Layoffs @ DFWs

[MegKate]

The discount was not meant to "offend" anyone, but if it did, so be it.

My planner was one of the ones to go and I feel nothing but sympathy....but please keep in mind that the employees of Disney are not the only ones who are being laid off, it is happening EVERYWHERE...and even to brides who are struggling to pay for their "dream" wedding themselves.

So honestly, a little help from from Disney is very much appreciated, considering they are offering discounts NOW as opposed to those who planned earlier.

Exactly. Couldn't have said it better myself.

 

[DISNEY*lover]

This saddens me. Luckily I got an email by Michelle Wenzler the 3rd so that means anyone who has her is safe. My heart goes out to the wedding planners who lost their jobs. My heart also goes out to the brides who lost their wedding planners. You ladies have my sympathy.

 

[OceanGdss]

I wasn't offended, just speaking my view on it too So no worries. I guess I just see it as they are making layoffs because they are losing money, so why does it make sense for us brides to ask for a discount and cause them to lose more money? I dunno. Anyways, I'm positive everyone's wedding will be absolutely STUNNING!!!!

 

[Tabetha]

Celeste was my planner also. I just received a call from DFTW no more than 30 minutes ago that Michelle Gilhooly is my new planner. It was completely freaky because I saw this thread about 20 minutes before I got the call and thought to myself, "I hope it's not me." Michelle sounds really nice and I'm sure everything will be great. We have less than 90 days til our wedding and I won't meet Michelle until that day also. But, for any of you who have Michelle, she's still around!

Best wishes to anyone who has been let go...

Michelle was our planner - you're in excellent hands. She's absolutely wonderful.

I'm sorry to hear that there have been layoffs - just goes to show you things are tough everywhere - even in the Happiest Place on Earth!

 

[Lynn5700]

This saddens me. Luckily I got an email by Michelle Wenzler the 3rd so that means anyone who has her is safe. My heart goes out to the wedding planners who lost their jobs. My heart also goes out to the brides who lost their wedding planners. You ladies have my sympathy.

Aww that's good to know. I had her when we were planning on having a Wishes wedding. She is so good.

 

[honey2741]

I'm very sorry to hear about the layoffs. When I read about layoffs of upper level management it didn't occur to me that DFTW would be affected. I have empathy for the brides who have lost their wedding planner. HOWEVER, I agree with Lurkyloo's earlier comment about finding out directly from the source.

I think it is a waste of time and energy to get flustered based off a message board (even though 90% of the time the info is correct )

If you have found out directly from DFTW by them contacting you directly or you having to call....take a step back and see what you can do to resolve the issue. It's not going to do you any good to cause undue stress on yourself or the new planner. You are entitled to your feelings. Nevertheless, the individuals who have lost their job are in a worst situation. At least those who are still having their wedding at DFTW are blessed enough to do so. The Planners have a NEW TON of worries to think about.

Layoffs affect more than just the individual let go....children, families etc. And obviously the client who the Planner was working with. My prayers go out to the Cast Members let go. In any event, no matter who you get as your Planner, you will be taken care of. I suggest to communicate the details very important to you.

As far as the "get a discount" comment, I'm quite shocked at the level of response. Wow! That's all I can say. Really? It's not that serious. I'm trying to understand the "uproar" over it??

Getting a discount from Disney is rare indeed. I think the transition period could have been handled a little better. Just my 2 cents.

 

[tommymomo]

I dont get the out rage on the discount statement. While I understand that disney is laying off due to the amount of money that is being taken in. I dont want to sound heartless, and I feel for anyone who has been laid off, but why shouldnt brides who have had their planners let go ask for something for the added stress that they now have to incure. For anyone to get offended by that statement, why does it matter to you? It doesnt mean that you do not feel bad for the person who lost their job.
If this was a normal wedding you would be paying the planner seperatly, (not through disney) and if they quit 2 months before your wedding would you still pay them in full??

Now I agree if you are 5 months out or more, then no you shouldnt ask for anything, but when people are 2 months out, or as I read 25 days out, and you have to hear about a change through a board than yes i think you deserve something for the added stress, on a case by case basis. Doesnt have to be a discount per say, maybe they waive a min on something to help out instead(rooms, or amounts you need for certain venues).
That is my take. I am sure I rubbed somene the wrong way, and I am sorry for that, but I feel that people too preachy sometimes (myself included)

good luck everyone that have to get new planners, and for those that lost jobs, my deepest condolences.

 

[Bride-to-be]

I completely agree. I feel bad for people losing their jobs - but at the same time brides are making a MASSIVE investment with these people. How would you feel if you were paying thousands of dollars for an operation - you got to the table and found they switched doctors on you..?

I don't think people who are really far out in the planning process, although its a pain deserve a ton - but the people who's weddings are right around the corner do deserve a lot. I don't think its up to us to decide what they get and I don't think it has to be a discount - but they do need to get something to make up for it.

Just think about how stressful weddings are to begin with. Then think about how much added stress this is causing the brides who are affected. Think about how many nights between now and their weddings they are going to be up ALL night worrying and super stressed out. As much as its not fair for people to lose their jobs. Is that fair to the brides? They need to be compensated in some way. Customer service wise it's a must - and I am sure DFTW knows it. If they don't - they need to be retrained.

 

[irisbud]

I feel terrible for anyone who lost their job in the last round of layoffs. It sounds like some of the most sought after planners in the department may have been let go.

I don't see where this should lead to a discount, however. You are contracted with DFTW, not with an individual planner.

I do think they could have handled the contact better, however.

 

[receptionist]

Does anyone know if Diane Bowen is still there?

 

[B714210]

My daughter sent her addresses in for her save the dates. We didn't hear anything. Then, in my junk file I notice an email that was returned as a non-valid address. She called today and was told her planner no longer works there. Anyway, she had only talked with her once, but it IS very frustrating that we had to call Disney to find out, no one had yet called her. I would hope that someone would be calling brides by now. I am so sorry for everyone who lost their job, but I expected a bit better service from Disney. Her new planner is going to be out of the office for the week, she was told, so hopefully they will still get going on the save the dates and planning session. to everyone in the DFTW department!

 

[Desnik]

Wow this is so sad. I am so sorry to hear about the planners who have been let go. I am also sorry to those brides who have to get a new planner when their wedding is a few months or weeks away!

I have Michelle Wenzler as my planner and it looks like she hasn't been affected by the layoffs. I am so grateful because she has been great to work with so far.

 

[Racey]

whos to say these layoff's werent voluntary?? Perhaps Celeste and the others who have gone took up the offer of a good payout ... lets face it, alot of people get fed up of there day to day jobs no matter how happy they are making your customers?

If they were compulsory then I truly feel sorry for them, and if they were voluntary then they must be happy with their decision and probably happy at home or in their new job already. its sad to lose a job you love.... i should know as I was told i'm being made redundant last week.

As for "dont worry until you hear it from DFTW" post - to be honest one of the reason I come on this board is to find out bits and bobs including any news which one bride passes on to the other, so i tend to disagree with lurkyloo's comments regarding this. I for one wouldnt sit back and wait for a phone call, and it doesnt matter how many times you say "dont worry", you will worry about what your going to get dealt with. Id be worried no matter how many times someone told me the new planner was fully competant, because in the back of my mind i'd be thinking "are they going to read the file, are they going to remember this and that. hope that the past planner wrote that down etc"

So as a suggestion, if i were a bride, i'd be getting a list together of everything i'd decided on and just send it through .... it will make you sleep better and worry a little less. If they have it all on file then they can confirm that and you will feel less stressed aboutthe whole thing.

 

[lurkyloo]

The layoffs were not voluntary. In Florida, 900 Disney employees lost their jobs.

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/orl-asecdizlayoffs04040409apr04,0,3965670.story

 

[Angrypenguin]

Yikes! We just had our wedding last week, and everyone seemed to be fairly happy. Although I suppose they wouldn't let us know what was going on, anyway. Carol and her staff were superb, I hope they made it through okay.

 

[mickeymom923]

I was going to call Carol today about my upcoming wedding on DCL 5/22/09 when I received a phone call from a very nice and pleasant person who is now my coordinator. She told me Carol isn't there anymore and she's taking over for her. Her name is Brie. I didn't even realize about the layoffs until I read this thread. Brie answered my questions and said she'd get back to me by the end of the week with some issues that I was discussing with Carol. Apparently, Carol left really good notes and Brie sounded like she had it together. I'm sorry to see Carol go and wish her lots of luck in the future. I look forward to working with Brie. I have confidence in Disney and Brie and looking forward to my "WONDERful" wedding.

Bev

 

[Angrypenguin]

Hey Mickeymom, so Carol Mikles is no longer there?

 

[eartotheground]

Actually Lurkyloo WDW offered packages first to long term CMs before proceeding with the layoffs.

 

[mickeymom923]

Hi AngryPenguin,

I really didn't know Carol's last name. I have Brie and I don't know her last name either.

Bev

 

[lurkyloo]

I was going to call Carol today about my upcoming wedding on DCL 5/22/09 when I received a phone call from a very nice and pleasant person who is now my coordinator.

Hey Mickeymom, so Carol Mikles is no longer there?

The woman who worked on DCL weddings was Cathy, not Carol.

Actually Lurkyloo WDW offered packages first to long term CMs before proceeding with the layoffs.

Oh good - well then hopefully all of them got great packages and all of us can go back to demanding our discounts!