Josh D'Amaro comments on rising prices and "additional" or removed services: "An inevitable result of progress"

[Sirwalterraleigh]

I have no issue with them charging for parking in order to align with the market. Hotels make a ton of money charging. I think it was silly that they didn't do it sooner.

My main concerns are still overall product and capacity.

Parking as a stand-alone isn’t the issue…the problem is they don’t - nor ever will have a parking capacity/scarcity issue…so charging for parking becomes a “gateway drug” that makes them look: where else?

Remember Disney hotels were already exorbitantly overpriced for roughly 30 years prior…
…so does it really make “strategic sense” to take parking away? Is the small amount of cash worth labeling yourself as “like all the rest”?
This isn’t the first thing the bobs have gone wrong on…won’t be the last either.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

I was there less than a year ago. I’ll be there again in less than a month. Members of my family were there less than a week ago. The only thing I haven’t been on is GotG. So do I know what I’m talking about? Damn right I do. I’ve been involved with multiple Fortune 100 companies, and left them better places. But please, you should keep talking down to everyone like you’re the smartest person in the room and the only one who thinks they know business.

Keep your hand from under the bridge so the wound doesn’t get infected/fester

 

[Lilofan]

This talk about parking/resort fees is stupid…

Because the “defender” is proving the counter point.

The concept that Disney would be driving loyalists away would more likely to be true if they dump those fees on customers and say “in keeping with our competitors”

Because the idea is you aren’t delivering the expected experience and it would alienate because you’re going with the competition. Sometimes it’s strategic not to charge the fee. As it was when they didn’t charge for the fastpasses - by design - when implemented.

Parking and resort fees are necessary to gain income. Front desk and reservations goals are to put " heads on beds " and sell all available rooms nightly. If not enter other fees to have the hotel make money in other revenue gaining aspects. Disney is not the only player in town doing this.

 

[The Empress Lilly]

Not 'inevitable progress'. But, 'inevitable progression'.

Of ever increasing prices combined with reduced offerings, driven by relentless demand for shareholder value and made possible by an exploded tourist market - now the world's biggest industry.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

I have no issue with them charging for parking in order to align with the market. Hotels make a ton of money charging. I think it was silly that they didn't do it sooner.

My main concerns are still overall product and capacity.

The thing with the parking fee that bugged me was they said it was due to "industry standard" - but they pick and choose what elements to use.

Also industry standard to have a loyalty rewards program that gets you free nights for staying often. Most alternatives in the areas include a free breakfast, etc ... But they didn't adopt those parts of industry standard.

Also bugs me as people accepted the high price for a Disney resort (compared to alternatives in the area) as you got more with it - magical express, magic band, 60 day FP+ benefit, etc .... But now you don't, they added me the parking fees, and room rates are only higher than before.

Obviously people still pay it so supply/demand and all that, but still annoys me

 

[GimpYancIent]

Parking and resort fees are necessary to gain income. Front desk and reservations goals are to put " heads on beds " and sell all available rooms nightly. If not enter other fees to have the hotel make money in other revenue gaining aspects. Disney is not the only player in town doing this.

Got it! Make more money, the guests are merely walking dollar (or whatever currency) signs, don't care about their experience (hell they are the magic so let them make their own magic) so let's not be trend setting or top of the line / above the rest but rather be like the rest. There are plenty of unknowledgeable folks out there that want to believe the Disney of old is still in existence, not having experienced it before, go hoping for that special experience. Truth and reality are slow but do eventually overcome the fake and untrue. Other options are in the ascendancy and Disney is descending, yes, the only truth here is "Disney is not the only player in town."

 

[HauntedPirate]

Got it! Make more money, the guests are merely walking dollar (or whatever currency) signs, don't care about their experience (hell they are the magic so let them make their own magic) so let's not be trend setting or top of the line / above the rest but rather be like the rest. There are plenty of unknowledgeable folks out there that want to believe the Disney of old is still in existence, not having experienced it before, go hoping for that special experience. Truth and reality are slow but do eventually overcome the fake and untrue. Other options are in the ascendancy and Disney is descending, yes, the only truth here is "Disney is not the only player in town."

Hey, let’s not talk about hotel rooms and consumers “making magic”.

 

[Andrew C]

Also industry standard to have a loyalty rewards program that gets you free nights for staying often.

That is a fair.

Most alternatives in the areas include a free breakfast, etc ... But they didn't adopt those parts of industry standard.

It isn't standard for their competition. But if they had a loyalty program, they could potentially include it for their higher end members (or some type of F&B credit).

Also bugs me as people accepted the high price for a Disney resort (compared to alternatives in the area) as you got more with it - magical express, magic band, 60 day FP+ benefit, etc ..

Agreed. I guess it all comes down to perceived convenience/benefit. Like Poly wouldn't be as much as it is without being on the monorail loop. Apparently, people are willing to pay a ton of money for that convenience. But for the average Disney resort, what benefits are left?

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Parking and resort fees are necessary to gain income. Front desk and reservations goals are to put " heads on beds " and sell all available rooms nightly. If not enter other fees to have the hotel make money in other revenue gaining aspects. Disney is not the only player in town doing this.

Have you ever worked in resorts for Disney?

 

[John park hopper]

I can Identify with The MaxRebo's feelings Have been going to WDW since 1972 (many many times) and never have been offered any kind of benefit for my loyalty. Oh I did get a little 2"x3"tag for the 25 anniversary with the date of my first visit--that's it.
It may not be an industry standard but many hotels offer a breakfast of some sort and charge far less for rooms (surprisingly they make money and still in business). Disney has relinquished suppling the magic by placing it on the guest -if you don't feel the magic don't blame us (Disney) it's your fault.
I hope the Day comes when Disney will regret taking their loyal fan base for granted

 

[Tha Realest]

To be fair, I feel like a lot of the "loyalty" programs are a way for these companies to track spending habits of their guests, and Disney has had that for decades. And, Chapek did discuss (never followed through, but discussed) replacing the Disneyland AP (before it became Magic Key) with a loyalty type program.

 

[el_super]

The thing with the parking fee that bugged me was they said it was due to "industry standard" - but they pick and choose what elements to use.

Yeah that's true, but again to be fair... the hotels that offer free parking rarely have their own private road network leading up to the resort. The ones that offer free parking don't usually have security manning the parking lots either. The hotels with free breakfast don't usually have on site restaurants or offer free transportation to the local attractions. They don't usually have staffed lifeguards or any form of recreation programs. No Disney movies out on the beach.

Hampton Inn has it's place to be sure, but it's not Disney. Their business model seems to be a little weird too, since they seem to be showing growth through expansion which is an odd choice for a hotel chain. Disney can't grow their hotel business by opening a copy of the Polynesian in Tulare.

 

[Lilofan]

Have you ever worked in resorts for Disney?

No but I’ve worked in hotels many moons ago after college.

 

[Lilofan]

Got it! Make more money, the guests are merely walking dollar (or whatever currency) signs, don't care about their experience (hell they are the magic so let them make their own magic) so let's not be trend setting or top of the line / above the rest but rather be like the rest. There are plenty of unknowledgeable folks out there that want to believe the Disney of old is still in existence, not having experienced it before, go hoping for that special experience. Truth and reality are slow but do eventually overcome the fake and untrue. Other options are in the ascendancy and Disney is descending, yes, the only truth here is "Disney is not the only player in town."

You just described what many hotel companies are doing to extract more money from guests. Seems to be working. The business and leisure hotels we’ve stayed at are near or at full occupancy. The experiences are different no doubt and more expensive. Choice is to go or spend your money elsewhere. Our choice is to continue going.

 

[larryz]

Yeah that's true, but again to be fair... the hotels that offer free parking rarely have their own private road network leading up to the resort. The ones that offer free parking don't usually have security manning the parking lots either. The hotels with free breakfast don't usually have on site restaurants or offer free transportation to the local attractions. They don't usually have staffed lifeguards or any form of recreation programs. No Disney movies out on the beach.

Hampton Inn has it's place to be sure, but it's not Disney. Their business model seems to be a little weird too, since they seem to be showing growth through expansion which is an odd choice for a hotel chain. Disney can't grow their hotel business by opening a copy of the Polynesian in Tulare.

So your argument is "Disney's different."

Funny how that contrasts with Disney's argument, which is "We're just like everybody else."

 

[el_super]

Somehow you’re trying to say they shouldn’t bother reinvesting in those parks and should charge a fortune? And to what end? How do you think you’d benefit?

Everyone benefits when Disney invests their money smartly. Honestly, Disney's shareholders being as happy as they are, don't really question any of their capital investments, especially in the parks. Even when those investments are into the BILLIONS of dollars.

All of these discussions of what Disney is doing wrong, would definitely hit different (or at all) if Disney was struggling with attendance and revenue, but they're not. It all just comes off as sour grapes really.

Aren’t you a Disneylander anyway? Might be a bit out of your lane.

Not really. Disney has to be more open about their intentions in Anaheim than they do in Orlando, so it's easier to see what their long term plans are. DisneylandForward is a good example of how Disney is adopting a strategy to change their guests demographics, and if they think they can get away with it at Disneyland, there's no reason to believe they aren't expecting the same in Florida.

They just don't have to pitch their plans to the government.... yet.

 

[Lilofan]

Yeah that's true, but again to be fair... the hotels that offer free parking rarely have their own private road network leading up to the resort. The ones that offer free parking don't usually have security manning the parking lots either. The hotels with free breakfast don't usually have on site restaurants or offer free transportation to the local attractions. They don't usually have staffed lifeguards or any form of recreation programs. No Disney movies out on the beach.

Hampton Inn has it's place to be sure, but it's not Disney. Their business model seems to be a little weird too, since they seem to be showing growth through expansion which is an odd choice for a hotel chain. Disney can't grow their hotel business by opening a copy of the Polynesian in Tulare.

Disney still showing movies at the beach post fatal alligator attack on the 2 year old guest in front of his parents at the Grand Floridian beach?

 

[el_super]

Disney still showing movies at the beach post fatal alligator attack on the 2 year old guest in front of his parents at the Grand Floridian beach?

Yep they still do it. And of course that too is a unique circumstance for Disney, since your typical Hampton Inn doesn't have to build miles of shorewalls around their beaches (do they have beaches?)

 

[John park hopper]

Yep they still do it. And of course that too is a unique circumstance for Disney, since your typical Hampton Inn doesn't have to build miles of shorewalls around their beaches (do they have beaches?)

No but they have alligator free pools

 

[Lilofan]

Yep they still do it. And of course that too is a unique circumstance for Disney, since your typical Hampton Inn doesn't have to build miles of shorewalls around their beaches (do they have beaches?)

Right on that, building walls to prevent wildlife from climbing over and gator and snake warning signs by all bodies of water at WDW after the fatal gator attack on the guest. Love staying at Hampton Inns off of I-95. Free hot breakfast buffet , coffee 24/7 and warm cookies at night at the front desk. Bagels hard as hockey pucks.