Is anyone getting as turned off as I am?

[TeresaNJ]

Just for some background....
I live in Florida and have been going to Disney for over 40 years.
Recently, though, I've noticed changes that are turning me off to want to visit, or spend my money there.
For example: * the fastpass+ thing and having to plan before you go.
* ending the American Adventure Fife and Drum Corp. (and not replacing it with any other patriotic program)
* people reserving throwaway campsites at Fort Wilderness just to get their magic bands
*......and don't get me started on those!
* and now we're gonna have to start paying between 10 and 20 dollars just to park at Downtown Disney.
* oh, and Starbucks

The list goes on, but these are just a few at the tip of my fingers.
Sorry. Had to vent.

I'm so with you! I could add to your list, but others here already have.

 

[flicx]

My take on Eisner is a simple one. He got things done in the parks at Disney world. Let's face it, he was there when many of the attractions that Disney relies on for revenue to this day were built. His era like it or not was one of the most productive attraction wise as far as ceos go.

 

[Angel Ariel]

One of Eisner's faults was cutting Disney Animation. Some of the movies made during his tenure were highly forgettable. (Home on the Range)

While that is true of the end of Eisner's tenure, the revitalization of Disney Animation - the Little Mermaid/Beauty and the Beast/Aladdin/Lion King era - also occurred during his tenure.

I'm not saying who is better than who...just that credit should be given where credit is due (as well as fault where fault is due).

 

[Davey Jones II]

Judging from this thread (and many others I've read) Disney has managed to alienate some of its most loyal repeat customers. Many are planning to go back less often. Some are going to try other destinations while taking a "wait and see" attitude. Some are done with Disney altogether, at least for now. And FP+ seems to be the main culprit.

How many businesses can afford to piss off their most loyal customers? For now, Disney appears to be getting enough first timers to make up for any shortfall. But how is that sustainable in the long run? Just how many new, untapped markets are there? Maybe they need to start organizing tour groups among the eskimos.

Also, ask yourself how many first timers are going to become repeat customers? The flexibility of the legacy Fast Pass system was one of the key reasons that Disney earned our loyalty in the first place. Now that it's gone, I can't see FP+ encouraging many of the first timers to come back.

Also, it's no coincidence that most of the WDW repeat customers are people who live in North America, particularly the east coast. When you can drive over, or take a short, relatively inexpensive flight, that certainly encourages people to come back. If you alienate many of those who live close to Florida, how are you going to make up for it with people who are flying in from overseas? For many of them, WDW is a "once in a lifetime" experience, or something they can only afford once per decade. Again, just not sustainable.

And all this is happening at a time when Disney has more competition than ever, including a cross-town rival that just keeps building new, cutting edge attractions. It really is too bad Disney spent a fortune on a new IT and reservation system, rather than new attractions. If they had done the latter, we would be beating down their doors for years to come, instead of complaining on message boards and rethinking our travel habits.

 

[OtherScott]

How much of this "turned off" feeling is simply naturally growing tired of something that once had greater appeal? It happens in all facets of life, in all walks of life. People simply gravitate in different directions as life's circumstances change. Disney is probably no different.

The laments are similar in that they are, well, laments. From the inside it appears that there is a common desire for this over that. But as an outside observer who has never gotten the magic of Disney, I see that the substance of the laments are very dissimilar. Dissimilar enough that no solution exists that addresses them all.

Even within the self-selected makeup of these forums, problems and solutions vary greatly. Some long for change, some long for things to remain the same, some want to go back to they way things were. Most say they understand the other POVs and most seek to marginally include them in their stated desires.

And outside of a handful, whatever grievances one has, the consequence will not be to take dollars elsewhere.

Outside of this forum, Disney faces a customer base with expectations far more diverse in scope and ideology. And they only have to appeal to X% in order to succeed.

That a company could offer a product, at the price point and with the commitment factor Disney requires, that results in the loyalty displayed here is a testament to competence and care. That you (not you...we) haven't moved on already is simply remarkable, and maybe just shy of unparalleled.

2 cents

 

[magicbob]

Judging from this thread (and many others I've read) Disney has managed to alienate some of its most loyal repeat customers. Many are planning to go back less often. Some are going to try other destinations while taking a "wait and see" attitude. Some are done with Disney altogether, at least for now. And FP+ seems to be the main culprit.

How many businesses can afford to piss off their most loyal customers? For now, Disney appears to be getting enough first timers to make up for any shortfall. But how is that sustainable in the long run? Just how many new, untapped markets are there? Maybe they need to start organizing tour groups among the eskimos.

Also, ask yourself how many first timers are going to become repeat customers? The flexibility of the legacy Fast Pass system was one of the key reasons that Disney earned our loyalty in the first place. Now that it's gone, I can't see FP+ encouraging many of the first timers to come back.

Also, it's no coincidence that most of the WDW repeat customers are people who live in North America, particularly the east coast. When you can drive over, or take a short, relatively inexpensive flight, that certainly encourages people to come back. If you alienate many of those who live close to Florida, how are you going to make up for it with people who are flying in from overseas? For many of them, WDW is a "once in a lifetime" experience, or something they can only afford once per decade. Again, just not sustainable.

And all this is happening at a time when Disney has more competition than ever, including a cross-town rival that just keeps building new, cutting edge attractions. It really is too bad Disney spent a fortune on a new IT and reservation system, rather than new attractions. If they had done the latter, we would be beating down their doors for years to come, instead of complaining on message boards and rethinking our travel habits.

One word: Brazil.

 

[RedSox68]

While that is true of the end of Eisner's tenure, the revitalization of Disney Animation - the Little Mermaid/Beauty and the Beast/Aladdin/Lion King era - also occurred during his tenure.

I'm not saying who is better than who...just that credit should be given where credit is due (as well as fault where fault is due).

Disney Animation really was hitting the skids. Eisner brought it back ten fold with Little Mermaid and Beauty and the Beast. Not all movies can wow you, but many of the films since those have kept the studio in the forefront. Of course, bringing Pixar back did not hurt

 

[maxiesmom]

Judging from this thread (and many others I've read) Disney has managed to alienate some of its most loyal repeat customers.

Some, yes. All, no. And who knows over-all how many people are turned off by the new system. We who post in Disney message boards are but a drop in the Disney bucket.

 

[tup1830]

I live in the northeast and fly down 5 times a year to visit the mouse.

After two visits this year, we've not rebooked any tickets back.

The trip that was already planned, we are now going to be visiting a nice beach resort, visiting Magic Kingdom, but not staying on property or eating on site.

For all its worth, the magic is def starting to wane...on a bright note, my family is really loving the new destinations we are trying (imagine i can go to italy for a week for cheaper than Disney deluxe for a week...including airfare!!!)...and my italy isn't 1* hotels...more like 3.5*

 

[mom2rtk]

Some, yes. All, no.

.... which is why nobody claimed all. That would just be silly.

 

[Davey Jones II]

Some, yes. All, no. And who knows over-all how many people are turned off by the new system. We who post in Disney message boards are but a drop in the Disney bucket.

No, we don't represent all Disney guests, but we do represent Disney's most loyal, repeat customers. We post because we are among the most loyal guests. And we are the ones they can least afford to lose.

As for Brazil? They already have the Brazilian tour groups, that would be nothing new. And, judging from their reputation, adding more of them would only serve to alienate other guests.

 

[agavegirl1]

No, we don't represent all Disney guests, but we do represent Disney's most loyal, repeat customers. We post because we are among the most loyal guests. And we are the ones they can least afford to lose.

As for Brazil? They already have the Brazilian tour groups, that would be nothing new. And, judging from their reputation, adding more of them would only serve to alienate other guests.

Yes. This. Thank you.

 

[magicbob]

No, we don't represent all Disney guests, but we do represent Disney's most loyal, repeat customers. We post because we are among the most loyal guests. And we are the ones they can least afford to lose.

As for Brazil? They already have the Brazilian tour groups, that would be nothing new. And, judging from their reputation, adding more of them would only serve to alienate other guests.

I don't disagree with you. But if they get enough of them, they won't need the rest of us. The strategy seems to be replacing rides instead of adding new ones, so why not replace all the guests too?

 

[maxiesmom]

.... which is why nobody claimed all. That would just be silly.

And I never said anyone claimed that. Just trying to show that as vocal as this group and others like it are, we are but a small percentage of the folks that go to WDW. And out of that small percentage not everyone agrees that FP+ is bad.

Disney doesn't need to keep the same guests, as long as they continue to bring people in.

 

[dsdeleon]

I think Disney knows it's repeat guests go back to their corners of the country/world and sing Disney's praises and get more new guests coming in more than advertising. We are all like little resellers without taking any profits. That should be valuable to them.

 

[tup1830]

Judging from the ever expanding DVC units, Disney NEEDS us loyal repeaters...because the new crowds aren't filling up the rooms as expected...hence the idea floating around of a DVC in a moderate as well.

In regards to the parks, its funny how quick frozen can be implemented (maybe not thought all the way through), but how long it takes to get the idea of starwars land or pandora off the ground

 

[ScottieMouse]

We post because we are among the most loyal guests. And we are the ones they can least afford to lose.

Let's not get crazy here. There are tons and tons of loyal guests who do not post here and who are happy with the new system. This happens with a lot of active online communities where because a small group has similar feelings they believe that EVERYONE feels that way, which is simply not the case.

 

[kbelle8995]

Let's not get crazy here. There are tons and tons of loyal guests who do not post here and who are happy with the new system. This happens with a lot of active online communities where because a small group has similar feelings they believe that EVERYONE feels that way, which is simply not the case.

By the same token, there are probably fans who don't post here Who DON'T like the new system.

For some possible guest, booking your ride two months before your vacation is not appealing. For others it appeals greatly like a cruise when everything is done bofore you get there.

MB and FP+ suit some people, others not so much. At the end of the day who knows what others that don't post think which I believe was your point.

 

[OtherScott]

And we are the ones they can least afford to lose.

1. They wont lose many of you
2. They know how many they can afford to lose

Nothing personal, just math - and a little behavioral science.

 

[OtherScott]

I don't disagree with you. But if they get enough of them, they won't need the rest of us. The strategy seems to be replacing rides instead of adding new ones, so why not replace all the guests too?

Adding is a fine concept, but if someone asked me, I'd first want to know how we're doing with existing assets. I'd also be concerned about all the space in between new rides, considering what appears to be a crowd that is getting older and, well, rounder.