A lot of complaints
- Thread starter scauzilloc
- Start date
MrKlixx
Earning My Ears
- Joined
- Jun 28, 2001
I was directed to a webpage (http://www.drmor.com/4/goat.htm) regarding something completely non-Disney related, however the story on the page made me immidiately think of Disney. I think the "Mouse" is resorting to "goat" tactics.
Here is the fable.
Once upon a time (or only yesterday) in a small poor village lived a poor man. One day he came to the Rabbi (the wise man/religious leader of the community) and said to him. Rabbi, life is so miserable. I have a wife and fourteen children. We all share one room in a poor shack. There is almost no food. Everything is bad, please help me.
The Rabbi thought for a moment and then told the Poor Man Take your dog and bring him home to live with you.
The Poor Man is surprised, but what the Rabbi say Poor Man do.
A week later the Poor Man comes back to the Rabbi in tears. Rabbi, life is worse now. Wife, fourteen children, one room, shack, dog barks and eats and stinks. We cant live like that any more, please help.
Rabbi thinks a moment and then tells the Poor Man Take your ten chicken home to live with you.
Rabbi say Poor Man do.
A week later the Poor Man comes back to the Rabbi crying. Rabbi, life is horrible now. Wife, fourteen children, one room, shack, dog, chicken cluck and eat and stink. We cannot sleep or eat any more, please help.
Rabbi thinks a moment and then tells the Poor Man Take your goat home to live with you.
Rabbi say Poor Man do.
A week later the Poor Man comes back to the Rabbi looking like a ghost. Rabbi, there is no life anymore. Wife, fourteen children, one room, shack, dog, chicken, goat eat eat and stink. We are dying, please help.
Rabbi thinks a moment and then tells the Poor Man Kick the goat out.
Rabbi say Poor Man do.
The next day the Poor Man rushes back to the Rabbi, all smiles and happiness. Rabbi, thank you so much, you saved our lives. Life is so much better now.
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In case you are wondering what this is all about, that story can give you great insight into what happens in your mind when life is playing games with you.
Take for example the next story:
You are not happy at work. You go to your Boss and tell him I am not happy here. I am not getting enough money and nobody appreciates my work. Help me.
The Boss turns around and tells you Your performance is down so I am going to cut your bonus, and business is not that great so I may just fire you next week.
You anxiously wait one week, worried sick about losing your job and feeling stupid for asking.
After one week the Boss gets back to you and says I decided not to fire you after all.
As you walk away feeling much better you may stop and realize that you are actually worse off than you were last week (you lost that bonus), so why are you feeling better? - The Goat Method worked again.
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MrKlixx
(goat with mouse ears clipart)
Here is the fable.
Once upon a time (or only yesterday) in a small poor village lived a poor man. One day he came to the Rabbi (the wise man/religious leader of the community) and said to him. Rabbi, life is so miserable. I have a wife and fourteen children. We all share one room in a poor shack. There is almost no food. Everything is bad, please help me.
The Rabbi thought for a moment and then told the Poor Man Take your dog and bring him home to live with you.
The Poor Man is surprised, but what the Rabbi say Poor Man do.
A week later the Poor Man comes back to the Rabbi in tears. Rabbi, life is worse now. Wife, fourteen children, one room, shack, dog barks and eats and stinks. We cant live like that any more, please help.
Rabbi thinks a moment and then tells the Poor Man Take your ten chicken home to live with you.
Rabbi say Poor Man do.
A week later the Poor Man comes back to the Rabbi crying. Rabbi, life is horrible now. Wife, fourteen children, one room, shack, dog, chicken cluck and eat and stink. We cannot sleep or eat any more, please help.
Rabbi thinks a moment and then tells the Poor Man Take your goat home to live with you.
Rabbi say Poor Man do.
A week later the Poor Man comes back to the Rabbi looking like a ghost. Rabbi, there is no life anymore. Wife, fourteen children, one room, shack, dog, chicken, goat eat eat and stink. We are dying, please help.
Rabbi thinks a moment and then tells the Poor Man Kick the goat out.
Rabbi say Poor Man do.
The next day the Poor Man rushes back to the Rabbi, all smiles and happiness. Rabbi, thank you so much, you saved our lives. Life is so much better now.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In case you are wondering what this is all about, that story can give you great insight into what happens in your mind when life is playing games with you.
Take for example the next story:
You are not happy at work. You go to your Boss and tell him I am not happy here. I am not getting enough money and nobody appreciates my work. Help me.
The Boss turns around and tells you Your performance is down so I am going to cut your bonus, and business is not that great so I may just fire you next week.
You anxiously wait one week, worried sick about losing your job and feeling stupid for asking.
After one week the Boss gets back to you and says I decided not to fire you after all.
As you walk away feeling much better you may stop and realize that you are actually worse off than you were last week (you lost that bonus), so why are you feeling better? - The Goat Method worked again.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MrKlixx
(goat with mouse ears clipart)
Close the parks? Are you kidding? Disney has been sucking the blood out of their guests for years and you want me to feel sorry for them? Disney is ruthless, they care about only one thing, and that's making as much money as possible. Not you, not me, not that cute little kid with the Mickey hat, no, they say, show me the money.
DisneyFanGuy
Disney Nut
- Joined
- Jun 4, 2000
Disney is the most incredible business on earth. They sell nostalgia, positive feelings, and joy. I have visited the World many many times, and have always left amazed by the details and little ways that they can dazzle you.
I LOVE THE PARKS.
In the last few years I have noticed a subtle, but definate drop in the experience. I have written letters with my concerns. I haven't really enjoyed any of the modern Disney attractions nearly to the level of the Classic Disney attractions. My wife and I have often discussed how the quality of the experience has decreased, while the price and gone through the roof. They are still beautiful, but not AS beautiful. Still better than anywhere else on earth though. In other words, we still go and still enjoy the experience.
In the last couple of years I have become very concerned about the closing of attractions, and the "mallification" of Disney. Some of my favorite little attractions and details, such as the Keelboats at WDW or the Canoes at DL, have been closed. Nothing replaces them directly, but a new shop or restaurant with glorius theming opens elsewhere in the park.
A great example was the little classic movie theater on main street. Gone forever, and replaced by a shop. A little piece of the experience is gone forever.
Another would be the penny arcade at DL. Gone, and replaced by another shop.
Each time I notice a little change like this, I get sad and nostalgic.
I used to have all sorts of little "tricks" about knowing secret things to do in the parks. Places to go to find a detail or experience that few others knew about. I used to love the feeling of discovery in the Disney parks. Most of these experiences are now replaced by shops as well. It's beginning to feel like the MK is a shop with a few attractions thrown in.
NOW, we see closures and reduced hours for anything that doesn't generate revenue. I don't see many shops closing.....just attractions that are costly to maintain.
Disney does not deserve our sympathy. They do not deserve us to "give them a break". They do not deserve our loyality. They provide a wonderful service and charge an incredible amount of money for it. And if it meets the grade, we are happy to pay it! If it doesn't, then we will go elsewhere.
I read on these boards about people who have saved for years to take the ultimate Disney vacation. They have carefully planned their time, and have been looking forward to going. Now they find out that many of the experiences that they have been hearing about for years and are about to see for themselves have been cancelled? Of COURSE they are mad. Rightfully so! Can you imagine looking forward to Fantasmic for years to find out that it was cut to reduce costs? WOW! Last I checked, the cost of the studios was still the same 50 bucks.
Xerox decided a few years ago, when they were the biggest and best, to reduce their field costs to maximize profits. Now, just three years later, they are nearly bankrupt. Loyalty is a fleeting thing. I was very loyal to Disney. Now I am just plain old PO'd.
When business is good, you bank the cash. When business is bad, you invest and train and create to make it better. That's basic economics. I have been able to justify in my mind over the past 5 years that the reason that there has been no real improvements in the MK is that people were continuing to come. I have read in their annual reports about them cutting costs to find cash to cover other devisions that needed it, even though the parks devision generated 2 billion dollars per year in income. Now that business is bad, what are they doing? Cutting back hours and closing attractions to reduce costs. They are going to destroy the number one source of income for their company by taking it out of their guests hides. It makes me so mad that I could just spit nails.
I am going to spend a couple of days there in November. I will see for myself if the level of service is what people are saying it is. If so, its the last time that I will set foot in the World for a long long time. And they will have lost a very loyal customer.
Big new attraction for 2001? Magic Carpets of Alladin! But it does include that beautifully themed shopping area!
Jeeeeeeeeeeesh.
I LOVE THE PARKS.
In the last few years I have noticed a subtle, but definate drop in the experience. I have written letters with my concerns. I haven't really enjoyed any of the modern Disney attractions nearly to the level of the Classic Disney attractions. My wife and I have often discussed how the quality of the experience has decreased, while the price and gone through the roof. They are still beautiful, but not AS beautiful. Still better than anywhere else on earth though. In other words, we still go and still enjoy the experience.
In the last couple of years I have become very concerned about the closing of attractions, and the "mallification" of Disney. Some of my favorite little attractions and details, such as the Keelboats at WDW or the Canoes at DL, have been closed. Nothing replaces them directly, but a new shop or restaurant with glorius theming opens elsewhere in the park.
A great example was the little classic movie theater on main street. Gone forever, and replaced by a shop. A little piece of the experience is gone forever.
Another would be the penny arcade at DL. Gone, and replaced by another shop.
Each time I notice a little change like this, I get sad and nostalgic.
I used to have all sorts of little "tricks" about knowing secret things to do in the parks. Places to go to find a detail or experience that few others knew about. I used to love the feeling of discovery in the Disney parks. Most of these experiences are now replaced by shops as well. It's beginning to feel like the MK is a shop with a few attractions thrown in.
NOW, we see closures and reduced hours for anything that doesn't generate revenue. I don't see many shops closing.....just attractions that are costly to maintain.
Disney does not deserve our sympathy. They do not deserve us to "give them a break". They do not deserve our loyality. They provide a wonderful service and charge an incredible amount of money for it. And if it meets the grade, we are happy to pay it! If it doesn't, then we will go elsewhere.
I read on these boards about people who have saved for years to take the ultimate Disney vacation. They have carefully planned their time, and have been looking forward to going. Now they find out that many of the experiences that they have been hearing about for years and are about to see for themselves have been cancelled? Of COURSE they are mad. Rightfully so! Can you imagine looking forward to Fantasmic for years to find out that it was cut to reduce costs? WOW! Last I checked, the cost of the studios was still the same 50 bucks.
Xerox decided a few years ago, when they were the biggest and best, to reduce their field costs to maximize profits. Now, just three years later, they are nearly bankrupt. Loyalty is a fleeting thing. I was very loyal to Disney. Now I am just plain old PO'd.
When business is good, you bank the cash. When business is bad, you invest and train and create to make it better. That's basic economics. I have been able to justify in my mind over the past 5 years that the reason that there has been no real improvements in the MK is that people were continuing to come. I have read in their annual reports about them cutting costs to find cash to cover other devisions that needed it, even though the parks devision generated 2 billion dollars per year in income. Now that business is bad, what are they doing? Cutting back hours and closing attractions to reduce costs. They are going to destroy the number one source of income for their company by taking it out of their guests hides. It makes me so mad that I could just spit nails.
I am going to spend a couple of days there in November. I will see for myself if the level of service is what people are saying it is. If so, its the last time that I will set foot in the World for a long long time. And they will have lost a very loyal customer.
Big new attraction for 2001? Magic Carpets of Alladin! But it does include that beautifully themed shopping area!
Jeeeeeeeeeeesh.
JeffJewell
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Oct 5, 2000
...nice post. It reads so well, I almost hate to hijack this part:
DFG's statement is a great illustration of why I'm always shooting off my big bazoo about "Disney Magic." I know we always get to the same point: that "Magic" is a subjective thing, and how dare you question my own opinion as being the correct one.
But each of those little cuts, each of those little savings, actually had a much greater cost. Every time one of those bonuses or perqs or nifty little somethings was sacrificed, _someone_ out there finally reached the point described above: "I was very loyal to Disney. Now I am just plain old PO'd."
This is the Landbaron's slippery slope: if you start valuing "low cost" over "great story" and "impeccable details," where do you stop? For _all_ people, at some point or other, you'll cross their line where personal defintions of Magic end.
All businesses must try to strike a balance between the extremes; they can decide to tell the best story and add the most and most impressive details at any price, or they can put absolutely everything possible into a product for a certain price, or they can even work to make the absolutely cheapest one possible. But it's a dangerous game to try to play with that combination in the name of maximizing profits.
Sooner or later, you'll misstep, and a _lot_ of formerly loyal customers will be just plain PO'd. Eisner has made a fortune asking the question "how much Magic can I afford to cut." At some point, a critical mass of customers is going to have said "that one there... that one went too far. Think I'll see what other vacations I might take..."
Jeff
PS: By the way, we're treading close to the reason it's so obvious that Car #3 Disney fans are actually the most loyal Disney fans of all: we are realist enough to be PO'd when appropriate, but we're still going to Orlando.
PPS: In case I trampled this part of my message, I'll repeat; Nice post, DisneyFanGuy.
...in order that I may turn it to my own ends.
DFG's statement is a great illustration of why I'm always shooting off my big bazoo about "Disney Magic." I know we always get to the same point: that "Magic" is a subjective thing, and how dare you question my own opinion as being the correct one.
But each of those little cuts, each of those little savings, actually had a much greater cost. Every time one of those bonuses or perqs or nifty little somethings was sacrificed, _someone_ out there finally reached the point described above: "I was very loyal to Disney. Now I am just plain old PO'd."
This is the Landbaron's slippery slope: if you start valuing "low cost" over "great story" and "impeccable details," where do you stop? For _all_ people, at some point or other, you'll cross their line where personal defintions of Magic end.
All businesses must try to strike a balance between the extremes; they can decide to tell the best story and add the most and most impressive details at any price, or they can put absolutely everything possible into a product for a certain price, or they can even work to make the absolutely cheapest one possible. But it's a dangerous game to try to play with that combination in the name of maximizing profits.
Sooner or later, you'll misstep, and a _lot_ of formerly loyal customers will be just plain PO'd. Eisner has made a fortune asking the question "how much Magic can I afford to cut." At some point, a critical mass of customers is going to have said "that one there... that one went too far. Think I'll see what other vacations I might take..."
Jeff
PS: By the way, we're treading close to the reason it's so obvious that Car #3 Disney fans are actually the most loyal Disney fans of all: we are realist enough to be PO'd when appropriate, but we're still going to Orlando.
PPS: In case I trampled this part of my message, I'll repeat; Nice post, DisneyFanGuy.
C
Captain Crook
Guest
JJ, I agree with your entire post. You did not pit the feelings of those of us who ARE still feeling satisfied against those who aren't, even though I know that you must be mystified by our subjective feelings. It is true (as DFG said) that there could come a point where DisDuck will lose his feel, Scoop could lose his feel and The Captain too, could lose his feel.
As I have always tried to impart (miserably, I agree) I totally understand Landbarons "slippery slope", I just never felt as threatend by it as he or you or HBK or AV, and I believe that is because I get so many more doses of WDW than most of you, therefore look for different things. But still, the current path is troubling for me too, as wild speculation is the best I can do to rationalize the truly bizarre behavior eminating from Disney management at this moment. I too, am worried, but as Landbaron said, I have a good grasp on that (at least) half full glass and am not ready to give up quite yet...
As I have always tried to impart (miserably, I agree) I totally understand Landbarons "slippery slope", I just never felt as threatend by it as he or you or HBK or AV, and I believe that is because I get so many more doses of WDW than most of you, therefore look for different things. But still, the current path is troubling for me too, as wild speculation is the best I can do to rationalize the truly bizarre behavior eminating from Disney management at this moment. I too, am worried, but as Landbaron said, I have a good grasp on that (at least) half full glass and am not ready to give up quite yet...
TDC Nala
1937, what a year that was
- Joined
- Jun 22, 2001
It doesn't matter to me much about Epcot opening at 10, but the MK could stay open a little later than 6, especially with no EE available. Spectro was already down to Saturdays only; I can't believe that running it on Fridays would have hurt business too much (now there are rumors that it won't be run at all until sometime next summer). I understand the AK closing early, but to shut down practically all of its counterservice eateries by 3? I understand closing POFQ for awhile; I don't really understand shutting down the Carousel of Progress unless it really is completely out of touch with what today's theme park guest wants. Today's theme park guest wants Universal, I guess, or at least IOA; faster, louder, scarier, wetter. Without whatever the Disney touch is, these parks will just be the old ones that aren't fast, loud, scary, or wet enough. If the Disney fanatics are disturbed, the non-fanatics must be livid.
I understand IOA also closes at 6 and has shut down some rides.
I understand IOA also closes at 6 and has shut down some rides.
I can remember when Disneyworld was a fun place to go to. Long hours and plenty to do. They can't even tell me their hours of operation. Why should I spend a bundle of money just to have more time to spend in the hotel. They have cut services and kept high prices. I work in retail and when things are slow we have sales. This brings in more customers. We do not cut the hours of operation. We give more service so the customers keep coming back.
Disney never had bad times until this year. They stopped creating family attractions and made more and more thrill and scary attractions.
I was there last October and noticed that maintenance was not good. Lights on the Main Street buildings were not being changed when they blew out. Too many unpainted surfaces. Dirt was everywhere.
If they want to keep customers coming, keep treating them as guests like they used to.
I could go on but I think you got my idea.
Disney never had bad times until this year. They stopped creating family attractions and made more and more thrill and scary attractions.
I was there last October and noticed that maintenance was not good. Lights on the Main Street buildings were not being changed when they blew out. Too many unpainted surfaces. Dirt was everywhere.
If they want to keep customers coming, keep treating them as guests like they used to.
I could go on but I think you got my idea.
Kuzco
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Feb 29, 2000
Since we all want our money's worth, maybe WDW should go back to A-E Tickets for the Attractions. That way, we'd all get EXACTLY our money's worth. Or maybe WDW should increase its admission prices to around the $500 dollar mark for daily admittance to compete with Cirque du Soleil's $70 price for an hour and 1/2 of entertainment. Sorry folks, but I've always said the entertainment at the parks (without the attractions) is enough for the price of the admission alone. I don't think $50 is unreasonable at all.
If you want more bang for your buck, don't schedule your trips during off-season. Go on July 4th when its 90 degrees and the MK is open until 2am.
Am i disappointed in the cuts in relation to my January trip? Yes. Do I think Disney should do a better job Public Relations wise to let us know whats going on? Yes. But it is off-season after all and the econonmy is slowing. Lets wait until the busy season to really start griping.
Everyone has a right to complain to Disney. Your points are definitely valid. But I do think there is still a lot of good in relation the Disney company and I do feel that I am getting my money's worth in more ways than one.
WDW, here I come!
If you want more bang for your buck, don't schedule your trips during off-season. Go on July 4th when its 90 degrees and the MK is open until 2am.
Am i disappointed in the cuts in relation to my January trip? Yes. Do I think Disney should do a better job Public Relations wise to let us know whats going on? Yes. But it is off-season after all and the econonmy is slowing. Lets wait until the busy season to really start griping.
Everyone has a right to complain to Disney. Your points are definitely valid. But I do think there is still a lot of good in relation the Disney company and I do feel that I am getting my money's worth in more ways than one.
WDW, here I come!
kuzco
What makes you think things will be better in the busy seasons. They cancelled the Easter Parade and they are constantly cutting out attractions and not creating too much to take its place. Why spend thousands of dollars just to spend a lot of time in a hotel room.
What makes you think things will be better in the busy seasons. They cancelled the Easter Parade and they are constantly cutting out attractions and not creating too much to take its place. Why spend thousands of dollars just to spend a lot of time in a hotel room.
TiggerFreak
Never goes gankin on the Internizzle
- Joined
- Dec 21, 2000
Hows about we call it the Paul Principle.
You know, thats where you take someone out of a postion where they are doing a wounderful job and stuff them into a spot where they don't have a clue. Then do the same with their old postion also. It's a classic Lose-Lose scenario.
Pressler did a wonderful job with the Disney Stores, since he has left the Disney Stores have lost the Magic. His form of pixie dust, creating new stores and making them a great place to visit, just doesn't add anything to the parks, uh except maybe 30 or 40 more places to buy the same things, where you once upon a time experienced COP, Keel Boats, Classic Cartoons, ......
You know, thats where you take someone out of a postion where they are doing a wounderful job and stuff them into a spot where they don't have a clue. Then do the same with their old postion also. It's a classic Lose-Lose scenario.
Pressler did a wonderful job with the Disney Stores, since he has left the Disney Stores have lost the Magic. His form of pixie dust, creating new stores and making them a great place to visit, just doesn't add anything to the parks, uh except maybe 30 or 40 more places to buy the same things, where you once upon a time experienced COP, Keel Boats, Classic Cartoons, ......
If you read nothing else on this BB read Disneyfanguy"s post on page 2 of this thead it states my sentiments about the demise of WDW better tyhan I could have expressed them. Unfortunately WDW is sinking fast and I blame Ei$ner and the rest of Disneys management team. Walts gotta be rolling over!
Disney is making a HUGE mistake. People want to get the most value out of their TIME and MONEY. Why would I spend my families precious vacation time, let alone money, for less entertainment?? Because of all the uncertainy of hours, attractions open..etc.. we are....
1. Driving instead of flying, so we can go elsewhere if needed (ie IOA.) or just cancel if it cutbacks increase.
2. Have cut our "planned" time at WDW to 5 days instead of 8. We added in Busch gardens.
When we heard on CNN that WDW asked it employess to take a 20%cut in hours and pay my 70 yo Housewife Mom said..." I'am not going this year were is there going to be any magic if things are that bad, workers will be angry, it will be a sad place."
I have to agree with her, who would feel like giving 110% after such a pay cut. Did Eisner take a pay cut??? Doesn't he make like 200 mil/ year? 20% off that could help their bottom line without effecting morale.
1. Driving instead of flying, so we can go elsewhere if needed (ie IOA.) or just cancel if it cutbacks increase.
2. Have cut our "planned" time at WDW to 5 days instead of 8. We added in Busch gardens.
When we heard on CNN that WDW asked it employess to take a 20%cut in hours and pay my 70 yo Housewife Mom said..." I'am not going this year were is there going to be any magic if things are that bad, workers will be angry, it will be a sad place."
I have to agree with her, who would feel like giving 110% after such a pay cut. Did Eisner take a pay cut??? Doesn't he make like 200 mil/ year? 20% off that could help their bottom line without effecting morale.
All Aboard
Por favor mantengan se alejado de las puertas
- Joined
- Oct 21, 1999
Disorbust, while I share your frustrations about the cutbacks...
USF/IOA as an alternative won't really add much value. UO is closing both of their parks at 5pm every day of the week now. That's earlier than MK, Epcot or Disney Studios.
USF/IOA as an alternative won't really add much value. UO is closing both of their parks at 5pm every day of the week now. That's earlier than MK, Epcot or Disney Studios.
Nuts4Disney
HAKUNA MATATA!
- Joined
- Jun 14, 2000
we are on the same page...I have had the very same feelings myself over the past several years. I feel the comercialism taking over the nostalgia & pixie dust of WDW. IMHO, even animation department is failing. Where's the next Beauty & the Beast, Little Mermaid? I've always marked my calendar when new films were hitting the theaters, excited like a child. I can't remember the last time I walked out of a theater saying, "Wow, Disney did it again."
Disney is a business, on this everyone seems to agree. Yet, we are willing to except less from Disney as a business than any other business for some sentimental reason. That doesn't make much business sense to me. We have been told that market research indicates that consumers would prefer to get less for the same cost, than to have a company raise its prices. So we as consumers have acclimated to paying for 1 lb. of coffee, but only getting 12 oz. Same thing holds true with dry cereal, etc., the list is endless. But we just came out of the biggest boom economy...& I don't remember the coffee or cereal companies, or any of the other companies for that matter saying, "business picked up, profits are great, we're gonna give you the full pound of coffee or full box of cereal that you have been paying for all along again." I am skeptical that Disney will ever give anything back. They are a business, & if people are willing to pay the same amount but are just as happy receiving less, Disney has no incentive to give anything back or do anything special for its customers [guests?!].
I am very disappointed in the whole way Disney is handling all of this. It is as though they expect us to except whatever they throw at us, & they become indignant if we complain. I find them very UnDisney-like right now. I know I was not been able to get a straight answer to very direct questions when I called them recently, & was very disappointed in their attitudes. The pixie dust seemed to be gone with the cast members. And I am aware that they're going through a lot with cut backs & the like. But so is the rest of the country. They should see what we are seeing up here! My sympathy is with the direct victims of 9/11, not the corporations who are only concerned with their bottom lines.
It is very hard to even want to take a vacation right now, with all going on. I personally am not even in a very vacation-like mood. But we have this planned, so I am still playing around with the idea. But now that all this is going on with WDW & the last straw for me. The tourism business is hurting, as are many other businesses, but as was said before by many others...the other business that are hurting, including those in the tourism industry are kissing the butts of their customers. I feel like Disney has gotten too arrogant, as though we will not go anywhere else & we will put up with whatever they throw at us, whatever Disney decides to do.
This year is more complicated for us, because my sister was coming with us. It is her first time to WDW & her birthday! We have been planning this for almost a year already! Most of my planning is out the window, because of the changes, & I can't get any firm info on WDW, so why plan, it just changes anyway?! I also feel like she is not going to really see WDW...not really experience the real magic of WDW, even though that may not be entirely WDW's fault. It's just not gonna be a Hakuna Matata vacation.
It's just all so ironic that this is all taking place on the year that WDW is celebrating Walt Disney! Everything Disney Co. is doing seems so UnDisney-like.
I know this is long. Thanks for letting me go on. I haven't even been able to post for awhile.
[Not so] Nuts4Disney
Disney is a business, on this everyone seems to agree. Yet, we are willing to except less from Disney as a business than any other business for some sentimental reason. That doesn't make much business sense to me. We have been told that market research indicates that consumers would prefer to get less for the same cost, than to have a company raise its prices. So we as consumers have acclimated to paying for 1 lb. of coffee, but only getting 12 oz. Same thing holds true with dry cereal, etc., the list is endless. But we just came out of the biggest boom economy...& I don't remember the coffee or cereal companies, or any of the other companies for that matter saying, "business picked up, profits are great, we're gonna give you the full pound of coffee or full box of cereal that you have been paying for all along again." I am skeptical that Disney will ever give anything back. They are a business, & if people are willing to pay the same amount but are just as happy receiving less, Disney has no incentive to give anything back or do anything special for its customers [guests?!].
I am very disappointed in the whole way Disney is handling all of this. It is as though they expect us to except whatever they throw at us, & they become indignant if we complain. I find them very UnDisney-like right now. I know I was not been able to get a straight answer to very direct questions when I called them recently, & was very disappointed in their attitudes. The pixie dust seemed to be gone with the cast members. And I am aware that they're going through a lot with cut backs & the like. But so is the rest of the country. They should see what we are seeing up here! My sympathy is with the direct victims of 9/11, not the corporations who are only concerned with their bottom lines.
It is very hard to even want to take a vacation right now, with all going on. I personally am not even in a very vacation-like mood. But we have this planned, so I am still playing around with the idea. But now that all this is going on with WDW & the last straw for me. The tourism business is hurting, as are many other businesses, but as was said before by many others...the other business that are hurting, including those in the tourism industry are kissing the butts of their customers. I feel like Disney has gotten too arrogant, as though we will not go anywhere else & we will put up with whatever they throw at us, whatever Disney decides to do.
This year is more complicated for us, because my sister was coming with us. It is her first time to WDW & her birthday! We have been planning this for almost a year already! Most of my planning is out the window, because of the changes, & I can't get any firm info on WDW, so why plan, it just changes anyway?! I also feel like she is not going to really see WDW...not really experience the real magic of WDW, even though that may not be entirely WDW's fault. It's just not gonna be a Hakuna Matata vacation.
It's just all so ironic that this is all taking place on the year that WDW is celebrating Walt Disney! Everything Disney Co. is doing seems so UnDisney-like.
I know this is long. Thanks for letting me go on. I haven't even been able to post for awhile.
[Not so] Nuts4Disney
Christine & family
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Jul 4, 2000
I'll be honest... I'm really nervous about submitting any posts when it comes to this topic because people seem to be really angry at different opinions. But if this is to be balanced, then perhaps it's worth chiming in.
Each time I spend money, I make a decision about whether or not what I'm buying is worth it to me. Something that I think is a treasure, someone else may think is junk. I agree that it isn't fair for people to think they are buying one thing (early entry priveleges) and wind up with something different, but now we know. We know that shows aren't guaranteed to be performed every day, we know that parks may not be open as long as they were before, and that other changes may occur.
So please take what I'm about to say as well intended. If you so dislike Disney World, then perhaps you'd feel better spending your time on something that did bring you happiness and excitement. I'm here because I'm planning another trip and I want to learn about how to make the most of our trip. It has helped to have my eyes opened about some of these changes so my expectations have been set, but I'm confused as to why people spend so much time on these boards when they don't seem to have any positive interest in Disney World or another trip.
Anyway, my five year old and eight year old are really excited. I love to see how happy they are when we are away together at Disney World. I hope for you all that you can find opportunities, at Disney or somewhere else, to enjoy being with your friends and family. For me, I'm glad that we have a place that is so child-oriented to spend time at.
Each time I spend money, I make a decision about whether or not what I'm buying is worth it to me. Something that I think is a treasure, someone else may think is junk. I agree that it isn't fair for people to think they are buying one thing (early entry priveleges) and wind up with something different, but now we know. We know that shows aren't guaranteed to be performed every day, we know that parks may not be open as long as they were before, and that other changes may occur.
So please take what I'm about to say as well intended. If you so dislike Disney World, then perhaps you'd feel better spending your time on something that did bring you happiness and excitement. I'm here because I'm planning another trip and I want to learn about how to make the most of our trip. It has helped to have my eyes opened about some of these changes so my expectations have been set, but I'm confused as to why people spend so much time on these boards when they don't seem to have any positive interest in Disney World or another trip.
Anyway, my five year old and eight year old are really excited. I love to see how happy they are when we are away together at Disney World. I hope for you all that you can find opportunities, at Disney or somewhere else, to enjoy being with your friends and family. For me, I'm glad that we have a place that is so child-oriented to spend time at.
JeffJewell
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Oct 5, 2000
Sometimes, some of the anger comes from the fact that some of us have been sitting here for a couple years, having largely the same discussion with largely the same folks. If I yell at YoHo, it's just as likely to be because of something he did last summer as something in the post I'm actually responding to...
The vast majority of folks, even those with dissenting opinions, are happy to discuss things in civil tones, if the occasion demands.
The thing is, I believe that most of the posters complaining do _not_ dislike Disney World. Indeed, someone who doesn't like Disney World isn't likely to have found and registered for these boards at all (yeah, there are a certain number of whackos in any population, but I think they're a really small minority here).
Here's where I hope you'll take what I say as well intended: trying to make plans for a Disney vacation at this point in time is about as satisfying and valuable as trying to staple Jell-O to a cat. For those folks who are still going, the best advice I have is to not count on seeing anything in particular. Almost any plans created now will be of little value by the time you arrive at a park.
My next trip is December. I'm what many would call an anal-retentive planner, and the schedule I set up for December "went green" literally, just a couple days before the post 9-11 cuts started (I started planning in July or August, and because you cannot get certain PSes or special events until X days before, I put the planned activities in red. When I've got the confirmation number in hand, I turn the entry green on my schedule. When my schedule "goes green," it means I've gotten all my reservations, PSes, and tickets locked up and confirmed). Now, the hours for December are no longer even posted. I'll have to wait until I get to the park to see how much of the schedule is valid. If I had to do the planning over again, I wouldn't: why bother, with the current environment?
I think that's an illusion. Even though I'm happy to shoot off my bazoo about what I feel are Disney mistakes, it's actually _because_ of my positive interest in Disney (and of course, I've mentioned our pending trip) that I point them out. If I didn't care about Disney, it wouldn't bother me in the slightest if they padlocked the place.
I think a lot of people would get along better if some folks wouldn't read "Disney has made a mistake, here" and assume that means "Disney is a bad company and no one should buy their product ever again."
Jeff
I am making our decision of where to spend our time/money based on what we enjoy the most, as it stands now. The hours ay be shorter at IOA BUT as a resort guest you get front of the line acess to the attractions that is a big plus! We always did EE , toured the park , had lunch, went back to the resort to swim and rest and then hit the parks again. Now this is not possible so should we spend "More" on a resort at WDW and get to use it "less". Like I said originally in my post, we are driving so we can be flexible. I hope the hours and onsite benifits return to normal then so may our orginal vacation plans.
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