Losing our balance?

[Zippity-do-DAD]

For me, part of what once made Disney's approach so successful, was the perfect balance between that welcoming personal touch of family and the necessary functions of a business. As of late, I am getting this sense and feeling that the balance that so aptly could be described as "magic", is fading, because the scales seem to be tipping more in the business direction. Now before I am inundated with "devils advocate" replys reminding me it has always been a business, let me say I understand that, it's just my personal opinion that it's starting to "feel" like a business. In the past, new fees, and rules were seemingly balanced that made it easier to swallow and "made it worth it". Now it seems that it is a steady squeeze of added cost and restrictions with little balancing that kind of takes a little sparkle off the magic. (At least for me)

 

[YozhikRoth]

Unfortunately, Disney answers to a stockholders, and the parks have and will always be cash cows. Especially with ESPN being a drag on the earnings, the parks will always be squeezed for free cash flow to support the other areas of the business. Fortunately, the board has at least allowed major capital improvement for DHS and AK (not considering the lesser, but no less necessary behind the scenes improvements). I don't see the cash squeeze as any different from what I have observed at Universal, Six Flags, any concert, movie or sporting event. Point is, as long as there is a steady stream of consumers, there are ample opportunities for value added retail situations.

 

[Rinx]

For us on these boards, I think most of us will agree. We are multi-repeat visitors and have seen the shift of the balance through the years. For the average guest, however, they are ignorant to what was and do not/cannot see Disney as how we see it because they lack the personal experience. The things Disney charges extra for, etc. probably seems very normal to a lot of folks while we still bang our heads.

 

[FrostyNaples]

One would argue they simple keep making these changes because they can't get it to balance. Demand is high, they keep adding marbles to see when it will topple over.

 

[JIMINYCR]

I expected added fees once they announced these big additions to the parks, expansion of Disney Springs and other changes that are coming. I think the "business feel" will be with us a while then once things settle down the magic feel will return. The signs that say have patience with us as we make changes apply.

 

[YozhikRoth]

I go back to the 70's when it was just the MK and River Country, so there is a twinge of nostalgia when the experience was far more intimate and less structured. I do feel with Universal constantly pouring $'s into USF (granted with far less land to do so), there's going to be continued expectations of new experiences at Disney and those have to be funded somehow.

 

[Phonedave]

Oh it definately is more of a business feel now. Let's face it, WDW is a huge business right now, all based on ROI and EPS.

It has become a victim of its own success. Back when it was smaller, and they were trying to get more people to come, it was a different business model.

Back then it was - we need to find a way to get more people to come.

Now, parks are at or near capacity - there is no need to get more people to come, so the question becomes how can we get more money from the people are are already comming.

A publicly traded business cannot stand still and expect its investors to be happy. A business needs to show growth - increaed revenues.WDW needs to find a way to do so.A new park is a large capital investment, but additional charges, charging for extra hours at night and in the morning, and increased "special" packages and seating are all ways to extract more cash, with minimal capital outlay, from a customer base that really cannot be significantly expanded.

-dave

 

[Cmdr_Crimson]

The way the parks are being run I'm pretty sure the majority of Team Disney is being employed by former employees of another company..