Disney Park Mistakes

[Jonfw2]

What do you think some of the biggest mistakes the WD Company has made in the parks are over time?

The more I read and think about it, the more I believe not making the 2nd park in California Westcot was maybe their biggest long-term mistake.

 

[Evita_W]

Thier biggest mistakes always occur when they make budget cuts and go cheap. They end up having to spend even more to fix the problems in the end. This is true of everything from attractions to shops to entertainment to complete theme parks.

 

[Jonfw2]

Thier biggest mistakes always occur when they make budget cuts and go cheap. They end up having to spend even more to fix the problems in the end. This is true of everything from attractions to shops to entertainment to complete theme parks.

Absolutely. And I hear that’s why the Japan parks are so good- someone else paid for them.

 

[ucf_knight]

What do you think some of the biggest mistakes the WD Company has made in the parks are over time?

The more I read and think about it, the more I believe not making the 2nd park in California Westcot was maybe their biggest long-term mistake.

For me it’s the cut back in park hours (pre COVID). When I was growing up MK would routinely be open until 12 am, 1 am etc and the crowds would imo feel less crowded as they were more spread out. If you planned the days right you could rope drop and then head out when it starting getting hot/busy and then head back to the parks late into the evening. The reduction in park hours I feel has artificially increased crowds. Post COVID I completely understand the reduction in hours but Im wondering if Disney would keep these reduced hours into the foreseeable future once COVID is behind us.

 

[Upatnoon]

By mistakes, do you mean as in the failure to maximize profits for shareholders?

Overall, I think Disney suffers what ails many large companies in that they are slow to change and rely too much on cost-cutting instead of boosting revenue. It's like a giant ship that turns ever-so-slowly.

1. Slow to target more affluent guests who demand better service and higher-quality experiences. Demographic trends have favored the wealthy and Disney was built around attracting the middle class, which has been shrinking away.
2. Overbuilding in Florida. Was that fourth park really necessary while EPCOT fell stagnant?
3. Slow to update attractions and experiences.
4. Reducing the overall experience by cutting costs

What may be a "mistake" in maximizing profits is not the same as an experience you may want or miss.

For example, I'd love five parks to visit, double the attractions and longer hours but that may not be what would be best for the bottom line.