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

[Donut23]

Humor me a moment......

Remember when some here told others of us..."If we don't like it, go somewhere else"?

And remember when Fellow Castmember Bob announced to shareholders earlier this year that the Parks discounts were going to go away.


I have noticed something funny in the last couple of weeks. The following discounts have been announced.......


* Free Dining through September 2011

* Up to 45% discounts for AP holders....hoping one of our DVC friends can take advantage of this and join us on our next trip.....Thank you Fellow Castmember Bob

* 25% discounts for Canadians


Let me ask a question......do you think this is ALL the economy or does it have a touch of "Harry Potter" and a touch of "I can do better $$$$$$ elsewhere".


What does everyone else think?

 

[jimmymac]

I do not know what is it but it feels so strange.

Talk about addition by subtraction

 

[Art 1]

Humor me a moment......

Remember when some here told others of us..."If we don't like it, go somewhere else"?

And remember when Fellow Castmember Bob announced to shareholders earlier this year that the Parks discounts were going to go away.


I have noticed something funny in the last couple of weeks. The following discounts have been announced.......


* Free Dining through September 2011

* Up to 45% discounts for AP holders....hoping one of our DVC friends can take advantage of this and join us on our next trip.....Thank you Fellow Castmember Bob

* 25% discounts for Canadians


Let me ask a question......do you think this is ALL the economy or does it have a touch of "Harry Potter" and a touch of "I can do better $$$$$$ elsewhere".


What does everyone else think?

IMO, Harry Potter has nothing to do with it.

 

[flicx]

Humor me a moment......

Remember when some here told others of us..."If we don't like it, go somewhere else"?

And remember when Fellow Castmember Bob announced to shareholders earlier this year that the Parks discounts were going to go away.


I have noticed something funny in the last couple of weeks. The following discounts have been announced.......


* Free Dining through September 2011

* Up to 45% discounts for AP holders....hoping one of our DVC friends can take advantage of this and join us on our next trip.....Thank you Fellow Castmember Bob

* 25% discounts for Canadians


Let me ask a question......do you think this is ALL the economy or does it have a touch of "Harry Potter" and a touch of "I can do better $$$$$$ elsewhere".


What does everyone else think?

I think harry potter may actually help disney because they will get some traffic from people going there.As far as I can do better elsewhere, I think some of that is effecting disney and the deepest discounts are for economy and other recent disney pricing trends!

 

[KellyNY]

Humor me a moment......

Remember when some here told others of us..."If we don't like it, go somewhere else"?

And remember when Fellow Castmember Bob announced to shareholders earlier this year that the Parks discounts were going to go away.


I have noticed something funny in the last couple of weeks. The following discounts have been announced.......


* Free Dining through September 2011

* Up to 45% discounts for AP holders....hoping one of our DVC friends can take advantage of this and join us on our next trip.....Thank you Fellow Castmember Bob

* 25% discounts for Canadians


Let me ask a question......do you think this is ALL the economy or does it have a touch of "Harry Potter" and a touch of "I can do better $$$$$$ elsewhere".


What does everyone else think?

I think all together.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

Humor me a moment......

Remember when some here told others of us..."If we don't like it, go somewhere else"?

And remember when Fellow Castmember Bob announced to shareholders earlier this year that the Parks discounts were going to go away.


I have noticed something funny in the last couple of weeks. The following discounts have been announced.......


* Free Dining through September 2011

* Up to 45% discounts for AP holders....hoping one of our DVC friends can take advantage of this and join us on our next trip.....Thank you Fellow Castmember Bob

* 25% discounts for Canadians


Let me ask a question......do you think this is ALL the economy or does it have a touch of "Harry Potter" and a touch of "I can do better $$$$$$ elsewhere".


What does everyone else think?

Yup - I'm saying the economy. At least 90% the economy...

To Iger's credit, though, I remember listening in on a shareholder meeting where he said (and I'm paraphrasing here, to be sure) that they were not going to take for granted that slim bottom lines were purely the result of a bad economy -- they were looking deeper to see where other changes might be called for. I can't speak to the follow-through, but I think this is certainly the right mentality for a CEO... I think it is the way any successful company remains successful. They look to face the hard truths, when they are there. Facing the "brutal facts" as Jim Collins wrote... again - I'm fresh off an MBA, so please forgive me...

 

[TLSnell1981]

Don't forget, Brunette, that Disney has been raising prices each year on their menus, plus during peak seasons, we get the surcharge too. Big increases!

Tiger

I remember a few heated threads, regarding the DP, about 3 or 4 years ago. The unions negotiated a new contract with Disney at that time. This is when the gratuity was removed (DP), an automatic 18% was instituted, surcharges were added and dining prices soared. It also appears (IMO), this is also when the menus and quality took the biggest hit.

I know the economy is a factor, but it is not entirely to blame. MO

 

[TenderDonkey]

I have to think the snail like economic recovery is playing a large part in the multiple discounts. Other vacation destinations have lowered their prices and to be honest a lot of hot spots are now really affordable. I was able to take my entire family to Paris for 7 days. Airfare, hotel, food all of it was less than a Disney vacation. And with Disney not really adding anything new, it’s a hard sell to convince ourselves to shell out $3k for a week in Orlando when that same $3k can get us to Hawaii.

 

[TLSnell1981]

I have to think the snail like economic recovery is playing a large part in the multiple discounts. Other vacation destinations have lowered their prices and to be honest a lot of hot spots are now really affordable. I was able to take my entire family to Paris for 7 days. Airfare, hotel, food all of it was less than a Disney vacation. And with Disney not really adding anything new, it’s a hard sell to convince ourselves to shell out $3k for a week in Orlando when that same $3k can get us to Hawaii.

This has been true for at least 10 years...even with weak dollar.

 

[DisGirl23]

It may not do anything. But if you DON'T write to Disney, it DEFINITELY won't do anything.

Just stopping by to agree with this. Please come here and vent but, please make sure Disney knows about issues with CMs. Front line management may not be able to do anything about the price increases or disappearing prime rib but, they can definitely do something about those who work directly underneath them.

 

[Tiger926]

I remember a few heated threads, regarding the DP, about 3 or 4 years ago. The unions negotiated a new contract with Disney at that time. This is when the gratuity was removed (DP), an automatic 18% was instituted, surcharges were added and dining prices soared. It also appears (IMO), this is also when the menus and quality took the biggest hit.

I know the economy is a factor, but it is not entirely to blame. MO

Oh, how I remember those heated threads.

I think it's a cop-out when companies totally blame the economy too - it relieves them of taking any responsibility for the problems. I don't see Disney doing this totally though, as I did read something about them considering all areas of the company. But again, how much of this they believe is the other issue. If they believe it's all the economy, then it will continue to function as is, or, possibly get worse? Not sure...?

Tiger

 

[Tiger926]

I have to think the snail like economic recovery is playing a large part in the multiple discounts. Other vacation destinations have lowered their prices and to be honest a lot of hot spots are now really affordable. I was able to take my entire family to Paris for 7 days. Airfare, hotel, food all of it was less than a Disney vacation. And with Disney not really adding anything new, it’s a hard sell to convince ourselves to shell out $3k for a week in Orlando when that same $3k can get us to Hawaii.

Yup! My friends can travel all year, but I can't with being a teacher, and I can't believe some of the deals they have been getting, especially to Hawaii. Airfare from here is killer, but even packaged up, the Hawaii deals are better than Disney.

It's all relative for those who set a budget, and plan their vacations around that budget. For many, they can afford a Disney vacation, but for many they cannot, unless Disney discounts, and even then, it's still too expensive for so many families.

But as we've been discussing, Disney has a lot of built in protection with regard to a downhill slide. They have DVC (although resales are pretty high right now), as well as the built-in guests who are coming back each year with Free Dining and other big promos like 40% off room rates. How long will it last, and will it be enough, are I'm sure the questions the Disney execs are pondering at this time?

Tiger

 

[KellyNY]

Oh, how I remember those heated threads.

I think it's a cop-out when companies totally blame the economy too - it relieves them of taking any responsibility for the problems. I don't see Disney doing this totally though, as I did read something about them considering all areas of the company. But again, how much of this they believe is the other issue. If they believe it's all the economy, then it will continue to function as is, or, possibly get worse? Not sure...?

Tiger

I feel same way. It is easy to blame economy for cuts, yet they are doing exansion that will not bring new customers and therefore new money. They could spend same money for a good new attraction or fixing whatever is broken. And I heard today they cutting CMs, what is this about? Enough money for expansion, houses they build, new hotel, but not enough to pay people money. Sorry, do not get it.

 

[smidgy]

In other words, you want what you have received in the past, rather than what you're being promised now.

nope, you're wrong again.

I never said anything about any "vague promise".. those are your words.

I book a trip, pay what I agreed to, receive the room and tickets i agreed to (and anything else that might be included in a package).

whether the prices have gon up or not , I agreed to them. I still expect the quality of what I agreed to to be up to par with what it was in the past.

If I frequent a restaurant, and enjoy their food, service, prices, etc. I keep going back. now, if after a few years, the prices rise, but I still enjoy the food and service, I agree to that.

but when the food and service diminishes, THAT I did not agree to. THAT wasn't expected.

I expect quality customer service, whatever the price.

 

[smidgy]

oops.. didn't realize he had "checked out". guess I can put my dictionary and thesaraus away now.

 

[brunette8706]

oops.. didn't realize he had "checked out". guess I can put my dictionary and thesaraus away now.

**

 

[TLSnell1981]

Oh, how I remember those heated threads.

I think it's a cop-out when companies totally blame the economy too - it relieves them of taking any responsibility for the problems. I don't see Disney doing this totally though, as I did read something about them considering all areas of the company. But again, how much of this they believe is the other issue. If they believe it's all the economy, then it will continue to function as is, or, possibly get worse? Not sure...?

Tiger

The cost of employment is a real factor. This is one reason uneployment is so high across the country. I see the mention of Disney layoffs.. They've also outsourced a few departments.

Methinks, Disney expects us to bail them out, i.e. cuts in services, quality, choices and price increases.

Insurance costs are on the rise, taxes are increasing, everybody still wants a raise and the company needs to keep the shareholders happy. This is a vicious cycle and not just a Disney problem.

 

[sam_justice]

In response to the topic,

Not at all! It's gotten better. Me and colleague were talking about this yesterday, we both went about 5-8 years ago and didn't really enjoy it. It's only been our recent trips we've absolutely loved. I think Disney has gotten out of that whole "Eisner" way of thinking and is really getting back to creativity.

If anything I would say Disney is approaching a new peak.

 

[Tiger926]

The cost of employment is a real factor. This is one reason uneployment is so high across the country. I see the mention of Disney layoffs.. They've also outsourced a few departments.

Methinks, Disney expects us to bail them out, i.e. cuts in services, quality, choices and price increases.

Insurance costs are on the rise, taxes are increasing, everybody still wants a raise and the company needs to keep the shareholders happy. This is a vicious cycle and not just a Disney problem.

ITA! Disney expects us to bail them out...excellent way of wording it. I think there are 2 points to that: keep coming to the parks, and accept the cuts. Wages are interesting as I come from Canada - highest minimum wage over $10.00/hour, plus probably the highest taxes. Those two alone make running a business darn near impossible, yet many companies do so. You have to get creative, and have realistic profit expectations. From all of my reading, it seems that Disney has very high profit expectations, which may or may not be good, as there are external factors that will affect those numbers.

It definitely isn't just a Disney problem...yet, they are building two new resorts (Value and Aulani DVC) and expanding MK, yet they might lay off CMs. Huh? There is a disconnect...if more people come, who will take care of those new customers, if there isn't enough staff around to do it? Surely, we will see dirty parks, dirty rooms, and cheaper food, as there is no other way around it, IMHO. Not to mention grossly overworked CMs, who are serving customers who are making every penny count, as they also live in the same economy that Disney does...This is the downslide that some of us fear...

In response to the topic,

Not at all! It's gotten better. Me and colleague were talking about this yesterday, we both went about 5-8 years ago and didn't really enjoy it. It's only been our recent trips we've absolutely loved. I think Disney has gotten out of that whole "Eisner" way of thinking and is really getting back to creativity.

If anything I would say Disney is approaching a new peak.

Just wondering how many times you've been to WDW? Being there 8 years ago is a very long time ago, in terms of this discussion. AK was still new, and there were several less resorts, just off the top of my head.

I, as well as my other peers here in this discussion, would love to hear more about your assessment. I will agree it's more creative, in certain respects, but when talking about going downhill, as we've been discussing, we are referring to the minute details that make up WDW: housekeeping, food, resorts and CM attitudes.

Would love to hear your thoughts about this new 'peak'! Tiger

 

[flicx]

I will say this about Eisner at least under his reign alot of new parks and attractions were built.I still don't get spending more to build another value resort,isn't there one that needs finished?