Disney World’s 50th anniversary a reason to mourn decline of show quality
With this month’s celebration of the 50th anniversary of Disney World, it’s worth reflecting on how the Mouse House has changed since it opened in 1971.
As a former Disney employee with fond memories of the “old” Disney World, I know first-hand how things have changed there since the 1980s.
The start of this transmutation coincided with the decline of “Show Quality” department, which existed to ensure that Walt’s vision of venue inter-congruency and environmental quality was maintained.
When Disney World was being designed, one of Walt’s primary considerations was quality of the “show.” The layout of everything, from venues within the Magic Kingdom to placement of resort hotels, was based on how each complemented or detracted from the overall experience.
For example, the Contemporary Resort was visible from Tomorrowland, and the Polynesian Village was across the lagoon from Adventureland. During construction of Disney World, Walt reportedly ordered a waterway that was too straight to be rebuilt in meandering fashion to make it seem more natural.
The department in charge of show quality had the authority to stop work on any new project that would be aesthetically incongruous with other themed elements. Maintaining this level of aesthetic quality apparently proved too costly. This began an era characterized by a loss of class when it comes to Disney World and its venues, which no longer had to be visually consistent.
When MGM Studios opened in proximity to EPCOT Center, the adjacent hotels were visible from the French Pavilion and dwarfed the nearby scale-model of the Eiffel Tower.
Since then even more astonishingly tacky hotels, like the Pop Century and All-Star resorts have been built, and existing hotels decorated with cartoon characters. Bay Lake Tower, one of the latest mass-housing facilities just north of the Contemporary, competes with the majestic appearance of the original A-frame hotel, as Orlando SunTrust Center would if moved next to the Lincoln Memorial.
Disney’s other recent makeover is the Polynesian Village, once a tranquil resort that is now just another tasteless moneymaker. Its Papeete Bay Veranda, once serving island cuisine in a quiet atmosphere, is now essentially a family-style Japanese steakhouse.
Even the namesake of Disney’s wife, the elegant Empress Lilly riverboat christened by Lillian Disney herself, has morphed into another high-priced mess hall.
Like many things at Disney World these days, these newfangled venues diminish the grandeur of the original architecture and overall show experience. Disney’s preoccupation with profit over show is also seen inside its theme parks.
The Magic Kingdom, for example, previously boasted specialty shops for everything from flowers to antiques, each consistent with its themed area. These high-show but low-revenue shops are now filled with Disney souvenirs, clothing, and toys.
Nearby at Lake Buena Vista, what was once a quiet arts-and-crafts village for adults has been likewise homogenized into souvenir stores catering to kids, adjacent to a not-soquiet entertainment strip. And any meal invariably involves compulsory dining with ubiquitous life-size characters.
Although characters sell and souvenirs are profitable, their viral takeover at Disney World has cheapened what was once a high-quality experience for adults and children alike. Gone are the days when Disney’s corporate values emphasized show over profits, and class over schlock.
I used to think that I would eventually return to Disney after retiring from NASA. But, the more I hear about how it is no longer Disney’s world, the more I want to avoid even going back for a visit. I’d rather savor the memories of what was once a vacation and work experience that I was proud to be a part of.
I wonder, though, if the next generation of visitors and employees will know anything about the legacy of Walt’s dream that became Disney World, and the value of show quality that he originally espoused.
Will any of the formerly classy venues like the Empress Lilly and Papeete Bay Veranda ever be resurrected by some Disney underground movement? After all, isn’t anything possible at Disney World, where dreams come true?
Like many things at Disney World these days, these newfangled venues diminish the grandeur of the original architecture and overall show experience.