There is not much in this world that I love more than Disney and Walt Disney World. I was introduced to Disney at a very young age. My first Walt Disney World trip was when I was just 8-9 months old. I am now 22 and have been to Walt Disney World 17 times which is more than a lot of people. I don’t want to stop going to Walt Disney World and I certainly won’t stop enjoying the Disney brand anytime soon. I will be changing my travel habits though. For the past three years I have gone to Walt Disney World for at least three times a year.
If you have seen some of the more recent Crescent Lake Club TV streams I have been more critical of Disney as of late. In November 2020, I visited Universal Orlando for the first time. This was my first real experience with competition of Disney. I had been to Six Flags and stuff like that but I don’t consider something like that true competition to Disney theme parks. This visit changed how I look and visit theme parks in Orlando I believe. It also made me recognize Disney is not always the end all be all.
Some of Disney’s latest offerings and news items have set me off even more. At Universal they are going full cylinders on their latest and greatest upcoming attraction “Velocicoaster” and of course the big new park Epic Universe. Disney is coasting delaying and delaying and delaying what they have in progress. Do not get me wrong, I completely understand we are in a pandemic and things stopped for a while. Disney is not hurting for money though and neither is Universal but one is going full boar to get business while the other is not.
When Disney announced that Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure would open October 1st, 2021 I was more disappointed than excited. By all accounts this ride is ready to go and was set to open this spring. If it wasn’t for covid this attraction was supposed to open in 2020. Then we have the rest of the Epcot make over which is almost in a perpetual delay and reorganization. Tron over at Magic Kingdom was supposed to open in 2021 and is now without any opening timeframe. Disney isn’t doing anything special to lure guests in either or at least make them feel valued during this time.
Over at Universal new events or make shift events are popping up. Mardi Gras which is an annual event Universal does took a new spin and was a big hit with pretty much everyone. For the holidays, Universal tried to bring special cheer with parade floats out and special offerings. Over at Disney we have the never ending food festivals at Epcot and some character cavalcades. Universal has attempted nighttime offerings and is planning to bring things back like Halloween Horror Nights later this year. At Disney, it is crickets. They have said nothing about any entertainment returning and nothing about parties. Crowds continue to increase at both destinations. Disney still has numerous restaurants and other offerings shuttered.
I don’t think I am asking much from Disney. If they do want guests to come now and pay the full prices they should give guests things to do. I understand not being able to have fireworks and normal parades. However, they have do other special offerings. For example, they have two large open air theaters at Hollywood Studios in which they could put on some sort of show or entertainment safely. This would help crowds at the park as well. Disney just seems content with doing the bare minimum and this is something they have really done for years now. They don’t go above and beyond as much as they once did.
Disney does still hit home runs. Rise of the Resistance is one of those and something I can experience again and again. Those big hits are fewer and far between however. Disney will always be “home” to me. It could be time for me to take a break and find that itch again. It could be time for me to just experience new things. I am sure it is a mix of many things. At the same time though I cannot be the only long time Disney fan thinking Disney could be doing more. The more fans that do recognize this the better as it will push Disney to do more and do better. A kick in the rear is all they really need. Universal may be able to do that for us though with the amount they are doing.
Let me know if you have similar thoughts down below!
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