Interesting read about Disney here! I gotta agree!

[Chelle's Belles]

I fully agree with the article, AND I'm excited for our upcoming trip to Disney. After going several times in rapid succession, we took a few years off. We definitely had a "been there, done that" feeling about it. My kids are right on the cusp of being "too cool" for Disney, so we're going back even though there's not that much new since our last trip. After this, we'll wait another few years and hope that Avatar and Star Wars are enticing enough to get my (by that time) teen-age kids there for a few days. That said, I confess that I'm hopeful a lot of people will take this year off and my trip will be less crowded!

 

[3DisneyFanz]

This is a very good point...

There is value in building expectations, but perhaps they draw it out a little too long. This not only annoys people, but (I think) also increases the chance for disappointment with the final result.

Sometimes I think this is likely and I'm afraid may be the case with Avatarland. That said I'm also fairly sure they could have done NFL in half the time and gotten the same "Meh" response.

 

[Angel Ariel]

The ride swap better at US? Not in my experience at either the LA or Florida parks across 4 different trips. We found it such a pain in the *** that it was one of the main reasons we decided not to go this last trip (first time we have ever skipped it).
As far as the theming it does well for the 6 and up age group but not for younger especially with the George area gone

We like the RS at both places. When DD was an infant, the RS at uni worked very well for us wanting to see WWoHP. We could all wait together, she was happy just to be with us, and there was a nice spot to sit and wait to swap once you got to ride loadinf. At that time, we preferred that over having to split up to enjoy the ride (especially given the wait times at the time)

 

[cleopenn]

"There's one born every minute."
(She said as she paid off the Visa charge of $680 for a dinner in a castle.)

Understanding from one who paid off a $350+ bill for Star Wars pics. (the ones after Star Tours) When my DH complained about the credit card charge, I reminded him that he was the one that said yes to every picture taken.

Unfortunately, I think the author may very well be wrong. IMHO Disney is betting that crowds won't suffer while they're making the improvements they're working on in EP, AK and DHS. And given how crowds were up substantially last year, they very well may be right.

We WDW veterans can see the decrease in value, but WDW doesn't market to us as much as they do the first-time crowd, and those guests don't know what they're missing.

As recent first time visitor, I didn't feel that way. If anything, the systems (ADRs/FP+) seem to require the experience of repeat visitor. Maybe require is too strong of a word, maybe favor the more experienced is a better way of saying it.

I'm not disagreeing with you personally, just providing a first-timers point of view. If other first timers share my opinion than Disney is really dropping the ball.

 

[WDWRook]

I'm probably not qualified to comment. I was at WDW decades ago as a kid, and in 2003 for work, and in the planning stages for a trip with our kids in May, but...

That is a terribly lazy article. So WDW is going down hill (despite records crowds in 2015) because US has Harry Potter? Because WDW is making attractions years after the movie; even though Star Wars is new again and Frozen isn't dyeing anytime soon. Yet, US is awesome because of Harry Potter, that attraction created in 2009 for a movie first released in 2001? I get the point, but I don't think the author does, or he simply wrote it in five minutes on the plane ride back from an unsatisfactory trip to WDW. Truth is, WDW is still the one place you MUST visit with the kids. I'd like to go to US, but I'm not setting up a special trip for it, and there is a significant chance we never go. There was zero chance we would have missed going to WDW at least once, Zero. I love Potter, but the kids are so-so on it. But they kids, like most kids, are in love with everything Disney.

Reading online it seems that DVC is extremely popular right now; as we were contemplating it and have friends that are in it. That doesn't seem to me to be a facts surrounding a park failing compared to US.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

I don't agree with the article. There is no clock ticking for WDW theme parks. Even with WWHOP completed in Orlando, WDW's LEAST attended park (DHS), still beats both US and IOA in attendance numbers. Even when you combine the US and IOA attendance numbers in 2014, MK stills beats that total number. In attendance, Universal does not hold a candle to WDW and that really is not likely to change in the years it takes them to build out these new projects.

I would wage a bet that most people who have responded to this thread are repeat visitors, so, yes, the appeal of say the same-old, same-old e-ticket rides is probably going to get old after a while. Remember, we are in the minority. WDW is THE MOST visited tourist destination in the world and, for many, it's a once and done trip and they will most likely be thrilled with riding BTMRR, SM, 7DMT, TT, TSMM, etc. I would bet most don't even know what is in the works in the parks.

 

[momof2n2]

Understanding from one who paid off a $350+ bill for Star Wars pics. (the ones after Star Tours) When my DH complained about the credit card charge, I reminded him that he was the one that said yes to every picture taken.



As recent first time visitor, I didn't feel that way. If anything, the systems (ADRs/FP+) seem to require the experience of repeat visitor. Maybe require is too strong of a word, maybe favor the more experienced is a better way of saying it.

I'm not disagreeing with you personally, just providing a first-timers point of view. If other first timers share my opinion than Disney is really dropping the ball.

See - I agree with both of you...
I don't think WDW cares one iota about repeat visitors. I do agree that repeat visitors have a distinct advantage in planning. But I don't think WDW cares all that much about anyone's experience. As long as you've paid to get in (and maybe added on a few of those cupcake parties) they've done their job.

We have pages and pages of folks who are more than happy to eat, shop, and watch some shows. Maybe do their three rides and go lounge at the resort. They will keep coming back no matter how much the product declines. (Iger must love these folks.) These same folks are more than happy to remind less impressed visitors like myself that there are plenty of other fish in the sea if I stop coming. And, since they are right, I can only read articles (and threads) like this and SMH in fond remembrance.

 

[momof2n2]

I'm probably not qualified to comment. I was at WDW decades ago as a kid, and in 2003 for work, and in the planning stages for a trip with our kids in May, but...

That is a terribly lazy article. So WDW is going down hill (despite records crowds in 2015) because US has Harry Potter? Because WDW is making attractions years after the movie; even though Star Wars is new again and Frozen isn't dyeing anytime soon. Yet, US is awesome because of Harry Potter, that attraction created in 2009 for a movie first released in 2001? I get the point, but I don't think the author does, or he simply wrote it in five minutes on the plane ride back from an unsatisfactory trip to WDW. Truth is, WDW is still the one place you MUST visit with the kids. I'd like to go to US, but I'm not setting up a special trip for it, and there is a significant chance we never go. There was zero chance we would have missed going to WDW at least once, Zero. I love Potter, but the kids are so-so on it. But they kids, like most kids, are in love with everything Disney.

Reading online it seems that DVC is extremely popular right now; as we were contemplating it and have friends that are in it. That doesn't seem to me to be a facts surrounding a park failing compared to US.

Welcome to the DIS. I hope you and your family have a magnificent trip to WDW. As fellow May travelers I hope we get to compare notes on the return side of the trip.

I disagree (in a friendly way) that this is a lazy article. Much of what the writer points out has been suggested on these, and other pages, many times. I do agree that US is less enticing for my family. But what is really telling is that many may agree with your suggestion that WDW is a "must." I think this is exactly what WDW knows the public thinks - so they've decided they don't have to try as hard.

JennaDeeDoDah nicely highlighted the pokey way WDW has been adding to their parks.

I have what can only be described as commando-plans in an attempt to recreate the magic we've felt on previous trips. (Last one 2011 with a dozen in the 10 years leading up to that.) I will for sure be coming back here to share how it stacked up. I'm hopeful that the strategies I've honed up on a variety of message boards and touring sites pays off. Hey - maybe it's a GOOD thing there is so much less new to demand my attention?

 

[WDWRook]

I'm not suggesting the premise of the article is correct or not. I don't know. But it's lazy insofar as there are no facts. No data to support the premise. No detail. I bet most in his thread could have written that article while waiting in line for a ride on their phones. The average post ITT has more detail than those from the supposed journalist.

 

[Praying Colonel]

As recent first time visitor, I didn't feel that way. If anything, the systems (ADRs/FP+) seem to require the experience of repeat visitor. Maybe require is too strong of a word, maybe favor the more experienced is a better way of saying it.

I'm not disagreeing with you personally, just providing a first-timers point of view. If other first timers share my opinion than Disney is really dropping the ball.

I hear you, and I appreciate you adding your viewpoint as a first-time visitor. Navigating MDE and the sometimes Byzantine methods of maximizing the ADR and FP+ systems can be daunting*.

I was thinking more about the point the article's author was making about the lack of attractions and Disney needing to do something about it in 2016. Many of the first-timers don't realize how many attractions are now or soon will unavailable because they've never been.



*--Incidentally, that's 1 reason why many of us veterans dislike FP+ so much.

 

[3DisneyFanz]

I don't agree with the article. There is no clock ticking for WDW theme parks. Even with WWHOP completed in Orlando, WDW's LEAST attended park (DHS), still beats both US and IOA in attendance numbers. Even when you combine the US and IOA attendance numbers in 2014, MK stills beats that total number. In attendance, Universal does not hold a candle to WDW and that really is not likely to change in the years it takes them to build out these new projects.

I would wage a bet that most people who have responded to this thread are repeat visitors, so, yes, the appeal of say the same-old, same-old e-ticket rides is probably going to get old after a while. Remember, we are in the minority. WDW is THE MOST visited tourist destination in the world and, for many, it's a once and done trip and they will most likely be thrilled with riding BTMRR, SM, 7DMT, TT, TSMM, etc. I would bet most don't even know what is in the works in the parks.

I don't think the author is implying that Disney is going belly up anytime soon but I feel sure that people at Disney are looking at the attendance growth and market share in the Orlando area and trying to react. They thought they could lock people in with making the trip planning to Disney so exhausting you wouldn't consider going anywhere else but that didn't work. They've finally realized that the only way to grow is to make additions and give people things they want to see. No amount of forcing is going to fill Stitch but a new ride at EPCOT might help disperse crowds.

At one time Kodak ruled the camera and film market with an iron fist but they rested on their laurels while others slowly chipped away at their market share and built up consumer confidence. By the time Kodak really took a look at their business it was too late and they lost a tremendous amont of market share they will most likely never get back.

 

[starjazz]

I think Disney DEFINITELY cares about the repeat customer. Getting repeat customers is what a business is all about. I've never felt like once I get through the gate, they stop caring. I've never been to a place where everything inside is so beautiful from the architecture, design, landscaping, painting, cleanliness (given the number of attendees), add in the general kindness of the staff (if not over the top at times), I think Disney does an awfully good job of making sure people want to come back again and again.

I see Disney as a place to suspend reality for a brief while and be in a place where magic happens.

One other point - our family usually takes two trips per year. One tends to be Disney. The other is usually a road trip out west, or something like that to see the country and learn a thing or two. Throw in a parents-only trip once every few years for sanity. The one Disney trip we take is for the kids. I want to take them somewhere that is all about them. I don't want to go to Paris or Mexico with them when they're 7 & 5. When they're 17 and 15, perhaps. So, Disney it is because nothing means non-stop smiles and fun for my two girls like all of the wonder that is WDW and DLR.

 

[3DisneyFanz]

Which is why I also mentioned the redo of dca, which was completed in 5 years (announcement to open). There were 3 brand new rides built there in its new land (1 more than pandora), not including TSMM which was also opened after the announcement that the park was being redone. There were also many rides that were rethemed, the DCA entrance was demolished and rethemed into Buena Vista street, with a new working trolly, new street shows, a couple of new restaurants (carthay circle, flo's, cozy cone), the installation of brand new technology for a nighttime spectacular (WOC).

That retheme of all of dca had a lot more to be done, *while the park was filly open and operational daily - an obstacle pandora doesn't deal with because of how off to the side it is - and anaheim got it completed in less time than it is taking to just add a new land in orlando.

If anaheim can get that much done in a shorter amount of time, it is absolutely reasonable to expect orlando go be able to open a smaller project in the same (or less) amount of time. That's comparing disney to disney. The timeline for pandora is ridiculous, aND I think wdw is going to have some difficulties if SW and TS have the same kind of time line as pandora.

Rizzo only works in Orlando so DL is saved from most of his Managment beliefs.

 

[hsmamato2]

The only thing I got from that is feeling sorry that you've never had a Royal Red Robin.

 

[mummabear]

We like the RS at both places. When DD was an infant, the RS at uni worked very well for us wanting to see WWoHP. We could all wait together, she was happy just to be with us, and there was a nice spot to sit and wait to swap once you got to ride loadinf. At that time, we preferred that over having to split up to enjoy the ride (especially given the wait times at the time)

We found real problems when you have one asleep in the stroller as you have to go to that room and wait to do the swap and they won't let strollers in.
And for a baby waiting isn't so bad but for a 2+ kid it isn't a great time to sit twiddling your thumbs in a room, and I do t gel it provides great value for he cost

 

[Planogirl]

Wow, so many viewpoints here! That is a sight to behold on a Disney fan site.

Personally, I agree with the article. Disney isn't making much of an effort yet but why should they? The people keep pouring in but can they count on that forever? Will Avatar and Star Wars really be good products? And what about poor pathetic Epcot? Only time will tell.

 

[Planogirl]

To be fair, the original WWOHP consisted on ONE new ride, with the other two just being renamed. Also, as mentioned, WDW seems to announce way before they start construction, and the construction itself doesn't take quite as long. Uni started on the new Kong are before it was even announced what it would be, so it's going to seem like it opens really fast.

One of those already existing rides was rethemed. As a fan of Buckbeak I had to bring that up.

 

[Planogirl]

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!

I recently saw someone post that their little girl loves Fiona and wanted advice on how to see her. Plus I've been thrilled to see so many girls lining up for meet and greets with Storm and Rogue. It doesn't always have to be about Disney style princesses but of course I certainly understand how kids who like them best would gravitate to Disney. Different strokes and all of that.

 

[Angel Ariel]

We found real problems when you have one asleep in the stroller as you have to go to that room and wait to do the swap and they won't let strollers in.
And for a baby waiting isn't so bad but for a 2+ kid it isn't a great time to sit twiddling your thumbs in a room, and I do t gel it provides great value for he cost

I completely understand that too. It wouldn't work as well for us now (not with the line lengths we had then anyway..I think we waited for 2 hrs for forbidden journey), but I can see how it would be good at various points in life

 

[jenrose66]

http://www.foxbusiness.com/investing/2016/01/02/disney-world-cant-phone-it-in-again-in-2016/ Thoughts?

This article is right on and we have been debating these same things in the boards for months!

Guests do gravitate towards quality. For the second year in a row we are taking a family trip to Universal for an entire week. I never thought I would leave Disney but my 2014 trip left me disillusioned. I asked the family if they wanted to do Disney this year and everyone said NO WAY, even my 5 year old. I priced out a trip to Disney anyway and we would be paying 2k more for Disney to stay at AoA and wait in super long lines. Instead we will be at Portofino Bay with front of the line passes better prices for sit down meals and relaxing private car service to and from the airport...all for less money. For now it's a no brainer for us. And that doesn't even take in to account the awesome attractions. My kids loved the Simpsons area and Harry Potter is the most amazing theme park area I ever experienced.