Jump to content

Fans Are Revealing the Changes that RUINED Our Disney World Vacations More than We Realized


Disney4me
 Share

Recommended Posts

Changes are inevitable, but are they always good?

2024-wdw-mk-country-bear-jamboree-closin

Are you ready for the changes?

Sure, Disney World has always had to change and grow over the years, and that’s true about any industry really. But we wanted to find out what your thoughts were about the changes that haven’t had the most positive impact on your Disney World vacations. We asked and boy, did you deliver!

We reached out to our followers on Facebook to ask: “What Disney World change has had the biggest NEGATIVE impact on your vacation?” The results were pretty varied. We had quite a few people leave their opinions in the comments!

DFB-FB-WAOR-Changes-700x594.png

What do you think?

Now, let’s dive into the results!

1. Discontinuing FastPasses

We have a clear winner here. The vast majority of you expressed a deep disappointment with Disney World for discontinuing FastPasses, and greatly prefer them to the new system. (Hundreds of you made this response. Basically, too many to count.)

2021-WDW-Animal-Kingdom-Tough-to-be-a-bu

It’s Tough to be a Bug

These two responses sum up those feelings best: “Much preferred when everyone had 3 fast passes for free” and “Loved the old Fast Pass system and getting to schedule those rides ahead of time!”

2021-wdw-disney-world-atmos-magic-kingdo

FastPass

FastPass made its debut at Disney World in 1999 as a free way to skip the lines in Disney World. Certain rides had FastPass machines out front. You would scan your Disney World ticket, and a piece of paper with a return time was printed. You could then return to a special, much shorter line for the ride during that return time. Eventually, FastPasses went digital, and you were able to book a few of them in advance of your trip to help plan your days.

2021-wdw-magic-kingdom-atmosphere-rides-

FastPass Entrance at Seven Dwarfs Mine Train

FastPass did not return when Disney World re-opened after the pandemic-related closure in 2020. Instead, Disney introduced Genie+ — a digital “skip the line” program that offers many of the same benefits of FastPass, but instead of the free service, Genie+ currently costs between $20 and $39 per day.

And speaking of Genie+ …

2. Genie+

In second place, and in the same vein as our first one, you say Genie+ has wrecked your vacations. (Hundreds of you responded this way.)

2023-wdw-EPCOT-park-entrance-Disney-geni

Genie+

These two responses sum up those feelings perfectly: “Getting up before 7 to schedule a first ride for Genie + or attempt to get virtual rides.” and “Genie ended our annual passes and park attendance. We use our DVC now as a resort-only stay.”

3. Removing Magical Express

In third place, and this one hurt, we found that you were affected by Disney’s decision to remove Magical Express (about 165 of you).

2021-wdw-disney-world-orlando-internatio

Remember Magical Express?

I think this comment sums it up: “The loss of the Magical Express!! That just started you right off with Disney vacation vibes!!” Also, this one is perfect: “Magical express and luggage delivery! It used to feel so magical when hopping on the plane. Hearing “Have a magical day”

2021-wdw-disney-world-orlando-internatio

Inside a Magical Express Bus

In case you never had this magical experience, Magical Express was a free service for Disney resort guests that provided transportation to and from Orlando International Airport, and luggage handling. You didn’t even have to go to baggage claim and wait for your suitcases. You tagged them before you left home, and when you landed, you hopped on a bus. Your luggage would show up in your hotel room later. That’s magic if we’ve ever heard it!

2020-wdw-general-stock-magical-express-m

We miss you, Magical Express!

This service ended at the end of 2022, so now you have to arrange your own transportation and pay to get from the airport to Disney World. You have the options of taking private transportation — like a taxi, rideshare, or the Mears Connect Driven by Sunshine bus service, or renting a car.

4. Taking Away Extra Magic Hours for All Resort Guests

A fair number of you expressed a mix of emotions about the change Disney implemented to end Extra Magic Hours and restrict Extended Evening Hours to only those in Deluxe resorts (About 75 of you).

5A9457D0-E3C8-47DD-9BC1-69EC0A072B6B-421

TWO sets of Extra Magic Hours for Magic Kingdom on some dates

One of you mentioned: “Extra magic evening hours for Fancy resorts only! 😏” Also, you mentioned this too: “I miss we had a choice of extra magic hours in the morning or evening.”

2024-wdw-atmo-mk-magic-kingdom-cinderell

Magic Kingdom

Extra Magic Hours were available to guests of any Disney World hotel, and were offered before the park opened and after the park closed on different days for different parks. For example, on any given day you may have had the option of entering Magic Kingdom an hour before it officially opened for the day, or staying in EPCOT two hours after is closed. This perk allowed you to be in the parks with fewer guests, and therefore, shorter lines. Extra Magic Hours were put “on hold” by Disney during the pandemic-related closures in 2020. Eventually, a similar program of Early Theme Park Entry — hotel guests can enter any park 30 minutes early any (and every) day of their stay — and Extended Evening Hours — hotel guests get extra hours in certain parks on certain nights — was introduced.

2023-wdw-EPCOT-park-entrance-spaceship-e

EPCOT after dark

But there was one major change to the Extended Evening Hours — they are only available to people staying in Disney World’s DELUXE hotels. If you’re staying in a lower-priced moderate or value resort, the only “extra” time you get in the parks is in the morning — and that’s what people miss!

Those were just some of your thoughts on some of the Disney World changes that have negatively impacted your vacations, and we’d love to find out more from you! Until then, keep it right here for all the latest Disney news!

The Cringiest Things We’ve Ever Seen in Disney World Hotels

Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe!

WE KNOW DISNEY.
YOU CAN, TOO.


DFBGuide-ShortCode-Image-1.png

Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation.

Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever!

What Disney World changes have “ruined” your vacations? Let us know below!

The post Fans Are Revealing the Changes that RUINED Our Disney World Vacations More than We Realized first appeared on the disney food blog.

View the full article

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

Loading...
 Share

×
×
  • Create New...