I understand how the OP is feeling sad about Disney World, because I have been feeling that way more and more. Each time I read about a new way for Disney to make money at something I consider to be to the detriment of the experience, it makes me a little sadder. OK, I know Disney is a business, they are in it for the money, they can do what they want, yadda yadda yadda. Here's the deal, though. I have been to WDW 26? 27? times since March of 1999. When we started going to WDW, I was constantly amazed by how welcomed I felt there. It seemed like the company was glad to have us there, and wanted us to enjoy our vacation to the max. I felt like we were treasured guests, and even though I knew we were paying for this experience, there was value in going to WDW and it was worth it; I didn't mind shelling out the money because the experience was so unique and welcoming. This went on for about 10 years, and my family kept returning to WDW. Then, something changed. The little things that made you feel special and made WDW such a unique experience started falling by the wayside. Some of the little things were little, like no more park-specific napkins or buffet menus, but some of the losses felt more significant, like losing pre-show entertainment. Sure, you had to be at Fantasmic! an hour before show time, but you knew that there'd be a magician or juggling act or something to fill the time. Who else does a pre-show beside Disney? Then there was the issue of non-expiring tickets. Buy as many days as you like, and you could use them FOREVER until all the admission days were gone. Who else does that besides Disney? Now, I cannot even buy a non-expiry option as an additional charge to my tickets. It used to be that when you checked into a Disney hotel, whatever price, special, deal, etc. was in effect on your check-in day was good for your entire length-of-stay (kind-of like how if you check in on the last day of a free-dining window, you get free dining the whole time you are there). No increase in price for weekend nights, no increase in price if you went from value season to a more expensive season, etc. In the restaurants, you could get kids' meals, but you could also get half-portions, for half-price plus $1. It was a wonderful way for kids to experience new cuisines, or for the diner with a smaller appetite. That's gone, too. It always felt like Disney might be saying, "Sure, it's expensive to vacation at WDW, but we want you to get the MOST for your money and have the best experience EVER. We want you to be our guest." Now-a-days, it feels like Disney will nickel and dime you at every possible opportunity.
People laugh now and say, "It was only a napkin, how ridiculous that a napkin 'made' your trip," but it was the little things that Disney seemed to take such pride in offering that disappeared, little by little, until I was feeling less and less like a treasured guest and more and more like a "cha-ching" to the bottom line with each subsequent trip. I think that every time Disney changes a policy or process that makes it more favorable to them, a little part of the magic dies. Yes, they are a business and their goal is to make money, but it seems they USED to take pride in going over the top to make you feel like the most valued guest ever. Now? Cha-ching.
