Pete's rants for 8/05/09

[soupy11]

I have a small concern with comments that state an HR person is not qualified for this or that.....huh? CEO's and managers come from all walks of life...they are salespeople, tradesmen, engineers, accountants, analysts, motivators, and sure enough, HR folks. Pete's opinion on that is not the "truth", as it is simply an opinion. Now, this HR person seems to be making bad decisions in this economy, but that doesn't mean someone in the HR profession cannot run a business.

By the way, Meg holds a degree in marketing and an MBA from Florida State.

*the only part of the rant that kind of bummed me out was the attack on this person's profession....the rest was pretty accurate and warranted.

 

[tlcoke]

In regards to the Dining Plan, I used it on my last trip and I am using it on my up coming trip in October. It is keeping me on property to eat my meals, that I would otherwise go off property to eat.

Could I save money eating off Property - Yes,
Would that be convenient - No.

The only thing that has enticed me to buy the Dining Plan is that the Discounts that I have been able to get on my Resort Packages thanks in part to my Discovery of the DISboards last year, these discount have paid for the Meal plan and other aspects of my trip. As a solo traveler, Free Dining is not a good deal - so I don't go for that so called discount, and if that was my only option, I would decline purchasing the dining plan.

If for my upcoming 10/night stay If I paid Rack Rate for my room with No Discounts my cost would be:

Room Rate: $1913.00 at POFQ
8 day MYW Ticket w/PH & WPM = $353.18
Dining Plan - DDP: $419.20
Total = $2986.08

My discounted Package Rate that includes everything above (thanks in part for the DIS to know what a Disney Pin Code is) for this package is $1900.00 a savings of $1086.00. Which pays for the cost of the dining plan, my rental car, and my RT airfare to Orlando.

If I went with the current Free Dining Promotion my cost would be $2566.88


Will I buy the Dining Plan next year, with the price changes, Right Now I don't know, it will depend on what "Deal" I can get from Disney on my room rate. If the discount I get, pays for the cost of the Meal Plan, I will probably buy it as in my scenario above, otherwise I will spend my money elsewhere.

 

[mainegal]

I can't believe that I have read this whole thread about Pete's rant and I haven't even listened to the podcast yet! I am saving it as a treat to listen to during my morning walks.

 

[zulemara]

Ok fine, I'll elaborate

It used to be that the people who ran Disney understand what it meant to BE Disney. They don't anymore. They take people who have no idea what good show is or what their guests want and put them in charge. Anyone who bucks the trend and wants to do it the true Disney way gets shown the door.

The problem with WDW is that Disney is arrogant and knows if people don't come, there are millions more who have never been here and will come not knowing the past. At DL that doesn't work because the locals are so involved.

IMO, Meg Crofton and Jay Rusulo deserve to be shown the door and Iger needs someone next to him who KNOWS what is going on at the parks to properly advise him.

 

[SpaceMonkey]

Since the ddp is going up in price, I think Pete and the gang should follow suit and up the number of podcasts per week..! Who's with me!!!

 

[TheTXTaylors5]

With the latest price increase of Tables in Wonderland from $60 to $75 on March 1st - you may be right.

We normally purchase Disney Dining Experience (now Tables in Wonderland) when renewing our Annual Passes. However, this year we decided NOT to purchase it due to the price increase. With our AP or DVC discount, we can get dining discounts for FREE without the added expense of the TIW card. Our little revenge of "sticking it to the man".

I totally understood where Pete was coming from in his rant. What I got from the rant was his main problem with the price increase on the DDP was how SNEAKY they added the price increase on the DDP to the peak seasons. In this day and age, any price increase is a slap in the consumers' face in my opinion. It would have been great PR for Disney to LOWER their tickets prices, even by a dollar or keep the prices the same. We paid MORE for our family of five Annual Passes than I paid for my first car. Someone up in Management is in la la land and not looking at the reality of today's consumer. Normally, we visit WDW 3 to 4 times a year. Next year, we have one trip planned to DLR and one trip planned to WDW. That's it. Next year will be a very sad sad year for Disney and their profits if they keep up the current business plan. Just because they're Disney, doesn't mean we have to spend our money there. In the past we wanted to spend our money there. But, those times are changing ...

Jennifer

 

[TheTXTaylors5]

I can't believe that I have read this whole thread about Pete's rant and I haven't even listened to the podcast yet! I am saving it as a treat to listen to during my morning walks.

Have you listened to the Podcast? What did you think?

Jennifer

 

[DaParkers]

I have no problem with the subject of Pete's rants. However, you can disagree with Meg Crofton's executive decisions all you want, but don't resort to name calling and personal attacks. The "cleaning woman" comments were in poor taste.

ITA! Pete, that was uncalled for. It was insensitive to the "Cleaning" women and men that listen to your show, visit your boards, and give Dreams Unlimited Travel their business. I have never been a "cleaning" person, but I would never demean the profession. It's an honest living and there are many people that do all kinds of jobs while in school. Your doctor could've been a "cleaning" person at some point in his/her life. Other than that, Great Show!

 

[scoot241]

I've only listened to a couple of shows so far, but I have to 100% agree with what was said about the dining increase. I can understand an adjustment for inflation, however the base adjustment is much more than an adjustment for inflation. The peak surcharge is what really gets to me though; if my daughter were older and not in preschool, there would be no way we would be taking her out of school to go to WDW.

The recent increases in both the tickets and the dining are, in my opinion, counterproductive. In an economy where people are hurting, the best thing that Disney could have done was to say "We know that everyone is feeling the pinch; in light of that, we're going to keep our prices flat this year." This would have gotten the exact opposite reaction we're seeing today and created some good press for Disney.

 

[soupy11]

Ok fine, I'll elaborate

It used to be that the people who ran Disney understand what it meant to BE Disney. They don't anymore. They take people who have no idea what good show is or what their guests want and put them in charge. Anyone who bucks the trend and wants to do it the true Disney way gets shown the door.

The problem with WDW is that Disney is arrogant and knows if people don't come, there are millions more who have never been here and will come not knowing the past. At DL that doesn't work because the locals are so involved.

IMO, Meg Crofton and Jay Rusulo deserve to be shown the door and Iger needs someone next to him who KNOWS what is going on at the parks to properly advise him.

I just don't see it. Disney still provides a one of a kind experience for a very reasonable dollar amount. Meg has 27 years with the company so she obviously has a lot of experience in the company. This arrogance you speak of just does not compute for me. Does Disney concern itself with profit? Sure do, but they are a publicly traded company with shares to think of. Do they not also have some of the best customer experiences around? I think they do, or else I wouldn't be spending money there.

Now, I don't know Meg Crofton or Jay Rusulo other than from reading about them here and there, but they both have trust placed on them by people that call the shots...if the customer experience suffers, you can bet they will be held accountable. Wether they have to be shown the door or not, really isn't a decision that you or I can make, however, I still think it is a bit much to personally attack her and run her down. The cleaning lady comments were an attack, and made me cringe a bit. I just don't even understand it, I guess.

I realize this post won't make me any friends here, but if the podcast crew does want honest feedback, I figure I may as well be open.

 

[TheTXTaylors5]

To get change, sometimes you have to go to the top. In case some of you want to contact Walt Disney World directly to express your displeasure ...

Email:
meg.crofton@disney.com

Mailing Address:
Meg Crofton
President
The Walt Disney World Resort
PO Box 10040
Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830

or even Mr. Iger himself ...

Email:
Robert.A.Iger@email.disney.com

Mailing Address:
Mr. Robert Iger
Chief Executive Officer
The Walt Disney Company
500 South Buena Vista Street
Burbank, CA 91521-4873

Jennifer

 

[FireDancer]

I have to disagree a bit here. With the exception of many counter service areas, I feel that the food at Disney is quite good. I'm speaking specifically of restaurants like Narcoossee's, California Grill, Jiko, etc. I would never in my wildest dreams call them mediocre and I find them all unique. There isn't a place here at home that has something similar.

I did over generalize a bit. I agree that there are some great restaurants at Disney but there are also a lot of mediocre ones. Boma is my favorite restaurant there and I love it but have had better African food here locally that was a 10th of the price. I suck it up and pay more because I do love the food and love the atmosphere of being in the AK Lodge.

To go back to the premium for busy times, offering a discount on Tuesday is logially the exact same as paying a premium on Saturday. The only difference is the perceived baseline. In the first example the baseline is the Saturday price and the Tuesday price is lower. In the second the Tuesday price is the baseline and the Saturday price is lower. The mistake Disney is making is calling the peak pricing a premium. What they should be doing is price the dinning plan at the premium price and then call the non-premium price a discount. Both would have the same net effect but would be perceived differently.

As far as the other turn this thread has taken I have to disagree that the crew is wrong in their calling Disney out. I pretty much always agree with them (this is a pretty rare exception) but don't want them to hold their opinions because I may not agree. That is possibly the least American thing I have ever heard. They put out a great show every week and I enjoy listening to it. Yes, if you are new and the first show you hear is a rant show you might not get a 100% accurate impression of the show but that is why you listen to a few shows before forming an informed impression. There are a lot of pixie dust and magic filled shows out there and some of them are also very good. If that is all you want check them out. I would rather hear the dirty truth and then still enjoy my trips to my favorite (ok, favorite in this country) vacation destinations. Don't let my and Kevin's back and forth make anyone think I don't love the show and appreciate their opinions, they are good people who put out many good products that I enjoy whenever I can.

 

[mainegal]

Oh, my! I just listened to the show. Classic Pete rant.

I don't know enough about the whole business situation at WDW or of the Disney company to agree or disagree. I'd better read my Disney annual report more carefully! But I do like hearing Pete's take on it.

I know about "puppet" in business. I didn't understand the "cleaning woman" reference at all. As stated above, I think he is demeaning cleaning women and men. Was Meg ever a mousekeeper?

Keep the shows coming!

 

[tlcoke]

Was Meg ever a mousekeeper?

No she was Human Resources, in the term of "cleaning lady" he meant she controlled hiring and firing of people.

 

[mainegal]

No she was Human Resources, in the term of "cleaning lady" he meant she controlled hiring and firing of people.

Oh, thank you!
Now I get it! Cleaning people out! I have learned a new business term.
I almost became a cleaning lady! I was considering a second master's in human resources. I could have been in charge of Walt Disney World! (Not!)

 

[kbelle8995]

Here's the thing. Disney raises prices every year and will continue to do so. So we will get to a point where you will have to spend more than $100 per day per person. Where is your plateau? Because they are pricing more and more people out. Eventually they will price you out too. When does it stop being reasonable?

I think the Company doing it at this time is a public relations mistakes. Other parks are finding ways to make a trip to their park more affordable. Except Disney

 

[DaParkers]

No she was Human Resources, in the term of "cleaning lady" he meant she controlled hiring and firing of people.

No, that is NOT what he meant. He meant that they just picked anyone who would be a corporate puppet. He meant that she is not qualified. It was meant as an insult, not a term for a HR person.

 

[Cherinva]

Wow, this has been such an interesting bunch of postings. While I don't always agree with what is said on the poscast, I respect the honesty that they speak. I don't want to have information that is given through "rose colored glasses" I want the truth, and this is what we get from Pete and the gang. Being that I am going on Pod Cast Cruise 2.0, I do plan on going down to Disney a couple of days early and enjoy the MK. With Pete's rant (which I loved) , I then went on my own, and did some research into the dining plan. I've used it before and liked it. But, the issue now is, will it be financially sound for me to use it this time. No, I don't like the price increases. No, I don't think this is the time to raise prices, however it's been done and I have a choice to make that works for me. After running the numbers, I found that where we want to eat on this next trip, the dining plan will be of value to us...overall, it will save us 10.00 a day over paying outright. That works. Had the numbers went the other way, I would have chosen to do something different. I would like to Thank Pete for his honesty, because of this, I did run the numbers instead of just blindly paying for the dining plan. The DIS is wonderful, keep up the Great work.

 

[trivial]

I'm really late in adding my voice here, but I also wanted to thank Pete for his commitment to integrity and truth, regardless of the potential negative impact on Dreams. I think Disney's behavior recently (raising prices, removing chair backs, charging extra for seats at events) is absolutely outrageous, and I'm thankful that someone out there with a big microphone is shaming Disney for it. You won't hear that on the other Disney podcasts, as much as I enjoy them.

So thank you, Pete, and everyone else involved with the podcast, for advocating for all of us.

 

[jramals]

I think it's the perception that Disney is out of touch with what is happening in the rest of the world. DH has gotten an extra two weeks of "unpaid vacation" on top of a pay cut. Our pay was frozen at our company and we both work for companies that are doing well in this economic downturn.

In our area, Disney was already thought of as an expensive vacation. This just makes it seem more so. The average family saves for three years to go on a Disney vacation. That's quite a commitment to a vacation. I know that this is making me rethink our next years vacation. I know that we can take two week long vacations with our camper for less than one week at Disney World. That seems to be a better use of our family vacation dollars. Families are really looking at how far their dollar can stretch. Is Disney really a good deal? Do I want to spend my vacation time and dollar there? Yes and no - we will but will probably not go back for a few years.

Personally, our family has not used the dining plan. When I ran the numbers before, it just didn't make financial sense for our family. Now with the increase, there isn't any reason to run the numbers. Disney can raise the price for the dining plan during peak times- I get supply and demand. However, they may find that less people are eating at table service. Our family mainly eats breakfast in the room and took in sandwiches. More for convenience than anything. We stayed at SSR so we had a grill and ate next to the pool. The kids loved it. They got to play in the pool and then we ate quickly and were back to the parks.