Post here regarding WDW cutbacks, changes & Complaints

[ctdisneyfamily]

I sent an email concerning EE morning and they responded, that they were unaware of any changes in this policy! This was dated 10-22-01!

Does the right hand know what the left is doing?????

 

[GoldenOldie]

Why does this surprise you? It's not like Disney's CM's have a history of knowing all the answers. At least they didn't say it wasn't true, only that they were not aware of it. Guess the inter-office mail's a little slow these days.

 

[jdads2]

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAA.

Wooo wasn't THAT funny.

Just a crazy thought passes through my warped mind

 

[juliebelle]

It's ok Teri, are you feeling much better now that you have it all out?

You will still have a blast while you're there. Once you walk down mainstreet and here that happy music, the disney magic will start to make you feel so good. Soon you'll be skipping down the sidewalk, smelling all those wonderful disney smells, listening to the great music and feeling so festive. You'll be sure to have a fantastic time showing your friend all the wonders of Disney.

Happy Trails!!!!

 

[Teri1]

Thanks, Juliebelle! I feel much better now. I know we will have a good time. I guess the upside to all of it we can sleep in and get more rest .

 

[Disneyfun1]

Well looks like another attraction may be biting the dust! How long before they tear down the castle??!!

http://www.wdwmagic.com/magic.htm

 

[Buzz2001]

I can't believe the amount of shows and events being canceled. I hope all of this is just temporary and WDW and the US gets back to normal. God I hope we catch all of those responsible.

 

[jenfur]

Okay , this was the first cancellation that has really upset me . I missed this last year because of the other parade and was really hoping to see it this year . I can see shorter hours and a few resturants closing but this is a parade - parades and fireworks are a big deal at MK (I guess the fireworks will be next)

So many people are canceling because they are scared or becaues they won't get EE or E-nites and how do they repay the loyal people who are coming anyway - take away a big attraction that they show in every planning video so that my kids and my Mom are excited about seeing something that won't be there !

 

[Doctor P]

Given that they have not made the decisions on November hours yet, and Spectromagic is very dependent on the parks being open late enough for the lights to take effect, I would not worry yet and I certainly would not worry that it is independently being axed. It may be, but I would wait for official word.

 

[Blue Eeyore]

Help! I leave in 12 days and I'm not feeling the magic! First... no E-Ride nights are scheduled. Then... EE is taken away. Now... I hear that the week I go is gonna be crowded with New Jersey people! I usually go the second or third week of November. This the first time that we're going during the first week. Is it really going to be THAT bad!?!?!?!?! Pass me some Pixie Dust, I need it!!! THANKS!!!!!!!!!

 

[KFISCHER]

These posts have been inundated by angry people, pointing their fingers at nasty Walt Disney World for one change after another.

The real blame needs to be placed on the over-reacting American public, which has foolishly decided to completely alter their very existence. They are afraid to simply LIVE. They have chosen to avoid air travel in droves, and are staying away from tourist attractions, incorrectly fearing the absolute worst.

What a shame. At a time when America is proudly standing tall, showing it's patriotism and love of country, too many others have chosen the "hide under the bed" routine.

As a result, lower attendance has forced Disney's hand. I don't blame Disney at all. I blame the thousands and thousands of no-shows and cancellations.

I will not cancel my Disney plans for this weekend. And I'm going again in December, when those horrible folks at Disney have slashed rates at the All-Stars to under $50.

If the park is open an hour or less, or there's one less parade, I'll manage. And I refuse to let all the naysayers on what is normally a very positive web site spoil my enthusiasm for my travel plans.

 

[Heather]

Sadly, every rumor posted so far about a cut or cutback has proven true. Many of us who are planning to leave next week are unable to obtain refunds of certain things. I am truly disappointed that Disney, in requiring us to plan (and for many things, pay) so far in advance continues to cut out things with no notice and no opportunity for us to change our plans. I have said before and will say again, I'm not opposed to scaling back -- sure, let there be fewer shows, take away a couple of Ee mornings per week, but don't take everything away. SpectroMagic was only scheduled to run on Fridays and Saturdays in November as it was -- why can't it still run ONE day per week? And if the daytime parade will be switched to nighttime, as was indicated as being one of the options to "replace" it, does this mean no daytime parade at MK? I"ve also heard that they are closing all the resort pools earlier in the evening -- what does this leave for a family to do?

 

[aprincessmom]

Don't worry. Just go and have a good time. To paraphrase the bumper sticker "A bad day at Disney is still better than a good day at work!"

 

[Blue Eeyore]

Thanks for the encouragement, but Oh GOODNESS! I didn't mean for "New Jersey people" to have a bad connotation! I hope it didn't sound that way!!! I just heard that it's going to be crowded because of a lot of people coming down from New Jersey for a fall break or something.

But you're right... There's no where else in the world that I'd rather be than Disney! Even on a bad day. Thanks!

 

[janiejo]

I agree with princess mom - you can't be blue because you will be at WDW! I remember going to WDW offseason in the early years and nothing was open past 7 p.m. Before Illuminations, off season was a time when everything shut down come nightfall. We used the evenings for doing other stuff - our kids were younger then and loved the game rooms in our hotel, going to the pool, loved what is now DD, and of course, the meals. I think it just takes a new mindset but with a bit of planning, you will still have a great time! I wish I could go to WDW in the coming weeks but I have to wait until March. Enjoy your trip!

 

[dmfuru]

The decline in WDW services began prior to 9/11--there are others here who can give more information, but this summer already saw shorter park hours, "bus on demand", opening certain rides 1 hour after park opening, closing of some restaurants, etc.

WDW depends upon a lot of foreign tourists and lots of them aren't travelling at present. I have seen lots of posters criticizing Americans for cutting back on travel, but why not criticize foreign tourists who are cutting back travel.

A lot of Americans aren't travelling b/c of financial reasons as well as fear. There are lots of lay-offs, lower investment returns, etc. and some people just don't want to spend thousands of dollars on vacation right now. I don't think it is inappropriate for people to save their money right now. If you have the assets or are willing to shoulder some debt to visit WDW right now, I say go for it.
If money is tight, or you just don't feel right travelling, then save your money and time for a vacation in the future.

 

[wdwnut]

hi: here's a little something to maybe help. we are usually there during "off" season with reduced hours anyway and well remember only having the original illuminations as the only fireworks around. we've also been there when they've extended hours due to unexpected attendance. maybe this will happen. just plan on all being reduced and anything extra will be a bonus! some of us "new jersey people" are sneaking in an extra trip this year that just happens to coincide with the wine and food festival and the nj teachers convention. also, it is right between seasons for 2 hs students who are active in sports.

 

[Blue Eeyore]

You guys are RIGHT! I usually go there during off season too! AND... I will plan for the worst. I guess I'm just used to getting up extra early so I'm done with the parks around noon and then going back in the early evening. This trip I'll get to sleep in instead! Okay... the magic is starting to come back to me. THANKS!

 

[izzy]

I've been reading posts about these cutbacks, and I can't stand it anymore. I'm finally putting in my 2 cents worth!

Disney is just not looking at this from a logical business standpoint. Their only focus seems to be on reducing expenses, when they do have another option open to them. They could be working to increase revenues! (Yes, I apologize for my college accounting coming back to haunt me and now you folks - LOL!) Disney should be offering great deals and incentives to get us to come down there if business has truly slackened off. I have yet to see them make cuts in hotel prices or give us ticket incentives since 9/11. They only hotel discounts I've been seeing for the next few months are the discounts that were out there before 9/11. Also, why couldn't they cut ticket prices some? (Don't gasp when you read this - desperate times call for desperate measures!) And I don't mean discount a 5 day hopper pass that I could buy now and use later, but perhaps offer it on the LOS passes that have to be used within a certain timeframe. That way they could assure themselves that people weren't buying reduced ticket for the future. I know that I would consider a trip to Disney if they made it worth my financial while. Just think of how much revenue they could generate if they decided to make some great offers to get people back. Obviously, they know what their break-even point is for when they make money vs. when they start losing it, but I don't even think they're looking at things from standpoint. All they want to do is cut, cut, cut. The rest of the travel and tourism industry seems to be on the ball. There are great deals out there now on cruises, airfares, and even some of the parks like USF and IOA. They are willing to lower their prices to get us back! No, they won't be making as much money as they were in the past, but at least they're making more than if the ship cabin was empty, or the plane wasn't full.

I realize these are hard times for everyone, but Disney needs to get a clue. They way I feel about the cutbacks now (and some of them I didn't really use, like EE), it will probably be several years before they see me again. We are expected to give and give and give, and they aren't willing to do their part.

Sorry, I'll stop ranting now!

 

[PieInYourEye]

Just thought I'd share...

Disney asks workers to cut back jobs
Associated Press Story

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) - Walt Disney World officials asked some of their workers Monday to volunteer for a 20 percent cutback in hours and salary.

The company wants 7,400 full time employees to cut back their workweek to 32 hours, saying it will save some jobs and preserve insurance and retirement benefits for employees, spokeswoman Marilyn Waters said.

Waters said the voluntary work reductions were ''an opportunity'' to employees ''because some people would like to do that for lifestyle reasons.''

Disney also fired an unspecified number of highly paid contract workers in its technology department on Monday and reduced the hours of some attractions, the Orlando Sentinel reported.

Work schedules for about 40,000 hourly employees had been reduced after the Sept. 11 attacks that devastated the tourism industry. About 1,000 salaried Disney World workers in California and Orlando were laid off before Sept. 11.

The offer of voluntary reductions was made only to Orlando-area workers, not to those in California. Orlando's theme park has been hit harder by the drop in tourism because it relies more on visitors who traveled on airplanes.

Other cost-cutting measures were also taken. Some live shows will be eliminated on certain days, including MGM Studios' Beauty and the Beast, and the hours of a handful of attractions at Epcot were reduced.