People who used to love Disney

[davewasbaloo]

People who used to love Disney

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People who use to love Disney but now feel they have lost their way

I have put this on Facebook for those that are on there:

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Growing up I was obessed by Disney, the attention to detail, the innovation, the no expense spared approach, the artistry, the magic, the entertainment and the educational ability.

always thinking about and visting the parks, I must have spent 300+ days in the orginal Disneyland, 8 weeks in WDW and 49 vacations at DLP. I am currently saving for a mega trip to HKDL and TDL. But now I am rethinking life.

Disney has had it's ups and downs, but lately it seems down, down, down. Toons and thrills seem to be the only thing the parks can do anymore - look at additions to all the resorts over the last 10 years and the plans for DCA over the coming years. Rubberheads replace themed entertainment. The menus of WDW are dumbed down thanks to the dining plan. And the maintenance of DLP and the MK are really poor.

Occassionally elements like the new lights in the floral Mickey brings hope. But for now it's one step forwards, three steps back. And I am tired of it. But so many fan sites treat me like I am alone.

The hotels and restaurants do not offer the quality experience of their competitors, and the family friendly standards the park started has diminished. And if it's not pirates, princess, pins or plush - the shops don't sell it.

Maybe I am getting old, but I sure miss the good old days. Anyone else?

If you feel the same way, it would be wonderful of you to sign up and be counted.

 

[hildasmuriel]

I was researching something Disney the other day rolleyes: thanks, Ware Bears!) when I came across you on another site, Davewasbaloo. What struck me then was how unhappy everybody on that site was with Disney and the current Park experience. Everybody was of one opinion - that Disney was much better in the old days.
Well my first experience of a Disney Park was 4 years ago, so I have no knowledge of those old times. Some may think it's a shame as I have missed the best times. To me, that makes me lucky because I love DLRP and have no reason to be disappointed in it. It's everything I hoped it would be and I always want to go back for more. If I got to the stage where it was no longer what I wanted then I guess I would just stop going.

 

[davewasbaloo]

To me, that makes me lucky because I love DLRP and have no reason to be disappointed in it. It's everything I hoped it would be and I always want to go back for more. If I got to the stage where it was no longer what I wanted then I guess I would just stop going.

It's not that easy. Wraking up 33 years of Disney park experience, across 6000 miles and I suppose around 700 days in the parks, I do love Disney parks. But the experiences are not what they were. It is kind of like having a favorite sibling who becomes an alcoholic. You still love them. You miss when they were not sick. And you try to work with them to get them well again, even though it's not in your control. I am trying to campaign to see if we can all work together to get them back on track.

Because you have only been going for a few years, you have not experienced the days where the lightbulbs were changed before they blew, where the streets were steamcleaned every day, where the shops all sold unique merchandise inclusing real antique cars, woven rugs, carvers in Frontier, Native American handicrafts, live music everywhere you turned. If I had never experienced those things, I would not miss them and would likely feel like you.

But I know from seeing the responses on other sites, I am not alone in this thought.

 

[Ware Bears]

Well my first experience of a Disney Park was 4 years ago, so I have no knowledge of those old times.

I'm the same ~ although I'd wanted to go ever since I can remember, it was 2004 before we had our first Disney trip.

Consequently, I can't compare the old times either but I will commiserate with you Dave, as I have read many on-line articles and blogs where people feel the same as you.

They say there's always a silver lining and I guess mine is that although I had to wait many many years before I could go to Disney, at least there is nothing for me to be disappointed about.

 

[davewasbaloo]

They say there's always a silver lining and I guess mine is that although I had to wait many many years before I could go to Disney, at least there is nothing for me to be disappointed about.

Great attitude, and yes, Disney is great, there is nothing else like it. But the reality they were once much better, and they could be again.

Please be advised that I think DLP is doing a much better job than WDW right now IMHO, and I was really impressed with the 15th and Toon Studios. And moving forward, Tot and Stitch are cool additions. But when I saw the state of the Labrynth and heard that the refurb budget has been scrapped, it really got me angry.

 

[lojo]

IMHO [lecture alert]

While Disney is in the 'dream' industry, it is also a commercial enterprise (sorry to those of you who were blind to that fact ), and if it stops selling particular products it's probably because those products weren't selling in sufficient numbers to justify their placement in their stores. I also love browsing round places that sell wonderful unique things, but usually I don't buy anything - either because while those things are indeed wonderful, they have no place in my home, or because they are priced way above my budget.

The world has changed a lot in 33 years, and one of those ways is the recognition that it's resources are not inexhaustable, ergo daily steamcleaning of streets or changing all the light bulbs just in case one might go out becomes less than desirable (and it saves money!).

While all of us seek comfort in familiarity and sameness, we also want novelty which (again with the money) is an expensive business. Little things like fair wage legislation also tend to stretch a corporation's budget.

Sorry if this is a bit personal, but having maintained a love of Disney for so many years only to become disenchanted recently, makes me wonder whether you are a little bit down in general. No matter how wonderful Disney is and has been, there have always been negatives (like everything else in the world) and if you are only now focusing on the current negatives....?

On the other hand, you sound a bit like my granny - everything was always so much better in the old days! Yes, it would be nice to keep all the good things about the past and keep adding the good things from the present, and just discard all the bad things full stop, that really would be 'fantasyland'.

 

[davewasbaloo]

I do understand Disney is a business. However, it is a business predicated on creating unique experiences. The business model used to treat retail and maintenance as a part of the attraction, and to mitigate the lesser profits on unique retail offerings, the ticket price could be increased. In fact there are disinsentives for going into the store because they all sell the same things.

It is a set of management decisions. But when lesser parks are better maintained, and other hotels offer better value, it makes one question the direction of the company. And as consumers, we should.

My disenchantment is not brand new, it's just gotten to the stage where I have had enough and rather than just cut my losses, I am exploring to see if others share my sentiments.

What is becoming abundantly clear is that Americans who have a longer experience of Disney seem to agree, and Europeans who do not have the same length on experience, and also have seen improvements since the dark times at DLP of the early part of this decade, do not agree.

I recognise times and tastes change, but when the foundations of what makes an organisation great is abandoned, then questions must be asked.

Maybe Dubai and Marriott should get my attention and money from now on, as they out Disney, Disney these days.

 

[jillrobinson]

Like others have posted I too have only started going recently, first trip 2004 and have nothing to compare with.

For me each visit has got better and better and I can't wait for our next one, we avoided the Studios this year, so next visit we have Cars, TOT, Crush and Stitch to look forward to, last visit it was the Christmas season, before that it was the 15th Anniversary Celebrations and Buzz. For us there is almost always a new experience, a season or attraction we haven't done before, even staying in a new hotel makes the trip unique for me. My family ask me why I spend so much time watching videos of the park, (we had this conversation yesterday, re: another thread on here) and my answer was "because when I'm with you lot I haven't the chance to just wander, to stand and take in every little detail, on videos I have a chance to catch up on things I've missed", so from my point of view there is still so much to discover that I'm not too bothered if a lightbulb is out or here's a stray cigarette butt. When I see litter, for instance looking down on the rooves from BTM queuing area, I don't think that Disney is failing by not clearing it but I'm left wondering just what sort of person threw it there in the first place.

Other than DLRP I have only visited themeparks in this country and I'm afraid I'm guilty of wandering around saying "Disney wouldn't do that", "You wouldn't get that in a Disney Park", so for me at least DLRP is a measuring stick to judge others by and at this present time nothing has come close.

 

[sjaakie]

IMHO [lecture alert]



On the other hand, you sound a bit like my granny - everything was always so much better in the old days! Yes, it would be nice to keep all the good things about the past and keep adding the good things from the present, and just discard all the bad things full stop, that really would be 'fantasyland'.

Who who I have the age of a young granny and still learn every day new things.
I love computers and modern techniques that make live so much easier.
Next year we will visit WDW again and if its available I will use the Nintendo DS possibility in the parks.
So no "evereything is better in the past" here.
Who would like to go back to the pre computer era?


The phrase standing still means going back is so thru.
Disney is a modern firm that has to deal with new techniques and costumers and consumers with very high demands.

Take a look in other parks and see how dirty they are.

Besides we visited WDW last year and we were very impressed by the way they clean and mend everything.
Never saw another park that cleans his bridges every day from spider webs.

I love the Disney parks and when I enter Magic Kingdom its feels like coming home.

 

[davewasbaloo]

Like others have posted I too have only started going recently, first trip 2004 and have nothing to compare with.

Other than DLRP I have only visited themeparks in this country and I'm afraid I'm guilty of wandering around saying "Disney wouldn't do that", "You wouldn't get that in a Disney Park", so for me at least DLRP is a measuring stick to judge others by and at this present time nothing has come close.

Yes, ut my measuring stick is Disney of old and across the globe. Back in the day, Disney would have cast members moving through the queues and cleaning up the rubbish (they still do in Tokyo) and the lights would not be burnt out because they were changed before they were due to burn out.

So using the measuring stick Disney set, they have slipped from their own benchmarks.

If someone has only ever eaten McDonald's and all of the sudden you give them steak, it's going to seem pretty awesome. However if someone has been eating a beautiful big steak that all of a sudden has fat in it, is smaller and is over/under done compared to what it used to be, the McD's person is still going to love it, while person that experienced the fillet steak is going to miss the old days.

Neither is wrong, but it would be hard to dispute where there is evidence, that standards had slipped.

 

[Raci]

Just my opinion and yes I've only been to Disney twice, both in the last year.
But I was very impressed with the attention to detail, how tidy it was everwhere and how well looked after everything was.

The thing that made a huge impression on me during our latest trip was that during EMH when we were walking through Fantasyland while it was lovely and quiet. It had stopped a light rain less than 20 min before and a CM was out with a window cleaning brush and cloth making sure all the benches were dry ready for the day. To me that is making a huge effort to look after its customers and the sort of attention to detail I've never seen anywhere other than Disney.

IMO if I'd been somewhere that often and was no longer enjoying it for whatever reason, I would go somewhere else. The world is a huge place! I wouldn't just carry on going and then complain about it. I would suggest you try a holiday somewhere other than disney, shocking I know, but if you aren't enjoying it as much then maybe it is you who needs some new experiences but thats just my opinion. Maybe try something different for a couple of years and then come back to disney, it might help change your perspective.

 

[davewasbaloo]

IMO if I'd been somewhere that often and was no longer enjoying it for whatever reason, I would go somewhere else. The world is a huge place! I wouldn't just carry on going and then complain about it. I would suggest you try a holiday somewhere other than disney, shocking I know, but if you aren't enjoying it as much then maybe it is you who needs some new experiences but thats just my opinion. Maybe try something different for a couple of years and then come back to disney, it might help change your perspective.

It's not as simple as that. I have actually been to 61 countries and hundreds of cities. so yes, I know the world is big. We have had 3 non Disney holidays between virtually every Disney trip. And I love Disney, I just lament the standards slippage. You are in the honeymoon phase, with having only gone twice in the last year. If you thought it's cool now, you would have been even more amazed before, especially with DL in California.

 

[princess_tigerlily86]

I can definitely see where you're coming from davewasbaloo, and i've only been going for just over 10 years. The issue isn't to do with moving with technology, nor is it to do with visiting other places in the world, but simply the fact that Disneyland is an amazing and magical wonderland which, in recent times, has been slacking a little in its 'practically perfect in every way' standards, which is just sad really to those who can remember how wonderful it truly can be. now i am not at all saying i don't enjoy it because of this, because i still completely love disneyland and if i could go on another trip tomoro i would at the drop of hat because i adore the place and have so much fun! its just a shame, because its not meeting its ultimate potential i guess, which is a unique and magical experience where the attention to detail is absolute and cannot be matched! plus in some cases all that is needed is a lick of paint, and its a shame when its left to peel a bit or fade, because the magic illusion begins to faulter a little.
is that right davewasbaloo?
xx

 

[davewasbaloo]

Princess tigerlilly, I am glad you get me. Your comments are exactly what I am talking about.

 

[SandraVB79]

Probably much to everyone's disappointment, but Disney is a business and there is no such thing as pixiedust. Everything at Disney is run by real people and real money, not by fairy godmothers and pixiedust.

I would be very disappointed if Disney would change lightbulbs before they run out. We don't live in Fantasyland, but in the real world with its challenges, like being a little bit more ecological.

People who notice all the small little details like chipped off paint go to Disney too much. Heck, I have been so many times last year, and I still didn't notice things like that, I am still amazed by all the beautiful details, I don't have time to notice the negative points!
Also, only a small number of visitors are true Disney-addicts. Most people who go there see it as just another theme park. Keeping everything 100% perfect has a huge cost. While some tru Disney-addicts might want to pay the very expensive tickets because of that huge cost, the average visitor will not.
So, Disney chose for the right balance between the high cost of maintenance and ticket price.

While it is nice to have stores that sell unique things, I don't think people are really looking for that. Going to Disney is expensive. Most people need to save and have a budget to visit it. When I'm there, I'd like to buy something "Disney". I have no interest at all to buy some non-Disney antique items. Why would I buy it there? If I want something like that, I will go look for it at home, where I'll have a larger choice and no problems to bring it home.
The same with restaurants. It's nice to have a good meal at a nice restaurant. And I think all parks offer that (OK, except WDS ). I have visited DLP, WDW and DL, and have never had a bad meal. Were it the best meals I have ever had. No. Why should it be? If I want an out-of-this-world meal, I'll go to some Michelin-rated restaurant at home. I don't look for that while being at a theme park. Because Disney is a theme park. a very nice one, but a theme park none the less.

Things that happened 30 years ago are not possible anymore now. The management has responsibilities towards the shareholders, environment, guests, ...

I'm sorry you don't like it anymore. But yes, I do think people like you are in the minority. Most people are very happy with their Disney-experience.

 

[princess_tigerlily86]

To be fair, i never said i don't like it anymore. on the contrary, i adore the place, hence spending my 21st birthday there.i go starry eyed every time i walk through those gates! however, like any place, when u see things slip a little (which granted, some ppl may not notice, but everyones different arent they) its always sad. i think perhaps my own take on why its happening is because they've got so much to think about with the new rides coming in, and the 15 year anniversary celebrations
xxxx

 

[mulan1]

Hello everyone, i first went to a disney theme park in tokyo when i was 8ish and i loved it, then again when i was about 12ish and still loved it, but i first appreciated it disney when i went to dlrp last june, as an adult i could pay more attention to detail and i think this is what makes disney special which is why i'm so looking forward to going again in april!
there isn't much point to what i was saying, but i just wanted to share that i enjoy disneyland, i think it's fab! the grubby mcdonalds eater that i am lol!
x

 

[NIK]

I tend to agree with Warebears - I was a long while hanging my nose over brochures with no real expectation of being able to go so I was kind of programmed to be thrilled to bits no matter what when I finally got there. I do think we tend to forget that Disney isn't in it for the fun of it themselves, they have to make money but you can partly set that aside and to be honest what can compare to the look on a kiddy's face when that parade goes by? I don't have children myself even I [named founder member of the King Herod Appreciation society by family and friends] can't fail to feel a little touched by the look on a child's face when one of the characters comes to them.