Pssssst.. Do you think Disney even knows?

[5dizneynutz]

...talk about being dramatic.

Take it from someone who just experienced their first trip...the magic is NOT gone.

In fact, I was upset at how much money we were spending on a family vacation, wasnt all that excited to go, wanted to lay in a beach somewhere and eight nights at Disney changed my entire outlook on both WDW and how I view vacations. We will be spending every vacation we can at WDW from here on out. And we are newcomers, so please don't speak for us!

Please, if you feel you can find place with more magic than Disney, visit there. I think all the negative attitudes of people whining about "lost magic" is the real issue. Not WDW, not FP+...just good ol fashion bad attitudes.

Well said!

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

No matter how "bad" it is or will be... I will be there with a HUGE smile on my face!

These kind of comments always surprise me. I can't imagine ANY place that would always feel good and make me smile no matter how bad it is.

We had a great trip to Disney in 2009. It was a ton of fun. But those pesky ADR's were an annoyance....deciding months and months in advance where were would want to eat on a particular day, and hoping nothing (inadvertently sleeping in, someone feeling ill, etc.) got in the way of us making those ADR's as scheduled.

We took the next several vacations to experience the other parks that Orlando had to offer. While our Disney trip still held a fond place in our hearts, we slowly began to fall in love with the Disney competitors. We had thought Fastpass (the original version) was a novel idea, but Express Pass at Universal and Quick Queue at SeaWorld blew FP out of the water. They say you don't miss what you don't have, but once we had a taste of being able to ride what we wanted, when we wanted (no "FP return times" to adhere to), however many times we wanted (and regardless of how busy the parks were) it was hard to go back to Disney.

We watched the Disney prices go up, up, up. On tickets. On accommodations. On dining. Even those things that we particularly adore (like the character breakfast at Ohana,which became a $100 morning meal for 3 once the cost of the buffet, tax and tip are added in) become harder and harder to justify. $700+ per night for a 2 bed, 2 bath villa at SSR? Oh my. Then, with the introduction of FP+ (with all its issues....particularly for offsiters), Disney became even less appealing. Sad, when we are annual (or more often) visitors. We hit the point where it has become "so bad" that we almost exclusively look at the SW or Universal parks for our family fun. And its all reinforced by the fact that they seem to offer more appealing options to our teen DS vs. the princess-infused Disney parks.

I am not anti-Disney.....not even close. But the value-for-the-money is getting harder and harder to find. And with all the scheduling needed for an enjoyable day (getting up at the crack of dawn to make it to rope drop, scheduling every sit down meal months beforehand, now having to schedule Fastpasses) it just doesn't feel very relaxing. And yes, we do like to relax and be spontaneous and go with the flow when we're on vacation. We were discussing the FP+ thing (the tiering, the restriction to 3 per day, etc.) over dinner the other day, and the whole ADR system, and DH jokingly said "you watch, next you'll have to pre-book your bathroom breaks, including time and which location in each park!". He was kidding, of course, but yet......you almost wonder!

Our next trip to Orlando is the end of August. While we have no Disney parks scheduled for our two week vacation (with the exception of Typhoon Lagoon), we are hoping against hope that the rumors are true and a MNSSHP will be held on the last Friday of our trip, August 29th. Because THAT event appeals to us greatly, and makes the MK very attractive again. The tickets are reasonably priced (assuming there's only a minimal increase from previous years). The parties have a capped attendance meaning no crazy waits for rides. No Fastpass+ reservations need to be made. We can avoid making an ADR and eat counter service for that one day. We can sleep in and relax for a portion of the day before rocking it out with Mickey all night long. It just sounds so easy. And FUN. And exactly what a Disney park experience should be like. Its sounds like vacation. And somewhere that we could definitely recapture the magic.

 

[Brian Noble]

Do you think Disney even knows?

This is a company that is fanatical about measuring its guests---including surveying to see their intent to return. If there is a genuine change in overall guest satisfaction they will know it.

Of course, it's also the case that the DIS tells us little about whether or not the average guest likes the Brave New World more or less than the old one. As far as I can tell, most of the negative sentiment is coming from a rather vocal minority of posters on a site that already is in no way representative of the average guest.

the value-for-the-money is getting harder and harder to find.

We hear this every time prices go up or something else changes. Yet, somehow, attendance and per-capita guest spending seem to continue to go up over the long term as well. The facts on the ground are that plenty of people do find value for the money.

 

[goofyintoronto]

OP, you assume you're speaking for the majority??? Wow. Very bold. You should really speak for yourself.

All this complaining and whining about the price increases, the crowds, the FP+, makes me laugh. There will always be changes and price increases. Thats just how it is. You dont like FP+? Then dont schedule your 3 rides! Youre not happy with the price increase at your delux resort? Fine, go to a moderate then, or stay off site. Problem solved. You always have a choice!! You just have to think a bit and do some research.

Everytime prices go up at disney, there's an uproar about how the magic is gone. Never fails.

We hear this every time prices go up or something else changes. Yet, somehow, attendance and per-capita guest spending seem to continue to go up over the long term as well. The facts on the ground are that plenty of people do find value for the money.

well said!

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

We hear this every time prices go up or something else changes. Yet, somehow, attendance and per-capita guest spending seem to continue to go up over the long term as well. The facts on the ground are that plenty of people do find value for the money.

I speak only for myself.

 

[2012DisneyWorldBride]

These kind of comments always surprise me. I can't imagine ANY place that would always feel good and make me smile no matter how bad it is. We had a great trip to Disney in 2009. It was a ton of fun. But those pesky ADR's were an annoyance....deciding months and months in advance where were would want to eat on a particular day, and hoping nothing (inadvertently sleeping in, someone feeling ill, etc.) got in the way of us making those ADR's as scheduled. We took the next several vacations to experience the other parks that Orlando had to offer. While our Disney trip still held a fond place in our hearts, we slowly began to fall in love with the Disney competitors. We had thought Fastpass (the original version) was a novel idea, but Express Pass at Universal and Quick Queue at SeaWorld blew FP out of the water. They say you don't miss what you don't have, but once we had a taste of being able to ride what we wanted, when we wanted (no "FP return times" to adhere to), however many times we wanted (and regardless of how busy the parks were) it was hard to go back to Disney. We watched the Disney prices go up, up, up. On tickets. On accommodations. On dining. Even those things that we particularly adore (like the character breakfast at Ohana,which became a $100 morning meal for 3 once the cost of the buffet, tax and tip are added in) become harder and harder to justify. $700+ per night for a 2 bed, 2 bath villa at SSR? Oh my. Then, with the introduction of FP+ (with all its issues....particularly for offsiters), Disney became even less appealing. Sad, when we are annual (or more often) visitors. We hit the point where it has become "so bad" that we almost exclusively look at the SW or Universal parks for our family fun. And its all reinforced by the fact that they seem to offer more appealing options to our teen DS vs. the princess-infused Disney parks. I am not anti-Disney.....not even close. But the value-for-the-money is getting harder and harder to find. And with all the scheduling needed for an enjoyable day (getting up at the crack of dawn to make it to rope drop, scheduling every sit down meal months beforehand, now having to schedule Fastpasses) it just doesn't feel very relaxing. And yes, we do like to relax and be spontaneous and go with the flow when we're on vacation. We were discussing the FP+ thing (the tiering, the restriction to 3 per day, etc.) over dinner the other day, and the whole ADR system, and DH jokingly said "you watch, next you'll have to pre-book your bathroom breaks, including time and which location in each park!". He was kidding, of course, but yet......you almost wonder! Our next trip to Orlando is the end of August. While we have no Disney parks scheduled for our two week vacation (with the exception of Typhoon Lagoon), we are hoping against hope that the rumors are true and a MNSSHP will be held on the last Friday of our trip, August 29th. Because THAT event appeals to us greatly, and makes the MK very attractive again. The tickets are reasonably priced (assuming there's only a minimal increase from previous years). The parties have a capped attendance meaning no crazy waits for rides. No Fastpass+ reservations need to be made. We can avoid making an ADR and eat counter service for that one day. We can sleep in and relax for a portion of the day before rocking it out with Mickey all night long. It just sounds so easy. And FUN. And exactly what a Disney park experience should be like. Its sounds like vacation. And somewhere that we could definitely recapture the magic.

It shouldn't surprise... Disney holds a VERY special place in my heart and nothing will change that. I got engaged and married at Disney... I will continue to go to Disney - probably for the rest of my life... Not much could change that.

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

It shouldn't surprise... Disney holds a VERY special place in my heart and nothing will change that. I got engaged and married at Disney... I will continue to go to Disney - probably for the rest of my life... Not much could change that.

And I am glad that you have found your happiness there .

 

[Eldon_Brasche]

From all the back and forth remarks, it looks like the Magic has gone out of the DIS Boards. Everybody has a right to their own opinion and there is not need for the kind of bickering that is going on, on this thread.

Alright people, I'll solve this. From now on, you are limited to three comments per day, 1 negative and 2 positives.

 

[mom2rtk]

Alright people, I'll solve this. From now on, you are limited to three comments per day, 1 negative and 2 positives.

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

Alright people, I'll solve this. From now on, you are limited to three comments per day, 1 negative and 2 positives.

Just please don't tell me that these, too, would need to be scheduled in advance.

 

[Rip]

*whine, whine, whine*

Irony: whining in a thread about someone whining.

Whineception!

 

[FireDancer]

I just returned from a trip last week and there was no less magic on this trip then on previous trips. No problems what so ever with any aspect of NextGen, no problems what so ever with any CMs no longer being (or at least appearing) happy, no change at all with crowd levels between this year and a trip the same week last year, and we managed to see or do every attraction we wanted to do.

The food was also all very good which isn't something I can always say though I stuck mostly with locations where I normally get good meals.

Just as I expected all the doom and gloom threads where much ado about nothing.

 

[metzgardesign]

For us....the last two (or so) trips, we started noticing the "kool-aid" tasting a bit "funny."

Now, all the recent changes (FP+ and it's messes and limitations, reports of spotty MagicBand performance and the inabilities to fix the issues, increased park entry prices, no real new attractions and craptacular upkeep on existing attractions, etc.), have us pretty much convinced that taking the quick route out of DisneyTown may be in our best interest.

In other words....the "magic" is gone, and we will not return anytime soon.

 

[WDWChloe]

The magic is not gone. There are some areas that could use improvement, but what/who doesn't?

To each his own, I guess.

 

[Bullseye]

That the Magic is gone?

I don't know who is to blame, but WDW is a mess. Sure they will still be getting crowds, but the newcomers will be less repeaters, and the long timers know how bad it has become.

...talk about being dramatic.

Exactly my thoughts...so much drama

Yes Disney knows when they make changes there will be a percentage of people that will not like the changes, but who will get on with their lives and then there will also be a core group of dissenters that will incessantly whine and complain

 

[Eldon_Brasche]

Just please don't tell me that these, too, would need to be scheduled in advance.

Oh no, this system in totally flexible, allowing you to wait until you enter the thread and make your selections from a kiosk. But, at this time you are limited to posting them within the same thread, so no thread hopping. Keep in mind that this is still in testing.

 

[Cyrano]

Folks the fun is appreciated.

Others on both sides need to take a step back. Name calling and denigrating posters views will not be tolerated.

 

[wdwfreak]

~For me, the magic is what you make it out to be -- some people can find magic anywhere. Disney is still a great place to have fun, relax, & make lasting memories -- no one else can do that for you. Disney is in the vacation business they're not miracle workers.

Agree!

 

[MakiraMarlena]

Whether Disney cares or not will totally depend on how many guests actually think the magic is gone and will solely patronize Universal and Sea World from now on.

The OP thinks the magic is gone. So do many DIS posters. There are also many people who think it is NOT gone. Maybe tarnished a little but not gone.

Im the first to say it was better in older days, but I'm not headed to Universal for all my Orlando sojourns now.

 

[reebs2]

Been going annually since 1973 and looking forward to our next trip!