... in 30 years I'll probably be done with it if nothing changes too...
Didn't mean to start another fire storm here, ^THIS^ was mostly what I was trying to say. And, by the way, take it from someone who has been going to Disney with his entire extended family from the time he was a baby (and whose grandfather actually helped build the place) Disney, including Magic Kingdom, hasn't always been targeted toward just 'families with young children'. That is a more recent development and not what helped Disney get to their current popularity level either. Trust me here, my grandfather could see it even more glaringly than I could the last time he was there. If that was the case, why did they host Grad Night there?
I understand that Disney wishes to put
their characters into
their rides but I completely agree with Disneyhead here too. Half ass refurbishing an attraction all ages could enjoy to sloppily put in cartoon characters, that don't even fit with the original ride theme half the time, to make it appeal really only to younger children now is a lazy move. Personally I see it for what it is, Disney trying to avoid building new quality attractions and the general 'kiddie-fying' (or a better word perhaps, dumbing down) of the parks. Its not just at MK either, look at Epcot. What happened to all the history/education based rides there. Universe of Energy, dumbed downed with Eleen. The Mexico boat ride, I still can't believe the country of Mexico would be okay with what they did there. The GM ride showing the history of the automobile, becomes a 'mock' thrill ride. Body Wars pavilion, axed entirely. The list goes on. I fear what they may do to my beloved Maelstrom next! I'd be fine if they were
adding toddler friendly attractions (along with new family/adult ones too, of course. Or doing quality refurbs to older rides) but replacing good existing attractions for ones aimed really only towards children, and building nothing new in most instances, seems like a mistake in my mind. Especially when you consider that the parents have to bring the children there. If it ends up where adults have absolutely nothing at all to interest them there (NOT that it is completely like that yet, I'm not saying that, but it seems to be heading that direction more and more) do you really see a lot of people spending entire days, not to mention multiple days, when only the kids have anything at all to do? I know parents love their children and all, but throwing away their entire vacation to go to a kid's mecca doesn't sound like a relaxing time for any parent! Again, I'm
NOT say that's how it is now, only that (god forbid) this appears to be Disney's new 'direction'.
Maybe Disney feels all they need to appeal to is children (or people with a toddler level of intelligence) now, but they are alienating a sizable part of their fan base in the process. With that said, believe it or not, I am a Disney fan and have been since a child. I still go to the parks, but nowhere near as much as I did even 5-10 years ago; and
none of the rest of my family
ever go any more; including my brothers, sisters, and friends (even the ones with young kids). I just feel like Disney is making it harder and harder for me to be on their side every time I go to a park. If you ask me their movies are more enjoyable to a wider audience than most of the attractions they've added/refurbed since Everest. Just my opinion though...