May 07, 2026

Is Disney Actually Listening… (Ep. 16)

36 minutes

Lauren and Eric dig into a question Disney fans have been quietly (and loudly) asking: is Disney finally starting to listen again? From ride reliability to cast member culture shifts and the return of meaningful passholder perks, the duo breaks down what’s changed and what might just be clever business strategy.

Then they pivot to the dollars-and-cents reality of annual passes in 2026, exploring whether the latest discounts and perks actually make them worth it. Along the way, they balance optimism with skepticism and invite listeners to decide for themselves what’s really driving Disney’s recent moves.

HIGHLIGHTS

Ride reliability improvements point to proactive maintenance and fewer breakdowns across major attractions

Disney acknowledges post-COVID hiring gaps and refocuses on cast member hospitality training

Fan influence shows up in visible changes like the Magic Kingdom castle repaint

Major 2026 refurbishments planned for classic rides including Big Thunder Mountain and Buzz Lightyear

Galaxy’s Edge begins shifting to include classic Star Wars characters after years of fan feedback

VIP Passholder Summer Days expands with deeper perks and a longer three-month run

40% dining discounts and upgraded lounges highlight Disney’s push to reward loyalty

Annual pass math reveals most guests need multiple trips to truly break even

For this episode’s full show notes, ⁠click here⁠.HOSTS

Eric Hersey – X: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@erichersey⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@erichersey⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Lauren Hersey – X: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@laurenhersey2⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@lauren_hersey_⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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PRODUCTION CREDITS

Edited & Produced by Eric Hersey – ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Strong Minded Agency⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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