Discuss - 4 parks, 1 stale world? About This Page:

[albino_pygmy]

I'm going to assume that everyone here has been to WDW at least once, or is planning to. I'm also going to assume the reason why you'd rather visit WDW over another Disney park is because of the "world" of 4 parks, 2 water parks, and tons of shops, restaurants. How many of you have been to another Disney park around the globe? How would you compare those parks to WDW? Would you say they are better in the fact that they have more quality attractions and care put into making them, or would you say WDW is better because they have more to offer? Quality vs. Quantity, is basically what it boils down to. There was a time when WDW had both, quality and quantity, and now it seems all they have is just quantity and letting their quality slip drastically. Why is this? It's because Disney knows that out of all their parks, WDW is the most visited, and will probably continue to stay that way until the guests realize what Disney's up to. Because of this, Disney doesn't feel the need to add anything new to WDW to really 'wow' us, like they do at the other Disney parks. Come to think of it, Disney hasn't really come up with any good quality attractions that meet up to the high standards of quality Disney is known for. Some may argue Everest or Toy Story Mania becoming instant classics. Why? Is it because it is something big Disney did for the parks other than cheap shows and parades? Quite possibly. I feel that these recent attractions lack the quality we're all used to seeing in a Disney park, and would like to know why Disney is doing this. Why aren't they trying to come out with something truely amazing that makes you say "wow" rather than just a videogame on a track or an overhyped Big Thunder in a snowy mountain. So what do you think about all of this, do you think Disney thinks that we don't notice them cutting back on quality at WDW, or is it just me?

[chezp]

Having so far been to Disneyland in California, Disneyland Resort Paris and Hong Kong Disneyland and with a trip in the works to Tokyo Disney in March, I can comment quite authoratively on this one!

To me, Walt Disney World remains my firm favourite. Why's that? The simple answer is because it's got my all-time favourite park and nothing I've seen anywhere else in the globe has come close to rivalling it and that's Epcot. I just adore that place. But, having said that, it's very difficult for any of the other parks to remotely rival Walt Disney World, because there is just so much to be found in Florida.

Although you'll find some rides from the other parks at each of the parks and they all have their own unique feel to them and unique attractions, they just don't have the selection and choice of rides and, at each one, much as I love say Alice in Wonderland and Nemo in California, or Animagique and Cinemagique and now Stitch Live! at Disneyland Paris, I come away thinking "but they don't have this" or "they don't have that".

It's also not just about the four theme parks to me at Walt Disney World. A lot of it is about the sheer size of the place and what they've therefore been able to do with it. Again, all the other parks are so small by comparison. They don't have the same choice of Disney resorts (I think the most so far is at Paris, as there are only three each in California and Tokyo and just two so far in Hong Kong) and that makes up a lot of our vacation.

So to me, Walt Disney World, regardless of what anyone's views may be of them cutting back on quality (personally we noticed they went through a phase of that about two or three years ago, but seem to have rectified it now), remains the best of the bunch. It'll be interesting to see what I think after our visit to Tokyo...

[theJordans]

I`m going to say its just you And probably a certain extent everyone who is a frequent visitor to WDW.
Coming from the UK the first time we visited WDW we wern`t just wowed we were overwhelmed. You parked the car then had a choice of going by boat or monorail over a vast area to MK. We had seen nothing like it - come to thing of it we`ve seen nothing like it since.
WDW is very familar to us now, we know it like the back of our hand - apart from the roads that is - we always get lost on the roads.
Has the quality slipped? Not that we`ve really noticed. We`ve had fabulous customer service and one or two very minor problems.
It is a master piece of invention and planning - maybe we`ve just seen it all.

[Tigger71]

WDW is our fav just because of the options for touring. Just for fun -go to MK, looking for casual touring - go to Epcot, a day of exploration - go to AK and when it's too hot for everything else - head to DHS!

Having visited Disneyland/CA several times and DLP - there is no comparision with WDW. Walt planned for space to grow and expand his Disney dream - comparing the quality to ANY other park worldwide is no contest. My DH and I are theme park junkies and we would choose WDW every day. Sure the endless shops may get boring (don't enter them then!) and you may complain there hasn't been a new attraction to take your fancy (economics effect the biggest companies too) but really I think we should be thankful Disney still takes such pride in the quality, cleanliness and service in it's parks/resorts. With all the doom and gloom forecasters out there...WDW would never change or adapt to make better it's facilities - but they do! Check out all the rehabs going on this year.
Sometimes I think we expect too much. If WDW doesn't appeal to you, tell the powers that be and until it is 'fixed' to your satisfaction, take your business someplace else. When we vote with our feet - businesses take stock.
Coming from Australia we have very few theme parks to delight in and NONE are anywhere close to the scale of magic Disney parks provide. I consider myself lucky to be able to visit and enjoy what is currently on offer.

[Dawn in Scotland]

I've only been to WDW once so there is still loads for me to explore there so it is top of my list. l found it had slightly less "charm" than DLP or DL but the sheer scale makes up for that - and Epcot which I loved. I know DLP very well but will not be in a hurry to go back after my last trip. There were little signs that they were not trying quite hard enough - I took my DGS to the loos and had to walk out because they were so gross, rides were closed off without warning or explanation and a couple of them stayed shut for the whole time we were there even though they had not been scheduled for a refurb . We actually got bored by the middle of the second day which would never happen at WDW so I'm saving up for there from now on.

[GoofyMom]

I've been to DLR (2 times) and WDW (8 times I think??). Disneyland is a much cheaper holiday for us, and yet, I've only been there twice (once as a child and once as an adult). I keep spending the bigger bucks and going back to WDW. Why? Although Disneyland is the original and therefore is the mark to beat, I prefer the variety that WDW offers. People ask which park is my favourite and I can't honestly come up with an answer because I love all 4 of them. Epcot's World Showcase is so amazing because it is so multi-cultural. I love the Streetmosphere actors in DHS. I love the natural feeling in AK. And MK is Disneyland on steroids. There are so many more dining options in WDW - when we were in DL, if you wanted something other than quick service, you had your choice of... Blue Bayou. Something that most people don't consider about a vacation is the other tourists. I prefer the tourists in WDW over the tourists we encountered in DL. I've never experienced such rudeness in WDW as we consistently experienced in DL.

Now all that said, I really do have to go back to DL some day. We were there pre-California Adventure so I need to try that out. And I miss the Matterhorn Bobsleds and the Indiana Jones ride....

[Caldercup]

Originally Posted by theJordans

I`m going to say its just you

Heeee!

I've been to Disney World (16 times) and Disneyland (2 times) and I still find them superior to any other venue in both quality (even after lots of changes and cuts) and quantity.

I have a husband in "the biz," who has worked with many different amusement/theme parks and entertainment centers around the world and his comment about Disney's design and execution is always that you never look at something they did and think "Jeez, if they only spent more time or money developing and exploring this idea..."

One walk through A Bug's Land at DCA will convince anyone, even the most jaded park goer, of their amazing ability to think of the smallest little thing and execute it with an "ease" that no one else can match. (I can't say much for the rest of DCA... but they seem to be ready to throw money and Imagineering resources at that -- and will likely pick that ball back up once the economy improves.)

As for which of the two American parks I prefer -- well, that's a bit of a toss up. I'm incredibly drawn to DLR's Magic Kingdom because Walt actually walked those pathways and worked on (and lived in) those buildings. Even though he died when I was a month old, I still feel a strong connection to him. But Disney World is simply a marvel -- with something for everyone and truly superior service. (Even DLR can't match the Disney Way in Orlando.)

Eileen

[tkm1005]

Originally Posted by albino_pygmy

So what do you think about all of this, do you think Disney thinks that we don't notice them cutting back on quality at WDW, or is it just me?

So from reading some of your other posts it seems that you either are now or were a Cast Member at some point which may be why you are feeling that the quality is less than it used to be. When your day to day is Disney you become a little more critical about your surroundings than when it is your favorite vacation destination.

Although...even when working for the mouse I would say that WDW was still my favorite. Although DL has more of a heritage feel about the physical location, the Cast Members and area of WDW feels much more magical. I like the fact than when you are at WDW you don't have to leave the complex the entire time you are there, but when at DL as soon as you step out of the park you are in Anaheim and the surrounding hotels just don't have that magical appeal.

Just my thoughts.

[albino_pygmy]

Originally Posted by chezp

So to me, Walt Disney World, regardless of what anyone's views may be of them cutting back on quality (personally we noticed they went through a phase of that about two or three years ago, but seem to have rectified it now), remains the best of the bunch. It'll be interesting to see what I think after our visit to Tokyo...

It doesn't seem rectified but worsening IMO. WDW is primarily focused on DVC, and nothing else. I would be interested in what you have to say after you've seen the awesomeness that is TDL and DisneySea, you'd be whistling a different tune after that

Originally Posted by theJordans

I`m going to say its just you And probably a certain extent everyone who is a frequent visitor to WDW.

Yeah, I'm an oddball and tend to see things for what they are without the overdose of pixiedust. Don't get me wrong, I still enjoy trips out to Disney, it just doesn't seem like they're trying that much to wow you anymore, but more along the lines of trying to sell DVC or tacky movie merchandise rather than offer new exciting attraction experiences. I'm not saying these because I've been frequently and the magic wore off on me, because it hasn't and I know it's still there. I was very much pleased with the HM refurb, and still in awe and wonder of Spaceship Earth, however didn't care for the dumbing down of the narration and lack of lighting effects in the descent. To me that's Disney cutting more corners because it's "good enough" for them to get away with that because we're supposted to watch the screen. The Disney quality I knew wouldn't leave the walls bare and cover up areas with black curtains, they would have it dimly lit with at least some decorations or something other than absolutely nothing at all. This is the point I was trying to make. If WDW were to come out with a new attraction, they would make it just "good enough" to be enjoyable, but not at the level of quality we're all familiar with, and if we keep thinking that these newer additions are just as great as Pirates or HM, then they'll keep on cutting corners and doing less because we're easy to please. I'd rather them go above and beyond like they used to, keep up with the great theming in dark rides and not to solely rely on 3D screens all over the place.

Originally Posted by Tigger71

Sure the endless shops may get boring (don't enter them then!) and you may complain there hasn't been a new attraction to take your fancy (economics effect the biggest companies too) but really I think we should be thankful Disney still takes such pride in the quality, cleanliness and service in it's parks/resorts. With all the doom and gloom forecasters out there...WDW would never change or adapt to make better it's facilities - but they do! Check out all the rehabs going on this year.

I'm not thankful that Disney considers what they're passing off as 'quality' now. I know the economy stinks currently, but they've been at this for quite some time now. The last greatest attraction WDW put in was Splash Mountain in '92. The attractions that came after can't hold a candle to Splash even if they tried. They removed 20K for a dinky toddler playground area, removed Mr. Toad in favor for Pooh, because Mr. Toad wasn't selling enough goodies in his gift shop, but Pooh would, Alien Encounter was a great attraction (although it was cheesy, it was still something fun and different) but that got replaced for what was supposted to be a dumbed down version to make it kid friendly, but it still gives kids nightmares and I'm sure they wouldn't want to see the Stitch character ever again after seeing that. Timekeeper was simply amazing, truely a unique attraction, even though it was just another Circlevision film, but with the addition of an AA voiced by Robin Williams and his robotic friend with 9 eyes, and the story the tied the whole thing together. That was replaced by some Monsters who tell jokes lamer than the ones I used to tell when pointing at plastic animals. Why do people think Monsters is so great? Because of the technology used in it. Ok, I'll give them that, it is neat to see these animated characters on a screen. This worked great for Turtle Talk with Crush because of the aquarium setting looking at him through a viewing tank. However, you try to do the same thing and try to pass it off as a live performance, I'd much rather them come up with some advanced monster AA's and have them be operated to move and talk live and interact, rather than watching them on screen. To me, it seems that all the recent updates WDW has been came off as cheaply as possible, and I'd rather they'd put more effort into newer attractions that would really wow us, and not surrounded by screens in an attempt to pass off as an exciting new attraction.

For those of you who remember attractions from the original EPCOT Center such as Horizons, the original Journey to Imagination, and so on, would definately notice these changes taking place. Sure it could be blamed that nobody wants edutainment in the parks, but then again, nobody wanted them to be replaced with cheap thrills of an oversized slot car or a spin and puke machine on steroids with a screen in your face. There really is no story that draws you in, not so much theming going on, although you can argue they have randomly scattered props all over the place that do relate to cars or space. There has always been something that has wowed me every time I rode Horizons, and all the thought put into that single attraction, from all the show scenes and set pieces, to the music and how it flowed together from one scene to the next. You very rarely see that nowadays, and that's the 'magic' that Disney was known for, IMO.

Sometimes I think we expect too much. If WDW doesn't appeal to you, tell the powers that be and until it is 'fixed' to your satisfaction, take your business someplace else. When we vote with our feet - businesses take stock.

Believe me, I do. I let them know, and tell them they have still yet to come out with an attraction that surpasses most attractions that come out at Universal. Most of you would disagree with me again about this, but I think Universal does a better job overall with their newer attractions than Disney has done. Compare MIB to Buzz Lightyear's. They both have detailed set pieces and show scenes, MIB is a more realistic setting, whereas Buzz looks like a comic book or a cartoon. MIB has guns you can pick up and hold, the blasters on Buzz are mounted. The story for MIB is you're visiting an attraction called "The Universe and You", but then a secret elevator appears out of nowhere and takes you into the hidden MIB facility (inside part of the queue) where you pass by several show scenes such as the break room with the worms, the main office, weapons room, and then loading bay. Buzz is a typical queue with an AA of buzz and an oversized viewfinder, once again, nothing wrong with that because it is cute to see it based off of toys, but the toy theme disappears when you're on the attraction and you're actually in this cartoonish space world. MIB's story stays consistant from when you step into the queue until you enter the giftshop. At the end of MIB, they do the "flashy thing" to erase your memory, and the unload area is the same style as the preshow room as if you have just experienced "The Universe and You" Now, compare MIB to TSM, and I would have to say MIB wins yet again. TSM has no set pieces, just a bunch of screens all over the place, the guns are mounted yet again, and what's the story behind us shrinking down to the size of toys to play under Andy's bed? Sure, the technology is amazing with the 3D screens and all, but if you want to make some jaws drop in awe, try to come up with something like Spiderman at IOA. When TSM was announced, they were saying that this was Disney's answer to Spiderman with 3D screens and moving cars. For those of you who haven't been to IOA and rode Spiderman, I strongly suggest you would. The blend of the set pieces, 3D screens, special effects, and ride is simply outstanding. To this date, there has yet to be any dark ride or even attraction that has surpassed Spiderman, although that may soon change when IOA gets Harry Potter in place, and Universal in Singapore and Hollywood get Transformers. What's Disney doing now? Adding a new show in Tomorrowland, finally giving SM the refurb it truely needs and doing TTA at the same time. HoP was a gimme because they update it every 4 years. Now do you guys see where I'm coming from? Yes WDW is a nice place, but it needs to have some new life brought in to keep it fresh and exciting, something besides new stage shows, or recycled parades, or renamed firework shows, but an attraction that's on par with Splash Mountain, Haunted Mansion, Tower of Terror in theming and story.

Coming from Australia we have very few theme parks to delight in and NONE are anywhere close to the scale of magic Disney parks provide. I consider myself lucky to be able to visit and enjoy what is currently on offer.

And unfortunately that's what Disney realizes, is that they can lower their standards and still wow everyone. There will be a day when they have lowered their bar too far and people would start to notice and wonder why has Disney been slipping? Why are they now at the same level as Six Flags? I have a feeling it'll continue to happen if everyone keeps telling how great of a job WDW does. Don't be fooled into believing that WDW is doing the best they can. You've seen them do better before, why can't they keep that up and try to improve upon themselves instead of passing off attractions that are just "good enough."

[albino_pygmy]

Originally Posted by tkm1005

So from reading some of your other posts it seems that you either are now or were a Cast Member at some point which may be why you are feeling that the quality is less than it used to be. When your day to day is Disney you become a little more critical about your surroundings than when it is your favorite vacation destination.

Before I was a CM, I worked at Universal with hardly any interest in working for Disney because I had noticed those changes taking place over there. Disney seems to think they could take it easy and not come out with great new experiences in their parks, whereas Universal is trying to go above and beyond and have wowed me with most of their newer attractions. Yes, Universal has made some mistakes, Fear Factor Live, but has made up for them. I remember an uproar when Back to the Future was closing down for good. Yes I was upset it was leaving, but I knew Universal would finally give the attraction a nice refurb and new film and theme to it, and now the Simpsons ride is far superior than what it was when Doc Brown took you back in time. I truly wish I could say the same with the recent attractions from Disney, but I can't, because there is no effort put into them to go above and beyond.

[lukeandbrookesmom]

Originally Posted by albino_pygmy

Why are they now at the same level as Six Flags? I have a feeling it'll continue to happen if everyone keeps telling how great of a job WDW does. Don't be fooled into believing that WDW is doing the best they can. You've seen them do better before, why can't they keep that up and try to improve upon themselves instead of passing off attractions that are just "good enough."

Wow, I couldn't disagree more! We have a Six Flags 30 minutes from us and you couldn't pay me to take my kids in there! It's disgustingly filthy first of all. I can't even put the theming, rides, and attractions close to the same level of quality as WDW....not even close. Their 'waterpark' is overcrowded and unsupervised to the point that I feel it is unsafe. And I won't even go into the quaility of staff there. Again, they can't come close to WDW CMs

WDW never ceases to amaze me with every trip we take. I am constantly dazzled by their quality, commitment to safety, cleanliness, and attention to detail DL will alway hold a special place in my heart as it was the first park for me as a child but WDW is my favorite by far.

I'm sorry you have such negative feelings about WDW.

[albino_pygmy]

Originally Posted by Caldercup

I have a husband in "the biz," who has worked with many different amusement/theme parks and entertainment centers around the world and his comment about Disney's design and execution is always that you never look at something they did and think "Jeez, if they only spent more time or money developing and exploring this idea..."

What's his opinion on Universal Studios? Islands of Adventure? I'd be interested in what he thinks about Universal in comparison to WDW.

One walk through A Bug's Land at DCA will convince anyone, even the most jaded park goer, of their amazing ability to think of the smallest little thing and execute it with an "ease" that no one else can match. (I can't say much for the rest of DCA... but they seem to be ready to throw money and Imagineering resources at that -- and will likely pick that ball back up once the economy improves.)

Can't comment about this because I've never been to DCA before, and I am glad that they have noticed their mistakes and are in the works of making it a better quality experience. Now I wish they would do the same to WDW and fix all the little mistakes they've recently installed and make them outstanding. I've heard they were considering bringing back the original Journey into Imagination, or come close to it soon, but due to the economy, I'd rather them put that on hold until they get all the money the can to truely bring back that amazing attraction, I don't want to think what else that thing can turned into because of budget cuts. However, if WDW is the top vacation destination in the world, where's all that money going? I know it's not going to the CM's and not into maintaining most of their attractions or even into WDI to come out with new attractions. Maybe we should ask the bean counters why WDW is slipping in my eyes?

[CinderAbby]

For those of you who remember attractions from the original EPCOT Center such as Horizons, the original Journey to Imagination, and so on,

I do remember these and I would much prefer them over what's there now. I miss the old Imagination and agree the new version is cheap and tacky. Mission Space I'll never go on as I'm not a fan of the "spin and puke" as you so rightly called it.

[albino_pygmy]

Originally Posted by lukeandbrookesmom

Wow, I couldn't disagree more! We have a Six Flags 30 minutes from us and you couldn't pay me to take my kids in there! It's disgustingly filthy first of all. I can't even put the theming, rides, and attractions close to the same level of quality as WDW....not even close. Their 'waterpark' is overcrowded and unsupervised to the point that I feel it is unsafe. And I won't even go into the quaility of staff there. Again, they can't come close to WDW CMs

WDW never ceases to amaze me with every trip we take. I am constantly dazzled by their quality, commitment to safety, cleanliness, and attention to detail DL will alway hold a special place in my heart as it was the first park for me as a child but WDW is my favorite by far.

I'm sorry you have such negative feelings about WDW.

Ok, I probably worded that wrong, but that question was supposted to be like a follow up on the previous one. WDW isn't on par as Six Flags now. What I was trying to say that if this trend continues, it will end up like them unfortunately, and I don't want to see this happen either.

As for the negative comments, I don't feel them as negative, more like realistic. I do believe Disney does have you fooled into thinking what they're doing is their best, and this is what I think their "magic" comes into play. I'm glad you all enjoy the parks, but I'm sure you would be ranting and raving over them if Disney stepped it up a notch and went above and beyond like they used to.

[Griffin]

I've never been to another disney park besides at WDW. Having said that, I have noticed a decline in the cm's attitudes and willingness to be nice and smile (since we've first been in 2000) From workers not knowing each others names, to not helping people in front of me at the food court: when all they wanted was some vegetables, to knowing I was waiting to buy a balloon but finishing up a conversation on how they don't want to work on a certain day with another cm and how they should complain to their boss, to the housekeeping staff, etc. I read on another thread on here that they cut the training time for cast members way down. I don't know if that if true or not but it would make alot of sense.

About the rides: Lately everytime they do a refurb on a ride I can either not really tell the difference, or it is done poorly. I'm not sure why they make the decisions they do to "update" certain attractions, while in my opinion some things go on for too long (see country bears and muppetvision as two I think need to be updated or replaced)

And then there are things like American Idol which by all accounts has "jumped the shark" on tv, by adding a new judge and no longer focusing on the bad singers at the begining of the season (which is the only time I watched) So why did they decided this late in the game to put AI in at the park formally known as MGM?? And speaking of that park, there isn't even alot a family with little kids can do there!

Ok rant over!