Post here regarding WDW cutbacks, changes & Complaints

[luvaladdin]

I believe this is why Disney does what it does, i.e. cutbacks. Because they know they can. People will still come. Many people on this board are very upset, even outraged, about the cutbacks but they are still going to Disney World. People are complaining to Disney about the cutbacks. But the bottom line is, they are still going to Disney World. Disney can count on this. People returning just recently from the parks say the parks are very crowded and the value resorts are full. So Disney is not doing THAT bad financially.

 

[dpappas]

I have to say I was disappointed at first but I am getting a fabulous rate for 10nights at the hotels (45% discount with AP - which I bought just so I could get the rate). This is our first trip over the Christmas holidays and we are really looking forward to seeing some of the resorts.
We have always run ourselves to death every other time so we are going to relax a little more this trip, maybe not as many late nights or super early mornings. We plan to enjoy the resorts, take in the Christmas decorations and be happy just to be at WDW.
Hope everyone continues to support Disney and Disney Magic - I know we will!
inkbounc inkbounc inkbounc

 

[SNOWBOARDER]

We love Disney, so we're going anyway!! Umm..luvaladdin...have you looked at Disney stock lately?? They ain't doin' that great...

 

[sgtdisney]

Originally posted by SNOWBOARDER
We love Disney, so we're going anyway!! Umm..luvaladdin...have you looked at Disney stock lately?? They ain't doin' that great...

Disney Stock was doing poorly for months before the tragedy on September 11th. They have made a number of poor financial decisions in the last year and have overexpanded greatly. The time for a management change may have come and gone.

 

[Claudia Kellenberger]

As much as I understand everyone's frustration about the recent cutbacks,
I would rather face cutbacks than bankruptcy and no Disney World anymore.

I am glad just to be alive and to be ABLE to pay for my vacation. Most of my co-workers cannot afford to go to WDW.

I am thankful that I was not employed at the World Trade Center.

I am thankful that WDW still exists for me to enjoy at all.

Somehow, mere cutbacks I cannot complain about. I'm just glad to be going at all.

 

[Heather]

Gotta agree on the Disney stock, since I hold some and have been watching it's ups and downs for a couple of years.

Would suggest one other choice on the poll: upset/angry/frustrated/whatever and WOULD CANCEL if could get all my money back. The change dates one would do as well, as that is what I would personally do if I could get all my money back. Sad.

 

[Ncrnation]

the fact that they are closing so many restaurants and shortening the hours goes to show they had no contingency plans. did they think the economy wouldn't have any dips? i feel badly, but i'm upset bc this effects our Dec Christmas vacation. i'm afraid with the crowds that will go if they don't open up more activities and restaurants it's just going to be one huge bottleneck with everyone trying to do the same few things.

With the creation of the new parades, the AKL, pop century, walt's 100 aniv, they just spent too much money and don't know what to do now that not enough is coming back in. they did this to themselves, but it will be the customers who have to pay.

my family hasn't been in over 10 years and i'm so sad that now that we can all clear our schedules and get together again that they're making all these changes for the worse.

i know this sounds selfish, but vacations are very selfish activities. we're paying top dollar and we want the best. now we will suffer bc Disney executives screwed up and now have to cover their you-know-whats.

 

[Misti]

I'll move it...

 

[eeyore0062]

My outlook is much the same as Claudia's. We have so much to be thankful for, it seems sort of petty to complain about cutbacks at WDW. I know that is costs quite a bit to go there, but even with the cutbacks there is still SO much to do and see, and I am SO glad it is still there to enjoy!

As for Disney getting back to anyone who has emailed, snail mailed, and called, can you imagine the sheer VOLUME of mail they are having to go through and answer each and everyday? Usually it takes a week or two to receive a reply, so it could take even longer under the circumstances.

If you feel you must cancel, then by all means, do so. Nothing in the entire world is set in stone right now, and I think the best approach is to take it as it comes, live life day to day, and be thankful that we can.

Hope I didn't insult anyone, that was not my intention

 

[pwcarlson]

Put me in the category of -Not mad, Disappointed- But still going!

I remember in the mid to late 80's, fall/winter, Disney had reduced hours quite a bit. The only time that the hours were 'normal' was Christmas week. After Jan 2nd they returned to the reduced hours. So maybe this reduction in hours and extra's(E-nites, E-Entry, etc) is not so out of the norm. This reduction is happening to a lot of companies. Not only Disney. I remember my mom's favorite saying, "This too will past." We all need to remember that the hard times will past and just to enjoy everyday.

 

[Robinrs]

I'm going but since I'm staying offsite I'm not TOO affected by the cutbacks.

I would like to add that I am staying ONsite at Universal because they have the best perk in the world, Express Access!

 

[DancingBear]

After reviewing the threads on the WDW cutbacks, and the list of cutbacks, it seems to me that WDW's response is generally appropriate, IF attendance is truly way down, and IF they continue to monitor the situation and respond appropriately...

HOWEVER...

It seems that they could have generated much more goodwill if:

1--They gave at least SOME meaningful advance notice of the changes (say, one week)

2--They made it very clear that they don't anticipate that any of these changes are permanent, and that they will continously monitor attendance and bookings and respond quickly to improvements

3--They made a consistent effort to reach the customers directly affected by the changes and help them make alternative arrangements. From posts on these boards it appears that some folks with PSs, or resort ressies, which are no longer good have been contacted, while many have not.

4--They had good, consistent, reliable information about the changes available on their website and throughout the organization. For example, how have some folks still been told that they can make ressies at Pop Century?

5--They were willing to disclose more specific information about the affect on attendance and bookings, and changes. The variations in the impressions given on these boards about the crowd levels from recent visitors shows that anecdotal information on this is very unreliable. I know that this is against usual Disney policy and mindset, but if this is an extraordinary situation, then they should take extraordinary measures to communicate with their customers.

Too late for this, but don't you think that reactions would have been different if they had immediately sent a note to everyone on their reservation/PS list showing that there were dramatic drops in attendance, saying that they were contemplating significant changes in response, and directing folks to the official website where they had a special section devoted to spelling out the changes. Ideally, the website would then give the phone number to call on specific things, like rescheduling your Tony's breakfast, and the people who answered the phone would actually be prepared to reschedule.

I tend to think about these things as my wife is in PR, and I as a lawyer am often involved in "damage control" for my clients. It seems to me that Disney has plenty of resources and expertise in this regard. I don't fault them for their response during the immediate first two weeks after the attacks, but they have now had time to work this out, and I think their communications have been lacking.

Of course, there always seemed to be problems before with the CRO and the website keeping up with changes and giving accurate information. Perhaps the events of the last few weeks will prompt them to address these communications issues.

 

[stacy6552]

I cant believe this! What happened to first rate service at wdw? We are arriving next saturday and nobody at wdw can even tell me when the parks are going to be open!

i understand about payroll affordability! But they cuts they are making seem to be rediculuos! They shouldnt be cutting back the bus running times, rather they should cut back the number of busses running. what about breakfast? what about a late dinner? cut back on the popcorn guy inside the park not the bus driver! cut back on the occassional show not on park hours. or close all the water parks for longer during the cold season, or close the mini golf every other day or something.

what do they think we are going there for?

(and of course my trip is nonrefundable.....)

Anyone got any tips? Someone tell me that my family will be the only ones there or somethng.....

 

[Melynny]

I think your ideas are great and would have been-or BE a great way to handle these changes. But.. almost everything you said could be viewed as actions that could and most likely would add more costs to the bottom line.

I honestly believe that most of the folks that are affected by the cut backs would have been much more open minded about the changes, if they could have heard it from an " official" source rather than hearing rumors, and having to call and confirm these rumors themselves. Our minds have a way of adding more doom and gloom to everything these days. It is really hard to find even a glimmer of pixie dust lately! I am traveling down there in 9 days, I will be looking closely at the changes and the way that they are being handled!

 

[Figaro30]

It just seems that every post I read the attendance doesn't seem to be very "DOWN". People are reporting wait times of up to 50 minutes on some threads. This doesn't seem to be "down" to me.

I could understand their cuts more if this were the case, but it doesn't seem to be that slow of a period. If anything it's more of a normal attendance.

 

[DancingBear]

Figaro, I've seen those posts as well, but also several others saying things like "Weekends crowded, weekdays empty" and "We walked right onto almost everything" and such.

I guess my strategy of being freer with attendance/booking info only works if attendance really is down. If they're doing this and there really is no justification, then they're really going to get in trouble with their customers!

I tend to give them the benefit of the doubt here, because:

--plenty of news reports saying FL travel is down

--their competitors such as Universal are also making cutbacks

--regardless of what we think of their decisions at the margins, Disney has to want its guests to have a positive experience

--no reason to do things like close PO-FQ or delay Pop Century or get rid of 9:30 HDD unless bookings are really down

 

[minster22]

Claudia and eeyore0062, I'm with you guys!! Given the situation of war that we are in , my friend and I are just plain thrilled to be able to still go to WDW. We are taking direction from the nature of the cutbacks... AK not open until 9 am , no need to rush out first thing in the morning, something not open there are still hundreds of other things to do including absolutely nothing!! I swear I am happy just walking around the resorts, never mind the parks themselves.

 

[princess angel]

claudia, I agree, Disney would never intentionally conspire against its vacationers with cut backs. they are doing what they must to stay alive during this horrible horrible time for our country! like most of us, wdw is obviously suffering,i am very grateful that dh and I are able to go to WDW in November for 2 weeks and enjoy the magic. cut hours, a few closed restaurants, what ever they must do to keep the magic there for us is fine with me!
I will go to wdw and have a wonderful time! The cutbacks only sadden me because it means that disney is suffering!

Laura

23 days til WDW!! yipeeeeeeeeee

 

[skuttle]

I'm not mad at all and I can't wait until our December trip!!

I think Disney is doing what they have to do. I'm not a business person, and even I was, there's no way I would know what to do with a company that size! I think Disney knows what Disney has to do. I'm just grateful that I am alive and healthy and that Disney will be there for me to visit.

 

[regi]

wasnt mad until i found out they are closing our resort on the day we arrive in 10 days. of course, they didnt call and tell me that i had to find out on the boards and call them to confirm. so with 10 days left to go, i have no idea where we will be staying. now i am mad.