On layoffs, very bad attendance, and Iger's legacy being one of disgrace

[hopemax]

I stopped reading at lost decade. You are waaaayyyy too negative and are doing way too much predicting. Park capacity was already too crammed and profits increased every single year.

Arguing the parks weren’t successful enough is just a silly argument, because it’s disproven with the annual reports. I’m too lazy to put it all together for you, but operating margins, operating income, and revenues from parks did extremely well the last 10 years, setting records every year since the last recession.

You are predicting 10 years and the virus has only been a thing for Disney for FOUR MONTHS.

See you in 10 years.

BTW, A quick Google search turned up this. So it hasn't exactly been sunshine and roses.

https://ftalphaville.ft.com/2020/05/04/1588601423000/Introducing--the-Disney-Park-Indicator/

 

[Chef Mickey]

See you in 10 years.

BTW, A quick Google search turned up this. So it hasn't exactly been sunshine and roses.

https://ftalphaville.ft.com/2020/05/04/1588601423000/Introducing--the-Disney-Park-Indicator/

View attachment 487665

Yeah, I told you they had record revenue every year since 2009...that chart proves it. It doesn’t mean the revenue growth rate will be a record, but the total revenue has been. So since 2009, it actually has been sunshine and roses.

Do you know how to read the chart? It basically says that in 20 years, only 2 years had negative revenue growth neither of which had anything to do with people not liking Disney or anything in Disney’s control.

The 2 dips were 9/11 and the worst recession since 1930s.

And look what happened afterward.

This chart doesn’t help your “lost decade“ argument at all. It shows a 1 year hiccup followed by a V-shaped recovery and record revenues the following year. So yeah, that will likely happen again.

 

[Tom Morrow]

I've been a member of this forum for almost 20 years now.. (*depressed sigh*)... and while I'm not going to claim to be anyone of importance, I do know that this is a recurring thing on this forum. Every so often, a nuclear bomb of a thread drops and all the alleged insiders come out of the woodwork to spread ultimate doom and gloom, how will WDW bounce back from this? Etc.

I'm not going to deny that things are bad, or that this isn't the greatest challenge Walt Disney World has ever faced. It's just, these threads are always balls to the walls "the worst case scenario is guaranteed!", and then it never happens. The truth is most likely considerably less extreme.

 

[Chef Mickey]

I've been a member of this forum for almost 20 years now.. (*depressed sigh*)... and while I'm not going to claim to be anyone of importance, I do know that this is a recurring thing on this forum. Every so often, a nuclear bomb of a thread drops and all the alleged insiders come out of the woodwork to spread ultimate doom and gloom, how will WDW bounce back from this? Etc.

I'm not going to deny that things are bad, or that this isn't the greatest challenge Walt Disney World has ever faced. It's just, these threads are always balls to the walls "the worst case scenario is guaranteed!", and then it never happens. The truth is most likely considerably less extreme.

It’s always less extreme than the media and by association, the doom and gloomers portray.

 

[HauntedMansionFLA]

Parks have only been open for 2 weeks, at least all 4 parks.

Everything a problem now, but it’s day by day. My bigger picture is demand WILL return for Disney parks. It’s insane to think it won’t because there is no evidence anything but the virus is hindering it and that’s short term.

The summer heat breaks mid-October plus schools have fall break at that time. Perhaps demand will increase at that time.

 

[tirian]

Not sure if you’re using hyperbole but I think there is a lot of talent at WDI it would be a shame to lose. In fact it’s the only department where I’m truly afraid of the effects of layoffs...technical issues aside Rise of the Resistance is widely considered a masterpiece that demonstrates what WDI can accomplish without gratuitous corporate meddling.

Read:

• Diversity committee
• Pink corporate castle
• Cartoons slapped onto things at Epcot
• Mickey’s Runaway Railway through cheap TV Land
• Reduced SWGE attractions, cantina capacity, entertainment, etc.
• Mandate to lock SWGE into a specific sequel trilogy time period

Ditto Pirates in Shanghai. The rides they’re designing for Tokyo also look great. Not saying there aren’t any talentless hacks at imagineering, but at least some of the rank and file imagineers are truly talented and have created ingenious visual effects lately.

The WDI team in Asia is practically a different division versus the ones who work on projects in the States. Once you get assigned to a Tokyo or Shanghai project, you’re there for a long time.

 

[deWild]

I have. A few times, either transiting to/from a visit to Cedar Point, meeting with clients and suppliers at my previous job, or attending NAIAS.

Orlando won't, because Orlando never reached the level of Detroit at its peak. Before it collapsed, Detroit was a city where blue collar automotive workers could earn good wages that allowed their kids to go to college and move forward. Orlando has always been a low wage city tied to a single industry.

That’s a valid point. I can see where things could south very quick for the Orlando area.

While Orlando may be tied to a single industry similar to the auto industry in Detroit, should things go south there won’t be urban flight that had a significant impact on Detroit’s economy and crime rates. The Renaissance Center once had armed guards surveilling the parking lot which are now no longer there. I certainly see your point, but I’m holding out hope that things will turn around in time.

That and the state of Florida has sunshine almost year round with beautiful beaches. If Orlando doesn’t get as much tourism the coasts will.

 

[EricsBiscuit]

Read:

• Diversity committee
• Pink corporate castle
• Cartoons slapped onto things at Epcot
• Mickey’s Runaway Railway through cheap TV Land
• Reduced SWGE attractions, cantina capacity, entertainment, etc.
• Mandate to lock SWGE into a specific sequel trilogy time period

The WDI team in Asia is practically a different division versus the ones who work on projects in the States. Once you get assigned to a Tokyo or Shanghai project, you’re there for a long time.

Call me crazy but I enjoy MMRR. Great attraction. Should it have been built in Animation Courtyard? Yes. But, I still enjoy it for what it is. Disney needs to build more dark rides.

 

[Jrb1979]

Call me crazy but I enjoy MMRR. Great attraction. Should it have been built in Animation Courtyard? Yes. But, I still enjoy it for what it is. Disney needs to build less dark rides and more coasters like Tron

FIFY

 

[Sharon&Susan]

FIFY

Why? So that can sink to popularity levels as low as other roller coaster parks like Six Flags or Cedar Fair and lose millions of visitors?

 

[csmat99]

They are not crowded...so what? I just said it was indicated as part of the plan on the last earnings call and I was there 10 days.

I don’t have to be a USA cheerleader. The results of our businesses speak for themselves. US companies are the most resilient, profitable, and have better ideas than any in the world. Disney will be just fine. That’s what we are talking about here.

Your speculation on what will happen with the NFL doesn’t mean anything. They are planning the season...that is huge.

You couldn't be more off. Our businesses are closing left and right. Businesses that gave been around 50-70 years. Disney attendance is about half of the reservation limit and then you have people not even showing up with reservations. With regards to NFL of which I am season ticket holder of over 20 years you won't be finding people in the stands probably for about 3/4 of the teams. My team emailed everyone basically begging them to give up their tickets for this year because if they are allowed fans it will only be about 10 percent capacity. Raiders owner has said he probably won't have any fans in the new stadium in Vegas. NFL will be losing millions. Even the NBA that is doing great job with the bubble will have owners selling their teams and first round draft picks to try and get some cash flow. Disney parks won't be returning to normal pre-covid days for at least 18-24 months. And you earlier comment about vaccine shows you are listening to too many press conferences. even if there is a vaccine by early next year which is the earliest it can come out. You will usually find the first ones aren't that effective. You also won't be able to vaccinate everyone at once. You will be lucky to get up to 5% in first few months. And yes you will need to be wearing masks at Disney for at least another year.

 

[Jrb1979]

Why? So that can sink to popularity levels as low as other roller coaster parks like Six Flags or Cedar Fair and lose millions of visitors?

First Cedar Point is one of the most popular parks in the country. Universal is rather popular and they have great coasters. The reason I said that is I think they rely too much on dark rides and don't diversify much.

 

[Sharon&Susan]

First Cedar Point is one of the most popular parks in the country. Universal is rather popular and they have great coasters. The reason I said that is I think they rely too much on dark rides and don't diversify much.

Cedar Point had 3.7 million visitors last year

Disney's least popular park California Adventure had 9.8 million visitors

Magic Kingdom had almost 21 million visitors

I don't think I need to say anything else in regards to popularity.

Don't go to Disney if you want rollercoasters, just like you don't go to a theater for a Pixar movie expecting jump scares.

 

[Lilofan]

I've been a member of this forum for almost 20 years now.. (*depressed sigh*)... and while I'm not going to claim to be anyone of importance, I do know that this is a recurring thing on this forum. Every so often, a nuclear bomb of a thread drops and all the alleged insiders come out of the woodwork to spread ultimate doom and gloom, how will WDW bounce back from this? Etc.

I'm not going to deny that things are bad, or that this isn't the greatest challenge Walt Disney World has ever faced. It's just, these threads are always balls to the walls "the worst case scenario is guaranteed!", and then it never happens. The truth is most likely considerably less extreme.

This is the greatest challenge WDW has ever faced. And one can add Central Florida and FL #1 industry - travel and tourism.

 

[Lilofan]

Parks have only been open for 2 weeks, at least all 4 parks.

Everything a problem now, but it’s day by day. My bigger picture is demand WILL return for Disney parks. It’s insane to think it won’t because there is no evidence anything but the virus is hindering it and that’s short term.

Yes the virus is hindering but expect difficult decisions to be made in the near future.

 

[Lilofan]

You might want to look at it a different way. Leisure industry tanks, people lose jobs and homes (as you said). Scenario 2 - leisure industry gets bailed out, people don't lose jobs and don't lose homes.

The leisure industry health is a major concern for the hundreds of thousands (if not millions) employed within it. Restaurants, theme parks, hotels, cleaning staff, outdoor maintenance, etc. A major bailout could save a large quantity of jobs that would otherwise be lost.

The American hospitality industry asked Washington in April for a $150 billion dollar bailout. One can always ask...

 

[Lilofan]

You couldn't be more off. Our businesses are closing left and right. Businesses that gave been around 50-70 years. Disney attendance is about half of the reservation limit and then you have people not even showing up with reservations. With regards to NFL of which I am season ticket holder of over 20 years you won't be finding people in the stands probably for about 3/4 of the teams. My team emailed everyone basically begging them to give up their tickets for this year because if they are allowed fans it will only be about 10 percent capacity. Raiders owner has said he probably won't have any fans in the new stadium in Vegas. NFL will be losing millions. Even the NBA that is doing great job with the bubble will have owners selling their teams and first round draft picks to try and get some cash flow. Disney parks won't be returning to normal pre-covid days for at least 18-24 months. And you earlier comment about vaccine shows you are listening to too many press conferences. even if there is a vaccine by early next year which is the earliest it can come out. You will usually find the first ones aren't that effective. You also won't be able to vaccinate everyone at once. You will be lucky to get up to 5% in first few months. And yes you will need to be wearing masks at Disney for at least another year.

Businesses closing left and right will surely affect the county the residents live in. Less taxes will be collected and that will affect budgeting and social services to the paying taxpayers of the respective impacted county they live in.

 

[Lilofan]

View attachment 487670

Facing eviction numbers are shocking and sad.

 

[NickMaio]

WDW should offer cheaper shorter blocks to use their parks.
People dont want to spend the money and time to be in a park all day.
4 hours at 50-60% off regular price might get people back.
Just a thought.....

 

[zengoth]

Myself and many local AP's who are emerging from summer block out should help a tick with attendence in August and beyond. We booked our alotted 3 days and we're hoping Disney provides a few more. Park hopping should be an easy fix even with their reservation system. If we're at Epcot and decide to ride the skyliner to the Studios, we should just be able to check the app, see if there's capacity and book a reservation immediately if available. If not, check out the availability for one of the other parks. Doesn't seem like it's rocket science.