First of all, Id like to say that I am glad this little tidbit spurred so much attention. And to Gcurling, let me say, Welcome to car #2! It is a car I hop in every once in a while, especially when blinded by a stay in WDW!! And I really dont want to counter this wonderful reaction and outpouring of overtly hostile Ei$ner bashing, but I really have to throw in with JeffJewell on this one, who wrote:
I didn't comment on the other "hours cut" thread because this didn't seem like a big deal to me, at all, particularly compared to the other ways they've "saved money" recently.
I too am a little confused.
Maybe its akin to finally realizing that your significant other IS having and affair. Or that your business partner really IS stealing you blind. You can then look back at all those admittedly little and seemingly insignificant signs and signals that were explained away and justified, and find youve been duped the entire time!! I mean what is really different between this
clearly outrageous, stupid and penny-pinching move and closing the entire park two hours early when crowds are at the all time summer-moths high? Or canceling the second parade or Fantasmic show, thus cramming everyone (herding if you will) together, minimizing costs but severely damaging guest satisfaction and the SHOW? Or closing CoP early for the last several years? Which has carried over to Tiki Birds, Cranium Command, Circle of Life, Food Rocks, and countless other attractions. DC7800 writes:
Finally, this is confusing to guests. Who can keep track of the current "odd" attraction hours? Lets see - I have to see the Hall of Presidents before 6, but no, it's closed anyway. Ok, I'll see COP after 11 but by 5 p.m., then catch the Tiki Birds after dinner. Oops, The Tiki Room closed about 6 p.m. too. I could head over to Epcot for the evening, but just what are the reduced hours I heard for The Living Seas?
OH!! How very right you are!! And Im an old-timer!! What about those new families, you know, the ones you want to capture for the next generation? Time for a true story:
On our second to last night in WDW we found ourselves in EPCOT. We had not visited the Land yet so, after a fine Italian dinner we headed over to that pavilion. A couple days before this we had found that Food Rocks closed at 7:00 pm. (this warranted a trip to guest relations, but thats another story). Now, Im not a great fan of Food Rocks, but there is a definite appeal to the younger generation. It is something that my children simply love. We caught the last show. When we were exiting a young family came in. A mother with three little kids (all under ten). The CM told her she missed the last show. She said that was impossible as it was just a little after 7:00 and she was told that EPCOT was opened until 9:00. She further said that it was the last day and she had let the kids pick their favorite rides to go on one last time. The other two older children had chosen and been accommodated. Her youngest child picked Food Rocks. She had planned the day perfectly and even allowed enough time to park hop. She walked away dejected trying to explain to her five year old that the ride was closed.
I thought about these boards at the time and was very tempted to interject that she really shouldnt expect a ride or attraction, with such poor nighttime attendance to be opened at all hours. She should just explain to her daughter that Disney closed the ride early to save a little money. After all, Disney has to make a profit, don't they? Whats so hard to understand about that!!?? I mean these are tough times, right? Disney cant keep everything opened, all the time, just to insure that the guests are satisfied. How outrageous!! I was further tempted to point out the nice food court and plush shop across the way. Those were still opened. Maybe her daughter would want to buy something instead.
END OF STORY
Guys, I really like the support on this issue, but quite frankly, I dont see the difference. Expect perhaps that one directly affects you and the other doesnt. But I would think that you could embrace the concept without any direct involvement. In other words (Peter or Cpatian) the following is just as important as anything else that effects the SHOW even if it doesnt directly effect you.
We're not talking Valet Parking or slow bus transportation, we're talking about the REAL DEAL SHOW
Its all the REAL DEAL SHOW, my good Captain. It all is!! I havent ridden in the Poly Launch since I stayed there, over twenty years ago. If they keep them or not has no bearing on my Disney experience, in the least. EXCEPT in the sense of the bigger picture. Something we should all be concerned with!! Which is why I still have such a good time in WDW even with cut hours and a myriad of other smaller complaints. And conversely, that is why a list of wonderful Disney things is so inappropriate in these discussions. Its how these moves affect the big picture thats important. NOT the individuals experience. Thats anecdotal at best and most times absolutely inconsequential.
When they adjusted the closing times v. last year, it seemed in response to anticipated lighter crowds. I could buy that. I didn't like it, but it seemed a responsible reaction to the conditions. Yes, I'm concerned that it's permanent. I don't recall telling you that you were bashing Disney unnecessarily, but if I did, I apologize.
Or is it that you finally stopped believing Disneys spin, awe heck, lets call it what it is, outrageous LIES. Like the outright lie Greg Emmer told me, personally, in 1999, that the reason the MK closed early was because summer was over!! This was on August 1st!! But according to him summer was over! Why? I asked, dumbfounded. Well, he said, Orlando schools were back in session, so summer must be over!! And guess what. He was right! Orlando schools were back in session. It seems they were playing with a year round system for a year or two, something Mr. Emmer omitted. He didnt say that it was the direct result of the wildfire that they mistakenly thought would keep the tourists away. Or the fact the e-ticket nights were a moneymaker that they were trying to implement. Instead he lied and said summer was over!!! And when I suggested that it was because of the fires and that e-tickets were a blatant rip-off, know what he did? Offered me free e-night tickets for my entire group of eighteen!! And I, like a dummy, refused. Instead I asked him to fix it. He said he would. What I dope I was. In the mean time they robbed me of another hour!!! But, it certainly opened my eyes to the way they do business. You could hear my glasses fall to the floor, rose-colored lenses breaking forever!!!