Disneyland, Walt Disney World, and the Disney studios have struggled with a major identity crisis these past few years. In the wake of 2020, various social movements, and media backlash, many Disney fans have claimed that the magic is gone.
After a season of flops at the theme parks and the box office, Disney is finally starting to wake up and smell the Joffrey's. 2022-2023 might have been an experimental era for The Walt Disney Company and the studio, but audience reception has not been what the higher-ups expected.
Related: Iconic Disney Snack Axed, Cut From Magic Kingdom With Immediate Effect
It can be so easy to blame the go-woke-go-broke crowd and just as effortless to say that Disney needs to return to the traditional/conservative values set by Walt, but the real source of the problem is that Disney has forgotten who its primary demographic truly is. Now, the studio is seeing the error of its ways.
Reestablishing the Magic for Disney World and Disney Studio
Many die-hard Disney buffs would argue that the studio, films, and parks haven't been the same since roughly 2018, and some of the changes made during the past few years have left a bad taste. While some of Disney's latest creative choices might have been made in the name of inclusivity, critical and financial failures took more than a bite out of Disney's wallet.
Related: EPCOT Update: ‘Zootopia’ Announced for World Showcase, Effective Immediately
With films like Strange World (2022), Lightyear (2022), and Wish (2023) failing to live up to expectations and forcing Disney out of its usual billion-dollar territory, the “Flop Era” ultimately tarnished the studio's previously magical reputation. However, the problems didn't end there.
After the 2020 COVID-19 Pandemic, the Disney Imagineers had the opportunity to completely reshape and reimagine how we experience Disneyland and the Walt Disney World Resort. Instead, the parks were assaulted by problematic allegations, a Star Wars hotel that went belly up, and deteriorating attractions that were absolute nightmare fuel.
Related: Animal Kingdom Attraction Closing After Emergency Announcement
Fans were appalled and outraged at the closure of Splash Mountain over “racist caricatures,” Disneyland's Pride Nite drama, the Fantasmic! dragon bursting into flames, and a political battle royal with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, just to name a few. After all of that, many have been left wondering if Disney can ever find its magic again.
The Healing Begins
So many people have taken to social media with outcries of “That's not what Walt would have wanted,” but the issue goes far beyond that. Disney has indeed strayed away from its core value, which is appealing to the massive family-friendly and family-oriented demographic that Walt Disney built his empire on.
Related: Disney Officially Rethemes Hollywood Studios, No Longer About the Movies
In truth, there's no way to know what Walt would want without a seance or an Ouija board, but there's a place for experimenting and appealing to alternative audiences just as much as there is appealing to the traditional family unit.
All companies should strive for inclusion, but inclusivity, by definition, means there should be no room for exclusivity, and families with traditional values have been more than vocal about their position. However, Disney is making efforts to change that.
The Walt Disney Company has seen success with Pixar Animation Studio's Inside Out 2 (2024), which is still climbing the box office and shattering records with each new viewing. This is because Pixar has chosen to tell a more universal story instead of one that tries to push some sort of message or be a mouthpiece for a minority group.
Related: Disney Springs Replacement: New Location Announced, Opening Soon
On the park side, Disney is slowly returning to the FastPass+ program with an updated Lightning Lane system. Doing away with the controversial and complicated Genie+ might be just the start, but it's a step in the right direction.
The point is that Disney is slowly realizing that it's been playing to the wrong crowd. That's not to say viewers or consumers of different cultures, ethnicities, or beliefs shouldn't be represented, but pushing millions of dollars into properties that only appeal to one audience is by no means a smart business decision.
Related: Guest Claims Deluxe Disney Hotel Had Bedbug Infestation!
Disney will get its magic back, but it will take some time. It might be a long while before Disney is at its peak again, but the right decisions are being made.
Do you think Disney is on the rebound? Let us know in the comments down below!
Go back to Fast Pass and lower the costs. Just can’t afford to enjoy the parks with all the charges.
This seems like they have an idea what they did was not in Disney’s best interests, but don’t seem to be able to accept that fact fully. Seemingly still trying to appease every fringe group of society and forgetting family and old disney values at the same time – nothing will change with the attitude they are recommending. 100% Walt Disney values or you will lose those valuable fans forever – your choice.
You are losing people and a lot of money. I haven’t been there in 5 years since Covid, before that, we went every year for 7 days for 22 years. From what I read, it really doesn’t make me want to go back. Of course, there is a lot reporting that is over sensationalizes what is going on so who really knows but it doesn’t make me feel good about them. Disney, do something to make people want to come.
Now you need to bring back Disney’s Magical Express! I believe that the money we spend to patronize your properties and parks should be used for just that! I have not been to Disney in 14 yrs. and now I find out I have to pay more money to get to my resort. We dont do rental cars. Disney’s Magical Express was the best way to start to a vacation. For whatever reason Disney higher ups, sitting in their corner offices, decided to do away with one of the best features of staying on property. You need to talk to your guests about what THEY want, not what you think will put MORE money in your pockets. I have gone back and forth about coming back to Disney. We are going to come back April 2024 and give it a try. I sure hope Disney soon gets its head on straight.
Bottom line, Walt was a business man. He would have changed with the times. As everything has changed and increased in price. I don’t understand how guests can demand lower prices for tickets everything has gone up for Disney too and they need to pay their Cast Members along with all other expenses. It is still a great bargain for what is included in the price of a ticket. If you can’t afford it, it is not the Disney company fault, own it. Food, gas and electric has go up for everyone including Disney.
Thank God, they are finally realizing where they have failed us.
Disney World started losing the magic long before covid. We had annual passes from around 2000 until this last year. It might seem a simple thing but I saw the magic start to disappear years ago, with napkins. I still have a napkin from a counter service restaurant that has Disney characters printed on it. They disappeared on new napkins and never returned. When Gaston’s opened, you could get a pork shank meal, now not. Cosmic Rays had a chicken plate with mashed potatoes and beans, as of the last time we were there, they only had fast food offered. So it goes, I imagine the pencil pushers told management they could increase profit by cheapening the service and management bought it. Sad, just sad.
Disney hasn’t even put I dent into finding it’s way back home.
The original fast pass system was great and fair to everyone. This fast pass system with a twist (charging for it) does not help the average family. Disney is so embedded in using the phone for everything it’s not even fun anymore. I loved the spontaneity that use to exist. The cast members need to dress and act like cast members not some individual expression. Get rid of the cue for rides. These are some suggestion and just starters of what needs to be done.
It’s the greed and constant price increases that are driving families away.
I think one of the straws that broke the camel’s back was when video started circulating of a middle-aged, transgender guy with a beard and a dress on helping kids in the bibbidi bobbidi boutique. It wasn’t even that long ago that moustaches weren’t allowed. Ten years after those were approved then they allowed beards provided they were trimmed. Now they allow guys in dresses. It’s these sort of massively woke policies that get people riled up because, believe it or not, not everyone who enjoys going to the Disney theme parks like this kind of stuff around their kids.
I am a disabled 74year old woman, who loves Disney who always looked after the disabled, but it now spears you have discounted any disable person using a wheelchair
I have been coming to Disney since my son was 12 he’s now 42
I have multiple physical disabilities and when I went to Disney Paris I provided medical proof of my conditions and was given a disabled pass
WDW has recognised ADHD and Autism but no one in a wheelchair can have a disabled pass
I always booked a two or three week stay in WDD I understand many people try to use the disabled pass even though they are not actually disabled
I note the park in Japan does indeed cater for their disabled guests , as with my Paris visit I am prepared to produce medical information but it seems you are NOT prepared to accept it
I am planning to return in 2025 I would like to think you will adopt the practice of medical information to award your disability passes
What about bringing back the Sound of the South ?? I think back in the 60’s 70’s and 80’s, the people loved good stories and Briar Rabbit and Briar Wolf we’re great and the animation was spot on.
Song of the South is a 1946 American live-action/animated musical comedy-drama film directed by Harve Foster and Wilfred Jackson, produced by Walt Disney, and released by RKO Radio Pictures. It is based on the Uncle Remus stories as adapted by Joel Chandler Harris, and stars James Baskett as Uncle Remus in his final film role. The film takes place in the U.S. state of Georgia during the Reconstruction era, a period of American history after the end of the American Civil War and the abolition of slavery. The story follows seven-year-old Johnny (Bobby Driscoll) who is visiting his grandmother’s plantation for an extended stay. Johnny befriends Uncle Remus, an elderly worker on the plantation, and takes joy in hearing his tales about the adventures of Br’er Rabbit, Br’er Fox, and Br’er Bear. Johnny learns from the stories how to cope with the challenges he is experiencing while living on the plantation.
Walt Disney had wanted to produce a film based on the Uncle Remus stories for some time. In 1939 he began negotiating with the Harris family for the film rights, and in 1944, filming for Song of the South began. The studio constructed a plantation set, for the outdoor scenes, in Phoenix, Arizona, while other scenes were filmed in Hollywood. The film is predominantly live action, but includes three animated segments, which were later released as stand-alone television features. Some scenes also feature a combination of live action with animation. Song of the South premiered in Atlanta in November 1946 and the remainder of its initial theater run was a financial success. The song “Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah” won the 1947 Academy Award for Best Original Song[5] and Baskett received an Academy Honorary Award for his performance as Uncle Remus.
I was born in 1957. I finally made it to Disneyland in the mid seventies as a teen, after watching Disney on TV for years.
I can still remember my favorites, like tomorrow land as it was. We all have our fondnesses for how we remember the parks. What we expect to see and enjoy. Especially the original Disneyland Park. People come from around the world to see how it all began. ~ I missed the early years of the Ca. Adventure when it was all Caifornia! Walt would have loved it. What a novel idea. ~ I’m in my 60s now, and don’t need to ride all rhe rides, but am certainly happy with the railroad, the tki garden, the Haunted Mansion, etc.. All have a place in my heart. ~ As for the addition of movies, jeez, how about a 3rd park dedicated to the new appealing to younger folks.
A Disney film fantasy park and a Pixar park on its own. It’s all kind of a mess now. I watched the new Tiana ride on youtube. I have no interest. Johnnny Depp in Pirates! Sheesh, get him out. The Tim Burton overlay in the Haunted Mansion is very cool, and that’s different. It’s holiday decorations that will come down. Why is no stone unturned. Why can’t well enough be left alone. What a waste of money and time. Trust the tried and true. Have faith in what Walt wanted. It’s why we all keep coning back.
Miss the magical express! The first time we came to Disney World, the magical express bus driver sang, When You Wish Upon a Star as we drove into DW. From that moment on, I was a Disney lover! Blown away by the cast members and their acting in the parks and there involvement at the resort with my kids, just amazing! Then in 2022 we went back for the 4th time and I actually cried multiple times bc the magic was gone and the prices were ridiculous. I said I would never go back. We decided to go back this May 2024. It was definitely better than 2022, but the cast members just aren’t into the acting anymore on the rides, on resort days we went to pool activities and other activities on site, and the hosts were just weird and not good at getting crowds going. Hopefully they will get back! We did the meal plan l, because we used to LOVE the meal plan, but it wasn’t as good, missed all the extra snacks at the end of our trip to take home with us! I felt like the meal plan used to be good for saving money, now it is just convenient. Also, I have a kid with allergies, so I would love a reasonable room with a kitchen. You can get them everywhere else in the world, why not Disney. The cabins are great bet $400-500 a night!
Here at Disney now…Magic is for sure gone. We’ve been multiple times and this will be our last time unless things change. Cast members have been treating us as if we should be thanking them we are at Disney. Disney employees have been so rude this trip. No clear instructions and then get yelled at for not doing as they not so clearly say. I’ve been told I should quit smoking (in a smoking area) and I need to “walk more”.
When I stood in the wrong place while meeting Ariel, a cast member bumped into me and I said “sorry, I didn’t know where to stand”, her reply “well, go over there then”. I miss the former Disney World parks and it makes me sad my youngest has not gotten to experience the Disney we had before with a welcoming family environment. I am so sad this is our last day and we can’t wait to go home verses before when we would cry having to go back to the real world. Disney, you need a big fix. This is such a sad place to be now.
Started going to Disney parks in the 80’s. Family friendly and great experience for the price. Was happy enough with the experience to go every couple of years. Haven’t been since 2016 as it has become costt prohibitive and seems to have become directed at special interest groups instead of family Americana…something Walt would have been against. Not sure when i will make it back.