Is Disney sinking itself?

[Rockbro]

Just a month or so after reopening, Splash Mountain had a mishap. A boat submersed itself and riders had to evacuate themselves. A cast member actually yelled at the people and scolded them for abandoning a fully submerged ride vehicle. Ok.. I get it, they're under a lot of pressure nowadays. But, there has to be some common sense.

If Disney continues under these processes, then they will have to rely on Disney +, ABC, and other ventures. The parks will not be sustainable.

 

[ucf_knight]

Under what processes is Disney “sinking” itself?

 

[Rockbro]

Let's be honest, Disney is not doing as well as Universal. The business model under COVID is not sustainable. Reduced capacity, reduced resort capacity, reduced theme park capacity. Disney will sink under this, Bob Chapek is the Captain. And honestly, as a Florida AP, I look forward to it... they have treated us horribly.

 

[Marionnette]

Let's be honest, Disney is not doing as well as Universal. The business model under COVID is not sustainable.

Universal just laid off a number of TMs, reduced park hours and shelved Epic Universe. What information do you have that shows Universal is doing better than Disney?

And FWIW, Disney’s business model for COVID is fluid. The goal isn’t necessarily to be profitable, but to stem the hemorrhaging of money.

 

[Karin1984]

I am sure that the sinking of the Splash Mountain vehicle could have happened before, during and after the Covid-crisis, and a CM not knowing how to respond, except by yelling... also that is most likely not related to Covid.

No, the parks are not profitable at the moment, but they are open. 10 million loss per day (or whatever it is) is better than 20 million loss per day by closing the parks.
No park is sustainable at the moment. It's not Disney, but the entire themepark industry that is not capable to handle this crisis. Themeparks are about coming together, about lots of people in a small space.

 

[yulilin3]

Let's be honest, Disney is not doing as well as Universal. The business model under COVID is not sustainable. Reduced capacity, reduced resort capacity, reduced theme park capacity. Disney will sink under this, Bob Chapek is the Captain. And honestly, as a Florida AP, I look forward to it... they have treated us horribly.

you look forward to Disney sinking? honestly?

 

[Dismrk155]

Disney is trying to control cost by any means. Not cleaning rooms but charging such high prices. Motel 6 hasn't stooped that low. Closing rides and reduced hours while charging the same for tickets. Disney is a train wreck in running the parks.


If service levels can't be maintained then shut it down.

 

[nancipants]

What do you expect Disney to do? They can't operate with business as usual. If there's a COVID outbreak traced to Disney, THAT will sink the parks.

 

[chicagodisneyguy]

I think one sinking boat on splash mountain is not cause to panic. Now if Disney is purposely delaying needed maintenance to cut costs then fine, I agree. But I find it hard to believe they'd knowingly put guests in unsafe conditions to save a few bucks. My guess too that the cast-member yelled at the guests due to them exiting the vehicle without truly understanding the situation. I'm sure the normal reaction to guests exiting the ride vehicles on their own is harsh.

OP, what exactly has done to treat FL AP horribly? I'm not arguing they haven't, I just want to know exactly why you feel it's that bad. I'm a DVC AP holder and think while their communication and implementation of the refund process has been HORRID, the actual options given have been better than I expected.

I think Disney management has handled the current situation about as well as possible. From a business stand point it's affected almost every aspect of their business. This isn't a hurricane that shut down the parks for a few days. It's a several standard deviation event that honestly most industries were not prepared for. I think the fact they have the parks open in any capacity is a good sign. I also think the fact the guest reports coming out have been fairly positive is a good sign. I think anyone going to the parks currently and expects it to be the same as pre-Covid is walking in with unrealistic expectations.

 

[Dismrk155]

It's funny how things can anger some people and others laugh at it. People need to chill out and realize this is crazy and won't anytime soon. What is the fact that Disney services aren't what they use to be?

 

[Dismrk155]

What do you expect Disney to do? They can't operate with business as usual. If there's a COVID outbreak traced to Disney, THAT will sink the parks.

I agree with that. What should happen is more intense cleaning? Not cleaning guest rooms on a daily bases is not good.

 

[paw1968]

How is not cleaning guest room on a daily basis not good? I for one would rather not have strangers in my room during my stay that I do not know. For a stay of 5 days or less I would rather set my trash out and call for towels when needed than have 1 or 2 people spend an extended time in my room and just assume that they are taking all the precautions I feel would keep me healthy. I rather like the thought that my room is a safe place that I can relax a bit. If housekeeping were coming in daily I would feel the need to wipe everything down before I could relax. I am by no means a germophob and in fact planning a trip in October. I feel that I need to do everything I can do to stay healthy while there and if that includes not having my sheets changed everyday then so be it.

 

[Dismrk155]

How is not cleaning guest room on a daily basis not good? I for one would rather not have strangers in my room during my stay that I do not know. For a stay of 5 days or less I would rather set my trash out and call for towels when needed than have 1 or 2 people spend an extended time in my room and just assume that they are taking all the precautions I feel would keep me healthy. I rather like the thought that my room is a safe place that I can relax a bit. If housekeeping were coming in daily I would feel the need to wipe everything down before I could relax. I am by no means a germophob and in fact planning a trip in October. I feel that I need to do everything I can do to stay healthy while there and if that includes not having my sheets changed everyday then so be it.

I may not agree with you but I see your point.

 

[yulilin3]

I agree with that. What should happen is more intense cleaning? Not cleaning guest rooms on a daily bases is not good.

Intense cleaning is being done in all public places. Why would housekeeping need to go into your room everyday? Only to bring more germs/virus? It's like when you're at home, you sanitize things when you go out, maybe shopping carts, wash hands after handling things that are outside, you don't clean your house everyday cause it's your germs which you've been living with.

 

[bryanb]

By the way, so many people have been so harsh with that cast member. It‘s a few second clip and she clearly didn‘t have time to weigh and assess everything that was going on. Her first gut reaction was correct, that guests are never to exit a vehicle. The fact that the log was submerged to that extent is, I‘m sure a novel situation that nobody would‘ve trained for or anticipated. I‘m glad that when I was a cast member, things weren‘t going viral to the extent they are today. If I saw guests climbing out of a log, I would probably be running down to that location very distressed.

 

[Rockbro]

By the way, so many people have been so harsh with that cast member. It‘s a few second clip and she clearly didn‘t have time to weigh and assess everything that was going on. Her first gut reaction was correct, that guests are never to exit a vehicle. The fact that the log was submerged to that extent is, I‘m sure a novel situation that nobody would‘ve trained for or anticipated. I‘m glad that when I was a cast member, things weren‘t going viral to the extent they are today. If I saw guests climbing out of a log, I would probably be running down to that location very distressed.

I just feel as though it is not even a matter or poor training, it is a lack of common sense. You had better believe if that happened to me, I would be evacuating myself and my family, as well. The cast member panicked, flat out. She was not helpful, she was , in fact, detrimental.

 

[Rockbro]

OP, what exactly has done to treat FL AP horribly? I'm not arguing they haven't, I just want to know exactly why you feel it's that bad. I'm a DVC AP holder and think while their communication and implementation of the refund process has been HORRID, the actual options given have been better than I expected.

I feel that Disney undervalues the most loyal of their customers. From poor communication regarding special events to failure to follow through on promises (now, some will se this as petty), but they told AP's that they would be receiving a magnet in the mail as part compensation for closures. I'm not sure if anyone received this magnet, but we did not (and trust me, I don't care about the magnets).

Additionally, AP holders have the least amount of park availability... first resort guests, then ticket holders.

I do have to give them kudos on extending the 30% AP discount, though I would not have known about that if I was not on the boards... again, communication.

Guest services is amazing, but they have their hands tied as to what they can do by upper management. I simply have just noticed a steady decline in the value of the customer in the last few years.

 

[chicagodisneyguy]

I feel that Disney undervalues the most loyal of their customers. From poor communication regarding special events to failure to follow through on promises (now, some will se this as petty), but they told AP's that they would be receiving a magnet in the mail as part compensation for closures. I'm not sure if anyone received this magnet, but we did not (and trust me, I don't care about the magnets).

Additionally, AP holders have the least amount of park availability... first resort guests, then ticket holders.

I do have to give them kudos on extending the 30% AP discount, though I would not have known about that if I was not on the boards... again, communication.

Guest services is amazing, but they have their hands tied as to what they can do by upper management. I simply have just noticed a steady decline in the value of the customer in the last few years.

I get your frustration and agree with several of your points, especially the communication. But unfortunately I don't think things will get much better for AP holders anytime soon, especially with Chapek's comments yesterday during the earnings call. He specifically pointed out that regular visitors are more profitable than AP holders. While I agree we (AP holders) are the most loyal group of customers Disney has, we are not the most profitable....at least by the metrics Disney execs are going by. Of course he did mention that "regular, one time guests" have cancelled more in Q2 than AP's so they were able to fill in the gaps with AP holders. I unfortunately think this Disney management group looks at AP holders as a necessary evil.

My personal guess is AP prices will go up or be limited in some way going forward. I think Disney will want to maximize their per guest revenue as I think capacity will be limited for the foreseeable future. I do think they will anger many of their most loyal customers. I hope I am wrong. But honestly I think management is way over their skiis here.

 

[Dis_Millennial]

Let's be honest, Disney is not doing as well as Universal. The business model under COVID is not sustainable. Reduced capacity, reduced resort capacity, reduced theme park capacity. Disney will sink under this, Bob Chapek is the Captain. And honestly, as a Florida AP, I look forward to it... they have treated us horribly.

It seems to me like many people are really upset with the way that Disney is operating, some people upset since before COVID. Just out of curiosity, what makes you keep an annual pass if you are this upset about how Disney runs?

 

[yulilin3]

I still haven't gotten my answer to my question up thread