40th anniversary program - Wow, that's so...underwhelming

[bgraham34]

You all can say "40 is inconsequential" until you're blue in the face, but look at what Walt Disney World used to do for "less significant" anniversaries, and look at what the global parks still do (heck, even Disneyland did more for its 55th, which is without a doubt "smaller" than the 40th).

I do agree that Disney is a business and should be run as such, especially with regard to merchandise, but I don't see how it would have been a bad "business decision" to do more for the anniversary. Spend a few hundred thousand for a great amount of business goodwill--that seems like a bargain to me. :shrug:

I completely agree with your statements and I think if this was the old Disney like in the Eisner years it probably would have been a little bit better. But todays Disney is so much more of a numbers cruncher than every before and they lack the vision or actually lack the customer service of years back of throwing a bone but having gold bars brought back to you.

 

[rob0519]

You all can say "40 is inconsequential" until you're blue in the face, but look at what Walt Disney World used to do for "less significant" anniversaries, and look at what the global parks still do (heck, even Disneyland did more for its 55th, which is without a doubt "smaller" than the 40th).

I do agree that Disney is a business and should be run as such, especially with regard to merchandise, but I don't see how it would have been a bad "business decision" to do more for the anniversary. Spend a few hundred thousand for a great amount of business goodwill--that seems like a bargain to me. :shrug:

Yes, those of us that have been loyal fans and customers for years and obviously decades happily remember the good old days when Disney had spectacular events, varied merchandise, outstanding maintenance and excellent customer service. Unfortunately, the world and Disney along with it have changed. Maybe it's time to adjust our old expectations and learn to enjoy what there is available to us in the present because until the parks and resorts are empty again, it's unlikely to change.

How can spending and additional $500K-$1M for a celebration be a bad business decision? Two words "Shareholder Value". Everything Disney does now is with their eye on the bottom line. That has been evident for the last few years.

How much 40th birthday merchandise does one really need? Buy a pin, a t-shirt and a mug and call it a day. I would rather they put that money into fixing the monorail so that it provides consistent service and restore the evening hours.

 

[fractal]

When I turned 40 I didn't want anybody to know.

 

[COProgressFan]

You all can say "40 is inconsequential" until you're blue in the face, but look at what Walt Disney World used to do for "less significant" anniversaries, and look at what the global parks still do (heck, even Disneyland did more for its 55th, which is without a doubt "smaller" than the 40th).

I do agree that Disney is a business and should be run as such, especially with regard to merchandise, but I don't see how it would have been a bad "business decision" to do more for the anniversary. Spend a few hundred thousand for a great amount of business goodwill--that seems like a bargain to me. :shrug:

I think more than the "business decision" aspects, the folks who used to run WDW had a lot more personal pride in the parks, and had a great deal of attachment to their history. For both those in leadership positions and front lines cast, there was a sense that they were part of something special and unique, and it was appropriate and important to celebrate the milestones as the years passed.

Today, there is a much more corporate culture where execs come and go, CM's aren't always treated so nicely and think of it as "just another job", and there is always a new initiative from above to save more money, rather than improve the experience -- which leads to a lack of a sense of ownership of the parks. Anyone who works for WDW now doesn't feel that ownership as much because on practically a daily basis they are reminded that Wall St. owns the parks, not them. And Wall St. doesn't give a hoot about celebrating anniversaries (nor apparently broken Yeti's, or reliable monorails).

Even though they like to use all the buzzwords and PR, the corporate culture of working for WDP&R is not what it was.

 

[yensid67]

... At least a special parade or something on a larger scale?

A parade that journeys through all 40 years of PARADES would be awesome to see how the parades and floats have changed over the years! It's so interesting to view the old parades on youtube and see how they changed!

I know Disney is a business, but they don't have to be so greedy whenit comes to events like this. It makes the guests feel like they are only good to buy the merchandise and give disney a boost in profits! I personally think that Disney, being a large corporation as with any large corporation, should give back to their guests that make their businesses a success!

 

[Bigart]

We all knew there wasn't going to be much. Wait until 50 and we will see.
At least the hours have been extended.

 

[menamechris]

You all can say "40 is inconsequential" until you're blue in the face, but look at what Walt Disney World used to do for "less significant" anniversaries, and look at what the global parks still do (heck, even Disneyland did more for its 55th, which is without a doubt "smaller" than the 40th).

I do agree that Disney is a business and should be run as such, especially with regard to merchandise, but I don't see how it would have been a bad "business decision" to do more for the anniversary. Spend a few hundred thousand for a great amount of business goodwill--that seems like a bargain to me. :shrug:

I agree completely - as a fan. Looking at what they are doing from a business standpoint - I can see why they aren't doing a whole marketing blast for the 40th. Disney isn't worried about its fanbase - they know we are here. They know most people who track Disney anniversaries make at least annual trips to the parks anyway. I am sure they are looking more to the family that only visits every 5 years. Do they want them to make a trip because of what is going on for the 40th? Or do they want them coming when their multi-million dollar project is opening? I am sure Disney executives are hoping for holiday crowds when FLE begins opening - that's where they want their buzz going. Not toward the resort turning 40. As underwhelming as it may be, I still look at any acknowledgment on October 1 as a bonus and tip of the hat to fans. We most likely will be the only ones who know what is going on that day. Everyone else will find out as the day progresses. All of this is for us.

 

[WDW Monorail]

Older diehard fans expect more because Disney used to deliver more, period.

What did they do for the last 40th anniversary?

 

[muse1983]

My wife and I were at Disney in October of 1971 and we also celebrated our 40th anniversary this year. We were looking forward to something from Disney in October for the parks 40th, but all we received was a offer to buy over $500 in new 40th anniversary pins and other 40th merchandise. We will not be purchasing any of it. It seems that the only way Disney cares about the 40th is to try and squeeze more money out of their guests.

To all those who are disappointed, please boycott the 40th merchandise. Leave it were it is and make you feelings known to the management types not the cast members. Walk up to them and vent your frustration at their greed.

Walt would have done better.

What on earth were you expecting for them to do? I feel what they have decided to do for a 40th (not even one of the huge anniversaries) is pretty cool. It's a lot more then I was expecting actually, now if they decide to do something like this on the 50th then heck I might even complain but I have a feeling the 50th will be huge. I will happily blow around 200 bucks alone on their 40th merchandise when we visit in 21 days!:sohappy:

 

[CountryBearFan]

You all can say "40 is inconsequential" until you're blue in the face, but look at what Walt Disney World used to do for "less significant" anniversaries, and look at what the global parks still do (heck, even Disneyland did more for its 55th, which is without a doubt "smaller" than the 40th).

I do agree that Disney is a business and should be run as such, especially with regard to merchandise, but I don't see how it would have been a bad "business decision" to do more for the anniversary. Spend a few hundred thousand for a great amount of business goodwill--that seems like a bargain to me. :shrug:

Um... You do realize that our economy is still terrible, right?

So many people here are so oblivious to that that it gets annoying.

Besides, WDWFigment, it's already bad enough that you compromised your soul and lost your integrity by becoming a MiceChatter. Those people area always bad company and you know that. You're more negative now than ever before, thanks to those no-good scoundrels.

And Bgraham34, you're just as wrong and uninformed.

 

[wm49rs]

So many people here are so oblivious to that that it gets annoying.

Nothing like preaching to the choir, eh?

 

[The Tuna]

I thought 40 was the new 50???? No one told Mickey...

 

[TropicalFig8]

I thought they would of announced something big like Avatarland on the 40th or had an exhibit with items from old attractions.

They went a little too overboard with the 40th anniversary merchandise.

 

[surfsupdon]

I remember being a young kid for "20 Magical Years." The logo was pretty cool, and I can remember the birthday event tying into the Magic Kingdom. 25th Birthday Cake was cool--it marked an event and I really liked it.

And I've seen my parent's pictures from the 15th Celebration.

So yes, they did use to have anninversary celebrations that lasted a year (or 18 months) and it was cool. It got our family to go.


We are going down for the 40th but it is only because of the Wine&Dine Race. My parents were not even aware 40 was coming up. Big Disney World fans, but they don't follow online fan sites.

 

[DisneyFan 2000]

I completely agree with your statements and I think if this was the old Disney like in the Eisner years it probably would have been a little bit better.

:lol: If it were up to Eisner, a celebration of the World's 40th would be finding a way to cut even more corners while still calling it Disney. I'm sorry guys but some of you are being way too nostalgic about the times past. The company has seen better years and celebrations, true, but it has also seen worse. I really don't see the reason for all the upset posts.

 

[COProgressFan]

:lol: If it were up to Eisner, a celebration of the World's 40th would be finding a way to cut even more corners while still calling it Disney. I'm sorry guys but some of you are being way too nostalgic about the times past. The company has seen better years and celebrations, true, but it has also seen worse. I really don't see the reason for all the upset posts.

Eisner had many great years (then quite a few bad...).

The upset posts are just because long time fans feel this is yet another change in the way the resort is run which is focused on cost-cutting and savings. Disney used to do things all the time (that were quite expensive) just because they could. Now, nothing is done without focus groups, skewed guest surveys, ROI calculations, and teams of accountants.

 

[nngrendel]

Now, nothing is done without focus groups, skewed guest surveys, ROI calculations, and teams of accountants.

As with any business.

 

[DisneyFan 2000]

Eisner had many great years (then quite a few bad...).

The upset posts are just because long time fans feel this is yet another change in the way the resort is run which is focused on cost-cutting and savings. Disney used to do things all the time (that were quite expensive) just because they could. Now, nothing is done without focus groups, skewed guest surveys, ROI calculations, and teams of accountants.

Fact of the matter is though, we've seen and survived much more "cost-effective" years. This on the contrary doesn't seem bad at all, especially considering the ho-hum 40th tag they're celebrating and considering a poor economic reality that glooms over every business. Think about it, you'll see it's not as bad as people here are making it out to be... If this were 50 years, I'd be on that same bandwagon everyone else seems to be riding, but currently all the bickering just seems a bit petty and uncalled for.

 

[wm49rs]

How many here will be in MK on October 1 to celebrate the 40th anniversary?

 

[COProgressFan]

As with any business.

Not Apple....