Is Disney World becoming a shell of its former self?

[DDLand]

Everest? Seriously? A middle of the the road coaster with a broken AA that joe rohde spent $75 mil on the queue?

Star Wars land SHOULD be great. But you are giving way too much blind faith.

Here's a scenario: two fast pass designed, high capacity 2 minute simulators...a "mixed use" restaurant/cafeteria, and meet and greets...

That WOULD suck and seems to almost go to pattern.

Or how about one attraction that's a themed speeder chase. Using trackless vehicles you'll ride through multiple show scenes being chased by First Order Storm Troopers. Using a mixture of both physical sets and projections you'll be completely immersed by just about every techno marvel WDI can throw at this potential E Ticket+.

Or how about an attraction that involves entering a MF cockpit and taking off. You'll move by show scenes and really take the controls of the MF.

When you're finished you can go to a cantina and enjoy being served by SW characters. Or you can head outside and meet some of the native droids and creatures.

Sound awesome? Well that's all coming from credible sources. I know you are keeping your expectations low, but it's hard not to get excited. This land is meant to be cloned in almost every Disney Park globally. They're making this good.

Also Everest is in my opinion is up near Big Thunder Mountain or Space Mountain. The story telling is actually pretty impressive.

Actually I've had some bad experiences with Disney lately. And let me tell you it does leave a sour taste in the mouth. Dirty bathrooms, lots of construction, some not so great experiences.

So I agree with you there. Sour enough to give up my AP and not want to go back until they have finished Star Wars land.

This to me is a million times more worrisome than new attractions. Customer service and proper attention to detail are critical. If this is turning of devoted fans what's it doing to the new guest?

 

[Josh Hendy]

The foxbusiness article (originally from fool.com) has some pretty nasty/fun sniping aimed at Disney that could have been lifted from this thread, except they're a bit more polished.

The next major Disney World to attraction will be a Frozen-themed boat ride in Epcot. It replaces a similar boat ride that will have been closed for a year and a half by the time that the new debuts in a few months. That's plenty of time to build out an amazing attraction, but what if it's more of the same that Disney has done in the past couple of years? What if this is the same media giant that's been settling for temporary lounges and dance parties as attractions for folks paying as much as more than $100 for a day at one of its parks?Will we have to wait for Avatar in 2017 or Star Wars Land several years after that to give Disney World a Potter-sized pop? The clock's ticking on Disney, and it better come ready to play.

Can you imagine what this guy will say if the rumors turn out to be true about Frozen Fo' Evah budget cuts.

I'm sure that the competition is going to be very, very good for both Dis and Uni. More than any particular ride or land, I think that what might finally make Disney realize that yes, we are in an arms race, is when Uni breaks out the shovels on that giant plot of land. 450 acres is enough space for 3 theme parks. But let's not get greedy, let's just say, 2 theme parks and 3 resorts.

No more phoning it in ...

 

[3DisneyFanz]

The foxbusiness article (originally from fool.com) has some pretty nasty/fun sniping aimed at Disney that could have been lifted from this thread, except they're a bit more polished.



Can you imagine what this guy will say if the rumors turn out to be true about Frozen Fo' Evah budget cuts.

I'm sure that the competition is going to be very, very good for both Dis and Uni. More than any particular ride or land, I think that what might finally make Disney realize that yes, we are in an arms race, is when Uni breaks out the shovels on that giant plot of land. 450 acres is enough space for 3 theme parks. But let's not get greedy, let's just say, 2 theme parks and 3 resorts.

No more phoning it in ...

I'm sure no one will notice when Marshmallow looks like the anorexic polar bear.

 

[davish562]

The foxbusiness article (originally from fool.com) has some pretty nasty/fun sniping aimed at Disney that could have been lifted from this thread, except they're a bit more polished.



Can you imagine what this guy will say if the rumors turn out to be true about Frozen Fo' Evah budget cuts.

I'm sure that the competition is going to be very, very good for both Dis and Uni. More than any particular ride or land, I think that what might finally make Disney realize that yes, we are in an arms race, is when Uni breaks out the shovels on that giant plot of land. 450 acres is enough space for 3 theme parks. But let's not get greedy, let's just say, 2 theme parks and 3 resorts.

No more phoning it in ...

That article was written by the motley fool, not really a reliable source. They expect Disneu to already have SWL open which is crazy. They don't mention SWL in the article so that's is unfair.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

The foxbusiness article (originally from fool.com) has some pretty nasty/fun sniping aimed at Disney that could have been lifted from this thread, except they're a bit more polished.



Can you imagine what this guy will say if the rumors turn out to be true about Frozen Fo' Evah budget cuts.

I'm sure that the competition is going to be very, very good for both Dis and Uni. More than any particular ride or land, I think that what might finally make Disney realize that yes, we are in an arms race, is when Uni breaks out the shovels on that giant plot of land. 450 acres is enough space for 3 theme parks. But let's not get greedy, let's just say, 2 theme parks and 3 resorts.

No more phoning it in ...

One new themepark with a key IP anchor, 2 new hotels and a connect transportation system would be enough to massively shift the balance of power down there...you could see Disney market share bleed down into the 50s...

That would semi permemenantly end the "we can always get around to Florida later.._____ needs more em help now" standard operating procedure in the dwarve palace.

And it wound get rid of Iger and likely his stoolie successor.

Good for Main Street.

 

[3DisneyFanz]

Or how about one attraction that's a themed speeder chase. Using trackless vehicles you'll ride through multiple show scenes being chased by First Order Storm Troopers. Using a mixture of both physical sets and projections you'll be completely immersed by just about every techno marvel WDI can throw at this potential E Ticket+.

Or how about an attraction that involves entering a MF cockpit and taking off. You'll move by show scenes and really take the controls of the MF.

When you're finished you can go to a cantina and enjoy being served by SW characters. Or you can head outside and meet some of the native droids and creatures.

Sound awesome? Well that's all coming from credible sources. I know you are keeping your expectations low, but it's hard not to get excited. This land is meant to be cloned in almost every Disney Park globally. They're making this good.

Also Everest is in my opinion is up near Big Thunder Mountain or Space Mountain. The story telling is actually pretty impressive.


This to me is a million times more worrisome than new attractions. Customer service and proper attention to detail are critical. If this is turning of devoted fans what's it doing to the new guest?

I think those attractions could be cool but isn't it just as likely that the imagineers pitch those and buildings start going up and then the budget changes to support a boat ride through Dagobah and a collection of extra scenes for Star Tours? There's a lot more evidence to support underwhelming follow through than really knocking it out of the park. Remember when we were supposed to get the Pooh ride they built in Japan and when Mine Train was supposed to be significantly longer?

As for the declining maintence and service I'm not sure people who have only been going the past 10yrs or so really notice. How many of them know the paperboy didn't sell papers to the dark alley or the fish used to jump in Splash Mountain?

 

[cheryllarsen]

My young kids always ask me to go to Disney. They never ask to go to Universal.

 

[cheryllarsen]

I think Disney attracts families in a way that Universal never can. Unless perhaps you have teenagers or grown children.

 

[rteetz]

I think Disney attracts families in a way that Universal never can. Unless perhaps you have teenagers or grown children.

Never say never things can always change.

 

[3DisneyFanz]

That article was written by the motley fool, not really a reliable source. They expect Disneu to already have SWL open which is crazy. They don't mention SWL in the article so that's is unfair.

If I remember the article it was about 2016 and the near future which still doesn't include SW Land.

I'm also not sure why it's unreasonable expectations that they would have moved faster than this on SW. Keep in mind Eisner started the talks to buy the franchise so it's not like this was a last minute decision.

 

[3DisneyFanz]

Never say never things can always change.

Right. Disney is riding high now on the backs of generations growing up with Disney. The teenagers that are growing up with Universal now might not have those same memories and if Universal builds more for the little set when they have kids that might be their preferred destination.

 

[Scalemaster34]

Right. Disney is riding high now on the backs of generations growing up with Disney. The teenagers that are growing up with Universal now might not have those same memories and if Universal builds more for the little set when they have kids that might be there preferred destination.

And too be honest... for us the Cruise Industry is taking more and more of our vacation dollars.

It's not just other Theme Parks that Disney has to compete with, when it comes to the limited time and money that people have to devote to a Vacation. And sadly I think Disney's bigger problem is the complexity of planning a successful WDW vacation. With 180 Day dinning, 90 Day FastPasses, Touring Plan, Crowds, Changing Hours, Ride Closures - Soaring closing during our trip, make a visit to Epcot... questionable. But I wonder if having "stale" attractions or not changing very often could push people to something else.... maybe not even another Theme Park, but something that they might like even better.

WDW is a hard sell for my wife.... she would much rather relax on vacation, and relax isn't what you do at WDW.

 

[Eoghann]

As for the declining maintence and service I'm not sure people who have only been going the past 10yrs or so really notice. How many of them know the paperboy didn't sell papers to the dark alley or the fish used to jump in Splash Mountain?

Certainly true. The focus on every 5 years visitors or once in a lifetime visitors allows them to skimp on a lot of that stuff.

I found it interesting watching the video of the refurbed Pirates that there was stuff moving I had no idea was even supposed to move. The ride has always seemed fine to me because... well what would I compare it against?

 

[Planogirl]

It's nice to hear that Pirates looks good. Does that mean that people are no longer practically drowning in some of the boats? We skipped the attraction just to be on the safe side.

I'll just add that Universal is for more than teens or young adults. I'm neither and I really love Universal. I don't think that I'm an oddball either. At least not in that way.

 

[rteetz]

It's nice to hear that Pirates looks good. Does that mean that people are no longer practically drowning in some of the boats? We skipped the attraction just to be on the safe side.

I'll just add that Universal is for more than teens or young adults. I'm neither and I really love Universal. I don't think that I'm an oddball either. At least not in that way.

No water is still an issue but effects have been working good.

 

[Aurora0427]

I think Disney attracts families in a way that Universal never can. Unless perhaps you have teenagers or grown children.

This is us right now.... Our daughter is too short to ride most of the rides, too young for Harry Potter, neither my husband nor I are fans of Harry Potter, and I get motion sickness. Badly. We are staying away from Universal until our daughter is older and taller. Even when we go, I'm assuming there won't be a ton of stuff I'll be able to do, so my husband and daughter will have a blast while I wait for them to ride rides I can't because they'll make me sick.

Maybe I'm completely wrong in my perception of US.

 

[TwoMisfits]

We have been going to Universal with no teens or young adults for the last 5-6 years - heck, my mom (who is not a spring chicken) has been coming, too...and hands down, we love this park area so much more than Disney - it wins hands down on value, character interaction, stress/pre-planning, food, and rides. I get motion sick, so I only can ride certain rides once a trip (and I can only do one of these types of rides a day - any more and I can't recover)...but boy, are they worth the one ride! Even letting my family ride some rides without me, the park is amazing...taking the time to be a wizard with my wand and to walk down the evil paths of Harry Potter's area - I stumbled on them and they were jaw-dropping - they would never be in Disney and they were even more perfect than the Harry Potter happy areas. I sat to watch the supers all come out one morning while my fam was on Spiderman ride #2 (waiting zero time for this), and it was everything that Disney used to be and still should be. The interaction from Green Goblin before they arrived - great! Same for the arrival of the Hop characters - I was shocked how personable and interactive and well done it was the 1st time I saw it. I could keep going on, but there's no need.

Disney's marketing has been hugely effective at causing parents of young children or going with older parents to avoid Universal and trust them...but the truth will get out - hopefully, not for a long time as I enjoy what is now the world class parks...

 

[DoingDisney]

Somebody here has forgotten that Disney has been spinning PR since 1955 to place themselves on a pedestal to justify their prices...intentionally creating higher expectations...

They still own the consequences of that now.

Have you seen the new Disney World "Star Wars" commercial ? It makes it look like there is a whole park worth of Star Wars stuff. Like, its pretty dang insane. I can very VERY much see someone booking a trip thinking, "This is going to be great, my kid loves Star Wars and they are going to love all this Star Wars stuff in the parks !!!" Only to be highly disappointed.

 

[Scalemaster34]

Have you seen the new Disney World "Star Wars" commercial ? It makes it look like there is a whole park worth of Star Wars stuff. Like, its pretty dang insane. I can very VERY much see someone booking a trip thinking, "This is going to be great, my kid loves Star Wars and they are going to love all this Star Wars stuff in the parks !!!" Only to be highly disappointed.

Yeah I saw that too....

We are going next week with my grown kids and grand-kids. All of which are big SW fans, we all bought tickets back in Oct for the Thursday IMax premiere at our local cineplex. After the commercial, I had to explain what there was... and what there wasn't.

People hear Disney is building these new LANDS, they don't understand that those are years from opening.

 

[katt789]

In all honesty, yes, it's sad to see how long Disney takes to build new attractions/areas and such, especially compared to Universal which seems to get things out much quicker.

HOWEVER, I would choose to go to Disney over Universal in a heartbeat, partially on the "customer service" end and partially on the "entertainment" options. Universal is great, and the HP areas are some of my favorites but thats really about it. I can only do so many simulator rides before I'm done with them and feeling sick, I find the food quality to be not as great at Universal (I usually only eat in HP section) and when it comes to character interactions and parades, Disney wins that hands down. Interactions with team/cast members is also IMPECCABLY better at Disney, it's rare that we enjoy talking to them at Universal while at Disney we'll go out of our way to make conversation, and we've had some pretty bad experiences at Universal.

Disney is a place that is home, it's a name brand that kids know their entire lives, it's a place of magic and wonder and amazement. It's a thing that before a kid even knows what Disney World exactly is, they want to go. Universal doesn't hold that same wonder and amazement. Truth, HP was done right, and I'll admit I teared up walking into Diagon Alley the first time, but I tear up walking down Main St practically every time.

Disney may be slacking in their "new" department but that won't stop people from going.