What the heck did disney spend the money on

[donaldbuzz&minnie]

We have loved Disney enough to go multiple times a year and join the DVC.

But now they are really getting on my nerves. I, for one, think they need to stop using the word, "magic". To paraphrase Andre the Giant's comment in Princess Bride, "I do not think that word means what you think it means."

Magic bands? Yeah, they work well, but as I watch that huge parking garage go up at Downtown Disney, all I can think about is how they must be planning to use all that magic to sell bands to people staying off-property so visitors can use all that magic to buy their way onto the Disney Transportation System, after magically paying a hefty fee to park in Disney's magical parking garage.

Fast Pass + magical?? 3 fast passes in one day, including one or two to get a good parade spot and/or fireworks spot? Trying to decide what you want to ride in what park 2 months before a trip? Making dining reservations (ours got lost in their magical system, by the way) 180 days before vacation? Long lines even for the People Mover?!?

We are going to Universal this year for the 1st time in years, and I'm looking forward to checking out the difference. I'll be happy to trade all that "magic" for some simple fun.

 

[wookiebeck]

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.

+1 for the Jurassic Park reference, which by-the-way is a great ride over at Islands of Adventure!

Universal and WDW are also both trying for the title of "Spared no expense." One on rides, the other on an app.

 

[kbelle8995]

Disney spent their money on the FP+ app and New Fantasyland.

I didn't care for FP+ in fact, I hated it. I think next time I go to Orlando I might go to Universal. I really like IOA and love Harry Potter.

 

[Seeker615]

We stayed onsite at Universal last year and we will never stay offsite again.

We loved strolling over to Citywalk for a Cinnabon every morning and then deciding which park to go to. Express pass was awesome! We never waited more than 5-10 minutes for anything. Plus having priority seating at the shows was great as well. It was also nice to be able to go back to our resort and freshen up before dinner. It was just a quick walk or a boat ride away.

The rides are just amazing at Universal. My husband is not easily impressed but when he saw Hogwarts castle and rode the ride he was blown away. He also loved Spederman and the Trasnformers.

We did go to the Magic Kingdom one day on our vacation and our running joke after waiting in long lines was "This is not like Universal!"

 

[Bluer101]

We stayed onsite at Universal last year and we will never stay offsite again. We loved strolling over to Citywalk for a Cinnabon every morning and then deciding which park to go to. Express pass was awesome! We never waited more than 5-10 minutes for anything. Plus having priority seating at the shows was great as well. It was also nice to be able to go back to our resort and freshen up before dinner. It was just a quick walk or a boat ride away. The rides are just amazing at Universal. My husband is not easily impressed but when he saw Hogwarts castle and rode the ride he was blown away. He also loved Spederman and the Trasnformers. We did go to the Magic Kingdom one day on our vacation and our running joke after waiting in long lines was "This is not like Universal!"

This is what makes us keep coming back. This weekend makes our third trip in the past 3 weeks. To us it's like going to you favorite mall or place. We will ride a few things here and there. But we love just hanging out and being relaxed.

Disney needs to wake up. If Disney offered something like Universal I think we would go more. But spending money to wait in lines is not fun at all. They could offer Fast Pass unlimited to their deluxe and moderate hotels just like universal.

 

[ChristaDeVil]

I see a lot of comments in this thread that are conversations my family has had since our last trip to Disney (a year ago last week). After 6 trips in a row, we are choosing a all Universal trip. This sounds crazy, but Disney has gotten boring to us. We spent more time at the pool last trip than ever because we just didn't want to run at breakneck pace to do the same things over and over. I still love Disney, and I blame ourselves for doing Disney every year without a break. So, we are taking a break and seeing what Universal has to offer. The excitement level in our house is equal to what it was our first Disney trip because it's all so new to us!

 

[Poohbug]

Universal has been doing so much to their parks. I am looking forward to my next visit (whenever that may be). And I am not a HP fan.

Count me in with the fastpass downers. I really do not want to plan that much of my vacation. I like to see where the wind blows me when I am there. Just to avoid fastpass, I recently visited Disneyland. It was great. I(and my son) loved, loved, loved carsland. Maybe all the money went there and is going into foreign parks??? Of course there is never a shortage of money for DVC.

WDW is getting the short stick when it comes to money. I think Avatar is a mis-step and I hope they back out. There is just no comparison between Avatar and Star Wars(which would be so much easier since they have the rights). I really hope to see Star Wars or Carsland in Florida or at least some love to what is already there. WDW is just not worth my money right now so if I want a destination theme park, Universal is it. Or DisneyLAND.

 

[ChristaDeVil]

I'm with you "non-planners" as far as FP. I realized our last trip that I had worked so hard on planning ADRs that I was stressed out about missing them and it dampened my good time. The planning was actually making me enjoy the trip less than usual and a vacation shouldn't be that way. I am a little OCD when it comes to things like that, though.