Disney guest chokes girl who was blocking view of fireworks, deputies say

[ford91exploder]

Yeah, great idea...hasn't happened with this CEO.

Of course the first choice in managing crowds is to expand, but the unwillingness of the current management to even fix what's broken at WDW has caused it to languish in mediocrity.

Unfortunately, pricing is about the only meaningful way to drive people away. I think they have to and they've already started with demand based pricing and generally increased ticket prices. Poor people don't necessarily behave badly...rich people act stupid too. It's more about the amount of people in the parks than the type of people. People are generally all the same when they get hot, tired, and frustrated.

Pricing would not be an issue if Disney sold out the park like an athletic event.

 

[LuvtheGoof]

Nope. Diet Coke ads show people drinking Diet Coke, which is ok. Disney commercials show people checking into their hotel and asking to dine with princesses. Not realistic at all. It's false advertising and you know it. You know, the two points are not mutually exclusive. You can love Disney World and admit that their commercials aren't realistic. No one will bar you from the door, but you'll gain some credibility here.

Actually, it's not unrealistic at all. The commercial shows people checking into the Grand Floridian, and wanting to dine with princesses. The commercial shows 1900 Park Fare as the restaurant - NOT CRT. In checking for an ADR, I can get a family of 4 (the same number shown in the commercial - for TOMORROW at 1900 Park Fare. So please relate how the commercial is lying or unrealistic in any way.

 

[Chef Mickey]

Pricing would not be an issue if Disney sold out the park like an athletic event.

Could we be headed there? Athletic events are a little different because "good" seats will always inherently cost more. Not sure they could segment park tickets to be a cheaper and more expensive depending on what you were able to do. That almost sounds like A-E tickets again.

They've put themselves in a tough position. People point to record profit and attendance, but I can't help but think how much better WDW could be doing if they really got serious about expansion and investing in the future over these last 10 years. They had the money, they just decided to do other things (Shanghai, acquistions, other expansion, buybacks). These all have their merits, however WDW was ignored and they are offering a subpar product (to their standard) at the moment.

Pandora, Star Wars, Toy Story, and some of the other products will help, but it's not enough. They'll just drive more crowds.

 

[ford91exploder]

This and every other post that @GoofGoof has quoted is the same:

"There is no excuse for what happened, but here's an excuse for what happened: something something Disney's fault."

If the account is accurate, the lady put her hands on another human over a firework show at a theme park. She did it. Disney didn't do it. She is responsible for her own actions. She resorted to physical violence over the very definition of a first world problem. She is accountable, not Disney.

It is the lady's fault. Full stop. There are no "contributing factors". Yours and other's "contributing factors" are nothing more than your predetermined talking points.

You do know why in the inner cities the fire department put the sprinkler heads on the hydrant's don't you? on hot summer days, It's because assault and other violent crime increase exponentially because heat and the inability to cool off are major psychological stressors which if unrelieved SOMEHOW result in physical violence. Remove the stressor remove the violence.

So yes OVERCROWDING is a major issue and it's entirely under Disney's control.

 

[Otterhead]

Disney's ads are pushing a experience a guest can NEVER experience at ANY time

In what way? I don't think anything in any Disney ad is unrealistic. They show girls dining with Princesses -- which you can do. They show people having fun on attractions, riding the Mine Train, etc. In no way is anything Disney's advertising a "bait and switch". It's more in line with McDonalds showing a perfectly crafted Big Mac. Your day at Disney is most likely going to be more crowded most of the time than what you see, but if folks think WDW isn't a popular family venue, they're nuts.

 

[ford91exploder]

Could we be headed there? Athletic events are a little different because "good" seats will always inherently cost more. Not sure they could segment park tickets to be a cheaper and more expensive depending on what you were able to do. That almost sounds like A-E tickets again.

They've put themselves in a tough position. People point to record profit and attendance, but I can't help but think how much better WDW could be doing if they really got serious about expansion and investing in the future over these last 10 years. They had the money, they just decided to do other things (Shanghai, acquistions, other expansion, buybacks). These all have their merits, however WDW was ignored and they are offering a subpar product (to their standard) at the moment.

Pandora, Star Wars, Toy Story, and some of the other products will help, but it's not enough. They'll just drive more crowds.

For too long Disney has treated WDW like an ATM for the rest of the company but Disney makes only withdrawals, We are now seeing the results. P&R margins are increasing but not because of top line improvements, instead it's massive cuts and price increases which have driven many to eat offsite, Yet down I-4 a bit there is another theme park company which is INVESTING in it's properties and it has far better margins than Disney.

 

[Otterhead]

Yet down I-4 a bit there is another theme park company which is INVESTING in it's properties

WDW is currently investing about three billion dollars in some of the largest expansions and upgrades to their parks in 15-20 years. Is that... somehow not an improvement?

 

[jakeman]

You do know why in the inner cities the fire department put the sprinkler heads on the hydrant's don't you? on hot summer days, It's because assault and other violent crime increase exponentially because heat and the inability to cool off are major psychological stressors which if unrelieved SOMEHOW result in physical violence. Remove the stressor remove the violence.

So yes OVERCROWDING is a major issue and it's entirely under Disney's control.

The lady choked another human being over a fireworks show at a theme park. I can't really think of a set of circumstances much different between "inner city violence" and "firework show at Walt Disney World".

You are sinking lower than usual to try and pin this on Disney.

For too long Disney has treated WDW like an ATM for the rest of the company but Disney makes only withdrawals, We are now seeing the results. P&R margins are increasing but not because of top line improvements, instead it's massive cuts and price increases which have driven many to eat offsite, Yet down I-4 a bit there is another theme park company which is INVESTING in it's properties and it has far better margins than Disney.

And there is, back to your talking point well.

It took you a few post to get back to it this time. Well done.

 

[jakeman]

WDW is currently investing about three billion dollars in some of the largest expansions and upgrades to their parks in 15-20 years. Is that... somehow not an improvement?

He has talking points he must get to in every thread.

Give him a little slack and we'll be talking about stock buy backs and ESPN shortly.

 

[ford91exploder]

Actually, it's not unrealistic at all. The commercial shows people checking into the Grand Floridian, and wanting to dine with princesses. The commercial shows 1900 Park Fare as the restaurant - NOT CRT. In checking for an ADR, I can get a family of 4 (the same number shown in the commercial - for TOMORROW at 1900 Park Fare. So please relate how the commercial is lying or unrealistic in any way.

The empty coaster for one, princesses at CHECKIN, Instant availability of FP+ for headliner attractions, ADR's for things like 1900 park fare AT CHECKIN. That ain't happening during the time the average family goes on vacation. That's the 180/60 Midnight drill which most first timers will never figure out till they get there and are disappointed.

 

[21stamps]

The empty coaster for one, princesses at CHECKIN, Instant availability of FP+ for headliner attractions, ADR's for things like 1900 park fare AT CHECKIN. That ain't happening during the time the average family goes on vacation. That's the 180/60 Midnight drill which most first timers will never figure out till they get there and are disappointed.

I will say it again.. you do not need 180 day reservations to eat at most of these restaurants. Plenty of them you can get while you are there.

And the empty rides- we rode Peter Pan, Winnie the Pooh, and Mine Train over and over during EMM, with absolutely 0 wait and none of the rides were full.
Yes, Early Morning Magic is an Extra charge. And so is a wand at Universal.

 

[jakeman]

The empty coaster for one, princesses at CHECKIN, Instant availability of FP+ for headliner attractions, ADR's for things like 1900 park fare AT CHECKIN. That ain't happening during the time the average family goes on vacation. That's the 180/60 Midnight drill which most first timers will never figure out till they get there and are disappointed.

Would you like to go to 1900 Park Fare now or wait for dinner?

 

[Otterhead]

He has talking points he must get to in every thread.

And he never, ever answers any of my questions about them. *shrug*

 

[Chef Mickey]

WDW is currently investing about three billion dollars in some of the largest expansions and upgrades to their parks in 15-20 years. Is that... somehow not an improvement?

It is, but I don't think it's enough. The $3b is almost deferred maintenance. They spent $2b on an IT project with what I considered, "meh" results.

I think they needed to do more, sooner and it wouldn't have gotten them to the point they had to do so much at once. WAY too many changes going on right now (even though it's good something is happening). It just shows there is a lot of catch up to do. Even with all the new stuff, the existing attractions are going to need overhauls because they've done nothing to 90% of the rides.

 

[Chef Mickey]

The empty coaster for one, princesses at CHECKIN, Instant availability of FP+ for headliner attractions, ADR's for things like 1900 park fare AT CHECKIN. That ain't happening during the time the average family goes on vacation. That's the 180/60 Midnight drill which most first timers will never figure out till they get there and are disappointed.

I've been in agreement with some of what you said about WDW choosing not to expand and using WDW as a cash cow, but the things you're mentioning as issues are not impossible or even hard to get.

FP+ is pretty much attainable for any attraction a few days out besides Mine Train and maybe Frozen. However, it's pretty easy to get those if you check day of or even the day before for cancellations. I was able to get reservations multiple times for Frozen.

As for as dining, you can literally get any restaurant by using the same method. Just wait for a cancellation. It takes a bit of planning, but it can all be done online and isn't hard.

Empty rides are still possible late at night and first thing in the morning. Late at night, you'll routinely see Splash Mountain running empty and no wait for Thunder Mountain (a popular commercial ride).

It's more crowded than ever and that's completely WDW's fault, but you can still manage to find times to do everything you want and avoid crowds if you plan. One thing hasn't changed...WDW is still for kids and kids get tired. You can wait out kids. If they get there early, they aren't staying until midnight. Plan accordingly.

 

[ford91exploder]

Would you like to go to 1900 Park Fare now or wait for dinner?

View attachment 199173

I'm not talking about NOW im talking about School vacation weeks Memorial Day to Labor Day and Thanksgiving to NYE

Yes i agree during off times that good ADRs and FP are easy to come by even same day ones

But during the seasons i mentioned its still a 180 day dining and 60 day FP routine

 

[Laketravis]

This episode entered the physical.

That's a claim she denies.

 

[21stamps]

I'm not talking about NOW im talking about School vacation weeks Memorial Day to Labor Day and Thanksgiving to NYE

Yes i agree during off times that good ADRs and FP are easy to come by even same day ones

But during the seasons i mentioned its still a 180 day dining and 60 day FP routine

But it isn't! I just went the day after Thanksgiving.. resorts were almost sold out..crowds were very high.. I was able to get several same day or day prior dining reservations. I cancelled a few of my own advance reservations. There was only 2 that I didn't get- Minnie's Holiday Dine, and I actually could have had it, but the time didn't work for me. And - Holiday Wishes Dessert Party.
I scheduled, and cancelled, 1900 PF 4 times during that trip. We ended up wanting to spend more pool time instead.

I booked that trip less than 60 days in advance.. yes it took work, but I got almost everything that I wanted.

 

[DisneyFan 2000]

This debate has got me thinking... Is a guest really dumb to expect for example a room with a park view (any park) at what Disney considers an on-site resort? Or to dine with characters? I will agree that some of the advertising borders on false as not all of this information is actually common knowledge. I am not however willing to pin this case to be a part of that problem. Any human choosing to resort to physical violence due to fireworks should take full blame for their actions.

 

[Otterhead]

Is a guest really dumb to expect for example a room with a park view (any park) at what Disney considers an on-site resort? Or to dine with characters?

Given that selecting a 'park view' room at resorts is an easily selectable option, and how popular and widespread character dining is, I don't see any reason someone would be disappointed that Disney advertises them.