Kathy, I'm with you. Lights of Winter

[safetymom]

I have a little voice that says things like that too.

 

[dizneedoll]

It was the end of Lights of Winter last year that was the straw that broke the camels back for me. Lots and lots of little "declines" at WDW have just added up to be too many now. When I heard about LoW I decided that we would not be coming back to WDW until they got their act together. The more I hear about cutbacks the more I'm glad I decided not to return. We have been going to Disneyland and even though there were a couple of things that did not return this year, most notably was the lack of Christmas decorations in New Orleans Square, it is still much better in Holiday offerings than what WDW has IMO. Not to mention that the parade, fireworks, snowfall, etc. are free and you don't have to buy a $100 ticket extra just to see what should be an included feature at Christmas time. Don't get me wrong, I still love WDW but until they clean things up, fix things up, bring the service back up to the Disney standard, fix the horrid bus system and up their choices in food and quality I'm not going back. Oh and they need to bring back Lights of Winter or some sort of equivalent.

 

[Sammie]

Totally agree, the decorations are just not fabulous anymore. They are nice but there is no Wow to them.

Sadly many big corporations have used the scapegoat of bad economy to just make more money. Under the guise of we are doing this due to the economy we are cutting back, when crowds are at all time high. Corporate greed exists even at Disney.

And yes there is a huge difference between what Disneyland gets and Disney World and not just in decorations.

 

[WLodgeLizard]

Anybody know how to start a FB site to bring back the LOW? If it can get Betty White on SNL, who knows what else is possible?

 

[lugnut33]

I realize that those decorations are important to many here because they bring back memories and give a feeling of holidayness (is that even a word). However, I dislike the talk of Disney taking things away while they are in the middle of a billion dollar refurb. of California Adventure and a millions of dollar expansion of Fantasyland (not to mention finally finishing the golden years section of POP).

It's OK to voice an opinion on what you like and dislike, but to say Disney is being cheap just because they take away a rather small display seems petty to me. Maybe some day there will be a new display that will be even bigger and better. Displays change over time, that's just the way it is.

 

[kbelle8995]

I realize that those decorations are important to many here because they bring back memories and give a feeling of holidayness (is that even a word). However, I dislike the talk of Disney taking things away while they are in the middle of a billion dollar refurb. of California Adventure and a millions of dollar expansion of Fantasyland (not to mention finally finishing the golden years section of POP).

It's OK to voice an opinion on what you like and dislike, but to say Disney is being cheap just because they take away a rather small display seems petty to me. Maybe some day there will be a new display that will be even bigger and better. Displays change over time, that's just the way it is.

A rather small display? The LOW was a Large display.

I once saw an interview with Tony Baxter where he stated that when you take something away than you have to put something in it's place. They were discussing a ride at Disneyland but the statement is what it is.

Many guests enjoyed this particular display and Disney chose to end it and put nothing equal in it's place. I think that we are not being petty but honest about something that made Epcot glow.

And the fact that we have seen a downscale not a change in decorations throughout the parks and resorts. For me I see Disney putting money in big ticket items and not giving enough to the details that make Disney well Disney.

 

[goofy4tink]

I realize that those decorations are important to many here because they bring back memories and give a feeling of holidayness (is that even a word). However, I dislike the talk of Disney taking things away while they are in the middle of a billion dollar refurb. of California Adventure and a millions of dollar expansion of Fantasyland (not to mention finally finishing the golden years section of POP).

It's OK to voice an opinion on what you like and dislike, but to say Disney is being cheap just because they take away a rather small display seems petty to me. Maybe some day there will be a new display that will be even bigger and better. Displays change over time, that's just the way it is.

Sorry but have to disagree. Disney didn't take away a small display..they took away the major holiday display at Epcot..period. It looks just like any old day in there now.
Add that to the other 'take aways' and you have Disney really underwhelming many of us. They put out MVMCP on more nights than not now..they sell more tickets, they have taken away many discounts for those tickets which they raise the prices on each year. They took away the nice photo you got at the party, they took away some terrific stage shows. The place is no longer special any more for the party. It is shoulder to shoulder people in there.
They have taken away a lot of holiday decor around the parks, not just at Epcot. I've been every year for 7 years now..and it is not the same. I realize that things change, but please, give me something to replace the empty spots.

I did venture over to US/IoA this past week. While the parks themselves weren't overwhelmingly decorated, SeussLand was incredible. I could have just stood there and soaked up the beauty for an hour or so. So, got my holiday light fix over there.
I doubt I'll be back at Christmas time again. Disney has made it very 'un-magical' for me. Too many people there now, they over-sell the parties.

 

[MLK-RI]

I completely agree Kathy!

I was also among those that were giving the benefit of the doubt with the stated "outdated technology" excuse. I really expected something to have been put up there replacing it within a year or two.

This area of EPCOT is just blah during this time of year and each time I walk through there I miss the Lights of Winter!

 

[safetymom]

Anything, something in that area would have been nice. I too gave them the benefit of the doubt but it looks like they don't care. Guess they didn't ask guests what they thought.

 

[dizneedoll]

Anything, something in that area would have been nice. I too gave them the benefit of the doubt but it looks like they don't care. Guess they didn't ask guests what they thought.

Oh, but I thought everything at Disney was done due to "guest demand."

btw...my four year old son is looking at the pic of your granddaughter and wants to know why she is crying. He says maybe because she doesn't have a crown.

 

[safetymom]

They aren't listening to guest demand on this issue. Julie the one on the left took something away from her right before the picture. Alli loves dressing up as much as her sister.

 

[snow_white's_mom]

I miss then too! It's just not the same without them

 

[ADP]

I'm hopeful they'll replace the LoW with something in the next 2 years. The lack of Christmas decor in EPCOT was very apparent this year. From the front gates to the beginning of World Showcase it's just bare. In fact, you wouldn't even know it's Christmas during your stroll from the front of Spaceship Earth to World Showcase.

 

[mainegal]

Just before exiting Epcot late at night, there were white snowflakes projected on the sidewalk. I thought they were pretty magical. (I am easy to please and have low expectations) Maybe this is what replaced "lights of winter"?