Vendors not Disney CMs

[mitros]

Found out yesterday while visiting the Boardwalk on a day trip that most of the vendors on the Boardwalk work for outside contractors that have a deal with Disney to supply things like the surrey bikes and the hot dog truck. I mean, I know most of the businesses at the Downtown Marketplace and the West side were run by outside companies, I just didn't realize that the Boardwalk vendors were not Disney run. You learn something new every day.

 

[GOOFYFREEK]

You would be surprised that alot of vendors are not actual Disney run. All of the countries in Epcot are run by there specific country and pay a lease to DISNEY. Also all the PEARL stands you see are also owned by a outside company.(Same company that is at US too). There is also Mcdonalds.

Doug

 

[Rombus]

Also i know atleast some of the entertanment on the boardwalk is contracted out.

A moment of silence for the best damn comedy act on the boardwalk: The Boardwalk Buskers!

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

All of the countries in Epcot are run by there specific country and pay a lease to DISNEY.

That's not true.

For most World Showcase countries at Epcot, there is no financial involvement by governments. There are sponsorship deals and leases throughout World Showcase, but most of these are from corporations whose products are sold in World Showcase or from non-Disney restaurant companies.

 

[peter11435]

That's not true.

For most World Showcase countries at Epcot, there is no financial involvement by governments. There are sponsorship deals and leases throughout World Showcase, but most of these are from corporations whose products are sold in World Showcase or from non-Disney restaurant companies.

This is true. I believe Morocco is the only one with national involvment.

 

[jazstar87]

Yeah i took the back stage tour and the cm said that morroco is sponsored by the morrocan goverment and all the other countries are sponsored by companies

 

[Safari Steve]

At the food locations in the parks that sell McDonalds branded products, the CMs are WDW CMs, only the specificly noted food items are McDonalds. The McDonalds restaurants (Downtown Disney and Osceola Parkway/AllStar area) are regular McDonalds.
The photographers and imaging folks mostly work for Kodak.
The balloon vendors, portrait artists, and sillhouette artists work for a company called Rubio Arts.
The face painters and characiturists (sp) are also 3rd party.

 

[heathrow42]

The employees of Big River Grille at the Boardwalk, Both Rainforest Cafe's, Wolf Gang Puck's, Earl of Sandwhich, Lego Store, and probably Bongos and House of Blues are not Disney CM's. But they do go through an (extremely) abbreviated version of Traditions Training. I honestly think that in some places you can see/feel the difference. Especially at the Earl of Sandwhich... but don't get me started!

Heather

 

[lilboo]

But mustn't they all adhere to a strict code of conduct/standards? I'm trying to remember if some of these outside vendors "felt" un-Disney...or maybe there are so many outside contractors now that I wouldn't really know "true Disney" when I do encounter it?

 

[Safari Steve]

Most of the restaurants and many of the shops at Downtown Disney are third-party companies (really anything that isn't specifically branded "Disney") They are expected to adhere to WDW policies. There are about 70,000 people working at WDW, more than 50,000 of us are actual Disney Cast Members. Most of the third party companies are companies like Arribas Bros, Rubio Arts, and Kodak, who specialize in specific products or services and have been involved as WDW Operating Participants for decades. This is not a new thing, nor is it something that was created by the current company leaders. Interesting tidbit- yes. Sign of impending doom- no.

 

[mitros]

I'm sure there is no "impending doom" afoot. Even Walt's Disneyland had sponsors for a number of businesses in the Magic Kingdom back when he was running things, so, no, it is not anything new.

 

[Mickmse2002]

I haven't really noticed a difference in the vendors, thay have all taken my money (lot's of it in fact).

On the issue of Epcot pavilion sponsorships......it is ndeed corporate and that is why it is so difficult to try and expand with new pavilions, it is a huge capital investment.