Disney Changes I Disagree With

Like many of you, I’m a notorious homer.

As a lifelong fan of Atlanta sports, I’ve learned that you must keep hope alive, no matter how many times the Falcons choke.

That notoriously upbeat nature of mine carries over to Disney as well.

I presume that most of the people reading this are fans just like me and want to know all the happy news about the parks.

Even optimists have their limits, though. Here are some recent Disney changes I disagree with.

Ending Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser

I feel the same way about Star Wars that I do about polka music. Sure, it works for some people, but it’s not for me.

Despite this fact, some of my favorite experiences at Walt Disney World have involved Star Wars.

I’m devout about Star Wars Weekends, one of the best things Disney ever did. And I admire the constantly changing Star Tours, too.

So, I’m open-minded enough about the Star Wars universe to appreciate when Disney does something right.

In the case of the Star Wars Hotel, Imagineers and Cast Members did plenty right.

In fact, their exceptional work here has forced executives to speak from both sides of their mouths.

Disney Experiences Chairman Josh D’Amaro recently described Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser as proof of Imagineering’s excellence.

Well, if that’s the case, why did Disney close the hotel?

Yes, I’m aware of the cost, but snagging a tax write-off demonstrates limited thinking, a rarity for Disney.

The simplest solution for Galactic Starcruiser was to find a way to provide a similarly interactive experience at a more affordable price.

From the beginning, Disney sold the Star Wars Hotel as an exclusive, extraordinarily expensive vacation option.

Many of the ideas were self-sustaining and seemingly could have worked with a smaller budget.

Obviously, Disney officials know night and day more about the budget details than I do.

Still, this seems like Disney killed a Bob Chapek project simply because Chapek was gone rather than an attempt to salvage something great.

I expect Disney to try harder when they face stumbling blocks, not just shut the whole place down and call it a day.

DAS Rules Crackdown

This conversation is the most challenging one listed here because I fully understand Disney’s side of the argument.

Also, I have a personal bias here as my nephew, for whom I could become a legal guardian one day, is on the spectrum.

Emotions grow heated in situations like this one, which typically proves counterproductive to healthy conversations.

In fact, when MickeyBlog announced the upcoming changes in Disability Access Service (DAS), some of the comments were incendiary.

Parents facing these challenges have it harder already. If you’re one such person, please allow me to say something.

I’m in awe of you. Raising any child is one of life’s greatest challenges. By definition, your situation is even more challenging.

For Disney’s part, everything it does should make your vacations easier, reducing stress as much as possible.

That’s the very purpose of DAS. And it’s a noble one. Disney is the gold standard in programs like the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

We’re talking about a company that cares and backs that statement up with its daily actions.

With DAS, Disney is fighting system abuses from selfish, impulsive people who don’t consider the ramifications.

When they abuse the system, as has happened recently, their actions force Disney’s hand.

In this case, Disney must change the rules of DAS to stem the tide of overuse.

According to park officials, DAS usage has tripled over the past five years.

For that reason, families who need the service are waiting three times as long, which can feel like an eternity.

If Disney doesn’t fix that problem, DAS doesn’t help any and becomes a waste of everyone’s time.

The problem I have with Disney isn’t the rationale. It’s the execution.

These updated rules force impacted families to jump through extra hoops, and I haaaaaaaate that. Please fix this, Disney.

Eliminating Magical Express

There’s a saying about counting chickens before they’ve hatched that summarizes this particular change.

Park officials fully expected to implement a long-term solution for airport transportation.

Guests would exit their planes, grab their luggage, and ride a Brightline high-speed train to Walt Disney World.

So, when the pandemic occurred, park officials felt comfortable with a bold but haphazard decision.

Disney ended Magical Express, the free shuttle service transporting guests from the airport to our Disney hotels.

Soon afterward, Brightline accepted a better deal proposed by Comcast executives on behalf of Universal Orlando Resort.

Suddenly, the proposed Disney Springs Brightline station wasn’t in the plans any longer, even though Brightline maintains it’ll still happen.

In short, Disney made a decision based on the presumption of what would happen next. Then, that thing didn’t happen.

Now, we’re all kinda screwed as Disney expects us to fend for ourselves at the airport.

How big a deal is that? Honestly, it’s mostly trivial and makes me appreciate what I had in the past. I miss Magical Express.

Scheduling a ride-share from the airport isn’t difficult, although it’s also not cheap.

So, many of us have lost the convenience of the service, and we’re paying extra as well.

Mears Transportation and a fledgling company tried to create their own versions of Magical Express, albeit with mixed results.

Eventually, the businesses merged, which increased the number of stops and thereby made the process slower.

Disney could rectify the entire situation with a single pen stroke. All it needs to do is sign a new contract to restart Magical Express.

Alternatively, Disney could buy Mears and vertically integrate the service. It wouldn’t cost much relative to the value offered.

Will Disney do that? I’m not holding my breath.

Updating 1900 Park Fare

I’m being a bit unfair with this criticism, as I haven’t eaten at the new version of this restaurant yet.

As a longtime fan of 1900 Park Fare, that’s an inevitable meal for me, as I’ve spent several breakfasts and dinners here over the years.

However, my next visit simply won’t feel the same, and that’s because Disney forced customers into the future.

Before the pandemic, 1900 Park Fare featured the Supercalifragilistic Breakfast in the morning.

This meal included appearances from Alice in Wonderland and Hundred-Acre Wood Disney characters.

At night, Cinderella’s Happily Ever After Dinner wasn’t as positive as it might sound…and I mean that in a good way.

Cinderella’s wicked stepfamily appeared at the meal as well, making it akin to an uncomfortable get-together with the in-laws.

For whatever reason, the Cast Members playing Anastasia and Drizella were always among the best costumed Disney characters.

Their caustic wit and desperate need for attention made them like Bravolebrities…but somehow even needier.

I considered this one of Disney’s best character meals and said as much on multiple occasions.

Alas, when Disney brought back 1900 Park Fare, it somehow grew more…corporate.

Right now, Disney is selling different brands. Specifically, Encanto and Princess Tiana are in right now.

So, those are the characters you’ll meet at 1900 Park Fare, along with Aladdin and Cinderella, who is going solo now.

Everyone else from the Happily Ever After experience has gone missing, which takes the spirit and verve from the meal.

In the past, this was a vibrant, memorable encounter. Now, it’s a more generic character meal.

Free the wicked stepsisters, Disney!

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