Rant about people getting upset and cancelling trips

[JonHM]

I posted this in another thread, but it's been so bothering me over the past week that I decided that it deserved its own thread.

I *don't* understand why people are begrudging Disney their opportunity to do whatever they have to do to get through this terribly tough time. They were *already* having difficulties, and we were *already* headed into recession, and now Sept. 11 has really slammed on the gas, particularly in the tourism industy. I don't know about you guys, but I want Disney World to *survive* until 2042 and beyond. If you haven't noticed, companies can go under during times like these. One of our biggest local national businesses here was Midway Airlines, and they went completely under. I would *hope* that if they had had an opportunity to survive by cutting back benefits temporarily, that their customers would not have begrudged them the opportunity to do so.

There is nothing worse that ANY of us could do than cancelling an upcoming trip to WDW. Someone who was upset with the cutbacks announced several days ago that they were cancelling an upcoming trip, and IMHO, that is the absolute worst thing that any of us could do. If we WANT the perks to return, we ALL have to do our part, and that means taking our normal trips to WDW. We're definitely still going in January, and if I had *any* additional vacation time, we would have scheduled an extra short trip in the last month. This is all an enormous circle/cycle - the lack of business causes the temporary lack of perks - but if you let the temporary lack of perks cause you to cancel your WDW trip, then YOU are contributing to further lack of business which will CAUSE the perks to come back later than they would have, or cause other perks to go away.

Look, Disney World is in trouble, folks. They're wounded, and they're doing whatever they can do to get through this. We really owe it to them to be supportive. (Heck, we owe it to OURSELVES - we want to be vacationing there for another 40 years ) I know it hurts that these perks have been discontinued, but the BIG PICTURE is that we want WDW to survive and thrive in the future, and our current and future business will help to determine that they do.

 

[Patricia]

We are going ahead with our plans to go to Disney in June. Just cannot decide how we are going to get there, but come what may, I am going!!!!!

 

[Regina]

I went on the 9/29 cruise, and I'm going back to WDW at the end of November, beginning of December.

While going ahead with our plans is the right choice for us, there are people who are having their flights canceled. This has created a real problem, and I don't know what I would do if I were in that situation.

And, for those who's income is shaky because of current events, let's cut them some slack and realize that a vacation is a luxury. Postponing a trip until they have a stronger financial footing may be the right choice for them.

With that aside, I agree that canceling because of the changes at Disney is wrong. The whole purpose of EE and E nights was to give resort guests a chance to get on the rides without the long lines. With the low attendance, it's no longer necessary to get up at the crack of dawn or be out until midnight to get on an attraction.

I don't know about anyone else, but I still need that touch of Disney magic in my life, now more than ever.

 

[Bennet]

I hear peole say they stay on property to stay in the Disney magic. Now they seem to say that with out EE the magic is gone.

For me the magic is where you make it. Disney is an envioronment that make magic easier to find but if you are looking for reasons not to find it you will succeed.

 

[stlrod]

Since 9/11, I have bought DVC, not even thought about cancelling a Xmas trip (paying cash) and booked our second trip to Anaheim this year. Having said that though, I do agree with dvcreg that we need to cut people some slack for cancelling vacations. As the original poster said, we were already heading into a recession before 9/11. Those events make it even more likely. It's difficult to criticize any one for taking a more financially conservative approach to life right now. I cannot even criticize those who cancel trips because of the cutbacks. Let's face it, the vast majority of us work hard for our money. If a person feels that he is no longer getting the value he originally thought he was getting for his money, I cannot blame him for cancelling a trip. That's his choice. In my view, Disney is doing a poor job of dealing with what it apparently believes is an economic crisis. For example, they aren't posting hours for more than a week in advance, leaving uncertainity as to whether people will get value for their money. They need to announce a global plan for how they are going to deal with this, rather than continually announcing individual cutbacks. By doing so, they are creating a situation where each new cutback will be publicized and subject them to criticism (at least on these boards.) Probably the only reason that causes me concern is what I view as an unreasonable fear of terrorism aboard planes or theme parks. I have flown 7 times since 9/11 and never enjoyed my flights more. That's my 2 cents.

 

[ripleysmom]

I guess I never realized how important EE was to some people. We never stayed onsite for that.

If I had a trip planned right now I would go. I actually even looked at going for X-mas week but it is still too expensive for us to go. If the prices come down and we could get rooms that week I would go in a minute.

 

[CaptainMidnight]

JonHM -

What you have written makes good sense.......

I hope to be vacationing a long time from now at DVC too.....

 

[msdis]

John is right.

We may not be visiting as often but our trips will be twice as long. And as far as EE, we never get up that early anyways, esp. since DVC. But I can see how others will miss it. And E-nights was well worth it the one time we went, but I can live without it for a while. When our own personal income has a major blow, we all deal with it. We make personal choices as to where the cutbacks will be and how we can maintain as much a normal life as possible. When we get a new job or a raise and our income goes up, we spend more money. Disney is no different, and must make cutbacks where they see fit. Unfortunately, a lot of these cutbacks, are perks, and only perks. They generate NO revenue for Disney. I know 3 families who were there week before last. The parks were so light they never used fast pass as the lines were so short. There is no need for EE and E-night as a result. And as far as someone mentioned that they are not printing open/close times for the parks, I'm sure they are playing things by ear. The more attendance picks up, the longer the parks will stay open. I'm sure this is too difficult to predict except on a day to day basis. I think Disney IS doing the responsible thing with the cutbacks, things can always be a lot worse. I for one would rather look back and say I remember Disney's struggle after the terrorist attacks, than say I remember Disney

 

[DVCajun]

Hear hear, Jon. These folks are all about Disney when they're getting their way all of the time (which is MOST of the time-- we're not all Disney fanatics without reason). Let one thing change, even if it's during a national crisis, and listen to the whining begin.

Give me a break. I have said it before and I'll say it again-- Disney didn't adopt us. They are in business to make a profit and it's to all of our advantage that they stay profitable, PARTICULARLY for us DVCers. Save the whining for your mama. Maybe she will actually listen. The rest of us are just rolling our eyes.

 

[rickster57]

Just got back and had a great 7 days. Trust me when I say you will not notice the difference. The hours are shorter but so are the lines. When we went last week the park hours were 9:00 to 6:00 and we got on more rides then normal because of the shorter lines. I'm already setup to go in January.

 

[sgtdisney]

Originally posted by DVCajun
Disney didn't adopt us. They are in business to make a profit and it's to all of our advantage that they stay profitable, PARTICULARLY for us DVCers.

Disney didn't adopt, us but conversely we did not adopt Disney either. It is not the consumers responsibility to keep Disney in business if the management is making unsound business decisions and not selling a product that appeals to the consumer. Disney has been making many poor business decisions lately. Not just these recent cuts, and not just in the theme parks, but company wide. This is the true reason for the current problems at Disney World and Disneyland. Sept 11 only compounded these problem.

I don't think that we can laugh off the complaints and the 'whining' as people seem to like to call it. I am a long time stockholder, as well as a DVC member for almost 10 years. These 'whining' people concern me because if enough people feel they are not getting value for the top dollar that disney charges, we have big problems. Just as Disney is in business to make money, they need to attract, and keep a customer base to make the money. Personally, most of the cuts do not effect me, nor would I cancel a vacation over them. But that is me.. Am I happy about them, not really, but not just because of the cuts themselves, but because of the bigger picture. Piece by piece, Disney has been alienating it's best customers. This is not a sound business practice.

Disney just spent over 5 Billion dollars on another cable network while it continues to lose money with ABC. And during the same month lays off 1000s. How many Billions were spent ABC come to think of it. I love Disney as much as any one else, but I think the problems are not with these so called 'whiners' but with the current management and their lack of sound business decisions. Eisner and Company need to take a good long look at what they have been doing.

Build the perfect theme park and resort and people will come. Tear it apart piece by piece over a few years and who knows what will happen.

 

[DaveO]

My issue is with people canceling over RUMORED cuts these include:

No Spectromagic
No ToD parade
No Fantasmic

These three major cuts DID NOT happen. But folks see all these rumors and cancel trips. I rember where the cuurent park hours were THE NORM for off season. Even with the so called 'cuts' we are still getting fireworks, Iluminations, Fantasmic, Spetromagic, and all parades. A few years ago none of these were going on during off season.

But I do agree this is all PERCEPTION. Disney needs to do a better PR job. The point of EE is to beat the crowds - there are no crowds. And the people whining with no facts do not do Disney any good.

Dave O - NOT canceling family trip (9 people) for 12/1.

 

[Aurora2000]

I truly feel that you live and let live. If people need to cancel or feel the need to cancel that is their business.

If people are afraid to fly, they are afraid to fly.
If people are uncertain about thier income then it is in their best interest to cancel.
If people feel they are not getting a $1 for every dollar spent at Disney, what can you say?It is their perception.

I know friends who had to cancel for Nov 9-12 due to a memorial service for a victum of the 9/11 attacks.

What does not matter to one person, is a deal breaker for another.

If people feel unsafe about going to Disney or do anything at this time in their lives, it is their perogative. and who could blame them?

I do not begrudge anyone for cancelling nor do I think Disney will go down the tubes.
I made ressies but mostly because DH pushed me to. At the time I was like will I ever feel "right about going? of course I will. Been watching Disney classics ever since. Kids are excited..... Just takes time.

and the uniformed will always be the uniformed. Anyone who makes decsions on unsubstantiated rumors..... oh well.

Do what is right for you and live and let live.

 

[dianeschlicht]

I'm with you Jon. We need to be part of the solution rather than contributing to the problem.

We have usually traveled to WDW in January, so the parades and shows are limited during that time any way. The only thing we will miss is EE, and I can live with that. This too will pass if we keep our plans going. If everyone stays home there will be no recovery.

BTW. Your poll didn't materialize.... just the thread.

 

[DVCajun]

I agree that we all have the "right" to do what we need to do. I'm certainly not going to begrudge someone their decision not to get on a plane. I think my point is that the people on these boards are not your typical Disney visitor. Most people who visit WDW do not hang out on these boards during the rest of the year and spend countless hours just THINKING about going again!! Don't believe me? Think about how many people visit the World in just one DAY and then look at how many people are registered on this board. It's an impressive number, sure, but it's hardly a drop in the bucket. I also do not believe it represents a fair cross-section of Disney customers.

Ok, that said, I have always found it funny how people on this board get all ingidnant and act like they're going to "take their ball and go home" when something at WDW doesn't go their way, yet they obviously still spend countless hours on these boards and find it rewarding to still-- just THINK about Disney even if only complaining about it.

I have had a gripe myself on occasion-- but I'm honest enough to admit that it's hardly going to affect my love for the overall Disney experience.

Disney isn't perfect-- and that likely includes their business decisions. But very few other companies in the world have accomplished what Disney is accomplishing today. Even with a television network that isn't doing so well... and with decisions at the parks that some don't agree with. Nothing less than genious business decisions have gotten them where they are today, to a point where some of us actually forget that they ARE a money-making business in spite of the fact that we spend thousands there each year. It's worth it to us because their business practices have made it worth it. I don't need to go into the plethera of reasons this is true-- we all know them. I think your investment is safe Sgt (even if the current price is a *little* low!!). All tourism is down, and I think it's safe to say that it's NOT because Disney got rid of EE.

If you are listening to the folks on this board to guage the soundness of your investment, it should make you feel better that I'm going twice in the next six months. Just because I care.

Have a Disney Day!

 

[sgtdisney]

Originally posted by DVCajun
I think your investment is safe Sgt (even if the current price is a *little* low!!). All tourism is down, and I think it's safe to say that it's NOT because Disney got rid of EE.

If you are listening to the folks on this board to guage the soundness of your investment, it should make you feel better that I'm going twice in the next six months. Just because I care.

I am not too worried about my investment because I have hope that Disney will rebound. I am a little concerned that Disney has lost over 1/2 its value in just over 6 months. That is scary. The last time this happened the company was almost lost in a hostile take over, the management team was removed and Eisner and Wells were brought in. Well, now Wells is gone, Ei$ner seems to be a loose cannon. Eisner and Wells were a team as Roy and Walt were.

As I mentioned, the loss of EE is not what concerns me, it is everything over the last few years including the most recent cuts that has me slightly concerned. The Theme Park operations have been, at many times, the only profitable division of The Disney Company. Eisner and other management has used the incredible profits from the resorts and theme parks to finance other more risky ventures. Now that the Theme Park operations are on what seems to be shaky ground, well who knows what is next. I was thinking last night how Ron Miller was removed from managing Disney in part because of the then astronomical expenditure of slightly over 1 Billion Dollars for EPCOT Center. Now the company spends 5 Billion for a less than sucessful Cable channel as cast members are losing jobs. Seems unusual to me.

Let's just hope that this down turn in the travel industry is short lived and everything goes back to normal, whatever that is now.. In the meantime I do really hope more people go to Disney like you are. I hope you have an excellent time. I wish I were going...