Walt Disney Global enthusiasts have numerous lawsuits, which we “have fun” in this maximum superb of vacations with a Festivus airing of grievances (adopted via the general custom, the feats of power). There were many visitor unfriendly adjustments which are unsurprisingly unpopular, together with cutbacks, worth will increase, delays, nickel & diming, and extra.
It’s not possible to not understand this. Many lawsuits we pay attention from readers are prefaced with “I’m in most cases a fan it doesn’t matter what who defends Disney, however…” or “I don’t in most cases bitch, however…” There were a long way fewer enthusiasts providing defenses of unpopular selections with the clarification that Walt Disney Global is a trade. There’s additionally much less knocking of those that air their grievances as “so-called enthusiasts” and a lot more settlement and acknowledgement of Disney’s shortcomings.
So in honor of Festivus, we’re going to air the most important grievances enthusiasts have with Walt Disney Global. Numerous this record has if truth be told modified, largely as a result of Walt Disney Global has made a number of certain adjustments within the final two years that in large part restored the visitor revel in and on-site resort perks to its 2019 standing. (We mentioned in large part, now not totally.) However, some ‘largest hits’ nonetheless stay. Right here’s a rundown of the “most sensible” 10 lawsuits we pay attention from enthusiasts, together with a few of our personal observation about the place we agree and disagree…
10. DAS Dehumanization
Disney overhauled Incapacity Get admission to Carrier (DAS) at Walt Disney Global final yr to fight abuse, misuse, and proliferation of this system’s use–with issuances of DAS tripling from 2019 to final yr. The adjustments virtually right away diminished DAS dramatically, because of a spike in denials.
The brand new device has has had direct affects for disabled visitors in addition to oblique ones for all visitors, leading to decrease wait instances and faster-moving traces (see Is Lightning Lane Multi Move Nonetheless “Price It” at Disney Global?). That has come at a value to disabled visitors, and lots of of the ones impacted via the adjustments were vocal in sharing their tales.
We’ve heard from numerous visitors who’ve had extremely unfavorable, invasive, humiliating, and dehumanizing stories with the brand new DAS software procedure. We proceed to obtain reader feedback and messages with regularity, and notice viral social media posts about DAS as soon as each few weeks. None of those are sparkling opinions. Some are heartbreaking.
Despite the fact that the crackdown on DAS used to be essential, the heartbreaking tales of DAS denials have made transparent {that a} extra versatile and humane manner is wanted. The phrase that has been used again and again to explain the interview procedure is interrogation. Whilst this procedure is hectic for Solid Contributors, there’s were given to be a greater method of dealing with the method that feels much less hostile. Even though the DAS relief is wanted, there’s completely no excuse for making the method this dehumanizing.
DAS making this record is however reasonably unexpected. In contrast to different entries that practice to everybody, DAS is utilized by a subset of visitors. On the other hand, it’s a extremely delicate topic this is very non-public since it’s, moderately actually, make or smash for some visitors seeking to revel in Walt Disney Global.
That is a long way and away the commonest criticism cited when folks say they’ve stopped visiting Walt Disney Global, duration, within the final year-plus. That’s particularly unhappy, as lots of the ones households are the individuals who wanted Disney of their lives probably the most.
9. Stuff Nonetheless Lacking
Walt Disney Global is in large part again to customary ~5 years after the COVID closures. On the other hand, the record of what’s nonetheless lacking is much longer than it must be. And there are some true headscratchers on that record, too.
For instance, Jedi Coaching Academy used to be completely adored via visitors, and used to be a ‘magical second’ for such a lot of youngsters and their households who had the danger to take part. The ‘electorate’ in each Magic Kingdom and DHS have been the center of leisure of their respective parks, and nice welcoming acts to each.
This used to be this sort of in style matter that we adopted up with Large Little Lacking Issues Walt Disney Global Must Deliver Again with a long record of the way the visitor revel in has been eroded with those cuts. That garnered over 100 reader feedback and bet what? It used to be NOT a host of enthusiasts announcing: “Nah, I’m just right. I am hoping Walt Disney Global continues to provide me much less whilst charging extra!”
In a vacuum, it may well be imaginable to rationalize or give an explanation for away such a lot of Disney’s torpid tempo in resuming normalcy. On the other hand, while you step again and take a look at the totality of the instances–particularly as in comparison to their competition and in gentle of the costs being charged–it’s all a lot much less forgivable. For the purported chief of the theme park trade, they’ve positive been doing numerous following.
8. Loss of life of Spontaneity
We’ve extolled the virtues of spontaneity at Walt Disney Global for years–cautioning in opposition to overplanning. A lot to the consternation of many readers, this web site is vehemently anti-spreadsheet. (I’ll admit, it’s an strange place for a making plans weblog to take.) However there’s a reason why for that, past the easy undeniable fact that the most productive laid plans of mice and people steadily cross awry.
It’s that one of the vital greatest lawsuits we pay attention from Walt Disney Global guests is that the revel in is simply too scripted, and there aren’t sufficient alternatives for spontaneity. Nobody likes to listen to this (and clearly we wouldn’t say it without delay in accordance with any individual airing post-trip grievances), however a part of that is, frankly, their very own fault. You completely don’t wish to plan right down to the minute or hour; there are considerable alternatives for spontaneity–however it’s a must to permit for it.
On the other hand, a part of that is Walt Disney Global’s doing. They have got crafted a hugely difficult and complicated holiday vacation spot that lends itself to an inordinate quantity of pre-planning and construction. The excellent news is that we’ve heard this a lot much less in recent times. With park reservations long past, Park Hopping laws lifted, and pent-up call for proceeding to exhaust itself, lately’s Walt Disney Global has extra alternatives for spontaneity than the Walt Disney Global of 2 years in the past.
7. Dull, Bland & Fundamental
One among my greatest worries for the way forward for Walt Disney Global is a loss of daring bets and inventive dangers. Extra selections via analytics, fewer via actual folks. Much less that’s attention-grabbing and distinctive, extra that’s beholden to emblem deposits and dictated via accountants.
It kind of feels to be seeping into the parks. Simply take a look at the Global Birthday party Gardens or CommuniCore Corridor! Or pay attention to the tune selected for brand spanking new leisure. Design in accordance with in style public park kinds; selections pushed via Disney+ advertising objectives or viewership information.
Walt Disney Global is a trade and at all times has been. It’s additionally leading edge and imaginative, an bold undertaking constructed now not via MBAs and accountants, however via inventive visionaries–it must be handled as such via those that now lead it.
The excellent news is that issues are trending in the appropriate path. Walt Disney Global’s monitor file on contemporary lodge reimaginings and room redesigns has been truly just right–a lot better than the darkish days of 2017. Tasks like Take a look at Observe 3.0, Beak & Barrel, or even Starlight Night time Parade exhibit that Disney’s nonetheless were given it–and expectantly the tide is popping due to new management at Imagineering.
6. Cutbacks & Fees
Nickel & diming (or cutbacks and upcharges) is an unsurprising access in this record. Need a MagicBand? That’ll charge you! Bread to begin your desk carrier meal? Get ready to pay additional! Night Further Magic Hours? Improve accommodations! Wish to see a parade or degree display? It’s at the back of a paywall.
After all, the obvious of all is the transfer from unfastened FastPass to paid Lightning Lanes. What used to be as soon as to be had to everybody larger in worth to $16 with Genie+ and has skyrocketed since. Multi-Move can charge up to $45, and if you need Lightning Lane Premier Move on a top season day, upload some other 0 to that worth. Ouch.
I’m now not keen on nickel & diming. I don’t need to give this primary criticism best cursory remedy, however there’s simply now not a ton I will upload right here that hasn’t already been mentioned. There are arguably some situations–like reducing again on plastic waste with MagicBands or hiring sufficient housekeepers being just about not possible–the place a few of that is comprehensible.
Through and big, it’s only a solution to support margins. It’s an efficient manner as a result of each and every is minor in isolation, however there’s a reason “demise via one thousand cuts” is a announcing. The totality of those cost-cutting measures has turn into very noticeable. I’m reminded of it on the subject of each time I order a counter carrier entree, and the portion is smaller and decrease high quality.
5. Finish of Disney’s Magical Specific
Talking of cutbacks, we nonetheless pay attention from readers maintaining out hope that Disney’s Magical Specific will go back. We percentage this, and bet who else does? The Higher Orlando Aviation Authority, which runs Orlando World Airport (MCO). When you don’t imagine me, take a look at Will Disney’s Magical Specific Airport Trip Ever Go back? That contemporary put up covers the very actual chance of DME returning, as a part of an initiative via MCO.
Despite the fact that its non secular successor remains to be operated via Mears, it’s simply now not the similar for lots of enthusiasts that Walt Disney Global does now not be offering airport transportation. (The baggage dealing with may be a very large deal to a few folks, which stuck us via marvel.) It made Walt Disney Global really feel all-inclusive, like they “took care of you” from the instant you stepped off the aircraft till you left to go back house.
Truthfully, I nonetheless can not make sense of Disney’s determination to kill off Magical Specific. It’s gotta be a type of issues that one way or the other is sensible on a spreadsheet, however is doing incalculable injury in the actual ‘Global. I firmly imagine the beancounters were given this one unsuitable, and its long-term penalties to the corporate will a long way exceed no matter cash they stored.
Getting rid of Disney’s Magical Specific is brief sighted and can charge the corporate resort remains, visits to different theme parks, foods out of doors the lodge complicated, and extra. One among Walt Disney Global’s largest strengths used to be its bubble, and the corporate has voluntarily punctured that. The captive target market that used to be seen as positive for years is long past–and at a time when Walt Disney Global’s #1 competitor helps to keep rising and getting more potent. Make it make sense.
4. Too A lot Display Time
Refreshing for higher Lightning Lanes. Cell Order for counter carrier eating places and Products Cell Checkout to shop for stuff. Checking Stroll-up Waitlist for brand spanking new desk carrier availability. Taking a look at wait instances and showtimes. Becoming a member of digital queues. Studying eating place menus. Taking part in the MagicBand+ mini video games or the DuckTales Global Show off Journey.
For years, we’ve mentioned that Walt Disney Global leans too closely on generation (ironic, because it’s one thing the corporate is objectively terrible at) and now not sufficient on tactile stories. To paraphrase my favourite Walt Disney quote, “it’s folks that make the dream a fact.”
The most productive reminiscences are shaped because of interpersonal moments, and such a lot emotional resonance is derived from visitors connecting with Solid Contributors. Even though folks can’t put their finger on it, such a lot of what differentiates and defines the enchantment of Walt Disney Global is the ‘little issues’ that attach them to other folks and the environments round them. Large new rides get folks to take the day out, nevertheless it’s the myriad little issues and the ones connections that persuade them (even subconsciously) to go back.
Whilst we don’t believe the entire specifics that new generation is “unhealthy” (it isn’t!), like many enthusiasts have completed, we believe the generalized sentiment that spending an afternoon at Walt Disney Global now nudges visitors in opposition to spending method an excessive amount of time with their faces buried of their telephones.
New options are nice in isolation, and receive advantages the corporate via making improvements to potency and reducing prices. On the other hand, the totality of all of this quantities to Walt Disney Global successfully leaning into its weak spot and clear of its strengths. And that’s worthy of an attractive large ‘criticism,’ for those who question me.
The excellent news is that Walt Disney Global acknowledges that visitors constanting taking a look down at their telephones ‘breaks the spell’ of the communal theme park revel in. Their way to that is good glasses that scale back display screen time. Wait, what?!
3. Upkeep & Surprising Downtime
This have been a rising criticism for the previous few years, to the purpose that it used to be with regards to #1 in this record final yr. It’s nonetheless a long way from easiest (therefore the #3 score), nevertheless it’s making improvements to! Enchantment downtime remains to be upper than its ancient moderate, however numbers are transferring in the appropriate path. It’s nonetheless imaginable to get truly unfortunate–or fortunate–as breakdowns are at all times a reality of existence at theme parks.
Truthfully, that is going to take time for Walt Disney Global to totally cope with this factor. Consider how we warned of the lack of institutional wisdom with the furloughs and layoffs again in 2020? Smartly, glance no additional than this for the “end result” of that short-sighted determination, as repairs departments were decimated and feature a long way fewer years of tenure.
Unfortunately, there’s no simple repair. It’s now not merely an issue of correctly staffing the ones departments once more. While you lose a host of old-timers with many years of revel in in legacy methods and proprietary generation, you’ll’t simply rent some fresh-faced child off the road and be expecting the similar effects. This used to be at all times a possibility when child boomers began retiring en masse, however 2020 truly speeded up it and brought about numerous injury abruptly.
For its section, Walt Disney Global disputes that there’s been larger downtime and upkeep problems in the previous few years, however it’s well-documented (and true). It’s additionally patently glaring to on the subject of any individual who visits continuously now vs. again in 2019 and previous.
2. Disney Turning Its Again on Heart Magnificence
That Disney is popping its again on heart elegance American citizens has been a not unusual chorus for years, nevertheless it has skyrocketed to #1 or #2 in 2025. This isn’t surprising, as Walt Disney Global is Apprehensive About Its Top Costs took the highlight this spring and used to be a surprisingly sizzling matter, spawning a complete sequence of posts.
We took {that a} step additional in Is Walt Disney Global Too Pricey for Heart Magnificence American citizens? via digging into information. That lined the typical prices of a Disney holiday, conventional shopper spending on trip at other source of revenue brackets, and extra.
Then simply final month, the subject became to how the Wealthy Rescued Walt Disney Global from a Spending Hunch. That used to be once more triggered via information appearing that upper source of revenue customers have been proceeding to spend large on trip and leisurely, while there’s already been a slowdown a number of the decrease categories. That Disney continues to do nicely, in keeping with its CFO, due to the corporate concentrated on visitors in “upper source of revenue deciles.”
This isn’t an enormous shocker to any individual who has been paying consideration, nevertheless it’s nonetheless a little of a gut-punch. There were no shortages of examples of Walt Disney Global aiming upmarket and pricing out the center elegance. The obvious of those is, moderately merely, worth will increase. The ones on my own have put a Walt Disney Global holiday out of achieve for an increasing number of American citizens. However there’s additionally the proliferation of costly upcharge choices, VIP excursions, After Hours occasions, Lightning Lane Premier Move, and extra.
Disney is arguably a number of the maximum distinctly American firms, and it’s one thing of a bellwether for heart elegance American citizens because of this. At its center, Walt Disney Global is a center elegance holiday vacation spot. The usa’s heart elegance households from the center of the rustic have, traditionally, been Walt Disney Global’s bread and butter!
The present trajectory doesn’t trade till that workforce says “sufficient is sufficient” and pulls again on spending and splurging. That tide is already turning, therefore the primary put up indicating that Walt Disney Global is concerned about its prime costs.
To finish this on some other certain word, “Cool Child Summer time” felt like a right away reaction to that, as did the flurry of competitive reductions that made it imaginable to take a Walt Disney Global holiday (no less than with reference to accommodations and park tickets) for 2019 costs. Judging via the offers already to be had for 2026, we’re going to look a go back of 2019 costs as soon as once more!
1. It Didn’t Really feel Like a Holiday
A not unusual criticism from enthusiasts giving up at the Wonder Cinematic Universe is that “it looks like homework.” The Walt Disney Global model of this isn’t moderately as concise, however boils right down to the day out now not feeling like a holiday because of the entire above lawsuits about display screen time, generation, and the whole lot you wish to have to understand or do over the process the day out.
That is one we’re listening to an increasing number of, and it breaks our hearts. That is most commonly for glaring causes–hardworking persons are saving for months, spending and splurging hundreds of bucks on a pricey holiday to Walt Disney Global. It must be one of the vital memorable and magical stories in their lives, and be higher than they even may’ve dreamed of. They must come house feeling like Disney handled them like they and their holiday used to be necessary.
As a WDW coaching guide as soon as put it: “Each and every Visitor on our complete 42 sq. miles of assets is a VIP whether or not they’re visiting the Magic Kingdom for an afternoon or vacationing in our resort-hotels for per week or extra…Take into account that 99% of our visitors are nice folks with the whole lot going their method and having the time in their existence. They’re the simple ones to serve. Your actual problem shall be that tiny 1%…the visitors who’re sizzling, drained, hungry, puzzled, annoyed and most likely lacking their baggage, price tag books or cameras. Or most likely the entire above. They might not be very working out and it can be as much as you to show their day round into the certain sort they got here right here to revel in.”
It used to be at all times the case that many guests to Walt Disney Global have been gratifying a contractual legal responsibility as oldsters and taking their youngsters on rite-of-passage journeys with 0 purpose of ever returning once more. However one of the vital issues we cherished maximum about operating this weblog used to be listening to from ‘The Grinches’ who advised us after the ones journeys that they didn’t be expecting to even experience Walt Disney Global, however all of a sudden fell in love with where. It used to be like a Hallmark film about Disney come to existence.
The ones messages are actually few and a long way between. Up to this breaks my center, it additionally worries me. Numerous folks level to tradition wars, politics, or Common as being Disney’s downfall. Truthfully, I don’t purchase into any of that–I believe it’s all hugely overstated. What worries me a lot more is that present management is profiting from inertia and a longstanding popularity that they don’t seem to be doing sufficient to nurture. That they’ve overpassed the Disney Distinction.
There’ll at all times be a big proportion of holiday makers who’re one-and-done, however present journeys must forge long run enthusiasts. Those diehards are the lifeblood of Walt Disney Global, unpaid emblem ambassadors who unfold the nice phrase and persuade skeptical family and friends to take journeys. It doesn’t look like that’s going down just about as steadily because it used to be even in 2019. Let me ask: despite the fact that you’re proceeding to consult with, are you nonetheless as enthusiastically recommending Walt Disney Global to friends and family? Or does your recommendation now include asterisks?
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Your Ideas
Have any grievances of your individual to air about Walt Disney Global? Do you compromise or disagree with our airing of grievances? Any questions we will mean you can solution? Listening to your comments–even whilst you disagree with us–is each attention-grabbing to us and useful to different readers, so please percentage your ideas beneath within the feedback!
