No the Magic isn’t gone but it’s at 25%

[Smugpugmug]

I'm hoping it will turn around. And it's a product I LOVE. There is a lot of joy and nostalgia and great memories wrapped up in the 46 YEARS I've been going. I'm not ready to throw in the towel yet...

Thrn again, I also don't need to justify anything.

(Funny enough, Splash is my FAVORITE rode. Hands down. The retirement is one of the decisions I am totally okay with.)

I feel similarly. I criticize Disney not because I hate it but because I want it to be better. I did a recent trip in May and as of right now I don't plan on returning until some things are ironed out a bit. Instead, I'll be taking other non Disney trips and potentially planning to return to the Disney parks in Japan once the borders reopen.

 

[Jrb1979]

This was posted from Len Testa, who runs touring plans, about the state of the parks.

"I know from sources that Genie (the itinerary app) numbers are terrible, as are Genie+ numbers. With Genie, it's functionality. With Genie+, it's some variation of the poor implementation and the "nickle and dime" philosophy.

Money is the reason why they don't fix the problem. Revenue is up, and that is by far the primary metric they're concerned with. If it's going to cost $25 million (or whatever) to fix the Genie+ software and take your dev team a year away from doing anything else, and it's not going to increase revenue, they're not going to do it. They'd rather use the money to build a restaurant, bar, or food kiosks, because those generate revenue. Or buy back shares, which increases the stock price.

I mean, the park reservation system is absolutely useless for guests for around 360 of the 365 days in a year. And we know that there are days when Disney artifically closes off one park's reservations, far below the park's available capacity, just to direct people to the other parks for balance. So not only is the reservation system a no-benefit burden to guests, but it's actually used to force guests away from their first-choice park, even when that first choice should be an option.

You might be thinking "But the visitors who spend that money today and leave dissatisfied, won't be back in five years." And that's absolutely not the concern of today's management."

 

[Aluminum Falcon]

I do agree the shutdown played a part in what they offered and yes they are facing staffing issues. They still could have done more to celebrate the history of the parks. Other then the new night time show there is very little in terms of history of the parks.

I agree i would have liked to see more about the history of the parks, but that seems like a decision Disney had made from the get go to look forward to the next 50, instead of backwards. In this case i think it's just personal preference, and to that i would say they can't please everyone

 

[Jrb1979]

I agree i would have liked to see more about the history of the parks, but that seems like a decision Disney had made from the get go to look forward to the next 50, instead of backwards. In this case i think it's just personal preference, and to that i would say they can't please everyone

Part of me wonders is the reason they went the way they did is that outside of people on boards like this are really the only ones that care about anniversaries. I equate it with how DL does overlays a lot for Halloween and Christmas for some attractions and WDW rarely does. The reason they do it is cause a lot of WDW guests are first timers and they don't want them to miss out on original attractions.

 

[Aluminum Falcon]

Staffing wise all parks are having issues. That's only part of it. For my family Disney has become a lot more complex to visit since Covid. From reservations, to Genie+, mobile ordering it's a complete mess for us.

Contrast that to our Cedar Point visit last week and it's night and day. The only big change is they are cashless now. Outside of that it's fun the exact same as they were before Covid. The only issues I saw there were some food places didn't open due to lack of staff.

I think most people hold Disney to higher expectations, and they are doomed to let people down right now. Just a small example, Cedar point has a restaraunt closed, and not many people complain, Disney has 1900 park faire closed, and there is a little uproar about it.

Disney has created a magic monster in my opinion, and the nostalgia is killing them currently because they can't produce the same as they were able to prior to the pandemic

 

[Aluminum Falcon]

Part of me wonders is the reason they went the way they did is that outside of people on boards like this are really the only ones that care about anniversaries. I equate it with how DL does overlays a lot for Halloween and Christmas for some attractions and WDW rarely does. The reason they do it is cause a lot of WDW guests are first timers and they don't want them to miss out on original attractions.

i don't doubt that is part of it, but compare it to the 25th and you may be singing a different tune

 

[Smugpugmug]

Part of me wonders is the reason they went the way they did is that outside of people on boards like this are really the only ones that care about anniversaries. I equate it with how DL does overlays a lot for Halloween and Christmas for some attractions and WDW rarely does. The reason they do it is cause a lot of WDW guests are first timers and they don't want them to miss out on original attractions.

When my sister worked at WDW, she asked her manager why Haunted Mansion in Florida didn't get the Nightmare Before Christmas overlay and your reasoning is what he told her. Too many first time/once in a life time guests would complain that they didn't get to see the "real" Haunted Mansion. Unsure of how true that is or not. That's just what her manager told her.

 

[Jrb1979]

I think most people hold Disney to higher expectations, and they are doomed to let people down right now. Just a small example, Cedar point has a restaraunt closed, and not many people complain, Disney has 1900 park faire closed, and there is a little uproar about it.

Disney has created a magic monster in my opinion, and the nostalgia is killing them currently because they can't produce the same as they were able to prior to the pandemic

They have and look no further then Genie+. Disney spoiled people for too long and now it's hurting them. At any other park people accept having long waits for some rides. Due to FP guests now can't accept it.

 

[mom2rtk]

That's what Genie+ was supposed to work like minus the paid LL. The problem is at Disneyland it works as fewer people buy it. It's a big reason Genie+ isn't working. More people have bought it then they expected.

It also works better becuase they have lots more attractions per park. Capacity is the major issue faced by the 3 non-MK parks in WDW.

 

[ciaoaloha31]

I'm not really going to dip into the 50th anniversary debate but just wanted to chime in that we live 30 minutes from Hersheypark which is one of the most popular theme parks in the country. My son used to work there and I have a few friends working there in various capacities.

They are continuing to have a nightmare of a time with staffing. Their hours are severely limited compared to what they were pre-covid and even when they are open there are large periods of time where major attractions are not open because they have no one to operate the rides. They used to have a good amount of entertainment and shows but they have really struggled to bring those back as it's even harder to hire entertainers than it is to hire someone to man the register at boardwalk fries. The waterpark is only open to AP holders at this point.

Yet - the crowds keep coming with no end in sight.

The Boardwalk at Hersheypark is open to everyone as of Memorial Day weekend. Passholders had 1 preview weekend for the Boardwalk in May before the everyday summer season. But yes as a Hersheypark Passholder (2 hours from Hershey,) I noticed plenty of attractions/dining/shops that would normally be open pre-2020 when they were open everyday for the summer season and not their limited Springtime in the Park, Herhseypark in the Dark, and Christmas in Candy Lane when I went Memorial Day weekend. I am going again this weekend and will be curious to see if staffing has improved in the 2 weeks since.

As far as Disney, I went for Marathon weekend so my main focus was that. I did find Genie+ useful as I could stack in the afternoon for times that allowed me to recover and rest a little before heading to the parks. I have another trip in August where I am not doing Genie+ and no park hopper. I will be attending 2 MNSSHP (and likely H20 glow) and skipping Hollywood Studios so I can have a second Epcot Day for F+W and opportunity for GOTGCR. I am holding out on making a magic level call until after that trip occurs when I will be more of a "normal" tourist.

 

[john7994]

I get Disney is much bigger then all other parks. My point was more about how the smaller parks did more to celebrate their history then what Disney did. I think that's why many are upset about it.

Yes, I understand. This is why COVID isn't "just an excuse" - should Disney have forgone all necessary steps to open the parks safely and reliably in an effort to focus more extravagantly on the 50th? - Its the same (people) resources needed to make it all happen. Despite popular belief of "just hiring more people" - the local unemployment rate is near pre-pandemic lows in the Orlando area. This is the balance that I am talking about. Its easy to demand that it should have all been perfect - but reasonably - we also can't sweep operational headwinds under the rug and pretend like they were closed for a weekend either.

 

[OppR2nist]

Part of me wonders is the reason they went the way they did is that outside of people on boards like this are really the only ones that care about anniversaries. I equate it with how DL does overlays a lot for Halloween and Christmas for some attractions and WDW rarely does. The reason they do it is cause a lot of WDW guests are first timers and they don't want them to miss out on original attractions.

But they DO seasonal overlays. For MNSSHP, they're doing Space Mountain, Mad Tea Party, and the Laugh Floor. I think the reason you don't get the same overlays at both DL and WDW is to keep them different enough that people will eventually do both.

 

[mom2rtk]

That's what it all comes down to in the end: there are way more people that want to come to WDW and take their "dream vacation" that the parks have the capacity to handle.

No. What it comes down to is that Disney chooses not to add attraction capacity at the same rate they choose to add guests. And it is a choice. They set the daily caps. And they decide if/when to add things. It's 100% Disney's choice. All of it.

 

[Aluminum Falcon]

No. What it comes down to is that Disney chooses not to add attraction capacity at the same rate they choose to add guests. And it is a choice. They set the daily caps. And they decide if/when to add things. It's 100% Disney's choice. All of it.

Lets pretend that Disney caps off their attendance, price hikes would absolutely follow so hotels could reach new highs, potential lay offs because less attendance would mean less cast members to cater to them, less projects because they wouldn't need to expand to cater to the larger crowds, ect.. Making less is not an option for Disney, willingness to make less would equal a blood bath in the market for their stock, this is a double edged sword, you may not like what they are doing currently, but i believe most would be just as upset if they ran in the opposite direction

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

Lets pretend that Disney caps off their attendance, price hikes would absolutely follow so hotels could reach new highs, potential lay offs because less attendance would mean less cast members to cater to them, less projects because they wouldn't need to expand to cater to the larger crowds, ect.. Making less is not an option for Disney, willingness to make less would equal a blood bath in the market for their stock, this is a double edged sword, you may not like what they are doing currently, but i believe most would be just as upset if they ran in the opposite direction

What do you mean "let's pretend"? Disney does choose exactly how many guests attend each of their parks per day. They also choose exactly how many they want that are APs or are from hotel guests or from day ticket guests.

 

[mom2rtk]

Lets pretend that Disney caps off their attendance, price hikes would absolutely follow so hotels could reach new highs, potential lay offs because less attendance would mean less cast members to cater to them, less projects because they wouldn't need to expand to cater to the larger crowds, ect.. Making less is not an option for Disney, willingness to make less would equal a blood bath in the market for their stock, this is a double edged sword, you may not like what they are doing currently, but i believe most would be just as upset if they ran in the opposite direction

I'm not going to play this game. How much profit is enough? There is no limiting principle here. Disney will do as little for as much profit as they can get away with.

 

[Aluminum Falcon]

What do you mean "let's pretend"? Disney does choose exactly how many guests attend each of their parks per day. They also choose exactly how many they want that are APs or are from hotel guests or from day ticket guests.

I agree, i was more referring to people who keep demanding that Disney tamp down crowd numbers so that they can have a more enjoyable time. which is never going to willingly happen on Disneys end. Obviously if everyone all of a sudden hates Disney all bets are off

 

[mercuryvenus]

I agree, i was more referring to people who keep demanding that Disney tamp down crowd numbers so that they can have a more enjoyable time. which is never going to willingly happen on Disneys end. Obviously if everyone all of a sudden hates Disney all bets are off

They want:

1. Lower crowds
2. More extensive offerings
3. Lower pricing

Which, obviously, is a completely untenable business proposition. But maybe if they wish hard enough, it’ll happen!

 

[mom2rtk]

They want:

1. Lower crowds
2. More extensive offerings
3. Lower pricing

Which, obviously, is a completely untenable business proposition. But maybe if they wish hard enough, it’ll happen!

Who is that mytical "they" you reference? Everyone prioritizes different things. Most people don't expect even 2 of those 3 things. But I bet Disney could do at least 1 of the 3 right now. They just choose not to.

 

[leiaorgana]

I don’t think anybody here is “demanding” anything or criticising just to “hate”. We all love the parks and have so many special memories at them but at the same time know that Disney could do better than the product that they’re currently putting out at the parks and that’s what people are constructively criticising and are trying to voice their disappointment over here. It’s not “complaining” just to hate. It’s not people just wanting “free stuff”. I personally couldn’t careless about how crowded or uncrowded the parks are or whether admission ticket prices go up or down or whether an outdated ride gets a new layover.

Disney management know they messed up with the 50th celebrations. The facts are there in the survey. You can look on Twitter at the comments under the official advertisements for the anniversary celebrations and see how many people are dissatisfied with what’s been put on for it. It’s perfectly fine if people feel like the 50th celebrations, Genie+ etc are enjoyable and working well for them but at the same time people can voice their disappointment with the way things are currently being handled and run at the parks themselves and it’s not “hating on just to hate on” or being demanding.