Post here regarding WDW cutbacks, changes & Complaints

[AKASnowWhite]

Another vote for disappionted, but still going. Much of how great your trip will be depends upon your attitude. I for one, am glad that I have enough advanced notice on cutbacks to rearrange my plans as needed. So maybe we do WS most every evening (after 7pm anyway!) or Disney Quest or Downtown Disney...we are staying at the BW...plenty to do there! I will miss EE, but maybe we'll swim FIRST rather than during a mid-day break. I can adjust.

As for Disney stock...it's really going downhill....got a bad rating today....cut backs must surely be necessary, not arbitrary.

 

[jennybobenny]

regi....what???? Please tell me you weren't scheduled to stay at Pop Century and they never called to tell you the opening was delayed. If that *is* the case they should put you up in the Grand Floridian at no extra cost!

As for disney, I'm disappointed, but optimistic. And we're still going! Can't wait.

 

[TZMOM]

your family will be the only ones there. Seriously, chill out, you're gonna have a blast, I have several friends who have & still do work w/Disney. The company isn't always run that great, but you'll be on VACA!!!! Have fun!!!!

 

[regi]

no, we are booked at port orleans french quarter for nov. 3 - nov. 7 and i just found out today that as of nov. 3 they are closing. we called to confirm and they said yes it was closing but they had no idea what was going to happen with all of us who were booked there. it might not be as aggravating if disney would at least let the people who work there know what was going on so we could get some answers.

 

[Snow Shoe]

This very morning I wrote Disney and expressed my disappointment about several of their cutbacks. Our family still plans on going next July as usual. If certain cutbacks haven't been restored by then, some re-planning will have to take place on my part, but I'M STILL GOING!! Disney is not exempt for the poor economic times or bad fiscal or park judgements made by top management. However, it's still Disney and we love it. Knock on wood, hopefully things will start looking better in the next year, but till then, they need our support even telling them that what they've done is in error.

 

[momejay]

If Disney tells you, they also tell the terrorists. How can one tell the difference over the phone? I think they are just being cautious.

 

[sgtdisney]

I wonder how much of the cutbacks at the theme parks are helping to pay for the 5.2 BILLION Dollar Purchase of Fox Family network which was completed today......?

 

[welovemickey]

Just relax and concentrate on the Magic of Disney! You probably won't even know the differences once you're there.

 

[sha_lyn]

Originally posted by livsea2
Disney has to be nuts for expecting people to pay thousands of $$$ on a maybe we'll have some of our scheduled events, but some of the posters on this board with the mouse shaped heads will support them no ?s asked. Not me.

OK I understand you are upset with disney right now but you have no reason to be upset with people that post on this board

 

[Planogirl]

I'm just so glad that we went this summer. I'm one who can't afford to go now and even if I could, I don't think I could stand all of this frustration. I wish everyone the best of luck.

 

[n8ivcelt]

I was staying out of all this but...... People keep saying give Disney a break better cutbacks than bankruptcy. I bet they are cutting services to guests and CMs but I bet Eisner will still get his huge yearly bonus. Just part of that bonus would be enough to keep EE.

 

[Disneycrazymom]

Oh No are they cancelling the Candelight Processional shows? Will they cancel all of them on a night or reduce 3 to 2. I really want to see this show! Where did you get the information about that, I would like to know more. Thank-you

 

[KarenH]

While I selected the "not mad" answer, I'm really in the "disappointed but still going" group. So far the official cuts won't affect us much and our trip is not until the first week of January and who knows what will be happening then.

No E night would be disappointing, but I had already resolved myself to not having that based in the days we will be there (Jan 2-8 - no Tuesday night and E nights have been on Tuesdays in January in the past). We never used EE (my family doesn't get up), we avoid that park. We were not planning on going to the restaurants that have closed so far. We are not staying at the resorts that are closing.

Shorter park hours are disappointing - I expected short hours (MK 9-7, MGM 9-6:30, AK 8-5, Epcot 9-9), but they are shortening them further and the shorter hours will affect us most by compressing the people into a shorter period of time and thus creating longer lines rather than actually affecting our touring (we never seem to get to the park before 10am anyway). Only Pocohantas will be dark on the day I have planned to tour. (Actually I think Hunchback might also be dark on the day we are going to MGM, but we saw it last time and I wasn't planning on seeing it this time.)

I will really be disappointed if Spectromagic is not running at all during our visit.

 

[kidzmom3]

I just wanted to say that I strongly disagree with people who are posting that we should be grateful that we can go to Disney World. I may be grateful that I have a DH that can provide for his family with extras, but I am not grateful to the company itself. WDW is a product, that we greatly enjoy. But we should not feel grateful to it, for its existence. It is there to entertain and to take as much of your money as possible. I usually hand it over with not regrets. To state that people should just put up with these cutbacks and not say anything. So that the money making entity can go on is really ludicrous. WDW will be there for anyone who wants to spend the money on it. And if the services get so bad, that no one goes (highly unlikely) then it will disappear. Would I be sad? YES Would i be angry? YES Would it be my personal fault? NO! It would be the fault of a company, that claims it is for families, but is really for money. We all know and understand this, but our love of the place clouds our vision. It is not our responsability to pay more and recieve less. They should be bending over backwards to reward consumers who are willing to come and pump money into their entity. I do respect that people have differing opinions. This is mine. Good luck to everyone with their plans. I hope that they reinstate some of their services so everyone is not so disappointed. My sister and neices are going for the first time in Nov. They have heard all my great stories and decided to finally take the plunge. They work hard, her husband is a bread man, and saved for a year and a half. My biggest fear is that they will be disappointed. How can the World do that to children. Yes we are at war, and things are harder. But, to pay the same and recieve less (in a resort vacation) is not your typical price to pay.

 

[cjzap090750]

While I understand how everyone feels about no discounts, fewer park hours, and everything else I just received a phone call that gave me a whole new perspective. My sister-in-law just returned to work at EPCOT after her maternity leave - she had twins. She has had to take a 20% cut in her salary, and her husband, who also works in the Tourist Industry just got cut by 15%. Here they are with two new mouths to feed, and their annual salary has been reduced by 35%. That's huge!. We're all gripping about what Disney is doing to us, but just think about the poor people who work there. Both my husband and I make good money, but a 35% reduction in income would really hurt.
I too was angry about the cutbacks, (we're leaving this Sat for a trip to WDW) but after hearing this news, I don't feel so bad for us anymore. I truly hope that all of you out there who are now considering NOT going to DIS, reconsider. By not going we're not punishing Eisner and all the other Disney Big Wigs, we're ultimately punishing those hard working people who keep the parks going. The fewer people who visit the parks will ultimately mean more cutbacks - mostly in workers and salaries. I would certainly hate to see that happen. This is out first vacation in over 23 years WITHOUT kids. While I was hoping to be able to enjoy MK, MGM at night time (it's all so beautiful) we will take the evening hours to do others things we've not done before. I'll enjoy what hours I have at the parks. My father-in-law says crowds are very small during week, so we should be able to do everything we want to during operating hours. I'm counting seconds now, and getting more and more excited. Anyway, please think about what I've said here. Let's don't punish the workers - it's not their fault. NUF SAID. Disney here I come!!!!!

CJ

 

[susansquit]

While Disney and many other travel companies are laying off employees after the Sept. 11 attacks, perhaps they can take a lesson from Steve Wynn.
Steve Wynn is the formal Mirage resorts CEO. Although he is in the process of building a new casino, he said last week, "I would have had to be against the wall with a pistol in my nose and convinced that the only alternative was certain deathe before I'd lay off people" I went 29 years without having to lay off people. Having been worked for this man I truly believe his words.
Disney is not showing any consideration for it's employees or it's consumer base. It only cares for the stockholders (of which I am a tiny ,tiny shareholder) and how large Eisner's bonus is at the end of the year.
Unfortunately we can only speak to the cast members who are afraid for their jobs and we can't blame them.
The people on these boards are so dedicated it seems there should be some way our frustration can get heard at the top.

 

[diskids2]

Although I'm buried by 135 posts, I feel the need to write that I cancelled our trip for Thanksgiving. I'm not going. I'm not spending another $7000 for the fifth trip in 3 years. I'm going to take my money and spend it some place else. It is my right to complain about the changes. It is my right to expect certain things from Disney. For me this is not just about the horrific events of 9/11. It's about the cost cutting that was taking place before that awful day. I agree that there are more ways to work this out. Cancelling EE, opening up an hour later, cancelling different shows, parades, that may not be a big deal to some, but to me it is. And by the way if I want to complain, I will. This particular thread has been set up for that. Don't read it if you don't like it. And by the way, there are other places in the world to relax and spend time with friends and family. Maybe even in your own backyard!

 

[disneefamily]

Disnee Dad Says................................................... I am a Disney Addict, but I have a secret medication that keeps me sane!! Teri1, your best bet is to make it as good as you can for your friend, any first timer will feel the Magic. Grimace at what is going on, and cut you're spending and send Disney a silent message. It will take awhile, but eventually some bean counter will say, hey boss, attendence is down 12%, but spending is down 24%. Tell all your friends on line to contact Disney and tell them how they are canceling thier trips. We need a flood of contacts to Disney, to help them fix this mess. And as far as the workers end of this goes, fighting and complaining is what is best for those workers. We must challenge Disney and let them know that if there is no magic, there is no US. Then there will be a further reduction in hours for the workers. Our message is clear to Disney, MAKE IT RIGHT, MAKE IT MAGIC, WE WILL COME.

 

[disneefamily]

Disnee Dad Says.............................................. Hey Eisner, are you out there?? You just lost a $7000 trip from diskids2!!! A former four time traveler, within three years. Remember what I said about slitting your wrists and "offing" the Returning Disney Families? Case in point just in case you still don't understand it!!

 

[disneefamily]

Disnee Dad Says.............................................. Hey Eisner..Would you please read 100AcreWood Friend on this board about being disappointed and no longer being a die hard fan! Please do.