Epcot deconstruction...
I said it before... We extensively enjoyed Disney World during what we call the set spot in time. Reflecting on 2004-2012 compared to recent years, prices were much lower, crowds were much less, and changes were more subtle and less disruptive. Over the past several years many things have disappeared, gone forever. And while some things eventually give way to new and exciting attractions over time, it doesn't mean that they won't be missed. Some were iconic, some were what we'd call classic, and some have been traditional favorites over the years. Sometimes feeling that more things are disappearing for some unknown reason, and not being replaced. In other words, loosing more than what was being gained. To mention a few things that are gone forever, the Osborne Family Christmas lights at Studios, the iconic Mickey Sorcerer Hat at Studios, the Spectromagic Parade at Magic Kingdom which was replaced with a night time parade from years ago, the Electric Light Parade, which to us seemed rather stale.
Major attractions that were undeniably great additions where the World of Avatar and Star Wars. It's always been a Disney practice to replace out dated and less visited attractions with new attractions. A good example was Finding Nemo friends and how it replaced the old Tarzan show Animal Kingdom, great improvement. So there's always going to be new attractions replacing older ones. Recently, add to the change overs, the pandemic that basically exasperated everything. So many things were limited or temporarily not available. Lately, major deconstruction especially at Epcot is especially disruptive. Then there's the idea and resistance to change itself. Epcot's long term deconstruction, with no end in sight, and little specific information as to what's going to be new, is leaving many questioning if Epcot should be avoided until it's all over... years from now. So for now, it's easier to see what is gone, more than future positive changes. Most notably gone is the Fountain of Nations which was to itself a major iconic feature... family traditions of posing in front of the fountain on each visit, which will be no more. The overall major construction projects going on everywhere creating closures, plus the numerous things that are now gone, along with pandemic influenced closures, changes, and reductions... Well, all things considered... Paying more, getting less, and dealing with disruptions... It's not what I'd call optimal for a magical vacation. Also speaking of changes... Fast passes for rides and attractions were easily available both for free and on an equal playing field. As changes occurred, Disney hotel guests got preferential access to passes before the General Public that were not staying on property. And as packaged deals for meals plus fast passes became more wide spread, free passes were becoming second priorities verses paid passes. And as paid fast pass became more widespread, the playing field was greatly tilted to those with the ability to pay extra, free fast passes became third or fourth priorities as to availability, times, and the amount of passes you could get per day. Just another change that follows the pay more, get less, atmosphere... Taking more bites out of the "magic". But... In the final analysis... If you didn't enjoy Disney before, you won't really know what has changed and what is now missing. It will all be new. For us, having enjoyed Disney extensively from 2004 as cast members and annual pass holders, we vividly see all the changes... What was gained, and what was lost... The greatly increased prices verses the changes and cut backs and reductions. Disney is still a great experience, magical for first timers, but for us, the magic has somewhat lost too much of its luster. We may plan to return in several years when the deconstruction and reconstruction is over... Our may simply want enjoy our memories for all the good that was.
I guess that best way to describe our emotional attitude or perspective right now is... Simply disenchanted.
Major attractions that were undeniably great additions where the World of Avatar and Star Wars. It's always been a Disney practice to replace out dated and less visited attractions with new attractions. A good example was Finding Nemo friends and how it replaced the old Tarzan show Animal Kingdom, great improvement. So there's always going to be new attractions replacing older ones. Recently, add to the change overs, the pandemic that basically exasperated everything. So many things were limited or temporarily not available. Lately, major deconstruction especially at Epcot is especially disruptive. Then there's the idea and resistance to change itself. Epcot's long term deconstruction, with no end in sight, and little specific information as to what's going to be new, is leaving many questioning if Epcot should be avoided until it's all over... years from now. So for now, it's easier to see what is gone, more than future positive changes. Most notably gone is the Fountain of Nations which was to itself a major iconic feature... family traditions of posing in front of the fountain on each visit, which will be no more. The overall major construction projects going on everywhere creating closures, plus the numerous things that are now gone, along with pandemic influenced closures, changes, and reductions... Well, all things considered... Paying more, getting less, and dealing with disruptions... It's not what I'd call optimal for a magical vacation. Also speaking of changes... Fast passes for rides and attractions were easily available both for free and on an equal playing field. As changes occurred, Disney hotel guests got preferential access to passes before the General Public that were not staying on property. And as packaged deals for meals plus fast passes became more wide spread, free passes were becoming second priorities verses paid passes. And as paid fast pass became more widespread, the playing field was greatly tilted to those with the ability to pay extra, free fast passes became third or fourth priorities as to availability, times, and the amount of passes you could get per day. Just another change that follows the pay more, get less, atmosphere... Taking more bites out of the "magic". But... In the final analysis... If you didn't enjoy Disney before, you won't really know what has changed and what is now missing. It will all be new. For us, having enjoyed Disney extensively from 2004 as cast members and annual pass holders, we vividly see all the changes... What was gained, and what was lost... The greatly increased prices verses the changes and cut backs and reductions. Disney is still a great experience, magical for first timers, but for us, the magic has somewhat lost too much of its luster. We may plan to return in several years when the deconstruction and reconstruction is over... Our may simply want enjoy our memories for all the good that was.
I guess that best way to describe our emotional attitude or perspective right now is... Simply disenchanted.
What was... and now...
