Early Entry officially over!

[SHELL]

Just an update over on Deb WIllis web site that it was officially announced that the have suspended early entry indefinately. ALso noted several closings and layoffs. Very interesting reading. Too bad I think they are making a big mistake

[All Aboard]

For what it's worth, the website has not been updated. In many of the email responses, WDW pointed to its website for info on EE:

Resort Benefits (http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/waltdisneyworld/resorts/benefits/resortbenefitsindex?id=ResortBenefits)

[SHELL]

It was updated as of October 18th when the word came down! Check the actual page not the update tab and it show there UPDATED OCTOBER 18TH!!!

[All Aboard]

Not Deb's Website, it's Disney's official website that I have linked to. I'm not saying that it isn't true, I fear it is. But, many have emailed Disney about it and a common response is: "see our website for official resort benefits." As of now, that hasn't changed.


And, by the way, Deb's update still has it listed under rumors.

Here's the whole snip:

_____________________________


10/18/01
REPORTS OF SIGNIFICANT CHANGES THROUGHOUT THE WORLD!

(snip)

Other *unconfirmed* changes:

(snip)


--Surprise Mornings, also known as "Early Entry," which allows Disney resort guests to enter the various theme parks one hour before scheduled opening times, has been suspended indefinitely.

Although this change has been widely reported as taking effect on October 20, 2001, repeated calls to Central Reservations have not been able to confirm this.

____________________________________

Not official yet.

[SHELL]

Thanks for posting the whole thing. My experience has been that when the Orlando Sent. paper prints it the rumors are pretty much a reality. As we all know, Disney website has not stated changes before until well after they were official. Just thought I would update everyone on what the FLA paper wrote yesterday. Seems pretty solid to me. Not to my liking as well, I just didn't want everyone to be blind-sided when it becomes a reality.

[All Aboard]

Hey SHELL,

I am really just holding out hope here. I, too, know that it is likely to happen. There are too many sources (even CMs on other boards) that have this rumor as being true.

In fact, I did some reading that Future World (except SSE & TT) will be closing at 7pm and that World Showcase may not open until noon.

It just keeps getting worse.

[SHELL]

That is terrible. Did you read on Deb Willis site the rest of the closings. There were alot there that I had never herd rumors of. I think that they cannot expect people to pay full price when the value of what they are receiving has decreased significantly. They need to really think about what they are doing!!

[YoHo]

Well, EE closing doesn't confuse me, but I thought things were picking up? I realize Disney has to plan for the future and pay the price for what happened last month, but you would think the current uptick would help them out.

[Werner Weiss]

Early Entry is not "officially over." Right now, it's just an Internet rumor. I'm sure this option is being considered by WDW management as a "worst case" option, along with various other additional cost cutting moves. But surely WDW management recognize that it would lead to many room cancellations (which they can't afford now) as well as substantial negative guest reaction.

As of now (October 19, approx. 12:30 p.m. Eastern time):
The WDW web site still lists "Early Entrance" as a Resort Benefit.
The October 18 article in the Orlando Sentinel about WDW entertainment cutbacks does not say anything about Early Entry.
Deb Wills' site says, "Although this change has been widely reported as taking effect on October 20, 2001, repeated calls to Central Reservations have not been able to confirm this."
Yes, it could still happen, but the title of this thread -- "Early Entry officially over!" -- is inaccurate.

[C.Ann]

Okay - I'm going to go out on a limb here.. Initially when all of these changes began to occur at DW - immediately after the events of 9/11 - I posted elsewhere that I felt most people were making too big of a deal over it - that they had options as to whether or not they should go now and "take what they could get" (mostly in regards to shorter hours and fewer parades and such) or simply reschedule their vacation.. I was very emotional at that point - particularly since I'm a resident of New York state - and felt that "trivial" things paled in comparison to what was happening in the "bigger" picture..

It's been over a month now.. We're dealing with airline travel that still isn't secure, daily anthrax incidents, "vague" alerts from the FBI of impending disasters, and who knows what the evening news will bring tonight.. I have had a lot of time to rethink my position on many issues and this is what I have to say now..

I have never stayed on-site at DW - simply couldn't afford it - and know little to nothing about early entry.. What I DO know is that above and beyond closing many of the food courts, cutting back or eliminating parades & fireworks, shortening the already shortened hours, choosing to have very popular shows only on selected days, closing down whole floors of the Disney Resorts, and now doing away with early entry, Disney World is basically doing themselves in - day by day.. You cannot expect people to pay such exhorbitant prices for admission tickets and perks of staying on-site and then take those very things away from the paying customers.. I'm sure that everyone would be willing to give up "something" but it seems to me that "something" is becoming everything and if they can't provide what people are being promised for X amount of dollars then they need to lower the prices so that their loyal followers do not feel totally cheated.. For many people this is a "once in a lifetime" trip - they simply cannot afford to go back year after year (or numerous times in the same year) - and to ask them to pay the same amount for a whole lot less just doesn't seem fair..

I understand the flip side of the coin as well.. Many CM's are being laid off (even if they don't actually call it that) and Disney is struggling right along with the rest of the many businesses that are suffering from the events of 9/11 but it seems to me that if they don't do something to ENCOURAGE people to come it's only going to get worse..

Maybe I'm way off the mark here but at this point in time I feel too MUCH is being taken away at a time when many people are in dire need of the "magic" of Disney World that we have all come to know and love..

Just my revised opinion.. (Go ahead - say "I told you so.." :) Ha!)

[YoHo]

C.Ann, I agree with you, but at the same time, this is something relative. If festival of the lion king is only shown x times, instead of Y times, but due to light crowds, you have no troubles seeing it, then the value is still there. Similarly, if EE is canceled, but crowds are so light that it doesn't affect you, then no harm no foul.

The problem is that Disney resorts have one less perk without EE. The fact that it is an unneccsary perk doesn't change the fact that it no longer exists.


So I can see this being bad, but I can also see it being irrelevent.

[DanG]

Well, Disney management seems to be insistent on thrusting the theme-park business into a death-spiral.

Despite needing to keep rooms at an acceptable level of occupancy for numerous reasons (to maintain a captive on-site audience for the themeparks, restaurants, etcetera), Disney will save the comparatively negligible cost of opening one theme park a day open one hour earlier. They could have cut this back to one day per week per park and I doubt we would have heard the hue and cry seen on this board the last few days.

Many perceive that the only benefit of value to staying on-site is early entry. These people will now stay at one of the many excellent off site options. Once off site, maybe they go to Seaworld or USF for an extra day and they will eat many more meals off-site less expensively (including dinner on those days the parks close early). There are many practical, financial reasons for staying off-site: the rooms will be cheaper and larger, meals will be cheaper and they will be more open to Orlando's other attractions.

I don't personally attribute a whole lot of value to early entry, except at the MK. But many do, and Disney will come to recognize this as yet another in a series of bad decisions. I bet this one is reversed soon or alternate on-site benefits are developed.

The value proposition continues to diminish.

DanG

[tiggerstheman1]

does it seem like Disney Management is sitting around in a room having the following discussion:

Exec #1
"Attendance is down and we won't get our bonuses"

Exec #2
"That's bad, really bad"

Exec #3
"Well, if we cut costs we can still make our profit goals for bonuses"

Exec #1
"What costs should we cut?"

Exec #3
"Hmmm, how about cutting out entertainment, we don't charge for those shows"

Exec #2
"That's a good idea"

Exec #3
"Then there's some of the attractions, nobody will miss them"

Exec #1
"What about the resorts, bookings are down"

Exec #2
"How about hot water only on Tuesdays"

Exec #1
"Nope, that wouldn't work - I use the spa on Wednesdays so that would really interrupt my schedule, what about Early Entry"

Exec #3
"Yeah, that's another waste of money"

Exec #1
"I've got it! When was the last time attendance was at this poor? Let's just cut back the attractions and perks back to that time"

Exec #2
"Great idea, and are you proposing to cut ticket prices?"

Exec #3
"No way, if people want Disney then they have to pay a premium. After all, we are the best in town"

Exec #4
"Well, don't you think that if we charge the same tomorrow as today but offer less goods and services for the same price then people will stop showing up? Why not find ways to get more people through the gate?"

Exec #1
"I thought you were a team player, guess I was wrong, security will show you out."

Exec #4 is escorted out of the room.

Exec #1
"We need to pull together during these tough times. Remember, we are a family and we shouldn't encourage hateful behavior like #4 exhibited."

All execs nod in agreement

Exec #1
"Now, what else can we do without?"

Exec #2
"You know, do we really need to fix EVERYTHING? Maintenance is such a waste of money"

Exec #1
"That's the type of forward-thinking that will get you far here at Disney. Everyone should take note of #2"


TTM1
(tongue firmly planted in cheek)

[YoHo]

I realize you were joking, but every inside source I've seen paints a different picture. One that may in the end benefit us the consumer more then recent Disney Policy has. The problem is getting through the next couple months afloat.

[All Aboard]

One last thought on the subject.

There is a huge difference between weekend and weekday crowds right now. Mostly driven by locals and state residents. But, many of these state residents are making weekend trips and ARE staying on-site (I know from casually interviewing folks around the All Stars 3 of the last 5 weekends).

Given this, WDW should really consider leaving one day a week (maybe Fri, Sat & Sun) EE at each of the three EE parks. Elimination of Sat MK EE would be a HUGE mistake right now. I hope they are considering that.

I'll shut up and wait for an official announcement (or an "offical" lack of one.)

[NoodlesTheRabbit]

A poster from a thread on the debate board on this subject just received an email from WDW saying "you will be happy to know that we are continuing surprise mornings."

[Tracy0315]

Dear Tracy,

Thank you for contacting WALT DISNEY WORLD!

Walt Disney World officials have not announced a discontinuance of the Early
Entry Mornings. Please check for correct information on the Disney Website.
At this time, the Early Entries are listed on the website under park hours. If
the information does not come from Walt Disney World or the Disney website, it
is a rumor.

If you have questions or need further assistance, feel free to contact us.

Please include your full name, E-Mail address, and reservation number if
applicable on all correspondence, and allow up to 72 hours for response to
E-Mail.

Thank you - and have a DISNEY day!

Sincerely,

Melissa Libby

Online Guest Service
WALT DISNEY WORLD
P.O. Box 10100
Lake Buena Vista FL 32830-0100

[Mom of 4 Princesses]

My guess is that they will make the opening time later, and will offer EE before. So MK may open at 10am, with EE at 8:30 or 9:00. Still decreases park hours, and keeps EE, but it still would stink.

[OKWgal]

Just got off the phone with Disney Info. She is still showing MK as the park for EE tomorrow.

I am sooooooo confused!:earseek: :earseek: :confused: :confused:

[Testtrack321]

Over the past 3 years that I have been going to Disney (consecultavely, mind you, I have been there many times, but in the past 3 years I have been there the most often) I have used early entry once. YES, 1 TIME! I think WDW has become to big to handle EE. But, I think if they seperate the resort into 2 or 3 parts, they could have a different park open early for each section! One park per. But that would be really streious on the CM's, but it is a good idea none the less...

[dmfuru]

UMMMMMMMMM,

I just checked the wdw resort link from gcurling's previous post and it says nothing/nada/zilch about early entry (being available). The disney website mentions room charges, babysitting, etc, but nothing about EE.....

[Poohbear123]

I am going to WDW in 12 days.....hopefully we will know the outcome before than, that way I can re-arrange my schedule and sleep later....:rolleyes:

[AKASnowWhite]

Also, if you check park hours on the official site...it says that "park operating hours have not been established for the month you requested"....and I requested OCT. AND NOV. 2001!!! DH says don't worry....yeah right - Hakuna Matata - whatever! I'm really annoyed that all my planning may be down the tubes here....:mad:

[Leia's Mom]

They are officially over. I got the official word this evening. I called. They are "replacing" it with a Character Caravan. 14 characters will come to the resorts in the mornings to "see the guests off" to the parks. They will still respect the PS for Cindy's. The hours are still being "determined" right now. Looks like AK and Epcot will be opening later.

[Werner Weiss]

Originally posted by dmfuru
I just checked the wdw resort link from gcurling's previous post and it says nothing/nada/zilch about early entry (being available). The disney website mentions room charges, babysitting, etc, but nothing about EE.....
That's true! Earlier today Disney's Resort Benefits (http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/waltdisneyworld/resorts/benefits/resortbenefitsindex?id=ResortBenefits) included the following section:
From Resort Benefits page, earlier today (10/19/01)
Early Entrance: Get a jump on the fun with selected attractions in a different Theme Park opening early each day.

Sunday: Disney-MGM Studios
Monday: Magic Kingdom® Park
Tuesday: Epcot®
Wednesday: Disney-MGM Studios
Thursday: Magic Kingdom Park
Friday: Epcot
Saturday: Magic Kingdom Park
Now, this infomation has magically disappeared.

This certainly suggests that Disney is giving themselves the option to eliminate Early Entry. But there's a big problem with this. The Early Entry information is still in all sorts of printed brochures, on travel agency Web sites, and in Birnbaum's Walt Disney World Official Guide.

If Disney really eliminates or substantially modifies Early Entry, many guests will be very unhappy -- especially those who don't find out about it ahead of time. And if enough on-site hotel reservations are cancelled every day (by guests who do find out ahead of time), any savings from eliminating Early Entry quickly will be wiped out.

As of now, it may or may not be accurate to say that Early Entry is officially over -- but the the change on the Web page is a bad sign.

[All Aboard]

AAHHHH!! Several times today I checked that link and held my breath. Each time the info was still there. Now this! Looks like it's really happening. Again, I hold out hope that Saturday MK EE remains.

[baileybrad]

I think the worst thing about the curtailing of EE is that the lies that are coming out of the Disney company about the whole thing. Hopefully, I can say this on the Rumor board. Just flat out lies. And the whole thing with the park hours, is sick. You follow through on a trip during the off-season and you will be in a packed park situation because they are chopping the heck out of the hours and shredding the show schedules. So much for attempting to follow a normal lifestyle pattern.

[mouselover2001]

However, I do have a phone number for "Michael Eisener's Office" that was given to me after 45 minutes on the phone today. I REALLY laid into them. I suggest anyone who can does the same. I refuse to stay on-site, and heck, I refuse to even GO with the current shabby state of affairs. If you are interested in calling the phone number they gave me, email me, and I will pass it on. I don't know if it would be kosher to list it here. My email: dunlapjm@yahoo.com

[HorizonsFan]

Folks, calm down.
Disney didn't do this to ruin your vacation. Disney did this because there are fewer people in the parks. If there are fewer people, EE isn't needed. You can do everything you want to do in the hours they are open.
I don't think this is going to last forever.
Stay off-site if you will, but that's not going to make EE come back any sooner. In fact, the fewer people in the hotels the LESS reason they have to bring back EE.

[Quentin Disney]

Since it seems to be true that EE is over for now, I hate to be like this, but you will have to deal with it. There are many changes around the resort that I don't like, but during a time of great uncertainty, not opening the park an extra hour is a cost-effective move. Besides, I have visited the parks at opening many times (non EE), during busy periods as well. I had no trouble getting on attractions with long lines. It can be easily done at MK. All you have to do is wake up early to get to it.

What's the point of me ranting? You all will still send out e-mails anyway. I'm not stating my opinions against your vacations because I'm a disgruntled Annual Passholder, it is all that people will talk about on this board now. It will probably come back when business picks up anyway.

[mouselover2001]

You are wrong. I am a disgruntled AP holder too, but I realize that like many other benefits, if we sit on our hands and continue to just grace them with our presence, they aren't going to reward us with the return of ee. They will just figure that we took it lying down, and so it was OK to eliminate it. Do you REALLY think it will just come back of its own accord? No, it will only come back if enough people demand it. WE are the CUSTOMER here. I speak with my wallet.

[HorizonsFan]

Sigh...
Take it personally if you want to, but this is a business move. By "speaking with your wallet" you're probably going to make it worse.

[Kay1]

I'm baffled. We live near Disney and visit more than once per month. Right now we're into Universal and IOA and went there yesterday and today ( Friday and Saturday. ) There is no way I would call it slow at all. Can Disney be that much slower than USF?IOA? We did go the weekend after the tragedy, on the spur of the moment, and because of the tropical storm, and it was very, very slow, but not now. I just wonder if they are trying to recoup their September losses by cutting back now, or if it's truly still slow at Disney. People returning from trips say no. We'll go to Disney in November ( I think ) and see what we think then.

[LucyStorm]

Say what you want about this being a business and financial decision, but when I have invested over $3000 of my finances in this trip, and decide not to go because I feel I am not getting the value for my dollar, it will be a financial decision as well. Disney needs to reconsider this decision.

[Terry in NJ]

I am with Dave (Horizon Fan) on this one.
These are business decisions being made, to combat what probably was a fiscally horrendous past 40 days. Gee, I am leaving for WDW in 8 days. I just found out about Epcot late opening and Animal Kingdom. Guess what... I'll deal with it. As far as EE, one poster nailed it... if the crowd levels are so far down, you don't NEED EE to make sure you get on all the rides.
Yes, for October and maybe even through next Spring (my guess) the hours and shows are cut. So what, get the park guides when you arrive and adjust. Let's see, complain about all the money you are spending and not get what you think you deserve? I'm pretty *&%$ glad you didn't have your trip booked September 12th, what about all those people who couldn't even get on a plane for god's sake. HELLLOOOO!!!! At least you / (WE) still get to go. Disney is my escape and my magic and I will adjust and STILL enjoy.
Get with it people, these are pretty frightening days. Our whole world has been turned upside down and inside out. There's many more serious things to complain about than what the Disney execs are doing to try to remain temporarily solvent. Let's roll with the punches and be ever so grateful for the "simple" things, like you and your family are still alive and ABLE to go to Walt Disney World.
Sheesh.

[HorizonsFan]

I'm baffled. We live near Disney and visit more than once per month. Right now we're into Universal and IOA and went there yesterday and today ( Friday and Saturday. )
From everything I've read, the numbers on weekends are running about the same as last year. The numbers during the week are abysmal. This probably has a great deal to do with out-of-towners not traveling as much and new discounts and adjusted blackout dates for locals.

[Nasi]

I've been a loyal Disney fanatic for years now. I always stay on-site.
I'm just disappointed because it's one more perk gone. Don't get me
wrong, I stay on-site to be surrounded by the magic and the ease
of transportation but they keep raising rates and decreasing benefits.
I took advantage of EE and E nights. I stayed at the Portofino at
Universal and had a fabulous room at a great rate which included
FOTL access. I may reconsider staying on site in the future. Nasi

[HorizonsFan]

Make the most of that FOTL access, I hear it's days may be numbered too...

[JeffJewell]

...there are two things that pop into my mind when I think about this. First, that eliminating EE most affects those people who both stay on site and know enough about WDW to know about and plan for EE; in other words, Disney's best and most knowledgable customers, and likely the most repeat visitors, too. Second, that EE is one of only a handful of reasons to select the All Stars over an even cheaper off-site hotel.

So if this is a "business decision" based on the fact that weekday attendance (and associatedly, hotel bookings) is down, the question becomes how good a business decision is it, when it mostly serves to discourage some of your best customers from buying right now, and to give less reason, in tight economic times, for folks to choose one of your products over a cheaper competitor's product?

My family and I happen to still be going down for our pre 9-11 planned WDW trip in December, but that is because WDW has a sentimental significance to my family that no other parks have, not because Disney is making any effort to correct the problems you mention.

You may "buy Disney" right now on the basis of supporting the company through hard times, but the majority of us seem to be more capitalistic than that. Recognizing this, some businesses, like car companies, are taking huge hits with programs like zero percent financing, just to get the customers to come back, and come back now. Disney has reacted to similar problems with a solution that will actually encourage delaying Disney trip plans or choosing a non-Disney alternative.

Jeff

[TiggerFreak]

With only 4 trips I am not an expert, but the few times that we took advantage of EE, the EE park was still very busy. We usually visit in early Nov to escape the crowds!

Some people have used the tactic of going to the Non EE parks and found lighter traffic there because many quests were taking "advantage" of EE at a diferent park. We have tried this and found this "reverse" thinking having some merit. I have always felt that one way to lessen the effect of the crowds is to try and not follow the pack. It usually works.

More hours open with same (or larger at EE park) crowds does not seem like a benifit. So I won't be missing EE if it truely is gone.

The "Caravan of Characters" will be appreciated as a "bone" for the ending of EE. On site resort guests could (should?) have more interaction with characters without the mob scenes that are so commonplace in the parks. In the past when we have unexpectidly come accross characters in the resorts the experience is usually more personal and enjoyable for everyone.

JMHO.

[HorizonsFan]

eliminating EE most affects those people who both stay on site and know enough about WDW to know about and plan for EE; in other words, Disney's best and most knowledgable customers
The question then arises, "Are there enough of these people to offset the cost of opening a park two hour early?" As much as we would like to believe that we represent a large portion of the folks who visit WDW, I don't think that we do. I would speculate that a great number of people who visit WDW don't even know about EE.
So if this is a "business decision" based on the fact that weekday attendance (and associatedly, hotel bookings) is down, the question becomes how good a business decision is it, when it mostly serves to discourage some of your best customers from buying right now, and to give less reason, in tight economic times, for folks to choose one of your products over a cheaper competitor's product?
At the same time they're suspending EE, they're lowering room rates. The rates at the All Stars are pretty close to off-site rates right now (reportedly $39/night). I think the lower rates are more of an incentive to stay on-site than EE ever was. There are still perqs to staying on-site, even without EE. I know some of you don't consider transportation a perq, but it's the reason I started staying on-site in the first place.
Disney has reacted to similar problems with a solution that will actually encourage delaying Disney trip plans or choosing a non-Disney alternative.
I don't know that the car analogy works. Cars are a necessity. A Disney vacation isn't. I think at this point, folks are going to react more strongly to economic incentives like lower room rates than they will to "soft" incentives like early entry. If Disney can lure more people with lower room rates and then offset the cost of that by suspending EE, it's a good business decision.

[JeffJewell]

...EE was great because it provided an extra "chunk" to the day.

Like a lot of people, we plan Disney days in chunks, an early park and an evening park. With EE, we'd have the option of hitting the best rides in one park (to make it worth it, you really do need to be there for _all_ of EE; our favorite EE target was Fantasyland, you can do the place top to bottom with one well organized EE assault, but the Rock 'n' Roller Coaster/Tower of Terror shuffle also has a certain je ne sais qoui about it that time of morning), then, just as the "normals" were coming into the park, we were heading off to a late breakfast, and then to our "scheduled" early park, the less crowded, non-EE park.

EE=free rides, any way you slice it

Jeff

[JeffJewell]

If Disney can lure more people with lower room rates and then offset the cost of that by suspending EE, it's a good business decision ...fair enough, we'll just have to agree to disagree on the direction until those results are in.

I'll bet you a drink, though, that once those results are in, the long term cost (in bookings vs off-site) of eliminating EE outvalues the short term savings in operating costs. I think we'll know this has happened with a Coke Classic like re-introduction of EE, in the not too distant future.

Jeff

PS: If you win this, and have to remind me I owe you a drink, don't feel I'm trying to weasel out of anything. I'm very likely to forget even if I win. Things like this stroll around my tiny head and then just leave, sometimes.

[HorizonsFan]

Jeff,
Don't get me wrong, I like EE too. One EE, we did all of Fantasyland, Tomorrowland and Frontierland before 11:00 then headed to another park. It works very well if you know how to plan your attack.
I think we all just want things to get back to normal quickly with as little lasting damage as possible...

PS - Don't worry. If I win, I'll remember. I'm always up for a free drink! :)

[Another Voice]

Here’s a snippet from some internal communication about the replacement for Early Entry:

Disney's Character Caravan

Walt Disney World offers a new experience for guests staying at Disney Resorts, which replaces Surprise Mornings. The new program, Disney's Character Caravan, features morning visits to the resorts by Disney characters. The characters will greet guests and provide a send-off as guests leave for the Disney theme parks. This experience will offer guests additional opportunities to see the Disney characters - one of the most popular requests by Walt Disney World guests.

Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday
Disney's All-Star Resorts
Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge
Disney's Contemporary Resort
Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground
Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
Disney's Polynesian Resort

Monday, Wednesday, and Friday
Disney's BoardWalk Resort
Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort
Disney's Coronado Springs Resort
Disney's Old Key West Resort
Disney's Port Orleans Resort
Disney's Wilderness Lodge
Disney's Yacht and Beach Club Resorts

At this point I wouldn’t consider this “official” and people should probably contact WDW directly if you have a strong desire to see this “experience”.

Rumors are circulating that the end of Surprise Mornings and all the other cutbacks are causing a firestorm among the guests. Whether the complaints will lead to any restoration is uncertain, but Burbank has made it very clear that WDW will need to hit its profit numbers for the year (have you seen the ratings for ABC’s new season?). If EE does return, you can expect to see offsetting cuts made in other areas.

[YoHo]

So we've finally done it huh?

The past couple of years of Nickel and Diming it and nobody noticed or cared, now that they actually ARE in deep trouble and do something drastic we get tons of handringing and shouts of Bad Form and how dare they!


I'm just disgusted. Where were all of you a couple of years ago when they sliced closing time from 12 pm to 10 pm and then made you pay EXTRA to stay in the parks that late?

Personally, I have never had a problem with the operating hours being cut and I don't now. Admitedly I use my Disney vacation time very differently from the average guest. EE was never a carrot for me.


I would spend more time worrying about Another Voice's little comment:

If EE does return, you can expect to see offsetting cuts made in other areas.

So I hope you are all willing to take a cut somewhere else if you fight for this.

[mmouse37]

I was in the parks from 10/11-10/14 and found the parks VERY crowded....much more than I thought according these boards. The only park not very crowded was EPCOT. MK and MGM were packed!!!!

MJ

[tasbm1]

We just got back 10/13-10/22. We took advantage of the EE on every morning except 10/22 because we were notified on 10/21 that the EE's were over. The crowds during the week were so low, that we walked on to most rides until early afternoon when the crowds picked up. The weekend was the exception. Crowds were pretty busy. There were alot of people stating that they would have stayed elsewhere if they knew that they were not going to be able to take advantage of EE. I agree! I have a 5 yo DS and by going early, we can get on most of the rides that he likes without the long waits. That lets us leave the parks when the lines gets long and go to the pool.

[KCritter]

I was reading the Travel section in the Sunday, Oct 21st edition of the Indianapolis Star. There was a big ad for WDW, with special rates for the All-stars. It listed the perks of staying at a WDW resort including: "Early entry to the theme parks on selected days"

I guess this ad was created before the demise of EE, but I still found it interesting that they were pushing EE as a perk after it had been officially cancelled.

[sgtpet]

I was there this past weekend and I am surprised they are eliminating EE. It was crowded at MK on Friday and Saturday. A CM told me that he hadn't seen WDW like this since late spring.

[Padre Disney]

I really don't know how much more disappointment we can take before we actually cancel our December trip. We made our reservations over 2 years ago. We paid a very large price to stay on site to enjoy EE days. Our family is older and has been there done that character greeting. We want to enjoy the parks early. It doesn't matter if the parks are busy or not. I don't care if you can walk on the rides all day long. We paid in advance for a perk that has been taken away. No one has called to offer us a lower room rate on our deluxe resort nor have they called and offered us discounted tickets for the park hours being shorter. I feel like I am getting money stolen out of my pocket. I paid for services in advance and now they have been taken away. I can't figure out why I should even give Disney any money period. I agree with C.ann and Tiggerstheman1. They have said it very well.

[DVCDAVE]

It's a sham. We are told to stay on site for the perks, ESPECIALLY EE, and what do they do....eliminate it. Why stay on site and pay Disney 100% more then the room is worth. Might as well stay offsight at Marriot now, and save a bundle. The WDW transportation system is a joke too.....nothing like waiting 1/2 an hour for a bus or monorail to get to your overpriced hotel room, after waiting in lines all day. Pre$$ler and Ei$ner have got to go. I can't wait to get my proxy and vote for the unemployment line for these two theives. They have managed to suck this company dry for their multi-hundreds of millions of dollar bouneses, now they are hell bent on ruining the gem of the crown jewles.

[King Triton]

Just got back from WDW. We had a wonderful time. We went to the MK on Monday for early entry day. Usually they would let resort guests in at 7:30. This time, due to the cut backs, they let us in at 8:00 instead. Tomorrow land was off limits this time (that was a real bummer!!) , only Fantasy land was open for early entry. I miss riding Space Mountain before the gates opened up to the public....oh well, I still had a great time anyway. I wish Disney would go back to the original early entry perks. That was a big reason for staying at a Disney Resort. With the money you pay, Disney really does need to keep it in.

Last friday and the weekend all the parks were packed. I saw no evidence of a low turn out - it was crowded. From all the negative news, it sounded like you could walk up and ride any ride without waiting - WRONG.

That's the scoop on early entry. I don't know if they still have it today, but I know Disney had it on Monday because I was there.

King Triton
(David) :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: