They Even Reduced The Food Amount.. Yup
- Thread starter Figmentrocks
- Start date
Figmentrocks
Earning My Ears
- Joined
- Jan 28, 2002
- Messages
- 69
I'm pleased to see the response of my thread. 
Well, for those of you who immediately jumped all over my statements, yes, I have full understanding of business, so let me put some context to this.
Number one, have you still not FIGURED out that "the economy" and so forth is a continued excuse? This company has been gradually taking away things since the late 90s with the boom still in full bloom. The absurdity of attraction closures began under Judson Green in the mid-90s. Mr. Eisner has continued to run division after division into the ground and is running out of pieces to milk in the theme park division to pull additional profit out of. It's laughable to see the crocodile tears from this company, who still has an incredible profit margin in their theme park enterprise.
Secondly, I am a business owner. I have employees and we have a rocky economy. A GOOD, SOLID business reaches out to the consumer in a down economic trend, especially to the base. Our company fully understands that our return on investment will be lower during uncertain times, but the last thing that we ever want to do is take away from our consumer. The last thing a business should do is raise prices in a economic downturn, the absolute last.
Much of the rationale that I've heard in the thread makes no sense. So, for example, companies might cut employee hours, but they don't raises prices. On the contrary, you can find savings at department stores and meal deals at establishments that haven't been seen in years. $5 of $15 at Benningans, TGI Fridays, nice deal, for certain. They are trying to attract business and then add to their base/foundation once the economy is in full swing in the future. That's smart business, very smart. Trying to boost business, while taking an artificial loss on the meal ticket, but for future gains with an increased loyalty base.
Macy's doesn't raise the price of a $25 shirt to $29 in a downtime, rather they offer extended savings promotions.
As for the rationale that American food portions are too large, that isn't the issue! Disney sells garbage food absolutely everywhere on their property and licenses their brand out to some of the most worthless food on the planet. Good nutrition isn't the issue at hand. You completely play into my argument that dining establishments all over this country are increasing the portion sizes, not reducing them.
Thirdly, prices have INCREASED within the several months on the food. You do not pay more to get less. It seems to be at every cut, hour reduction, and attraction closure that there is a chorus out there that continually makes excuses. I'm glad to see that some of you are glad to be continually taken advantage of. I don't need to add the closing of Innoventions at 7 PM, which they have instituted in the past month, too. Or Imagination? Maybe I do. I'd sure be glad to be UL, who just opened a new attraction in Innoventions, to know that I am now getting two hours less of advertising for my company a day because the employee cost/profit ratio is too high for the company to bare.
Another Voice is correct, as usual. The company isn't interested in hearing my concerns or yours. Their guest satisfaction surveys are worded and structured in such a manner that it is usually difficult to get anything except a favorable response, even from a disgruntled customer. Kind of like a pollster asking "Do you support the President attacking Iraq?" or "Will you support the President in an attract in Iraq?" Many will disagree with an attack (for example sakes, not political here), but once the troops are there, they will support the campaign due to the troops. Same question in basic structure, extremely different results. It's a twist of words.
Universal Orlando has strengthened the quality of their product, offered outstanding annual passholder promotions (FL resident, $99) and has increased their attendance over the past two years.
I have in-laws who came down in October and thought that Disney seemed more like Six Flags and Universal more like the old Disney. My parents are Disney nuts.. they now stay at Universal/Loews properties in Orlando.
1st quarter '03, Walt Disney Co... $1.5 billion in income on the theme parks, $225 million in profit. A quarter of a billion dollars in profit with a weak travel economy is quite good. Wal-Mart did a bit over $71 billion in sales during the 4th quarter of '02 and brought in $2.5 billion in profit. In the ratio of many companies, Disney is making a VERY healthy profit in the theme park division. Also, the argument of appeasing Wall St. is worthless at this point, too. Many companies have given up as the true reality is that if the company reports good news, it's not rewarded, if the company reports bad news it's not impacted. Stock pricing and company earnings are undergoing a fundamental shift post-dotcom. The market's importance wanes as the economy sputters and the general public fails to invest.
The topic shouldn't be for going at eachother, rather a reality check that after several years of cut after cut, it's getting ridiculous. It's called poor business management on the part of the Walt Disney Company and their utter lack of looking at the consumer as a guest presently, you're a dollar sign. I personally get tired of reading these flawed arguments about Disney being a business. You're right and their approach misses the point of a long term successful business plan.
McDonalds franchises are begging the company to do something about the Disney Happy Meals, it's dragging sales down of the product. Disney has saturated the marketplace so inherently that it is damaging the long term success of the brand. We shall see what happens there.
Last points.. I read that well basically Disney can take away because essentially the stupid tourists don't know any better. That is true, but then Disney is on yet another advertising blitz to grow the local Annual Pass base. Well, if you are interested in growing your base of regulars, those are the type of people who do notice when you take things away and raise prices, so the effort to get the locals won't matter much in the end once they realize that it's a continual game of taking away from the consumer.
I as a shareholder am very concerned with the business plan of this company with their utter disregard for the consumer. The attitude of some is take it or leave it. If you don't like it, then don't buy the product, but don't complain about it either. Well, I thought that it was an example of something so slight, but so symbolic of a deeply engrained problem engulfing the company. We'll see, but nothing seems to be running so well for the once grand company. It's a shame to see a place that I've enjoyed so much over the years fall so quickly.
BTW-They haven't been running the trams at Epcot either, at least not during the early evening like they always had. Tough for grandma, I guess. It's just good business sense to save some gas and a few cast members. Great show.
Well, for those of you who immediately jumped all over my statements, yes, I have full understanding of business, so let me put some context to this.Number one, have you still not FIGURED out that "the economy" and so forth is a continued excuse? This company has been gradually taking away things since the late 90s with the boom still in full bloom. The absurdity of attraction closures began under Judson Green in the mid-90s. Mr. Eisner has continued to run division after division into the ground and is running out of pieces to milk in the theme park division to pull additional profit out of. It's laughable to see the crocodile tears from this company, who still has an incredible profit margin in their theme park enterprise.
Secondly, I am a business owner. I have employees and we have a rocky economy. A GOOD, SOLID business reaches out to the consumer in a down economic trend, especially to the base. Our company fully understands that our return on investment will be lower during uncertain times, but the last thing that we ever want to do is take away from our consumer. The last thing a business should do is raise prices in a economic downturn, the absolute last.
Much of the rationale that I've heard in the thread makes no sense. So, for example, companies might cut employee hours, but they don't raises prices. On the contrary, you can find savings at department stores and meal deals at establishments that haven't been seen in years. $5 of $15 at Benningans, TGI Fridays, nice deal, for certain. They are trying to attract business and then add to their base/foundation once the economy is in full swing in the future. That's smart business, very smart. Trying to boost business, while taking an artificial loss on the meal ticket, but for future gains with an increased loyalty base.
Macy's doesn't raise the price of a $25 shirt to $29 in a downtime, rather they offer extended savings promotions.
As for the rationale that American food portions are too large, that isn't the issue! Disney sells garbage food absolutely everywhere on their property and licenses their brand out to some of the most worthless food on the planet. Good nutrition isn't the issue at hand. You completely play into my argument that dining establishments all over this country are increasing the portion sizes, not reducing them.
Thirdly, prices have INCREASED within the several months on the food. You do not pay more to get less. It seems to be at every cut, hour reduction, and attraction closure that there is a chorus out there that continually makes excuses. I'm glad to see that some of you are glad to be continually taken advantage of. I don't need to add the closing of Innoventions at 7 PM, which they have instituted in the past month, too. Or Imagination? Maybe I do. I'd sure be glad to be UL, who just opened a new attraction in Innoventions, to know that I am now getting two hours less of advertising for my company a day because the employee cost/profit ratio is too high for the company to bare.
Another Voice is correct, as usual. The company isn't interested in hearing my concerns or yours. Their guest satisfaction surveys are worded and structured in such a manner that it is usually difficult to get anything except a favorable response, even from a disgruntled customer. Kind of like a pollster asking "Do you support the President attacking Iraq?" or "Will you support the President in an attract in Iraq?" Many will disagree with an attack (for example sakes, not political here), but once the troops are there, they will support the campaign due to the troops. Same question in basic structure, extremely different results. It's a twist of words.
Universal Orlando has strengthened the quality of their product, offered outstanding annual passholder promotions (FL resident, $99) and has increased their attendance over the past two years.
I have in-laws who came down in October and thought that Disney seemed more like Six Flags and Universal more like the old Disney. My parents are Disney nuts.. they now stay at Universal/Loews properties in Orlando.
1st quarter '03, Walt Disney Co... $1.5 billion in income on the theme parks, $225 million in profit. A quarter of a billion dollars in profit with a weak travel economy is quite good. Wal-Mart did a bit over $71 billion in sales during the 4th quarter of '02 and brought in $2.5 billion in profit. In the ratio of many companies, Disney is making a VERY healthy profit in the theme park division. Also, the argument of appeasing Wall St. is worthless at this point, too. Many companies have given up as the true reality is that if the company reports good news, it's not rewarded, if the company reports bad news it's not impacted. Stock pricing and company earnings are undergoing a fundamental shift post-dotcom. The market's importance wanes as the economy sputters and the general public fails to invest.
The topic shouldn't be for going at eachother, rather a reality check that after several years of cut after cut, it's getting ridiculous. It's called poor business management on the part of the Walt Disney Company and their utter lack of looking at the consumer as a guest presently, you're a dollar sign. I personally get tired of reading these flawed arguments about Disney being a business. You're right and their approach misses the point of a long term successful business plan.
McDonalds franchises are begging the company to do something about the Disney Happy Meals, it's dragging sales down of the product. Disney has saturated the marketplace so inherently that it is damaging the long term success of the brand. We shall see what happens there.
Last points.. I read that well basically Disney can take away because essentially the stupid tourists don't know any better. That is true, but then Disney is on yet another advertising blitz to grow the local Annual Pass base. Well, if you are interested in growing your base of regulars, those are the type of people who do notice when you take things away and raise prices, so the effort to get the locals won't matter much in the end once they realize that it's a continual game of taking away from the consumer.
I as a shareholder am very concerned with the business plan of this company with their utter disregard for the consumer. The attitude of some is take it or leave it. If you don't like it, then don't buy the product, but don't complain about it either. Well, I thought that it was an example of something so slight, but so symbolic of a deeply engrained problem engulfing the company. We'll see, but nothing seems to be running so well for the once grand company. It's a shame to see a place that I've enjoyed so much over the years fall so quickly.
BTW-They haven't been running the trams at Epcot either, at least not during the early evening like they always had. Tough for grandma, I guess. It's just good business sense to save some gas and a few cast members. Great show.
raidermatt
Be water, my friend.
- Joined
- Sep 26, 2000
- Messages
- 6,856
Absolutely right....thanks for the correction.
33% in one shot. Yet people who would agree a 33% increase is not "normal" will excuse this as normal.
------------------------------
Can I just tell you that your post (as well as the card-swiping "Have A Magical Day" post) has given me the best laugh I have had in weeks - maybe months..
Seriously! I'm sitting here with tears streaming down my face..I have a job that I hate; it's been snowing here since November 5th (or so it seems); I've been sick with a stomach virus all week (but had to work anyhow because unless you're in Intensive Care - hooked to life support - the company I work for expects you to be there and functioning at top speed); our elderly dog won't stop peeing on the floor; we've had no heat in my place of employment for well over two weeks now (but let's not let a little thing like 15-below zero wind chills sway management in terms of getting it fixed - they seem to get some kind of sadistic pleasure out of watching people try to file and perform data entry while wearing three pairs of gloves); what little was left of my DH's IRA has gone belly-up in the past week; and I've had a killer of a headache since - oh, I don't know - around 1961....
BUT - bless you my child!! You have literally made my day today!!
Originally posted by Figmentrocks
I'm pleased to see the response of my thread.
Number one, have you still not FIGURED out that "the economy" and so forth is a continued excuse? This company has been gradually taking away things since the late 90s with the boom still in full bloom. The absurdity of attraction closures began under Judson Green in the mid-90s. Mr. Eisner has continued to run division after division into the ground and is running out of pieces to milk in the theme park division to pull additional profit out of. It's laughable to see the crocodile tears from this company, who still has an incredible profit margin in their theme park enterprise.
Secondly, I am a business owner. I have employees and we have a rocky economy. A GOOD, SOLID business reaches out to the consumer in a down economic trend, especially to the base. Our company fully understands that our return on investment will be lower during uncertain times, but the last thing that we ever want to do is take away from our consumer. The last thing a business should do is raise prices in a economic downturn, the absolute last.
Much of the rationale that I've heard in the thread makes no sense. So, for example, companies might cut employee hours, but they don't raises prices. On the contrary, you can find savings at department stores and meal deals at establishments that haven't been seen in years. $5 of $15 at Benningans, TGI Fridays, nice deal, for certain. They are trying to attract business and then add to their base/foundation once the economy is in full swing in the future. That's smart business, very smart. Trying to boost business, while taking an artificial loss on the meal ticket, but for future gains with an increased loyalty base.
Macy's doesn't raise the price of a $25 shirt to $29 in a downtime, rather they offer extended savings promotions.
As for the rationale that American food portions are too large, that isn't the issue! Disney sells garbage food absolutely everywhere on their property and licenses their brand out to some of the most worthless food on the planet. Good nutrition isn't the issue at hand. You completely play into my argument that dining establishments all over this country are increasing the portion sizes, not reducing them.
Thirdly, prices have INCREASED within the several months on the food. You do not pay more to get less. It seems to be at every cut, hour reduction, and attraction closure that there is a chorus out there that continually makes excuses. I'm glad to see that some of you are glad to be continually taken advantage of. I don't need to add the closing of Innoventions at 7 PM, which they have instituted in the past month, too. Or Imagination? Maybe I do. I'd sure be glad to be UL, who just opened a new attraction in Innoventions, to know that I am now getting two hours less of advertising for my company a day because the employee cost/profit ratio is too high for the company to bare.
Another Voice is correct, as usual. The company isn't interested in hearing my concerns or yours. Their guest satisfaction surveys are worded and structured in such a manner that it is usually difficult to get anything except a favorable response, even from a disgruntled customer. Kind of like a pollster asking "Do you support the President attacking Iraq?" or "Will you support the President in an attract in Iraq?" Many will disagree with an attack (for example sakes, not political here), but once the troops are there, they will support the campaign due to the troops. Same question in basic structure, extremely different results. It's a twist of words.
Universal Orlando has strengthened the quality of their product, offered outstanding annual passholder promotions (FL resident, $99) and has increased their attendance over the past two years.
I have in-laws who came down in October and thought that Disney seemed more like Six Flags and Universal more like the old Disney. My parents are Disney nuts.. they now stay at Universal/Loews properties in Orlando.
1st quarter '03, Walt Disney Co... $1.5 billion in income on the theme parks, $225 million in profit. A quarter of a billion dollars in profit with a weak travel economy is quite good. Wal-Mart did a bit over $71 billion in sales during the 4th quarter of '02 and brought in $2.5 billion in profit. In the ratio of many companies, Disney is making a VERY healthy profit in the theme park division. Also, the argument of appeasing Wall St. is worthless at this point, too. Many companies have given up as the true reality is that if the company reports good news, it's not rewarded, if the company reports bad news it's not impacted. Stock pricing and company earnings are undergoing a fundamental shift post-dotcom. The market's importance wanes as the economy sputters and the general public fails to invest.
The topic shouldn't be for going at eachother, rather a reality check that after several years of cut after cut, it's getting ridiculous. It's called poor business management on the part of the Walt Disney Company and their utter lack of looking at the consumer as a guest presently, you're a dollar sign. I personally get tired of reading these flawed arguments about Disney being a business. You're right and their approach misses the point of a long term successful business plan.
McDonalds franchises are begging the company to do something about the Disney Happy Meals, it's dragging sales down of the product. Disney has saturated the marketplace so inherently that it is damaging the long term success of the brand. We shall see what happens there.
Last points.. I read that well basically Disney can take away because essentially the stupid tourists don't know any better. That is true, but then Disney is on yet another advertising blitz to grow the local Annual Pass base. Well, if you are interested in growing your base of regulars, those are the type of people who do notice when you take things away and raise prices, so the effort to get the locals won't matter much in the end once they realize that it's a continual game of taking away from the consumer.
I as a shareholder am very concerned with the business plan of this company with their utter disregard for the consumer. The attitude of some is take it or leave it. If you don't like it, then don't buy the product, but don't complain about it either. Well, I thought that it was an example of something so slight, but so symbolic of a deeply engrained problem engulfing the company. We'll see, but nothing seems to be running so well for the once grand company. It's a shame to see a place that I've enjoyed so much over the years fall so quickly.
BTW-They haven't been running the trams at Epcot either, at least not during the early evening like they always had. Tough for grandma, I guess. It's just good business sense to save some gas and a few cast members. Great show.
--------------------------------------------
Very well said!! Although I'm a dyed-in-the-wool Disney fan myself, their attitude towards customers is really getting to be a bit much..
Quite frankly, I think Disney World is about the only place I know of where people can continually be ripped off - and then feel as though they somehow "owe" Disney World a thank-you card afterwords...
DVC-Landbaron
What Would Walt Do?
- Joined
- Jul 21, 2000
- Messages
- 1,861
PERFECT!!!!
C.Ann, can I borrow that!! I may put it in my signature, since very few seems to understand the quotes I presently use!!
------------------------------
Feel free..
Believe me, I absolutely LOVE the "concept" of Disney World - the magic I feel when I walk down Main Street - the beauty of the fireworks over Cinderella's Castle - the gleam in my grnaddaughter's eyes when she saw Mickey Mouse for the first time - but I'm not going to blindly accept anything and everything that is thrown my way simply because it's Disney World..
raidermatt
Be water, my friend.
- Joined
- Sep 26, 2000
- Messages
- 6,856
Well, then...you seem to have come to the right place!
caseymaureen
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Sep 6, 2002
- Messages
- 172
Just a note:
Between September and December these changes occured to the chicken finger meal at the PO Food courts:
~First, the portions were lowered from four to three per adult meal.
~Second, they changed to a brand with thinner and more "nugetty" strips.
~Third, they changed the kid's meals from the same fingers as the adults to an even cheaper kind which were actual nuggets instead of fingers. Like the microwave meal kind.
Not exactly what most people want to pay $4.95 and $6.95 for.
To the person who said our portions were too big: That may be true, however, it still doesn't make it any better to cut back at one place so that you're only left hungry after paying enough for two meals. It isn't Disney's place to limit what people eat, they just want to make more while buying less.
Between September and December these changes occured to the chicken finger meal at the PO Food courts:
~First, the portions were lowered from four to three per adult meal.
~Second, they changed to a brand with thinner and more "nugetty" strips.
~Third, they changed the kid's meals from the same fingers as the adults to an even cheaper kind which were actual nuggets instead of fingers. Like the microwave meal kind.
Not exactly what most people want to pay $4.95 and $6.95 for.
To the person who said our portions were too big: That may be true, however, it still doesn't make it any better to cut back at one place so that you're only left hungry after paying enough for two meals. It isn't Disney's place to limit what people eat, they just want to make more while buying less.
As others have mentioned, this is not just a "Disney" thing.
I often eat Dannon yogurt for lunch. Just a month ago I was in the supermarket and noticed that all the packaging had changed to a new design. And the package LOOKED smaller to me. So I compared the contents to one I still had at home from my last trip: old package of yogurt was 8.5 ounces. New package is 6.5 ounces. Is the price less? NO! Does it make a substantial difference? YES!
And I called the 1-800 customer number on the package and told 'em to stick it!
So, the next time you're at Disneyworld or land and you feel you've gotten stiffed on a meal, stop at City Hall and insist on being given a customer complaint form to fill out. If enough people complain, you'll see more fingers on your plate.
I publish a monthly magazine: I can just imagine the response from my subscribers if I cut the number of pages by 20% and kept the cover price the same!
I often eat Dannon yogurt for lunch. Just a month ago I was in the supermarket and noticed that all the packaging had changed to a new design. And the package LOOKED smaller to me. So I compared the contents to one I still had at home from my last trip: old package of yogurt was 8.5 ounces. New package is 6.5 ounces. Is the price less? NO! Does it make a substantial difference? YES!
And I called the 1-800 customer number on the package and told 'em to stick it!
So, the next time you're at Disneyworld or land and you feel you've gotten stiffed on a meal, stop at City Hall and insist on being given a customer complaint form to fill out. If enough people complain, you'll see more fingers on your plate.
I publish a monthly magazine: I can just imagine the response from my subscribers if I cut the number of pages by 20% and kept the cover price the same!
DVC-Landbaron
What Would Walt Do?
- Joined
- Jul 21, 2000
- Messages
- 1,861
Sorry to dissapoint you, my friend, but they don't let you fill out those forms anymore. They hand you a card with the web-address and snail mail address!!
Yep!! Disney really has the key to guest satisfaction with this great system!!
Planogirl
I feel the nerd in me stirring
- Joined
- Aug 11, 2000
- Messages
- 49,741
Does it ever seem like the current WDW is some kind of caricature of the great resort we all know and love? The question is what has Ei$ner done with the real WDW.
I hated reading this thread. I have a hungry 10 year to buy an adult pass for and now adult meals too. I just hope that one meal at a time will be enough.
I hated reading this thread. I have a hungry 10 year to buy an adult pass for and now adult meals too. I just hope that one meal at a time will be enough.
Yeah, they're a business alright....but do they NEED ABC? Fox Family? Go.com? Miramax?
The answer is no, they do not. The theme parks are shouldering the bottomline (ie. WE are shouldering the bottomline) and it is time to stop gouging us everytime ad revenues are down for ABC or the movies aren't doing all that well or Go.com's going bust...know what I mean?
We are paying for a theme park, not all the extra's that Disney (read Eisner) has dipped their grubby little greedy fingers in. Disney's getting worse than the government!
Attendance is down. It's a little bit because of terrorism, it's a little bit because of the economy AND it's a little bit because of one less chicken finger for the same price at World Showcase.
Roy
P.S. I TOTALLY had the same experience with the "castmember told us with GLEE that they were serving one less chicken finger and less fries." Why do the castmembers seem to enjoy telling us the bad news? Safari Steve?
The answer is no, they do not. The theme parks are shouldering the bottomline (ie. WE are shouldering the bottomline) and it is time to stop gouging us everytime ad revenues are down for ABC or the movies aren't doing all that well or Go.com's going bust...know what I mean?
We are paying for a theme park, not all the extra's that Disney (read Eisner) has dipped their grubby little greedy fingers in. Disney's getting worse than the government!
Attendance is down. It's a little bit because of terrorism, it's a little bit because of the economy AND it's a little bit because of one less chicken finger for the same price at World Showcase.
Roy
P.S. I TOTALLY had the same experience with the "castmember told us with GLEE that they were serving one less chicken finger and less fries." Why do the castmembers seem to enjoy telling us the bad news? Safari Steve?
d-r
<font color=red>l|ll|||ll||ll||<font color=purple>
- Joined
- May 31, 2000
- Messages
- 3,284
I promise you one thing for abosolute certain. Even the reduced food amount yup will be bigger than anything in Tokyo, cost fewer yen, and you won't have to wait in line an hour to order it- hell you will be able to walk and eat it if you want to also.
DR
DR
caseymaureen
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Sep 6, 2002
- Messages
- 172
I can't speak for Safari Steve or any other CMs on here, but for myself, I never told a guest about cutbacks with "glee." I was just as disgusted, and sometimes more disgusted, than they were. I was dissapointed that the company was taking the cost cutting to such basic things as lowering the quality of food, especially when just a few years ago they tried to make the food better and healthier. Then, if the guest did notice and did get upset, was it taken out on Michael Eisner? On the committees and boards that made the decision? Nope, it was taken out on the minimum wage CM who handed it to them. Guests can be quite harsh to CMs, I've actually been yelled at more times than I can count, two friends were actually struck, and one friend was spit on when he informed a guest that the haunted mansion was closed for renovation. One scenario that may have made the CM you met seem gleeful, first, she may not have really cared. OR she may have already complained and was told to get over it and make the best of it, and they always told us "attitude is everything!" The managers pass down the things that will cause trouble, they don't want to face it either. On the days we'd have kitchen and service inspections all of our managers would mysteriously go on vacation...hmm....
I agree. The loyal customer will continually complain and may even be influential in fomenting some positive turnaround but in all honesty, it really will take alot for them to abandon ship. The company knows this. There is an invisible force which keeps them visiting time and time again.
I think the key here is growing your base of regulars. Meaning getting more people to buy in - those not so well versed to these changes. They may not notice this game for several years and may rationalize the worthiness of their investment when weighing the supposed "fringe benefits" an AP holder gets over the regular guest.
Safari Steve
D23 Expo Here I Come!!!
- Joined
- Aug 27, 2000
- Messages
- 1,909
I have not contributed to this argument.
I have, for the majority of my time on these boards, tried to stay away from threads such as these.
I do not enjoy giving bad news, nor do I know anyone at work who does, and I resent the implication that I would.
I am also a stockholder and a guest, and I see things come from marketing and scheduling and other departments that make me balk. Another thing that makes me balk is when I see people discount offerings produced by Entertainment and Operations and other departments. It is as if the person at the airport ticket counter was rude and so you yell at the flight attendant. It is as if your meal was burned, so you stiff the waiter on the tip. WDW is divided into many different departments, and WDW itself is a division of TWDC. lots of different people, lots of different chains of command. My area manager did not choose the type of chicken served, and niether did Mr. Eisner. Someone in Food and Bev purchasing made that choice (I can't pretend to know the reasoning, but I do know that in the past, what has been percieved as a greedy entertainment 'cut' here on the boards was a result of talent agencies violating contracts and other behind-the-scenes things that guests and our experts here on the boards are not privy to.)
And to lump me in with marketing... I am pretty disgusted with that. When I post about something I find new and exciting, that is all that it is. I am not trying to put up a smoke screen. I don't have extra motives. I'm not on the marketing payroll. When I post about the new opening ceremony, it's because I enjoyed it and wanted other people to enjoy it. When I posted about the UL exhibit at Innoventions, it was because I thought others here would like to know what was going on in that corner of the building and because I had seen no mention of it here. To imply that I (or others like me) am fighting or arguing is bad enough. To imply that I am one of the minions of "the bad guy" is pretty much the lamest thing I have read on this board in a long time. I don't appreciate having words put into my mouth, and I don't appreciate being put on the spot, and I don't appreciate being villified.
(By the way, I saw those "nuggets" last week at Catalina Eddie's on Sunset... pretty gross looking. I am sure that if there are enough complaints that Global F&B will change distributors. They are constantly doing surveys to determine what guests think of the food. Recently, there was a changeover in mac and cheese as a result of a taste-test that was initiated because of guest comments about inconsistencies in the different recipes used at that time across property.)
I have, for the majority of my time on these boards, tried to stay away from threads such as these.
I do not enjoy giving bad news, nor do I know anyone at work who does, and I resent the implication that I would.
I am also a stockholder and a guest, and I see things come from marketing and scheduling and other departments that make me balk. Another thing that makes me balk is when I see people discount offerings produced by Entertainment and Operations and other departments. It is as if the person at the airport ticket counter was rude and so you yell at the flight attendant. It is as if your meal was burned, so you stiff the waiter on the tip. WDW is divided into many different departments, and WDW itself is a division of TWDC. lots of different people, lots of different chains of command. My area manager did not choose the type of chicken served, and niether did Mr. Eisner. Someone in Food and Bev purchasing made that choice (I can't pretend to know the reasoning, but I do know that in the past, what has been percieved as a greedy entertainment 'cut' here on the boards was a result of talent agencies violating contracts and other behind-the-scenes things that guests and our experts here on the boards are not privy to.)
And to lump me in with marketing... I am pretty disgusted with that. When I post about something I find new and exciting, that is all that it is. I am not trying to put up a smoke screen. I don't have extra motives. I'm not on the marketing payroll. When I post about the new opening ceremony, it's because I enjoyed it and wanted other people to enjoy it. When I posted about the UL exhibit at Innoventions, it was because I thought others here would like to know what was going on in that corner of the building and because I had seen no mention of it here. To imply that I (or others like me) am fighting or arguing is bad enough. To imply that I am one of the minions of "the bad guy" is pretty much the lamest thing I have read on this board in a long time. I don't appreciate having words put into my mouth, and I don't appreciate being put on the spot, and I don't appreciate being villified.
(By the way, I saw those "nuggets" last week at Catalina Eddie's on Sunset... pretty gross looking. I am sure that if there are enough complaints that Global F&B will change distributors. They are constantly doing surveys to determine what guests think of the food. Recently, there was a changeover in mac and cheese as a result of a taste-test that was initiated because of guest comments about inconsistencies in the different recipes used at that time across property.)
bigdisneydaddy
Fan of all things Fort wilderness
- Joined
- Mar 27, 2000
- Messages
- 3,964
Steve, I ALWAYS look forward to your reports. You have provided valuable credible information on these boards.
I have seen CM abused at WDW in almost every manner, sometimes people encounter "rude" CM because they have set the tone for the exchange. No one, no matter what their work should have to accept abusive behavior, Unfortunately the world is full of obnoxious people, If anyone doubts that, try working in the service industry and deal with the public.
I have seen CM abused at WDW in almost every manner, sometimes people encounter "rude" CM because they have set the tone for the exchange. No one, no matter what their work should have to accept abusive behavior, Unfortunately the world is full of obnoxious people, If anyone doubts that, try working in the service industry and deal with the public.
airlarry!
Did you know some ferns date back to Prehistoric t
- Joined
- May 30, 2000
- Messages
- 959
I have had one bad experience with a CM in 25 years of going to Disneyworld.
One.
Every other encounter with a CM has either exceeded or surpassed my expectations. In fact, housekeeping ALWAYS exceeds my expectations.
I have seen it happen, but I would never take out on a CM what I know to be a decision made by other people. Just because it isn't right to cut out 25% of the meal and charge the same amount does not mean you can take it out on the CM who serves you the plate.
Is there some background on The Great Chicken Finger Caper you could share, M. Steve?
One.
Every other encounter with a CM has either exceeded or surpassed my expectations. In fact, housekeeping ALWAYS exceeds my expectations.
I have seen it happen, but I would never take out on a CM what I know to be a decision made by other people. Just because it isn't right to cut out 25% of the meal and charge the same amount does not mean you can take it out on the CM who serves you the plate.
Is there some background on The Great Chicken Finger Caper you could share, M. Steve?
Safari Steve...
I didn't mean to infer that you would tell a guest "with glee" about cutbacks. I went back and reread my post and I could see how you could make that assumption and I'm sorry for the poor wording. You are an important CM perspective to have on this board and I look forward to reading your posts and your comments. My "Safari Steve?" comment at the end of my post was to try to get your point of view, not to infer that you would be one of the "gleeful" ones.
What I meant to say was that there have DEFINITELY been cases that I remember in the last couple of years where some CM's got a smile on their faces when they told me that something was no longer available, higher in price, cutback, etc. Personally, I don't know why they would smirk when they said it but they most definitely have.
The two most recent cases that I can think of that we have experienced:
1. When we went to buy a child's AP for my 3 year old and the CM just seemed to be giddy when she explained that there is only an adult AP. She was VERY giddy.
2. When you ask if a restaurant or store gives you a discount for an AP, the CM's sometimes can't wait to tell you "no." It seems to be the high point of their day. They can't wait to throw it back to you quick enough.
Anyway, again Safari Steve, if all CM's had your loyalty to Disney and the Disney name, I think the parks would be in a whole lot less trouble!
Roy
I didn't mean to infer that you would tell a guest "with glee" about cutbacks. I went back and reread my post and I could see how you could make that assumption and I'm sorry for the poor wording. You are an important CM perspective to have on this board and I look forward to reading your posts and your comments. My "Safari Steve?" comment at the end of my post was to try to get your point of view, not to infer that you would be one of the "gleeful" ones.
What I meant to say was that there have DEFINITELY been cases that I remember in the last couple of years where some CM's got a smile on their faces when they told me that something was no longer available, higher in price, cutback, etc. Personally, I don't know why they would smirk when they said it but they most definitely have.
The two most recent cases that I can think of that we have experienced:
1. When we went to buy a child's AP for my 3 year old and the CM just seemed to be giddy when she explained that there is only an adult AP. She was VERY giddy.
2. When you ask if a restaurant or store gives you a discount for an AP, the CM's sometimes can't wait to tell you "no." It seems to be the high point of their day. They can't wait to throw it back to you quick enough.
Anyway, again Safari Steve, if all CM's had your loyalty to Disney and the Disney name, I think the parks would be in a whole lot less trouble!
Roy
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