Magical or Commercialism

[goofyindiana]

Am I the only one who thinks Disney has lost some magic to commercialism? Bring back the magic. My DVC membership is flooded with selling me additional points, park pricing keeps going up, it's impossible to get a dinner reservation, wait times are thru the roof. Star Wars land is only making it worse. I'm not sure there is an answer, but I want the magic back.

 

[Shanti]

Am I the only one who thinks Disney has lost some magic to commercialism? Bring back the magic. My DVC membership is flooded with selling me additional points, park pricing keeps going up, it's impossible to get a dinner reservation, wait times are thru the roof. Star Wars land is only making it worse. I'm not sure there is an answer, but I want the magic back.

Disney magic has always, from day one, been part of a commercial enterprise. Prices and crowds are up, yes. Disney has been affected by the globalized and corporatized, profit-maximization world we live in, I agree. However, you can still have a great time at Disney. Wait times are't crazy if you go at the right time of day and make use of FastPasses, which are complimentary for everyone. It shouldn't be impossible to get a dinner reservation, unless you're checking at the last minute. When are you trying to get a reservation for?

 

[Alesia]

Magic isn't cheap. It never has been.

 

[goofyindiana]

Our last trips in March 17 and Oct 16 we couldn't get dinner reservations in Epcot. In March we had luck with a walk-up after trying the reservation app leading up to our trip. Marrakesh was excellent!

 

[amberpi]

I have the commercial Disney conversation often with friends who can't wrap their minds around why I'd love WDW. Amber, you've been to x, y, z country in Epcot, *** is up with that, why do you want to go somewhere artificial? I still know that everytime I walk in the place - I remember how amazed I was as a kid, and I feel myself chilling out. The price changes, sure. My folks suggest it wasn't cheap in the 80s and 90s either. I don't want to eat in the castle or meet Mickey (although I enjoy seeing him from a distance in a parade, etc.), but it still offers ME, the only person I can speak for, something of value.

Some people over complicate (in my mind) planning a WDW vacation. I may be going in a couple of weeks, in fact, 98% sure I am. I'm not even worried about planning it, except meeting up with some people. I know that walking around Epcot FW with the music in the background and grabbing an early drink in the UK pavilion before its packed, is cheaper than what I pay my therapist

I hope you get there and find your love of it again.

 

[greg9x]

Everything these days is upsell or additional charges to base price. Disney just does it with a Mickey face on it. The problem is now that you have to buy the extras to guarantee getting the basics without wasting a lot of time. (Dessert parties to get reserved viewing, Early morning hours to get on rides, etc)

Despite all the "Walt wanted it to be family affordable..." posts, Disney is a company that's out to make money... they more they can make the better and they are very focused on getting the most out of guests that they can.

 

[bladiator]

I know that walking around Epcot FW with the music in the background and grabbing an early drink in the UK pavilion before its packed, is cheaper than what I pay my therapist

So well said.

 

[ArwenMarie]

I don't think the magic is gone. I just think the parks are too crowded most of the time, most of all "Magic" Kingdom

 

[amberpi]

Everything these days is upsell or additional charges to base price. Disney just does it with a Mickey face on it. The problem is now that you have to buy the extras to guarantee getting the basics without wasting a lot of time. (Dessert parties to get reserved viewing, Early morning hours to get on rides, etc)

Despite all the "Walt wanted it to be family affordable..." posts, Disney is a company that's out to make money... they more they can make the better and they are very focused on getting the most out of guests that they can.

I've never seen such a quote attributed to Walt, but I'm open to hearing I'm wrong He was a businessman. Roy certainly was.

 

[Shanti]

Our last trips in March 17 and Oct 16 we couldn't get dinner reservations in Epcot.

Fall and spring are now the most crowded and expensive times to visit WDW. For a more relaxed and affordable visit, go in midwinter (mid-January through early February) or midsummer (July through early August). I've never had a hard time making ADRs for those times of year, and the crowds are moderate (except the few days around July 4th, of course).

 

[greg9x]

I've never seen such a quote attributed to Walt, but I'm open to hearing I'm wrong He was a businessman. Roy certainly was.

Not that i've ever seen an actual quote from Walt...but people think they have...

I see it constantly on any Disney facebook page or news article referencing costs... people drone on and on about how "Walt wouldn't have wanted these high prices.." "Walt wanted it to be family affordable.." Etc, etc.



I don't respond to them, but just think about how crowded it would be if it were as cheap as those people think it should be... capacity closings every day.

 

[tomlinson]

I don't think the magic is gone. I just think as we get older we get far more jaded and it's easier to find fault in everything. Disney, first and foremost, is a corporation. It's there to make money. As adults, we know this going to any of the parks, buying any of the merch, trying to make reservations etc. You have to consciously suspend that belief to find the magic.

For awhile, I agreed with the OP. The magic was going away - but then I witnessed a magical moment while on the Friendship boat going from Epcot to HS. While on the boat (sitting on the back outside area) a little girl (couldn't have been more than four), was holding her Minnie stuffed animal. She went to scoot down the seat and her Minnie fell right over the edge into the water. Of course she immediately started to cry. Wail even. One of the boat CMs came back to make sure no one was hurt, and the girl's parents assured him she was fine she had dropped her Minnie overboard. They apologized for her crying and tried to calm her down. The CM went back up to the front of the boat, and carried out magic. By the time the boat docked at HS - there was a CM standing there waiting with the exact same Minnie stuffed animal. The family got off the boat right in front of me, and the CM proceeded to tell the little girl "Minnie got overly excited about coming to Hollywood Studios. She swam all the way here! She missed you though," and then gave the little girl the Minnie.

So the next time we think that the magic is vanishing? Keep your eye out for something like this. The magic is still there. You just have to be open to finding it.

 

[The Foolish Mortal]

I definitely feel a sense of increased commercialism, but its not enough to ruin my experiences. I just wish there wasn't a gift shop or souviner store every ten feet at the parks

 

[FCDub]

But Walt wanted it to be free – no, Walt actually wanted to pay people to come.

Wait...

 

[Nayan]

I don't respond to them, but just think about how crowded it would be if it were as cheap as those people think it should be... capacity closings every day.

Oh man, could you imagine the crowds if ticket prices dropped? You wouldn't be able to move, let alone get on any rides unless you were lucky enough to get a FP, which everyone else would be trying to get as well.

As far as the magic, it's been ruined for me for awhile but that doesn't mean it less magical for anyone else. I am sure those with young ones see it when they walk in the gate and see Main Street and the Castle for the first time.

 

[Ceilidhscot]

Through the eyes of a child on their first visit to a Disney Park (and old enough to remember the event) it will always be magic. THAT will never change no matter what the price rises to.

It's just the parents paying the eye watering price for that magic that's the main issue lol!

 

[loves to dive]

I defy you to name anything that hasn't gone up in price, it's a fact of life and business. If you want to stay in business you have to raise prices. Like Amberpi I have traveled all over the world and seen many places but I still go to WDW and it's still magical for me. I've been taking my son since he was just shy of 3, he is 37 now and he will tell you it's magical to him as well. It wasn't cheap when I first took him, I was a single mom and had to save for two years to go, that meant sharing happy meals and going to the park on Sundays and having picnics. We both happily did it. Through the years we have taken his older sister (not my child) and she has since become a Disney travel agent, we've have taken his girlfriend and later his wife (now ex) and gone just the two of us. It's our magical place which we will share on occasion but still treasure the times when it's just the two of us. He is always in extreme pain from permanent spinal cord nerve damage and has extreme PTSD. For 3 years I never saw him smile at home but we drive under that Mickey arch and he smiles. Eventually, I saw him not only smile there but laugh out loud and dance along. That is magical and I'll gladly pay however much it costs.

 

[Realfoodfans]

@loves to dive what a lovely description! I totally agree with you. Also it's not just the time you're there. The build up and the chatting I've shared with my grandchildren (first trip for DGD) about the planning has been lovely too. We've planned this trip around our/and daughter's budget - no fancy dining, QSD, moderate resort - and I'm sure there will be lots to share a long time after the trip too! We're ready to alter the plan and just enjoy each moment together.

 

[Planogirl]

I think that Disney has always been about making money just like any other corporation. The idea that that wasn't always the focus never made sense to me.

However I think that they weren't always so blatant about it. Now I keep wondering what they'll do next to try to squeeze money out of people. People are buying into it without hesitation so Disney is likely to keep pushing for more.

I want to add that when I go I don't care that Disney is a corporation. When I use my phone or buy shoes I never think about how ATT or Teva are corporations but only if the product works for me. The same is true of Disney and if it ever completely quits feeling right then I just won't go any more

 

[DisneyWishes14]

It's a publicly traded company, accountable to its shareholders. And ESPN is not helping the company right now. Disney's pricing strategies are very deliberate. In 2016, attendance was down, but revenue was up, which equals a win-win for Disney and its guests, IMHO. I am more than happy to spend more on tickets, special events, etc. if it means my overall experience is going to be better.