Comcast is trying to buy Disney, is it time to sell???

[DrTomorrow]

CarolA and PamOKW, I'm with you!

DisneyCo is NOT the Disney that Walt founded, and hasn't been for decades - it is a MultiNational MegaCorp, run by number crunchers who are supposed to increase the stockholder value (note: I'm not saying that is necessarily a bad thing).

Given the "Magical" feelings that the Disney name evokes, it is understandable that people think that, even at the BoD level, thoughts of "Pixie Dust" are uppermost in management's thoughts; realistically, this is not the case.

Personally, as a new DVC owner with 50 years left (w00t SSR!), I'm not worried. Mergers and acquisitions happen all the time, and I find it hard to believe that any company would buy DisneyCo and then let all the goodwill that the name Disney brings with it go down the drain. Plus, with all the anti-Eisner ranting - and the complaints about "less Magic than there used to be" - that I've seen recently, I'm surprised that more folks aren't happy about a regime change.

I've been a Comcast cable customer since 1981 and a Broadband user for 4 years and, while I've had a few unpleasant experiences ("No sir, half the city has to be without service for it to be an 'outage'"), I'm not overly concerned. It's not like they are suddenly going to replace MS folks with Cable Guys!

Take a deep breath. Hold it. Let it out sloooooooooly. Relax.

[Edited: Hey Johnnie F - I submitted my post before I read yours. Guess great minds think alike!]

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Originally posted by tfc3rid
It's hard to think about, but this would be the end of "The Walt Disney Company" if it happens... That's a sad thought...

I am not sure that is true. Many brand names of stuff in my cabinet do indeed have a parent company.
Disney itself is actually a parent company to other brands such as ABC.

MG

 

[Simba's Mom]

Did you notice that Michael Eisner doesn't like the idea of a Comcast take-over? Considering how so many people seem to not like Michael Eisner, I'm surprised at how many people are going along with him on this. I, for one, am wondering if maybe this isn't such a bad thing-after all, if Eisner opposes it, it may not be so bad if Comcast takes over!

 

[tfc3rid]

Look at it this way...

Comcast makes this offer... Disney stock is soaring today. If Comcast pulls this offer off the table, the stock will sink, big time. If it sinks, who gets mad, stockholders. If stockholders get mad, Ei$ner pays for it... He is forced to go...

 

[LisaR]

Originally posted by Johnnie Fedora
Why do you think things are doomed? Do you think Comcast will fire all the WDW CM's and replace them with your local cable guys (or gals)? Disney Corp took over the Walt Disney Company years ago. Money grabbin Disney Corp or money grabbing Comcast.
Mirror images...yes or no?...I say yes.

While I don't think the CM's will be replaced with the local cable guy, based on how they run their cable business, Comcast doesn't seem to care at all about customer service. So using the way they run their cable business as a basis, I do believe that as time went on they would have far fewer CM's then are currently employed because answering the phone promptly and helping guests is not something Comcast thinks is important or necessary. They would raise ticket prices big time. They wouldn't even attempt to keep prices in line with Universal or Sea World. Maybe this feeling comes because I have been burned so many times from Comcast. When we finally had competition come to the area, I really thought Comcast would change their tune. Silly me. They could care less about the competition or the customer.

Originally posted by Johnnie Fedora Also, maybe Comcast customers will get a discount on thier annual pass!! [/B]

Comcast has NEVER offered a discount in the time they have been in my area. They have always been MUCH higer then anyone else and they really don't care. I doubt anyone would get a discount.

Lisa

 

[The4OfUs]

Hmm, I am apparently in the VERY tiny minority that has seen a MAJOR upswing when Comcast took over our cable service...the quality, the constant "cutting edge" improvements that we suddenly get, the instantaneous customer service, the courteous and prompt service folks that helped install the new boxes and our internet line and had to rewire almost the whole house...I don't know WHY I've lucked out, but I appreciate all the services they have made available for us when they replaced Cablevision. Guess I should count my blessings! *grin*

So while I don't want Disney to be bought because...well...it's DISNEY! It's like, I have in my mind that it's an entity of sorts, a living breathing magical "presence" in a way, and to think that it can get swallowed up into something where it just becomes a piece of the puzzle rather than the puzzle itself...that bothers me in some silly philosophical way.

Other than that, based on my personal experience as one of their customers, I guess I wouldn't be too worried, but I'd be leading the parade if they try to change names and services in any way!

 

[lenshanem]

I wonder why Roy still has not relaesed a response to thsi on hsi site....

Roy, I need soem words here!

 

[Kick it up a notch!]

For all of you who don't think this is a big deal, or have never dealt with Comcast before, you should be worried. Ever though Disney is a multinational company, they have kept the Disney image and that is what is important. They keep customer service at the forefront of what they do and who they are. That will not be the case if they own Disney. Every company takeover (this is not a merger it will be a hostile takeover) that happens is done by someone who thinks they can do it better. Just read the letter to Eisner, they think they can reinvent the wheel, and in the process ruin the very company we have all grown to love and cherish. I didn't give Disney any of my money because they were the only ones out there, I gave them my money because they create special memories for my family. I do not see that in the future if this takeover happens. If it happens you will all see what I mean.

 

[disneyfan77]

I don't believe that the Disney we all know and love will change in respects to the parks and DVC unless changes are for the better. Why do you think DVC is so popular - Demand. Why do we pay outrageous prices for Disney tickets, merchandise, etc. - Demand. Comcast knows the product and why we all enjoy it so much, they also know that Customer Service at WDW is perhaps the most important ingredient. We're not talking about a $60 monthly cable service, we're talking about devoted travelers that repeatedly spend thousands of dollars every year to come to WDW. To do anything to damage the reputation of the park side of Disney would be to turn a loyal following into a pack of wolves that would sooner devour WDW than see it destroyed by Comcast. Comcast's reputation for customer service is bad, to say the least, because it can afford to be! In many regions Comcast is your only choice for cable, other than some local company with higher rates and no channels, and that's how they get away with it. Also, we'll put up with poor Customer service when occassionally dealing with the "cable trolls" but we will not put up with it while taking time off for our vacation at WDW.
In closing, I will likely continue w/my search for BCV points thru DVC, but I will be very cautious with respect to the price and any fluxuation resulting from the news.

 

[Donna]

No one ignores Michael's successes from 1984 to 1994. Roy commented on them in his resignation letter. The problem is, following the death of Frank Wells in 1994, the Company's performance has been substandard. How long can Michael Eisner live on the Company's accomplishments from 1984 to 1994?

 

[Johnnie Fedora]

Just received a letter from Comcast several weeks ago wishing us a happy new year and how glad they were to have us as a customer. They also announced that they would not be raising thier rates (already overpriced, IMO) for cable services this year. I don't recall getting a similar letter from Disney corp concerning their many (already overpriced, IMO) services.

BTW, I have to agree with some earlier comments. The service we've received from Comcast is what I expect, and they have always shown up (within hours/days) when called, and credited my account for any lost service, which has only happened once.

This is all in the preception.

Comcast=non-caring, bad, bad, bad, evil, evil, evil

Disney=caring, sweet, sweet, sweet, innocent, innocent, innocent.

I'm going to wait and see on this one.

 

[Cyndy]

Even though mergers are way up with the uplook in the economy, I'm not sure that the FCC will approve a deal like this. It really creates a monster media corp.

That said, I will be with DVC as long as things remain "magical" to our family. Le'ts hope whatever happens we continure to have a quality experience at DVC.

This sure will be fun to watch.

P.S. We have cable in our community and no real compitition so maybe I don't watch enough or don't have any problems, because our customer service hasbeen excellent on the 3 or 4 times I've called in the last 15 yrs. It seems that the "lean and mean" thing is part of everyone's slashing customer service staffing.

 

[RobDoc]

Further discussion of any merger proposal is best served on the News/Rumors Board- as it is certainly not a DVC topic.

If anyone wishes to comment about their feelings about ending their DVC ownership - then feel free to post those comments here. Other comments will have to be made on the News/Rumors Board. This forum is not the proper place to discuss experiences with their local cable company or their feelings about Roy Disney or Michael Eisner.

Thanks!

 

[BWVDee]

Originally posted by WebmasterDoc
Further discussion of any merger proposal is best served on the News/Rumors Board- as it is certainly not a DVC topic.
If anyone wishes to comment about their feelings about ending their DVC ownership - then feel free to post those comments here.
Thanks!

In answer to the OP.....
I am not selling but I am also not buying any more pts either until we see the outcome and after effects when/if anything occurs.
It is really ironic too because I was just talking to my DVC guide the other day in regards to my status on the BWV waitlist to purchase more BWV points. If she were to call me tomorrow with available BWV pts I would not purchase them at this point in time due to today's news. And that is saying a lot for me to turn down BWV points!! LOL!

 

[CGregoryJr]

A few points to consider:

1>Disney is now in play. Focusing solely on Comcast as a suitor is misguided.
2>Wall Street analysts, for the most part, are not thrilled with the Company’s Theme Park Business Unit (where DVC resides). The capital requirements for the Unit, when benchmarked against related returns, are not attractive on a stand-alone basis.
3>Disney’s business model, for significant projects, has gradually moved towards licensing and joint venture relationships versus outright ownership. Less control over the operations balanced against lower risk of large capital projects.
4>The Disney brand is among the most recognized and favorably viewed brands in the world. A new management team and Board would probably take a fresh look at the question: “Can you separate the media and theme park units (spin-off, divestiture, etc.) without damaging the brand?”
5>As we all know, DVC should not be viewed as an investment. It’s prepaid vacation. Spend more time on deciding when to sell Disney’s equity securities—if you happen to own any.

 

[Tomskatt]

Thanks. as always, for all the info. I love hearing everyone's viewpoint! Us? We are staying!

 

[DebbieB]

The Disney name is the strongest asset for the park & resort part of the company. I doubt they would take that away. It's not going to become "Comcast Vacation Club". People accept soaring ticket prices, high room rates, overpriced food because it's "Disney". But when Comcast does it, they are bad.

 

[invalid_char]

COMCAST WORLD. Sorry, it even sounds like a magic crusher.

 

[msdis]

Gee, it wasn't that long ago we were all in a what if thread and now it looks so real. I guess the answer we will soon find out. I feel the sadest part is that Disney will now be a part of something else where as everything else up until this point has been a part of Disney. It sure has been a sad week -a CM killed today at MK, this takeover bid, the "do you dare eat at WDW " report on abc . What a sad time for the mouse. I hope everything works out as we really need our DVC vacations and that's what we look forward to all year long. I hope we never feel we need to sell our DVC. .