Disney lost its MAGIC???

DisBeamer · Post by **DisBeamer** » Jun Fri 29, 2007 7:51 pm

I'm not sure I'd say Disney has lost its magic for me as much as the 'real world' encroaches more and more these days. I remember vividly the first time I walked up to the Magic Kingdom from the resort bus area - the same way I'd approached the park dozens and dozens dozens of times - and a cast member was there to divert traffic down to the one entrance under the monorail. It was to make it more efficient/easier to make sure everyone went through the bag check. A little bit of magic died for me that day, I think, but it's not Disney's fault.

Then they went ahead and installed the permanent bag check kiosks which they've attempted to at least blend in a little, but they still don't 'fit'. To say nothing of extremely rude people (guests, not CMs) seemingly multiplying year by year - again, not Disney's fault. That real world elbowing its way in is a much bigger magic 'buzzkill' than any lackluster recent rides or perplexing management decisions. I suppose maintenance issues might help contribute to the overall real world feeling, but I think the "need" for security checks is more of problem (need in quotes because I don't think the bag check does diddly squat, but that's another thread).

All of that said, once I'm immersed in the parks, WDW is still the most magical place on Earth to me. To me, it speaks a lot to their continued success in the 'magic' department that the immersive feel still outweighs the real world ickies.

Jacca5660 · Post by **Jacca5660** » Jun Sat 30, 2007 7:23 am

BrandanW wrote: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.

How are you judging this?

Nonnie · Post by **Nonnie** » Jul Mon 02, 2007 11:27 am

Why would I pay thousands of dollars to go someplace without the magic?

SWHorn · Post by **SWHorn** » Jul Mon 02, 2007 12:28 pm

DisBeamer wrote:Then they went ahead and installed the permanent bag check kiosks which they've attempted to at least blend in a little, but they still don't 'fit'. To say nothing of extremely rude people (guests, not CMs) seemingly multiplying year by year - again, not Disney's fault. That real world elbowing its way in is a much bigger magic 'buzzkill' than any lackluster recent rides or perplexing management decisions. I suppose maintenance issues might help contribute to the overall real world feeling, but I think the "need" for security checks is more of problem (need in quotes because I don't think the bag check does diddly squat, but that's another thread).

All of that said, once I'm immersed in the parks, WDW is still the most magical place on Earth to me. To me, it speaks a lot to their continued success in the 'magic' department that the immersive feel still outweighs the real world ickies.

I agree. There are things that I can allow myself to become upset about (mostly, rude and inconsiderate guests at the parks). But, when it's all said and done, there is no place on earth I'd rather be than at WDW. It hasn't lost its magic for me. I can go a billion more times and it will still leave me wishing to be there again.

netslave · Post by **netslave** » Jul Mon 02, 2007 12:32 pm

I can go a billion more times and it will still leave me wishing to be there again.

A Billion??? *looks at wallet* hmm, this will be difficult.

SWHorn · Post by **SWHorn** » Jul Mon 02, 2007 12:39 pm

netslave wrote:
I can go a billion more times and it will still leave me wishing to be there again.
A Billion??? *looks at wallet* hmm, this will be difficult.

Nah. That's what you have a job for.

MouseMan · Post by **MouseMan** » Jul Mon 02, 2007 4:53 pm

It's still Where Magic Lives!

BrandanW · Post by **BrandanW** » Jul Wed 04, 2007 12:41 am

I think the general statements of "unmagical guest" is the problem.

Jacca5660 · Post by **Jacca5660** » Jul Wed 04, 2007 10:36 am

SWHorn wrote:
netslave wrote:
I can go a billion more times and it will still leave me wishing to be there again.
A Billion??? *looks at wallet* hmm, this will be difficult.

Nah. That's what you have a job for.

Can you say Mortgage Number 3!!

meticulus9 · Post by **meticulus9** » Jul Wed 04, 2007 1:31 pm

Esmeralda wrote: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.

i agree. disney hasnt lost its magic. and a vacation or trip to WDW is what the person makes of it. If you go it aiming to be disappointed then you will be.

pygmypuff62442 · Post by **pygmypuff62442** » Jul Wed 04, 2007 4:47 pm

No way! It's still the most magical place on earth (and beyond!)

AJBARTH · Post by **AJBARTH** » Jul Wed 04, 2007 5:15 pm

I yearn to go all the time, but this is not realistic or workable, due to the rising cost of a stay at the "world". There seems to be constant change in prices and change in the overall themes of the parks, not usually to my liking. Sure things are going to change, but why change things that work, and then not be big enuff to say this is not working so let's go back to what was good and working. Money is always going to be an issue and this is only going to shorten the experience/stay. They always seem to be closing the wrong attractions at the wrong time, like summer. I can go on for a long time with what I think is bad, but there is too mutch good to tip the balance to want to keep going back, It's the greatest place on earth to visit and enjoy no matter the bitch.

penncross · Post by **penncross** » Jul Tue 10, 2007 8:18 pm

This is easy for me to answer....We have been going to Disney for many years. The first time was so amazing I could not believe what I was seeing. We grew our kids up vacationing at Disney, now they are 28 and 24, and we still get excited about going. True it is not the "first impression" any more but memories are plentyfull. I read your comments, but remember it gets to be like your own backyard if you go so many times. If you want to see magic again, take someone who has never been there before. Grandkids or neighbor kids or even adults. It's amazing the feeling you get being there with them.. We took a "stuffy" older couple there last year and I was sure they would hate it. We had so much fun and they want to go back in the worst way. They are 69 years old. They rode everthing and had a blast. So keep the magic in your pocket smile and give it out to someone who needs it. Step back and remember your first visits of the parks and the hotels. It lasts a lifetime. But share it....................................

FlatlandMounty · Post by **FlatlandMounty** » Jul Wed 11, 2007 2:24 am

It really has become more about money than anything else. Walt originally said something to the effect of It's not about the money, its about making a place where families can go and have fun together.

The most apparent example is custodial and maintenance. The parks have never looked dirtier or broken down. In "Honey I shrunk the Audience" Nick says, "Hurry up before one of those Disney sweeping people comes through." 10 years ago it was a big laugh, but now there's crickets. Have people heard it too much? I think the real reason is you never see custodians anymore. Trash cans overflow, queues gather garbage, and spills go unnoticed for sometimes hours. Are the cast lazy? I don't think so. Are they stretched thin? More likely.

Attractions go unpainted, lightbulbs unchanged, special effects turned off or broken. Maintenance now only focuses on Safety, but nothing else.

Guests have become more demanding, ignorant, and impatient. I have actually heard people ask, "Why are the lines so long?" on New Year's Eve. Some people have actually asked "Why do you let so many people in here?" How would they like it if they cut off attendance 3 seconds before they entered. They let in as many people as they believe is safe to maintain.
People abuse the Guest Assistance program to skip lines, making waits longer for others and sometimes impacting guests who actually need the assistance. Selling their passes on eBay to make a buck and cheat the system.

Imagineering has learned that it can slap popular characters onto crap, and the public will learn to like it, rather than going the extra mile and really trying to blow people's minds.

Has Disney "lost" its magic? No. But its slowly dying. The only things keeping it alive are the cast members that hold on tightly to their memories and the families that appreciate what Disney is trying to provide and respecting the parks.

When you visit the parks or when you are at work, respect it like you would a neighbor's home, let the negative experiences slide and the positive one's fill you with Dreams, remember the look on everyone's face the first time they see Tinkerbell fly during Wishes. Help save the magic.

Post by **rdeacon** » Jul Wed 11, 2007 10:45 am

For me it has not lost its magic.

Its one of the few places I can go and act like a kid without too many stares, and forget about all my worldly troubles and concerns. As long as I can do that the magic still exists.

Now that doesn't mean that there are things I would not like to improve upon, or would change.

But as a whole the parks remain an escape from reality.

But it does depend on your perspective when you visit the park. So many people have such different expectations. There are also so many factors that effect how people view the parks, and how magical the experience is. Expectations, Kids, crowds, finances, first time visit, all can alter the Disney Magic

For example:

Going in the middle of summer with crazy crowds may skew your perspective, as compared to going during cooler off season times.

Just think that the level of magic will be different for each individual, and can vary with each trip.

I feel I get the most magic when I don't rush, and don't have an "agenda", and just walk around and enjoy the parks. Rushing to cram in rides and fighting with crowds tends to lessen the magic.

Of course I tend to go to WDW at least once a year, so I can have the attitude that if I don't do it now I will just do it later.

Rich

Subsonic Radio

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