Why Does a Mickey Bar Cost $3.49?

[Tiger926]

What a head hurting thread!

If the OP's theory is correct, than those Mickey Bars are a good deal! If his whole argument of guest compensation is to be believed, than those Mickey Bars should cost about $11.00 a piece. Replacing wardrobes is surely going to cost more than $3.49.

What a wacky thread, Tiger

 

[pilferk]

Been to a major league ball game lately?

The simple answer is "because they can".

No kidding.

I've been to 4 (and soon to be 5) Yanks games this year. The prices at The Stadium make Disney prices look cheap!

 

[pilferk]

Pilferk, I am glad u got some pixie dust I wasn't tryin to flame u I just didn't want anyone to go unprepared. Way back in 2006 I paid $6.00 for the sample size kit u refer too. Happily I have not had to buy any diapers lately. Only passys and baby food sadly I don't know your joy, it will be a while before I am diaper free

I didn't take it as a flame. Just wanted to explain why I thought what I did.

I wonder why we all got the freebies (back in 2007)?

I know their system wasn't down....because there were at least 3 people who bought baby food.

Maybe we go lucky and some company had ponied up free samples for them to dole out?

Was your experience at the MK baby center?

 

[pilferk]

Or, in truth, it does have an effect on the bottom line --- a positive effect. It may lose a small amount of money in the short term, but it will, at least some of the time, generate enough guest goodwill that a family might make another trip (and possibly many future trips) when they might otherwise never return. That's worth way more than a complimentary meal -- which only costs Disney the cost it takes to produce it, anyway.

It's a win-win for the guest and for Disney.

Scott

That's exactly the logic behind Guest Recovery. Give them something that, really, actually COSTS you very little so you can continue to make money on that guest/customer in the future. AND you'll generate positive word of mouth (most likely) that could result in an expansion of your guest/customer base.

You're right. I should have said "doesn't have a NEGATIVE effect on the bottom line".

 

[Experiment_626]

And you might just be right, I'll pass that right along to the Disney employees who work for minimum wage.

I'm confused -- does Disney tell prospective cast members that they can't pay more because they're barely keeping the gates open? Do they misrepresent what they're going to pay those cast members?

Salaries are, in almost all cases, determined by how difficult it would be to replace the employee in question with another person who can perform the job duties to a generally similar level. That's why teachers don't make as much as professional athletes.

Scott

 

[Experiment_626]

That's exactly the logic behind Guest Recovery. Give them something that, really, actually COSTS you very little so you can continue to make money on that guest/customer in the future. AND you'll generate positive word of mouth (most likely) that could result in an expansion of your guest/customer base.

You're right. I should have said "doesn't have a NEGATIVE effect on the bottom line".

Yep!

In another thread a few days ago, someone said to me that he/she was mistrustful of Disney's motives in general because their interest is in making a profit. I've been pondering that quite a bit since then and have realized that I do trust Disney's motives for the most part -- I know they're in business to make money. However, that doesn't mean they don't offer something I value for the money I spend. And the above is a great example. And I firmly believe that just because the goal is a long term increase in the bottom line, it doesn't mean that people in the company -- from the cast member in the park right on up -- don't like being able to do those little extra things for guests, or that they don't get a good feeling from having done it. It isn't guaranteed, of course, but neither are they mutually exclusive.

Scott

 

[Tiger926]

Yep!

In another thread a few days ago, someone said to me that he/she was mistrustful of Disney's motives in general because their interest is in making a profit. I've been pondering that quite a bit since then and have realized that I do trust Disney's motives for the most part -- I know they're in business to make money. However, that doesn't mean they don't offer something I value for the money I spend. And the above is a great example. And I firmly believe that just because the goal is a long term increase in the bottom line, it doesn't mean that people in the company -- from the cast member in the park right on up -- don't like being able to do those little extra things for guests, or that they don't get a good feeling from having done it. It isn't guaranteed, of course, but neither are they mutually exclusive.

Scott

I don't understand that line of thinking...if they didn't make a profit, Disney wouldn't exist.

I really don't understand why people take Disney's ability to secure profits, in a personal way?

Tiger

 

[magicluvinmom]

Was your experience at the MK baby center?

2006 was what we lovingly refer to as the wonderful year of Annual passes. We went 4 times and I bought the kits several times, I know I did it in mk and ak but not sure about the other parks. After a while u would think I should know how many diapers to bring but alas found myself w/o on several occasions. The more we went the more we kept trying to streamline what we carried, FYI diapers is not a good item to cut when tryin to reduce how much u carry
On a different note all this talk about Mickey bars is makin me have a chocolate craving, there is nothing like the chocolate on a Mickey bar

 

[Uncle Remus]

Yep!

In another thread a few days ago, someone said to me that he/she was mistrustful of Disney's motives in general because their interest is in making a profit. I've been pondering that quite a bit since then and have realized that I do trust Disney's motives for the most part -- I know they're in business to make money. However, that doesn't mean they don't offer something I value for the money I spend. And the above is a great example. And I firmly believe that just because the goal is a long term increase in the bottom line, it doesn't mean that people in the company -- from the cast member in the park right on up -- don't like being able to do those little extra things for guests, or that they don't get a good feeling from having done it. It isn't guaranteed, of course, but neither are they mutually exclusive.

Scott

And what about the employees who don't feel the grifter guest should be rewarded for his con job on Disney, yet the guest still gets the magic from managers (the CM's supervisor)? Are managers under so much stress to keep guests happy that any disgruntled guest is placated with freebies/comps, even those who are out to scam the resorts/restaurants, etc? Do you think this affects/effects employee morale? And at what cost if good employees leave Disney?

 

[Uncle Remus]

I don't understand that line of thinking...if they didn't make a profit, Disney wouldn't exist.

I really don't understand why people take Disney's ability to secure profits, in a personal way?
Tiger

I think Disney employees have a right to take it personally.

 

[TinkerBelle920]

This whole grifter topic sounds more like a social commentary on our goverment and the amount of freeloaders in this country. Seems like a problem that's much larger than Disney

 

[Tiger926]

And what about the employees who don't feel the grifter guest should be rewarded for his con job on Disney, yet the guest still gets the magic from managers (the CM's supervisor)? Are managers under so much stress to keep guests happy that any disgruntled guest is placated with freebies/comps, even those who are out to scam the resorts/restaurants, etc? Do you think this affects/effects employee morale? And at what cost if good employees leave Disney?

Have you ever worked in retail? Part of the budget is shrinkage - and it's for shoplifting, write offs from defective or broken products, and guest/customer compensation.

Part of the bean counters jobs is to accurately assess this account - if it gets too high, then an audit is done. They don't just automatically raise prices. I would think that Disney would not just automatically raise prices, as this could hurt them in other areas.

I really don't think thousands upon thousands of guests are placated with freebies as you are suggesting. We have had major things happen, and we are DVC, and no freebies at all. They don't give out freebies to everyone.

I would think that employee morale is affected by many more things, then whether the Smith Family got new shirts due to a scam.

I think Disney employees have a right to take it personally.

I don't follow...are you suggesting that Disney should not make any profits? Or, perhaps you are suggesting that they pay their employees more, and make less profits?

Regardless, when you work for a multibillion dollar corporation, you are bound to have morale issues, and not all of those issues can be easily solved by lowering the price of a Mickey bar, or, giving out raises.

Tiger

 

[Uncle Remus]

Have you ever worked in retail? Part of the budget is shrinkage - and it's for shoplifting, write offs from defective or broken products, and guest/customer compensation.

Part of the bean counters jobs is to accurately assess this account - if it gets too high, then an audit is done. They don't just automatically raise prices. I would think that Disney would not just automatically raise prices, as this could hurt them in other areas.

I really don't think thousands upon thousands of guests are placated with freebies as you are suggesting. We have had major things happen, and we are DVC, and no freebies at all. They don't give out freebies to everyone.

I would think that employee morale is affected by many more things, then whether the Smith Family got new shirts due to a scam.



I don't follow...are you suggesting that Disney should not make any profits? Or, perhaps you are suggesting that they pay their employees more, and make less profits?

Regardless, when you work for a multibillion dollar corporation, you are bound to have morale issues, and not all of those issues can be easily solved by lowering the price of a Mickey bar, or, giving out raises.

Tiger

Hey Tiger, I'm followin' a few threads on the CB so this one isn't gettin' my full attention, sorry.

My contention is that CMs are under assault from grifters, the disgruntled guest who expects to be compensated for every li'l mishap at Disney and how is this cutting into Disney's profits. It also has to cut into employee morale while at the same time, these employees are havin' to put up with this crap are paid minimum wage. I admit I don't have any figures and I sure don't expect CMs to be able to relate their experiences, but surely these compensations aren't free like some want us to believe.

Let me put it this way: Someone at a moderate resort doesn't like the view from his room, maybe it's construction and they expected a pool view, but didn't request it. What if the guy is really bein' a pain about it, in front of other guests 'n he's not gonna have anything less than a pool view? And of course, there's no more pool views at his resort, should he then be compensated for his trouble with a room at BC, pool view?

 

[Tiger926]

Hey Tiger, I'm followin' a few threads on the CB so this one isn't gettin' my full attention, sorry.

My contention is that CMs are under assault from grifters, the disgruntled guest who expects to be compensated for every li'l mishap at Disney and how is this cutting into Disney's profits. It also has to cut into employee morale while at the same time, these employees are havin' to put up with this crap are paid minimum wage. I admit I don't have any figures and I sure don't expect CMs to be able to relate their experiences, but surely these compensations aren't free like some want us to believe.

Let me put it this way: Someone at a moderate resort doesn't like the view from his room, maybe it's construction and they expected a pool view, but didn't request it. What if the guy is really bein' a pain about it, in front of other guests 'n he's not gonna have anything less than a pool view? And of course, there's no more pool views at his resort, should he then be compensated for his trouble with a room at BC, pool view?

Yup, got all of that. But, you need to seriously step back, and think about it rationally...

Disney sees over 50 million guests a year...how many of those do you actually think are scamming? It's going to be a minute amount, and I really don't think it's going to affect the bottom line that much.

Now, employee morale is very important, and again, I'm sure there is more to it than scammers. How about being overworked, low pay, rude and entitled guests, weather, lack of training, etc.

I totally get what you are saying...but to suggest that a few scammers is having such a drastic and horrible effect on CMs is just not a feasible argument, IMHO.

You really seem to be bothered by this, and I wonder where your evidence comes from?

I have stayed at pretty much all Disney resorts on property, and eaten at almost all restaurants, and we have not seen that many guests demanding such huge compensation as you are suggesting. I just don't think it's as big of an issue as you think it is...and I hardly think that pricing of a Mickey Bar at $3.49 is reflective of this scamming.

I think there are other more pressing issues that are having an effect on CM morale than this one.

Tiger

 

[Asellus]

Let me put it this way: Someone at a moderate resort doesn't like the view from his room, maybe it's construction and they expected a pool view, but didn't request it. What if the guy is really bein' a pain about it, in front of other guests 'n he's not gonna have anything less than a pool view? And of course, there's no more pool views at his resort, should he then be compensated for his trouble with a room at BC, pool view?

If you work in a hotel (any hotel) its pretty much a given that there will be rude pain in the butt guests.....it comes with the job description whether you're front desk or management.

 

[Uncle Remus]

Yup, got all of that. But, you need to seriously step back, and think about it rationally...

Disney sees over 50 million guests a year...how many of those do you actually think are scamming? It's going to be a minute amount, and I really don't think it's going to affect the bottom line that much.

Now, employee morale is very important, and again, I'm sure there is more to it than scammers. How about being overworked, low pay, rude and entitled guests, weather, lack of training, etc.

I totally get what you are saying...but to suggest that a few scammers is having such a drastic and horrible effect on CMs is just not a feasible argument, IMHO.

You really seem to be bothered by this, and I wonder where your evidence comes from?

I have stayed at pretty much all Disney resorts on property, and eaten at almost all restaurants, and we have not seen that many guests demanding such huge compensation as you are suggesting. I just don't think it's as big of an issue as you think it is...and I hardly think that pricing of a Mickey Bar at $3.49 is reflective of this scamming.

I think there are other more pressing issues that are having an effect on CM morale than this one.

Tiger

The price of the Mickey Bar was used just as an analogy, who knew it's sooo coveted 'n that folks actually think an ice cream bar is worth anythin' over a buck.

And yeah, there's a whole lot more to this story.

Y'all be kind to the CMs, they deserve it.

 

[Tiger926]

The price of the Mickey Bar was used just as an analogy, who knew it's sooo coveted 'n that folks actually think an ice cream bar is worth anythin' over a buck.

And yeah, there's a whole lot more to this story.

Y'all be kind to the CMs, they deserve it.

Well, if there is more to the story, and you are privy to private details that we don't have, then your thread is confusing...If you know for a fact, that scammers are having an effect on Disney's bottom line, then you should have said that.

I am very kind to the CMs, even when they aren't so kind to me...

Tiger

 

[DisneylandForever]

For some reason I don't mind paying $3.50 for a Nestle ice cream cookie sandwich (I prefer those to Mickey bars) at Disney. Maybe because I rarely eat sweets when not in Disney.


But as an avid water drinker, what I do find egregious is spending $2.75 for a single bottle of water. I can get a whole case of water at Costco for like 4 bucks!

 

[Uncle Remus]

For some reason I don't mind paying $3.50 for a Nestle ice cream cookie sandwich at Disney. Maybe because I rarely eat sweets when not in Disney.


But as an avid water drinker, what I do find egregious is spending $2.75 for a single bottle of water. I can get a whole case of water at Costco for like 4 bucks!

Take my advice, don't start a thread about it here.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

Actually OP has a point...

There's the guest who filed suit because "Disney should have known it would rain and built the park under a dome"

There's the guest who wanted medical car for thier busted ear drum... caused by the "sudden pressure descent" in the 'Hydrolators" at the Living Seas.

And so forth (and no, I didn't make those up, they were confirmed to me by someone at Disney once )

I have seen some CMs be "attacked" by guests who wanted something for "Free" or something they weren't entitled to...

Front desk staff are really under the gun.

(Of course my personal favorite was the guest at the Beach Club SCREAMING that her TA had guranteed her an OCEAN view and all she could see was some old lake CM actually had a map out trying to explain WHY he could not help her out!)