The park reservation system is here to stay, so Disney is controlling capacity via that mechanism. Which also means we won't see those days where the parks hit capacity on the day (like we used to on NYE, July 4 etc).
Looks that way. You are correct about "less guests" but it will be interesting to see about the "spend more" part. Disney (in the past) was never concerned about reaching capacity, it was actually a bragging point that Disney could pack the parks. Over the last decade it has become a concern? Crap, it has become a catch phrase to raise prices and work to manipulate attendance at the convenience of the company. Disney's goal is to skim as much money as possible from guests, at the companies choosing, regardless of the volume of guests at the parks.
I agree. The part I'm not understanding is why, if WDW has reservations, is it taking multiple hours in standby lines? Seems that, if you're limiting the number of people in the park, you can plan and staff sufficiently for maximum guest satisfaction.
I think the reservation system has to do with staffing; allowing WDW keep the staff in WDW to the absolute minimum, saving costs.
I'm not convinced that they aren't. Are they running all sides on rides that have that capability? If so, I think you're right. If that's the case, maybe reducing the number of reservations for the park further would help with the wait times?
Right now, assuming they are actually "limiting capacity" the current problem is revenge vacating + spring break + a totally broken system; Genie, Genie +, ILL
Yes that looks like the direction the clueless upper echelons of Disney management want to go except the fact the people that have serious wealth and don't blink at cost don't see Disney properties as high end vacation destinations. Amusement locations but not exclusive destinations.
I think they're well on their way. For me, at least, it's value for money. They're WAY off the mark. DW and I are planning to visit Florida this fall. For the first time in over 25 years, I don't think WDW is on the itinerary.
Exactly the problem. Short term "adequate" has profit potential, long term "adequate" puts you in the middle of the herd and limited profit potential. You want to be top of the heap, #1, make max money, not be an also ran and stand out from the herd you need to work at being the best. For max profitability "adequate" is not acceptable.
I agree. Before COVID, my family of three had the platinum AP for over a decade. We have not to been in WDW since Dec. 2019.
There are way too many factors as to why people travel more and vacation at certain times of the year. Disney's attempts at crowd manipulation will not change people's travel and vacationing just were. The more difficult / expensive Disney makes going to Disney at certain times of the year the more people will go somewhere else at that time of year to vacation and spend money.
Fair point. Reality sinks in slower for some.
 Eventually even the slowest to comprehend will understand and change their spending habits.
Because Disney has long since gave up on guest satisfaction and is now more worried about stockholder satisfaction.
