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For decades, when you talked about theme parks and mentioned “Disney Magic,” many people knew exactly what you were talking about. There was just something about the original magic of Disneyland, the sheer brilliance of Walt Disney World Resort, the incredible food, the clean dining and bathroom areas, and so much more. Taking a Disney vacation was at the top of the priority list.
Sadly, over the last several years, that Disney magic isn’t what it used to be.
Credit: Disney
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Sure, things changed a lot after the pandemic — they had to. But it’s been a while since COVID really affected the theme parks, and things still aren’t the same.
Disney leadership has made a lot of controversial decisions recently, and theme park guests have voiced their disappointment. However, nothing has really changed.
Credit: Disney
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And now, one Disney fan is describing just how much Disney has changed and what it has taken from park guests.
X (formerly Twitter) user Damon Vinci recently laid out what Disney used to offer to set it apart. Those things are now all gone, but Disney vacations are more expensive than ever.
Ok, here’s my issue with Disney as of late. Disney was a leader in the theme park space. Literally nobody did it better. The food was better. The CMs were better. The themes were better. The inclusions and perks were better. It was more expensive than other places, cont 🧵
But you got such better quality than other places. You really felt like there was value. Magical Express was amazing. They picked up your bags and delivered them to your room, so your vacation started when you left the house.
But you got such better quality than other places. You really felt like there was value. Magical Express was amazing. They picked up your bags and delivered them to your room, so your vacation started when you left the house. Cont,
— Damon Vinci 🇺🇸🏳️🌈 (@23XIsquirrel) June 26, 2024
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MagicBands — Disney’s own creation — made your trip so much easier. You were able to keep your tickets on your card and charge things to your room. And the best part? They used to be free. In fact, lots of things used to be included with the cost of your vacation, including the MagicBands and FastPasses.
You could prepay for meals so you weren’t flipping out your wallet and feeling like you were being nickel and dimed every step of the way. MagicBands and FastPasses were included in your stay. CMs could make magic happen for you at any point of your stay.
Now the base entry to get in is crazy. $200+ a night to stay at All Stars. $120+ for a day in the park. $150+ to attend a party. $50+ for a dinner. Then add Lightning Lanes and you’re talking anywhere from $25-$40 pp per day, plus Single Pass for another $10-$30.
Now the base entry to get in is crazy. $200+ a night to stay at All Stars. $120+ for a day in the park. $150+ to attend a party. $50+ for a dinner. Then add Lightning Lanes and you’re talking anywhere from $25-$40 pp per day, plus Single Pass for another $10-$30. Cont
— Damon Vinci 🇺🇸🏳️🌈 (@23XIsquirrel) June 26, 2024
Related: MagicBands to Become Obsolete at Walt Disney World?
Damon also spoke about Disney’s lack of transparency regarding some of its extras. When Disney Genie+ was first introduced, it had a set price. However, the price of Genie+ now varies based on the time of year and even the day of the week. And since you can’t book Genie+ in advance, you won’t know how much you have to spend.
The lack of pricing transparency at Walt Disney World is maddening. Multi-Pass could be $20. It could be $40. You literally don’t know until the day you buy it, which is during your trip (or just before). How do you plan for that?
For an average family of 4 you are talking about anywhere from $100-$200 in extra expenses per day! The virtual queue is also an issue. You take people who would otherwise be in line for a ride and put them into the rest of the park, which elevates wait times elsewhere.
For an average family of 4 you are talking about anywhere from $100-$200 in extra expenses per day! The virtual queue is also an issue. You take people who would otherwise be in line for a ride and put them into the rest of the park, which elevates wait times elsewhere. Cont
— Damon Vinci 🇺🇸🏳️🌈 (@23XIsquirrel) June 26, 2024
However, it should be noted that Disney recently announced changes to Genie+. Guests will be allowed to purchase the service before their vacation and book up to three ride reservations in advance.
He also addressed the fact that attendance at Disney theme parks has been dropping. Disney CFO Hugh Johnston admitted that back in May, but said that it was due to the post-COVID travel bug having worn off. However, many people think that Disney just no longer holds the same value that it once did.
Credit: Disney
Many commenters agreed, and some said Damon should contact Disney. Sadly, he pointed out that disappointed guests have been very vocal, but Disney doesn’t seem to be listening.
Do you agree with Damon? Has Disney lost a lot of its magic? Let us know in the comments!
Yes they keep taking things away and keep raising prices!! Fast pass was great when free!!! Now you pay and it is terrible!!! Nickel and dime you for everything now and they took all the power of Magic away from the cast members!!! The cast members have had wands taken away!!
He is exactly right. I would go every year for 22 years up until Covid hit. I had a trip even scheduled for that year. We always stayed at Dixie Landings/Port Orleans Riverside. We took the magical express-free, we stayed at the moderate hotel because it was reasonably priced. We went to the parks when we felt like it, went on rides when we felt like it, didn’t have to pay for fast pass. The food prices were always high but that was to be expected. the food was good. You did have to make reservations but there never was a hassle. The magic sounds totally gone from what I can read. I hesitate going back because of it. Fights in the parks, drunken people doing stupid stuff, I so don’t want to be around that.
Disney so needs to wake up and see they are ruining the best thing they had. If it scares me away, I am sure it does a lot more.
To add to my comment, delivery of your purchases was free from the parks to your hotel too.
Oh this guy is 100% correct,it’s sad but true
I agree. They keep taking things away. I loved the Magical Express and the fact that I could buy something in the park and not have to carry it around all day. Fast Pass was ok but Genie+ added quite a bit to my exit bill.
I used to go every year. I have no intention of returning to WDW any time soon. I won’t be nickled and dimed to death!
You get nickel and dimed everywhere.
I absolutely agree! We are Florida residents and used to have Annual Passes. The cost is so ridiculous now, even for us, that we don’t go anymore. When Covid happened and WDW finally reopened, it was the Florida residents that made that happen. So how did Disney thank us? They took away the ability to purchase Annual Passes for years. And when they finally reintroduced them, they were so much more money for so many less perks. My family of five, who lives less than two hours from WDW, can no longer afford to go there! Add to that rude guests, cast members that no longer create magic… no thanks.
I totally agree with what you are saying.
100% agree!!! Bring these things back!!! Walt Disney World is expensive enough without nickel and diming! And while we’re at it, bring back purchase delivery!! C’mon now!
He’s correct. Disney has throw their customers aside & are now trying to make as much money as they can.
We’ve been to WDW well over a hundred time(we did live in Orlando) & Walt Disney is probably spinning in his grave seeing what the idiots have done to his dream
If Disney could figure out a way to charge you for breathing the air once you enter a park they would. The management team has forsaken what made Disney a great family vacation and turned it into a place that just takes and takes till no family can afford a trip without going into extreme debt. Sadly there is nothing at Disney worth the price of admission.
Disney has absolutely lost its magic. My family has always travelled to WDW exclusively for our vacations. My son had wanted to have his wedding at WDW. We last travelled there in 2022. We have absolutely no interest to return to the parks. My family will be vacationing in Florida this coming summer. I asked my kids if they wanted to visit the parks at WDW. None of them wanted to go. On the other hand, they were eager to potentially visit Universal Studios in Florida. I know that my experience may not be the same for everyone, but in terms of my family, Disney has lost a family that exclusively travelled to WDW.
We’ve been going to Walt Disney World since my daughter was 5 years old & she is going to be 51. Back then if you stayed on property you got so many amenities. We had a dinning plan that gave you 3 sit down meals a day, use of water craft at your hotel and we had an option to get tickets for Cirque Du Soleil and I don’t remember the other options, but the tickets for Cirque were $96 dollars at the time. I will admit the 3 meals a day was a lot of food and you had to space your meal time out a lot because you just finished breakfast & it was lunch time. The point is, Disney did offer you a lot of stuff included in the price of your vacation. I know they can’t do that now, but they should give you something for what you have to pay for the Magic.
You can also add that they shortened the hours the parks are open.