Fans Disappointed in Disney’s Constant “De-Theming”, Calling It “Soulless”

In 1998, The Walt Disney Company decided to take its signature magic to the high seas with the creation of the Disney Cruise Line and the launch of its first ship, the aptly named Disney Magic. Since then, Disney has added four additional ships to its impressive fleet: the Disney Wonder (1999), the Disney Dream (2011), the Disney Fantasy (2012), and the Disney Wish (2022).

Three new ships have also been announced: the Disney Treasure (2024), the Disney Adventure (2025), and the Disney Destiny (2026). The Disney Treasure is set to have its maiden voyage on December 21, and fans could not be more excited.

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On July 3, Disney announced that its Disney Dream ship would be getting a major update. The Oceaneer Club would receive an upgrade, a brand-new suite would be added to the ship, and the concierge lounge would be expanded with a new Hercules (1997) theme.

NEW: The Disney Dream will be updated this fall to include an updated Oceaneer Club, a brand-new funnel suite, an expanded concierge lounge inspired by “Hercules,” and a new cantina quick service option on Deck 11 (likely similar to Donald’s Cantina on the Disney Wish).

NEW: The Disney Dream will be updated this fall to include an updated Oceaneer Club, a brand-new funnel suite, an expanded concierge lounge inspired by “Hercules,” and a new cantina quick service option on Deck 11 (likely similar to Donald’s Cantina on the Disney Wish). pic.twitter.com/xGbwigw7Oj

— Scott Gustin (@ScottGustin) July 3, 2024

Sadly, fans were not thrilled with the images shared by the Mouse House. They felt that the designs were not what they had come to expect from the creative minds who worked in Imagineering. They accused Disney of constantly “de-theming” areas, taking away that quintessential Disney feel.

I think we’ve hit peak “de-themed Disney” when putting a background painting from Hercules in a lounge filled with modern faux-art deco furniture is billed as “Inspired by Hercules”. There is NO connection here.

I think we’ve hit peak “de-themed Disney” when putting a background painting from Hercules in a lounge filled with modern faux-art deco furniture is billed as “Inspired by Hercules”. There is NO connection here. https://t.co/TSxCh9cLRm pic.twitter.com/oLKZKoH3s0

— Henry Taylor (@TGrahamMemories) July 3, 2024

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Many commenters were disappointed that the “Hercules-inspired” lounge only featured one image from the film. Other than that, there doesn’t appear to be anything Hercules-related.

Having a piece of art hanging in the room does not make it Hercules inspired, this lacks any creative vision

Having a piece of art hanging in the room does not make it Hercules inspired, this lacks any creative vision

— Jake Sonsel (@jakesonsel) July 4, 2024

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Some even blamed Bob Iger for the changes, which removed that special Disney magic that guests have become used to.

As a customer I feel insulted looking at this…they claim something is “themed” to something which means they threw a poster from hot topic on the wall surrounded it with furniture straight out of a corporate catalog and called it done. Iger is DESTROYING this company and rep.

As a customer I feel insulted looking at this…they claim something is “themed” to something which means they threw a poster from hot topic on the wall surrounded it with furniture straight out of a corporate catalog and called it done. Iger is DESTROYING this company and rep.

— MikeL (@MikeDL17) July 3, 2024

Some pointed out that subtle theming has become more the norm on Disney cruise ships. X user @jj_thejetplane pointed out that the Aristocats-themed lounge on the Disney Treasure has only a few nods to the 1970 film.

i felt the same way about the Aristocats lounge announced for the Disney Treasure. like… that’s just a modern jazz lounge with a neon sign of some lyrics from the movie and some paw prints on the piano… it doesn’t feel inspired by the film at all

i felt the same way about the Aristocats lounge announced for the Disney Treasure. like… that’s just a modern jazz lounge with a neon sign of some lyrics from the movie and some paw prints on the piano… it doesn’t feel inspired by the film at all pic.twitter.com/JkG0neMQOB

— jj the jet plane (@jj_thejetpain) July 3, 2024

Not the First Time Disney Has Disappointed

Walt Disney famously said that Disneyland would never be completed as long as there is imagination left in the world. That belief is why Disney Imagineers are constantly working on ways to change things at the theme parks, at their hotels, on their cruise ships, and so much more.

In 2009, the Caribbean Beach Resort at Walt Disney World opened its brand-new rooms themed after Pirates of the Caribbean in the Trinidad South area of the hotel. Despite being out of the way, the rooms were loved by guests, and they became even more in demand when the Skyliner opened at the resort.

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The curtain separating the bathroom area featured the huge skull and crossbones symbol from the movie. The bench/storage area was designed to resemble a treasure chest, and the table was designed to resemble a barrel. Then there were the beds, which were designed to be pirate ships, and the carpet was a massive map.

Easy to say that no detail was missed.

In 2022, Disney announced that it would be reimagining the Pirate rooms at Caribbean Beach and giving them a Little Mermaid (1989) retheme. In the announcement, Disney said the rooms will “include subtle nods to fan-favorite characters from under the sea, will accommodate more Guests, and feature updated finishings that can’t be found anywhere else at the resort.”

The rooms opened to guests in 2023, but like with the Hercules lounge, fans did not love the retheme. Where the Pirates of the Caribbean room completely immersed guests in the story, the Little Mermaid theme was subtle and barely noticeable to some.

CommuniCore Hall Disaster

For years, EPCOT has been undergoing a major renovation, and guests have had to enjoy the theme park around the construction zone. Finally, on June 10, the construction was complete, and CommuniCore Plaza and CommuniCore Hall finally opened. Unfortunately, the images that Disney shared did not match up to what guests were expecting.

To make things even worse, guests had been led to believe that CommuniCore Hall would have been more than what it was because of the images and videos shared during a media event the day before the official opening. They were so upset that they accused Disney of a “bait and switch.”

While we know that Disney is always looking for ways to innovate, it seems that guests have not been thrilled with the recent changes. Disney used to be known for its big and bold designs, and completely enveloping guests in all things Disney. Subtly has become the new way, and it doesn’t seem to be going away.

Do you like the new direction Disney-theming is going? Let us know in the comments!