Within the executive decision-making at Disney, there seems to be a failure of understanding why people love Disney World; why so many of us go back year after year. They think by building uber-expensive thrill rides and next-level immersive lands, visitor satisfaction will go up, regardless of what else is going on in the parks.
I think they genuinely believe people will return home and tell all their friends, "you got to go to WDW because this ride experience is the coolest thing ever!!" When, in fact, the opposite is true. The lines on these rides are too long, and the new lands are overcrowded, leaving the guest both frustrated and overwhelmed.
For most Disney lifers, we know it has never been about the headliner attractions. One 5 min ride, if you can get on it, has never, nor will ever, be enough of a reason to return. If it were, Cedar Point would be the busiest park in the world.
The execs need to ask themselves, "Why were more people excited about the Skyliner than they are, Tron?" How many of our guests, without hesitation, would rather have Magical Express with its luggage delivery system than Pandora or Galaxy's Edge?" "Why do the overwhelming majority, even amongst those who can easily afford it, favor an equitable fast-pass system to
Genie+?"
There is an intangible quality about the Disney World experience that always seemed worth it regardless of price. These recent changes are a serious miscalculation on what motivates the fanbase. While it may take several years to hurt the financial bottom line, it has already negatively impacted the present atmosphere of the park.