Griping about the cutbacks

[kaykels]

Okay, I have my flame suit on. Here goes:

Let me start by saying I feel the need to say this because I go to Disney almost every year, I've sailed DCL 6 times, and I've spent almost every vacation dollar on Disney for the past 15 years. We don't make a ton of money. We do without a lot of things because we love vacations and save all year long for them. We also love Disney.But dang, the price increases and cut-backs are getting to me!

Just got off of the Wonder and noticed no more bandanas at pirate night. They give out 2 chicken fingers at the pool instead of 3. No big deal, just noticed it. The cuts of meat are not what they used to be and the food quality isn't quite as good, as you've read on the boards by many! And the Mickey Bars are so much smaller.
This isn't a big deal on the cruise, but at the parks, they charge the same for the smaller Mickey Bars. The food plan has gone up in price and they give you so much less (no appetizers and you have to pay tips now, AND they raised the price???) There were hardly any tram cars running to the parking lots. I rarely saw characters anywhere except the breakfasts, dinners and shows.
I know they had massive lay offs. Why? Because their stocks are down, certainly not because of the lack of vacationers. I was wait-listed for AKL and it never came through. The restaurants were packed, the lines were long and the locals tell me this has been the case all year.
Just venting.
Disney charges premium rates for their cruises and parks/restaurants. It stinks to see the price go up and the quality slip at the same time. I understand inflation. But come on, we're in a recession. I can't help but think they are being greedy.

 

[Evan&Kimberly]

I feel u If they are cutting back then they need to cut back the prices

 

[Empress Room]

We are in the throes of a worldwide recession. Period. Whether you were waitlisted or not at AKL, it is common knowledge that attendance at all Disney theme parks has declined in the last twelve months. People simply aren't vacationing like they used to.

We can argue about pricing etc. but Disney, like all private sector businesses, adjust their pricing up or down as the market dictates. I am not sure that I share your criticisms for the size and portions and quality of DCL and theme park food, but every business attempts to provide a certain level of service and satisfaction even when faced with unprecedented economic times. Businesses like Disney typically do not "lower prices" in reaction to attendance drops, unless and until the level decreases to the point where they are not generating the revenue they seek. However, Disney (again like all businesses faced with an economic downturn) is offering incentives (e.g. buy four nights lodging, get three free; kids cruise free, etc.). Although not a technical lowering of prices, it really is. It is Disney's response to a very dire economic environment.

 

[kaykels]

We can argue about pricing etc. but Disney, like all private sector businesses, adjust their pricing up or down as the market dictates. . Although not a technical lowering of prices, it really is. It is Disney's response to a very dire economic environment.

Hey we're all entitled to our own opinions, but other cruise lines that offer great ammenties aren't charging what Disney is charging. I'm spending more money than ever and getting less and less for it. Raise the price, okay, but lower the quaility, sorry, I'm not as understanding. I own my own business. I'm not raising my prices and offering less service in these times. And I'm in the corporate entertainment business, which is feeling the economic crunch in a big way.

 

[keaster]

I think what we have to take into consideration with Disney as well in terms of their pricing is that they only have 2 ships in their fleet (soon to be 4)...but even that doesn't come close to what the other cruise lines have.

Carnival and Royal Caribbean have more than 20 ships each...they obviously don't have to charge rates as high because of the sheer volume of passengers they can accommodate on various itineraries.

Are you also paying more because of the "Disney" brand? Of course...but it's a business and when you only have 2 ships to fill and lots of people willing to spend the money, you will keep charging what people are willing to pay.

 

[Disney_Villain]

You can't deny that revenue for Disney parks is down. A lot of this is due to guests spending less, due to the economy.

There have been a lot of news articles posted this year on this topic. Here's one example:

Disney parks’ revenue drops 12 percent in stale economy

We too are irritated at some of these cutbacks. I don't think anyone appreciates Fantasmic! running only 2X/week! However, if it means that Disney parks and DCL can still keep operating, then we feel like we really shouldn't be complaining.

 

[tvguy]

Disney is a company with a long range business plan. They feel it's better to cut what they offer rather than cut prices. It''s easier to raise what they offer when the economy turns around than to raise prices. It;s the Disney way. Why do you think Disney reserves the right to buy back your DVC membership if they think the price is too low? Disney's success has been made on keeping prices high, even if it temporarily means a drop in customers.

 

[kaykels]

Disney is a company with a long range business plan. They feel it's better to cut what they offer rather than cut prices. .

But Disney has done both. Raised prices and offered less. It's frustrating. Hey, all businesses are having hard times. I just think it's greedy to raise prices and cut back quality at the same time. It's not fair to the customers that save all year long in this rough economy.
And the person that said Disney has only 2 ships to fill is right. They can charge whatever they want. People are paying it. And maybe those that don't go all the time don't even notice the cut backs.
Yep, we're paying for the "magic". But it's getting harder and harder FOR ME to justify the cost vs. value. Maybe others find it priceless.

 

[JoiseyMom]

Yes it does stink..but all business are doing this. I went to Chili's last weekend for lunch and my favorite entry that used to come with 2 sides, well the price went up, and the sides were gone! I could still have them, but I had to pay 1.00 each for them .

So, now I will either eat somewhere else, or get another entree. Times are tough all around. They have to cut somewhere, and in the long run in some cases the businesses are gonna be on the short end of the stick. They are going to lose customers.

 

[DMMarla07860]

I've cruised DCL 7 times and haven't noticed any cut backs, but maybe on the Wonder they do it more? I don't know I'll find out in August I guess

 

[dismom73]

I think a lot of the issue (at least for me) is we put Disney in this, sort of, untouchable category. In my mind, the economy should not have an impact on "the magic" of Disney. However, in reality it does. Disney is a company that is out for a profit , not just to help us escape reality and live in the world of fantasy. I understand both sides, the economy is in a downward spiral, every company has to adjust etc. I also get the gripe that we pay so much more for Disney and we should get more! I am a believer that we still do, even with the cuts. If you think the "other" cruise lines aren't making cuts you are kidding yourself, just take a look at the condition of some of their ships. It's basic math, if you start with more and make some cuts your still going to have more than when you start with less and make some cuts (ie in my opinion Disney is still a better product than it's competition). Hopefully, once everything balances itself out in the real world, our fantasy vacations will go back to blissful perfection.

 

[addicted_to_WDW]

I love all things Disney. We have two trips coming up this summer, but I booked next year's cruise on another line. I've always been able to justify Disney by, "you get what you pay for," but that is no longer the case.

I feel like a sucker. Disney knows they have people hooked and they know that the defenders will go no matter what. It's when the casual goers stop going that they will have to take notice and become best of breed again.

 

[MaggieAtSea]

Our first foray into Disney is coming up this Thanksgiving and while our expectations are relatively low as it's our first time, I have to admit reading this board and others, they are getting lower. We’re coming from a line known for its amazing food and service, and while I hope Disney keeps paying their workers well so they are professional and excellent in every way, it does seem there are ample stories of food declines, less frequent events, higher excursion charges and, even on another board, of bed sheets being changed less frequently (eww).
I know the fan base is AMAZING for Disney and for many they just can't hear a negative thing about them, but I disagree with those who say we're in a recession, what do you expect.
In a recession I expect a company looking for my business to charge higher prices for the same level of service or curtail its service for the same price. Doing both leaves passengers and even faithful patrons asking a potentially business-debilitating question, like the poster above referencing Chili’s... do we take our business elsewhere. My business, as have many others, knows to pick one side of the equation or the other...if a business picks both it risks running off its customer base. It appears Disney is, unfortunately, following that latter course.
I was looking at the possibility of another Disney Cruise next year for our family,and bringing extended family (aunts, uncles and nieces and nephews) on board, but I'll either stick with Celebrity or branch out to RC... it will be minus the magic of the costume characters, but it may have a lot of benefits and be for a lot more reasonable rate.

Challenging times, to be sure.

 

[jilljill]

to the OP: did you voice your opinions about the cutbacks on the comment card or write a letter to DCL? I would start there so they know about your disappointments. We sail next month and if I notice lots of things that aren't right or lacking I'll let them know.
I don't really see that giving 2 chicken fingers as opposed to 3 as a cutback since you can go back as many times as you like and you aren't paying out of pocket for each order. I see it as more of an inconvenience since you do have to go back again.
DD had a MM bar on Wed. at Epcot but I didn't notice it being that much smaller than they were 2 years ago. What I did notice was that the price had gone up since the last time we bought them, but that's been almost 5 years ago and that was expected.

 

[Im_A_Princess]

We are going to WDW 4 days and on the Magic 2 weeks this summer (July).
I am going to be very upset if the prices have indeed gone up while the quality/quantity has decreased.
I agree...Raise the price but do not decrease the quality/quantity at the same time.
That is how to lose customers.

As for the amount of food...I am SURE if you tell them you would like 3 Chicken Fingers or 2 pieces of Pizza they will give it to you.
In the past...My kids have gone up to get Pizza and said they wanted 2-3 slices and they give it to them.

What I am concerned about the the quality. If the quality goes down they will lose us as customers. We are really easy going but had more than just a few issues on the EB Panama. Our bed had hair all over it between the sheets and blankets. EWWWW... Got that fixed ASAP!!!! And the bed was in bad shape and uncomfortable. The bathrooms were dirty with hair and dirt as well. Issues we have not encountered before.

 

[TiaMaria]

This is also a by-product of all the discounting on DCL and the parks.

For every person who begs for a Pin Code for "free kids" or "50% off" or "free dining" - Disney will raise prices on someone else's trip, and cut back wherever possible to make a profit - which is what business is all about.

 

[ladyvet]

In three weeks we are cruising with Royal Caribbean. The main reason is that we wanted to go to a different place. We've cruised with Disney four times (and are cruising with them in the Baltic next year), but they offered nothing new this year. Also, we can get the second nicest suite on RCI for what we pay for a regular stateroom with Disney.

It will be interesting to compare. I agree that the food quality was noticably down on our last Disney cruise.

The economy is rough for sure. Hope Disney doesn't sacrifice too much!
Beth

 

[mmouse37]

I actually think it is smart for DCL to only give 2 fingers on each plate now. So many times I have seen food thrown away. People's eyes are bigger than their stomachs. Let them eat 2 fingers and if they really want more then go and get it.

And I agree with the poster who said if you do ask for 3 pieces they will give it to you with no problem.

I have to say I did not really notice any decline in service or food on our cruise in January. I will have to gage it on our next cruise this coming January.

MJ

 

[Olga]

I actually think it is smart for DCL to only give 2 fingers on each plate now. So many times I have seen food thrown away. People's eyes are bigger than their stomachs. Let them eat 2 fingers and if they really want more than go and get it.

And I agree with the poster who said if you do ask for 3 pieces they will give it to you with no problem.

I have to say I did not really notice any decline in service or food on our cruise in January. I will have to gage it on our next cruise this coming January.

MJ

I asked for one finger, no fries and the CM seemed shocked!
The plate was for a young child and he only needed one.

 

[DMMarla07860]

People's eyes are bigger than their stomachs.

funny story about this being true, yes my friends and I did end up wasting dessert from the buffet the one night, but that was because this one crew member working just kept giving us these goodies, we finish everything we got on our own, but the other goodies the server gave us didn't finish them