Budget cuts at Walt Disney World

[zaccaglin]

Got a notice today of hours and OT to be cut. So much for new trains anytime soon.

 

[rteetz]

I haven't blamed joe rohde here...if you notice.

Definitely shares the blame...but it's across the board as you say.

Just how "overbudget" are we talking with avatar?

And I blame them all including the heads...but approving a budget doesn't make them accountable if they end up going over by 150%.

You know what the rumor was on Everest? Take a guess...

I've heard MyMagic+ type over budget on avatar. Originally I heard the budget for the land was between 500-700 million. Lately I've heard that it's likely at 1 billion if not more.

 

[rteetz]

So much for new trains anytime soon.

Even before the cuts I didn't see Disney spending money on that anytime soon.

 

[zaccaglin]

Even before the cuts I didn't see Disney spending money on that anytime soon.

Yes it we've been told for years now that it won't be happening for. A very long time. I'd like to dream tho.

 

[rteetz]

More news on cuts.

The majority of efficiency positions will be cut. Those posiotions are people who are stationed at the start of lines, and on load and unload docks.

A reduction in back of house kitchen staff across property.

Loss of register staff.

And more cuts to hours to come.

 

[Eoghann]

More news on cuts.

The majority of efficiency positions will be cut. Those posiotions are people who are stationed at the start of lines, and on load and unload docks.

A reduction in back of house kitchen staff across property.

Loss of register staff.

And more cuts to hours to come.

Longer lines, slower service. Magical indeed.

 

[Ursula's Apprentice]

Gee, I'm so looking forward to my trip in March at this point. Yay...

 

[soniam]

Gee, I'm so looking forward to my trip in March at this point. Yay...

They really need to start selling alcohol in MK to calm people down then. It's already the grumpiest park. Ugh! Must not let this get me down

 

[sachilles]

I'll be there starting Sunday.
I'll see if I notice it affecting my guest experience. I figure if there is any teething issue with it, it will be apparent right off. Given the crowds are to be low, seems an appropriate time to see how it might work.

 

[Budshark]

I'll be there starting Sunday.
I'll see if I notice it affecting my guest experience. I figure if there is any teething issue with it, it will be apparent right off. Given the crowds are to be low, seems an appropriate time to see how it might work.

It'll be interesting to see. We returned home yesterday. It was dirty, excessively crowded, rides were run with reduced capacity (vehicles), and overall less enjoyable. We need some time to digest this trip. Definitely did not have the usual post trip knee jerk lets get another trip lined up feeling. In fact we openly discussed changes to our Sept trip including a feeling of dread and regret. We'll see what happens between now and then.

 

[sachilles]

It'll be interesting to see. We returned home yesterday. It was dirty, excessively crowded, rides were run with reduced capacity (vehicles), and overall less enjoyable. We need some time to digest this trip. Definitely did not have the usual post trip knee jerk lets get another trip lined up feeling. In fact we openly discussed changes to our Sept trip including a feeling of dread and regret. We'll see what happens between now and then.

I'm curious, as this will be the lowest rated crowds we will have ever encountered. Having worked in the hospitality industry, I know the week following the President's week rush can be a bit of a let down. Curious as to whether I will see rejuvenated cast members, or ones overworked and stress about having to fill gaps made by staff cuts.

 

[rteetz]

ones overworked and stress about having to fill gaps made by staff cuts.

Probably this...

 

[Ursula's Apprentice]

They really need to start selling alcohol in MK to calm people down then. It's already the grumpiest park. Ugh! Must not let this get me down

Not sure if alcohol would help me much. I do like to drink, but in all honesty, it's just a bit depressing seeing all these cuts and thinking about how it can affect your trip. Of course you're excited that you're going to the parks, especially to celebrate something, and then you see all this news, and you wonder if it's going to be a bit of a let down from the norm, so to speak...

 

[sachilles]

I really think it is a case of internet exaggeration and over reaction.
Maybe I'm in the minority.
I find it a little entertaining that there is all this doom and gloom, after an epic raise in optimism with the Avatarland coming along nicely, as well as Toy Story Land and Star Wars land getting shovel ready.
It's unfortunate for the individuals affected, not trying to belittle that. However, this is nothing but a blip on the radar.
2 weeks from now will be some drama as to why a certain ride mechanism can't possibly be adequate for new attraction X, and the budget stuff will be long forgotten.

 

[Travis B]

The news of even more cuts, well, sucks. It still doesn't compute to me how the parks are busier than ever and they're cutting staff hours.

I've been wondering though if they're shifting roles around, trying to do things more efficiently with less bodies, if maybe it's tied to the new management structure in the parks. Only time will tell if it makes any noticeable difference. Maybe as @sachilles suggests it will only be a blip on the radar.

I always thought it was cool that although CMs don't make great money, they could pick up shifts, do OT, etc. At least there was -something- to build up their income a little bit. Given these limitations it's going to be very hard on some folks and I think that's unfortunate.

 

[crazy4wdw]

More news on cuts.
Loss of register staff.

I rarely buy WDW merchandise so this change will not affect me.

 

[Eoghann]

I really think it is a case of internet exaggeration and over reaction.
Maybe I'm in the minority.
I find it a little entertaining that there is all this doom and gloom, after an epic raise in optimism with the Avatarland coming along nicely, as well as Toy Story Land and Star Wars land getting shovel ready.
It's unfortunate for the individuals affected, not trying to belittle that. However, this is nothing but a blip on the radar.
2 weeks from now will be some drama as to why a certain ride mechanism can't possibly be adequate for new attraction X, and the budget stuff will be long forgotten.

I don't think it's the end of the world, but I also can't find anything positive about it. It's part of a long term and rather cynical pattern that says the customers don't actually matter that much because there are always more anyway.

 

[soniam]

Not sure if alcohol would help me much. I do like to drink, but in all honesty, it's just a bit depressing seeing all these cuts and thinking about how it can affect your trip. Of course you're excited that you're going to the parks, especially to celebrate something, and then you see all this news, and you wonder if it's going to be a bit of a let down from the norm, so to speak...

I think alcohol in moderation relaxes people, so that the crowds and waits aren't as irritating. I am trying to keep positive. I know everyone was all gloomy and doomy about FP+, but we actually don't mind it. Some things are better than the paper ones, and some aren't. So it's about even for us, but definitely not worse. I weathered that storm just fine. Crowds don't usually bother me, so I am hoping that will pull us through Hope your trip is good.

 

[Eoghann]

I think alcohol in moderation relaxes people, so that the crowds and waits aren't as irritating. I am trying to keep positive. I know everyone was all gloomy and doomy about FP+, but we actually don't mind it. Some things are better than the paper ones, and some aren't. So it's about even for us, but definitely not worse. I weathered that storm just fine. Crowds don't usually bother me, so I am hoping that will pull us through Hope your trip is good.

Well there's the thing I could see a positive to FP+ even before I used it and I still do afterwards (I know, it doesn't work for everyone). I can't see a single upside to budget cuts. That's not a customer oriented decision in any way at all.

I don't think Disney World is suddenly going to go from "Premiere Theme Park" location to "Your local Six Flags" just because of these cuts, it's just the continual drip of more money for less service.

 

[rteetz]

I rarely buy WDW merchandise so this change will not affect me.

This might include food locations as well.