Comments on: Has Disney World Changed?

By: Cepfireman

Cepfireman — Mon, 28 Feb 2011 02:18:00 +0000

The Disney commercial anything is possible is very offensive.
Imagine if it was white people talking about all the achievements that the whites have made.

By: Greg Hollingsworth

Greg Hollingsworth — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 02:15:17 +0000

Having been to Disney World more than a dozen times since 1992, I have seen it go through a significant number of changes, but one thing you can be certain of, it has not grown any more commercial.

From my first trip at the age of 4 in the early 80's to my most recent trip (last October) the only thing that has really changed about Disney World are the number of things to do and my perception of what it represents. Disney World has never been anything more than a commercial venture, they had just as many toys when I was 4 as they do now, but the experience is completely different as an adult than as a child, and even moreso as a parent.

My parents (my mother especially) is a Disney freak, she loves it all. When I was 12 (1992) my parents joined the Disney Vacation Club, at the time it was a new way to spread the cost of a disney vacation out over a year (or two). What it became was a yearly pilgrimage to Orlando that by the time I was 18 was becoming kind of tiresome.

My last three trips have been as a parent, and they have probably been the best trips I've ever made. Disney World for adults is a giant, expensive amusement park. For kids it is a dream/fantasy world, where "their dreams can come true". Sure, those dreams are granted by the ring of a cash register as opposed to the wave of a wand, but kids don't care.

One thing I would recommend, for those of you not fortunate enough to have nearby relatives. Stay on the resort, the free transportation can be worth the extra upfront money alone, and at this point, either get the dining plan or make reservations at whatever on-property restaurants you want to eat at months (yes I said months) in advance.

By: ericskiff

ericskiff — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 09:21:31 +0000

Thinking of the days when Disney was a broadcast channel (long before cable), Mickey Mouse Club was a hit, and everyone was steeped in it, I think disney might have been even more commercial back then. Mickey was a beloved household name, and Disneyland was essentially an amusement park with branding.

For better or worse, Disney is fantastic at building experiences for kids, from characters they connect to, to stuffed animal versions of them they can drag around. It's hard to fault them for being good at what they do, especially when I've loved so many of their movies myself.

By: JP

JP — Sun, 20 Jun 2010 14:45:36 +0000

Best of luck keeping the secret, Ben. Our son also loves the movies, didn’t know he was going, and couldn’t believe he was seeing the characters for real! I wish I could have been there for his first trip, but the plan is for Steph and I to take him again next year. (I can’t wait!) As startupcfo mentioned too, it’s truly magical.

By: JP

JP — Sun, 20 Jun 2010 14:41:45 +0000

Thanks Christian! I’ll be curious how the park looks to you, and how you think it looked through your kids eyes…

By: startupcfo

startupcfo — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 00:56:37 +0000

We took our kids in April. 2nd time there. They absolutely loved it. Have to agree, in their eyes it is truly magical. And thats why we go.

By: BenSpark

BenSpark — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 22:32:31 +0000

Nice post. We are taking our daughter in September for her 3rd trip. She'll be three in October. She is a fan of the movies and she tells me often that we will see the Princesses soon. I always ask her when and she says Friday. We haven't told her that we are taking her either, I want to keep it a complete surprise but I know my wife can't hold out that long.

By: Christian Collard

Christian Collard — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 17:30:00 +0000

Nice post J.P.

We are taking our 3 kids to Disney in the fall. It will be the first time for all of us. I wont know how the park has changed since I had never had the opportunity as a child. However, I have heard both arguments... its the most magical place in the world and its the most commercial place in the world.

The truth is, everything has changed since we were young. Commerical is now a way of life, we need to learn to embrace it. My kids look forward to meeting all the charactors they see on TV. I cant wait to see their faces when they see theirs.

Christian