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We’ve seen major changes in how theme parks function during the past few years, and it’s not just because of the pandemic. In particular, Disney has made significant changes to Walt Disney World that could shift the entire business model. Expected perks are going away, and the arrival of paid FastPass could make a huge impact. How will guests respond to so many changes (and additional fees) on their next vacation? It’s a complicated situation with no easy answers, so I’ve turned to the perfect guest to help navigate everything.
Len Testa returns to The Tomorrow Society Podcast for my first Theme Park Think Tank. As the President of Touring Plans.com and co-host of The Disney Dish Podcast, he has extensive knowledge of the industry. On this episode, Len and I cover four main topics: transportation, FastPasses, attractions, and global issues surrounding the parks. We focus on Walt Disney World, but the subjects go beyond Disney’s flagship resort.
The big questions for Disney involve challenges with satisfying customers while pursuing short-term profits. Disney is a business, but top-notch service and value was key to their growth in the 1990s under Michael Eisner. As their approach evolves, what impact will current decisions have on the resort’s future? Len and I discuss ideas for providing a better guest experience, including pedestrian walkways, expanding the Disney Skyliner, and increasing capacity. I really enjoyed Len’s candid, smart views on Disney and theme parks during this episode.
Show Notes: Len Testa
Learn more about Touring Plans.com and the Unofficial Guides.
Follow Len Testa on Twitter and listen to the Disney Dish Podcast with Jim Hill.
Listen to Len Testa’s past appearances on The Tomorrow Society Podcast in these episodes: 8, 20, 39, and 65.
Support The Tomorrow Society Podcast and buy me a Dole Whip!
Hi Dan,
Enjoyed this episode, as always. I think you had interviewed Len before, but this may be the first one I’ve listened to. It was very refreshing to hear someone talk bluntly about what Disney is doing these days, and not sugar-coat it. I happened to hear this broadcast just days after the announcements about Genie, and the new pricing- so it was interesting to see how it played out just as you both predicted.
It’s a shame to see so many in the Disney media sphere try to spin it and make it sound like a good thing. It’s like Stockholm syndrome, Disney keeps abusing it’s fans and they keep coming back for more. I stopped renewing my annual pass in 2019… because at the time they started changing for parking at the resorts, and dramatically increased the prices of food around the parks. I remember being shocked to see bottles of water going for nearly 5 bucks! Ever since 2018 or so, I’ve never found a decently priced value or moderate resort. It seems that “surge pricing” is effect all year round. And now they took away fast pass, and replaced it with Genie+, which not only cost money , but doesn’t give you access to the best attractions.
To quote Kermit & Rowlf, “I hope that something better comes along”. I have good memories at Disney World, but for the foreseeable future I’m voting with my wallet and going elsewhere. I’m long overdue for a Universal visit anyway, as well as long list of other destinations that have lots to offer. I wish enough other people would do the same, to humble the Disney corporation… and get their priorities straight; but I’m not very optimistic about that.
Thanks for the good work with the Podcast. I enjoy listening to these shows, especially the ones that talk about all the good stuff that once was (Miss you Horizons!). It’s good to reminisce and preserve this information, to hopefully inspire the next generation of Imagineers, whether they work for Disney or not.
Thanks Chris! I’m glad you enjoyed this episode and the podcast in general. I think your thinking right now is shared by a lot of fans, which is really too bad. I’m excited to get back to the parks, but I’m with you and hope to also take a Universal trip once it gets safer to travel. There’s a lot there that I still need to catch up with too.