News Reedy Creek Improvement District and the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District

[GoofGoof]

Hope that is right.

It is. Gallup tracks voter identification and this year it hit a record of 49% of voters identify as independent with 25% to each of the parties. The number of people actually registered independent may be smaller because nearly half the states don’t allow independents to vote in the primary. So if you live in NY as an example and you are an independent it is preferable in a lot of people’s minds to register as a democrat to have a say in their primary. Anyway, the point is independents are growing as the parties turn further to the far extremes. In the last presidential election it was independents in the 6 biggest swing states that swayed the election.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

I would say the change in the cancelation policy is probably the biggest driver behind this.

I would say the dining plan is the biggest…but I agree with you beyond that

 

[MagicHappens1971]

I would say the dining plan is the biggest…but I agree with you beyond that

That's also probably pretty accurate, however for Disney, the money is probably about the same, especially since they're not giving out free dining plans anymore.

 

[drnilescrane]

New polling shows Republicans support Ron DeSantis’ attacks on Disney​

New national Reuters/Ipsos polling suggests the continued machinations against Mickey Mouse make sense to GOP voters. The survey shows 64% of the 366 GOP voters polled maintain there is nothing maleficent about DeSantis demanding concessions from the company for opposing 2022’s Parental Rights in Education law.

Overall, 44% of Republicans regard DeSantis more favorably, even as 63% tell Reuters they are generally “less likely to support a political candidate who backs laws designed to punish a company for its political or cultural stances.” Meanwhile, 54% of Republicans are aware of the gubernatorial campaign against the theme park.

Another national survey tells a similar story. A Harvard-Harris Poll says the Governor’s war against The Walt Disney Co. appears to be a net positive, with 73% of Republicans supportive of the anti-Disney stance.

Many Republicans who could be potential 2024 opponents for DeSantis are taking the opposite view.

Sauce: https://floridapolitics.com/archive...ows-republicans-want-ron-desantis-disney-war/

Tiny sample size so take with a grain of salt, but this might explain why those in the echo chamber haven't backed down.

 

[Vacationeer]

Even then a majority of the restaurants were way down in numbers. Some of the usually impossible locations had availably for parties 2-6 during easter week. That may be due to no DDP. People aren't eating table service as often without DDP.

2 major changes have happened with ADRs (dining reservations)

It’s been a while now since they went from 180 day booking to 60 day.

Very recently they went from a 24hr cancellation policy to a 2 hour cancellation policy.

I think the intention was to allow more flexibility so guests are not tied to reservations that don’t jive with their day, especially when other people would like those spots. Hard to gauge anything about availability right now until this new system stabilizes.

 

[tallica]

huh.

We must have not been in the same WDW where it was obnoxiously busy during spring break, and where I wasn't able to get any worthwhile dining reservations.

The rest, yeah... it's the economy.

Friends and family work at Disney restaurants. I get first hand knowledge. Also there is a private FB group for Disney FOH CMs. There are threads on how slow it was spring break. I don't know where you were trying to get reservations, but even Woody's had some openings during Easter week.

 

[tissandtully]

I know the reason the DDP hasn't come back is because Disney's old software vendor went bankrupt and their new one was taken over and fired Disney as a client... but I hope it truly is dead and buried.

The rigid stratification of snack/QSR/TSR/signature has hamstrung WDW dining for too long.

my main complaint was it kept prices artificially high, but doesn't seem they have a plan to bring them down since its gone

 

[drnilescrane]

I would also say that while this may not be an issue for Ronny locally, this will be working against him on a national scale, should he still launch his campaign.

Well, the Harvard-Harris Poll was national but everybody polled also said they were voting for Trump anyway.

 

[tissandtully]

Friends and family work at Disney restaurants. I get first hand knowledge. Also there is a private FB group for Disney FOH CMs. There are threads on how slow it was spring break. I don't know where you were trying to get reservations, but even Woody's had some openings during Easter week.

Not indicative of anything except decreased table service demand. Seems like you are grasping at straws to prove some sort of point.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

It is. Gallup tracks voter identification and this year it hit a record of 49% of voters identify as independent with 25% to each of the parties. The number of people actually registered independent may be smaller because nearly half the states don’t allow independents to vote in the primary. So if you live in NY as an example and you are an independent it is preferable in a lot of people’s minds to register as a democrat to have a say in their primary. Anyway, the point is independents are growing as the parties turn further to the far extremes. In the last presidential election it was independents in the 6 biggest swing states that swayed the election.

You’re talking about registration…which is true.

However the blocks of voters based on the highly studies demographics are actually solidifying and that gap is growing constantly.

There’s much less doubt on how people actually vote than pollsters want to admit…so they have been trying to figure out a way to reinterpret it and make mistakes. They’ve been way off the last few cycles.

 

[MagicHappens1971]

2 major changes have happened with ADRs (dining reservations)

It’s been a while now since they went from 180 day booking to 60 day.

Very recently they went from a 24hr cancellation policy to a 2 hour cancellation policy.

I think the intention was to allow more flexibility so guests are not tied to reservations that don’t jive with their day, especially when other people would like those spots. Hard to gauge anything about availability right now until this new system stabilizes.

Honestly this was a great plus for flexibility for guests, as well as decreased guests needing to visit GR for waived cancelation fees.

 

[tissandtully]

Actually, this is the press he wants. This is what he wanted all along, which is why he kept poking the (Winnie the Pooh) bear.

DeSantis clearly intends to run right of Trump, so every time a liberal news outlet gives this oxygen, expect DeSantis to use this to campaign on, to raise funds.

Each time a Republican attacks him, DeSantis will say that Republican is beholden to big corporate donors.

Each time a judge rules against him (and it will happen a lot), he’ll claim he needs to be president so he can appoint conservative judges who “respect the Constitution”.

He needs this fight to keep his campaign alive, ‘cause otherwise the polls had him DOA.

DeSantis does not need to win this, only keep it alive until the Republican primary.

Ugh!

we're just in the worst timeline

 

[drnilescrane]

my main complaint was it kept prices artificially high, but doesn't seem they have a plan to bring them down since its gone

Prices are nuts at DLR without the DDP. They want $55 for a standard character breakfast buffet these days.

At least without the DDP we can have some variety and quality - you'd never be able to have a venue like GCH Craftsman Bar/Grill in FL, it would have to be a QSR credit.

 

[Fido Chuckwagon]

The right. Moderates are decreasing in numbers. Both sides are moving farther apart. Not good for the country as a whole.

That’s not really what’s happening, the Overton window just keeps moving right.

 

[Fido Chuckwagon]

I know bookings are down. Also, Disney sit down restaurants had one of the slowest spring breaks ever. Plus non-park divisions are definitely hurting.

Bookings are down across the entire tourism sector nationwide. It is not specific to Disney.

 

[Indy_UK]

I know the reason the DDP hasn't come back is because Disney's old software vendor went bankrupt and their new one was taken over and fired Disney as a client... but I hope it truly is dead and buried.

The rigid stratification of snack/QSR/TSR/signature has hamstrung WDW dining for too long.

That the actual reason it hasn’t returned?

 

[tallica]

2 major changes have happened with ADRs (dining reservations)

It’s been a while now since they went from 180 day booking to 60 day.

Very recently they went from a 24hr cancellation policy to a 2 hour cancellation policy.

I think the intention was to allow more flexibility so guests are not tied to reservations that don’t jive with their day, especially when other people would like those spots. Hard to gauge anything about availability right now until this new system stabilizes.

Well aware of policies. Friends and family work at Disney restaurants. I get first hand knowledge. Also there is a private FB group for Disney FOH CMs. There are threads on how slow it was spring break. And you are correct about the intention, but it has backfired. Some restaurants are starting the day with 20% cancellation and not getting rebooked.

 

[Vacationeer]

Well aware of policies. Friends and family work at Disney restaurants. I get first hand knowledge. Also there is a private FB group for Disney FOH CMs. There are threads on how slow it was spring break. And you are correct about the intention, but it has backfired. Some restaurants are starting the day with 20% cancellation and not getting rebooked.

I think guests aren’t quite yet accustomed to making day of ADRs. That should help high demand locations pick back up. You’re probably right that demand has softened, just hard to tell how much is to due to what. DDP definitely helped and that’s gone, and prices are likely causing some to make cuts. Personally we’ve shifted away from in park ADRs to resort dining.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

my main complaint was it kept prices artificially high, but doesn't seem they have a plan to bring them down since its gone

You understand that was the point from the start, correct?

Raise prices while saving overhead slashing across the board…

 

[mikejs78]

This poll is interesting, somewhat contradicts the Harvard poll.. Survey is of all adults, so that's a flag, but couple of key things from the topline:

• Are you more or less likely to support a political candidate who does the following: Supports or passes laws designed to punish a company for its political, social, or cultural stances.
  • More likely: 27%
  • Less likely: 73%
• Are you more or less likely to support a political candidate who does the following: Supports the free speech rights of a company, even if they disagree with what the company is saying.
  • More likely: 77%
  • Less likey: 23%
• Which of the following statements comes closest to your view, even if neither is exactly right?
  • Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is punishing Disney for exercising their right to free speech: 64%
  • Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is rightfully rolling back special treatment for Disney: 36%
• Do you think Disney was acting within its right when it criticized the Florida law banning the discussion of sexuality and gender in public schools last year?
  • Yes: 55%
  • No: 23%
  • Don't know: 22%
• How has your opinion of the following changed, if at all, as a result of their fight over LGBTQ+ issues in Florida?
  • Florida Governor Ron DeSantis
    • More favorable: 23%
    • Less favorable: 42%
    • No impact: 36%
  • The Walt Disney World resort
    • More favorable: 24%
    • Less favorable: 27%
    • No impact: 49%
  • The Disney Company
    • More favorable: 29%
    • Less favorable: 29%
    • No impact: 42%

The partisan breakouts are generally what you'd expect, with a majority of Republicans generally siding with DeSantis (64%), a majority of Democrats generally supporting Disney (87%) and a majority of independents also supporting Disney (67%).

I find this poll more interesting than the Harvard poll because it breaks out the issue into much more detail and cross-checks by asking a number of different questions. It still has some problems (as all polls do) but this one seems a lot less loaded language wise than the Harvard poll. For example, they don't call it a "special taxing district" while still referencing that Disney has some "legal priviledges" that were removed by DeSantis.