What happened to the magic?

[mickey2000]

Both my wife and I saw a big change in WDW. We returned today from a week stay. Hours cut back at MK stores and places to eat at the back of the park (11- 6).
At Epcot went to the bakery at the front of the park which was suppose to be open till 6PM. I arrived at 5:05 to have a cast member laugh and say " Oh we closed 5 minutes ago!".
CM's at parade at MGM had no control over crowds? They just watched people standing in street etc.....
Maybe its just us, it just doesn't seem to be the example of being the best theme park , JMO.
I had to take pictures of these tram seats we sat on. Why are they like this?
Thats if your lucky enough to find a tram.

<img src=http://communities.msn.com/isapi/fetch.dll?action=view_photo&ID_Community=mickey2000&ID_Topic=2&ID_Message=266>
<img src=http://communities.msn.com/isapi/fetch.dll?action=view_photo&ID_Community=mickey2000&ID_Topic=2&ID_Message=267>

Seemed to be a lot of new guests. I could tell by the maps and questions being asked. As for the crowds from the 6th on I would say they were off with not that many people. I don't know what the answer is. Maybe new attractions or fixing up the parks?
On a positive note . I was in a referbished room at the Coronado that was just perfect!!

 

[FINFAN]

 

[grinningghost]

If I were you, I'd send those tram photos to WDW via e-mail and ask them what they plan to do to fix that.

Glad to hear your room at CS was top notch though.

 

[eeyore0062]

The Magic is STILL here. Yes, there may be some repairs that need to be done, but the castmembers are all still of the same caliber that you remember, the attractions are still as magical, and even though the hours may be shorter, WDW isn't dealing with the size crowds they did when those hours were until midnight and all shops were open as long as the parks (this is a trend is all theme parks, unfortunately).

Go to any other theme park (Universal, Paramount, 6 Flags, Cedar Point and Busch Gardens come to mind) and try to find the caliber of service or attention to detail that you find at WDW or DL. I think you will find that Disney is still head and shoulders above the rest!

 

[SRRN]

As someone who has travelled to WDW many,many times in the past,but haven't been in 3 years now,I'm truely concerned.We were planning a trip back to WDW in 2004,but now,after reading this,maybe we'd be better off,going back to US/IOA,where we've gone the past 3 years. How truely sad that the "magic"is gone.A friend of mine returned 2 weeks ago fromWDW,with several of the same observations that "Mickey2000" has offered.I really need to rethink this,before I spend all that money on a trip to WDW and be disappointed!!

 

[kayeandjim00]

After our trip in May 2002 I agreed with the OP about the magic, I couldn't put my finger on it but something seemed different. However after our trip in May this year I have to disagree. We found the magic alive and well. EVERY cast member we came in contact with was so nice and friendly and we came home relieved that whatever the problem was last year seemed to be taken care of now. We also plan a trip each year to US and IOA and even though we love the parks and enjoy visiting but it's still not the same "magic" wise. The repairs that needed to be made such as the one on the tram do need to be addressed but I am sure some of that has to do with the lack of attendance that proceeded the cutbacks I am sure they have had to make in employees. Not making excuses just offering a possible explanation. While WDW is not perfect I can't think of anywhere else that you can visit that comes close in the "magic" department.

 

[thinkerbell]

Sorry to hear you didn't find the magic when in WDW this summer. We were just there at the end of June and it was all around us. We had a wonderful trip. Magical things happened to us almost every day. The only days that were really not magical was the day we went to Universal and the day we had to pack up and come home. We always go expecting the best vacation ever and it almost always happens.
I agree with kayeandjim00. There may be some things that need a little repair or touch up but think about how many people are in and out of those parks every day. We went to a local amusement park last summer(for free with my husband's company) and I swore that I would never go back-- even for free. There was stinky garbage everywhere and this was first thing in the morning. The rollercoasters were so rough that we hurt after getting off. Disney is 100% better than there and they are supposed to be one of the bigger and better amusement parks.
Sometimes I think the magic comes depending on how much you really enjoy going to WDW. We live for WDW vacations but I know people who say they wouldn't go to Disney for free(my in-laws). They definitely wouldn't find anything magical there.
Hope your next one is better.

 

[airhead]

Sometimes if you go somewhere too often,it does lose the
"magic" or specialness. I think I would probably feel that way if i went to WDW every year. I like going every 4-5 years.that way,
it doesn't get old.

airhead

 

[billybaruch1]

I guess the original poster's question can only be answered subjectively with one's own opinion.

In a lot of ways the magic is in the details, such as freshly painted themed trash cans and tram seats. But the magic is also in the nostalgia (a longing for something far away or long ago or for former happy circumstances) and has nothing to do with present-day real-life. Am I saying a run-down ghost town is going to rekindle the joy one's younger self once felt? No. This is why it's somewhat of a dilemma: loving Disney but Disney doesn't love back since it is a business.

One more opinion if I may... Regarding

Originally posted by eeyore0062
Go to any other theme park (Universal, Paramount, 6 Flags, Cedar Point and Busch Gardens come to mind) and try to find the caliber of service or attention to detail that you find at WDW or DL. I think you will find that Disney is still head and shoulders above the rest!

I'd say Disney is competing against itself (in the minds of its repeat customers) just as much, if not more, than it is competing against the "other theme parks." I mean Disney should be continually setting a new standard and not merely beating the others.

I'd say we all agree that if WDW spends money towards our enjoyment, we will spend money at WDW. The future? Well, Mission: Space will pack 'em in and then so will Expedition Everest. I for one am not worried Disney will fade away.

 

[InstImpres]

Originally posted by thinkerbell
\.
Sometimes I think the magic comes depending on how much you really enjoy going to WDW. We live for WDW vacations but I know people who say they wouldn't go to Disney for free(my in-laws). They definitely wouldn't find anything magical there.

I agree if they are left alone but shown the way, they can be converted. Not to as obsessive as we are but at seeing the magic. I did it last year and now it is a big conversation all the time "when we go again..."

 

[CarolA]

Well, paint on a tram is pretty low on my list of issues to worry about. I mean those things take a beating so even if you paint them fairly often I would imagine they show wear pretty quick.

I am not sure about the CM and crowd statement. MGM streets are not real streets so people can stand it them and chat if they want. I don't think Disney has ever had CMs standing out there directing traffic except maybe after Fantasia.

I think a lot if it attitude. If you go looking for signs of "missing magic" you will find it. I remember reading a trip report about when I first discovered these boards where someone was complaining about Disney not keeping the parks up.. It's always something.

As to the hours, we all want it both ways. LOTS of hours and no crowds. It does not work that way, if there are NOT crowds there will be short hours. Just economics. Maybe it does become self-fufilling, but I can see Disney's side. If you aren't selling anything can you afford to pay several CMs to keep the bakery or fast food joint open.

 

[Fantasmic303]

I think this thread is going to be filled with posts on both sides of the proverbial fence.

I, too, agree in some respects with the OP. We visited with another family in March and were very disappointed in some aspects of the resort. Did I have an amazingly magical time? Looking, back, yes. But I also had quite a few frustrating moments and disappointments. For example, an aspect of the "magic" that I was disappointed to not find? Bus entertainment. I remember going (and videotaping the way there) to the parks with bus drivers who were constantly sharing trivia tidbits, telling jokes, and starting sing-a-longs on the way to the parks. We had none of that this time around. It's a little thing, yes, and I wouldn't find it at Six Flags either, but that's not the point. It's a Disney thing to me.

The hours - this is an issue we're all a little disgruntled about, and unless you've been fortunate to have been there recently with cut hours and no crowds, I think you'd feel the same way. When we went in March, we were highly disappointed to have to leave the parks barely after dark - which is my favorite time to be IN the parks - and still not have done some of the attractions we wanted to see, especially in the Magic Kingdom. Attendance may be down, but it's not keeping the E-ticket lines down - sure, you might not have to wait for The Enchanted Tiki Room, but good luck getting into Peter Pan's Flight without an hour wait. AND, when the park is only open till 7:00 and you have a 3 year-old who needs to rest in the middle of the afternoon (as everyone suggests going back to the hotel to refuel), by the time you can get back to the park, it's time to leave again.


With that being said, I still love Disney, and a WDW vacation means more to me than a thousand trips to Six Flags. We're going back in October, this time to explore other parts of Orlando (namely Universal and Discovery Cove), but I'm sure "the magic" will be on Disney property. Unfortunately, however, the family we traveled with isn't planning to visit The World, except perhaps for MNSSHP - as someone posted earlier, they want to wait a few years, and forget their disappointments from our last trip and "Remember The Magic" before they plan their next. That, I suppose, is this debate in a nutshell - some people can overlook the changes, some will dwell on them, some will forget. In the end, though, I bet we'll all return!!

 

[MickeyisanNDfan]

Call me crazy but when I am on vacation I am not really looking for disrepair or rude CMs. I think a lot of times people on this board are more concearned with the negative and negativity breeds negativity. How many people before they started reading these boards would have noticed some of the minutia that people mention. Unless something infringes on your entire trip I say let it go, enjoy the magic you create with WDW not what they create for you.

 

[KJMAX1]

Ya know, we went in 2002, and stayed at a very nice hotel, etc. We looked so forward to recreating the magic we had on our previous trip for our daughter. However, for us, it was depressing. It wasnt the rides, etc, but it was the fact that things closed early. We are from Seattle and when things closed at 5:30pm and for us that was only 2:30pm it was pretty boring. Not to mention the fact that all the security, etc just made us think of all the pressing issues. Whereas before, it wasnt an issue of safety. Disney I know has no control over that, but it just depressed us when we wanted to get away from reality.

That being said, we are not discouraged, we are going again in about 6 months!

 

[lenshanem]

I used to visit the RADP message boards. Once there was a link to a website that was trying to keep Disney on its toes. Anyone know the link? It showed picstures of all the reapirs that needed to be made. It was quite eye opening since I, too had noticed over the years the parks not being quite as clean and fresh as I always remembered. Pics of bulbs being out for MONTHS, wood rotting, etc. It was totally sad. Wish I still had that link to share.

After searching I found it. Here's the link -
http://www.wdwblues.com/index.2.html

 

[lucysdad]

We were at WDW in June and I noticed a lot of cutbacks. Transportation was not as available as in the past, especially the boats to the Poly from the MK. Bus drivers were fine, but not special. One even forgot to announce the DD stops, which have changed (there are now 2 instead of 3 and that means getting off for DQ at stop 2)! The twinkling trees on Main Street aren't quite as twinkling! I really missed sitting on the bench and soaking up that atmosphere. Perhaps the biggest disappointment to me was the landscaping. Vistas that were formally covered in blossoms are now covered in sod. Oh well, the economy is bad and I am so very lucky to even be able to take my kids to WDW! A lot of people would love to have the chance! The magic is still there, however! You just have to look into the eyes of a child to see it. By the way, we can all take responsibility for helping to create it. Random acts of kindness go a long way!

 

[WDWfanatic288]

I think the main thing is hour cutbacks! I love Disney and always will but it would be nicer if the parks were open to 11 each night.
When we went in June 2000-there were THREE Fantasmic shows(the latest one being 11, which ROCKED) every nite and even a couple of nights we were there, MK was open until midnight...without an E-nite.
in June 2003, one fantasmic and once a week two shows, and MK only opened until 12 on E-nites.

also, the parks might be really crowded now b/c of the FairyTale package deal...lots of people just found it too good of a deal to pass up! When we went during our trips(4 in total) during the 100 Years there were TONS of people with maps and questions because they also had good deals during that time.(I knew like 4 people that went to WDW during Spring Break...that has never happened before!)

 

[jeannej]

I have to agree with the original poster that some of the magic is gone. I realize magic is a state of mind but sometimes it is hard to capture that pixie dust when the CM's at the gate are complaining about their supervisor (It seems every time I go to MGM ot Epcot I hear this converation)

I also really get tired of Disneyphiles acting like DW is the only place to be. Universal Studios/IOA is as cleaner is not cleaner sometimes than WDW and their staff is just as knowledgeable and sometimes friendlier.


HAve a had magical momnets at WDW, you bet, every time my children and I go to the Garden Grille.

One or majical moments had nothing to do with WDW but every thing to do with my 10 year old so getting over his fear of regular roller coaster when we talked him into riding the Barnstormer. It was a great moment for him but is could have easily happened at US on the Woody Wood Pecker coaster.

My point is this, as much as I love WDW is is suffering from some CM's that lack work ethic and the fact that the place is not being maintained they way we are use to seeing WDW is always going to disappoint us. Especially for those of us that have been going
to WDW since we were young.

jeanne