I think it's just that recent Disney movies didn't have musical numbers where the characters actually sing. I love watching musicals (it's all about the choreography and ability to weave it into the story seamlessly).
I don't have a hatred toward more recent Disney animations any more than I do against their older ones. For instance:
Snow White: I hate it--or rather, I think I just really hate Snow White the character.
Cinderella: It's.. okayish... eh.
Pinnochio: also kind of meh. Annoying songs.
Sleeping Beauty: really boring. I always fall asleep. I kind of like the angular style though.
Alice in Wonderland: also kind of boring
Bambi: I liked it. But I like animals in general.. and eating flowers always looked so tasty! XD
Peter Pan: I don't remember this one much! I don't hate it though..
Fox and the Hound: Animals! YAY! Really sad too.
Great Mouse Detective: MICE! YAY! Musical numbers were fun.
The Little Mermaid: It was cool that Ariel had red hair. Music was cool, so was exploding Ursula (although that sickened me a little bit...).
Aladdin: pretty enjoyable. I liked the music and use of CG. I also liked that Jasmine wore pants. XD
Beauty and the Beast: One of my favourites. Music was awesome, and CG for ballroom dancing captivated me as a kid.
Lion King: Animals! Woo! Very appealing visually. Cool use of CG for the stampede. Songs were epic.
Pocahontas: loved the visual style. Very different from the usual "rounded" style from Snow White - Aladdin. I enjoyed the music, and liked how this wasn't the "happily ever after" ending that other movies had.
Hunchback of Notre Dame: also very nice visual style (I think Esmeralda's stunning to look at too, not to mention how cool the Notre Dame looked), and I think the music was excellent.
Hercules: interesting visual style, but not my favourite. I really enjoyed the music, but was kind of confused by their liberties--especially with non-evil/jealous Hera after watching the live-action "The Adventured of Hercules" for a while...
Mulan: FINALLY, an east-asian setting for a story! I was waiting for this type to come by and am glad I enjoyed it. Could have used more epic battles though. >.>
Tarzan: not my favourite movies.. mainly because I don't love jazzy music.
Lilo & Stitch: I actually dont' remember much about this movie except that I thought it was really cute and liked the character designs.
Emperor's New Groove: I didn't like the visual style of this one. It's on the same level as "Shrek" to me.. as in it probably used too many pop-culture-y references.
Atlantis: WHERE'S MY MUSIC?! I liked the females in the movie though. Nice cast variety.
Treasure Planet: I didn't get to watch this one until years after it came out, but I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed it! Despite its lack of musical numbers and weird mecha-planet touches.
Enchanted: MUSICAL NUMBERS! YES! My favourite parts, of course, were the animated parts. I don't think Disney has lost their magic.
Wall-e: so cute! I enjoyed it. .. .... needs more musical numbers.. haha.
There's a lot I forgot in their because they didn't make a memorable mark in my head (like Robin Hood, Aristrocats, Oliver and Company.. etc). But I don't think I enjoy recent Disney movies any less than older ones. I didn't see Home on the Range though.. because I don't like farm settings.. I think (plus, the style is more reminiscent of Emperor's New Groove, which I dislike).
I think a lot of your guys probably are tainted by nostalgia. I for sure don't hold up all the old stuff on some untouchable "when artists were real artists" pedestals. I still think artists have as much passion as they ever did.. it's just that there's a lot more grunt-work now, even with computers and techno do-dads involved. I think there is just so much more polish needed in the newer movies that not everything comes out as consistent as they want.
I'm looking forward to the Princess and the Frog and Rapunzel.. since it's getting back to the fantasy stuff ... .. and I hope for musical numbers..
