Pixie Dust????

[Jopar]

I have been a frequent visitor to WDW since I was a teen. My first visit was in 1964. I have been there at least 70 to 75 times There have been many changes in the manner is which guests are treated. Lately the hotels, on property have been very poor when it comes to housekeeping, and treating guests as guests.

Many of the CM's in the hotels are also not what they once were.
This change in the CM's could be attributed to how they have been treated in the past several years. Their being treated badly shows in their attitude toward guests.

The newest president of Disney, Robert Iger, was a lieutenent to Eisner and would think nothing of telling tales to Eisner about other executives be they the truth or not. This could be expected since he was interested in becoming President of Disney.

In fact he has been portrayed as having lack of character, incompetence, taking credit for things he had nothing to do with and denying that he made decisions that were poor.
Since he has become president the changes have been frequent
and especially the cost of going there, tickets, room rates, surcharges on food etc.

There is a hard cover non fiction book I recently found at my local library entitled

DISNEY WAR written by James B. Stewart.

This is a book that should be read by all Disney fans. It will give you a great insight as to why Disney has become so expensive and is no longer
"The Happiest Place On Earth".

I still love Disney and will continue to visit WDW since I still am a fan. However Disney is not the Disney we grew up with, it is now a total money making corporation who is interested more in the bottomline than their guests.

Who knows maybe one day they will realize that they need to come down a notch and go back to the days when Disney was "The Happiest Place On Earth".

 

[DJ Disney Kid]

CM attitudes are subjective. What one perceives as not being up to standard can be more than expected by another.

This post looks like its just trying to stir up trouble and should be locked. You didn't mention anything about you having a personal problem on a recent trip or anything. Just "Disneys bad, read this book for proof." Just because something is written down doesn't make it truth.

 

[DisneyMusician2]

I don't know where this idea of Disney as a benevolent corporation started, but the histroy books disagree even when Walt was in charge.

People and the press ahd complaints about the parks from the first day Disneyland opened, and Walt used to have to personally do quality control in the parks.

This is nothing new. WDW is still a place where the help is better than in 99% of places I have been to. And I always leave with a smile.

Is it perfect? Certainly not. But there is always a small part that even if it was better, would look back on the old times with nostalgia.

 

[Jopar]

To Disney musiician and Disney Kid Please read my post again. No where did I say Disney was Bad or Disney was a benevolent

 

[Crisgw]

Disney is a business. It's not here to just make us all happy and "break even". It's a business, a business to make money. A business I'm willing to pay a lot of money to to see my children as happy as I was when I was a kid and went

 

[Jopar]

To Disney musiician2 and Disney Kid Please read my post again. No where did I say Disney was Bad or Disney was a benevolent corporation.
I have an opinion and by the way the book is well documented and not written off the cuff.
Are you both that brainwashed that you cannot hear anyone's comments.
That will be the end of my comments to both of you. Enjoy your day.

 

[DisneyMusician2]

To Disney musiician2 and Disney Kid Please read my post again. No where did I say Disney was Bad or Disney was a benevolent corporation.
I have an opinion and by the way the book is well documented and not written off the cuff.
Are you both that brainwashed that you cannot hear anyone's comments.
That will be the end of my comments to both of you. Enjoy your day.

I hear your comments, but I don't believe that Disney is as "down" as people make it out to be as a frequent visitor.

And I have read the book. Several times. And take all research with a grain of salt.

I don't believe Iger is incompetent or having poor character. I simply think he is in corporate America and plays the game well. His work has not been horrendous, and many of the "problems" are not his.

Disney still is the "Happiest Place on Earth", and the company is simply making the money it needs to survive, improve, and compete.

Believe it or not (and take it from someone with a family earmarked TA), Disney is still one of if not the most affordable family vacations you can take in a "resort" setting.

 

[tiger4me2]

I assume Jopar you mean DisneyLand not Disney World? Disney World didn't open until 1971 see below

1955
June
Disney releases the animated feature film Lady and the Tramp.
July
Disneyland opens in Anaheim, California.
October
The ABC TV network begins airing Disney's second television show, The Mickey Mouse Club.
1959
January
Disney releases the animated feature film Sleeping Beauty.
June
Additions to Disneyland include the Monorail, Matterhorn Bobsleds, Submarine Voyage, and a second Autopia.
1961
January
Disney releases the animated feature film One Hundred and One Dalmations.
September
Disney's weekly television show moved to the NBC TV network, with the new title Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color. A new character, Ludwig von Drake, is introduced.
1963
June
The Enchanted Tiki Room attraction opens in Disneyland. This is the first attraction with sophisticated Audio-Animatronics figures.
1964
April
The New York World's Fair includes four attractions built by Disney: Magic Skyway, Progressland, Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln, and It's a Small World.
August
Disney releases the live-action and animated feature film Mary Poppins. The film is nominated for thirteen Academy Awards, winning five.
1966
February
Disney releases the animated film Winnie the Pooh and the Honey Tree.
December
Walt Disney dies of lung cancer. His brother Roy becomes new chairman of the company.
1967
July
In Disneyland, the Tomorrowland area is updated with new attractions, including: Carousel of Progress, PeopleMover, Rocket Jets, and Adventure Through Inner Space.
1970
December
Disney releases the animated feature film The Aristocats.
1971
June
Disneyland welcomes its 100-millionth guest.
October
Walt Disney World opens in Orlando, Florida. The Magic Kingdom, similar to Disneyland, is the first park to open.
December
Roy Oliver Disney dies of a stroke. Don Tatum becomes new chairman of the company.
1973
November
Disney releases the animated feature film Robin Hood.
1975
January
The Space Mountain enclosed roller coaster attraction opens in Walt Disney World.
1979
September
The Big Thunder Mountain Railroad attraction opens in Disneyland.
October
Walt Disney World welcomes its 100-millionth guest.
1980
June
Card Walker becomes new chairman of Walt Disney Productions.
1981
January
Disneyland welcomes its 200-millionth guest.
July
Disney releases the animated feature film The Fox and the Hound.
1982
October
EPCOT Center opens at Walt Disney World, with pavilions representing eight countries.
1983
April
Tokyo Disneyland opens, in Japan.
The Disney Channel, a cable-television network, begins broadcasting.
May
Raymond Watson replaces Card Walker as chairman of Walt Disney Productions.
October
Disney releases the animated film Mickey's Christmas Carol, with the first appearance of Mickey Mouse on film since 1953.
1984
March
Touchstone Pictures releases its first film, Splash.
Roy Edward Disney resigns from the board of directors, and begins work on changing Disney's executives.
Saul Steinberg attempts a takeover of Disney, acquiring about 12% of outstanding stock, before being bought out by Disney for US$325 million.
September
Disney's board of directors vote unanimously for Michael Eisner as chairman and chief executive officer, and Frank Wells as president and chief operating officer. Roy Edward Disney becomes head of the animation division.
1985
(month unknown)
Walt Disney World welcomes its 200-millionth guest.
1986
September
The 3-D film Captain EO, starring Michael Jackson, opens in the Magic Eye Theater in EPCOT Center.
1987
November
Touchstone Pictures releases the film Three Men and a Baby, which becomes Disney's first film to earn over US$100 million.
1988
June
Touchstone Pictures releases the live-action and animated feature film Who Framed Roger Rabbit. The film cost over US$80 million to make and market. Donald Duck and Daffy Duck meet on-screen for the first time. The film receives four Academy Awards.
(month unknown)
Disney releases the film Cinderella on videocassette, selling 6 million copies for US$100 million.
December
Disney becomes Hollywood's top money-making film studio for the first time in its history.
1989
May
The Disney-MGM Studios Theme Park opens in Walt Disney World.
July
The Splash Mountain log ride attraction opens in Disneyland, with 105 Audio-Animatronic characters based on the 1946 film Song of the South.
September
Disneyland welcomes its 300-millionth guest.
November
Disney releases the animated feature film The Little Mermaid.
1991
May
Tokyo Disneyland welcomes its 100-millionth guest.
November
Disney releases the film Fantasia on video cassette. Over 14 million copies are sold, making it the biggest selling video to date.
Disney releases the animated feature film Beauty and the Beast. The film is nominated for a Best Picture Academy Award, the first for an animated film.
1992
April
The Euro Disney Resort, featuring the Euro Disneyland park, opens in Marne-la-Vallée, France.
November
Disney releases the animated feature film Aladdin.
1994
June
Disney releases the animated feature film The Lion King to theaters.
July
The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror attraction opens at Disney-MGM Studios.
1995
April
Disney releases the animated feature film A Goofy Movie to theaters in the USA.
July
Disney buys the ABC TV network for US$19 billion.
October
Walt Disney World welcomes its 500-millionth guest.
November
Disney releases the Pixar computer-animated feature film Toy Story.
1996
(month unknown)
Disney's Celebration city in Florida opens.
1998
April
Disney's Animal Kingdom opens in Walt Disney World.
June
Disney releases the animated feature film Mulan to theaters in the USA.
July
Disney launches its first cruise ship, the Disney Magic.
November
Disney releases the Pixar computer-animated feature film A Bug's Life to theaters in the USA.
1999
June
Disney releases the animated feature film Tarzan to theaters in the USA.
November
Disney releases the Pixar computer-animated feature film Toy Story 2 to theaters in the USA.
December
Disney releases the animated feature film Fantasia/2000.
2000
December
Disney releases the film The Emperor's New Groove to theaters in the USA.
2001
January
Downtown Disney opens in the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California.
February
Disney's California Adventure theme park opens, next to Disneyland.
June
Disney releases the animated feature film Atlantis: The Lost Empire to theaters in the USA.
September
In Japan, Tokyo DisneySea opens, featuring seven themed areas with 23 attractions.
November
Disney releases the Pixar computer-animated feature film Monsters, Inc. to theaters in the USA.
2002
March
The Walt Disney Studios Park theme park opens next to Disneyland Paris in France.
June
The Disney Channel debuts the animated Kim Possible TV show.
Disney releases the animated feature film Lilo & Stitch to theaters in the USA.
November
Disney releases the animated feature film Treasure Planet to theaters in the USA.
2003
March
Disney releases the animated feature film Piglet's Big Movie to theaters in the USA.
May
Disney releases the Disney-Pixar computer-animated feature film Finding Nemo to theaters in the USA.
July
Disney releases the live-action feature film Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl to theaters in the USA.
August
Disney releases the live-action feature film Freaky Friday to theaters in the USA.
October
Disney releases the animated feature film Brother Bear to theaters in the USA.
2004
April
Disney releases the animated feature film Home on the Range to theaters in the USA.
November
Disney releases the Disney-Pixar computer-animated feature film The Incredibles to theaters in the USA.
2005
June
Disney releases the live-action feature film Herbie: Fully Loaded to theaters in the USA.
July
Disneyland celebrates its 50th anniversary, with a re-dedication ceremony.
September
Hong Kong Disneyland opens.
Michael Eisner resigns as CEO of the Walt Disney Company; Robert Iger becomes new CEO.
November
Disney releases the computer-animated feature film Chicken Little to theaters in the USA.
2006
March
Disney releases the live-action feature film The Shaggy Dog to theaters in the USA.
April
Disney releases the computer-animated feature film The Wild in theaters.
June
Disney releases the Disney-Pixar computer-animated feature film Cars to theaters in the USA.


Sources:


Polsson, K.R. 2008. Chronology of the Walt Disney Company. http://www.islandnet.com/~kpolsson/disnehis/

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

[Tink888]

Personally I have not noticed a difference in the cleanliness of my resort rooms at Disney, I have always been very happy with them. On recent trips some (though certainly not all) of the housekeeping staff seems a little less friendly than they used to be. Maybe it is due to outsourcing - maybe someone is just having a bad day.

I think part of the reason Disney may seem a little less magical to some people is because the "little extras" CMs do to make your trip more special are now common knowledge because of information sharing among guests and now many people have come to EXPECT the little extras and become dissappointed and complain when they don't receive them.

Do I sometimes see the "corporate" side of Disney? Yes. But they are a corporation that is in the business of making money along with magic. Disney reacts to consumer demand which at the moment, seems to be pretty high. Personally, Disney is one of my favorite places to be and I have fantastic vacations there. The magic is still there, escpecially when you look for it and try to make some of your own rather than just expecting it. I do see a change from days gone by but Disney is still a magical place to me.

 

[Jopar]

Correct, Tigerforme2, I did mean Disneyland. My first visit to WDW was in November 1971. My latest visits were in January for the Marathon and again this year in April. Will be going back in June.

 

[GrammyJudy]

I have been a frequent visitor to WDW since I was a teen. My first visit was in 1964. I have been there at least 70 to 75 times There have been many changes in the manner is which guests are treated. Lately the hotels, on property have been very poor when it comes to housekeeping, and treating guests as guests.

Many of the CM's in the hotels are also not what they once were.
This change in the CM's could be attributed to how they have been treated in the past several years. Their being treated badly shows in their attitude toward guests.

The newest president of Disney, Robert Iger, was a lieutenent to Eisner and would think nothing of telling tales to Eisner about other executives be they the truth or not. This could be expected since he was interested in becoming President of Disney.

In fact he has been portrayed as having lack of character, incompetence, taking credit for things he had nothing to do with and denying that he made decisions that were poor.
Since he has become president the changes have been frequent
and especially the cost of going there, tickets, room rates, surcharges on food etc.

There is a hard cover non fiction book I recently found at my local library entitled

DISNEY WAR written by James B. Stewart.

This is a book that should be read by all Disney fans. It will give you a great insight as to why Disney has become so expensive and is no longer
"The Happiest Place On Earth".

I still love Disney and will continue to visit WDW since I still am a fan. However Disney is not the Disney we grew up with, it is now a total money making corporation who is interested more in the bottomline than their guests.

Who knows maybe one day they will realize that they need to come down a notch and go back to the days when Disney was "The Happiest Place On Earth".

WDW opened in 1971! Where were you in 1964

 

[polineedyan]

"Will be going back in June"..
see, it aint so bad!?

 

[disney-inspired]

I've read numerous books on this matter and it was in fact Eisner who started dragging Disney's name through the mud. Under his management, Disney started supporting unscrupulous ventures.

Everything I have read and studied shows that Iger is actually putting the family back into Disney.

 

[tiger4me2]

Correct, Tigerforme2, I did mean Disneyland. My first visit to WDW was in November 1971. My latest visits were in January for the Marathon and again this year in April. Will be going back in June.

No worries that what I thought

 

[Jopar]

I guess I need to apologize for having an opinion on The Disney Company!

As I have said previously I have been and still am a big fan. I enjoy my visits to WDW as do my family.

As a stockholder who attended many shareholder meetings I find that it isn't as rosy as some think it is.

The Eisner years were fine in the beginning and then became a disaster.

Has the day come when we are not alowed to give opinions? I hope not.

 

[pixiewings71]

LOL have you ever been to 6 Flags?? If not please go and then let's talk about how "bad" Disney is.

Thanks for the book suggestion, I try to stay away from stuff like that though, it's too subjective for me and I never really know what the truth is. Enjoy your next trip! I know I will!!

 

[jencav5]

LOL have you ever been to 6 Flags?? If not please go and then let's talk about how "bad" Disney is.

Thanks for the book suggestion, I try to stay away from stuff like that though, it's too subjective for me and I never really know what the truth is. Enjoy your next trip! I know I will!!

As I was reading this thread I was thinking the same thing! We were just at 6 Flags Discovery Kingdom on Saturday and it's no Disneyland! I can't believe how dirty the bathrooms were!

 

[bumbershoot]

I guess I need to apologize for having an opinion on The Disney Company!

Has the day come when we are not alowed to give opinions? I hope not.

It's just so strange when people make a post randomly with opinions like that. It would be one thing to start it off "I was planning our next trip and got to thinking, I visited the library/bookstore and found this, it was interesting" blah blah blah. But when people just post like that it's weird. I'm sure I'm way off but it makes me think things like "is this the author of that book?" and then it's hard to just get into a discussion about things.

If you would like to get a really cynical view (the one I carried through my 20s), find Hiassen's book (Hiaasen?) called something like The Mouse That Roared. Now THAT will make you think long and hard about Disney!


OK gotta go finish my email to Haagen Dasz asking if they have corn syrup products in their store ice creams, b/c we plan to visit there during our Disneyland trip in a few weeks.

 

[nunzia]

I am a big Disney fan, however, yes, I admit there are problems. Will I continue to go and love it? Yes indeed. B U T...I have noted an overall down ward turn in CMs..yes..there are tons of good ones but there are certainly more apathetic, sloppy, shuffling, muttering ones than in years past.
Yes, I know it's hard to be enthused the millionith time you do the little talk before the Walt Disney story, but it was my first..could you fake it and act at least not bored and could you try and speak so I can at least understand and do you really need to lean against the wall during your spiel?

Housekeeping seems to be having issues across board. My last stay at the GC my room didn't even get cleaned at all for two days. I don't know why I didn't complain, but if that's a repeat perfromance I will this time.
I see some of the OP issues as valid, not all. I don't know anything about Igor, but knew quite alot about Eisner. He flat out saved the company in the beginning, but what's that they say about power? Too bad it got to him and he had to move on.
I see the current changes as great, in DLR, and have hopes for the positive trend to continue.
The CM issue I see as a problem, but again that is across all service industries..less people willing to work and less grateful for a paycheck, etc., and on the other side corporate suits thinking the lower the labor cost the better, when in actuality that is a short term success and long term nightmare.
However..Disney also has the BEST employees anywhere in many ways.
I see a trend toward allowing bad GUEST behavior hurting the park experience. No, we aren't in Six Flags mode, but we also aren't in Cedar Point. A friend of mine thought Cedar Point was the best park she'd ever been to (and she is a big Disney park goer). Alot of the reason was the clearly stated guest expectation of no line cutting. You cut and you're out. I'd love Disney to do this. Again, alot of guest issues are because, in general, people have just gotten meaner and more self centered over the years.
So..yes there are problems, but yes, it's still the best there is and I hope they make sure and keep it that way.

 

[pixiewings71]

As I was reading this thread I was thinking the same thing! We were just at 6 Flags Discovery Kingdom on Saturday and it's no Disneyland! I can't believe how dirty the bathrooms were!

Amen to that!! We had 6 Flags DK passes for the past 4 years, we decided this year we would rather brave the gas prices and drive 6 hours to DL instead of spend less money and renew our 6Flags passes! LOL That's pretty sad........lol