The Disaster of the 50th Anniversary of Walt Disney World | A Troubling Milestone
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- Опубліковано 19 жов 2024
- I didn’t intend to make this video because I wanted to focus on things more topical for October, but we have to talk a bit about the 50th Anniversary at Walt Disney World. It has been… well, a disaster in all respects. All of the new shows that premiered in the parks are just lazily executed and reflect a pretty significant turning point for the company towards cheap entertainment. That, in addition to the chaos and lack of crowd control in Magic Kingdom on the actual day of the 50th, which was October 1st, just reveals an overall decline of the company that I’ve already highlighted in my other videos. A lot of people in my comments have also referred to me as a “Universal shill” because they don’t actually watch the videos, but if you were looking for criticism of Universal parks, I’m definitely thinking about doing a more extensive look at the issues that those parks do have likely sometime in November. So, let’s talk about the 50th anniversary and see why this is a pretty concerning turning point, signaling the decline of Disney parks.
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I worked for Disney full time salaried 7 years, part time hourly 2 years, and under contracts 17 years. Trust me, the company is not what it used to be. And the prices to experience the Magic are insane. The details are disappearing and the Magic is dwindling. I am now an AP holder (over 15 years) and the thought of going to the parks is almost painful these days. I used to get excited about going to the parks. Now I can take or leave them. I go because my daughter likes to go, and I love to be with her, anywhere and anytime.
I am with you, I am glad I got to experience Disney 5-10 years ago when my children were 3-9. The Disney of my childhood in the late 80s were true Disney. But doing anything with my children is fun, so we do mostly affordable things more often.
I cna't see spending the money to go to Disneyladn anymore for two rides I like - over priced!
What did you do at Disney?
When I first started seeing AP stickers on cars I didn't realize it stood for Annual Pass, I thought disney had bought the Aliens franchise (which they did when they picked of fox) and were doing some strange Aliens v Predator tie in.
I couldn’t agree anymore with you. We have just come back to the UK from a 2 week holiday ( Vacation ). The whole experience of the Disney parks was one of “ how much can you spend”, I couldn’t believe how much the prices have gone up, I last visited 10 years ago! The staff also seem to be arrogant compared to say Universal etc. I personally won’t be going back to Magic kingdom etc next year when I go back to Florida!!
Not to mention that on the day of the 50th, there was a less than satisfactory "welcoming and rededication" event that didn't even mention Walt and Roy. That's unforgivable.
😥
The "celebration" is a vague backdrop for a new merchandise line. What interesting times we live in.
I did not know that, the lunatics are running the asylum!
The higher ups didn’t even bother coming out that morning to give a big speech on the 50th and instead do so the night before when they had the media there just to keep their image up and instead had probably the laziest and lamest opening day show I have ever seen from the company.
Thats so sad
Huge fan of Disney and this channel is eye-opening. You can be a Disney fan and still be highly critical of corporate Disney.
@@Meatball2022 it is critical~~ you don’t have to praise something to be critical of it. I love Disney but agree with these videos. The more we talk about these problems, the more likely Disney will do something about it! Universal is merely the best comparison, therefore ofc one company will be ‘preferred’
@@Meatball2022 He recently made a video that praised Disney about the Ratatouille ride. He is not biast, he is fair and honestly judges the parks.
@@Meatball2022 clearly you haven't watched all his videos then, he literally just made one praising a new ride.
Corporate disney is the only thing that keeps me from fully enjoying (and buying from) disney. Which is kinda ironic since thats their literal job
Yeah
I am a huge Disney fan and this is all on point. Disney in general is not only becoming too comfortable in the idea that they are too big to fail, but they are literally setting the groundwork for Universal to become the industry leader for innovation and superior attractions. Thank you for making Disney critical videos like this. It's never good to blindly worship something you love and it's refreshing to see how constructive and well thought out your content is. ❤
If you want to see a Disney resort that Disney does not own, but designed, and truly has the Imagineers touch throughout, then visit the Tokyo Disneyland Resort, especially Tokyo Disney Seas. You will see the best live shows, the best original attractions, the best theming and eat the best foods found in any Disney park. When the Disney Corp. chooses to spend some money, the results are fantastic! They are currently gearing up for TDSs 20th birthday and what they are planning is spectacular.
I believe that's because the Tokyo parks aren't fully owned by Disney. They always seem to be a cut above the American parks which is odd bc the American ones are the flagship parks.
because disney fans will continue to go to disney despite every horrible decision they make. . i think this is starting to change though & when epic universe opens disney will suffer greatly
american disney fans* ✨💕
The aulani is also STUNNING. I go there every other year and adore it every time. If you’re going to hawaii and live disney, that 100% should be a stop for you
@@TerrenceMarie they aren't owned by Disney at all. And that is a great thing.
Of all the things at Epcot that need a complete overhaul, how the heck did Illuminations wind up at the top of the list? Not the Imagination pavilion? Maybe a new country at World Showcase for the first time in 32 years? No? You want to get rid of the show everyone loves?
they got rid of illuminations??????!!!!
Japan desperately needs a ride, not to mention the fact that many miss the OG journey into imagination and the 2003 versión of the ride is pretty outdated, and Tony Baxter is more than willing to reimagine the ride if he could.
@@annieskywalker9290 You know Disney wouldn’t hesitate to put a Big Hero 6 attraction in the Japan pavillion given their track record
@@filetofish7688 That idea sounds like garbage, but this is Disney we're talking about. It makes sense at this point.
They are grading land beside germany thats apparently going to be a land for greece or brazil
You're hands down doing the right thing. Cant just sit there accepting the BS disney has been shoveling out lately. They've always had peaks and valleys, but this is the most blatant Valley I've seen yet.
This might be a crater now.
It's what I call the Even Decade Curse.
They reach their peak in odd-numbered decades, yet almost always collapse in even-numbered decades due to either bad luck (ex. World War 2) or incompetence (the most common cause).
If the 2020 virus scare is any indication, the curse this decade is gonna be on steroids.
@@cardman1031 That'll come when Communist China flat out steals or shuts down the Shanghai and Hong Kong DLs.
At this point: you are the only Disney UA-cam channel that continues to speak up against these new standards the company is trying to force on its loyal guests and consumers. Just about every other big channel is either silent, excusing, or posting one semi-negative video then going back to nonstop praising (can't risk losing the "Disney press pass", I guess). It's a love/hate relationship at this point for most of us Disney enthusiasts for sure. Keep it up, Poseidon!! Liked and commented for the omniscient algorithm!
Most of the UA-cam Disney bloggers are afraid of losing access. Disney controls them by giving them access through media events. If they start criticizing they will lose their access. Even their content now is all the same. Once you've seen one of UA-camrs content for an event you will know exactly what the others are going to think and say in their post. This was the very problem Ricky Bergante feared when he pioneered covering Disney with social media.
I think an issue with many of the channels isn't even the pass, so much as they use Disney as a crutch for their income stream. A lot of people find that they can make money doing Disney vlogs but they really have nothing interesting to say because they only care about the monetization. Admittedly, UA-cam has been somewhat profitable for me but I also enjoy creating discussion around these things as a hobby.
@@PoseidonEntertainment Very much appreciate your efforts man. Your voice needs to be heard!
They are not Paramount and don't care about the people they are very strict
I only know two other youtubers that have voiced there concerns
“It’s just for kids” ... “I think what I want Disneyland to be most of all is a happy place - a place where adults and children can experience together some of the wonders of life, of adventure, and feel better because of it.” Walt Disney
Agreed. A family place is not the same as one meant specifically for kids.
If it's just for kids, that means adults hate it.
And when those kids grow up, they will hate it as adults too.
@@PreferredCustomer Some kids hate the "just for kids" stuff, too. My kids were not into rides or amusement parks, plus they were pretty sophisticated about shows as well (all but one of them had done theater or ballet and in the process talked about the meaning of stories and serving the audience and believing in what you're doing). All but one of them thought they weren't interested in Disney World, but after I dragged them there one vacation they all loved it, because Disney World was not just rides and noise. The live shows that appeal to adults were a big part of the magic for them, and the new "shows" (fireworks and kites) are nowhere near the caliber of our old favorites. As Poseidon Entertainment rightly points out, there's no heart and no meaning behind them, so there's no resonance. And it's the resonance, the feeling that what you see has a deeper meaning, that keeps people coming back.
The other things they loved were the smaller live performances -- the trolley "parade'; Captain Jack Sparrow's little show; Citizens of Hollywood; the ladies who taught some tradition dance moves or the guys who made leaf critters at Animal Kingdom; all the little live acts in Epcot -- and the card game at the MK and the spy game at Epcot and trading pins and otherwise talking to the cast members. All that little stuff makes a big, big difference, and that's what's outright lost or seemingly fading away. I used to say that I could plan a Disney vacation for anyone and be fairly sure they'd enjoy it, even if they didn't consider themselves a Disney fan per se, but I'm not sure that's true anymore.
The most rabid anti-Disney people I've known always eventually admitted they'd been dragged to the parks as a child by someone who rushed them from ride to ride, and they'd hated it because that was not their style. I've always thought that was a shame, because the parks were so much more than rides, meaning smart and informed parents could plan a day that would work for any kid. But I fear there are going to be a lot more kids growing up as Disney haters in this generation, and when they have kids and are glumly considering a Disney vacation "for the kids," Disney lovers aren't going to have much to offer to sweeten the pot.
@@shalomhobbitess7509 My brothers and sisters didn't like the Magic Kingdom and we much preferred EPCOT because they actually showcased science and cultures. Now it all seems like a jinormous cash grab, sing a long with projections.
I have been absolutely shocked at the lack of nuance in the critique and conversation of the 50th anniversary celebration. We just got back last week, and to say that there is a bankruptcy of joy in the parks is an understatement. This extends beyond just the nighttime spectaculars, if you can even call them that anymore. The cast members exude an aura of apathy on the levels of teenage employees at a local carnival. In the week that we were there, I had exactly one interaction with a cast member that was positive… The rest were extremely negative to the point that I felt sorry for them. Mind you, my husband and I are both former cast members, so to experience such a cosmic shift in the energy of the parks was jarring.
When I returned, I turned to UA-cam hoping to hear a content creator speaking on these larger issues within WDW’s culture & how the 50th Celebration is serving as a death knell for the experiences we used to know, but EVERYTHING was overwhelmingly positive. Thank you for your honestly and thorough examination of the modern WDW experience…
So much this!! Former cast member, Florida native, been going to Disney since the 70's. It saddens me the state of things. Yesterday, I was I was leaving Epcot's horrible Harmonious celebration where I had an obstructed view of the center barge (like most people). I was making my way to the buses to catch one to Grand Floridian. I didn't see one. Turns out, they're not running buses from Grand Floridian/Polynesian/Contemporary. I have to wait for a half hour or more for the Monorail, then another half hour to get on the Resort Monorail. So I go back where I came from, the exit. And a staff yelled at me! Straight up yelled at me! Said, "STOP!! You have to go back through security at the front of the park!" What?? I just came from the exit. All the security at the exits saw me leave the park. So I go around to the front of the park. The security was closed. WTF!!! I had to hunt down a security cast member and explain to them my situation. He tells me the park is closed. I kept trying to explain how I need to get to my resort, I was informed the buses are not running and directed back through security. He rolled his eyes. I had to wait there for them to get someone to help me. I couldn't believe this disaster for the amount we pay!!?? Unbelievable. And that's just one encounter .... I could write a novel. What has happened to Disney is just made me depressed and sad inside. It's dreadful really. I'm just thankful I have memories of happier days. RIP Disney.
@@SuMMeRFLi5 Oh my god- almost the exact same thing happened to me at Epcot! I took the monorail there with my family & when we got off, my son had to use the bathroom. I saw bathrooms right next to the monorail and not even thinking twice walked to them with my kid & told my family I’d meet back up with them in a second. I noticed security standing there, waved to him, but I didn’t think anything of it. Well turns out, the restroom I went to was a couple of feet past the exit. Literally, maybe seven or so feet. There was NO signage saying “Exit” or indication that I was leaving the park to go to this restroom. In fact, the “Exit” sign was facing outwards, so I only saw it when I went to walk back towards my family. I asked the security guard, “Is this an exit only? I just got off the monorail there, I had no idea.” He very sarcastically said, “That’s what the sign says.” I asked him if I could go back in, that he saw me walk off the monorail, and he said no. I had to walk in a giant loop to where security was and wait twenty minutes in a line to get through. They made me unpack my entire stroller, diaper bag, purse, etc for some reason unknown to me (Asinine because they also made me and my two year-old walk through the scanner, honestly what was the point!). So a trip to the potty that should have taken less than five minutes cost my family about 30. Because of a single rude, resentful cast member.
@@SuMMeRFLi5 and it’s like you said, that’s only one encounter out of many. Even just five years ago, WDW was such a different place…
Cast member training has been dropped from two weeks to two days and it shows. It's easy to spot cast members who have worked there for years vs newer hires.
I used to love Disney it was a magical place. Now the employees are so miserable that it it a place I have no interest in being. 🤔
I'm currently on my way home from WDW and to say the new epcit shows disappointing is an understatement. I can't believe illuminations was replaced with something so bad
I wonder how long "more timeless and more Disney" will last. I'm not confident that people will see this Disney-sing-along and say: "Yes, this is what I wanted in Epcot".
We left Epcot right in the middle of the night time show because we were not impressed at all. We thought, “that is what all the eye sores our there are for?” Enchantment wasn’t much better.
I hope that illuminations comes back after the 50th ann is over and can move the eye sore that is those barges out of the water
@@PoseidonEntertainment
Or maybe for the 60 anniversary they have something combining Shanghai disneyland’s celebration and its fun factor with the touching stuff from Wishes and Happily Ever After and something from Disneyland? It probably gonna take a while so they have plenty of time to reflect, plan out and innovate.
@@tylerprice9498 yeah i left epcot after being bored that place was turned into a place to get drunk off wine. there was nothing to do oh and mk was worse 1 float parade every 30 minutes. what happened to their long parades with different characters i felt like i got taken for my 500 for all their parks
Disney has become just another superficial corperation riding on past glory and nostalgia.
It needs another near death experience before things will get better again.
I agree, but I'm not sure if that'll happen. The Disney product has declined quite dramatically, but there's still a ridiculous number of people clamoring to enter. I don't really understand, other than I think that social media has hyped the parks up. Perhaps that change in conversation starts here.
@@PoseidonEntertainment i think most people don't notice the nuance as much and the decline has to be a lot more obvious and in your face.
Often things stay popular a decent time beyond the moment it has had it's peak and starts becomming stale or increasingly cheapened and superficial.
Plus bad disney still isn't bad compared with the rest of the industry. Just uninspired.
@@PoseidonEntertainment Back in the day, when I was first researching a Disney vacation as a parent, it quickly became clear that there were three kinds of parents who took their kids to Disney World. First there were Disney fans who had enjoyed the parks themselves and who wanted to share that experience with their own kids, and that group broke down into the practical fans (who often stayed off site and did other stuff as well and warned that Disney was terrific at running theme parks, pretty good at quick service, but not so great at running restaurants and hotels with the exception of Victoria and Alberts), and the True Believers (who wanted to be in the Disney bubble and scorned those who didn't kick out the cash to stay onsite and believed Disney Could Do No Wrong). Then there were the people who were taking their kids to Disney because that's the thing you do, either because you must sacrifice to give your kids a Disney vacation, or because taking your kids to Disney every year proves you've "made it" and are raking in the big bucks.
Practical fans are keenly aware of the product decline and a lot of them are choosing not to go anymore. True Believers may protest the prices, but they'll still go. And so will the people who see Disney as a rite of passage. The question is how much Disney was making from the practical fans, which I'm guessing have always been a minority, and who are clearly not what Disney Corporate wants, because they don't just shovel money out "because it's done." Darn few practical fans are going to pay boatloads of money to "eat in the castle" when the food isn't that great. They don't make their kids sit still for the Bibbity Bobbity Boutique experience. They may even bring in food rather than eat the Disney offerings.
There seems to be a biological basis for brand loyalty. For instance, people who are brand loyal to Starbucks or to a particular brand of beer may not be able to identify their favorite drink in a blind taste test -- they may even rate it as the worst tasting! -- because the pleasure they get from their favorite is not just from the taste. When they drink their Starbucks coffee from that Starbucks cup, it isn't just the pleasure center in the brain related to taste that lights up -- there's another pleasure center related to social identity that lights up. Those are the people Disney is looking for. So long as the Disney name maintains its prestige, so long as going to Disney is a kind of rite of passage, those people will keep coming. And if Disney can convince them you haven't "really" done Disney until you stay onsite and eat in the castle and do the Boutique and buy the latest mouse ears and otherwise paid for all manner of extras, they'll do that as well.
When it comes to other travel destinations, "what's cool" can change rapidly and with little warning. That doesn't happen as often with family destinations, which tend to have a nostalgia aspect the more trendy travel destinations don't need, but it does happen, and Universal is really hoping they can replace Disney as the parks every kid "must" experience. If Disney's status declines enough, and some other destination gains more status, then there may be a sudden and massive shift somewhere else. I've never been to any of the Universal parks, but they seem to understand that what they need to do to replace Disney, and that's pretty clearly their goal. Whether they'll accomplish it I dunno, because Disney's got a heck of a lot of an advantage in the nostalgia category. But a lot of families "graduate" from Disney to Universal nowadays, so it may be that Universal is making strides on the nostalgia front. They also need to be drawing in younger kids to displace Disney, and maybe Super Nintendo World is a step in that direction.
Disney set an enormously high bar to start, and no one else has come anywhere near as of yet, so I don't see anyone replacing Disney anytime soon. Which means, I fear, that most people will continue going and current trends will continue, unless someone with much more vision takes charge.
@@shalomhobbitess7509 Excellent analysis.
@@baronvonlimbourgh1716 Simultaneously cheapened and more expensive
I find myself in a cycle of seeing your video title, saying to myself "this guy must really not like Disney", then agree with everything in said video and realizing that I'm too much of a Disney fanboy from when Disney was actually cool lol
Me too, I love all the defunct aspects of Disney :(
I want to like Disney, but I cannot get behind its leadership. They continue to destroy what has become a major cultural and entertainment institution in favor of cheap cash grabs.
Interesting how just telling the truth about the various parks makes you a "Universal shill."
We've definitely entered an era where Disney is more concerned with its brand identity as a conglomerate rather than showcasing each segment of the company and their individual strengths. In the pursuit of brand synergy, the parks themselves are just a physical vessel for all of the other media the company is putting out. They're just becoming an expensive backdrop for whatever IP is popular at a given time with little reference to the parks as a brand/experience in and of themselves.
It's honestly heartbreaking watching it firsthand not only as a fan of the parks but as a creative myself. Procedurally generating the content for these "nighttime spectaculars" from a list of data telling Chapek which IPs are most popular among viewers is an affront to the creatives working behind the scenes who aren't given the liberty to showcase their talents like the old imagineers we still idolize to this day. It's killing creatives slowly, and I know I'm not the only one deeply considering ditching the industry as a whole. I knew this day was coming once Chapek was formally announced as CEO, but man the consequences have hit hard and fast.
That's an excellent summary of things.
This is exactly correct. The movies are just commercials for the theme park which is just a commercial for Disney+. Disney ate up a lot of giant IP's they can now just cannibilize until they find a new one to devour
It's now been 15 years since Disney built an attraction based on original concepts and not existing IP. Worse, the original attractions which previously existed are being replaced. They've become so creatively bankrupt they can't come up with anything new. I mean, Tron? Really? Tron?
Seriously. Well said...
and dont even get me started on how they are ruining Epcot. Smh...
Hey, Tron is still pretty cool tho
@@Mangzorz Epcot (alongside Disneyland's tomorrowland) was already ruined since the late 90's
TRON is fun at least imo.
Very intelligent, honest assessment of the situation.
I think the moment a guest stops being hones and start excusing the decline (that has been going on for decades) then you are not a real fan of Disney. You are a corporate shell and the eventually end up with a horrible experience to a point that even you break and walk away. If that happens the parks will be beyond saving, that point is getting closer and closer.
We're already past the point.
@@thewalkingdad68 Sad but true...
I haven't gone and stopped taking my family years ago. Disney Co today is horrendous and damaging Western Culture
This is accurate. I worked for Disney for 7 years. I loved my experience, but I don’t know if I’ll ever go back. I can’t justify the prices they charge for the experience you get. The sad thing is before 2020 and the changes I was looking at staying at a Disney resort because of the dining plan, magical express, and extra magic hour.
I hit that point when they implemented reservations for literally every aspect of the park. I'm spontaneous and usually planned a park trip that same morning. I gave up and told my fiancé that I don't want to go back anymore - which is a shame because we both worked there for over two years before COVID when we were layed off.
There’s just no HEART in these new shows. I can still blast the Wishes soundtrack and sob towards the end. I wish enchantment would celebrate the park history and iconic music from attractions… it’s all just a giant mess.
Agreed. There's nothing in the music or the projections that celebrates how Magic Kingdom came to be and grew over the years, no nod to Walt or Roy and certainly no musical nod to the movies or attractions that have been there since opening day. It's obscene and offensive to someone who has been going there since it existed. Who wants to pay those overinflated prices for third rate quality? WDW is not the King 👑 anymore.
the first ten seconds of Wishes alone make me lose it 😭
Disney let us know their intentions .... Let the past die. Kill it if you have to
Me too, Ray. I miss Walt's love of "When you make a wish come true....." It always brought me to tears. Something heartfelt is needed in this country and not the crass music and shows I've seen at Disney now.
Totally agree. The music is the worst part of the new shows. I love the soundtrack to Wishes, HEA, Illuminations RoE, the Baroque Hoedown from MSEP, and even the original classical musical score of the original Illuminations. I don't even mind a Disney movie music score if it is powerful and emotional. I loved the soundtracks for Once Upon a Time and Celebrate the Magic. What happened to those great shows? Why get rid of shows and rides that people love and replace them with mediocrity? I am so afraid of the replacements for Spaceship Earth and Splash Mountain. They are going to ruin those classics.
"The appeal of Disney parks has always been the artistry and effort that went into the experiences." Absolutely. It troubles me as well that people are so quick to defend Disney while they, as you've so intelligently laid out in all of these videos, need more courageous guest feedback to change directions. It's indeed sad that Disney essentially devaluing the quality status of its parks is being actively embraced with arguments from guests that really make no sense. Very concerning for the future. Basically we're looking at the end result of the Disney brand becoming so personally powerful for its fans that the company can manipulate them into supporting whatever they want them to buy. Brilliant as a marketing scheme, disastrous for the creative talents the company has harbored.
Ya the Magic of Disney/Disney World has diminished greatly. Crazy over pricing with less in return. It always seemed magical to me and my family but is more about money then making it fun. I’m glad I had the opportunity to enjoy the parks in the 80s, 90s. It was even fun going to “downtown Disney” until they turned it into an expensive money grabbing outside mall instead of Disney type stores etc. I’ll always love Disney but it’s really sad
I actually sold off all my Disney stock because I am so disgusted with the leadership (Chapek) or maybe I should say the lack thereof. I wish that anyone reading this who owns stock would sell it off to send them a message.
Disney has no incentive to improve.. they are assisting in simply replacing traditional Americans with immigrants. The newcomers will be thrilled to fill our consumer shoes, and they are given gift cards to get the replacement up to speed.
@@watsonholmes1525 Just say you’re xenophobic and move on, the “traditional American” are immigrants.
@@DaPaolaBear immigrants to America may be aware of American traditions, but they can never be traditional Americans without living the tradition, which includes conservatism and family values. Many cultures foreign to me have very strong value systems and rather than find them phobic, I seek them out to attend various festivals and meet their people and learn more about their values. Try it, instead of whatever it is you think you're achieving by doing a weak SJW post.
I absolutely love Disney and this guy nails it. Cheapened screen-based rides (which is what fans revolted against at Universal), outrageous price gouging, crowds... There's really no value anymore, especially for middle class families.
It's funny that people screeched at Universal about it but are strangely fine with it when Disney does it.
And those creepy projector animatronics in frozen! I really get the heebee jeebee’s from them!
@@TheBaggadonuts I think the projector animatronics make sense for Runaway Railway but I think they should've made the animatronics of Frozen like the ones in the Beauty and the Beast ride rather than the projector animatronics or the cheap, plastic-y ones form the Little Mermaid ride
My last Disney Florida trip was in 2010. I would’ve gone in more recent years, but couldn’t for personal reasons. Seeing what Disney Florida has become over the last 2 years puts me in doubt over whether I should go! Universal does sound more promising in its current state, but Disney is a brand I’ve felt closer to than Universal. I have however thought of a possible Florida trip I could go on, maybe in 2023:
- stay in a Universal hotel, have 2-4 Universal days.
- a day of shopping, a staple in my family and I’s Florida trips. On our Florida shopping days in past trips, we got some clothes, I even got to swung by GameStop to grab a few gaming goodies!
- one Disney day, my Dad loves the Tower of Terror, but I’m not sure how much else we’ll do with the Genie app pricing most people out of a proper experience and most new attractions being laughable.
When I went in July of this year. It was crazy how in Disneyland there was barely any families with young kids. Or young kids at all. It was mostly just young couples or teenagers/young adults. Which is fine because all ages love Disney. But it was just weird not seeing young kids or families (the main demographic)
I’m so naive, but I thought that since 50 years is such a big marker, Disney would go over-the-top amazing for the anniversary.
You would have thought but they just catering to the ebay reselling scum and thats really it. I kinda remember to the 25th but always remember the birthday cake castle for good or bad. But at least was a big celebration unlike this one at the moment.
You'd think they would treat it more as a celebration and less a sequel to the Potion Purple merchandise line.
From what I can gather, the only unique thing that occurred for guests on October 1st was a special guide map pamphlet.
Whoop-dee-do.
Everything else you can either buy online, or see any other night of the 18 month "celebration."
I doubt its an intent to undercut the occasion. Rather a combination of bad timing and simply not... knowing... how to pull it off.
Bad timing? Yup. This whole machine runs on money. And Disney has been hemorrhaging. They've made significant investments. Some of which are paying off now or might pay off in the long run, but are currently drastically hurting Disney's bottom line. The big boat anchor here is acquiring Fox. It has drastically put a drag on Disney's flow.
So here we are. 50th Anniversary. A time to put on a lavish, flashy party. And the money spigots are at a trickle if not dry. While the entire machine is firmly out of the control of the engineers and creatives and firmly in the hands of the bean counters.
Options are fewer. And those with the loudest voices aren't likely to have the kind of ideas that would be called... inspirational.
They did that with Disneyland’s 50th. But even though that was just 16 years ago it was a very different company back then.
Cheap-ek has realised that the first timers (which majority of WDW guests are) don't see the laziness of creative decisions, they see characters and that's what drives them there, thus the decision to focus heavily on IP.
I agree. However, what has always allowed a trip to WDW to stand a cultural milestone of the American family is the social buzz around it. If Disney no longer appeals to the people who are most dedicated to it and they're telling their family and friends that a trip is an expensive waste of time, how will that affect Disney's largest market?
hey man, I need to pay off my last yacht
I'm new to Disney. I want all the old junk ripped out and replaced. Japan manages to mostly have everything top notch. Some same rides but new. I piss off the elderly who refuse to want change. Peter pan feels like cardboard and spray paint.
Thsi is Bob iger... Chapek wasn't CEO long enough to even implement any real serious change. Chapek is just the fall guy.
i think the biggest problem with disney nowadays is the big shift towards IPs
i feel like older disney used to be about innovation and trying to create a fun experience, with the occasional disney IP thrown in here and there to remind you that it was still a disney park (at least outside of the magic kingdom)
but now theres just, popular IPs everywhere, even where they shouldnt be. it definitely seems to be the biggest problem epcot is facing right now at least. disney doesnt have the widest range of cultural representation that they think they have, at least not yet, so them trying to include their vaguely cultural IPs in a show all about culture just comes off kind of insulting and like theyre trying to shove their IPs in your face.
The problem is... they're trying to be Universal studios. Universal has only IPs. It's been their staple since they've began. Yes they've definitely come up with original IP over the years, but the majority has been purchased IP and used under license. Regardless, Disney fans aren't happy and it's definitely showing.
I have a feeling that Epcot will be perceived as needing expensive fixes in about a decade or so. This whole drive to make the parks "more timeless and more Disney" likely won't age well. How did the incorporation of IP age at the All Star Movies?
Let's not forget Splash Mountain is leaving but I am relocating it to a Virtual game named Rec Room
@@PoseidonEntertainment Epcot was going to try to update but were way too ambitious. So over ambitious that most of the plans were canceled & now Epcot is a huge construction zone. Ambition is good but they went in the wrong direction.
I want to like Disney and see them succeed and push the theme park industry forward, but man have they gotten complacent at the top. The new Universal Park will hopefully be a good kick in the rear for Disney.
Perhaps, but Disney appears to be taking all the wrong lessons when it tries to emulate what Universal parks are doing. I'm not optimistic that a significant loss of market share will change things for the better.
I think the main problem here is a general lack of passion for the parks themselves. It's fairly obvious to me that all the current leadership sees right now is a marketing opportunity, not a celebration of what draws so many people to the parks every year. Instead of "Enchantment," here's what should have been (which I'll just give the name "Legacy"):
"Here's where we came from" - Start with Walt Disney's opening speech for the opening of Disneyland. While he died before the Magic Kingdom opened, those sentiments he shared on that day still applied to this park. Projected onto the castle is the Partner Statue, with the text appearing alongside it, and vintage imagery from the opening day (if they can find some). Then, play classic clips from movies featured in the opening day attractions/those opened close to opening day (or the attractions themselves if there's no original movie), with accompanying music (if any applies) - the likes of Peter Pan, Snow White, Pirates of the Caribbean, Carousel of Progress, Haunted Mansion, things like that.
"Here's what we lost along the way," - A time dedicated to the acknowledgement and celebration of the memory of attractions now lost to time - Journey into Imagination, Mr. Toad's Wild Ride, Alien Encounter/Stitch's Great Escape, Great Movie Ride, 20,000 Leagues, maybe even obscure ones like Dreamflight and Timekeeper, all of which closed to make way for further development (no matter how disappointing/nonexistent the replacements).
"Here's where we are now," - Even if the attractions aren't entirely "new," per say, things like the Tower of Terror, Expedition Everest, (Splash Mountain if they have the guts) and even newer stuff like Frozen Ever After and Rise of the Resistance, show them all and let them have their time in the spotlight.
"Here's where we're going," - Showcase upcoming additions and improvements with an optimistic outlook. Perhaps even reveal something completely new?
"Let us embark together," - A highlight reel of the most iconic attractions, as well as the upcoming ones, extending both gratitude for the past, and an invitation for the future, expressing the sentiment - "Thank you for joining us on this 50-year journey as this resort has changed and grown. We hope you can join us for what we have planned next." Not an outright statement of that - that would be stupid, but implying that through song and clip choice.
And if the Executives want their marketable songs? As long as they work for the scenario, they can be played over clips of notable attractions that don't have big attached songs already.
Does this absolve them of the crappy stuff they're doing? Heck no. Genie+ and Fastlane are horrid, consumer-unfriendly systems, the general cheap(ek)-ening of the experience isn't good either. However, they don't have to make just how little they care about the actual wellbeing of the guest experience (and the parks as a whole) so obvious.
As for why people feel so inclined to defending them... My guess is something along the lines of the "sunk cost fallacy," refusing to believe that they're going so wrong when they've already spent so much money on it.
They could have even just used Roy's opening speech for Walt Disney World, if they thought it'd be weird to use the Disneyland opening speech.
I think you present a compelling show here. As someone not familiar with Disneyland's fireworks shows, a lot of people have pointed out to me how for their 50th celebration, the fireworks reflected the history and legacy of the attractions in that park and I agree that this would have been the right direction to take things. Even looking at the new refurb for the Contemporary lobby and Steakhouse 71, it's a nostalgic look back to the opening of WDW. Why wouldn't you extend that to the rooms, opting for a cheap IP tie-in instead? I absolutely hate how things are right now.
couldnt agree more.. Chapek does not care about DISNEY at all. He just sees it as a job, and a way to make tons of money- nothing more, nothing less. Its like a boring 9-5 to him
You're a much better fireworks show writer than Cheapek!
Your idea was too good for them to even fathom
People calling you a "universal shill" are the people enabling Disney to do what they are doing now. No criticism of Disney is allowed, so Disney can never improve. They defend a theme park like it's their child lmao
If he isn't a Universal Shill then what exactly is he? Almost seems like a disgruntled former Disney employee, sure Disney has it's share of problems. but Universal isn't perfect either.
@@erickohlhorst747 Universal isn't price gouging their guests, they're at least trying to appeal to the middle class families that Disney is now shunning, and unlike Disney, Universal actually listens to the feedback that their guests give them, whether it's negative or positive, and will try to take steps to improve the experience with attractions people actually want. Sure, Universal may not be perfect but at this point it's looking a hell of a lot better than Disney. You sound like you're just mad that Poseidon Entertainment isn't a Disney shill. I find him refreshing. Finally, a theme park blogger that covers Disney that isn't up their a**es all the time.
@@erickohlhorst747 And if you watch any of his vids you’ll realise he states that it does has its flaws and he will touch on it.
@@erickohlhorst747 No, it isn't, but they're certainly improving dramatically. When was the last time Disney built a truly impressive attraction? Expedition Everest?
@@erickohlhorst747 someone who wants Disney to be better? I love(d) Disney parks but I just can't bring myself to support them right now. They have a plethora of problems going on and if they were better I could get back to enjoying the parks
I am the biggest Disney World fan, anyone who knows me would consider me a fanatic. But I completely agree with everything you said. I just returned from WDW two days ago, and the whole experience was very much so less than magical. Disney completely is going downhill. So much was a disaster and you are right, this is a massive downhill turning point for the company. Many go to Disney to feel "at home." But the whole time I felt lost and empty. Specifically with Enchantment, I was completely over-stimulated and also confused as random unrelated characters flew by on the Castle. Enchantment seemed like they both were trying to do too much and yet had just slapped this show together. It really was horrible. So many cast member jobs have been eliminated by forced mobile ordering, and that personal touch and chance to communicate and interact with Cast Members is gone. The stores seemed barren, and the two items I did want to buy were out of stock indefinitely. The Creations Shop seemed to only have expensive, luxury brands, and did not have the normal Disney stuff I was looking to buy. There literally were only 2 types of stuffed animals in most shops throughout WDW, and they were Red polka dot Minnie, and Pink polka dot Minnie. There's so much more I was disappointed about but I've rattled on enough. Overall, it's just sad to see my "home away from home" disintegrate before my eyes beyond even my recognition. It's very depressing and things need to change ASAP before any more permanent damage is done. Step 1: Remove Bob Chapek.
I'm still so sad they got rid of Illuminations. It was such a wonderful show, and had such a beautiful message. Now it's all marketing and soullessness, I would say.
The original or Reflections of Earth?
Illuminations was a great show, but it was overdue to be replaced with something. Unfortunately the replacement falls very short of anything near what could be considered a good replacement. Technically, Harmonious looks great, but there's only a couple of good spots in World Showcase to see it, and the music is just a hodge-podge of re-recorded music from Disney movies that's not even that great of a cover. It's like they just threw a bunch of music together to say "here's a new show for ya".
I went to Disneyland in 66 when Walt Disney was running things. The level detail and class was everywhere you looked, I was there for the 60th anniversary and the decline was very noticeable in the food and shows
I disliked downtown Disney, for me it was just a genetic mall with stuff you could find on Amazon, but people were acting like it was special for reasons that baffled me.
They should have just Updated Illuminations with a new globe and saved the money to the EPCOT’spine’ project
I agree. A common issue I often heard was that it was difficult to see the globe. A new updated version of the show would have been perfect.
@@PoseidonEntertainment They could have used the new water projection to make a bigger version of what was happening on the globe
But yet life isn’t like that 😞
That's literally all they had to do
Just a dam make over not some
Movie story
I watched this video this morning, and just hours later it had been found out bob chapek was the one who decided to put disney music in harmonious because "people love Disney music". I wish I were making this up.
Honestly, I feel the current Disney management resents Parks. I’d say they’d sell them off if they could. The 50th looks absolutely tragic and WDW has been neglected now since Iger. Chapek is just an evolution of his old boss, cut while raising prices.
Thank you for making these videos. I've always been a massive fan of the history and design, haven't been back to the parks since 2008 and the only way I've been able to enjoy them is vicariously through parks vloggers. Having been immersed in that sphere, I was beginning to get serious "Emperor's New Clothes" vibes. Hearing reasonable, rational commentary on the current state of things makes me feel sane again.
I actually really liked Harmonious when I was there for the 50th weekend, but Enchantment was so so so bad it almost ruined my wife and I’s first anniversary. Honestly can’t see myself going back to WDW (esp. Magic Kingdom) ANY time soon.
That is awful!! Considering all the money you put into Disney just to feel like your special day was ruined. I was considering going with my friends for a girls trip but now I'm reevaluating...
@@Beer-can_full_of_toes Whew. This is a long comment. Tbh I’m not like a huuuuge disney parks guy, I just didnt get enjoyment out of the show or the environment that MK had during it, just kinda chaos with too many people all being totally nuts. I agree with some of your points tho, there are some Disney “elitists” who are hypercritical of change for the sake of it. As someone who hasnt been to the parks in years, I just didnt like the show 🤷♂️
@@robbieharris8758 fair enough lol I wasn’t assuming you are one of those people by the way. There’s a lot I don’t like about what they’ve done specifically with Star Wars as I’m a huge fan but I try to enjoy what is there anyway. I’m not a big fan of the shows yet either but I think they’ll grow into something much better as feedback is accessible so easily now.
@@ocalicreek I wasn’t. I was using a common part of it as an example. I’m sorry if it came off wrong.
If your marriage is so delicate that a flop of a fireworks show changes the trajectory of its success, maybe you should’ve reevaluated your marriage. Your comment is just absurd.
This video perfectly explains that Disney is possibly on the brink of going downhill if guests arent vocal about this. The fans should absolutely demand better than what they're getting, especially with the costs of visiting rising so much. If people are spending thousands of dollars on a once in a lifetime trip, then it should completely blow expectations out of the water. If you're paying this much to attend, you should expect more from Disney and not excuse this.
The fans are doing something, though not enough. There has been a petition asking Disney to bring back Happily Ever After to replace Enchantment, but it needs to gain more traction. In terms of the other shows, not much.
Honestly, I think part of the problem is too many people just blindly “love” everything Disney. I follow DFB & read the comments, a lot of people love the after hours events that replaced Mickeys not so scary & very merry Christmas parties. You are paying more for less & they are like “but we got to walk onto 7 dwarves mine ride”. Too many are ok with paying more for less. Look at Remy at Epcot, it’s an exact copy of the version in France. Lazy & cheap. That should be Chapeks new name, lazy & cheap Bob Chapek.
I am a huge DIS fan, family goes twice a year every year. These videos don't make me "hate" DIS as it currently stands, but they are important for critiquing a company that seems to be in decline (with respect to the parks)
Yep, "good enough" is the new motto. It's all about selling merch now, and the focus of genuinely creating positive, memorable experiences, has shifted to how to cut corners while increasing profits. It's so sad. So goddamn sad, it's my favorite place to go, and management is ruining it.
As someone who actually went to Magic Kingdom on its 50th anniversary I will explain this: the real crowd issues only occurred on Main Street and the hub because everybody and their brother bought up these reservations just to get the day-of-merch and then waste an excess of 13+ hours just to sit at the hub for a 10 minute firework show. The rest of the park had a majority of Walk-Ons throughout the day. In my opinion, it was one of the best Disney days of my entire life. For example I got to go on Space Mountain 3 times with two of them being walk-ons. However going to see the show was a big pain in the ass because the crowd control was very poor and cast members were not well informed as to what locations were filled up. Also another issuewas that their mobile order system went down. This is stupid because the majority of the windows at all the restaurants have mobile order pickups with only one, and I repeat, ONE cash register open to take cash or card. This shows a heavy reliance on technology which we all know is not 100% reliable. This of course cause mega backups of people trying to get their food. As for the show itself, I honestly preferred it over Happily Ever After just because of the fact there were actually more fireworks instead of me watching projections a majority of the time. The only thing is is that I didn't get to see the castle head-on, so I probably would have been very busy trying to look at the castle and fireworks at the same time. Another thing that does concern me though, much like what you have said, is that the show really does not have a uniform theme and that it really is a mashup of just the Disney Songs. But, what really makes me disappointed is that the show did not celebrate what was being celebrated: The 50th anniversary of the Magic Kingdom. In comparison to what they did for Disneyland's 60th, Enchantment looks like a pitiful attempt for a Disney fireworks spectacular. It's really is a shame that the leadership is so disconnected from the history, legacy, and culture that made the company what it is today. And now I fear that it will only spiral out of control before the Disney brand becomes it's worst fear of the 1980s, a subsidiary of somebody else.
Disney's over-reliance on its app is astounding. It's so poorly constructed that it frequently crashes or experiences major glitches. It's been how long since the app came out and it's still remarkably terrible? How do they expect people to purchase food when you can't feasibly order it?
@@Eternaldarkness3166 you could. The problem was that they only had ONE register that took cash or card. Also, if you already paid for your food, you couldn't get your money back right away. It was nuts. I waited 30+ minutes just to order one thing at a counter. It was rediculous
@@Eternaldarkness3166 Nope. And if you try to place a mobile order and there is some technical glitch that doesn't allow your order to go through (and therefore no confirmation message), guess what happens? $20 charge for not showing up to pick up your faux order. Thankfully my cc company called me right away about the wonky order follow through and disallowed the charge.
I'm typically middle of the road with my opinion when Disney updates or changes attractions. I may of not been thrilled with some of the changes but they never ruined the experience for me.
Seeing Harmonious was the first time I've ever felt legitimately angry over a decision made in the parks. To lose Illuminations and those beautiful Epcot views for that, was just so disappointing to me.
I've felt that way with almost everything over the last few years. I believe that if you replace something, the new attraction should be just as good or better. I look back favorably on Kongfrontation, but Mummy is a more than worthy replacement. Runaway Railway for The Great Movie Ride though? Absolutely not.
I feel really bad for the cast members in the shops and the Kite Tail performers; the first for working in a retail hell like no other, and the second for trying to do the best they can with the very little they have. There's enough Disney specials and anniversaries on UA-cam that demonstrate what the 50th could and should have been; where's the nostalgia and the line up of Disney legends and celebrities and Imagineers talking about what the park means to them?
I remember when for special events during the Eisner era, Disney would do things like giveaways and would turn milestones into actual events. In contrast, the 50th just feels like another generic merchandise drop. It's astounding that we're at the point where Disney is releasing concept art for merchandise of all things.
Speaking of retail....I feel like even MouseWorks was at least somewhat unique s shipping experience.
But this latest store looks exactly like anyone other store you see in a mall. The displays, arrangements, mannequins, isles.... Compare this to any other gift shop from an attraction and you can see a difference.
@@PreferredCustomer I've seen seasonal displays at Target that looked more fun and engaging.
@@CinnamonGrrlErin1 and the person you are replying to... in another move of Chapeks cheapness most physical disney stores are closed ir are closing for good to be replaced with a pop-up presence within target stores. I'm not even sure how they justified this as saving money since those people weren't direct disney employees to begin with. Maybe it is some sleight of hand attempt to get people to go to the parks for the "real' merchandise experience..
I’m a huge Disney fan too but I have to agree with everything you say here. I’ve watched in disbelief and thinly veiled horror as decisions made by the current Corporate heads whittles away the magic and the good value for good money we have known for so long. No more free Magical Express buses to and from the airport, no more complimentary Magic bands, no more free parking (that’s been a while ago), prices for After Hours events appear to have doubled, mediocre new rides that have no real technology or magical quality to them, and now no more free Fast Pass. I saw a video of the new fireworks show last week and I was left feeling very disappointed. I’m taking some family members who have never been to WDW in December and told them how amazing Disney fireworks shows are … not …well not any more apparently. Where does it all end? It’s so sad and disappointing. Yes, I will still have a magical time at WDW but I sure hope they wake up and stop being mediocre before it is too late.
I am a HUGE Disney fan, and I am loving your videos. It is true! I am sick of screens and quick "re-dos" for a "new" ride. The days of high quality work are over. It is all about what can they get out quick and cheap for a MASSIVE return.
I'm not sure if they're even seeing massive returns though. I'm sure that Galaxy's Edge is selling quite a bit of merchandise, but I anticipate not nearly as much as expected judging from the lack of crowds that they seemed to be anticipating.
@@PoseidonEntertainment oh i agree. They are assuming the massive returns. They really think that the consumers are stupid and will just take it without complaints. While there are the fans who see absolutely nothing wrong, I have seen a drastic upticks in complaints. It is even starting to bleed into youtube streamers as well. You can now see the streamers who are dedicated to the Fans and those who are dedicated to the corporate push.
Wow. You just mentioned all of my concerns in one video! I noticed all of this when I saw the premiere of Enchantment. It was such a disappointment. And I am sad beyond what I can explain because after years of dreaming of going to Disney World, my family decides to go AFTER Happily Ever After ended. That was my dream. To see the biggest, greatest, most emotional fireworks at the end and now I’m stuck with this. Ironic how the cause of celebration for me a couple years ago now is the cause of disappointment.
It's odd to me that HEA was even replaced. What's the point of replacing an incredibly popular show that's only been around for a few years? It's rumored that the Magic Kingdom was supposed to get a new night time parade for the 50th, and due to budget cuts, the remaining money was put into producing Enchantment instead. The money would have been better off not being spent at all.
@@PoseidonEntertainment I fully agree.
I follow almost all of the theme park youtubers, you are easily in the top 5! In depth, well thought out and honest.
Thanks, I'm glad that you enjoy!
I thought Disney wanted to make everyone feel like a child again. Back to innocence and feelings of magic. It was a heartfelt place to go once. The children loved it, but now there is too much stimulation and fast track things. It is never calming and a look back at the calmer times which children would enjoy. I think Disney is going way down. The crowds are ridiculous. The beautiful gardens were a highlight. Now it's pavement and crowds of sweating people all bunched up together. So sad to see Disney's demise to a cheap carnival atmosphere and a means of making money by cheapening the rides, the shows and everything else. I once loved it, now I wouldn't consider going again.
Totally agree with everything said. It’s lazy and I really think the further they did in, the more they’re going to have to recover when they realize their mistakes. And that will ultimately be more expensive than just doing things well from the beginning. I feel like they’re banking too much on people coming out for vacation after a 2+ year pandemic and younger people not having experienced the Disney we all knew before.
The 50th anniversary is being treated as an opportunity to sell themed merch and add sparkly colors, not to celebrate the legacy of the park. To me, that’s the major issue. It’s a PARTY sure-But there is no indication of the park’s history.
An interesting point. I might go so far as to suggest that it's like one of those merchandise parties that someone hosts are their house. The entertainment is sparse and it's a ruse to purchase an excess of low quality product.
This sounds cruel, but from the videos, it looks as if they are herding cattle into open doors of merch as fast as possible. There are people shoulder to shoulder crunched up in these places. There is no rule or courtesy. It's frightening how many people pack into stores and streets.
That Disney kite show is possibly the most laughable attraction since the Fast and Furious Ride opened. At best, it might be the sort of free family entertainment you would expect on a night outside the Fort Wilderness lodge.
But it would be one thing if it tried to at least be genuine like cheap summer camp theater. Instead it comes across as pandering. Symbolically the equivalent of dangling plastic jangling keys (the dolls puppets) and slow circular spinning mobile like above a crib (the kites on jetskis).
The messages is clear: Disney thinks its customers are babies, who can be entertained with infantile techniques.
I'm not sure if I should be insulted--or scared they might be right.
That's a perfect summary of how I feel about the inclusion of IP. It absolutely is pandering and insulting. It's like when Disney needed to add characters to Rivers of Light, making the show worse and dropping the guest ratings farther. It was a flawed show, but I at least appreciate the original vision.
I really enjoyed the unique musical score that illuminations offered, and was hoping we would get a bunch of new original music unique to harmonious. But no Disney continues to fall short of what was delivered previously. I get that Disney has to take care of it’s stockholders, but long term these lackluster additions and heartbreaking subtractions will not serve the company well. With so many things being sold out constantly though, you have to wonder why they even have an incentive to change.
Their stockholders get 1 Billion dollars, before any of that money goes back into disney. There is no reason for that amount of money to be going to stock holders, and letting the rest of the company suffer.
I still crank the Illuminations music, it is so SO good.
A large issue I foresee if the costs to fix all of this a decade down the line. This is the exact same problem that Eisner had and how much money has now been spent "fixing" it? If you build cheap, you can't replace it with cheap. A fantastic attraction that's designed well will remain timeless.
@@PoseidonEntertainment such as pirates, haunted mansion and wheel of progress. Those are still the best rides in MK. Yes there are other attractions, and they've lasted a long while (big thunder, splash and so on), but they don't have the charm that those rides do... because Walt Disney had the best people creatively working for him.
All things being said, in the end, it's a business. It's more than optimistic to even predict that the parks will even be there in a decade with the business decisions being made today. It kinda makes the takeover in the 80s look like nothing. Disney can fail... especially with the current management. So what does Disney need to pull out of this peril? Disney needs someone with the creativity that is able to call the shots. I believe Chapek will, if left unchecked, bankrupt the company. I don't believe that he has the creativity of a slug. So let him be in charge of the day to day business and put the aforementioned creative person in charge of the parks and animation divisions. It makes the most sense. Also fix the IPs that are already in the parks (put actual Star Wars in Star Wars land)...and so on. Also, Disney should create their own new IPs.
Remember Dreams Come True (the Disneyland 50th fireworks show) puts ALL of the WDW 50th shows to shame. Putting together the songs and sounds of rides both past and present was such a good move and really tied your day together perfectly. Still my favorite fireworks show of all time.
I know nothing about Disneyland's fireworks, but people keep explaining this show. It does sound like when Enchanted should have been.
Seeing people fighting over merch made me really sad. It's no wonder management has all but completely tuned out us guests. Blame can certainly be placed at many different levels (especially at the C suite), but the crowd treating Main Street like black Friday at Walmart does not make any kind of case to management that guests should be listened to at all. We get the Disney parks we deserve in a way.
The behavior at Magic Kingdom was astounding, especially considering that most of the merch is and has previously been available elsewhere.
It's funny that when you have a Disney superfan/ vloggers such as Adam the Woo making a public statement in the form of a vlog, coming out and saying that he's stepping back from Disney content and consciously stating that he's refusing to bring his phone into the parks as a form of protest... you've got to ask yourself has Disney gone too far? It's telling, to say the least.
14:39 Oh trust me dude, people are talking about it. Disney Dan recently did a video on Kite Tails, I had left a comment on how lazy Disney's gotten with all their new additions and money hungry tactics, and now someone else is harassing me because they don't think Disney should listen to fans... hey, maybe that guy works for Disney.
I don't even think people working for Disney enjoy what the company is. I was surprised to see some of the harshest criticism for the new shows and Ratatouille come from Disney cast members themselves.
@@PoseidonEntertainment That sounds about right. If past experiences with the Parks have taught me anything it’s that whenever the company blunders with the theme parks, Imagineers and Cast Members are as annoyed as everyone else. Makes sense when you consider how many Cast Members are themselves huge Disney dorks or how the job title of Imagineer suggests you’re here to make one of a kind experiences and not cheap crap. I remember hearing how annoyed they were in the late 90s and early 2000s when Eisner kept slashing the budgets on big projects.
I was there for the 50th and all that jazz… Soooo disappointing. Between the shows and the merch it was awful. We expected a day show in magic but nothing, no special talk from the CEO, nothing. HOWEVER the cast members were given a huge show the night before and major perks. I understand doing something nice for your employees but don’t forget your paying customers!!! DVC ownership or annual passes aren’t free!!! We deserved much more than what we got for the thousands we spend!!! The merch was all the stupid virtual line and Disney said nothing!!! By the time my family and I figured it out there were no spots left. Eventually we got in…. ONLY TO FIND OUT THAT IT WAS THE SAME MERCH YOU COULD BY ALMOST ANYWHERE ON DISNEY PROPERTY!!!! The shows were a bust!!! Just Disney songs and no meaning. So many more problems but I’m not even going to bother typing it all out.
I heard they did everything the night before because people are so upset with the CEO they were worried he would be boo-ed the entire time or worse. That says something about the character of these people running the company! Walt must be turning over in his grave because the magic of Disney is definitely dwindling. I paid an incredible amount of money to be there for 10 days for the 50th and was stunned by how much it cost for what we got. My fist time ever in Disney was 5 years ago and the drastic decline from 2017 to 2021 is unsettling. The only way it will change is if we stop supporting this corruption. Needless to say I will not be returning until changes benefiting the patrons again are made.
This is heartbreaking to see. :( I've been following you and Clownfish, most especially since my latest trip down there (this August). I hadn't been for a few years and was so sad at the lack of magic I've felt this trip vs. when visiting in the past (yes often since its opening). This visit was like a Six Flags experience at Disney prices. Don't get me wrong, Six Flags is okay in and of itself but as you are fond of saying, it's not THE Disney Experience. The care and thought that went into everything is now simply gone. And while I wish it weren't so, until its back, I won't be paying their prices for a non-experience any more. Once was more than enough for that. I'll save myself a ton of money and just stay home. I prefer to remember the magic than live through that sadness again.
Absolutely agree with everything. I truly have been waiting for your take on this. Disney needs to get it together. It’s embarrassing.
I’m really enjoying your videos. I have been going to WDW since the mid-70’s and was just there in July 2021. It was painfully obvious how much the guest experience has degenerated. However, I will add that if we want a better WDW, then we need to be better guests. I agree with you on all of your criticisms, but as guests, we need to also take responsibility for contributing to the problem. Gone is the era of manners and we somehow find ourselves trapped in a long season of narcissism.
I totally agree with you
Well, WDW and specifically the Magic Kingdom are not the happiest places on earth anymore. Was there opening day in 1971, was there before opening on the 50th. By 2:30 pm it was once again a ghost town. All the hype for the day built up and there was literally no plan on Disney's part. It was blaringly obvious. Everyone came for the merch and left. Their attractions are now third rate... there's really only a handful that I would consider world class (the ones Walt had a hand in). The shows are pitiful. Fireworks included. And Disney has the audacity to charge more than anyone else... it's underwhelming and offensive at the same time. I think when Disney sees their pockets getting emptier and their competition growing and thriving, it will mean more positive changes in the company and it's management. Great video as always 👍.
I was watching wait times through my app, considering I was quarantined during the celebration. I checked the wait times in the afternoon, and the highest wait (at Magic Kingdom) was 45 minutes at one point.
@@ausername5410 for most attractions it was 10-12 minute waits. Which basically was just a walk on.
@@Lil_Angry_Bitch exactly! It is a down attendance time for WDW, so time will tell as we get closer to Christmas (which is typically the busiest time for them). The reality will be revealed for sure when we hit spring and compare the attendance with other local parks. But since Genie+ was announced it definitely has been a ghost town in MK. Some of which is attributed to the fact that international travel hasn't kicked in as well as most parents that have kids of the Disney age, those kids have school.
When people say things are "just for kids" as a way to justify something being mediocre, it breaks my heart. Kids deserve good entertainment as much as adults do. I loved movies that were sad but beautiful. Up is a great example. I wasn't a kid at that time but boy did I still cry. I think kids deserve more than just jet skis pulling kites around a lagoon.
All those people packed like Sardines are the reason the CEO at Disney keeps doing things the cheap way because he knows the suckers will still come in. I can just imagine how they must mock them.
The only thing I liked from Disney's 50th anniversary was the Muppets haunted mansion
The only things that are occasionally innovative and great at Disney right now are merchandising and Disney+.
Thank you for perfectly articulating everything I found wrong about DISenchanment. It's such a step backwards from previous shows
Critiquing the biggest theme parks doesn't make you a shill despite what people think lol.
People who defend a multibillion dollar corporation, when they have clearly gone towards more profit racking measures, is being a shill. People get salty when they refuse to see that the magic is long gone from Disney.
@@alberquiky1 I think what I would say is this: if you want to criticize them that’s fine, but don’t go after the people who go there every 6-10 years who have a good time. That’s what I don’t like about of a lot of these comments, it almost seems like there is a quest to be not only the polar opposite of other UA-cam channels, but to go after people who like the parks still.
Really good points made. Yes, we love Disney but we should hold it to the high standards Walt would!
I think when I found out they were suing the creators of all the marvel characters for full rights was when I had it with Disney.
The argument of 'just for kids' will never hold any weight- not only is it insulting to the other people that are there to enjoy it, but it's also a very smug and annoying response when you consider that kids also deserve something great to enjoy and not some mediocre nonsense that's just bright lights and songs. Kids love flexing their imaginations- as do adults- and they want entertainment, not something they can get at home.
Disney is absolutely on the decline and it's so, so sad. I really hope someone gets to step up and flex what they CAN be very soon, because as it stands, its slowly just becoming 'just another park' and not something other parks aim themselves to be. Being critical of a company that insists its the top of the line is the only thing that's going to keep it that way- and the people that defend mediocrity are the ones that are going to kill it.
In addition, kids are certainly not stupid. The IP pandering is noticed I think. When I was little, Epcot was my favorite park because of its theme. Just because there's a vocal minority of people out there who complain that their toddlers find Spaceship Earth boring, doesn't mean that the majority of people don't appreciate it for what it is.
@@PoseidonEntertainment Eeeexactly!!! It's also a responsibility for parents to encourage kids to, y'know, flex their brain a little. Not saying they can't enjoy the simple things catered to them, but it's their formative years, let them LEARN in a fun way.
Thanks for going into detail and putting into words what I've been thinking and trying to say myself.
Both of the new fireworks shows are great displays, synced up to re-recorded (familiar sounding) Disney music. No story, no cohesiveness.
Neither of the shows touched any kind of emotion in me that made me want to see them again. They're a once and done kind of experience.
It all feels like we've taken a trip back in time when Paul Pressler and Michael Eisner were doing their best to cheapen everything to a "Six Flags" type of experience.
"You are the magic" LOL! SMH!
My parents flew from Chicago to Disneyland in 1957, two years after they opened. They loved the experience. I went to Disneyland Orlando in 1973, (age 14) two years after they opened and it was a great experience. As I morphed into adulthood and moved to LA in 1977, I started to realize that the experience changed in a lot of ways which I started to very much dislike. Long lines and expensive - almost prohibitive prices for parking, admission, food (even a bottle of water), and retail merchandise for the kids. We get to Main Street early to get a good spot to watch the Electric Light Parade only to eventually be boxed out of our good spot by people showing up just before the parade began. My last trip to what I now call Dismaland was in 2004 with my then very young daughters was a nightmare. Kids running into our pictures of the girls with the Disney characters along with parents that either didn't care enough to ask their kids to wait until we were done or didn't understand due to cultural differences. It was right before Christmas. It felt like Christmas with the December temperatures being cool, and with all the music, themes, and decorations, etc. It also felt like what retail Christmas shopping was like with people being rude and narcissistic. It could've been a great experience with all of the pageantry and the magic that was portrayed. It was, for my girls but the experience as a parent was awful at best. My daughter took my 4-year-old grandson there a couple of months ago. As expected, he loved it but my daughter said that the magic for her was not what she remembered and hated the experience as an adult especially at the soaring and unreasonable prices from parking, tickets, food, and merchandise. I haven't been back since and have no intention of ever going back. All that said, your video is stunningly clear, steady, and extremely professional. The icing on the cake is your narrative. Keep up the great work.
The worst part of Harmonious is that there's so many other things that needed done at Epcot that now the budget doesn't exist for. Spaceship Earth's refurb, or the Mary Poppins area both would have been much better uses of that money.
That's a good point, though I'm glad that the Spaceship Earth refurb got put off. I know it desperately needs it, but the new narrative direction that Chapek wants to take this ride would just absolutely destroy what makes it special.
This is how I imagine it was in Star Wars episode 3 for most of the galaxy when palpatine announced the end of the republic and beginning of the empire. Who’s up to start a rebellion?
Just to put things into perspective... Chuck E Cheese is an entretainment venue directed "just for kids". Disney has been an entretainment, cultural amd technological behemoth for the best part of the century. Expecting them to live up to the standards of the man whose last name is now the name of the company is nothing but logical.
Agreed. If you wanted to do something because your kids enjoyed it, perhaps Chuck E. Cheese is the place for you.
And gas stations should be staffed with people checking your oil and cleaning your windows…it’s just not going to ever happen again.
After years of viewing Wishes in person I watched Happily Ever After on youtube and instantly fell in love. I never thought I would love something better than Wishes, but I was emotionally moved by Happily Ever After, and I sing it in my head constantly. I felt nothing during Enchantment.
If anything, Enchantment is kind of boring in some parts.
I love your takes on Disney, I’m a huge disney fan and even have the castle tattooed on my foot- Youre completely right the parks are in a state of decline and its nice hearing someone actually talk about it
In my opinion, greed and then laziness determine Disney's decisions.
I've honestly been a Disney fan and have visited yearly for nearly 30 years. I've been an AP most of my life. However, this year, I'm just not renewing my AP. The 50th anniversary is almost tragically bad. There are no nighttime offerings at the Studios, fights at MK and a totally normal non-anniversary fireworks show, and a deeply disappointing show for Epcot that does not at all stand for anything Epcot represents. I will give Enchantment a chance one day, but I find Harmonious is so stereotypical I can't even watch portions of it. Added to the fact that Disney cut many things (Fantasmic, DHS fireworks, parking trams, included resort parking, EMHs), I would say Disney is definitely NOT worth visiting this year. The hours are even shorter than non-anniversary years, and there was not even a Halloween fireworks show offered in-season. It's honestly just a wreck objectively. Now, add on top of that genie+ and constantly scrolling on your phone, and I guarantee it will be an unmagical day. I'm waiting. I hope genie+ flops and people just wait standby. I hope Disney also starts offering something at the Studios. Even then, I will not be visiting Epcot on that trip. I can't. I had a fine trip my last visit in September and I really see no need to return. It had the same hours in a non-anniversary year and I got more done. Even the beacons of Magic are a bit disappointing and are incredibly short and underwhelming besides the one single show at Epcot (which unlike Harmonious actually is good without pyro). Also, modern Disney just seems to bash Eisner left and right. He wasn't perfect as a leader, but believe me because I was in the parks then, Eisner loved the parks. Modern Disney is too quick to insult the man who helped build 2 of the 4 parks, and both parks were directly inspired by Walt Disney. So, to be frank, I'm not too happy with how Iger constantly portrays Eisner negatively because very little of it is true. Every person is flawed. Every leader is flawed. Yes, Eisner made mistakes, but nowhere near this 50th anniversary level. And Eisner actually wanted to build another park inspired by and themed about the United States. And I'll just leave on that note. I do not like Disney leadership at all, and honestly, I think Eisner had more in common with Walt Disney than Iger. Eisner understood the timelessness of Disney, and he understood how to build good attractions. He just needed someone creative to counterbalance the greed the last half of his leadership, which is very typical in corporations. Plus, Eisner for WDW, almost always stayed in theme and almost always had significant expansion planned. I realize the same is not true in California, but he did fine on WDW.
HP World is kicking Disney's butt. It's literally the most magical place on earth.
@@queencancerous5332 🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼
@@MonsterKidCory yup. And I think that's what Disney's problem in general is. Just making copies and not making anything new.
Don't you mean The Wizarding World of Harry Potter? I had to mentally go over each of Universal's sections just to literally figure out what you were talking about. HP World is a bit vague.
@@MonsterKidCory I think you're missing the point of Wizarding World. The complete immersion is what the fans go there for. The areas have been designed with excellent sight lines and soundtracks. They are completely removed from the rest of the park -- which Disney tried to capture in their latest additions.
Too bad Disney went for IP nobody cared about anymore. Avatar is way past being current. And the Disney version of Star Wars is a flop.
@@MonsterKidCory Well, when I'm there on vacation, I always get the two park pass just because it makes sense -- apart from HP, there are rides in both parks I enjoy. Another thing I notice -- lots of folks can enjoy the shopping, without actually buying. Yes, people buy lots of stuff, but it's fun even when you aren't buying. Disney's stores are intentionally bland and uninteresting -- obvious message: give us your money, then get out! In G.E., I suppose they do make some attempt at themed shops, but most of them seem cramped and nasty. And, they need a themed table service restaurant. Did they not notice the business that Leaky Cauldron and Three Broomsticks do? The other brilliant thing -- the magic wands that actually "work" (in the parks). The closest thing Disney has in Galaxy Edge is the clunky Light Sabres -- but you can't actually "wield" them in the parks. And they cost a lot more. And the number of people who can get them is seriously limited.
Ugh, you are so right. I hate it when people give me that "Disney's for kids" line. If you accept the mythology surrounding the creation of the original park (some of it's true, and some of it's Walt marketing), Walt ALWAYS intended it to be a place for FAMILIES, a place that grown-ups could enjoy ALONGSIDE their kids. Instead of sitting on a bench while the kids rode the rides, the idea (supposedly) was that adults could take part in the fun with their little ones, AND there was always stuff to entertain the adults. Disney has never been just for kids, and they know that damn good and well since most of the merch profits they get are not from kids' stuff, but adults; clothing, pins, mugs, glassware, and collectible statuettes. Disney KNOWS who pays for their stuff, and it ain't the kids.
They're pissing so many people off that all these adults are less willing now to part with their money because they aren't getting the same value anymore. Disney is only hurting themselves.
Disney fans are calling other people shills? Lol...Universal isn’t perfect but there’s a lot to great things they’ve done over the past few years and they’re currently in a hot streak of hit after hit with rides and news coming out of the resorts.
Bruh u fr one of the best theme park channels out there. Honesty and quality combined make you an instant click for at the very least a new perspective
Disney has "Marketeers" not imagineers anymore, so sad
Makes me want Toyko Disneyland and Disney Sea to have it's own anniversary celebrations tbh.
Those places are high on my list. A company that runs Disney parks and upholds the Disney brand better than Disney itself? Count me in.
As someone who ADORES the idea of the nighttime shows but can never watch them due to a severe phobia of fireworks (I have to physically leave the park and be completely out of earshot for them), I really appreciate your analysis of this aspect of the decline of the artistic vision of the park. Its so easy to wow the general populous with flashy lights and explosions but that's not the POINT.
I used to be like that. It took forced scenarios for me to become desensitized. It’s still scary. 🥺
@@WatchandLearn16 I've tried but every time it's hell. Last Feb I went to Disney and we missed the timing to be in pirates during a show and got caught right behind where the fireworks were going off. I ran, blacked out, and came to crying on a bench
I’m a Disneyland person so my favorite fireworks of all time is “Remember…Dreams Come True”. I was really hoping Disney would do a fireworks similar to Remember for WDW 50th. Something to celebrate the history of the park(s) and not just a lazy greatest hits reel.
With Disney's new CEO taking over the company and the new directions of the parks and entertainment around the parks, I definitely agree with Disney's new lazy way out with no Imagination at all. This is a stab in the back for fans and will find out the hard way when people start leaving early with all their money still in their pockets. This is as cheap as the Chinese made merchandise that Disney is peddling in their parks. After that abomination they call a fireworks show, I would have fired him and the team on the spot no questions asked. Love your honesty. Great video
The last World of Color show I saw in Disneyland before all of the pandemic shutdowns was a perfect example of lazy and uninspired entertainment. It was a just a disjointed commercial for Disney, using snippets of their popular songs, with matching videos. So disappointing!
Totally agree with you about Illuminations vs. Harmonious. We're going to Disney in December for New Years and was looking forward to seeing the show, but once I previewed it I was incredibly underwhelmed and bummed.
Thanks you just made me feel so old. I remember going to Disney for the 25th birthday celebration
Finally someone is saying what my husband and I have, for quite some time. I've been going to the park since 71. In the last 10 years, we've watched an overall erosion of quality, creativity and customer care. Buz Lightyear in MK is a perfect example. A sloppy makeover. I'm sosad
Buzz Lightyear: Space Ranger Spin opened in 1998.
They should have done what Disneyland did for their 50th anniversary. That firework show was incredible. Even though I have not seen it in person. I like it, because it really takes you on a tour of the park itself. I actually got chills watching it. Because you would hear things like Walt Disney, and various audio from their attractions over the years.
along the lines about what you said about people excusing stuff because "it's for kids"- it's a bit sad that people seem to throw away standards when a show is meant for children to enjoy because they know how to point out bad shows too, and a company like disney that has proven itself to be able to make amazing experiences owes kids the same quality of entertainment as the adults
This is what happens when the imagineers have their creativity held back over cost! The leaders are not in love with the Disney Magic of creating imazing new attractions and entertainment, it's now just about profit and bottom lines. Look at the Asian parks and how much more advanced the attractions are than North America! This is because Disney is not the sole owner of these parks and there is more money being infused into the parks than taken out. There is always more being added than taken away.
Chapek does not care about DISNEY at all. He just sees it as a job, and a way to make tons of money- nothing more, nothing less. Its like a boring 9-5 to him
As someone who saw Disney enchantment in person, it is the most forgettable thing I think Disney has ever done
I was in EPCOT and remembered the 50th of MK was upon us. At 2pm, when you can park hop, I caught the monorail over (out of commission for connecting service between MK and EPCOT for over a year). When I arrived at MK, I was expecting to see...something. No, a usual parade, some of the commemorative desserts were awful (this is a common occurrence) and the anniversary apparel wasn't what I expected (mediocre while normally priced between $34-$80 per item excluding a Swarovski Starbucks tumbler for $50). If you could make it to the late evening, the fireworks was the only attraction. I wasn't surprised. In Disney true fashion, EPCOT hosts the best festivals/events.
I agree 100%, I am tired of Disney prices going up and quality and service going down. Disney corporate greed is killing the magic that made their parks so popular.
Even with the many criticisms of corporate greed that defined the Eisner era, it looks so much better in retrospect when compared to now.
sooooooo true. I was just there, right before the 50 anniversary and while I got to live by millennial fantasy (not fully-covid) the vibe did feel off/different compared to the last time I went. it didn't feel like one price included "everything", or staying at the hotel came with some cool perks, which in it self made the experience more immersive. That is my favorite thing of Disney, or was, and all these little changes smell like greed, and it is sad how unapologetic they can come across. I'm disappointed when hearing this reviews. I'm still hoping to see the new shows, but I honestly thought they were stepping up their game with the technology and artistry. Now a days the digital art world is growing. You would think Disney takes advantage of that and hires artists that are able to express emotion, feel, messages through digital art. So many things come across as laziness, and that doesn't feel like magic, so im not going to pay magical prices anymore lol.
I'm surprised you didn't mention how the park was packed with people there before dawn on Oct. 1 who then waited in the hub for hours for a re-dedication, speech, entertainment event or any sort of acknowledgement of the anniversary.
And nothing happened! There was just some executives and cast members in roped off areas talking to news shills (not the crowds) and lots of disappointed park goers.
Went to Disney last week..very disappointed, every store was out of 50th souvenir’s..the parks were packed, and the food was so expensive..sanitizer containers were all empty..we were staying at Universal and just popped over for two days..was so happy to get back to Universal.
I applaud your honesty. Way to many Disney UA-camrs just suck up to Disney just to get click views and get revenue.
I agree with the decline of Disney. My family and I are super fans, and we go to Disney World every time we can, but for the last couple of years we have witness a sad decline of it all. From the merch to the guest services. Now everything feels cheaper and mediocre, to say the least. It feels as if the spirit of Walt Disney has vanished from it all. 😭😔
Like others have said I agree entirely with your analysis of Enchantment, but would go further and also say it fails specifically as a show for the 50th. Disneyland received an amazing fireworks show celebrating its 50 year history in Remember…Dreams Come True. I was really hoping to see something like that for WDW.
I agree. It's completely irrelevant to the celebration.
The Disneyland 50th was really well done - and more exciting. It was advertised, there were huge giveaways, etc.
@@kata7628 I was there on the day the 50th anniversary of Disneyland happened when I was 11 years old. It was very magical