What they've given us

[TiggerBouncy]

Let me try to tally everything that has been added or is upcoming in recent years while ticket and hotel prices continue to rise:

Since 2018...
1. Toy Story Land - including 2 new rides, and a QS
2. Star Wars Land - including the best ride ever (RotR) and MF. Also included are eateries, shopping, cosplay
3. Savi's Lightsaber workshop
4. Droid Depot
5. Mickey and Minnie Runaway Railroad
6. Mission Space "green" mission for those who get sick
7. Space 220 (coming soon)
8. Ratatouille (just opened)
9. Up!
10. Several new dining options in Disney Springs (Wolfgang Punk, The Chicken Guy and more)
11. Guardians of the Galaxy (coming soon)
12. Tron (coming soon)
13. HarmonioUS at EPCOT
14. Halcyon (!!)
15. Play! Pavilion (coming soon)
16. New Epcot Entrance (this is a lot of construction)
17. Genie+
18. Refurbishments to Poly, Contemporary, others?
19. Riveria
20. Hall of Presidents refurbishment
21. Jungle Cruise refurbishment
22. PeopleMover refurbishment
23. Spaceship Earth (not sure what is going on here)
24. Splash Mountain refurbishment
----------------------------
[edit] adding things...
25. Disney Parks Play App
26. The wave refurbishment

What else am I missing? I'm so excited about Genie+ but really there is just so much more! I am tired of all the negativity, and I want to build up a list of all the things that have been added in the last 2-3 years (or are coming soon) so I can get them all on my list and see them all!

 

[FCDub]

Great thread.

 

[BrianL]

It's definitely good to balance out all that they've taken away with things like this. It's not entirely comparable of course, but some often bemoan that they aren't investing in the parks at all. Clearly they are, and with some great, big stuff too. Sometimes though it's the little stuff that matters most. We're in interesting times right now, but it's not all bad. With the way prices are going though, I do want to see more of that dumped back into the parks in meaningful ways - not just big new attractions and lands either, but all around.

 

[DisBuckMan]

I don't think that things like Savi's and Droid Depot should be included in the things they've "given" us.

You pay, and pay dearly, for those experiences.

 

[TiggerBouncy]

It's definitely good to balance out all that they've taken away with things like this. It's not entirely comparable of course, but some often bemoan that they aren't investing in the parks at all. Clearly they are, and with some great, big stuff too. Sometimes though it's the little stuff that matters most. We're in interesting times right now, but it's not all bad. With the way prices are going though, I do want to see more of that dumped back into the parks in meaningful ways - not just big new attractions and lands either, but all around.

Lately there has been a lot of griping, and I do get it. I really do. But I have to admit when I made this list I realized that this is just over the last 3 years. And one of those the world was basically frozen. So really just 2 years. I keep forgetting the Galaxy's Edge only opened in August 2019. It's only 2 years old. Toy story is not much older. Then we froze for a year, and now we are getting a TON of stuff in EPCOT. Yeah, they hoped to have it all in the 50th - but the best laid plans of Mice and Men (never thought that statement would be so literal). But the point is this list is way bigger than I thought when I started. I know there is so much more "little things" I have left out as well.

And yes - there are things they have taken away. I still think many of those will come back in some form (not all of them!). In balance, I think we are gaining more than we are losing, but we lose sight of that in all the negativity.

Many of these are things that I have not seen yet, and I go twice a year! For someone who hasn't been in 5 or 10 years, it's a whole new world!

 

[TiggerBouncy]

I don't think that things like Savi's and Droid Depot should be included in the things they've "given" us.

You pay, and pay dearly, for those experiences.

Technically, you pay for everything. You could extend that argument to restaurants like Space 220, The Chicken Guy and so on. The Poly refurb is paid for by people who have stayed at the poly. The EPCOT changes, etc are paid by ticket prices.

But I get your point.

 

[travelgirl77]

I just want to thank you for this thread. I know the changes are difficult, but the biggest thing that Disney has given our family is a fun trip together to a place we all enjoy and love. Yes, there will be changes and yes, some of this is costly. But, we have really done nothing for almost two years. We have followed all guidelines, received our vaccinations, and saved up for this trip. We were lucky to keep our jobs over these past two years, but my spouse and I also worked incredibly long and hard hours (probably the most of any time in my career). I was really getting down about it over this past month when I realized that just "being" in Disney is priceless. My kids won't always live with us and be able to share these experiences the way we can now. I, like you, can be pragmatic and recognize the changes, but my goodness, I am going to focus on what we love rather than what we cannot have.

 

[luv2cheer92]

I just want to thank you for this thread. I know the changes are difficult, but the biggest thing that Disney has given our family is a fun trip together to a place we all enjoy and love. Yes, there will be changes and yes, some of this is costly. But, we have really done nothing for almost two years. We have followed all guidelines, received our vaccinations, and saved up for this trip. We were lucky to keep our jobs over these past two years, but my spouse and I also worked incredibly long and hard hours (probably the most of any time in my career). I was really getting down about it over this past month when I realized that just "being" in Disney is priceless. My kids won't always live with us and be able to share these experiences the way we can now. I, like you, can be pragmatic and recognize the changes, but my goodness, I am going to focus on what we love rather than what we cannot have.

I love this so much.
Are they perfect? No. Have they done things I don't agree with? Absolutely.
But they continue to provide great service, a great product, and a magical experience that I have yet to find anywhere else.
I try to focus on the positives too. It has been rather hard on here lately and the constant negativity had been exhausting. So I greatly appreciate this thread. There is sooo much greatness still there and still a whole lot to look forward to that hasn't even opened yet.

 

[JZCubed]

Let me try to tally everything that has been added or is upcoming in recent years while ticket and hotel prices continue to rise:

Since 2018...

What else am I missing? I'm so excited about Genie+ but really there is just so much more! I am tired of all the negativity, and I want to build up a list of all the things that have been added in the last 2-3 years (or are coming soon) so I can get them all on my list and see them all!

"Given us," seems like an odd phrase to use when we all pay for services.

Investing in infrastructure, making necessary updates, and having costly refurbishments is 'giving us' nothing.

Disney Vacation Club properties have an annual fee (that sits in escrow until needed) for improvements. Even multi-million dollar homes need a bit of sprucing up from time-to-time. Frankly, suggesting some of this is 'given to us' is insulting.

I'm not sure that the gift shops (i.e., Savi & droids) are something to brag about as being 'new'. Hopefully, the $6,000 price tag for the less-than-48-hours Halcyon experience includes a light saber and a droid (along with that meal at Docking Bay).

Also, I'm not certain that you're comparing proverbial 'apples-to-oranges'.

If an attraction is closed-and-replaced with something new, the 'net' impact is a ride-for-a-ride. Great Movie Ride became something else; an attraction was closed to become Guardians of the Galaxy too.

Sure, there are always new things - because new things bring people back to the Parks. The real question is - can you spend more time enjoying more rides & attractions than before? Right now, the answer is, "No." Because for nearly every 'new' thing, something has been taken away. And many things are likely never to return and/or might return in some lesser-version....or folks can now pay extra for the same thing they previous received for 'free'.

Finally, new things in the Parks also means that Disney can increase the number of people in the Parks. And new hotels imply the intent to further increase the number of people in the Parks. That's the business model.

So ask yourself, will Main Street feel more or less crowded after Tron opens? Are these resulting crowds 'better' for customer enjoyment?

The business model includes customers feeling as if they are receiving relative value for the money they are spending - no matter where they chose to vacation. Right now, plenty of folks are reviewing the value they are receiving for having to spend more to get the same number of rides & attractions they previously enjoyed, while simultaneously missing countless forms of entertainment that have been cancelled.

Regardless, no matter how you & your family evaluate your equation, the outlined future of Disney indicates that everyone will have to pay more for each and every new ride & attraction. And in some instances, pay more for rides that were previously included with the price of admission.

Disney is giving nothing for which we have not paid for the privilege, and Disney is telling us all that we will have to pay more to enjoy more as soon as they launch Genie+.

 

[jthornton94]

I for one am glad to see a positive post. I only visit the Disboard when planning a trip. Regardless of when they is, there is always a group bemoaning the latest changes and declaring they will never return. That’s a person‘s choice. But lately it seems that has spread to criticizing anyone who disagrees. I love Disney because it offers something different to different people. If Disney no longer offers something you enjoy, then don’t go. I just don’t see the need to tell others they should dislike Disney.

We were last there in Jan. of 2020. We will be there in 3 weeks. This time, my son will get to go with his girlfriend and our trip will be different as my daughter can’t go. While I know it won’t be the “same” I look forward to new things, just like I do every time we go. When I decide it’s not where I want to spend money, I won’t. what I won’t do is come here and tell others how they should feel about Disney.

 

[TiggerBouncy]

"Given us," seems like an odd phrase to use when we all pay for services.

Thank you for your long post that I mostly didn't read. Not everything has to be negative. Not everyone on here has to have a negative attitude. You do not have to view everything that Disney does with a negative lens. Many on here are choosing to focus on the negative, looking at things as being taken away, removed, etc. Many on here are making people feel that the only thing waiting for them is disappointment.

Many on here are wrong.

There is positive in this world, and there are positive things that Disney is doing, if you only open your eyes, have courage and be kind.

 

[hhisc16]

I for one am glad to see a positive post. I only visit the Disboard when planning a trip. Regardless of when they is, there is always a group bemoaning the latest changes and declaring they will never return. That’s a person‘s choice. But lately it seems that has spread to criticizing anyone who disagrees. I love Disney because it offers something different to different people. If Disney no longer offers something you enjoy, then don’t go. I just don’t see the need to tell others they should dislike Disney.

We were last there in Jan. of 2020. We will be there in 3 weeks. This time, my son will get to go with his girlfriend and our trip will be different as my daughter can’t go. While I know it won’t be the “same” I look forward to new things, just like I do every time we go. When I decide it’s not where I want to spend money, I won’t. what I won’t do is come here and tell others how they should feel about Disney.

Our last trip to WDW was Jan 2019.
I am curious to see the "new" changes on our Christmas 2021 trip.
Last time we stayed off property, this time we are DVC!

 

[TiggerBouncy]

Last time we stayed off property, this time we are DVC!

Welcome home!

 

[JZCubed]

Many on here are making people feel that the only thing waiting for them is disappointment.

Many on here are wrong.

There is positive in this world, and there are positive things that Disney is doing, if you only open your eyes, have courage and be kind.

Since you seem to like snide comments, I'll type less and slower so you can follow along.

For more than a decade I have posted mostly positive things here about Disney.

What I post is to assist people.

What I am posting now is also to assist people.

In a nutshell, for the first time in a decade, I wouldn't recommend anyone go to Disney or plan to go to Disney in the near future - until customers can receive what Disney's website promises.

You can stop reading now.

Or.

Folks who visited the Parks this summer were robbed.

It should not take an anniversary to freshen paint and repair sidewalks and update carpeting or a Monorail station.....and then have folks refer to this as something 'new' that we should be thankful was 'given to us'. The list of 'new' rides, attractions, and entertainment is as long as the closures.

Right now, you can look at Disney's website and learn about Genie+ & IA$. Both are advertised on the website, but without the cost of IA$. You are expected to make your Park selections & make dining plans 60-days in advance, but Disney can't offer the same courtesy of telling you the cost of the 'NEW' enhanced time saving system that will revolutionize your Park planning experience beyond your wildest expectations which will take the vacation planning out of your hands....or so they say.

Seemingly, for folks like you, if we all just smile a bit more and wish each other a, "Have a Magical Day," then maybe we can feel a bit better about fewer people noticing that Disney is profiting from observations made by PT Barnum before Uncle Walt was even born.

A metaphor for this entire episode came in the form of the tone of the response by Disney to the lawsuit filed by Scarlet Johansen - Disney can breach their promises because Covid.

Finally, if customers never complained, businesses would have little incentive to improve.

Have a magical day.

 

[luv2cheer92]

My goodness...

 

[TiggerBouncy]

Folks who visited the Parks this summer were robbed.

Having been going to Disney for over 40 years, I didn't feel robbed at all during my last visits. That's one person's negative opinion.

It should not take an anniversary to freshen paint and repair sidewalks and update carpeting or a Monorail station.....and then have folks refer to this as something 'new' that we should be thankful was 'given to us'.

None of the things I listed above fall under the "paint the sidewalk" variety except perhaps the hotel refreshes.

The list of 'new' rides, attractions, and entertainment is as long as the closures.

The list of things "closed" is no where NEAR the list of things opened. In any case, you have to close something to make room for something new. That's called "progress" and it's something that Walt believed in very much. Sorry, but it's not free to make something new. You seem to all under the "entitlement" breed that believes that every company is a charity and should be giving you stuff because you breath.

Right now, you can look at Disney's website and learn about Genie+ & IA$. Both are advertised on the website, but without the cost of IA$.

It's difficult to say the cost of the lightening lanes because they dynamically adjust based on the number of people in the park and the number of lightening passes sold. I would not expect Disney to release to the public their algorithm for determining that cost. Is that what you are looking for? Keep holding your breath.

A metaphor for this entire episode came in the form of the tone of the response by Disney to the lawsuit filed by Scarlet Johansen - Disney can breach their promises because Covid.

I have to admit, I am on Disney's side on that one and have soured to S. J. since. DW has vowed to never pay to see a single movie of hers ever again. You want to complain about profiteering; you think she should be paid ONE HUNDRED MILLION DOLLARS for a year? 20 Million should have been plenty. I was an example of someone who was grateful that Disney released it on Disney+ because I was waiting for it for a long time and was unable to see it in a theatre. SJ can go suck on a lemon - it's not like she was going to give that 80 million to charity or something. Disney gave up a LARGE amount of profits to bring that to us at home at a time when we needed it. A lot of other actors got it right. Bless those who made entertainment for us from their own living rooms and did what they could to keep us occupied. People like Josh Gad were amazing. SJ doesn't deserve a dime. You want to talk about giving you something - they gave up hundreds of millions of dollars to bring that movie to us and I thank them for it.

 

[luv2cheer92]

Having been going to Disney for over 40 years, I didn't feel robbed at all during my last visits. That's one person's negative opinion.



None of the things I listed above fall under the "paint the sidewalk" variety except perhaps the hotel refreshes.



The list of things "closed" is no where NEAR the list of things opened. In any case, you have to close something to make room for something new. That's called "progress" and it's something that Walt believed in very much. Sorry, but it's not free to make something new. You seem to all under the "entitlement" breed that believes that every company is a charity and should be giving you stuff because you breath.



It's difficult to say the cost of the lightening lanes because they dynamically adjust based on the number of people in the park and the number of lightening passes sold. I would not expect Disney to release to the public their algorithm for determining that cost. Is that what you are looking for? Keep holding your breath.



I have to admit, I am on Disney's side on that one and have soured to S. J. since. DW has vowed to never pay to see a single movie of hers ever again. You want to complain about profiteering; you think she should be paid ONE HUNDRED MILLION DOLLARS for a year? 20 Million should have been plenty. I was an example of someone who was grateful that Disney released it on Disney+ because I was waiting for it for a long time and was unable to see it in a theatre. SJ can go suck on a lemon - it's not like she was going to give that 80 million to charity or something. Disney gave up a LARGE amount of profits to bring that to us at home at a time when we needed it. A lot of other actors got it right. Bless those who made entertainment for us from their own living rooms and did what they could to keep us occupied. People like Josh Gad were amazing. SJ doesn't deserve a dime. You want to talk about giving you something - they gave up hundreds of millions of dollars to bring that movie to us and I thank them for it.

You should know by now that posting anything positive is no longer allowed on these boards.

 

[bama_ed]

I don't mind paying for inflation. Or better CM wages.

I don't mind paying for things that are "net adds".

But to be fair, many things on the list in post #1 are replacements or refreshes of existing offerings. That's a zero sum game and not a net add.

My ask would be that you update the list as such (new, replacement, refresh).

As it stands, this thread only shows one side of a coin.

Thanks for listening! Bama Ed

 

[TiggerBouncy]

I don't mind paying for inflation. Or better CM wages.

I don't mind paying for things that are "net adds".

But to be fair, many things on the list in post #1 are replacements or refreshes of existing offerings. That's a zero sum game and not a net add.

My ask would be that you update the list as such (new, replacement, refresh).

As it stands, this thread only shows one side of a coin.

Thanks for listening! Bama Ed

first, I disagree with the premise. Galaxy’s Edge replaced streets of America. I hardly consider that a net zero gain. We lost some forced perspective buildings for RotR. They could have just painted the buildings… that’s what your advocating they did.

second..
what ride did Tron replace?
Ratatoille?
Space 220?
pill grant you play is replacing wonders of life, but that’s been closed for over a decade.
And Halcyon Is just cool.

 

[emonade8]

Cirque du Soleil Drawn to Life opens in November, I believe.