Anyone else think Disney is getting Greedy?

[Planogirl]

I'll just say that whether or not Universal has added great things or overlays or whatever that Disney itself hasn't done much lately. They used to build huge, beautiful and innovative things and they don't do much of that any more. No matter what any other company does that is what I see.

I remember the new Epcot Center. Wow, that was a remarkable piece of work and it didn't take as long as you might think. Now...

 

[Quasialamodo]

Okay, I'm halfway through this thread and will pause to comment...

I am surprised that Disney (in particular WDW) keeps increasing the base price for its product. However, it's clear that Disney is outpacing the US economy at this point. I mean, GDP was down almost 3%. When you compare that with Disney's 34% growth in the first quarter alone, there is obviously demand for their services.

I don't think the addition of these Premium upgrades are "Greed" driven. Does Disney want to make a profit? Heck, yeah! But I also think this past (okay, we could argue ongoing) recession caught them with their hands in their pockets. They took it on the chin. I think what we are seeing is 1. refilling the stockpiles in case of future economic woes and 2. development of services that are easily adjusted depending on the mood of guests. In fact, I think we will be seeing more "add ons".

What better way to take advantage of a huge blockbuster movie no one expected? We can't build a ride in a short time, but we can throw together an "experience" rather quickly and inexpensively.

There are many people (they are posting even now!) who will save and save for these experiences. I am one of them! Keep your Elsa T-shirts, your Anna locket, your Frozen mug and your tumblers! By golly, I am going ICESKATING WITH ANNA!

You are seeing more and more guests who want experiences, and are willing to go without material items to get them. Don't get me wrong, obviously the $300 Dooney and Bourke bags are selling. But I think some people look at the high end merchandise in and out of the parks and say, "Gee, that's a VIP tour ticket. What else could I cut back on so we could do a tour?"

Ahem. If you're giving away all of your Elsa and Anna stuff, throw it my way. I'd gladly pay for the pleasure of having one of those Elsa mbs and an Olaf mb for my fiancee. See, Disney capitalism works!

Seriously, anyone that wants to buy me those magic bands, I will pay you for them.

 

[whiporee]

If you want to talk about greed, you have to go back 30 or so years to the opening of Swan and Dolphin. Those were the first hotels that opened that were out of the center of the resort, when the buffer between WDW and the rest of Orlando started to be violated.

All the resorts that have opened since -- all the ones that make it affordable to stay onsite at all -- were the place where greed started to take hold. Before them, if you wanted to to go to Orlando, you stayed in Kissimmee along 192 or you spent a near fortune staying at Poly, Contemp or much later, GF. Or LBV, where you were basically staying off site. You didn't have the options you have join terms of being onsite and being able to afford it.

But when they started building the hotels, they needed to fill them. First came CBR, and ... I don't even know the timeline. But when I lived in Orlando (I drove a cab after graduating UF, and I specialized in taking people from Disney to DIA) you didn't have the collection of resorts that needed to be filled. So the parks got more crowded because there were more people to fill the hotels. Things like Free Dining appeared because they needed to fill the hotels.

But the problem is, the reason that so many people here can afford to go to Disney and stay onsite is because Disney got greedy 30 years ago. They've built an infrastructure they have to maintain, and in doing so changed the way they did business.

It's emblematic of a change in the overall American philosophy of business and that at some point in my lifetime, increasing shareholder (and even that word, really, because it used to be called stockholder) return became paramount. It used to be that stocks were considered long-term investments; at some point they were considered avenues for short term gain. It's not the CEOs that are the problem; it's that every single investor expects to see that stock value rise. If they don't, boards can even be sued. To get maximum return very quarter, they have to maximize every bit of profit they can. Not as much for the CEO, but for the people who have bought stock. I don't know when exactly "return on investment" began to trump everything in American society, but it has, and Disney is no exception. Calling them out for being greedy isn't untrue, but it's not exactly fair, either.

 

[CinqueTerre]

If you want to talk about greed, you have to go back 30 or so years to the opening of Swan and Dolphin. Those were the first hotels that opened that were out of the center of the resort, when the buffer between WDW and the rest of Orlando started to be violated.

All the resorts that have opened since -- all the ones that make it affordable to stay onsite at all -- were the place where greed started to take hold. Before them, if you wanted to to go to Orlando, you stayed in Kissimmee along 192 or you spent a near fortune staying at Poly, Contemp or much later, GF. Or LBV, where you were basically staying off site. You didn't have the options you have join terms of being onsite and being able to afford it.

But when they started building the hotels, they needed to fill them. First came CBR, and ... I don't even know the timeline. But when I lived in Orlando (I drove a cab after graduating UF, and I specialized in taking people from Disney to DIA) you didn't have the collection of resorts that needed to be filled. So the parks got more crowded because there were more people to fill the hotels. Things like Free Dining appeared because they needed to fill the hotels.

But the problem is, the reason that so many people here can afford to go to Disney and stay onsite is because Disney got greedy 30 years ago. They've built an infrastructure they have to maintain, and in doing so changed the way they did business.

It's emblematic of a change in the overall American philosophy of business and that at some point in my lifetime, increasing shareholder (and even that word, really, because it used to be called stockholder) return became paramount. It used to be that stocks were considered long-term investments; at some point they were considered avenues for short term gain. It's not the CEOs that are the problem; it's that every single investor expects to see that stock value rise. If they don't, boards can even be sued. To get maximum return very quarter, they have to maximize every bit of profit they can. Not as much for the CEO, but for the people who have bought stock. I don't know when exactly "return on investment" began to trump everything in American society, but it has, and Disney is no exception. Calling them out for being greedy isn't untrue, but it's not exactly fair, either.

In 1972, rooms could be had at the Polynesian for as low as $17 per night. Adjusted for inflation, that would equate to $96.75 in today's dollars. Not sure how that's a fortune?

 

[brunette8706]

Just heard the discontinued the crab legs at Cape May Buffett.

 

[DisUniversal]

Just heard the discontinued the crab legs at Cape May Buffett.

Really?!? That was one of our favorite places...primarily because of the crab legs. Did they replace it with something? Seems like there would be slim pickings if they removed the crab legs and didn't add a few other things.

 

[brunette8706]

Really?!? That was one of our favorite places...primarily because of the crab legs. Did they replace it with something? Seems like there would be slim pickings if they removed the crab legs and didn't add a few other things.

****

Slim pickens is right especially for what they charge. Someone was talking about it yesterday on the restaurant board. They wrote disney to clarify and did get a response back stating at this time there will not be any crab legs served.

 

[DisUniversal]

****

Slim pickens is right especially for what they charge. Someone was talking about it yesterday on the restaurant board. They wrote disney to clarify and did get a response back stating at this time there will not be any crab legs served.

I found that thread. Thanks. Talk about greed. I've been to buffets that charge a third of what they do and offered unlimited crab legs...that were every bit as good. I guess from a Disney perspective, they need to make at least like a 250% profit or they consider it a 'money loser'.

I wonder if the price went down or if this another example of Disney charging the same and offering less in return?

 

[mom2rtk]

I wonder if the price went down (

Good one!

 

[brunette8706]

I found that thread. Thanks. Talk about greed. I've been to buffets that charge a third of what they do and offered unlimited crab legs...that were every bit as good. I guess from a Disney perspective, they need to make at least like a 250% profit or they consider it a 'money loser'.

I wonder if the price went down or if this another example of Disney charging the same and offering less in return?

Hi! Their prices never go down. They will have seasonal pricing when during holidays the price will go up. I think Cape May dinner is approximately $42.00.

Just came back from The Wynn in Las Vegas. Their Buffett dinner is gourmet along with sushi, crab legs and prime rib the price was $36.00.

 

[brunette8706]

Good one!

Yeah. That's never happened lol.

 

[connie1042]

No crab legs. We will cancel this reservation, if they do not come back on the menu by the 15th of Sept. That is why we go there. That is pure GREED to me.We are paying out of pocket.

 

[asmit4]

Seems to me that many of you who are complaining- are also willing to pay the price. I'm hearing #s of 12K? 10K? for as little as 5 or 6 nights....

If it seems greedy to you, and too expensive- why are you paying it?

If you want to do disney on a 'budget' it can be done. We are booked in a 2 bedroom condo right next to Caribbean Beach for 120 a night. If you want luxury- book a presidential condo with 3 bedrooms for 200 a night--better than anything you'd find at disney for a moderate price.

As far as ticket prices- nobody can get around that- we all basically pay the same and I could agree that perhaps ticket pricing is a bit high. Food costs? yep- also a bit high. Honestly though- for me? I get tired of eating 'out' every single day for 3 meals a day so the condo provides the ability to just make a meal at home that isn't restaurant food.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Just heard the discontinued the crab legs at Cape May Buffett.

Really?!? That was one of our favorite places...primarily because of the crab legs. Did they replace it with something? Seems like there would be slim pickings if they removed the crab legs and didn't add a few other things.

****

Slim pickens is right especially for what they charge. Someone was talking about it yesterday on the restaurant board. They wrote disney to clarify and did get a response back stating at this time there will not be any crab legs served.

Off the menu, on the menu, off the menu, on the menu...
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2375309
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopi...ab_legs_every_night-Disney_World_Florida.html
Appears to be seasonal.

 

[DisUniversal]

Off the menu, on the menu, off the menu, on the menu...
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2375309
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopi...ab_legs_every_night-Disney_World_Florida.html
Appears to be seasonal.

We have been there at least a couple times a year for the past 3+ years and they've never not had them.

http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3299795

 

[dkrauss]

It's not a matter of want, it's a matter of ability to buy it. I'm paying $12K already for our WDW vacation. Now I'm supposed to justify another $400 for our party to be part of the privileged?

Interesting use of the word "privileged". Who in this scenario is privileged? Access is open to all..........yes all who are willing to pay but so what. This is the kind of thing that has become common at WDW. For someone dropping 12K on their vacation, to complain about another $400 (or another 3.5% added) seems a bit odd to me.

Now you can say I'm not being fair because I don't know all that you've done to make this vacation happen........probably a bit of sacrifice here. I do hope you don't let this one event situation ruin what sounds like its going to be a really fantastic vacation for you and your family.

Doug

 

[ArwenMarie]

Wanted to run this by the thread here...

So we are going to Orlando at the end of August. We are spending half the week at Uni/Portofino and then we were going to move over to Disney (OKW with a nice discount) for the second half. Our plan was to spend a lot of time at DHS because it's a park we have been skipping for the past couple of trips.

Then they threw this Frozen Fun together. Ugh. I know my DD is going to want to do it once she sees it. So I bought the package, figured might as well make a day out of it.

BUT then I canceled the onsite OKW reservation and moved offsite. It's not that the package was going to break our budget, it's not. And offsite is going to cost us the same as OKW. But I just couldn't stomach giving Disney more money, something had to go!

So there you go Disney you gained $200 bucks, but lost $1000!

(Does anyone else do crazy revenge math like this?)

 

[dkrauss]

Wanted to run this by the thread here...

So we are going to Orlando at the end of August. We are spending half the week at Uni/Portofino and then we were going to move over to Disney (OKW with a nice discount) for the second half. Our plan was to spend a lot of time at DHS because it's a park we have been skipping for the past couple of trips.

Then they threw this Frozen Fun together. Ugh. I know my DD is going to want to do it once she sees it. So I bought the package, figured might as well make a day out of it.

BUT then I canceled the onsite OKW reservation and moved offsite. It's not that the package was going to break our budget, it's not. And offsite is going to cost us the same as OKW. But I just couldn't stomach giving Disney more money, something had to go!

So there you go Disney you gained $200 bucks, but lost $1000!

(Does anyone else do crazy revenge math like this?)

I'm confused I don't understand where the revenge is?

Doug

 

[BuzzinDownToDisney]

I've done the math 5 times. the way I compute, you are spending $785 a night???? wow... to stay at BLT? we stayed there, renting points, for , well I don't want to tell you. but we ahve had just as great a trip staying at the moderate resorts. but even if you want to stay deluxe.. $785 a night? tell me I am wrong here. I would love to be embarrassed that my math was wrong. grand villa maybe? for 5 people? I am flummoxed.

You are correct. $785/night for 2BR Lake View (Couldn't get Theme Park View, curious to know what that would have been)

 

[brunette8706]

I'm confused I don't understand where the revenge is?

Doug

**
Easy, lol. She doesn't want to give Disney her hard earned money, so she rather stay offsite.