What the heck did disney spend the money on

[peaches00]

I know I know this is universal board, but after seeing brand new attractions year after year at universal, I have to say I'm astounded by what disney has spent money on. I just watched short video of seven dwarves ride...it looks lame and exactly like btmr goes into a mine. Cute little animatronics of the dwarfs but...really??? This took 3 years? What were they doing? Little mermaid ride looks just like nemo ride. There is nothing for me to go there for. I'm so spoiled by universal. Avatar land sound ridiculous and stupid...I don't for the life of me see how that would be approved. There's a lot of other things they could have done... I mean it's disney...and that's what they come up with??? I don't know, universal built diagon alley and Hogwarts express in what? A year and a half. Maybe if I have grand kids in a few years, I will go, but other than that...I'm good.

 

[macraven]

avator the movie didn't hold my interest.

all i remember is it had blue naked people in it.



i wonder if the CM's that work in avator land will be naked and blue.




i do the motherland before the darkside trip each time i go to orlando.
can't be in orlando and not do both parks.
but, the fast pass+ .........not fond of it.
for $100 a ticket to enter MK, i'm used to doing more than 3 rides w/fp.

january, when i was there, wasn't pleased with the fp system, too many kinks not worked out for it.
motherland systems went down and was not able to switch fp by phone to another ride when the ride we were to be on went down.
i'm hopeful when i return in late september, that fp system will be smoother.
it is here to stay so i have my fingers crossed.

both theme parks have their good and not good points.

the motherland takes forever it seems like to get a ride up and going.
the dark side has been excellent in setting up new rides.


i'm spoiled.
i am used to the darkside bringing new rides/sections, shows at a great pace.
because of that, i guess i expect other parks to do the same.

from what i have read about the theme parks plans for the future, i am very excited what will be happening and coming to UO.

 

[Poly-Anna]

I am very disappointed with the 7 Dwarfs Mine Train ride, it does look lame. Yeah, I'll probably ride it whenever we return to MK however I'll stick with BTMR for a fun ride. Little Mermaid is just like Nemo; we rode it last year. Nothing new there. I'm also disappointed at the cost of tickets for WDW. I just couldn't justify the cost of about $626 for two people for a 4 day base ticket when I could get 2 annual passes at Universal for the same. (Actually I have had an annual pass for 5 years now so my renewal is about $180)

We going back to Universal in a few weeks for our second time this year. Not sure when we'll do Disney again, maybe next year when they work out the kinks of FP+ (FP minus in my book).

 

[RMulieri]

Disney spent all the money on the FP+ and MAGIC BANDS system..LOL

But seriously, they just arent as interested in putting $$$$$ into the parks, and they have 4 parks to worry about..Epcot seriously needs an overhaul and some love..But because they are disney, people will continue to shell out the money and make apologies for them.I love disney, but for the last 2 years Universal has gotten all of our vacation money and after the reviews of the new Fantasyland and 7DMT, I am not even bothering next year either...We are going back to Unviersal for 10 days in January( doing seaworld and other things too)

 

[glocon]

We too spend more time at US, but personally I still love WDW. I am sad for WDW about choosing to do Avatarland tho. Does seen outdated and lame. I hate that for them.

But WDW has more than 4 parks, they have parks/cruises all over the world. They are a much larger company than US. It does seem that they choose to put their money in places that we as theme park goers wouldn't choose to.

I'm hoping things get better for wdw

 

[Bluer101]

We do Disney about every 5 years now. To be honest nothing there is drawing us to spend money. The same old rides and nothing new over the top.

The problem with Disney is they are Disney and still banking on the name. Disney still lives in the past. When I was a kid Disney was king and that's what we did. But as generations are evolving kids are getting tastes of new and exciting movies and cartoons. Old school parents are still living in their childhood that they grew up
in and want to relive that thru their children. But as time goes on Disney is growing farther away from today's youth. If it was not for the purchase of Pixar I think Disney would not be one of the animation leaders. You can thank Steve Jobs for Pixar.

Don't get me wrong Disney is still fun but banking on a name will not keep some happy.

 

[dedex13]

I know I'm in the minority here, but I just don't get the Disney appeal. Two years ago we visited IOA for a day and Disney for a week. We have no desire to return to Disney, but am now planning our second trip back to Universal. Maybe if I had small children (or a child who was into princesses rather than Spiderman) I would think differently. Or if I really enjoyed waiting in line for most of my vacation.

 

[Owlpost23]

We've enjoyed Disney in the past,but with our first trip to US/IOA we were sold.Wonderful onsite properties,easy park access,front of the line-great food,etc.They keep upping the bar with attractions,and that's what keeps us coming back.

 

[TaylorsDad]

Maybe I am in the minority here but I love both Disney and Universal. Our best vacations are when we can split our time between both places. However, I think the big difference between the two is that All the changes WDW is making our visits less enjoyable. Our first trip to Orlando was probably less than 10 years ago yet I can still honestly refer to Disney of just a few years ago as the Good Ole Days. FP+ has made our Disney side so structured that such intense planning takes much of the joy away from it, I even joke with my wife that soon we will have to schedule our bathroom breaks 90 days in advance. Still, we haven't given up on Disney but like many each year have to adjust our expectations more and more.
Universal keeps evolving and changing things in a way that have us excited to plan our next trip. In the last few years we have witnessed the addition of many amazing attractions, ones such as Despicable Me, Simpsons ride with Springfield, Forbidden Journey, Transformers, and now Diagon Alley. Where I am skeptic future Disney trips in regards to "improvements"I really look forward to be Amazed at what the future holds at Universal

 

[jsh1975]

Maybe I am in the minority here but I love both Disney and Universal. Our best vacations are when we can split our time between both places. However, I think the big difference between the two is that All the changes WDW is making our visits less enjoyable. Our first trip to Orlando was probably less than 10 years ago yet I can still honestly refer to Disney of just a few years ago as the Good Ole Days. FP+ has made our Disney side so structured that such intense planning takes much of the joy away from it, I even joke with my wife that soon we will have to schedule our bathroom breaks 90 days in advance. Still, we haven't given up on Disney but like many each year have to adjust our expectations more and more.
Universal keeps evolving and changing things in a way that have us excited to plan our next trip. In the last few years we have witnessed the addition of many amazing attractions, ones such as Despicable Me, Simpsons ride with Springfield, Forbidden Journey, Transformers, and now Diagon Alley. Where I am skeptic future Disney trips in regards to "improvements"I really look forward to be Amazed at what the future holds at Universal

I am very glad to read I am not the only one that feels all the planning for Disney takes away a lot of the excitement. Who in their right mind knows what time they want to be eating 180 days from now and while they are at it making sure nothing else will be going to keep them from eating at said time or they will be penalized for missing the meal.

 

[Poly-Anna]

Maybe I am in the minority here but I love both Disney and Universal. Our best vacations are when we can split our time between both places. However, I think the big difference between the two is that All the changes WDW is making our visits less enjoyable. Our first trip to Orlando was probably less than 10 years ago yet I can still honestly refer to Disney of just a few years ago as the Good Ole Days. FP+ has made our Disney side so structured that such intense planning takes much of the joy away from it, I even joke with my wife that soon we will have to schedule our bathroom breaks 90 days in advance. Still, we haven't given up on Disney but like many each year have to adjust our expectations more and more.
Universal keeps evolving and changing things in a way that have us excited to plan our next trip. In the last few years we have witnessed the addition of many amazing attractions, ones such as Despicable Me, Simpsons ride with Springfield, Forbidden Journey, Transformers, and now Diagon Alley. Where I am skeptic future Disney trips in regards to "improvements"I really look forward to be Amazed at what the future holds at Universal

When I go to Universal we get to totally relax and have fun. We go at our pace and usually schedule nothing. Most of the time we don't get to the park til 9:00 a.m. or later and Express let's us enjoy the rides we want to go on, multiple times. We also don't make dining reservations and have plenty of restaurants to choose from. I do still love WDW but I don't like the structured hassle it's become. To me that's not a vacation, that's work. I don't want to feel like I need a vacation from my vacation.

 

[RMulieri]

I am very glad to read I am not the only one that feels all the planning for Disney takes away a lot of the excitement. Who in their right mind knows what time they want to be eating 180 days from now and while they are at it making sure nothing else will be going to keep them from eating at said time or they will be penalized for missing the meal.

You arent the only ones...I didnt like it but I didnt mind booking restaurants so much..But booking ride times...Um NO...I live and die by a rigid schedule at work and home ALL year long.The very last thing I want to do on a trp is have to plan it all out..Universal reminds me of what Disney USED to be( in the 80's and early 90's).An enjoyable, relaxed trip with minimal planning.After our first Universal only trip, both DH and I remarked about how relaxed and enjoyable it was.We actually felt like we had a vacation.We would come home from Disney and need 3 days to recover, and we always came home sick( didnt matter what time of year we went).

 

[jsh1975]

You arent the only ones...I didnt like it but I didnt mind booking restaurants so much..But booking ride times...Um NO...I live and die by a rigid schedule at work and home ALL year long.The very last thing I want to do on a trp is have to plan it all out..Universal reminds me of what Disney USED to be( in the 80's and early 90's).An enjoyable, relaxed trip with minimal planning.After our first Universal only trip, both DH and I remarked about how relaxed and enjoyable it was.We actually felt like we had a vacation.We would come home from Disney and need 3 days to recover, and we always came home sick( didnt matter what time of year we went).

That is funny we have been home a week and we are just now recovering from being exhausted and we all have been dealing with colds.

 

[tink1957]

We love both and try to visit WDW and the darkside each trip but over the years have gone from spending the majority of the trip at WDW and a few days at Universal to sometimes only visiting one WDW park (Epcot for the Food and Wine Fest) for the following reasons

1. Value..prices keep going up and quality is diminishing example: the dining plan used to include tip and appetizer.

2. Fast pass +- As everyone has mentioned all this planning has sucked the fun and spontaneity out of it.

3. Quality...the new rides at the darkside just blow my mind with how well done and quickly they are accomplished.

4. Adult oriented fun...WDW took away pleasure island and replaced it with more shopping. We used to love going to the Comedy Warehouse and Adventurer's Club...now there is nothing to do after the parks close at WDW...but the darkside had CityWalk and just keeps adding more fun stuff to do.


I could go on and on about the relative cost of the AP which enables us to visit each year at a fraction of the cost of WDW and the wonderful onsite hotels with express pass.

 

[beaprn]

We love both and try to visit WDW and the darkside each trip but over the years have gone from spending the majority of the trip at WDW and a few days at Universal to sometimes only visiting one WDW park (Epcot for the Food and Wine Fest) for the following reasons

1. Value..prices keep going up and quality is diminishing example: the dining plan used to include tip and appetizer.

2. Fast pass +- As everyone has mentioned all this planning has sucked the fun and spontaneity out of it.

3. Quality...the new rides at the darkside just blow my mind with how well done and quickly they are accomplished.

4. Adult oriented fun...WDW took away pleasure island and replaced it with more shopping. We used to love going to the Comedy Warehouse and Adventurer's Club...now there is nothing to do after the parks close at WDW...but the darkside had CityWalk and just keeps adding more fun stuff to do.


I could go on and on about the relative cost of the AP which enables us to visit each year at a fraction of the cost of WDW and the wonderful onsite hotels with express pass.

AMEN! As one of the other posters noted the fast pass plus has sucked the fun out of a relaxing day at the park! I have both a USF and WDW annual and I think I make be downsizing the WDW to a seasonal come renewal time. I just do not feel it is worth the price! The USF has a lot more benefits with discounts on hotels available most of the time that throws in the express pass for two day for a one night stay, so no reservations to make. I have said it before Disney needs to start taking notes on how to make the guest experience better for the guest and the fast pass plus is not doing it. A vacation should be relaxing and enjoyable, not running around trying to keep up with fast passes.

 

[DisDancerina]

The Big Thunder comment makes me laugh, I've had so many people asking me if 7 Dwarfs is Big Thunder with Snow White.

I'm also having some issues looking at what UO is doing and then glancing back at Disney. I REALLY want to go to UO; I'm disappointed that the park will not be part of our plans this trip; just Disney! I'm looking forward to see if Disney figures out they need to step it up. I understand they have a larger company, but UO is making strides in comparison.

 

[Metro West]

I'm also having some issues looking at what UO is doing and then glancing back at Disney. I REALLY want to go to UO; I'm disappointed that the park will not be part of our plans this trip; just Disney! I'm looking forward to see if Disney figures out they need to step it up. I understand they have a larger company, but UO is making strides in comparison.

Here's the thing and this has been posted on many threads on the other side of the DIS. WDW is experiencing record crowds right now and until that changes, don't expect to see anything exciting added. I mean...what's the incentive? More people in the MK to the point you can't breathe? You are looking at 3-5 years but the way Disney drags it feet on opening, it could be more like 5-8 years.

 

[cieslack]

Disney seems to be doubling down on the very young kids' market. Can't hardly see the Yeti on Everest anymore and "will there ever be any dinosaurs on your Dinosaur ride?". The dinosaur wasn't even visible at the end of Dinosaur when I went last year. I have three boys. You gotta give me something scary.

 

[helenb]

I am actually one of those people who loves planning. Yes, spontaneity is fine, but half the fun of the trip for me is researching and planning and getting everything together. I'm perfectly happy booking ADRs 180 days in advance and even fastpasses too. But what kills me about he new FP+ system is how few FP+ you get. We are used to 8 or more FP per day, and walking on rides like Pirates and HM. Now it's difficult to get the 4th FP. and the secondary rides are showing significant waits. We are going to experience it all for ourselves in a couple of weeks, and I'm crossing my fingers and just hoping that the reports I have been reading are over-exaggerated... but I'm planning just in case they are not.

So even for planners, the new Disney system would appear to be a fail, because we are getting less out of it than we did previously.

That being said, we have been going to Universal more and more, and if they keep expanding at the rate they are doing, we will be continuing to do so. We love the Express Pass, early entry, and being walking distance from the parks.

You know, they say that DVC is Disney's 'best kept secret' (LOL) but I actually think that Disney's 'best kept secret' is Universal Orlando.

 

[Manders77]

Former Orlando Resident, had passes to both WDW and Universal. They both have their appeal. Now that we don't live close by, our next Orlando vacation is a split between the two. Having young children, there are only a few rides to ride at Universal. We normally don't ride the rides that the kids cannot ride. Disney gives us more options. I am looking forward to FP+ since I know I can plan certain rides. We try to get there at Rope Drop but its difficult for my family. And I never liked running to get FP, and running with a stroller never worked. I actually am excited to stay onsite at Universal and use express pass. When we go DD will be 7 and DS will be 5 but we will still be limited on rides in both parks. One thing I don't have to worry about is my kids are easily amazed, and they never get bored just walking around. I'm hoping DS will be tall enough for Seuss Trolley Train Ride but I am already of thinking of ways to distract him in case he doesn't make the mark. I love Disney and will continue to go back but I am also a HP nerd and really cannot wait to see the new stuff.

What's funny is we lived in Orlando for 8 years and never tried Sea World. One of these years we will try that.