Is Disney Losing It????

[cowboymickey06]

I don't want anyone to get the wrong idea, I love WDW. I have only been there twice (3rd time coming in May). This will be my DGF 9th trip. I'll never claim to be an expert, but it seems to me that some of the magic is slowly going away. I know these are tough times for us all but those of us here are chosing to spend our hard-earned dollar at WDW. WDW has always blown any and all competition out of the water with customer service and attention to detail. If you're like me, you go to WDW to escape reality for a short time and forget about the worries. I understand that Disney doesn't know what the economic future holds for any of us, but what's the harm in putting out park hours 6-9 months ahead of time. Sure the hours could change at some point (which they tell us all the time), but those who are planning a vacation can at least rest easier knowing that most everything is taken care of.

Sorry this was so long. Like I said, I love Disney and I'm not trying to trash them in any way. Some of the greatest memories I have in my 45 years are from WDW. I guess I was just wondering if there were any others out there with concerns they were reluctant to bring up.

Thank for your time....Hope I haven't offended anyone

 

[Robo]

what's the harm in putting out park hours 6-9 months ahead of time. Sure the hours could change at some point (which they tell us all the time), but those who are planning a vacation can at least rest easier knowing that most everything is taken care of.

The posting of hours 6 months in advance was a very short-lived thing.

The "normal" posting was for 3 months in advance.

They only increased it to 6 months during the (relatively) short time that they allowed scheduling ADR's 180 days early.

There is no good reason for Disney to "guess" at the hours 6 months in advance, when, with the tenuous state of the economy, they would have to disappoint and anger guests with major changes that would likely need to be made.

 

[Feralpeg]

I know of no other business that posts its operating hours months in advance. Disney has always done this for the convenience of its guests, but they have no obligation to do so.

 

[Tbelle1976]

I myself have had plenty of time to plan our days once the park hours were released for us. At the point that I got our park hours for our week, I then started making plans for what ADR's I would call for.

It did seem to work out pretty well for us. I would hate to start planning my days and then have park hours change...

 

[Whisky In A VAse]

In all the advertisements on TV or on DVD's I have watched since being a child, I always remember them saying Magic Kingdom always finishes everyday with their spectacular firework displays. Having just seen the May hours for when visit this year and notice that the fireworks at Magic Kingdom are not on every evening, I feel that they are letting people down.

 

[mmcguire]

I do agree that some of the magic has disappeared lately, but in a economic downturn, cutting costs is necessary. I don't like it either, but I understand they must to do what is necessary to stay profitable until we come out of this thing. I'd rather have a few less magical trips vs. Disney spending crazy money in this slump and end up bankrupting themselves.

I like to think shortening the hours calendar from 6 mo to 90 days was to improve accuracy and reduce complaints about the inevitable numerous changes. In this economy, no telling how things will be in 6 mo.

I see it like a 10-day weather forecast -- the last 5 days change so much you can't really count on them, so might as just look at a 5-day.

 

[RMulieri]

In the off season the fireworks were NOT shown everyday, I distinctly remember going to disney as a teen and young adult and the fireworks as well as the Main st Electrical parade were generally shown on Fri,Sat,and Sun only .The 90 days for hrs and adrs never bothered me.In fact with going to a closer window ,maybe people won't double book adrs and will be more firm with their plans.Yes disney is cutting things down and out,look at the economy .People and buisnesses are also trying to conserve.Hopefully it is a short lived thing. Times change ,so must we.But Disney is still the best at what it does.There isn't one local theme park or destination that can do what disney does each and every day of the year.Magic is what you make it.

 

[Robo]

In the off season the fireworks were NOT shown everyday...

Absolutely true.

 

[Dee77]

I thought it was that they finish everyday with a parade???

 

[tinksgilrs251520]

I to wish they would post hours sooner but its like a post said you have plentey of time to plan your days once they are announced. Ti me Disney will always have the magic no matter what they cut or limit right now. DId we all honestly think that the economy of today would not affect Disney? I knew eventually that it would catch up to the happiest place on earth . I would much rather have disney cut a few fireworks show or a parade Then really have to raise rates, ticket prices, or even cut or limit thier internal transportation. And I would much rather them be there when we do get ourselves out this hole than to be another victim of the crisis and not be there.

 

[snow.white]

I don't think Disney will ever lose it's magic, I absolutely love Disneyworld , Disneyland and everything that has to do with Disney! I really could care less if they post their hours 3 months 6 months or 9 months in advance. Why is it such a big deal? Plan your vacation , you know the park will be open and be happy you have a job and can actually go

 

[Robo]

I thought it was that they finish everyday with a parade???

There is USUALLY an afternoon parade ("3 O'Clock Parade) at MK, but it is only during special promotions that they will present a parade every night... and hardly ever does the parade happen at "closing time."

 

[LVSWL]

OP, like you I was concerned when both the hours were not available 180 days from my trip and then I could not make my ADRs 180 days as I always have for the last 9 years and 18 trips. Part of the fun for me was the planning from the first moment I booked my ressie. On the upside, I will share with you that when I called for my 11 ADRs for my 8 day trip at the 90 day mark I was able to get every one of them exactly when I wanted them, or within 20 minutes. That was awesome! We have even made a couple of "tweaks" to our schedule since then and changed a couple of the times without any problem, so it really seems to be working out. The planner in me just had to settle down a bit. I imagine if Disney had allowed me to book in October like I wanted to, I would have been "tweaking" all of them. The bottom line is, no one else can book before you, except maybe a few people who are comine in right before you and their days go into your first days. Call on the first day that you can and I am sure that you will be successful. Good luck!

 

[quadsthen1]

I know of no other business that posts its operating hours months in advance. Disney has always done this for the convenience of its guests, but they have no obligation to do so.

Actually, Dollywood, here in Pigeon Forge puts their hours out for the whole upcoming year usually in December.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not suggesting Disney put their hours up that far in advance, their "business" is far bigger with more variables than Dollywood's, but I do think that the hours should be up at least 3 months in advance. Really 3 1/2 months that way the people who are travling at the beginning of the month will have time to get their plans in order before their 90 day mark. I do think the 90 day thing is just fine. I liked the 180, but honestly, in a 6 month period you can really think of different ways you want to do things or may chance your mind about your dining plans and then its too hard to change them because everything is getting booked up.

That's just my 2 cents.

 

[Bobo912]

In all the advertisements on TV or on DVD's I have watched since being a child, I always remember them saying Magic Kingdom always finishes everyday with their spectacular firework displays. Having just seen the May hours for when visit this year and notice that the fireworks at Magic Kingdom are not on every evening, I feel that they are letting people down.

The first time I took my DS to WDW in January of 2004, they didn't have fireworks every night. And on weeknights MK closed at 7:00PM. It was okay though because the crowds were very low.

 

[dogodisney]

The posting of hours 6 months in advance was a very short-lived thing.

The "normal" posting was for 3 months in advance.

They only increased it to 6 months during the (relatively) short time that they allowed scheduling ADR's 180 days early.

There is no good reason for Disney to "guess" at the hours 6 months in advance, when, with the tenuous state of the economy, they would have to disappoint and anger guests with major changes that would likely need to be made.

Thank you for the clarification. I was wondering about the posting of hours and did not realize this is how it has been done.

Our first trip we started planning three months in advance so the hours were already posted, last year starting planning in January but the hours were posted at six months so I just figured that was when they "normally" posted them.

I must confess that this is killing the planner in me. I am planning our first December trip and I want to do the Candlelight Processional Dinner and I've read that the booking for this should start in June. It is going to be hard to pick what night without knowing the park hours/schedule.

Maybe someone can give me some tips.

 

[2BOYMOM]

I do not feel that the magic has anything to do with they post the park hours. The magic is how I feel when I'm there and that will never, ever go away.

 

[JPN4265]

Is Disney losing the magic? I can only speak for myself. I understand the economic downturn, and Disney need to make a profit. That's the only way they can stay open. But if we are all honest with ourselves, most of us come to Disney to escape the day to day activities that we face in our workplace or at home.

A very small thing that Disney could do, enforce the rules they have on the books. Most of us come for the magical moments. We park our cars, don't read the newspapers, or watch TV. We simple want to send one week not worrying about what's going on in the world.

We don't want to fight with people pushing in front of us at a parade. We don't want to get mad over the line jumpers, or people or tour groups that allow more then two or three people to come ahead of us in line. We don't want to see people smoking in the middle of the park, (not in an allowed smoking area) we just want to relax and not worry about anything.

Simple? sure.... but if the Disney employee's would just enforce the rules, I think a lot of the problems we all see at Disney, would just fade into the background and the magic that we all want to see, would start to come back.

 

[LVSWL]

Thank you for the clarification. I was wondering about the posting of hours and did not realize this is how it has been done.

Our first trip we started planning three months in advance so the hours were already posted, last year starting planning in January but the hours were posted at six months so I just figured that was when they "normally" posted them.

I must confess that this is killing the planner in me. I am planning our first December trip and I want to do the Candlelight Processional Dinner and I've read that the booking for this should start in June. It is going to be hard to pick what night without knowing the park hours/schedule.

Maybe someone can give me some tips.

Epcot hours really never change, other than some Fridays this spring which changed til 8. So..Epcot should be open til at least 9 when you are planning your CP. We are also going in December and will be watching for those CP dates. I would say to look at the dates and choose the day/speaker and time and a restaurant if you are doing a package and go with that. We have not booked a package before, but I know that others have mentioned that you should allow plenty of time to eat and then arrive at the American Pavillion (30min ahead of show?at least) for your seat. I am sure there will be plenty of info here on the DIS about this. I doubt hours will make a difference with this decision though. Happy planning.

 

[LVSWL]

Is Disney losing the magic? I can only speak for myself. I understand the economic downturn, and Disney need to make a profit. That's the only way they can stay open. But if we are all honest with ourselves, most of us come to Disney to escape the day to day activities that we face in our workplace or at home.

A very small thing that Disney could do, enforce the rules they have on he books. Most of us come for the magical moments. We park our cars, don't read the newspapers, or watch TV. We simple want to send one week not worrying about what's going on in the world.

We don't want to fight with people pushing in front of us at a parade. We don't want to get mad over the line jumpers, or people or tour groups that allow more then two or three people to come ahead of us in line. We don't want to see people smoking in the middle of the park, (not in an allowed smoking area) we just want to relax and not worry about anything.

Simple? sure.... but if the Disney employee's would just enforce the rules, I think a lot of the problems we all see at Disney, would just fade into the background and the magic that we all want to see, would start to come back.