Is the Magic Over??

[sean.anita]

Was talking with DW last night and we were discussing the new Genie system and having to pay to get on the new Star Wars ride. This just seems to be a cash grab. We've done several of the tours and fireworks parties in the early days of them, but they just keep raising the prices. Another cash grab. I understand they are in business and need to make money. But at what point is it just not worth it. With the pandemic and not being willing to go and dues being due I'm starting to wonder if the magic is gone. HELP!!!

 

[gregskellington]

You can wait in standby.

To me, WDW was always a luxury. My parents really scraped to take us as kids. The value proposition is different for everyone. Disney is just as magical to me now as it was on my first trip 24 years ago.

 

[peabody58]

Disney is always in some state of change. We have learned to adapt and still enjoy ourselves. The Magic is there, sometimes you have to look for it,and other times it finds you. And then sometimes you need a break and come back later for it.

 

[suebeelin]

I’m not as happy with disney either but dvc makes it cheaper and easier. I’ll just be ok with it going forward. When I’m not, I’m selling dvc.

 

[hammer1995]

We go several times per year, are annual pass holders and have over 800 DVC points and I have never considered it "magic". Disney used to be a well run and clean theme park with great customer service. Now, they're average at best and folks keep forking over full price for tickets to parks that aren't even fully open.

Cleanliness has greatly suffered and the "cast" aren't really any different that the staff you'd encounter at other much less expensive theme parks. We go enough that I don't even consider paying for Genie. If I don't get to ride it this time, I'll catch it the next time I'm there.

I don't have any illusions that my dissatisfaction will hurt their bottom line one bit. There'e's a steady stream of folks who keep right on paying and believing in the "magic". But if you really take a closer look, there's much better ways to spend your vacation dollars.

 

[Chuck S]

there's much better ways to spend your vacation dollars.

Not always. I mean there are the relatively less expensive non-Disney cruises out of Galveston, which I enjoy, but not with the current pandemic. There is Las Vegas, which is reasonably priced, but what to do beside a few cirque shows (which eliminate the overall savings) and feeding money into slot machines. California or New York were always a relatively inexpensive option for me, but the family and friends that lived there have passed away, so now I'd be paying for expensive accommodations. While I'd like to see Universal and Harry Potter, it would likely be a one and done. Sea World has really lost its appeal for me, focusing on thrill rides rather than on shows and edutainment. I have 345 points at OKW, and even with the rising prices, there isn't much around that is any cheaper or more enjoyable. Consider how much even going to a pro sports game is anywhere in the US.

Disney is far from perfect, Genie + and the Individual Lightning Lanes were disasters over Thanksgiving. But I did warn the group about major holidays, but it is when they all wanted to go.

 

[bobbiwoz]

I live in a resort town, Cape May NJ, and people pay thousands of dollars to spend a week here during the summer. Traffic is gridlocked, bicycles are everywhere, waiting in line to eat is common, and thousands love doing that. It’s Magic to them! It is a lovely area, and I’m thrilled to call it home. The other three seasons are truthfully more Magic for me.

We are on our way to WDW now, NYE fireworks have always called me! We don’t need to do more than we can do with current rules in place. We have two nights in Vero after NYE, and seeing the ocean is relaxing, and then we have a 5 night DCL cruise with our Ohio neighbors. With Covid, the cruise part is stressful, we all hope for negative tests of course.

I guess I love the phrase from the recent MK fireworks that I will paraphrase, “The Magic is in you!” It’s up to us to do the things that matter to us.

 

[Omoreno]

No, the magic isn’t over, but the world is changing. Honestly, I like the new systems.

 

[Vulnox]

When we went to Disney in late 2019, smugglers run only had standby, no FastPass at all yet, no boarding groups, just standby.

RotR has standby and they have the paid LL.

Overall it isn't that big of a shift, at least for new rides, so I don't think this is a good example. I, personally, would have preferred a paid LL back when we did smugglers over standing in that line for an hour. If I were to consider paying myself as an hourly amount based on what I make working, it is far more valuable to me pay $15 to get on in five minutes than what an hour would "cost" me standing in line. I don't think there is any Disney magic to standing in line for an hour.

If I had any issue with the new system is that it further creates a class system in rides where those that can afford more get more with less time commitment, but even that is hard to argue in a forum filled with DVC members that pay a significant amount to get luxury accommodations while many that go to Disney stay at value or off-site to keep costs down. So from that element, class systems based on what you can afford to pay have been around at Disney for decades. Pay more for a hotel within walking distance to the parks, or to get early magic hours, or whatever. LL or Genie+ is just another aspect of it.

Again, don't have to agree that any of that should exist, but the hundred threads about the magic being gone don't seem to cover that anything they are bringing up as examples have been around at WDW for decades, they are just used to the other things.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

It's no longer worth it for you when it is at the point where it is no longer worth it for YOU. At that point you will sell or rent your points and vacation elsewhere. Everyone else is going to have a different breaking point.

if you don't want to pay to skip the lines, and you don't want to use standby lines, and you're really annoyed because some limited line skipping used to be at no extra cost, then it may definitely be your breaking point depending on what time of year you visit. the pandemic is not something WDW has a hand in, but a lot of persons are now vacationing at home or close to home, and some may wish to continue that indefinitely.

 

[karen4546]

Was talking with DW last night and we were discussing the new Genie system and having to pay to get on the new Star Wars ride. This just seems to be a cash grab. We've done several of the tours and fireworks parties in the early days of them, but they just keep raising the prices. Another cash grab. I understand they are in business and need to make money. But at what point is it just not worth it. With the pandemic and not being willing to go and dues being due I'm starting to wonder if the magic is gone. HELP!!!

It is what you make it. If you don't enjoy your trips to WDW then try something new. Stand by is always available.

The good news is that if you were to sell your DVC contract, you would probably not lose money. Or, you may be able to rent out your points to cover your dues AND vacation elsewhere.

 

[Jperiod]

We're pretty disenchanted with everything right now too. I can handle paying for genie+ since we were paying for maxpass and found the value over running around for paper FPs, but the elimination of a free version after so many years is disappointing. The addition of the ILL costs and limit per day absolutely bums us out for sure though. That forever changes our long time touring strategies significantly and the value we felt we received with the original ticket/maxpass costs.

 

[WilsonFlyer]

The "Magic" has been dismantled. The only questions that remain are whether it's coming back, and if it's not; how willing are we to compromise that to which we have become accustomed. Which is exactly what we're trying to decide now.

 

[AdamsMum]

Was talking with DW last night and we were discussing the new Genie system and having to pay to get on the new Star Wars ride. This just seems to be a cash grab. We've done several of the tours and fireworks parties in the early days of them, but they just keep raising the prices. Another cash grab. I understand they are in business and need to make money. But at what point is it just not worth it. With the pandemic and not being willing to go and dues being due I'm starting to wonder if the magic is gone. HELP!!!

I just returned from a 10 day trip, and it definitely has changed. I think throwing so many changes at the experience all at once was just too much for me. The loss of ME, free (well included in the price) fast passes, the change to mobile order etc. I just didn't have my usual comfort level with being in the parks. I still enjoyed my resort stay. I recognize that Disney lost a lot of money in 2020, but every business on the planet lost money in 2020. This push to recoup that loss all at once has definitely lessened the magic for me. It was always expensive, the prices also always increased each year, but in the past I felt that with the exemplary customer service of Disney, it was worth it. My response to my friends and family who kept asking why I keep going, was because it's different at Disney. To me, this time it was just another theme park.
This year I didn't feel like that customer service was there in the parks. I always felt like they would do whatever possible to make my experience a good one. (I'm not criticizing cast members here) With the wifi in the parks mobile order was a nightmare for me. Mobile order gave me so many errors, and the lines to order at the one register at most quick service places was ridiculously long and often extended outside of the restaurant. (this was exacerbated by the exceedingly hot weather for the time I was there) Several days, I just went back to my resort to eat lunch in my room. It's like they're saying, this is the way we are now and if you can't do it we're going to punish you by making you wait in this long line to order your food. I was actually told by one cast member on my first day, that mobile order was the only way to get your food.
As a DVC member I'm kind of a captive audience. I'm thinking maybe things will have evened out by my next trip in 2023. We'll see. Sorry if that sounded like a rant.

 

[AdamsMum]

DVC members that pay a significant amount to get luxury accommodations while many that go to Disney stay at value

I actually priced out a stay at all star movies standard room for 8 days early/mid December, no theme park tickets, was over $1,500, my DVC points dues are around $1,200 which gave me 10 days in my DVC studio (actually not using a full years points). Folks who are now staying at a value, aren't paying less than me. My purchase in 2007 was a prepayment on vacation rooms and a hedge against inflation.

 

[MICKIMINI]

Everyone has a different tolerance level. We are long time DVC owners and though we don't like many of the recent changes, we had a great time in October/November and have reservations for May and September. DH retires in a few years and we plan on spending more time at WDW, HHI and VBR. We finally have AP's and bought them for our son and DIL so trips are more leisurely and less about schedules.

There is lots of negativity in the world right now and DH and I are making an effort to try to avoid it as much as possible. It is up to everyone to decide what makes them happy and pursue it and that hasn't changed in my lifetime. WDW is still our happy place! I hope you find joy in whatever you decide to do!

 

[La2kw]

We have never bought into the so called “magic” that WDW wants you to believe in, but we have felt that WDW is changing for the worse starting a few years ago. Our WDW trips in the 90‘s and early 2000’s with our kids made for some great stress free vacations. We wouldn’t be able to afford those trips at today’s prices, which is sad for young families IMO. The way WDW management runs things is bad, especially the hotels. We haven’t been back since 2016, and have no plans to return anytime soon. We live in LA and would rather go to Disneyland anyway. I suppose we will return for one more WDW trip since we have the DVC 25th anniversary passes that we haven't used yet.

So instead, we have rented our points and used the $ for trips to Europe, cruises, and Universal Orlando. We also plan on using them at Aulani as well, we just booked our first trip there for this June. The demand for DVC rentals is obviously not going to change anytime soon, as evidenced by the demand right now during the pandemic. Might as well make the points work for you. Using them at WDW isn’t the only option.

 

[TinkB278]

I went in May and September 2021. Every year prior to the pandemic my trips felt relaxing and easy. I was an all day park goer, my husband had to drag me back to the resort. On my last two trips my time at the parks just didn’t feel enjoyable due to inescapable crowds. I ended up just wanting to be at the resort, and even then I got bored.

I think for me, the big change that made my trips less enjoyable was not having fast pass. I always utilized it well and stood in very few lines. I just don’t have it in me too spend my entire vacation in a line. I know that we now have LL but it doesn’t sound as useful or easy as fast pass. Not to mention now having to pay for something that used to be free. I just can’t understand why they don’t offer free LL to resort guests/dvc? There’s not much of an incentive to stay at a disney resort anymore, which stinks being a dvc member. I bought in assuming disney would be one way anc now it’s completely different.

It may seem weird to others but losing DME is a huge letdown to me. I loved putting that yellow tag on my suitcase at my home airport knowing it was smooth sailing from there on. I’m really not looking forward to the hassle anc stress of finding my own transportation from now on, especially with a toddler.

I just hope with the new magic band they don’t phase out the old. I like the simplicity of it.

Overall, I do hope disney starts making changes to improve the guest experience soon.It’s not the easy and carefree vacation it used to be. I feel nickel and dimed and haven’t been impressed with the new attractions they’ve put out recently and am not interested in all the Marvel stuff they are currently working on. I’ve been thinking about adding on more points but typing this post makes me realize I better hold off.

 

[kes601]

No, the magic isn’t over, but the world is changing. Honestly, I like the new systems.

We are very much enjoying the new systems as well. Yes you have to pay for the faster queue (and there are only 2 of us) but it has been really enjoyable. I prefer it to FP+.

We had great luck at HS once we learned the best way to book G+ LLs and MK has been great as well. We booked 8 LLs this morning for use between 9a and 12p — including Peter Pan, Big Thunder, Splash, and Space.

 

[Vulnox]

Based on reading the responses, I feel like the loss of magic seems to be down to crowds, really. Most things (aside from FastPass/LL issues) can be traced to crowds. Not feeling that same magic from cast members, even if not their fault, can be due to them just being overwhelmed by the crowds. Not being able to get food from the fast casuals, etc. Being around a ton of people, even without a pandemic in the back of your mind, can really change your perception of most things. I can't fully enjoy concerts/plays/etc if I have to sit elbow to elbow with strangers all around me, and I can't enjoy movies in a packed movie theater generally.

Not saying that is all of it, but for those that travel October-December, it's been a busier time than it is normally, and that shift can definitely be felt by those used to it being even a little quieter, and the side effect of more people can be felt everywhere, from worn out cast members to long food lines.

I hope that in a year or two as things settle down and the pent up vacation demand subsides a bit, people start finding the magic again.