On layoffs, very bad attendance, and Iger's legacy being one of disgrace

[CaptainAmerica]

A bunch of high income earners that can “take it or leave it” because they have high income toys and diversions at home.

It didn’t USED to be that way...it used to be anchored in the middle class roadtrips/summer vacations...but they’ve taken it down another path.

No sense fighting the truth...it will win.

Yeah the thing I think of when I picture a crowded afternoon in the Magic Kingdom is *squints* high income earners.

I wish they'd actually raise prices and class up the place.

 

[ImperfectPixie]

Yeah I agree here. There is no reason why Bubba and family need to be in the Magic Kingdom. I sometimes wish we lived in the era where folks actually dressed decently for the parks instead of the trashy gym shorts and tees you see so often

Blame the industrialization of the clothing industry...that's why those types of clothing exist.

 

[maxairmike]

Which is incredibly unfortunate. Not that the ride itself is bad, but the whole exposed track and theming is a major failure and part of the reason Toy Story Land is so terrible. If Disney pivoted to building a lot of rides like Slinky Dog I'd probably stop going.

Slinky isn't a reason that TSL isn't a great land. Well, maybe if we had gotten closer to the original concept art treatment it would be better, but that's pretty much the only thing I can knock Slinky on in terms of not making the land great, and overall that's pretty minor. Exposed track and the theme are perfectly fine.

 

[DisneyGigi]

Disney trips are more expensive than regular *theme* park visits. I have to be honest, though, we spend the same amount for lodging, and dining anywhere we visit. A weekend trip to Gatlinburg, we easily spent 3000.00 even in the 90’s. A week trip to the beach 3000.00 easy, not including food, and whatever else we decide to do. Vacations are not cheap, unless I am just going to the wrong places. I am 47 and haven’t had a parent pay anything for me in over 30 + years. Should they cut prices for reduced hours, entertainment? Probably. If I still choose to go, though, don’t begrudge them or me for making that decision. It isn’t that expensive, and if it is don’t go. Your money, your choice.

 

[Jrb1979]

Disney trips are more expensive than regular *theme* park visits. I have to be honest, though, we spend the same amount for lodging, and dining anywhere we visit. A weekend trip to Gatlinburg, we easily spent 3000.00 even in the 90’s. A week trip to the beach 3000.00 easy, not including food, and whatever else we decide to do. Vacations are not cheap, unless I am just going to the wrong places. I am 47 and haven’t had a parent pay anything for me in over 30 + years. Should they cut prices for reduced hours, entertainment? Probably. If I still choose to go, though, don’t begrudge them or me for making that decision. It isn’t that expensive, and if it is don’t go. Your money, your choice.

I don't know where you are going but I have never spent near that amount for any vacation I have taken. Then again I won't pay more then $120 a night for a hotel. Last year when I went to Florida it cost me $600 for the hotel for the week. Adding in Universal for the week I paid maybe $1400 total for the week including air fare. I have never paid $2000 for any vacation anywhere.

 

[DisneyGigi]

I don't know where you are going but I have never spent near that amount for any vacation I have taken. Then again I won't pay more then $120 a night for a hotel. Last year when I went to Florida it cost me $600 for the hotel for the week. Adding in Universal for the week I paid maybe $1400 total for the week including air fare. I have never paid $2000 for any vacation anywhere.

I have been paying to stay in houses on the beach, 2200 minimum since 1992. It has went way up, over the years. Hotels Coast of NC, Jekyll Island, and SC. Cheapest rate we have ever gotten, in years with AP rate for Disney, moderate, 150, but usually 180 per night. And off season. Beach rates, in a hotel are around 200 a night. Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge Hotels, have been paying Disney prices well before we ever went to Disney. :-/
Edit to add, I think we are definitely considered Rural. Can’t imagine hotel rates that cheap though.

 

[Jrb1979]

I have been paying to stay in houses on the beach, 2200 minimum since 1992. It has went way up, over the years. Hotels Coast of NC, Jekyll Island, and SC. Cheapest rate we have ever gotten, in years with AP rate for Disney, moderate, 150, but usually 180 per night. And off season. Beach rates, in a hotel are around 200 a night. Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge Hotels, have been paying Disney prices well before we ever went to Disney. :-/
Edit to add, I think we are definitely considered Rural. Can’t imagine hotel rates that cheap though.

I would never pay that much. My family looks at a hotel as a place to sleep. I look at what the latest reviews are and if they are good I will book it. I was in Myrtle Beach at the beginning of March and paid $80 a night. I can't for the life me see paying $200 or more per night for a place to sleep at night.

 

[DisneyGigi]

I would never pay that much. My family looks at a hotel as a place to sleep. I look at what the latest reviews are and if they are good I will book it. I was in Myrtle Beach at the beginning of March and paid $80 a night. I can't for the life me see paying $200 or more per night for a place to sleep at night.

I am going to bow out, I have been to Myrtle Beach, many times, but not in many years. I visit, staying in a house, at Holden Beach. That is cool though, we are on different ends of the vacation realm, and that is okay.

 

[UNCgolf]

Slinky isn't a reason that TSL isn't a great land. Well, maybe if we had gotten closer to the original concept art treatment it would be better, but that's pretty much the only thing I can knock Slinky on in terms of not making the land great, and overall that's pretty minor. Exposed track and the theme are perfectly fine.

That's why I said part of the reason. The land is a failure overall and Slinky is easily the best part, but Slinky doesn't help with the exposed track and lack of theming. As someone else said, it wouldn't have been that difficult to theme the track itself (or at least the supports) as part of a toy set. Large amounts of exposed track is never a good look for a themed area.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Yeah the thing I think of when I picture a crowded afternoon in the Magic Kingdom is *squints* high income earners.

I wish they'd actually raise prices and class up the place.

You think the riff raff is hanging out at $125 a head?

 

[EricsBiscuit]

Uni was PACKED today. DS is also busy despite the heavy rain.

 

[DisneyGigi]

Yea we are. Im an AP but at the of the day, its an amusement park. These endless essays about the inconvenience are tiring

I am as well, to both, most years. The difference is I pay for the entire family to have annual passes for Dollywood, yet we never go. Well, not to Dollywood, since 2017. It just isn’t worth it to go, we blew two years worth of season passes. Seems like a good idea, but not that fun. After a a kazillion years of going. Dollywood is an amusement park. Something you do on a weekend, like Carowinds. Cheap thrill. Disney is different, IMO, even with the cheap thrift store version. The comparison to me is tiring as well.

 

[lewisc]

I wish they'd actually raise prices and class up the place.

You're confusing the relationship between price and quality (class) at Disney. Disney discovered they could charge 5* + pricing at the GF without staffing to offer the 5* experience offered at resorts like 4 Seasons and the Waldorf.

The GF is themed to resemble a 5* hotel

 

[UNCgolf]

I have no idea what you're still on about. My initial gripe was that people act like Disney is some holy place when at the end of the day they're no better than the rest. All they do differently is dress up the attractions and have great fireworks shows. Its not that serious bro

Because your comparisons are basically nonsensical and I'm trying to help you understand why.

For one final try before I give up, Disney doesn't "dress up" the attractions. The attractions are fundamentally different types of attractions (for the most part; not exclusively). It's not really a question of "better" or not; it's about people's individual preferences. If you're looking for big thrill roller coasters and other similar rides, Disney World isn't the place for you because it's not that type of park. They're not trying to offer that experience, just like Cedar Point isn't trying to offer a highly themed experience full of story-based rides.

Essentially, a place like WDW and a place like Cedar Point (and parks like Six Flags, even moreso) aren't really even competitors. They're not trying to do the same thing. It's almost like different genres of music -- Mozart and the Beatles both wrote great music, but comparing them seems pointless because they were intentionally doing very different things.

 

[Gringrinngghost]

So... September is looking good for if you want the park to yourself... and some parks are toying of on demand pricing during this...

 

[JoeCamel]

The GF is themed to resemble a 5* hotel

That! Over the years I have seen how the service and fittings just don't live up to a real 5 star hotel experience.

IT is themed as a five star and playing a role.

I just got that and it explains why it isn't really a five star.

 

[UNCgolf]

That! Over the years I have seen how the service and fittings just don't live up to a real 5 star hotel experience.

IT is themed as a five star and playing a role.

I just got that and it explains why it isn't really a five star.

I think it was much closer to being an actual 5 star 25 years ago than it is now. I still don't think it reached that level, but it was a nicer experience.

 

[JoeCamel]

I think it was much closer to being an actual 5 star 25 years ago than it is now. I still don't think it reached that level, but it was a nicer experience.

So much about WDW was nicer 25 years ago and I don't think I have the nostalgia glasses on. Family I was talking to at MK rope drop (when there was one) asked about Epcot and I said it was sad. 20 yo CM overhears and says "what do you mean". Way to young to understand. This was at least 10 yeas ago.

 

[Animaniac93-98]

That! Over the years I have seen how the service and fittings just don't live up to a real 5 star hotel experience.

IT is themed as a five star and playing a role.

I just got that and it explains why it isn't really a five star.

Even worse is Polynesian. It charges nearly as much, but has less on site amenities.

Its kitsch and retro appeal is mostly self-referential at this point. People who can afford to stay there can visit the actual Hawaiian Disney hotel.

 

[Brer Panther]

Prior to the announcement I don't think Florida had very bad numbers. And in the call I think Chapek said something about having solid bookings until the Covid numbers went absolutely crazy. So I find it difficult to believe he didn't want to open, much less other alleged disagreements between Chapek and Iger.

I distinctively remember reading on this site that Iger and Chapek disagreed on whether or not to reopen the parks. Then again, I have no idea what's true and what isn't true when it comes to recent rumors on this site.