Why SO Many Complaints?

[WDSearcher]

I am not saying they are not vulnerable to real world issues. I am simply saying I (personally) don't see where they are hurting to warrant cutbacks.

Ideally, to understand where and how Disney is hurting, you'd need to go back to revenue and attendance numbers over the past few years and map the differences. Yes, the parks are full. But how many of those people are visiting using free hotel room offers, free ticket offers or free dining? How many are in the park for free because it's their birthday? How many are getting $75 worth of free merchandise because it's their birthday? How many are AP holders, who are paying far less than the going rate to enter the park? Or FL Res ticket holders, staying closer to home for entertainment and not purchasing hotel nights? Or military families getting free admission? The money Disney takes in at the gate doesn't even begin to cover what it costs to keep 60,000 CMs working, the park operational and clean, PLUS build new attractions and put new entertainment on the streets to keep people coming back. It's a combination of how many people are buying tickets plus food & merchandise (and extra experiences and all the rest).

All of those special offers were sent out because without them, Disney didn't have enough advance bookings to ensure that the parks COULD cover themselves during the spring. So yeah ... crowds. You hope, when you fill your park, that people will spend money while they're there, because that's where you make your profits. If they don't ... then you're kind of sunk, no matter how many people are on Main Street USA.

 

[twokids0204]

I love Disney, I've always loved Disney, I probably always will love Disney. With that being said I don't see how they are losing money. I was just there in January, the value season, and the line for Rockin' Rollercoaster was 70 minutes. The place was packed.

The stores were full. you couldn't look around and not see a little girl who hadn't been to the BBB.

The movies they are coming out with are a hit.

The resorts were full.

Lines for all eating venues, didn't matter weather or not it was counter service, sit down, or a snack stand.

Prices of tickets keep going up, cost of food keeps going up (including the price of the dinning plans), resort rates are up, everything Disney is up from last year.

If I'm paying more I expect to have the same service and magic as before.

Please don't flame me, like I said I love Disney but where does Disney draw the line at how much magic they intend to cut in order to keep their profits higher? Disney is a business but like any good business you have to keep the customer happy and wanting to return.

I have a trip planned in 2010. I plan on staying at the Contemporary, going to La Nouba, going to some of the Signature restaurants, and maybe doing some golf. I've been to Disney 15-20 times and I've always had a great time but each time there is a little more missing than the last time I went and it saddens me really.

Flame you.... NEVER!

STANDING OVATION!!! We share the exact sentiment!!!



We are just misunderstood here. I agree, Disney rules...and will always.

I simply don't see the need for the cutbacks.

It's manufacturing and automotive that are taking most of the economic hits. You would think that would keep people away, but it's the busiest I've ever seen it, and the $$$ is being spent.
According to these boards, every other post is how busy the parks are.

 

[tinksgilrs251520]

Do any of us really know what Disney spends a day just to keep the parks open, the resorts running and merchandise kept on the shelf. does anyone know how much it costs to spend on payroll? All these are factors, if all of this was made public and we knew what all the costs were and we did not see much of a drastic decline in profit i would be pitching a fit too... But i guess i can understand where Disney is coming from being in the hotel business.... But its like I said, I think they have to make cuts where they think its needed.... And i think they are only tempoary I think when the economy starts to get back on its feet we will see more shows addded and things that they cut come back... I live in MI and we have the highest unemplyment rate in the country right now and if you look at the big 3 and see what is going on there You can look at the Ford Company, They started way before GM and Chrysler cutting back and making changes way before things got really bad. And maybe that is what Disney is doing is bracing itself becuase we justdont know whats going to happen from day to day ... But as far as magic goes the magic is what you make it and try to make magic withwhat is given right now... Just hang in there and things will get better i am sure.......

 

[topmonkeygirl]

Thank-you.
I thought I was going to get the you know what kicked out of me.

 

[topmonkeygirl]

Do any of us really know what Disney spends a day just to keep the parks open, the resorts running and merchandise kept on the shelf. does anyone know how much it costs to spend on payroll? All these are factors, if all of this was made public and we knew what all the costs were and we did not see much of a drastic decline in profit i would be pitching a fit too... But i guess i can understand where Disney is coming from being in the hotel business.... But its like I said, I think they have to make cuts where they think its needed.... And i think they are only tempoary I think when the economy starts to get back on its feet we will see more shows addded and things that they cut come back... I live in MI and we have the highest unemplyment rate in the country right now and if you look at the big 3 and see what is going on there You can look at the Ford Company, They started way before GM and Chrysler cutting back and making changes way before things got really bad. And maybe that is what Disney is doing is bracing itself becuase we justdont know whats going to happen from day to day ... But as far as magic goes the magic is what you make it and try to make magic withwhat is given right now... Just hang in there and things will get better i am sure.......

I hope things not only get better for Disney but for everyone.

 

[WDSearcher]

Actually I have heard that Disney is not going to build new things were PI was. They are going to outsource spots there to chain stores and restaurants and THAT is what is upsetting. If Disney was going to build and create new things in PI, I would be fine with that, but I'm pretty sure that isn't going to be the case, they are just going to be the rent collectors and that is very sad and worth complaining about IMHO.

It depends what ends up there, though. Rainforest Cafe is a chain restaurant and many people love that at both DTD and DAK and make it a "must-visit" dining experience when they plan.

Earl of Sandwich is an outsourced chain restaurant; so is Raglan Road. Also both very popular.

The Lego Store at DTD? Chain store not owned by Disney. Cirque? Outsourced entertainment not owned by Disney. House of Blues? Chain restaurant / entertainment venue not owned by Disney.

On all of these places, Disney is just "collecting rent", and no one seems to think that those experiences are somehow less in the dining / shopping / entertainment departments because of it.

 

[twokids0204]

Ideally, to understand where and how Disney is hurting, you'd need to go back to revenue and attendance numbers over the past few years and map the differences. Yes, the parks are full. But how many of those people are visiting using free hotel room offers, free ticket offers or free dining? How many are in the park for free because it's their birthday? How many are getting $75 worth of free merchandise because it's their birthday? How many are AP holders, who are paying far less than the going rate to enter the park? Or FL Res ticket holders, staying closer to home for entertainment and not purchasing hotel nights? Or military families getting free admission? The money Disney takes in at the gate doesn't even begin to cover what it costs to keep 60,000 CMs working, the park operational and clean, PLUS build new attractions and put new entertainment on the streets to keep people coming back. It's a combination of how many people are buying tickets plus food & merchandise (and extra experiences and all the rest).

All of those special offers were sent out because without them, Disney didn't have enough advance bookings to ensure that the parks COULD cover themselves during the spring. So yeah ... crowds. You hope, when you fill your park, that people will spend money while they're there, because that's where you make your profits. If they don't ... then you're kind of sunk, no matter how many people are on Main Street USA.

Same Strategy every year my friend.

They didn't just start, anual pass holders, discounted tickets, etc...
Sure they are giving free Birthday's, but who comes alone on their birthday? And who stays for 1 day only (unless they live in the area)? Someone is paying for those additional days, and there birthday guests.

Why don't we agree to disagree, and when we cross paths at Epcot (as neither of us will stay away), and I offer to take a picture of you and your family - so you aren't left out, you will simply thank me, we will smile at each other and be on our way never the wiser of this thread. Unless you were a LGMH with a name tag.

 

[JPN4265]

so you started a thread to complain about the complaints threads? efficient?

My thoughts exactly. Be honest, we all love to complain from time to time. Its just our nature.

 

[onejellyshelly]

I agree! I feel blessed to be able to give my child this vacation.

 

[WDSearcher]

Same Strategy every year my friend.

They didn't just start, anual pass holders, discounted tickets, etc...
Sure they are giving free Birthday's, but who comes alone on their birthday? And who stays for 1 day only (unless they live in the area)? Someone is paying for those additional days, and there birthday guests.

Why don't we agree to disagree, and when we cross paths at Epcot (as neither of us will stay away), and I offer to take a picture of you and your family - so you aren't left out, you will simply thank me, we will smile at each other and be on our way never the wiser of this thread. Unless you were a LGMH with a name tag.

Again ... can't tell the full picture until you look at how much money comes in and goes out every year. I would warrant a guess that there are more people in the parks this year who have not paid full price for their ticket than in any other recent year. Simply because those folks with APs and FL resident tix are using them more to get more than their money's worth out of them. I just don't think that you can look at a full park and surmise that everyone there paid to get in, paid for food, is staying on site and has purchased a boat-load of merchandise. All I'm saying is that a full park does not a profit make. There are other factors.

We can agree to disagree, but I still think you're not seeing the full picture. You're only looking at one piece. As for that moment we cross paths at Epcot? I'll be the one wearing the nametag, offering to take your picture because it's just part of the daily magic we CMs all perform!

 

[jm106]

I am one of those who doesnt get to go on vacations enough to see what is normal, so Ill take whatever they offer. I do see so many places loosing money so I can see cut backs will happen, and with that I am sure there will be some "magic" missing from disney. I see they are closing disney stores (I went for disney dollars last week and store was just about to close) so I assume its disney taking a hit. I dont know the ins and outs of the entitity to know the finances and how it all works. Thats said, I will gladly take some missing magic today to ensure a better tomorrow for more ppl, maybe save a few jobs, and refurbish a few places slowly. I am so thankful I will get to be experiencing Disneys magic next month, its been a long time coming, and a lot of saving at home to get to go(was there in '02)

 

[saratogadreamin09]

I openned up the board today only to find in the top 2 spots nothing but complaints. We should all be thankful that we get to go and plan trips to WDW. I realize that Disney is making cutbacks, but aren't we all. I know that my family has made cuts on how much we eat out, how much we go to movies and so on. Money is tight for us, so we chose to make some cuts to our family budget where we had some "fluff". That having been said, most business in the US are doing the same, cutting some of the "fluff". WDW is not exempt from that, they are a business and in order to continue to make a profit or just simply break even, they must cut some of the "fluff", and I realize that some may get their feelings hurt by that, I try my best to make the most out of what is left for me to participate in at Disney. Now along with that, I must make a plan to get the most out of Disney that I can. So, if I must make ADRs so I can get into a favorite restaurant then that is what I will do, and if I must do so in 90 days or 180 days (whatever the case may be) then that is what I will do. I am sorry that the table wasn't available for a walk-up. Yes, the DDP has made it financially easier for me to visit some of these restaurants that I go to, but Disney is in the business of providing entertainment and if they have figured out a way to make it so that is cost effective for them and gets more people thru their doors, then so be it.

But, can we please all just stop complaining about the planning process and the cutbacks. Disney is not impervious to the economic decline in our society, they have to do what they can do as well. I'd rather them cut some "fluff" then to have to close the doors completely because they lost so much money by keeping stuff just to entertain the masses. I am very thankful that my DH and I have jobs in the economic crisis we have here in this country and I am also thankful that I get to still travel to Disney, while I watch businesses around us close and then those families lose their homes. So, while yes, I'll notice some of the things that are missing, I'll also be mindful of how lucky I am that I am there. JMHO.

I agree, be grateful for what you have


I think there are people out there that expect their disney vacation to be perfect so when its not they blame disney. No vacation is perfect, not even a disney one, as much as I love disney I know disney is not perfect (even if its close )

 

[styron]

It's manufacturing and automotive that are taking most of the economic hits. You would think that would keep people away, but it's the busiest I've ever seen it, and the $$$ is being spent.
According to these boards, every other post is how busy the parks are.

You honestly think it's just manufacturing that is taking economic hits? For real?

Sure, the $$$ is being spent... at about 40% off. Are you going on any kind of a sale deal? Me, too! Everybody is.

Since you just filed taxes, think of your household income number. Cut it by 40%. Really, that's not painful?


All this info is out there. Disney is a public company. They report their earnings, and their stock price is a disaster because they have had a horrible several quarters. It's so weird that we're sitting here arguing that Disney is not hurting, they're just laying off people and cutting parades for the heck of it. This isn't a matter of agreeing with an opinion or not. They're facts and actual numbers. You can disagree but you'd be ignoring facts and data. It's not a matter of opinion.

 

[tinksgilrs251520]

It depends what ends up there, though. Rainforest Cafe is a chain restaurant and many people love that at both DTD and DAK and make it a "must-visit" dining experience when they plan.

Earl of Sandwich is an outsourced chain restaurant; so is Raglan Road. Also both very popular.

The Lego Store at DTD? Chain store not owned by Disney. Cirque? Outsourced entertainment not owned by Disney. House of Blues? Chain restaurant / entertainment venue not owned by Disney.

On all of these places, Disney is just "collecting rent", and no one seems to think that those experiences are somehow less in the dining / shopping / entertainment departments because of it.

OMG..... my husbnad and I were just talking about ho wmany stores are in DTD area that are not disney owned but everyine goes there ....

 

[WDSearcher]

Thats said, I will gladly take some missing magic today to ensure a better tomorrow for more ppl, maybe save a few jobs, and refurbish a few places slowly. I am so thankful I will get to be experiencing Disneys magic next month, its been a long time coming, and a lot of saving at home to get to go(was there in '02)

I think that's a good point and something people forget. That there is "a better tomorrow."

In the past, Disney has found it necessary to cut back and reduce "the magic." During the lean days of the mid-90s, for example, and after 9/11. Both times, lots of cuts were made in the parks and resorts -- at one point Disney even closed entire resort wings to save money on rooms that were not being used. New development was shelved and virtually all entertainment was on short schedules. You couldn't see anything seven days a week except the MK parade and IllumiNations. People were laid off; hiring was frozen.

But after both of those downturns, Disney didn't just bring everything back to where it had been ... they did more. Kind of a "Thanks for being patient -- here's your thank you gift!" thing. They came back and put even more entertainment out on the streets than before the cuts. Everything bounced back to seven-day schedules. New rides and shows and attractions were turned back on. New resorts were built. New events added. That has been the pattern, and there is no reason to believe that the same thing will not happen when the economy turns around. Unfortunately, we live in an instant-gratification, somewhat cynical society where people want to know "what are you going to do for me NOW?" Having the patience to wait for the upturn is not exactly the norm.

But for those of you who have been going to WDW for 20 or more years, think back. This has all happened before and the world eventually righted itself each time.

 

[styron]

Here it is:

"Operating income in the company’s Parks and Resorts segment fell a staggering 24% to $382 while revenues decreased 4% to $2.7 billion. In the US, poor performance reflected lower attendance and less occupied rooms at Disney World and Disneyland."

Profits are down 24%. So that means you only get to choose from, what, 6 massive parades and fireworks displays instead of 8 every day!

 

[shellybaxter]

I am just playing devil's advocate to this post.

...

But did I suffer... I noticed little things - Less photopass photographers then usual. When I asked a CM, I was told their salaires are too high, and they had to cut back. I still bought my photo CD, but did not have as many photo's as I would have had. I noticed less staff at the check in / conceirge desks at the resort, etc...


...

I think how the "cutbacks" are percieved is all about perspective so I want to play devils advocate too.


As to the specific issue of photopass photographers; I see it a little different. There were no photopass photogs when I started going to WDW. In a few locations (and I mean few) there was a photog that would give you a slip of paper to take to another location and look at your one photo. When photopass started I thought it was a GREAT idea - such a service for guests. I know that Disney surely makes a profit on the program now with selling the CD and all, but I still see it as a service. When I go to Disney I am still thankful that the photopass photogs are there at all. I don't see cutbacks because there aren't as many. I see an increase in service providing from when I first started going to WDW

 

[WDSearcher]

A) I never mentioned Fantasmic cut backs, but you are correct, that was another of the cut backs.

I meant to say earlier ... I know you didn't mention Fantasmic cut backs, but you said that going back to WDW to find something like Space Mountain closed was different because there was advanced notice and it was something that you'd know before you got there. And so it didn't necessarily relfect "less vacation."

I was pointing out that the cutbacks at WDW have been that way too. They were announced in advance so that folks could decide whether it was worth it to work around that or not, and could decide how much of an impact that was going to make on their trip. It's not as though Disney suddenly cut back a show and didn't say anything.

Sorry ... just wanted you to know why I pulled that point.

 

[twokids0204]

I meant to say earlier ... I know you didn't mention Fantasmic cut backs, but you said that going back to WDW to find something like Space Mountain closed was different because there was advanced notice and it was something that you'd know before you got there. And so it didn't necessarily relfect "less vacation."

I was pointing out that the cutbacks at WDW have been that way too. They were announced in advance so that folks could decide whether it was worth it to work around that or not, and could decide how much of an impact that was going to make on their trip. It's not as though Disney suddenly cut back a show and didn't say anything.

Sorry ... just wanted you to know why I pulled that point.

No worries.... and thanks for clearifying. Now to clearify my comment - it had nothing to do with "announced closures for improvement" it had to do with unannounced, staffing and service cutbacks. I am only concerned for YOU, as stated previously in our "agree to disagree comments", you are the hard working face of Dinsey and you shouldn't have to suffer because of poor economic times in other sectors.

And when I said early "mainly manufacturing and automotive", i think a previous poster missed the word mainly, surely all sectors are hit, but the majority of economic trouble is stemming from US automotive companies not being able to keep up with Japan in quality and service, and huge executive spending, and lower level cutting, which branches out to every sector in the economy, including travel and tourism.

 

[tinksgilrs251520]

I think that's a good point and something people forget. That there is "a better tomorrow."

In the past, Disney has found it necessary to cut back and reduce "the magic." During the lean days of the mid-90s, for example, and after 9/11. Both times, lots of cuts were made in the parks and resorts -- at one point Disney even closed entire resort wings to save money on rooms that were not being used. New development was shelved and virtually all entertainment was on short schedules. You couldn't see anything seven days a week except the MK parade and IllumiNations. People were laid off; hiring was frozen.

But after both of those downturns, Disney didn't just bring everything back to where it had been ... they did more. Kind of a "Thanks for being patient -- here's your thank you gift!" thing. They came back and put even more entertainment out on the streets than before the cuts. Everything bounced back to seven-day schedules. New rides and shows and attractions were turned back on. New resorts were built. New events added. That has been the pattern, and there is no reason to believe that the same thing will not happen when the economy turns around. Unfortunately, we live in an instant-gratification, somewhat cynical society where people want to know "what are you going to do for me NOW?" Having the patience to wait for the upturn is not exactly the norm.

But for those of you who have been going to WDW for 20 or more years, think back. This has all happened before and the world eventually righted itself each time.

AND THAT BEING SAID ---- ALLELUIGH AND AMEN