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The More Rumors that Get Passed Through the Grapevine, The Scarier They Get...
- Thread starter pheneix
- Start date
Sketch105
Well-Known Member
Parks closing? excuse me?
First off, let me state I'm not a businessman, so if theres an one out there who truly knows how the parks are run, please respond civilly rather than "what are you an idiot?" tone. Thank you.
I'm sorry, but I can't believe that Disney would close a park on every other day. While its normal for Seasonal parks, Disney is just not one to go in that direction. Every time they do close, it becomes a news story. WDW parks were closed the first time since 1971 when Hurricane Floyd hit Florida, and the second time was 9/11. Epcot's recent closure for the fire becomes a third. I think the company would rather have political figures like George Bush telling people to go to Disney World rather than close their parks down on off days. If they did, they would risk sending their audience to Universal, and despite their statements in the past that they don't see it as serious competition, it is. I read in the newspaper that Universal Hotels carry WDW brochures, but none of the Disney hotels carry Universal brochures. I don't know if this is true, (it has been awhile since I stayed on site (Polynesian 2000) and I don't recall seeing a single Universal advertisement.
Its a very risky business move since, as stated before, the animal care groups would still have to be paid on daily basis. I would think they would start slashing ride operating hours or closing certain shops and restaurants within AK to slash budgets, rather than close the entire park down and have no financial gain at all. Even while other assests of the company would have their fall "cushioned", they would still have to take the losses (merchandise, park attendance, restaurant attendance) and add it to the wages for the 24/7 animal care costs. In the end, wouldn't it make sense to run the park on minimal staff as possible and close certain things throughout the day than to turn away 10,000-15,000 guests, and have the complaints and losses pile up?
I think one AK's main flaws is that a lot of people see it as basically a zoo. Dress it up, put a couple attractions, and it still doesn't make it any better. However, if they were to pile in more attractions (even 0 ones like Dinosaur) who have animals (extinct, mythical, or real) at their core, this park would certainly be seperated from the rest. Busch Gardens, while having animals, has an enormous amount of non-animal based attractions, and therefore bases themselve as a "A theme park with animals" not and "animal theme park (with a few rides)". People don't see it strictly as a zoo, and the name doesn't restrict it either.IMO had they gone through with plans of expansion fully, and had more animal based attractions such as Dinosaur, BK, etc. they wouldn't be in this dilemma. Don't get me wrong, Animals should be the basis of an animal theme park, but would you rather hit the park with the Tower of Terror on the front of its brochure, or the park with the a nice tiger on the front of its brochure. Its all a matter of appealing to everyone. Yes, they have Bugs and Dinosaur and Kali and a couple of stage shows. But it isn't enough IMO.
First off, let me state I'm not a businessman, so if theres an one out there who truly knows how the parks are run, please respond civilly rather than "what are you an idiot?" tone. Thank you.
I'm sorry, but I can't believe that Disney would close a park on every other day. While its normal for Seasonal parks, Disney is just not one to go in that direction. Every time they do close, it becomes a news story. WDW parks were closed the first time since 1971 when Hurricane Floyd hit Florida, and the second time was 9/11. Epcot's recent closure for the fire becomes a third. I think the company would rather have political figures like George Bush telling people to go to Disney World rather than close their parks down on off days. If they did, they would risk sending their audience to Universal, and despite their statements in the past that they don't see it as serious competition, it is. I read in the newspaper that Universal Hotels carry WDW brochures, but none of the Disney hotels carry Universal brochures. I don't know if this is true, (it has been awhile since I stayed on site (Polynesian 2000) and I don't recall seeing a single Universal advertisement.
Its a very risky business move since, as stated before, the animal care groups would still have to be paid on daily basis. I would think they would start slashing ride operating hours or closing certain shops and restaurants within AK to slash budgets, rather than close the entire park down and have no financial gain at all. Even while other assests of the company would have their fall "cushioned", they would still have to take the losses (merchandise, park attendance, restaurant attendance) and add it to the wages for the 24/7 animal care costs. In the end, wouldn't it make sense to run the park on minimal staff as possible and close certain things throughout the day than to turn away 10,000-15,000 guests, and have the complaints and losses pile up?
I think one AK's main flaws is that a lot of people see it as basically a zoo. Dress it up, put a couple attractions, and it still doesn't make it any better. However, if they were to pile in more attractions (even 0 ones like Dinosaur) who have animals (extinct, mythical, or real) at their core, this park would certainly be seperated from the rest. Busch Gardens, while having animals, has an enormous amount of non-animal based attractions, and therefore bases themselve as a "A theme park with animals" not and "animal theme park (with a few rides)". People don't see it strictly as a zoo, and the name doesn't restrict it either.IMO had they gone through with plans of expansion fully, and had more animal based attractions such as Dinosaur, BK, etc. they wouldn't be in this dilemma. Don't get me wrong, Animals should be the basis of an animal theme park, but would you rather hit the park with the Tower of Terror on the front of its brochure, or the park with the a nice tiger on the front of its brochure. Its all a matter of appealing to everyone. Yes, they have Bugs and Dinosaur and Kali and a couple of stage shows. But it isn't enough IMO.
I have to wonder if WDW EVER expected, or wanted, AK to have the same number of guests as the other parks? If the crowds increase, I hope they add a second entrance, because it's ALWAYS crowded when I'm trying to get out in the late morning/lunchtime! I can't imagine how you would be able to move if it were more crowded!
It just seems to me that most of the walkways were never designed for large crowds.
It just seems to me that most of the walkways were never designed for large crowds.
homer424
New Member
I agree, when we went in 2000(December) it seemed like the place was packed and there were a lot of people around and no room to roam. When we got to the parking lot, only 1 "lot" was completely filled with cars and one was half filled. There were so many empty spaces I said to my grandmother can you imagine in the dead of summer with high attendance?
Donna
CoraJack
Account Suspended
I was there in early June--1st week. It was PACKED. All the parks.
I don't think AK could handle many more people either. There is hardly enough room for two lines of people going either way to make it through the paths.
But again--if the resorts are BOOKED where are all the people going for goodness sake? They are just hanging around the resorts? No--the people are going to the parks. I just can't understand how Disney can be booked to capacity at the Resorts and then have tiny crowds at the parks. That makes no sense to me at all. Someone is pulling someone's leg here.
Christina
I don't think AK could handle many more people either. There is hardly enough room for two lines of people going either way to make it through the paths.
But again--if the resorts are BOOKED where are all the people going for goodness sake? They are just hanging around the resorts? No--the people are going to the parks. I just can't understand how Disney can be booked to capacity at the Resorts and then have tiny crowds at the parks. That makes no sense to me at all. Someone is pulling someone's leg here.
Christina
>>>I am thinking of the rumor saying Adventureland would be closed on certain days/times etc.<<<
That was from one of Al Lutz's columns on Mouseplanet. I'll let the source speak for itself.
>>>if they save a few $$$s the bean counters will be orgasmic<<<
That's creepy.
>>>I had to change my dates to get the block of time that I wanted. They kept saying they were "booked up".<<<
That's because they have so many rooms shuttered. I remember a few weeks ago that a member was talking about how he was told that the Polynesian was at 90% occuppacy, but at the same time there were two entire buildings closed down for renovation, and there were also many rooms that were just shuttered. Of course you also have the luck of the draw too. I've tried to book rooms through the MK Club to have them tell me "no occupacy" only to have the rep at CRO say "so, which room would you like?" And then you have CMs that will flat out make a lie when asked about occupacy, I mean, are they really doing their company any favors when they tell everyone that their resorts are only running at half occupacy?
>>>I'm sorry, but I can't believe that Disney would close a park on every other day. While its normal for Seasonal parks, Disney is just not one to go in that direction.<<<
It has not been to long since Disney was closed on Mondays and Tuesdays in the off season.
>>>I have to wonder if WDW EVER expected, or wanted, AK to have the same number of guests as the other parks?<<<
The park has a capacity of 28,000-ish, and they truly expected the park to be turning away visitors on a regular basis. It is all about those expectations (and they made the same expectations for DCA).
>>>if the resorts are BOOKED where are all the people going for goodness sake<<<
The resorts aren't booked.
That was from one of Al Lutz's columns on Mouseplanet. I'll let the source speak for itself.
>>>if they save a few $$$s the bean counters will be orgasmic<<<
That's creepy.
>>>I had to change my dates to get the block of time that I wanted. They kept saying they were "booked up".<<<
That's because they have so many rooms shuttered. I remember a few weeks ago that a member was talking about how he was told that the Polynesian was at 90% occuppacy, but at the same time there were two entire buildings closed down for renovation, and there were also many rooms that were just shuttered. Of course you also have the luck of the draw too. I've tried to book rooms through the MK Club to have them tell me "no occupacy" only to have the rep at CRO say "so, which room would you like?" And then you have CMs that will flat out make a lie when asked about occupacy, I mean, are they really doing their company any favors when they tell everyone that their resorts are only running at half occupacy?
>>>I'm sorry, but I can't believe that Disney would close a park on every other day. While its normal for Seasonal parks, Disney is just not one to go in that direction.<<<
It has not been to long since Disney was closed on Mondays and Tuesdays in the off season.
>>>I have to wonder if WDW EVER expected, or wanted, AK to have the same number of guests as the other parks?<<<
The park has a capacity of 28,000-ish, and they truly expected the park to be turning away visitors on a regular basis. It is all about those expectations (and they made the same expectations for DCA).
>>>if the resorts are BOOKED where are all the people going for goodness sake<<<
The resorts aren't booked.
Pioneer Hall
Well-Known Member
When were the parks ever closed on Monday and Tuesday?
>>>They are closing them off and not renting them? Why the heck NOT?<<<
Because demand isn't high enough to justify it. I really have no problem with this, because if you can't make any money with the resorts, then by all means shut them down until demand increases.
OTH, the cutbacks at the parks are an entirely different story, because they are still profitable (except for DCA).
>>>When were the parks ever closed on Monday and Tuesday?<<<
First off, that was a typo on my part, and secondly, Disneyland was indeed closed in the off season on Mondays and Tuesdays until the 80's I believe, maybe a little sooner than that.
Because demand isn't high enough to justify it. I really have no problem with this, because if you can't make any money with the resorts, then by all means shut them down until demand increases.
OTH, the cutbacks at the parks are an entirely different story, because they are still profitable (except for DCA).
>>>When were the parks ever closed on Monday and Tuesday?<<<
First off, that was a typo on my part, and secondly, Disneyland was indeed closed in the off season on Mondays and Tuesdays until the 80's I believe, maybe a little sooner than that.
CoraJack
Account Suspended
Sorry but the "shuttering" does not make sense.
You are saying that I could call Disney right now and they might tell me that they don't have a room available if they have the rooms "shuttered"? Why would they do such a thing if people call in and want to book them? If people were calling in to book them after the "unshuttered" rooms were booked up why wouldn't they release these rooms?
Sorry this just does not make any sense to me. In any event it's not good business practice to turn people away who want your service.
You are saying that I could call Disney right now and they might tell me that they don't have a room available if they have the rooms "shuttered"? Why would they do such a thing if people call in and want to book them? If people were calling in to book them after the "unshuttered" rooms were booked up why wouldn't they release these rooms?
Sorry this just does not make any sense to me. In any event it's not good business practice to turn people away who want your service.
>>>You are saying that I could call Disney right now and they might tell me that they don't have a room available if they have the rooms "shuttered"?<<<
Okay, here is a breakdown of the situation (NOTE: there is no real information about WDW's performance in this scenario, it is all made up):
Occupacy at the Contemporary is at 60%. However, 100% of the rooms there are still being checked out by the full staff of maids, and are ready to be used at a moments notice. Unfortunately, Disney is losing money because they are spending it on that 40% of hotel rooms that are not being used. Therefore, they decide to shut down these rooms, or to be safe, 35% of them in case there is a spike in occupacy. Now that they don't need a full staff of maids to clean these rooms, they can lay off some of them. *Poof!* Instant cost savings.
>>>If people were calling in to book them after the "unshuttered" rooms were booked up why wouldn't they release these rooms?<<<
But that is the problem, the "unshuttered" rooms are not being booked. And even if by some miracle that demand increases to such an extent that the unshuttered rooms are booked solid, it would almost certainly be a short lived spike and would not mean that much of a difference on the bottom line. Besides, there would still be other rooms somewhere on property.
>>>In any event it's not good business practice to turn people away who want your service.<<<
I agree, but they are not turning away people now, so it does not matter.
Okay, here is a breakdown of the situation (NOTE: there is no real information about WDW's performance in this scenario, it is all made up):
Occupacy at the Contemporary is at 60%. However, 100% of the rooms there are still being checked out by the full staff of maids, and are ready to be used at a moments notice. Unfortunately, Disney is losing money because they are spending it on that 40% of hotel rooms that are not being used. Therefore, they decide to shut down these rooms, or to be safe, 35% of them in case there is a spike in occupacy. Now that they don't need a full staff of maids to clean these rooms, they can lay off some of them. *Poof!* Instant cost savings.
>>>If people were calling in to book them after the "unshuttered" rooms were booked up why wouldn't they release these rooms?<<<
But that is the problem, the "unshuttered" rooms are not being booked. And even if by some miracle that demand increases to such an extent that the unshuttered rooms are booked solid, it would almost certainly be a short lived spike and would not mean that much of a difference on the bottom line. Besides, there would still be other rooms somewhere on property.
>>>In any event it's not good business practice to turn people away who want your service.<<<
I agree, but they are not turning away people now, so it does not matter.
But theoretically,they might be turning people away! There have been times when I really wanted to stay at a specific resort...when I've called, and no room was available, I just said "Nevermind!" Granted, I may be in the minority, but certainly I'm not the only person who does this?
DanStat
Well-Known Member
We do that too...why waste our money on something we don't want!?
I like Animal Kingdom, and I think the idea of having "off-days" would be ludacris!...that would really make it look like Six Flags!
I think Disney needs to promote it more...I think the show on TLC might have helped...but, they could do a little more...
Pioneer Hall
Well-Known Member
I highly doubt that Animal Kingdom will close its gates during certain days. Disney is very against this and no matter what attendance is it won't happen. You may see closed attractions and food places during the day, but the park will not be closed completely.
space42
Well-Known Member
Originally posted by The Mom
But theoretically,they might be turning people away! There have been times when I really wanted to stay at a specific resort...when I've called, and no room was available, I just said "Nevermind!" Granted, I may be in the minority, but certainly I'm not the only person who does this?
I've done that before too
Some information..
I was just at WDW Sep 2-6 and it was the least crowded I have seen in at least 8 or 9 years. A friend who is a castmember at one of the deluxe resorts told me that it's occupancy was at 95% on Labor Day weekend and dropped to just 15% the next day (Tues, Sep 2). Its no wonder that the CBR is closed and they have yet to open Pop Century. Things really are slow at WDW right now. For example... On Tuesday, at EPCOT, only the front two parking lots closest to the Monorail station were being used (they were not full). They were not even running the parking lot trams (they were using those golf cart thingies like at the resorts that have 3 rows of bench seats for guests that wanted a ride to their cars)
One of the reasons it feels more crowded than it is, is that the parks hours are shorter forcing people to do more in less time (this is in more of a problem in peak times)
>>>Disney is very against this and no matter what attendance is it won't happen.<<<
A more accurate statement would be "WDW management is very against this." The suits in Burbank (the same clueless suits who ordered the price hikes, and the hours cuts, and the same ones who are fuming about the MK experiements at the end of the month) are very for closing one of WDW's parks during the week to maximize profits. The sad thing is, they may be right. If attendance is as low as feared this fall, there are going to be days where it just doesn't pay to keep a theme park open. OTH, by closing any park during the week they are going to create tons of ill-will and apathy towards themselves, but the suits in Burbank really don't care at all. WDW management really won't have a say in the matter, if Burbank makes an order, then Burbank makes an order, end of story.
A more accurate statement would be "WDW management is very against this." The suits in Burbank (the same clueless suits who ordered the price hikes, and the hours cuts, and the same ones who are fuming about the MK experiements at the end of the month) are very for closing one of WDW's parks during the week to maximize profits. The sad thing is, they may be right. If attendance is as low as feared this fall, there are going to be days where it just doesn't pay to keep a theme park open. OTH, by closing any park during the week they are going to create tons of ill-will and apathy towards themselves, but the suits in Burbank really don't care at all. WDW management really won't have a say in the matter, if Burbank makes an order, then Burbank makes an order, end of story.
CoraJack
Account Suspended
The Mom--I totally agree with you. If I wouldn't have been able to stay at the Polynesian in November I would not be making the trip. I think this "black out" policy is terrible business.
When I tried to make ressies for October (apparently the Poly is booked solid for the whole month) she asked me if I wanted another resort and suggested the Contemporary. I said no way, it's the Poly or nothing. She sort of laughed. Luckily I could change the dates to November, but would have much preferred October because I could have stayed one or two extra nights. So they are getting less money out of me this trip.
Christina
When I tried to make ressies for October (apparently the Poly is booked solid for the whole month) she asked me if I wanted another resort and suggested the Contemporary. I said no way, it's the Poly or nothing. She sort of laughed. Luckily I could change the dates to November, but would have much preferred October because I could have stayed one or two extra nights. So they are getting less money out of me this trip.
Christina