Pssssst.. Do you think Disney even knows?

[Eldon_Brasche]

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.

I personally believe that Disney does care what people think. Otherwise they would not devote so many resources to collecting customer feedback via surveys.

One big issue I see is that too many people simply walk away when their experience has left them unsatisfied rather than telling the business that they have fallen short.

For example, if you go to a restaurant and the food and/or service is lousy, how many people simply do not go back? You can do yourself and the business a big service by telling them where they have failed to meet your expectations.

 

[2girlsmom]

I am certainly not as much a long term park attender as some here, first trip was 2007, and only 3 trips between dec 2007-may 2011, after which we moved to Florida and quickly became AP holders, so many trips since then. I have definitely seen a number of changes to the parks in that time, however, some positive, but mostly negative. Those changes are varied and range from the change to FP+ from a system which allowed many more rides per day without extended waits, to the DDP change which removed the appetizer and the tip while increasing cost (yes I know the appy is still in the dxddp), to the general cleanliness in the parks. That said, we do still love Disney and so far are still continuing our passes/trips to Disney. Certainly I wish that Disney would take an attitude similiar to what it had before as far as maintenance/new additions in the parks, etc, an attitude similiar to that which both DisneyLAND and Universal still have. SOME things are less magical now, it's true, but as a whole, there is a sense of wonder that is still present for us at Disney, and I sincerely hope that doesn't go away. Our next trip is in 11 days and there is definitely a sense of excitement in my house about it, especially since our new magicbands arrived yesterday.

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

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.

Love it!

 

[Merida DunBroch]

Disney'll never lose its magic for me unless they pull a Kings Island, switch companies, and eradicate the Disney stuff. Which shall never happen. Long live the magic of Disney..Looks like when it comes to your complaints, you just need to let it go!

 

[GoofyKidd]

I don't know if I'd go so far as to say the magic is gone. But it was significantly diminished this past trip a few weeks ago. Yes, all because of FP+. It drastically changed our touring style & not in a good way. The magic for us was replaced by rules & a feeling of being limited & controlled. Disney usually comes from a place of "Yes" but it felt like the opposite this time. We are regulars who spend thousands each year to stay at Deluxe resorts, eat expensive meals, & take home lots of souvenirs. But not next year. We all agreed during our trip last month we need a break from Disney and this new kind of restrictive magic they are touting as Fast Pass Plus. It's hard to have a magical day when you have a headache each day trying to make sense of this mess.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

I personally believe that Disney does care what people think. Otherwise they would not devote so many resources to collecting customer feedback via surveys.

One big issue I see is that too many people simply walk away when their experience has left them unsatisfied rather than telling the business that they have fallen short.

For example, if you go to a restaurant and the food and/or service is lousy, how many people simply do not go back? You can do yourself and the business a big service by telling them where they have failed to meet your expectations.

This is assuming that MOST Disney guests feel the same way the OP feels. I don't. I also think it was better about 10 years ago. Seems counterproductive to tell WDW "it was better 10 years ago, maybe you could get rid of that dining plan and stop homogenizing all the restaurants." Even if they got rid of the dining plan they'd probably still homogenize the restaurants. Saves them money, people eat there anyway.

I guess you could tell them "I'm dumping you, and going to Universal and here's why." In the hopes that there are enough of you that agree to freak Disney out and make them regret they ever got rid of paper fastpasses. Watch the attendance numbers. That'll be where the proof is.

 

[Minniesgal]

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.

I disagree I think the magic is still the same as ever.

 

[JimmyV]

I disagree I think the magic is still the same as ever.

C'mon! Once upon a time the Yeti worked! You have to throw the OP at least that bone.

 

[Kpskyman]

C'mon! Once upon a time the Yeti worked! You have to throw the OP at least that bone.

The Yeti would still work if it's foundation could handle the movements of the Yeti. They would have to rebuild a portion of the mountain to fix that, and it isn't going to happen. It was under engineered from the get go, so really it never worked properly. Your argument is invalid !!!

 

[mom2rtk]

The Yeti would still work if it's foundation could handle the movements of the Yeti. They would have to rebuild a portion of the mountain to fix that, and it isn't going to happen. It was under engineered from the get go, so really it never worked properly. Your argument is invalid !!!

OK, I give. Who is responsible for under-engineering it?

 

[grafxgirl]

I think it whether or not you feel the magic depends on how you choose to spend your vacation. If you go into it feeling negative and looking for the bad then that is the type of vacation you will have. If you choose to look for the positive and have a great time then you will. My family has been to Disney more than 25 times and we still feel the magic each time we go.

 

[chloelovesdisney]

OK, I give. Who is responsible for under-engineering it?

 

[chrismb22]

OK, I give. Who is responsible for under-engineering it?

( can't figure out how to post a photo but that is supposed to be Stitch)

 

[Bullseye]

OK, I give. Who is responsible for under-engineering it?

Let me guess...FP+ ?

 

[MarkY117]

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.

I am kind of leaning that way too. When I went as a kid, the disney magic was there. Now it seems like its more of worrying about attendance and making more money. I obviously understand they are a business looking for profits but it seems like years ago they cared, now not so much.

 

[Minniesgal]

Let me guess...FP+ ?

Are you sure it isn't free dining!

 

[disnut8]

For me, the Magic isn't gone. At all. Why? Because I'm sitting here contemplating packing for a nice long weekend at Disney World. It's been since Labor Day, 2013 for my last trip and I was in a wheelchair at that time due to a now resolved medical issue. Since then, my father passed and I had so many work issues that I almost put myself back in the hospital.

But - we leave tomorrow, we are staying offsite with annual passes so no Magic Bands for us. We don't care. We will get FastPasses the day of and if we don't, we cares? We will be there for the Flower and Garden Festival, I will get to see butterflies and ladybugs and topiaries I will never see again. We will stride along every path we can at Animal Kingdom. We will see (and our main goal) the Guess Who as many times as we can.

As I was driving home from work today, the stress from the past six months just flowed off me. Why? BECAUSE I'M GOING TO DISNEY WORLD!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[TLSnell1981]

They know, but don't care.

It's no longer about pixie dust and magic...all about the beans.

 

[TLSnell1981]

Are you sure it isn't free dining!

Free dining started the decline.

 

[Postal68]

Pssst...just between you and I...do you work for Comcast(i.e. Universal)?

No, but I do live in their base city and I despise them. Comcast(Cable) may have the worst customer service of any business I have ever dealt with.