Mr. Kidds!! Welcome to the dark side!!
We can talk about two things around here.
I think this is what gets me into trouble around here. And it explains perfectly my schizophrenic mind set when it comes to Disney! Anyone whos read my scathing essays regarding the current Disney philosophy and then sees one of my State of the Parks Addresses would think Im nuts!! But believe me, it is possible. Two examples to illustrate (seeing Chinatown would help, metaphorically):
There is a place in EPCOT (my beloved EPCOT) that is an aberration to me. It does not fit!! Philosophically it is a disaster!! When I think about this blemish to my favorite park I cringe!! I
HATE it!!! And yet, when Im there, I cannot resist it. Every time I pass that damned Ice Station I stop in for a cool one! I hate it
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I think you get the picture!
Second is E-Ticket Night! It runs counter to every fiber in my philosophical being!! And yet, I cannot resist! Again
I hate it
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And there are a myriad of other issues which I could not care less about. HOWEVER!!! I try to see them in a big picture, philosophical context. And I judge them accordingly. One such is the Observation Deck, or the restaurants trimming hours. I think over the past twenty years Ive used the observation deck, always on the spur of the moment, perhaps five times. Two of which were on the last trip in July. I think having almost a month there had something to with it. What spurred the issue on the other thread was that my wife, again on the spur of the moment as she just happened to be going to the contemporary at about that time for dinner, was denied access. And that just blew me away. Not personally. I happen to agree that its not the best place in the world for fireworks. I much prefer the Poly, on the beach, sipping a tropical drink. But philosophically!! I was OUTRAGED!!! Once again Disney, where choices should abound, were limiting choices once again!
As for trimming restaurant hours! Ha! Im still a teenager at heart. I stay up way too late and sleep in every chance I get! 7:30 is just too early for your friendly neighborhood LandBaron!! I could not feel more apathetic about an issue if I tried!! But again, thats only personally!! On a philosophical level this move reeks of UN-Magic and ANTI-Dust!!! And again, they are limiting choices and CRAMMING everyone into smaller time periods, insuring maximum guest discomfort, all for the sake of a couple of bucks!!
Now, you say they are two separate things that we discuss:
One would be 'is this bad for Disney the business?' You know what, I think the answer to that question is no for just about all the things we kick around here. Why? Well, despite low attendance as of late, the people will come. Disney will make money. Disney will survive. That leads us to the second question.........
'Is this bad relative to Disney's history, and future, of being a unique, magical destination?'. Well, the answer to this one is a whole other story. Some things we talk about I'd say yes, some I'd say no. That's not just from a personal perspective, it really does consider impacts on other quests. Quite honestly, different people find unique magic in different things.
I disagree! I think the two are inextricably woven together.
Is it bad for Disney the business? is very, very much the question in the context of it being a unique, magical destination. Yes. In the short term they can increase profits. Yes. They can generate momentary interest in a new addition. Yes. They can defer maintenance, make all the stores the same, cut out valet parking, split EPCOT into two parks and create dark days for the parks. And in the short term they will increase profits. But at the same time they are lowering the bar, diving to match their competition and creating long-term DISsatisfaction that will not only hurt the long-term bottom line, but may very well kill it!!
This, From Another Voice, sums up my view on the subject to a tee!!
The primary offering of any business is choice. Disney is bit by bit by bit removing choices: a half hour to eat breakfast here, a shop over there, a show closed today. Even if you could care less about the specific cut it should be very clear that reduced choices reduces the value to many others. If there are enough of those others then the business will be in serious trouble.
Thats all Ive ever been trying to say here. Which is why I try to speak philosophically and NOT personally!!
But...what is that new CEO going to do with Dinorama, or Paradise Pier. The truly un-Disney things that are being added to WDW/DL/DLP in concrete and steel. Oh sure, that CEO could bulldoze the whole thing and start over. But that's not quite as easy as taking a few tables out of the CG lounge.
Its OK! Baby steps. One thing at a time!! It took us eighteen years to get to this point. I suspect it will take us more than a few years to get back on the right path.
It's possible that Eisner is in over his head.
Hes been over his head since the easy answer of opening up the film library to video idea ran out of gas!! He is INEPT!! (sorry for the broken record refrain!!)
Again, Mr. Kidds!! WELCOME ABOARD!!!