Is Walt Disney World Still Magical?
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Banter
27-Dec-2023 |
Our opinion on whether Walt Disney World in Florida still has the magic.
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A Mickey From The UK Facebook Group member asked, "Those of you who visit Disney World frequently, what is it actually like there at the moment in comparison to 3 years ago? We are booked to go but all of the negativity we are seeing is really putting us off."
Since the border closures, we've been back to Walt Disney World twice. Once in September 2022 and again in June 2023. In summary, the answer is yes the magic is still very well alive, and although there are some caveats, things are returning to the old normal.
What Magic Is To You
For you, the answer will depend on what the "magic" is to you. Is it watching fireworks? Getting a character hug? Having a cast member give you a sticker? The general atmosphere of the parks? If you were to write down what makes Walt Disney World magical to you, I think you'll find most (if not all) of those things are still there and present.
If it's watching fireworks at the Magic Kingdom, Happily Ever After is back and it's better than ever. Fantasmic! as well is back and better than ever, and although at the time of writing, I have yet to see "Luminous The Symphony of Us", it looks to be visually stunning with unique pyrotechnics.
If it's getting character hugs then the characters are as awesome as ever. They're still great and amazingly playful. Here's an example of Pluto wanting the centre of attention in a photo and the joy your favourite character brings.
Is it the atmosphere? The magical atmosphere is still very much there. For example, sitting in EPCOT and watching the world go by is still one of my favourite things to do. The new light show on the ball is just stunning- I could sit and watch it for hours.
Amazing moments? We had Donald & Daisy on the parade noticing our Donald & Daisy Halloween party costumes. These magical moments still happen.
The two main hurdles that impact the "magic" are going away. Thankfully, the park reservation system and the park hopping limitations are being scrapped starting on January 8th, 2024, for date-based tickets. The UK-Exclusive Disney Magic tickets are date-based tickets.
Parking fees at the resorts have also been scrapped for people who still like to rent a car. The Disney Dining plan - something people have been screaming for - is finally back, but priced much higher than it was before. However, Genie+ doesn't appear to be going away anytime soon and the days of included Fastpass+ are probably behind us.
The main issue for most people is the ever increasing cost. While I believe the UK-Exclusive Disney Magic tickets are still excellent value and the hotel prices are generally reasonable, for many it's the food and drinks that's the wallet killer.
Every time Disney increases prices, your cost-to-magic ratio limit might be reached. What's worse is the more you have to pay, the higher (even subconsciously) your expectations are - which turns into a vicious cycle that could lead to disappointment. The cost might (understandably) kill the magic for some, but the magic is very much still in the parks, it just costs more now.
I started Mickey From The UK to help people get the most out of their trips. I give honest reviews of my experiences at hotels, restaurants, and more. With the cost of trips going nowhere but up, it's more important than ever to not waste a second on experiences that don't result in you having the best trip possible. It's always sad when families get priced out, but sites like Mickey From The UK have only gained in popularity because of this. People still want to experience and even pay these higher costs for the magic, and people are scoping out ways to make the most of it.
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