I'm not buying it

[MJJME]

I think this was the plan all along and it got accelerated by the pandemic........It seems to me that WDW is using the pandemic as an excuse to eliminate a lot of the live entertainment and people that it had employed. Even prior to the pandemic there were rumors circulating that Disney was trying to cut costs by eliminating people from their jobs. Remember when it took a massive online campaign for Disney to restore Photopass photographers after their jobs were eliminated to technology? How can WDW competitors continue to have shows, live entertainment, etc. but WDW had to eliminate almost every single one of their performers? I hope the same thing happens and guests continue to pressure their management to restore these peoples jobs and to make WDW bring back the things that make it special for most of their guests. I think its a disgrace

 

[LSUfan4444]

I don't disagree that I think COVID will be blamed for alot of the cost cutting measures but there's no denying that a loss of revenue leads to finding ways to reduce costs. My initial thought was that anyone who didnt lead to direct revenue was on the block (Yee Haw Bob, Poolside Party staff, etc) but I thought staff like Hoop Dee Do would remain because they directly led to profits. Its been harsh so I hope in time, more returns than doesn't

 

[lynch34]

A lot of companies are using the pandemic as cover to do what they have wanted to do for a long time.

 

[StageTek]

I, too, hope Disney restores all live entertainment when people feel comfortable being in a theater.

<<< for obvious reasons...

 

[MJJME]

A lot of companies are using the pandemic as cover to do what they have wanted to do for a long time.

Yes I agree.......But when it happens at WDW, it GREATLY affects your experience and the historical experience that you have always had while Disney continues to charge you the same price..........You get ALOT less for the same amount and that's an issue

 

[MJJME]

I, too, hope Disney restores all live entertainment when people feel comfortable being in a theater.

<<< for obvious reasons...

Why has Universal been able to keep alot of their shows?

 

[Lumpy1106]

Layoffs didn't happen until it was clear the CA parks wouldn't open for the foreseeable future. That's not a coincidence.

 

[Clt_jojo]

That's why everyone wanting to give to the Disney World Employees fund (thru DIS) would be very helpful & kind!

 

[HokieRaven5]

Why has Universal been able to keep alot of their shows?

One partial reason would be that Comcast has more $$$ than Disney.

 

[MJJME]

One partial reason would be that Comcast has more $$$ than Disney.

Thats true but not within those segments of their business

 

[HokieRaven5]

Thats true but not within those segments of their business

Also true.

 

[bwang123]

.You get ALOT less for the same amount and that's an issue

How is that an issue? People are spending their money knowing there is a reduced experience but they still have the choice to spend that money. It's only an issue for people emotionally attached to the past Disney experiences. It will only hurt Disney if people refuse to pay for the current experience.

 

[MJJME]

How is that an issue? People are spending their money knowing there is a reduced experience but they still have the choice to spend that money. It's only an issue for people emotionally attached to the past Disney experiences. It will only hurt Disney if people refuse to pay for the current experience.

It will be......They wont come close to their previous occupancy levels.......its different right now when you AP holders who have already paid the $ for the year and they are going........But when you are trying to attract Europeans, people from across America to come and spend tens of thousands of dollars for an extended vacation they are going to have a hard time getting them with very few offerings and even fewer perks........It has happened before and will happen again

 

[Mome Rath]

I absolutely "buy" that some things had to be cut that would not have been cut if covid hadn't arrived on our shores. Now that we are in a post-covid world I don't know if those particular things will return, however, there will be new things as everything recovers. I've been going so long I've seen the parks in ups and downs. Everyone has a different line where they have to decide if it is worth it for them to go to the parks or not. For me, I can't wait to go back, and I know that I'm contributing a drop in the bucket to help Disney, and all they employ, get back on their feet. I get that others aren't going to return until it gets back "to normal," and that's fine.

In short, Disney is a business, and they are going to have to adapt. So far they always have, but if they don't, and it goes downhill in a way I don't like, I'll stop going for awhile and I'll hope they reverse course. I'm definitely still up for trips right now, however. Covid is the only thing holding me back.

 

[yulilin3]

Why has Universal been able to keep alot of their shows?

Almost all of Disney entertainment was union, they had a better salary and perks, at universal almost all the entertainment is third party, less pay, less benefits

 

[MJJME]

Almost all of Disney entertainment was union, they had a better salary and perks, at universal almost all the entertainment is third party, less pay, less benefits

I did not know that.......Still a huge bummer

 

[yulilin3]

Disney has been systematically cutting entertainment long before covid, earliest instance was 4 for a dollar ands mulch sweat and shears from dhs and all the parades, we knew citizens were not going to be long before getting cut even pre covid.
Everyone needs to remember Disney it's not just theme parks, they are making no money from new movies and losing billions from movies that were already made, plus the halt in tv production
Still, it is a great excuse right now, we need to wait and see what actually comes back

I did not know that.......Still a huge bummer

 

[Rockbro]

*Cough* Chapek

 

[Pooh2]

We had 15 days in Nov booked at Disney properties and cancelled due to masks requirements and the many cuts Disney has made.

Initially, we wanted to keep our trip (rescheduled from March closure) to support CMs but for the amount of money we would have spent, we just could not justify the lack of experiences.

We have two more trips booked before our annual pass expires, we will be keeping a close eye on the guest experience reports to determine whether to scrap those trips as well.

It will be hard for Disney to draw guests back if there is nothing to come back to other than rides with long lines.

 

[snappy]

When we return sometime next year we are cutting the number of days wayyyyyyyy back. Going only to use up DVC points that expire the the end of next year.