For those that say "Disney doesn't spend money on the parks"

[Lewisc]

So, this comes back around to my original point...these brainless execs COULD just say...hey everyone is coming to the parks...let's not spend any money...but they realized the mistake with DCA...and are ACTUALLY spending the money to correct it. So there's not much being added in FLorida the last few years - but they are at least the money is being spent SOMEWHERE!

Most of us don't think spending money on two cruise ships has anything to do with improving theme parks.

 

[mousermerf]

Most of us don't think spending money on two cruise ships has anything to do with improving theme parks.

Same goes for DVC, particularly off-site DVC.

We even have Disney touting through the blog that imagineering has been using copious resources on these projects. New tech development? R&D is working hard on making fake portals look good, making interactive pictures for the ships, and making sure the restaurant can magically change themes.

Any of this in the parks...? Anywhere..? Nope.

 

[Lewisc]

Same goes for DVC, particularly off-site DVC.

We even have Disney touting through the blog that imagineering has been using copious resources on these projects. New tech development? R&D is working hard on making fake portals look good, making interactive pictures for the ships, and making sure the restaurant can magically change themes.

Any of this in the parks...? Anywhere..? Nope.

+1 The article doesn't really support the OPs point.

 

[skiingfast]

Same goes for DVC, particularly off-site DVC.

We even have Disney touting through the blog that imagineering has been using copious resources on these projects. New tech development? R&D is working hard on making fake portals look good, making interactive pictures for the ships, and making sure the restaurant can magically change themes.

Any of this in the parks...? Anywhere..? Nope.

Think hard about the fake portals and something new in the parks. Are you able to find something similar in the parks? Same goes for the restaurant changing themes, think hard then make statements.

 

[mousermerf]

Think hard about the fake portals and something new in the parks. Are you able to find something similar in the parks? Same goes for the restaurant changing themes, think hard then make statements.

Umm, not at all. What do you think you're talking about?

 

[ChrisFL]

Most of us don't think spending money on two cruise ships has anything to do with improving theme parks.

yeah, in all of the times I've been to Disney parks, I've yet to see the cruise line parked anywhere on property waiting for guests...

It's a stretch and a bad one at that.

I suppose the money they used to spend on the Anaheim sports teams were also considered part of the "parks" too?

 

[skiingfast]

Umm, not at all. What do you think you're talking about?

I guess you are not able to think hard enough, or you just don't know.

There are these same visual technologies at use in the parks. If you don't know where that is your limit. I have no interest in educating you.

 

[skiingfast]

If Staggs asks Iger for a bigger budget and doesn't have the increased revenue from DVC or DCL, would it be granted?

Unfortunately these are as much parts of the park division as the MK.

 

[mousermerf]

I guess you are not able to think hard enough, or you just don't know.

There are these same visual technologies at use in the parks. If you don't know where that is your limit. I have no interest in educating you.

I get the impression you don't even actually understand what they've been working on.

I've been to 8 different Disney parks in the last year and know them all well enough to find my way to a churro stand in the dark. I know darn well what is in development for each resort and at each park.

You're just spouting off and saying you wont "educate" me because you've got nothing.

 

[Lewisc]

I guess you are not able to think hard enough, or you just don't know.

There are these same visual technologies at use in the parks. If you don't know where that is your limit. I have no interest in educating you.

This is an internet discussion board. Why not tell us what you're thinking about. Maybe you know something we don't. I don't know of a single current restaurant in WDW that is like Animator's Palate. A restaurant that changes from CS to TS from lunch to dinner isn't anything like a restaurant that changes during the course of a dinner seating.

Give your examples. You may be educating some of us. More likely we'll be educating you.

 

[skier_pete]

Most of us don't think spending money on two cruise ships has anything to do with improving theme parks.

Same goes for DVC, particularly off-site DVC.

We even have Disney touting through the blog that imagineering has been using copious resources on these projects. New tech development? R&D is working hard on making fake portals look good, making interactive pictures for the ships, and making sure the restaurant can magically change themes.

Any of this in the parks...? Anywhere..? Nope.

+1 The article doesn't really support the OPs point.

Oh, but you guys are making my point for me. Sure there spending the money on the cruise line....so you're obviously not happy they are doing this. Well, guess what folks...Disney is not about making individual cranks on the boards happy. My POINT - now stated for the third time - is that if you are going to criticize what they are doing, you can't say they are not investing capital in the company, just that they are choosing NOT to do it at WDW resort. And I was trying to stress that the REASON they are not right now is because that money is being used elsewhere.

Now, go ahead and criticize those choices - and there are certain people here that would criticize no matter what they did - but do you REALLY think they are STUPID to invest in improving DCA (trying to correct the initial mistakes there), two new cruise ships (a hugely profitable and popular venture), and DVC (another hugely profitable market for Disney)? I think they are RIGHT to do these things, and hopefully when they are done they will return to WDW and continue to improve there - a direction in which the money is ALREADY starting to flow into Fantasyland.

 

[nytimez]

I guess you are not able to think hard enough, or you just don't know.

There are these same visual technologies at use in the parks. If you don't know where that is your limit. I have no interest in educating you.

This hardly seems called for. If you have "no interest" that's fine -- but then you never should have entered the discussion in the first place.

This has been an interesting and civil discussion until now -- and unfortunately, this kind of post weakens any larger point you're trying to make.

 

[skier_pete]

This has been an interesting and civil discussion until now -- and unfortunately, this kind of post weakens any larger point you're trying to make.

I agree...we made it 4 pages without degrading to nastiness...let's try and keep postings on-discussion.

 

[eliza61]

Oh, but you guys are making my point for me. Sure there spending the money on the cruise line....so you're obviously not happy they are doing this. Well, guess what folks...Disney is not about making individual cranks on the boards happy. My POINT - now stated for the third time - is that if you are going to criticize what they are doing, you can't say they are not investing capital in the company, just that they are choosing NOT to do it at WDW resort. And I was trying to stress that the REASON they are not right now is because that money is being used elsewhere.

.

Few thoughts.
1) First you must remember where you are hearing this criticism. Most of the posters here are WDW visitors. Sure you can make the point that Disney is investing in the cruise ship but most of the criticism is directed at the parks because that what this audience covers. Yes, we have dvc, cruise and paris forums but I think it's a safe bet to say that John q. every man here is here for the theme parks. So many would argue that your assertion is simply a matter of semantics.

Now I don't know how much revenue is brought in by these other entities, I'm sure it is quite profitable. but yeah, I do think it's enormously stupid to ignore what most people will believe is your bread and butter. The average person when you say "Disney" does not imagine DVC or the cruises. first and foremost is the parks and the movies. If you're a first time visitor and your visit is mediocre or crummy how willing are you going to be to part with your hard earned dollars to try a cruise?

Many on the DVC boards have stated quite often that the powers that be should concentrate on improving (or returning) the quality that is slipping in existing properties instead of concentrating on where to put up a new resort.

So on behalf of all my fellow complainers I will from this day forward specify my criticism. I wish Disney would reinvest more of it's capital "At Walt Disney world in Orlando Florida"

 

[disneynutz]

If you're a first time visitor and your visit is mediocre or crummy how willing are you going to be to part with your hard earned dollars to try a cruise?

The beauty about Disney's new direction is that first time visitors don't know what WDW was like before, so they will be really impressed at the way things are today.

They don't know that the food has changed in the restaurants or that some of the holiday decorations are missing. They don't know that the ticket and parking prices have increased or the the bathrooms in the parks use to be kept cleaner then the are today.

Bill

 

[skier_pete]

Many on the DVC boards have stated quite often that the powers that be should concentrate on improving (or returning) the quality that is slipping in existing properties instead of concentrating on where to put up a new resort.

OK - off-topic...
But this is the sucker's bet that is DVC. Once they've sold all the shares at a DVC resort - where's the profit in keeping it top notch? Better from a corporate standard to focus on the new. If the quality slides, well, what'cha gonna do, you've already paid for it and signed a contract. At least with condos there's usually a homeowners association to ensure the facility is maintained up to standards. Don't you think as these leases start running towards the end it's going to get worse and worse?

 

[disneynutz]

OK - off-topic...
But this is the sucker's bet that is DVC. Once they've sold all the shares at a DVC resort - where's the profit in keeping it top notch? Better from a corporate standard to focus on the new. If the quality slides, well, what'cha gonna do, you've already paid for it and signed a contract. At least with condos there's usually a homeowners association to ensure the facility is maintained up to standards. Don't you think as these leases start running towards the end it's going to get worse and worse?

DVC members have an association and our dues pay for the up keep and the management company, "Disney" to act on our behalf. Why they don't do a little better job is beyond me?

Bill

 

[nytimez]

OK - off-topic...
But this is the sucker's bet that is DVC. Once they've sold all the shares at a DVC resort - where's the profit in keeping it top notch? Better from a corporate standard to focus on the new. If the quality slides, well, what'cha gonna do, you've already paid for it and signed a contract. At least with condos there's usually a homeowners association to ensure the facility is maintained up to standards. Don't you think as these leases start running towards the end it's going to get worse and worse?

We do have an association and dues to pay for the upkeep of the hotel (and there's a debate on the DVC boards over how well the upkeep is). The incentive, of course, is that Disney hopes to keep selling timeshares, and a bad reputation in maintenance could hurt that effort.

And as you point out, the leases do end. They revert back to Disney to resell again after 50 years, which they'd have a hard time doing if they did not take care of the buildings and units, or had a reputation for not doing so for the previous owners.

That said, plenty of DVCers are unhappy with the upkeep, and you can debate this points, but the fact is Disney does have some incentive to keep these units to standard.

 

[faneuil]

If you're a first time visitor and your visit is mediocre or crummy how willing are you going to be to part with your hard earned dollars to try a cruise?

That's why you lure them to get the cruise and park package.

I know several people that don't like the Disney parks, but swear by the cruise line.

 

[Lewisc]

I'm sorry several of us are unable to make our points clear enough for you to understand.

The OP started a thread which says:

Disney doesn't spend money on the parks

The data he supplied includes money spent on DVC and DCL.

None of us are criticizing Disney for spending money on the cruise line. Most of us aren't criticizing Disney for spending money on DVC.

We have an issue with the OPs data telling us how much money Disney is spending on the theme parks but including money spent on DCL and DVC in his numbers.

Again this thread isn't discussing the pros or cons of DCL or DVC. We just have an issue being told how much money Disney is spending on the theme parks but then finding out that total includes significant expenditures on items that most of us don't think has anything to do with the theme parks.

Now, go ahead and criticize those choices - and there are certain people here that would criticize no matter what they did - but do you REALLY think they are STUPID to invest in improving DCA (trying to correct the initial mistakes there), two new cruise ships (a hugely profitable and popular venture), and DVC (another hugely profitable market for Disney)? I think they are RIGHT to do these things, and hopefully when they are done they will return to WDW and continue to improve there - a direction in which the money is ALREADY starting to flow into Fantasyland.