can someone explain this to me?

[THEMEPARKPIONEER]

In the past 10 years I have noticed cutbacks and downscales in the Disney parks. What I dont get is if they cant afford to keep the parks up and have them as good as they were in the 80's and 90's then how do they afford to build these new resorts and renovate the existing ones? I also want to know why there expanding the resorts, expanding the Magic Kingdom and the prices are being jacked up? they must be making more money and getting more guests.

 

[Krack]

In the past 10 years I have noticed cutbacks and downscales in the Disney parks. What I dont get is if they cant afford to keep the parks up and have them as good as they were in the 80's and 90's then how do they afford to build these new resorts and renovate the existing ones? I also want to know why there expanding the resorts, expanding the Magic Kingdom and the prices are being jacked up? they must be making more money and getting more guests.

The company has decided to work on volume. They don't care if they have to discount the room, the admission media, the dining, etc as long as they get as many people as possible through the turnstiles. Because once you are through the turnstiles, you will spend outrageous amounts of money on toys and other merchandise that your kids with throw a fit about if you refuse to buy it for them. In order to make back all the money they are losing on the discounted rooms (etc), they have to sell lower quality options and less options to improve the profit margins. Disney doesn't care because it knows whether they offer high quality or low quality, your kid will badger you into buying something and you will buy it. WDW has become the world's largest WalMart.

 

[wolf359]

In the past 10 years I have noticed cutbacks and downscales in the Disney parks. What I dont get is if they cant afford to keep the parks up and have them as good as they were in the 80's and 90's then how do they afford to build these new resorts and renovate the existing ones? I also want to know why there expanding the resorts, expanding the Magic Kingdom and the prices are being jacked up? they must be making more money and getting more guests.

I haven't seen the parks looking as fresh and clean and well maintained as they were on my visit last month since 1996. Yes, there are still some glaring issues but the discussion of them has been repeated so often on these boards they've overshadowed the positives. The parks do not look anywhere near as tired as they did five or six years ago, but it's only when the discussion is about the faults that make for long memorable threads.

 

[jlevis]

In the past 10 years I have noticed cutbacks and downscales in the Disney parks. What I dont get is if they cant afford to keep the parks up and have them as good as they were in the 80's and 90's then how do they afford to build these new resorts and renovate the existing ones? I also want to know why there expanding the resorts, expanding the Magic Kingdom and the prices are being jacked up? they must be making more money and getting more guests.

You can't have it both ways either they are cutting back or they are expanding.

 

[stlbobby]

I hate posts and threads like this.

First, the supposition that the parks are worse than they were is an opinion not a fact. I actually think the parks are better now than when I started visiting regularly in the early 90's. I like many of the technological advances and some of the new attractions are my favorites.

I have lost some favorites, but I like that the parks evolve and there are new things all the time.

I also think the resorts, restaurants, and additional entertainment areas are all part of the great experience. I can't wait until the Art of Animation and Hyperion Wharf open and I have a whole new areas to explore.

Why can't we talk about the good stuff. I don't mean we have to sit and rave over everything, but a whole thread dedicated to dwelling on slights, imagined or otherwise, seems unnecessary.

Here's the question I'd ask back to the OP, why do you keep going and visiting Disney discussion groups if it's gotten so bad?

 

[bgraham34]

Honestly of late my biggest problem is more the Cast Members themselves. You just don't get as many friendly Cast members as in the past. JMHO

 

[WDWLOYAL1971]

In the past 10 years I have noticed cutbacks and downscales in the Disney parks. What I dont get is if they cant afford to keep the parks up and have them as good as they were in the 80's and 90's then how do they afford to build these new resorts and renovate the existing ones? I also want to know why there expanding the resorts, expanding the Magic Kingdom and the prices are being jacked up? they must be making more money and getting more guests.

Have you taken a moment to consider that perhaps some of the people visiting WDW are the ones causing damage to the property? I've seen it happen many times. Just because they purchase an entrance ticket they seem to think it's a free for all and destruction mode sets in ruining it for others. I've seen parents let their little one just break and destroy and tell them nothing. Disney has countless trash cans, yet time and time again I witness people just litering all over the place. Really? I've read complaints about the C.M however, many visitor have this I'M ENTITLED mentality making it quite challenging for the C.M. to do their job with a smile. Let's stop point the finger at Disney and look around.

 

[Lucky]

You can't have it both ways either they are cutting back or they are expanding.

I can't speak for themeparkpioner but it is possible to simultaneously expand (adding quantity) and cut (on quality). My own employer has been doing this for years.

 

[allgar]

I think this post is just trolling for heated debate, but the OP has a right to his/her opinion. I tend to agree and lament some of the rather cheap decisions Disney has made in the past decade. I do feel like the value they've taken so long to build is erroding and where I once felt like a special guest every time I went, I really don't feel the same way anymore. Perhaps it's me changing, that's quite likely, or perhaps it's that Disney isn't doing as many of the little things it used to do to make me feel magical, that is also quite likely.

In the end though, complaining about Disney parks for me just feels a bit over done. They still have a very good product, a product which I still very much enjoy. Is my level of enjoyment as high as it used to be... no it isn't, but again, likely that isn't all their fault. Honestly it's more of a factor of utils for those economists in the crowd.

There is no doubt in my mind despite all the thoughts I've put into my displeasure with certain things that Disney does that my PLEASURE in most things it does is higher. I do feel, however, that voicing one's concerns over the things that Disney is doing to erode their value to me is important. Discussion forums like this are important to ensuring that the company understands that decisions they make are unpopular, so never shy away from sharing displeasure or one day you just might wake up and the thing you once loved will be gone.

So to that end I say this "Disney THANK YOU so much for all the wonderful things you do and for giving me a unique place where I can feel sooo very different from what I do in my every day life, for transporting me to a place where I am free to imagine, dream, discover and relax. Thank you, thank you..... NOW stop messing it up with cost cutting exercises designed to protect profit margins and start growing your profitability by developing new services, finding new avid fans and ultimately enticing me to spend more... offer me more and it is likely the dollars will follow. Don't shrink your service to profitability."

 

[cymbaldiva]

You can't have it both ways either they are cutting back or they are expanding.

Perhaps you should re-read the passage you were quoting - the OP was actually quite clear.

 

[jlevis]

Perhaps you should re-read the passage you were quoting - the OP was actually quite clear.

Thank you, I did as you suggested and I stand by my interpretation of the OP's comment, even allowing for the poor grammar.

 

[Frau Farbissina]

I find that it goes in cycles. When I was there in December, it was the dirtiest I'd ever seen it. Every trash can seemed to be overflowing. But this past May, it was immaculate. I don't know if it was so bad in December because there was a bad cold spell or what, but it was kind of shocking.

 

[devoy1701]

Thank you, I did as you suggested and I stand by my interpretation of the OP's comment, even allowing for the poor grammar.

I think what the OP is particularly asking is why are they expanding/adding new areas to the parks when it seems like there has been cutbacks/downscaling to what is already existing in the parks. Some people might not think it's happening, but it's a perfectly logical question. For instance why have the massive refurbs for JC, Splash, and Big Thunder continue to be pushed back and other guest areas remain walled off, yet their investing in new guest areas.

One answer, and I think it's a valid one is that MK has a capacity issue and can hardly afford for some of the E-tickets to go down in MK's current state. This was presented in the article a couple days ago that discussed the scavenger hunt game coming to MK. I sincerely hope that when FLE opens that some of the older E-Tickets will infact get the refurbs they desperately need.

I got nothing in the terms of reasons why WoL has been closed for almost 10 years with no replacement, or why half of Imagination has been closed, or why UoE has yet to be updated... :shrug:

 

[worldfanatic]

I hate posts and threads like this.

First, the supposition that the parks are worse than they were is an opinion not a fact. I actually think the parks are better now than when I started visiting regularly in the early 90's. I like many of the technological advances and some of the new attractions are my favorites.

I have lost some favorites, but I like that the parks evolve and there are new things all the time.

I also think the resorts, restaurants, and additional entertainment areas are all part of the great experience. I can't wait until the Art of Animation and Hyperion Wharf open and I have a whole new areas to explore.

Why can't we talk about the good stuff. I don't mean we have to sit and rave over everything, but a whole thread dedicated to dwelling on slights, imagined or otherwise, seems unnecessary.

Here's the question I'd ask back to the OP, why do you keep going and visiting Disney discussion groups if it's gotten so bad?

Bro....you nailed it!:sohappy:

People love to and whine. And yet they keep visiting. Or at least wish they could visit. (maybe that's why they complain)

So many people convince themselves that WDW was so much better "back in the day".
But if all of a sudden WDW was instantly converted back to exactly as it was "back in the day" - PANDEMONIUM WOULD ERUPT!!!!
Because overall, those past versions of Disney World were a "joke" compared to what we have now.

And I'm pretty sure what we have now will be a "joke" compared to what's coming in the future.
I know the "Disney used to be great" geeks don't want to hear it. But it's true.

Time moves on, things change.
People should enjoy the memories they've made, but not pathetically hold onto them at the expense of the great things right in front of us now.

 

[devoy1701]

Bro....you nailed it!:sohappy:

People love to and whine. And yet they keep visiting. Or at least wish they could visit. (maybe that's why they complain)

So many people convince themselves that WDW was so much better "back in the day".
But if all of a sudden WDW was instantly converted back to exactly as it was "back in the day" - PANDEMONIUM WOULD ERUPT!!!!
Because overall, those past versions of Disney World were a "joke" compared to what we have now.

And I'm pretty sure what we have now will be a "joke" compared to what's coming in the future.
I know the "Disney used to be great" geeks don't want to hear it. But it's true.

Time moves on, things change.
People should enjoy the memories they've made, but not pathetically hold onto them at the expense of the great things right in front of us now.

Yes. Because Yeti Circa 2011 is SOOOOOO much better than Yeti Circa 2006

'twas definitely a joke compared to what we have now...

 

[tirian]

I haven't seen the parks looking as fresh and clean and well maintained as they were on my visit last month since 1996. Yes, there are still some glaring issues but the discussion of them has been repeated so often on these boards they've overshadowed the positives. The parks do not look anywhere near as tired as they did five or six years ago, but it's only when the discussion is about the faults that make for long memorable threads.

That's definitely true, hence why so many of us were shocked when Splash Mountain and BTMRR were allowed to be about 75% nonfunctional for months. Animatronics and rocks didn't work from January until Disney's BoD showed up.

The parks do indeed look better now than they have for years. Routine painting and landscaping have resumed. Main Street has been this well-kept in a decade. Future World at Epcot is slowly but surely changing, the Studios park is getting upgraded, and DAK is fine as long as you don't notice every missing effect in every ride.

Too bad painting and ride maintenance are two different departments.

 

[wolf359]

Yes. Because Yeti Circa 2011 is SOOOOOO much better than Yeti Circa 2006

'twas definitely a joke compared to what we have now...

I agree completely, but at the same time it is the narrow focus and repetition on single faults that often creates the belief the whole resort is falling apart, when it isn't. If you choose to judge the entire resort only by its shortcomings of course it will fall short and those that only skim the mammoth threads complaining about them end up with a very skewed opinion.

That's definitely true, hence why so many of us were shocked when Splash Mountain and BTMRR were allowed to be about 75% nonfunctional for months. Animatronics and rocks didn't work from January until Disney's BoD showed up.

Maybe they already knew important guests were coming, but when I rode Splash Mountain (only a couple days after you did) almost every effect you saw non-functioning was working normally. I think that's one of the problems with forum-based communication and the perception of time. Something only has to be broken long enough for someone to notice and post a thread to create chaos. Another great case in point was the four-page thread about father's hand in CoP when it had only been broken about one hour. In the three days it took for someone to post about how quickly it had been fixed most of the usual suspects had turned it into the usual "hell in a handbasket" style of finger pointing.

Threads about fixed or fully functioning effects die a quick death here because they can't compete against the popularity of the shortcomings.

 

[360rico1]

I hate posts and threads like this.

First, the supposition that the parks are worse than they were is an opinion not a fact. I actually think the parks are better now than when I started visiting regularly in the early 90's. I like many of the technological advances and some of the new attractions are my favorites.

I have lost some favorites, but I like that the parks evolve and there are new things all the time.

I also think the resorts, restaurants, and additional entertainment areas are all part of the great experience. I can't wait until the Art of Animation and Hyperion Wharf open and I have a whole new areas to explore.

Why can't we talk about the good stuff. I don't mean we have to sit and rave over everything, but a whole thread dedicated to dwelling on slights, imagined or otherwise, seems unnecessary.

Here's the question I'd ask back to the OP, why do you keep going and visiting Disney discussion groups if it's gotten so bad?

Yeah!

 

[InLikeFlynn]

I find that it goes in cycles. When I was there in December, it was the dirtiest I'd ever seen it. Every trash can seemed to be overflowing. But this past May, it was immaculate. I don't know if it was so bad in December because there was a bad cold spell or what, but it was kind of shocking.

It's all about the exact time and place I guess. I was also there this May and thought some areas of some parks looked dirtier than anything I'd ever witnessed. Dirtier than our local little amusement park - now that's bad.

 

[Kamikaze]

Yes. Because Yeti Circa 2011 is SOOOOOO much better than Yeti Circa 2006

'twas definitely a joke compared to what we have now...

Yes, the Yeti is broken. But does it have to be the basis for every 'maintenance sucks!' thread? Harp on something else for a change.