Coming to terms with maturing...Disney Style

There are a few certainties in life:

1. We will all pay taxes
2. Eventually we will all die.

But there is an area that can be very difficult to come to terms with. Growing older and becoming the older generation. I have no problem with losing my hair (that went when I was in my teens) or it even going grey. I can even deal with not knowing or liking what music is in the charts. And although I feel my kids are growing up too fast, I enjoy seeing what they will do next. But I do find the current attitudes towards Disney (by fans and imagineers/suits) hard to come to terms with.

As I read about changes at the parks and what motivates people, it makes me wonder...am I getting old?

I fell in love with Disneyland in the 1970's. Pirates of the Caribbean, Haunted Mansion and Tomorrowland on the move were all fairly new. Country Bears and America Sings were the new cutting edge attractions. More toony compared to the E-tickets before them, but nothing compared to the swathes to come. But there were many more highly themed attractions opening around the parks. Big Thunder Mountain and Space Mountain (opening up the trend for thrills) and over in Florida, the pinnacle of inspiration, EPCOT Center. As a boy (before the internet) I would druel over pictures, the VHS tape available at the video store, and I dreamt that there could potentially be something cooler than Disneyland for inspiring minds. When it opened, I was not disappointed, in fact the park exceeded my expectations, and I looked forward to what was coming next.

Tokyo Disneyland opened with Meet the World(although never very popular sadly) as another attraction that focused on Edutainment, a real hallmark of the Disney difference. Although World Bazaar may have missed the mark, it was an attempt to push the envelope to do cool things to plus the parks (something at Walt was always keen on). The introduction of waterparks and highly themed hotels, coupled with an imaginative night time entertainment district in Florida, continued the trend.

Just when we thought Disney couldn't get any cooler, Disneyland Paris (or EuroDisney at the time) opened it's doors to the world with the most beautiful, immersively themed park the world had ever seen. Hand made tapestries and stained glass in the castle, state of the art technology in its attractions, an attention to detail to marry the tastes of Europe with the Americana of Disney. Sadly due to timing (huge recession in Europe), poor communication and some management misteps, the company has never been the same since.

Now after DLP, there were still cool projects to come - Disney's Animal Kingdom, lavish Stage Productions, and the critically acclaimed (well Disney critic anyway) Tokyo Disney Sea proves that Disney can still push the envelope of theme. But somewhere the tides have changed.

Disney's California Adventure and Walt Disney Studios Paris, while enjoyable days out (better than non Disney parks in my view), threw out the rule book. And they have both had to invest to make it up. People were asking for more Disney in them (I am sure people actually meant immersive theming, which lost in translation seems to have changed to more toons); Hong Kong Disneyland opened as one big fantasyland, with toons invading virtually every corner in every land, and they are not performing in line with forecasts; with the nadir perhaps being the toonfestation of It's a Small World. And the rumoured Shanghai Disneyland sounds like toons (this time in Pixar guises) will feature heavily again.

Looking Stateside, virtually every new addition in the pipeline we read about are toon laden whether it's the Carsland and Little Mermaid Attractions (joining Toystory Mania, Subs with Nemo and Friends, and Monster's Inc) in California; Finding Nemo taking over the majority of the Caribbean Beach Resort and shuttering excellent venues such as the Adventurer's Club in WDW; Mickey's Party as the next big event at DLP, or Monster's Inc coming to Tokyo. It used to be I would greet every new change with open arms and fall more in love with the Disney company. Now when I hear about change, I shudder with some trepidation and at times repulsion. Why? Because of the recent track record. Yes, Expedition Everest is an exception, but it falls in the camp of thrills. Or take Crush Coaster in Paris mixing thrills and toons. It seems Disney can no longer do family friendly, highly themed experiences sans synergy (well not for nearly 10 years anyway).

Now don't get me wrong, at some level I enjoy these new things, but not as much as I used to. And just as I get cynical, Disney will surprise me with something like Remember Dreams Come True or indeed although a thrill, Expedition Everest is world class. It's not the fact that I hate change. Afterall professionally I work as an agent of change. But it seems as I read about new Disney fans or young Disney fans being excited at seeing their favorite characters, or getting reservations 6 months in advance to eat in a just ok restaurant in the castle with walk around princesses, or long for more coasters to join the park repertoire, I wonder is it me getting old?

I miss hearing about a Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow, watching the cancan girls and spitting teeth in a Western Saloon, or enjoying the cuisine and entertainment in the Tahitian Terrace. As I walk down le rue Main Street in Paris, I long to hear a marching band or barbershop quartet, where instead I now here the awful character express music as the masses mob a spotty teenager on minimum wage dressed in a hot costume. I don't mind different new attractions, as long as they are high quality and furthers the themed experience.

Am I the only one that longs for the "good old days"? as a boy, the toons were a small part of the overall experience, now they have become the main event. And to counter the focus on kids (a core part of the family), they introduce thrills. But this trend worries me for the long term survival of the Disney Parks. What happens when those people become adults, where they have outgrown toons, and don't do thrills. Or when people travel while pregnant, disabled or old. I remember going to Disneyland with my great grandmother in her 80's and 90's and having a blast together. I remember enjoying it with people from all walks of life. But now, my teenage brothers do not want to go. They find toons childish, and cannot do thrills due to their disabilities. Once upon a time, this would not have been an issue, but sadly it is now.

Am I getting old? As Vegas throw out their themes, and chains such as Rain Forest Cafe, Planet Hollywood, and Hard Rock Cafe close units, was theming a fab like the rubicks cube? But if that eponymous cube can enjoy a resurgence, maybe there is hope for the quality theme trend to come back too. Until then, if I want to see organisations pushing the envelope of themes and inspiration, I think I might be in Dubai (subject to security). But all that time, I would rather be with Disney.

Will it be a hard winter in Orlando? or Where should the UK Disneyfan go with their £'s?

Well as we know the world's economy is starting to get people to tighten their belts further and further. And Disney fans know that their addiction is a hard one to quell. The dollar is weak against the pound, but the new fuel and baggage handling charges have really made the US a really expensive option compared to 3 months ago. The Euro is expensive, but how expensive is it? In terms of cash cost though Walt Disney World (WDW) loses out, and that is going to be really rough for the coming storms (and I don't mean those famous Florida Hurricanes). So Uk Disney fans, if you need a quality Disney fix and are not sure where to go, I urge a trip to Paris. You may not really be aware what the real cost and quality differences are.

In real terms, a family of four going for 6 days can expect WDW to cost 103% more than a trip to DLP, and Disneyland in sunny California is 12% cheaper than WDW. So for those speculators expecting the Europeans to bail out WDW in the coming times, I would argue that the savvy traveller is better off in Paris or California. And with the tightening of belts, I am not sure this bail out may come to pass.

It is no secret that while I have fun at WDW, I do not think it offers the same value as it's Californian older brother, preferring quality over quantity. For others it is vacation nirvana with so much choice they could think of going nowhere else (even though Southern California offers more theme parks, shopping and beaches overall than Florida, for a cheaper plane ticket and an hour extra on the airplane). And then there is Disneyland Paris. While it does not offer the same amount of entertainment as it's American or Japanese cousins, it is one of the most beautiful resorts Disney has created, and finds it's own stride. My crystal ball tells me though that the coming economic storm will have profound impacts on each resort.

As discussed yesterday, Disneyland will probably do well as the millions of people within the 2 hour driving distance may opt for backyard vacations. The developments at Disney's California Adventure will probably continue (though maybe at a slower rate). But as we know, they need to focus on quality to appease the most critical (and some could argue most loving) fans in the Disney kingdom.

Disneyland Paris has done very well with the 15th Anniversary this last year, coming the closest to making a profit in it's 16 year history. With 4 new attractions and 3 excellent marketing campaigns across Europe, the parks are packed. As I can attest on my many walks through St Pancras International when the Disneyland Paris train rolls in, the place is more popular than ever. So it seems like the expansion balloons recently seen in Walt Disney Studios, along with the many rumours of expansion in Disneyland Parc itself, may well come to fruition. Again though, Disney must be careful in this market too. Marketing could be improved in Austria and Germany where it is virtually non existent. And with rumours of taking out more theming in the village (Buffalo Trading Post) to be replaced by a Starbucks. Or plastic flowers replacing real foliage in Main Street. These changes do little to win over those in Europe who view Disneyland Paris as a cheapqual. Also, prices have been steadily rising too. While this in itself is not a bad thing, it cannot be at the expense of quality.

But Walt Disney World better brace itself, for the storm is likely to be very cold indeed. With the tabled items of Flamingo Crossroads, and a new 100 lane bowling alley, these are hardly anything to pull the European market in. And then some say, what about the new 4 Seasons property or the proposed Night Kingdom? Well 4 Seasons is a largely unknown brand in the UK (and I am guessing the rest of Europe) and given so few Europeans ever talk about Discovery Cove, or even La Nouba, I am not guessing that will be a pull either. So what are the alternatives?

Well Kevin Yee on MiceAge and other Disney pundits are hearing rumours of free dining extensions to people staying on site, the reduction of hours, or even a dark day at Disney Hollywood Studios or Disney's Animal Kingdom. All of these I think could have a profoundly damaging impact.

First the dining plan, well at one level this seems a great deal. But as we have seen, since the Disney Dining Plan has come on board, it is near impossible to get the restaurant of choice on short notice (and that is for those of us in the know, what about neophyte visitors?), the quality may diminish (numerous accounts of San Angel Inn has demonstrated that as a chief complaint), choice and quality may take a hit at the same time ($25, £12.50, 10 euro hamburger in the Epcot France Pavilion anyone???). Not great for a resort where dining used to be outstanding and a real draw. Not that many years ago I would have called WDW the dining capitol of Disney. Sadly in the quality and choice stakes, I feel that is no longer the case.

Shortening hours. This option is sad, but a little easier to chew, provided there were not all these additional cost nights at the Magic Kingdom or proposed at the Studios park. But the dark day at WDW is almost inexcusable. If the park were marketed as a local park, not a problem. But people save up for many years for a once in a lifetime trip. They may take their kids out of school to take advantage of the smaller crowds (and price tags too). To then close a park negates the benefits. While on the face of it, the response seems fiscally prudent, the good will towards the guest will get lost. Not a good legacy for the resort marketed as the largest, most successful theme park on the planet (to potentially be dwarfed by Dubailand in the coming decade).

There are numerous measures Disney could take to negate the impact, make Walt Disney World the highest quality resort. Put on new entertainment. Market for the whole family, not just narrow demographics. Continue to expand, making the Disney Vacation Club seem like the must have item for those with money. Offer perks to your loyal fans. If more and more is cut away (to match the felling of the trees), eventually those of us who can travel will choose to take our money elsewhere. The less loyal theme park fan will enjoy the Universal and Seaworld resorts. The savvy European Disney fan will opt for Paris, Anaheim, or maybe even Tokyo.

But just on a value for money to the European Disney fan I offer the following financial model, the results may just surprise you (prices first in pounds, but lower down in US dollars and Euros):

This is based on 2 adults and 2 children under 7 going from the UK and staying in a good hotel at Disneyland Paris (Hotel New York), Walt Disney World (Swan and Contemporary) and Disneyland (the Disneyland Hotel) all quite comparable IMHO. Eating a quick breakfast (danish, yogurt and coffee), a counter service lunch - main, dessert and drink, and a 3 course table service at a restaurant such as Le Cellier, Blue Bayou and the Silver Spur. On the 6 day vacation it allows for 1 character meal, 1 special show (at WDW Hoop Dee Doo or Luau, DL - The Fantasmic Dessert Buffet, and DLP Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show - though quality is closer to La Nouba than Hoop Dee Doo), and buying 5 pins. Tokyo Disneyland and Hong Kong Disneyland have been left out due to the lower numbers of Europeans currently frequenting those resorts. It is using UK, US and Euro exchange rates looking at the last week of August to enjoy full summer season perks (Fantillusion and the new Enchanted Fireworks at Disneyland Paris; Fantasmic, DEP etc. at DL; and longer park hours at all three resorts), and the Christmas week:

So when I see figures like these and consider my happiest Disney memories, well I think there is a greater pull to other resorts. Yes, these are based on standard rates, and you can do things cheaper (use tescos club card points to get to Paris, stay off site in Florida etc.), but they give an indication of the kind of spenders I think Disney want to entice. I just hope that rather than commoditise WDW while cutting back the quality further, that Disney really invest further. How much plastic princess and pirate stuff will people want to buy? Although the WDW trained management of DLP are not perfect, and Paris does not always offer the quintessential Disney experience, at £124/$249/ €99 per person per night, compared to WDW at £252/$505/ €273 per person per night, I think more prudent Europeans will be spending Euros rather than dollars. Will the proposed sunshine and American experience be enough to pull people over . It seems the dollar differential may not pay off for tourists or Americans. And that is really scary for the house of mouse Orlando. Hopefully great news for DLP fans.

Fuller financial details: