Bloomberg article on Disney cost cutting (including Parks)

[Slapshot1188]

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/artic...cost-cutters-gaining-clout-in-post-staggs-era

It's a shame... Staggs was really the only hope I had for a return to the old culture. These other guys are pure hack and slash costs while nickle and dime fees.

 

[AtlantaDisneyDreamer]

There is a quite a difference between cutting car allowances for execs and cutting things that make a huge difference in perceived quality for consumers. Cutting business costs makes sense, but killing a company's hard-earned reputation for quality for the short-term sake of stockholders does not. I sure hope these guys know what they are doing and don't end up killing the company I have grown to love.

Perhaps in their executive search they should be looking for a Walt. Seems like they have too much Roy right now. They need both.

 

[Ladyfish77]

They need to realize that Customer Service is also a cost. By cutting hours, raising prices, overworking staff they are damaging customer service. It will show up in the bottom line, but it may take time. All they see now is the revenue going up. They will see it drop as their reputation drops.

 

[TexasKiwiPrincess]

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/artic...cost-cutters-gaining-clout-in-post-staggs-era

It's a shame... Staggs was really the only hope I had for a return to the old culture. These other guys are pure hack and slash costs while nickle and dime fees.

I agree Staggs was fans' best advocate. I worry that they will pull someone from outside the company that doesn't have the Magic in their heart and Walt's vision in their head. I hate feeling like Disney is trying to scam me and that's how all the recent price hikes and add-ons have made me feel.

 

[ArwenMarie]

This sounds corny, but I don't think they get it that they are in the business of selling "magic" and magic is made up of a whole bunch of little things that add up to a feeling. It's a tricky business that magic Fine line.

 

[3DisneyFanz]

There is a quite a difference between cutting car allowances for execs and cutting things that make a huge difference in perceived quality for consumers. Cutting business costs makes sense, but killing a company's hard-earned reputation for quality for the short-term sake of stockholders does not. I sure hope these guys know what they are doing and don't end up killing the company I have grown to love.

Perhaps in their executive search they should be looking for a Walt. Seems like they have too much Roy right now. They need both.

I think though the car benefit is a pretty good example of where the mindset is for the company now. In the big scheme of things for a company making as much money as Disney is how much impact does that make? The only people who benefit from something like that are the ones whose bonuses are driven by creating cost cutting programs and increased revenue even if it means changing what makes you different. When decisions start getting made only to improve bonuses the consumer never wins.

 

[Slapshot1188]

They need to realize that Customer Service is also a cost. By cutting hours, raising prices, overworking staff they are damaging customer service. It will show up in the bottom line, but it may take time. All they see now is the revenue going up. They will see it drop as their reputation drops.

Totally agree. All of these moves (raising ticket prices, food costs, cutting services) will have a short term bounce for the stock and company, but the real effect won't be seen for years and I'm pretty sure it's gonna be negative.

 

[epcotty]

I'm very disappointed with Disney's recent decisions regarding pricing, cutbacks etc. And now there's no hope of anything else. The company's rapidly losing its magic. We may be done once we've used up our NE tickets, we'll just have to see how we feel about it all then

 

[disneyseniors]

I' m going to see my travel agent tomorrow and we will discuss all these things! She is also a friend and is very vocal about her disgust with all that has been going on. I'm anxious to hear her take on all this. It will affect her business in the future, as she is a certified Disney TA, and very knowledgable about all things Disney.
We are going to discuss booking in November, or possibly not? I am undecided about the whole thing right now. Also, there are no discounts yet at that time of year for me. We are being swayed by all that is Universal now, especially the new Kong adventure. It looks awesome, and knowing how universal does their attractions, I'm sure it will be totally awesome. That's something I used to think about disneys new attractions. Can't tell you how disappointed I was with Ariels ride in the new fantasyland when it opened. After the ride, I thought, it's just another shell car ride with the same old animatronics, like the ride in Epcot!! Nothing new at all. This is the New Disney way to do attractions? recycle the old ones and try to get us all excited about that??? Nope.

Also, sadly, with my husbands health problems, this might be our only trip to Disney for a long time, if at all. So, we will very likely book our trip and make the most of it, with a side trip to Universal. Otherwise, I would be very reluctant to go to Disney anymore.

 

[TexasKiwiPrincess]

IWe are being swayed by all that is Universal now...

You're not the only ones! My 9 year old asked me last week if we could go back to WDW for the weekend, but just go to Universal both days! lol Kong does look amazing.

 

[3DisneyFanz]

Unless Universal can make a run at the toddler crowd I think they are kind of bracketed in who they will attract. As said above the impact of making consumers mad often takes years to manifest and if more people with the preteen and older crowd start shifting to Universal those will be the memories the kids pull on when they think about vacation and start having kids of their own. I certainly think what Universal is doing now looks amazing but if they really want to become a bigger player they need to cover the family from birth to death.