They wouldn't be the first, or the last. (pretend there's a smiley here. I'm on the iPad, so I can't put it in)
-
Welcome to the WDWMAGIC.COM Forums!
Please take a look around, and feel free to sign up and join the community.
Bloomberg Businessweek Interview: Iger on DCA
- Thread starter GrumpyFannyPack
- Start date
They wouldn't be the first, or the last. (pretend there's a smiley here. I'm on the iPad, so I can't put it in)
lebeau
Well-Known Member
Yeah, I'm getting that impression from follow-up posts. I lost a nickel.
But we all get that "Disney is a business" without the BUS 101 lectures.
I don't think that everyone does. Yes they know that "Disney is a business" but I think a lot of people fail to realize what that entails. I don't mean to "lecture" but there are a lot of tangents that begin around here based on false premises.
lebeau
Well-Known Member
If by "they" you mean me, I'm just bustin' your chops. Lighten up. No insult intended. I obviously have no idea what your academic background is. I'm sure you know your stuff.
People around here are quick to defend every decision Disney makes with the "profit margin" bit. We all know Disney is a buisness, profit motive... blah blah blah, greed is good, etc. That doesn't mean Disney can go on raising prices and cutting costs indefinitely. There is a breaking point. But I'm sure you know that.
menamechris
Well-Known Member
Disney is world-renowned for screwing tourists. Anyone who doesn't understand that can't contribute to any thoughtful conversation anyway - and they certainly will be lost on business chit chat...just sayin. Be that as it may, I agree with all the points made, but just because some of Disney's decisions make the most FINANCIAL sense doesn't always mean that it does their brand any favors. 'Wal-Marting' has become a pretty new comparision to the way WDW is being run - and I can't disagree with that. But again, that isn't so much a business/financial topic of discussion as much as it a discussion about perception.
I absolutely agree. I'm saying "the pursuit of profit is good." I'm absolutely not saying "everything Disney does in the pursuit of profit is good." I just don't see any evidence that they're approaching that "breaking point" based on profit numbers and guest satisfaction (outside of the "hardcore" community that will go there anyways).
Please elaborate. Disney provides an open door and shows you the financial pit you're entering by stepping through. The guest freely chooses to go through.
menamechris
Well-Known Member
Disney uses tricks of which you are well aware, I am sure. Something as simple as a free shuttle from the airport to your hotel. The dining plan is often also credited with being a very sneaky way of wringing more money out of guests on dining that they may not have otherwise spent. Disney Dollars was a strategy for a long time (alot easier to part with "cash" with a Disney character on it than a dead president). It is pretty accepted that NextGen is solely focused on Disney strategizing to convince guests to part with more cash more easily. The genius of Disney is convinving people to spend more based on "feelings". Their own marketing says as much.
But this is true of just about anything businesses do. Car companies improve cars so you'll buy new ones. Restaurants offer supersizes and limited time offers so we will buy more food. Grocery stores post prices like 5 for $10 instead of $2 each. Panera offers free wifi. Stores sell gift cards. It's all to convince you to spend more money.
menamechris
Well-Known Member
No argument. Various tactics are used in many different types of businesses. My point is that Disney has made it an art form over the decades. This really isn't a debate as much as its a pretty common fact.
It's fact that they do these things but it's VERY debatable whether you think it's "screwing" or "tricks." Just because Disney offers DME doesn't mean I CAN'T rent a car and eat at Applebees every night. Most people are capable of doing the math to decide if DDP is worth it.
Etc.
menamechris
Well-Known Member
Sigh. Why the constant need to argue when you are on here?
Just to respond to your thoughts... A guest can DO whatever they want provided that they have unlimited resources (i.e rent a car for the duration of their vacation). But many families are probably working the free transport into their budget. Little "breaks" that Disney offers like that can mean the difference between going or not going. And I also don't think it is outside the realm of reason that an occasional visitor to WDW isn't getting on-line and pricing out full meals for their entire family to figure out the DDP. Fanatics do that. I think the average guest sees the promo that it will save them 20% on food if they get it. Unbeknownst to them, they could probably eat cheaper.
*shrug*
I don't know why "conversation" has to be "argument." This is a "discussion board." One would presume that discussion should occur here.
It is indeed a fact that Disney is a successful business. And now we are right back where the thread started.
menamechris
Well-Known Member
Discussion is cool. But my points are not outlandish in the least, and there not much to "debate" about it. Yes, Disney is a business. Yes, they use "tricks" and play on many average guests' ignorance to "screw" them (And yes, I stand by that phrase - no matter how unmagical it may sound....) Naturally, if all 17 million guests a year were coming and had done all of their homework and proper full-time planning to visit Orlando, they too would know all the tricks. But the average person doesn't. Do I hate Disney for doing it? No. It's business, I get it. The profits off of ignorant tourists could mean hundreds of millions of dollars for the resort. As a local, that's good for me, good for WDW, good for my city. But it doesn't somehow minimize that it is a very, very powerful component of the financial success of WDW.
Mine too. I'd like to give that OP a swift kick in the .
Brian Noble
Well-Known Member
There is another piece to this as well. Disney's business is "selling happiness." Many of its most frequent customers conflate that with "Disney wants me to be happy." They aren't quite the same thing.
MagicMike
Well-Known Member
I have no problem with Disney or any other company turning a profit. They are providing, in most every case, a premium service and with that comes a price for the consumer. I also have no problem with Disney attempting to increase price with the intention of staying competitive and expanding, improving, etc. All these things can be very good for the company, its employees, the parks, and the overall guest experience. My initial post was simply a tongue-in-cheek statement about the ticket hikes every year.
Now, in order to make this post fit in with all the others: inflation, profitability metrics, fiduciary relationship, trickle-down economics, spreadsheets, and some other financial buzzwords.
rioriz
Well-Known Member
Well they will have to call 3 of us out then because I do have part ownership in a business and the model you described is similar to one we use. Insult away
dreamscometrue
Well-Known Member
I didn't think Tim_4 was arguing as much as responding to your statement...
When you make such a strong statement on a discussion forum-one that suggests you are all knowing about the world's perception of Disney and anyone who disagrees with you can not be part of an intelligent conversation-you will get responses. Here's another one..
Your quote above was pretty much the most ridiculous, and arrogant thing I've read on here in awhile. To your credit though, you were concise. That's a lots of silliness wrapped up in only a few words. Bravo!