Spirited News & Observations II -- NGE/Baxter

[luv]

Yes, this. And much much more.

Okay, so you are saying that Disney will not just be giving more perks to on-site guests, but will be rewarding repeat visitors for their loyalty? The more times you stay at wow, the more stuff you get?

 

[Goofyernmost]

The unfortunate part of the restrict benefits to people that don't pay the piper, is that they stop paying anything at Disney. They go someplace else. I like love Disney and have for years, but, when I am looked at as a wallet instead of a Guest...I won't be going back, and that's a promise. I have no problem with paying for my entertainment, but I will not be extorted. That would totally ruin the experience for me. I truly hope that this isn't the way they are going. I think it might just completely turn off an awful lot of people.

Am I a minority? I don't know and I don't really care because it is not my wish to destroy Disney. My wish is to have a place to go where I feel equal to everyone. I don't mind a few things like EMH, never used it anyway. But if I can no longer have a chance to get on a ride without staying in 2 hour lines, I will not go there. Right now, I find that under that scenario, Universal is a very good option. If they follow Disney's action, well, I just guess I'll have to find some other pastime. Millions of people manage to live happy lives and never step foot in a Disney Park. Imagine that!

 

[luv]

Yup. Uni gives away their (much better) EP access and has an early entry thing for guests. But you can buy a limited version of the EP thing if you want to. And if you shell out a little more for an AP, you can use it after four p.m. as a limited-version EP.

Disney's system does not sound like a big plus. Scheduling rides is the opposite of easy and fun. It forces people to be on more of a schedule. I've heard it called "appointments" and that isn't wrong, lol. Scheduling meals and rides is just not that big a benefit, even for guests.

But if they totally exclude other people, there will be some backlash. More people will visit Uni and Sea World instead. I don't know if it will be enough to matter to Disney or not.

 

[ParentsOf4]

In the spirit of @ParentsOf4 .
http://bloomberg.com/news/2013-04-3...iple-of-workers-skirts-law-as-sec-delays.html

The headline rails against a CEO-to-worker ratio of 1795-to-1. Yet with the median CM making less than $20K annually and Bob Iger making $40M last year, Disney's CEO-to-worker ratio is over 2000-to-1.

But what really bothers me is Iger terminating hundreds of employees at a time of record profits, forcing the remaining workforce to work even harder to keep their jobs. Perhaps if Disney got rid of a few hundred of their insanely large and excessively compensated executive management staff (I suspect Disney has more VPs than most companies have total employees), and if Iger & his cronies rolled up their sleeves and worked a little harder to make up the difference, then maybe we shareholders would see some real improvements in profits.

Who knows, maybe WDW fans would even get some substantial improvements at the theme parks.

 

[George]

The headline rails against a CEO-to-worker ratio of 1795-to-1. Yet with the median CM making less than $20K annually and Bob Iger making $40M last year, Disney's CEO-to-worker ratio is over 2000-to-1.

But what really bothers me is Iger terminating hundreds of employees at a time of record profits, forcing the remaining workforce to work even harder to keep their jobs. Perhaps if Disney got rid of a few hundred of their insanely large and excessively compensated executive management staff (I suspect Disney has more VPs than most companies have total employees), and if Iger & his cronies rolled up their sleeves and worked a little harder to make up the difference, then maybe we shareholders would see some real improvements in profits.

Who knows, maybe WDW fans would even get some substantial improvements at the theme parks.

Great post. Slightly different topic, I feel like Iger forgets about theme parks all together for long periods of time.

 

[George]

But this "Schedule your ride times" thing...I don't know. I think it might drag a few who stay offsite back to Disney hotels, but I don't see it being wildly popular, especially as time goes by and people point out the flaws.

We shall see, though!

I already got second-tier standing, in front of the Emporium, section C for MSEP. See it before it dies before our eyes, I always say. Who says dreams don't come true?

 

[Goofyernmost]

Yup. Uni gives away their (much better) EP access and has an early entry thing for guests. But you can buy a limited version of the EP thing if you want to. And if you shell out a little more for an AP, you can use it after four p.m. as a limited-version EP.

Disney's system does not sound like a big plus. Scheduling rides is the opposite of easy and fun. It forces people to be on more of a schedule. I've heard it called "appointments" and that isn't wrong, lol. Scheduling meals and rides is just not that big a benefit, even for guests.

But if they totally exclude other people, there will be some backlash. More people will visit Uni and Sea World instead. I don't know if it will be enough to matter to Disney or not.

Universal does have a "special" access to people that stay in the hotels, but, as you stated, they are also able to provide that nearly same thing to people that are willing to spend extra to do it. In my experience, it is much less expensive then staying in the resorts. Passes at Uni are unlimited whereas the purchased ones are good for one time per ride. It is a blanket "pass" to all attractions that offers the pass option. But one time only. And did I mention that there is no time requirement. You go to the attraction whenever you get there. For people like myself it is perfect. I am not inclined to ride more then once anyway, and if I am, I have no problem with taking the next ride through standby. Does that prevent those with less money do something, yes, but life is like that. Many can afford a Cadillac, others only a Chevy. Theme parks are the ultimate in unnecessary extras. One can live well without going there. If you don't have the money to buy the pass and it is that important to you, then one needs to look at whether they can afford any of it, really. Plus you would certainly be paying way more for a Disney Limited Fastpass+. Uni is good for all attractions that offer it. What are they talking about now for Fastpass+...just three attractions. Aren't they generous though?

 

[freediverdude]

The Disney resorts still have the bus service, though. Even though a lot of us don't like it as not as magical, it does make a difference to people versus having to rent a car in addition to the offsite hotel cost. The shuttle buses from those offsite resorts aren't really useful enough, so people do factor in that they would also have to rent a car to stay offsite. Plus just finding the location of some of these offsite resorts, and then how to get to the theme parks once you're there, can be a big hassle for newbies to Orlando. That Magical Express plus the onsite hotels with constant bus service is a big selling point for Disney.

 

[asianway]

The headline rails against a CEO-to-worker ratio of 1795-to-1. Yet with the median CM making less than $20K annually and Bob Iger making $40M last year, Disney's CEO-to-worker ratio is over 2000-to-1.

But what really bothers me is Iger terminating hundreds of employees at a time of record profits, forcing the remaining workforce to work even harder to keep their jobs. Perhaps if Disney got rid of a few hundred of their insanely large and excessively compensated executive management staff (I suspect Disney has more VPs than most companies have total employees), and if Iger & his cronies rolled up their sleeves and worked a little harder to make up the difference, then maybe we shareholders would see some real improvements in profits.

Who knows, maybe WDW fans would even get some substantial improvements at the theme parks.

I thought the layoffs were supposed to be done before the Q2 call next week, but its been very quiet on that front since the Studios animation staff.

 

[flynnibus]

Universal does have a "special" access to people that stay in the hotels, but, as you stated, they are also able to provide that nearly same thing to people that are willing to spend extra to do it. In my experience, it is much less expensive then staying in the resorts

Much like the dining plan... this conclusion weighs GREATLY on your party and when you travel.

I paid about $250/night for the UNI hotel for 2 night.. for that I got express passes for 5 people for 3 days.. not two. That's 15 express passes + hotel for $500. Even at $100/night.. that is only $20 per express pass. Express pass can be upwards of $60+ person easily.. and that's for the limited one.

So as you can see.. it matters greatly on how many people you travel with.. and when. If you were traveling by yourself or maybe as a couple.. it's not as great a deal. For a family.. it is.

 

[Lee]

In my transportation plan one of the consequences is you would not even have access to the monorails. They would be for on-site guests and AP holders only. Someday I will detail my property wide transportation ideas.

In the Armchair Imagineering forum, I hope. No need for it here.

It won't be "overpriced" given enough benefits.

Matter of opinion. No matter how much Fastpass scheduling they tack on, the All-Stars won't be worth over $100/night to me. Ever.

 

[Goofyernmost]

Much like the dining plan... this conclusion weighs GREATLY on your party and when you travel.

I paid about $250/night for the UNI hotel for 2 night.. for that I got express passes for 5 people for 3 days.. not two. That's 15 express passes + hotel for $500. Even at $100/night.. that is only $20 per express pass. Express pass can be upwards of $60+ person easily.. and that's for the limited one.

So as you can see.. it matters greatly on how many people you travel with.. and when. If you were traveling by yourself or maybe as a couple.. it's not as great a deal. For a family.. it is.

Agreed!

 

[Goofyernmost]

The Disney resorts still have the bus service, though. Even though a lot of us don't like it as not as magical, it does make a difference to people versus having to rent a car in addition to the offsite hotel cost. The shuttle buses from those offsite resorts aren't really useful enough, so people do factor in that they would also have to rent a car to stay offsite. Plus just finding the location of some of these offsite resorts, and then how to get to the theme parks once you're there, can be a big hassle for newbies to Orlando. That Magical Express plus the onsite hotels with constant bus service is a big selling point for Disney.

Again a matter of personal perception. I have always felt that I could rent offsite, rent a car (that I wanted anyway) and pay for parking and still have considerable left over at the end of the trip, especially when you factor in how much less expensive dining is offsite.

Contrary to popular thought, it doesn't take any longer to get back to your hotel or to your favorite restaurant offsite then it is onsite. In fact, I think it is a lot less time. Disney would have to come up with some very good benefits to convince me that onsite is the way to go. To me, onsite, is an emotional thing, not a logical one.

 

[freediverdude]

Again a matter of personal perception. I have always felt that I could rent offsite, rent a car (that I wanted anyway) and pay for parking and still have considerable left over at the end of the trip, especially when you factor in how much less expensive dining is offsite.

Contrary to popular thought, it doesn't take any longer to get back to your hotel or to your favorite restaurant offsite then it is onsite. In fact, I think it is a lot less time. Disney would have to come up with some very good benefits to convince me that onsite is the way to go. To me, onsite, is an emotional thing, not a logical one.

Yes, but you're an experienced Orlando visitor who knows his/her way around. I was talking about the first time/international/once-every-ten-years visitor, to whom being whisked from the airport to their on-site hotel, not worrying about lugguge, having continuous bus service to all the attractions, and not worrying about using a navigation device or maps to find everything driving around in a strange city would be a selling point.

 

[Lord_Vader]

Me, too.
Nowadays, it's Hotwire city for me. Gets me somewhere like the Rosen Shingle Creek for about $75 max.
Why would I ever pay more than that just to be inside the purple gates at a "Value" Disney resort?

I stay at the Rosen Shingle Creek resort when i am not visiting Disney, it takes 45 minutes or longer in my experience to get to virtually any park or Downtown Disney which is the closest WDW destination and when traffic is heavy over an hour. It takes almost 1/2 hour to get to USF and it is supposed to be a USF affiliated resort. Guests can always save $$$ by staying off-site and get better rooms, but you spend a much larger chunk of your time behind a windshield, frustration, etc. While the Shingle Creek resort is absolutely beautiful, it is never worth the extra headaches caused by having to drive that distance/traffic twice a day to me, that is my choice.

Disney overcharges for their resorts, but at the same time they almost always offer a discounted package or in my case 30% to 35% off room rates with an AP and in past years they offered free dining which for a family of four adds up to over $150 per day. While staying in resorts guests get unrestricted free transportation to and from the parks and DTD/DS, $16 all you care to drink mugs, clean and quiet rooms with great theming and pools, on-site dining including QS and/or TS open early and late, souvenir delivery from the parks, and free transportation from the airport to name a few things.

We are staying at BW resort this summer for 11 days &10 nights, DDP included for $4800, tax included. At $480 per day with food for 3 adults, i consider it a steal at a deluxe resort that I can simply walk out the door and into two of the four parks at my leisure.

Are these "perks" worth an extra $50 or $100 per day, to some it may not but I would gladly pay it and do every year, sometimes twice. I would much rather spend extra cash and relax, spend ALL my time with my family and simply not worry about traffic, etc on my vacations as I do it enough the other 48 weeks a year.

 

[Goofyernmost]

Yes, but you're an experienced Orlando visitor who knows his/her way around. I was talking about the first time/international/once-every-ten-years visitor, to whom being whisked from the airport to their on-site hotel, not worrying about lugguge, having continuous bus service to all the attractions, and not worrying about using a navigation device or maps to find everything driving around in a strange city would be a selling point.

That's true, but I wasn't always an experienced Orlando visitor. I started out just as green as anyone. Finding my way around was never a problem for me, but, I do understand that it is quite stressful for others. I just always looked at whatever extra was needed to make offsite work, was like paying myself for the effort. I worked hard for my money and felt that it had a worth higher then I was able to justify spending, instead of looking at a map, or later Mapquest, or later GPS.

I know everyone has a reason that is good for them when making that decision and I'm not saying that they are wrong in that decision, I'm just relaying how I feel about it. My reason for saying it is because I'm sure that there are others out there that are not sure what to do and spending that much money for a room at Disney is a real hardship on their budget. For them, I want them to know that there are alternatives and ways to do Disney for a lot less and it isn't packed with negative things. I've never even found traffic to be that terrible even during rush hours and I was from Vermont for most of my years. Our idea of a traffic jam was a truck and 6 cars ahead of you at a fast changing traffic light. It's really not that scary or difficult and it opens up one's world to different sights, sounds and opportunities.

For example, let's say I wanted to go to Universal or SeaWorld for a day. It would stress the snot out of me to try and make transportation arrangements, timing, and making sure I am ready when I am supposed to be. Now I jump in my car, drive where I want to go, leave when I'm ready, no hassles, no stress. But, we are all different, and do things in different ways. That's as it should be!

 

[71jason]

I stay at the Rosen Shingle Creek resort when i am not visiting Disney, it takes 45 minutes or longer in my experience to get to virtually any park or Downtown Disney which is the closest WDW destination and when traffic is heavy over an hour. It takes almost 1/2 hour to get to USF and it is supposed to be a USF affiliated resort.

You need to send your GPS back to the manufacturer. You should be at DTD within 15 minutes, MK lot within 20, USF within 10. I lived in the general vicinity for 4 years, and even during Christmas week I can't see it taking over an hour to get to any local theme park from that resort.

Literally, 2 minutes to the 528, 3 minutes to I-4, I'll say 5 minutes to go the 5 miles to the EPCOT exit (you'll usually be run over at that pace), then a generous 5 minutes to get to DTD. 15 minutes, more or less obeying the speed limits.

 

[71jason]

Yes, but you're an experienced Orlando visitor who knows his/her way around. I was talking about the first time/international/once-every-ten-years visitor, to whom being whisked from the airport to their on-site hotel, not worrying about lugguge, having continuous bus service to all the attractions, and not worrying about using a navigation device or maps to find everything driving around in a strange city would be a selling point.

It's hard to imagine a more idiot-proof city than Orlando, at least on the Disney side. And how many people than can afford an on-site hotel don't have at least a basic smarty phone with GPS? (Not counting the blue-haired guests at the Grand.)

 

[Lord_Vader]

You need to send your GPS back to the manufacturer. You should be at DTD within 15 minutes, MK lot within 20, USF within 10. I lived in the general vicinity for 4 years, and even during Christmas week I can't see it taking over an hour to get to any local theme park from that resort.

On Dec 26th last year I did.

 

[jt04]

Okay, so you are saying that Disney will not just be giving more perks to on-site guests, but will be rewarding repeat visitors for their loyalty? The more times you stay at wow, the more stuff you get?

Just a hunch. Loyalty programs are a new and increasingly effective business plan. It only makes sense that Disney would exploit NextGen for this purpose. Time will tell.