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

[brunette8706]

Here's an interesting read, excerpt from Disney news:

August 10, 2010, 4:45 pm
Disney Earnings Are Better Than Expected
By BROOKS BARNES
LOS ANGELES – Profit soared 40 percent at the Walt Disney Company in its most recent quarter, propelled by three blockbuster movies, strong merchandise sales and deferred revenue at ESPN.

But results for Disney’s theme parks – closely watched as a barometer of the broader economy – were mixed as consumers reacted to price increases, indicating that people remained hesitant about discretionary spending.

http://mediadecoder.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/08/10/disney-earnings-are-better-than-expected/

brunette

 

[brunette8706]

When you have a hundred million visitors paying the increased prices, buying over priced, made in China, Disney themed merchandise, and eating the reduced quality food, why would you go back to the old ways of doing business.

The number of repeat visitors who are upset about the new Disney business model is so small, I don't think that we have any impact on their decisions.
All they have to do is offer "free" food and the place will fill up.

Bill

*
Hi Bill!

Well it looks like we do have a say. LOL! See my excerpt in the above post.

Take care.

Brunette

 

[KellyNY]

When you have a hundred million visitors paying the increased prices, buying over priced, made in China, Disney themed merchandise, and eating the reduced quality food, why would you go back to the old ways of doing business.

The number of repeat visitors who are upset about the new Disney business model is so small, I don't think that we have any impact on their decisions.

All they have to do is offer "free" food and the place will fill up.

Bill

Free DP is the only thing that can actually make people eat TS meals every single day. I honestly can count only few places that offer a good menu. I could count few, now I am not sure where to eat on my trip in a week.

 

[KellyNY]

Here's an interesting read, excerpt from Disney news:

August 10, 2010, 4:45 pm
Disney Earnings Are Better Than Expected
By BROOKS BARNES
LOS ANGELES – Profit soared 40 percent at the Walt Disney Company in its most recent quarter, propelled by three blockbuster movies, strong merchandise sales and deferred revenue at ESPN.

But results for Disney’s theme parks – closely watched as a barometer of the broader economy – were mixed as consumers reacted to price increases, indicating that people remained hesitant about discretionary spending.

http://mediadecoder.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/08/10/disney-earnings-are-better-than-expected/

brunette

Good, so they know what kind of mess they created.

 

[brunette8706]

Good, so they know what kind of mess they created.

**
hehehe!

Glad to see you back! We missed you here! LOL!

Brunette

 

[TLSnell1981]

Good, so they know what kind of mess they created.

But, the question is, do they care?

We spend considerably less on dining and at WDW in general. We utilize our timeshare, but have changed our habits. I choose to spend those extra $$$ elsewhere (other vacations)...not on lousy food and generic merchandise.

 

[Tiger926]

Speaking of downhill...So, I went to put on a new t-shirt that my hubby bought me last month @ Epcot. I must preface this by saying, that we stopped buying stuff a few years ago. We usually only buy ornaments, books, beach towels, hats and frames now. We did buy clothes in March as they had hoodies and such on sale due to the cold weather, and they are holding up ok, as they haven't really been worn much. We did buy a few things last month, as they had the AP discount (got a few gifts) and hubby and I bought each other gifts, and few jammies for kids.

Anyway, this shirt cost $28.00, and is very thin, and small. I'm a petite lady, yet need a Large or XL, as they are made for tiny little bodies. I felt badly as hubby really liked the shirt (it's cute), but after only a few wearings, and washings in a new HE machine on deliate/cold/hung to dry, it's already ruined. There are a few small holes in it, and it looks like it's about 3 years old!

I immediately fired off an email to Disney a few minutes ago. Junk, junk, and more junk!!!! We won't be buying anymore clothes at all, although my DVC jacket is still holding up very well. Doesn't matter if it's park merchandise or Disney Shopping online, it's all junk. Although, park stuff costs way more than the ridiculously cheap sales they have online, so it would be nice if that stuff lasted at least longer than the trip home!

In this area, Disney has sunk so far downhill, that it will be difficult for them to get back up, as they make everything so cheaply overseas. I don't shop Dollar Stores or Walmart for this reason...but I'm sure Disney is making a fortune off of the merchandise, so they'll stick to it, I'm sure.

Tiger

 

[BAST]

I have been following this post with some interest since we just returned from a 14 day trip to WDW.

This was our 8th (and longest) trip since 2002 (others have been 8 to 12 days in length), but our last since 2008. We have spent alot of time at WDW since 2002.......

I kept looking for evidence that WDW had gone downhill, but really could not find such evidence. The parks were clean, the bathrooms were clean, the ride worked (there were only a few shutdowns during our trip - mostly with Space Mountain), the shows were still good, and the food was still good.

I did notice some things - the 3:00 parade in the MK was pretty patethetic, there were fewer water/ice cream vendors than in the past, the buffet prices were ridiculous throught August 15 (they went down in price beginning on the 16th by $4, which was $16 for our family).

But generally, I did not see that WDW went downhill.

There were some really great changes. The new Hall of Presidents was truly spectacular. If WDW is so cost conscious, why significantly change a "C" or "D" level ticket attraction? The electrical parade was great and so was the Nightastic fireworks (these more than made up for the 3:00 parade).

The food was really quite good (and I can be a true food snob). Some of our CS lunch entrees were forgettable (Disney cannot make a good hamburger in my opinion so I avoid ordering them). But the salads, sandwiches and snacks are really pretty good. The new buffalo chicken sandwich at the DHS was really good, the salads are good and fresh, and it appears that WDW has really tried to improve the food at DHS.

Out TS meals were also quite good (we used the TIW card). Was it expensive? Yes, but not horribly so. Our meals at Artist Point, CG and Brown Derby were truly spectacular.

 

[KellyNY]

**
hehehe!

Glad to see you back! We missed you here! LOL!

Brunette

LOL, I'm multitasking between JetBlue, Delta, Disney.com, DisBoards and so, got a brilliant idea to go next week and now try to put it all together. LOL

 

[brunette8706]

LOL, I'm multitasking between JetBlue, Delta, Disney.com, DisBoards and so, got a brilliant idea to go next week and now try to put it all together. LOL

*
WOW! ARe you going next week?? That's awesome!! Where are you staying?

 

[brunette8706]

But, the question is, do they care?

We spend considerably less on dining and at WDW in general. We utilize our timeshare, but have changed our habits. I choose to spend those extra $$$ elsewhere (other vacations)...not on lousy food and generic merchandise.

*
hmmm. They should care. According to Disney the parks were down 8 percent from last year! There are alot of people complaining about some of the resorts (Grand Floridian for one) where the paint is peeling and housekeeping etc. Now this is THERE FLAGSHIP resort! I just don't understand why they can't take care of things like this.

I agree we took our money elsewhere for food. It just isn't worth it anymore.

 

[brunette8706]

Speaking of downhill...So, I went to put on a new t-shirt that my hubby bought me last month @ Epcot. I must preface this by saying, that we stopped buying stuff a few years ago. We usually only buy ornaments, books, beach towels, hats and frames now. We did buy clothes in March as they had hoodies and such on sale due to the cold weather, and they are holding up ok, as they haven't really been worn much. We did buy a few things last month, as they had the AP discount (got a few gifts) and hubby and I bought each other gifts, and few jammies for kids.

Anyway, this shirt cost $28.00, and is very thin, and small. I'm a petite lady, yet need a Large or XL, as they are made for tiny little bodies. I felt badly as hubby really liked the shirt (it's cute), but after only a few wearings, and washings in a new HE machine on deliate/cold/hung to dry, it's already ruined. There are a few small holes in it, and it looks like it's about 3 years old!
I immediately fired off an email to Disney a few minutes ago. Junk, junk, and more junk!!!! We won't be buying anymore clothes at all, although my DVC jacket is still holding up very well. Doesn't matter if it's park merchandise or Disney Shopping online, it's all junk. Although, park stuff costs way more than the ridiculously cheap sales they have online, so it would be nice if that stuff lasted at least longer than the trip home!

In this area, Disney has sunk so far downhill, that it will be difficult for them to get back up, as they make everything so cheaply overseas. I don't shop Dollar Stores or Walmart for this reason...but I'm sure Disney is making a fortune off of the merchandise, so they'll stick to it, I'm sure.

Tiger

*
Double post, sorry

 

[disneyfan55]

I have been following this post with some interest since we just returned from a 14 day trip to WDW.


The new Hall of Presidents was truly spectacular. If WDW is so cost conscious, why significantly change a "C" or "D" level ticket attraction? The electrical parade was great and so was the Nightastic fireworks (these more than made up for the 3:00 parade).

The food was really quite good (and I can be a true food snob). Some of our CS lunch entrees were forgettable (Disney cannot make a good hamburger in my opinion so I avoid ordering them). But the salads, sandwiches and snacks are really pretty good. The new buffalo chicken sandwich at the DHS was really good, the salads are good and fresh, and it appears that WDW has really tried to improve the food at DHS.

Out TS meals were also quite good (we used the TIW card). Was it expensive? Yes, but not horribly so. Our meals at Artist Point, CG and Brown Derby were truly spectacular.

Glad you had such a nice trip. Just so you know that back when there were A through E tickets, The Hall of Presidents was an E ticket. Yes, I agree, they did do a nice job on it.

 

[brunette8706]

Speaking of downhill...So, I went to put on a new t-shirt that my hubby bought me last month @ Epcot. I must preface this by saying, that we stopped buying stuff a few years ago. We usually only buy ornaments, books, beach towels, hats and frames now. We did buy clothes in March as they had hoodies and such on sale due to the cold weather, and they are holding up ok, as they haven't really been worn much. We did buy a few things last month, as they had the AP discount (got a few gifts) and hubby and I bought each other gifts, and few jammies for kids.

Anyway, this shirt cost $28.00, and is very thin, and small. I'm a petite lady, yet need a Large or XL, as they are made for tiny little bodies. I felt badly as hubby really liked the shirt (it's cute), but after only a few wearings, and washings in a new HE machine on deliate/cold/hung to dry, it's already ruined. There are a few small holes in it, and it looks like it's about 3 years old!
I immediately fired off an email to Disney a few minutes ago. Junk, junk, and more junk!!!! We won't be buying anymore clothes at all, although my DVC jacket is still holding up very well. Doesn't matter if it's park merchandise or Disney Shopping online, it's all junk. Although, park stuff costs way more than the ridiculously cheap sales they have online, so it would be nice if that stuff lasted at least longer than the trip home!

In this area, Disney has sunk so far downhill, that it will be difficult for them to get back up, as they make everything so cheaply overseas. I don't shop Dollar Stores or Walmart for this reason...but I'm sure Disney is making a fortune off of the merchandise, so they'll stick to it, I'm sure.

Tiger

*
Hi Tiger!

I WOULD TAKE THAT BACK!!! Bring the receipt. I have taken stuff like that back to resort shops before, no questions asked!.

 

[KellyNY]

*
WOW! ARe you going next week?? That's awesome!! Where are you staying?

Still try to figure it out. I wanted AKL, my DD wants CBR, my mom actually like POP, go figure (she usually travels with us while my father watching sports and my cat, he is totally against Disney). So my opinion was lost/ignored somehow and I think split stay, POP for couple of nights even so I totally hate this hotel and CBR for the rest of stay. I was reading menus yesterday and I do not know where we will eat, CG is on my list, the rest is under big question. I do not want to spend $100 on a meal for 3 of us just to see that I could eat it same food here for $20, you know what I mean, I am OK with QS meals, but spending for signature dining and getting McDonald quality is not on my list of things to do. So frustrated right now.

 

[GadgetRick]

When you have a hundred million visitors paying the increased prices, buying over priced, made in China, Disney themed merchandise, and eating the reduced quality food, why would you go back to the old ways of doing business.

The number of repeat visitors who are upset about the new Disney business model is so small, I don't think that we have any impact on their decisions.

All they have to do is offer "free" food and the place will fill up.

Bill

See, this is part of my point, the percentage of unhappy guests is NOT that small or you wouldn't be seeing so many people here complain. I'm no statistical whiz but I'm guessing, if you extrapolated the data (from here alone) you'd find quite a high percentage of people are unhappy--certainly enough for Disney to take notice.

But I agree with you, they're making big bucks so no real incentive to fix things unless they're convinced they'll make more.

 

[GadgetRick]

Absolutely agree!

A lot of posters on here are nostalgic for the 'old' Disney, but perhaps that wasn't working from a financial or business perspective? And despite logging thousands of park hours, I'm not even sure I could even summarize or articulate what the Disney of old actually is? How much different is it really? Most guests are being served in a good manner, as repeat vacationers are showing us.

If the parks are still filling up, and people are still eating the food and buying the products, why in the world would Disney change anything? People are spending money, and this is what Disney's first priority will be, and really should be to shareholders.

As this thread has showed us, there is sometimes a disconnect between what us loyal and repeat guests see at Disney, and what first or only timers see. We are a very small percentage in the grand scheme, as most are being served just fine. And to Disney, it's even more telling since DVC membership is at an all-time high. Disney sees loyal, as we've just spent thousands of dollars upfront, to vacation there for a lifetime. And we did so based on our enjoyment of past vacations.

We still enjoy our vacations, but since we've done it all, over a span of 10 plus years, we are starting to see small and minute details falling by the wayside. But, in the grand scheme of things, how many are actually seeing these same things? Chances are, it's a very small amount. Considering that Free Dining sells out resorts, people aren't too bothered by the food.

I think it's important that we continue to discuss these points, but we have to remain realistic about how Disney is going to operate, Tiger

I'm not nostalgic for what I remember Disney as being. I also don't get the impression the bulk of people complaining are either. I just want the same quality I've become accustomed to at WDW. Shouldn't be too much to ask for things like good food and not to have half of the park boarded up is it?

 

[Pirates4me]

How does one unsubscribe to this thread. I've heard enough whining.

 

[GadgetRick]

Free DP is the only thing that can actually make people eat TS meals every single day. I honestly can count only few places that offer a good menu. I could count few, now I am not sure where to eat on my trip in a week.

LOL! Made me laugh at that quote.

I will say we were there a week and ate 3 meals on property--breakfasts and one dinner. Had reservations for another dinner at Whispering Canyon (one of our favorite) but, after our dinner at the PTC, I decided to cancel those and just eat off-property. Ate at the Outback. Much cheaper, more food and good food.

I'd venture to guess, if Disney did any research, they'd find more people shunning the DDP and eating offsite when it's not free. If the food was improved to (at least) reasonably close to what it used to be, I'd be more than happy to eat on site. I don't really want to go offsite to be quite honest.

 

[GadgetRick]

Speaking of downhill...So, I went to put on a new t-shirt that my hubby bought me last month @ Epcot. I must preface this by saying, that we stopped buying stuff a few years ago. We usually only buy ornaments, books, beach towels, hats and frames now. We did buy clothes in March as they had hoodies and such on sale due to the cold weather, and they are holding up ok, as they haven't really been worn much. We did buy a few things last month, as they had the AP discount (got a few gifts) and hubby and I bought each other gifts, and few jammies for kids.

Anyway, this shirt cost $28.00, and is very thin, and small. I'm a petite lady, yet need a Large or XL, as they are made for tiny little bodies. I felt badly as hubby really liked the shirt (it's cute), but after only a few wearings, and washings in a new HE machine on deliate/cold/hung to dry, it's already ruined. There are a few small holes in it, and it looks like it's about 3 years old!

I immediately fired off an email to Disney a few minutes ago. Junk, junk, and more junk!!!! We won't be buying anymore clothes at all, although my DVC jacket is still holding up very well. Doesn't matter if it's park merchandise or Disney Shopping online, it's all junk. Although, park stuff costs way more than the ridiculously cheap sales they have online, so it would be nice if that stuff lasted at least longer than the trip home!

In this area, Disney has sunk so far downhill, that it will be difficult for them to get back up, as they make everything so cheaply overseas. I don't shop Dollar Stores or Walmart for this reason...but I'm sure Disney is making a fortune off of the merchandise, so they'll stick to it, I'm sure.

Tiger

I remember when Disney merchandise was REALLY bad (before they had DTD). Clothing was just pure junk. Toys were crappy plastic, etc. They really improved to where their merchandise was quite good for a while there. Now, it's going back to what it was at that point. They've increased the prices and offer worse products (kinda like the parks in general, imo).

Yes, you can cite examples of certain things but, overall, the merchandise really sucks. And the prices are really bad. $16 for a stupid pin? $33 for a t-shirt? Come on...