My Slow Divorce from Walt Disney World

[Pooh2]

The parks reservations and loss of fastpass system sealed the deal for us to vacation elsewhere after losing alot of value on an annual pass in 2020.

If they brought back a fastpass system for pay (where you can book 3 rides ahead and unlimited thereafter) and did away with park reservations, we might consider another trip because we have young grandkids that I would love to share disney with.

 

[bcla]

I have not resumed my level of Disney (either in quantity or quality) since the reopening. Will I, ehhh. I believe in paying for what you can afford and want. If I no longer want to pay then I won't but I don't believe it has anything to do with fairness, capitalisms, a degree curriculm, greed, or elitism. It just is a continuation of what has always been and what will continue to evolve.

The Walt Disney Company as a whole is not just about theme parks and personal experiences. It's primarily a media empire really. That's the biggest portion of their revenue. I can get tons of stuff on ABC for free with an antenna, and there's other content on my Samsung TV for free.

Right now I think I'm getting a killer value in Disney+ at $7.99 a month. Years ago I'd probably be buying Blu-Ray copies at $20-30 for the titles I wanted, and maybe there might be a digital download included. But now I can get all that at a subscription price.

Of course Disney could just pull the rug out from under me by jacking up the price. They already upped it from $6.99. I guess something is rotten in the city of Burbank.

 

[DebbieB]

Nothing will change unless people stop showing up. Right now they are at capacity, the current solution is to charge more. Less people will come and they spend more.

 

[bookgirl]

The Walt Disney Company as a whole is not just about theme parks and personal experiences. It's primarily a media empire really. That's the biggest portion of their revenue. I can get tons of stuff on ABC for free with an antenna, and there's other content on my Samsung TV for free.

Right now I think I'm getting a killer value in Disney+ at $7.99 a month. Years ago I'd probably be buying Blu-Ray copies at $20-30 for the titles I wanted, and maybe there might be a digital download included. But now I can get all that at a subscription price.

Of course Disney could just pull the rug out from under me by jacking up the price. They already upped it from $6.99. I guess something is rotten in the city of Burbank.

I'm a subscriber as well.

In fact my current reservation for WDW in September is under the 25% off to D+ subscriber offers.

I have the bundle....it's the better cost vs value for me (cause I also watch Hulu and so does my mom and my stepdad watches ESPN and we live in the same residence so something for everyone).

 

[Dan Murphy]

No one is excluded from staying in a deluxe hotel - just depends on what someone’s priorities are.

No one is technically excluded, however, monetarily, many are excluded, Same as many, monetarily, are excluded from any kind of a Disney vacation at all, or in many, many cases, a vacation of any sort, a weekend away at a local Red Roof Inn. Wealth is our society is not evenly distributed, and not saying that is should be. Just that realistically, many people are excluded from the niceties of life that many look at being just part of 'normal' life.

 

[karen4546]

It used to be I would get excited when my wife said let’s take the kids to Walt Disney World this year. I would frantically start my research using websites and spreadsheets to estimate the costs.
Today it’s impossible. It is too varying and complicated to get an actuate cost. And why? Too much has disappeared. Gone is the transportation from MCO, tickets that don’t expire,
and now based on the time of year, free parking, room rates with only four ‘seasons’, now seven, and not charging extra for weekends, free fast passes where you can do a least something.

But I don’t blame Disney executives for this, I blame business schools for teaching the American Greed Technology where establishing as many revenue streams as possible is the thing to do.

I do understand that some guests prefer to stay at higher end resorts as compared to the All Stars, great, but the parks should be equal for all.
Having better resources gives one the ability to do more just by paying for it. And those that can’t, don’t.

 

[Planogirl]

I don't mind people discussing how they feel about Disney on a discussion board on a Disney website. No one is forced to read every thread.

As for people being excluded, when it involves activities that were once affordable and no longer are, it certainly feels like an exclusion. Not everyone will agree and that's fine imo.

 

[Robbie Cottam]

I think this single line captures the whole entire thing. Disney's core product has NEVER been rides or shows or streaming media or cruise ships. It has always been the guest experience, and everything they did was a natural outgrowth of that (OK, not everything, especially post-Wells. Still bitter about Eisner replacing 20K Leagues with a cheap playground). At one time, we could argue about whether the Pirates rehab was better or worse than the original, or if TSM was too screen-based, or if a particular restaurant menu was being too dumbed down, or whatever. But there was a basic feeling that the company was trying hard to create excellent guest experiences, and whatever one person didn't like, they could generally see how others might. That overall trust was lost a long time ago. Now it's all about the cold, hard profits without any regard to their core product. We divorced Disney several years ago, and nothing they've done recently has made us regret that decision at all.

So what you are saying, if I understand you correctly, is that if The Mouse gave Chapek the boot, and Goofy rigged Chapek golden parachute, and the new CEO focused on Disney like Walt Disney’s core values you would return, and bring your money with you?

Is that correct ?

 

[Robbie Cottam]

The problem is that their definition of a "better CEO" would be one that did even more of the stuff we all dislike.

I think I defined better pretty well and I think in the long run my definition would be better for both Disney and the guest ….

 

[JaxDad]

Most of the Disney “divorces” I read about on the DIS sound more like trial separations with booty calls.

 

[Dan Murphy]

I haven't been on here in quite some time but came to look into discussions around options to sell my DVC. I too am divorcing Disney after a 30 year close relationship. Naturally, this post caught my eye. I understand the sadness but necessity.

Hey stranger, great to see you again. A local who went west. Hope all is well in your part of the world and with you and your family. Again, good to see you, sioux131.

 

[_19disnA]

Actually I like to hear the positive as well as the negative input when topics like these arise. When all you hear from are the people who want to tell us how wonderful/amazing Disney is you tend to get a lopsided view of reality.

 

[goofy4prez]

Most of the Disney “divorces” I read about on the DIS sound more like trial separations with booty calls.

For this divorce, until Disney leaves its "booty call" and comes back to me with an "I'm sorry", I'm staying divorced. And even then I may not take her back. Nothing trial about me. I've already moved on. I bought a nice new boat last year, built a killer rec room and finished basement, getting ready to build an awesome deck, and just booked a 10 night cruise in the South Caribbean in another cruise lines suite than DCL. I've discovered another life that is quite enjoyable away from Disney. I guess you can say I have fulfilled the wish of many a Disney apologist who so often say on these boards, "Good, stay away less people for me to enjoy Disney." To that I say your welcome. LOL

 

[mom2rtk]

Actually I like to hear the positive as well as the negative input when topics like these arise. When all you hear from are the people who want to tell us how wonderful/amazing Disney is you tend to get a lopsided view of reality.

Exactly.

 

[GreatLakes]

We were just down there a few weeks ago and even though we managed to make MK work pretty well with Genie + it was not a fun experience. My son loved it because he didn't know any better and because of that I loved the trip as a whole but I admit that the new reservation, pay for Genie+/LL, and constant need to be on your phone has make the experience worse not better.

We still love Disney and have a good time but the overall experience has not gotten better.

 

[karen4546]

I don't mind people discussing how they feel about Disney on a discussion board on a Disney website. No one is forced to read every thread.

As for people being excluded, when it involves activities that were once affordable and no longer are, it certainly feels like an exclusion. Not everyone will agree and that's fine imo.

this is not a Disney website. But I agree with you. I was expressing MY opinion also.

I tend to look at WDW as an ever evolving entity. I know the resort prices have skyrocketed since my first visit. That is a large reason that we purchased DVC. I agree that ticket prices are much more expensive and the park reservation system can be a nuisance.

The entire world has changed in the last couple of years and everyone chooses how to spend their money and time.

But, I do believe that there is still plenty of wonderful memories that can be made at WDW or wherever people spend their time.

Like I said above. I agree with what you.

 

[mom2rtk]

this is not a Disney website. But I agree with you. I was expressing MY opinion also.

I tend to look at WDW as an ever evolving entity. I know the resort prices have skyrocketed since my first visit. That is a large reason that we purchased DVC. I agree that ticket prices are much more expensive and the park reservation system can be a nuisance.

The entire world has changed in the last couple of years and everyone chooses how to spend their money and time.

But, I do believe that there is still plenty of wonderful memories that can be made at WDW or wherever people spend their time.

Like I said above. I agree with what you.

It isn't a Disney owned website. But it is a Disney themed website.

And expressing opinions on one's Disney experience is one thing. Chastising others for sharing a negative opinion is another.

We actually had a nice time on our visit in January. I doubt we would have enjoyed it as much without properly adjusting our expectations by reading the full range of experiences from those who went before us.

 

[Planogirl]

this is not a Disney website. But I agree with you. I was expressing MY opinion also.

I tend to look at WDW as an ever evolving entity. I know the resort prices have skyrocketed since my first visit. That is a large reason that we purchased DVC. I agree that ticket prices are much more expensive and the park reservation system can be a nuisance.

The entire world has changed in the last couple of years and everyone chooses how to spend their money and time.

But, I do believe that there is still plenty of wonderful memories that can be made at WDW or wherever people spend their time.

Like I said above. I agree with what you.

I was responding to you saying that no one cares and also that people maybe shouldn't say how they feel. Some do care and people should absolutely feel free to say how they feel within the website guidelines. Also, you are correct in saying that this is not a Disney site. It is primarily a Disney-centric site to be more accurate.

 

[RoseGold]

I'm planning to sell some of my DVC after my next trip. I've planned around the Weds deluxe after hours for MK for my next trip, but I can see a divorce coming as well. Maybe we will make it work a couple more years, you know, for the kids. But this doesn't have long term potential.

 

[Ms Bibbidi]

It used to be I would get excited when my wife said let’s take the kids to Walt Disney World this year. I would frantically start my research using websites and spreadsheets to estimate the costs.
Today it’s impossible. It is too varying and complicated to get an actuate cost. And why? Too much has disappeared. Gone is the transportation from MCO, tickets that don’t expire,
and now based on the time of year, free parking, room rates with only four ‘seasons’, now seven, and not charging extra for weekends, free fast passes where you can do a least something.

But I don’t blame Disney executives for this, I blame business schools for teaching the American Greed Technology where establishing as many revenue streams as possible is the thing to do.

I do understand that some guests prefer to stay at higher end resorts as compared to the All Stars, great, but the parks should be equal for all.
Having better resources gives one the ability to do more just by paying for it. And those that can’t, don’t.

In the coming months I will be reevaluating the meaning of ‘Magic’.

What a great thread and discussion!

You said, "Having better resources gives one the ability to do more just by paying for it. And those that can’t, don’t." When prices reach a certain point, some who can, won't.