Is Disney World becoming a shell of its former self?

[rteetz]

That's a question you'll have to ask them. Seems like a pretty big flaw in their leadership, considering Cabana Bay occupancy was low all throughout 2014 after opening in the spring.

With universals rise in attenadnce over the last couple years and continued investment in their parks I would have to imagine that their occupancy can't be that bad if they are building more resorts. Cabana Bay is their first value resort of sorts. They have frail suites and regular rooms that cost less than Disney resorts. Their next resort is supposed to be more of a moderate category.

 

[rteetz]

We don't buy the mugs, either (and yes, included in your dining plan..but you're paying for them).

And I disagree. From my eye test, and from the anecdotal information posted here (and in the budget board), I'd guess you are in the minority when it comes to hotel guests.

I guess we'll have to agree to disagree.

You're always paying for it with Disney. Like free dining in the fall, you pay those rack rates for the rooms for dining, so Disney makes up for it. Also this past year they made you buy a park hopper or water park and more option also adding cost that some may just not need.

 

[pilferk]

You're always paying for it with Disney. Like free dining in the fall, you pay those rack rates for the rooms for dining, so Disney makes up for it. Also this past year they made you buy a park hopper or water park and more option also adding cost that some may just not need.

Agree.

I could also add that, with DVC, you can get some pretty considerable discounts (the TIW card, on it's own, saves us a ton every trip). And while I'm not as sure, I suspect our merch buying is less. We are a plushie and tshirt per trip kinda family...with the occasional "special item" buy here and there. But....trip to trip...we're not buying new ears or baloons or souvenir popcorn buckets or etc etc. We did that stuff prior to DVC, though...when we weren't 100% sure when the next trip would be.

 

[peg110]

As an answer to the title of this thread (and maybe this has been mentioned, as I haven't read through the whole thread)...I think WDW, Universal, the cruise industry, and all other tourist destinations are going to be "screwed" if airfare continues to be where it is lately.

This is part of the reason we like to use Fort Wilderness. While it's a longer drive (from North East Pennsylvania) then a flight, it, generally is much less hassle. No worries about which outfits you are going to bring because you can only bring one suitcase and a carry on per person (without extra fees). No worries about Souvenirs and having to ship them back, and we always know what type of sleeping accommodations we have. I know it's not for everyone. As was mentioned however, in the long run, for our family of 4 (and sometimes 5) it's cheaper to take our camper then it is to fly. Moreover, in some cases, it's almost quicker (if you factor time to get through Airport, delays, getting a rental car in Florida or even waiting for the Magical Express). Gas is cheaper than air fare even at 8 MPG in my F250.

 

[old lady]

I wish Disney did have some better new rides, not just roller coasters or kiddie rides. Epcot was mess up when they tried to make it too kid friendly without taking account the teenagers and adults. Some of the best rides they had they miss them up.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

Do you think if Disney was worried about those places cutting into their business that they would allow a Four Seasons on property? Seriously.

Perhaps they want the clientele of the four seasons without bothering with the details of service at the "GRAND FLORIDIAN"?

Just a thought.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

I'm going to let you in on something... prices tend to go up over time, especially in the entertainment field, and popular events/destinations even moreso. Ten years ago, the average ticket price for a Broadway show was $36. Now its $104.

And broadway does pretty horribly on the whole...

It's only a matter of time.

Dont draw any conclusions.

 

[Whatsthegoodword]

Not all of the hotels are at 80% or higher that's an average. Hotels like WL aren't booked solid hence the conversion to more DVC rooms. Beach club is next. The resorts that are high occupancy are the moderates and values.

I am well aware that 80% is an average. What's amazing is that you don't seem to be impressed by that "80%" fact.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

I am well aware that 80% is an average. What's amazing is that you don't seem to be impressed by that "80%" fact.

Just as amazing as you thinking that the accountants/stock fiends that run parks are impressed by that...

 

[rteetz]

I am well aware that 80% is an average. What's amazing is that you don't seem to be impressed by that "80%" fact.

I'm not. Why should I be the parks are more crowded then ever that number should be where it is. However its obvious that occupancy at the deluxe is not as good as the values and moderates.

 

[3DisneyFanz]

I'm not. Why should I be the parks are more crowded then ever that number should be where it is. However its obvious that occupancy at the deluxe is not as good as the values and moderates.

They've created this problem themselves. Very few people have unlimited vacation funds and as you raise prices everywhere else the cutbacks have to come from somewhere. People who stayed deluxe move to moderate, people who stayed moderate move to value and people who stayed value move offsite. Greed only gets you so far.

 

[mom2rtk]

They've created this problem themselves. Very few people have unlimited vacation funds and as you raise prices everywhere else the cutbacks have to come from somewhere. People who stayed deluxe move to moderate, people who stayed moderate move to value and people who stayed value move offsite. Greed only gets you so far.

I agree. I think a lot of people have been making adjustments just like this, also staying for shorter trips, making fewer ADRs, going less often. But eventually there's only so many adjustments you can make before you have to consider a complete break.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

actually Disney has done plenty to the parks. they just are not doing the types of things that fans want to see them do (like building new rides - except Avatarland and almost nobody is excited about that)

 

[mom2rtk]

actually Disney has done plenty to the parks. they just are not doing the types of things that fans want to see them do (like building new rides - except Avatarland and almost nobody is excited about that)

Agreed. Most of what they have done has been about maintenance, shopping and squeezing more bodies into the same space.

 

[rteetz]

actually Disney has done plenty to the parks. they just are not doing the types of things that fans want to see them do (like building new rides - except Avatarland and almost nobody is excited about that)

Almost nobody? Hmmm maybe you aren't excited but I know plenty that are and it isn't because the movie was good(because it wasn't).

 

[rteetz]

Agreed. Most of what they have done has been about maintenance, shopping and squeezing more bodies into the same space.

Even maintenance hasn't been all that great.

 

[oddman]

They aren't doing A+++ jobs though. They've been leaving wide open spaces in their parks vacant for years. 3 out of 4 of their parks have looked unfinished. If they aren't careful people will decide to go on just Universal trips in the future. I wouldn't do that, but there are plenty of others who would.

All I ask is that they finish Hollywood and Animal before I'm an old fart.

we are planning on a trip to Orlando that will exclude Disney, it will be only the second time we have done so since I was a little kid. Universal has so much now , and Disney offers no good pricing plans for just a couple of days visit....
the crowds, pricing and lack of investment make DW much less attractive.

 

[oddman]

A lot of kids are born every year, like 4 million. So its ALL new to them.

Just sent a 3rd family this year that had never been there before. All at BLT-a great DVC and location.

So here is what they are (and will be seeing since they have a 1 and 2yo) seeing:

Everything from 1971 to 1989 plus:

From 1989 to 2020:

Disney-MGM Studios
Typhoon Lagoon
Pleasure Island
Star Tours
Muppet Vision 3D
Tower of Terror
Rockin' Roller Coaster
Splash Mountain
Mickey's Starland
ExtraTERRORestrial Alien Encounter
Wonders of Life
Norway
Test Track
Soarin
Animal Kingdom
Blizzard Beach
Yacht Club Resort
Beach Club Resort
Caribbean Beach Resort
Port Orleans
Dixie Landings
All Star Sports, Music, and Movies Resorts
Coronado Springs
Soarin
Expedition Everest
TSM
Wishes
New Fantasy Land
Avatar Land
AK night show
Ak night safari
Disney Springs
Frozen ride (yeah yeah..)
Additional capacity to TSM and Soarin (cutting our wait times in half does matter)
And whatever $3 to $4 Billion more will be adding

I don't know what that list is supposed to be, because much of it predates your 1989 number, I know because I was on the rides or at the park/feature well before 1989...

 

[Dfan79]

we are planning on a trip to Orlando that will exclude Disney, it will be only the second time we have done so since I was a little kid. Universal has so much now , and Disney offers no good pricing plans for just a couple of days visit....
the crowds, pricing and lack of investment make DW much less attractive.

You should go during Free Dining, it is the best time to go. Just avoid the holidays and special events. I try to go when all the kids are in school so I just have to deal with the really little ones.

 

[mom2rtk]

You should go during Free Dining, it is the best time to go. Just avoid the holidays and special events. I try to go when all the kids are in school so I just have to deal with the really little ones.

That's sort of hard to do if you have school age kids of your own.