Attention all Eisner haters...

[PeterAlt]

Originally posted by grizzlyhall
Very intriguing, Peter. However, wasn't it Eisner who decided to cut down on WDI? Apparently, I heard much of it is in danger right now as Imagineers are starting to come on a per-project basis.

I don't know anything about Eisner wanting to cut down WDI. Do you have any links to articles? I do know that Eisner wanted to instill cost-consciousness into Imagineering. In that past, Imagineers were allowed to dream up anything, and then later stages would determine if their ideas were cost-practical. I know that Eisner wanted to change this, whereby Imagineers would consider costs at each stage of development. This, IMHO, is not a bad thing. It adds extra responsibity to the Imagineers and does not scold them for being creative. It rewards them for being creative for both the projects they are working on and the economics of that project.

 

[raven]

Originally posted by MouseRight
...Was this carpet change done in every Disney store or just yours? I'm a frequent visistor of the local Disney Stores and don't remember any massive changes in the carpet over teh years. More facts please.

The carpet was change in ALL stores. When we asked about why the carpet keeps getting changed we were told that "Michael Eisner doesn't like it" and then they told us he keeps changing his mind and sometimes they don't get answers from him.

The carpet was changed from a Blue/Pink "Small World" motief to Beige to Blue w/small patterns to Blue w/yellow stars.

Not only is the carpet the same, but everything that Disney uses in all of the stores has to be the same. We all have the same brand of cleaners, toilet paper, paper towls, light bulbs, pens, etc. Any brand not approved by Disney is a "no-no." And they also use the same companies for shipping, cleaning, inventory, etc.

Here are some more examples:

Another co-CM friend of mine also worked at a hospital. She brought in some peroxide, bandages, ointment, and other things to add to the First Aid box because we had nothing like that and she was told she had to get rid of it.

Also, while working in the stores, we had on display the Bubble Blowers. These were bubble machines made to look like Ariel, Pooh, Buzz, Mickey, Stitch, etc. Well after they ran for a while, the bubble juice would get on the tables and other parts of the demo areas and it is very sticky and hard to remove. When we tried to clean it with the "Disney approved" stuff it didn't work. So a CM brought in some Windex Orange cleaner and it worked. Well, we had to put it in a different bottle and keep it a secret because if the manager found it, it would be gone. We only wanted to make the store look better and clean it better.

This just shows you how each and every aspect of the company is controlled. It's micro-managed. It's very irratating and rediculous after a while. We, on the front line (the ones using and selling the products) really see how things are working or not working. Everytime we would get another promotional gimmick in, the CM's would be thinking "have they actually tried this or did they just think it would be a good idea?" We already knew if something was going to flop or not. Even if we tried our best to sell it to guests. But they don't look at it that way.

It's getting very old and things need to change.

 

[bugsbunny]

I live outside of Cherry Hill, NJ and correct me if I'm wrong, but this was the first store in the Disney chain that got the "grand" makeover strategy a few years ago.

I'm still wondering what that plan was or if there was a plan. Let me get this straight!! I can go to a Disney store and see mundane neutered generic crap at ridiculous prices and if I want anything that a normal Disney fan would want, I can use one of the kiosks in the store to order it from their online catalog.

?? Why don't I just order it from home and save myself the trouble? One interesting tidbid that my wife discovered though. She found the antenna toppers to be $1 cheaper then what we paid for them at WDW in Florida. Go figure.

Let's face it. Regardless if the resorts are less than 5% of the makeup of Disney Intergalactic Enterprises, it is the MOST DIRECT way to reach our wallets. The Disneys stores also fall into that category. When we think of Disney, we think of the magic of animation and theme parks and then naturally, all the merchandise the public has come to love.

So why make it SOOOOO hard to get that merchandise to the public? Why make it so it costs $300/night for a hotel room when in most cases, we end up spending 90% of our time NOT at our hotel?

The head of Disney, the theme parks, is 5% of the overall body. The public is looking at the face, so why not give it a hair cut, a shave, and the dental work it needs to restore the smile?

And how in the world can there NOT be any rides or attactions associated with Monsters, Inc.?? I guess the association with Pixar has been so awful that Disney couldn't chance building an attraction and then have the relationship go sour.

Anybody?

 

[Wckd Queen]

Originally posted by grizzlyhall
That was a very balanced post, Lisa. Don't forget that Stitch is coming to the Alien Encounter. I still think, however, that (as far as attractions) the long-term rides should trend back to originality (ala Pirates, HM).

I remember when going to the mall was an exciting thing. . . just to go into the Disney Store. :lookaroun

My main grudges with Eisner rest in

(1) Park safety - Disney security is an oxymoron; accidents
(2) Continued layoffs and spurred Cast abandoment of "magic"
(3) Ownership of Dimension Films and Viewer's Choice
(4) ABC and its reality shows, (ala Are You Hot?)
(5) Intolerable actions to Vice Chairman Roy Disney
(6) Theme Park degration in maintence and quality standards (CHEAP)
(7) Finding Disney's sole focus in pleasing shareholders ($$$)
(8) Cutback on quality of animation and television quality (sequels, crap Disney TV)

All of the above is enough for me to say: time's up. Only chickens "chee(a)p."

Now, Lisa - - the question is. . . if I give you a skillet, will you use it properly?? :animwink:

Thank you, Grizz :kiss: Yes, the Stitch themed retooled AE is en route, but is that a rehash of the old AE or is this something all new?

And, yes, Grizz...I will use that skillet properly :animwink:

 

[Wckd Queen]

Originally posted by bugsbunny
[BSo why make it SOOOOO hard to get that merchandise to the public? Why make it so it costs $300/night for a hotel room when in most cases, we end up spending 90% of our time NOT at our hotel?[/B]

This part of your post has made me think of something odd. I enjoy staying at the Boardwalk Villas, and because I like the rooms and the location so much, I dont mind paying a premium price for it (last stay cost me $495 a night for a one bedroom villa) but I have just thought of something. Arent those same villas sold as part of the Vacation Club? Dont people also pay several thousand dollars to stay in the same villa I stay in? If thats the case, shouldnt the monies being paid by the Vacation Club members somehow offset the costs to run the hotel, thereby allowing cheaper 'rental' rates? :veryconfu Just a thought. Im not a member of the Vacation club, although I have been entertaining the idea of late.

 

[bugsbunny]

I agree with your case of why doesn't the DVC villas offset the cost of the hotel room for us non-DVC people.

But to further emphasize my point of return of value on the cost of a hotel room, I took a pedometer on my last visit. We walked 9 miles on the first day visiting MGM and sorts.

By the end of the week, we logged 54 miles on foot. That isn't including Downtown or being at the hotels.

Each night, I could have laid down in the middle of the street and slept comfortably along as I knew I wouldn't get run over.

 

[Dash_Riprock]

For the record, I could only afford the Pop Century hotel for my vacations.

The price I paid for it would have paid for a very nice week in Europe... JEEZ!

I like Disney, and such. And my wife wants to go to DW more than anything else. But, to be quite honest, next time I'll go to Europe, no doubt about it.

Disney should try and take a look at their pricing, too. I feel I paid way too much for these vacations... and if it wasn't for my wife, I'd definitely not had gone there.

Is this pricing level realistic for Disneyworld? I paid close to 3K for 1 week...

 

[MouseRight]

Originally posted by Wckd Queen
This part of your post has made me think of something odd. I enjoy staying at the Boardwalk Villas, and because I like the rooms and the location so much, I dont mind paying a premium price for it (last stay cost me $495 a night for a one bedroom villa) but I have just thought of something. Arent those same villas sold as part of the Vacation Club? Dont people also pay several thousand dollars to stay in the same villa I stay in? If thats the case, shouldnt the monies being paid by the Vacation Club members somehow offset the costs to run the hotel, thereby allowing cheaper 'rental' rates? :veryconfu Just a thought. Im not a member of the Vacation club, although I have been entertaining the idea of late.

The Villas you stayed at are either still owned by teh Walt Disney Company, The Disney Vacaction Club Corporation, or were not utilized by DVC owners/members. DVC owners/member don't pay for rooms like you do when you go to one of the resorts. When you buy into DVC you are buying an ownership interest in the real estate of the DVC building. You have a ownership right to use those rooms based on the # of points you buy and the time of the year you go. If the building is not sold out, The Walt Disney Company rents those rooms on behalf of DVC or they may own their own share of the buidling to use for various reasons - promotional, overflow from the other resorts, etc.

What DVC members pay for their ownership has no bearig on what you pay for a room. Your are paying "Market Price" for that room. By "Market PRice" I mean a price equal to the other Disney resports in terms of quality and size. e.g., if a regular hotel room with 2 Queen Size beds at the BEach Club costs $250 per night at this time of the year, then you are paying $450, because your room is larger, has a separate bedroom, kitchen etc.

DVC Owners/Members pay a monthly maintenance fee but those funds go to escrow accounts to pay for maintenance, housekeeping, etc. e.g., Roofs have to be repalced every 20 years - the money goes into a fund and they use that money to fix the roof. Same with painting, furniture replacement, etc.

 

[MouseRight]

Originally posted by Dash_Riprock
For the record, I could only afford the Pop Century hotel for my vacations.

The price I paid for it would have paid for a very nice week in Europe... JEEZ!

I like Disney, and such. And my wife wants to go to DW more than anything else. But, to be quite honest, next time I'll go to Europe, no doubt about it.

Disney should try and take a look at their pricing, too. I feel I paid way too much for these vacations... and if it wasn't for my wife, I'd definitely not had gone there.

Is this pricing level realistic for Disneyworld? I paid close to 3K for 1 week...

Disney's prices are somewhat higher than the hotels/resprts outside of the park. However, you get teh benefits - buses, monrials, guaranteed entry, early entry, and staying inside teh Magic. Each person needs to weigh thsoe benefist vs. getting a larger room outside the park. The Pop Century/All-Star ressorts are specifically designed to provide teh disney magic and at a price comparable to teh reosrts outside - Holiday Inns, Day's Inn, Comfort. During off-peak periods you can get a Pop Century room at $55 per night. NOt a bad deal.

I have stayed outside at teh hotels I mention above and have paid anyhwere from $50 per night (In 1986 Days Inn) to $110 (In 1989 Holiday Inn Maingate) - $55 (1996 at Comfort Inn on I-4).

I woudl rather stay on property anyday.

 

[bugsbunny]

Originally posted by MouseRight
Disney's prices are somewhat higher than the hotels/resprts outside of the park. However, you get teh benefits - buses, monrials, guaranteed entry, early entry, and staying inside teh Magic.

Let's face it, anyone who stays "off campus" is utilizing the Disney transportation system anyway. I often just drive to Ft. Wilderness and utilize the buses and ferry from there even though I stayed at an off site hotel.

Since I am spending plenty of money on souveniers, park admissions, and SUPER amount of money on food at Disney, I don't think the $.20 of diesel fuel it cost Disney to transport me can be classified as "stealing" from them. They will more than make up for it on the first $2.50 bottle of water I purchase.:animwink:

Early entry? Hah!! I walked 9 miles the day before! I then stuffed myself with a fabulous meal, stayed late for the fireworks, and then found time to unwind with a beer. Getting up the next morning at 6AM so I can get to the park 60 minutes early with a few hundred other people just doesn't cut it. Disney figured that out and it was done away with for quite a bit.

And guaranteed entry? What is that? I've never ever had a problem getting into a park that I had a ticket for, even the special things like Xmas and Halloween.

Fair market value for a hotel room is pretty funny when you consider that you can stay at a 4-star Orlando area Marriott for $150 but Disney will charge you $300+ for a comparable room. I travel all over North America for my job. I know the value of a good night sleep, a comfy bed, a clean room, and all the nice amenities that can go with the hotel.

But I just don't see where there are $100-$200 more a night value for my money. Even if I have to rent a car, it is still way cheaper overall.

And just to put a twist on my opinion, I love WDW. I was just there beginning of December. My wife is going again on Easter and we are going together as a huge group from my firehouse in October in a caravan of Winnebagos(sp). I can't get enough of the place and ironically, they just can't seem to get enough out of my wallet:lol:

 

[MouseRight]

Originally posted by bugsbunny
Let's face it, anyone who stays "off campus" is utilizing the Disney transportation system anyway. I often just drive to Ft. Wilderness and utilize the buses and ferry from there even though I stayed at an off site hotel.

Since I am spending plenty of money on souveniers, park admissions, and SUPER amount of money on food at Disney, I don't think the $.20 of diesel fuel it cost Disney to transport me can be classified as "stealing" from them. They will more than make up for it on the first $2.50 bottle of water I purchase.:animwink:

Early entry? Hah!! I walked 9 miles the day before! I then stuffed myself with a fabulous meal, stayed late for the fireworks, and then found time to unwind with a beer. Getting up the next morning at 6AM so I can get to the park 60 minutes early with a few hundred other people just doesn't cut it. Disney figured that out and it was done away with for quite a bit.

And guaranteed entry? What is that? I've never ever had a problem getting into a park that I had a ticket for, even the special things like Xmas and Halloween.

Fair market value for a hotel room is pretty funny when you consider that you can stay at a 4-star Orlando area Marriott for $150 but Disney will charge you $300+ for a comparable room. I travel all over North America for my job. I know the value of a good night sleep, a comfy bed, a clean room, and all the nice amenities that can go with the hotel.

:

I understand a bunch of people do what you do (Parking at Ft. Wilderness) but I am willing to bet that teh overall majority don't do that and if security was doing tehir job, you shouldn't be able to park there. Canyou imagine if thousands of peopel treid?? Not pretty. However, all teh power to you.

Guaranteed Entry (My Term) - if you stay on Disney property you still get in teh park, even if they have closed it due to crowds - liek durig teh holidays. Granted this used to be a bigger issue when the parks woudl close many days during teh summer, but with teh reduced crowds it's not a big deal. If you stay off property and try to get to the Parkig lot after they have closed the park you can't get in. Oh well you can always park at Ft. Wildernes...... :lol:

"Fair Market Value" - you will notice that I didn't use the word Fair on my response to Wckd Queen. I used the term "Market Price" - that is the price that Disney can charge because they are Disney.

 

[Dizknee_Phreek]

Originally posted by Lee
Well, without going into too much detail....

The story remains the same, no big deal there.
DCA gets a much larger, more elaborate boiler room.
They get a new effect between boiler room and elevator.
The replacement for the 5D room is extremely cool and effective, so much so that elements of it may well be incorporated into MGM's Tower.

When I said excellent, I meant that it will be equal to MGM's Tower. Yeah, it looks different, but that's no big deal. The one at TDS will look altogether different, too.

thanks lee! i have a little more confidence in DL's version now.

you're right, the new look isn't that big of a deal. in fact, i think it's the best way to approach it. it makes it seem less 'clone-ish'. and i'm glad they seem to be themeing the attraction based on the area's architecture (seeing as DL's has a pueblo inspired architecture) but i still think it's kinda ugly :animwink:

 

[raven]

Originally posted by bugsbunny
I live outside of Cherry Hill, NJ and correct me if I'm wrong, but this was the first store in the Disney chain that got the "grand" makeover strategy a few years ago.

That is correct. Actually there were only 3 stores chosen nation-wide to be the pilot stores for this new idea 2 years ago. The new store changed The Disney Store to "Disney Play" or "Disney Kid's & Home." Our store is a compound store so we were chosen to receive both. There was only 1 other store that was a compound store and they were chosen as well for a makeover.

I started working for them about 3 weeks before the changeover. Well, needless to say, it's gone now because it bombed. But they are still trying new things to get guests.

What they need to do it see what people in the area are looking for and tailor it to the guests needs. The only problem with that would be that every store would be ran differently though. But that might happen anyway. Eisner is planning on selling the stores to a 3rd party. This means a company like Kmart could be running them instead of Disney. Goodbye Mickey.

 

[TURKEY]

Originally posted by Dash_Riprock

Is this pricing level realistic for Disneyworld? I paid close to 3K for 1 week...

Yep. Based on studies done, the average guest stays for 4-6 days and will spend an average of $4000-5000.

 

[brisem]

I believe it was last spring to early summer that Disney announce that they were putting the Disney stores up for sale. At that time, they lowered their inventory levels. The reason for the changes--such as taking out the collectibles, were made for the possible sale. When the stores are sold they'll be a licensed seller, which limits them to non-collectibles. So clothing, movies toys and stuff animals can be sold.

I'm not sure if the catalog goes with the sale.

It's a smart move to get out of the retail area, because Disney licenses to Dept store--Kmart, Walmart and Target. This caused people to shop at the Dept for lower prices. The smartest thing they should have done was to cut licenses w/the Dept and made the clothes an exclusive of the store. But that's my opinion.

 

[prberk]

Originally posted by Dash_Riprock
Seriously... I'm glad I found this place. I thought I was alone in my thoughts.

First time I heard about Pleasure Island, I thought to myself it had to be wrong. Then, I visited California Adventure and Downtown Disney and just knew the whole idea behind it was wrong.

In two weeks, I'll be visiting DW (that's the reason I found this forum), and I'll decide for myself whether the whole Downtown Disney & Pleasure Island thing was a good idea or not.

Welcome aboard, Dash_Riprock, and let us know what you think when you get back. Maybe start a trip report thread on that board.

Good to hear new views.

 

[prberk]

Originally posted by brisem
I believe it was last spring to early summer that Disney announce that they were putting the Disney stores up for sale. At that time, they lowered their inventory levels. The reason for the changes--such as taking out the collectibles, were made for the possible sale. When the stores are sold they'll be a licensed seller, which limits them to non-collectibles. So clothing, movies toys and stuff animals can be sold.

I'm not sure if the catalog goes with the sale.

It's a smart move to get out of the retail area, because Disney licenses to Dept store--Kmart, Walmart and Target. This caused people to shop at the Dept for lower prices. The smartest thing they should have done was to cut licenses w/the Dept and made the clothes an exclusive of the store. But that's my opinion.

Sorry, but I disagree. The Disney Stores were started as specialty stores, when just as much licensed merchandise was sold to retailers as before. The difference was the collectibles and special merchandise. It was also a place where Disney fans could go where they could be almost sure to find what they wanted in the way of Disney jewelry, videos, high-end clothes, and housewares, as well as park tickets. Not necessarily true with mass merchandisers, but worth a small premium for knowing where to find it.

It has strayed from that concept, and now has nothing special. And sales have fallen as a result.

The Disney Stores were a good idea. Just not ubiquitous and cheap.

 

[prberk]

Pleasure Island

Sorry for one more post here, but this thread covers a lot of ground!

My biggest problem with Pleasure Island is the name and promotion. It flaunts corruption. It is named after the place in Pinocchio that the boys go to when they are doing wrong (and ignoring Pinocchio's conscience, Jiminy Cricket). Pinocchio is a morality tale, and it uses Pleasure Island as the symbol of corruption, telling children that bad people go there; and when they do, bad things happen to them (such as when the kids in the movie turn into donkeys).

So, it should never have been made, at least with that name and likeness, on Disney property. Because it completely undermines the movie. Children who take the movie to heart would reasonably wonder about parents or adults who leave them at the hotel to go down to "Pleasure Island"

I realize that many will not get this, but it is important not to present conflicting messages.

Downtown Disney's West Side is an example of how the club district could have been built/marketed/named easily without directly contradicting the very morality that we want children to grow up believing.

 

[mac388]

Yeah, Pleasure Island is definitely an interesting place. I still like it though-I have a lot of great memories there and I think that it's one of the few places I can still go to that isn't sleazy. The last time I went to a club in NYC...uggh...
And I apologize for this sounding too snooty---but I agree with the posts about the prices being so high for the resorts. Here's the snooty part-my family and I used to stay on Conceirge at the Yacht Club (during the tech era when we all had money :veryconfu ). We stopped doing this for a few reasons-one, we couldn't accept the fact that everytime we came back the prices were raised. Well, actually, it might have been easier to swallow if they actually kept the same standards. They stopped the pillow turn down service (with chocolates and a card with a Disney quote), and Conceirge really stopped doing anything special that distinguished them from Guest Relations downstairs. Also, even my Dad noticed little things, like our "do not disturb" sign got flimsy (cheaper plastic!) and they took away the robes in the room. The Conceirge lounge went from having incredible food to having the cheapest stuff you could imagine. Now, we talk to one of our friends who works on Conceirge and she said that the only way people stay up there is when Disney magically upgrades people to that level. Why should you spend that amount of money for nothing? I know this may sound like a snooty person complaining, but I think that it just proves that Disney has gotten cheap throughout the entire park and on many levels.
We were talking to a couple one day, and I thought that fanatics just like ourselves noticed flaws. But, the husband was an engineer and he told us how he saw things that he didn't think he'd see at Disney. Broken water fountains, doors that don't close correctly.
I think that overall, disney needs to stop assuming that Guests don't notice these flaws. I resent that they are trying to treat guests like they are dumb.

 

[General Grizz]

I agree, prberk. It makes me embarassed to see a giant Jessica Rabbit there. We stay away from P.I. . . and even DTD's Virgin Megastore. The posters there are nothing but UnDisneyesque.

What ever gets the buck, right?