Originally Posted By davewasbaloo People who use to love Disney but now feel they have lost their way I have put this on Facebook for those that are on there: <a href="http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=8804342394" target="_blank">http://www.facebook.com/group. php?gid=8804342394</a> Growing up I was obessed by Disney, the attention to detail, the innovation, the no expense spared approach, the artistry, the magic, the entertainment and the educational ability. always thinking about and visting the parks, I must have spent 300+ days in the orginal Disneyland, 8 weeks in WDW and 49 vacations at DLP. I am currently saving for a mega trip to HKDL and TDL. But now I am rethinking life. Disney has had it's ups and downs, but lately it seems down, down, down. Toons and thrills seem to be the only thing the parks can do anymore - look at additions to all the resorts over the last 10 years and the plans for DCA over the coming years. Rubberheads replace themed entertainment. The menus of WDW are dumbed down thanks to the dining plan. And the maintenance of DLP and the MK are really poor. Occassionally elements like the new lights in the floral Mickey brings hope. But for now it's one step forwards, three steps back. And I am tired of it. But so many fan sites treat me like I am alone. The hotels and restaurants do not offer the quality experience of their competitors, and the family friendly standards the park started has diminished. And if it's not pirates, princess, pins or plush - the shops don't sell it. Maybe I am getting old, but I sure miss the good old days. Anyone else? If you feel the same way, it would be wonderful of you to sign up and be counted.
Originally Posted By Witches of Morva ORDDU: Here we are, dear--ready to catch you again--before you fall down and hurt yourself. What YOU need is a vacation in Morva! ORGOCH I'll say! After just one visit ta THAT gloomy place, even the worst dang D.O.M.'s gonna' look mighty good to ya!! So, come on over an' see what WE's gotta put up with ev'ry dang day. Yer gonna' be runnin' back ta the Sappiest Places on Earth in a hurry, by then!!
Originally Posted By Hans Reinhardt Dave I hear you loud and clear. I think the best thing you can do is keep a clear perspective and remember that these places are just theme parks (albeit very nice ones) meant to entertain. If you don't feel as excited about them as you once did then find another interest that gets your juices flowing. No point in being down in the dumps because yet another misplaced Pixar ride is on the drawing boards.
Originally Posted By pecos bill I was considering starting a thread asking if people ever lost their enthusiasm for Disneyland. I have been a lifelong fan, but lately my attitude has changed. I have the time, I have the money, and still it has been two years since I have visited, and I cant convince myself to go back. There is no doubt that the 'Walt factor' is slowly being eroded by the 'corporate factor', but that is not the primary reason for my waning interest. I just figure for the same amount of money as a Disneyland trip, I can tour some Civil War battlefields, or spend a week enjoying the Smithsonian Museums, or other things I have never done before. Perhaps being away for awhile will rekindle my desire to return to the park, because that is a passion I really dont want to lose.
Originally Posted By Moderation While there are certainly things the park could do better, for the most part I don't think the parks have changed nearly as much as society and people have changed. The biggest issue is the internet, the constant availability of information and the daily immersion in such information. 'Familiarity Breeds Contempt' is one of those quaint old phrases that we often forget, but it ould serve as the subtitle to hobbies in the information age. A hobby that 20 years ago you could indulge only on the two weeks of your annual vacation, you are now immersed in at least every week and maybe even every day of the year. There's only so much that can be known about a theme park. A tea cup ride that you only see once a year seems special, one you read about every week is pedestrian. Tootntown's warts are alot more obvious when I have a Darkbeer photo essay every week and 4 topics listing its shortcomings. In addition to the immerion in information, there's the simple fact that it isn't new to you. There's very few regular posters who haven't been on every single thing in DL many times, over many visits. There's very little new car smell. The best solution is to go away. Seriously. I actually am planning a bit of a sabatical myself- me and the tuppence have had 14 trips to DL in the last 5 years, we're planning a late spring final trip before the APs expire and then we are done for at least two years. We're going to think about a dude ranch or a family cruise or some camping for our leasure time for the next couple of years. Is it because we no longer like DL? No, but we've seen it, and we've done it, ad nauseum. In two years we'll think about it again, and though it won't be brand new, there will be a little new car smell from new rides and changed rides, absence shall make the heart grow fonder, and we should be able to meld the new visits into a mix of nostalgia,discovery and rediscovery. The magic is gone for you? Then go away, just like we are going to. You're never going to rediscover it by continuing to post here about how it's no longer special to you every week.
Originally Posted By Socrates Moderation, I think you're on to something. That was a very perceptive post. Now I'd like to offer another perspective. You said "The best solution is to go away." For me, the fun at this point in my life-long Disney mania is to follow the inevitable changes over time: who takes over, what ideas they have, which ones do/do not work and why/why not. I think this is as fascinating as visiting the theme parks. Or am I the only one? Socrates "The only good is knowledge and the only evil is ignorance."
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo >>> who takes over, what ideas they have, which ones do/do not work and why/why not.<<< Indeed I find this facinating too, as well as looking at the cultural impacts and subtle differences of each resort and their key demeography.
Originally Posted By gadzuux You're both right - it's fascinating to watch as it unfolds, AND it's only a relatively recent development - with the internet and the flood of information it contains - that this peculiar fascination has been able to take root. During our youths, our imaginations were fired with a few artists renderings and models of new attractions, and what we could see by peeking over the fences. Wheras nowadays, we hear about proposed changes months before anything is announced. And we hear about the 'players' - who's up and who's down back in TDA and glendale - which suits are our "champions" and which are the villians. And we cheer and boo accordingly. Within our own ranks, there are sub-categories - those who favor (or just live nearby) DLR vs WDW. Honestly, I think it's been a better time lately for those of us DLR folks - the resort has been incredibly dynamic over the past decade - LOTS goin' on, both good and bad - but always interesting. Over in florida, not so much. Sure there's the new attraction or upgrade here and there, but because of the vastness of it all, it seems more of a general sense of decline. For every positive, there's a dozen other things that are getting old and tired, or trimmed and reduced. DLR on the other hand is continuing through a process of rapid expansion and polishing. It's far from perfect too, but there's a better balance between positives and negatives. And finally, it's also maybe not surprising that the things that fired our imaginations and excitement in our youths can't deliver the same kick as we get older and our tastes evolve.
Originally Posted By DlandJB #5 - Good post and very perceptive. I think sometimes in our rush to want to know everything and peek "behind the curtain" we can easily find out that the Wizard is actually a little old carny. Never look too close at the magic - once you know how it all works, it loses some of its spark. I enjoy Disneyland for what it is and for the still possible moments of magic -- mostly I get my greatest enjoyment out of watching people who are experiencing it for the very first time and especially those who have waited years to get there. I still see magic in the faces of the kids all the time too. But remember always that Disney is a business -- a huge business. It can't possibly be all things to all people. Sometimes taking a little break helps. Again, #5 mentions the internet. The flood of information and accessiblility. Some wonderful things have come from that, but it also pulled back the curtain a lot more than had happened in the past. It did make it easier for us to spot the warts. I still love it, warts and all, but I'm looking for other places to vacation as well (using our Disney Vacation Club points, of course!
Originally Posted By DlandJB Oh Dave - if you haven't done a cruise, that will also help restore some of the magic.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Oh, don't get me wrong folks, I still love Disney, otherwise I would not spend so much time conversing about it. I am just trying to see if we can buck a couple of trends. I am planning some personal lifestyle changes as well that may mitigate some of the impact.
Originally Posted By bambifamily No, I agree with you. As a long-time Disneyland fan and patron, I think the Park has lost a great deal of its original shine (not to mention, theming) over the years - Not only in its physical environments, but in merchandising, foods, and the overall quality and behavior of the cast members themselves. What used to be "authentic" about the themed lands and what stirred the imagination of the "child in all of us"..has lately become simply childish and cartoony. The lilly has been so over-gilded that the natural beauty in its design is getting hard to see. Compare photos from the 60s or 70s to the Park today and you'll see what I mean. The Park's original creators didn't feel inclined to "hide" Mickey heads on everything. There's so much badly-designed gunk everywhere now: current color schemes more saturated and gaudy, the over-emphasis on the costumed characters, the bizarre use of vague and meaningless terms like "dream" and "magic", the gradual decline of showmanship, under-trained CMs who look and behave so sloppy, the fun of visiting environments that were fantastic yet based on plausible fact (Main Street, Tomorrowland, Frontierland, New Orleans Square, etc). The beautiful thing about it was that kids could actually learn something while visiting Disneyland, and not even know it because the Park was so clever, so ingenious. My enthusiasm for visiting Disneyland probably has taken a little dip in recent years... and, more and more, I prefer my memories of what it used to be - and to those "ideals and hard facts" to which it was originally dedicated. Does anyone else agree?
Originally Posted By jonvn Just a ton of people here agree. Try telling that to people at Disney though, they think we're dirt under their heels, basically.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo I totally agree bambifamily. Sadly when I share these sentiments on European sites they shoot me down in flames, call me unrealistic, and think I'm a terrible person. Sadly Disney seems to hold us in the same contempt.
Originally Posted By Socrates "Just a ton of people here agree." Hey, who you calling fat? Socrates "The unexamined life is not worth living."
Originally Posted By agent Interesting post since we just returned from a 6 night stay at the Grand. We have stayed there numerous times, and lately the service has gone from great to I can't believe we are really paying this much money to stay here. With such disappointment over our last few visits, I think we may take a break from DL. We only stay on property, and are not excited about the 3 options available. We have stayed several times at each location. I know there are other lodging choices, but part of our enjoyment is the whole Disney experience, from morning to bedtime. Unless something changes, I don't see us having a lot of motivation to return. (Of course, killer AP rates may alter my views!) We are thinking of going to WDW for a change, but now I'm second guessing that choice!
Originally Posted By iamsally Oh, I feel your pain. I remember taking my teenage son to Disneyland years ago and having him comment, "It is just not natural for people to be so happy all the time." I still love Disneyland and as DlandJB stated, I look for the magic that is there. I look for what I still love and what brings me back. If I lived closer I would go more often but I have to admit that I have been pondering the posibility of vacationing elsewhere. >>>>And if it's not pirates, princess, pins or plush - the shops don't sell it. <<<<<< I wouldn't mind if all the Princess merchandise fell down the wishing well.
Originally Posted By Moon Waffle This thread is really interesting. I agree with the comments about how the internet has basically killed some (or perhaps a lot) of the magic just because we can see pictures, watch on-ride videos, get insider information, etc., etc., on a continuous basis. There is so much I have learned about the parks via the internet that has added to my Disney experiences. At the same time there is so much I have learned via the internet that I wish I never knew. I guess for me personally, I wonder if I grew up now with the "Pixar-era" at the parks, would I be disappointed in 20 or 30 years when they are different and not adding Pixar type rides? What I'm saying is, how much of this is just what you happened to grow up with? For example, I miss some of the things they took out from when I was a kid in the 80's, but the yesterland attractions from DL in the 60's and 70's don't appeal to me at all. It's an interesting topic, but at the end of the day when you get sick of something it's usually because you had too much. I absolutely love cheesecake, but if I have it too often, I don't want it anymore. Not for a long, long time. It is possible to have the same type of experience with anything...even Disney.
