Happy Festivus! In the spirit of this wonderful vacation, we’re going to embrace its most time-honored custom: The Airing of Grievances. People have a number of issues with Walt Disney World, and now you’re gonna hear about it! Readers inform me this firm stinks! (Updated December 23, 2022.)
Really although, Walt Disney World followers do have a number of complaints proper now, a lot in order that the airing of grievances has change into a year-round custom. Since reopening, there have been plenty of adjustments which might be unpopular with loyal friends, together with cutbacks, momentary insurance policies which have change into everlasting, value will increase, and extra. Plus, selections seen as quick sighted to extend earnings and per capita spending, all to the detriment to customers and the expertise.
It’s inconceivable to not discover this. Many complaints we hear from readers are prefaced with “I’m normally a fan no matter what who defends Disney, but…” or “I don’t normally complain, but…” There have been far fewer followers providing defenses of unpopular selections with the rationalization that Walt Disney World is a enterprise. There’s additionally much less knocking of those that air their grievances as “so-called fans” and far more settlement and acknowledgement of Disney’s shortcomings.
While I take pleasure in channeling my interior Frank Costanza occasionally, I’ve additionally made a concerted effort within the final couple of years to understand what I’ve, savor the little issues, and search for the silver linings. Plenty of really feel good fluff, nevertheless it’s helped give me a extra constructive perspective. That most likely hasn’t at all times been evident as a result of there are occasions when it has been robust to seek out the upside in some issues Walt Disney World is doing.
Nevertheless, it’s in that spirit of positivity that I’m going to air these grievances followers have with Walt Disney World but in addition try and play satan’s advocate and attempt to make sense of the choice or justify it from their perspective. Perhaps that’ll make me a “pixie duster,” however Walt Disney World nonetheless is my favourite place on earth and I’ve gotta rationalize that someway.
Anyway, let’s start. Welcome, new comers. The custom of Festivus begins with the airing of grievances…
Slow Return to Normal – Just right this moment, the Walt Disney World Railroad formally reopened. Last month, Fantasmic lastly returned–the final nighttime spectacular to return again, and a significant step ahead for regular operations and crowd dynamics at Walt Disney World. Still, a number of leisure is gone, as are exhibits like Jedi Training Academy and Voyage of the Little Mermaid. Much of which will by no means return.
Earlier this week, the corporate introduced Chef Mickey’s and Cinderella’s Royal Table going again to regular in Winter 2023. Almost each restaurant is again with the latest reopenings of Akershus Royal Banquet Hall, Monsieur Paul, and Takumi-Tei. However, a number of stay closed or have scaled again their meal companies. Again, a few of which will by no means be again.
Readers of this web site have possible bored with listening to “staffing shortages” as an excuse for nearly all the things that also isn’t again, nevertheless it’s true (for probably the most half). Even then, virtually all of this has been exacerbated by Disney’s personal selections, or lack thereof. Staffing shortages exist and persist as a result of Disney furloughed so many individuals and was sluggish to recall them. Plenty of leisure nonetheless isn’t again as a result of the corporate waited quite than making modifications early-on.
In a vacuum, it may be potential to rationalize or clarify away a lot of Disney’s torpid tempo in resuming normalcy. However, when you step again and take a look at the totality of the circumstances–particularly as in comparison with their opponents and in gentle of the costs being charged–it’s all a lot much less forgivable. For the purported chief of the theme park trade, they’ve positive been doing a number of following.
Disney Park Pass Reservations – Even after Walt Disney World raised its capability caps by important levels, the corporate left the park reservation system in place. Many days, it’s little greater than a formality–a pointless supply of friction and one more factor to e book as a part of the tedium of planning a visit. It decreases spontaneity and lots of followers argue that it isn’t doing something on crowded days, so what’s the purpose?
At this level, the Disney Park Pass system doesn’t exist for preserving crowds low—that hasn’t been the case for ages. It’s to redistribute them and stop attendance from overwhelming staffing ranges and out there assets at every particular person park. Walt Disney World nonetheless is just not firing on all cylinders, and is unequipped to deal with the identical visitor masses as in a traditional yr. I’m no fan of the reservation system in the long run, nevertheless it’s a “necessary evil” within the quick time period given the demand-capacity imbalance.
Nevertheless, that is extremely more likely to change in January or February 2023. While park reservations will possible stick round for some teams (like Annual Passholders and Cast Members), they’ll change into a non-factor for many friends.
No Disney Dining Plan – Far and away the most typical reader questions we obtain concern the return of the Disney Dining Plan. It nonetheless isn’t again, regardless of assurances from the corporate that it was solely being quickly suspended and would return “soon” (fairly some time in the past).
Like many issues which have occurred (or not) during the last year-plus, the suspension of the Disney Dining Plan was initially motivated by one factor (bodily distancing and closures) and that rationale has morphed over time to different causes (staffing shortages, inflation, per visitor spending, and so on).
At its core, the underlying motive for the Disney Dining Plan not being provided has at all times been an imbalance of provide and demand. Like with a number of different complaints on this listing, that is arguably being performed for the profit of the visitor expertise. Visitors could be much more outraged in the event that they had been allowed to purchase a “useless” Dining Plan with credit they couldn’t redeem on account of an absence of ADRs. In quick, we get and sympathize with followers’ complaints, however finally perceive why the DDP nonetheless isn’t again.
Restricted Park Hopping – Walt Disney World introduced again Park Hopping final yr, which was an enormous reduction to anybody who tried to fill a full day at Animal Kingdom sans exhibits or wished to spend 1.5 days at Magic Kingdom. However, Park Hopping started every day at 2 pm and required that friends enter the primary park for which they’d reservations, even when it was already after 2 pm.
I like the liberty to Park Hop, and infrequently used to bounce between DHS and Epcot very early within the day. With that mentioned, I’m going to defend this follow in entire. For one factor, there’s sufficient to do at any park till 2 pm. For one other, it serves a sensible goal. If Park Hopping had been completely unrestricted, you’d have busy days when folks would circumvent the Disney Park Pass reservation system by reserving Epcot however instantly hopping to Magic Kingdom. Disney can’t do away with the Park Hopping rule till it eliminates Park Pass. Hopefully they’re each passed by early 2023!
Construction Delays – When the parks closed for a number of months, Walt Disney World paused all development. Contrary to standard notion, this was not mandated by the state–work throughout Central Florida continued throughout that point. Some tasks that had been close to completion pre-closure had been held again for months even after being completed and different points of interest that had been slated to open “in time for” the fiftieth Anniversary didn’t restart till months after reopening. The ensuing delays, in a number of instances, will probably be over two years. Other beforehand introduced plans had been scaled again or deserted solely.
From my perspective, the diploma to which that is excusable relies upon upon the undertaking. While I don’t prefer it, I can perceive Disney sitting on Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, and different issues. Theme parks add points of interest to incentivize new bookings, and so they largely wouldn’t have fulfilled that position had they debuted final fall. Universal is the one anomaly in persevering with to open new issues, and a real kudos to them in going towards the grain; in any other case, just about each theme park operator has held again additions.
This is much much less excusable in relation to the central backbone redesign of Epcot–also referred to as the Giant Epcot Dirt Pit™️. Having the park not be a maze of development partitions isn’t one thing that’s marketable or excites folks into reserving journeys. No matter how lengthy the closure lasted, its monetary fallout, or what austerity measures had been crucial, it was patently apparent from the outset that might must be completed.
Disney squandered a possibility by not kicking the Epcot overhaul into overdrive throughout the closure and subsequent reopening when the parks had been uncrowded, and needs to be downright embarrassed by the leisurely tempo of labor within the yr that adopted.
Another embarrassment is the velocity of TRON Lightcycle Run. The entirety of Universal’s Epic Universe will find yourself being in-built about the identical time it took Walt Disney World to assemble a cloned curler coaster in a mostly-empty warehouse. Don’t get me improper, I loved this journey, however I feel many WDW diehards are going to be disenchanted by its period and lack of present scenes given how lengthy it took to construct. There will most likely be a way of “that’s it?!” when it lastly debuts in Spring 2023.
Underwhelming fiftieth Anniversary – The largest “limited time” part of Walt Disney World’s fiftieth Anniversary is statues honoring 50 characters, nearly all of which have minimal presence in or significance to the parks. There are two new nighttime spectaculars that includes film moments and songs. There’s additionally another stuff, none of which gives a nod to the previous or the wealthy legacy of the Vacation Kingdom of the World.
In the latter regard, the unequivocal vibrant spots have been that the merchandising and culinary groups have really outdone themselves. There’s a variety of intelligent and ingenious fiftieth choices that attraction to a broad spectrum of friends. These gadgets are diverse, enjoyable, and celebratory–good for the anniversary celebration. But it’s additionally mildly insulting that the worth of nostalgia is restricted to the diploma it may be straight monetized.
Over the course of its 51 years, Walt Disney World has grown a fierce fandom, fostering big communities and accommodating a variety of area of interest pursuits. It has resulted in some of the profitable timeshare packages ever and an immensely profitable Annual Passholder program, the expansion of which not even surging costs can cease. Despite this, when you solely paid consideration to the substance of the World’s Most Magical Celebration, you would possibly assume it was a tribute to the corporate’s characters and film mental property.
In regular circumstances, none of this might be notably shocking. Increasingly, folks go to Walt Disney World to be immersed in all issues IP. Unimaginative because it may be, Disney is giving the park-going public what it desires. During the 18 months of a milestone anniversary and given the aforementioned passionate fanbases? It comes throughout as out of contact with its personal neighborhood, unappreciative of their a long time of patronage, and unconfident within the power of theme parks as a standalone product. I used to be so excited for the fiftieth Anniversary, however at this level, I’m anxiously awaiting April 2023, when the ‘event’ will probably be put out of its distress.
Limited Hours – This is one which has improved significantly this yr, and hopefully will additional enhance in 2023. The huge change has been earlier opening instances for Disney’s Hollywood Studios and EPCOT, which have been nice–and vastly advantageous for early risers.
As a lot as I hate the gradual erosion of park hours, which began lengthy earlier than final yr, it’s at the very least partly supported by visitor conduct. No matter how crowded within the morning, Animal Kingdom nonetheless clears out by late afternoon. Hollywood Studios is just not practically as busy the final couple hours of the day. Future World empties an hour earlier than Harmonious.
However, Magic Kingdom’s hours aren’t practically as defensible. It opens late and closes early by historic requirements, with the park ceaselessly having 9 am to 10 pm or 11 pm hours at instances when it operated from 8 am to 12 am up to now. On busy days, that 9 am opening time is very unlucky, as rope drop is disagreeable and gives minimal strategic upside. On prime of that, the colossal crowds lingering on Main Street a full hour after park closing are a reasonably good indication that the park ought to keep open later.
Most possible, it is a staffing situation. Magic Kingdom’s hours are restricted by out there Cast Member shifts, making it troublesome so as to add one other 2-3 hours per day. With every passing month, this feels much less like a compelling justification and extra like a lame excuse.
Catering to the “Rich” – There have been no shortages of examples of this–or at the very least, selections which have prompted this chorus amongst Walt Disney World followers. Price will increase are the massive one, however so too are the proliferation of expensive upcharge choices, VIP excursions, After Hours occasions, and extra.
Disney is attempting to squeeze the center class, not exclude them. That would possibly provide little solace, nevertheless it’s an necessary distinction (extra so than a “defense” of the follow). The wealthy aren’t reserving motel-style rooms with exterior hallways on the Value or Moderate Resorts, not to mention the various close by off-site price range motels that Disney depends upon to fill the parks. Rite of passage holidays among the many prosperous are actually a factor, however not practically sufficient to maintain Walt Disney World.
Simply put, Walt Disney World is a center class trip vacation spot. Even on the excessive finish, it doesn’t provide the caliber of service, facilities, or common high quality the prosperous anticipate of actual world locations. This is why Disney “outsources” that to Four Seasons on the resort aspect. There are low-volume area of interest experiences at Walt Disney World aimed on the rich, however they’re comparatively insignificant within the grand scheme of issues. Disney’s bread and butter remains to be the center class…and the present trajectory doesn’t change till that group says “enough is enough” and pulls again in its spending and splurging.
Paid QuickPass – Roughly 14 months later, Walt Disney World retiring free QuickPass and changing it with a paid different continues to be one of many largest fan grievances we hear. From the outset, our place on this inevitable change was that it “could’ve been worse” and gives draw back and upside. This has not been nicely acquired by followers, lots of whom take into account us Disney apologists consequently.
We get it. The transfer to Genie+ represents a paradigm shift, and is an encapsulation of so many different frustrations. The Genie system is unnecessarily convoluted and has too steep of a studying curve. Excluding some points of interest from Genie+ comes throughout as an unnecessarily crass money seize. It clearly launched a number of months earlier than the app characteristic was prepared.
On the plus aspect, Genie+ has improved in a number of methods huge and small this yr. (However, it did take till Christmas 2022–over a yr after launch–so as to add a modify button, probably the most primary of options. On the draw back, Walt Disney World launched date-based pricing, leading to a spike from $16 per day to almost double that. For Festivus 2022, the service prices ~$31 after tax, which positive appears like infringing on my proper to rejoice new holidays.
With that mentioned, we’ll should “agree to disagree” on a number of the opposite complaints. Getting up at ~6:50 am on trip stinks, however that’s already par for the course if you wish to beat the crowds. At least in concept, having some Individual Lightning Lanes incentivizes development of latest headliner points of interest, which might be straight monetized. QuickPass+ would possibly’ve been beloved by hardcore followers who at all times stayed on-site and knew its quirks, nevertheless it created its personal losers (anybody off-site or studying of its existence upon arrival). QuickPass+ was stretched to its breaking level and a change was wanted.
Genie could be very removed from good and may’ve been extra like MaxPass, nevertheless it’s not as dangerous because it’s made out to be. It will hopefully enhance over time, and even easy UI and reliably fixes, plus reserving prompts will enhance the general Genie+ expertise. Not everybody will adore it, however not everybody liked paper QuickPass or QuickPass+ both.
Too Much Screen Time – Refreshing Genie+ for higher Lightning Lanes. Mobile Order for counter service eating places and Merchandise Mobile Checkout to purchase stuff. Constantly checking Walk-up Waitlist for brand new desk service availability. Checking wait instances and showtimes. Joining the Cosmic Rewind digital queue. Reading restaurant menus. Playing the MagicBand+ mini video games or the DuckTales World Showcase Adventure.
One of the fastest-growing complaints we’ve heard this yr is that visiting Walt Disney World includes an excessive amount of display screen time. We see this as a double-edged sword and, truthfully, a bit overblown (sorry!). Refreshing Genie+ is just like doing the identical for QuickPass+ to acquire 4th (and past) journey reservations. Mobile Order, Merchandise Mobile Checkout, and Walk-up Waitlist aren’t required–they’re optionally available choices that may minimize down ready at eating places (and are more and more widespread in the true world). Same goes for the minigames within the Play Disney Parks app.
As a common matter, we do agree with this criticism. One of our core ‘theses’ was that Walt Disney World leaned too closely on know-how (ironic, because it’s one thing the corporate is objectively terrible at) and never sufficient on tactile experiences. To paraphrase my favourite Walt Disney quote, “it’s people that make the dream a reality.”
The greatest recollections are fashioned on account of interpersonal moments, and a lot emotional resonance is derived from friends connecting with Cast Members. Even if folks can’t put their finger on it, a lot of what differentiates and defines the attraction of Walt Disney World is the ‘little things’ that join them to different folks and the environments round them. Sure, ‘sexy’ rides like Cosmic Rewind get folks to take the journey, nevertheless it’s the myriad little issues and people connections that persuade them (even subconsciously) to return.
So whereas we gained’t level to Genie+ or another new characteristic in My Disney Experience as being “bad,” like many followers have performed, we very a lot agree with the generalized sentiment that spending a day at Walt Disney World now nudges friends in the direction of spending method an excessive amount of time with their faces buried of their telephones. These new options are nice in isolation, and profit the corporate by bettering effectivity and reducing prices. However, the totality of all of this quantities to Walt Disney World successfully leaning into its weak spot and away from its strengths. And that’s worthy of a reasonably large ‘grievance,’ when you ask me.
Cutbacks & Charges – This is already getting actually lengthy, however I’d be remiss if I didn’t at the very least acknowledge the entire cutbacks and expenses for issues that was once included. Want a MagicBand? That’ll value you! Bread to begin your desk service meal? Prepare to pay further! Evening Extra Magic Hours? Upgrade resorts! Want to see a parade or stage present? It’s behind an After Hours paywall.
I’m not a fan of nickel & diming. I don’t wish to give this main grievance solely cursory therapy, however there’s simply not a ton I can add right here that hasn’t already been mentioned. There are arguably some situations–like reducing again on plastic waste with MagicBands or hiring extra housekeepers being practically inconceivable–the place a few of that is comprehensible. By and huge, it’s only a method to enhance margins. It’s an efficient method as a result of every is minor in isolation, however there’s a motive why “death by a thousand cuts” is a saying. The totality of those cost-cutting measures has change into very noticeable.
End of Disney’s Magical Express – We knew it was coming, nevertheless it was nonetheless troublesome to consider that Walt Disney World would truly comply with via and finish Disney’s Magical Express this previous January. Even till the final minute, many followers felt the corporate was taking part in hardball and would lengthen its contract with Mears. That didn’t occur.
To today, we nonetheless hear from readers holding out hope that Disney’s Magical Express will return in 2023. Given that there’s no foundation for this perception, it’s one of many extra shocking widespread questions we’re requested. Although its non secular successor remains to be operated by Mears and there’s one other enjoyable train-themed different, Walt Disney World doesn’t provide airport transportation.
Even greater than paid QuickPass, this has garnered probably the most backlash and confusion amongst followers. A yr later, I nonetheless can’t make sense of this one. Retiring DME is the equal of pulling your ace beginning pitcher throwing a no-hitter throughout the World Series. Sabermetrics someway justifies it, nevertheless it is not sensible to anybody in the true world. It’s analytics gone awry, justifying selections that diminish the general high quality of the expertise. The enjoyable is being sucked away by individuals who don’t truly love the sport, armed with computer systems which have deemed these selections to be “correct” and “good.”
It looks as if the choice to get rid of Disney’s Magical Express was arrived upon in an analogous method, and I can muster no protection for the transfer, in anyway. Like silly sabermetrics selections which might be hurting baseball, I concern Disney is doing one thing related with an overreliance on analytics. Perhaps these will deliver short-term positive aspects, but in addition, unknown long-term ache.
Eliminating Disney’s Magical Express is brief sighted and can value the corporate resort stays, visits to different theme parks, meals outdoors the resort complicated, and extra. One of Walt Disney World’s best strengths was its bubble, and the corporate has voluntarily punctured that. The captive viewers that was seen as advantageous for years is gone–and at a time when Walt Disney World’s #1 competitor retains rising and getting stronger. Make it make sense.
The factor is, I’m positive there’s a enterprise justification for the choice, with complicated calculations carried out. It all is sensible, when you’re a pc. And but, it doesn’t move the only of odor assessments for people. (I don’t wish to give any false hope, however I nonetheless assume Walt Disney World would possibly discover itself reversing this determination as soon as Epic Universe opens.)
This encapsulates my largest concern for the way forward for Walt Disney World. More selections by analytics, fewer by actual folks. Less that’s attention-grabbing and distinctive, extra that’s beholden to model deposits and dictated by accountants. Beyond a few of what’s listed right here, I additionally see this mentality mirrored in leisure like Disney Enchantment. That nighttime spectacular is less complicated to elucidate as one thing assembled by algorithm, predicated on Disney+ advertising targets or viewership knowledge. I additionally see it repudiated in issues like KiteTails, which is why I like that chaotic and unpredictable present.
Above all else, Walt Disney World needs to be enjoyable and inventive. Its leaders ought to by no means lose sight of that, and understand {that a} determination is simply as “good” as its ensuing visitor satisfaction. They needs to be cognizant of the truth that all the things has a value, together with short-term monetary achieve. The value paid for friends coming back from journeys feeling deflated or devalued needs to be deemed too excessive, it doesn’t matter what per capita spending might need to say. Walt Disney World is a enterprise and at all times has been. It’s additionally modern and imaginative, an formidable endeavor constructed not by MBAs and accountants, however by inventive visionaries–it needs to be handled as such by those that now lead it. Guests have lengthy recognized that the corporate was after their cash, however by no means earlier than have they felt that was the essence of Walt Disney World.
Planning a Walt Disney World journey? Learn about motels on our Walt Disney World Hotels Reviews web page. For the place to eat, learn our Walt Disney World Restaurant Reviews. To get monetary savings on tickets or decide which sort to purchase, learn our Tips for Saving Money on Walt Disney World Tickets submit. Our What to Pack for Disney Trips submit takes a singular take a look at intelligent gadgets to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney World Ride Guides will assist. For complete recommendation, the most effective place to begin is our Walt Disney World Trip Planning Guide for all the things it’s good to know!
Your Thoughts
Have any grievances of your personal to air about Walt Disney World? Do you agree or disagree with our airing of grievances? Any questions we may also help you reply? Hearing your suggestions–even if you disagree with us–is each attention-grabbing to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas beneath within the feedback!