Guess what they are planning on replacing the fireworks and parade with?

[C.Ann]

Scary concept - isn't it?

I have been trying desperately to hang on to my desire to return to WDW, but they consistently chip away at all of the things that would draw me there (and I'm sure many, many others) and then they have the nerve to blame it on low attendance..

Draw the people IN - don't PUSH them away!!!!

Disney wouldn't be the first company to become a dismal failure because they thought they could do whatever they wanted to and still keep their customers coming back time and time again.. They really need a major wake-up call..

 

[Another Voice]

Okay – a few other rumors to fill out this bombshell….

First, the goal is to find a day-ending spectacular to keep people in the park until the last moment. It’s identical to the purpose Illuminations serves at Epcot. The real question will be does the day end at night or at sundown.

The easy to produce shows for the Magic Kingdom are the existing fireworks show and the parade (notice you will not get both). The problem is that both are nighttime events and the word has come down to close MK as earlier as possible to save money. Most people in Florida despise the entire idea and they are seeing the damage the policy is causing to attendance. The experiment mentioned is WDW’s attempt to prove that longer hours can generate enough profits to keep Drew Carey well fed*. Another whisper mentioned you shouldn't expect everything in the park running during these "extra" hours either. The goal is increased profits, not increased guest satisfaction.

The Character show mentioned is rumored not be a meet-n-greet. The key phrase is “interaction with music”. The rumors/whispers/rumblings/whimpering I heard was basically a stage show with a sing-a-long and/or dance-a-along segment(s). Similar versions of these mini-shows have been tried out at California Adventure; this is supposed to “take the concept to the next level”.

I should also mention that there have been long standing rumors that Disneyland’s failed ‘Light Magic’ street show (it ain’t a parade) would be shipped east. The original version of that show featured lots of characters, lots of “interaction” (characters dancing with guests) and only had four moving stages. It also featured a storyline with all the characters going to bed for the night which would be a perfect tie-in for the park’s closing for the evening. I can honestly see a case where WDW could get ‘Twilight Magic’ performed in front of the castle at 5:45pm.


P.S. – Rumors are that pin trading characters have made test runs at Disneyland.


* - NOTHING at Walt Disney World these days is done for the benefits of the parks. The goal is to support overall corporate performance, and that really means offsetting the mounting losses from ABC and the studio. If WDW and Disneyland were run as their own businesses, you’d see a lot better behavior.

 

[raidermatt]

Thanks for the extra detail on this one AV...

I guess we should all know by now that things will not truly get better under current management.

The way the Sept and Oct schedules were set up prior to this experiment, the only night with Spectro/FITS was going to be Saturdays. EVERY other day of the week (after Labor Day weekend) had the park closing at 6:00, with no nightime entertainment.

Its sounds as if they realize the constant 6:00 closings are doing more harm than good. (I know, not really for the right reasons...).

It also sounds like they don't really expect the beddy-bye show to replace the one night of Spectro/FITS.

If anything, when this is all sorted out, it looks like there will be more nightime entertainment than there is now.

So, given the lower baseline they have forced on us (6pm Sun-Fri, 9pm Sun), it looks like we will actually see some improvement.

Now, before I get bashed for saying that, let me point out that it is a factual statement. But that doesn't mean I think adding a few characters a couple of nights a week is going to solve the problem. Nor is keeping only parts of the park open later. Clearly its a case of somebody begrudgingly giving something back because they are practically being forced into it by low attendance. That's not a sign of any kind of long-term improvement, it only means that the writing on the wall has gotten large enough that anyone can see it.

So its true that this is not technically a "cut", because they are probably going to actually add something to the current schedule. But that doens't mean its a real solution, or that anyone all of a sudden "gets it".

I guess the only thing that should give us any kind of hope is that Pressler and pals now at least seem to understand that they have cut too far, and know they have to give something back. Not exactly a dream scenario, but I guess its better than nothing...

(Of course, another cut, like closing a park on certain days, or splitting a park into two gates would more than wipe out any positive effect the above little bones would have...)

 

[barreloflaughs]

My cynical guess......the bit about the parade and fireworks is smoke up the backside. This MEGA Character Caravan sounds like a done deal to me. Anyone care to guess just how many of the other attractions will be open during this time? Precious few, I dare say.

Don't get me wrong...I really like seeing the characters. I like the chance meetings with them as we make our way through the parks. There is a real charm and magic to that. I am not of fan of these huge, contrived extravaganzas....bigger ain't better folks.

In short....this, combined with the all the other manuverings of late, reeks. I don't want my vacation dollars used to prop up ABC and other failed ventures.

ah well....I've never been to Universal. Can someone email me directions?

carl
barrel of laughs

 

[Eeyore2U]

I have a question.

Can Disney control when the sun comes up in the morning or goes down in the evening?

I'd be curious to see the long term plan. If this is for the time when it's not dark at 6 maybe and I say maybe it's a good idea. If they use it at other times I'd be dead against it. On of the whines on the Theme Parks board is that when the parks close and it's light out there is nothing. It would seem to me that this is gving that segment of the visiting population something.

 

[Luv2Roam]

Well, after our trip next January, it will be the first time in two years we will not have another WDW trip planned. There are too many other places to go and things to do.
I am going to take a wait and see attititude on WDW. Doesn't sound like now is the time to go to WDW.
We will still enjoy ourselves. Esp not knowing when we will return next after January.

 

[Peter Pirate]

Again I ask, would you rather have soemthing or nothing?

This policy is not the problem, AV clearly points out the real problem and that is the direction that WDW is being 'forced' to proceed in order to save dollars. If it is going to become common practice to close the MK at 5:00 daily then the show, fireworks, spectro is all moot...

I am probably in a minority here but I would rather see see them close a whole park one day a week and restore customer satisfaction (i.e. hours, shows, etc) to the open parks (like in Vegas where the shows have "dark' days). The problem with this is the admission of a problem & the administraton of the program (knowing when to reopen them for busy periods). Lately there are few instances that the administration of anything can be handled correctly at Disney.

In this vein I know a very knowldgeable former Epcot CM & AK advisor (and animal expert) who says WDW NEEDS to close AK one day a week in order to do proper landscaping & upkeep to the animal areas. He says the savannahs and such are already deterioating at a great rate and the only solution is basic maintenace on a weekly basis, in his opinion.

Lastly, kudos to those of you recognizing the value of your dollar. Our California vacation this summer was great and although it included DL, that was only a portion. The wallet is the place from which to speak. For myself we've just recently renewed our AP's so we'll be going for another year but the trend of things has me nervous...

 

[airlarry!]

Sir Pirate:

We haven't debated that one in a long time. I would love to see a poll on whether one 'dark day' at each park would be okay to the average disney fan.

I for one agree with you. Close one day and get those painters out of there during the regular week.

 

[trudster]

I usually come to the rumours and news board and just read but I had to post to say the more I read the more depressed I get. Has Disney stopped listening to it's customers?? We rang and emailed when EE stopped to express our displeasure at this. We try to do Disney every year it's our favourite holiday and not cheap coming from the UK. Last year we holidayed in Dubai and worryingly DH has decided that it comes a very close second to disney. This is from someone who said WDW was the only place he was ever going on holiday to. I hope Disney aren't going to be putting any more nails in their coffin

 

[Luv2Roam]

IMHO, as a WDW guest, dark days would not be acceptable, unless of course something unforeseen happened. But that's just me.
Too much competition for Disney to do stupid stuff like they are doing and contemplating.
I think that is the root of the problem -- if Disney WAS cheap, we would all tend to go with the flow and shrug it off.
But it's far from being cheap, so we expect more. But appears we are getting less.
And I think things will get worse before they get better.
If Disney thinks the park attendence is down now -- just wait until everyone figures out what perks are gone. Most of us here plan MONTHS, if not years in advance for WDW trips. What happens when guests like me go through all their planned trips and decide to not return due to increase costs and decreased perks? That SURELY will help the parks.

 

[wdhatter]

Someone mentioned in an earlier post about talk of shipping "Light Magic" east from Disneyland. That won't be happening since the "Light Magic" stages/floats were destroyed after its original run. I have a good friend who was a DL Parade Stage Manager at the time and he watched the whole thing being dismantled. "Light Magic" is truly dead.

 

[EUROPA]

....Ok let me see if I get what they want to do?

1. They want to keep the Park open later one week and run Fireworks.

2. They want to keep the Park open later one week and run a nighttime parade.

3 They want to keep the park open later one week and alternate between fireworks and a parade.

4. They want to keep the park open later one week and have "the character mob". (bad..bad..bad)


Then they are going to take survey’s during these times and see if the guest would like the park opened later with some sort of night ending event. What is going to be the driving decision weather to keep any of these events? Will the attendance be the
Factor? Lets hope that month attendance is not already down from previous cuts or they may not be enough people for them to keep this going. Lets hope they give some sort of announcement so that people can plan for this. If the parks were scheduled to close at 6:00 and they announce at the last minute to keep them open till 8:00 I'm not sure how many people will drop what they had planned. (PI,DD, Dinner, Offsite)

The survey? Do they really need a survey?

 

[CaipiraBob]

<p>Bob O, I'm with you on the fireworks. I'd much rather see the fireworks from a convenient location with my family. Everyone can share in that, rather than having to drag small children back to MK after a busy day to fight the crowds over a parade.</p>
<P>On the other hand, obviously there's enough people who will show up to the parade, so it's probably a tough call. To be honest, I was borderline on my decision to go to Disney this year as my schedule would not permit me to be there a night when they had fireworks. We're going anyway because we had the Resident passes and weren't intending on renewing them.</p>
<P>Hey, at least they're trying something, and extending the park hours and giving a parade at the very least <b>is a wonderful start</b>.</p>
<P>Kudos to Disney for giving a nice slap to the "kutback Kreeps" in the management crowd.</p>
<P>Then again, I would also have to thank all of you on this board for vocalizing your opinions enough so that Disney responded. <b>GOOD WORK!</b></p>

 

[wdwguide]

Have these idiots in Burbank been in the parks lately? They are flooded with character greeting areas that, with the exception of the Judge's Tent and Ariel's Grotto at the MK, hardly ever have substantial lines. They are just nothing special any more.

They are changing hours and entertainment around like mad, fire workers to rehire them a couple of months later, hike ticket prices during times of low demand - completely random and aimless decisions that seem to be borne out of panic or inidfference. Look at Epcot - less than two years ago they basically banished the characters from the World Showcase and replaced them with the character bus. The Character Connection greeting area closed as well. Now, instead of reopening the Character Connection, they are building NEW greeting areas such as the one in the UK.

At least there are some positive things on the horizon, but most of those are overseas and fairly insubstantial in the big picture (increased royalties from Euro Disney and the Oriental Land Company), and Hong Kong won't come online until 2006. If Mission: Space is good and promoted well, it has the potential to add a million or so visitors to Epcot for a couple of years. The Tower or Terror at DCA will probably have a bigger impact - it's nice they are actually trying to fix that park.
At Walt Disney World, at least they are investing in refurbishments and maintenance once again. Most of the faded paint and broken rockwork have been fixed, and the parks look very nice again.

 

[eeyore0062]

C'mon people! If there are no fireworks or parades in the evenings during the week anyway, why are you complaining because they want to give you SOMETHING instead?

I swear there is just no pleasing some people!

 

[roymccoy]

A friend of mine who goes to DL about three times a week said that he and his wife SAW Cinderella with a pin trading lanyard around her neck. He said that he thought it was right before the summer, April or May, and they were over by the Toy Store in Fantasyland. He hasn't seen it since then but he said that he hasn't really been looking for that.

Anyway....SHEESSHHHH!!!


Roy

 

[Bob O]

There is no reason at all to close any park down for one day a week, other than to ruin the guest experience and make attendance go down evn furthur!!
I dont want what they are offering us in regards to the meet and greet or the reduced hours, neither is exceptable, they need to increase the hours with 2 parades and fireworks!!! That may increase attendance or at least stop it from falling furthur. AK can be kept up without clsoing the park at all if they are willing to spend the money to enhan ce the park during the hours when it is closed which is often as it closes too early already.
And for those who are willing to except this you would have to be naive if you think it will stop here. The reductions just keep coming without any improvements in site. They are doing there best to compete with SF with all the cutback in hour/parades/fireworks. Maybe they should compete with some smaller parks which have increased attendance by wowing the guests which is sometrhing disney has apparently forrgotten to do.
Im looking forward to my visit to DL and im glad im not going to wdw with all the cutbacks, what will be next they will only turn on the Osborne lights on even days to save money?? Or only have tree lighting on odd days??

 

[Peter Pirate]

Hey Bob, how do you really feel?

First point. The new meet and greet costs you/us nothing. It is an add on. To say you "don't want it" is foolish because then you would have nothing.

Second point. Dark days. Sure it'd be tough, but with a minimum of three parks open presumably longer hours how difficult is that to deal with. As to being niave, well yes I am...But all I'm trying to suggest is an option that may allow everyone to be relatively happy while Disney hopefully improves their situation. If Disney continues the trend we're seeing it won't matter anyway as we'll all be fans of someone else soon, but the point is to try and believe that it will get better. If I couldn't believe that I wouldn't waste my time talking about it.

Third point. Animal Kingdom needng down time. Hey, I just reported what a specialist in that field told me. He no longer works for Disney but was employed at Epcot & as a consultant on AK. If you feel your insight is greater than his, thats fine with me...

Last Point. DL. I'm happy you're going you'll have fun, I'm sure. But check those hours. DL always closes pretty early during the off season weekdays. Oh yeah and wasn't it under Walt's direction that DL was actually only opened weekends during the off season. Geez, didn't Walt get it?

 

[testpilot]

Trying to get out of MK, while thousands of kids, each with their Disney pens and autograph books, block Main Street USA. This sounds like my own personal Disney NIGHTMARE.

 

[DVC-Landbaron]

Oh yeah and wasn't it under Walt's direction that DL was actually only opened weekends during the off season. Geez, didn't Walt get it?

Ah! My good friend Peter!! It is precisely because he did “GET IT” that he chose to do what he did. When presented with a choice of not making payroll and perhaps closing the place forever, he was faced with a ‘lesser of two evils”. So think for a minute Peter? Did he give you less “SHOW” each day, as the current administration is doing? Did he cut hours off a day, thus taking away 'value'? Did he close certain portions of the park or individual shops, rides, attractions, restaurants, etc. also reducing 'value? (this is the current thinking, you know.)

Or did he pack as much show as possible in the days that they were opened? Did he close the whole show for a day, but WOW them when he did open?

Now, Peter! Do you “get it”?!! Cause it's quite apparent that Walt did!!!

Trying to get out of MK, while thousands of kids, each with their Disney pens and autograph books, block Main Street USA. This sounds like my own personal Disney NIGHTMARE.

It is! Trust me. It is!!