Does anyone else expect a "rant" in this coming weeks show?

WDW Crawl · Oct 12, 2015

DisneyKevin said:
I think this is the crux of the whole thing.

Disney wants us to be emotionally involved. Everything they do is aimed at tugging at our hearts. Wishes, dreams, remember the magic etc...

The problem is that Disney is selling loyalty and emotion, but their decisions are business / profit driven. Emotion is not involved or considered.

It's difficult to reconcile and feels like Disney doesn't care....and I have some bad news....Disney (the company...not individuals) doesn't care, They are profit driven and decisions are made to increase that profit.

I also believe that Disney feels that they have a strong enough hold, that most of us aren't going anywhere.

Many people say there is a tipping point, but it reminds me of what people used to say about buying cigarettes...once they hit $X.XX dollars a pack, I'm going to quit.

We all know how that works most of the time. The tipping point moves.

Very well put and true.

What you said reminds me of one of my first days working there in college. I walked by an open office hearing some guy (don't remember his name or position) that was sitting at his desk, yelling into the phone and dropping profanity. Even as a college student, my squeaky clean image of Disney was shattered before I barely began my job. I'm not sure what was worse, my naïveté or the guy yelling profanity into the phone at his Disney office.

SorcererHeidi · Oct 12, 2015

disneysteve said:
Kevin, everything you said is absolutely true, but at the same time, I can see the other side. I am not usually one of the folks complaining about price hikes but something about this one just feels different to me. It feels like it's part of an ongoing process that is steadily altering the guest experience. You are totally correct that we all need to vote with our wallets, but as you well know, many of us have an emotional connection to Disney that runs far deeper than what supermarket we shop at or what brand of clothing we buy. Disney is part of who we are. So many of our lives really revolve around Disney: vacations, clothing, home decor, movies, video games, live theater, fundraising involvement, even employment in some cases. It isn't so easy to just say, "I'm done with Disney" and move on.

Ultimately, though, the bottom line is exactly what you said it is. If you no longer feel the price is worth paying then don't pay it. It's just really sad that people are being pushed to make that decision about something like Disney.

Very well stated (as usual!) Dr. Steve!!

Princess Jes · Oct 12, 2015

disneysteve said:
Kevin, everything you said is absolutely true, but at the same time, I can see the other side. I am not usually one of the folks complaining about price hikes but something about this one just feels different to me. It feels like it's part of an ongoing process that is steadily altering the guest experience. You are totally correct that we all need to vote with our wallets, but as you well know, many of us have an emotional connection to Disney that runs far deeper than what supermarket we shop at or what brand of clothing we buy. Disney is part of who we are. So many of our lives really revolve around Disney: vacations, clothing, home decor, movies, video games, live theater, fundraising involvement, even employment in some cases. It isn't so easy to just say, "I'm done with Disney" and move on.

Ultimately, though, the bottom line is exactly what you said it is. If you no longer feel the price is worth paying then don't pay it. It's just really sad that people are being pushed to make that decision about something like Disney.

But that's also the thing right Steve? The vacation part is but a singlet piece in that puzzle. Ok, it's probably the largest piece but you still have the clothes, home decor, music, movies, video games, live theater and charity efforts to give you that "Disney Fix"

*NikkiBell* · Oct 12, 2015

Princess Jes said:
But that's also the thing right Steve? The vacation part is but a singlet piece in that puzzle. Ok, it's probably the largest piece but you still have the clothes, home decor, music, movies, video games, live theater and charity efforts to give you that "Disney Fix"

Those things would never give me the same fix as a WDW vacay.

Princess Jes · Oct 12, 2015

*NikkiBell* said:
Those things would never give me the same fix as a WDW vacay.

No doubt. But if a WDW vacay is causing this much stress and angst over a price increase, then I can't imagine it will stay fun for long.
Also, as Kevin and Pete said, complaining about it and then still buying the tickets gives Disney the reason to continue doing it.
Vote with your wallet and get your fix elsewhere until a vacay is acceptable again

Alicenwonderment · Oct 12, 2015

*NikkiBell* said:
Those things would never give me the same fix as a WDW vacay.

I do think that I get the same feeling when I do something for charity. I did the college program and then advanced internship. My advanced internship I volunteered at Give Kids the World and I think I got so much more out of those interactions then being at Disney. I put in over 100 hours at GKTW from Jan-June. I loved helping the families so perhaps for me I have more of an emotional tug to go back to GKTW then WDW.

GreatLakes · Oct 13, 2015

dkrauss said:
Tarantino...........Uma Thurman...........VERY NONE Disney...................

Except that both Kill Bill Movies, along with other Tarantino films, were Disney movies. Both were distributed by Miramax which was a Disney company at the time.

mick1229 · Oct 13, 2015

My tipping was actually reached a few years ago,I just was rationalizing why I was renewing ...But not anymore. I would rather remember it as it was rather than continue to witness the "Money Grab"....walking through EPCOT the other day and seeing passing such attractions as "Captain EO"... "Ellen's Energy Adventure"..."Imagination"... And nearly every Country in World Showcase where the only "attraction" is a gift shop and overpriced food...makes my decision a lot easier ..

dkrauss · Oct 13, 2015

GreatLakes said:
Except that both Kill Bill Movies, along with other Tarantino films, were Disney movies. Both were distributed by Miramax which was a Disney company at the time.

Doug

*NikkiBell* · Oct 13, 2015

Princess Jes said:
No doubt. But if a WDW vacay is causing this much stress and angst over a price increase, then I can't imagine it will stay fun for long.
Also, as Kevin and Pete said, complaining about it and then still buying the tickets gives Disney the reason to continue doing it.
Vote with your wallet and get your fix elsewhere until a vacay is acceptable again

Luckily for me, I am not in the position of being priced out when it comes to an AP ticket and will continue to visit every 2-3 months using my DVC membership. However, I still stand by my belief that DVC members should not have blackout dates.

PainInIL · Oct 13, 2015

*NikkiBell* said:
Luckily for me, I am not in the position of being priced out when it comes to an AP ticket and will continue to visit every 2-3 months using my DVC membership. However, I still stand by my belief that DVC members should not have blackout dates.

But since you'll still visit and pay the upcharge why shouldn't there be blackout dates? Disney knows they have you so they'll continue to raise prices. The cigarette analogy is perfect.

I would make a wager that within 5 years that top end pass will be at least 50% higher.

Disney is happy to shed the pass holders that say it is too high. They know either others will be there to pick up the slack or the increased price will make up for the non-renewals. Agree or disagree with them, but Disney really knows how to work their financials to maximize profits.

kbelle8995 · Oct 14, 2015

Oh I don't doubt that a few years we will see a WDW AP that is $1,000. No it wouldn't shock me a bit. They did it at Disneyland they can do it here easily.

Disneyland podcast had an excellent discussion about the price increases. I thought it was well done. Tony Spittell in particular raised some very interesting points

WDW Crawl · Oct 14, 2015

*NikkiBell* said:
Luckily for me, I am not in the position of being priced out when it comes to an AP ticket and will continue to visit every 2-3 months using my DVC membership. However, I still stand by my belief that DVC members should not have blackout dates.

That's exactly why Disney blacked those days out though, and will continue to scrape away while raising prices. Because people are hooked and will still pay the toll.

As a company, they owe nothing extra to the fans (aka customers, DVC or not), no matter how much the fans will disagree verbally. The "added value" (at no extra cost to the company), items like photo pass downloads, will be spotlighted tactically to try to block the slashes. Marketing at work.

The cold truth of it is that voting with the wallet is the only way to get their attention. Sadly until more people experience that initial Disney park withdrawl, Disney's piggy bank (and stock holders) will applaud each and every penny pinched.

disneysteve · Oct 14, 2015

WDW Crawl said:
Disney's piggy bank (and stock holders) will applaud each and every penny pinched.

As a Disney stock holder since the 1980s, I personally disagree. I don't think alienating your best customers is the way to go, even if it means higher profits.

Look, I have a business. There are things we could do to make more money, but we choose not to do those things because they are customer-unfriendly practices. We want to build relationships, not push people away. It can't be all about making every last penny you can possibly make at any and all costs.

Boski · Oct 14, 2015

disneysteve said:
As a Disney stock holder since the 1980s, I personally disagree. I don't think alienating your best customers is the way to go, even if it means higher profits.

Look, I have a business. There are things we could do to make more money, but we choose not to do those things because they are customer-unfriendly practices. We want to build relationships, not push people away. It can't be all about making every last penny you can possibly make at any and all costs.

How un-American of you!

Boski · Oct 14, 2015

DisneyKevin said:
I think this is the crux of the whole thing.

Disney wants us to be emotionally involved. Everything they do is aimed at tugging at our hearts. Wishes, dreams, remember the magic etc...

The problem is that Disney is selling loyalty and emotion, but their decisions are business / profit driven. Emotion is not involved or considered.

It's difficult to reconcile and feels like Disney doesn't care....and I have some bad news....Disney (the company...not individuals) doesn't care, They are profit driven and decisions are made to increase that profit.

I also believe that Disney feels that they have a strong enough hold, that most of us aren't going anywhere.

Many people say there is a tipping point, but it reminds me of what people used to say about buying cigarettes...once they hit $X.XX dollars a pack, I'm going to quit.

We all know how that works most of the time. The tipping point moves.

Princess Jes · Oct 14, 2015

disneysteve said:
As a Disney stock holder since the 1980s, I personally disagree. I don't think alienating your best customers is the way to go, even if it means higher profits.

Look, I have a business. There are things we could do to make more money, but we choose not to do those things because they are customer-unfriendly practices. We want to build relationships, not push people away. It can't be all about making every last penny you can possibly make at any and all costs.

With all due respect Steve, you're also not a fortune 100 company.
Small business is usually local, community based. They do need those devout customers to survive. Big business, as has been said 100 times in this thread, doesn't need to keep every single customer happy because there will be 5 more lining up to take their place.
Again, the number speak for themselves.
Think about how long DHS has been in "ruins", how long the bathrooms have been disgusting, how long the lines have been getting worse, how long hotel and DVC occupancy has been high and it's tough to get a res at times.
Since those things all stated happening, profits and attendance has spiked.
At this point, there doesn't seem to be a correlation to Disney

SorcererHeidi · Oct 14, 2015

WDW Crawl said:
That's exactly why Disney blacked those days out though, and will continue to scrape away while raising prices. Because people are hooked and will still pay the toll.

As a company, they owe nothing extra to the fans (aka customers, DVC or not), no matter how much the fans will disagree verbally. The "added value" (at no extra cost to the company), items like photo pass downloads, will be spotlighted tactically to try to block the slashes. Marketing at work.

The cold truth of it is that voting with the wallet is the only way to get their attention. Sadly until more people experience that initial Disney park withdrawl, Disney's piggy bank (and stock holders) will applaud each and every penny pinched.

Have to respectfully disagree with the comment about "stockholders applauding every penny being pinched". I have been a stockholder since 1993 - and if you read any of my previous posts about my feelings about what's been going on the last few years - you will quickly realize (and I've literally said) "sometimes it AIN'T all about the money!".

WDW Crawl · Oct 14, 2015

disneysteve said:
As a Disney stock holder since the 1980s, I personally disagree. I don't think alienating your best customers is the way to go, even if it means higher profits.

Look, I have a business. There are things we could do to make more money, but we choose not to do those things because they are customer-unfriendly practices. We want to build relationships, not push people away. It can't be all about making every last penny you can possibly make at any and all costs.

Good & I hope the majority of stock holders share such views on it. Without such views and voting via wallet etc. it's just dust in the wind. If any share holder disagrees with the overtly generalized statement I made, act on it with Disney because profits speak louder than words in that argument.

OKW Lover · Oct 15, 2015

Boski said:

What's the source of this data?

Does anyone else expect a "rant" in this coming weeks show?

Will there be a rant on the 10/06 DisUnplugged show

Yes

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