If you were the manager at your favorite resort at WDW

[safetymom]

and you had to cut the budget where would you start?

 

[Mrsjvb]

as a Hospitality Minor( my major is English Lit..no, don't ask, there IS no connection).. you got me thinkin...

I think it would depend on which resort..We always stay at SoG, which I am not sure qualifies as ' Disney 'resort.. and what I would pull from a Value would be different than what I would pull from a Moderate or deluxe.

First I think I'd find out what the MOST important feature that the average guest is looking for and then leave that alone. is it the price? location? pools? food options? There ARE ways to cut corners without sacrificing quality.

I may have to do some ruminating....

 

[safetymom]

That sounds like a great place to start.

 

[Alicnwondrln]

great question! I will be back with a response.

 

[bavaria]

Bed spreads and blankets. Replacing them with duvets would result in significant cost savings in the long run (after the initial cost outlay).

I would also stop leaving so many towel animals - I realize that they are discards, but there is labour involved. And the fact that so many are left so often reduces the unexpected surprise element. (watch me get flamed for that comment! )

Then I would look at labour cost - not cut down on staff, but make them more efficient. That means training the Front Desk so that a check in doesn't take 30 minutes and involve 10 trips 'into the back' to talk to someone. I expect a 60 second check in for someone like me who has stayed 100s of times and doesn't need or want any info.

I would look at retention - turnover is pushing up labour costs so finding a way to retain employees will reduce cost significantly....

I could go on and on but I won't bore all of you!

 

[I'mNoPrince]

I would look for ways to reduce waste.

Starting with the Lights.

Switching over to LED or low energy lights could cut a lot. Add Timers and motion to other areas and that could be a big saver.

I like the Idea of better training and retention of the CMs that alone in time is a huge factor for my company so I'm sure it is for WDW as well.

 

[spiceycat]

I think disney is working on it.

they have the showers that use less water. the toilets (everyone hates because they are so loud) that uses alot less water.

they are trying the motion detectors (which everyone heres wants to override) for the temperature in the room.

also trying to kept the temperature more in the 68 to 72 zone.

but yes Disney needs to work on their CM. too many times the customer is blamed for the problem when in fact it was the CM. that would NEVER have happen in the 70's & 80's.

they are also storing more water on property.

most CM's at Disney - are pretty wonderful!!!! but sometimes you get (like everywhere) a person who doesn't want to be there and it is YOUR (customer) fault.

 

[clkelley]

Then I would look at labour cost - not cut down on staff, but make them more efficient. That means training the Front Desk so that a check in doesn't take 30 minutes and involve 10 trips 'into the back' to talk to someone. I expect a 60 second check in for someone like me who has stayed 100s of times and doesn't need or want any info.

I agree!!! There is no need for a room-only repeat visitor check-in to take more than 2 or 3 minutes!! That is the most aggravating thing for me!! I think an automated kiosk would be great too!! Slide your credit card, confirm your party size, say yes or no to charging, and your room key (and parking pass if necessary) spits out!!

 

[TheRustyScupper]

. . . I like the Idea of better training and retention of the CMs that alone in time is a huge factor for my company so I'm sure it is for WDW as well . . .

1) The CM training is OK.
2) But, the retention is terrible.
3) It is far wiser to train the managers.
40 They cause a lot of CM turnover.

 

[ducklite]

I'd raise the temps in the hallways--especially at the Boardwalk--there's NO reason for the hallways to be in the low 60's. We normally leave our a/c set in the 74-76 range, and I can't count how many times we've come back to have it BLASTING and the room is in the mid 60's!

At the deluxes I'd stop leaving the daily paper--I think more get tossed than read. It takes labor hours to place them on the doors, and kills a lot of trees. I'd say we read the paper about half the time, but we really wouldn't miss it. If we wanted it for some reason, we could buy it at the gift shop. That could save each resort almost $75,000 a YEAR!

Pay-Per-View. I wish they'd have that on the TV--it's not a cost savings, but it is a revenue producer. I'm not asking for porn, but there are times that we end our days early and it would be nice to have the option of getting a movie.

I like the idea of kiosk check-in for repeat guests, and wish that they'd do kiosk table reservations as well.