We are losing the Magic

[bakerworld]

This is still true:

No more staying at hotel style rooms. We can walk to the parks (EPCOT and HS) and relax in really nice rooms with balconies and a great pool area SAB.

We knew when we joined DVC that all we were getting was the deluxe level room at the moderate rate and that is exactly why we joined.

The only hit for me is Magical Express. DH has been wanting to do Mears since we started using them when we stay at the Dolphin. Mears has always been faster and usually with less stops - twice a direct drop.

 

[AdamsMum]

I don't understand why they didn't just increase ticket prices and say "But look what's included now!" Much more psychologically positive, even though people would be mad about the price increase. Maybe people are right that they are now marketing to the upper income bracket and ignoring the average family. Makes me sad for families with a few kids.

 

[Narcoossee11]

I don't understand why they didn't just increase ticket prices and say "But look what's included now!" Much more psychologically positive, even though people would be mad about the price increase. Maybe people are right that they are now marketing to the upper income bracket and ignoring the average family. Makes me sad for families with a few kids.

They can do both ..charge for GENIE and AP's. Then charge more each year.

 

[Sandisw]

I don't understand why they didn't just increase ticket prices and say "But look what's included now!" Much more psychologically positive, even though people would be mad about the price increase. Maybe people are right that they are now marketing to the upper income bracket and ignoring the average family. Makes me sad for families with a few kids.

Except, raising the ticket prices means everyone has to pay that price. At least now, families do have the choice to simply do stand by or not get it every day of the trip (unless it comes out that it is required). Personally think an across the board increase of $15/day per person to the ticket price would hit a lot of families even harder.

As I shared, I won't recommend park hopping to guests in the same way I did before this new system was announce. This way, they can pay for GP+ and simply concentrate on one park per day.

 

[we"reofftoneverland]

I only started going to WDW in late 2010, so I only know Stacey.

OMG, did they get rid of Stacey? We love her.

 

[bumbershoot]

OMG, did they get rid of Stacey? We love her.

Yeah, she announced on instagram that she was done (

View this content on Instagram

View this content on Instagram

).

Edited out the other link. There's info out there in google-land about it.

I figure there are just too many changes, and she's not 20-something. Silly Disney. Or maybe silly me; I still sometimes watch the 2005 planning video with Erin Cahill (plus Dave, different-Stacey, and Luke).

 

[chalee94]

Or maybe silly me; I still sometimes watch the 2005 planning video with Erin Cahill (plus Dave, different-Stacey, and Luke).

Doesn't that hurt too though? Remembering how many relaxing benches the parks used to have?

(Oh, I just saw that you're a newB and didn't really start going till 2010...so you never got attached to the benches.)

 

[Nabas]

I just wish Disney had an executive team that didn’t hate the company.

Disney executives don’t hate the company.

They simply have contempt for paying customers who they see as rubes.

 

[New Mouse]

Hey, at least they havent raised the actual ticket prices.

(yet....)

They fired all their employees to be able to pull all that stuff off at the same time.

 

[WIll C]

Losing Magical Express was a big downer for us (my wife hates ride share services). We'll have to spend on something else. We're new enough going to WDW that we're not nostalgic for some of the older stuff but they do seem to keep on getting rid of one thing or another.
Paying for rides isn't a huge deal breaker. I wish they had copied Universal, which we go to as well and their express pass is worth it for us.

 

[limace]

No $25 per single ride is next year. This year $15 is the intro price.
BUT if I read correctly, Mine Train is the one ride that might cost extra at WDW. Great!

I don’t think that’s correct. I think there are predicted to be ten rides at WDW that will be upcharged on top of your $15 for genie.

 

[jdkdorn]

My family joined DVC in 2006 at BCV. We were thrilled. No more staying at hotel style rooms. We can walk to the parks (EPCOT and HS) and relax in really nice rooms with balconies and a great pool area SAB.

So much has changed. Especially in the last year. For example:

1. Free Magic Bands are gone (I have not been down there in almost two years because of COVID so I have not used the mobile device access. I just liked the bands better and don't want to pull out a phone in the parks all the time. And they were great for buying food and gifts.

2. Free Magical Express - Now Mears Connect is $96 RT for DW, DS and I. And that is the "Introductory" price. I know many of you get a limo or rental car but DS loved the Mickey programs on ME.

3. Free Fast Pass - Now $45 a day ($225 for the trip) for DW, DS and I (God help larger families) and it will be interesting to see if we can actually get on the rides we want without the time slots already being taken up by others faster than me. After the three Fast Passes were used (usually by 2pm), all other rides for Fast Pass were booked and we could not get any more. But I was fine with that, after all, it was free.

4. BCV eliminated the Jacuzzis and fans - OK that is my gripe. DW and DS never used it. I used it every night and I loved having a fan on slow at night over the bed. We don't have fans at our home in CT. 7 foot ceilings are too low for that with a 4 poster bed which is about 3 inches from the ceiling.

So what else has changed that you wish had not?

We own BCV and I hate that they changed so much. I did not know about the fan, that is a necessity for me, I get so hot and I like the noise. So much changing, they should be required to poll the owners for big changes

 

[jdkdorn]

I wish Walt was still alive.

Roy Jr really did a great job when he took it away from Walt's son in law...then they hired Eisner and it went down hill from there

 

[zavandor]

No $25 per single ride is next year. This year $15 is the intro price.
BUT if I read correctly, Mine Train is the one ride that might cost extra at WDW. Great!

$15 is the price for Genie+ which given access to all second tier attractions. Two headliners in each park (7DMT, FoP...) will be paid a la carte got an unknown price, probably not cheap. $25 is a guess, may be more or less.

 

[we"reofftoneverland]

Yeah, she announced on instagram that she was done (

View this content on Instagram

View this content on Instagram

).

Edited out the other link. There's info out there in google-land about it.

I figure there are just too many changes, and she's not 20-something. Silly Disney. Or maybe silly me; I still sometimes watch the 2005 planning video with Erin Cahill (plus Dave, different-Stacey, and Luke).

So I just googled it and you are right it is all over the internet. Ugh. My kids used to watch it over and over when they were little and as they became teens they would joke about how she was getting older and wonder when Disney would toss her out Hollywood style. They joked that she was aging like I was. Lol. But they still loved her! They are not going to be happy about this. But this is so Disney current day: let’s get rid of everything fans love that has any personality and texture. Everything has to be flat and boring and uncreative... and lacking all humanity. Like Star Wars land and all their new boring Star Wars movies. And jungle cruise. Total joke. My 12 year old could have written a better movie and made a more creative ride. Lame, Disney, you’ve become so lame. What was that nonsensical fish animation movie on Disney plus with the kids on the scooter? Yawn. Do they try to find the most boring people out of college and hire those people? Actually, yes. Because when you are no longer hiring on merit and hire people for superficial reasons to fill boxes, you end up with a bitter, boring, self-obsessed assemblage of employees who can’t produce anything decent to save their lives. I wonder what Disney genius decided to get rid of Stacey and I can’t wait to see the milquetoast that replaces her.

 

[CT Yankee]

I just wish Disney had an executive team that didn’t hate the company.

...or its customers.

 

[CT Yankee]

The loss of Magical Express is a huge disappointment for me. I would even be willing to pay a fee for it. Always felt like the vacation started at the airport when we were welcomed at the ME waiting area. Heck - even getting the luggage tags in the mail was a cause for excitement. The convenience of checking in our bags at the airport and having them delivered to our resort room was downright delightful, and not having to watch my husband struggle and stress over loading our luggage into a rental car was priceless.

 

[DL1WDW2]

I think Stacy deserves a window on Main Street USA

 

[MainStreetMouse]

As much as Disney World and DVC have changed and will continue to change so do I.

We have been DVC members since 2007.

After so many years visiting the parks is not about the rides, we often would go to one of the parks in the evening for dinner and to watch the fireworks. That was when we could get an annual pass. Won't miss the Fastpass system and won't pay for Genie either. We just don't go on many rides. Like I said, visiting the parks was more for entertainment and strolling. Until the annual pass returns we will likely go offsite for dinners and see more of Orlando.

When brings up Disney Magic Express, we loved it and will miss it. Will miss having our luggage magically arrive in our room. We have rented a car in the past and will likely do this more often. It will make it easier for us to get out of the Disney bubble and explore Orlando. Something we rarely did when we used Disney Express.

Magic bands were nice and convenient. Will use one we already have and see what happens.

The recent decisions by Disney have made it easier for us to have resort only vacations. Not a bad thing actually. slower pace and we will be able to relax and not always go go go. Disney's decision are also making it easy for us to get out and explore, something we have not really done since 2007 but will start doing.

As Disney changes, so will we, they will likely see less of our vacation dollars but other businesses in Orlando will. Maybe it's time for a change after all these years, maybe not a bad thing.

My family joined DVC in 2006 at BCV. We were thrilled. No more staying at hotel style rooms. We can walk to the parks (EPCOT and HS) and relax in really nice rooms with balconies and a great pool area SAB.

So much has changed. Especially in the last year. For example:

1. Free Magic Bands are gone (I have not been down there in almost two years because of COVID so I have not used the mobile device access. I just liked the bands better and don't want to pull out a phone in the parks all the time. And they were great for buying food and gifts.

2. Free Magical Express - Now Mears Connect is $96 RT for DW, DS and I. And that is the "Introductory" price. I know many of you get a limo or rental car but DS loved the Mickey programs on ME.

3. Free Fast Pass - Now $45 a day ($225 for the trip) for DW, DS and I (God help larger families) and it will be interesting to see if we can actually get on the rides we want without the time slots already being taken up by others faster than me. After the three Fast Passes were used (usually by 2pm), all other rides for Fast Pass were booked and we could not get any more. But I was fine with that, after all, it was free.

4. BCV eliminated the Jacuzzis and fans - OK that is my gripe. DW and DS never used it. I used it every night and I loved having a fan on slow at night over the bed. We don't have fans at our home in CT. 7 foot ceilings are too low for that with a 4 poster bed which is about 3 inches from the ceiling.

So what else has changed that you wish had not?

 

[scoobdoo]

2. Free Magical Express - Now Mears Connect is $96 RT for DW, DS and I. And that is the "Introductory" price. I know many of you get a limo or rental car but DS loved the Mickey programs on ME.

This point alone makes us livid. Remember when it was first announced the sycophants were out en masse defending the move because of the train that would at some point in a future time be built? Well, that train that never actually was a comparable replacement went away and now we are left with nothing. It's just outrageous.