Anybody nervous?

[Limmer]

With the closing of a 2nd moderate resort is anybody the least bit nervous about the future of Disney? I have to admit this is making me leary about buying into Disney long term. I don't care about small cuts like EE as we are not early risers but the closing of resorts scares me a little.

[MikeScott8]

I am not in the least concerned about Disney, I view the TEMPORARY cutbacks as signs that Disney want to be around for a while. If they just left them open and they lost money on them it would worry me more.

my two cents!

Mike

[dianeschlicht]

Not in the least! Every industry will see some ups and downs all the time. The only thing that can make it worse is "rumor" and skepticism. None of that around here!

[Chuck S]

If Disney was the only destination being affected I might be leary, but this tourism decline is nation-wide. I just got back from Vegas. Gaming revenue is down over 20% and the casinos are empty, only the 5¢ slots were paying a little, no bells or whistles going off anywhere. No mass of people walkiong the strip, it was weird. Had a nice trip, though. Mom won $225 on nickel slots.

The major destinations will survive by saving $$$ wherever they can.

[Eeyore2U]

I also echo those sentiments. My only problem is that since I'm out of work I can't convince DW to do another add on.

[Dean]

I've been gone a few days to WDW but not staying at a DVC resort. Besides Pop Century and Frenchquarter, what else has been closed?

[Dumbo]

Dean,

It has been posted on other boards that Port Orleans-Riverside will close next month.

Dumbo

[Limmer]

I guess if DVC were having trouble they would not be opening BCV (where I hope to buy). I had just been reading the Disney Resorts board and all the negative remarks had out me in a bit of a panic. I guess I will just read these boards until I make my purchase!LOL! :D

[Cruelladeville]

Do you mean that Port Orleans Riverside is due to close in December or January? I have ressies there for Christmas week!

[lawgs]

according to other posts on dis......the scheduled date is december 9th with it being done in segments....not closed ENTIRElY on that date...

if you are affected they are suppost to start calling people on Monday with alternate offers.....

you may want to call ...to get an upper hand on what will be offered to you

[JonHM]

Or is it just a rumor?

[Terry S]

JonHM.. Many people on the resort boards have confirmed that they received a phone call telling them they needed to switch becasue the resort was closing. It will be done in stages though, starting on the 12-9.

[SAKPEG99OKW]

I am not sure but i remember reading that Disney was going to lease either PO or riverside to the Govt. to use while the Grosv. is being refurbished.

Can anybody confirm?

Scott and Peg

[PamOKW]

There was a rumor on these boards that SOG might be taking over Port Orleans but I haven't seen any official word on that. Articles in the Orlando Sentinel indicate these are just cost-saving moves on Disney's part. Today's paper adds Disney Institute to the list that is being closed down for the time being.

[CaptainMidnight]

Disney needs to make changes and accomodations given the current travelling climate. I'm glad they are responsive.

I also think it is natural to have some concerns. Did I hear the television reports correct last night that terrorist documents found in the wake of retreats were revealing that targets the terrorists were considering in the US were tall buildings, bridges, airports and theme parks?

Thank goodness we have not had subsequent retalitory terrorist attacks, and/or our brave men and women protecting this country have been able to stop them.

Tourism is taking a very big hit. One of if not the top tourism destination is also suffering. Business decisions need to ba made to compensate for the difficulties. Another part of this equation may also be the huge price discounts being offerred by other hotels. There is a point where the profit margin is not worth keeping the hotel open.

The tourism slump is not something likely to be resolved quickly, as the war will also be continuing and possibly be moving to other countries.

Whether this inflates the cost of DVC resort sales, or reduces the current increases remains to be seen in how BC will be offerred.

Nervous? Yes. Should we loyal DVC members work to reassure ourselves and others? I think so. Should we buy additional points? Well, what's the market like right now, do the prices reflect the uncertainty? Are there good deals given the uncertain market?

[dianeschlicht]

Well said, Captain Midnight!

[Jeanne]

Worried about cost cutting measures during this lull in travel, not at all. Thrilled that my Disney stock is starting to recover, absolutely.:bounce:

[ohioMickey]

well said captain midnight!!!!

on a personal note...we will be helping the disney economy by taking a whopping 12 nighter in december starting on dec 9th. And despite the uncertainties and threats...we are as excited to go home as ever!!!!!

[ralphd]

I also agree with Captain Midnight!!!!!

We not only purchased more points (at VWL), but we purchased additional shares of Disney stock.

ralphd
:) :) :) :)

[EROS]

I ONLY get nervous when the RED SOX are cruising along in 1st place.................. you KNOW that the other shoe will soon drop:( :( .....

[jimh13432]

Just like the Patriots???????

[EROS]

LOL, jimh. The PATRIOTS haven't been in first place for a looooooooooong time....................but I have a good feeling tomorrow about their game against the JETS:) :)..........

[A1A1]

Hello everyone. It's been a while since I last posted. I have a trip planned with dd in December. I am so frightened to get on that plane, I may have to take a tranquilizer, I think. Family members are also telling me to postpone the trip. How does one make this decision? I am truly scared. I have never been paranoid about anything. I have been considering exchanging to a resort that I could either take the train to or drive to. Only problem is I live in NY state and would like to escape the snow, not stay in it. Could I have some help resolving this before it's too late to do exchange. I'd appreciate any input.:confused: :confused:

[CaptainMidnight]

You could take an amtrack train if you really wanted to, couldn't you?

You could also rent a car and drive. With one overnight stay, it isn't too long a trip.

Also, realistically, many, many, many people are flying without incident, I don't know if your friends are giving you good advice. But, it is your vacation, and being bothered about the arriving and returning flight may not help with the relaxation you deserve. The two options above may help.

I have very fond memories of train trips when I was young with my parents, it is more expensive, but the trip starts when you leave the station, and you can have your own stateroom.

Amtrack has a pretty good website to help with fares and availability. There is also an autotrain program that sounded pretty neat and might be fun to try sometime. We drive by the Amtrack autotrain sign on I-95 to and from Vero Beach.

Best wishes and I hope your vacation is wonderful.

[ralphd]

Think flying is very safe today. You must allow more time to get to the boarding gate. Airport security was not good in many cities.
I did cancel some trips immediately after 9/11 because of my employers' concern for safety.

Eros, if you think following the Patriots is difficult, we have the Falcons in Atlanta. :)

ralphd

[rbuzzotta]

Did I miss something? Dean, you stated that Pop Century was closing? It didn't even open yet? Can you fill me in on the details? Is it fact or rumor?

I am really bummed about POFQ closing as it was my DD's absolute favorite.

[pluvc1993]

Has anybody gone to the Timeshare store and seen the recent flux of people wanting to sell. Its getting bigger!

[Eeyore2U]

Originally posted by pluvc1993
Has anybody gone to the Timeshare store and seen the recent flux of people wanting to sell. Its getting bigger!

I think this may have to do more with a persons own financial situation then the future of Disney.

[Dean]

Apparently Pop Century has been put on hold indefinitely or so the story goes.

[CaptainMidnight]

I must confess, I'm not to thrilled about the economy Disney resorts, and not too upset if one is put on hold.

Just my $0.02.

[jcodespoti]

Dear A1A1
I have flown more since 9-11 than any other time. Its Much safer than it used to be. Would I fly to Iran? no. But nothing is going to keep me from enjoying the things I love. So far I have flown to Las Vegas, Disney twice, Atlanta, and Arkansas. never did I feel scared. I can understand the way you feel about flying a lot of people feel the same way, and there are alt. ways to get to WDW.
As for the Giants....5-7 enough said...Nascar starts again in 68 days.


Joe in CT

[Towncrier]

I was talking about the resort closings with a castmember during my most recent trip to WDW (a couple of weeks ago). This CM told me that the reason for the resorts temporarily closing were not so much due to lack of visitors, but due more to the fact that there aren't enough CM's right now. They need the CM's from the resorts at the parks.

Didn't I just read something that Michael Eisner said about reservations being back up to "normal" during the Christmas holiday? I also heard that a lot of Disney properties were booked solid during Walt's 100th Celebration on December 5th and that rooms were very hard to come by.

I don't know whether or not to believe what I heard from this castmember while I was down at WDW, but I just thought that I would present this person's comments here. You can decide for yourself whether or not to believe them.

As for me, I am no more or less nervous than usual.

[Paul in CT]

During my recent trip to WDW (12/6 to 12/10), I heard from a CM that I know that the Yacht Club, one of Mr. Eisner's favorite resorts, is only 30% booked for Christmas through New Year's.

While we were there the parks were certainly busy with 30 minute + waits for the "E-ticket" rides except on our last day (Monday). IMHO, the resorts are hurting far more than the Parks are. I believe Florida residents are making up for the out of state tourists at the parks.

[CaptainMidnight]

I don't know that I buy this idea that reservations aren't down, look at all the low prices and specials out there. That's being done to lure people on vacation, and outside the park accomdations are so reasonable right now, that has to be drawing away from the Disney resorts. Saving $1000 plus in accomodations buys lots of other Disney extras. Cash paying guest have a daily choice, and there's supply and demand going on...

[mic_KY_mouses]

There's a good article at CNNs website today about "Theme Park Travel". Of course, Disney was the most spoken about. It seems that things aren't as bleak as once thought and are pretty much getting back to normal.

Click on the "Travel" section and scroll down to the bottom of the page for the article. I will try and post the link here......

http://www.cnn.com/2001/TRAVEL/NEWS/12/10/theme.parks.ap/index.html

[raidermatt]

Things have certainly improved, and if it continues, great. But a 5% drop is very significant. Especially when the original goal was growth.

I'm not saying things aren't looking better, because they are. I'm encouraged by the reports of increased attendance. But as the article indicates, Jan/Feb will be important to watch.

Our family has a WDW trip planned for May/June and we are looking forward to it!

[JenEeyore]

I have it on a reliable source that POR isn't totally closing, just drastically cutting back in room availability for a while. There will still be a small chunk of rooms that will be occupied at that resort.