Disney Giveth, and Disney Taketh Away

[unkadug]

A) "it's just a theme park"? No, that would apply to Six Flags or Kings Island. No Disney park is "just a theme park". They set their own bar high, and unfortunately have been gliding under it with room to spare for the last several years.

B) Your sidenote is also untrue. Dumbo is the first time they've plopped a show building into the inner portion of the park and did not theme all exposed sides. The HM building is green, but until they messed with things recently, it was completely hidden from view. Dumbo's show building could have received a bit more love. Heck, they spent probably $100,000 on faux rockwork "bridges" on the east side of the new LM facility to "theme" the view over the new backstage gates and between the Circus tents. If they'd do that, why wouldn't they at least paint circus stripes or something thematic on the other 3 sides of Dumbo? Makes no sense.

Unless there are plans that we are not privy to. Perhaps something will be happening at the Tomorrowland Speedway that we don't know about yet? One can only hope.

 

[Tom]

Unless there are plans that we are not privy to. Perhaps something will be happening at the Tomorrowland Speedway that we don't know about yet? One can only hope.

I was actually going to add something almost verbatim to the end of my post, but figured I'd get flamed for even SUGGESTING that something would replace the Speedway. Apparently, of all the God awful things in the World, there's something sacred about those stinky, noisy go-carts.

 

[Castle Cake Apologist]

Not really, I think most people would be happy to see the Speedway go. However, as it stands... why would you see a circus tent in the middle of what's technically supposed to be Tomorrowland's interstate system? I think a green building with trees in front of it would technically make more sense, not that I'm necessarily defending it. Perhaps when those trees grow they'll block the view, it's all still very new and hasn't really had time to settle in. The land isn't even completely done yet! I'm sure until all the vegetation grew in, there were plenty of exposed things when the park first opened. Disney knows what they're doing... With the level of detail that has gone into this expansion, I'm sure they didn't overlook this.

I consider Six Flags and King's Island to be amusement parks, but that wasn't really my point.

 

[asianway]

How about the willful concealment of the Test Track closure date from the general public?

And did they cut TT AllStars yet?

 

[RSoxNo1]

I added the following to page 1:

• Malayan Tapir not replaced - Maharajah Jungle Trek
• Disney Dollars not as widely produced

 

[asianway]

Do copious amounts of masking tape, jump rope, hula hoops, & corn hole on Main St count as a thematic intrusion?

 

[asianway]

Outsourcing of pet kennels

 

[Tom]

Outsourcing of pet kennels

I guess I need to figure out what the true purpose of this thread is. If we're just listing things that Disney no longer does themselves, or has gotten rid of completely (factual, unbiased, not based on opinion), I would agree with this one.

But if we're trying to develop a list of things that are tarnishing the guest experience because of Disney's level of involvement, that's another thing. And if it's this, then I wouldn't necessarily say that outsourcing the Pet Kennels is "taking away". In fact, they now have the most incredible kennel I've ever seen, simply because they let someone else do it. Disney's not in the dog babysitting business. It's a courtesy to have them on property, and I have no issues with them being run by third parties....especially when the level of quality and awesome appearance are on par with (if not better than) Disney's own work.

Again, I guess I need to better understand the intent of this thread. Fact or majority-opinion?

 

[asianway]

I guess I need to figure out what the true purpose of this thread is. If we're just listing things that Disney no longer does themselves, or has gotten rid of completely (factual, unbiased, not based on opinion), I would agree with this one.

But if we're trying to develop a list of things that are tarnishing the guest experience because of Disney's level of involvement, that's another thing. And if it's this, then I wouldn't necessarily say that outsourcing the Pet Kennels is "taking away". In fact, they now have the most incredible kennel I've ever seen, simply because they let someone else do it. Disney's not in the dog babysitting business. It's a courtesy to have them on property, and I have no issues with them being run by third parties....especially when the level of quality and awesome appearance are on par with (if not better than) Disney's own work.

Again, I guess I need to better understand the intent of this thread. Fact or majority-opinion?

Ive never used the kennels but it sounds like you are a fan, you're kind of hitting the nail on the head-shouldn't Disney be able to
Do whatever a third party does and outdo it? And when it comes to animal care, they do a pretty good job of that already on a much larger scale.

Outsourcing is a slippery slope, it's how you'll end up with Marriott managing the Contemporary one day

 

[wm49rs]

Ive never used the kennels but it sounds like you are a fan, you're kind of hitting the nail on the head-shouldn't Disney be able to
Do whatever a third party does and outdo it? And when it comes to animal care, they do a pretty good job of that already on a much larger scale.

Outsourcing is a slippery slope, it's how you'll end up with Marriott managing the Contemporary one day

There are some fields in which Disney shouldn't need to be a leader, and if someone else can take on the work while providing a quality service to Disney resorts guests, so be it. Pet care doesn't have to be a Disney forte, or any indication of outsourcing into areas where Disney does excel....

 

[powlessfamily4]

They should serve some cheese with all this whine!

 

[drew81]

I added the following to page 1:

• Malayan Tapir not replaced - Maharajah Jungle Trek
• Disney Dollars not as widely produced

They put geese in that exhibit!?!? They already had them in the mixed species exhibit and then added them there. They really need to have something different in there. They Malayan Tapir was a beautiful. They need something like in there.

 

[RSoxNo1]

They put geese in that exhibit!?!? They already had them in the mixed species exhibit and then added them there. They really need to have something different in there. They Malayan Tapir was a beautiful. They need something like in there.

Red Pandas?

 

[Tom]

Ive never used the kennels but it sounds like you are a fan, you're kind of hitting the nail on the head-shouldn't Disney be able to
Do whatever a third party does and outdo it? And when it comes to animal care, they do a pretty good job of that already on a much larger scale.

Outsourcing is a slippery slope, it's how you'll end up with Marriott managing the Contemporary one day

I've never used the kennels (I prefer their hotels, personally), but I watched them build and market the one by Riverside. It's just plain awesome. Run by a third party, but since they essentially conformed to Disney's standards (or, as I said, surpassed Disney's standards), I have absolutely no problem with the scenario.

There are places to outsource, and there are places to keep it in-house. Currently, Disney does a nice job of dividing up the work on their construction projects. They hire professional trades to do 95% of the work, but they make the show components and ride vehicles in Central Shops and have BVCC do the "magical" work.

But yes, if they decide they want to outsource everything, like the operations of their hotels, that'll be the end. I just don't see things like kennels as "core Disney assets". They're a nice courtesy, and if Disney can let someone handle them while maintaining a Disney look and feel, more power to them. They need to focus on running theme parks and hotels.

 

[asianway]

I've never used the kennels (I prefer their hotels, personally), but I watched them build and market the one by Riverside. It's just plain awesome. Run by a third party, but since they essentially conformed to Disney's standards (or, as I said, surpassed Disney's standards), I have absolutely no problem with the scenario.

There are places to outsource, and there are places to keep it in-house. Currently, Disney does a nice job of dividing up the work on their construction projects. They hire professional trades to do 95% of the work, but they make the show components and ride vehicles in Central Shops and have BVCC do the "magical" work.

But yes, if they decide they want to outsource everything, like the operations of their hotels, that'll be the end. I just don't see things like kennels as "core Disney assets". They're a nice courtesy, and if Disney can let someone handle them while maintaining a Disney look and feel, more power to them. They need to focus on running theme parks and hotels.

What's your take on golf?

 

[Tom]

What's your take on golf?

That's a tough one. Golf Pros should design golf courses. So, from that aspect, Disney has no business designing them. As for operating them, I'm torn.

See, my baseline is 1971 (and subsequent years of development). Disney moved to Florida, developed a huge plot of land, built a theme park, built hotels, and implemented a vast array of activities, recreation and amenities.

Along the way, they added things like golf courses and kennels and car care centers. Some of those things are just courtesy items, to make each guest's stay on property that much more convenient. Disney doesn't run the car care center, and they don't need to, but it's a great asset. Same for the kennels.

When most people hear Disney, they think first of theme parks, followed by their reputation (while currently arguable) for the best in customer service. When people think of Disney World, most don't think of Disney as an entity known for running great kennels or golf courses....but for operating world class theme parks and hotels. Those two things are the core of what I, and many others, hold Disney accountable for.

I know my comments won't go over well on here, but it's not fair for us to jump to the conclusion that every thing Disney "takes away" or "outsources" is strictly because of money. Yes, that's part of it, but in a more global aspect, it makes better business sense to let professionals run certain things. It's not always better to try to do everything yourself, when there are people who can do it more effectively, while also doing it more cost effectively.

 

[flynnibus]

Disney's golf courses were designed by pros and ran to Disney standards for decades.
The kennel on property was a convenience that was ran in a way that was sufficent and reasonable in cost.

Disney helped kill off golf with all the other non-park actitivites in how they have shaped today's customers into park commandos. Disney then tears out a golf course and sells off the operating of the remainders to an outsider.

Pet kennels they take from a convenience offered at reasonable rates.. to building it into some monster thing that jacked the prices all crazy. Disney may not have been experts here, but because it was basically bundled into larger resort needs.. it wasn't under such pricing pressure to be a profit center. Now you have all kinds of capital to recoup, and have an operator make profits enough to be in business. Jacking prices..

 

[wm49rs]

And now Disney's golf courses are being run, maintained, and redesigned by Arnold Palmer Golf. Not sure that impacts those would play "commando" at the parks, but any just about any golf enthusiast would see APG taking over the courses as a beneficial move for those interested in the game....

Disney outsourced the pet kennels because they didn't want to be in that business any more, and Best Friends Pet Care has been in the business for 25 years. They bit the facility in conjunction with Disney, so it would appear more than one company has an interest in their ROI. But as before people don't have to board their pets with Disney/Best Friends should they not like the pricing. I don't see either move as Disney taking away anything, but instead understanding they may not be the experts in either field, and bringing in those who are.

 

[Tom]

Disney's golf courses were designed by pros and ran to Disney standards for decades.
The kennel on property was a convenience that was ran in a way that was sufficent and reasonable in cost.

Disney helped kill off golf with all the other non-park actitivites in how they have shaped today's customers into park commandos. Disney then tears out a golf course and sells off the operating of the remainders to an outsider.

Pet kennels they take from a convenience offered at reasonable rates.. to building it into some monster thing that jacked the prices all crazy. Disney may not have been experts here, but because it was basically bundled into larger resort needs.. it wasn't under such pricing pressure to be a profit center. Now you have all kinds of capital to recoup, and have an operator make profits enough to be in business. Jacking prices..

And now Disney's golf courses are being run, maintained, and redesigned by Arnold Palmer Golf. Not sure that impacts those would play "commando" at the parks, but any just about any golf enthusiast would see APG taking over the courses as a beneficial move for those interested in the game....

Disney outsourced the pet kennels because they didn't want to be in that business any more, and Best Friends Pet Care has been in the business for 25 years. They bit the facility in conjunction with Disney, so it would appear more than one company has an interest in their ROI. But as before people don't have to board their pets with Disney/Best Friends should they not like the pricing. I don't see either move as Disney taking away anything, but instead understanding they may not be the experts in either field, and bringing in those who are.

I know the courses were designed by pros. I was simply emphasizing the fact that that's how it should be. Hire professionals to do what they do, if they do it better than Disney. Arnold Palmer is probably the best option for someone to run the courses that remain.

And I agree with wm49rs on the kennels. Disney had some of their own, but they weren't stellar by any means, and it just wasn't part of their core business model. I'm stereotyping and generalizing, for the sake of simplicity, but people who take pets on vacations TEND to also stay at campgrounds. And those who don't camp, but take their pets with them, are probably willing to spend the money on a super nice kennel for those pets (since they love them enough to not leave them at home during a vacation). Best Friends is an incredible kennel operator, and the facility by Riverside is absolutely amazing....and very popular from what I've heard. Sounds like they didn't fail when making that decision.

When you get into specialties like golf courses and kennels, you can do one of two things. You can attempt to do it yourself, and hire your own staff and train them (and certify them if required), and get the additional insurance to cover such risks, and assign those assets to a division of the company, and add another layer of management and accounting to run those profit centers. Or, you can admit that those amenities aren't your strong suit, and partner with a third party to come in and handle it turn-key. You shift all (or most of) the liability to those partners, and the only interface is one accounting record between Disney and the contractor.

I may be mistaken, but aren't the medical staff in the theme park first aid stations non-Disney employees? If i'm correct, this makes a lot of sense. No need for Disney to dabble in any sort of health care. It could be that I'm just thinking of Disney Cruise Line, where I know the infirmaries are run by outside companies (it says it right in their literature).

My point is just that there may be some nice amenities that Disney has added over the years, but outsourcing their operations does not automatically mean it's a decline, or disservice to the guest.

 

[simking]

Their is a YouTube video that sums up the River country closure in a nut shell the laws of The state of FLA states.
No public swimming area/pool may be filled with uncloreanated water or from a standing water source AKA a lake.due to the bacteria and specifically the ameba.Winch breads in hot areas it can get into your bran and can kill you.