More Disney Job Cuts

[SirGoofy]

To me, it would be nice if the shops, rides, and attractions would return to their former glory, but more importantly is the behavior of the CMs. I have witnessed things on this trip that I never thought I'd hear at WDW. At one point I overheard two CMs talking and one dropped the F-bomb. Later in the trip, my 5yo son was getting stamps on his mask around the World Showcase in Epcot. He walked up to one of the Kidcot stations and there were two CMs sitting there to "help" the kids. They asked him what color tag he wanted for his mask and he, being 5, took a little time to decide. I assure you it was no longer than 5 seconds after they asked him that they very rudely told him he had 5 seconds to make up his mind and began counting down. At that point I walked over to make sure they didn't crush his spirit. There were no other kids around and one of the CMs looked like he had just woken up. He was rubbing his eyes and all. Both looked extremely bored with their job. I just couldn't believe what I was seeing. I never would have thought I'd see things like this happening at Disney.

Sorry that happened to you. Unfortunately, you can't control every employee, and there are always going to be bad apples in the bunch. Most CMs really enjoy their jobs, but of course there are always people that are only there for the paycheck.

 

[hokielutz]

Not to sound like I am dismissing this ... even if I kinda am ... but this is what I term the WalMart argument.

The idea that people largely want to buy only crap (or slightly better) at the lowest possible price.

That's not true or everyone would only shop at WalMart, eat at Taco Bell, drive Chevys, and still have shrines to 'W' in their garages.

People do like better things and quality and variety. Disney is doing what is simple and what they believe (wrongly) is the only way to make money these days.

~Crap is Crap, Even if is Coated In Pixie Dust!~

Well, some people go to Disney to enjoy the park and the experience, not to find a unique chotchke from frontierland.

Besides, unless your professional background is in product marketing and it's history in America, you are only providing your nostalgic opinions on what the public wants in the gift shops of Disney.

 

[SirGoofy]

Well, some people go to Disney to enjoy the park and the experience, not to find a unique chotchke from frontierland.

Besides, unless your professional background is in product marketing and it's history in America, you are only providing your nostalgic opinions on what the public wants in the gift shops of Disney.

So you are okay with having HSM and Hannah Montana merchandise in Tomorrowland?

Or no real Adventureland merchandise, which instead gets plenty of generic surfing merchandise?

Because in all honesty in all my time in the park I've never seen anyone buy this stuff.

 

[hokielutz]

I read what you say and I comprehend it but when I go to the parks I just don't experience the negative emotions you seem to. Anything can be improved but I just don't see the situation in a negative light.

I've experienced the good years and the not so good years at WDW and right now the situation is good. Very good!

Agree with you on this!

 

[hokielutz]

So you are okay with having HSM and Hannah Montana merchandise in Tomorrowland?

Or no real Adventureland merchandise, which instead gets plenty of generic surfing merchandise?

Because in all honesty in all my time in the park I've never seen anyone buy this stuff.

Please refer to the first part of my prior response.


I'm sure that the Disney Merch. brass would rather have products that turnover in 2 weeks as opposed to 2 months, but keep to the theme of the area it is being sold from. Yes... I agree the full imersion is broken with HM products, but if the products don't move, sales are not generated, and the parks become less to unprofitable. Gate passes don't cover the cost of park ops.

 

[SirGoofy]

Please refer to the first part of my prior response.


I'm sure that the Disney Merch. brass would rather have products that turnover in 2 weeks as opposed to 2 months, but keep to the theme of the area it is being sold from. Yes... I agree the full imersion is broken with HM products, but if the products don't move, sales are not generated, and the parks become less to unprofitable. Gate passes don't cover the cost of park ops.

The problem is how do they know? They haven't made Frontierland merch in probably 10 years. They just figure all guests want the same thing. I haven't seen a Space Mountain t-shirt in 5 years. You're going to tell me they wouldn't sell?

I just don't get why they feel like everyone just wants the same old generic crap.

Again, there have been some steps taken in improving the merch the past year, but I'm tired of seeing the same exact shirts in every gift shop.

I'm not even saying they have to go back to selling trinkets. I'm saying give me merch that has to do with the freaking land it's located in. Before the '71 line there was no BTM merch besides pins. What kind of sense does that make?

Jungle Cruise STILL has no merch. How easy would it be to make shirts based off the famous JC jokes? The only attraction in Adventureland that has any merch is Pirates.

 

[alecshawn]

I have to agree with jt and some others..the magic is as good as ever.
Nothing is ever PERFECT, but Disney is a close as one can get.

 

[Missing20K]

And year after year the crowds get bigger. I usually am a contrarian but in this case I think the numbers speak for themselves.



I love the new TSMM and AIE

I won't argue whether overall quality is better now or before (I've shared my opinion before). I just don't understand the logic behind the argument that WDW must be of a higher quality today than yesterday solely on the basis that more people attend today than yesterday.

Why does greater attendance automatically equal a better product? You don't attribute increasing attendance year over year to anything but a higher quality product since year's past? You don't think that increases in global population and standard of living (particularly in the West), Disney's marketing, and Disney brand awareness and reputation, had anything to do with an increased demand for a Disney vacation, and hence greater attendance? Not too mention the ridiculous amount of specials they have these days, economy notwithstanding. Free Dining has been going on for how many years now?

There are certainly far more reasons for the increased attendance at Disney year over year other than just consumer's perceived increase or decrease in the overall quality of the parks.

 

[hokielutz]

I won't argue whether overall quality is better now or before (I've shared my opinion before). I just don't understand the logic behind the argument that WDW must be of a higher quality today than yesterday solely on the basis that more people attend today than yesterday.

Why does greater attendance automatically equal a better product? You don't attribute increasing attendance year over year to anything but a higher quality product since year's past? You don't think that increases in global population and standard of living (particularly in the West), Disney's marketing, and Disney brand awareness and reputation, had anything to do with an increased demand for a Disney vacation, and hence greater attendance? Not too mention the ridiculous amount of specials they have these days, economy notwithstanding. Free Dining has been going on for how many years now?

There are certainly far more reasons for the increased attendance at Disney year over year other than just consumer's perceived increase or decrease in the overall quality of the parks.

Quality of the product today is mostly a subjective opinion by the beholder.
Comparisons of today vs 1975, can be attempted, but WDW was a lot smaller and a different product then and there was much less to focus on.

 

[CBOMB]

The problem is how do they know? They haven't made Frontierland merch in probably 10 years. They just figure all guests want the same thing. I haven't seen a Space Mountain t-shirt in 5 years. You're going to tell me they wouldn't sell?

I just don't get why they feel like everyone just wants the same old generic crap.

Again, there have been some steps taken in improving the merch the past year, but I'm tired of seeing the same exact shirts in every gift shop.

I'm not even saying they have to go back to selling trinkets. I'm saying give me merch that has to do with the freaking land it's located in. Before the '71 line there was no BTM merch besides pins. What kind of sense does that make?

Jungle Cruise STILL has no merch. How easy would it be to make shirts based off the famous JC jokes? The only attraction in Adventureland that has any merch is Pirates.

People who understand Mr. Disney's concept of show understand what you are talking about. Evidently there are some here that are comfortable with a generic presentation of mercandise. One of the reasons the utilidors were built was to protect the integrity of show from land to land. I guess that was a waste of money also to some here.

As long as people are willing to settle for less they will receive exactly that. This would be fine by me were it not for the fact that I am affected also.

It's really all about the attention to the smallest detail of the show. Sometimes you must sacrafice a little profit to make the Magic happen.

Edit: Would it seem normal for each country in the World Showcase to contain the same merchandise?

 

[WDW1974]

Mickey didn't give me a hard time. Goofy didn't give me a hard time. Even Donald didn't give me a hard time. Only you. How am I suppose to complete my Disney Character autograph book when you won't sign it. Look I didn't mean to call you a commie, OK. Besides some moderator already wiped it off the planet. Now would you please sign my booK?

I've thought about ... for all of about a second ... and, no, I won't.

I don't know why someone wiped out your comment when others have gotten away with saying it. Maybe someone (other than your wife, of course) doesn't like you?

~Maybe Phil Holmes Will Sign Your Book~

 

[WDW1974]

Well, some people go to Disney to enjoy the park and the experience, not to find a unique chotchke from frontierland.

Ah. But you may not understand that Disney created THEME PARKS based on the idea that everything was part of the show.

Merchandise was certainly a very important component.

It didn't mean you couldn't buy Disney character merchandise. It just meant it had a place and that place was any/every place.

You see when I am in Liberty Square and I walk into a shop and it is selling princess costumes or Grumpy tees, I'm getting conflicting messages and I am no longer back in Colonial America. I might as well be at the local mall.

I think people really either miss the point or don't understand that Disney made its reputation by not being simply all about cartoon characters and the latest property (Hannah Montanta, HSM, Jonas Bros etc).

Besides, unless your professional background is in product marketing and it's history in America, you are only providing your nostalgic opinions on what the public wants in the gift shops of Disney.

My professional background is of no moment to this discussion, and many here wouldn't believe it anyway.

I also don't care what the public wants in gift shops. Neither did Disney in large part. It put what it felt belonged in each shop to help tell the story ... now, I guess the story is all about ABJECT DISNEY MARKETING GREED ... oh and MAGIC TOO!

But again, they're saving me thousands of dollars, so why should I complain?

They've largely succeeded in getting people to buy into their notion of what the Disney of the 21st century has become.

So, let's all put on our lanyards and Goofy hats and get out there ...

~America's Got Talent? I don't think so.~

 

[Missing20K]

And year after year the crowds get bigger. I usually am a contrarian but in this case I think the numbers speak for themselves.



I love the new TSMM and AIE

Looks like this year, crowds won't get bigger.

Quality of the product today is mostly a subjective opinion by the beholder.
Comparisons of today vs 1975, can be attempted, but WDW was a lot smaller and a different product then and there was much less to focus on.

I'm not debating quality, I'm debating anyone who believes that simply because more people frequent the place, quality must be better.

 

[SoccerMickey]

If Hannah Montana merchandise sells, then put it in the shops. I think Tomorrowland and Main Street USA is the best place in the Magic Kingdom to have those selections but not the same merchandise that you can find in your local mall at Limited Too.
Adventureland does not have any themed specific merchandise but there aren't really any gate busters, other than Pirates, that draw people into an Adventureland gift shop. Even Agrabah Bazaar does not sell exclusively Aladdin merchandise. However I don't think they should be selling Animal Kingdom merchandise in Adventureland...nor should they be selling Cinderella Castle merchandise in Adventureland...BUT THEY DO.