One thing that is always consistent about Disney World is that things are always going to change. Let’s face it — that was what Walt pretty much said he wanted way back when he was working on Disneyland.
Dreamer’s Point at EPCOT
Well, a LOT of change has happened over the past decade, and some of the updates have been pretty controversial. We’ve gone from a free FastPass system to a paid Lightning Lane system. We’ve seen new rides being added to the parks while classic attractions got makeovers. We saw EPCOT undergo a massive transformation. Plus there are more BIG changes to come. So we asked you, our DFB readers, about the recent changes you’re not happy about, and you told us.
Here’s what you told us when we asked you “What recent park changes are you not happy about?” Here’s what you told us.
DAS Changes
Many of you are unhappy about the changes Disney recently made to its Disability Access Service (DAS). Emily commented, “Gutting DAS so that many people with physical disabilities are now unable to enjoy the parks.”
Beth agreed, “The changes in who is eligible for the DAS pass. There are people like me who actually need it who are no longer eligible.”
©Disney
Nancy commented: “I’m hoping these draconian measures will and are being reevaluated. They claim to be available for very specific issues, but according to many, many posts of folks who are experiencing these new requirements, it seems arbitrary and cruel.”
Maria said, “DAS- understood that some folks were abusing the system but the current system leaves many people with disabilities having to figure out if they should or can visit. It really needs to be researched more, and they need to listen to feedback in hopes of making adjustments.”
Magic Kingdom
Melissa said, “The narrowing of DAS benefits to be non-inclusive instead of just requiring an actual drs note. I’m sure people with actual disabilities wouldn’t mind handing over a note vs trying to explain themselves to someone who incompetent to judge disabilities over a video chat. Sometimes explaining yourself to someone is humiliating, and I feel terrible for those who go through this anxiety ridden process only to be denied.”
4 Changes That Recently Came To DAS
Frontierland changes
We’ll admit a lot of us were shocked when Disney announced that its new Cars expansion would be taking over Rivers of America and Tom Sawyer Island. This news also made many Disney fans unhappy. Thom said, “The destruction of Tom Sawyer Island and the riverboat. They’re missing an opportunity to enhance their reimagining of Splash Mountain.”
Rivers of America
Tara agreed: “I think that removing the river in MK is going to ruin the aesthetic by Haunted Mansion, take away shade and a nice get-away from the crowds. Lack of water and shade will make everything feel hotter as well.”
Learn more about the new Cars expansion
The Monsters, Inc. and Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Changes
Some of you were also pretty unimpressed about a new Monsters, Inc. land taking over Muppets Courtyard in Hollywood Studios, while the Muppets take over Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster. Richelle commented, “Rock n roll roller coaster! I’ll forever be salty about that!!
Meanwhile, Anthony isn’t happy about losing Muppets Courtyard, but is okay with the rest: “It’s a shame that Muppet Courtyard will be getting rethemed (that was Jim Henson’s last project). But I am happy that they’ll take over Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster.”
©Disney
According to Steve, “The loss of Rivers Of America, Muppets Courtyard and related activities, the loss of Aerosmith especially so soon after a refurbishment. But there’s more to be excited about than to mourn. Like Walt said, it will never be finished.” (Well said, Steve!)
Here’s more about the new Monsters, Inc. land
The waffle situation
We’ll admit that we agree with the readers who mentioned the waffle switcheroo that Sleepy Hollow pulled on us in Magic Kingdom earlier this year. Our beloved favorite waffle snacks were switched out for new waffle snacks featuring Mickey-shaped waffles, and y’all — it is NOT THE SAME. Brian summed up our feelings: “Why isn’t anyone talking about the changes at sleepy hollow!!! Make waffles great again!”
Sweet-and-Spicy Maple Chicken Mickey Waffle
Laura added, “Not park exactly but still gutted that we no longer have fresh fruit waffle sandwiches or original chicken waffle sandwiches.”
Mark commented, “The Sleepy Hollow chicken and waffle sandwich – bring it back!”
Y’all, we get it. We really do.
Here’s what happened to the waffles
Other
We had almost 100 comments and wanted to share more of what has made many of you unhappy. Aimee mentioned the early closing hours of Animal Kingdom: “Animal Kingdom’s early closing hours. I loved closing down this park when it was dark and the area by Avatar’s Flight of Passage was lit up with black light paint.”
We remember, Aimee! We also remember nighttime safaris on Kilimanjaro Safaris, but those are a thing of the past now…
P:andora was MEANT to be seen at night
We also can’t forget the upcoming year-long refurbishment of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. That news has disappointed Pamela, who said, “Big Thunder refurb. We are going for our first time in Feb and were really looking forward to riding.”
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
Frank was not having it with the EPCOT transformation and said, “Turning EPCOT’s future world into a planter.” Ouch.
Yes, change is inevitable in Disney World, but it isn’t always going to be immediately embraced. But it does give us a reason to keep going back to the parks and discovering our next new favorite thing, right?
Stay tuned to DFB for more.
4 Things We Hope Disney World Changes in 2025
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I’m done with Disney. All of it. This article popped up in my news feed, because I was a Disney fan my whole life. Almost bought a DVC timeshare, that’s how much of a fan I was. But the corporation has now strayed so far from Walt’s vision of a place for families to have fun together, becoming a machine for extracting every last dollar from its guests, or should I say victims, with maximal efficiency, that I have lost all interest. The content they produce is no longer fun or exciting, and they destroy the classic rides, attractions, and franchises we all love. At best the Disney corporate leadership holds us all in contempt, but more likely, they actively hate the public. You can hear it in the earnings calls, and you can see it in their actions.
The average family, for whom Walt built the parks, can no longer afford a Disney vacation. And what’s more, it is actually now cheaper to go on an authentic adventure. It costs less to visit real Alpine villages, or the real Neuschwanstein Castle, or go on a real African safari, than it does to have the ersatz theme park facsimile. It only made sense when it was a cheap alternative to doing the real thing. It is way better to go on a real safari. And if you want thrill rides, 6 Flags and Universal do them better. I think next time I want to go to a theme park, it will likely be Dollywood. But really, I’m probably going to just travel. Less crowds even at tourist hotspots, better and cheaper food and accommodations, less hassles, and real experiences.
I think it’s important to note that even under the old DAS system, people with physical disabilities were still being turned down, so this isn’t a recent trend. But I do agree that there is a bit of a problem with the new system, and Disney definitely has the resources to fix that issue. I think by the time March rolls around, we’ll have a more consistent DAS service, in fact I’m sure of it.
Ditto what JD said. Mr. Walt would never have put up with this.
I’d have to my biggest disappointment is Lighting Lane replacing Fast Pass, and the DAS changes. Fast Past was so much easier and it didn’t cost anything, where as lighting Lane can end up costing as much as a park ticket. The new DAS changes illuminate most of the people who previous qualified before. Their disabilities didn’t change or go away, so why did they change the requirement? All the other things I can deal with. But the new DAS requirements and Lighting Lane replacing Fast Pass is unacceptable.
It’s baffling to me that Muppets Courtyard and Rivers of America are vanishing and places like Animation Courtyard and Tomorrowland Speedway are left standing. Many people may not have been fans of MC or RoA, but Animation Courtyward and Tomorrowland Speedway have even less appeal. Not to mention, their relative footprints are huge. Like JD said, many people are beginning to see too many (better) options for what it costs to go to Disney. Disney is killing off their tradional fan base and they are not recreating it with younger generations. The people whom Disney seems to be aiming for as their desired guests are not going to want to go to Disney for every vactation or even every year. If you can afford what Disney wants for a reasonable, basic visit (and there’s nothing wrong with wanting something more than that), then you can probably afford to go just about anywhere and do anything you like. Disney is surviving on the nostalgia that there seems to be so much open contempt for. It’s difficult to understand where they think their strategy will take them. I don’t know if they learned everything that they needed to from the Starcruiser.
Maybe I’m in the minority, but I hate the idea of the Muppets in Rockin Roller Coaster – and I’m an 80’s kid who grew up watching them!! I understand that most kids probably don’t know Aerosmith, but they could have done a lot of other things. For example, I would have loved if they played different rock songs like how they alternate songs in Guardians. We were there just in October and went to the Muppet show. Talk about dated and hardly anyone was in it.
I’m currently at WDW and finding a few disappointments. Small, petty, wouldn’t bother most people. Last year I was at Magic Kingdom 3-5 times a week for the Breakfast Belgian Waffle (a full serving of fruit!), and I remember hearing some complaints about the machine breaking down more often than the standard machines. Then I went to MK for my second favorite treat, the Citrus Swirl! Many years ago the Cheshire Cat had a Strawberry Swirl–heaven on a hot day. It disappeared and later Aloha Isle added the Orange Sherbert/ Vanilla Ice Cream swirl. This trip, it’s gone. Again, I think the machine wore out. Or the technician, can’t say for sure. So I only went to MK for the Christmas Party. I’m saving a lot of money, but I’m not glad. I might have to grow up and accept change.
Sleepy hollow is just awful now. I’m really upset about the Riverboat change- MK won’t be the same. Maybe Disney should survey guest before they make these stupid decision s!