What has Disney removed that makes you the saddest?

[mummabear]

Stores with unique merchandise.

Yes and it is so much worse than just being WDW now, it's all Disney Parks I hate the Disney Parks stuff. When I am at WDW I want it to say WDW, when i'm at DLR then DLR and so on-you know the been there got the t-shirt

 

[DisneyFive]

I miss Alien Encounter and I never even rode it!!!! Stitch is so bad that anything has to be a big improvement!!

We'll also miss the Candy Lady in the Epcot Japan pavilion. I think she retired very soon after our Sept 2013 visit. She was great to watch and the kids LOVED calling out the animals for her to shape. This last year, each of our three kids got to have their choice of animal made.

FP-
Please don’t flame me, but I really miss the years with FP- when there was no enforcement of returning after the 1 hour window. We would pull FP’s, and go do whatever, knowing that we could return anytime later that day for our favorite rides.

I miss the flexibility of FP-. Scheduling ADR’s 180 days out is confining enough, but add to that all your FP+’s are pre scheduled too, it just makes it MUCH MORE difficult to change your park schedule on the fly if needed during your stay. ...but there are big benefits to the FP+ system too though, so….

I still love Disney. We’ve made such magical memories over the last four years. Many of the things mentioned in this tread were already gone! I do wish we could have experienced some of them that sound perfect for us:

• Adventurer’s Club
• Appetizer with Dining Plan (I’m totally not a desert guy, but love a good appetizer). Having the tip included must have been great also.
• Tapestry of Nations parade
• Spectromagic!
• Epcot entrance before the ugly(IMO) photo monuments were there

Dan

 

[JanaDee]

What was Four for a Dollar?



This!!! The monuments are an abomination in my opinion, no offense to those with photos there. It's just SO MUCH hard surface in that area, and it's right smack in your way of getting in to the rest of the park. It looks terrible. I remember on our very first visit to Epcot, walking in, and very distinctly thinking how this area didn't feel very "Disney" at all.



He was still there the last two years we've been there. Has he recently been removed? I remember PUSH asking my 5 year old son (at the time) "Hey, do you know why you should be nice to your sisters?" ..."because someday they'll have hot friends" I laughed so hard, and so did everyone else around us. My son had no idea what PUSH was talking about, but everyone else did.



Can you give a brief summary of how it originally was proposed, versus what it ended up as? I'd love to hear the original idea.

Dan

PUSH was removed earlier this year.

 

[manateesmom]

Hubs is still heartbroken over the loss of 20,000 leagues. I will miss Horizons.

Granted, it was, gosh, 23 years ago last time I visited But there were, as far as I was aware, no fast passes, and we ate with no problem without making any advance dining reservations.

I'm stressing out with all the planning needed now. I've been literally up nights, annoying hubs to no end with my worry about the conflict between 180+10 ADRs and the fact that 2015 rates will not be announced for the resorts until within the 180-day window for my ADRs. I spent seriously a couple of hours on the phone with several CMs who kept telling me I couldn't book a stay for Jan. 2015, that there was no such thing as 180+10 ADR booking for resort guests , and other info of dubious veracity. We have spent WEEKS talking about the thorny problem of needing ADRs versus apparently not having the option to be booked into a room 180 days out.

It's silly. The advanced planning aspect is stressing me out.

 

[evilqueenmindy]

I'm okay with most changes, because I feel like there's a decent mix of things that are new, and things I remember when I was a kid. The few things I DO miss are kinda still around, but I don't care for the current version--

I miss lunch at Cinderella's Castle without the characters. I'm not a big character meal person, and it was a fun experience without. (and less expensive. Which was the problem I guess)

I also really REALLY miss watching MK fireworks at the Tomorrowland Terrace. . .you know, for free, without a reservation at an over-priced dessert party with pre-reserved seating.

 

[DisneyHolidayFan]

Legacy FP
Lights of Winter - no special Christmas feeling at Epcot anymore
Spectromagic
Tapestry of Nations

 

[Minion89]

1. Riding in the front of the monorail – I will never forget the time I was chosen to do that.

2. Tarzan Rocks

3. The original Test Track

4. The Winnie the Pooh store in Downtown Disney

5. Camp Minnie Mickey

6. Toontown

7. Backstage tour at MGM Studios

8. Legend of the Lion King at MK

9. SpectroMagic

10. Character M&Gs – I have two autograph books filled with character signatures from just one trip I took in the early 2000s. I met many characters that do not commonly meet anymore including Esmeralda, Meeko, Mushu, Fairy Godmother, Genie, Hercules, Megara, Perla and Suzy, Timon, Jiminy Cricket, Clopin, Jafar, and others. While I don’t mind meeting the Fab Five and the other common characters, I wish Disney would have more opportunities to meet rare characters.

 

[Sandy Fisher]

After reading a few more replies, I realize that I missed some of my "favorites" that are long gone, including the Skyway. And I much preferred the Main St. bakery to what's there now. We didn't even stop in this time. And I agree that things are way more complicated. We also watched the fireworks at MK from the Tomorrowland Terrace. First come, first served. Table, chairs, etc. Sat there and watched Tink "fly.
Too bad.

 

[North of Mouse]

What I miss most??

We've been going since MK opened, so there are 'many' things that we miss, but the things that have made me the saddest have all happened in the last year or so.

1. Main Street Bakery - all that's left now is the name!

2. Tickets that never expired - no extra fee required.

3. The old FP system

4. Tickets and turnstyles - no, I do not like magic bands!

5. Before the last year I know - but the 'freedom' of going into the parks without having 'bags searched'.

6. So, so many more!

 

[TwinPrincessMermaids]

AK:
Tarzan Rocks
Pocahontas and Forest Friends

Comedy Warehouse (our sole reason for buying Pleasure Island tix every single time we visited) with a big nod to Adventurers Club. No reason not to keep this high caliber entertainment. Remember the excitement of wondering who's phone on the wall was going to ring so they could sing a song about them? I like Turtle Talk and Monsters Laugh Floor but I also want my real improv comedy show, I want them all!

My mom misses Wings of Man but I do love Buzz Star Command so I call that a win.

I miss the old Space Mountain TV network that ran all over Alien Encounter and all the Tomorrowland TVs with funny kitchsy commercials etc. However kudos for fun new space games in line.

I agree with the hatred of the Hat. However it does make it easier not to get lost at HS. I always thought the Water Tower was a good enough icon and some of the things they put on the hat are ridiculous. (Same for EP golf ball love of my live. Leave it alone! Don't stick stupid 2000 and a wand etc on it!)

I have seen lots of street performers at HS so I'm happy it has kept its feel for the most part. Except for Jack Sparrow Pirate Experience???? What in the heck is that?! We waited a whopping 45 min to have am inside light show with a fan and a skeleton on the wall telling kids to stomp their feet??? I was convinced they MUST be renovating inside the building so they stuck us in a single room until they finish it. PLEASE some one tell me that this "attraction" is not done! It's horrible! Our biggest regret of last year.

I do want to commend them for the Nemo Living Seas update, we love it. I'm always mesmerized by the cartoons super imposed on the real aquarium. The Land really has come back, all tho I still treasure the Andrews Sisters singing as the Dairy Products in the Fridge on my ancient vacation videos.

I'm delighted about the Marvel and Star Wars additions to the Disney Verse and would love to see more of that. And I LOVED Avatar so I'm SO glad some one is going to immerse us in that world. I do NOT miss the cold room on Test Trak! I like it much better now.

Clearly rides like Soarin and TSMM are capturing the new generations. While classics like Small World and Peter Pan will evidenly last. All in all, I appreciate that Disney keeps piquing my interest every few years with new stuff, Everest and Rockin and so forth . I'm not thrilled about not being able to go and get a fast pass for TsMM which we never had any problems last year. I think they have technical things they need to fix and I will allow them the time to do it. So big minus for that.

Before that, giving us a new Ariel ride and an immersive Belle etc, I could not say enough about the great direction I felt Disney Parks were going. Now I'm shaking my head a bit. Their FP so called + caused MAJOR family drama this time that should have never happened!!

On the other hand, Universal has not kept our attention since going so Harry Potter heavy. We have almost avoided them ever since (shout out to MIB tho!)

And finally probably the biggest delight goes to Sea World and what they have kept and updated. Atlantis is still fun and hasn't changed in over a decade. Manta becomes on of the BEST roller coaster experiences I have EVER had (and born and raised on Cedar Point and so most of you will know that this ride has GOT to be on a super coaster level and it is!) Also the Turtle Trek was great! Shark encounter was awesome (that tunnel aquarium is cool!) And they had an exhibit of real life shark eggs and you could see the sharks swimming inside! They also left our absolutely favorite show in tact after like a 7 or more yrs, and its been there longer, but we hadn't been in 7, and its Pets Ahoy and its still as great as ever! So I think they are real strong contenders for keeping it the way we love it while adding incredible new attractions. It is SO much more than an orca (although that was great too.) (Also I have done my research and do not care to get into Blackfish FYI.)

But thinking back over this thread, minus ditching Pleasure Island, there isn't as much that I truly miss compared to the new loves... For the most part..

 

[BebopBaloo]

Original Journey into Imagination

20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (a technological update would've made it more lasting)

Horizons

Mickey and Minnie's houses

When Hollywood Studios was a working studio

When Epcot didn't look like it needed a good scrub down (still love Epcot...but if someone handed me a bucket and a sponge and told me to scrub the mural outside of Spaceship Earth...I'd do it willingly.)

 

[Praying Colonel]

What was Four for a Dollar?

Link

 

[Ava]

I also really REALLY miss watching MK fireworks at the Tomorrowland Terrace. . .you know, for free, without a reservation at an over-priced dessert party with pre-reserved seating.

This is mine, too. That was my fireworks spot for several trips, but I'll never pay for a dessert party for the privilege of standing there. (Especially when every meal you eat on the DDP comes with a dessert anyway.)

 

[Nohal]

Wow, I can pretty much agree with everything that has been written. I didn't
realize how much I has been taken away over the years. I also miss the strawberry swirl ice cream that they use to serve at the enchanted grove by the t-cups. Remember getting your hand stamped so you could re enter the park and didn't need to pay extra to park hop. Really I think the list is endless.

 

[suzanna1066@comcast.]

Not Nick Frankin...that is for sure!!!

Disney Exec who lead MyMagic+ will leave company...

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/os-disney-mymagicplus-executive-leaving-20140519,0,3642522.story



The fact that their "team" grew from 35 to 1,000 means the project is over budget. I mean, I can't really comprehend how a project compensates an increase of 965 employees on the tech side of things and then adds umpteen hundred extra IPAD-wielding FP+ CMs in the parks makes this look cool.

I'm more sad for what they haven't added than I am for those things they have taken away.

No way a project of that size was going to be executed by 35 employees.
Maybe they started the discovery/planning stage with 35 but I am sure people were continually added as the project progressed----and I am certain that was part of the plan.

1,000 people could mean anything from developers to testers and I can believe it took that many. I also am assuming that only a fraction of the 1,000 were 100% dedicated to the project. Most people on a project have "day jobs" and are there to offer subject matter expertise.

I am also willing to assume that the project did indeed go over budget and schedule. Most do and I would be shocked if a project this complex did not.

Sorry to get off topic but I do this for a living and a lot of people have no idea just how hard project management really is.

 

[norybell]

There was a particular hammock at the Poly, past Sunset Point, that was one of my favorite places in the whole world (and I have traveled quite a bit). In the daytime, you could lie in that hammock for hours and not hear or see a single other human being, despite being in one of the busiest vacation destinations on earth. It was so peaceful, swaying under those palm trees, listening to the boats from the TTC, seeing the monorail, castle, and Space Mountain across the water.

My hammock has now been sacrificed for DVC.

RIP, wonderful hammock, I'll never forget you.

I also miss the chill Downtown Disney of the early 1980s, the original Journey into Imagination, Horizons, the character breakfast at Empress Lilly's, and legacy FP. And I miss being able to stay in villa accommodations (Vacation Villas, Fairway Villas, the old Treehouse Villas) without having to either own DVC or pay a gazillion dollars.

Our resort of choice for the longest time was the Fairway Villas. Gosh, did I love that place. I'm not sure it's still around, but the sense of seclusion and quiet was really second to none for a theme park resort. Also, it seems insane now, but Disney allowed us to rent golf carts that we could use for transportation between the Villas and DTD (or was it just called the Disney Marketplace back then?). Does it seem possible that Disney used to allow young teenagers to drive golf carts across the greens and between resorts, plugging in to charge at little parking spaces with outlets at Disney Marketplace or back at the resort, throughout the day?

Fairway Villas is long gone, but you're right about the golf carts, and I totally miss them, too! (Though I guess no longer being a kid, driving them would no longer be a thrill. Sure was fun at the time, though!)

 

[Planogirl]

I'm okay with most changes, because I feel like there's a decent mix of things that are new, and things I remember when I was a kid. The few things I DO miss are kinda still around, but I don't care for the current version--

I miss lunch at Cinderella's Castle without the characters. I'm not a big character meal person, and it was a fun experience without. (and less expensive. Which was the problem I guess)

I also really REALLY miss watching MK fireworks at the Tomorrowland Terrace. . .you know, for free, without a reservation at an over-priced dessert party with pre-reserved seating.

I feel that way about Akershus. I know that the princess thing gets a lot more guests and they can charge way more but we loved the old Akershus so much.

I also miss the Ringnes beer that they used to serve in Norway. Why do they have a non-Norwegian beer in a Norwegian pavilion?

 

[wendydarling826]

I miss the Main Street Bakery. It was our tradition on the first day of every trip to go to MK, get our breakfast at the bakery and sit outside soaking up the sounds and sights of Main Street while eating our breakfast. I didn't realize exactly why I hate that Starbucks so much until I watched an old documentary on Walt Disney recently. They talked about how Walt didn't want anything from the outside world to mar the experience of guests inside the park. I have always loved the feeling of coming through the train station onto Main Street and entering the story. Now, you just about get into Magic Kingdom mode and there it is - Starbucks. It's out of place and I hate it.

 

[Retro Magic]

I mostly miss the old Journey Into the Imagination with Figment AND Dreamfinder. I still hold out hopes for a return. Also the old Epcot in general. It just seems to be missing so much now and has become mostly a restaurant destination first.

I also miss the cast members of yesteryear. There are still some fantastic ones, but as a whole they don't make them like they used to.

Another detail I miss is the amount of characters free roaming the parks and how there always seemed to be so many represented unlike today, where it seems to be the same ones all the time. This isn't always the case, but seems to be most of the time.

It would also be nice to see them pay the same level of detailed perfection they at one time did to all parks and resorts. The days when you'd never find anything broken or a single burnt out light bulb!

 

[jaiminee krikit]

I miss SpectroMagic. The music brought back so many memories! Even though I know it will never happen, every time I'm waiting for MSEP, I wish they'd surprise all of us and SpectroMagic comes out instead. I know a lot of people like MSEP, but SpectroMagic has a special place in my heart.