Is the Magic still there....

[Mickeyherewecome123]

Good morning,

We are leaving in 5 weeks for Disney World . And we are soo very excited, every time my one son finds a penny on the ground. He gets so excited that he found "money for our Disney fund" And I am a self proclaimed Disney fanatic, Dh really enjoys Disney.

So my concern is that its not as "MAGICAL" as it has been because of budget cut backs and layoffs as a result of the economy. Part of the Disney experiance is their customer service, cleanliness of the parks/resorts, CM's everywhere willing to assist guests.
Has anyone noticed significant differances at Disney in the past few months?

Thanks
Fran

 

[Robo]

my concern is that its not as "MAGICAL" as it has been because of budget cut backs and layoffs as a result of the economy.

We found MUCH during our Jan. 2009 trip.

 

[Mickeyherewecome123]

Thank you.
My entire family is going with us for the first time and for 15 years they have heard me go on and on and on about how magical Disney is. And now I have the chance to take them and I have heard a couple of ppl say that Disney is doing buget cuts, laying CM's off, not showing Fantasmic every day. Just stuff like that.

Thanks again,
Fran

 

[ShannonMB]

Feb, 2009 was just as magical as ever for us!!

 

[t_catt11]

I believe that reports of the demise of the magic are greatly exagerrated. I've read many post trip reports in the past couple of months, and they tend to be overflowing with happy comments, references to the magic, pixie dust, etc.

Have a great time, and when you get back, please share your experiences with us!

 

[bethclayton]

we were there jan/ feb 09 and it was by far our most magical trip. i felt like the CM's were not only more attentive than ever, but they had a few magical surprises for us, as well.

 

[Orlando313]

We go almost every weekend, and I have to say, we have not noticed in the parks any effects of layoffs. It's just as Disney as ever. And we keep hearing on the news here that tourism is almost as low as it was was post 9/11, however, the times that we went in Jan & Feb, it was SO busy that we would walk around MK once and then leave. Of course, we are happy that it's busy because it's good that so many people are able to continue visiting the parks, but I really think that the news people are shooting us a line. It was more busy in Jan & Feb than it was this past weekend for spring break crowds. I mean, it could be that it was just like that on the weekends.

But I think that even in a hard economy, Disney will try their best to keep the magic going strong for the people. The people that really need that magic.

 

[WDSearcher]

Thank you.
My entire family is going with us for the first time and for 15 years they have heard me go on and on and on about how magical Disney is. And now I have the chance to take them and I have heard a couple of ppl say that Disney is doing buget cuts, laying CM's off, not showing Fantasmic every day. Just stuff like that.

Thanks again,
Fran

Whether the magic is "gone" would depend greatly on what you consider the "magic" to be. If Disney isn't magical to you unless Fantasmic is running every night, then you've got a bit of a problem. But most of the other budget cuts and staff layoffs are not things that the normal Guest is going to notice. Rides are operating (except a couple down for rehab), shows are running, parades are running, fireworks are running, characters are in the parks ... everything that was ever there for you before is there now. Everyone in the country is experiencing budget cuts and layoffs; Disney is not immune. But honestly ... if no one had told you about budget cuts at Disney, you'd probably not even notice.

 

[Mickeyherewecome123]

Thanks to all of your responses.
I have never even seen Fantasmic, it was just an example of what I have been hearing ppl complain about. I am hoping to see it this time. But if I don't its not going to make my trip any less magical.

 

[Cee]

The magic is within YOU. Disney just helps to bring it out. Have a fantastic time!

 

[3prettyprincesses]

Absolutely magical!

We were there end of Feb. into beginning of March and it was the best Disney trip we've ever taken! Everything was so clean and bright looking both in the parks and resorts. I love the staff of Disney too...everyone is always smiling and eager to help! I love how they say "Have a magical day." too because I feel like I am while we're there. You'll have a great time!! Wish we were going back already, I'm driving my hubby crazy because I'm already planning another trip to Disney! Wouldn't Walt Disney be thrilled to know how happy and excited he's made so many families? I think he would!

 

[RMulieri]

I am going to go with a Classic Disney Movie to describe it From Pollyanna.. " If you look for the bad hoping to find it, you surely will" .. Finding the magic is largely a personal frame of mind.Go enjoy everything as usual.It is only when you get overly focused on the negative do you have an awful time.

 

[matt&jakesmom]

We go almost every weekend, and I have to say, we have not noticed in the parks any effects of layoffs. It's just as Disney as ever. And we keep hearing on the news here that tourism is almost as low as it was was post 9/11, however, the times that we went in Jan & Feb, it was SO busy that we would walk around MK once and then leave. Of course, we are happy that it's busy because it's good that so many people are able to continue visiting the parks, but I really think that the news people are shooting us a line. It was more busy in Jan & Feb than it was this past weekend for spring break crowds. I mean, it could be that it was just like that on the weekends.

But I think that even in a hard economy, Disney will try their best to keep the magic going strong for the people. The people that really need that magic.

Just had to say I am so envious of you going almost every weekend. We go every year at the end of August. My DS's are so excited for this trip especially when I saw the MNSSHP dates. The 1st one falls during our time there and my DS's loves the dwarfs and cannot wait to see them.

 

[jrbarnes]

We just got back from a weeklong stay and I saw nothing to give credit to those who think that there is less magic. In fact, as other posters have listed, I thought that many CM's went out of their way to say hello, thank you etc.... And those Disney employees that often walk the park that are not in costume were as friendly as I have ever seen them saying thank you for coming etc... I sat down on a bench and one sat next to me for a few minutes just shooting the breeze.. asking where I was from etc and that has never happened before.

Still very magical IMO!!

 

[stacym]

We didn't notice anything different during our trip in January. We had a great time, now only if it had been a little warmer!!

 

[Feralpeg]

If you look hard enough, you're bound to find things you won't like. Try to focus on the positive. Most of the magic come from inside you. A positive attitude is where pixie dust originates.

 

[Tbelle1976]

We were there last month for 9 days and I have nothing but happy memories. From the time we checked into our resort until the time we left we were very happy with guest service, CM's, our mousekeeper at the resort right down to servers at restaurants and even having to ask driving directions within WDW a few times (we drove down and drove to the park and other places the day we checked out).

We could not have been happier with our entire vacation and customer service while there...everything was magical!

 

[Mickeyherewecome123]

I am so thankful I posted this question. you all have made my worries disappear. I can't tell you all how much I appreciate it.

Have a blessed day
Fran

 

[3prettyprincesses]

I am so thankful I posted this question. you all have made my worries disappear. I can't tell you all how much I appreciate it.

Have a blessed day
Fran

Have a great trip!

 

[mossy1]

The magic is within YOU. Disney just helps to bring it out. Have a fantastic time!

Well said.