Rumor about “modified experiences” when Disney reopens (read 1st post for potential modifications being considered)

[rteetz]

Who is Rteetz? New here lol. Disney literally operates as a family based fun park. They have no meaningful association to sports. The idea of delaying solely for the NBA feels so....not cool.

Me

Disney owns ESPN, they most certainly have a meaningful association to sports.

 

[Busterbailey]

In my mind, an arbitrary delay still comes at the high cost of upsetting loyal families who are faithfully keeping their reservations. It's different if Disney held out for public health reasons but that wouldn't won't hold water if they wait as long as late July to open in the event that Universal opens successfully.

I think upsetting loyal families will quickly end because they know next year is the big year. If this turns out to work out, I wouldn't mind and I respect the business decision that Disney makes and it affirms why our family loves Disney so much. Attention to detail. It's all about profit for Disney and experience for my family, the better experience the more cash they'll get us to keep giving them. By waiting, they don't seem so desperate like Universal and it gives them the opportunity to open when they want and to get it right. I'm sure they'll be able to give the experience that everyone is accustomed even with some modifications rather than just open and scare off potential repeat customers. Short term dissatisfaction, frustration for long term gains/experiences.

 

[Anna H]

I don't look at as much the NBA delaying the opening. I think with Universal opening so quick Disney is now thinking they have to open sooner then they planned or lose out on that money. If the NBA deal happens it would help offset some of those losses so they can stick with their planned opening. Instead of rushing to open they can continue their plan.

I see your point in terms of Disney maybe being blindsided by UO's early decision. I still think August was strangely late to re-open with how eager the theme parks seemed.

 

[cakebaker]

Who is Rteetz? New here lol. Disney literally operates as a family based fun park. They have no meaningful association to sports. The idea of delaying solely for the NBA feels so....not cool.

He’s a moderator here.

 

[Anna H]

Me

Disney owns ESPN, they most certainly have a meaningful association to sports.

Thanks! Pleased to meet you. Are you an insider?

Correction. I should say that sports are not the most meaningful association.

 

[rteetz]

Thanks! Pleased to meet you. Are you an insider?

Correction. I should say that sports are not the most meaningful association.

I have sources/friends yes if that’s what you mean.

Sports are still incredibly meaningful to Disney. I might suggest some research into the business side of Disney. ESPN/ABC is a very large portion of the Disney brand and bring in or lose a lot of money. The theme parks are also a large portion Of their business. Disney is invested in getting both back on their feet.

 

[skeeter31]

Thanks! Pleased to meet you. Are you an insider?

Correction. I should say that sports are not the most meaningful association.

See I would argue that. Disney is a huge corporation that draws its money from a variety of sources. Sports, through ABC and ESPN, is a major part of that. The contracts they have with major sports leagues to broadcast the games are hundreds of millions of dollars combined. Yes, theme Parks are another huge source of income for them, but so are movies, TV, merchandise, etc.

 

[Eric Smith]

In my mind, an arbitrary delay still comes at the high cost of upsetting loyal families who are faithfully keeping their reservations. It's different if Disney held out for public health reasons but that wouldn't won't hold water if they wait as long as late July to open in the event that Universal opens successfully.

It would also be different if Disney had actually made any substantive statements in the last month. All they have put out are vague statements that don’t really say much. That was fine when it looked like they were trying to open soon, but if these rumors are true they burn a lot of good Will with me.
They need to start being more transparent about what is going on. If they’re trying to open soon, they can say that. If they’re pushing back opening because they’re concerned they can’t adequately address the health concerns involved they should say that. If they’re not going to open so they can host the NBA they should say it.
The absolute lack of communication is getting really old. I realize they don’t owe us anything as fans, but we also don’t need to spend the astronomical amount of money at their parks either.

 

[cakebaker]

I don't look at as much the NBA delaying the opening. I think with Universal opening so quick Disney is now thinking they have to open sooner then they planned or lose out on that money. If the NBA deal happens it would help offset some of those losses so they can stick with their planned opening. Instead of rushing to open they can continue their plan.

I have no issue with them hosting the NBA. I don’t believe they were blindsided by Universal. I don’t think there ever was an original plan to stay closed thru the summer. I believe their target was June. What I have issue with is if they open the parks to the NBA, spread them out throughout the resort and essentially make all of WDW their bubble. Then, keep the parks closed until the end of August or whenever the NBA deal is done. At that point, there’s just no argument that they denied guests an open park solely for the NBA.

Do I think that’s what’s going to happen? No. But that’s the general jist of several rumors.

 

[rteetz]

The absolute lack of communication is getting really old. I realize they don’t owe us anything as fans, but we also don’t need to spend the astronomical amount of money at their parks either.

Disney has always been that way and that hasn’t cost them before so I don’t think they are worried about that.

 

[skeeter31]

It would also be different if Disney had actually made any substantive statements in the last month. All they have put out are vague statements that don’t really say much. That was fine when it looked like they were trying to open soon, but if these rumors are true they burn a lot of good Will with me.
They need to start being more transparent about what is going on. If they’re trying to open soon, they can say that. If they’re pushing back opening because they’re concerned they can’t adequately address the health concerns involved they should say that. If they’re not going to open so they can host the NBA they should say it.
The absolute lack of communication is getting really old. I realize they don’t owe us anything as fans, but we also don’t need to spend the astronomical amount of money at their parks either.

But remember, they’re closed indefinitely. I know it’s not a nice answer, but it is what it is. They announced closed indefinitely, whereas UO originally provided a date they were closed until. I think Disney knew going in the closure was going to be tough to navigate and reopening was going to be a struggle. And I do agree they’ve made some mistakes along the way (like the free dining promo).

 

[Anna H]

See I would argue that. Disney is a huge corporation that draws its money from a variety of sources. Sports, through ABC and ESPN, is a major part of that. The contracts they have with major sports leagues to broadcast the games are hundreds of millions of dollars combined. Yes, theme Parks are another huge source of income for them, but so are movies, TV, merchandise, etc.

Fair point

 

[Jrb1979]

I have no issue with them hosting the NBA. I don’t believe they were blindsided by Universal. I don’t think there ever was an original plan to stay closed thru the summer. I believe their target was June. What I have issue with is if they open the parks to the NBA, spread them out throughout the resort and essentially make all of WDW their bubble. Then, keep the parks closed until the end of August or whenever the NBA deal is done. At that point, there’s just no argument that they denied guests an open park solely for the NBA.

Do I think that’s what’s going to happen? No. But that’s the general jist of several rumors.

They aren't opening the parks to the NBA. All they would be opening is some resorts for the players to stay at.
What I do think happened is Disney wasn't prepared for Universal's opening plan to be accepted for such an early date. Instead of changing their opening date cause of that, Disney can keep their plans and still have some revenue for ESPN coming in.

 

[Eric Smith]

Disney has always been that way and that hasn’t cost them before so I don’t think they are worried about that.

They may be near a tipping point with their sky high prices. They’ve created the monster they’re dealing with in the entitled guests because they charge so much for what they provide. With that kind of cost, people expect more from Disney than they do from any other park.

 

[Eric Smith]

They aren't opening the parks to the NBA. All they would be opening is some resorts for the players to stay at.
What I do think happened is Disney wasn't prepared for Universal's opening plan to be accepted for such an early date. Instead of changing their opening date cause of that, Disney can keep their plans and still have some revenue for ESPN coming in.

I don’t believe that for a second. I’m pretty sure all the major players involved know that the government acceptance of the reopening plans is more of a formality.

 

[rteetz]

They may be near a tipping point with their sky high prices. They’ve created the monster they’re dealing with in the entitled guests because they charge so much for what they provide. With that kind of cost, people expect more from Disney than they do from any other park.

I don’t disagree but people have been saying that even well before this and Disney still sees attendance increases.

 

[thingaboutarsenal]

Thanks! Pleased to meet you. Are you an insider?

Correction. I should say that sports are not the most meaningful association.

If you are a shareholder with Disney and listen to earnings calls, they're always asked about ESPN and ad revenue. When Disney bought ESPN it was before cord cutting and since then ESPN is an anchor on DIS stock price. If the company could make ESPN profitable DIS would become a money printing machine. So I see why you'd think Disney =\= sports, but Disney the company is constantly thinking about ESPN in particular.

 

[DisneyPigFan]

But remember, they’re closed indefinitely. I know it’s not a nice answer, but it is what it is. They announced closed indefinitely, whereas UO originally provided a date they were closed until. I think Disney knew going in the closure was going to be tough to navigate and reopening was going to be a struggle. And I do agree they’ve made some mistakes along the way (like the free dining promo).

Disney did not announce that they were closed indefinitely initially. It was pretty similar to Universal -- they said it would be closed through the end of March, then reevaluate.

Here is Disney's original announcement:

https://twitter.com/x/status/1238262069675405314

 

[DGsAtBLT]

Disney did not announce that they were closed indefinitely initially. It was pretty similar to Universal -- they said it would be closed through the end of March, then reevaluate.

Here is Disney's original announcement:

https://twitter.com/x/status/1238262069675405314

I believe the indefinite closure announcement came in late March. For the most part I think people excuse them of the hasty calls made for that first closure period.

 

[cakebaker]

They aren't opening the parks to the NBA. All they would be opening is some resorts for the players to stay at.
What I do think happened is Disney wasn't prepared for Universal's opening plan to be accepted for such an early date. Instead of changing their opening date cause of that, Disney can keep their plans and still have some revenue for ESPN coming in.

Were it not for all resorts now being closed at CL, I’d be sure they weren’t opening the entire Deluxe resort inventory. I can’t explain why they are blocked. I’ve also read a lot of rumors about them opening the parks to them. They aren’t going to allow the parks to open to guests, then put those players in the parks at after hour events.

I don’t believe Disney’s original plan was for August. I don’t pay much attention to rumors, but I think Pete’s sources are good as any and he’s not the only one saying the original target was June 1 and they just couldn’t make it. That’s bolstered by the fact they put out the incentive for cancelled guests effective June 1. They would not have done that without a belief that they could open then, they were just wrong. Add to that, they’ve been taking reservations for May, then June, now July. If their target was late July or August, that’s dishonest at the very least. I’ve never believed anything but that they truly believed June 1 was possible.

Lastly, I simply don’t buy the premise that Disney was blindsided by Universal. Either of them could’ve submitted plans much sooner and DeSantis would have been jumping to sign off. If anything, the govt is frustrated that they’re taking so long.