As tragic as it is, what's even more scary is the direction the company is going with its own land and attitude regarding money. I'll be surprised if the people in the magic kingdom are actually Disney cast members in 20 years.
I hear what you're saying in your post, and I sympathize with those of you who have wonderful memories of PI. But I think that last statement was a bit dramatic. No one ever likes to see their favorite attractions close -- there are people who still mourn the loss of Mr. Toad's Wild Ride. But the planners behind the scenes still have to move forward and I think they do a great job overall. No one is going to agree with all of their decisions.
There are shops (yes SHOPS) that I miss. Disney at Home was one of my favorite stores. Maybe it will show up along the strip again.

And along that line -- shopping and restaurants ARE part of what I love about WDW. It's not like I go to DTD to shop at Banana Republic -- it's a unique shopping experience that's a destination in and of itself. I think it diminishes the reality to reduce it to simply shopping that we could do at home in Jersey, cuz we really can't.

As I said, I sympathize with those of you who will miss the PI experience as it is now, but all of us have lost favorite experiences over the years. I still miss the little homemade bread loaves you could get at the MK years ago. But I'm not going to let that sour my experience now. You may find that the experience will be richer than you think after the changes -- give it a chance.
