Is there still a Disney Difference?

[veritas]

There still is a Disney Difference:
Our last trip my Better Half and I celebrated a belated 20th Anniversary, i had made arrangements ahead fo time for some speacial evets. The Cast Members went above and beyond and really made our dinner special. I was overwhelmed at how much much they did to help us celebrate.

5th Park - There is so much to do with plussing up existing attractions, (fix the Yeti already), a 5th park would just distract from needed rehaing of what is already there.

TLC of the current parks - A lot is going on FLE, Star Tours revamp, some effort to restart DTD/Hyperion Wharf, fix imaginatiion pavilion, do something with Wonders of Life.

Disney needs to trim things up a bit, but still the Cast is working hard and I still get excited when i walk down Main Street

 

[Cyrano]

Moving this thread as it does not assist with trip planning.

Usual warning about playing nice applies

 

[jennylyn_b]

Quote:

Originally Posted by LockShockBarrel

Aren't there umpteen threads about this already? The 5th park has been discussed ad nauseum, and really I doubt anyone who truly truly feels the parks aren't worth it anymore would continue to bother with boards like this.

*
uM NO. I haven't seen any threads about a 5th park. What I see is that there are more and more negative threads in the past 2 years with the decline in:

A. Monorail Maintenance
B. Attraction Maintenance
C. New and Improved Attractions
D. Monorail operating times
E. Disney Dining Plans -- priciing
F. Dining that has declined
G. Lack of another park
H. Upkeep of Parks (paint, maintenance etc.)
I. Bathrooms that need improvements
J. Lack of Holiday Decorations
K. Increase of Party pricing plus lack of treats and decorations
on and on.

We still love Disney but we have definitely seen a decline in the Disney Difference.

We go to Disney twice a year and I have to disagree with this. Rides and attractions are constantly being refurbished. If you are on a ride and it breaks down, more often than not its due to some guest doing something they shouldn't (standing up, getting off, throwing things etc). The monorail has always been running fine except when it was scheduled to be down for dvc construction. The dining plan is something we don't get and never will. While we have noticed a couple restaurants that are no longer on the top of our must do list overall, we are still very happy with the dining. We have never seen a problem with maintenance or grounds upkeep or bathroom repairs needed. People are gross and do nasty things to the bathrooms and Disney does an amazing job of keeping them pretty clean. Pricing is going up everywhere! Disney needs to pay its cms and make money, it is a business. I don't find their increases to be excessive.
So to us, no Disney has not lost its magic. We find it just as wonderful as always and will continue to go twice a year. We love it, got married and honeymooned there, we bought dvc and have added on twice and plan to continue to do so. Our DD will be 2 in Oct when we go back for her third trip. As you can see we are Disney ppl!


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[Tonka's Skipper]

It sounds like you've already made up your mind. But for me and my family, the Disney difference isn't a ride or the monorail, and we don't do the dining plan. The Disney difference is the feeling that we get when we walk on property, and that certainly still exists for us, in the theming, the cast members, and classic and new rides. I certainly don't get that feeling when I go to Carowinds, Six Flags, Sea World, or Universal. At those places, I feel a step up from the state fair where I am simply moving from ride to ride with only cafeteria food in between.

You put it perfectly!....Not not a item or two changing, its the entire Disney Experience.!.....AKK

 

[Sweettears]

Um.....yes.

 

[carebearkidney]

I saw the Disney difference when my oldest son looked ahead at the sign of where we were going and I captured this reaction:

I saw the difference when my youngest son spun in circles of happiness because for the first time in his life - he received the MOST stickers ever and they didn't come from a nurse, doctor or surgeon.

I saw the difference when the CMs at restaurants would bring out whatever my son was slightly interested in for free, because prior to Disney - he wouldn't touch food...was completely dependent on his tube feedings. I cried the restaurants and the CMs had tears of joy for our small victory too.

i saw the difference when my husband and myself actually let out a breath for once and let the magic of Disney sweep over us, letting us just be parents for once - not medical workers, therapist, nutritionist, psychologists, or even the "bad guy" that has to hold someone down for surgeries, procedures and labs. We got to be us!

My son just met his wish granters today for Make a Wish - he noticed a difference and wants to go back! I can't wait!

 

[disneysteve]

The monorail has always been running fine except when it was scheduled to be down for dvc construction.

The monorail was down a few times this past week. Were those all construction related closures? I hadn't actually thought about that. We just figured there were maintenance issues but perhaps that wasn't true.

 

[sydneysmom]

I saw the Disney difference when my oldest son looked ahead at the sign of where we were going and I captured this reaction:

I saw the difference when my youngest son spun in circles of happiness because for the first time in his life - he received the MOST stickers ever and they didn't come from a nurse, doctor or surgeon.

I saw the difference when the CMs at restaurants would bring out whatever my son was slightly interested in for free, because prior to Disney - he wouldn't touch food...was completely dependent on his tube feedings. I cried the restaurants and the CMs had tears of joy for our small victory too.

i saw the difference when my husband and myself actually let out a breath for once and let the magic of Disney sweep over us, letting us just be parents for once - not medical workers, therapist, nutritionist, psychologists, or even the "bad guy" that has to hold someone down for surgeries, procedures and labs. We got to be us!

My son just met his wish granters today for Make a Wish - he noticed a difference and wants to go back! I can't wait!

bless all of you. What a beautiful Disney story of " the differences". May your son continue to get better and stay as happy as he is , forever!

 

[carebearkidney]

bless all of you. What a beautiful Disney story of " the differences". May your son continue to get better and stay as happy as he is , forever!

Thank you! Happiness is what we strive for daily.

 

[FloridaDreaming]

carebearkidney- This is what I'm talking about. What great, happy pics! It's truly amazing how Disney can create such a wonderful environment to celebrate accomplishments of all kinds. Those smiles made my day. May you and your family celebrate many more happy, healthy trips to Disney.

 

[loricdietzel]

Wow, you're not kidding!! Our Six Flags in Chicago has 'The Cleanest Theme Park in the Country' plastered all over the park. It's definitely cleaner than 10 years ago, that's for sure, but NO WAY is it cleaner than WDW.
When we got to SF this year, at least 5 rides were down for whatever reason and it wasn't even raining. They send out the coasters half empty because they don't have an attendant telling people where to sit. Wonder if they will ever take a lesson from Disney?!?!

We were there a few weeks ago and laughed at their "Cleanest theme park" sign! (Especially as I saw someone scraping gum off the ground!!) And we were floored at the ride cars being sent out half full (especially with open seats in the first row of roller coasters!) especially after waiting over an hour! (No wonder why the lines were so long!) We ended up in line behind another Disney fan and immediately were in a "this is definitely not Disneyworld!" conversation about all the things Disney does better. I think we have definitely been spoiled by Disney and won't be able to settle for other theme parks easily. Disney may have its issues (as all places do) but I definitely still think there is a Disney standard!

 

[chloe4ever]

There was a Disney difference perhaps 25 years ago. I currently have been here for 5 days and the place is in a REAL need of a makeover. The parks are stuck in the past. Barely any new rides--not to mention barely any rides that appeal to kids over 8 years old. If Six Flags went this long without updating, there would be a revolt--but it is okay because Disney is allowed to be "retro" and "classic" and "nostalgic". How about:

--knocking down Hollywood Studios--besides the Rock and Roll roller coaster and TOT, there is NOTHING there. Back lot tour is boring. The shows are boring. And because there is nothing to do for adults--the lines for the few rides they have take 90 minutes on average.......

--Update Magic Kingdom--build a new and better Space Mountain--it was cool in 79' but with current technology, it needs to be a faster, wilder, and more modern roller coaster. Add some rides that are not for the toddler set. Keep the classics, but add some actual thrill rides.

--Epcot-"The Prototype of the future" that is stuck in 83'. Walt would be ROLLING in his grave is he knew how outdated this park was. Nothing new, exciting, futuristic about this park.

For how much they charge to get in they can afford to keep the parks updated and modern.

 

[prfctlyximprfct]

Six flags is garbage. I don't know how you can even compare it to Disney. To each his own.

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[carebearkidney]

carebearkidney- This is what I'm talking about. What great, happy pics! It's truly amazing how Disney can create such a wonderful environment to celebrate accomplishments of all kinds. Those smiles made my day. May you and your family celebrate many more happy, healthy trips to Disney.

Thank you!

 

[Sweettears]

There was a Disney difference perhaps 25 years ago. I currently have been here for 5 days and the place is in a REAL need of a makeover. The parks are stuck in the past. Barely any new rides--not to mention barely any rides that appeal to kids over 8 years old. If Six Flags went this long without updating, there would be a revolt--but it is okay because Disney is allowed to be "retro" and "classic" and "nostalgic". How about:

--knocking down Hollywood Studios--besides the Rock and Roll roller coaster and TOT, there is NOTHING there. Back lot tour is boring. The shows are boring. And because there is nothing to do for adults--the lines for the few rides they have take 90 minutes on average.......

--Update Magic Kingdom--build a new and better Space Mountain--it was cool in 79' but with current technology, it needs to be a faster, wilder, and more modern roller coaster. Add some rides that are not for the toddler set. Keep the classics, but add some actual thrill rides.

--Epcot-"The Prototype of the future" that is stuck in 83'. Walt would be ROLLING in his grave is he knew how outdated this park was. Nothing new, exciting, futuristic about this park.

For how much they charge to get in they can afford to keep the parks updated and modern.

Sounds like you should probably stay home. Doesn't sound like the parks I visit.

 

[chloe4ever]

Sounds like you should probably stay home. Doesn't sound like the parks I visit.

Sounds like you should not tell others what to do.

 

[chloe4ever]

Six flags is garbage. I don't know how you can even compare it to Disney. To each his own.

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

Yes, Six flags is such garbage. All Six Flags are garbage.

All those award winning roller coasters are just garbage.

Garbage. Garbage. Garbage.

 

[disneysteve]

Yes, Six flags is such garbage. All Six Flags are garbage.

All those award winning roller coasters are just garbage.

Garbage. Garbage. Garbage.

We live near Great Adventure, the Six Flags park in NJ. For a long time, it had really gone down hill. Trashy park, trashy clientele. Then we had the opportunity to go last year through my wife's job for a deeply discounted price so we went. We were pleasantly surprised. They had really cleaned the place up. Service was good. Rides were fun. I'm a coaster junkie and enjoyed hitting all of the new coasters.

HOWEVER, it was not at all Disney-like by any stretch of the imagination. No theming. No story. No atmosphere. No gourmet food. No Broadway-caliber shows. Just a bunch of rides. So I wouldn't say it is garbage but I'd never compare it in any way to Disney.

 

[chloe4ever]

We live near Great Adventure, the Six Flags park in NJ. For a long time, it had really gone down hill. Trashy park, trashy clientele. Then we had the opportunity to go last year through my wife's job for a deeply discounted price so we went. We were pleasantly surprised. They had really cleaned the place up. Service was good. Rides were fun. I'm a coaster junkie and enjoyed hitting all of the new coasters.

HOWEVER, it was not at all Disney-like by any stretch of the imagination. No theming. No story. No atmosphere. No gourmet food. No Broadway-caliber shows. Just a bunch of rides. So I wouldn't say it is garbage but I'd never compare it in any way to Disney.

Great Adventure always had great rides. Perhaps it is cleaner now. The "trashy" people are still the same people. It is nice to see non-white people at Six Flags--it has a much more diverse crowd. Disney has the same crowd, same ethnicity--it becomes like a loaf of plain bread.

It is not Disney-like at all. I agree. And that makes me VERY happy. It has actual rides for adults. I don't need the theming and fake Disney atmosphere--that can only go so far when a park is outdated and barely adds anything new. And I'm not sure where you are tasting the gourmet food at Disney--but all the places I went to were just offering over-priced cafeteria style frozen hamburgers and chicken fingers. And Broadway style entertainment? Nope, not by a long shot.........

Disney is for people who want nostalgia and the classic feeling of when they were young. It is built for toddlers. It is not built for anyone over the age of 9.

Don't get me started at how annoying they are with their safety warnings.........yes, the tram is a deadly, deadly, deadly place to be Disney! No kids under 18 on the outside........

 

[disneysteve]

Disney has the same crowd, same ethnicity--it becomes like a loaf of plain bread.

I don't know where you've been going but we just got back on Sunday and the place was a United Nations, people from all over the world, speaking various languages, wearing clothing typical of several countries and cultures.

And I'm not sure where you are tasting the gourmet food at Disney--but all the places I went to were just offering over-priced cafeteria style frozen hamburgers and chicken fingers. And Broadway style entertainment? Nope, not by a long shot.........

You can't seriously compare the food at Disney to the food at any other amusement park. Last week, we had bbq chicken flatbread, vegetable quiche, turkey and brie sandwich on French bread, roasted acorn squash with long grain rice, paneer cheese and spinach with Naan bread, grilled chicken burger with queso and black beans.... That sure doesn't sound like frozen burgers and chicken fingers to me.

It is not built for anyone over the age of 9.

Well this 48 year old (celebrated my birthday their last week), my DW, also 48, and our almost 17 year old DD would strongly disagree. My wife and I have said numerous times that we are looking forward to when our daughter is grown and on her own and we can start going just the two of us again like we did before we became parents. I think Disney has far more to offer adults.

Don't get me started at how annoying they are with their safety warnings.........yes, the tram is a deadly, deadly, deadly place to be Disney! No kids under 18 on the outside........

That isn't Disney's fault. That is the fault of stupid and sue-happy guests. Trust me, it is far worse at other parks. We went to Clementon amusement park a couple of years ago. When boarding rides, they actually told you exactly where to sit, presumably so the ride would be properly balanced. I was forced to sit crammed in with a rather large stranger on one ride. That was the last straw for me. We used to love that park but they've really gotten out of control with the safety stuff. If a ride can't properly operate unless people sit in specific seats, I think there's a problem.