Walt Disney World is not what it used to be..

[MELSMICE]

Originally posted by brunette8706
They should really make a comeback for that reservation system. I loved it! I thought it was so cool. Now it's boarded up! I think I said in a previous post that they should make the boarded area a boutique or gift shop or throw in another sponsor or something disney-ess. The boarded up part really is an eyesore. The 20k leagues Under the Sea has been boarded up since 1995. Now, to me that is UNCALLED FOR! Do something with the attraction....or bring back 20k leagues. Why they took down the skyride I have no idea! I thought it was really great ride, and it took you to one area of the mk to the other...

I think she was trying to tell you that the area you are thinking of is not boarded up. It was changed to a Global Neighborhood and has now been closed, but I don't think it's been boarded up. I think the area you are referring to was right when you exited the ride, in the building confused: correct me if I'm wrong JC & Ali's Mom)

As someone else said, 20,000 Leagues was just recently "boarded" for refurbishment.

As far as the Skyway - I think others have cleared that up rather well.

 

[*Sooner Girl*]

Complaints about MGM...I went to MGM when it first opened in '89 and it was THE hot park. Hotter than Animal Kingdom was several years back. The main attraction was the Backlot tour and that was when the Mickey Mouse Club was shooting there. We actually saw two cast members filming when we took the tour. The next time we went back, Star Tours was the hot ride. And in 93 that was some special stuff going on. But that was 11 years ago. Do you think the Dumbo ride was just as exciting 11 years after it was opened? At least they are trying to add new and exciting rides to some of the old and cherished rides. I think they are doing this in every park though.

 

[brunette8706]

Isn't MGM studios similar to Universal Studios??? I was at Universal I think in 95. It seems to be similar unless things have changed....I'm not sure...

Brunette

 

[phamton]

There is no comparison between MGM and Universal. If you were there 9 years ago, then expect some major changes. Universal and Islands of Adventure are amazing theme parks!

 

[brunette8706]

Is Universal Studios two separate parks?? You need two tickets one for each park, is that correct? I have never been the Island Adventure. I remember the JAWS exhibit and the King Kong, and the back stage studio ride. I know they have deep discounts for Universal. I think an annual pass is $120.....

Brunette

 

[DisneyShack]

It is not fair to compare your memories of how WDW was when you were a kid versus being an adult. A kid does not look at things with as critical an eye than an adult (i.e., cracked sidewalks, needed paint, etc.). Also, I believe that memories are a lot fonder 20-30 years after than what they really were (and that is a good thing). Plus, many people have unrealistic expectations of what WDW should look like just because it is expensive.

Overall, I think WDW could use more upkeep, and yes, more attention was paid to little details 20 years ago but WDW has grown and investors demand profit rather than cleaner parks and expansion of the monorail system. Still, there is no better place to re-live your childhood and watch your children (if you have them) experience that wide-eyed wonder for the first time.

Just my $0.02!

 

[phamton]

Originally posted by brunette8706
Is Universal Studios two separate parks?? You need two tickets one for each park, is that correct? I have never been the Island Adventure. I remember the JAWS exhibit and the King Kong, and the back stage studio ride. I know they have deep discounts for Universal. I think an annual pass is $120.....

Brunette

King Kong is gone and replaced by the Revenge of the Mummy ride. Jaws is not an exhibit but a ride. You really need to explore these parks especially since you went before Islands of Adventure was even open. Ever heard of the Hulk ride or Spiderman at IoA?

You can buy one day/one park tickets but most people buy one day/ 2 park tickets or multiple days that include both parks such as the 5 day pass for $99 that includes both parks. The annual pass also includes both parks. I bought the preferred annual pass: 2 years for the price of one year.

 

[*Sooner Girl*]

Originally posted by DisneyShack
It is not fair to compare your memories of how WDW was when you were a kid versus being an adult. A kid does not look at things with as critical an eye than an adult (i.e., cracked sidewalks, needed paint, etc.). Also, I believe that memories are a lot fonder 20-30 years after than what they really were (and that is a good thing). Plus, many people have unrealistic expectations of what WDW should look like just because it is expensive.

Overall, I think WDW could use more upkeep, and yes, more attention was paid to little details 20 years ago but WDW has grown and investors demand profit rather than cleaner parks and expansion of the monorail system. Still, there is no better place to re-live your childhood and watch your children (if you have them) experience that wide-eyed wonder for the first time.

Just my $0.02!

Talking about expenses too. Even though WDW is the most magical place on Earth, its still a business too. Why not charge as much as they do if people are willing to pay it. Supply and Demand.

 

[brunette8706]

Thanks for the great information! I'll definitely check out! Sounds like you got a good deal with your Universal tickets!

Brunette

 

[webmomom]

I know people complain about the price of tickets to Disney, and believe me when the time comes every year to nenew our AP I cringe.

Think abut what you are getting. Wether it is a one day or a Pass. Within the past two weeks I have gone to two local, can be driven to go and come back in a day from where I live, attractions. They cost was almost equal to what you are paying for at Disney. That these places you only got to see what the attraction was about and basically nothing else. At Disney think about all of the things you get to see and do at one price. At the local ones yes there were a couple of extra little shows to see, but that cost a little extra money to see them.

they were not as neat and clean as Disney, the bathrooms, lets not go there, you talk about trash, at one I did not think they had paid for trash collection. Then there is the help. I will give credit where credit is due, there were a couple of employees who were good, but the rest it was like we were doing them a favor by being there. They were more interested in the date they had the night before, or how bad their kids had been yesterday. Actually at one of the places, they were two small children playing, they were not being bad. They were noisey, but they are also children, when the cashier hollows at them to listen to her as they had not listened to their mother and father and they had to be quite and be good. I really did not believe what I was hearing.

Yes I know Disney has a few problems, but all in all it is the best vacation spot to go to. Most of the other attractions around the state and other places, need to come to WDW take some lessons in how to run a good park.

 

[brunette8706]

I agree most parks can't even come close to WDW! Disney is the cadilac of all theme parks in my opinion....I do think though, there are some things the Disney needs to pay more attention to (things other people and I have listed in this thread).

We bought annual passes for $400 and change per person...I think that is a great value because we get to use the tickets for one year. Believe me we are going to get our money's worth, LOL! Plus the annual pass gives use FREE parking and other discounts on WDW resorts, EPCOT lunches, boating DTD Restaurant lunches, Circus Solei (?) etc. For those that want to stay at WDW resorts they slash prices on the delux hotels (WL and AK) to a rock bottom rate of $114.00 per nite for the room...Which is very reasonable! So if you get a chance go to WDW official site and click on pass holders and it will list all the benefits..

Thanks for your comments!

brunette

 

[webmomom]

I have been a passholder for the past five years. Five years ago we bought into the DVC and started to get the passes.

Believe me I use all the discounts I can get, AP, DVC, Florida Resident and anything else that is offered, We find being a Fla resident we get better discounts than the others can give. there are certain things that will not take FLA discount, so we use whateve they will take.

 

[disneyfreakjackie]

Brunette, I feel really bad for you!! I can't imagine a person not enjoying the HAPPIEST PLACE ON EARTH!!! WDW is expensive, but worth EVERY penny!! It seems to me that you were purposely looking for faults!! That's too bad for you. If you ever return, try to focus on the positive things, believe me THEY ARE EVERYWHERE!!!

 

[cheyita]

brunette - it's amazing to me how many people are misinterpreting what you've said. I know you love Disney. I know you enjoyed it tremendously and will continue to in the future.

I was at Disney once at about age 13 (20 years ago!!) and didn't pay any attention to the quality of care in the park. But having gone the past few years, I haven't found anything wrong with the parks and we fell in love with Disney. Reading your post and some that have supported it, I'm realizing that - as hard as this is to believe - I could love WDW even more if the attention to details was continued.

Interesting posts, and don't worry - I don't consider you as negative against WDW!

 

[brunette8706]

 

[brunette8706]

,

 

[brunette8706]

HOw do you like the DVC???? Are they like condo's, kitchen, living room, bedrooms etc?

ARe they near the boardwalk resorts?? or Keywest??

Brunette

 

[brunette8706]

I just saw your post...we must have been posting at the same time, lol! Hey thanks, I appreciate your honesty! You are correct, I/we love WDW and will continue to go there regardless of whether we think that Michael Eisner, or anyone else for that matter, has lost touch with the true Disney Spirit! That's what I find amazing on this thread, that I seem to have drawn the ire of a few individuals when in fact, I think that what the original attraction to WDW was is something we all want to preserve.

Thanks again for your thoughtful comments!

Brunette

 

[cheyita]

BTW - we, too, are DVC members and love it. You can get more info from the disneyvacationclub website. Or, visit the DVC message board on this site.

 

[brunette8706]

How do you like the DVC???

BTW I just PM-ed you! LOL!

Brunette