Some things at Disney World have stayed (relatively) the same over several years. You can still hop on a boat and sing an extremely catchy tune at “it’s a small world,” there are still lots of Disney hotels to stay at, and (of course) you can still say “hello” to Mickey Mouse in the parks.
Hey There Mickey, Minnie, and Pluto!
But, lots of things in Disney World have also changed over the past few months, and many more changes are on the way. The Magical Express will be ending, new PAID FastPass-like systems will be introduced to the parks soon, and more changes have already been announced. When fan-favorite things go away or new things are introduced to the parks, there can be some frustration. So, we reached out to our fantastic DFB readers via Facebook and Instagram to see what upcoming changes frustrate them the most.
We got QUITE a lot of responses citing a variety of things that frustrated our readers, but some really stood out. Here are some of the top upcoming changes that frustrate our readers.
The Introduction of Disney Genie+
At the very, very, VERY top of the list was the introduction of Genie+. This was by far the thing that readers mentioned the most in their responses.
In case you missed it, FastPass+, FASTPASS, and MaxPass will not return to Disney World or Disneyland. Instead, two paid FastPass-like systems will replace them — one of which is called Disney Genie+.
©Disney
With Genie+, guests will pay $15 per day per ticket at Disney World ($20 per ticket per day at Disneyland) and will be able to select the next available time to return to an attraction and use that ride’s Lightning Lane (the new name for the FastPass line). When their set time arrives, the guests will be able to use the Lightning Lane for that attraction and skip the standby line.
Once they’re done riding that ride and utilizing its Lightning Lane, they’ll be able to make their next Genie+ Lightning Lane selection. Guests will be able to continue to make Genie+ Lightning Lane selections 1 attraction at a time throughout the day.
©Disney
Over 40 attractions at Disney World will be included in Genie+ (and over 15 attractions will be included at Disneyland Resort). In some ways, Genie+ is similar to the MaxPass system that was used at Disneyland, or somewhat similar to the olden days in Disney World where you would obtain 1 FastPass at a time throughout the day.
Many of our readers mentioned being frustrated with the introduction of Genie+ for several reasons. First, they mentioned that they were frustrated at having to pay for a FastPass-like system, when that used to be free (i.e. included in the cost of admission) for Disney World and Disneyland guests in the past.
The FastPass lines are now called Lightning Lanes
Some were also frustrated at the fact that Disney hasn’t released a lot of information over this new Genie+ system yet. We’ve gotten some details about the system and a video showing a basic idea of what it will look like, but we are still waiting on a lot of details. We don’t have a set date when the system will begin being offered (just the expectation that it will be this fall). We also don’t have a full list of attractions that will be available through Genie+, though Disney has mentioned that Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run, and Haunted Mansion will be included in Disney Genie+.
Another thing people were frustrated with is the timing surrounding Genie+. At Disney World, all guests will be able to make their first Genie+ Lightning Lane selections at 7AM. Some readers (who we expect are not early risers) were not thrilled at the idea of having to wake up early on vacation for another thing (as if waking up early to try and grab a Boarding Group for Rise of the Resistance wasn’t enough!). Note that at Disneyland things are a bit different, as guests can make their first Genie+ Lightning Lane selection once they’re in the park.
©Disney
In Disneyland, Genie+ includes unlimited PhotoPass downloads from that specific day of your trip. But, at Disney World, PhotoPass photos are NOT included in Genie+. Instead, at Disney World, Genie+ only includes augmented reality filters to use while taking photos. Some guests were less than pleased at that differentiation and were rather frustrated that the Disney World version doesn’t include PhotoPass.
As we mentioned, there’s still a lot of outstanding questions about Genie+. We’re working on getting as many of those answers to you so be sure to check back with us for more updates.
Click here to see answers to some of your questions about Genie+.
Ending of the Magical Express
While Genie+ took the number 1 spot in terms of mentions, there were also LOTS of guests who mentioned that they were incredibly frustrated at the ending of Disney’s Magical Express. Disney’s Magical Express was a service offered to Disney World hotel guests (and operated by Mears) which transported hotel guests to and from Orlando International Airport for free.
Disney’s Magical Express
Earlier this year, Disney announced that the service would be ending in January of 2022. Several readers mentioned their frustration at the Magical Express going away overall. But, others also specifically mentioned that they were especially frustrated at the loss of the Magical Express luggage delivery system. With that system, guests didn’t have to pick up their own checked luggage from baggage claim. Instead, it was all coordinated and taken care of through Magical Express, and the luggage would then be delivered to guests’ rooms.
The Magical Express Won’t Be Around for Too Much Longer
We’ve taken a look at some of the best ways to get to Disney World when the Magical Express is gone, one of which is the new service from Mears that is essentially meant in many ways to replace the Magical Express. If you’re planning a trip to Disney World for 2022 and relied on the Magical Express, the discontinuation of this service is something you’ll want to plan ahead for.
Click here to see how the cost of the Magical Express replacement compared to an Uber to Disney World.
The End of Many “Free” Perks
The third most mentioned frustration in our comments section was probably the removal/end of many of the free perks or benefits to staying on property, or generally the removal of free things in Disney World.
Art of Animation is a Value Resort
This can tie into a few things mentioned above, like the ending of the FREE Magical Express service, the removal of FREE FastPass+ selections, and the ending of Extra Magic Hours and its replacement with other offerings (we’ll discuss more about that in a second). Under the new Genie+ system, hotel guests don’t get an extended booking window to book their Lightning Lane selections (as they used to with FastPass+). Now, they’ll be on equal footing with all other guests as they work to make their first Lightning Lane selections at 7AM.
Some readers mentioned that they felt like they’re paying more now, but getting less. Others noted that ticket prices aren’t going down to accommodate for these changes, and now guests will have to pay for things that previously were included in the cost of admission or were a special, free perk for hotel guests.
Disney’s Pop Century Resort
Some things are still free in Disney World, but a number of changes have been announced for the future that will take away or otherwise change some fan favorites and it seems a number of readers were rather frustrated by this.
Click here to see what our readers had to say about whether they’d pay for Genie+.
Extended Evening Hours and Early Theme Park Hours
Extended Evening Hours was another one that was mentioned quite a bit. Starting in October, guests staying at Disney World Deluxe Resorts, Deluxe Villa Resorts, or select other hotels will have the opportunity to stay in certain Disney parks a few extra hours into the night on select dates. So far, a number of dates have been announced for this special hotel perk, and Disney has shared a list of the attractions that will be open during these extended hours.
©Disney
But, again this benefit is only for those staying at Deluxe Resorts, Deluxe Villa Resorts, and select other hotels Disney has identified. So, guests staying at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort (a Value Resort) won’t qualify for this perk. Considering that Disney previously offered Extra Magic Hours for ALL Disney World hotel guests (regardless of hotel level), guests were a little less than pleased that Extended Evening Hours is more limited.
But, all Disney World hotel guests (regardless of what type/level of resort they’re staying at) and guests staying at select other hotels will get the chance to enter any Disney World theme park 30 minutes early starting in October with Early Theme Park Entry. It wasn’t mentioned as much, but some readers did note that the loss of the previous version of Extra Magic Hours and its replacement with these two systems is something that they were not pleased about.
Disney’s Contemporary Resort
Some also noted that the fact that Early Theme Park Entry was limited to just 30 minutes is something they were disappointed about.
Click here to see more details about Early Theme Park Entry in Disney World.
Individual Attraction Selection
Another thing several readers mentioned they were frustrated about is the NEW Individual Attraction Selection offering. This would be potentially tied for 4th place or potentially 5th on the list in terms of the number of mentions.
As we discussed above, FastPass+ is going away, and Disney Genie+ will serve as the new, PAID FastPass-like system. But, on top of Genie+, Disney is also introducing something called Individual Attraction Selection. With Individual Attraction Selection, guests will have the ability to PURCHASE and schedule a return time during which they’ll be able to visit one specific attraction and ride the attraction by using that ride’s Lightning Lane.
©Disney
Essentially, you’d be paying to utilize a FastPass for a single ride. Pricing hasn’t been released for Individual Attraction Selections, but Disney has shared that the price will vary by attraction, date, and park. A maximum of 2 Individual Attraction Selections can be made per person per day.
What rides’ Lightning Lane access will be available for purchase? Disney hasn’t shared the full list, but they have mentioned that it will be for select, highly popular rides. So far, Disney has mentioned that Seven Dwarfs Mine Train at Magic Kingdom, Radiator Springs Racers in Disney California Adventure Park, WEB SLINGERS: A Spider-Man Adventure at Disney California Adventure Park, Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, and Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure at EPCOT will be included in the Individual Attraction Selection option.
Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance
One important thing to note is that the rides offered through Individual Attraction Selection will NOT be available through Genie+. For example, if you want to access the Lightning Lane at (and skip the need to get a Boarding Group for) Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, that will NOT be included in Genie+ (the service where you pay $15 at Disney World to make Lightning Lane selections at over 40 rides). Instead, you’ll have to pay individually to access the Lightning Lane JUST for Rise of the Resistance.
Various readers commented that this specific additional cost of paying to access the Lightning Lane for select highly popular rides was very frustrating to them, particularly in light of the fact that Genie+ is also an additional cost.
Click here to learn more about Individual Attraction Selection.
Benefits for Those Who Pay More
While it wasn’t necessarily mentioned as much as the items above, various readers did note that they were frustrated at the fact that more things in Disney World appear to be becoming exclusive only to those who pay more. This applies to various things like Individual Attraction Selection, Genie+, and Extended Evening Hours. For both Genie+ and Individual Attraction Selection, there is an additional fee associated with them that is above and beyond the base Disney World ticket price.
©Disney
For Extended Evening Hours, guests won’t have to pay extra for that offering, but it is only being offered for those who are more than likely paying more for their hotel stay — those staying at Disney World Deluxe Resorts, Deluxe Villa Resorts, or select other hotels.
Overall, several readers mentioned being frustrated at the fact that these specific benefits are now only going to be accessible to those guests who are willing to pay more for them when in the past things like Extra Magic Hours and FastPass+ were free to all Disney World guests.
And Other Changes
Readers mentioned a few other upcoming changes as well that frustrated them. Some mentioned that they didn’t like the idea that Disney is essentially forcing guests to use their phones more, rather than less. You need your phone for a LOT of things in Disney World right now (like Mobile Order, online Check-In, mobile dine walk-up waitlist, and more).
And you needed in the past as well when it came to FastPass+ selections, though those could also be done on monitors in the park. Guests will certainly need their phones with Genie, Genie+, and some of the newer services, as many of them will be built right into the My Disney Experience app.
©Disney
Some guests also mentioned that they were frustrated Annual Passes are not on sale again yet (though sales of Annual Passes are set to resume soon). Others were frustrated that sales for things like the Dining Plan, or Tables in Wonderland also haven’t returned.
Some mentioned that they were frustrated at Harmonious and the barges for the show, which the reader lovingly called an “eyesore.” One reader mentioned being frustrated at the fact that 180-day dining booking windows haven’t returned yet. Others were frustrated at…well, a lot of stuff! Some responded by saying they were frustrated at basically ALL of the upcoming changes or simply asked us where to even start!
Magic Kingdom
There are a lot of changes that are set to be made in the next few months at Disney World, and we’re sure there are many more changes coming in the future. Some of these changes may make you super excited (like a new fireworks show at Magic Kingdom), while others may frustrate you. We’ll be sure to be on the lookout for details about all of these changes and share updates with you. So, be sure to check back with us here at DFB for all the latest!
Click here to learn more about some of the changes coming to Splash Mountain for its Princess and the Frog re-theme!
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WE KNOW DISNEY.
YOU CAN, TOO.
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Little did I know when I reserved my Disney trip in February 2021 for February. 2022 that I would be paying for everything from transportation from the airport to COVID tests if I wanted to fly home and other expenses unknown to me at the time My wallet is a lot lighter and I am not a happy Disney fan
To me, the most frustrating thing isn’t a single “thing” at all. It’s the totality of what guests are seeing: a wholesale erosion of value at a higher price.
Disney Magical Express: Gone
Park Passes: Prices up
Complimentary Guest Parking: Gone
FastPass+: Terminated and replaced with a pay service
Room Rates: Way up
Extra Magic Hours: Stratified
Food Service: Increased prices, limited menus
I get it, Disney has to provide a positive return on investor capital. But while many of its fans and guests are suffering financially, Disney is busy squeezing every nickel it can instead of compassionately sharing even a little bit in its fans’ financial setbacks.
Please do not insult my intelligence by saying that that Disney eliminated the Fast Pass and replaced it with Genie Plus to address the park’s biggest headache (Long Attraction Queues). If that was true, then why doesn’t Disney reduce the price of park admission by $15 a ticket a day. Walt NEVER LIED to his guests. Today’s Disney IS NOT the Disney of Mr Walt Disney. So Sad
Bye bye Disney. So annoyed we worn be returning every year, in fact I’m no longer a Disney crazy fan, with the new announcements this has done me The ceo Bob pay check needs to rethink
Agree with all of these factors. For the cost of a 2 week stay in WDW, I can now go to a high-end, all -inclusive 5* resort in the Caribbean. Disney has always been expensive but I was willing to pay for it because the benefits, perks and the magic of it all were worth it. The value for money isn’t there anymore and it pains me to say it but I think the magic period for Disney holidays is well and truly over for me and my family. I can’t justify it anymore.
Disney World is no longer a theme park, it is a playground for the rich. It caters to those who book $1500 suites at the Grand Floridian, order breakfast in bed for $200, play a few rounds of golf and visit the sauna and then rent a limo to take them to the parks where they will pay the $17-$25 upcharge for any ride they wish.
A vacation to WDW has become something that I can no longer afford. I am unwilling to pay $15/day in order to access the Lightning Lanes. It’s been eighteen years since I’ve been to WDW. It may be a lot longer before I return.
Bring back all the free perks that Disney offered us before.
Those were all the wonderful things that people loved about Disney.That was what made people want to bring their families there year after year.
Now its going to be a once in a lifetime trip for many instead of being able to experience this magical place more often.
Your taking all of the MAGIC out of Disney.
This is not what WALT intended for families. It’s so very SAD.
I’ve mentioned this before. There are five pieces to the DME puzzle and Disney is just a small piece of it. There’s Mears Transportation who owns and drives the buses. There’s the Orlando Airport, which owns the space DME uses at the airport. There are the airlines, which lease the gates in the airport. There is BAGS, Inc. which handles your bags to and from the airport. And there’s Disney which moves your luggage to and from your room and handles the reservation information and feeds the data to everyone else.
The Disney contract was up with Mears at the end of the year. We don’t know if Mears wanted more money or if Disney didn’t want to renew. In Orlando it’s hard to get a transportation company that could handle the work. In fact, many smaller bus companies use Mears when they need additional buses.
Jet Blue, an airline with a very large presence at the airport will be in the new terminal, Terminal C, at the airport. There isn’t any space in Terminal C for DME. There isn’t much space for any ground transportation in Terminal C. Except for arrival drop offs and departure pickups at curbside, all ground transportation is next door at the Intermodal Facility.
We don’t know if the lease for the DME space at the airport is increasing in price or if the airport wanted to move the space to the new Intermodal Facility – the latter is probably more likely which would eliminate “the quick off the plane and on to DME” convenience.
And there’s BAGS, Inc, the ones who move your luggage to and from the airport and handle airline check in at the Disney resorts. In fact, BAGS does airline check in at many resort hotels in the US.
So with all the moving pieces, can anyone really say who is responsible for the end of DME?
We have a trip coming up in the middle of October and was hopping to use the new Genie App but not sure if it be available. We are on the fence wether it’s worth it. What if we spend the $15 dollars for the both of us and can only get to ride one ride. That to us isn’t worth the extra money. We would rather stand in line and spend our money on other things .
Most of these changes are proof that Disney only really cares about people of a certain socio-economic status. Regular people evidently don’t deserve a magical experience anymore.
1) Genie+ garbage
2) Retheme of Splash Mtn. (Why Tiana? Barf)
The ending of Magical Express frustrates me. The Brightline Train is not meant to appear until 2026, so for about 5yrs., you’re stuck w people having to pay to get to Disney. I’m fine that Mears has come up w a back-up service, but I think they should’ve canned Magical Express when the Brightline Train Station for Disney Springs was being constructed, so that way people can debate whether they want to hop on the train or take Mears Connect.
I’m disgusted with Disney as well as thousands of others. Who is making all these horrible horrible changes ??????!
Soon WDW will only have perks for the rich, not retired teachers like me.
There isn’t anything I can think of off the top of my head that Disney HASNT done lately that really upsets me. Every decision they have made is not for their guests. It’s all about their bottom line net profit. My 2-3 trips a year from Texas are ending for the foreseeable future.
I’m going to Walt Disney World in November before the end of the year for the 50th anniversary and before the magical express is terminated. There are so many reasons to be angry with Disney that I doubt after this trip that I will be back Unless Disney changes their money grubbing Ways. However, I don’t think Disney will miss me since I don’t stay at the deluxe resorts.
AJ, Back in May when I was at Disney World and the parks typically opened from a half hour to 45 minutes before the posted time. Any idea how this is going to change with those staying at the deluxe resorts getting in a half hour early? I would think that would mean that the rest of us will have to wait until the posted time time
I’ve actually renewed my annual pass and it was somewhat cheaper! It is the platinum plus pass! So I suppose they are not selling new annual passes yet????
The fact that Disney will be jacking up the price for the individual attraction selections during peak times at the parks really seems like price gouging. Guest will already be paying top dollar for flights and lodging during peak times. Seems like Disney is taking advantage.
Can honestly say non of the above bother me. I think the lack of parades and character meets is my biggest complaint.
Paying more to get more seems like an answer to the unbearable crowds. Genie May end up being a great enhancement. Only time will tell.
When there are changes that you find unacceptable, you can call Disney’s customer service number and tell them – please do it politely – what you are very unhappy about. Disney takes notice of these calls! I plan to call about the Disney Genie hot mess. For me, doing away with the FastPass and charging customers an additional fee on top of the already expensive entry fee for certain rides is a sure way to lose my business. I’ll miss going to WDW – I’ve always been loyal to Disney – but I may just check out Universal instead.
One other perk that hasn’t returned. Free delivery of purchases at the parks back to a Disney resort hotel. Yet another thing lost to us, the financial backbone of Disney, DVC members.
Disney is doing everything to run off even the loyalist of fans (me) away for good.
From now on, IF I decide to ever go back, I will stay off property in a much nicer hotel for the same price as the value or moderate resorts.
If they take away the Magical Express Extra Extended Magic Hours and Fastpasses, then I will take my money away from them.
There are other great places to vacation!
As for this Genie, if I had three wishes they would be for the all of these new money gouging plans to go away. I would wish that the masks would be gone forever ( they don’t block Covid) and that I could just once get on Rise of the Resistance. After 4 attempts I give up!
And I’M NOT PAYING EXTRA AFTER BUYING A PARK TICKET!!!
Here is another case of the have and have nots the haves r getting the perks of extended hours so they get special treatment that is so bias my family as well as others r fed up with Disney there r more of us that stay n the other resorts and spend A LOT of money to stay there and eat and buy things a lot of us like to sleep n and have the option to stay late n the parks the person who is making these rules r ruining vacation s for us and when there is children also they want to sleep n and of course we adults want to also even if it’s just adults Disney u r making it hard on people and like I said we r fed up and everyone that is being told they can’t stay n the park later should really b mad too 😡😡🤯
So people u need to let Disney know how u feel and voice your opinion and let them hear u to stop this constant unfair treatment we should all b treated as EQUALS
There’s a lot to be frustrated about. I would have a hard time picking. I’m frustrated about Magical Express, but then I tell myself that Mears was there before ME and will be there after. I’m frustrated about having to pay for a fast pass but then I remember we went to Universal a few years ago and paid well over 50 dollars per person per day for their version of it. And that was staying at a Universal property.
Great job summarizing all these “frustrations” and thankyou. You forgot to mention the elimination of free Magic Bands and the “pay for parking” for resort guests.
I must confess however, that my personal greatest peeve is being forced to live with a cell phone while on vacation. I’m from the boomer generation, I am not a computer whiz and I certainly do not want a third party (Disney) “scheduling” my vacation. I come to Disney to get away from the every day routine. I look forward to spontaneity.
The magic is pretty much being replaced by money hungry costs. Universal Studios and it’s resorts are sounding better and better. They actually have very nice properties and offer Florida residents some great perks and discounts. With the magic of Disney fading away so are the reasons for going anymore. The new Disney management is strictly only about squeezing every penny they can get from every customer. Don’t use the word ‘Guest’ any longer, we’re not guests we’re just paying customers.
You are 100% right on with you list. But you forgot the Annual Pass. I realize it only effects less that 2% of the total guests, it is a huge loss for Florida residents who have to endure the millions of visitors to our state.
Disney wants people to go to other attraction s taking things away like the buses that was free and .luggage service . The Genie that most people do not waǹt more money to put out for your vacation . Disney will lose a percentage of people that can not afford these kind of things that Disney wants to persue .
I don’t think it’s just one thing, but a culmative effect of so many things being taken away. That’s not even taking into account the Disney Stores closing. The danger here is the deep loyalty of some disney fans, that disney could be losing. Don’t get me wrong they’ll still love disney, but instead of staying on property and only going to disney parks during stay, now we’ll see, maybe I should spend a couple days at Universal/Sea World, or why stay on property? You can save $ by staying offsite and splitting time between, Disney,Universal, & Sea World among others. The deep loyalty to the brand which is unheard of these days, could be lost due to strict cost cutting, and it may not be able to be recovered once people see what else is out there. The long term cost is greater than what they are saving short term.
All of the above and the Splash Mountain change.
I plan to never return to over priced Disney again.
It seems to me Disney as well as other companies are trying to make all the money back that they lost while closed in one year. Taking all these things that were included in the cost of a trip and nickel and diming makes it harder to justify spending a few days in a park where there is no certainty of doing all that you hoped for. We’ve been to Disney World several times and had planned on making one more trip but with all these changes we will revisit our plans.
I’d like to add on that I’m super frustrated that the PhotoPass is an add on option for Disney World APs, but not for Disney California Magic Keys! I don’t want to have to buy a $20 PhotoPass on Disney Genie+ EVERY VISIT! As a Magic Keyholder, let me pay $99 for the whole year like the Florida AP option.
ISN’T DISNEY RAKING IN ENOUGH MONEY.
I DON’T AGREE WITH ANY OF THE ABOVE CHANGES.
SHAME ON YOU DISNEY FOR BEING SO GREEDY.
I know that technology i the “thing” but all of this sounds very restrictive. I’ve been a pass holder for many years and enjoyed some of the perks. However it seems like a trip to Disney World is now an ala carte menu at an extremely expensive resort. For those who want to enjoy the “magic” and all of those details that can be found the new system seems restrictive and expensive. I don’t own a smart phone and when at the parks don’t want to be a slave to a phone of any kind. I know there are many people who feel that way but it seems like you have to have it to navigate The Parks. I know a family that has been saving for years to come. They are a very Disney family but after working out what their trip would cost under the new changes they all decided that it is out of their reach. That’s sad. I too feel that many of us have been priced out of a visit. Good journey to those who can get there. Take a minute to really see what magic is there between running from ride to ride.
All of the changes are frustrating. They seem to be changes that only make more money for Disney and offer little benefits to guests. Disney, even, with Covid is a solid corporation and makes enough money. No Disney execs are in soup lines. If I had to pick one change it would be the loss of Magical Express. Everything worked for guests before. The only reason to “fix” them was to line Disney pockets.
We agree with k-Sullivan it’s very hard on people to not have that and so much more expense and makes it very hard for people to even to b able to come there
Not happy with any of this nickel and diming stuff but I have to say the biggest thing that rubs me the wrong way is the totally unnecessary changes of Splash Mountain.
Having said that I have to say that I am really surprised they didn’t take away AP free parking. If they do that I am out of here.
I’m sad to realize that 2016 was going to be my last trip to Disney World. I cannot afford all of these add-ons, nor would I want to pay for things that were free if I could afford it. Bob Chapek is an elitist who is making Disney World only for the rich. He has taken Walt Disney’s idea of a park where the whole family can enjoy and thrown it into the trash. This constant nickel and diming is ridiculous. What is scary is that there will be plenty of people that will just pay and Bob will realize there is no limit to what he can upcharge. Pretty soon all the festivals will have an extra charge just to enter. This step is curing me of my Disney Obsession
I used to be so excited and saved up for a trip to Disney! Now it doesn’t hold the same excitement anymore. The “extras” and the staff made it all so magical. I loved getting our magic bands in the mail and dreaming and planning our fast pass selections. Getting on the magical express was like stepping into our vacation. Now I worry about the battery life on my phone and have to carry around a charger. Paying extra to be able to get in the lightening lane. Having to think about lugging my suitcase through the airport and figuring out how to get to the hotel.
The perks was part of the magic that other vacations didn’t have.
Now Disney is just another vacation that no longer holds that “magic”.
I’m going in June because my daughter is performing but I won’t be going as a vacation any longer.
I have another friend who is selling her timeshare at Disney. It’s just not worth it anymore.
Walt Disney would be so disappointed.
Kelly Tays, I agree with you completely. Bob Chapek is nickel and diming Mr Walt Disney’s dream of AFFORDABLE FAMILY FUN.
Gary, all Disney Resort hotel guests (and those of select other hotels) can access the Parks for Early Theme Park Entry. You have to show some kind of media that indicates where you’re staying (a scan of a MagicBand or MagicMobile or the card will work).
Disney is trying to get as much as they can from everyone before Universal puts in their new theme park because they know it will cut way into their profit. I would rather stay at Nintendo Land than an enclosed bunker full of teenagers in alien costumes for two days. I predict the Star Wars hotel will become office space in two years.
I’ve been a loyal DVC member since April,1993. I’ve seen MANY changes. Some I liked and some not so much. We’ve had trips with some minor glitches all, of which were sorted out by a caring staff (I can’t refer to them as CAST MEMBERS these days) in due course. All in all I considered WDW “the happiest place on earth” and I enjoyed ALL our visits over the years. AND I’VE NEVER HAD CAUSE TO COMPLAIN, as I have over the past few months! Well the times have changed and we’re now being bombarded with changes like never before. I challenge Disney to come up with just ONE change that will allow all of us dissenters to provide a positive comment on. (footnote: something that doesn’t reach into our wallets)
In the future, I’ll be looking towards Universal (I’ve never been there. Why should I? I had WDW), Europe, Caribbean, UK and other destinations that won’t cost me any more $’s than Disney World.