Disney Planning Cutbacks

[Anal Annie]

We almost always use ME...quite a convenience for us! But if they were to start charging for it again like they did YEARS ago before it was called ME we would probably just hire a car service to do a grocery stop OR we'd just rent a car. I would not pay to ride their buses. As it is, using ME we shop onsite for our perishables. I used to pack our non-perishables...but now that the airlines are charging for extra bags I probably won't do so much of that. If they did away with ME they'd lose business in more than one way. HOWEVER, with the price of gasoline this past year...I'm sure it's crossed someone's mind to cut down on the buses. I'm sure they're glad that gas prices have dropped over the past few weeks.

 

[EDuke98080]

We actually have started using ME for the DG , DD, & DS with the bagage whlie DH and I go get the rental car, stop and pick up groceries and have some quiet time toegther before beginning our vacation. This way we don't have to cart the luggage and everyone to the rental car counter, makes life much easier. We usually arrive at the resort around the same time they do. They are realxed and happy and so are we. We are going to be shipping non perishables this year before we get there because DD needs gluten free food and we don't want to have to run all over Orlando looking for food for her or carrying it on and paying extra bagage costs. Disney said that they will hold the package at resort until check in so all should be happy!

 

[twinklebug]

I'm sure they have considered multiple times now charging for ME - I'm so glad they haven't as I do use and love the airport service

- but if there were even a $15 fee per person involved I'd be either using a towncar (in a heartbeat) or renting my own vehicle - in which case I can guarantee that we'd be spending half our time off site (parents have free tix to universal since they're red shirts there)

Disney's marketing department is smart - they know they make more money in the long run by putting out some to start with (and it gives the impression of a GREAT value and service)

 

[Starr W.]

Heads up for everyone, Disney reports earnings 11/6 after the bell(4:00PM EST).

Would be surprised if we see the CEO on CNBC sometime on Friday.

 

[DVCSAMNH]

The "little" things may be starting to show up at the resorts, too. My daughter just returned Friday from SSR and she said there was no moisturizer in their room when they checked in. Has anyone else noticed this?

They did not get trash and towel service on their scheduled day so they had to call down for towels and additional toiletries. Again no moisturizer.

I am going to be adding this item to my OL just in case. But, like the airlines, eliminating little things like this might add up a chuck of change after a year.

 

[schoenfelders5]

My husband didn't grow up going to WDW the way I did so he's a convert. He's HUGE on customer service and that is what sells him on Disney. Try going to Six Flags or anywhere else for the day and you can instantly see why Disney is successful. If they start cutting too many corners so lines get longer and you can't find a place to get a snack it could cost them a lot more in the long run. People expect so much from the CM's also. Anytime we get an indifferent attitude from a young CM it is so memorable because we are used to the best. It's why people will invest $20K for a lifetime of membership.

 

[crisi]

The "little" things may be starting to show up at the resorts, too. My daughter just returned Friday from SSR and she said there was no moisturizer in their room when they checked in. Has anyone else noticed this?

They did not get trash and towel service on their scheduled day so they had to call down for towels and additional toiletries. Again no moisturizer.

I am going to be adding this item to my OL just in case. But, like the airlines, eliminating little things like this might add up a chuck of change after a year.

I noticed that with the switch in products - conditioner, shower gel and shampoo, but we haven't had body lotion for a few trips - since the red Mickey bottles went away and were replaced by the blue stuff.

 

[dgaston]

I know some people post otherwise, but I have only gotten lotion at deluxe hotels -- Poly, WL, AK, and on our one stay at AKV concierge. In our DVC stays, I get bath gel, shampoo, and conditioner.

 

[LIFERBABE]

I know some people post otherwise, but I have only gotten lotion at deluxe hotels -- Poly, WL, AK, and on our one stay at AKV concierge. In our DVC stays, I get bath gel, shampoo, and conditioner.

Correct!

If you check the list of amenities for Studios, 1 bed and 2 bed units, you will see that lotion is not on the list. I noticed the lack of lotion last June. We stayed in a GV at SSR and received lotion, but when we moved to our 1 bed we did not. I called to complain and that's when it was pointed out that only the GV get lotion. We went over to AKV studio for a night and there was no lotion in our studio.

I keep lotion in my OL too. A big bottle of lubriderm.

So lotion left quietly last year, with the switch to H20 products.

 

[DVCSAMNH]

Ahhhh. Thanks for updating me on this. Can you tell I never used the stuff? My daughter seemed to miss it for some reason.

 

[Disney-Kim]

I am disappointed that Fantasmic will only be twice a week, at least in January. Bookings must be down or there wouldn't be such a great AP rate offer ($49 value, $89 moderate). I wouldn't be surprised to see a hotel close for a while, like the closing of POFQ after 9/11.

I don't remember any hotel closing after 9/11...maybe it was just a rehab???

we were there during 9/11 and I was on the boards as usual after....just didnt' remember POFQ closing...

 

[crisi]

I don't remember any hotel closing after 9/11...maybe it was just a rehab???

we were there during 9/11 and I was on the boards as usual after....just didnt' remember POFQ closing...

No, they closed part of PO - I don't remember if it was FQ or Riverside. They called it a "rehab" but when it reopened it was obvious that no rehabbing was being done - they just closed off one of the resorts - which increased the occupancy rate of the other resorts.

I THINK All Star Music had limited occupancy for a time as well - and people were being consolidated onto fewer floors at some of the other resorts.

 

[hellerjw]

The "little" things may be starting to show up at the resorts, too. My daughter just returned Friday from SSR and she said there was no moisturizer in their room when they checked in. Has anyone else noticed this?

They did not get trash and towel service on their scheduled day so they had to call down for towels and additional toiletries. Again no moisturizer.

We were at SSR in a 2BR in mid-October and my wife also commented on not seeing any moisturizer. We also had to call down about the trash and towel service that they missed on our scheduled day. I hope this isnt a trend starting.

 

[Chellymouse]

I didn't notice any real cutbacks in August, so I'm curious to see the difference in Dec. My DH is HUGE on service which is one of the primary reasons we invested in DVC. I would hope that Disney knows better and doesn't cut too many corners. As someone else mentioned, there are plenty of other places to "trim the fat" so to speak.

 

[MARY-IN-OH]

I didn't notice any real cutbacks in August, so I'm curious to see the difference in Dec. My DH is HUGE on service which is one of the primary reasons we invested in DVC. I would hope that Disney knows better and doesn't cut too many corners. As someone else mentioned, there are plenty of other places to "trim the fat" so to speak.

Goodness, they could keep the doors closed in the shops in the parks! Although, sitting in the blazing sun on the sidewalk waiting for the parade to start with freezing cold air blowing on us from inside the shops was wonderful, I wonder how much money they would save by closing the door?!!
-mary

 

[LIFERBABE]

Maybe we need to start watching the pool temps again. Remember when they tried lowering them in the winter time to save money?

 

[BWV Dreamin]

Maybe we need to start watching the pool temps again. Remember when they tried lowering them in the winter time to save money?

Well, my husband just had a co-worker come back from Vero Beach (his vacation was end of October). He said the pool was COLD! So now I am wondering.....maybe they are starting that back up!

 

[zev]

I can understand "closing a wing" at resorts if bookings are low and "some" staff if attendance is really low. However I think Disney has already cut back in many areas way before current times in the name of profit and the general public is just used to it. Attractions at the parks, resort areas just to name a few. I do become disappointed by the "it just costs to much to maintain" "or too much to build" excuse. I always thought Disney overall has been in the black for the past 25 years. Part of what has made WDW/Disney great is the vision of doing something special and cost is to be expected. I don't want to see Disney go in the red just to keep everything open all the time, super deluxe or cutting edge. I just think they have cut back plenty in many of the "details", staff, and even major projects that takes away from the magic. Oh well I guess even Disney has to keep the creditors at bay. What was the price tag for AK again?? (Yeah its still cool even without dragons but here is to hoping they might bring that idea back!)

 

[jekjones1558]

I would prefer to see a resort closed and attractions kept open. Disney must be feeling very smug that they have built so many DVC units. That keeps a base of customers coming no matter what.

 

[granmanh603]

Maybe we need to start watching the pool temps again. Remember when they tried lowering them in the winter time to save money?

I was in the main hot tub at BWV yestesterday(have been here 3 weeks) and it was not that hot and I don't think the main pool was that warm either so they may have started already....of course that was 1 day...and most of the time we used the hot tub on the leisure side but there was a family of 10 kids in it yesterday so went to main pool.