A Spirited Perfect Ten

[Mike S]

Absolutely! They do nothing to entice repeat customers. The only thing I can think of that makes people return is that intangible pixie dust that IMO hasn't existed for at least 10 years now.

Must still have some in my system considering I just renewed my AP. That and I enjoy my time with my brother.

 

[Cesar R M]

You're dead-on here. That's what the business model has become: The once every six years or every decade customer. Make them feel obligated that they HAVE to visit as part of the family experience and the grotesque pricing structure doesn't matter. They could care less about us and and regulars. The question becomes when is the tipping point for the one and one customer of the pricing being too high or the experience too miserable?

trust me, its getting closer than you can imagine.
Now thanks to the US dollar being overvalued compared to almost every single latin american currency. Its getting harder to justify.

In my case.. they lost me on the hotels big time.. no way I can justify now getting rooms (even with discounts) in their default hotels.
They will lose money either to DVC (renting points) or staying off property.

Like @ParentsOf4 as said many times.. they're chasing cents when they could get dollars.

 

[Cesar R M]

Working 20 hours on your feet in a theme park dealing, answering stupid questions over and over and doing whatever possible strenuous tasks you've been assigned to is much different than an IT or engineering guy. Not saying what you do isn't important as it's at the heart of what makes a theme park tick, but there's a lot more physical work being done as a frontline CM.

I take you never did IT support I presume?
Because "answering stupid questions 24/7" is part of the job.

isney could raise these CMs wages and it wouldn't negatively impact the bottom line all that much. Happy employees are good for business...and good for fostering, in employees, that special magic Disney is known for....which makes for a better experience for customers.

but..but.. Iger's bonus!

 

[Cesar R M]

"Mako" is a good name for a speedy, jumping, shark coaster, but once again Sea World has named a coaster after an animal they have no hope of being able to display to the public.

Mako is pretty much a well known joke in the gaming community.
Which is funny when you mention "speedy jumpy" (the Mako was an infamous tank in the mass effect game where players pretty much did the worst of the worst with that vehicle)

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/28/s...rruption-charges-blatter-isnt-among-them.html

And of course the most corrupt ahole isnt touched(Blatter).
Blatter always knows how to dodge the bullets.. and all the corruption charges are aimed to eliminate any competition for his position.

Anyone remembers how in the past 10 years.... Everyone who rose as competition against Blatter's position.. either "stepped down" or got washed away days after with these corruption charges?
Blatter is akin to the Italian Mafia.

 

[PhotoDave219]

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/28/s...rruption-charges-blatter-isnt-among-them.html

I get the whole corruption thing... but this isnt even near the realm of Disney.

Unless we're talking bribing of officials... and even then its a stretch.

 

[NormC]

Also, trust me.. there are certain individuals that DESERVE just a quick meme gift as response, because they're not worth a full answer.

That is the disrespect of which I was speaking. If they are not worthy of a response then it is better to say nothing. Trolls excepted but if you feed the trolls memes and GIFs they just keep trolling so maybe it is better to ignore them as well.

I find it funny that you say it makes someone less intelligent...to each their own.

I did not say it makes them less intelligent. I said it makes the poster look less intelligent.

 

[PhotoDave219]

We get a for real war which probably has a limited nuclear release centered on Japan and West coast of US (current generation of Long March strategic missiles are thought not to have range to hit East coast of US),

At the moment China cannot project force, US/EU/JP sinks all PLAN units within 12-24 hours, Chinese PLAAF tries to do in Taiwan/Japan with air assault. This goes somewhat better but will still fail.

As a 'face saving' move China launches on the US/Japan, This does not end well, In the end only India/Russia are undamaged as a result.

The only good news is the US / EU manufacturing base will be rebuilt as everyone who can run a welder and/or a machine tool will be conscripted into the rebuilding project. However in no way will that lessen the untold suffering on both sides.

Biggest problem the news media has never brought forward is China considers every nation in the South China Sea area to be a 'Rogue Province' and it will be justified in using force to bring back rogue provinces such as Vietnam and the Phillipines...

Yeah, assuming things get out of hand. I dont see the US being able to do anything about it.

Alas, the military buildup by China in the South Pacific should be of extreme concern to Disney, their expansion and the openness of the market.

 

[PhotoDave219]

I agree. It's funny that you mention that because when we were in Orlando this past weekend, I was thinking about what a heck of a rebound there has been in Orlando since 9/11 (and we lived there before and after for several years in Orlando at the time) and wondered about if any type of conflict would cause a huge disruption in what has been built back up there.

I've wondered that myself... everytime we end up discussing Disney's premise that "The Guests Will Always Come."

 

[PhotoDave219]

Insufficient data to predict, Though the AP holders and locals did keep the place alive post 9/11 even though many of the hotels were mothballed indefinitely and the PoP expansion was on hold for 12 years to become AoA

And the British. British tourism kept the place afloat as well.

Alas.... Disney has alienated the locals and the AP holders....

 

[Lee]

Good ol' "E. Card" nailed it...

@ECardonWalker: "After FP+, we were running out of ideas for ways to make your vacation plans a pain in the . Then it hit us - tiered pricing!" - Staggs

 

[LieutLaww]

We Brits sure do like WDW

 

[the.dreamfinder]

I get the whole corruption thing... but this isnt even near the realm of Disney.

Unless we're talking bribing of officials... and even then its a stretch.

Well, Disney/ESPN's bid to extend their World Cup rights was turned down in favor of Fox under fairly sketchy circumstances.
http://www.usatoday.com/story/sport...-fifa-no-bid-sale-of-us-wcup-rights/23387205/

Also, there's a good chance the 2022 World Cup will be coming to America now.

I just thought it was notable. If Disney were ever to charged with corruption in China, it would be under different circumstances and thus not relevant to the FIFA crackdown.

 

[pax_65]

As a long-time AP holder I remember the intense loyalty I felt to Disney post 9/11. We wore Mickey t-shirts with American flags and walked proudly through the parks.

It makes me sad how that loyalty has been treated... and I'm no longer an AP holder.

 

[WildcatDen]

I believe that is what everybody is wondering…

Not everyone. I was wondering why Jennifer Aniston does not return my calls. . .

 

[alphac2005]

trust me, its getting closer than you can imagine.
Now thanks to the US dollar being overvalued compared to almost every single latin american currency. Its getting harder to justify.

In my case.. they lost me on the hotels big time.. no way I can justify now getting rooms (even with discounts) in their default hotels.
They will lose money either to DVC (renting points) or staying off property.

Like @ParentsOf4 as said many times.. they're chasing cents when they could get dollars.

I totally understand. My company does roughly 40% of our business from International markets yearly and that has been pretty standard over the past 18 years. The valuation of the dollar has reduced our international side of the business (particularly Australia, France, UK) by more than a third this year and domestic increases can't make up for the loss. Hello Team Disney, this will be you only on a much grander scale.

 

[WildcatDen]

looks old and I dont think it fits

That's what she said. . .

 

[alphac2005]

Any type of 'real' conflict such as a 'real' war would immediately divert nearly all civil transport aircraft to the war effort - we would go back to a WW II type travel priority system.

It's interesting that you bring this up because I've wondered for quite some time if the way that society, the economy, and life gets recalibrated is if we end up in a WW2 like effort again. President Xi and his crowd certainly have the potential to go too far in their rapid muscularized military maneuvers and growth.

 

[PhotoDave219]

We Brits sure do like WDW

Yes you do! I love British tourists! Always polite and generally willing to have a pint with you at the bar.

 

[PhotoDave219]

Not everyone. I was wondering why Jennifer Aniston does not return my calls. . .

I dont know, I set her free weeks ago.....

 

[wogwog]

And the British. British tourism kept the place afloat as well.

Alas.... Disney has alienated the locals and the AP holders....

I am local and stopped Disney APs a few years back and have only UNI now. Years ago Disney guest service and value exceeded Uni. The two companies have reversed places in my opinion. Visited Disney once a year recently only when out of town relatives came for a one and done. All of them stayed off property. Disney does get my DCL cruise business. Hope they don't infest that division with the current WDW service and attitude. When I do cruise the ships seem like another company runs them when compared to the WDW mess.