Breaking up with Disney?

[TiggerBouncy]

OP here…I think we’re going to hang onto both of our contracts. We do love our stays at the DVC resorts and Orlando has a lot to offer with Universal and SeaWorld. We’ve enjoyed VBR and I think we will try to get HHI for the summer of 2023. We’re going to stick with our plans of visiting the parks again in July 2022 and see how it goes. I am hoping we can find the magic again.

Sounds like a good plan. Give it a break and then come back. I really hope you and yours find your magic. it's still there!

 

[Anthony1971]

We left Disney, but it wasn’t so much of a break up on our part.

Disney broke up with us.

We were huge fans of the old Pleasure Island, especially the Adventurers Club and Comedy Warehouse. When those venues closed, there was truly no evening adult entertainment.

THEE single best attraction Disney had, that happened to be a bar, was the Adventurers Club.

That was the beginning of our divorce. If you have never been, you will never understand.

Kungaloosh!!!

I miss Adventurers Club. Still have 4 of the pins they gave away (for being a participant with no further comment), A hand typed letter delivered to me at the Bar and the creed all framed and hanging on a wall. I sadly was in Disney the last day it was open but did not go.... Had a Baby at the time.. Since still walk by and look at the building, I think the Edison now, just will not set foot in anything there... Comedy warehouse we were not big fans of but a few of the other clubs I miss as well but some how always ended up in the Adventurers club. Even forgave them when they had the new Kungaloosh as the bar tenders always new how to make the original. I was told on that trip it close due to attracting the wrong crowds - Gang activity.

 

[Carol_]

Times have been tough recently. Everywhere. We happily pay more to be on vacation inside the bubble in the greatest country in the world.
CCV and then SSR because we’re happy literally anywhere on WDW property.

 

[Caseheidi]

We use to go a lot more often before we had kids (we were DINKs so much more aforadable), and I did get to feeling this way. I even put my foot down with DH that I wanted to go somewhere else )ended up in DC), so when he booked DC, he also booked WDW for 6 months later. It is just his happy place, and he will always want to go. For me, taking the break brought back the excitement and magic for me. I was had a great time when we went back, but for me it is important to add other destinations in for variety.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

I miss Adventurers Club. Still have 4 of the pins they gave away (for being a participant with no further comment), A hand typed letter delivered to me at the Bar and the creed all framed and hanging on a wall. I sadly was in Disney the last day it was open but did not go.... Had a Baby at the time.. Since still walk by and look at the building, I think the Edison now, just will not set foot in anything there... Comedy warehouse we were not big fans of but a few of the other clubs I miss as well but some how always ended up in the Adventurers club. Even forgave them when they had the new Kungaloosh as the bar tenders always new how to make the original. I was told on that trip it close due to attracting the wrong crowds - Gang activity.

I have ate at the Edison… they have a drink called the “Samantha Sterling”.

 

[oufpat]

With all the new changes and increased expenses, my DH is pushing me to sell our DVC. We have made many happy memories with our kids and grandkids, who are 12-15. I had thought about it until our son and daughter-in-law just announced that they are having their first child in April, woo-hoo!! They are 2 career people and I never saw this coming, so I told my DH nope, we have to teach this new grand baby all about Disney!!

 

[Taraleigsmom]

We just came back and any trip is what you make it - somethings were different but MK, even on that crazy 10/1 day is still the best place !!! Nothing in life stays the same.

 

[ScottOKW2K]

I'm not ready to give up on Disney yet. We here on these boards are somewhat set in our ways and are resistant to change.

I was at WDW several times last year, once with park admission. I admit it felt strange to have regular multi-day admission instead of an AP but I was fortunate enough to be able to go and enjoy. I found the parks to be as enjoyable as before, and the cast members to be as kind and professional as always. I enjoyed the attractions and food as much as always, and tried new things.

I understand that Disney has changed some things and eliminated others. No more Magical Express - Universal and SeaWorld never had that. Paid "fastpass" - Universal has been charging WAY more than Disney is charging and has been that way for some time. And during a time of significant economic impact and uncertainty they have added major new rides, resorts, experiences and shows.

When people talk about What would Walt Do ? they only remember half the equation. It should be What would Walt & Roy Do? Walt had the vision, but remember it was Roy that helped make it a profitable business. The WDW we all know and love would probably not have opened after Walt's death if Roy had not wanted to continue forward in Walt's legacy. We should understand that the Imagineers of today are using the Disney IP in their new experiences and attractions because they are capitalizing on the words and images in the hearts and minds of today's children - the Disney adults of the next generation. These experiences we enjoy so much were never meant to be set in stone, even Want knew that.

So, I'm keeping an open mind. I've been fortunate to have many trips over the last two decades and hope to have many more. I've returned from each trip having felt that I received value for what it cost. I have a certain level of Trust in their quality of experience and so far that trust had been rewarded.

 

[SandyinMonterey]

For my family, we are just not excited about a WDW vacation anymore. We've been in DVC for 20 years now and so much has changed....good and bad. We almost bought more points and I'm so glad we didn't. Going forward I can see us definitely doing less WDW trips, more cruises and renting out our points. Won't sell though.

 

[Sammie]

My DVC is like a marriage. There are always going to be ups and downs but I am not giving up. As to the magic being gone, I make my own and take it with me. YMMV
Honestly after the last two years, we can't wait.

 

[juju]

We’ve been DVC for over 20 years now, we are in our 60’s and no kids. When I was working, it was a great escape from a very stressful job. But now that we are retired, it isn’t the same. We have several trips planned because we enjoy the run events. But WDW is just becoming more complicated, expensive, and more work for 2 seniors. Plus we live a 6 hr flight away. We still have close to 20 years left on our contract so we are definitely considering our options. I’m sad, I’ve been a diehard WDW fan and annual pass holder for years, but it is losing the magic.

 

[thanxfornoticin]

We’ve been DVC for over 20 years now, we are in our 60’s and no kids. When I was working, it was a great escape from a very stressful job. But now that we are retired, it isn’t the same. We have several trips planned because we enjoy the run events. But WDW is just becoming more complicated, expensive, and more work for 2 seniors. Plus we live a 6 hr flight away. We still have close to 20 years left on our contract so we are definitely considering our options. I’m sad, I’ve been a diehard WDW fan and annual pass holder for years, but it is losing the magic.

Being respectful of your opinion and situation, we're also long-time DVC in our 60s, and the kids are grown - so many trips just the 2 of us. And we love it every bit as much now as we did 2 decades ago. Is it different? Absolutely. But what isn't different? Is it expensive and complicated at times? It sure is. But we go a couple times a year, we learn the new planning tools, use them, make some mistakes, and things are never perfect. But we always look forward to our next trip, and planning our next trip. We feel everything lost its magic since Covid, but we're working through that and it'll be a thing of the past in upcoming months/years. Disney is still our special place. I hope perhaps you can find it again, if you decide you want to.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

Very pleased that I bought into DVC in 2002, it means I can keep going and staying onsite. The hotel prices are going nowhere but up until such time as they have to come down.

 

[JenboJambo]

I can’t believe I’m even saying this but I think we are breaking up with Disney. I’ve seen this same thing on the disboards over the years and now it’s us. Disney has meant so much to my family over the last ten years. It has been our go to vacation destination with us spending a minimum of two weeks each year. Due to the pandemic, we haven’t been to the parks since July 2019. We have enjoyed some resort only stays as well as VBR. At the parks, so much has changed that I just can’t get excited about our July 2022 trip. I am really dreading the whole thing and that never happens!!! I even suggested to DH that we should sell one of our contracts and he actually agreed! Anyone else out there feeling this way?? It just feels like the magic is gone for us and it makes me sad.

I remember reading your post a few months ago and now I can completely relate to it. We are leaving Disney today… this is our 4th visit in a years span… we took my parents for this trip. The amount of planning I spent on our trip has been exhausting( genie, park reservations, dining, transportation). It was embarrassing how many things went wrong this trip from a stink bug in my salad at liberty tree to a disappointing stay in copper creek cabins (broken dryer, 7 dead lizards/frogs in fireplace that were rather grotesque, master bed tub jets going off every 30 minutes keeping my parents awake until 3am). Missing our last park day due to lack of sleep.
Management tried to make all this right by comping dinner and a park ticket for my parents which was super nice and we didn’t ask for that, but honestly it was embarrassing. It made me feel like they put my name down on a list as a “treasured” guest. I don’t want to be the guest that complains. I spent a good amount of time crying our last night because I had looked forward to this cabin stay for over a year. (I guess my fault for having expectations) So it was a very stressful and sad trip. I am seriously considering selling one of our contracts. I’m so sad because this was our family’s go to vacation spot for the past 10 years. I really wanted to treat my parents to an amazing time and it wasn’t. (Though they were just happy to be together)
Disney has made me so happy over the years… no I feel a huge loss. It truly feels like a break up.

 

[Minniesgal]

I’m over the parks but when I think about selling I think I’d miss the resorts and Aulani so we don’t. We come from the UK so resorts in the sun mean a lot to us and frankly I could see us going in October just before the start of our winter and having a happy resort stay. Maybe some golf a few meals out some time on the balcony with our books and a bottle of wine

We have travelled the world for work I have not a long list of places I want to go I think k I’d rather go back where we know

So I think we are more or less breaking up with the parks but not the resorts

 

[BeachClub2014]

I can totally understand frustrations, disillusionment, and even outright anger towards Disney for many of the changes and the conditions in which we find the parks and resorts today. I would never try and talk someone out of selling their DVC because they are "done" with Disney. For our family, WDW has been the setting to allow the magic to happen on our family vacations over the years, but not really the cause. Our kids literally grew up as "Disney" kids having made annual trips since they were young. Now we have the grandbabies to turn into "Disney" kids. The magic for our family has always been those special "family moments" that are created while at WDW. I'm sure those moments can and do, happen at other family destinations, but that "bubble" is still home for us. We aren't happy with many of the current crapola that WDW is throwing our way, but we aren't ready for the big break up yet.

 

[TLSnell1981]

Some blame Chapek and so do I. There’s a few other big misses too. Although Iger started this mess years ago.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

Some blame Chapek and so do I. There’s a few other big misses too. Although Iger started this mess years ago.

I think people in general have been unfair in their evaluation of how COVID has affected things. Obviously there are concrete policy changes that many people don't like they have nothing to do with COVID, but in terms of general "vibe/atmosphere," I do think COVID and the aftermath thereof plays a huge part.

 

[TLSnell1981]

I think people in general have been unfair in their evaluation of how COVID has affected things. Obviously there are concrete policy changes that many people don't like they have nothing to do with COVID, but in terms of general "vibe/atmosphere," I do think COVID and the aftermath thereof plays a huge part.

COVID had some affect but that was expected. Now I feel like Disney is using COVID as an excuse to rebrand the “magic”. It’s a mess.

 

[Chilbert]

COVID had some affect but that was expected. Now I feel like Disney is using COVID as an excuse to rebrand the “magic”. It’s a mess.

Right now the only "magic" I want to see is Chapek disappearing...