Disney lost its MAGIC???

[BrandanW]

Does any one else feel that over the years Disney has been loosing more and more of what has made it so special?

For instance, during the holidays they don't decorate as much as they use to. I mean it is still very "Christmasy" just not as much.

Regardless everything they do is still top quality.

[casrin]

Last time we were there, there were "issues" with guest service and the attitudes of CMs that we'd never had on previous trips. It was like all the magic they were supposed to be infused with got corrupted or something.

[AKLRULZ]

For me, no. I see more "unmagical" guests at Disney but that is a trend all across our nation.

[Guy]

Mmm... that's a hard one. I have only been to WDW once (last month) but have been to Euro Disney (2 years ago) and Disneyland over 15 years ago. If I compare my last experience at Disneyland with my latest WDW I would have to say that I don't think it has lost it's magic. That said, there is nothing to compare Disney with in Europe (whatever people say about our parks), you guys are just so much better at these things! WDW has the money, the space and the climate to make it magical. Yes, of course, we had the usual semi-bored member of staff introducing rides on occasion, and I do feel that that is something they should try and sort out!

[Esmeralda]

I personally don't think Disney has lost it's magic. For me going to the parks is always a magical experience, even if I don't love all the changes being made.

As for the holiday decorations, Disneyland is decorating more than ever for Halloween and Christmas, at least from what I've heard. Someday I want to see Disneyland with holiday decor!

Edit: Sorry, forgot which thread this was in, so the Disneyland comments are a bit off topic.

[mommyfor2]

I don't think that Disney has lost it's magic on the whole. When my family & I went to Disneyland last Sept, my daughter had a magical experience, she was invited to ride Dumbo with Sleeping Beauty, which made her entire week. However, while Disney still has it's magic, there are some castmembers who seem to display "No Magic" at all. But, on the whole, our family still enjoys going to Disneyland and having a magical time.

[foldmama]

I do not believe that disney has lost it's magic. I have noticed a larger percentage of non-magical guests but I try and not let that bother me. I do agree that some CM's attitudes are not great, but most still hold the magic! I will say that on my last trip while on Splash Mountain I noticed empty water bottles and park maps along the ride route. I told a CM when the ride was over and he asked me if I remembered where they were. He immediately contacted someone so it could be cleaned. There were a ton of high school kids that week! I also get such a wonderful feeling when I enter any Disney Park but especially MK and EPCOT!

[netslave]

Disney's still got all of it's magic for me!! If I keep finding reasons to plan trips to Disney World, then it's got magic.

[disneylandmom]

I say for us it still has lots of magic. It took me 17 years of trying to convince my husband to go to Disneyland. Finally two years ago he said ok. We have been twice in the last two years and we are going to go two times this summer!!

[Lion Sleeps Tonight]

For me, yes Disney has lost some of its magic, but there's still more than plenty left for me to enjoy and appreciate it.

[HSolo29]

As much as I hate to admit, I had to vote yes, it has lost some of the magic for me. Now, it's not a whole lot - I'm still anxious to go there and wouldn't want to go any other place, but we've had some past experiences that were none too magical.

[Cheshire Cat]

It's lost some of its magic for me. I can't pinpoint what did it, but whenever I go, I just feel like something magical is missing. Maybe originality?

[Croaker]

First impressions are the best impressions. if you can remember back to your first visit to DisneyWorld usually you were young and or it was short lived...you weren't sure where to go, you didn't know what you would like. as you visit more and more you skip the dull, indulge in the fun and eventually like everything else, it too becomes dull. we live for a new "spark". think about some people loving the new attractions while others long for the old, no matter how pathetic the ride was. example. 20,000 leagues under the sea was a pathetic ride yet i hear people missing and longing for the ride still...i'm like are you crazy...even pooh's playground is an improvement. now watch the reaction to just my sentence and we'll see some people don't like change...they like to go to a place that once filled them with wonder and joy and return to relive the past. others want new and many changes....the magic isn't gone from the parks...just from some peoples eyes.....as Dennis Miller says...."of course thats just my opinion....i could be wrong"

[Blackie Pueblo]

I think it's a matter of perspective. For me, even though I live very close to Disney World I don't go very much anymore. So every time I go it's still amazing and wondrous to me. Yes there are problems here and there (maintainence, cleaning problems, Pooh Playground, Stitch,etc) but I don't think about it. If you go looking for problems then you will surely find them. I still forget about all my problems when I walk through that gate. I still feel like DW is the ultimate escape.

But if you go many times, especially if you have a pass, you will begin to believe the park is made for you and you have higher expectations. I'm not saying you should ignore the problems. But maybe we are looking too hard for problems.

"You reach a point when you don't work for money."
--Walter Elias Disney

[ldzny]

No way! Disney does Christmas right! I don't feel I have had a proper Christmas without walking down Main Street in Disneyland!