Labor cost cutting measures begin at Walt Disney World as the company enters Q1

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Disney absolutely does not want to reduce its share of the pie. The idea that it’s goal in raising prices is even partly to limit crowd sizes is fantastical.

I know…
…I still can’t believe people try to convince themselves in the mirror that reducing attendance was ever a goal of “the company”

 

[John park hopper]

I know…
…I still can’t believe people try to convince themselves in the mirror that reducing attendance was ever a goal of “the company”

It blows my mind to read posts from people writing Disney raises prices or charges for things that once were "free" to reduce crowds --that could not be farther from the truth

 

[Cesar R M]

No, that's how the world works.

You mean how the ultra capitalistic countries do that are under the thumb of mega investors, wall street and predatory stockholders.

 

[Lilofan]

You mean how the ultra capitalistic countries do that are under the thumb of mega investors, wall street and predatory stockholders.

If those factors were not in play for many years TWDC would not have the expansion growth it has seen in the last two decades. My mutual funds which have bet on TWDC over the years have performed well!

 

[lewisc]

I know…
…I still can’t believe people try to convince themselves in the mirror that reducing attendance was ever a goal of “the company”

Maybe reducing attendance of AP at DL

 

[Model3 McQueen]

They can't afford employees.. but at least they're spending millions on changing that evil splash mountain!

 

[Model3 McQueen]

Disney absolutely does not want to reduce its share of the pie. The idea that it’s goal in raising prices is even partly to limit crowd sizes is fantastical.

Maybe it's chapeks vision? LOL weed out the majority regulars who spend less and invite more of the minority wealthy visitors to spend more than the majority peasants ever would.

 

[Goofyernmost]

The parks are clogged because Disney hasn't opened a theme park in 23 years (and counting). The U.S. population has increased by 20% since the last time WDW built a theme park. In addition, Disney has been heavily advertising internationally for almost 20 years, adding nearly another 20% to WDW's attendance. As a result, WDW attendance is up 40% since 1998 yet no 5th gate.

Meanwhile, over at Universal, they've already opened a water park and are in the process of building a third theme park.

Let's think about that for a moment. In 2019, WDW averaged 14.7 million annual visitors per theme park. Meanwhile, Universal Orlando averaged only 10.6 million annual visitors per theme park.

Yet it's Universal that is building another theme park!

Disney isn't building another theme park because the Two Bobs believe their 'Guests' will pay any price for 'The Magic.'

I suspect we're like many WDW 'Guests.' We look at prices along with the nickel-and-diming and ask ourselves, "What the heck is happening to Walt Disney World?" Our annual pass will increase by 25% when we renew next year. Disney restaurants that were selling a burger for $15 a few years ago are now charging $20. Disney's Magical Express is ending. Free FastPass+ has ended. Free MagicBands have ended.

We were just at the Boardwalk and the attendants told us they are not even heating the pools. We were at the Hard Rock earlier in the week and that pool most assuredly was warmer. We enjoyed ourselves immensely at the Hard Rock pool, shivered at the Boardwalk pool.

What the heck is going on at WDW!?!?

Repeating something I wrote about earlier, we've already cancelled nights from our WDW stays, rented out those DVC points, purchased Universal annual passes, and booked nights at the Hard Rock Hotel, Royal Pacific, and Portofino Bay. Amazingly, the points we rented more than cover the cost of our Universal annual passes and 3 different stays at Universal's 3 Deluxe Resorts.

Here's a sample of some December annual pass rates at Universal:

View attachment 591453


Here's are some rates at WDW hotels for those same nights:

View attachment 591454

I'm paying $204/night in December to stay at the Royal Pacific, putting me within walking distance of two theme parks. Best of all, that price includes unlimited Express Pass all day long.

What does $753/night at the Polynesian get me? The 'privilege' of paying an extra $10 to $24 for 2 attractions (each!), plus another $15 for Genie+. That's right, over $800/night with tax and parking, and I still have to dish out another $50 per 'Guest' for something that's not as good as Express Pass. For a family of 4, that's another $200 per day, practically the cost of the entire Royal Pacific room with Express Pass included!

Relating all of this to the subject of this thread, you want to know why Disney is looking for ways to cut costs because attendance has not rebounded?

Don't blame COVID.

Blame corporate Disney for the way it treats its 'Guests'.

And the most important thing is that eventually Covid will go away, but the attitude will not be leaving until it becomes painful. Universal has taken advantage of Disney lethargic attitude over the last decade. Couple that with the addition of less then one attraction per year (all happening within the last 3 years) and you have a situation that will not go away with a mask. Iger doesn't give a damn because he has already banked his millions and has nothing but opulence ahead. The new Bob really doesn't know much about theme parks except merchandising and synergy. Not a great scholar when it comes to long term methods of attracting continued business connected with the idea of making those that spend the money happy about it.

I have mentioned about how I exposed my children to the Magic often many years ago. In recent conversations with them, they are planning trips to Florida when all this virus stuff calms down, but not to Disney. They are now directing their attention to places like Universal, Sea World, Bush Gardens in Tampa, Lego land, Kennedy Space Ctr. and countless other interesting things to see and do in the central Florida area east to west. That puts Orlando in the center as an anchor spot, but it used to be Disney that was the anchor spot and they have no desire to go to WDW again. I know it is just my family that I know about, but, can my group be the only ones that are rejecting the confusion and unnecessary cost of entertainment that they once paid for with the purchase of a ticket?

 

[Goofyernmost]

No one has mentioned getting the train running full circuit at MK again. It's not new, but from what I saw for demand when it was running only the back of the park, it could help.
Also is the Conservative Station and train running at AK yet?

Trains will get them there, but that is when it becomes the curse of size. Trains are not going to stop at every resort in that vast area, Anyone the uses is will still have to get to their hotel and that is something that I can see as a massive PITA and additional expense. After a day of travel who wants to be shuttled around 42.5 sq. miles of the resort.

 

[ImperfectPixie]

Trains will get them there, but that is when it becomes the curse of size. Trains are not going to stop at every resort in that vast area, Anyone the uses is will still have to get to their hotel and that is something that I can see as a massive PITA and additional expense. After a day of travel who wants to be shuttled around 42.5 sq. miles of the resort.

Ditching DME was a huge mistake, IMO.

 

[Goofyernmost]

Ditching DME was a huge mistake, IMO.

I think it has been reported by someone that Mears Transportation will be doing something close to the old system on their own instead of WDW paying them they will be charging for the service. It will still be pretty much there, just not free anymore. For those that didn't know Mears owns the buses used for the shuttle anyway and Disney just hires them to operate it exclusively for WDW.

 

[Patcheslee]

Trains will get them there, but that is when it becomes the curse of size. Trains are not going to stop at every resort in that vast area, Anyone the uses is will still have to get to their hotel and that is something that I can see as a massive PITA and additional expense. After a day of travel who wants to be shuttled around 42.5 sq. miles of the resort.

I'm talking about the trains inside Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom not the monorail, bus, trams, etc. And in relation to the conundrum of adding capacity without increasing crowd size. They are listed as attractions yet MK one has not ran for how long now?

 

[Goofyernmost]

I'm talking about the trains inside Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom not the monorail, bus, trams, etc. And in relation to the conundrum of adding capacity without increasing crowd size. They are listed as attractions yet MK one has not ran for how long now?

I am a little confused about your question. MK only had the circular train around the edge of the park and it will start up again as soon as the TRON coaster attraction is built and open. The train at AK is still operating, but what we have been talking about, I think, is the bullet train that has been discussed that will run past that airport and WDW but will have a stop in both, but that is only to one central location. That is still just in dream status as it has been for about 20 years now.

 

[Patcheslee]

I am a little confused about your question. MK only had the circular train around the edge of the park and it will start up again as soon as the TRON coaster attraction is built and open. The train at AK is still operating, but what we have been talking about, I think, is the bullet train that has been discussed that will run past that airport and WDW but will have a stop in both, but that is only to one central location. That is still just in dream status as it has been for about 20 years now.

I'm talking about the trains inside Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom not the monorail, bus, trams, etc. And in relation to the conundrum of adding capacity without increasing crowd size. They are listed as attractions yet MK one has not ran for how long now?

I'm not speaking about the bullet train.

 

[Djsfantasi]

The parks are clogged because Disney hasn't opened a theme park in 23 years (and counting). The U.S. population has increased by 20% since the last time WDW built a theme park. In addition, Disney has been heavily advertising internationally for almost 20 years, adding nearly another 20% to WDW's attendance. As a result, WDW attendance is up 40% since 1998 yet no 5th gate.

Meanwhile, over at Universal, they've already opened a water park and are in the process of building a third theme park.

Let's think about that for a moment. In 2019, WDW averaged 14.7 million annual visitors per theme park. Meanwhile, Universal Orlando averaged only 10.6 million annual visitors per theme park.

Yet it's Universal that is building another theme park!

Disney isn't building another theme park because the Two Bobs believe their 'Guests' will pay any price for 'The Magic.'

I suspect we're like many WDW 'Guests.' We look at prices along with the nickel-and-diming and ask ourselves, "What the heck is happening to Walt Disney World?" Our annual pass will increase by 25% when we renew next year. Disney restaurants that were selling a burger for $15 a few years ago are now charging $20. Disney's Magical Express is ending. Free FastPass+ has ended. Free MagicBands have ended.

We were just at the Boardwalk and the attendants told us they are not even heating the pools. We were at the Hard Rock earlier in the week and that pool most assuredly was warmer. We enjoyed ourselves immensely at the Hard Rock pool, shivered at the Boardwalk pool.

What the heck is going on at WDW!?!?

Repeating something I wrote about earlier, we've already cancelled nights from our WDW stays, rented out those DVC points, purchased Universal annual passes, and booked nights at the Hard Rock Hotel, Royal Pacific, and Portofino Bay. Amazingly, the points we rented more than cover the cost of our Universal annual passes and 3 different stays at Universal's 3 Deluxe Resorts.

Here's a sample of some December annual pass rates at Universal:

View attachment 591453


Here's are some rates at WDW hotels for those same nights:

View attachment 591454

I'm paying $204/night in December to stay at the Royal Pacific, putting me within walking distance of two theme parks. Best of all, that price includes unlimited Express Pass all day long.

What does $753/night at the Polynesian get me? The 'privilege' of paying an extra $10 to $24 for 2 attractions (each!), plus another $15 for Genie+. That's right, over $800/night with tax and parking, and I still have to dish out another $50 per 'Guest' for something that's not as good as Express Pass. For a family of 4, that's another $200 per day, practically the cost of the entire Royal Pacific room with Express Pass included!

Relating all of this to the subject of this thread, you want to know why Disney is looking for ways to cut costs because attendance has not rebounded?

Don't blame COVID.

Blame corporate Disney for the way it treats its 'Guests'.

Don’t book at the Polynesian! IMHO, the Deluxe hotels aren’t worth the upcharge. I like the medium hotels (particularly Port Orleans Riverside and Caribbean Beach) and even enjoyed our stay at AoA.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

The parks are clogged because Disney hasn't opened a theme park in 23 years (and counting). The U.S. population has increased by 20% since the last time WDW built a theme park. In addition, Disney has been heavily advertising internationally for almost 20 years, adding nearly another 20% to WDW's attendance. As a result, WDW attendance is up 40% since 1998 yet no 5th gate.

Meanwhile, over at Universal, they've already opened a water park and are in the process of building a third theme park.

Let's think about that for a moment. In 2019, WDW averaged 14.7 million annual visitors per theme park. Meanwhile, Universal Orlando averaged only 10.6 million annual visitors per theme park.

Yet it's Universal that is building another theme park!

Disney isn't building another theme park because the Two Bobs believe their 'Guests' will pay any price for 'The Magic.'

I suspect we're like many WDW 'Guests.' We look at prices along with the nickel-and-diming and ask ourselves, "What the heck is happening to Walt Disney World?" Our annual pass will increase by 25% when we renew next year. Disney restaurants that were selling a burger for $15 a few years ago are now charging $20. Disney's Magical Express is ending. Free FastPass+ has ended. Free MagicBands have ended.

We were just at the Boardwalk and the attendants told us they are not even heating the pools. We were at the Hard Rock earlier in the week and that pool most assuredly was warmer. We enjoyed ourselves immensely at the Hard Rock pool, shivered at the Boardwalk pool.

What the heck is going on at WDW!?!?

Repeating something I wrote about earlier, we've already cancelled nights from our WDW stays, rented out those DVC points, purchased Universal annual passes, and booked nights at the Hard Rock Hotel, Royal Pacific, and Portofino Bay. Amazingly, the points we rented more than cover the cost of our Universal annual passes and 3 different stays at Universal's 3 Deluxe Resorts.

Here's a sample of some December annual pass rates at Universal:

View attachment 591453


Here's are some rates at WDW hotels for those same nights:

View attachment 591454

I'm paying $204/night in December to stay at the Royal Pacific, putting me within walking distance of two theme parks. Best of all, that price includes unlimited Express Pass all day long.

What does $753/night at the Polynesian get me? The 'privilege' of paying an extra $10 to $24 for 2 attractions (each!), plus another $15 for Genie+. That's right, over $800/night with tax and parking, and I still have to dish out another $50 per 'Guest' for something that's not as good as Express Pass. For a family of 4, that's another $200 per day, practically the cost of the entire Royal Pacific room with Express Pass included!

Relating all of this to the subject of this thread, you want to know why Disney is looking for ways to cut costs because attendance has not rebounded?

Don't blame COVID.

Blame corporate Disney for the way it treats its 'Guests'.

Woah…you mad, bro?

They should never build a fifth park.

…they never will

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Don’t book at the Polynesian! IMHO, the Deluxe hotels aren’t worth the upcharge. I like the medium hotels (particularly Port Orleans Riverside and Caribbean Beach) and even enjoyed our stay at AoA.

Actually the “moderates” are the biggest ripoffs of them all…

though if they think they can continue to add to the deluxe prices…that may no longer be true.

 

[flynnibus]

another thread railroaded by el super... Park reservations to combat crowding? Lol.. no. Park reservations to keep crowds within Disney's current operational boundaries. Disney isn't capping the parks to ensure great satisfaction.. this isn't a country club setting.. it's Disney trying to staff and spend where they are willing to right now.

The spin doctoring of "we are doing this for you!" non-sense is just all fluff. Just like 'raising prices to control crowds' is not about ensuring high guest satisfaction - it's right sizing your pricing for similar reasons. Optimizing revenue for your cost targets.

 

[celluloid]

Actually the “moderates” are the biggest ripoffs of them all…

though if they think they can continue to add to the deluxe prices…that may no longer be true.

The parking rates also jump on the level of hotel as well. Which is pretty funny.

Disney mostly screwed over Annual Passholders staying on property when that change occurred. The discount that may or may not be there is insulting when someone with free daily parking at the theme parks has to pay for their vehicle(s) to be there nightly at their resort.

 

[wutisgood]

A reminder chapek will cut anything and everything before he lowers prices. You arent going to get real ticket discounts, additional entertainment, or free dining before he gets fired.