Do You think DISNEY has gone down hlll the last few years?

[k5thbeatle]

A resounding "YES"! We're here now finishing up a 2 week stay. I will post details of my opinion in trip report when we return this week-end.

 

[KellyNY]

*
Hi! I did make a few edits on the front page. Check it out. I'm all for any other comments and or suggestions from anyone. Feel free to PM me too! Thanks! Brunette

Hi Brunette,

I checked OP, much better!

 

[KellyNY]

been there 3 times over the last 4 years... so my last trip I went to universal instead...

what a world of difference, a much smaller ( enjoyable ) scale of a park...i think it was like disney world use to be back in the 70's 80's, frankly I think it has gotten too big...I only will go in the fall or spring and only at non peak times...when everyone is zigging..I will be zagging!!!

and money making machine, yes, but if they lost money we wouldnt have a disney world to visit!

So true. I also find Universal much more concentrated, less walking, more time on rides. I mentioned earlier that we actually spend only few hours on rides and attractions, including parades and fireworks and the rest of the time is walking and chasing FPs. This is btw, the main reason we need at least 5-6 days to cover everything while at Universal 2,3 days is more then enough.

 

[Planogirl]

the comparison to universal reminded me of what disney use to be..smaller scale, not overwelming... distance short/scale , less people, less options/parks

would you believe at universal if you stay at the hotel on grounds you can get a pass that puts you at the front of the line on almost every ride... now that was amasing! They should have the same thing at disney world, if someone wants to /can pay for it....let them get to the front of the line!

its not like anything else in life, if you want service/ quality product you PAY for it!

I think that the Front of the Line is nice but probably wouldn't work in the same form at WDW. There are just too many WDW resorts for all resort guests to get that. However, maybe they could sell a limited number...

 

[Granite]

We just got back from a ten day trip from the world. First off I want to be clear, we love Walt Disney World and I can’t imagine a time when “The Magic” will not be part of our lives. With that being said, Disney has taken a step back. Part of what made Disney so special was the difference between Disney and well…everything else. While Disney is still the “Top Dog” and will probably stay that way; the distance between Disney and everything else has been drastically been drastically diminished.

This is a factor of two distinct changes.

1. The competition has gotten better.
2. Disney is no longer the pioneer.

From Walt Disney’s earliest endeavors, his vision and expectations were always beyond technical capabilities of the medium. From his cartoons to his movies to his parks; the common thread was always pushing the technological boundaries of what can be done. Everything was better, cleaner and more immersing than most could even conceive never mind create. This is what has been lost.

I heard a story about Mr. Disney years ago...Okay decades ago. He used to go to Disneyland unannounced and incognito. He would buy a ticket, visit attractions, sample snacks and evaluate cast member performances. His biggest concerns were the presentations given by his employees. In attractions such as the Jungle Cruise, it was imperative the Disney employee (ship’s captain) played the part as it was intended. After being dissatisfied with the presentation he witnessed, he personally preformed extensive training with this captains to improve their story telling techniques. After the training, Walt visited the park weeks later, this time announced to check up on his captains. This time they were ready for Mr. Disney, they had “stacked the deck” by putting their best captain at the front of the queue. Walt Disney was far to smart for that, he stepped into the third boat in the queue and said…show me what you got.

Now, what do you think Walt Disney would think if he walked through the World today?

 

[manning]

We just got back from a ten day trip from the world. First off I want to be clear, we love Walt Disney World and I can’t imagine a time when “The Magic” will not be part of our lives. With that being said, Disney has taken a step back. Part of what made Disney so special was the difference between Disney and well…everything else. While Disney is still the “Top Dog” and will probably stay that way; the distance between Disney and everything else has been drastically been drastically diminished.

This is a factor of two distinct changes.

1. The competition has gotten better.
2. Disney is no longer the pioneer.

From Walt Disney’s earliest endeavors, his vision and expectations were always beyond technical capabilities of the medium. From his cartoons to his movies to his parks; the common thread was always pushing the technological boundaries of what can be done. Everything was better, cleaner and more immersing than most could even conceive never mind create. This is what has been lost.

I heard a story about Mr. Disney years ago...Okay decades ago. He used to go to Disneyland unannounced and incognito. He would buy a ticket, visit attractions, sample snacks and evaluate cast member performances. His biggest concerns were the presentations given by his employees. In attractions such as the Jungle Cruise, it was imperative the Disney employee (ship’s captain) played the part as it was intended. After being dissatisfied with the presentation he witnessed, he personally preformed extensive training with this captains to improve their story telling techniques. After the training, Walt visited the park weeks later, this time announced to check up on his captains. This time they were ready for Mr. Disney, they had “stacked the deck” by putting their best captain at the front of the queue. Walt Disney was far to smart for that, he stepped into the third boat in the queue and said…show me what you got.

Now, what do you think Walt Disney would think if he walked through the World today?

What do you know. A CEO who cared and did his job.....one of the things the present one should be doing.!!!!!

 

[disneynutz]

Greed and trying to increase profit has resulted in cutbacks and other cost saving measures that have reduced the quality and quantity at Disney.

Reducing pensions, hiring part timers and increasing the collage programs has had a negative effect. Some of the CM's are great but many know that it's a temporary assignment and don't see a reason to "plus it". Contracted employees and outsourcing has increased and they just don't have the same commitment that full time employees have. Many employees now have double the responsibilities without added pay. The hotel/resort managers now manage 2 resorts each and their CM's bounce back and forth between the resorts to fill in as needed due to the fewer number of employees.

Bill

 

[KSDisneyDad]

When Brunette first posted this thread, some angry Diser made a competing "Do you think Disney has gone UP HILL" thread to "fight the negativity."

It's funny how that thread vanished... and this one is still going strong.

WHOAAAA Nelly -- that was me. Where did I say or imply that the length of a thread had anything at all to do with the validity of the discussion?

There are "something about nothing" threads on various Disboards forums that have been going on for years, and those say right in the title that they're about nothing.

I said it was funny that this one is still going... while the other one stopped. That's all.

Sometimes, the words people say (or write) are exactly what they mean. No need to turn every sentence into a linguistic Rorschach test.

I guess I'm confused. If you're sensitive about how others interpret your posts, why post at all? WDSearcher is not alone in how your post was wide open for intepretation. If it was simply an observation as you claim, why use the word "angry" to describe the person who started the uphill thread. Why use a phrase such as "fight the negativity"?

This is just an observation. Use of those types of words will cause others to interpret things based on their own personal opinion or experience. I'm willing to bet that many lurkers feel the same way as WDSearcher.

Honestly, I could care less and I normally agree with your posts, but I find the personal attacks and insults to be a bit petty. That's why I had pulled back for a few days, but I didn't want WDSearcher to feel alone.

Back to the original question: NOPE.

 

[KellyNY]

I guess I'm confused. If you're sensitive about how others interpret your posts, why post at all? WDSearcher is not alone in how your post was wide open for intepretation. If it was simply an observation as you claim, why use the word "angry" to describe the person who started the uphill thread. Why use all caps with the word uphill? Why use a phrase such as "fight the negativity"?

This is just an observation. Use of those types of words will cause others to interpret things based on their own personal opinion or experience. I'm willing to bet that many lurkers feel the same way as WDSearcher.

Honestly, I could care less and I normally agree with your posts, but I find the personal attacks and insults to be a bit petty. That's why I had pulled back for a few days, but I didn't want WDSearcher to feel alone.

Back to the original question: NOPE.

You and WDSearcher are not alone.

 

[Tiger926]

We were at WDW at the first of the month. It was a great trip!

However one BIG thing stood out to us this trip. Food prices, quantity and quality. High prices, not as much food and declining quality.

Our first park day was at DHS and we went to a part of the park we had never been too to see P&F. Since Pizza Planet was there we had to eat at Pizza Planet. $10 for a pizza that looked and tasted like a frozen pizza is horrible. The meat ball sub was no better.

Mara's used to be our favorite CS place. Love the fries. This trip the prices are up a bit, the kids got very few fries, seem like they got less in their kids meals, and the quality was ok.

In that past, especially at Mara's, we felt that we paid about the same or a bit more for WDW CS vs off site CS but the food was better quality, usually at least. Not this trip and we have been getting the same food at Mara's for years. We only ate at Mara's twice.

Our last three meals at WDW were frozen food bought in the resort store. It was better and cheaper than what we were getting for CS at Mara and in the parks. Prior to the trip the DW and I were talking about taking frozen food to WDW to save us time and a bit of money. Mainly to save time by not having to eat out. Next trip we will be taking frozen food to the resort.

Even eating at CG we saw the difference. We have eaten at CG at least 20 times since the late 90's and we can see the difference. This trip the Sushi was made with long grain rice. CG used to frequently change the menu. Not much has changed over the last few years. The value for us at CG was still there but it is slipping. We would have canceled our second ADR there except the kids wanted to go to Simba's Club House as planned.

We used to really like Rain Forest Cafe. Their Calamari was excellent but it has not been on the menu in years. Paying $15 for a sandwich and only getting potato chips is absurd. Asking for another $2 for fries is pathetic. We can go to Red Robin and get as many fries as we want. Now I do not want, nor need a bottomless plate of fries, but I would like them with a hamburger. We only went to RFC the second time because grandpa had promised the kids. Next time we will skip RFC. The frozen burrito I had at the resort was better and heck of a lot cheaper.

We have noticed this decline in food value over the last few years. We have responded to it by spending less on WDW food. Next trip we will spend even less. In the past we have had at least 4-5 meals at Signature restaurants for each trip. We are down to two now and we would have just had one if not for the kids. Next trip it is likely to be just one.

This is sad because we got to WDW to EAT at the signature restaurants.

F&W was great and we felt we got what we paid for except for some of the deserts. We miss the crab cakes and some of the beers they have had in the past but we no complaints about F&W food/price wise.

The landscaping in the parks has declined. The kids play areas that used to be at F&W are missing.

Space Mountain has uncovered fasteners in the waiting areas that are very blatant. Given the ride just had a refurb you would think they would have taken care of these issues. Soar'n had holes in the dry wall that should have been patched.

We will return to WDW since the overall value is there. But we have been and will continue to spend less money on food. Disney has pushed up the food prices and declined quality to a point where we just will not buy as much. Next trip we will also look a bit more closely at the number of days we spend in the parks. Park tickets are our largest expense and we have been wanting to spend more time at the resort. This last trip, the weather forced us to spend more time at the resort and we really liked it. Given the price increase on the park tickets we are very likely to go to the parks less frequently.

We will be sending a note to WDW about our concerns.

It was a great trip. We had some wonderful interactions with CMs. But we are seeing a decline in quality and value to which we have been and will continue to react.

Later,
Dan

Thanks for the detailed report. This is us as well. We used to spend thousand of dollars per trip on dining, so you add that up over 10 years, and it's a scary amount that we are no longer spending. Disney has lost big time with us, as we now cook in our DVC villa, and we greatly enjoy it. If we go to a TS restaurant, it's very few and far between, and non-buffets. We can no longer justify over $50.00 to dine with Mickey. Been there, done that, as we've eaten everywhere, and it's a bit sad, as dining was a big part of our trips, but that's no longer the case.

We just got back from a ten day trip from the world. First off I want to be clear, we love Walt Disney World and I can’t imagine a time when “The Magic” will not be part of our lives. With that being said, Disney has taken a step back. Part of what made Disney so special was the difference between Disney and well…everything else. While Disney is still the “Top Dog” and will probably stay that way; the distance between Disney and everything else has been drastically been drastically diminished.

This is a factor of two distinct changes.

1. The competition has gotten better.
2. Disney is no longer the pioneer.

From Walt Disney’s earliest endeavors, his vision and expectations were always beyond technical capabilities of the medium. From his cartoons to his movies to his parks; the common thread was always pushing the technological boundaries of what can be done. Everything was better, cleaner and more immersing than most could even conceive never mind create. This is what has been lost.

I heard a story about Mr. Disney years ago...Okay decades ago. He used to go to Disneyland unannounced and incognito. He would buy a ticket, visit attractions, sample snacks and evaluate cast member performances. His biggest concerns were the presentations given by his employees. In attractions such as the Jungle Cruise, it was imperative the Disney employee (ship’s captain) played the part as it was intended. After being dissatisfied with the presentation he witnessed, he personally preformed extensive training with this captains to improve their story telling techniques. After the training, Walt visited the park weeks later, this time announced to check up on his captains. This time they were ready for Mr. Disney, they had “stacked the deck” by putting their best captain at the front of the queue. Walt Disney was far to smart for that, he stepped into the third boat in the queue and said…show me what you got.

Now, what do you think Walt Disney would think if he walked through the World today?

Great question, but I can't really answer it, as I'm not sure Walt Disney World the way we know it, would exist in this fashion. Would we have 4 parks, 2 water parks, 20+ resorts, Downtown Disney, Boardwalk and recreation? Not sure what the state of WDW would be, if Walt were alive, as he was not a good business man in terms of finances and such. He was a creative genius, so would he have capped WDW and not expanded? Maybe other Disney parks around the world? Who knows?

I also think that the time that Walt was alive is a much different time than today, so from a business perspective, not sure how he would react? More trained and qualified CMs, costs money, but Walt might have felt that was a priority, over other areas. So this might be one area that we might see a difference. I am pretty certain that Disney's profit margins would probably be lower though.

I also think that those times were more traditional though, and not sure some of that would work today either?

Great question!

Greed and trying to increase profit has resulted in cutbacks and other cost saving measures that have reduced the quality and quantity at Disney.

Reducing pensions, hiring part timers and increasing the collage programs has had a negative effect. Some of the CM's are great but many know that it's a temporary assignment and don't see a reason to "plus it". Contracted employees and outsourcing has increased and they just don't have the same commitment that full time employees have. Many employees now have double the responsibilities without added pay. The hotel/resort managers now manage 2 resorts each and their CM's bounce back and forth between the resorts to fill in as needed due to the fewer number of employees.

Bill

You are so correct, but that is the way of North American business. So many people are overworked and underpaid, so where does it end? Also, quanitity over quality is a major thing too - so many things have been cheapened in our society, so again, this is common everywhere I go: restaurants, groceries, retail, clothing, shoes, electronics, etc...

I know that quality of merchandise keeps getting brought up on these boards, but I see the cash registers at WDW always ringing, so this signals to Disney that the product line is just fine. Again, we are a small respresentation of the larger guest, so even though most of us say we will spend money on higher quality shirts, hats, etc., I don't really think that Disney is interested in making a few guests happy, when milllions of guests are purchasing all of those cheaper products.

This current system is working for Disney, since the parks are pretty much full most of the year now, and profits are pretty high for Disney Corporate.

At what point though will WDW get back to training committed CMs? But in all fairness to WDW, I see this everywhere I go...so many people seem to struggle with work ethic, committment, excelling in their fields, great customer service, etc.

Tiger

 

[WDSearcher]

Now, what do you think Walt Disney would think if he walked through the World today?

I think if Walt were alive, he'd have sold off the parks long ago to concentrate on his film-making. Because I think THAT's where he'd have seen the innovation and the greatest opportunity for growth.

Walt started Disneyland and WDW to provide family entertainment. And it was pretty much the only game in town. Once everyone else started building parks -- Six Flags, SeaWorld, Legoland, Dollywood, etc -- I think he'd have folded it up and put the money into advances in the film / animation industry. I think that's where his passion was.

He wanted Epcot to be a full-out community. And I don't think he'd have ever made it there. Even with his leadership ... I don't think his vision of EPCOT was really achievable.

So ... the question is kind of moot. Walt wouldn't be walking through "the World" -- he wouldn't be seeing THIS version of the "Disney Empire". He'd be walking through HIS version. And by virtue of the fact that it would be HIS version (and not a conglomeration of Roy, Michael, Frank, Bob, Card, Dick and all the other guys), I think he'd be happy with it.

 

[Tiger926]

I think if Walt were alive, he'd have sold off the parks long ago to concentrate on his film-making. Because I think THAT's where he'd have seen the innovation and the greatest opportunity for growth.

Walt started Disneyland and WDW to provide family entertainment. And it was pretty much the only game in town. Once everyone else started building parks -- Six Flags, SeaWorld, Legoland, Dollywood, etc -- I think he'd have folded it up and put the money into advances in the film / animation industry. I think that's where his passion was.

He wanted Epcot to be a full-out community. And I don't think he'd have ever made it there. Even with his leadership ... I don't think his vision of EPCOT was really achievable.

So ... the question is kind of moot. Walt wouldn't be walking through "the World" -- he wouldn't be seeing THIS version of the "Disney Empire". He'd be walking through HIS version. And by virtue of the fact that it would be HIS version (and not a conglomeration of Roy, Michael, Frank, Bob, Card, Dick and all the other guys), I think he'd be happy with it.

Exactly!

 

[flicx]

I notice alot of people saying that disney world is busier now and packing parks more recently.While the numbers aren't in, last year they had less people go through the gates.It may also work out that way this year.I have a theory as to why it seems more crowded in off season,simply put the costs have gone up so drastically that alot of people need to go when it costs less (value season)!With the way the economy is everybody is looking for a bargain.I know when I look at the rates during the regular and peak seasons I say WOW I actually think disney maybe bringing it about with there agressive pricing!

 

[Tiger926]

I notice alot of people saying that disney world is busier now and packing parks more recently.While the numbers aren't in, last year they had less people go through the gates.It may also work out that way this year.I have a theory as to why it seems more crowded in off season,simply put the costs have gone up so drastically that alot of people need to go when it costs less (value season)!With the way the economy is everybody is looking for a bargain.I know when I look at the rates during the regular and peak seasons I say WOW I actually think disney maybe bringing it about with there agressive pricing!

Last year's numbers were down across the whole year, but last quarter's numbers were up.

Like I said, we go during peak season, as I'm a teacher, and rooms are sold out, parks are packed, restaurants are full, and cash registers are ringing!!!

Peak season at Disney is still very busy, but you make a good point that during value season, parks are more full than ever. There really is no quiet time at Disney anymore, and that is brilliant marketing on their end.

Tiger

 

[Pirate Jeff]

Tough question. There are things that disappoint - closing some attractions without a replacement, leaving a resort half built for years, more focus on merchandising with less than quality items, lack of updates for EPCOT, considerable ticket price increases in hard times. On the other hand, some excellent new attractions have been added. I'm not sure the company is sharing profits with its CM's adequately, but in many cases the magic is certainly still there among them. Like any company, Disney must be successful from a business standpoint. There will be changes. Overall, we don't look forward to our trips any less.

Tori:

You share a beautiful name with my granddaughter.....

I agree with the majority of your thoughts here but one...

I may be ignorant on the issue as I have never worked for Disney though I plan on doing a part time thing once I retire in 6 years. For me, it will be a perfect match, as I love "All things Disney" and could find fewer rewards in my life, than being a part of making someone else, especially children, happy! It will serve to give me purpose in my aging years and I hope the personal rewards are great.

On the other side of the employment spectrum, are the younger adults whom are just beginning their journey through life. It is my belief (although this is simply perception and not a true knowledge..) that CM's at Disney, use the "experience" to use as a stepping stone to bigger and better things. Like young McDonald's workers. They too, do what they do for the experience (though there is little similarity between Mickey D's and The Big Mick!!).

If a CM absorbs themselves into the Disney Spirit, they will become People Managers beyond compare! A work record from Disney, is like a Passport Stamp to a better world. Interns hopefully carry the Disney experience through their lives and hopefully make them better at dealing with others on a grand scale.

Bottom line, it isn't about the "money". It is about the "experience". And having Disney on your Resume', will bring you years of positive returns. Not only that, but the knowledge you gain, will be priceless.

At the end of the day Tori, regardless of the balance sheet at Disney, it is the CM's that make the Magic Happen. I would be dismayed, if at the end of it all, the biggest concern would be "money". I've known many struggling people in my life... as well as thrifty. I've found that what makes one rich isn't an amount in a bank statement. It's more how much you have given to others and it may sound funny but someone who is near a pauper, can be more rich than any if they know how to make others lives "better". A simple smile or concern is all it takes with most.

A Disney CM isn't there (IMO) for a career. They are there to help people find magic in every aspect of their lives by making them: Happy, Smile and Know that life isn't about the bottom line, it is about making every moment as magical as possible. After all, that is what Disney is all about and in my opinion, why I love Disney so much. No matter where I go or whatever I do, nothing compares to Disney. A CM, should know that what they do and how they do it will have an effect (sometimes a profound effect) on the customer.

I have always believed that this one fact, is why having Disney on your Resume' gets you somewhere. If it comes down to "money", it couldn't be understood.

For me personally, if I had a choice between ten thousand dollars or, making a one time special and happy impact on a child that they would remember for years hence, I would "hands down" take the latter.

So at the end of the day, Disney makes more money by paying lower wages and their CM's gain an experience of a lifetime! After all, what could be a greater compensation than knowing you made someone else's life better?

As for the "other issues"...

It is a common theme I have spirited throughout this thread. I love Disney but think they've lost their way in many regards. But, the CM's still revel in the "magic". It is they who may just save the "dream". That is, until maybe when Iger retires when I hope that someone can be found that can find a narrow line between profit and quality.

In all honesty, I don't think most folks mind near as much paying more, than they do a less than "Disney Experience".

In My Opinion.....

Sorry to rant.

Pirate Jeff. Aaaargh!!

Oh Walt,where are you?

 

[WDSearcher]

I think Disney is like anywhere else. Older CMs are there for a career. The folks who came in during the 80s and 90s when there was tons of growth and Disney was the place. That was also a time when people did pursue a career with the same company. People regularly worked 15 ... 20 ... 30 years for the same company whether it be Disney, Ford, Prudential or anyone else. There are a LOT of 15, 20 and 25 year CMs in the parks on both coasts. There are statistically fewer 5 & 10 year CMs, because they come from another generation.

Recent generations don't look at the job market the same way. They look at "short stay" strategies -- working 3-5 years for a company and then leaving to go work 3-5 years for a different company, gathering resume credits and jumping up the ladder each time they switch. Very few kids coming out of college these days are truly seeking a company with whom they will be with for the next 40 years. Their minds simply don't work that way!

 

[Planogirl]

It's wonderful to contemplate working in a career with the notion of making people happy regardless of pay. Reality is that people do want to advance and buy homes and just live. I don't see how most people can do that on a regular CM's salary.

I do agree that people coming out of college nowadays don't think of themselves working for the same company for an extended period of time. I do believe that that attitude was at least partially caused by the instability of the job market though. You can't count on keeping the same job any more simply because companies don't keep people. That even includes Disney.

 

[WDSearcher]

It's wonderful to contemplate working in a career with the notion of making people happy regardless of pay. Reality is that people do want to advance and buy homes and just live. I don't see how most people can do that on a regular CM's salary.

I agree, although that's true for any entry-level job pretty much anywhere. A "regular CM" isn't really any worse off than someone just starting at any large company. Unless you have a truly sought-after skill (which, face it, most entry-level CMs don't), you're stuck on the bottom.

The difference, I think, is that younger generations don't have the same level of patience as older generations. Kids come out of college and want to have iPhones, DVRs, flat screen TVs, Blu-Ray players, iPads, and all the rest. So they look at entry-level salaries and say they can't live on them, when they could actually live (and save) on them fairly well, if they were willing to go a couple of years with a little bit less. But we all get kind of addicted to our electronics, and it's hard to let go when mom & dad aren't paying the bill any more or when you have so many other bills to pay.

I know lots of regular CMs who managed to buy houses and put kids through college on their Disney salaries. But they did give up other stuff to do that. I also know regular CMs who continually yell about not getting paid enough, but do nothing to either improve their situation (taking classes to learn a new skill) or adjust their budget (cutting back on trips to the beach or holding off on purchasing a new iPad).

I do agree that people coming out of college nowadays don't think of themselves working for the same company for an extended period of time. I do believe that that attitude was at least partially caused by the instability of the job market though. You can't count on keeping the same job any more simply because companies don't keep people. That even includes Disney.

Yup. Absolutely true.

 

[KSDisneyDad]

I think if Walt were alive, he'd have sold off the parks long ago to concentrate on his film-making. Because I think THAT's where he'd have seen the innovation and the greatest opportunity for growth.

Walt started Disneyland and WDW to provide family entertainment. And it was pretty much the only game in town. Once everyone else started building parks -- Six Flags, SeaWorld, Legoland, Dollywood, etc -- I think he'd have folded it up and put the money into advances in the film / animation industry. I think that's where his passion was.

He wanted Epcot to be a full-out community. And I don't think he'd have ever made it there. Even with his leadership ... I don't think his vision of EPCOT was really achievable.

So ... the question is kind of moot. Walt wouldn't be walking through "the World" -- he wouldn't be seeing THIS version of the "Disney Empire". He'd be walking through HIS version. And by virtue of the fact that it would be HIS version (and not a conglomeration of Roy, Michael, Frank, Bob, Card, Dick and all the other guys), I think he'd be happy with it.

I agree with most of your posts and even your last paragraph in the above post, but I sincerely hope that your comments about Disney selling off the parks would have been wrong. With WDI and all that he invested in the parks, I would think he would have stuck with it. I thought his passion about the parks is why he started the Florida project in the first place. Regardless, it's a moot point as well though since Walt passed away before the Florida project was completed.

Although we can all hypothesize about what Walt would or wouldn't have done. It's interesting, but as you said completely moot.

It's wonderful to contemplate working in a career with the notion of making people happy regardless of pay. Reality is that people do want to advance and buy homes and just live. I don't see how most people can do that on a regular CM's salary.

I do agree that people coming out of college nowadays don't think of themselves working for the same company for an extended period of time. I do believe that that attitude was at least partially caused by the instability of the job market though. You can't count on keeping the same job any more simply because companies don't keep people. That even includes Disney.

I agree. My kids dream of doing the college program with Disney, but not a career with Disney. Although I think there are some great career opportunities still available within the Disney corporation, I believe fewer people want to pay their dues as a CM in the parks as a career as the wages are so low. I have younger generation employees who don't even want to pay their dues at our company. They want immediate advancement and pay raises.

Like PirateJeff, my retirement dream is to be a part-time Disney CM.

FWIW - we encountered many wonderful Disney CM's on our last trip. Because we have been spoiled so much with the Disney cruise staff, I had grown disenchanted with WDW until our last visit this past June. The CM's we encountered changed my opinion as they were just as awesome as what I remember from our first trip back in 1998. Perhaps it's because we don't visit often, but I am not seeing what some others on here are seeing with respect to this CM discussion. Or maybe we just have lower expectations, which admittingly could be the case.

 

[WDSearcher]

I agree with most of your posts and even your last paragraph in the above post, but I sincerely hope that your comments about Disney selling off the parks would have been wrong. With WDI and all that he invested in the parks, I would think he would have stuck with it. I thought his passion about the parks is why he started the Florida project in the first place. Regardless, it's a moot point as well though since Walt passed away before the Florida project was completed.

I think his passion with the parks was primarily EPCOT. The Magic Kingdom in Florida was a means to an end. He built MK to entertain people, certainly, but I think it was a money stream for EPCOT. He bought all the land to facilitate this utopian community he wanted to build. THAT was the hook. This whole new way of living and working and being self-sustaining. I really do think that all the land he bought was less about building more parks and resorts and more about building soundstages and movie studios and a place for all those people to live and work. I really don't think he'd have built a Studio or an Animal Kingdom or any other park, really. I think what he really wanted, more than anything, was to build a fully functioning city.