First, I just want to clarify my car #1 position. IMHO, a car #1'er does not necessarily believe that the "goods" philosophy has had no negative impact whatsoever on the parks. (And I'll extend it to the resorts, since we have had so much fun with chocolate and butter...)
There are a few things that have bothered me. The ride closures without replacements is the big one, but I still don't see this as being out of control. But, for me at least, there is so much Magic in the things that are there, the negatives are not nearly enough for me to say the Magic has faded. To me, the negatives are little things that any dynasty is going to go through. Its inevitable that over time, mistakes will be made. But, with respect to the parks and resorts, I don't see any mistakes that are siginficant enough to fade the Magic, and certainly nothing that makes me think Disney is in a death spiral.
Shops on Main Street? I really believe this is another one of those "taste" questions. I can understand how someone would want the eclectic mix that many are lamenting. But take the magic shop for example. Its a nice, quaint idea, but frankly, it does not interest me in the least. I PREFER it to be more of a general goods store. As long as the CMs are still Disney quality, the architecture and "feel" remain Disneyesque, I am happier. Now I know, there are many who consider this catering to the lowest common denominator, and if that's how I am to be defined, so be it. This is one guest whose experience is enhanced by many of the changes.
Baron, you are absolutely right when you say:
What was insignificant to one guest may very well define the magic for another.
Replacing the magic shop may have hurt the Magic for some, but keep in mind it enhanced it for some as well.
I'd say it is very clear to me that the old business model is not outdated!! Instead the company has willfully chosen a different strategy. One that concentrates on short term gains only and totally ignores and dismisses the long term philosophies that used to serve the company so well.
I agree that the strategy has at least been modified. But I am not yet convinced that the long term philosophy has been abandoned. Hopefully you will at least grant that it is at least possible to increase short term gains without sacrificing long term gains?
Making sequels, in and of itself, does not hinder long term success. As long as new, successful product is created, success will endure. However, if creativity is abandoned, then long term goals have also been abandoned. But I believe Atlantis was a successful attempt at creativity and innovation, it just was not a commercial success. I am very interested in Lilo & Stitch and Treasure Planet, and even moreso in the company's reaction to their commercial success or failure.
But back to the parks/resorts...
If the info posted by others is correct, chocolates and turndown are still available on request. I can see where somebody who thinks these are wonderful services would be upset that they must now request the service. However, there are those who don't want to be bothered with Mousekeeping in the evening. They are at least sometimes in their rooms at this time and actually don't want the intrusion. So making it an on-request service, in theory, makes everybody happy.
What is my point? Wait, what IS my point.... Oh yeah, its very easy to jump to the conclusion that everytime a decision is made that we don't like, its an example of a short-sighted, penny-pinching philosophy. I'm just saying that there is frequently more to it than that, and while its clear that current management has been tightening the belt, its not nearly to the extreme many portray it to be.