Whats Wrong with Disney?

[MKMomma]

I know, I feel like people have probably lumped me in with the Universal haters, but that's not true, I actually really like it. I'm just a kinda tired of all the Disney bashing that goes on. Universal makes mistakes too, and has less than stellar aspects. I think people have overblown Disney's problems and glossed over Uni's. Both resorts have some awesome stuff to see and do. The competition is good too and it's a good time to be a theme park enthusiast!

That seems to go both ways in this thread though.

I think some people have overblown Universal's problems and glossed over or ignored Disney's.

 

[Mad Hattered]

I didnt start directly interacting with you, now did I. You are the one that quoted me and told me to "get over it" Now, that isnt exactly on topic, is it?

Please follow your own advice.

Oh, but you DID! But I digress...

I find it rather humorous what was left out of the Yahoo article on Universal earlier in this thread:
Quote:
Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts, the roller coaster that’s the marquee attraction of Diagon Alley, malfunctioned shortly after reporters climbed aboard. One person attending Wednesday’s media reception said the Gringotts car he and other passengers were riding in suddenly stopped about 22 feet above the ground. They stayed in that position for roughly 45 minutes, until Universal employees rescued passengers one by one with a ladder. (Even so, this person said the ride, other than the glitches, was “lots of fun.”)
Can you imagine the glee of some of these constant Disney critics if a premiere attraction was unveiled at a media event at WDW and the attraction got stuck for 45 minutes and people had to be evacuated one by one with a ladder? They would be mercilessly mocking Disney.

But hey...whats a little double standard when you are trying to hold to a narrative?

Now, on with the show....

 

[sethschroeder]

What do you feel that Disney has done that benefits ONLY them?

FP+.... Oh wait actually I love the fact that I can lock in 3 rides before I even leave home...

 

[ArwenMarie]

The mere fact that more and more people are splitting off a chunk of their vacation dollars and heading for Universal for part of their trip is definitely a loss Disney will feel. Disney's push to capture 100% of your vacation dollar (with DME, on-site perks and dining plan) was pure genius, exactly what I expected from the masters of marketing at Disney. It was pure genius because it benefitted Disney AND the guest. So much of what I've seen lately benefits ONLY Disney. And nobody can tell me that won't come back to bite them in the rear.

Yep. Magical Express was brilliant and is a great benefit, as well as the other perks (when they were perks lol). FPP...well, I guess the jury is still out on that one. For us, the biggest problem is the resort prices relative to what you get at the Disney Resorts. Can't do it anymore. On top of that, Universal having a very appealing vacation product is going to chip away at the Disney days of many people, no doubt. But I'll still be at the Disney Parks for some of it!

 

[PlutoMars]

Oh, but you DID! But I digress...

I find it rather humorous what was left out of the Yahoo article on Universal earlier in this thread:
Quote:
Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts, the roller coaster that’s the marquee attraction of Diagon Alley, malfunctioned shortly after reporters climbed aboard. One person attending Wednesday’s media reception said the Gringotts car he and other passengers were riding in suddenly stopped about 22 feet above the ground. They stayed in that position for roughly 45 minutes, until Universal employees rescued passengers one by one with a ladder. (Even so, this person said the ride, other than the glitches, was “lots of fun.”)
Can you imagine the glee of some of these constant Disney critics if a premiere attraction was unveiled at a media event at WDW and the attraction got stuck for 45 minutes and people had to be evacuated one by one with a ladder? They would be mercilessly mocking Disney.

But hey...whats a little double standard when you are trying to hold to a narrative?

Now, on with the show....

Did you see me reference you DIRECTLY, quote you, or dismissively tell you to "get over it" ? I was commenting on the article AND pointing out the double standard that people seem to have.

 

[PlutoMars]

FP+.... Oh wait actually I love the fact that I can lock in 3 rides before I even leave home...

And yet, there are people that say how much they love the FP+ system. Therefore, even though some people hate it, what Disney did with the FP+ system was not done ONLY for their benefit.

 

[sethschroeder]

That seems to go both ways in this thread though.

I think some people have overblown Universal's problems and glossed over or ignored Disney's.

Its a defensive posture by some as the Disney attacks come in 50% of the threads on this forum it would seem. The pro-universal rhetoric that falls into quite a few "whats wrong with Disney" threads makes people on edge.

Also specifically what is Universal "problems" that are being stressed to much? I have read pretty much the whole thread been in since basically day 1 and I don't remember any Universal problems really being discussed at all....

The most Universal is "attacked" is around the fact that they are NOT Disney and DONT have the history of Disney and DONT have the nostalgia of Disney.........

 

[MKMomma]

Its a defensive posture by some as the Disney attacks come in 50% of the threads on this forum it would seem. The pro-universal rhetoric that falls into quite a few "whats wrong with Disney" threads makes people on edge.

Also specifically what is Universal "problems" that are being stressed to much? I have read pretty much the whole thread been in since basically day 1 and I don't remember any Universal problems really being discussed at all....

The most Universal is "attacked" is around the fact that they are NOT Disney and DONT have the history of Disney and DONT have the nostalgia of Disney.........

Their main problem is they aren't disney.

I don't understand why people think it has to be either/or, as someone else pointed out earlier.

Why can't you enjoy certain aspects of both places?

 

[mom2rtk]

I didnt start directly interacting with you, now did I. You are the one that quoted me and told me to "get over it" Now, that isnt exactly on topic, is it?

Please follow your own advice.

And besides, if this thread gets shut down, you will just revise your same
"Universal is better" narrative on a myriad of other threads.

Or maybe he'll start posting under a different screen name. I hear people do that sometimes.

 

[mom2rtk]

What do you feel that Disney has done that benefits ONLY them?

How about cutting EMH from 3 hours to 2?

How about cutting back on the number of EMH offerings?

 

[sethschroeder]

Their main problem is they aren't disney.

I don't understand why people think it has to be either/or, as someone else pointed out earlier.

Why can't you enjoy certain aspects of both places?

I guess I don't see the issue?

This is a Disney forum area
This is a "Whats wrong with Disney thread"
This is NOT about Universal but it gets brought up by other people who are PRO-Universal
Thus Universal is NOT Disney is the rebuttal

I guess I don't see any issue with this argument when your at: DIS->Disney Trip Planning Forums -> Theme Parks -> Thread

If you like Universal thats great but just like Universal is not Disney/ Disney is not Universal so the two shouldn't be compared. Avatar vs Harry Potter for instance is the huge one when in reality I doubt anyone is considering Avatar to take on Harry Potter by itself....

 

[PlutoMars]

How about cutting EMH from 3 hours to 2?

How about cutting back on the number of EMH offerings?

Both valid points. I was just curious as your opinion on what Disney has done to benefit ONLY themselves.

Thank you

 

[Disneyglobegirl]

I know, I feel like people have probably lumped me in with the Universal haters, but that's not true, I actually really like it. I'm just a kinda tired of all the Disney bashing that goes on. Universal makes mistakes too, and has less than stellar aspects. I think people have overblown Disney's problems and glossed over Uni's. Both resorts have some awesome stuff to see and do. The competition is good too and it's a good time to be a theme park enthusiast!

It is a great time to be a theme park enthusiast! I think it can only get better and better for us all at all parks if they keep challenging each other.
For us this last trip was a split one and I did have to give Universal the slight edge... I do still love Disney but I could see it and feel it in the attitudes of Cast Members this past time that things just aren't as magical...maybe some of them were stressed with the new changes with online check in , magic bands and FP+ stuff? Or maybe it is the guests themselves that are causing lots of stress and it's rubbing off in the CM attitudes. That said we did have one CM who was awesome and we made sure to leave positive feedback for him with guest services before we left

One thing I did notice is the attitude of the current guests have definately changed....I've never seen so many angry, snippy, unfriendly people in my life. It just really takes the fun out of a trip to hear so many people moaning and groaning ....come on smile you are at Disney!!

Just one example of many.... One day we were lined up for Peter Pan early...DD wanted to be first and the line formed after us , about 5 min before Peter was due to show up a family walks up and says we're all in the wrong spot and the line is over by the ride...umm no, they went and stood over there then they got angry when Peter showed up and they didn't get to met him first and loudly blasted the handler...really

That same day I had a conversation on one of the busses with another family who has been coming to Disney for a long time too and they felt it too that guests attitudes have definitely changed and people were just not as friendly and happy as prior trips....it was pretty sad ...they said that we were the first ones during their trip that would actually strike up a conversation with them on the bus everyone else would just glare and turn away if they tried to start a conversation. I will definitely go back because we love Disney but I think next time I will choose another time of year to go besides summer...heat, rain and grumpy crowds not so much fun. Sorry didn't mean to go so off topic on grumpy guests but it does effect the whole experience for folks who may or may not decide to go back one day. Not really sure what can be done to make that any better

So anyway let's hope that it will be a win win for all of us that the parks are giving each other some competition!! Love Universal and Love Disney...I truly hope that Disney will step it up a bit on their next projects and wow us all

 

[flicx]

I don't need to compare universal to tell you what I think is currently wrong with Disney. However I am amused at the comparisons. Here is my list ,1. huge price increases, sometimes tickets get raised twice a year. 2. Spending 1.5 billion on a new fast pass plus system/my magic system when you have parks in dire need of new attractions. 3. Glitchy new system. 4. Change and cut back in EMH. 5. Reduced monorail hours with little or no warning. 6. Disney hotels / especially deluxes wow are they expensive now! 7.Cutbacks in parades and little things that once made Disney really unique. That's my list and please remember my opinion, if yours differs fine I mean no offense to anyone!

 

[sethschroeder]

How about cutting EMH from 3 hours to 2?

How about cutting back on the number of EMH offerings?

Okay looking at September when I am going:
New Drawback is ticketed events (good or bad for some people)

September 2010:
Magic Kingdom Sundays closed at 10 EMH till 1am
Animal Kingdom mornings 1 hr
Hollywood Studios Mondays closed at 7 EMH till 10PM
Epcot Fridays closed at 9 EMH til 12AM

September 2014:
Magic Kingdom Saturdays closed at 11 EMH till 1am
Animal Kingdom mornings 1 hr
Hollywood Studios mix of Sunday/Monday close at 9/9:30 EMH til 11/11:30
Epcot Firdays closed at 9 EMH til 11PM

So in all you lose 1 hour at EPCOT basically the whole time.... Sure its not EHM but its still park hours you can go....? Oh forgot to say you actually move that 1 hour of time form Epcot to HS for parks being open.

 

[Planogirl]

I don't need to compare universal to tell you what I think is currently wrong with Disney. However I am amused at the comparisons. Here is my list ,1. huge price increases, sometimes tickets get raised twice a year. 2. Spending 1.5 billion on a new fast pass plus system/my magic system when you have parks in dire need of new attractions. 3. Glitchy new system. 4. Change and cut back in EMH. 5. Reduced monorail hours with little or no warning. 6. Disney hotels / especially deluxes wow are they expensive now! 7.Cutbacks in parades and little things that once made Disney really unique. That's my list and please remember my opinion, if yours differs fine I mean no offense to anyone!

But how is it compared to Universal?

You don't mention Universal in your list but usually someone will come along now and say "but Universal doesn't <fill in blank>". I see this over and over here so it's really both sides that keep on bringing up Universal. As you've pointed out Disney is fully capable of having problems (or not) without Universal being a factor.

Universal isn't perfect itself. Far from it. They need to work on their restaurants and offerings for small kids and general entertainment and so on. However they have made incredible strides and we love the place. We also love Disney in spite of what we perceive as a downward slide over the years and will defend them too when they deserve it. To me it appears that Disney has slid down from its former high standard while Universal has improved to new heights at the same time. Which is better now? There is no right answer to that question.

 

[Suvadoo]

And yet, there are people that say how much they love the FP+ system. Therefore, even though some people hate it, what Disney did with the FP+ system was not done ONLY for their benefit.

I don't agree with you regarding MDE. I think it was solely for Disney's benefit. Again this is my opinion. I spent every day of my normal life attached to some type of electronic device and now to use fastpasses, I must be hooked up in the parks. This, to me, is too much like work. I don't want to be controlled by a bunch of attraction reservations and set times, but If I don't want to be in a long standby line, I have to use the new system.
I know disney is working to improve this, but I don't think the old system was horribly flawed.
The magic bands are a merchandising tool. Yes, you can use them to enter the parks, your resort rooms, and for charges. But the plan is for disney to use that information for direct marketing while you're in the park. Eventually, disney will send messages while you're in the park to direct you to different areas where you can purchase special items "for a limited time." I also don't think the interactive queues are all that successful. A limited number of people can play the games, but the players do not move along with the line. Instead they stay in the same place until the game ends. This results in holding up the line. I think magic bands are Disney's attempt at herding cats. No, I do not see any benefit.
All of the "improvements" have been made to the Magic Kingdom. I don't quite understand the logic of neglecting the parks where the attendance is flat or declining and adding more attraction to increase crowds in the Magic Kingdom.
FP+ selections in Epcot and DHS are a joke! Does anyone need a fastpass for Captian EO, Figment, Lights Motor, Action or the Great Movie ride? Maybe Disney should invested in better attractions for these parks before they rolled out the fastpass plus.
I also wonder how the first time guests are reacting to this system. Are they going to embrace this technology or run away screaming?

 

[Disneyglobegirl]

How about cutting EMH from 3 hours to 2?

How about cutting back on the number of EMH offerings?

Yep ...we didn't have many EMH offerings during our past trip.

Also to add to that if you look at the boards it seems Disney has cut and changed hours through the rest of the year and many seem to be upset about it. I don't blame them.

Disney wants us to preplan and lock ourselves in as early as possible...we have to plan our trips 6 months in advance then after that is all done they up and change the hours.....how is that beneficial to the guests?

 

[DisUniversal]

I love this thread! ~~

That being said disney is always changing and evolving. It's why they stay number one. Universal is just trying to do their best and keep up.. My brother is an engineer at universal and I have Disney blood running in my veins.. Universal's ride transformers did win best ride over Disney's cars ride... Transformers 3d experience is matched by none, honestly it's a great ride. I do however like cars better..

Universal does have huge plans in California with building Harry Potter, I can't wait to go..

--I would much rather spend a day at disney then a few hours at universal--

Universal will never have the magic that disney does.

Never day never. Much of this magic comes from parents force feeding their children a diet of 50-75 year old movies and telling them about how "someday they'll go to Disney World". Those parents could make Universal just as magical as Disney for their children if they chose to and that day could very well be coming.

Heck, many years ago, Sears was at the top of the department store mountain. They became complacent, didn't heed the competition and look where they are now.

 

[DisUniversal]

They are going to have to revamp their front of the line for hotel guests strategy with more hotels. If everyone ends up with that status, those lines will be just as long as the regular lines.

They already have...sort of. The newest resort doesn't include FOTL privileges.