What is going on with Disney parks?

[dez1978]

I think a lot of people find the constant data tracking of the magic bands distasteful, too. People who understand what the magic bands actually are and do find it invasive and uncomfortable.

wait... what do they actually do? Im still gonna use them, I'm just curious.

 

[focusondisney]

Ryan I said this before it opened and got challenged...

It’s a land with ONE ride and expensive experiences...

where’s the ride for the kiddos outside the e-attraction.

Why does Blue milk cost 9 dollars? Where is the Star Wars music throughout the land? Where are character actors in the cantina/roaming the land?

it’s a dead space with one cool attraction.

I am just starting to read this thread but I have to start quoting. I absolutely agree with your thoughts. We were there for the AP previews. I personally liked MFSR even tho I can’t typically do motion rides. I think it had more to do with being with my DS who is a huge SW fan than the ride itself. I don’t know if I will do it again in the future because of the motion aspects. My take away from the land was it is just a big shopping center. There are “things” to look at, but mostly there are just shops. Where is the entertainment? I am a 60 something woman & I absolutely loved seeing the March of the First Order the last few years. Why is there not anything like that going on in GE??? How about a stage show?? I’m hoping ROTR will be less motion intense so I can ride it more often. But if not, I can’t see us spending much time in GE on future visits.

Disney has taken to thinking 1 or 2 rides are enough in new lands & then fills in with “theming” & shops. Toy Storyland has 2 new rides, 3 total. That’s it. Sporadic meet & greets out in the sun. And if you don’t do motion rides, why bother going there at all? Look at MK. Fantasyland has what, 8 rides plus a theater attraction & a dedicated meet & greet building. Plenty to do there for everyone. The other lands don’t have that many, but still more than 2 rides per land.

It's one land that they though "everyone" would pay any amount to visit. So they raised all of the prices, designed $100 and $200 trinkets and then were surprised that attendance was not as expected. If your target audience is a family of four it just doesn't because there isn't something or everyone.

The only thing that I can see performing worse is the Galactic Starship because once again it doesn't have broad appeal and the costs will be prohibitive. Yeah, the concept I'm sure looks great on storyboards but will fizzle in the real world

Exactly! And even to make those expensive souvenirs, the admission is limited to builder plus 1. So families can’t even do it together. And how many droids or lightsabers does 1 family need? I doubt many people will make repeated purchases of these.

I also think they missed the mark with the storyline. They announced “Star Wars Land”. Most people think of Star Wars & think: Darth Vader, Luke, Leia, Han Solo etc. Nope, not gonna get them, ever. Some other storyline that nobody knows with a few new characters not many people care about. No emotional attachment to the area for most people.

The hotel concept sounded great, but by the time it opens & gets dumbed down, I wonder how sustainable it will be.

 

[mshanson3121]

Suspicious minds lol

And now I have Dwight Yoakam stuck in my mind. Thank you for that

 

[Searc]

wait... what do they actually do? Im still gonna use them, I'm just curious.

The easy-to-understand explanation is they are constant data trackers. If you want a more in-depth explanation, you'll have to google it. LOL

 

[snappy]

And now I have Dwight Yoakam stuck in my mind. Thank you for that

My apologies.

 

[rteetz]

I am a 60 something woman & I absolutely loved seeing the March of the First Order the last few years. Why is there not anything like that going on in GE??? How about a stage show?? I’m hoping ROTR will be less motion intense so I can ride it more often. But if not, I can’t see us spending much time in GE on future visits.

Disney has taken to thinking 1 or 2 rides are enough in new lands & then fills in with “theming” & shops. Toy Storyland has 2 new rides, 3 total. That’s it. Sporadic meet & greets out in the sun. And if you don’t do motion rides, why bother going there at all? Look at MK. Fantasyland has what, 8 rides plus a theater attraction & a dedicated meet & greet building. Plenty to do there for everyone. The other lands don’t have that many, but still more than 2 rides per land.

Unfortunately much of that was cut. They do have roaming characters throughout the land but the show aspects were cut.

Like you mentioned this isn’t just a SWGE thing. All of the new Disney lands are 2-3 attractions. It’s the way these immersive lands are built. Potter is the same way at Universal. Diagon Alley has one major ride or two if you count the train.

 

[rteetz]

I also think they missed the mark with the storyline. They announced “Star Wars Land”. Most people think of Star Wars & think: Darth Vader, Luke, Leia, Han Solo etc. Nope, not gonna get them, ever. Some other storyline that nobody knows with a few new characters not many people care about. No emotional attachment to the area for most people.

The hotel concept sounded great, but by the time it opens & gets dumbed down, I wonder how sustainable it will be.

This part I don’t necessarily agree with. I like how they went about this creating a place no one has ever been too. The Star Wars universe isn’t limited to one area like Tatooine or Endor. I don’t fault Disney for basing this on the new trilogy either. I like this new trilogy and I consider this my trilogy as I didn’t grow up with the originals or even really the prequels.

 

[disneydreamer781]

I'm concerned because I think Epcot may feel the brunt and will be dumbed down. They had already done that with SWGE & TSL and crowds were higher than we initially experienced during the same time period a few years ago and right around what they probably should be last May. Now I'm seeing 1's and 2's even at Magic Kingdom!

 

[focusondisney]

Unfortunately much of that was cut. They do have roaming characters throughout the land but the show aspects were cut.

I have only been there once so far for the AP previews, so my perspective is limited . But the roaming characters I saw weren’t something that will bring me back to the land. Chewwie is great, for sure. But we only saw 2 storm troopers roaming twice. We didn’t see Rey or Kylo. Limited sporadic roaming characters aren’t a benefit/ draw to guests that never see them.

By contrast, I made it a point to stop & watch March of the First Order, be in the area when it was time & felt it did enhance my time in a park with limited attractions I can go on.

 

[rteetz]

I have only been there once so far for the AP previews, so my perspective is limited . But the roaming characters I saw weren’t something that will bring me back to the land. Chewwie is great, for sure. But we only saw 2 storm troopers roaming twice. We didn’t see Rey or Kylo. Limited sporadic roaming characters aren’t a benefit/ draw to guests that never see them.

By contrast, I made it a point to stop & watch March of the First Order, be in the area when it was time & felt it did enhance my time in a park with limited attractions I can go on.

That I agree with. I think they should do more with this. Vi Moradi looks like a fun addition. They definitely should have entertainment.

 

[disneydreamer781]

I have only been there once so far for the AP previews, so my perspective is limited . But the roaming characters I saw weren’t something that will bring me back to the land. Chewwie is great, for sure. But we only saw 2 storm troopers roaming twice. We didn’t see Rey or Kylo. Limited sporadic roaming characters aren’t a benefit/ draw to guests that never see them.

By contrast, I made it a point to stop & watch March of the First Order, be in the area when it was time & felt it did enhance my time in a park with limited attractions I can go on.

I love March of the First Order! It was definitely a must-do but weren't they supposed to redeployed at SWGE?

 

[rteetz]

I love March of the First Order! It was definitely a must-do but weren't they supposed to redeployed at SWGE?

They just have a couple roaming stormtroopers in SWGE.

 

[TwoMisfits]

Unfortunately much of that was cut. They do have roaming characters throughout the land but the show aspects were cut.

Like you mentioned this isn’t just a SWGE thing. All of the new Disney lands are 2-3 attractions. It’s the way these immersive lands are built. Potter is the same way at Universal. Diagon Alley has one major ride or two if you count the train.

Well, it's 2 rides plus 2 multiple times per day entertainment shows plus 1 wand shop mini show plus a character interaction with the Knight Bus...and the "wand" magic spots...then, the shopping and eating...

 

[rteetz]

Well, it's 2 rides plus 2 multiple times per day entertainment shows plus 1 wand shop mini show plus a character interaction with the Knight Bus...and the "wand" magic spots...then, the shopping and eating...

SWGE has the datapad experiences, lightsaber experience, droid building, walk around characters, shopping and eating as well.

 

[TwoMisfits]

SWGE has the datapad experiences, lightsaber experience, droid building, walk around characters, shopping and eating as well.

Yes, but few of those are free...the extra shows in Universal are all free...and watching people perform the magic is also free...Disney forgot you have to actually have ambiance that's free...or "included" in the ticket...

 

[rteetz]

Yes, but few of those are free...the extra shows in Universal are all free...and watching people perform the magic is also free...

I know just pointing out that there are things to do in SWGE. I do think SWGE would benefit greatly from a show or two.

 

[TwoMisfits]

I know just pointing out that there are things to do in SWGE. I do think SWGE would benefit greatly from a show or two.

Right, but it's 6 "free" attractions in Diagon Alley once you buy your tickets (2 rides, 3 shows, 1 character interaction) vs 2?, 3? in Star Wars...that's the issue of why it feels like a mall, and Diagon doesn't...and again, I'm not including the "living the books" or the "magic" available in Diagon b/c that does cost money...

 

[rteetz]

Right, but it's 6 "free" attractions in Diagon Alley once you buy your tickets (2 rides, 3 shows, 1 character interaction) vs 2?, 3? in Star Wars...that's the issue of why it feels like a mall, and Diagon doesn't...and again, I'm not including the "living the books" or the "magic" available in Diagon b/c that does cost money...

I get that. SWGE needs more of the entertainment and what not. They do have the datapad though that you can do and discover things throughout the land and unlock affects. Yes the droid building is an expense but those also interact in the land. Certainly the repeatability is tough right now for SWGE.

 

[skyp4WDW]

So, here's my take on Disney World's decline: their focus is no longer making a magical and memorable experience for American families. Now they simply want to make money.
I will admit to giving them plenty of mine over the past 25 years. Here's why. We lived in the Northeast and it was quick and easy to get there. I had several kids of assorted ages and one with Special Needs, and Disney World was the first destination to accommodate kids with food allergies that I was aware of.
In years past, I could buy 10 day Hoppers-Plus (NO expiration) = 20 total visits which we could easily make last for 2 or 3 years in a row.
(Disney nixed the No expiration option! Then they started charging for the Plus option! And then they added an extra charge for Hoppers!) And the price for per/day tickets sky-rocketed. So for the past 10 years or so, I've been buying Annual Passes instead. And now, when my Platinum Pass runs out next April, I'm DONE. I will not renew it at $1200. per year. I'm no longer getting near enough value for my money.
Will Disney miss me? Absolutely not! (I'd like to think that Walt would; but the powers that be today have only one focus: MONEY.) They no longer try to target the "FAMILY of Four" from Omaha as Walt did. Now they cater to Huge Groups that negatively impact the general experience of single families... because that is where the big money is.
So then Good-Bye NEW Disney World. I won't miss you either!

 

[DGsAtBLT]

I am just starting to read this thread but I have to start quoting. I absolutely agree with your thoughts. We were there for the AP previews. I personally liked MFSR even tho I can’t typically do motion rides. I think it had more to do with being with my DS who is a huge SW fan than the ride itself. I don’t know if I will do it again in the future because of the motion aspects. My take away from the land was it is just a big shopping center. There are “things” to look at, but mostly there are just shops. Where is the entertainment? I am a 60 something woman & I absolutely loved seeing the March of the First Order the last few years. Why is there not anything like that going on in GE??? How about a stage show?? I’m hoping ROTR will be less motion intense so I can ride it more often. But if not, I can’t see us spending much time in GE on future visits.

Disney has taken to thinking 1 or 2 rides are enough in new lands & then fills in with “theming” & shops. Toy Storyland has 2 new rides, 3 total. That’s it. Sporadic meet & greets out in the sun. And if you don’t do motion rides, why bother going there at all? Look at MK. Fantasyland has what, 8 rides plus a theater attraction & a dedicated meet & greet building. Plenty to do there for everyone. The other lands don’t have that many, but still more than 2 rides per land.




Exactly! And even to make those expensive souvenirs, the admission is limited to builder plus 1. So families can’t even do it together. And how many droids or lightsabers does 1 family need? I doubt many people will make repeated purchases of these.

I also think they missed the mark with the storyline. They announced “Star Wars Land”. Most people think of Star Wars & think: Darth Vader, Luke, Leia, Han Solo etc. Nope, not gonna get them, ever. Some other storyline that nobody knows with a few new characters not many people care about. No emotional attachment to the area for most people.

The hotel concept sounded great, but by the time it opens & gets dumbed down, I wonder how sustainable it will be.

We might have considered the droid build if my 3 kids could build together, but there’s is no way we’re doing it when they can’t all participate and also no way we’re buying 3. And a big no thank you to $600 on lightsabers, or should I say nearly $800 CAD