Losing the Magic

[Colleen27]

Despite the larger crowds now at the National Parks, I didn't see significantly more people on the difficult hikes. The easy hikes looked more crowded.

Also, with gas prices going up, I wonder how much people will use their RVs this year.

Disney feels like the convenient default vacation for families.

It feels that way to me too. And I have to wonder if that will become more true with the current gas prices making getting to the National Parks, which seem to have become the other domestic default destinations during the pandemic, more expensive. We were in Death Valley last week for spring break and talked to several families who were enjoying their trips but wouldn't have made the plans they did if they'd known what the gas was going to cost (at Furnace Creek it was $9/gal!). If high prices persist into summer, that could send even more people to places like Disney where there's little transportation cost involved rather than to someplace like Yellowstone or Glacier or Yosemite where hundreds of miles driven are just part of the experience.

 

[RamblingMad]

It feels that way to me too. And I have to wonder if that will become more true with the current gas prices making getting to the National Parks, which seem to have become the other domestic default destinations during the pandemic, more expensive. We were in Death Valley last week for spring break and talked to several families who were enjoying their trips but wouldn't have made the plans they did if they'd known what the gas was going to cost (at Furnace Creek it was $9/gal!). If high prices persist into summer, that could send even more people to places like Disney where there's little transportation cost involved rather than to someplace like Yellowstone or Glacier or Yosemite where hundreds of miles driven are just part of the experience.

I spent $5 a gallon in Utah when hitting the NPs there last year when gas in Arizona was around $3ish. But I bet I'll spend less on gas than G+ and ILLs. Hopefully, the gas prices aren't sky high in TN when I go there later this year.

When I went to Glacier I ended up doing a lot of driving because the hiker shuttles were shutdown due to the COVID. The going to the sun road was nice, but the highline trail that parallels it was much better. But it was more crowded than I expected. The problem with Glacier was that I had to drive an hour from Whitefish to get to the park entrance and then around another hour to get to the trailheads before they filled up, which was around 7ish. Lots of 5a mornings.

Yosemite is super popular. If you want less popular, go to Kings Canyon to the south. I did some backpacking there and barely saw anyone else.

I have no desire to go to Yellowstone right now with folks mainly staying domestic. Tetons are close by and less crowded. Banff is another good option if you want to go to Canada.

The problem with NPs is that you need a fit family to do the trails especially if you're at 5 thousand feet and above. And whenever I hike the GC, I end up helping out hikers who either don't have enough water or need salt pills. I find people overestimate their fitness level the most at the GC.

I am looking at getting out to Norway.

 

[Colleen27]

I spent $5 a gallon in Utah when hitting the NPs there last year when gas in Arizona was around $3ish. But I bet I'll spend less on gas than G+ and ILLs. Hopefully, the gas prices aren't sky high in TN when I go there later this year.

When I went to Glacier I ended up doing a lot of driving because the hiker shuttles were shutdown due to the COVID. The going to the sun road was nice, but the highline trail that parallels it was much better. But it was more crowded than I expected. The problem with Glacier was that I had to drive an hour from Whitefish to get to the park entrance and then around another hour to get to the trailheads before they filled up, which was around 7ish. Lots of 5a mornings.

Yosemite is super popular. If you want less popular, go to Kings Canyon to the south. I did some backpacking there and barely saw anyone else.

I have no desire to go to Yellowstone right now with folks mainly staying domestic. Tetons are close by and less crowded. Banff is another good option if you want to go to Canada.

The problem with NPs is that you need a fit family to do the trails especially if you're at 5 thousand feet and above. And whenever I hike the GC, I end up helping out hikers who either don't have enough water or need salt pills. I find people overestimate their fitness level the most at the GC.

I am looking at getting out to Norway.

We're heading to Europe - France, UK and Ireland - this summer and I'll admit to hoping the crush at the National Parks dies down before our next domestic trip in May 2023. I'm not fit enough for the trails that scare away the newbies - I stick to things rated as "moderate", mostly, especially at higher elevations - but I'm experienced enough to get irritated with the unprepared and those who have apparently never heard of "leave no trace", so crowded trails can be pretty irritating. We hiked the short Darwin Falls trail at Death Valley last week and I kid you not, the very fact that it is posted "no swimming" (because of the town that draws its drinking water from the falls) prompted some of the families on the trail while we were there to carry towels for their kids and then complain when the pool at the base of the falls wasn't in any way an attractive place to swim. It is like some of these people *want* to ruin the experience for everyone.

I was lucky at Glacier - we camped at Many Glacier the night before hiking Apikuni Falls and the first/flat sections of the Grinnell Glacier trail around the lakes, then at Lake McDonald for the rest of our stay (in 2019, when the shuttles were running), so we didn't have to deal with the drive in. From what I understand, that's a lot harder to accomplish now without getting very lucky on the reservation system, not to mention the timed entry to drive Going To The Sun from one to the other. But I wouldn't want to make the drive in from Whitefish every day if I could avoid it, especially not with the rates the private campgrounds in that area charge.

 

[RamblingMad]

We're heading to Europe - France, UK and Ireland - this summer and I'll admit to hoping the crush at the National Parks dies down before our next domestic trip in May 2023. I'm not fit enough for the trails that scare away the newbies - I stick to things rated as "moderate", mostly, especially at higher elevations - but I'm experienced enough to get irritated with the unprepared and those who have apparently never heard of "leave no trace", so crowded trails can be pretty irritating. We hiked the short Darwin Falls trail at Death Valley last week and I kid you not, the very fact that it is posted "no swimming" (because of the town that draws its drinking water from the falls) prompted some of the families on the trail while we were there to carry towels for their kids and then complain when the pool at the base of the falls wasn't in any way an attractive place to swim. It is like some of these people *want* to ruin the experience for everyone.

I was lucky at Glacier - we camped at Many Glacier the night before hiking Apikuni Falls and the first/flat sections of the Grinnell Glacier trail around the lakes, then at Lake McDonald for the rest of our stay (in 2019, when the shuttles were running), so we didn't have to deal with the drive in. From what I understand, that's a lot harder to accomplish now without getting very lucky on the reservation system, not to mention the timed entry to drive Going To The Sun from one to the other. But I wouldn't want to make the drive in from Whitefish every day if I could avoid it, especially not with the rates the private campgrounds in that area charge.

The road to Many Glacier was closed the year I went, so I didn't make it over there.

There are plenty of people that don't respect nature. Climate change is already having an effect. I saw the glacier melt first hand when I went to Iceland pre-COVID. It's really bad. Storms are going to continue to get worse and worse.

When I hiked Bryce last year, I barely saw anyone on the difficult trails. I'm guessing the elevation was the reason. It's also not a very popular park.

I saw the most crowds ever on the Mist Trail in Yosemite. Lots of people that didn't know proper hiking etiquette. But when I did a loop coming back on the JMT, I didn't see anyone.

 

[tcufrog]

Once upon a time you would get a “Welcome _____ Family” booklet in the mail a few months before your trip. That was magical.

Once upon a time you would get those yellow luggage tags in the mail a few weeks before your trip. That was magical.

Once upon a time you would land at the airport, walk to the Magical Express and be whisked to your hotel. No thoughts of luggage. That was magical.

Once upon a time your luggage would appear in your room like magic. That was magical.

I still love it, too. But WDW has become industry standard where it once was magical.

Getting rid of the Magical Express was the final straw for me. I loved easy it made everything. I promised my kids that once the Star Wars area was finished we'd go again but now I have no desire to do so.

 

[Unclelude]

Agree loss of magical express sentiment. It was a nice way to extend the bubble.

We are relatively new DVC members.... We did impromptu stay in Jan. 2021... Fantastic, low crowds. Only one park day in DHS for batu.

Since then we have stayed away from parks... Cost and crazy crowds not worth it.

I can say we have had fabulous, (really awesome) stays at Aulani last fall, Vero at Xmas, and Hilton Head a month or so ago... I know it's not the parks, but at least those resorts are still great and magical!

I'd like to hit the parks before 50th is over, but if revenge travel still in full swing, we probably stay away... Maybe by Jan 2023 ... Altho, we'll be in Aulani then...

 

[Timandalicia]

I hear a lot of people saying that Disney World is "losing the magic" or that the "magic is being eroded"... how so? I still love it!

For me I think you have to divide resort versus parks. Or maybe subdivide further. At any rate, they keep adding tons of attractions so I see why prices go up. I can definitely see why people complain about room rates skyrocketing without getting better amenities, or some being taken away.

 

[Orion Nebula]

For me I think you have to divide resort versus parks. Or maybe subdivide further. At any rate, they keep adding tons of attractions so I see why prices go up. I can definitely see why people complain about room rates skyrocketing without getting better amenities, or some being taken away.

A major problem with that is the fact that people obviously will still open their wallets and flood the parks (even some who complain). That makes me feel like many are being priced out as well. And although it never was exactly affordable, you didn't need to take out a second mortgage or spend five years saving up to go. It's mind blowing to me on how "cheap" it was even a few years ago. And now pricing out a trip makes my head hurt.

 

[Miffy]

I still love Disney and the magic is still there. I love the atmosphere, the theming, the experience of sort of living in a fictional place, except it's real.

Granted, there are amenities and experiences that are currently missing, but many of these things, like the trams, will return in time. Daily housekeeping, btw, is supposedly back, although I haven't been there yet to confirm this.

I'm not in love with the current crowds, but crowd levels rise and fall and they will fall again. Also, I have an AP, so even with the park reservations system (which I do not love), if I'm unhappy in the park I've reserved, I get out and wait until 2, then hop.

Epcot is a mess right now so I spend limited time there.

I have adjusted my budget so I can continue to enjoy Disney. Hey, back in ye olden dayes, I stayed on I-Drive in cheapo lodgings. Even then I had a magical time.

But, to me, just walking around DAK is a pleasure--the ambience, the architecture, the landscaping are all amazing and beautiful. And magical.

BTW, my marriage is still magical too!

 

[Orion Nebula]

BTW, my marriage is still magical too!

That entire post was a bit odd to me. It's possible to have a good marriage and keep the "magic" alive. Sure life isn't exactly perfect or smooth, and it's not always easy. But comparing the decline of enjoyment to the parks with being married was a bit weird to me.

Furthermore my wife and I went on a solo trip when we were 15 years in, and it really was magical for us. In fact it was more enjoyable I think than the ones with the kids. lol

 

[lisaviolet]

I miss dedicated and longer Extra Magic Hours (

I lived for 3 am Extra Magic hours. Oh man, some great memories.

 

[lisaviolet]

But, to me, just walking around DAK is a pleasure--the ambience, the architecture, the landscaping are all amazing and beautiful. And magical.

Agreed.

Totally mystical at night.

 

[DVC92]

I lived for 3 am Extra Magic hours. Oh man, some great memories.

The good old days!!!

 

[TLSnell1981]

Honestly. I'd say it went bad as soon as FP+ came out and the crazy reservations for rides started.

Before all the crazy WDW was very magical. You never saw a dead plant or a paint chip. The parks were open late and prices were reasonable. Ahhh...those were the days. We tolerated the "enhanced experiences" but enough is enough! It's steadily gone downhill since. It's been ramped up in the last few years... makes my head spin. We've held on because the little ones loved Disney and we've tried to adjust. This last trip was a horror show. Now they want a change...says a lot.

 

[disneyseniors]

I spent $5 a gallon in Utah when hitting the NPs there last year when gas in Arizona was around $3ish. But I bet I'll spend less on gas than G+ and ILLs. Hopefully, the gas prices aren't sky high in TN when I go there later this year.

When I went to Glacier I ended up doing a lot of driving because the hiker shuttles were shutdown due to the COVID. The going to the sun road was nice, but the highline trail that parallels it was much better. But it was more crowded than I expected. The problem with Glacier was that I had to drive an hour from Whitefish to get to the park entrance and then around another hour to get to the trailheads before they filled up, which was around 7ish. Lots of 5a mornings.

Yosemite is super popular. If you want less popular, go to Kings Canyon to the south. I did some backpacking there and barely saw anyone else.

I have no desire to go to Yellowstone right now with folks mainly staying domestic. Tetons are close by and less crowded. Banff is another good option if you want to go to Canada.

The problem with NPs is that you need a fit family to do the trails especially if you're at 5 thousand feet and above. And whenever I hike the GC, I end up helping out hikers who either don't have enough water or need salt pills. I find people overestimate their fitness level the most at the GC.

I am looking at getting out to Norway.

Thanks for that informative post! My brother lives West of Nashville and the gas prices now are about $4.00. Hopefully they will go down.
I had to laugh at your comparison of gas prices and driving verses paying for all the upcharges at disney such as Ills, LOL. My husband said the same thing when I questioned our trip to Arizona this April, due to the high gas prices. He laughed and said "We spend thousands every year at disney, and you worry about a few hundred dollars for gas???? I can now see the wisdom in that, and we are going to Arizona.
As a tip: We used to live in Tennessee and have traveled to the Smokies a lot. If you are traveling on I-40 through the state, which you probably are, allow alot of time to get to your destination. I-40 is a nightmare with lots of semi's and cars. It was a nightmare when we lived there, and my brother says its worse now. Hard to believe. But the Smokies are fantastic.

 

[disneyseniors]

To answer your questio Is disney losing the magic?
As former disney fans who never missed a yearly trip for years, the answer is a big YES. Due to all the above posters it has lost it's appeal. We are now traveling to other destinations, and have given up on Disney ever going back to excellennt customer service and actually caring about the parks.

 

[Minnesota!]

Yeah, our last trip was December 2019 and it was SOOO far and away from what I fell in love with, that I wasn't even sad when Covid took away the opportunity for us to return for the forseeable future. I don't miss it one bit.

Ok, I miss Boma and Splitzville and the Boardwalk. But, I don't miss the rest of Disney.

 

[Jennasis]

It's mind blowing how current management have managed to bungle the parks experience. They even blew it with the 50th anniversary celebration. The YOAMD celebration absolutely slays the 50th...the 50th should have been the party to end all parties. But no...we got cupcakes and earadescent colored spirit jerseys.

Heck we are now 6 months into the debacle that is Genie+ and they haven't even fixed the time change issue on the booking.

I just spent 2 HOURS on hold to speak to tech services to straighten out a ridiculous issue with my MDE account and Genie+ only for the CM to tell me it was "above her pay grade/knowledge " and she had me submit a help request through the app and MAYBE someone else knows how to fixit.

 

[TLSnell1981]

We're heading to Europe - France, UK and Ireland - this summer and I'll admit to hoping the crush at the National Parks dies down before our next domestic trip in May 2023. I'm not fit enough for the trails that scare away the newbies - I stick to things rated as "moderate", mostly, especially at higher elevations - but I'm experienced enough to get irritated with the unprepared and those who have apparently never heard of "leave no trace", so crowded trails can be pretty irritating. We hiked the short Darwin Falls trail at Death Valley last week and I kid you not, the very fact that it is posted "no swimming" (because of the town that draws its drinking water from the falls) prompted some of the families on the trail while we were there to carry towels for their kids and then complain when the pool at the base of the falls wasn't in any way an attractive place to swim. It is like some of these people *want* to ruin the experience for everyone.

I was lucky at Glacier - we camped at Many Glacier the night before hiking Apikuni Falls and the first/flat sections of the Grinnell Glacier trail around the lakes, then at Lake McDonald for the rest of our stay (in 2019, when the shuttles were running), so we didn't have to deal with the drive in. From what I understand, that's a lot harder to accomplish now without getting very lucky on the reservation system, not to mention the timed entry to drive Going To The Sun from one to the other. But I wouldn't want to make the drive in from Whitefish every day if I could avoid it, especially not with the rates the private campgrounds in that area charge.

We were in Europe after Thanksgiving....much was closing down due to Omicron. It was all a go until we got there but countries were shutting down and restrictions changing daily. We adjusted and spent most of our time in France and Germany. It still was not as stressful as out latest Disney trip. Crazy!

 

[LuvOrlando]

This thread makes me sad and nostalgic for the 90's, it was so wonderful back then, seems I'm not the only one

I thought the Genie + was IN ADDITION to Fast Pass, a way to make things easier for people with those might want the benefits of the premium service, doing it instead of sounds uninspired and cumbersome. Maybe the parks are only jammed because people just can't sort things out or are stuck in a queue so they linger all day taking up space instead of moving all over the place visiting different resorts for meals and going back to swim etc? This would totally trip me us in this way. Is all the fastpass stuff still in place or was it removed? Like, can they just combine the two things?