Sometimes Disney makes some decisions that leave many of us scratching our heads.
Magic Kingdom
Remember that octopus drink that Disney World offered for the 50th Anniversary? Yeah, that was…weird. Then there have been some controversies with menu items when Disney removed popular foods and replaced with them something subpar (Sleepy Hollow in Magic Kingdom, we’re looking at you). Sometimes, though, Disney fans are loud enough that we think Disney MUST be paying attention because things do occasionally change after public outcry.
First, we have to say that we’re not 100% sure our opinions have ever really changed Disney’s mind about anything. But we have seen some fans making pretty strong requests and saw changes shortly after that. So we’ll just leave it at that…
Hush Puppies
Okay, so we were literally SHOCKED when we noticed that Columbia Harbour House in Magic Kingdom had taken hush puppies off the menu. Like they were just GONE. It was surprising because the hush puppies were a popular item. Like WHAT WAS DISNEY THINKING?
Hushpuppies
However, it didn’t take long before the hush puppies RETURNED to the menu, and we’ll just say it happened right after a lot of Disney fans complained about their disappearance. Do not mess with the hush puppies.
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Spiked Kakamora Float
We decided to work with a Cast Member to create a special float: the Spiked Kakamora Float. This was basically a DFB hack at the Barefoot Pool Bar at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort. Our experiment created a drink made with Parrot Bay coconut rum, pineapple juice, piña colada mix, and blue curaçao.
The Original Spiked Kakamora!
Let’s just say this drink was so tasty that SOMEONE at Disney decided to permanently add it to the menu at the bar! Disney added Dole Whip to it and renamed it The Voyager.
The DFB Spiked Kakamora Float is OFFICIALLY on the Menu in Disney World! 🎉
‘Ohana Noodles
‘Ohana Noodles…we love them, you love them, EVERYONE loves them. However, back in 2019, Disney removed them from the ‘Ohana menu and replaced them with…fried rice. We’re just going to quote Clueless here: AS IF! There is no comparison. When ‘Ohana reopened after Disney World’s closure in 2020, the noodles were still nowhere to be seen.
We love the ‘Ohana noods
After going through a roller coaster of emotions, we were thrilled to see the ‘Ohana noodles returned to the menu at ‘Ohana in 2021. FINALLY. We know popular these noodles were, and we think maybe Disney had a lot of requests for their return. There was a brief scare with a noodle shortage in late 2021, but for now, our precious noodles remain.
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Advance Planning for Genie+ Replacement
Before Genie+, FastPass+ (which was free) allowed Disney World guests to book several FastPass selections BEFORE their trip. When the paid Genie+ was introduced, along with Individual Lightning Lane, that was not an option, and it was one of the biggest complaints we think we’ve seen about the FastPass+ replacement.
Pirates of the Caribbean Lightning Lane
Recently, Genie+ was replaced by Lightning Lane Multi Pass, and the Individual Lightning Lane option was replaced by Lightning Lane Single Pass. Now, you can purchase both in advance and make three ride selections (based on ride tiers, similar to the old FastPass+ system) AHEAD of your trip: seven days in advance for Disney World hotel guests and three days for everyone else.
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Harmonious Barges
Disney introduced a new EPCOT show for Disney World’s 50th Anniversary Celebration, Harmonious. The show featured these gigantic barges and a Stargate-looking contraption that stayed out on World Showcase Lagoon during the day. Many Disney fans thought the barges were unsightly and ruined the view.
Harmonious barges
Harmonious eventually closed and the new EPCOT show, Luminous The Symphony of Us, has structures that do not sit in the middle of World Showcase Lagoon all day. We’re not saying the barges were gone because of all the complaints, but they ARE gone.
The BEST and WORST Spots to Watch Luminous in EPCOT
Happily Ever After
Disney also changed up the nighttime show in Magic Kingdom for the 50th Anniversary. The much beloved Happily Ever After fireworks went away and were replaced with Disney Enchantment. Needless to say, a lot of folks complained, having deemed Happily Ever After the superior show. They were not enchanted at ALL.
Disney Enchantment
It wasn’t clear that Happily Ever After would return after the 50th Anniversary, but it did, and Disney made it even better by adding projections on Main Street, U.S.A. (something the Disneyland nighttime fireworks shows have had for some time). There was a lot of demand for the return of this show, so we think that helped Disney make the decision to bring it back.
HUGE Crowds Showed Up for the Return of Happily Ever After Fireworks in Disney World
Figment Meet and Greet
Disney World fans are OBSESSED with Figment, who is basically THE symbol for all things EPCOT. When the first Figment Popcorn Bucket released, people stood in line for HOURS to get their hands on one, and the whole ordeal sparked (see what we did there?) a Figmentnomenon. They demanded MORE Figment. And they got him: EPCOT added an actual Figment meet and greet.
Figment!
The first day Figment started meeting with guests in EPCOT brought crowds and long lines, but these days, the wait is generally pretty short.
The Biggest Tip You Need If You Want To Meet Figment in EPCOT
Free Parking at Hotels
Disney World offered free overnight self-parking to guests staying at Disney World hotels up until 2018 when it decided to start charging for that parking instead. So something that had once been free no longer was (sound familiar?). Needless to say, many Disney World fans complained because it was yet another perk being taken away from those who chose to stay at Disney-owned hotels.
Hotel Parking Lot
In 2023, free overnight self-parking returned to Disney World hotels. At the time, Disney shared, “This is a Disney difference many of you have asked us to bring back, and we’re happy to reintroduce it to make your vacation a little easier and more affordable.”
Everything You Need To Know About Parking In Disney World
Liberty Tree Tavern Mac and Cheese
When we recently had a meal at Liberty Tree Tavern in Magic Kingdom, we were shocked about a change of its Mac and Cheese recipe. The mac and cheese we had was NOT the same and tasted like something right out of the box (now, don’t get us wrong, the box mac and cheese can slap, but that’s not what we want in Disney World). Disney has been quietly switching out its mac and cheese throughout the resort.
Mac & Cheese
However, we recently returned to Liberty Tree Tavern and spoke with a Cast Member, who informed us the old mac and cheese recipe was back because there had been so many complaints about the new mac and cheese. However, this is the only location that has since switched back to the old recipe of those that have changed.
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So does it pay to complain? Yes, it seems it does, although we would recommend that you be respectful when you do choose to complain. Cast Members aren’t the ones making these decisions, after all. Still, it seems to help make your voice heard, even when it comes to Disney.
Stay tuned to DFB for more.
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If only they would take all the complaints about the new DAS system to heart. As someone disabled, I no longer qualify. How does that make sense?! Utter BS.
Really wish they would bring back the perk of sending park purchases back to the Disney resorts! That was one of our favorites!! Also miss extended evening hours for moderate resorts.
I really hope Disney rolls back some of the crazy changes to their DAS program. I was a DAS user for years and it really let me experience the park as someone who didn’t really have to worry about their disability. Now, I am told to ask for return to queue. Yes, Disney. I tried that when I was there in July. The cast members had no idea how to integrate this. So, I bought your lightning lane multi-pass. That was a joke! I kept missing my arrival time because of episodes/issues I had and was never allowed on the attraction because I missed my times. Waste of money. I tried your way, Disney, and failed. Please. Do. Better.
Now we just need to keep the pressure on them to reverse the Discriminatory changes to DAS
Either let disabled people utilize the DAS accommodations, or change the name to the “Autistic and the like” access service.
Really wish that Disney would revisit their changes to the DAS program. I have 2 adult children that used to qualify for DAS based on their rare genetic disorder causing physical and developmental disabilities. They denied them both of DAS on our first try. After applying a 2nd time with one of my boys, he was finally given a DAS. It was such a traumatizing and intrusive interview that after the zoom call, he experienced such an extreme anxiety episode that has lasted for days now. My other son is actually afraid to try for a 2nd interview after seeing how his intrusive his brother’s was, and how upset he has been. Disney needs to find a better way!
Hopefully we can add the DAS changes to this list in the very near future.
As a long time Disney fan and AP I’ve always had DAS due to back and leg problems. No im no longer disabled enough. 😪 I wish Disney would stop being so greedy and start caring about the people who give them their money ( even when prices skyrocket) The disabled Disney fans who have been longtime Disney supporters and now they just don’t care about us. They’d rather we just didn’t come 🥲
If only they listened to the discrimination they are committing against the disabled guests