WDW Cracking Down on Third-Party Businesses

[Calmdownnow]

It seems a bit weird, when they are no longer offering room service, to ban private chef's from catering in suites/DVC rooms with full kitchens and even dining tables. If people are making a living from this, there is clearly demand from guests with money. Let's face it, you are not going to have a private chef cater a meal at Pop Century or one of the Value/Moderate resorts. It's their high-spending clientele they are doing down in blocking this sort of thing.
Similarly, if they are no-longer offering Disney photographers for resort shoots, why prevent people hiring someone who is willing to provide the service?

 

[castlecake2.0]

I agree they have no obligation, but I also see no need to defend a billion dollar corporation for greed and taking a 2x4 to small businesses.

I am defending the right of any size business to decide what they allow on their property, doesn’t matter the size.

 

[Disney Analyst]

Their property and business, their rules. Of course the guest can speak out by directing their money elsewhere if they feel this is going too far.

 

[peter11435]

I am defending the right of any size business to decide what they allow on their property, doesn’t matter the size.

This. There is also the risks and liability involved.

 

[Notes from Neverland]

This is also an issue of liability. Some of these third-party companies were trying to look like they were working with Disney. That, in addition to the in-room offerings (boutique, chefs, etc) opens up a huge liability problem. Everyone would be saying Disney should've cracked down on these third-parties had an in-room incident occurred.

 

[marni1971]

It seems a bit weird, when they are no longer offering room service, to ban private chef's from catering in suites/DVC rooms with full kitchens and even dining tables. If people are making a living from this, there is clearly demand from guests with money. Let's face it, you are not going to have a private chef cater a meal at Pop Century or one of the Value/Moderate resorts. It's their high-spending clientele they are doing down in blocking this sort of thing.
Similarly, if they are no-longer offering Disney photographers for resort shoots, why prevent people hiring someone who is willing to provide the service?

Perhaps the company will introduce their own services and this is a precursor?

Regardless, it’s their private property and they absolutely have the right to refuse.

 

[ToTBellHop]

They certainly should provide these offerings themselves (or formally contract out).

The lack of room service at all deluxe resorts definitely cheapens the brand. And I don’t order room service. It’s just expected at a hotel of that (supposed) caliber. Wouldn’t be that hard to deliver from their own TSRs.

 

[brb1006]

I have various thoughts on this, but can this be extended to live-streamers who do Superchats and solicit money online while streaming in the parks?

Reminds me of how Tokyo Disney Resort actually cracked down on livestreamer and influencers a few years back.

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

Reminds me of how Tokyo Disney Resort actually cracked down on livestreamer and influencers a few years back.

What did they do? I don’t remember but don’t they also freak out if more than 1 person in a family has a camera? Not sure if we want that over here.

 

[DisneyHead123]

Does anyone know how the legal liability would differ for these types of companies vs., say, DoorDash?

 

[ToTBellHop]

Does anyone know how the legal liability would differ for these types of companies vs., say, DoorDash?

Well, your personal business is unlikely to carry the same insurance as a corporation. Also, DoorDash won’t have an image of Goofy on the screen when you order. Some of these companies have sites that make it look like they are affiliated with Disney. And that can lead to lawsuits where Disney is also a party. Doesn’t mean they’d lose the lawsuit, but every lawsuit is an expense for Disney. And here, they are unnecessary expenses.

If you get robbed by your DoorDash driver, you sue DoorDash for damages. If you get robbed by MagicalTim, you may sue MagicalTim (who has no money), but you could also sue Disney knowing they might just settle. People already try this with 3rd party restaurants at WDW, but Disney doesn’t have to tolerate that with the people they have now contacted.

 

[Prince-1]

It was only once

Only once that you can remember

 

[lewisc]

Will ride share and food delivery services be next?

 

[dmc493]

I’ve never encountered that. The drunks in Epcot do that (this trip it’s been especially noticeable) but not the vloggers.

Sat right next to one at the Broadway concert - he didn’t bother me a bunch.

The drunk ladies behind me did bother me with the constant loud talking and drunk singing.

It's not everywhere. But plenty of instances where I can see their big phone grips and lit up screen in Haunted Mansion in the Leota room and on other rides. Enough to irritate

 

[ToTBellHop]

Will ride share and food delivery services be next?

They specifically allow ride share as it’s good for them to have fewer guests they need to transport (and Lyft or Uber would be sued if something went wrong). They set aside stops at the parks and DS for ride share. As for food delivery, they could certainly refuse to let them enter the resorts.

 

[flynnibus]

Will ride share and food delivery services be next?

Why on earth would you make this connection?

You could ask "will they block these services from their property" - but that is different from the idea of telling 3rd parties to stop using disney IP and to stop operating on their property without permission.

The above already operate within Disney's rules, don't claim association, and don't abuse Disney trademarks and IP.

 

[StarWarsGirl]

Perhaps the company will introduce their own services and this is a precursor?

That was my thought. Obviously, there's demand.

 

[DisneyHead123]

Well, your personal business is unlikely to carry the same insurance as a corporation. Also, DoorDash won’t have an image of Goofy on the screen when you order. Some of these companies have sites that make it look like they are affiliated with Disney. And that can lead to lawsuits where Disney is also a party. Doesn’t mean they’d lose the lawsuit, but every lawsuit is an expense for Disney. And here, they are unnecessary expenses.

If you get robbed by your DoorDash driver, you sue DoorDash for damages. If you get robbed by MagicalTim, you may sue MagicalTim (who has no money), but you could also sue Disney knowing they might just settle. People already try this with 3rd party restaurants at WDW, but Disney doesn’t have to tolerate that with the people they have now contacted.

So in theory could Disney give third party companies a list of requirements to meet that would put them on par with DoorDash? Or it more an arbitrary line regarding deep pockets vs. not deep enough pockets?

 

[StarWarsGirl]

I agree they have no obligation, but I also see no need to defend a billion dollar corporation for greed and taking a 2x4 to small businesses.

It doesn't matter how small your business is; you still have to follow the law. Disney legally can tell businesses they can't operate on their property.

Disney also does partner with some businesses. The one I can think of off the top of my head is Buena Vista Scooters. While Scooterbug is the official provider, Buena Vista had permission to enter Disney parks if you have an issue with your rental. They can also enter Universal's parks.

But you can't expect to conduct business on another business's property without their permission and expect that they won't take issue with it.

 

[ToTBellHop]

So in theory could Disney give third party companies a list of requirements to meet that would put them on par with DoorDash? Or it more an arbitrary line regarding deep pockets vs. not deep enough pockets?

They could set a standard. They certainly have rules for third party restaurants in the parks and DS. But, they would be unlikely to do this with a small business. If they felt they needed to outsource something, they’d find a larger vendor. When they decided to outsource valet parking, they didn’t invite random former CMs to park BMWs at the Grand Floridian.