the unofficial [budget] cutbacks AAAAARGH! thread

[JadeDarkstar]

i dont think Walt would like how ppl are more worried about the money then keeping the park and food good and i was really looking forward to the darn front pic with halloween flowers.. i was..that just sucks-Disney dosnet need to become like the rest of america is now..disney is the only place i forget about all my other worries. they better stop cutting back or they are gona be seen just like all the other places and nothing diffrent

 

[disneyfaninaz]

I was there last halloween and got pictures with the floral Mickey done in pumpkins. I'm actually glad they didn't redo it this year so I can get a picture with the 'Year of a Million Dreams" floral Mickey and Tink.

 

[Disney Dreams]

It's no secret that DLR had a disappointing summer in terms of attendance. The free birthday admission promotion is obviously aimed at bringing more people into the parks. Conversely, cuts in decor and entertainment will save money, but may make some (I'm guessing AP holders) think twice about visiting as often.

I haven't been to the DLR for a while, but from recent photos and reports of highly reliable frequent Disney visitors, here are some changes that may make you scream "AAAAARGH!". If you learn of others, please add them to this thread.

• 
  [*]no redecorated floral Mickey for Halloween
• no appearance by the Pumpkin Princess
• no more free tomato slices with burger/sandwich at several restaurants
• no more free soft drink refills at French Market

I was at Disneyland tonight. I could not believe that a choice to NOT decorate at floral Mickey for Halloween would be due to budget, given the amount of landscaping that happens at Disneyland.

At the end of the night I went back to the floral Mickey by the Entrance / Railroad. I located a manager who was pin trading there. I asked him if it was true that they would not be making Mickey into a Mickey Jack-a-lantern with a mask this year. He said that was indeed true.

I asked him, "Why? Just too expensive?" He said it had nothing to do with budget, but rather it is due to the lights that are now there which were not there before. I asked what exactly he meant. He explained further.

Currently, there are twinkle lights that make a wave effect of Tinkerbelle's pixie dust lighting up Mickey. These lights are permanently placed, created the effect. The Mickey Jack-o-lantern was made from pumpkins. He explained that the pumpkins cannot be used for creating the Jack-o-lantern because they would have to be placed on top of the lights, which is not possible. He said that they changed all the light bulbs to orange and white to make Mickey resemble a pumpkin, but that (as he explained) the pumpkins cannot be used as previously with the lights in place.

So, there you have it. It is true there will not be a Mickey made from pumpkins, but it is not due to budget reasons, but rather due to the cool lighting effect.

Just thought I'd share,
Dreams

 

[Gisele]

Interesting, too bad too, for the pumpkin mickey is fun to look at.

I can live without the tomatoes, just use ketchup instead, he he!

I do rather wonder why there will be no Pumpkin Princess? poor thing, out of work like so many other Americans!

 

[tink2dw]

Perhaps the Squeeze on Disney Stocks[with the big down turn] has hit them in the pocket,too??

 

[chelseagirl_lv]

IMO, it is disappointing to hear about the changes and cutbacks, especially when they charge the ridiculous price for AP and tickets. You have to ask yourselves where is all that money going. Of course there is the maintenence of the park and the new addition of attractions, I am sure that is a pretty penny. I am outraged that they can continue to raise prices on tickets, food, merchandise, and then say cutbacks are necessary??!!! That is just my opinion, dont mean to offend anyone by my comments

 

[Judy from Boise]

you know i guess i have come to an age where i know you can't have it all......I am very satisfied to let Disney re-coup some money at the same time they are pouring millions into a new wing of the hotel and an entire makeover of DCA! Majoring on the majors and not sweating the details makes for a much happier outlook.

 

[tiki23]

I have to agree with you there, Judy!

I also hope that Disney will *someday* pay their park employees better (hey, it could happen! ) especially since all my kids have decided they want to work for the mouse, lol!

 

[JadeDarkstar]

so the year of million dreams flora has tink and micky? i didnt know this

 

[DizMe]

For the most part, I haven't heard of any cutbacks that I find too upsetting except that I'm sad about some of the food changes. I'm not sure whether that's a budget matter or an attempt to make the food healthier, but I hate to see them get rid of things like stew in a bread bowl and fried chicken. However, I think they've also added some cool stuff at DL/CA in the past several years and will be doing more (fingers crossed) with the CA makeover. Overall, I am just glad that Disney is doing well enough to make it these days. Can you imagine no DL?! I'm all for minor cutbacks if that's what it takes to keep the magic flowing. It's just hard to know anymore if cutbacks are really necessary or simply to provide "incentive" to a CEO (or please shareholders or whatever).

 

[Janomi]

you know i guess i have come to an age where i know you can't have it all......I am very satisfied to let Disney re-coup some money at the same time they are pouring millions into a new wing of the hotel and an entire makeover of DCA! Majoring on the majors and not sweating the details makes for a much happier outlook.

Well said Judy! It's really easy to get caught up with changes and be upset over everything. Things change, and that's ok.

I'm happy to have DL so close and always look forward to spending time enjoying the sights and sounds it affords.

 

[perlster]

I've put some updates in the original post based on new information.

 

[usschmidt]

We ate at Taste Pilot's on 9/20 and there were no refills

 

[mousefit]

I think the decorations are still coming. They have been adding things here and there for weeks now. As far as I remember they have always done that...it's a lot of work. As far as some of the other things like food prices going up...(I think soft drinks are up 15 cents at some locations)...that is just part of the economy. Blame it on the oil companies.