What Are the Hottest Disney Debates of 2023?
Disney fans universally agree about where we should spend our vacations. It’s the Happiest Place on Earth, of course!
Still, fans often disagree on some of the finer points of a theme park visit.
Photo:visitorlando.com
Here are five topics on which Disney fans will never agree. Where do you stand on the hottest Disney debates of 2023?
Disney Dining Plan – Yes or No?
Technically, this debate is more for 2024, as that’s when the Disney Dining Plan will return after a prolonged absence.
Still, you can purchase the Disney Dining Plan right now, which has led to a debate about the viability of this offering.
Photo: Disney
Moving forward, will the dining plan provide the same value as in previous years? Also, will you get too much food if you buy it?
Those answers will vary depending on whom you ask. Since I’m the one responding, I’ll tell you I’m extremely pro dining plan.
Photo: Disney
We’ve used various versions of the dining plan during more than a decade of Disney trips, and we’ve always loved it.
In fact, I take great pride in how much matter we can squeeze out of the dining plan and will write a pro tips article soon.
Credit: Disney
Historically, the argument of whether you’ll get too much food has been based in truth, though.
I’m a large man who requires about 2,550 calories a day, and it’s closer to 3,300 calories when I’m at Disney.
Photo: Disney
As a Southerner, I’m also shamefully accustomed to heapin’ helpin’s of food.
Presuming that you’re smaller than me – and something like 98 percent of the population is – you may prefer less food.
Photo: Disney
That’s especially true when you want to snack more. Still, the genius of the dining plan is that it’ll stretch or contract to satisfy your needs.
I’m a hard yes on the Disney Dining Plan.
Disney Genie+ — Yes or No?
Photo: Park Savers
Okay, there is one thought we all share. We miss the old FastPass system, primarily because it was free.
Still, purchasers of the new system have discovered a surprising bonus.
Disney Genie+
Only half of park goers purchase Disney Genie+ each day, and those numbers may go down with the new pricing structure in place.
So, you’re fighting a smaller percentage of guests for your Lightning Lane reservations.
Lightning Lane
Historically, free FastPass meant that the overwhelming majority of guests – but still not 100 percent of them – used these digital queues to save time.
Meanwhile, Disney is managing attendance more than I can ever recall as it attempts to ensure that every park guest enjoys the vacation of a lifetime.
Disney Genie+
Ergo, you’re getting a lot for your money when you buy Disney Genie+.
Still, I don’t view the product as a necessity at some parks. Admittedly, I performed my most recent analysis mere days before the change.
Photo: Disney
With the new pricing, Disney Genie+ may make sense at EPCOT, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, and Disney California Adventure, places where I’d typically say no.
For these reasons, my answer here is a hedge. My yes or no vote about Disney Genie+ depends entirely on the park.
Photo: Disney
Finally, one aspect that gets glossed over too much is that for some folks, standing in line is a memorable part of a Disney visit.
You never know who you might meet or what you might see. If you’re like that, Disney Genie+ probably isn’t for you.
Watch the Fireworks or Get in Shorter Lines
Photo: seathelights
I looove this topic because it’s surprisingly divisive.
Many Disney fans don’t consider a park visit complete until they watch the fireworks signifying the end of a Disney day.
Technically, the parks stay often after these shows, but many, maybe even most, guests exit once the fireworks end.
I wouldn’t recommend this tactic, as it’s the worst time to try to get a bus at Disney. Still, it happens each night.
Photo: Disney
Meanwhile, other guests plan around the fireworks. They know that with so many vacationers watching the presentation, the attraction lines will shrink.
Disney pros take full advantage by targeting the most popular attractions when they’re less crowded.
Photo: Disney
Others – and I’m generally one of them – target several attractions in a small area.
You’d be shocked how many rides you can check off your list during the hour around the fireworks presentation.
Photo: Disney
What happens is that most watchers stake out a spot at least 15 minutes before the show.
Then, even if they don’t leave immediately afterward, they’ll need a while to work their way through the crowd to their destination attractions.
Photo: Disney
So, you’ll have plenty of time to enjoy whatever you like.
Notably, some of these attractions offer an excellent, albeit quick, view of the fireworks, too!
Credit: Disney
Over the years, I’ve tilted more toward skipping the fireworks and watching the rides for this reason.
Some of my most magical moments at Disney have occurred in such instances.
Credit: Disney
For example, we recently rode Big Thunder Mountain Railroad as the fireworks started. The cast members let us go twice!
We caught some of the proceedings during the roller coaster ride and then exited to enjoy a great view just outside the exit.
Galactic Starcruiser: I’m Heartbroken vs. Ha Ha!
I cannot believe this is a thing, but here we are.
Some people actively rooted for Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser to fail.
Photo: Disney
Once that happened, the glee in some circles was palpable, which surprises me.
First, I don’t understand Disney fans wanting something Disney related to fail.
Photo: Attractions Magazine
Second, I’m not really much for schadenfreude anyway. I rarely take satisfaction from the pain of others.
So, even though I’m not a Star Wars fan, I take no joy in the failure of the Galactic Starcruiser.
Photo: Disney
Disney Parks Chairman Josh D’Amaro recently indicated that a lack of demand sunk the project, which demonstrates the naysayers were right.
Disney sadly priced this experience above the pay grade of the overwhelming majority of fans.
Photo: Disney
I suspect many of them are happy that this project didn’t work because it forced management to reevaluate its pricing tactics. And that’s totally fair.
I’m heartbroken because I considered the fully immersive Star Wars Hotel Disney’s most ambitious project in ages, maybe even since the Adventurers Club.
Photo: Disney
I want projects like that to succeed. Disney should do more of that. On the bright side, it sounds like D’Amaro feels the same way as me on the subject.
Photo: MickeyBlog
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Feature Photo: Disney
