Just Back...

[starstruck93]

I agree, and as a business the only way Disney will change its current policy of cutbacks is if it feels it stands to lose more by people staying away. Out of curiosity and to put all this in perspective, I found Disney's latest fiscal year reported November 12, 2009. Disney Parks and Resorts: 1.4 billion net profit and Disney Co. as a whole: 3.3 billion net profit. Now granted these numbers are down from previous years, but hardly the image of a company needing to skimp on decorations and raise prices just to keep the lights on.

Thank you! ITA! The voice of reasoning!

 

[aspen37]

So you think it is ok to cut things but raise prices?

I was thinking the same thing.

I love Disney, but lets be honest, Disney is not like most other businesses hit by the recession, Disney is making cutbacks to maintain its profit margin for shareholders. Disney is in no danger of losing money or going out of business as many other industries are. Maybe I'm being pessimistic, but I almost feel like Disney is jumping at the "opportunity" of the bad economy, knowing people will accept cuts because "times are tough", when, in reality, Disney is not struggling to stay afloat, but is simply unwilling to suffer lower profits. When we the consumers accept this, hoping things will come back, we simply reinforce the cut services=make more profit mentality.

Very well said!
I will be back in WDW in 3 days. I stayed at GF in December 2007 and will be staying there on Wednesday. Then I change to AKL. I will try and post if they have fixed the lights. I will be on my Blackberry so it might be hard to find this thread if it gets buried. I am also attending MVMCP. I hope MVMCP hasn't changed much. I am going two different nights 12/13 and 12/15.

 

[dburg30]

So you think it is ok to cut things but raise prices?

Well, prices will probably pretty much go up every year like they have been. As far as cutting things, well, right now, can you really blame them? They are a business, yes, it's an entertainment business, and if you don't think you are getting your money worth, you should do as you would with any other business, keep dealing with them, or find someone else to take care of your needs. If you still think you are getting a value, the best thing you can really do, IMO, is support that business in the down times as well as the up times..

 

[Brian_WDW74]

I've moved this thread to the Trip Reports board, where it's a much better fit.

 

[DOOM1001]

OK,I am totally a lover of ALL theme parks,amusement parks and water parks and I normally don't compare Disney and Universal as they offer different and unique rides and entertainment,however I will compare the Christmas atmosphere I experienced this past weekend at both parks.Between the loss of the Lights of Winter at EPCOT,the EPCOT tree lighting show which was removed last year and a big gap in the EPCOT tree where the lights were out EPCOT totally lacked Christmas atmosphere,they did have that gospel show but other than that nothing new or special and that archway of lights did make a big difference in the lack of Christmas feel.Magic Kingdom didn't have the tree up but I think that's due to the Christmas parade taping,but looking at the park overall they basically just had minimum amount of decorations that would pass for guests not to complain,Main Street did look pretty good but the rest of the park was totally lacking.Another thing was that Tianna's Showboat jubilee,good show, but seems like it should have been held in February and March for Mardi Gras,it's a new show but totally nothing to do with Christmas.Now let's switch over to Universal which I did visit Dec 5th the first day of the Macy's Holiday parade and the Manheim Steamroller concert,from the moment I stepped into the park it was all Christmas,decorations everywhere you looked,the Macy's parade was great and available for all day guests to the park,no extra admission as with the MVMCP.Then with the Manheim Steamroller concert playing all the Christmas tunes I don't think you can get a more Christmas experience.Now I know there are only 3 concerts for Christmas and if you show up on day that's not Saturday you won't be seeing a concert,but strictly on decorations Universal was as good or better that Disney and with the concert this past Saturday,Universal offered a better product.Now I did go back to Magic Kingdom that night after the concert as it was opened until 1 am and I had a great time but strictly comparing Christmas events that day,Universal won out.