As a kid attending the park, there were lenty of things to keep us busy. I had never been to Disney(did not go to WDL until I was 21), had never been to Six Flags (did not go until I was 13), we always went to SDC. I was there before I was 1! This was what theme parks were to me, all others since then have failed to compare. I know my views are a bit jaded seeing that this was all I knew for years. We would watch the craftsmen, go through the Flooded Mine and FITH, shop, play on the Gandy Dancers, possibly climb at Tom Sawyer's Landing, watch more craftsmen, eat the lunches we brought, and call it a day-usually to do it again the following day.
Not everyone will feel as we do about the park. My wife took a few years to catch the SDC bug, but it has taken hold (finally after dragging her for nearly 10 yrs!)
Some come for the rides, some could care less about them, I have grown to become a mixture, I keep hold of the old, and embrace most of the new. I do not believe that HFEC would alienate their one of their core groups, tour busses!!!!