Marathon Weekend 2025

[Barca33Runner]

SAFD:

I will start this with the disclaimer that Walt Disney World is still one of my favorite places to be in the world. A place where I have many great memories and hope to make many more. It is my happy place.

On the macro level, the thing that has changed most for me is that Dis-flation has outpaced my personal economic gains, particularly in the last ~5 years. My dollar simply doesn’t go as far. That applies to staying at resorts, tickets, food, souvenirs. All aspects of a trip are affected. Also, it isn’t necessarily a can I or can’t I with a lot of things; many experiences just feel out of whack with the value that I perceive they offer in ways that they weren’t in the past.

On the micro, I desperately miss free FastPass+. It now costs, conservatively, $40+ more per person per day to plan the same thing that I could plan with FP+ for free. I realize that much more can be accomplished in good circumstances with the new system; but I have literally stopped planning day trips to the parks in favor of Parties or After Hours because I don’t want to spend all of my time at the park either planning on my phone or worrying that I should be planning on my phone.

To a lesser degree on micro:
-Agreed on the front of Epcot. It spent 5 years in various states of disrepair for a pretty lateral move.
-The trend to prix fixe menus or family style meals has been hit or miss and has led to less variety of experience.
-Greatly dislike the amount of time some lands, Dinoland USA being a current example, have sat in limbo as they have been targeted for redesign but Disney drags their feet on commencing with any plans.
-There is an overall homogenization of events, both Disney at large and rD specifically. I used to really look forward to the announcements about Marathon Weekend and even the other races that I knew I wasn’t likely to attend. Now, they want it all the same. It’s easier when it’s all the same.

I’m sure there are things I missed. I guess I should have led off with a Frank Costanza Festivus Airing of Greivances gif, but my opening statement still stands.

 

[Naomeri]

SAFD: I’ve only been going to WDW regularly for 4 years, so I don’t have much that has changed in that time. I miss Magical Express. Although I hate having to pay for LL, I like the system better than the old FP+ where you picked rides 60 days out. I’m withholding judgement on the “improvements” to the LL system until I actually use it—I’m hoping for some modifications to pre-booking for hopping.

 

[Herding_Cats]

@Barca33Runner I don't disagree with any of the things you listed.

 

[camaker]

SAFD:
Osborn (or however it's spelled) Family Lights. Those were pure Christmas magic.

The Merida character meet (? I think this is gone in favor of Mirabel now) because Merida.

SAFD:
I can think of two.

I know there is no place for them as where they were no longer exists, but I would love to see the Osborne Lights in HS one more time.

For nostalgic reasons I really miss Primeval Whirl. It was a fun ride, but also the first coaster I ride with both my daughters and it became a tradition for the three of us to ride together on, wonderful memories.

Great call. I totally meant to include the Osborne Family Lights in my list!

 

[gosalyn_mallard]

SAFD: I'd love to see Sorcerer's of the Magic Kingdom brought back. It was such a fun way to enjoy Magic Kingdom between rides. Also, I'd love to take another journey aboard the Halcyon!

ETA: Jedi Training Academy in HS!

 

[Disney at Heart]

SAFD: Agree with ALL so far! I’ll add that I miss the old HS that was actually a studio. E.g. I loved standing outside the windows and watching animators actually drawing the next movie and going through the old backlot tour to see fashion designers and seamstresses creating costumes.
In MK I loved Snow White’s Scary Adventure and Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride and was glad I got to see them in Disneyland some years ago, but I’m happy with their replacements.
In Epcot I especially hate having spaces wasted. The Odyssey was once a decent restaurant, the Wonders of Life pavilion had interesting exhibits, movies, and a ride (Body Wars), and Morocco had Marrakesh and Tangerine restaurants. Those spaces need to be used!
I’ll be glad when AK has its transformation simply because there are too few rides, so when I want to ride one, the line is too long (looking at you, Pandora). I love all the animals on Kilimanjaro Safaris, Flights of Wonder, and on the trails. I also liked Primeval Whirl, another empty space left empty for too long.

 

[flav]

SAFD: I like the new rides and am glad that Disney isn’t static.

Because they are linked to special memories, I would like to still have the stars in the floor at Epcot, the Electric parade at MK and the varied courses for Disney races.

Of course, even though I understand the economics of it, I miss the pricing from before! It was easier to decide to splurge on a room at the Poly or at BC when they were a third of what they go for now.

 

[The Expert]

SAFD: I realize it was probably a nightmare logistically, but I'd love to see the Tapestry parade back at Epcot. I also miss the full Food & Wine Festival with tastings, classes, meals and parties. The booths are fine but they don't change them up as much as they used to, and every other festival is some version of the same now.

 

[The Expert]

And after I exit AK, I like to look at everything and make announcements like “We can do 20min miles for the rest of the race and be completely fine.”

I LOVE THAT PART!!!

 

[fatmanatee]

SAFD: I'd love to see Sorcerer's of the Magic Kingdom brought back. It was such a fun way to enjoy Magic Kingdom between rides.

Going to answer SAFD with a bit of a twist because this is something that I *didnt* experience and wish I could have. Started well after I would have really been into it but I was only at WDW one time while it was running and wasn’t aware of it. Neat idea, they could use something like this in the parks again.

 

[SimbaMufasa321]

I miss rides that arent based on IP. I feel like Imagineering can do some amazing things but there just seems to be a need to put their products in everything! I love some changes that are IP-based, but I also miss rides like Expedition Everest that are just based on an idea. I feel like Guardians would have been just as good if it was based on traveling back to the Big Bang or something like that. I know some people disagree and that's ok! Just would like some originality occasionally!

 

[matt and beth]

SAFD:

1. Magical Express. Especially the luggage service. Used to be able to hit the parks asap without worrying about luggage.

2. Disney planning services. As in we would book hotel, dining, tickets, and flight all in a package.

3. Disney dining plans when they included tip and everything.

4. Fastpass tickets

5. Year of a Million Dreams

6. Osborne Lights

7. Stunt show

8. Splash Mountain. I know it’s not relevant now. But I loved that movie and the books as a kid. Uncle Remus was awesome! Splash brought back happy childhood memories

9. Miss the Epcot fireworks with the globe.

10. Hollywood Studios Block Party Bash

11. Miss joining my daughter dancing away at the late night dance parties.

12. Voyage of the little mermaid. HS

13. Honey I shrink the audience

 

[DisneyParrothead]

SAFD:

I miss Cranium Command.
I miss the Adventurers Club.
I miss free Fastpass paper passes.
I miss when early magic hours was actually an hour instead of 30 minutes.
I miss Muppet History outside HoP.

 

[princesspirateandrunner]

SAFD: I agree with most everything that’s been mentioned, especially the Osborne Lights. I miss when W&D was a night race. DH misses the Nautilus (I don’t think I ever rode it). I agree that the restaurants at the Moroccan pavilion need to come back as they were. I miss when it was easy to get Fastpasses. I miss the ride at Norway when it had trolls. I miss the Electric Umbrella. I miss the pirate ship being in the median during race weekend. I’m sure there are other things, but that’s what comes to mind right now.

 

[Zutroy]

SAFD: I miss late 80s Epcot. It truly felt like you were seeing the future. Sea Base Alpha, Horizons, World of Motion, Innoventions, Captain Eo, an actually decent Figment ride with the rainbow tunnel. As a kid it blew me away.

 

[nancipants]

Pleasure Island.

Off Kilter.

Maelstrom.

A nighttime parade at MK. I don't care which one. They need a nighttime parade to disperse crowds at the end of the day.

Trail's End buffet.

 

[dobball23]

On the macro level, the thing that has changed most for me is that Dis-flation has outpaced my personal economic gains, particularly in the last ~5 years. My dollar simply doesn’t go as far. That applies to staying at resorts, tickets, food, souvenirs. All aspects of a trip are affected. Also, it isn’t necessarily a can I or can’t I with a lot of things; many experiences just feel out of whack with the value that I perceive they offer in ways that they weren’t in the past.

So true! The value just isn't there.

 

[Baloo in MI]

SAFD:

I miss Cranium Command.
I miss the Adventurers Club.
I miss free Fastpass paper passes.
I miss when early magic hours was actually an hour instead of 30 minutes.
I miss Muppet History outside HoP.

Muppet History by the HoP was so fun! So cool to get the Muppets in MK!

 

[runwithperseverence7]

SAFD: I miss the Nighttime Electrical parade at MK. It was so magical! I never got to see these in real life since they have decided to go with projections, but the Dream lights on the castle.

 

[Novatrix]

SAFD: I too miss old Epcot. There used to be such as good range of activities and attractions for both young and old, new visitors and regulars. There used to be true edutainment. Now it feels like it's just turned into a giant outdoor food court and mall. (Don't get me wrong, it still beats being in a Northeast winter, but there isn't the same level of enjoyment there once was.)

Main things I miss:
-The festivals used to have activities and speakers, in addition to the food booths. I remember happily spending whole days over at the Odyssey building doing all the different programs and listening to the different lectures.
-It used to be as a kid you'd do different activities at each country that would familiarize you more with the different cultures. It wouldn't just be coloring in a mask at each station, or whatever it is the kids do now.
-You could spend hours going around the different sponsored exhibits in the two Innoventions buildings, doing the different activities.
And of course:
The original Figment ride was great, but the original Figment play area was even better as a kid. It was so inventive. Star in a movie! Paint the wall with different colors! Conduct a section of a real orchestra! Such great childhood memories.