Park Closures, Any Closer?

[MousDad]

5 months ago, Kevin Yee posted an article outlining a Disney Contingency plan for decreased attendance, one which included ultimately rolling park closures. http://miceage.micechat.com/kevinyee/ky061008a.htm

He was pretty much lambasted on all fronts both on his home forum and here http://forums.wdwmagic.com/showthread.php?t=318599&highlight=Kevin+Yee .

I'm wondering, does the idea seem so far-fetched now? How many of us would rather see this than the across the board entertainment/dining/quality cuts we're seeing now? If this is an actual contingency plan, at what stage are we now in relation to the level that would prompt this?

I don't know if it will happen, but it seems a lot more realistic now than it did 5 months ago.

 

[wvdisneyfamily]

I've wondered what cuts will come if the promos don't fill the resorts up. I've even thought that they might rationalize cuts with the promos by saying they took a cut in profit with them. However, I don't really think they are losing that much money on the promos. People (like me) who weren't going on a trip this year are inspired to by these great deals.

 

[ClemsonTigger]

I would much rather see modest cuts now to attempt to provide the proper Disney experience that would would not even be recognized by most (other than crazies like us) vs. the idea of rolling closure.

While I think having a staged response plan is necessary, and it may even get to that kind of level, I agree with the current approach.

Beyond just a rolling park closure that would probably just be an inconvenience to most visitors, the impact on CM's would be great. With one park closed each day, you could be looking at staffing reductions of 1/5 to 1/6. I'm all for keeping as many on as is possible.

 

[Brian Noble]

I still think rolling closures are not likely, from a PR standpoint alone.

 

[PhilharMagician]

We did not see park closures after 9/11 so I find it hard to believe that this will happen now. What I would however expect to see is the mothballing of a resort or 2. This was done during the some of the slow times in 02' and 03'. It also gave Disney a time to rehab resorts at their leisure. Also expect a reduction in operating hours and some rides/shows going into a seasonal status.

 

[PaisleyMF]

Lets see it this way: since they are giving couple of days extra "for free" plus in some cases also up to $200.00, guest will be more willing to by more merchandise, more food and or more services. And that can translate to profit. still sounds a Win / Win situation to me.

 

[imamouse]

Does anyone remember park hours immediately after the World Trade Center attack in 2001? Did any of the four main theme parks open late (10 am) or close super early? I can't recall.

 

[bfbulldog]

5 months ago, Kevin Yee posted an article outlining a Disney Contingency plan for decreased attendance, one which included ultimately rolling park closures. http://miceage.micechat.com/kevinyee/ky061008a.htm

He was pretty much lambasted on all fronts both on his home forum and here http://forums.wdwmagic.com/showthread.php?t=318599&highlight=Kevin+Yee .

I'm wondering, does the idea seem so far-fetched now? How many of us would rather see this than the across the board entertainment/dining/quality cuts we're seeing now? If this is an actual contingency plan, at what stage are we now in relation to the level that would prompt this?

I don't know if it will happen, but it seems a lot more realistic now than it did 5 months ago.

It's still a ridiculous idea. Rolling closures will never happen. It's pure economics. Yee's assumptions are all based solely from Disney's point of view. I'm sure Disney may want rolling park closures but it would never work. Attendance which is already stagnated would absolutely fall off the map should they ever implement this. Reason in simple, people have no 0 interest in paying more but getting less for their travel dollars, travelers, like Disney want more for their money, not less.

So in the end, I think there are very few people willing to pay Disney top dollar for a vacation, and then only get a weak 2/3 experience. People could care less that Disney wants to do this to save a buck, because in the end the travelers want to save a buck as well, and we all know who'll win that battle. Rolling closures won't happen, period!

 

[dreamfinder]

We did not see park closures after 9/11 so I find it hard to believe that this will happen now. What I would however expect to see is the mothballing of a resort or 2. This was done during the some of the slow times in 02' and 03'. It also gave Disney a time to rehab resorts at their leisure. Also expect a reduction in operating hours and some rides/shows going into a seasonal status.

This I could fully see. Closing even just one resort for slow methodical upgrades would free up what, 1/12th of their hotel staffing? Even if they all get shifted to other resorts, it would cut back on overtime, and also help deal with not being able to hire. Seems like it would be a win win all around.

 

[yankspy]

This I could fully see. Closing even just one resort for slow methodical upgrades would free up what, 1/12th of their hotel staffing? Even if they all get shifted to other resorts, it would cut back on overtime, and also help deal with not being able to hire. Seems like it would be a win win all around.

They allow overtime?

Closing a resort might be a good idea but how would that affect people already booked there?

 

[RSoxNo1]

They allow overtime?

Closing a resort might be a good idea but how would that affect people already booked there?

How far in advance can you book hotel reservations? If you can plan 6 months or a year ahead (which Disney definitely does), you may be able to circumvent this problem.

 

[Thelazer]

They allow overtime?

Closing a resort might be a good idea but how would that affect people already booked there?

Depends on what dept your talking about. Some areas have people putting in 6 days quite often. 7 days a week is not uncommon. Other area's have cut people to 32 hours a week.

Hiring freeze is on for most areas, even the one's who still have plenty of open slots to fill and as a result have people working 6 and 7 days to fill them.

 

[DisneyMusician2]

Don't forget that Disneyland itself closed under Walt's direction on Mondays and Tuesdays during the off-season to save operating costs and do refurbishments.

In an area like WDW during the off-season, some closures might be welcome to get all of the maintenance done properly as it used to be. And if it kept operating costs down and prices lower, we the guest should be all for it.

 

[yankspy]

How far in advance can you book hotel reservations? If you can plan 6 months or a year ahead (which Disney definitely does), you may be able to circumvent this problem.

Actually, after thinking about it, I experienced this once. In 2003 we booked our honeymoon at a mod. About two weeks later we got a call from Disney saying that they were closing that resort for upgrades during our stay. They offered us the GF at a deep discount. We took it.

Depends on what dept your talking about. Some areas have people putting in 6 days quite often. 7 days a week is not uncommon. Other area's have cut people to 32 hours a week.

Hiring freeze is on for most areas, even the one's who still have plenty of open slots to fill and as a result have people working 6 and 7 days to fill them.

I would think that if they were feeling the pinch they would cut overtime. However, that would probably put a big hurt on those who are working overtime.

 

[PhotoDave219]

5 months ago, Kevin Yee posted an article outlining a Disney Contingency plan for decreased attendance, one which included ultimately rolling park closures. http://miceage.micechat.com/kevinyee/ky061008a.htm

He was pretty much lambasted on all fronts both on his home forum and here http://forums.wdwmagic.com/showthread.php?t=318599&highlight=Kevin+Yee .

I'm wondering, does the idea seem so far-fetched now? How many of us would rather see this than the across the board entertainment/dining/quality cuts we're seeing now? If this is an actual contingency plan, at what stage are we now in relation to the level that would prompt this?

I don't know if it will happen, but it seems a lot more realistic now than it did 5 months ago.

Why is it more realistic then before? Are they losing money? Of course not.

Are the parks making money? Yes.

Are the parks making as much of a profit as before? Nope.

Simply having a downturn for a quarter isn't worth this kind of "The Sky is Falling" that is prevalent amongst fanboys and people who like to start arguments on message-boards.

Price of gas has fallen and is about 1/2 what it was. Disney will rebound quickly.

 

[Lucky]

There are plenty of ways to cut costs that don't also involve huge cuts in revenues. They'll have to get pretty desperate before they start shutting down a park entirely each day.

 

[bgraham34]

There are plenty of ways to cut costs that don't also involve huge cuts in revenues. They'll have to get pretty desperate before they start shutting down a park entirely each day.

Closing a park to save money could hurt them in the long run. Those people who paid to goto the parks would be furious.Why pay for a park hopper if parks are going to be closed.

 

[MousDad]

Why is it more realistic then before?

["Consumer confidence is the lowest we've seen in over three decades, and even the best product out there is feeling the effect," Disney Chief Executive Robert Iger told analysts on a conference call...On the call, Iger said senior executives were looking at ways to cut costs companywide. "Significant savings will be delivered," he said.]

 

[LivinWitTheLand]

Does anyone remember park hours immediately after the World Trade Center attach in 2001? Did any of the four main theme parks open late (10 am) or close super early? I can't recall.

We were at MK on the first and second anniv after 9-11. MK would close at 5 or 6pm every night except for one or two to show Fantasy in the Sky at 7pm and then close right after. Spectromagic was not even shown on our entire 1 week stay. That is also when extra magic hours were cut. World Showcase starting opening at 11am, and Future World really did close at 7pm. POFQ was shut down. Carousel of Progress was not opened the entire trip, nor time keeper. Alot of attractions also had really shortened operating hours similar to Hall of Presidents and the tiki birds.

Needless to say the parks were dead so you did not need the extra hours. We did the entire Magic Kingdom one day in 4 hours. No joke. Every ride except Dumbo and Magic Carpets. No Lines at all.

 

[Mystic]

Does anyone remember park hours immediately after the World Trade Center attach in 2001? Did any of the four main theme parks open late (10 am) or close super early? I can't recall.

I was at the World not 2 months to the day of the World Trade Center attack in 2001 and while the parks did not open late, they opened at 9am as usual, the closing times were earlier for the most part with AK closing at 5, MK and DHS closing around 7pm and Epcot closing at 9pm. I remember being surprised when we were there to see MK open until midnight on the Saturday. It was originally supposed to close at 10pm that night but they extended the hours. That year we probably waited 25 minutes at most for some attractions with most attractions having wait times of 10-15 minutes.