FYI: More Cuts Coming

[lovethattink]

Early this month I wanted to eat the chicken at Cosmic's fairly late in the eve (around 9.30pm) According to guide it was open until 10pm, so I double checked with a CM that 10pm was closing and they said yep, so I watched MSEP and headed off. What I hadn't been told of course is that yes Cosmic's was open but all stations but the burger place were closed so no chicken, so only a third of Cosmic's was really open.
I was pretty fed up because I did not want a burger, and so did voice my concerns to a manager. She said and I quote that this was "due to cuts and costs as it involved extra labor keeping everything open."
Really Disney? You can't afford to give your guests a full counter service menu until closing time as it's too expensive?
Maybe it's me, but I wasn't impressed.

I didn't realize this. It's that way at the resort food courts late evening as well with only certain stations opened.

Updating my info:
It's Wishes, Flights of Wonder, and Illuminations that are not showing FP availability beginning April 19th.

BatB and Fantasmic! continue to offer FPs at least through April 19th ~ that's as far as my FP window has rolled.

Thanks for looking and keeping us updated.

I found it interesting the Florida governor Rick Scott was at Epcot yesterday proclaiming that Florida had record levels of tourism in 2015. 105 million people visited the state, up from 82 million 5 years ago. He touted the job growth that went with the tourism increase.

http://www.wftv.com/news/local/florida-breaks-tourism-record-for-fifth-straight-year/92838103

An interesting question might be: What has Disney's payroll been in Florida year to year? I would also want to include the payroll of those doing all the construction going on around Disney. I know it is a complicated question.

Yes, the cutbacks are very unfortunate for the CM's involved and we will miss the pixie dust they sprinkled on us each day.

But I am curious if the cutback we just heard about, painful as it is, might be balanced with growth in employment in other areas?

I know people who work at Disney who aren't affected by the cuts. One is on their 2nd 12 hour day in a row today. And the other hasn't worked 40 hours in months, been scheduled more than 40

 

[MickeyWaffles]

They have been doing this at Cosmic Rays for as long as I can remember. It is very wasteful to keep all 3 stations open when so few people come in to eat that late, so you only keep the station open with the food choices which interest the highest percentage of guests.

When WDW is very crowded, more stations stay open later.

This. Close to closing time they've always shut down counters based on crowd level. This has no reflection on recent cuts, as annoying as it is. At the other CS locations, it isn't as annoying as at Cosmic Ray's where you can only order certain things at certain counters. Off topic, but as someone who travels with a group of 9, I still think the set up of that place is all wrong

 

[larryz]

At some point "belt tightening" goes past unneeded excess and starts to hit critical functions, and then you get get yourself into a death spiral as a business.

The way I see it, the big iron bell is already tolling when you start outsourcing core competencies to save money on headcount. If something's vital to your business, outsourcing it makes you vulnerable because the company you hire to do it doesn't have a stake in your success or failure...

 

[nickcapp]

Did you all see this today...looks like additional star wars related fireworks and show offerings to offset some of the other closures and character greetings. I think we all need to remain patient during some of these changes and see what the end result is. If that means taking some time off for some folks. So be it. To each his/her own.

https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/b...lar-announced-set-to-make-theme-park-history/

 

[Budshark]

This is not possible. It implies Disney is not trying to rot the parks from the inside out and that half rumors and online fear mongering is less important than facts. I reject your truths!!!

 

[larryz]

This is not possible. It implies Disney is not trying to rot the parks from the inside out and that half rumors and online fear mongering is less important than facts. I reject your truths!!!

What is truth? Is mine the same as yours?
My truth: I expected some kind of band-aid to be plastered over the gaping wound they caused when they cancelled SWWs.

 

[Budshark]

What is truth? Is mine the same as yours?
My truth: I expected some kind of band-aid to be plastered over the gaping wound they caused when they cancelled SWWs.

You're talking about preference.

This discussion/thread has been about Disney slashing budgets. I don't think anyone can make the argument that SWWs cost Disney MORE than running an updated fireworks and projection show nightly, as well as the performances from characters.

 

[BattyKoda]

... is wicked hard).

As a Mainer I have to commend you on your use of the word WICKED

 

[Jennasis]

As a Mainer I have to commend you on your use of the word WICKED

And i LOVE your username!

 

[Jennasis]

Did you all see this today...looks like additional star wars related fireworks and show offerings to offset some of the other closures and character greetings. I think we all need to remain patient during some of these changes and see what the end result is. If that means taking some time off for some folks. So be it. To each his/her own.

https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/b...lar-announced-set-to-make-theme-park-history/

Ooh yay! Will get to enjoy all of this on our May trip...whivh was SUPPOSED to be our Star Wars weekend trip but we were so disappointed when SWW got cancelled. If the nightly fireworks arent up by mid May, we will see them in September.

 

[sachilles]

Did you all see this today...looks like additional star wars related fireworks and show offerings to offset some of the other closures and character greetings. I think we all need to remain patient during some of these changes and see what the end result is. If that means taking some time off for some folks. So be it. To each his/her own.

https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/b...lar-announced-set-to-make-theme-park-history/

Jump to conclusion mats for everyone!

 

[starjazz]

Sooo......nevermind......apparently.

 

[Jennasis]

Jump to conclusion mats for everyone!

Oh, make no mistake...while I am SOOOOO looking forward to these SW offerings, I will still consider selling my DVC if they implement that electronic ticket book thingy mentioned earlier.

 

[mshanson3121]

Did you all see this today...looks like additional star wars related fireworks and show offerings to offset some of the other closures and character greetings. I think we all need to remain patient during some of these changes and see what the end result is. If that means taking some time off for some folks. So be it. To each his/her own.

https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/b...lar-announced-set-to-make-theme-park-history/

I agree it looks great, and I'm really glad to see they're doing something to bring some life to HS while all these renos are taking place. But I see it as just what it is - something to try and keep people coming to HS while the rennos are going on, a replacement for Frozen Summer Fun, and a move to try and distract people from all the other cuts etc... happening elsewhere throughout the parks and resorts. It doesn't really, IMO, take away from what's going on at Disney. Don't get me wrong, it's great, and it would be something we would want to see for sure. It's just kind of a band aid move, is all.

 

[JimmyV]

Jump to conclusion mats for everyone!

Sooo......nevermind......apparently.

Actually, no. Your math is backward. If Disney is upping its spending in non-profit areas such as fireworks shows, yet still cutting costs in non-profit areas by 20%, then the cuts to things like staffing and maintenance are actually worse than we presumed. The "never mind" conclusion is only supported if the cost reductions aren't really going to be implemented. But we know that they are. The employees who are having their hours cut aren't making that stuff up. So if spending in non-profit areas was $500,000 per day and cuts have to be made to drive that down to $400,000 per day, and on top of that they add a $40,000 fireworks show, that means that they have to find another $40,000 to cut elsewhere. And that will come from maintenance, entertainment and staffing. I'm surprised that you didn't catch this.

 

[hopemax]

Did you all see this today...looks like additional star wars related fireworks and show offerings to offset some of the other closures and character greetings. I think we all need to remain patient during some of these changes and see what the end result is. If that means taking some time off for some folks. So be it. To each his/her own.

https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/b...lar-announced-set-to-make-theme-park-history/

Bread and Circuses, quite literally. I would also expect some new cupcakes or something like that too. I guess even the Dessert Party counts. Spectacle will not cancel out or undo the operational challenges both guests and staff will have to deal with in other ways.

 

[Budshark]

Actually, no. Your math is backward. If Disney is upping its spending in non-profit areas such as fireworks shows, yet still cutting costs in non-profit areas by 20%, then the cuts to things like staffing and maintenance are actually worse than we presumed. The "never mind" conclusion is only supported if the cost reductions aren't really going to be implemented. But we know that they are. The employees who are having their hours cut aren't making that stuff up. So if spending in non-profit areas was $500,000 per day and cuts have to be made to drive that down to $400,000 per day, and on top of that they add a $40,000 fireworks show, that means that they have to find another $40,000 to cut elsewhere. And that will come from maintenance, entertainment and staffing. I'm surprised that you didn't catch this.

This. Is not how it works.

 

[amg35]

I'm confused. How is a fireworks show considered non-profit? Because there is no up-charge or fee associated directly? People are saying they won't go anymore if there is no MSEP or Wishes, or if Fantasmic is once a night. Wouldn't that cut into profits? So by adding a show that people are excited about and want to see, therefore will maybe make that trip this year, or stay an extra day longer - wouldn't that be a profitable fireworks show?

 

[Jennasis]

Consider also staffing cuts...how much fun is it going to be wrangling the crowds for the stage show, processional and fireworks with a reduced workforce?

 

[JimmyV]

I'm confused. How is a fireworks show considered non-profit? Because there is no up-charge or fee associated directly?

Yes. There is no revenue associated with the entertainment. In theory, everything that Disney does causes people to come and spend money. But that doesn't mean that they consider everything to be a profit point. The greeter at the hotel adds no revenue. But his/her mere presence may add to the overall enjoyment of staying at that hotel as opposed to staying at the Gaylord Palms. Yet the greeter is considered non-profit.