New Al Lutz Article: A Billion Dollars Coming to DCA Plus More

[HydroGuy]

Al Lutz's latest article was published today on MiceAge here: www.miceage.com/allutz/al071707a.htm. Highlights include:

1. A billion dollars to improve DCA was approved by Disney management. Keep in mind that when DCA was opened in 2001, it had a budget of $1.4 billion, and half that was for the Grand Californian Hotel. This new expenditure will thus surpass the initial expense of DCA itself. Wow! Lot's of new things coming, and lots of disruption to operations are expected over the next five years.

Here is an excerpt:

While there promises to be plenty of construction walls in DCA's future, the good news is that the Burbank executives have fully realized that DCA can not continue in its current uninspiring and underperforming format. And a few weeks ago the Board of Directors put their money where their mouth is to the tune of a Billion. There are even some folks at WDI who are saying that if DCA gets everything the board just approved that DCA could rival DisneySea or Epcot as one of the best second-gates in the Disney empire. That sentiment may be hard to believe for anyone who has visited DCA in its current form, with the visual intrusions from outside the park, its dismal layout and its off-the-shelf rides. But that's just how excited people are in Glendale this summer. (Bold emphasis is mine)

2. YOMD adjustments

3. What's next At DL

4. Re-opening of Sleeping Beauty Castle walkthrough

5. New names for the DLH Towers

6. Lasseter continues his creative campaign at DLR

 

[MATTERHORN]

Thanks!! It sounds like some great changes!! I am just worried that the place I love to go to escape crowds will no longer be that place!!!

Andrea

 

[Albort]

wow, i just dont want to believe some stuff the article is saying about the new hires...

seriously... it is soo messed up. :\

 

[Doc Steel]

Thanks!! It sounds like some great changes!! I am just worried that the place I love to go to escape crowds will no longer be that place!!!

Andrea

Heck, with all of the money they're throwing at DCA, I wouldn't mind a bit if the crowd's doubled. I can't wait to see how it all turns out in the next 3-4 years.

 

[Tink33]

What a great birthday present for Disneyland and the resort.

 

[Saavy?]

Excerpt from article:
This is for "Judy from Boise."
"Tony spends lots of time at Disneyland, and he sees lots of areas that could be reinvigorated and brought back to life. The PeopleMover beam is an obvious choice, and new proposals drafted for it two years ago continue to gain momentum."

Judy has been the biggest advocate for a "phoenix" transition for the People Mover to rise from the ashes. Her dream may be around the corner.

Now to current events:
Albort... do you see the kind of "flaky" or "thuggish" type of staff members they are talking about? Is it true you have no random piss test? (I would think this would be a quality assurance standard for the resorts). Is the pay terrible, the hours, the bennies? What are the employee beefs?

It upsets me that quality staff members are not the standard. Sounds like they just want warm bodies to fill shift slots. I was under the assumption that during the interview process, they would weed-out the applicants who didn't "get" the magic or understand the importance of whatever service they would be providing. I'm dismayed to find out otherwise.

Albort... fill us in please.

 

[Albort]

Now to current events:
Albort... do you see the kind of "flaky" or "thuggish" type of staff members they are talking about? Is it true you have no random piss test? (I would think this would be a quality assurance standard for the resorts). Is the pay terrible, the hours, the bennies? What are the employee beefs?

It upsets me that quality staff members are not the standard. Sounds like they just want warm bodies to fill shift slots. I was under the assumption that during the interview process, they would weed-out the applicants who didn't "get" the magic or understand the importance of whatever service they would be providing. I'm dismayed to find out otherwise.

Albort... fill us in please.

uhhh, when i got hired in, i kinda expected a drug test but didnt get one... I think its probably because they check your criminal records(my records are CLEEEEEEEAN!)... though when i got hired in at Knotts, they told me to get a drug test asap.

As for the pay, the hour is quite long... im pulling 40+ hours a week which is pretty minimal than other CMs. Pay isnt bad nor it is good...

But, its the points Al Lutz was saying... a 1 month get out of points card. I already thought its messed up to offer $500 to the new hires who stay 3 months while the rest of the higher senority dont get to see ANY of that money. I been late ONCE for like 5 min, i still get the points... its kinda stupid and *fill in bad word here*

But the more people there, the lesser the hours we want. Not to mention, more flexiblity... A lot of the CMs were on 6 day(3 weeks) manditory work days during spring break. aka usually during midterms week. I ended up skipping one of my classes because i didnt get relieved quick enough.(suppose to be off at 4:30 ended up getting off work at 6:00, 6:00 class starts)

 

[HydroGuy]

As you are discussing, Al Lutz discussed labor issues at DLR as well as creative and management differences between DLR and WDW. I did not include those in my "highlights", and it was not because they are unimportant. It was more because they slanted towards the negative and I was trying to summarize the positive highlights.

In any case, Albort you know from my other posts that I support increased compensation and/or schedule flexibility for DLR CMs. I am always amazed that with the low pay (with respect to OC) and high requirements for overtime during peak times that the DLR CMs do such a great job.

 

[Albort]

As you are discussing, Al Lutz discussed labor issues at DLR as well as creative and management differences between DLR and WDW. I did not include those in my "highlights", and it was not because they are unimportant. It was more because they slanted towards the negative and I was trying to summarize the positive highlights.

In any case, Albort you know from my other posts that I support increased compensation and/or schedule flexibility for DLR CMs. I am always amazed that with the low pay (with respect to OC) and high requirements for overtime during peak times that the DLR CMs do such a great job.

heh, well in other sense, i wouldnt blame the new hires... i blame the trainers

Well, i do it for the guest interaction really. Its fun... ^_^

 

[DangerMouse]

Elated about the news of Aurora's Castle Walkthrough reopening!

 

[TheZue]

I wish they would just do the right thing and pay the CMs more so they stay longer. We go to Disneyland about every two years, and it's pretty exciting when you see a couple that have been there every trip. Hearing that it's just a standard minimum wage McJob kind of takes the magic out of it. I'd rather think "wouldn't it be cool to work here" while I wander the parks, than thinking that Disneyland is the crappy coming of age job that everyone has to have.

 

[blackjackdelta]

What I do not understand is how the CM's can afford to live in SoCal with low wages. I see what housing prices are and I choke. Not to mention the daily living stuff.

Jack

 

[HydroGuy]

What I do not understand is how the CM's can afford to live in SoCal with low wages. I see what housing prices are and I choke. Not to mention the daily living stuff.

Jack

As we used to say when I lived in SoCal, people get paid in "sunshine" dollars.

 

[Albort]

What I do not understand is how the CM's can afford to live in SoCal with low wages. I see what housing prices are and I choke. Not to mention the daily living stuff.

Jack

Its pretty manageable... i barely pass by on my monthly fees and i use holidays to work for my tuition/extra money just in case something needs to be paid that i cant make up.

 

[JadeDarkstar]

you know i have always thought that disney should have an apartment type complex for disney employies I thought how hard would it relly be.disney makes tons of proffit

 

[Albort]

you know i have always thought that disney should have an apartment type complex for disney employies I thought how hard would it relly be.disney makes tons of proffit

There is, but the only way to get it would be via College Program... live with other CMs.

 

[JadeDarkstar]

oh wow didnt know that..see learn something every day

 

[AJA55]

We took a tour at DL the first week of July and the tour guide said that the People Movers were coming back. I asked if it would be in the incarnation of the Rocket Rods. He answered that no it was to be “almost” the same as the People Movers. He also said big doings would soon be happening. This must be said big doings…..

 

[limace]

Great article-thanks so much, Hydroguy! Makes me excited, and it's great to see DL/DCA getting the attention they deserve.

 

[JadeDarkstar]

oh wow didnt know that..see learn something every day