FYI: More Cuts Coming

[Robo]

I always thought they really should wear their Rescue Ranger outfits

They were only known as the Rescue Rangers for limited run TV shows produced for 5 years (1988-1993.)

Most guests have never seen them as the Rescue Rangers.

 

[atricks]

11 Citizens of Hollywood actors are not being renewed for contracts, a fraction of that will be replaced by younger/new hires.

 

[mom2rtk]

11 Citizens of Hollywood actors are not being renewed for contracts, a fraction of that will be replaced by younger/new hires.

That is really disappointing.

 

[JimmyV]

I've been going for 30 years, and I find the parks (both coasts) to be better now than when I was a kid. I've loved them all along, but there's WAY more to do now than there used to be.

No matter how much of an optimist one wants to be, there is no way that one can credibly make the argument that there is more to do today at Epcot and DHS than there was 5 or 10 years ago. And on April 4, things get even worse.

Epcot: (Just within the past 2 years. This list does not include things like the Wonders of Life pavilion or most of Innoventions East and West, or the entire second floor of the Imagination Pavilion)

Permanently closed

• Habit Heroes in Innoventions West closed 1/18/2016
• Captain EO - closed 12/6/15
• Anna and Elsa meet and greet in Norway has moved to Magic Kingdom
• Off Kilter- final performance 9/27/2014
• Mo'Rockin- final performance 9/27/2014
• World Showcase Players- final performance 9/25/2014
• Spirit of America Fife & Drum Corps- final performance 9/27/2014
• Maelstrom- closed 10/6/2014
• The Spirit of Norway- closed 10/6/2014
• Test the Limits Lab- closed permanently 1/6/2015
• My Magic+ Service Center located inside Innoventions East is now closed.

DHS: (Just within the last year or so. This list does not include past closures such as "Sounds Dangerous" or "Superstar Television" that have never been replaced with anything new)

• Pizza Planet closed 1/11/2016- Late 2016
• Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show closes permanently 04/03/16
• Honey, I Shrunk the Kids Movie Set Adventure closes permanently 04/03/16
• Meet and Greet: Mike and Sulley at Street of America closes permanently 04/03/16
• Prop Shop- closes permanently 04/03/16
• Studio Catering Co. closes permanently 04/03/16
• The Writer's Shop closes permanently 04/03/16
• Watto's Grotto closes permanently 04/03/16
• High Octane Refreshments closes permanently 04/03/16
• New York News closes permanently 04/03/16
• Youse Guys Moychindise closes permanently 04/03/16

Permanently closed rides and attractions:

• American Idol Experience closed. Last day was 8/30/2014.
• Backlot Tour closed permanently 9/27/2014
• American Film Institute Showcase at the end of the Backlot Tour closed permanently 8/17/2014.
• Animation Academy closed permanently 7/12/2015.
• Legend of Jack Sparrow closed
• Phineas & Ferb Meet and Greet- closing permanently 1/5/2016
• Lightning McQueen & Mater Meet and Greet- closing permanently 1/5/2016
• Joffrey's coffee kiosk will also be closing at the end of the day 1/4/2016

Honestly, I don't know how this feeds into anyones definition of "WAY more to do now." You will need to come back in five years before you can even try to make that claim. But now?? Today?? This minute?? No way.

 

[rteetz]

Ugh! I heard rumors of entertainment cuts at DHS yesterday.

Street entertainment has 11 contracts not renewed. They say they will hire new actors but it will probably be for less pay.

 

[rteetz]

Boats at Disney Springs getting hours cut and Turkey legs are leaving AK.

 

[starjazz]

No matter how much of an optimist one wants to be, there is no way that one can credibly make the argument that there is more to do today at Epcot and DHS than there was 5 or 10 years ago. And on April 4, things get even worse.

Epcot: (Just within the past 2 years. This list does not include things like the Wonders of Life pavilion or most of Innoventions East and West, or the entire second floor of the Imagination Pavilion)

Permanently closed

• Habit Heroes in Innoventions West closed 1/18/2016
• Captain EO - closed 12/6/15
• Anna and Elsa meet and greet in Norway has moved to Magic Kingdom
• Off Kilter- final performance 9/27/2014
• Mo'Rockin- final performance 9/27/2014
• World Showcase Players- final performance 9/25/2014
• Spirit of America Fife & Drum Corps- final performance 9/27/2014
• Maelstrom- closed 10/6/2014
• The Spirit of Norway- closed 10/6/2014
• Test the Limits Lab- closed permanently 1/6/2015
• My Magic+ Service Center located inside Innoventions East is now closed.

DHS: (Just within the last year or so. This list does not include past closures such as "Sounds Dangerous" or "Superstar Television" that have never been replaced with anything new)

• Pizza Planet closed 1/11/2016- Late 2016
• Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show closes permanently 04/03/16
• Honey, I Shrunk the Kids Movie Set Adventure closes permanently 04/03/16
• Meet and Greet: Mike and Sulley at Street of America closes permanently 04/03/16
• Prop Shop- closes permanently 04/03/16
• Studio Catering Co. closes permanently 04/03/16
• The Writer's Shop closes permanently 04/03/16
• Watto's Grotto closes permanently 04/03/16
• High Octane Refreshments closes permanently 04/03/16
• New York News closes permanently 04/03/16
• Youse Guys Moychindise closes permanently 04/03/16

Permanently closed rides and attractions:

• American Idol Experience closed. Last day was 8/30/2014.
• Backlot Tour closed permanently 9/27/2014
• American Film Institute Showcase at the end of the Backlot Tour closed permanently 8/17/2014.
• Animation Academy closed permanently 7/12/2015.
• Legend of Jack Sparrow closed
• Phineas & Ferb Meet and Greet- closing permanently 1/5/2016
• Lightning McQueen & Mater Meet and Greet- closing permanently 1/5/2016
• Joffrey's coffee kiosk will also be closing at the end of the day 1/4/2016

Honestly, I don't know how this feeds into anyones definition of "WAY more to do now." You will need to come back in five years before you can even try to make that claim. But now?? Today?? This minute?? No way.

That was an incredibly detailed response with a lot of valuable information.

Regarding my post, pretty sure I said 30 years ago, not 5-10. That said, of all of the things you listed at Epcot that closed, about the only thing I care about is Maelstrom. As for DHS, a big part of the reason for the those closures is major expansion, no? So, I'm not terribly bothered by those either. I'll miss a couple of those attractions, but then I'll step foot in Toy Story Land and Star Wars Land and be like, "What used to be here again?"

Just my personal take. You can try to bring me down man, but it ain't happening!!! Lol.

 

[JimmyV]

Street entertainment has 11 contracts not renewed. They say they will hire new actors but it will probably be for less pay.

Jane: "So, Emily. What is it about Hollywood Studios that you enjoy so much?"

Emily: "Mostly it's the little things that catch your eye. The attention to detail. For example, the Street-mosphere performers who role play throughout the day. You just don't get that level of entertainment at any other amusement park."

Jane: "Well, Emily. I have some sad news for you. Disney is letting a large chuck of those performers go."

Emily: Oh.....

 

[starjazz]

That's a great attitude to have. You're right, when I started going, there was only the Magic Kingdom, and there wasn't nearly as much to do there as there is now.

Thanks! Yeah, I mean, it goes up and down, but for me, the general trend has been up without question. There's some cutbacks at the moment, and things don't stay relevant forever, but holy cow - they're in the midst of three HUGE additions, and several other minor new things, so I don't get the whole "Disney's going in the crapper" commentary. But everyone's different.

 

[lugnut33]

Probably the right time for Disney to have a large ticket price increase.

 

[rteetz]

Probably the right time for Disney to have a large ticket price increase.

Not necessarily large but tiered pricing most likely.

 

[JimmyV]

Regarding my post, pretty sure I said 30 years ago, not 5-10.

What you actually said is that you have been going for 30 years and that "there's WAY more to do now than there used to be." You didn't say that there is way more to do now than there was 30 years ago. The implication of what you wrote, ("used to be"), covers the entire time period. But if you meant to say 30 years ago, well, that would be a tough argument to make given that neither DHS nor AK existed 30 years ago.

That said, of all of the things you listed at Epcot that closed, about the only thing I care about is Maelstrom. As for DHS, a big part of the reason for the those closures is major expansion, no? So, I'm not terribly bothered by those either.

There's a big difference between there being "way more to do now" versus "there are way more things that I care about now." That is not what you said in the post that I quoted. And as you correctly point out, that is a matter of opinion. I actually care(d) more about Cranium Command and Superstar Television than I do about what replaced them, which is.......nothing.

 

[lugnut33]

Not necessarily large but tiered pricing most likely.

it'll probably be large for some guests.

 

[starjazz]

What you actually said is that you have been going for 30 years and that "there's WAY more to do now than there used to be." You didn't say that there is way more to do now than there was 30 years ago. The implication of what you wrote, ("used to be"), covers the entire time period. But if you meant to say 30 years ago, well, that would be a tough argument to make given that neither DHS nor AK existed 30 years ago.


There's a big difference between there being "way more to do now" versus "there are way more things that I care about now." That is not what you said in the post that I quoted. And as you correctly point out, that is a matter of opinion. I actually care(d) more about Cranium Command and Superstar Television than I do about what replaced them, which is.......nothing.

You're a stickler, eh? Thanks for the correction. I'll be sure to submit my posts for senior review henceforth.

Oh yea, Cranium Command was cool. I liked that too!! And what was the one where you got shrunk in the microscope and explored the body? That was a fun ride also. I loved imagining those little plastic ride cars and people on the other side of the thing were real.

 

[Redcon1]

Joanne: "So, Emily. What is it about Hollywood Studios that you enjoy so much?"

Emily: "Mostly it's the little things that catch your eye. The attention to detail. For example, the Street-mosphere performers who role play throughout the day. You just don't get that level of entertainment at any other amusement park."

Joanne: "Well, Emily. I have some sad news for you. Disney is letting a large chuck of those performers go."

Emily: Oh.....

And I'd say this will probably go over the heads of about 2/3 of the posters here.

 

[Princess_Nikki]

Because of budget overruns with Shanghai Disney, domestic Disney Parks are going to see some cuts, especially in the labor department. Gone will be curbside greeters at the resorts and staffing will be reduced for a variety of other roles, like attractions and custodial.

Also, entertainment staffs will see some thinning in addition to only one Fantasmic! performance per night until Easter week. MSEP may also be running once per night through the end of March, despite the heavy crowds expected for spring break and Easter. These are still rumors but the changes seem to be reflected on the TA park hours calendars. This would also explain the surprising number of character greetings that have been axed since the start of the year.

Seems like they always run in to these types of situations when opening new international parks... Thoughts?

SOURCE: http://wdwnt.com/blog/2016/02/break...ncial-strangle-hold-on-domestic-disney-parks/

Yep, I was gobsmacked when a spa supervisor told me to "keep trying" to get a job at one of the Disney Spas due to cutbacks regarding Shanghai Disney. WHAT?? I couldn't believe it, but YES, it's all very real.
Busy season is coming up but I was told even then, they were wanting her to only staff a part timer. Oh well. Guess it just won't happen for me this year!

 

[JimmyV]

And I'd say this will probably go over the heads of about 2/3 of the posters here.

Unfortunately that is true. But for a generation that thinks that Amy Schumer is the beginning and end of comedy, they could learn a lot from Gilda Radner.

 

[JimmyV]

Yep, I was gobsmacked when a spa supervisor told me to "keep trying" to get a job at one of the Disney Spas due to cutbacks regarding Shanghai Disney. WHAT?? I couldn't believe it, but YES, it's all very real.
Busy season is coming up but I was told even then, they were wanting her to only staff a part timer. Oh well. Guess it just won't happen for me this year!

Maybe one of the "off property" hotels has a spa that isn't cutting back. Dolphin? Ritz Carlton? Waldorf? B Hotel and Spa?

 

[Princess_Nikki]

Maybe one of the "off property" hotels has a spa that isn't cutting back. Dolphin? Ritz Carlton? Waldorf? B Hotel and Spa?

Yes, @JimmyV , I am hoping you are correct! I'll be going down again in April to interview for a few off property spas. That's good enough for me for now!

 

[L&Lfan]

What you actually said is that you have been going for 30 years and that "there's WAY more to do now than there used to be." You didn't say that there is way more to do now than there was 30 years ago. The implication of what you wrote, ("used to be"), covers the entire time period. But if you meant to say 30 years ago, well, that would be a tough argument to make given that neither DHS nor AK existed 30 years ago.


There's a big difference between there being "way more to do now" versus "there are way more things that I care about now." That is not what you said in the post that I quoted. And as you correctly point out, that is a matter of opinion. I actually care(d) more about Cranium Command and Superstar Television than I do about what replaced them, which is.......nothing.

SHADE!

Bravo, JimmyV