Chi84
Premium Member
I what way is the poster you’re quoting being disingenuous? What do you mean when you use that word?
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Distinction between "theme park enthusiast" and "Disney Adult"
- Thread starter Tom Morrow
- Start date
Pizza Moon
Well-Known Member
I meant more like it’s an extreme exaggeration to act like the parks have “declined” so much as we are literally receiving updates to rides like Buzz and the parks are very clean and CMs friendly.
We also have been getting new rides too.
The quality drop off that was described to have such a black and white switch just doesn’t make logical sense.
Like in a vacuum if prices say remained tied to inflation, is it a significant downgrade?
To me it’s more like 2 steps forward one back, 1:1, others downgrades.
It’s a mixed bag.
Jrb1979
Well-Known Member
It depends on how you view the parks and how you grew up with them. For some who grew up with the parks in the 80s and 90s, they have declined in some ways. Other than Animal Kingdom, the parks feel very similar to Magic Kingdom with the IP and no real theme anymore.
As good as the new attractions are, many don't fit the park they are in.
As far price goes, while they have gone up, a lot of the perks you once got for staying on property have gone away. Magic Express, Free Fastpass, Extra Magic hours in the evening, souvenir delivery to your room.
Vegas Disney Fan
Well-Known Member
I think this is what many, including Disney, don’t see, Disney has always been expensive but you got A LOT for that price, now it’s still expensive and you get the bare minimum for that price.
Luggage delivery, Magical Express, free FP, Magic hours, souvenir delivery, etc are all minor things… added together they brought an incredible amount of value to a Disney trip though and that made it easier to justify spending thousands of dollars at Disney over other vacation destinations.
In Disney efforts to save a dollar here and a dollar there they’ve changed the value dynamic of the parks, and for many, including us, we just don’t feel it’s worth the price anymore.
We see the same thing here in Vegas, people have stopped coming over resort fees, parking fees, high prices, etc… $50 a day in fees and an extra few dollars on every meal is peanuts compared to the overall price but a lot of people now feel it’s not worth it. It doesn’t take a lot to change the perception from “worth it” to “not worth it”.
Vegas is down 7% so far this year, not a huge number but it’s noticeable and even though 93% are still coming the casinos are feeling it in the wallet.
Baloo124
Well-Known Member
There's nothing wrong with being an adult who loves Disney. My grandfather was big on model railroads during his retirement years. People didn't go around calling him a "model railroad adult" or "train adult" back in those days.
"Dollywood adults", "Six Flags adults", or "Universal adults" aren't a thing.
Actor John Stamos proudly called himself a Disney adult on stage during the Epcot Candlelight Processional one year. There's nothing wrong with being passionate about something you've grown up enjoying.
Even professional athletes have been seen wearing jerseys which pay tribute to their favorite Future World pavilion.
The internet loves to find punching bags for any occasion or topic, even something as meaningless as where other people enjoy spending their earned vacation time. That's the sad part.
"Dollywood adults", "Six Flags adults", or "Universal adults" aren't a thing.
Actor John Stamos proudly called himself a Disney adult on stage during the Epcot Candlelight Processional one year. There's nothing wrong with being passionate about something you've grown up enjoying.
Even professional athletes have been seen wearing jerseys which pay tribute to their favorite Future World pavilion.
The internet loves to find punching bags for any occasion or topic, even something as meaningless as where other people enjoy spending their earned vacation time. That's the sad part.
Jrb1979
Well-Known Member
I agree there is nothing wrong with being a Disney adult. For the most part why they get hated on is due to people not understanding them.
Same goes for Coaster Enthusiasts, my family doesn't understand why my vacations revolve around visiting amusement parks across the country.
Only thing I'm not a fan of when it comes for Disney Adults is how some dismiss other parks or look down on them. I'm not asking them to like other parks but don't act like Dollywood and others are awful parks.
Mr. Sullivan
Well-Known Member
Hey, (now former since I just moved) Dollywood local and AP passholder here. This is not true. There are absolutely Dollywood adults and they are pretty much the same genre of individual as Disney Adults except for instead of undying loyalty to a corporation, it's undying loyalty to Dolly Parton.
Universal also certainly has a fanbase that can be similar to Disney Adults, they're just not as loud about it. But they dress up and go bounding in the parks and all that.
parksandtravel
Active Member
Six Flags adults are mostly called roller coaster junkies. I'd say the coaster fandom is also pretty big.
Dollywood has all types of fans, and caters to all sorts of demographics. One of my favorite times to visit is midweek in November. They are running their Christmas shows and the median age of attendees is 50s-60s. There are a ton of senior citizens bus groups there to see the shows and lights. I need to arrive 20-30 min before a show to get a seat, but anytime I want to ride a coaster, it’s pretty much a walk on or worse case, station wait.
jloucks
Well-Known Member
Ditto. When our kids were the perfect age to enjoy Disney (2012-2017), it was hard to say no to the Disney value. That value has been eroding for some time now. For me, the spectacular example of this is the elimination of the Disney Magic Express. I might have evolved into a Disney Adult if I hadn't taken such offense to cuts that felt personal.
To be fair, I have the same issue with Vegas and the cruise industry (mainly with ships that have more passengers than venue seats). When profit drives decision making, you have an entire industry motivated to maximize "enification".
I/we have renewed our Six Flags Season Passes (after a 5 year hiatus) and I tell you what, we don't feel as financially molested as we did/do with the above venues/industries.
jloucks
Well-Known Member
We really want to go there. The issue is getting there. Soon!
TrainsOfDisney
Well-Known Member
For me personally, Disney is still 10 times ahead of Vegas in terms of fair pricing and good customer service.
Also in general upkeep - and appearance - many properties are very old and dated.
HMF
Well-Known Member
I would argue it had long lost value by then. Of course, people who went before me would say the same thing about the time when I went for the first time back in 1999.
HMF
Well-Known Member
That isn't hard to do.
Pizza Moon
Well-Known Member
WondersOfLife
Blink, blink. Breathe, breathe. Day in, day out.
Agreed.
My girlfriend described it perfectly about one of her co-workers... "We were talking about how Epcot has changed so much over the years. Then I realized the conversation needed to stop when she said 'But I love the Moana thing!!'"
