WDW Understaffed?

[wcw57]

I saw, in a thread the other day, the accusation that WDW doesn't have enough personnel on-duty to keep things (food-service, lines, etc) moving smooth.

I saw this in MK the day after EPCOT opened, but it was understandable. EPCOT was a MESS during opening week (they were running out of food on opening day!)....

Anyhow, the question is: Has anyone else observed this or was it just some "sour grapes" rambling?

 

[mom to minnie&mickey]

Well the fact that you can opt out of housekeeping (I think the option is still available) for a credit says that perhaps they are cutting back on staff there. To me that is an indication that maybe cutbacks are happening at other positions as well. We'll be there in June so I'll reserve my opinion until then.

 

[ravenclawtrekkie]

Well the fact that you can opt out of housekeeping (I think the option is still available) for a credit says that perhaps they are cutting back on staff there. To me that is an indication that maybe cutbacks are happening at other positions as well. We'll be there in June so I'll reserve my opinion until then.

They're so desperate to hire and retain housekeepers that they're offering huge bonuses ($1000+) to people who are hired and stay on for a certain amount of time. The "cutbacks" in that particular area are not intentional, they've just run out of people who are able and willing to do that job for the wages they offer.

 

[Klayfish]

They're so desperate to hire and retain housekeepers that they're offering huge bonuses ($1000+) to people who are hired and stay on for a certain amount of time. The "cutbacks" in that particular area are not intentional, they've just run out of people who are able and willing to do that job for the wages they offer.

I'm sure you can speak far better to this than any of us, but from a family friend CM we have, we're told the parks themselves are not understaffed. The existing staff may work a lot of hours, but there are enough people in the parks. Is that what you see, or do you think they need more?

 

[Denise W]

I'm sure you can speak far better to this than any of us, but from a family friend CM we have, we're told the parks themselves are not understaffed. The existing staff may work a lot of hours, but there are enough people in the parks. Is that what you see, or do you think they need more?

She works at WDW.
Denise

 

[dreiwhit]

On our trip back in early February, I didn't really see anything being understaffed. They did have one side of Dumbo closed, however.

 

[Tomh]

I believe that most of the reports are from guests, reporting that on days when crowds don't seem huge, there are still very long wait times at attractions, and attractions seem to have cars / capacity running below maximum, thus the thought that Disney is purposely cutting staffing back to save money, and allowing longer lines in the parks.

One might even go so far as to posit that this was the real intention of FP+ from the beginning, to allow Disney to run the parks with less staffing, thereby increasing their profits.

 

[AngiTN]

Spring Break is a season that seems to be understaffed for a myriad of reasons. The entire year is not really universally understaffed, in my observations.

I did not think New Years season was understaffed at all. I thought it was extremely well staffed and I felt like they handled the crowds exceptionally well due to their staffing. I also feel like summer is very well staffed. I have actually said for years that I feel like you can actually stand in longer lines at lower crowd times due to staffing changes. This idea is not at all new

She works at WDW.
Denise

Which is why PP said "you can speak better than any of us" in asking for her opinion as an employee

 

[Denise W]

Which is why PP said "you can speak better than any of us"

He appeared to be questioning her knowledge, which is legendary!
Denise

 

[SaintsManiac]

I thought the accusations were that WDW is understaffed during lower crowd times, thus making it seem more crowded? They were most definitely NOT understaffed during Thanksgiving.

 

[SaintsManiac]

He appeared to be questioning her knowledge, which is legendary!
Denise

That's not at all how I read it, but I am quite familiar with how @Klayfish posts.

 

[AngiTN]

He appeared to be questioning her knowledge, which is legendary!
Denise

No, not in any way at all. He was questioning her to get her opinion in the staffing issues at the parks. Read it again.

 

[Denise W]

No thanks.
Denise

 

[wcw57]

uh oh............this is deteriorating.....

I know all parks create "false" lines...keeping cars back to create a "full" ride feeling....no sense putting wear and tear on devices if it isn't necessary...Disney may have taken this to an extreme...idk.

Anyone know if they DO still offer the gift cards? Was it a $10 Dis card?

 

[Klayfish]

He appeared to be questioning her knowledge, which is legendary!
Denise

It would help if you actually bothered to read. I'm well aware PP is a CM, which is precisely why I said she can speak to it far better than any of us and asked her opinion. But you read into it what you'd like.

 

[Christinecinti]

You mean the $10 Dis card for declining housekeeping? If so I'd also love to know if they still do this, and what hotels. With only 2 of us travelling, we really just don't need it.

 

[AngiTN]

uh oh............this is deteriorating.....

I know all parks create "false" lines...keeping cars back to create a "full" ride feeling....no sense putting wear and tear on devices if it isn't necessary...Disney may have taken this to an extreme...idk.

Anyone know if they DO still offer the gift cards? Was it a $10 Dis card?

Gift cards?

 

[AngiTN]

You mean the $10 Dis card for declining housekeeping? If so I'd also love to know if they still do this, and what hotels. With only 2 of us travelling, we really just don't need it.

Ah, yes, at Mods and Values they do

 

[pattyw]

DS is CP at EPCOT right now- working 14 hour days- 60 hour week! So maybe not understaffed, but definitely CMs working a LOT!!

 

[Alesia]

He appeared to be questioning her knowledge, which is legendary!
Denise

You misread the post.