How WDW Co. spins ...

[flynnibus]

I'm personally very much on the if it works and doesn't interfere with normal park hours than good for them for making money side.

Given the parks pretty much are active 24/7 - its impossible to add exclusive events without taking away from something existing.

Just because the park isn't open to guests, does not mean its idle. We already saw how much strain the extra operating hours were putting on things like the monorails.. limiting access to maintenance, etc. The parks and rides are the same thing... burning the candle at both ends puts the squeeze on.

 

[flynnibus]

Stupid? You mean like those same people who pay over $200 For concert tickets? Or hi scalper prices for sporting events? God forbid people feel compelled to spend money on things they love?

If the same concert were being ran for $70.. and you knowingly paid $200 for the reduced version of the same concert.. then yes, I'd call you stupid

 

[betty rose]

I wonder what DVC members think about this. I wonder if during the initial break even calculations, this was considered for members. Thinking the increasing costs of parties, and introduction of new up-charges and fees, this is almost going to be mandatory for the dates you choose to use points to maximize your time, and is now going to cost more out of pocket. Buy into DVC, then up-charges for extra fastpasses, extra charge for extra hours, extra charge for tours, extra charge for special events. I am not a DVC member, so I think this may be more upsetting to DVC members, and this is another wrench to throw into our DVC considerations.

Soon you will need a metro card, as there will be subway style turnstiles to get on the monorail.

We feel like fools for buying DVC. We bought all the excitement of getting to do "free" things. Now, I'm just over it.

 

[betty rose]

But will the maintenance, cleanliness, and quality of the offerings match what the Golden Oak / Four Seasons crowd expect at that price point?

Not in the women's restrooms. I speak from some truly horrible experiences.

 

[Pumbas Nakasak]

If the same concert were being ran for $70.. and you knowingly paid $200 for the reduced version of the same concert.. then yes, I'd call you stupid

I long for the day the secondary ticket market is deemed illegal. How can Ticketbastrd get away with selling tickets to itself that it resells via get me in. Would rtaher miss a gig than give these criminals a penny.

 

[Mike S]

We feel like fools for buying DVC. We bought all the excitement of getting to do "free" things. Now, I'm just over it.

 

[s8film40]

Given the parks pretty much are active 24/7 - its impossible to add exclusive events without taking away from something existing.

Just because the park isn't open to guests, does not mean its idle. We already saw how much strain the extra operating hours were putting on things like the monorails.. limiting access to maintenance, etc. The parks and rides are the same thing... burning the candle at both ends puts the squeeze on.

It's not impossible to add events like this without taking away or degrading the existing operation. The key is putting extra money into things like cleaning and maintenance so extra staff can do a quicker more efficient job, adding ride vehicles and extra methods to make maintenance easier during the shorter downtimes or possible outside of them.

I think it should be very clear that if maintenance, cleanliness, or any other elements declines it's not because of these events it's because Disney chooses to let it happen. Of course I think we all know exactly what will happen.

 

[flynnibus]

It's not impossible to add events like this without taking away or degrading the existing operation. The key is putting extra money into things like cleaning and maintenance so extra staff can do a quicker more efficient job, adding ride vehicles and extra methods to make maintenance easier during the shorter downtimes or possible outside of them.

I think it should be very clear that if maintenance, cleanliness, or any other elements declines it's not because of these events it's because Disney chooses to let it happen. Of course I think we all know exactly what will happen.

You changed my words... I said 'without taking away from something existing' - adding staff is how you try to OFFSET the loss of time. You still lost the time.. your example is just how you try to minimize the impact of doing so by ADDING new stuff into the system. And given view we have of the company's standard practices now.. I think the idea that they will add more workers to offset this time loss and would have no effect.. would be kind of fantasy. We've already seen this model play out.

 

[s8film40]

You changed my words... I said 'without taking away from something existing' - adding staff is how you try to OFFSET the loss of time. You still lost the time.. your example is just how you try to minimize the impact of doing so by ADDING new stuff into the system. And given view we have of the company's standard practices now.. I think the idea that they will add more workers to offset this time loss and would have no effect.. would be kind of fantasy. We've already seen this model play out.

I agree, I'm just saying if things decline because of this the fault lies on Disney not managing it correctly. The responsible business decision would be to add these events but factor in what changes are necessary so that they don't have a negative impact on the existing business. In other words I won't accept this event as the excuse for why things decline. I think this event is a bad idea but letting things decline is very much still a choice that Disney is making.

 

[roj2323]

That's what you pulled from my post?!?!
You do realize if Disney could pay CMs $5 an hour right now, they would, right?

Yes I do realize that.

And yes I thought it was worth pointing out that the pay is better than you said it was. 50 cents to a dollar more an hour may not seem like a lot but it makes a big difference in some people's lives. Besides I was cast when that contract was being negotiated so I'm a little protective about making sure facts are right.

No need to jump down my throat about it.

 

[flynnibus]

I agree, I'm just saying if things decline because of this the fault lies on Disney not managing it correctly. The responsible business decision would be to add these events but factor in what changes are necessary so that they don't have a negative effect on the existing business. In other words I won't except this event as the excuse for why things decline. I think this event is a bad idea but letting things decline is very much still a choice that Disney is making.

There is the addage about blood from a stone tho too Which is why I'm fine with the park NOT being open from 7am-2am every day, etc.. the park needs downtime to get things done. I would actually prefer the park to have reduced hours in different seasons to bring the standards back.. but being successful and profitable isn't enough anymore in american business.

 

[Phil12]

You don't have kids do you? WDW busy times revolve around kids being out of school. No you can't just pull your kids out of public school and go to WDW. Private schools are different.

I did when my children were still in public school. We even got permission from the school and used the visits to WDW as adjunct education.

 

[njDizFan]

I know six flags isn't Disney but at my local six flags in New Jersey I just paid about 220 bucks for a gold season pass (includes free parking and free admission and parking to every other six flags) plus I got the gold dining pass which includes lunch, dinner and a snack at every six flags and I got the photo pass which is equal to Disney photo pass. I can't believe that they are charging 150 for 3 hours at Disney. That's only 70 bucks less what I paid for the entire year. That's insane.

Probably about the same number of rides you can get on in 3 hours then the entire summer at Great Adventure...man that place is brutal.

* this is in no way an endorsement of this upcharge event

This is also going to pad those attendence numbers. Thousands of extra first time clicks a night(how else could they AVERAGE over 50K/day). SDL/Chinese Government is really going to have to inflate those numbers to make it look even close.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

I continue to be amazed at how half the users on here continue to like Disney's DESPITE every disgusting thing they manage to achieve on a weekly basis.

Yeah it's really amazing that some of the people on this Walt Disney World fan site actually like Walt Disney World. Totally crazy.

You must have a pretty carefree life in that bubble of yours when this kind of thing is what you find "disgusting."

 

[Phil12]

For my own curiosity can you name one thing you wouldn't defend Disney for doing? Also, why does it seem to me that each addition like this just makes planning harder? Not easier?

I'm not defending Disney. They certainly don't need my defense. What I am doing is going with the flow and accepting the things that I can not change and making the best of every situation.

It's so easy (and common) for people to gripe and complain about anything and everything that doesn't suit them. Yet in most circumstances they have only themselves to blame.

As an example, I grew up in the Washington D.C. metro area. I constantly heard people most of my life complain about their problems with commuting to work and fighting rush hour traffic. When I left the nest and got a place of my own, I made sure I had a reverse commute so that I never had to fight rush hour traffic.

By the same token I hear people complain a lot about how expensive it is to visit WDW and how crowded it is. Yet with a little planning I have been able to visit both WDW and Disneyland very inexpensively and with minimal crowds. As an example, anyone remember the $20.00 a night specials the Downtown Disney Courtyard by Marriott ran back around the turn of the century?

The entire WDW area has more lodging than they can fill most of the time, so discounted lodging abounds during all but the busiest times. I don't want to go during the busy times so I'll let the people that don't have flexibility in their vacation time pay rack rates.

Everyone must take into account what they want to do at WDW. When my children were young, it was important for them to see Mickey, Minnie and whatever other costumed characters were popular at the time. Now, I avoid those poor employees like the plaque. I once saw Cinderella drinking a beer and smoking a cigarette at a convenience store just off WDW property and she was with a WDW purple pants bus driver.

Disney management is going to do as they please. Nothing that you or I say is going to change anything. I enjoy reading about the various Disney parks and keeping up with the latest news. But it is somewhat amusing to note that some Disney forum members actually believe that by expressing their opinions, or writing emails that they'll somehow change how the parks are manged and run.

It's great that Disney fans have a place to vent and the therapy provided to people that get emotionally charged about the various changes at Disney parks is worthwhile. As an example, last year when it was reported that the Osborne Lights were going to the dumpster, I thought some people might have a mental breakdown. Fortunately this forum and others were able to let the Osborne Lights issue fade into obscurity with only a few manic pleas for their resurrection.

There are always issues with Disney. The prices are too high, the Yeti is broken, the Adventurers Club is gone, they haven't expanded the monorail, construction is too slow and my favorite, the nefarious activities at Shanghai Disneyland are causing massive cutbacks in the rest of the parks.

We are powerless to change these things, except with our wallets. But the problem is that the fans on this and other forums are so obsessed with Disney, they can't stop going to the parks, watching ESPN, watching ABC and going to see Disney movies. They're addicted and (to paraphrase Rick James), Disney is a hell of a drug.

I'm just trying to be practical and get the most out of my time. Let me give you a specific example. I have posted the photo of a Dream Fastpass that I got on 02/13/08. Please notice that none of the fastpass tabs were used. Why not? Because everything at Animal KIngdom on that day was a walk-on. Every attraction during that trip was either a walk-on or a minimal wait time. So I kept the Dream Fastpass as a souvenir and a reminder of the trip.

Now I must admit that I've been to WDW and Disneyland during busy times too just to see first hand what folks are willing to tolerate and I'm just not willing to wait in line for an hour for anything since I know I can visit at another time with no wait at all.

The bottom line is I welcome most anything Disney wants to change. I'll find a way to make it work for me rather than against me. There's just too much negativity in life already so I always try to find the silver lining in every cloud.

 

[Mike S]

Yeah it's really amazing that some of the people on this Walt Disney World fan site actually like Walt Disney World. Totally crazy.

You must have a pretty carefree life in that bubble of yours when this kind of thing is what you find "disgusting."

We all love Walt Disney World.

What we hate are the destructive dopes making decisions like Guardians of the Tower of Terror.

 

[George]

What is their answer to:

"You used to be open until 01:00AM every night in summer, for every ticket holder. Why the $%^# do I need to pay $800 for my family now?"

My thoughts exactly. I will leave you the job of posting for me.

My comment about this made the Disney parks blog. Im shocked! Its the last comment on the bottom.
View attachment 135020

Funny. However, my conjecturing about when "Twice the Price" dining (need to replenish the coffers after "free" dining) and the Sunrise Surcharge will take effect didn't make the cut. I do take solace in the fact that someone at Disney sees my sarcasm even if they don't read these boards.

 

[RobbinsDad]

Yeah, I can see the appeal in this, especially for Orlando tourists not exclusively visiting Disney. Show up at 7, see CTM, Wishes and MSEP, catch a few minor attractions like Tiki Room or Carousel, then 3 hours to ride the biggies with almost no wait. I don't think it's a question of whether or not it's successful, the question is how quickly will the instant success cause Disney to up the price.

 

[George]

Seems to be confusion here. Event will run 10-1 or 11-2 depending on nights. People who pay can enter MK at 7 p.m. regardless and get either three or four hours of regular park time before their exclusive three-hour window opens. They then will be able to get bottled beverages (likely a 3-4 soda choices, one juice and water) and snacks (what seems to be ice cream novelties) ... not sure whether it is one per customer or as many as you want during the three hours.

Holy **** Batman. Soda, juice and water? Ice cream too? Sign me up pronto. I can't believe I thought this was a bad deal.

 

[RobbinsDad]

I'm not defending Disney. They certainly don't need my defense. What I am doing is going with the flow and accepting the things that I can not change and making the best of every situation.

It's so easy (and common) for people to gripe and complain about anything and everything that doesn't suit them. Yet in most circumstances they have only themselves to blame.

As an example, I grew up in the Washington D.C. metro area. I constantly heard people most of my life complain about their problems with commuting to work and fighting rush hour traffic. When I left the nest and got a place of my own, I made sure I had a reverse commute so that I never had to fight rush hour traffic.

By the same token I hear people complain a lot about how expensive it is to visit WDW and how crowded it is. Yet with a little planning I have been able to visit both WDW and Disneyland very inexpensively and with minimal crowds. As an example, anyone remember the $20.00 a night specials the Downtown Disney Courtyard by Marriott ran back around the turn of the century?

The entire WDW area has more lodging than they can fill most of the time, so discounted lodging abounds during all but the busiest times. I don't want to go during the busy times so I'll let the people that don't have flexibility in their vacation time pay rack rates.

Everyone must take into account what they want to do at WDW. When my children were young, it was important for them to see Mickey, Minnie and whatever other costumed characters were popular at the time. Now, I avoid those poor employees like the plaque. I once saw Cinderella drinking a beer and smoking a cigarette at a convenience store just off WDW property and she was with a WDW purple pants bus driver.

Disney management is going to do as they please. Nothing that you or I say is going to change anything. I enjoy reading about the various Disney parks and keeping up with the latest news. But it is somewhat amusing to note that some Disney forum members actually believe that by expressing their opinions, or writing emails that they'll somehow change how the parks are manged and run.

It's great that Disney fans have a place to vent and the therapy provided to people that get emotionally charged about the various changes at Disney parks is worthwhile. As an example, last year when it was reported that the Osborne Lights were going to the dumpster, I thought some people might have a mental breakdown. Fortunately this forum and others were able to let the Osborne Lights issue fade into obscurity with only a few manic pleas for their resurrection.

There are always issues with Disney. The prices are too high, the Yeti is broken, the Adventurers Club is gone, they haven't expanded the monorail, construction is too slow and my favorite, the nefarious activities at Shanghai Disneyland are causing massive cutbacks in the rest of the parks.

We are powerless to change these things, except with our wallets. But the problem is that the fans on this and other forums are so obsessed with Disney, they can't stop going to the parks, watching ESPN, watching ABC and going to see Disney movies. They're addicted and (to paraphrase Rick James), Disney is a hell of a drug.

I'm just trying to be practical and get the most out of my time. Let me give you a specific example. I have posted the photo of a Dream Fastpass that I got on 02/13/08. Please notice that none of the fastpass tabs were used. Why not? Because everything at Animal KIngdom on that day was a walk-on. Every attraction during that trip was either a walk-on or a minimal wait time. So I kept the Dream Fastpass as a souvenir and a reminder of the trip.

Now I must admit that I've been to WDW and Disneyland during busy times too just to see first hand what folks are willing to tolerate and I'm just not willing to wait in line for an hour for anything since I know I can visit at another time with no wait at all.

View attachment 135089

The bottom line is I welcome most anything Disney wants to change. I'll find a way to make it work for me rather than against me. There's just too much negativity in life already so I always try to find the silver lining in every cloud.

I'll never forget the moment I was given a dream fastpass at MK. It was the last day of a 7-day vacation, I had stood in line to see princesses for 60 minutes (which by today's standards seems quick), and had just about had it with the world, when 3 CMs come into the waiting area and announce that every person in here receives a dream fastpass for the day. I might have cried, I can't remember.