Has Disney stopped caring about the guest experience?

[Jennygt]

I am glad I asked this here, and I am also enjoying the discussion with other Disney fans. When is Bob Iger slatted to retire? Any rumors on his replacement? Anyone have a wish list for this position? I don't know the management team at all to think of anyone. I do know that they have lost a few to Universal, Diagon alley is amazing......perhaps they need to get back some of that talent?

 

[disneysteve]

I do know that they have lost a few to Universal, Diagon alley is amazing......perhaps they need to get back some of that talent?

I don't think the problem at Disney is a lack of talent. I think the problem is misplaced priorities. When the focus shifts from the product to the profit, things go downhill.

They did an awesome job with new Fantasyland because they were focused on show and the guest experience and gave the Imagineers time, space, and money to do what they do best. I'm hoping the same will be true for Avatarland.

But there are lots of examples where corporate isn't letting the talent do their job and isn't focusing on the experience.

 

[DisneyDoc5]

I don't think the problem at Disney is a lack of talent. I think the problem is misplaced priorities. When the focus shifts from the product to the profit, things go downhill.

They did an awesome job with new Fantasyland because they were focused on show and the guest experience and gave the Imagineers time, space, and money to do what they do best. I'm hoping the same will be true for Avatarland.

But there are lots of examples where corporate isn't letting the talent do their job and isn't focusing on the experience.

 

[Matty B]

Whether right, wrong, or indifferent I feel Disney can sacrifice the overall guest experience for the better of many and deal with letting few down.

I personally disagree with the concept however many many do it, what brings my family and I back is that it still feels special. I can tell you when its starts feeling "Vanilla" it time for a change and this is my biggest fear.

It comes down to the cast members... As long as they hire service oriented cast members Disney can make it more Vanilla and we will still keep coming. Look at how small the cars for the 7 Dwarf mine train ride are, Disney knew that 95% of the people will be comfortable on the ride.... that might be good enough for them.

Who is going to loose out, well, we are... kids will be happy no matter what, give a kid a Happy Meal and they think its the best food in the world, give an adult the same meal and well, its out with the trash.

 

[jcb]

Whether right, wrong, or indifferent I feel Disney can sacrifice the overall guest experience for the better of many and deal with letting few down.

I personally disagree with the concept however many many do it, what brings my family and I back is that it still feels special. I can tell you when its starts feeling "Vanilla" it time for a change and this is my biggest fear.

It comes down to the cast members... As long as they hire service oriented cast members Disney can make it more Vanilla and we will still keep coming. Look at how small the cars for the 7 Dwarf mine train ride are, Disney knew that 95% of the people will be comfortable on the ride.... that might be good enough for them.

Who is going to loose out, well, we are... kids will be happy no matter what, give a kid a Happy Meal and they think its the best food in the world, give an adult the same meal and well, its out with the trash.

This is a key point. Disney doesn't "have" to care as much about the guest experience when they are packing people into the parks, the resorts and cruise ships. I mean, people are lining up to pay as much as $30 just for the ticket media aka magic bands on top of the entry fee price.

 

[kbelle8995]

It depends. If more families have to make do with less and prices continue to skyrocket across the board, you might see less crowds.

If the economy goes bust again, you might see less crowds.

There are lots of unknown factors out there.

Also I think I am the only one who doesn't want a dang magic band. I heard that interview with Tony Baxter and he made some interesting points about this. That interview with Lou Mongello is worth a Listen.

 

[DisneyDoc5]

It depends. If more families have to make do with less and prices continue to skyrocket across the board, you might see less crowds.

If the economy goes bust again, you might see less crowds.

There are lots of unknown factors out there.

Also I think I am the only one who doesn't want a dang magic band. I heard that interview with Tony Baxter and he made some interesting points about this. That interview with Lou Mongello is worth a Listen.

I agree, Mr. Baxter's comments were very telling, and I liked his ideas for the alternatives to magic bands. The cool thing about that interview is that he kept talking about things the guests would want (because that is what he learned from Walt), he wasn't thinking about technology or making money, he was talking about the new attractions he was thinking up in his mind. I sure hope Iger heard that interview, unlikely.

 

[disneysteve]

Also I think I am the only one who doesn't want a dang magic band.

You are definitely not alone. I don't ever plan to strap on a rubber bracelet when I visit WDW. We typically stay offsite, so we don't get one automatically, and there is no way in hell I'm paying to have one. Even if we did stay onsite, I wouldn't wear one. I just have no desire to have it on my wrist all the time. I carry my wallet with me at all times so it is simple enough to tap my card to the sensor rather than tapping my wrist to the sensor.

 

[Suvadoo]

The interview with Tony Baxter was terrific. Everything he said about the Magic Bands and new attraction experiences reflected exactly how I feel. Only he was for more eloquent than I could ever be. I also thought it was funny that he was having this this interview with Lou " Everything at WDW is absolutely fabulous" Mongello. I wonder if Mr. Baxter retired because he didn't like what was being done to the parks.

I am another person who will not be wearing or buying a customized magic band. It's ironic that everyone complains when Disney increases ticket prices, but a lot of guests will pay for magic bands! It's a really clever way for Disney to squeeze more money out of the guests.

 

[Kristina4109]

I will not pay for a MagicBand. We always stay on site for a variety of reasons, and so I gladly took the MagicBands that were included in the price of our stay. But I didn't buy BandIts, CoverBands, or any accessories. I'm not knocking those who do. Just not my thing. I'll spend my vacation money elsewhere.

 

[Jennygt]

So I listened to the interview with Mr.Baxter, while I was not aware of him prior to this I am a fan now! I am sad he is retired now and I can only hope there are more like him in the company. Would love to hear an interview done by Pete and the gang.

 

[kbelle8995]

One of my Fav imaginears, Mr. Tony Baxter. Designed some of the Best Rides.

I would love to see his Tangled attraction.

 

[Jennygt]

One of my Fav imaginears, Mr. Tony Baxter. Designed some of the Best Rides.

I would love to see his Tangled attraction.

Me too