I’d been hearing it for the last few year:  Disney was putting up fewer and fewer Christmas decorations.  Still, I didn’t notice.  The parks and resorts were beautifully decorated, Cinderella castle sitting there right in the middle of it all, shimmering in all its “icicle” covered perfection.  It was the kind of sight that could make even the most jaded world traveler sit back and take notice.  But this year was different.  Not in the resorts, so much, but in the parks. Something was missing.  As soon as you leave Main Street in the Magic Kingdom, there are very few decorations.  In some parts of the parks, you wouldn’t know it was Christmas except for the decorations in the store windows.

I know that when Disney announced that Epcot would no longer put up the Lights of Winter, many Disney fans were disappointed.  Disney’s reason for not putting them up, that it was “outdated” technology,” became a running joke among online Disney fans.  Outdated?  But it’s just Christmas tree lights, right?  The kind you get at Target.   Obviously, in light of this year’s dearth of decorations, Disney’s removal of the Lights of Winter seems even more like a cost-cutting measure. It’s understandable in these tough economic times, but disappointing nonetheless. 

I tend to be the type of Disney fan who doesn’t “pick.”  I don’t go through the parks and spend my time pointing out what Disney is doing wrong.  But when I notice?  It’s kind of obvious.  And it tends to lead to more “picking.” Suddenly, you can’t help but wonder what else has changed?  If you’re a first-time December visitor, you’re probably not going to notice, but those of us who go often enough, we do. And sometimes its hard not to feel like your continued patronage is being taken for granted.   Really, I hate to even say that because it sounds so entitled, but I don’t think it’s wrong to expect the same level of service you’re used to each time you visit, particularly from a company that defines itself by its excellent customer service.

Let’s hope that next year, the economy gets better for everyone, including Disney.  I will say that despite fewer actual Christmas decorations, the holiday spirit was alive and well in the cast members I encountered on my visit earlier this month.  Cast members, as always, were doing an excellent job. Many times, despite the record cold weather, they were going above and beyond.  So we know that the Disney magic is still there.  Next holiday season, let’s hope we can see more physical manifestations of that magic as well.

Chris writes here and at Everything Walt Disney World. She’s also a member of the Mouse Chat Podcast.