Walt Disney World is beginning a brand new improvement cycle, investing $17 billion of spending on new lands, rides and extra between now and 2035. We’re going to get lots of new sights and leisure within the subsequent 5 years. On condition that, it ought to be an thrilling time to be a WDW fan. And partly, it’s!
Between what’s on the horizon in 2025 and past, and modifications this 12 months to lastly roll-back reopening insurance policies and enhance the visitor expertise, issues have gotten higher in vital and noticeable methods. Crowds are down! Reductions are up! Common is opening a brand new park in 2025, and followers–no matter whether or not they’ll go to–are beneficiaries of elevated competitors! There are causes for optimism.
So why does it really feel like a case of “two steps ahead, one step backwards” (be happy to swap these numbers) with nearly each determination Walt Disney World makes? If there’s been a theme to this 12 months’s largest information, it’s that each announcement that ought to have us excited comes with a catch. There have been some really horrible choices, a few of which is able to irrevocably alter the character, attraction, and character of Walt Disney World. That’s why the flagship Festivus 2024 put up “Airing our Grievances” focuses not on these really horrible choices made within the final 12 months (or so) by Walt Disney World and company management…
It is a companion piece, of kinds, to our Prime 10 Visitor Complaints About Walt Disney World. That’s been up to date for Festivus 2024 with a couple of modifications as your grievances about sure issues have been resolved or heightened, because the case could also be. For this checklist, we needed a bunch of recent issues–as a substitute of simply rehashing complaints about Disney’s Magical Specific or paid FastPass for the thousandth time.
The nice (?) information is that Walt Disney World gifted us with lots to speak about, as there have been no scarcity of misguided choices just lately. As with the remainder of the Festivus “Airing of Grievances” posts, I really feel compelled to preface this with a warning that this isn’t pertinent to planning, useful, or uplifting. All of that ought to be apparent from the title, however the level is that you simply shouldn’t learn this for those who’re in search of really feel good tales and uplifting information this vacation season. I can actually respect that, and now we have a whole lot of different posts like that.
This one is for the inside Frank Costanza that resides in us all (most likely) and takes difficulty with among the doubtful choices Walt Disney World has made recently. However sufficient with the yada yada yada..ing–let’s dig into the checklist!
Changing Rivers of America
Nobody goes to Tom Sawyer Island and few followers recurrently trip the Liberty Sq. Riverboat. Let’s simply stipulate that up entrance, as some defenders of this determination use that as a “gotcha” for justifying the terrible thought. So what?! Ought to Walt Disney World convert the paths at Animal Kingdom to stroller parking? Maybe it’s time to eliminate each World Showcase pavilion, changing them with curler coasters. Cinderella Fortress is kinda pointless–extra individuals would go to a Spirit Jersey store.
That is apparent absurd, and ought to be rightly identified as such. However it’s exactly this line of pondering that justifies eradicating the Rivers of America as “underutilized” capability or area. What ever occurred to the Blessing of Measurement? That’s the entire motive why Walt Disney purchased a lot land for his Florida Challenge. To offer magnificence and respiration room and repair the faults with Disneyland, which is a beautiful little park, however lacks that key asset of Walt Disney World.
As mentioned at size within the commentary to our put up about Automobiles Land Changing Rivers of America, this waterway in is a part of the center of Magic Kingdom and not only for the visitors who actively make the most of these sights. The Rivers of America and Tom Sawyer Island provide serenity and pleasant ambiance even to visitors who merely stroll alongside the waterfront promenade, stopping for a second to catch their breath and take within the view.
Theme parks usually are not simply the sum of their trip rosters, to be raced round and checked off one after the other. They’re as a lot outlined by the areas in between; by the absence of sights, too. Generally Disney’s decision-makers view the parks as figures on a spreadsheet, and from that perspective, it’s straightforward to miss “underutilized” issues just like the Rivers of America which can be extremely vital to the Walt Disney World expertise from a holistic perspective.
We solely want they realized this earlier than it’s too late as a result of circa-2024 managers didn’t create this asset or its hard-earned goodwill from the final 50-plus years. They actually don’t know higher than Walt Disney and people who did construct the Trip Kingdom.
Dinosaurs Going Extinct
Walt Disney World followers will debate the demise of Dinoland and Dino-Rama for many years to return. Followers are already upset about dropping DINOSAUR, which I truly suppose is the one a part of this determination that really will age effectively given the prevalence of Indiana Jones Journey. I additionally suspect that, over time, fondness will kind round Dinoland as a complete–followers will miss the extinct space much more when wanting again by means of the rose-colored glasses of nostalgia.
The factor is…these of us are sorta proper! Scientifically talking, dinosaurs are the awesomest animal of all-time, edging out hammerhead sharks and the T-800. There are dozens of slam dunk concepts involving dinosaurs in theme parks that might’ve been wondrous to behold. None of them have occurred or will occur, which is actually a disgrace.
With that mentioned, Dino-Rama, because it truly existed, sucked. There’s no two methods about it. Dino-Rama was terrible, and less than Disney’s excessive requirements. This can undoubtedly be a large improve as in comparison with what was there earlier than. As a lover of dinosaurs, I might’ve cherished to have a trip and land with the standard of Indiana Jones Journey and what Tropical Americas seems to be. However that’s not what we bought, and as such, Dinoland and Dino-Rama are ripe for alternative.
I’ll shed no tears over these lands closing, however I’ll about dinosaurs (decrease case “d”) dropping their lone land at Walt Disney World. I hope someday down the highway, Disney provides Imagineering the funds and freedom to create a dinosaur land that basically wows. Jurassic Park and Common don’t have a monopoly on the idea. Imagineers may create an unique theme park IP with dinosaurs that knocks our collective socks off.
Ending MuppetVision 3D
The final in what I’d name a trifecta of doubtful choices that took a jam-packed slate of D23 Expo bulletins and soured sentiment fairly shortly. Previous to that large occasion, followers had been skeptical of reports after being burned one too many instances about bulletins not coming to fruition. Mockingly sufficient, many people are actually hoping towards hope that historical past will repeat itself, and Disney will cancel its plans–or exterior forces will intervene.
After months of ready and speculating, Walt Disney World lastly introduced that MuppetVision 3D is closing to make approach for the Monsters, Inc. Doorways Coaster and Monstropolis. As an olive department to followers, the corporate additionally introduced that the Muppets are taking up Rock ‘n’ Curler Coaster and changing Aerosmith.
For a lot of Muppets and Walt Disney World fanatics, this wasn’t sufficient. MuppetVision 3D is basically the final legacy of Jim Henson, and when individuals (like me) say it’s culturally important and ought to be handled as such, we aren’t kidding. MuppetVision 3D is a chief instance of theme parks as artwork and nationwide heritage. Equally as vital, MuppetVision 3D nonetheless holds as much as this present day, very like Haunted Mansion or Pirates of the Caribbean. I’d argue that it’s aged higher than the a lot newer Monsters, Inc. Chuckle Flooring.
What makes this determination all of the extra horrible is that it didn’t must occur. Not as a result of Walt Disney World ought to construct Monstropolis in Animation Courtyard, as I do suppose the unannounced future plans for that parcel may be well worth the wait. However as a result of Monstropolis goes to have a “Monstro Theater” in the identical area as MuppetVision.
Disney isn’t any stranger to framing gadgets to skirt thematic inconsistencies (Chuckle Flooring makes use of one!), and it’d be really easy to make up some silly backstory to justify the “Monsters inviting the Muppets into their world to get laughs and generate energy” or some nonsense. No matter this new Monsters, Inc. present might be, it’s arduous to think about it lives as much as MuppetVision.
“Blessing of Measurement” Blasphemy
This ties into the earlier a number of entries, however is its personal distinct horrible determination or path. The largest difficulty on the core of the above is that administration has chosen redevelopment as a substitute of precise enlargement. Walt Disney World has the “Blessing of Measurement,” however regardless of that, the corporate appears dead-set on redeveloping a restricted space of land that’s largely inside the prevailing footprints of the parks. (Severely, does Burbank management suppose they’re making these choices for Disneyland? They’d make much more sense there!)
Admittedly, there are some eventualities the place this is sensible. And I actually perceive and recognize the sensible realities of infrastructure and staffing prices, and the way Disney can stretch budgets additional if it redevelops areas as a substitute of engages in nothing however enlargement. In spite of everything, this has been a core thesis behind our long-time assertion that a fifth Theme Park Will NOT Be Constructed at Walt Disney World within the Subsequent Decade. (It ought to now be painfully apparent to everybody why we’re proper about this.)
That is evident not simply within the upcoming sights and lands, but in addition in resort improvement. Now that it’s completed, can anybody within the “wait and see” camp truthfully argue that the Island Tower on the Polynesian matches the Seven Seas Lagoon skyline? Do we actually suppose Reflections Lakeshore Lodge goes to look okay subsequent to Fort Wilderness? (I used to be simply there–it already doesn’t, and it’s solely a pair tales tall!) These resorts are or might be completely beautiful on the within, however that’s not all that counts. Why not put them on their very own bigger parcels elsewhere on Walt Disney World’s expansive property?!
The underside line is that there’s a wholesome center floor between over-expansion right into a fifth gate and doing nothing however reimaginings and redevelopments. Walt Disney World’s strategy is approach too conservative and strikes us as myopic and short-sighted, and a mistake in mild of what’s certain to be elevated competitors from Common Orlando. And never simply with Epic Universe, however as Comcast turns its attentions in the direction of the legacy gates and turning Common right into a bona-fide multi-day vacation spot that attracts extra vacationers to the Sunshine State.
Nothing at Night time in Animal Kingdom
Talking of Common, we’ve repeatedly mentioned that Animal Kingdom goes to be hit hardest when Epic Universe opens. The park is in pressing want for additions (and has been for the previous few years), and there’s a great probability that the opposite parks begin cannibalizing Animal Kingdom attendance till that occurs.
That is exactly why Tropical Americas is coming to Animal Kingdom, and is the primary large venture of the following improvement cycle. That’ll give DAK a shot within the arm, and assist revitalize the flailing park. However it received’t open till 2027. Within the meantime, Animal Kingdom wants one thing to attract visitors to the park–and preserve them there in afternoons and evenings.
With nighttime leisure “mounted” on the different parks, this 12 months ought to’ve been the 12 months that Animal Kingdom lastly bought a (much-belated) Rivers of Gentle alternative. It didn’t, and the park continues to shut earlier than nighttime a lot of the 12 months. Our hope is that this lastly modifications in 2025–a drone present at Animal Kingdom would resolve lots of issues. It may very well be the ace up Disney’s sleeve that offers them majorly marketable leisure for 2025.
Weaker Seasonal Occasions
This isn’t solely a horrible determination that was made this 12 months. It’s been a sequence of selections set in movement over a decade in the past. Would anybody actually declare with a straight face that Walt Disney World’s seasonal occasions have gotten higher throughout that stretch? The checklist of issues which have gone lacking is lengthy, and the one actual counterpoint is the distinctive EPCOT Pageant of the Arts.
Every present seasonal occasion has gotten worse throughout that timeframe. Christmas is a chief instance, with the plain losses of issues just like the Osborne Household Spectacle of Dancing Lights and the Cinderella Fortress Dream Lights (and earlier than that, the Lights of Winter). However it’s not simply large issues which can be lacking. Decorations was once extra ample within the parks, eating places used to have their very own ornament packages, and extra.
What actually sealed this entry’s inclusion, although, is the 2024 EPCOT Meals & Wine Pageant. This 12 months ought to’ve been the park’s popping out get together, with partitions lastly coming down, CommuniCore Corridor opening, and–presumably–parts of that pageant which were lacking since 2019 lastly returning. Not solely did that not occur, however we bought re-microwaved leftovers for the restricted slate of decorations, which have been the identical for the final 5 years. Effectively, not utterly. Now there’s fewer of them!
DAS Drama
Let’s be clear: DAS wanted to be overhauled. It was being misused and abused, with an unsustainably excessive proportion of park visitors utilizing it. That made the visitor expertise worse for everybody else, and that features disabled visitors who legitimately want Incapacity Entry Service or different lodging.
Walt Disney World has publicly acknowledged that DAS utilization has tripled since 2019. Unbiased of that, we obtained credible reviews that the majority of Lightning Lane utilization is definitely not paid, however somewhat, Incapacity Entry Providers. This comes because the prevalence of recognized disabilities, particularly amongst kids, has elevated dramatically within the final a number of years. The modifications to this system have had optimistic cascading results on standby traces and Lightning Lanes that we’re nonetheless monitoring some 6 months later.
With all of that mentioned, the best way Disney went in regards to the DAS modifications leaves a foul style in my mouth. In line with Walt Disney World, “DAS is meant to accommodate a small proportion of visitors who, on account of a developmental incapacity like autism or comparable, are unable to attend in a standard queue for an prolonged time frame.” This line (or a variation thereof) may be discovered repeatedly all through Walt Disney World’s new DAS sources.
Even so, many visitors who ought to qualify for DAS have been denied lodging. Others have reported inappropriate questioning or being handled inhumanely. There have been numerous tales of DAS denials which have gone viral on social media, racking up thousands and thousands of views within the course of. And for good motive, as they’re heartbreaking and at-odds with what you’d count on given Disney’s once-sterling popularity for visitor service and lodging. It looks as if Disney’s place to begin was dramatically decreasing DAS issuances, and by no matter means essential to hit that focus on.
Actually, I don’t know what the reply is. I do know that DAS was abused earlier than and the established order was unsustainable. One thing needed to give. However it certain feels just like the pendulum has swung too far within the different path, with the result being distinctly un-Disney and untenable. That’s why this determination, not less than in execution, was a horrible one.
Lightning Lane Rollout
For 3 years, Genie+ was one of many high complaints from Walt Disney World followers. Make no mistake, eliminating free FastPass and changing it with a paid choice was at all times going to be controversial. It simply didn’t must be this dangerous. Kind of like ending Disney’s Magical Specific was worse than charging for a similar service would’ve been.
One factor that this 12 months underscored was simply how badly Disney bungled the preliminary rollout of Genie+ again in 2021. It is because, against this, the launch of Lightning Lane Multi-Move was easy crusing. That’s most likely partly on account of followers already getting the outrage out of their methods over the prior few years. That isn’t it completely, although. Lightning Lane Multi-Move provides a a lot better consumer expertise and was not glitchy when it debuted. It simply works.
It additionally intently replicates what FastPass+ provided way more intently than Genie+ did. That continuity alone would’ve assuaged some issues. I’m not naive sufficient to suppose the fan response would’ve been optimistic had Lightning Lane Multi-Move launched again in 2021, but it surely positively would’ve been higher. An enormous difficulty, and one which saved fan frustrations recent in thoughts, was that Genie+ was continuously altering for its first ~18 months for the reason that half-baked product was rushed to market.
After all, most of that’s previously…and 2024 was merely a reminder of Disney’s horrible determination with the Genie+ rollout. However there was arguably an analogous mistake in launching Lightning Lane Premier Move months after Multi-Move. This led to confusion and undue outrage, a lot of which may’ve been prevented by unveiling each on the identical time and absolutely speaking to visitors what Premier Move is and isn’t.
CommuniCore Corridor
I hated CommuniCore Corridor earlier than it was cool. From the second it was introduced, this appeared uninspired and felt to me like a shortsighted mistake to not construct the unique multi-story pageant heart. That area had loads of room for actions, to not point out particular occasions, dessert events, and personal events. It may’ve been upcharge central, paying for itself very quickly in any respect. Critically from the common visitor’s perspective, it appeared a heckuva lot nicer than what bought constructed.
As at all times, I used to be open to be confirmed flawed and pleasantly stunned. Sadly, I used to be not. CommuniCore Corridor is unhappy and about as impressed as a pupil union, regional airport, or mid-sized metropolis conference area. There’s nothing about it that’s even “Imagineered” and it’s arduous to consider anybody at Disney thought this was as much as requirements. I had nothing to do with it, however I’m embarrassed for them.
Worse but, it looks as if each time the area is put to new use, somebody at Disney says, “maintain my beer” by looking for new and revolutionary methods to place the area to much more pathetic makes use of. And so they’re succeeding! Glittering Grove is laughable, like a closest of Christmas timber, solely half of which even work.
The horrible determination right here was not simply constructing CommuniCore Corridor within the first place (though that was one–albeit a couple of years in the past); it was squandering even the restricted potential of the cut-rate pageant heart. I’m hoping the 2025 EPCOT festivals flip this round…however am not holding my breath.
No Response to Epic Universe
Walt Disney World received’t have any official reply to Epic Universe. You’ve most likely heard the proffered causes for this by now. CEO Bob Iger claims that Epic Universe is actually Common’s reply to Disney, enjoying catch-up on a decade of nonstop improvement at Walt Disney World and that the corporate doesn’t have anxiousness about Common’s third theme park.
Through the firm’s newest earnings name CFO Hugh Johnston acknowledged that Epic Universe is “Truly Constructive” for Walt Disney World Attendance in 2025. That the corporate has modeled Epic Universe into its projections for Walt Disney World, and primarily based on previous precedent and reserving projections, Epic Universe might be “helpful” for Walt Disney World.
Some followers have been actually upset about this determination, claiming Common goes to dethrone Disney. That’s ludicrous, but it surely doesn’t make Disney’s strategy any much less of a mistake. The actual vary of prospects is a slight lower to a slight enhance in attendance–Walt Disney World is not going to be an enormous spike or catastrophic drop. Nonetheless, not all parks will profit or be damage in equal measure. Magic Kingdom is extra more likely to win, as is Disney’s Hollywood Studios. EPCOT will most likely drop, and Animal Kingdom will get hit arduous.
Regardless, let’s assume Disney’s idea {that a} “rising tide lifts all ships” is appropriate, and Epic Universe will draw extra vacationers to Orlando, a few of whom will even go to Walt Disney World. Why not attempt to higher capitalize on that chance? Why not have a marquee leisure providing in each park, just like Disney Starlight Night time Parade at Magic Kingdom? Why not pull out all of the stops for a giant occasion, pulling a web page from Summer season Nightastic or 12 months of a Million Desires? Why not roll out extra reimagined rides? And so forth. and many others.
Walt Disney World might be simply advantageous within the long-term. And as quickly as 2027, when the 5-year plan begins bearing fruit within the type of new sights and lands. However within the meantime, this looks like a misstep–as in the event that they’re being caught flatfooted by a park they’ve identified was coming for a very long time. Both they’re proper a couple of “rising tide” and so they’re failing to take full benefit, or they’re flawed and attendance and occupancy might be hit tougher than projected. Neither of these outcomes appears superb, and neither is inevitable. They may’ve completed one thing, something.
Planning a Walt Disney World journey? Study accommodations on our Walt Disney World Accommodations Evaluations web page. For the place to eat, learn our Walt Disney World Restaurant Evaluations. To save cash on tickets or decide which kind to purchase, learn our Ideas for Saving Cash on Walt Disney World Tickets put up. Our What to Pack for Disney Journeys put up takes a novel take a look at intelligent gadgets to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney World Trip Guides will assist. For complete recommendation, the very best place to start out is our Walt Disney World Journey Planning Information for every part you must know!
Your Ideas
What do you suppose are essentially the most doubtful choices made by Walt Disney World within the final 12 months or so? Or do you suppose company management is enjoying 4D chess, and followers merely don’t “get” the choices, are blinded by nostalgia and rose-colored glasses, and many others? The rest that qualifies as “really horrible” for you? Be happy to vent within the feedback. You received’t change the course of building and the trajectory of Walt Disney World…however not less than it’s therapeutic! Pleased Festivus!
