AEfx
Well-Known Member
I'm with Belle on this (suprise, surprise, LOL).
I've used ME a couple of times, but on the next trip will be doing a limo because my needs are different. I have a hard time believing that THAT many people who took limos before have stopped because of ME, however - I'm sure some have tried ME, but the type of person who takes a limo regularly isn't going to be satisfied with a bus ride.
Same for taxi. I mean, who in their right minds took a taxi to WDW in the first place? It's SO expensive, and you don't have a fare beforehand to know how much it's going to cost.
Rental cars, yes, I'm sure are down as well. Rental cars, however, have been overused in Orlando forever. When I was a kid we used to rent one for the week and it sat there in the parking lot every day except arrival/departure. I can't tell you how many times I've heard that story.
The thing is, this is par for the course working in a tourist destination. Many companies have lived off the mouse because they were (smartly so) opportunistic and jumped in to hold court around WDW picking up the crumbs. Something you learn in that type of business is when you feed off of another company, you can't go forever and expect things to remain the same.
Now, as to those individuals (drivers, etc.) affected by this, yes, I do feel bad for them - just like I feel bad for someone when a factory closes down or some other fact of life adversely affects people. However, that doesn't mean Disney was wrong to do so at all. As Belle so eloquently stated, this was the best thing Disney could have done for it's business EVER. And WDW is now a place where you can easily fill a week-long vacation so it's finally become pratical.
The tourist industry is not known for job security. I live in a beach community (at least in the summer it is, LOL, as the population increases four-fold) and when you take a job at the new bar down by the water you know that the gravy train may not last forever, or that it may not even appear this year (my area has had a lower than expected turnout this summer). It's just the name of the game. If you want secure employment you don't work in an industry that is so fickle.
Again, it's sad some people are learning the hard way. If was a limo operator, I'd be looking for ways to make my service stand-out more. Make it more of a value - give us more for our buck.
I'm happily taking a limo my next trip for many reasons : 1) a member of my party is a special needs child whom I'm trying to make this as special a trip as possible, 2) I don't want to have to get to the airport so early on departure, 3) we want a grocery stop for some light breakfast snacks, 4) we're going to have a lot of bags, a wheelchair, etc. and want the extra help at the airport not having to find our way around as much/wait in lines as soon as we arrive.
I do wish anyone who is displaced as much assistance as they need in help becoming more gainfully employed - but you always gamble when you work in an industry so fickle as travel.
AEfx
I've used ME a couple of times, but on the next trip will be doing a limo because my needs are different. I have a hard time believing that THAT many people who took limos before have stopped because of ME, however - I'm sure some have tried ME, but the type of person who takes a limo regularly isn't going to be satisfied with a bus ride.
Same for taxi. I mean, who in their right minds took a taxi to WDW in the first place? It's SO expensive, and you don't have a fare beforehand to know how much it's going to cost.
Rental cars, yes, I'm sure are down as well. Rental cars, however, have been overused in Orlando forever. When I was a kid we used to rent one for the week and it sat there in the parking lot every day except arrival/departure. I can't tell you how many times I've heard that story.
The thing is, this is par for the course working in a tourist destination. Many companies have lived off the mouse because they were (smartly so) opportunistic and jumped in to hold court around WDW picking up the crumbs. Something you learn in that type of business is when you feed off of another company, you can't go forever and expect things to remain the same.
Now, as to those individuals (drivers, etc.) affected by this, yes, I do feel bad for them - just like I feel bad for someone when a factory closes down or some other fact of life adversely affects people. However, that doesn't mean Disney was wrong to do so at all. As Belle so eloquently stated, this was the best thing Disney could have done for it's business EVER. And WDW is now a place where you can easily fill a week-long vacation so it's finally become pratical.
The tourist industry is not known for job security. I live in a beach community (at least in the summer it is, LOL, as the population increases four-fold) and when you take a job at the new bar down by the water you know that the gravy train may not last forever, or that it may not even appear this year (my area has had a lower than expected turnout this summer). It's just the name of the game. If you want secure employment you don't work in an industry that is so fickle.
Again, it's sad some people are learning the hard way. If was a limo operator, I'd be looking for ways to make my service stand-out more. Make it more of a value - give us more for our buck.
I'm happily taking a limo my next trip for many reasons : 1) a member of my party is a special needs child whom I'm trying to make this as special a trip as possible, 2) I don't want to have to get to the airport so early on departure, 3) we want a grocery stop for some light breakfast snacks, 4) we're going to have a lot of bags, a wheelchair, etc. and want the extra help at the airport not having to find our way around as much/wait in lines as soon as we arrive.
I do wish anyone who is displaced as much assistance as they need in help becoming more gainfully employed - but you always gamble when you work in an industry so fickle as travel.
AEfx