Disney's MyMagic Failure

[Mad Hattered]

Yup, and many of us have already willingly jumped out of the pot.

Ditto!

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

Yup, and many of us have already willingly jumped out of the pot.

I know from engaging in great discussions with some here on DIS that this is NOT how many feel -- they have not "jumped out of the pot"... at least not yet. If you have, I am genuinely curious: why stay here following all of this? I honestly don't understand. Waiting for them to announce that they take it all back?

 

[Mad Hattered]

I know from engaging in great discussions with some here on DIS that this is NOT how many feel -- they have not "jumped out of the pot"... at least not yet. If you have, I am genuinely curious: why stay here following all of this? I honestly don't understand. Waiting for them to announce that they take it all back?

A lot HAVE jumped. Perhaps we are all just avid fans of train wrecks. Does that make it easier to understand?

 

[Davey Jones II]

I guess it will come down to whatever data they mine from the MB's. However, I don't think it will show up for quite a while.

I'm still taking my Easter Trip this year but what about next year?

Maybe WDW realizes that one time guests are enough and the repeat guests aren't worth the extra effort and money to keep them coming back but why build so much DVC?

No way. Repeat business is very important to the theme park industry, and Disney has to know that.

I think it's far more likely that they are simply taking their most loyal customers for granted, with an arrogant assumption that no matter what they do, we will keep coming back as much as ever. They are trying to have their cake and eat it, too: making all these moves designed to win new customers while assuming that they won't alienate their best, most loyal customers.

Remember when Iger said that the company had been humbled by the reaction to DCA 1.0? Well, they seem to be sinking into hubris once again. They are gift wrapping their best customers and sending them directly to Universal's doorstep.

 

[Love Tink]

And I can't personally take an article seriously that contains this quote about the period 2008-2012 -- i.e. following the MASSIVE FINANCIAL CRISIS:

"Apart from that financial crisis, Mrs. Lincoln..."

Yup. Let's draw some occlusions about Disney strategy based solely upon that. Geez.

Did you actually read the column (not "article," "column" or "feature")? because it pretty clearly mentioned the economic crisis and its effect on the parks. Hard to miss - ??? But still you seem SUPER ANGRY.

Exactly. Nothing more than an opinion piece, but it bugs me when it's presented as though it's more than that.

Perhaps the problem is your critical reading skills. When one writes a feature column, one does not need to preface each statement in the piece with "in my opinion." That would be bizarre. A column is meant to give a certain viewpoint; it's meant to "tell a story."

This isn't the front page of the New York Times and this isn't a news story. The author doesn't need to cite his references or prove his facts. He is simply telling it like he sees it. Disagree if you will, but it shouldn't make you so mad that he feels free to offer his viewpoint when asked to do so.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

A lot HAVE jumped. Perhaps we are all just avid fans of train wrecks. Does that make it easier to understand?

Not really!!

I guess I would move on and do something else with my time. It seems like choosing to spend an awful lot of time in a negative space. But I guess it's not a "negative space" to someone who LIKES train wrecks?!

Vive la difference, right?!

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

Did you actually read the column (not "article," "column" or "feature")? because it pretty clearly mentioned the economic crisis and its effect on the parks. Hard to miss - ??? But still you seem SUPER ANGRY.



Perhaps the problem is your critical reading skills. When one writes a feature column, one does not need to preface each statement in the piece with "in my opinion." That would be bizarre. A column is meant to give a certain viewpoint; it's meant to "tell a story."

This isn't the front page of the New York Times and this isn't a news story. The author doesn't need to cite his references or prove his facts. He is simply telling it like he sees it. Disagree if you will, but it shouldn't make you so mad that he feels free to offer his viewpoint when asked to do so.

Charming.

 

[disnut8]

Yup, and many of us have already willingly jumped out of the pot.

Then I have to agree with the poster who asked why you are still on these boards? If I was no longer going to Disney World and were so disappointed with the direction the parks are going, I wouldn't waste my time on a discussion board. You are free to give your opinions but it would be nice to give them in a way that they are helpful to others who are going. I realize this is a thread where most consider this article (or column where no one has to state facts) negative but that's not that the first post said.

 

[JanaDee]

Then I have to agree with the poster who asked why you are still on these boards? If I was no longer going to Disney World and were so disappointed with the direction the parks are going, I wouldn't waste my time on a discussion board. You are free to give your opinions but it would be nice to give them in a way that they are helpful to others who are going. I realize this is a thread where most consider this article (or column where no one has to state facts) negative but that's not that the first post said.

I'm here discussing, just like everyone else. I don't have to (and won't) justify why to anyone.

 

[momof2n2]

And this is why we cancelled our two upcoming on-property stays. We got the message loud and clear that they didn't care if we came back.

Same here. But I have to tell you - we are seriously keyed up about our "Plan B."

 

[amg35]

Eh, whatever.

We're going in October for 9 wonderful nights, can't wait.

Next year we're going to Universal for Harry Potter for two nights, then a RC cruise. (and sorry, but acting like you are some kind of rebel for going to Universal is silly, it's not like you're standing up to the "man")

We will come back to WDW the year Avatarland opens.

This would be our plan fast pass plus or no fast pass plus, MDE or no MDE, so in all honesty, none of this means anything to me at all.

But I just wanted to comment.

 

[papertraveller]

Exactly. Nothing more than an opinion piece, but it bugs me when it's presented as though it's more than that.

In defence of the author, this piece is presented fully as opinion. It is in no way presented as a news story.

The author uses facts and his own experience to support his point of view and present a cogent argument. You may not agree, which is fine. But please don't criticize it because you believe it is masquerading as reported news.

 

[momof2n2]

I know from engaging in great discussions with some here on DIS that this is NOT how many feel -- they have not "jumped out of the pot"... at least not yet. If you have, I am genuinely curious: why stay here following all of this? I honestly don't understand. Waiting for them to announce that they take it all back?

I still pop on this part of the boards every few days to see how things are going as our would-have-been WDW vacation days are drawing near. I hope that things continue to evolve to a place where we can take our now very young girls back to meet the princesses in a few years without the uncertainty that is currently prevailing.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

In defence of the author, this piece is presented fully as opinion. It is in no way presented as a news story.

The author uses facts and his own experience to support his point of view and present a cogent argument. You may not agree, which is fine. But please don't criticize it because you believe it is masquerading as reported news.

Of course it's not a news story. As I said in my first post, perhaps I should stick to Morningstar analyses due to my preference for facts and reasoned financial analyses rather than pure opinion and speculation.

While this author does not have the burden of footnoting all of his "facts", it strikes me that he goes a tad beyond sharing his opinion. There are many definitive statements about why decisions were made, etc. that even in an opinion piece could be presented more clearly as such, IMHO.

 

[Mad Hattered]

Then I have to agree with the poster who asked why you are still on these boards? If I was no longer going to Disney World and were so disappointed with the direction the parks are going, I wouldn't waste my time on a discussion board. You are free to give your opinions but it would be nice to give them in a way that they are helpful to others who are going. I realize this is a thread where most consider this article (or column where no one has to state facts) negative but that's not that the first post said.

Because I have been going to WDW since 1972. I am a fan. I HATE the direction this is going and it ticks me off. I gave plenty of advice, posted pics of our trips, posted food reviews, etc. Then Disney decided to pull the rug out from under me. Guess what? I'm pissed off about it and will give a negative response where needed. I want to tell the people that this system is NOT great and that by being asked to pay more for less is not acceptable. I try not to jump in to positive experience posts and be a Debbie Downer. This thread by, Lake is not one of those. I feel exactly like they guy who wrote the article.

No, we will not being going on 2-3 trips per year as we have forever and it's because of THIS system. We will go back after Avatar is opened for at least a year. I don't know of any sane Company that would turn their nose up at a $15k yearly decrease without our spending. And it isn't just a few here on the DIS that are feeling this way. Those $15k losses start to add up. I've already talked 3 families out of going to WDW this year because of the mess they have going on. That is more revenue lost. Word of mouth goes a long way. Regardless if Disney thinks it does or not.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

I still pop on this part of the boards every few days to see how things are going as our would-have-been WDW vacation days are drawing near. I hope that things continue to evolve to a place where we can take our now very young girls back to meet the princesses in a few years without the uncertainty that is currently prevailing.

Makes total sense to me! But you're not saying "I'm out!"... at least not yet, right? That's the part I don't get - saying "I'm out" but being on DIS a lot, engaging in the threads. I guess when I bail, I BAIL!!

But to each his own - obviously - I'm just really curious about that. I'll get over it...

 

[xie]

A lot HAVE jumped. Perhaps we are all just avid fans of train wrecks. Does that make it easier to understand?

Well this response wasn't to me, but still... people stay for a few reasons.

1. They might be hoping WDW will get it together and return to being a high quality destination with very high service standards, and a decent schedule for rolling out new content (as the blogger's article pointed out, it's been a lot of years without new e-tickets). Staying in touch with boards like DIS is how one finds out news about upcoming additions/changes. (Full disclosure: This is why I personally still visit here occasionally. I want WDW to return to what it was, and provide good service and a good value for my family again, so I keep on hoping.)

2. They might truly just be fans of crash'n'burns. Same reason everyone on your commute rubbernecks at the accident on the way by, thus delaying the end of your commute by another 30 minutes. Because they can.

3. There IS a very large community here. This is not merely a place where people with an upcoming trip come to ask questions. Disney hosts their own venues for that (i.e. Mom's panel thing, etc.). If you think of DISboards like a Venn diagram, there are a lot of special interest groups here with the overlap area of common interest being Disney in general. These folks are all entitled to their thoughts, and thanks to the fact that it's a message board and obviously not hosted in a country where freedom of speech is suppressed, we're all free to express what we think!

As did the original blog post linked in the first post of this thread. Freely expressed his thoughts, that is.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

Well this response wasn't to me, but still... people stay for a few reasons.

1. They might be hoping WDW will get it together and return to being a high quality destination with very high service standards, and a decent schedule for rolling out new content (as the blogger's article pointed out, it's been a lot of years without new e-tickets). Staying in touch with boards like DIS is how one finds out news about upcoming additions/changes.

2. They might truly just be fans of crash'n'burns. Same reason everyone on your commute rubbernecks at the accident on the way by, thus delaying the end of your commute by another 30 minutes. Because they can.

3. There IS a very large community here. This is not merely a place where people with an upcoming trip come to ask questions. Disney hosts their own venues for that (i.e. Mom's panel thing). If you think of DISboards like a Venn diagram, there are a lot of special interest groups here with the overlap area of common interest being Disney in general. These folks are all entitled to their thoughts, and thanks to the fact that it's a message board and obviously not hosted in a country where freedom of speech is suppressed, we're all free to express what we think!

As did the original blog post linked in the first post of this thread. Freely expressed his thoughts, that is.

You had me at Venn diagram...

 

[lugnut33]

Problem is I think many people, including the author of the opinion piece, are forming an opinion without many facts to back it up. Disney has access to all the numbers (guest feedback, number of people using the system, increase in attendance, attraction utilization percentage, and many other great numbers) and I feel like they are seeing something totally different than what we are. I honestly believe they think the whole MDE has been a resounding success because all you need to do is look at the numbers (for us it's born out through looking at how packed the parks are) in the parks and they are top notch. I actually believe guest feedback has been great also because so many people going to WDW are first timers. I would bet many top brass would look at the article and just shake their head in astonishment that somebody could be so clueless.

 

[mcd2745]

No way. Repeat business is very important to the theme park industry, and Disney has to know that.

I think it's far more likely that they are simply taking their most loyal customers for granted, with an arrogant assumption that no matter what they do, we will keep coming back as much as ever. They are trying to have their cake and eat it, too: making all these moves designed to win new customers while assuming that they won't alienate their best, most loyal customers.

Remember when Iger said that the company had been humbled by the reaction to DCA 1.0? Well, they seem to be sinking into hubris once again. They are gift wrapping their best customers and sending them directly to Universal's doorstep.

I always chuckle at these types of statements regarding Disney vs. Universal.

While Universal has been impressive with the new attractions they have been adding, when all is said and done, they will always be the Washington Generals and WDW will always be the Harlem Globetrotters (that reference probably will be lost on most). Disney knows Universal poses no real threat to them for supremecy in Orlando. Never has, never will.

As for the article, nothing new there. Just opinions and ideas that have been rehashed ad nauseum.