Hours further cut in March!

[niteobsrvr]

Re: no excuses

Originally posted by civileng68
Even with all the slamming of Disney about the hours, it always seems that there are those that makes excuses for them.

Many use the: War War War and 9-11. CMON people. I truly don't think that many people avoid going on a family trip because a war may take place. Some may, but not many.

This couldn't be farther form the truth. I just happen to have been an employee of WDW during all of 2001. I can tell you first hand that these events will most certainly directly impact peoples vacations.

In the days and weeks following 9/11, WDW became a ghost -town compared to its normal hustle and bustle self. It was months before attendance even started to show signs of rebounding. In the meantime, cast members experienced some limited layoffs and reduced work hours in order to weather the downturn.

I don't know how many of you have experienced having your workhours and thus your paychecks cut from 40 hours per week to 32, but I can assure you its not a decsion Disney or any other employer takes lightly. Its also not a very easy situation for an employee to weather for two long. You risk losing a lot of valueable employees from both layoffs and cutbacks which will directly affect your operations for some time to come.

Nearly a year after 9/11 attendance still wasn't up to pre-event levels because there was still a certain portion of the population wary of the impending war with Iraq, the weak economy, and further terrorists threats. Now, given that everday that passes brings us closer and closer to launching an assault in the Middle-East, DIsney has every right to be prudent in setting park hours. It is not their fault that our country has chosen a "peak season" to be on a war footing. However, you can bet the moment the first shot is fired, they will be one of the first companies to feel its effects both on vacationing and the economy in general.

I would much rather be able to visit Disney in March at the hours published than to risk having it sold peice-meal fashion like nearly happend in the early 1980's.

 

[Fido]

It is sad that you have to pay peak rates for the resorts when the parks are operating on shorter hours, but like others have said, the crowds aren't as bad and you have more time to do stuff. If you are concerned about the hotel prices, one option is to stay in a decent hotel in Kissimmee or somewhere close like that. The hotels there always tend to be cheaper and competitive with their rates.

 

[ToTBellHop]

These cuts come directly from the higher-ups in Burbank who are demanding that wdw further decrease spending. By the way, the rates you pay at the hotels really have no bearing on park hours--they have to do with what times of year are prime for visiting. Airlines do the same thing--prices increase when they are usually busy, but increased fares do not mean you will have a better experience flying or anything. I just don't get how the hours at wdw can be affected so much, while Disneyland stays open 9am-8pm Monday-Thursday, 9am-10pm on Fridays, 8am-12am on Saturdays, and 8am-11pm on Sundays...seems odd to me, but I won't complain...19 days till Disneyland!!:sohappy:

 

[DisneyPhD]

Except that peak prices are because of high demand times. If it is high demand times, then there should be more hours for the parks. It still doesn't fit.

If this trend continues then it will change, in order to get more people into the parks. Deals keep people going, even when they are "unsure about traveling."

 

[BradleyJ]

Originally posted by Fido
It is sad that you have to pay peak rates for the resorts when the parks are operating on shorter hours, but like others have said, the crowds aren't as bad and you have more time to do stuff.

I just wish peopel would start to realize that Peek Season in the resorts and Peek Season for the the parks are not the same.

 

[aj_macack]

I understand that Disney is only going to provide services based on the demand... but... I think it's crap to switch the hours for an entire month 10 days before.. excuse my language, but I am mad... In any other business, which is what Disneyworld is a business, if you are not provided the product that you purchse you are given a refund or substitution or whatever...

I don't think that it's good PR on Disney's part to essentially "promise" their guests a service and then take it away when, not all, but a lot of vacations have been long planned....

I dunno, maybe I'm missing the overall picture and am completely off-base, but to me it seems like it's becoming more and more about the all about the "almighty dollar" and less about the consumer. Especially in Disney's case!!!

Whew, now that's off my chest!!!!:lol:

 

[DMC-12]

I saw this on the Business wire this morning... :


8:27AM Walt Disney estimate cut at JP Morgan (DIS) 17.02: JP Morgan trims 2003 est to $0.64 from $0.66 (consensus $0.69) based on their belief that tourism trends have continued to soften for the co's theme parks in the wake of geopolitical and economic uncertainties.

Seee... the threat of war does have an impact... and they are not making up excuses... either way... I am still angry about the cut hours.

 

[Fido]

Originally posted by BradleyJ
I just wish peopel would start to realize that Peek Season in the resorts and Peek Season for the the parks are not the same.

And I wish people would realize that we DO realize it, but it still stinks! :lol:

Main Entry: 1peek
Pronunciation: 'pEk
Function: intransitive verb
Etymology: Middle English piken
Date: 14th century
a : to look furtively b : to peer through a crack or hole or from a place of concealment -- often used with in or out

Main Entry: 1peak
Pronunciation: 'pEk
Function: noun
Etymology: perhaps alteration of pike
Date: 1530
a : the highest level or greatest degree b : a high point in a course of development especially as represented on a graph

 

[Scrooge McSam]

Originally posted by BradleyJ
I just wish peopel would start to realize that Peek Season in the resorts and Peek Season for the the parks are not the same.

Oh! Thanks for clearing that up for me.

I always thought people made the trip for the parks and recreational opportunities. I never realized so many people come down just to hang out in the resorts.

I feel so stupid :hammer:

Seriously, it sounds to me like Disney feels free to change the hours because the days in question are not far away and they know people won't want to change their vacation plans. There'll be some grumbling and Disney will still get their money.

And isn't that what it's all

 

[jwbeck3]

The only hour changed is on Monday next week Magic Kingdom will close at 7 instead of 8 so no Spectro

 

[Becky]

Originally posted by niteobsrvr
[

. If you go to a broadway play, your admission prices doesnt entitle you to unlimited performances. You watch the play once and depart.

Ugh, you also don't allow them to cut the play from three acts to two.

In business you make money by being open not by being closed. Cutting hours equals false savings. Oh boy lets cut back one hour and see all the CM pay we will save. Hum, just think of all the dollars lost on meals, gift shop purchases etc.


Universal understands business. They are keeping their hours. I bet they gain guests at the expense of WDW.

In bad times you make an offer people can't refuse. Like $79 for All-Stars next week and 40% off my room in May when I book from my room on Sunday. Incentive = results. They'll get money from me for food etc too.

Longer hours would make me spend even more. I love to shop.

 

[Fantasmic303]

I completely get the argument that shortened hours mean less crowds which may translate into increased chance that we'll get to experience some attractions several times, instead of just once or not at all.

Understood.


However, what's your response to those of us who planned, based on the hours reported in the last few weeks, on seeing/doing things that aren't being offered at all?

Example: Spectromagic - maybe not a big deal to some of you, but a pretty darn big deal to a little kid that's been looking forward to it.

Blizzard Beach - our hopper tickets were purchased largely because we wanted to be able to enjoy BB.

I know Disney, as a business, has to do what is best for their business. I just think they could have done a better job at deciding on what that was.

 

[Superman]

Keyword is "expected" smaller crowds.. guarentee there is plenty of people in the parks and at 7 pm im going back to my hotel mad as hell that i had to rush my day and not have seen everything i PAID to see

 

[TestTrackTom]

well actually, crowds were awesome this past week. i was there thursday-tuesday at the parks, and the longest wait i saw was 15 minutes. AK had hours 9-5, and at about 10:30 or so we went to kali river rapids and rid 3 times in a row with no wait. hehehe

we were there at park opening every day keep in mind

AK- finished by 3, saw everything cept for chester and hester land
proceeded to epcot from 5-9, rode SE, body wars, cranium command, 2 rides in world showcase

MK- there for the whole day, saw everything except for every fantasyland ride cept for pooh, the rest are all boring:snore:

MGM- there for the whole day, saw every attraction there was to see except for beauty and the beast show

Epcot-finished by 6, saw everything, rode test track twice, (LOL there is a mad rush to TT right as the park opens, me, sis, and my dad were jogging to the ride. then my dad had to ______ and we spent 2 minuets waiting, then when we arrive at TT, the wait is 20 minutes :zipit:
i also got a bhuddha statue at China:king:

 

[Lovecraft]

Here is what I did, and I will probably get slammed on this list for it.

I cancelled my reservations for next week at the disney resorts and elected to stay nearby at a competing non-disney resort which was offering a far better deal for better accomodations.

I just couldn't justify the high prices Disney was charging for what I perceive as non peak times.

There are PLENTY of places to stay around Disney World but not on Disney property-- true I do enjoy the ambience of the disney resorts, but this time I felt it wasn't worth it for what I would be getting.

And, its not like I can't go enjoy what the resorts have to offer without staying in one of them.

--Lovecraft

 

[Lovecraft]

Oh I forgot to mention, I felt the resort prices were high even WITH my resident/pass discount for this time fo year.

 

[Fido]

Originally posted by Lovecraft
Here is what I did, and I will probably get slammed on this list for it.

I cancelled my reservations for next week at the disney resorts and elected to stay nearby at a competing non-disney resort which was offering a far better deal for better accomodations.

I just couldn't justify the high prices Disney was charging for what I perceive as non peak times.

There are PLENTY of places to stay around Disney World but not on Disney property-- true I do enjoy the ambience of the disney resorts, but this time I felt it wasn't worth it for what I would be getting.

And, its not like I can't go enjoy what the resorts have to offer without staying in one of them.

--Lovecraft

Can't fault you for that. We usually stay in Kissimmee at a Comfort Inn or somewhere like that. It usually costs half or even less than the All Stars. We did stay at All Star Music this last time though.

 

[CoraJack]

Hi All:

Well, I'm here to tell you that the impending war and the economy DOES have a huge impact on traveling and what is going on in the travel industry.

There was a special on CNN or MSNBC about it maybe about a week ago. They said Hawaii is drying UP....almost no one is coming. They are in big trouble over there financially.

My company is going down the tubes and so are a lot of other companies that my friends work for. My husband was laid off for two days last week which almost never happens due to low work orders.

People lost a gazillion dollars in the stock market--and this is hurting so many. The money will NEVER be able to be replaced. It's just gone.

I have someone in my family who is a specialist in the financial markets and etc and she says that there will not be an economic upswing for quite awhile.

TONS of industries are hurting. People are losing jobs, getting hours and work cut....this is a really BAD time.

I know we are here due to our Disney fantasies, and this is all well and good, but unfortunately the real world is rearing it's ugly head in our DisneyWorld!

Disney can't help it----things are really, really, really bad in our country today.

We were planning on a Disney cruise in June and have since decided against it. Who knows what the world situation will be then, will we want to fly? Will we still have our jobs? Everything is so up in the air.

Just some info....sorry if it upsets.

Christina