Disney World Survey Recognizes Shortcomings

Signs point to The Walt Disney Company recognizing not all is grand with Walt Disney World in 2022.

There have been some issues raised with the Walt Disney World 50th Anniversary Celebration over the last months. Not all guests have been pleased with the way things have gone. From fireworks that feel off-kilter to a nighttime parade that never materialized, not everyone is thrilled with the way things have gone with Disney World this year. Now, Disney seems to be recognizing those complaints as part of a survey they are provided to guests.

Per a report from WDWMagic (and we recommend you read the article), Disney World surveys are seeking to find out just exactly is perturbing guests. Reading between the lines, despite what Bob Chapek and Christine McCarthy (CEO and CFO respectively) might say, clearly there’s an issue with the quality of the experience or else there wouldn’t be a survey out there trying to identify why guests are displeased. That just seems obvious. So what preempted this survey? I think that’s an important question that may reveal that Disney knows some of their guests are unhappy, despite the influx of international guests which is lifting Disney World to capacity every day.

Here’s a list that Disney recognized as issues for this year (the following is not an exhaustive list — see the WDWMagic article for the entire list):

• The celebration didn’t celebrate “classic Disney” and lacked nostalgia
• Commemorative entertainment for the celebration was limited (stage shows, parades, etc.)
• The 50th-anniversary merchandise I wanted was unavailable
• The fireworks shows/nighttime spectaculars were not as good as previous shows
• It was difficult to find the special food and beverage offerings
• It was not as good as other Disney celebrations
• It seemed like Just another day in the park
• It was not special enough for a 50th-anniversary celebration
• The prices for 50th-anniversary merchandise were high
• The fireworks shows/nighttime spectaculars didn’t celebrate the 50th anniversary
• The special food and beverage offerings were limited
• The merchandise selection/variety was limited

This is not the first time Disney has sought feedback regarding perception of changes brought to Disney World recently:

Walt Disney World Sends Survey to Guests About ‘Disney Enchantment’ Compared to ‘Happily Ever After’https://t.co/f39pqK5Zg8

— WDW News Today (@WDWNT) February 16, 2022

Perhaps beyond all the pixie dust, Disney may be coming to the conclusion that not everything is glowing and well-received with Disney Parks. There is a ton of pent-up demand for Disney World from global travelers who have been holed up for years following the pandemic. But if the feeling they have as they leave, and especially if that feeling is similar for domestic guests, Disney World’s reputation could be diminished in the years after the influx abates.

For all the latest news that should be fun, keep reading That Park Place. As always, drop a comment down below and let us know your thoughts. We’d love to hear them!