is so much to do there. I love wandering the trails looking at the animals and talking to the various keepers to learn more about the animals. Did you know that during hurricanes that the meerkats are moved to the animal hospital because their normal housing tends to flood? Or that the male tiger Konrad is super food motivated and thinks if he hears his name he will be getting food so they really try to limit it being said around him?

As said, WDW is for everyone --- adults and children alike! And why would Disney not put their IP in the parks? They own it and it is what both children and adults will recognize.

 

[Joanna71985]

I think when Disney Parks began to appeal to the adult audience was when the Grand Floridian Resort opened in 1988 because back then that resort was catered at first to adults because of the restaurant Victoria And Albert's but when Walt Disney World debuted the All-Star Resort series those resorts catered to families and older kids and teenagers. But once character dining at 1900 Park Fare debuted at Grand Floridian Resort they began changing their image and catered to families. But when you have Disney's Animal Kingdom that park originally had a younger child image because young children have always adored animals and Animal Kingdom is a prime example as a theme park for younger children. But what I think Magic Kingdom should do is add exciting rides for older kids and teenagers because that what it truly needs. But what I think is making Disney Parks drawing families and children away from their parks is the overdoing of IP with iconic brands like Marvel Star Wars and Pixar because in reality the truth you can have too much of certain IPs. I mean if Walt Disney World decides to build their version of Avengers Campus in Disney's Hollywood Studios it would attract the teenagers and older kids who like Marvel along with adult Marvel fans

Um...WDW has appealed to adults since 1971. Also, all 4 parks can be for either adults or kids. I'm an adults and AK is one of my favorite parks (I could spend all day just looping the Safari). Also- WDW isn't able to build Avengers Campus

 

[DCLGirlie]

Um...WDW has appealed to adults since 1971. Also, all 4 parks can be for either adults or kids. I'm an adults and AK is one of my favorite parks (I could spend all day just looping the Safari). Also- WDW isn't able to build Avengers Campus

Yeah claiming DAK was for younger children has me legitimately confused because I'm also an adult who's favorite park is DAK. I feel like a lot of kids just want to speed through the various animal exhibits and actually want to go on the rides, but to me the real joy of DAK is just strolling through the animal exhibits, listening to some of the live music, watching the wood carvers, and maybe if I'm feeling wild and crazy doing a few single rider trips on Everest.

 

[Nayan]

I love DAK and I am far from a kid (I am one at heart though).

It's wise to remember that the OP has not been to any Disney park in well over 20 years and either gets her info from her mom (who has given her very false information numerous times, which she repeats here) or from YouTube.

 

[thanxfornoticin]

Another DAK park favorite person here!! That being said, Disney most definitely still caters to the kids and families - at least those who can afford it in 2026!

 

[Joanna71985]

Yeah claiming DAK was for younger children has me legitimately confused because I'm also an adult who's favorite park is DAK. I feel like a lot of kids just want to speed through the various animal exhibits and actually want to go on the rides, but to me the real joy of DAK is just strolling through the animal exhibits, listening to some of the live music, watching the wood carvers, and maybe if I'm feeling wild and crazy doing a few single rider trips on Everest.

I love doing Single Rider on EE! I had a day where I rode 14 times in a row (and 13 of the 14 were through the Single Rider line)

 

[ellbell]

AK is my favorite park too. I end up standing for a half hour and just watch the gorillas just be gorillas. The park is so beautiful as well. I love just taking in the atmosphere while walking through Africa and Asia. I'd also take a trip out to the affection section every trip just to pet the goats and other animals. Not to mention the quality of the stage shows in AK.

 

[picktails]

They are catering to people who have a lot of money. I would guess that most young families have to spend most of their money on buying a house, paying for childcare, saving for college, etc. So therefore they are gearing a lot now towards older guests who tend to have more discretionary income.

This right here.

 

[Walkingintheair]

I don't know about in the theme parks but at Disney Springs for sure. I really don't like what's happened to it.

Maybe it's also hard for them to keep up the classic old Disney feeling since a lot of the movies that were their biggest hits and made them famous are so far into the past now.

 

[natatomic]

I got an AP mailer a month or two ago, and of the 12 people in the 5-6 pictures, there was only one child - and she was on the very last page. The rest were all pairs of adults or small groups of adult friends. Take that for what you will.