It is easy to focus on the negative.  It’s human nature for most folks – even if you tend to be a glass-half-full person most of the time, change is tough!  I’ve mentioned it several times before, but feel the need to weigh in again today after watching the Disney fan community erupt on social media in opposition to recent cut-backs, closures, price increases, and event changes.  Over the past few days a Disney survey collecting opinions on the proposed addition of $15 per night resort fees has caused quite a stir and those fees don’t yet exist.  Food offering changes are also a hot button for Disney park fans.  Heck, I’ve expressed my own disappointment over the loss of the Roasted Pork Shank from Gaston’s Tavern and the Sweet and Spicy Chicken Waffle from Sleepy Hollow (both beloved Magic Kingdom snacks!).

WDW – Short Term Sacrifice / Long Term Gain?

I can hear my buddy, David Hodges (co-host on The Disney Exchange Podcast), reminding me that Disney is a for-profit company with enormous reach, global interests, and shareholder obligations.  I’m sure cost-control and profit margins do have quite a bit to do with some recent changes like the cutbacks on live entertainment in Magic Kingdom, Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios along with ticket price increases.

In the back of my mind though, I can’t stop thinking about the other stuff.  The new rides and attractions under construction at Walt Disney World.  (The two new Disney Cruise Line ships that were just announced.)  No, I don’t want to pay more for a Disney vacation, but I DO really (really, really REALLY!) want to ride the new rides, see the new shows and explore the new lands.  UGH!  I’m supposed to be whining with the other Disney fans about the greed, the money-grubbing, the ridiculous cost-cutting…but all I can think about is that perhaps Disney World will be better after these growing pains have been dealt with.  Maybe, just maybe, after closures, construction walls, and cutbacks we will find that all of it… the inconvenient and expensive changes and adjustments…has been worth it.  What if the painful short-term sacrifices produce exceptional long-term gains and our favorite vacation destinations emerge better than they’ve ever been before? As for me?  I’m willing to wait and see for myself if all the upheaval has been worth it.  I’m optimistic that I’ll find true Disney vacation happiness still exists on the other side.

What about you?  Where do you stand with recent Disney vacation changes?