We all are aware that Disney is a business. The problem is that it shouldn't be used as an excuse for poor decisions. That's why you see the pushback when someone proclaims Disney is a business. That's no excuse for how much they overcharge us for what they do. That's all.
Rarely is "overcharging" the complaint, especially on this thread. In fact, that's the one thing I tend to agree with is they are overcharging during construction.
But that's just my personal feeling for obvious reasons, and the bottom line is each individual makes a value judgment when deciding whether or not to purchase tickets. The fact that they are still selling tickets at the higher pricing during this time suggests, in fact, they are not overcharging. The market will bear what the market will bear. Once they go too high – really too high – they will know it because people will vote with their wallets and pocketbooks, which is much more effective than complaints on message boards.
Again, none of this is unique to Disney. It's today's American corporate culture. And after the last election…
Money is not an excuse for poor decisions. However it is absolutely an excuse for limitations. Mommy only has enough money for an ice cream cone or a piece of cake, so you can't get both now. You can have one now and one the next time.
The breakdown seems to come in management of execution. That includes underestimating costs, time, surprises during construction. That includes setting realistic expectations for shareholders and consumers.
In my opinion it would also include a little humility – whoever lost Harry Potter to Universal did a horrible disservice to Walt Disney World, which then floundered and bought the first other big IP they could find rolling around – Pandora. While I have every confidence that will turn out well, the purchase itself hardly appears motivated by sound and careful planning. Rather, it seems like keeping up with the Joneses. Except the Joneses just came home with a new Porsche and your answer was to come home with a new Hyundai.
In hindsight, it would've been better to bide their time, investing in their refurbishments of core areas and attractions until they could secure the Star Wars deal. But in fairness, who knew that then?
You do not have the original crew running the show. And people, unfortunately, typically don't learn lessons until they experience them first hand.
I can tell my employees until I am blue in the face "this is how to avoid pitfalls when doing XYZ." I know this because I made these mistakes very very early in my career, and I want to prevent them from happening again. But somebody always thinks they know better because they're 22, and does something differently without my permission, and messes it up.
That scenario might cost me a few bucks. It might cost Disney a few million.
They're a company made of people and people mess up.
But the fact that they are a business is basic and just reminds you of their structural limitations. That will never change.
