Correction – it was the Chapek Pandemic. He cut, unbundled everything he could to monetize each and every thing, or just plain cut to save money, money a multi billion dollar company doesn’t need to save. Chapek is all about the balance sheet, he couldn’t care less about the customers, the cast members, the experience, the magic or even about rides breaking down every day.
I don’t know if you are aware, but Disney did take a big hit from the parks being closed. They had to take a loan out to afford to pay their employees who weren’t working during the pandemic. A lot of things are still slowly coming back because they can’t get the people or money to do it. Blaming him for it is completely incorrect.
Disney is lucky to get a bean counter as CEO during covid. They lost so much money due to park closures that it’s all Chapek can do to keep things afloat. People are not happy because Chapek is charging them more, but they would have been even less happy if Disney World had gone belly up.
I realize Disney has to make ends meet
But I’m sure there could have been other ways to do it.
All the little things that were cut that made Disney home were discontinued.
Transportation to and from airport. Free mugs. There aren’t even towel sculpertures on the beds anymore! And the food portions come on!! I saw some of the pictures! Ridiculous ! And to make things worse have nerve to increase prices!
The safari ride in Animal Kingdom was even changed. It use to be longer. It didn’t stop long enough for me to get my camera up to focus to take decent pictures! We always had little magical moments happen to us every time we went to Disney always a few where cast members did something special out of the blue. We had one!! There just isn’t that magic feeling that you are home anymore which is very very sad. My trips to Disney now will be fewer and farer in between. And the excitement won’t be as intense. Which is really heartbreaking for this 68 yr old grandmother who use to go to Disney every year . Walt is rolling over in his grave.
The transportation was planned to be dropped before this all happened because there was plans to use the train. People are asking for free transportation, but forget that someone actually has to pay for that and get people who are able to do it. Not an easy thing to do right now. I’ve been there a few times and I haven’t once got a free mug, but I got as many free refills as I wanted while I was there and it came in clutch last week with the powerade. The portions weren’t bad either. I ordered something for breakfast and it filled me up very well. The pizza’s were so big that they couldn’t close the boxes properly either. People make all these complaints like everything is completely different and forget that we are still dealing with the pandemic and need to wait for things to go back to normal before saying how sad it is.
Another brain washed Disney fan. Disney is a multi billion dollar company. Why would they have to take a loan out to pay employees who make nothing. Wake up.
People really do seem to have problems understanding this. Disney took out loans because they decided executives and shareholders were more important than guest services. It’s not surprising, but it’s also not good business. The more young families decide Universal is the better deal, the fewer guests Disney is going to have in the long term. They don’t seem to realise that they’re not just looking at the next year or two or even the next decade. Disney is a nostalgia based habit 50+ years in the making. Once families make the switch, it’s going to be twice as hard to bring them back
Another brainless troll lol. It’s a fact that they had to get a loan to keep the company from going broke since they were thinking they wouldn’t be closed for that long and continued to pay them even after the parks closed. I’m sorry you are too clueless to see that, but maybe try using a little more effort next time 🙂
You are completely wrong the employees were not paid they were laid off get your facts before posting the cast members are treated terribly fire bob chapek change.org
They actually were paid for a while and then when things weren’t opening anytime soon, that’s when they were let off and told they would be able to get unemployment and then when things open up again, they would get a call back. Don’t let your hate for one man blind you.
I was just there in January and we missed the tram service at the parks bc by the time you walk from your car to the gate youre already exhausted. Also, i wish they would have brought back character autographs
Disney did NOT take out a loan. I’m sorry you are wrong. He has dismantled everything that Disney has stood for since the beginning. You really need to understand what Walt wanted and realize what this CEO is doing is just plain wrong
Chapek is blameless as long as the parks are full and making huge profits. The day that the parks start losing money because people are losing interest, then you can blame him. That day won’t come any time soon, because the parks are projected to increase in profit by 30% or more in the next few years.
They can’t make profit projections based on crowds. The parks are temporarily falsely crowded due to Covid and the day is coming soon when fans will have had enough.
I care. I’m a shareholder and used to be a big fan of visiting the parks. We canceled this year due to lack of magic and excessive cost. So many of the things that made it magic are gone. While the Magical Express had turned into a rolling commercial with really annoying video, it still was convenient and we loved the feeling of getting off the plane and starting our Disney trip at the airport. “Must Do Disney” disappearing from the hotel TV was disappointing. The Magic Kingdom just isn’t the same without the Electrical Parade. Getting to the Magic Kingdom in time for the Welcome Show at the train station is a much-missed family tradition. My kids dreamed of someday being chosen as the family that got to ride in on the train. The loss of spontaneity may be the biggest disappointment. Even worse, being dependent on a phone for everything. We used to put our phones in a fanny pack and keep a paper map in our pockets. My idea of a magical day doesn’t include a cellphone (Pretty sure Walt would have agreed he also would have hated Chapek’s decision not to challenge the evil “don’t say gay” bill). We loved running around the Magic Kingdom until noonish then taking the monorail to Epcot for lunch then to return to our hotel for a swim. Then we would decide where to spend the afternoon. Can’t do that anymore. Our annual visit for the Christmas party just wasn’t worth an extra $200+/person. The list goes on…Sadly, we’ve decided to stick with our magical memories instead of risking ruining them with a visit right now. As a shareholder, I’m not happy the stock is dropping like a lead balloon, something that is at least in part due to the missing magic at the parks.
Oh my God where do I begin? Well I have never been to Disney world in my life and now a trip seems less likely. I’ll have to fly out there and get a hotel for a week, pricey enough, but getting a rental car just to get from the airport and hotel to the parks is nuts. Lots of restaurants I would love to try, but the Dining Plan would have been a great way to afford them- and not only is it gone, but we have to pay out lots for mediocre portions? And this is the cruncher- an issue that affects both coasts- the wonderful service you have to pay for to maybe get on your favorites. I see it as constantly being on your phone, praying for WiFi, with adrenaline way up in a bad way. No time to chillax over a Dole whip, I’ve got to make sure I can snag one chance to do Space Mountain before closing. If we aren’t guaranteed these chances why do we have to pay for them?? They are really forcing our hands by making us choose between paying out more and waiting in hours-long standby lines. The whole situation smacks of greed and rotten tactics. Hoping that enough of us real fans can force their greasy hands and see how Mr Big-Bucks Cheapek likes that.
Anyone who has not done so needs to watch (YouTube) the Defunctland special on Fastpass to truly understand what’s failing at Disney right now (and how to fix it). Mind blowing.
Still no news on the dining plan’s return? I know Disney announced at some point that it would be coming back, they just didn’t say when. I really miss it, it took all the stress out of eating for our family. Magical Express was great too. A wonderful way to get into that Disney bubble as soon as you got off the plane. Checking your bags at your local airport and having them “magically” appear in your resort room was so nice as well.
We are going to Disney end of June 2022 for my youngest to experience the magic. However, the Bibiddi Bobbity Boutique is not currently open, we can’t dine in the Cinderella Castle with the different princesses walking around and Chef Mickey has restrictions to characters as well. Enough is enough! If people are willing to travel, bring back all the magic and make things normal again!
So…because people are willing to travel, they should just get rid of all restrictions? That doesn’t make sense lol. You are able to go and still do things and eat at places. Things aren’t normal yet, if you don’t like it, you should just wait for things to get to where you are happy….which, I feel like might be a while by your reaction.
Universal hasn’t gotten rid of anything. You get the full experience. They went through the pandemic, too, but decided not to water down the experience or nickel and dime people. It’s a MUCH better experience than the new Disney!
As a former 15 year Florida Annual Passholder, and a Park attendee since the 1970s, the magic did indeed fade into the sunset over time. Smaller food portions, onsite parking fees, no more free airport shuttle, higher and higher admission prices, now charging for Fastpass access, employees that are no longer helpful “cast members” but simply hourly drone employees (with a few exceptions), declining physical plant conditions, business processes that were simply not Disney efficient (we had problems registering as guests the last three times we went to Disneyworld due to computer problems). As a Florida resident there are many, many other less expensive, wonderful recreation opportunities in the state which put the current Disney experience to shame.
I have a special needs child we use the das system and it worked, we got our time to come back, no problem. The Genie+ ruined the DAS concept. you get your return time and you now have a massive line to get in which defeats the purpose of getting the return time, it’s sad.
Comments for Guests Are “Missing the Magic” At Disney Parks, Claim Things Need to Come Back
Brooke
Correction – it was the Chapek Pandemic. He cut, unbundled everything he could to monetize each and every thing, or just plain cut to save money, money a multi billion dollar company doesn’t need to save. Chapek is all about the balance sheet, he couldn’t care less about the customers, the cast members, the experience, the magic or even about rides breaking down every day.
Jordan
I don’t know if you are aware, but Disney did take a big hit from the parks being closed. They had to take a loan out to afford to pay their employees who weren’t working during the pandemic. A lot of things are still slowly coming back because they can’t get the people or money to do it. Blaming him for it is completely incorrect.
I love Disney
Disney is lucky to get a bean counter as CEO during covid. They lost so much money due to park closures that it’s all Chapek can do to keep things afloat. People are not happy because Chapek is charging them more, but they would have been even less happy if Disney World had gone belly up.
Susie Wilson
I realize Disney has to make ends meet
But I’m sure there could have been other ways to do it.
All the little things that were cut that made Disney home were discontinued.
Transportation to and from airport. Free mugs. There aren’t even towel sculpertures on the beds anymore! And the food portions come on!! I saw some of the pictures! Ridiculous ! And to make things worse have nerve to increase prices!
The safari ride in Animal Kingdom was even changed. It use to be longer. It didn’t stop long enough for me to get my camera up to focus to take decent pictures! We always had little magical moments happen to us every time we went to Disney always a few where cast members did something special out of the blue. We had one!! There just isn’t that magic feeling that you are home anymore which is very very sad. My trips to Disney now will be fewer and farer in between. And the excitement won’t be as intense. Which is really heartbreaking for this 68 yr old grandmother who use to go to Disney every year . Walt is rolling over in his grave.
Jordan
The transportation was planned to be dropped before this all happened because there was plans to use the train. People are asking for free transportation, but forget that someone actually has to pay for that and get people who are able to do it. Not an easy thing to do right now. I’ve been there a few times and I haven’t once got a free mug, but I got as many free refills as I wanted while I was there and it came in clutch last week with the powerade. The portions weren’t bad either. I ordered something for breakfast and it filled me up very well. The pizza’s were so big that they couldn’t close the boxes properly either. People make all these complaints like everything is completely different and forget that we are still dealing with the pandemic and need to wait for things to go back to normal before saying how sad it is.
Bob
Another brain washed Disney fan. Disney is a multi billion dollar company. Why would they have to take a loan out to pay employees who make nothing. Wake up.
ND
People really do seem to have problems understanding this. Disney took out loans because they decided executives and shareholders were more important than guest services. It’s not surprising, but it’s also not good business. The more young families decide Universal is the better deal, the fewer guests Disney is going to have in the long term. They don’t seem to realise that they’re not just looking at the next year or two or even the next decade. Disney is a nostalgia based habit 50+ years in the making. Once families make the switch, it’s going to be twice as hard to bring them back
Jordan
Another brainless troll lol. It’s a fact that they had to get a loan to keep the company from going broke since they were thinking they wouldn’t be closed for that long and continued to pay them even after the parks closed. I’m sorry you are too clueless to see that, but maybe try using a little more effort next time 🙂
Terry
You are completely wrong the employees were not paid they were laid off get your facts before posting the cast members are treated terribly fire bob chapek change.org
Jordan
They actually were paid for a while and then when things weren’t opening anytime soon, that’s when they were let off and told they would be able to get unemployment and then when things open up again, they would get a call back. Don’t let your hate for one man blind you.
Tina
No they did not that’s why they called it unemployment federal benefits and Disney benefit from it so don’t kid yourself
Ashley
I was just there in January and we missed the tram service at the parks bc by the time you walk from your car to the gate youre already exhausted. Also, i wish they would have brought back character autographs
Kelly
Disney did NOT take out a loan. I’m sorry you are wrong. He has dismantled everything that Disney has stood for since the beginning. You really need to understand what Walt wanted and realize what this CEO is doing is just plain wrong
I love Disney
Chapek is blameless as long as the parks are full and making huge profits. The day that the parks start losing money because people are losing interest, then you can blame him. That day won’t come any time soon, because the parks are projected to increase in profit by 30% or more in the next few years.
Bob
They can’t make profit projections based on crowds. The parks are temporarily falsely crowded due to Covid and the day is coming soon when fans will have had enough.
Chris
Entertainment is what needs to come back and fully come back.
I love Disney
Guests are coming in droves to the point that parks are booked full for days on end. Nobody cares about what they are missing.
Lisa Murray
I care. I’m a shareholder and used to be a big fan of visiting the parks. We canceled this year due to lack of magic and excessive cost. So many of the things that made it magic are gone. While the Magical Express had turned into a rolling commercial with really annoying video, it still was convenient and we loved the feeling of getting off the plane and starting our Disney trip at the airport. “Must Do Disney” disappearing from the hotel TV was disappointing. The Magic Kingdom just isn’t the same without the Electrical Parade. Getting to the Magic Kingdom in time for the Welcome Show at the train station is a much-missed family tradition. My kids dreamed of someday being chosen as the family that got to ride in on the train. The loss of spontaneity may be the biggest disappointment. Even worse, being dependent on a phone for everything. We used to put our phones in a fanny pack and keep a paper map in our pockets. My idea of a magical day doesn’t include a cellphone (Pretty sure Walt would have agreed he also would have hated Chapek’s decision not to challenge the evil “don’t say gay” bill). We loved running around the Magic Kingdom until noonish then taking the monorail to Epcot for lunch then to return to our hotel for a swim. Then we would decide where to spend the afternoon. Can’t do that anymore. Our annual visit for the Christmas party just wasn’t worth an extra $200+/person. The list goes on…Sadly, we’ve decided to stick with our magical memories instead of risking ruining them with a visit right now. As a shareholder, I’m not happy the stock is dropping like a lead balloon, something that is at least in part due to the missing magic at the parks.
Phoebe L Ho
Oh my God where do I begin? Well I have never been to Disney world in my life and now a trip seems less likely. I’ll have to fly out there and get a hotel for a week, pricey enough, but getting a rental car just to get from the airport and hotel to the parks is nuts. Lots of restaurants I would love to try, but the Dining Plan would have been a great way to afford them- and not only is it gone, but we have to pay out lots for mediocre portions? And this is the cruncher- an issue that affects both coasts- the wonderful service you have to pay for to maybe get on your favorites. I see it as constantly being on your phone, praying for WiFi, with adrenaline way up in a bad way. No time to chillax over a Dole whip, I’ve got to make sure I can snag one chance to do Space Mountain before closing. If we aren’t guaranteed these chances why do we have to pay for them?? They are really forcing our hands by making us choose between paying out more and waiting in hours-long standby lines. The whole situation smacks of greed and rotten tactics. Hoping that enough of us real fans can force their greasy hands and see how Mr Big-Bucks Cheapek likes that.
JS
Anyone who has not done so needs to watch (YouTube) the Defunctland special on Fastpass to truly understand what’s failing at Disney right now (and how to fix it). Mind blowing.
J
Still no news on the dining plan’s return? I know Disney announced at some point that it would be coming back, they just didn’t say when. I really miss it, it took all the stress out of eating for our family. Magical Express was great too. A wonderful way to get into that Disney bubble as soon as you got off the plane. Checking your bags at your local airport and having them “magically” appear in your resort room was so nice as well.
Annette
In my humble opinion, Disney has “taken away” a great deal but has not “given” anything.
Aprille
We are going to Disney end of June 2022 for my youngest to experience the magic. However, the Bibiddi Bobbity Boutique is not currently open, we can’t dine in the Cinderella Castle with the different princesses walking around and Chef Mickey has restrictions to characters as well. Enough is enough! If people are willing to travel, bring back all the magic and make things normal again!
Jordan
So…because people are willing to travel, they should just get rid of all restrictions? That doesn’t make sense lol. You are able to go and still do things and eat at places. Things aren’t normal yet, if you don’t like it, you should just wait for things to get to where you are happy….which, I feel like might be a while by your reaction.
Adam M.
Universal hasn’t gotten rid of anything. You get the full experience. They went through the pandemic, too, but decided not to water down the experience or nickel and dime people. It’s a MUCH better experience than the new Disney!
Jordan
Comparing the 2 isn’t exactly fair when Universal doesn’t do all sorts of shows around the parks like what Disney does. Disney has a lot more too.
Bruno
As a former 15 year Florida Annual Passholder, and a Park attendee since the 1970s, the magic did indeed fade into the sunset over time. Smaller food portions, onsite parking fees, no more free airport shuttle, higher and higher admission prices, now charging for Fastpass access, employees that are no longer helpful “cast members” but simply hourly drone employees (with a few exceptions), declining physical plant conditions, business processes that were simply not Disney efficient (we had problems registering as guests the last three times we went to Disneyworld due to computer problems). As a Florida resident there are many, many other less expensive, wonderful recreation opportunities in the state which put the current Disney experience to shame.
Jenn
I have a special needs child we use the das system and it worked, we got our time to come back, no problem. The Genie+ ruined the DAS concept. you get your return time and you now have a massive line to get in which defeats the purpose of getting the return time, it’s sad.
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