Interesting read about Disney here! I gotta agree!

[mick1229]

Not just "phoning it in"...but continuously giving the consumer less and charging more...I finally reached my breaking point.I would rather remember it for what it once was,than continue to go with blinders on and try to "justify" why we are there to begin with.

 

[ArwenMarie]

I see this attitude a lot on here and I always assume the poster has never actually been to Universal. There is a lot there for younger children - assuming your younger children like Harry Potter, Dr. Suess, Marvel superheroes, Despicable Me, Shrek, The Simpsons, Transformers, etc. I only have boys, but I know my boys were more "into" the Universal themes than the Disney themes, even when they were very young.

It is also much easier to meet characters at Universal, and the rider swap system is better there.

I do think there is plenty to do at Universal for younger ones, but I still think Disney owns that piece of the market. So if a family with young children is picking, I can see why WDW would win. Universal needs a few more mellow dark rides without height restrictions IMO to appeal to families with young children more. Seussland for example would be awesome with a couple more. And for entertainment/nighttime shows, WDW wins hands down for families with little kids. But I'm not sure they want to spend money trying to win that segment.

 

[mellyf]

I see this attitude a lot on here and I always assume the poster has never actually been to Universal. There is a lot there for younger children - assuming your younger children like Harry Potter, Dr. Suess, Marvel superheroes, Despicable Me, Shrek, The Simpsons, Transformers, etc. I only have boys, but I know my boys were more "into" the Universal themes than the Disney themes, even when they were very young.

It is also much easier to meet characters at Universal, and the rider swap system is better there.

When my husband and I were at Universal last January (at an admittedly slow time of year), we wandered into one of the gift shops in (on?) Super Hero Island, and saw Spiderman talking to one of the cashiers. Of course that wasn't as exciting for us as seeing the Scooby-Doo gang and the Mystery Machine one day at US.

 

[Jake&IzzyLand]

This is why I am having such trouble planning our next visit. I keep going back and forth on when to go, where to stay and what exactly to do once we get there. Offsite? RCI? Split stay between WDW and US? I have no idea what is best!

 

[mshanson3121]

When did you last visit Universal?

You don't have to visit to look over the attractions online and see what's available. US boasts that it has 26 rides between their two parks ... WDW has 34 just in one park.

 

[3DisneyFanz]

You don't have to visit to look over the attractions online and see what's available.

Reminds me of something my father once said to me and I now pass along to my son "Don't yuck it till you try it."

 

[mshanson3121]

I see this attitude a lot on here and I always assume the poster has never actually been to Universal. There is a lot there for younger children - assuming your younger children like Harry Potter, Dr. Suess, Marvel superheroes, Despicable Me, Shrek, The Simpsons, Transformers, etc. I only have boys, but I know my boys were more "into" the Universal themes than the Disney themes, even when they were very young.

It is also much easier to meet characters at Universal, and the rider swap system is better there.

I didn't say there wasn't anything for young children. I said there's more at WDW. And there is.

 

[mshanson3121]

Reminds me of something my father once said to me and I now pass along to my son "Don't yuck it till you try it."

This board never fails to surprise me at it's ability to a) not actually read what people write and b) twisting people's words.

1. I didn't "yuck" it.
2. I didn't say there wasn't anything for young children.
3. What I did say - and what is just a pure numbers fact - is that WDW offers MORE for young children.

 

[lugnut33]

These long delays for additions and changes to the parks are why we are happy to go only every 4-5 years. We go this November and won't be back until the Star Wars additions are completed and have been in operation for a while.

This is probably the smartest person on the boards. I wish I had your discipline, but I like the Mouse too much.

 

[Mambo Junkie]

I, too, am upset about the costs of Disney rising while producing little to justify it. I have long said the magic bands are a great strategy for ensuring people will stay in the parks and not have the flexibility to go elsewhere; if you use the mb the way it was designed, you are married to it. Then they have parties that cost extra, and "perks" to get you to spend more to stay onsite. Not bad, but they sure do drag their feet when it comes to producing more than a price increase. You almost feel like an experiment. "Let's check out how much more we can squeeze while offering less and see at what point they notice." Even their paid parties are offering less than they used to. There used to be a lot more stage shows and free pictures, and other special activities. Now they offer special M&Gs, an expensive dessert party to see fireworks that are basically the same as any other night. You're paying for the view, which is not so great if it rains and unless you are standing up. If I wanted to stand up, I wouldn't have bought the party tickets. After a long day with little ones, I wanted to be able to sit down and enjoy the fireworks. I think the biggest investment Disney has made recently to pacify us while all the construction is dragging along is costumes for the many meet and greets all over the parks which will eat up most of your park time. Maybe they're hoping you won't notice the lack of new innovations and projects that seem to drag on forever. Unless they want to throw up another high dollar hotel or a parking structure. That means revenue so they move along at a pretty brisk pace for that.
THAT Debbie Downer out of the way, I have enjoyed continuing to go because I now have little ones who are delighted by attractions I now find mundane, and meeting all the characters I wouldn't spend 10 minutes waiting for. They are bedazzled by what they are experiencing and we will continue to take them so we can see the park anew through their eyes. They feel special staying at the resorts and love the themed dining. So for that, I will put my disappointments to the side. For now.
We did buy season passes for US this year because there's a lot of new things to see and the cost was reasonable. Even going twice in 1 year could not justify the cost of a Disney season pass.

 

[hsmamato2]

I actually agree with the article. Disney knows when movies open/attractions close. They know these dates probably years in advance. Are they currently resting on their 'laurels' while promising 'great new stuff soon'? absolutely! Half of two major parks closed for over a year, yet ticket prices rising? Absolutely. Yes, there are still things to do... but not nearly enough. (difference between a first timer and a disney vet? One will still go to the muppets '3d' movie...and one is completely bored b/c it's so outdated)
Is Universal actually delivering on new and interesting things right now? YES.
Is Disney shutting a LOT down,promising new things,and delivering 'dance parties'? YES.
I have visited 'other parks' in the last couple of years more than I ever had in many,many years. (They were lots of fun,very entertaining)
Those of us who became accustomed to the 'old days' when Disney=high quality entertainment are missing this factor..... and it says a lot about what things 'used to be' that we loyalists are basically in mourning much of the time lately. That's what I read in this article.
And with prices rising so steadily, yes,many of us do feel that something that used to exist is currently MIA. And yet....and Yet.... we keep hoping for something.... we keep visiting (possibly less, as there's less to experience) but we keep hoping for greatness. That's what I see missing now.(IMHO)

 

[mom2rtk]

Seeing as how we had to spend 3 days and drive roughly 3000 km to get there, I'm well aware of the "substantial costs" for an entire family to travel to Disney
At any rate, we agree on the one day thing, no I would never pay $105 to go to HS for a day. But, honestly, I also probably wouldn't pay it for 1 day at MK, either. The value comes in the multi-day tickets for us. It's pointless to haggle over "Well if you buy this ticket it's this much" etc... Each family is going to buy what they buy, which will factor in whether HS is worth it for them or not. For us, easily worth $52. But there are also a lot of people that have made up their minds to hate HS, and don't feel it's worth it, their perogative. My point was - no, maybe HS isn't worth $105, but when you're buying a 6 day pass, you're not paying $105, you're paying half of that. And that's really the way you need to look at it when buying multi-day tickets.

Driving to Disney just isn't an option for us. Honestly, it's just not worth that much time in the car. Plus many families only get a week and could never devote 6 days of that just the travel part.

 

[mshanson3121]

Driving to Disney just isn't an option for us. Honestly, it's just not worth that much time in the car. Plus many families only get a week and could never devote 6 days of that just the travel part.

Agreed, but not really sure what your point is. Whether you fly or whether you spend 6 days driving - you're still spending precious time and money, and a lot of it.

 

[Mambo Junkie]

A lot of people on here lack objectivity because they've been so many times, they have a very different set of expectations and forget what it can be like for first timers.
As first timers we absolutely LOVED Hollywood Studios, spent a full day there, and still didn't see/do it all, and easily would have gone back for another day. That's not "happy ooey gooey Disney is God", that's just how we as a family enjoyed it.

I enjoy your perspective since you haven't been numerous times. It's refreshing to see someone new enjoying what many of us take for granted or are simply bored with. Thanks!
As I said in my post, I am looking at it anew, through my grandchildren's eyes. I can't wait until they're old enough to ride some of the bigger rides. Next trip: less M&Gs. We're not even fastpassing A&E. Yay!
ETA: Also, no extra paid parties, nothing we have to pay extra for, and a split stay so we can enjoy other Orlando attractions.

 

[momof2n2]

I can tell from looking at UG that my family wouldn't have as much interest with US/IOA as in WDW. But that said I'm WAAAAY more impressed with the way US develops their IPs and the speed with which they do it.

On another note - I am so over WDW and I haven't even been there in almost 5 years. We're heading back this May and there is so little new. Oh yeah. Except that IT system. (I won't go there.)

 

[starjazz]

Its just a personal preference thing. There's clearly a bunch of people here that are spent on WDW. Its important not to overdo it, or you can get complacent with anything.

That said, we go to Disney with a big group. There are some in our group who would tell you DHS is their favorite park. Between ToT, RR, and Star Tours, I think its home to 3 of best rides Disney has to offer. Not to mention several amazing shows. Epcot is my personal favorite because I love the World Showcase. I love the food, shops, and atmosphere.

I have two little girls (5 & 7), so regarding the US vs WDW competition, its not even close. I mean, Disney princesses plus Star Wars versus Spiderman, Harry Potter and Dr. Seuss? My girls have no idea who the first two even are, and the last can't hold a candle to anything Disney. Now, is that because of me? To some degree, but also because they're too young to read Harry Potter, and to girly to get into super heroes.

So for us, it'll be Disney for a long time to come. And I'm including DLR, because we alternate, and we really love DLR a lot! Whole different experience!

 

[brockash]

No what they are saying is that
1) H.S. is lousy and has been for awhile. they've been announcing star wars land for at least 2 years, probably 3
2) As of the time of the article all that's happened there is a film short

Has anything avatar opened yet??? in less time they've managed to get 3 dvc resorts done and consistently raising both ticket and resort prices. basically he's just questioning why and saying the going to have to produce. sooner or later a "dance party" experience doesn't cut it

This...over the last few years it's really been disappointing to see how often Disney just takes the easy way with something especially these dance parties. The last couple of years there have been more and more of them. It really does just scream "well here, let's have a bunch of ppl. throw on some costumes and play some music...that's worth the price of admission." Don't get me wrong, I have kids and they kinda like them for like 5 mins., but having one here or there sometimes is one thing, using them to take the place of actual attractions/shows/entertainment is just cheap.

 

[3DisneyFanz]

This...over the last few years it's really been disappointing to see how often Disney just takes the easy way with something especially these dance parties. The last couple of years there have been more and more of them. It really does just scream "well here, let's have a bunch of ppl. throw on some costumes and play some music...that's worth the price of admission." Don't get me wrong, I have kids and they kinda like them for like 5 mins., but having one here or there sometimes is one thing, using them to take the place of actual attractions/shows/entertainment is just cheap.

Sadly though if they throw in a cupcake and call it a Special Event Party people line up to throw $100 at Disney to get in. As much as I hate that this is their focus the fact they make so much off so little makes it hard for a company not to keep rolling them out.

 

[momof2n2]

Sadly though if they throw in a cupcake and call it a Special Event Party people line up to throw $100 at Disney to get in. As much as I hate that this is their focus the fact they make so much off so little makes it hard for a company not to keep rolling them out.

But this is what gives it all a cafeteria feel to me. It's too easy. It's exactly what the article is pointing to. No new content. Just leftovers dressed up to look like a new dish.

I hope they wow me.
I WANT to be wowed.
And since I've lowered my expectations as far as I have it may not take as much as it once did. But it's going to take something.

 

[ArwenMarie]

Sadly though if they throw in a cupcake and call it a Special Event Party people line up to throw $100 at Disney to get in. As much as I hate that this is their focus the fact they make so much off so little makes it hard for a company not to keep rolling them out.

That was one of the points of the article quoted somewhere on here above..."Walt Disney World's Middle Class Problem" That they are trying to become a luxury brand like Apple and one way to do that is to continue to add upcharge events while not adding as much for everyone to enjoy. But as you said if they can make so much money off them, why wouldn't they do them?