1. Redo G+. You want to keep comparing it to MaxPass? Fine - then we're doing this like MP. No waking up at 7 to pull times, you do it when you get to the park. No ILL$. And the option to do all of it for free, but paying for an advantage if people want to so badly - e.g. you can get it on the phone instead of paper ones, or if everything is moving to phone then you can book a day in advance or something. But a free option is essential. And get rid of G-, it's never worked anyway...and with this IT, it's never going to work.
2. Fewer hotels but fully-staffed. I know, not everyone would like this one, but having everything open and not enough people for staffing clearly isn't working. And by "fully-staffed," I mean no more grab-and-go QS hot food (looking at you, CSR).
2a. Stop outsourcing to third parties. A bunch of food places, including some QS. The coach busses. It means you lose control over any kind of "Disney Standard", which would be fine but we're still paying Disney Prices. And, from experience, I'm certain it costs Disney more to run that way anyway.
3. Start reestablishing DME, including the luggage service. I know this would take more doing because the company that had handled the luggage went under, but it is such a convenience. Even if there does have to be a charge, if everything is taken care of for me then I wouldn't feel as salty as I do about charging for the bus ride but I still have to schlep my stuff.
4. Improve entertainment - formal daytime (as those help eat up crowds like crazy), the more 'impromptu' daytime, and nighttime.
5. Understand what your brand strengths are, and lean into them. Let's face it, we don't go to Disney parks because it's a good value - it's more expensive than any of the alternatives. The reasons are twofold: nostalgia and unique experiences. We take our kids because it's where we went as kids, because we remember our parents taking us on Star Tours for the first time or turning the corner to discover our favourite character walking down the street. We come back because of our fond memories from previous trips. It's the 50th anniversary and there's no nostalgia being invoked? Say what you will about EPCOT Forever, but - aside from its nonsequitor ending - it was drenched in nostalgia. All the old songs from bygone attractions. DL's 60th nighttime show was technologically awesome and also such a love letter to the parks. The ads for MSEP when it came back to
Disneyland a few years ago had an entire state tearing up and rushing to buy tickets. Lean into the nostalgia. The other reason people come is for experiences you can't get elsewhere. Things you can't do other places. Technology that makes you wonder how in the world they did that. Ride moments that take your breath away. Awesome performances.
What does this mean? It means if you're going to replace something, its replacement has to be at least 10% better than the old version. Ideally more like 50% better, but that takes time. It can't just be jamming IP in for IP's sake, there needs to be a reason for it. (And IP, when added in well, can be an *awesome* addition!) It can't just be cutting the ride in half and taking out all its charm. When you put in a lesser replacement to save money, it shows - and, in the age of the internet, it sparks endless lousy media cycles. So not worth it.
Obviously everything people are listing would cost money. That's normal - we as guests want more bang for our buck. Why shouldn't we? We're paying for it, after all! But to me, so much of what feels off about the parks comes down to two things: the nickel-and-diming/getting less for the same price, and a lack of understanding about what people love about Disney theme parks. The fixes we're listing address the symptoms, but really it's about treating the cause.
