Disney World theme parks becoming ‘de-themed’ trend: Opinion
In many instances, Walt Disney World has done away with the über-themed, kitschy, in-your-face designs of decades past and replaced them with more “modern,” plain design.
Why do people visit Walt Disney World? No, seriously, why spend as much money as a Disney vacation costs to stay in a hotel at a price significantly more than your typical Hilton or Marriott? If you ask someone who visits frequently, they are sure to cite the magical environment as a justification of the price tag. I personally agree. The magic I feel at the Disney parks is unmatched in my eyes, but I’d be lying if I said I didn’t feel a shift.
Walt Disney World’s onsite hotels, parks, and shopping district used to be undeniably Disney. Nowadays, the theming seems almost comparable to your local outdoor shopping mall or SpringHill Suites. Erasing the charm people know and love you for, is a direction a lot of companies these days head towards. For the sake of being “modern,” some companies are erasing the charm people know and love them for by scrubbing away anything that could be interpreted as “tacky.”
The same questions have bounced around in my mind for years: “Would Da Vinci repaint the Mona Lisa? Would he sacrifice his masterpiece in hopes of staying relevant?”
Epcot
The Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow was designed by Walt Disney to be a real-life city of the future in the Walt Disney World Resort. Unfortunately due to his passing, this idea later became the theme park we know and love today. In its early years, the themes Walt had intended for his community of tomorrow were reflected in the attractions Epcot had to offer.
Future World, a glance into the tomorrow that could be, had a very ’80s retro view of the future, which it retained with steady updates until the mid-2000s when updates seemed few in far between. At D23 Expo 2017, Disney revealed Epcot would go through a massive overhaul, which it detailed further in 2019. This included the center of Future World, which included the Electric Umbrella quick-service restaurant, the Mouse Gear gift shop, and Innoventions (exhibits that showcased new developments in technology).
Image courtesy of Disney
To see such a beloved park get a proposed overhaul that seemed to be a true labor of love was extremely heartwarming. I felt sad to be losing what I had grown up with, but as Epcot always taught me, the future was bright.
Over the years, the center of Future World would open in phases, renamed “World Celebration” as part of Epcot’s multi-year transformation. Once things started to open, however, I started to lose hope.
Electric Umbrella to Connections Café
Let’s start with the Electric Umbrella. The dark, neon-lit quick service served up your usual theme park food (and the stomach ache that would follow). A childhood favorite of mine, it was replaced with Connections Café.
Photos by Attractions Magazine
Connections stripped all the theming of Electric Umbrella and replaced it with a very bright quick-service dining location. There’s a nice mural on the wall, and it always smells like fresh pastries when you enter, but that’s where the theming ends.
Photo by David Roark / Disney
Connections Café is a nice place to wait out the rain, but it doesn’t hold a candle to what it used to be. Electric Umbrella had talking trash cans. Connections Café has ZERO talking trash cans. If that’s not enough to show you the downgrade that took place here, I’m not sure what is!
Mouse Gear to Creations Shop
Mouse Gear was the coolest gift shop in the Disney parks when I was little. I loved the factory theming, and walking around finding my favorite characters hidden in the background.
Photos by Attractions Magazine
Transforming this popular gift shop meant there were big shoes to fill! I couldn’t wait to see how Disney would top Mouse Gear. As always, I was sad to see it go, as it was the first place I started buying park souvenirs with my own money as a child! So what did Disney do?
Photo courtesy of Disney
The photo above is not a high-end boutique as you might think! It is the Creations Shop, standing were Mouse Gear once stood. Walking in for the first time was exciting, then I quickly realized I was at the duty-free store at the airport. It was a massive let down removing all the character and heart Mouse Gear had.
I could talk about Epcot and the downgrades that have taken place in Future World for hours, but it all looks so similar. Trying to say anything about World Celebration that doesn’t mention its likeness being derived from something airport-related is almost like beating a dead horse.
World of Disney at Disney Springs
Disney Springs, or as it was known when I was younger, Downtown Disney, was the closest I could get to the magic when my family couldn’t afford to go to the parks. It was glorious! World of Disney, the largest Disney store in the world, replicated the feeling of entering the magic of Magic Kingdom. Some of my fondest and earliest memories in life took place at Downtown Disney.
Photo courtesy of Disney
World of Disney still has a very special place in my heart, which is why it was so hard to watch the magic seemingly vanish from the store during its 2018 makeover. The previous design adorned the ceiling with large figures of Disney characters (pictured above). Something about looking up and seeing these friendly faces made whatever amount of Christmas and birthday money I was spending feel like nothing! You might wonder, “They’re just on the ceiling, why would they remove them”? I agree. When World of Disney emerged from its redesign, though, the characters were gone and the ceiling was made plain.
Photo by Attractions Magazine
This will always be one of the most heartbreaking changes in terms of theming at Walt Disney World to me. It’s really not that serious, because it is just a store. But to the little ones visiting for the first time or for those who may not be able to afford to walk through the gates of Magic Kingdom, the magic they can access makes all the difference. If you show this picture to any person who isn’t a Disney fan, they would never guess that this is supposed to be THE place to go for all of your Disney merchandise. I talk a lot about the negatives of de-theming, but there is a positive, and that’s …
Walt Disney World value resorts
Cheap, kitschy, tacky. All words I’ve heard used to describe Disney’s Pop Century and All-Star Resorts. You know what? They’re right! That’s the best part about them! Not only are these hotels relatively cheap ways to stay on property in Walt Disney World; in my eyes, they are the most magical places to stay. Maybe it’s a personal bias based on what Disney felt like to me growing up. Anything reminiscent for the ’90s-’00s Disney era causes an overwhelming wave of nostalgia to hit me like a typhoon.
Pop Century explores the “unforgettable fads” of the ’50s through the ’90s with massive set pieces. With huge statues showcasing Disney movies corresponding to the era they were released during, it’s truly hard to hate on something so charming.
Photo by Attractions Magazine
I understand the value resorts are not for everybody. Some parties prefer more regal places to stay on their vacation like Grand Floridian! Grand Floridian is a gorgeous resort, an extremely relaxing place to stay. Personally, if I want to feel like I’m really staying at Disney, I want to immerse myself in what feels the MOST like staying at Disney.
Conclusion
This does not even scratch the surface of the de-theming that has taken place in recent years at Walt Disney World. It’s a trend that doesn’t seem to be slowing down anytime soon. Immersive lands such as Pandora – The World of Avatar or Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge are so intricately detailed and receive critical acclaim. Epcot’s CommuniCore Hall festival center looks like terminal C at Orlando International Airport, to which there’s little to no fanfare due to those mourning the loss of the charm it replaced.
The real word is bland. Families visit Disney to see something different: to be amazed by something they’ve never seen before, and could possibly never see again outside of those gates.
Photo courtesy of Disney
Photo by Matt Roseboom
“Would Da Vinci repaint the Mona Lisa? Would he sacrifice his masterpiece in hopes of staying relevant?” I ask again, but I intend to rephrase.
“Would Walt have sacrificed his personal vision for Disneyland to be like everybody else?”
Would the man who sought out to create something new and never done before try to replicate the experiences that had disappointed him?
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wow this really got me in my feels about old disney, great article!!
The World of Disney change is the one I feel the most. Great job with this article!
I’ve had these exact thoughts with McDonald’s for years! Growing up I LOVED McDonald’s. The themes, the playplaces, the fun. As I got older, I didn’t spend much time if at all there since I tried to take a healthier approach on life. As an expecting parent in 2017, I began to think about things I’d do with my kids as they grew up. Oddly, 1 of those thoughts was to take them to McDonald’s. As my kid got older, I took them on their first visit and was sadly disappointed to find that McDonald’s had re-themed into a corporate break room. The fun colors were gone. No sign of Ronald or his game were anywhere to be found. And the play places turned into empty pottery space for aesthetics. Sadly, it’s not just Disney, and it’s disappointing.
Ugh! Like a punch in the gut! Disney has changed the decor now? Disney had changed so much since my family and I first entered Magic Kingdom Park in 1995, not realizing at that time that we would be going and staying in the WDW Resort every year at least once but sometimes 3 times a year. Then becoming part of the DVC members family in 2000. Our trips were so magical and fun, we never wanted to go home. Everything was just so wonderful from the theming to the wonderful cast members. But sadly, everything has changed in that aspect. Now there are mostly woke individuals who could care less if you are having a good time. Also, the reservations you have to have to go to the parks make it very annoying. And what about our beloved fast passes? Those are gone for forever. I can’t stand the new system so now, I don’t even bother going on any rides unless it’s a very short wait time. I want my old Disney back! I want to have that magical feeling again where I would get butterflies when I would think of our upcoming trip. Hey, I pay Disney monthly for my maintenence fees as all of us owners do. Couldn’t we have had a say in this? Obviously not! Boo Disney!
Dear Wriiter,
I think you brought out a very true transformation element to what is happening at Disney. Epcot’s epic transformation should have shown a vision of Walt, himself. But, as you state, the current management of Disney has list faith with the actual creator, and now believe they should be a bland everyday business that thinks it should charge high prices for plain everyday offerings. This is why Universal is gaining attraction from families and singles because they have learned something unique is worth the visit. Epic Universe is something Walt would build. Disney’s current management certainly does not know what Walt built.
So true! It saddens me that things that used to feel special are now so watered down that you really couldn’t identify that you were in WDW. The OKW remodel took most of the personality out of that gorgeous resort. SSR is so flavorless and bland. And the changes at Epcot have been sadly uninspired.
To me I wonder if Disney hasn’t realized (or will realize once it’s too late) that this de-theming effect is a lagging metric. We remember the magic as children and that is what makes us want to come back and bring our own children as adults. The children of today though? What magic are they seeing that will make them want to bring their children back years from now? I see these budget and imagination cuts as short term gains for long term losses. It appears that Disney is investing for the shareholder of today with no thought for how it will ripple into the world of tomorrow.
The whole reason for staying on property is the theming. There are hotels that were built wighout the themes. People can go there if they think it is tacky! Disney should quit taking away the stuff we love.
I don’t even go to Disney Springs when I’m there anymore. I have an outlet 30 minutes from my house.
I seriously miss Mouse Gear…Creations is so generic and doesn’t have the enormous variety that Mouse Gear did. Also I’m not a fan of Disney Springs…again, too generic. I like when it was Disney Village with smaller specialty shops. And throughout WDW there used to be specialty shops that fit the theme of wherever they were located. Now all merchandise is pretty much the same. The quality isn’t great for the prices they charge. Sad…
So spot on!! There were some downsides to the Eisner era, but that theming was completely unmatched. Even Winter Summerland and Fantasia Gardens reflect it so well. Disney would never make something like that today and it really does show. It definitely feels like they’re needlessly downgrading in many ways.
Good article but tbh I’m so busy looking at merch and trying to push my way through the people I didn’t even notice the change…
We agree, hence why we no longer go there. The magic is gone. Between ppl cussing, fighting , drunk and sitting in fountains, and being elbow to elbow, we just couldn’t find anything fun anymore.
We’ll go to Universal now because at least they treat Passholders as special and you get so much bang for your buck when you stay at one of the top tier resorts.
YES Disney Mgt has lost sight of what brought generation after generation to the hotels and parks. Why Management believes that the shopping mall look will create the multi generational want to go back is a mystery to me. Disney ugliest hotel build is directly next to the Polynesian and had completely killed the Polynesian Paradise vibe that Walt so painfully developed. I thought Eiger Would bring back the pixie dust, but so far no indication. If they put a finance guy in his place, start carving the headstone for Disney for the life of me. I can’t understand why management doesn’t understand the formula that Is responsible for Disney success. 40 years of watching management
wipeout Walts dream.
GREAT ARTICLE!
Because the Asian shareholders and tourists LOVE the shopping mall look. And that’s who they are catering to now. The American tourist market can pound sand for all these Disney execs care. They are only worried what the foreign travel market thinks.
I was never a big fan of Michael Eisner, but Bob Iger and his team of minions (as well as those terrible years with Chapek at the helm) have completely destroyed all the magic that made WDW and even Disneyland (though not as severely) what they were. It’s very very sad, truly.
Thank you for this article. Not only do I agree with you, I could not articulate my disappointment and shock, really, that corporate Disney has become a purveyor of a brand name rather than a representation of Walt Disney’s genius, vision, and heart. When you buy a jar of Hellman’s mayonnaise do you even know (or care) who Hellman was? That’s what has happened to everything associated with Disney.
I have heard all the arguments, good, bad and worst on this subject. I have been a part of the “magic ” since the early 70’s. It is not the same. There are varying opinions on this. While I am certain Mr Disney would understand the growing with the times concept, I must agree that what we see today would not make him smile.
Ever since Disney started to go woke, the quality and magic of WDW has died. It’s clear that Iger and his team (and for sure Chapek and his) could care less about WDW and all the magic it brought to so many of us over the years. I’ve been to WDW 12 times in my life, because it truly was a magical place to visit and escape the outside world. And WDW used to be THE magical destination of Orlando, because Universal just felt like your usual amusement park, with some theming here and there. But now, Universal is learning what the public wants and they continue to deliver. Disney on the other hand? All they care about it money and pleasing the foreign travelers, as well as catering to the woke population. I have a 7 year old son and when i first got married, I did dream about taking our children to WDW. But, not anymore. Legoland and Universal, as well as SeaWorld top our travel list now. All WDW has for my son is Mickey and Toy Story 🙁