Fun With Numbers: MK Maingate Blackout Edition

[StageFrenzy]

Or are they lifting blackout after a preset full paying gate attendance number is reached? Once PCGS is set, then they let in the non gate paying guests.

If PCGS does not reach target, non gate payers are not let in thus eliminating dilution of already anemic PCGS.

Sounds like good business.

 

[PhotoDave219]

Sounds like good business.

I dont see it that way. I see it as taking away an employee benefit.

Alas, we could go round and round with this.

 

[StageFrenzy]

I dont see it that way. I see it as taking away an employee benefit.

Alas, we could go round and round with this.

I of course was posting in a slightly chippy sarcastic manner, it's great business for the bottom line and logical thinking from a MBA. From a moral point and employee relations it sucks. The maingate is probably one of the few pluses that are left for being a low level employee for the TWDC. I really don't know why anyone would choose to work inside the theme parks at this point. The money and hours fulfilling the same capacity at another business have got to be better at this point.

 

[PhotoDave219]

I of course was posting in a slightly chippy sarcastic manner, it's great business for the bottom line and logical thinking from a MBA. From a moral point and employee relations it sucks. The maingate is probably one of the few pluses that are left for being a low level employee for the TWDC. I really don't know why anyone would choose to work inside the theme parks at this point. The money and hours fulfilling the same capacity at another business have got to be better at this point.

Completely agree. MK is still pulling the same crowd levels without it being blacked out as it does with it. It makes no sense whatsoever.

I have to believe that the number of maingate admissions would be within the margin of error for the PCGS or any other metric. 2-5% max. Theyre likely to spend money, especially if theyre from out of town.

 

[StageFrenzy]

Completely agree. MK is still pulling the same crowd levels without it being blacked out as it does with it. It makes no sense whatsoever.

I have to believe that the number of maingate admissions would be within the margin of error for the PCGS or any other metric. 2-5% max. Theyre likely to spend money, especially if theyre from out of town.

Are they? Surely not when their CM relative can get the same 2015 magnet and shirt from property control in a couple months.

 

[WhatJaneSays]

In a somewhat adjacent related blockout Disney has also completely lifted the date restrictions for the discount coupons they give the CMs for the holidays. For many years they were unusable almost the entire summer until early Oct. (They get their “holiday” ones in Oct apparently.)

 

[CaptainAmerica]

@PhotoDave219 I have a theory. Have you been keeping close track on when blockout dates are lifted for cast members? I haven't been tracking them like you have but it seems at first glance like they've been blocking a ton of days and then lifting them as it gets closer. The easy answer is that they adjust their crowd forecasts as they get closer to a given date, but I'm thinking it might be more subtle than that. What if it's Fastpass+? My understanding is that Cast Members can only make FP+ reservations on their guest passes if the day is open for guest pass use (i.e. not blocked out). By blocking the passes, regular guests get full access to FP+ reservations. Cast Members get whatever's left when the blockouts are lifted.

Thoughts?

In a somewhat adjacent related blockout Disney has also completely lifted the date restrictions for the discount coupons they give the CMs for the holidays. For many years they were unusable almost the entire summer until early Oct. (They get their “holiday” ones in Oct apparently.)

Which coupons? Dining?

 

[PhotoDave219]

@PhotoDave219 I have a theory. Have you been keeping close track on when blockout dates are lifted for cast members? I haven't been tracking them like you have but it seems at first glance like they've been blocking a ton of days and then lifting them as it gets closer. The easy answer is that they adjust their crowd forecasts as they get closer to a given date, but I'm thinking it might be more subtle than that. What if it's Fastpass+? My understanding is that Cast Members can only make FP+ reservations on their guest passes if the day is open for guest pass use (i.e. not blocked out). By blocking the passes, regular guests get full access to FP+ reservations. Cast Members get whatever's left when the blockouts are lifted.

Thoughts?


Which coupons? Dining?

No I havent. Maybe I should be. I'll ask around.

 

[WhatJaneSays]

Which coupons? Dining?

Yes the paper dining coupons CMs get in their holiday pack.

 

[JimboJones123]

@PhotoDave219 I have a theory. Have you been keeping close track on when blockout dates are lifted for cast members? I haven't been tracking them like you have but it seems at first glance like they've been blocking a ton of days and then lifting them as it gets closer. The easy answer is that they adjust their crowd forecasts as they get closer to a given date, but I'm thinking it might be more subtle than that. What if it's Fastpass+? My understanding is that Cast Members can only make FP+ reservations on their guest passes if the day is open for guest pass use (i.e. not blocked out). By blocking the passes, regular guests get full access to FP+ reservations. Cast Members get whatever's left when the blockouts are lifted.

Thoughts?


Which coupons? Dining?

That is actually a smart observation. Keep those complaints down.

 

[WhatJaneSays]

No I havent. Maybe I should be. I'll ask around.

CMs only get FP+ options 7 days out (unless there is a hotel reservation then it's the regular 60 day + stay window). So far it looks like the blocks are being lifted prior to their FP+ window.

Is there is a CM out there with a hotel res willing to check one of the blocked out days with a guest pass?

 

[JimboJones123]

CMs only get FP+ options 7 days out (unless there is a hotel reservation then it's the regular 60 day + stay window). So far it looks like the blocks are being lifted prior to their FP+ window.

Is there is a CM out there with a hotel res willing to check one of the blocked out days with a guest pass?

The block for Sunday was just lifted today. So, only 3 of the days lifted today were outside the window.

 

[PhotoDave219]

I know Industrial Engineering plays a large part in it. Exactly who they give that information to, I don't know.

Its those people the information is given to are the ones making these decisions.

 

[gbruenin]

^^^ THIS ^^^ PLUS Disney takes rent directly out of the CP'er paycheck, A real 'company town' mentality Disney maintains towards their CP'ers.

Someone please correct me but I believe rent is between 2-300/month and sleep 4 to a room. So Disney is profiting nicely from single room apartments as well.

Just catching up on this thread, so if somone already responded.......

My son just finished his program as a culinary program member. Patterson ( this place needs a bath by the way) was $100 a week. He had a friend terminate his program early because he wasn't getting enough hours to both pay the rent AND buy food. My son had a full time schedule so he was ok, but not others. Terrible treatment.

 

[Katie G]

@PhotoDave219 I have a theory. Have you been keeping close track on when blockout dates are lifted for cast members? I haven't been tracking them like you have but it seems at first glance like they've been blocking a ton of days and then lifting them as it gets closer. The easy answer is that they adjust their crowd forecasts as they get closer to a given date, but I'm thinking it might be more subtle than that. What if it's Fastpass+? My understanding is that Cast Members can only make FP+ reservations on their guest passes if the day is open for guest pass use (i.e. not blocked out). By blocking the passes, regular guests get full access to FP+ reservations. Cast Members get whatever's left when the blockouts are lifted.

Thoughts?


Which coupons? Dining?

I doubt it. I have been able to get FP for nearly every ride except maybe SDMT within a day of visiting. Even 7 days out SDMT is unavailable so it wouldn't have been an option even if the blockout was lifted earlier.

I'm not a fan of the last minute lifts because when planning a couple months ago, I had to tell a lot of family that I couldn't take them prior to kids going back to school because it was blocked. And now its wide open.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

I doubt it. I have been able to get FP for nearly every ride except maybe SDMT within a day of visiting. Even 7 days out SDMT is unavailable so it wouldn't have been an option even if the blockout was lifted earlier.

I'm not a fan of the last minute lifts because when planning a couple months ago, I had to tell a lot of family that I couldn't take them prior to kids going back to school because it was blocked. And now its wide open.

I imagine it's especially frustrating for employees of Disneyland, Marvel, ESPN, and ABC. Their trips to WDW resemble a "regular guest" much more in terms of advance planning and whatnot. It's not like a Florida CM who can decide they're going to Epcot and be there in twenty minutes. Those folks need that information as far out as possible so they can plan dining and whatnot.

 

[gbruenin]

The CP isn't a lower class citizen in the TWDC universe, they're a lower class citizen in the ACTUAL universe.

Wow. Just....wow. That's not the worst characterization I've ever heard, but its pretty close.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

Wow. Just....wow. That's not the worst characterization I've ever hear, but its pretty close.

It's a fact, not a characterization. Prison inmates are a lower class than fast food employees, which are a lower class than construction workers, which are a lower class than finance managers, which are a lower class than optometrists, which are a lower class than brain surgeons, which are a lower class than professional athletes. Does that mean that a professional athlete has more worth as a human being than a fast food employee? Certainly not. But in a world where there's lower, working, middle, and upper-class, some folks are higher than others in terms of their lifestyle, income, benefits, and social status.

 

[WhatJaneSays]

Even with a hotel res, you can't book a FP on a blocked guest pass.

Also - we get 30 days out.

All the CMs I know get 7 days out? They all primarily work for the 'parks and resorts' part and have the blue main gate - does it make a difference of what section of the company they work for?

I know that has been a major complaint from them when we're making plans because I have an AP.

 

[gbruenin]

It's a fact, not a characterization. Prison inmates are a lower class than fast food employees, which are a lower class than construction workers, which are a lower class than finance managers, which are a lower class than optometrists, which are a lower class than brain surgeons, which are a lower class than professional athletes. Does that mean that a professional athlete has more worth as a human being than a fast food employee? Certainly not. But in a world where there's lower, working, middle, and upper-class, some folks are higher than others in terms of their lifestyle, income, benefits, and social status.

It's not 'fact' in any sense, it's just an ugly view of people at different stages of life and career. It's a view which devalues not only the role these folks play but the people themselves. I was a fast food worker 40 years ago, and it had nothing to do with a class system. Being able to recognize and respect what these folks contribute does however clearly show one class system tier you forgot...the difference between a class act and no class.