Anyone else think Disney is getting Greedy?

[tim123]

Most of the roller coasters at MK for $149? If you ride Space Mountain you road half of them!

I remember paying <$1 for a gallon of gas, and
my school lunch was $0.35. And renting movies on VCR. Everything changes.

Disney (like all public companies) is focused on share holder value. Period. This isn't Walt's Disney anymore.

I remember paying 30 cents for a gallon of gasoline and 10 cents for lunch.
That doesn't make it right.
As for the below poster's glorification of greed. Yuk. Fracking is greed. Ya know pump chemicals into the ground water for short term profit. Great idea. Lets see its a business its good. Thats what they are supposed to do. Ahh except when all the fresh water is destroyed down the road and guess what life depends on fresh water. Oh and Tepco at Fucashima was GREED. Oh but its a business. Greed is good. Oh no more Pacific ocean and a dead ocean life. Whats so bad about a few million more cancers.? Its good for the medical and drug companies..they're in business. Greed is good. Heh BP British Petroleum is a business lets deep well drill and kill the Gulf.. they are in business. Don't worry we can spray corexit dioxin on it and it will be out of sight out of mind. How does this translate to WDW and no more appetizers on free dining? Where's the corporate connecting between fracking and a cataclysmic unmentionable nuclear disaster thats not allowed to be in the news and DVC and the loss of the fountain at the Poly? Whats that got to do with our beloved company Disney? Thats for you to decide. Like the guy above says..Greed is so good. You must be crazy to think otherwise. Its a business. Hail the suits and the brilliant dedication to profit above ALL else. You must be crazy not to worship and glorify greed. Teach your children well. Heh Goldman Sax is a business too. Pass the losses on to the sleeping masses. Monsanto is a business too. Care for a little roundup and pig genes in your tomato. What good are bees anyway?
Its a slippery slope and gradations abound. Eventually its about morals, ethics, and ultimately social and environmental degradation. It ain't all about profit and shareholders…Huge corporations effect mindsets and the survival of our planet. You can't have it both ways. Eventually the party ends. Thank you for listening and have a magical day!

 

[DisUniversal]

Disney (like all public companies) is focused on share holder value. Period. This isn't Walt's Disney anymore.

No truer words have ever been spoken here...and that's sort of sad. They say "Remember the Magic" for a reason.

 

[Disney Queenie]

So people remember, if you do not like something Disney does...do not voice your complaint, just do not go...yeah, that works...

 

[CinqueTerre]

So people remember, if you do not like something Disney does...do not voice your complaint, just do not go...yeah, that works...

If you want to voice your complaint, buy a share of stock, and then go to the shareholders meeting. You can stand up and tell the executives to stop making so much money.

 

[maxiesmom]

So people remember, if you do not like something Disney does...do not voice your complaint, just do not go...yeah, that works...

And complaining here does what, besides make the poster feel better for venting? How does it fix anything?

If you find something is wrong, write or e-mail the Disney corporation. And then don't go to the parks. If enough people feel the same about that issue and don't go, they will notice. If people just complain and still go there is no incentive to change anything.

 

[tim123]

And complaining here does what, besides make the poster feel better for venting? How does it fix anything?

If you find something is wrong, write or e-mail the Disney corporation. And then don't go to the parks. If enough people feel the same about that issue and don't go, they will notice. If people just complain and still go there is no incentive to change anything.

For the record. I like WDW. I go. I pay. I stay deluxe. I feel the love and history. My choice. Do I think the Poly Pizza huts are greedy? Yep. this is a forum to express thoughts and opinion. Not suppressing how offended those are who love all things Disney. hard two believe one can both love WDW and be disappointed by change many here clearly see as for the negative. I support all opinion both pro and con. And certainly one should see the film "The Corporation" to help inform truisms.

 

[surferdave]

Disney is a publicly traded company that is responsible for answering to their shareholders. So of course they're greedy.

Greed, for lack of a better word, is good. Greed is right. Greed works. Greed clarifies, cuts through, and captures, the essence of the evolutionary spirit. Greed, in all of its forms; greed for life, for money, for love, knowledge, has marked the upward surge of mankind and greed, you mark my words, will not only save Walt Disney World, but that other malfunctioning corporation called the U.S.A.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R8y6DJAeolo

Thanks a lot, Gordon Gekko, I haven't heard that rationalization since Wall Street was on TNT one day in 2010 while I was folding clothes and I couldn't find the remote.

If you want to build a case either way in this matter, ask yourself this: is Disney either devaluing the long term value of the company or violating their own mission statement for the sake of short term financial goals? If it matters to you, this is the mission statement I found online: "The mission of The Walt Disney Company is to be one of the world's leading producers and providers of entertainment and information. Using our portfolio of brands to differentiate our content, services and consumer products, we seek to develop the most creative, innovative and profitable entertainment experiences and related products in the world."

Offering more exclusive services in the parks doesn't stand as a sign of greed to me. I see it more when attractions fall into disrepair, or guest services are reduced to save money, or CM training is reduced to the point that it clearly shows.

 

[maxiesmom]

For the record. I like WDW. I go. I pay. I stay deluxe. I feel the love and history. My choice. Do I think the Poly Pizza huts are greedy? Yep. this is a forum to express thoughts and opinion. Not suppressing how offended those are who love all things Disney. hard two believe one can both love WDW and be disappointed by change many here clearly see as for the negative. I support all opinion both pro and con. And certainly one should see the film "The Corporation" to help inform truisms.

I was replying to a specific comment. People are told not to go if they don't like something Disney is doing. Which is about as effective as complaining on here. If something upsets you, let Disney know, and then don't go. That is the only thing that may make them take notice, if you and enough people do the same.

Just coming here and complaining, while it may make the poster feel better, doesn't help solve the issue. Gotta take action if you want anything to change.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

*sigh* Though I'm sure people will be lining up to snap up this junk

http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3298482

Probably, although it is merely your opinion that it is "junk."

 

[Donut23]

I would not mind the relentless price increases and hands out to collect mor $$$ if Disney maintained the quality of the experience. The changes have been tough to watch .

One teeny example.......Christmas Tree at EPCOT. Few years ago it was on a wonderful decorated platform with giant decorations. Each night there was a lighting ceremony with the characters. Nearby was the Wonderous Lights of Winter, the island filled with white decorations and white doves, Christmas banners on the lamp posts.

Now.....just the tree on the ground.


The cuts don't stop there with the continual cutbacks with Christmas. That was an example.

Now even WORSE.

With Disney breaking $$$ records, you think they could FUND THEIR RETIREMENT PLANS FOR CASTMEMBERS. Sorry to shout.

After nearly 35 years, DH actually will have 2 retirement plans. His Union retirement is funded 120% because payments were protected by Union contract. His regular pension from his early years with the company? Currently funded 64% because Disney has not made payments....especially recently.

GREED. Gosh yes.

 

[sethschroeder]

I think people misunderstand the "then don't go" bunch.

You can love disney and say they are greedy.

What you can't do is drop a couple thousand at Disney and expect them to change.

It's like asking your dog not to eat all his food but giving a full bowl. It's like expecting a kid to learn by themselves they shouldn't eat a whole candy bar. It's like putting gas in your car expecting it to magically become an electric car.

If you want change you have to speak up and forgo Disney World all together. Ever know that person who complains that McDonalds should serve healthier food only to bring back a Big Mac for lunch?

Personally I don't think it's that far out of line for the base vacation. Food cost is a touch high but I expect that at any entertainment place. I love the add-ons because you can always get something a little different some cheap and some more expensive but it doesn't ruin your trip not to do them. If I found WDW to be overpriced I would simply not go anymore way to many places to go in this world.

 

[nugov2]

Wow. I 've never been to Universal, but I am planning to go in April. I had never read/heard that they were constantly pushing their upgrades. I hate that!

We didn't have that experience at all when at IOA/UNI. My dh was actually happy to be out of WDW where he felt all the CM's were obnoxious and annoying I had no issue at either park, so I guess everyone has a different perspective.

 

[nugov2]

It's called saving for 3 years, a concept foreign to most Americans nowadays.

That's great and you should feel proud, but do you really think when you are spending 12K on a vacation that it isn't odd you are complaining about a $400 perk? I'd imagine you are paying for lots of things on this trip that many cannot and are viewed as extra perks that "Greedy" Disney is offering, so what's the difference between that and the $400? Everyone has their priorities on what they want to spend.

 

[BuzzinDownToDisney]

What exactly are you buying that is setting you back 12K? Do you have a small army going with you?

12K should buy the world at Disney.

6 nights at BLT = $4710
Airfare for 5 = $3130
5 day hopper = $1917
4 character meals at $270/each = $1,080

So that's 10,800+ factor in another $1000 or so for meals for 5 people. So maybe we're going over the top on character meals, and maybe we wanted to stay at a deluxe resort because this was a once in a lifetime trip. But no I hardly think we are being excessive, we planned this trip from 3 years ago when my Mom first got sick and started saving then so she could see her grandson's first Disney experience before she passed away. But truly thanks to everyone who has **** on me in this thread for saying I would hope to have an all inclusive trip at that price, you are wonderful people.

 

[sethschroeder]

With Disney breaking $$$ records, you think they could FUND THEIR RETIREMENT PLANS FOR CASTMEMBERS. Sorry to shout.

After nearly 35 years, DH actually will have 2 retirement plans. His Union retirement is funded 120% because payments were protected by Union contract. His regular pension from his early years with the company? Currently funded 64% because Disney has not made payments....especially recently.

GREED. Gosh yes.

Sorry but do you mean there is a pension? If that's the case that is a pretty amazing benefit does have the issue of possibly not getting paid out by some companies. It's one of the big draws for state jobs in Wisconsin. I know nothing about Disney labor issues though.

 

[sethschroeder]

6 nights at BLT = $4710
Airfare for 5 = $3130
5 day hopper = $1917
4 character meals at $270/each = $1,080

So that's 10,800+ factor in another $1000 or so for meals for 5 people. So maybe we're going over the top on character meals, and maybe we wanted to stay at a deluxe resort because this was a once in a lifetime trip. But no I hardly think we are being excessive, we planned this trip from 3 years ago when my Mom first got sick and started saving then so she could see her grandson's first Disney experience before she passed away. But truly thanks to everyone who has **** on me in this thread for saying I would hope to have an all inclusive trip at that price, you are wonderful people.

Disney is an expensive place and it's fine that you saved for 3 years but we can't get everything we want there is a give and take. Also in the US (not sure if your from here) there really isn't anywhere that is truly all inclusive. Even if you go to an all inclusive resort most have add-ons such as island excursions and jet skis.

I hope you have a great trip but if you had not heard of some of these addons you wouldn't know they existed when your at Disney. I felt last summer for the most part Disney does a really good job of offering addons without making a normal guest feel let out or inferior.

Ps the closest thing to all inclusive is the dining plans one of which is premium or ultimate something like that and basically every single extra like tours and such is almost included but still not everything. The Richard petty experience is though if I remember right.

 

[nugov2]

6 nights at BLT = $4710
Airfare for 5 = $3130
5 day hopper = $1917
4 character meals at $270/each = $1,080

So that's 10,800+ factor in another $1000 or so for meals for 5 people. So maybe we're going over the top on character meals, and maybe we wanted to stay at a deluxe resort because this was a once in a lifetime trip. But no I hardly think we are being excessive, we planned this trip from 3 years ago when my Mom first got sick and started saving then so she could see her grandson's first Disney experience before she passed away. But truly thanks to everyone who has **** on me in this thread for saying I would hope to have an all inclusive trip at that price, you are wonderful people.

I agree that getting 12K at disney is very easy and you also shouldn't feel badly about doing that. I think where people had a problem is that you have 12K to spend, but then were appalled to have to spend a few hundred more to participate in something that 1. you don't have to do and 2. could realistically afford to do by either saving $400 more before your trip(probably not that hard to do if you can save 12k) or just juggle things around if this is that high on your priority list. When we vacation we go all out or probably wouldn't go. For us it is the extra experiences that make the trip anywhere. Tours, meals, activities etc, but it just seems weird to be willing to spend a ton of money on so many of those extra perks, but it is this one extra they have thrown in that is the straw that breaks the camels back.

 

[surferdave]

I think people misunderstand the "then don't go" bunch.

I don't think we do. The tone rarely suggests that it's being offered as helpful advice.

If it makes "the bunch" feel better, I've given Disney my feedback, I haven't been back, and unlike any other time in my daughter's life I'm not currently planning my next trip. If and when I do it will probably be split with lots of time and money at other Florida attractions I haven't experienced in a long time and some I never have. There are ways to minimize the effects of recent WDW shortfalls on my vacation and still go, it's not always about punishing them or trying to change them.

In the meantime I'll post here as I see fit in accordance with the forum's guidelines and the moderator's grace.

 

[mom2rtk]

If it makes "the bunch" feel better, I've given Disney my feedback, I haven't been back, and unlike any other time in my daughter's life I'm not currently planning my next trip. If and when I do it will probably be split with lots of time and money at other Florida attractions I haven't experienced in a long time and some I never have. There are ways to minimize the effects of recent WDW shortfalls on my vacation and still go, it's not always about punishing them or trying to change them.

If you aren't planning a trip, then why are you hanging out on a Disney planning board?



Sorry. I just thought I'd cut to the chase.

 

[surferdave]

If you aren't planning a trip, then why are you hanging out on a Disney planning board?



Sorry. I just thought I'd cut to the chase.

See my last sentence.