Iger admits to Disney's been ripping off guests

[TLSnell1981]

It's pretty disingenuous to refer to the Starcruiser as a "hotel." It gives a really false impression of what you're paying for.

Except that it is a hotel...sleeping accommodations with "enhanced experiences". This includes a very hefty price tag that doesn't appear to be affordable or attractive to most guests.

 

[Mysterian]

It would be nice, but the parks are packed. It seems no matter the price, the parks are never "empty" unless it's late at night or raining.

Are the rides still running late at night?

Honestly, on any vacation, I can sleep in and take in rides without having to worry about crowds or the heat.

 

[DeeBee3]

Are the rides still running late at night?

Honestly, on any vacation, I can sleep in and take in rides without having to worry about crowds or the heat.

On extra magic hour nights the rides are running, unless they are "down," that is. I think it works depending on the person. I'm an early to bed person, but I can stay out late if needed. My kids are still young, so they can tough it out but not the whole time.

If I didn't have to be up early with them (they wake up early no matter what), then I could adjust.

It just depends on the person.

 

[goofyernmost]

Was it really targeted just towards those who are close enough to use a car? I mean plenty of people got rental cars before they even have the rental car facility on site. Plenty of people flew and got a rental car. We always have a rental car on vacation (excluding a few select places). When we went in 2017 we had a rental car for all the what 9+ days we were there staying on property.

It was just a way for them to get revenue stream and use the now extinct reasoning of "industry standard" (they used that a lot in press releases when it was announced in 2018). It made sense for the few Deluxe resorts (mostly Epcot and MK area) where parking was more limited and more sought after to park there but applying it to Values for example which neither had a parking issue nor close enough to really make it worth it (parking fees were added before Skyliner opened) was not even in line with industry standard for most large enough places.

I agree about moving to off-site but think it was more a culmination of many things.

Yes, they did. In fact I did the one time I stayed onsite. But that was all just a drop in the bucket and even if they did it didn't save them money they still had to maintain the scheduled runs. Believe me they couldn't have made it work without a regular schedule set up. They may have not published what it was, but it was there. So it cost a fortune to operate those buses. The charge for parking was more of just a telling story of how little Disney cared about its most profitable Guest.

A resort that charges that much for a room and isn't in a city where providing parking is a huge expense is just taking them for a ride. However, if they foresaw the ending of the bus thing than logically there would be more people renting cars and needing to park. To me that was the telling point. They had no need to charge for that, especially considering how much they charged for a room, but it was done for a reason and it was to make that change and eliminate the Magic Bus. There were two possible scenario's to that decision. The first was that when they did stop the bus service people coming in from a distance would either have to rent a car, taxi in or find public charge transportation. Since some amount of money was required anyway, many would elect for the car and then not only would they stop having to spend thousands of dollars to pay for the operation of the Bus, but could increase revenue by charging for parking.

They might even have considered that there would be backlash and could eliminate the parking fee but still save the big bucks on the bus service. We haven't seen that restored yet have we? I doubt we ever will but the gift of free parking shows that Disney cares about its guests and they slack off with the complaints. They then become just like any other theme park that you have to find a way to get too. No harm, no foul! Modern times made it easy with things like Uber and the like that the idea of being able to leave the resort for other entertainment venues became a whole lot easier, so the bus was a waste of money.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

Yes, they did. In fact I did the one time I stayed onsite. But that was all just a drop in the bucket and even if they did it didn't save them money they still had to maintain the scheduled runs. Believe me they couldn't have made it work without a regular schedule set up. They may have not published what it was, but it was there. So it cost a fortune to operate those buses. The charge for parking was more of just a telling story of how little Disney cared about its most profitable Guest.

A resort that charges that much for a room and isn't in a city where providing parking is a huge expense is just taking them for a ride. However, if they foresaw the ending of the bus thing than logically there would be more people renting cars and needing to park. To me that was the telling point. They had no need to charge for that, especially considering how much they charged for a room, but it was done for a reason and it was to make that change and eliminate the Magic Bus. There were two possible scenario's to that decision. The first was that when they did stop the bus service people coming in from a distance would either have to rent a car, taxi in or find public charge transportation. Since some amount of money was required anyway, many would elect for the car and then not only would they stop having to spend thousands of dollars to pay for the operation of the Bus, but could increase revenue by charging for parking.

They might even have considered that there would be backlash and could eliminate the parking fee but still save the big bucks on the bus service. We haven't seen that restored yet have we? I doubt we ever will but the gift of free parking shows that Disney cares about its guests and they slack off with the complaints. They then become just like any other theme park that you have to find a way to get too. No harm, no foul! Modern times made it easy with things like Uber and the like that the idea of being able to leave the resort for other entertainment venues became a whole lot easier, so the bus was a waste of money.

I was agreeing with you about a way to gain some profits but disagreeing with your reasoning. You came at it from a point of view that it was solely the guest who lives close enough to drive that was being targeted who didn't have the hassle of flying. What I was going for was that it was just them finding a way to charge money and use the reasoning of "industry standard" they didn't care whether it was people who did rental cars or their own cars because there already was enough mixture of both, they encouraged the ease of rental cars too by having a place to get one on their own property.

DME was a contract between Mears and Disney, the contract phased out but the charging for overnight parking at the resorts happened years before that. Parking was announced mid-March 2018 effective about a week later for new bookings March 2018. DME ending was announced January 2021 for end date of January 1 2022. Maybe foreshadowing but doubtful IMO the timing doesn't line up. They just had an ability to gain some money IMO is all. And resort bookings probably didn't suffer much at all by charging for parking. Added to a reason to leave for off-site yes but sorta doubtful it was the main thing. Probably why it lasted for so long even after all the other issues of the last several years.

You and I def. agree about charging for overnight parking being silly here, I have long-since held that belief.

 

[Mysterian]

Except that it is a hotel...sleeping accommodations with "enhanced experiences". This includes a very hefty price tag that doesn't appear to be affordable or attractive to most guests.

Yes but guests are actually in space. Part of those fees goes to the artificial gravity systems. All true. At least that's what some guy in an Ewok costume told me. .

 

[ttintagel]

Except that it is a hotel...sleeping accommodations with "enhanced experiences". This includes a very hefty price tag that doesn't appear to be affordable or attractive to most guests.

No, it's a themed interactive entertainment experience that includes such things as lodging, food, and a day in the park. When you call it a "hotel" it gives the false impression that Disney is charging thousands of dollars for the same thing you'd get at Pop Century.

The Magic Kingdom contains it's a small world, but it would be misleading to say, "Disney charged me $124 to ride it's a small world."

 

[Neapolitan Ice Cream]

I used to read Gor Blimey Governor Times, but now I stick to Bob's Yer Uncle Quarterly. Top shelf, that lot. And worth reading even while wrapped around a nice piece of cod.

LOL!

Private Eye is a good source for the big stories. Of course, it's meant to poke fun at the day's happenings...

 

[luv2cheer92]

No, it's a themed interactive entertainment experience that includes such things as lodging, food, and a day in the park. When you call it a "hotel" it gives the false impression that Disney is charging thousands of dollars for the same thing you'd get at Pop Century.

The Magic Kingdom contains it's a small world, but it would be misleading to say, "Disney charged me $124 to ride it's a small world."

It's really not much different than a cruise and I've never heard anybody call a cruise a hotel.

 

[GAN]

I never bought into their "industry standard" line/excuse. What other resort complex has 30-some hotels, 44,000 acres, and four theme parks?

Oh…how could we forget the “due to guest demand” gem!

 

[TLSnell1981]

No, it's a themed interactive entertainment experience that includes such things as lodging, food, and a day in the park. When you call it a "hotel" it gives the false impression that Disney is charging thousands of dollars for the same thing you'd get at Pop Century.

The Magic Kingdom contains it's a small world, but it would be misleading to say, "Disney charged me $124 to ride it's a small world."

I don't get that impression.

 

[TLSnell1981]

On extra magic hour nights the rides are running, unless they are "down," that is. I think it works depending on the person. I'm an early to bed person, but I can stay out late if needed. My kids are still young, so they can tough it out but not the whole time.

If I didn't have to be up early with them (they wake up early no matter what), then I could adjust.

It just depends on the person.

I miss the Extra Magic Hours that kept Mk open until 2-3AM. Those were the days my friends...

 

[goofyernmost]

I was agreeing with you about a way to gain some profits but disagreeing with your reasoning. You came at it from a point of view that it was solely the guest who lives close enough to drive that was being targeted who didn't have the hassle of flying. What I was going for was that it was just them finding a way to charge money and use the reasoning of "industry standard" they didn't care whether it was people who did rental cars or their own cars because there already was enough mixture of both, they encouraged the ease of rental cars too by having a place to get one on their own property.

DME was a contract between Mears and Disney, the contract phased out but the charging for overnight parking at the resorts happened years before that. Parking was announced mid-March 2018 effective about a week later for new bookings March 2018. DME ending was announced January 2021 for end date of January 1 2022. Maybe foreshadowing but doubtful IMO the timing doesn't line up. They just had an ability to gain some money IMO is all. And resort bookings probably didn't suffer much at all by charging for parking. Added to a reason to leave for off-site yes but sorta doubtful it was the main thing. Probably why it lasted for so long even after all the other issues of the last several years.

You and I def. agree about charging for overnight parking being silly here, I have long-since held that belief.

I wouldn't call it a massive number of years before and the bus ran from the airport for many years before they started to charge for parking.

The Magic Express started in 2005 and the resort parking charge didn't happen until March 2018. The Magic Express stopped at the end of 2021.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

I wouldn't call it a massive number of years before and the bus ran from the airport for many years before they started to charge for parking.

The Magic Express started in 2005 and the resort parking charge didn't happen until March 2018. The Magic Express stopped at the end of 2021.

I never said massive number of years Sorry really not certain respectfully where you're going here.

 

[kymom99]

I miss the Extra Magic Hours that kept Mk open until 2-3AM. Those were the days my friends...

And it could all be had with a room at all stars

 

[NotUrsula]

I miss the Extra Magic Hours that kept Mk open until 2-3AM. Those were the days my friends...

Especially since it's Florida and so bloody hot for so much of the year.

I think that WDW could alleviate a lot of staffing problems if they shifted certain days to a mostly-nightime schedule. No one wants to work outside in Florida summer heat, but if the parks didn't open until 3 pm on some days and stayed open the same number of hours, more people could visit (and work) at night when it's so much more comfortable outdoors.

 

[goofyernmost]

I was agreeing with you about a way to gain some profits but disagreeing with your reasoning. You came at it from a point of view that it was solely the guest who lives close enough to drive that was being targeted who didn't have the hassle of flying. What I was going for was that it was just them finding a way to charge money and use the reasoning of "industry standard" they didn't care whether it was people who did rental cars or their own cars because there already was enough mixture of both, they encouraged the ease of rental cars too by having a place to get one on their own property.

DME was a contract between Mears and Disney, the contract phased out but the charging for overnight parking at the resorts happened years before that. Parking was announced mid-March 2018 effective about a week later for new bookings March 2018. DME ending was announced January 2021 for end date of January 1 2022. Maybe foreshadowing but doubtful IMO the timing doesn't line up. They just had an ability to gain some money IMO is all. And resort bookings probably didn't suffer much at all by charging for parking. Added to a reason to leave for off-site yes but sorta doubtful it was the main thing. Probably why it lasted for so long even after all the other issues of the last several years.

You and I def. agree about charging for overnight parking being silly here, I have long-since held that belief.

I never said massive number of years Sorry really not certain respectfully where you're going here.

I'm not going anywhere, Massive was my word in reference to the sentence that I also highlighted here. "Years before" made it sound like it was so far away that it wasn't related. My only point was that it made more sense to start charging for parking after the bus no longer existed but long enough before so it didn't seem connected. When I said people that lived close enough I wasn't referring to Florida people specifically. I currently live in NC. It's a 10 hour drive from my door to WDW. I've have been a regular yearly+ visitor for almost 40 years. A total of 48 visits and only all of those except for the last 10 years were from Vermont. I think with all of those, perhaps 7 were flights into Orlando and then a car rental. I also only stayed onsite once in all that time mostly because I thought the Disney Resort prices were close to criminal. Then they added the parking fee and for someone that visited as often as I did, always with a car, made it even worse.

The only place I was going is to express my theory about what was happening. I think they wanted to start it a couple of years earlier than stopping the busing so it didn't seem to be directly connected. How much the Pandemic had to do with the timing is not really at issue if they had a long term contract instead of a yearly contract with Mears.

It is just my theory and once the bus stopped, then the complaints probably rose exponentially or enough so that Iger (who probably had a hand in the charge plan to begin with) saw it as a way to make people happy enough to perhaps take the pressure off the loss of the Magic Express. An easily reversed policy that would cost them lost revenue from the parking fees, but nothing extra. The parking lots were already there and now everyone feels better about the loss of the bus because they can rent a car or take the substitute bus or Uber and pay one time for to and from and that's it, instead of $25 per night to park. Granted it didn't really create a positive for those that had to pay to get there and didn't have a vehicle to park, however, like everything else about Disney in the last few years, complexity and confusion reign supreme.