Walt Disney World is not what it used to be..

[cooldisneymom]

Just back today from 4 days in the world - must say I have to disagree with original poster. Disney to me is like looking at yourself or your children - yea, there are imperfections, but if you love something that much you have to look at the whole picture and not just the flaws!!! IMHO!! I LOVE THE MOUSE!!!!

 

[cobbler]

Just some numbers for you all to toss about for analysis:

2003 annual report
(in millions except per share)

Revenues: 27061
costs and expenses (24330)
amort on intang assets (18)
gain on sale business 16
net interest exp (793)
equity in income of investees 334
restructuring and impairment charges (16)

income before taxes and blah blah 2254
taxes (789)
minority interests (127)

net income 1267

Business segment results:
revenues - parks and resorts - 6412
other numbers . . . . .

depreciation expense:
parks and resorts 681


investments in parks/resorts other:
parks and resorts 577


Liquidity and capital resources
cash by operations 2901
cash used in investing (1034)
cash provided by financing (1523) hmm??
increase in cash and equiv 344

executive compensation:
just salary and annual bonus only, there is more
eisner: 1,000,000 - annual bonus: stock units $6,250,000

iger: 1,394,231 - annual bonus: cash = 4 mil / stock = 1 mil

murphy: 841,827 - annual bonus: cash = 1 mil / stock = 450,000

staggs: 841,827 - annual bonus: cash 1 mil / stock = 450,000

braverman: 685,291 - annual bonus: cash 700,000

and of course there are more board members and not counting stock options granted and other stuff.

 

[Mercy]

Ok, I didn't read the entire thread, just the first few pages. But this thread is making me so depressed We leave for WDW in 2 weeks, and you guys are bumming me out, talking about all the rides that aren't there, the worn paint, dirty streets... I could just

You all need to just stop!!

 

[brunette8706]

Have a great time!!! Don't get depressed.....I'm going in August....WDW is still very nice.........Check out MK, and EPCOT ...they're my two favorites....

Have fun......I know you will!

brunette

 

[MELSMICE]

Originally posted by brunette8706
It's funny Universal only charges $120 pp for an anual pass

Universal also only has 2 parks & no water parks. Obviously, with only 2 parks their expenses would be nowhere Disney's expenses so they can charge less. They also don't have anywhere near the number of resorts Disney has.

I've been to Universal & don't believe you can compare it to Disney, however, that's just my opinion. A lot of other people love it.

If you're looking for the best bargains you probably won't find them at Disney.

Also, no the parks are not always open until midnight any more - only during some peak times. If the parks would be open that late always there would be less time for maintenance. Plus, there are other things to do in WDW, not just the theme parks.

 

[philaround]

DW & I were at WDW for 2 weeks just 11 months before the OP was there. I must say we do miss the rides and attractions that are gone BUT we love what is there. I have no idea how the OP could see everything at MGM in 4 hours. Over 14 days we did not get to see everything. Now I must say this was a very laid back and mellow trip. For the first time, thanks to the DIS, I was able to say to myself, and believe, that if we mised something that's OK, we'll see it next time. I already have 14 days scheduled for 9/2005 and have actually started planning our days. I believe I now know even more than I did last year and wil be able to see and do more than last year and still maintain a fairly calm pace.

The main thing I have learned is while there are attractions that are not meant for small children there are no attractions that are not meant for us big kids. Even the characters know how to handle us biguns at least as well as they handle the lit'luns.

Your trip is what you make it. The CM's are there to facilitate our dreams not to dream them for us.

 

[Tron72]

It is good to see a great deal of Disney Fan talking about the World.

In my last response, I was not bashing Disney in anyway, just pointing out a few areas of concern.

I agree with the post that mentioned that the Parks profits have nothing to with the Disney's movie being made, or their TV ect. Each group makes and looses their own money. One problem though is and many of America's Companies have it their CEOs and Board Members make way to money and alway cry profit lost. I will say out of Disney's 3 key areas Parks, Movies, Tv, the parks hold their own and make profit, the movies that have been made in recent years with a few exceptions have stunk and CEOs and boardmembers have let their politics get in the way of their success so they only can blame themselves.

Disney's petty fighting with Pixar will cost them more money then Pixar was asking for in the first place. It was good quality animation that made Disney who Disney was and still it, I hope Esnier does not forget that. They worrying about movie ratings cost them a great director and a solid actor in Russel Crow in the Alamo, and I saw the movie and it was an ok movie, not great as Disney could have made it. I bet you Esnier is wishing he let Michael Moores' movie be handles by Disney (I am no Michael Moore fan.) But Disney has really let their ego and politics get in their way of making good movies. And come on, Disney did little in the Patriotic sense to show support in the way of cartoon after 9/11, come on Walt Disney during WWII was making Cartoon shorts that were anti German and Japan and PRO AMERICAN...Enough said about the movie issue

Now TV, ABC, come on outside Monday Night FOOTBALL I honestly do not think there is any show I watch on that channel, ok I did watch the Stanley Cup on ABC. But come on reality shows wife swapping or what ever you call it. Eisner and the Board can by ABC and run it but they have not done anything to really make it a top rating channel, UPN is even getting better rattings. Enough said about the TV....

So I think the Parks are great they just need some up dating and caring by those who run the Company and the parks will become what they once were in their hay day, If any has read Roy Disney's letter to the board, one can agree with him and I sure do. Nothing sadder when you go to the park and see paint flaking, more then one or two rides closed down, and restuarants closed down for the season. Also the MK should never close before 9pm during the week, and later during the weekends.

Yes they have E-Tickets and I have done that 3 times, but they are only running it during the summer and stopping at August 13 why stop. I think some people in the Disney upper managment team has truly forgotten what Walt Disney said why he built Disney Land and later Walt Disney World, That he wanted to create a place where a father and mother could take their kids and have a little fun. (ok paraphase.)


To all who read it thankyou,

Larry

 

[Bobump]

Mercy,
The quesstion is "IS THE GLASS HALF EMPTY OR HALF FULL?"

Some people like to say half empty!!!! They are the bashers!!!

I prefer to look at things as "HALF FULL" thus HAVE A GREAT TIME just like I will and IGNORE the naysayers.

 

[FINFAN]

All I know is I have a house that keeps getting older and worn, paint has lost its luster, some weeds in the lawn, carpet needs to be replaced, etc. , but it's full of memories, some of the orig things about it are gone now, replaced by some we like better, some we don't . Heck, I do not hold WDW to higher standards than of myself!
My taxes keep going up, so it costs us more each day to be here.
More than we thought 13 years ago...but it's home. Our choice to stay here or move.
WDW is not perfect...
I have not traveled the world to be able to compare a WDW vacation to all the other options out there...but man, for us with 2 kids who enjoy having so many choices and activities at their command...it's an awesome place to be. I'll take it chipped paint, re-habbed ride, pricey tickets as often as I can afford to, and as often as my family wants to.

I sure hope some of the things you loved about WDW that influenced you to buy an AP are what you remember most.

Pam

 

[Planogirl]

Originally posted by MELSMICE
Universal also only has 2 parks & no water parks. Obviously, with only 2 parks their expenses would be nowhere Disney's expenses so they can charge less. They also don't have anywhere near the number of resorts Disney has.

Minor quibbles. Universal does own Wet & Wild so it has one waterpark to oversee. It actually has no resorts of its own. Universal might be a bit more cost efficient by being an actual working studio.

I don't agree that discussing WDW fairly warts and all is bashing. I think that it's simply discussing WDW and in no way reflects whether a poster is a fan or not. But that's just my view.

 

[Prince Eric1]

Originally posted by brunette8706
So you like Universal huh?? I just looked at the Universal thread on this board...It seems like you can get unbeatable prices on tickets and nice discounts 20 percent on merchandise etc, if you have the AAA card...Doesn't Universal have 2 parks? Which one is better???

Thanks for your comments and suggestions!

Brunette

Its hard for me to say, I love them both. Universal has the MIB ride, the new Mummy, which I have not yet been on, ET, Shrek, and some great shows such as the hilarious horror make up show. IOA has Spiderman, Hulk, Dueling dragons, Dudley do right, Jurassic park, etc. I have to say that there are more rides at IOA that I love, and I think they have put more into the theming at Universal than at Disney. Also, there are rides at Universal unlike anywhere else such as Spiderman.

 

[The Sweetness]

I love WDW, SW, and USF as well. Well, I dont know how much I LOVE SW, but Ill probably be back at least once more in my life. There is no comparing them though. They are all very different, and I may be wrong, but I think that for kids under 10, WDW is the best choice, no consideration needed

 

[MELSMICE]

Originally posted by Planogirl
Universal does own Wet & Wild so it has one waterpark to oversee.

Can you use the Universal AP for admittance to Wet N' Wild?

 

[brunette8706]

I said this before, I'll say it again: I'm not bashing Disney!!

Geez, I simply made a few observations that turned me off a bit. Though, some more than a "bit". Regardless, I still LOVE Disney-World and Epcot. It's just a shame, that with the exuberant prices they charge and have coming in the gate, they allow what used to be the shining example of wonder fade into dis-repair.

Even with the closing of the attractions mentioned earlier, that would be understandable. But closing an attraction, using painted ply-wood is something you would see at a Flea-market, not a "world class" attraction such as Disneyworld. And, I've been to Six Flags and other like parks that cost large amounts of money to maintain. I don't see there the same neglect as some of the areas of Disney. Let me ask a again: How much can it cost to paint a building, or a roof? Years ago, when we went we saw "Wet Paint" signs all over. just like in your house, when a spot gets shabby, you touch it up. Why doesn't Disney do this? It's not just me (and those that have understood what I'm saying here on this thread) that feels this way. Roy Disney himself has said basically the same thing!! It seems like some here have taken it personal that I've mentioned the things I did..., do you feel the same way when Roy Disney himself says it?

We still love the place (not MGM!) and we're going back in August, November and New Year's Eve. Don't be so offended by my words here..., it's just an observation. It is simply disappointing, that a company such as Disney, that once prided itself on being "pristine" in every way, allows it's image to be tarnished by cutting a few corners and being cheap. I mean, if Jennifer Lopez ran out of cash, do you think she'd go outside without combing her hair? Think about it.

brunette

 

[brunette8706]

I don't agree that discussing WDW fairly warts and all is bashing. I think that it's simply discussing WDW and in no way reflects whether a poster is a fan or not. But that's just my view. Minor quibbles. Universal does own Wet & Wild so it has one waterpark to oversee. It actually has no resorts of its own. Universal might be a bit more cost efficient by being an actual working studio.
**************************

Thanks Planogirl! You're exactly right...I'm glad you see where I'm coming from...BTW your gray signature cat looks like mine! Her name is Spanky...

Brunette

 

[brunette8706]

Very informative post...(your last post) I totally concur!

Thanks Much!

I also notice your' going to Disney the same time we are...We're going August 19-25...

Brunette

 

[laceemouse]

brunette, we went to Busch Gardens in Williamsburg last month and they still have to sky buckets ride. We loved it and rode it more than once, however, the crowds were no where near what they are at Disney and a slow loader like that would be a LOOOOONG wait if they still had it. I have a feeling that you are looking back with nostalgia at some of the old rides that are gone, you would probably think they were lame if they were still around. As far as MGM goes, it sounds like you like thrills and not shows. I think you would prefer US/IOA of even Six Flags over Disney. You will not like AK either, we love it as there is a lot to see if you slow down, but there are not a lot of thrills for people like you, at least wait until the new coaster is built. I totally disagree with you, but feel you should just go somewhere else and be happier.

 

[MELSMICE]

Originally posted by brunette8706
but you're right it just seems like the thrill of MGM isn't there like it once was....I do like TOT and the Aerosmith Rollercoaster though....

What thrill is missing from MGM that was there before? Since it opened they have added 2 thrill rides & a "thrilling" Fantasmic show. Many of the other things are still the same (Star Tours, Muppetvision, Backlot Tour, Great Movie Ride, etc.) so what thrill is now missing?

 

[MELSMICE]

Originally posted by brunette8706
Let me ask a again: How much can it cost to paint a building, or a roof?

I mean, if Jennifer Lopez ran out of cash, do you think she'd go outside without combing her hair?

It does cost money to paint a building or roof - how much at Disney? - I'm not sure, but there are costs associated with it. Should things be let go & not repainted or repaired - absolutely not. I agree that there could be more attention to detail & I myself have voiced my concerns to Disney, just as I feel others should (& I'm sure many have).

As far as Jennifer Lopez not combing her hair if she ran out of money - I'm sure she would - that doesn't cost a dime!

 

[GADISNEYGIRL]

Just checked the price for a one day admission to Six Flags Over Georgia, which is just an hour north of us. $42.99~I'd gladly pay the extra $15 to drive the 5 hours to WDW instead of going to SF. Talk about dirty and unkempt...and their employees are NOTHING like CMs...some of their thrill rides are good (the Mind Bender is one of my all time favorite rides), but there is no story, no themeing. The Looney Toons characters don't really add anything to the park, they're rather random. Attractions come and go at Six Flags parks all the time. There is plenty of maintenance and rehab work that could and should be done there. And have you ever heard how many accidents and fatalities are reported from SF parks?? Many more than Disney! And guess what else? Their food prices are worse than WDW, for food of far less quality!

Does that mean I would never again go to a SF park? Not necessarily. But when I'm there, I can't help comparing it to WDW. Even if WDW is "not what it used to be", it is still the cleanest, nicest, most family friendly "amusement park" (if it can even be called that anymore!) in the US, probably in the world. So in that sense, Walt's dream is still a reality!

And by the way, I am also a (one!) stockholder, so I also see the financial reports, as well, and as many other posters have stated, there is so much more to consider financially than *just* the operation of the individual parks themselves.

Hope you enjoy your upcoming trip a bit more, since you'll know what to expect.