Post here regarding WDW cutbacks, changes & Complaints

[mickeyandme]

I'm assuming Mr. Eisner took a cut also....last stock price $18.55......

 

[susanw]

I just got back from WDW on Sunday (10/21) and I can say that the parks were much more crowded than I expected them to be! I don't know about the total overall numbers (park attendance, room occupancy at resorts, etc.) but there were LOTS of people in the World! And LOTS of UK visitors too! LOTS!

The cutbacks are a big disappointment (and I hope they don't last until our next trip in March!) and I can't figure out what Disney's game plan is. I agree with the earlier poster who said that the public is overreacting and letting fear make their vacation plans for them, but I also really think Disney is overreacting too. And they're handling the cuts badly. Are they really that desperate? Cutting park hours, closing restaurants, cancelling shows and parades, etc. ALL AT THE SAME TIME??!! What's with that? Sure October is the off-season, but Disney is running around like a headless chicken--cutting this, cancelling that, not giving anyone any warning or time to change their plans. They're only going to hurt themselves in the end. And it will take a long time to regain the full faith and confidence of some of their most loyal customers!

 

[dpappas]

I just saw this on my "WorldFlash" ticker -

Disney asks workers to cut hours to save money

By Robert Johnson | Sentinel Staff Writer
Posted October 23, 2001

Disney hours


New hours at Walt Disney World because of cost-cutting measures:
Magic Kingdom: Sunday-Thursday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. (will vary during busy times and Fridays and Saturdays)
Epcot Future World: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. (with Test Track and Coral Reef restaurant open until park closes)
Epcot World Showcase: noon to 9 p.m.
Disney-MGM Studios: No changes this week. Starting next week 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Animal Kingdom: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

ON THE WEB


Walt Disney Co. stock quote


Walt Disney website

TOURISM


Tourism drives Central Florida's economy, so use our in-depth tourism coverage to stay on top of the latest news, trends and events.

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Thousands of salaried workers at Walt Disney World were asked Monday to cut their work week to 32 hours as the company stepped up cost-cutting efforts.

The move will mean 20 percent less in their paychecks for 7,400 workers at Disney's parks, hotels and administrative offices.

Disney also trimmed the hours of some attractions and restaurants and fired an unspecified number of contract workers.

The company's higher-paid employees join the ranks of the attraction's 40,000 hourly workers, who have seen their work schedules sharply reduced since the Sept. 11 terrorism attacks in New York and Washington, D.C., that devastated the tourism industry.

Disney spokeswoman Marilyn Waters said the reduced workweek was a way to "save some jobs" and that employees would be able to keep insurance and retirement benefits.

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

However, she said, if there weren't enough takers it would not automatically mean that some jobs would be abolished.

But that possibility was clearly implied. About 1,000 salaried Disney World workers were laid off before Sept. 11. They were caught up in cutbacks that included Disneyland in California.

The Monday offer of voluntary reductions was made only to Orlando-area workers, an indication that Disney World has been harder hit than Disneyland by the fallout from the terrorism attacks.

Even before Sept. 11, Orlando's attractions were having a bad year compared with Disneyland. In the third quarter that ended June 30, revenue for the California attraction rose about $100 million from the same period a year earlier, while Disney World's numbers fell by about that amount.

The disparity has much to do with the demographic differences in the two parks' markets: Disneyland draws huge attendance from a steady supply of West Coast visitors who drive there. Disney World relies heavily on tourists who fly in from the North, Midwest and overseas. Reduced airline schedules have hit hard at Disney World's so-called "destination" trade.

Among the cost-cutting measures Disney World has adopted are eliminating some live stage shows on certain days, such as Disney-MGM Studios' Beauty and the Beast.

And Monday it went further. At Epcot, most of the Future World section at the front of the park will be open for three hours less each day. The hours were trimmed to 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., compared with 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

A handful of Future World attractions will remain open until 9 p.m.: the Spaceship Earth and Test Track rides, Honey I Shrunk the Kids show and Innoventions pavilion. One Future World restaurant, Coral Reef, will also remain open until 9 p.m.

Epcot's World Showcase section, which consists largely of restaurants and shops representing nations throughout the world, will open an hour later -- at noon -- and still close at its usual 9 p.m.

"We still have more entertainment than guests can experience in a day," Waters said.

Waters said Disney World's Yacht and Beach Club resort, near MGM Studios, has closed its Galley restaurant but still has three other restaurants.

Also Monday, Disney fired an unspecified number of highly paid contract workers in its technology segment. The company would not confirm the estimates by other Disney employees that about 40 contract workers, some at the attraction for as long as five years, were dismissed effective Oct. 19.

 

[Wonderlandmom]

The parks are crowded from local people, they don't bring in much money to the resort. All of FL is suffering because of the losses in tourism. Special session to trim 1.3 Billion from the budget began today. It will include money to promote the tourism industry.

 

[Poohbear123]

I was feeling BLUE too, but felt better after I STOPPED reading about EE-mornings on this board! It can get you really DOWN when you read about it in EVERY thread!! I use to participate in EE but I guess I will just have to do without it this time. I leave in............8 days!

 

[Bosjoe]

He would be the last to take a pay cut I bet..He should not take a raise for the next 5 years and give up his bonus's to save some employees who make mininum pay.. Its not just there but everywhere. These high price exec's need to give back to its employees. Its the people behind the scenes that make the company.. The front line..


Just my opinion

 

[Blue Eeyore]

Pooh Bear is SO right! Now that I think about it, when I first heard about EE, I was upset, but not NEARLY as upset as I've gotten while reading all these depressing threads! I'm gonna stop reading 'em. ...And I advise a lot of you to do the same! Thanks!

 

[MImickey]

Has anyone considered the idea that Disney is trying to recoup the money they lost when they closed their doors due to the 9/11 tragedy?

I'm not saying this is an excuse. God knows I don't feel it's fair paying full price and receiving much less in return, but Disney is a company and perhaps this is their solution. I can't even imagine how much money a place like Disney brings in in one day.

This is the only reason I can think of. When I was down there at the beginning of Oct., I was told that attendence was steadily increasing. This was noticable throughout the week.

If this is the case, then we can only hope that it won't last forever. I do feel sorry for those who already have plans and can't cancel. I hope you can make the best of a poor situation.

 

[Mboothby]

Well, I sympathize, really, because we chose to go the first week of December, as it's usually the most quiet time to go and now we find out not only will Pop Warner be there, but 5000 members of the press (stay at one of our hotels, no less) and that they have cut the hours for MGM on the day I really wanted to be there so the press can have a special event. SO, I was SUPER bummed about this, but you roll with the punches and I just KNOW that once I get on property there's no way ANY of it is gonna matter, because I'll be THERE. It simplay can't matter.
By the way, I went in early November one time and met a ton of people from Jersey. We wondered why there were so many people from one place there at the same time (I'm from California) and lemme tell you. They were the funniest, friendliest, most entertaining people you'd wanna meet. And I didn't notice any difference in lines. So, I wouldn't worry. The World is a VERY big place. So, heavy crowds tend to get spread out. I know that I've been during that Pop Warner time before and never noticed any difference, save for one day when I wondered why there were so many teenagers in cheerleader outfits running around Epcot and then they were all on our plane coming home, but it didn't make a difference in lines, I think because they are busy with competitions during the day. I think the biggest differences you'll see is in little things like...perhaps not getting the kind of room you wanted on that specific floor you like or your room not being ready as early as it might have been, because when I go, since ALL the press will be at AKL, I KNOW I'm not getting any special treatment! Anyway...don't let it get ya down. Take it a day at a time, get on that plane, check in and let hte magic begin. You'll see, it won't make a difference. And have fun with some of those fun Jersey people. They're a hoot!

 

[livsea2]

Who say Disney has to cut hours,shows, parades, fireworks etc.
In a slow economy how many stores do you see shortening hours/ How many cut the sleeves of a suit to cheapen the product but charge leave the full price for it? The morons running Disney don't know how to run a business. When things are slow you STAY OPEN LONGER ,CUT PRICES, AND GIVE YOUR CUSTOMERS MORE VALUE.......NOT LESS. Bad management is going to ruin Disney but don't tell Ei$ner, HIS moves are geared to reduce the bottom line and increase his bonu$$$$!

 

[kenman]

I am felling BLUE downright BLACK with all the bad news this past two weeks! Now today I heard that spectromagic is being cancelled, fantasmic is going to be on a verry limited sch. and also the new DVC resort is being canclled, Why should I or anyone pay $300 hotel room a night then pay park admission if there is nothing good to do. Not even cop! I am going to do something I thought I'd nevere do, cancelle my may trip for 8 nights at the DAKL! But I half to because I don't think the parks are worth the money any more!!!
I love Disney with a passion , but no night parade that draws the line!!!!!!

 

[eeyore0062]

Ignore the negativity... it will bring you down faster than anything else.

I guess because I really don't get into the nighttime parades, fireworks, etc, that part doesn't bother me very much--- I do know, however it is a big thing for some--- we only use the nighttime parade to take advantage of smaller lines in MK, so I guess for that reason, I'll miss it. However, if the park is closing sooner, I may actually get to enjoy my resort, or even visiting others.

I like EE mornings, and E ticket nights, but it won't kill me if they aren't there... I will just get more sleep in the morning, and be able to enjoy PI and the Adventurer's Club even more at night!

Yes, some of the restaurants won't be open, but there are so many to choose from, it should be no problem--- it may just make me try something I haven't tried before!

As for crowds, I can take delight in the fact that there are people who are enjoying Disney and spending their money, and perhaps because of the extra money Disney is taking in, these cutbacks may be a thing of the past, sooner rather than later. Also, it may result in longer park hours while we are there.

And as far Pop Century not opening as scheduled, I would rather they put the money for completing that into something else, like laying off fewer CM's.

The scheduling of what we do may be a little different this trip, but we will just go with the flow... at least we will be in WDW!!!

There are plenty of positives to be found, if you look, you just have to look, and not block them out with negativity

 

[Mboothby]

I understand your point and your frustrations, but it's because so many people have cancelled that these changes are taking place. The more we cancel, the more changes will take place until they finally just close down the park. Now is the time we NEED to go and show our support and keep WDW alive and kicking. If we all drop our ressies there may be no WDW to EVER go back to. Is that what we want? Are we really that upset over a few changes that we'd rather see the parks close entirely!? I know it's bummin' people out. I know it's upsetting. I too have an upcoming ressie next month. Something I've looked forward to for nearly 2 years now, but I fear if we all just stay away, we'll risk losing something very precious to us. Think about it before you do anything rash. Think about all the good things they STILL have there, not just those being taken away. There's still PLENTY to do and see. What about all the NEW parades that are still running and the new AK Lodge. What about all the great food and all the Xmas and 100th year stuff comin' up. There are still all our favorite rides and characters to see. WDW is a big place and a few parade changes doesn't make a DENT in all there is to see and do.

 

[kenman]

I just heard on the 6'oclock news that Disney is asking 40,000 employes to voulntary cut there hours or wages buy 20%,WOW!!! Just heard the tail end, did anyone else hear this

 

[alice-d]

For those who believe that Disney is cutting attractions because it is so broke, I have three words -Fox Family Channel!

 

[wetts1]

One thing I really don't understand...how can Disney cut back on RIDES within the parks? Ok, so there are a few less performance of the shows, but how can you open a ride late and close early? This to me is one of the most ridiculous things of all. Or is it not a fact that rides have reduced hours and this is just a rumor?

 

[wetts1]

Sorry, I know this does not belong on this board. When I posted I thought I was on the themeparks board. Can anyone move this? Thanks!

 

[Blue Eeyore]

I didn't hear that. It's TERRIBLE!!!

 

[BibbidiBobbidiBOO]

Actually, a lot of stores have closed or shut down on certain days lately. Kinda sad. And is some instances, I am paying more for a lesser quality item. War creates havoc on many levels.

 

[MImickey]

FYI - Disney owns so much more than just Fox Family Channel. They have money coming in every direction, but they still lost money that they weren't anticipating. Like I said, it's not a good reason, but if you're trying to make your quarterly earnings report look better - then what better way? A store might not cut off the sleeves of a coat and sell it for full price, but they will lay-off workers to save money. Disney shortens hours - saves paying more out in wages. Disney cuts attractions - saves paying more out in wages. Disney charges full price - brings in more for the bottom line.

If you want to take your frustration out on someone, take it out on Disney itself. Instead of whining and complaining, and dogging other's views because they may be looking at it from a different angle, quit going there! Quit spending your money on trips to Disney! Some of you might not be able to do it now, but you can stick to it in the future. There are plenty of other places to spend a nice vacation. Disney has been out for the almighty dollar for quite some time now. This is nothing new. I travel down to Disney at least twice a year for vacation. I've seen it inside and out, during peak and off seasons. Money comes before the magic. Disney doesn't give away anything for free.

You may also try some of those addresses that were posted earlier. Send them your angry messages. I just sent a message through their website last week about an incident that occurred there during my last visit. They responded in about a day and said they were talking with the departments involved and would get back to me. We'll see.

Poor management or not, they'll keep brining in the money until everyone takes a stand and spends their hard earned dollars elsewhere.