What are you thinking?

[DisneyManOne]

The man behind the popular Dad's Guide to WDW website just posted this regarding his opinions on the new upcharge stuff that will soon be unveiled at Magic Kingdom. It's an open letter calling out Iger for basically putting money over populus.

http://www.dadsguidetowdw.com/what-are-you-thinking-an-open-letter-to-bob-iger.html

What do you think? Is the poster right in his ranting? Or is he just yelling at a tornado?

And also, let's watch this thread well. I don't want certain people (*cough*RonnieHare*cough*) using this to spread his bull.

 

[GrinningCat]

First of all, I don't post here often, but do read because everyone here has so much information, so technically I'm a lurker! Second, over the last year or so, I've tried in vain to figure out a trip to WDW, just for two people. It's become almost impossible to do that for what I consider to be a reasonable price. I even go so far as convince myself that I don't MIND staying in a Value Resort. But, by the time I pay for admission (which I don't do for every day), factor in the cost of food and/or buy the meal plan, and pay for the room, it's just too much money. We won't even add the cost of the transportation to Florida, which frankly isn't usually that expensive.

It makes me sad. It used to be that I could just decide to go to WDW...like for a weekend or something. That's not possible now because the cost is prohibitive. I don't know that I'll ever be able to take my Grandkids because what it cost for 4 people the first time I went to WDW (admittedly a while ago - 1986) with 4 people, it now costs for just one. I love WDW and I'll miss going there, but I simply can't afford it any more.

Is "Dad" just yelling at a tornado? Probably so. But, I don't think that Disney will suffer at all because of a loss of customers. People will still go. They probably just won't go as often.

 

[WondersOfLife]

I completely agree with everything that was said...

The only resort on earth worth visiting is Disneyland over in California.................For now. Only because Disneyland relies on the locals, not the tourists.

 

[GrinningCat]

I completely agree with everything that was said...

The only resort on earth worth visiting is Disneyland over in California.................For now. Only because Disneyland relies on the locals, not the tourists.

That's an excellent point. One I hadn't thought about. Although, I have done the DL thing as a tourist before. I don't know if I would go so far as saying it was the only resort worth visiting, I'm still a bigger fan of WDW.

 

[Dan Gilchrist]

I'm sorry guys, yes Disney seems to be using every scrap of park time to make a profit but if we are not losing EMH to accommodate this special event then I see no harm. As for going to Disney's competitors here is what I found when booking at Disney and Universal. Firstly I am from the UK, so US prices may vary. For 2 adults on a 6 night/7 day stay at Disney World at the cheapest resort available(All star Movies) with a 14 day ticket in September 2016, I was quoted £1092.29(obviously includes all of your resort extras: Transfers, EMH, fastpass+ etc). Now compared to Universal for the same number of adults and time(September 2016) staying at Universal's cheapest available resort(Cabana Bay) and with an Orlando flex ticket I was quoted £1091.29. Now considering with Universal you get no airport transfers, no express pass and only 1 hour extra in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, in comparison I would hardly say Disney is any less value than its nearby competition. I'm not saying it isn't expensive because it is but that is the industry NOT just Disney.

 

[raven]

I've shared this post on my own FB wall because it shows the disgust and tiredness of a Disney fan seeing what has become of a company he grew up loving. This post shares my feelings as well.

 

[Disneyhead'71]

Here is my thinking. As a local with 2 teenage daughters.

Disney FL Resident AP No Blackouts:

$691.19 X 3= $2073.57

Universal FL Resident AP No Blackouts

$299.00 X 3= $897

$2073.57 VS $897 is a significant difference. And Universal's AP gives 10% discount on merch and food including Quick Service Restaurants. And great discounts on rooms.

 

[draybook]

The only flaw I've found so far in his letter is that the "bottom" tiered homes in Golden Oak run around $2.3 million. This cat is on point with the rest!

 

[JIMINYCR]

I'm thinking its going to take more innovative ways to save and plan so I can afford the trip I want. I might put off doing some things so I can do other things. Disney will ultimately lose getting as much money out of me because I'll start being more particular on what gets spent on my vacation. Iger wont be phased by the article .... costly events will continue to be added, people will pay the price and prices will still go up. Until the number of guests go down and people stop paying, any other change to benefit us "commoners" will never come about.

 

[The Empress Lilly]

The man behind the popular Dad's Guide to WDW website just posted this regarding his opinions on the new upcharge stuff that will soon be unveiled at Magic Kingdom. It's an open letter calling out Iger for basically putting money over populus.

http://www.dadsguidetowdw.com/what-are-you-thinking-an-open-letter-to-bob-iger.html

What do you think? Is the poster right in his ranting? Or is he just yelling at a tornado?

And also, let's watch this thread well. I don't want certain people (*cough*RonnieHare*cough*) using this to spread his bull.

Excellent, and sad. Thanks for linking.

One of the comments makes for a bitter read too.

We raised our kids in the Disney Parks. Husband worked extremely hard to make OT to pay for the passes. We never took vacations. Disney was our treat. Our play ground so to speak. No matter how bad things were, going to Disney always made things fade in the background for a few hours. But now, our kids are grown and Disney is just a memory. We can't afford the prices as they are today. I know it takes a lot to run the parks and all that it entails. One child's dream was to work there. That became a realty. But what they pay the actual attraction workers, that make the parks what they are, are so underpaid that living below poverty is putting it mildly. That dream is fading. It's not as fun as it was at first. I know none of it matters to the uppity mucks... I believe with all my heart Walt would be sorely disappointed what has happened to his dream..​

 

[WondersOfLife]

I'm sorry guys, yes Disney seems to be using every scrap of park time to make a profit but if we are not losing EMH to accommodate this special event then I see no harm. As for going to Disney's competitors here is what I found when booking at Disney and Universal. Firstly I am from the UK, so US prices may vary. For 2 adults on a 6 night/7 day stay at Disney World at the cheapest resort available(All star Movies) with a 14 day ticket in September 2016, I was quoted £1092.29(obviously includes all of your resort extras: Transfers, EMH, fastpass+ etc). Now compared to Universal for the same number of adults and time(September 2016) staying at Universal's cheapest available resort(Cabana Bay) and with an Orlando flex ticket I was quoted £1091.29. Now considering with Universal you get no airport transfers, no express pass and only 1 hour extra in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, in comparison I would hardly say Disney is any less value than its nearby competition. I'm not saying it isn't expensive because it is but that is the industry NOT just Disney.

Depends what you mean by value.... There is hardly ANY attraction over at Universal that is in critically horrible shape except for maybe E.T.... Meanwhile at Disney World, you have SOOO many useless, outdated, abandoned, and bad attractions over the property: Stitch's Great Escape, Tomorrowland Speedway, Ellen's Energy Adventure, Journey Into Imagination with Figment, The Seas with Nemo & Friends, Wonders of Life Pavilion, Odyssey... And a few others that would be controversial because they are "classics."

Universal is using every space they have... And quite frankly, their least popular attractions are still pretty darn great!!! (Those being Poseidon's Fury and The 8th Voyage of Sinbad). Every attraction is always up to par, and the workers over there are just as friendly and helpful as Disney's workers were, or used to be... Depending on the day and location.

Universal is using their space wisely and creating attraction after attraction with as little delay as possible. Disney, on the other hand, has recently been taking their time with opening and delaying new attractions/lands... Some of which ended up being mediocre (By what's expected from Disney) simply because of the budget cuts on the projects... Like Fantasyland. It's been 10 years since EPCOT has had a giant new attraction... It took Disney forever to fix HS and AK may are may not be successful with Avatarland.

So you're paying "more" for Universal Studios.... But for the huge amount of quality and effort put into their two theme parks. Everything is top notch and everything new goes above and beyond... Everything new at Disney has been going "below and budget-cutond." You don't need express passes at Universal... Because the Express Passes there don't make the Standby lines wait forever, as it does as a result of FP+ over at Disney.

So there's your answer.

 

[WondersOfLife]

I'm thinking its going to take more innovative ways to save and plan so I can afford the trip I want. I might put off doing some things so I can do other things. Disney will ultimately lose getting as much money out of me because I'll start being more particular on what gets spent on my vacation. Iger wont be phased by the article .... costly events will continue to be added, people will pay the price and prices will still go up. Until the number of guests go down and people stop paying, any other change to benefit us "commoners" will never come about.

All is not lost!! Go over to Disneyland. It's still got that wonderful magic!

 

[DisneyManOne]

If I may be frank, to me, it feels like we're going through the Eisner years all over again. In a few month's time, it may become necessary for us fans to spearhead another "Save Disney" campaign (since none of Walt's biological relatives are alive anymore).

 

[DManRightHere]

Regarding the article, I find it weak arguments when people stretch the truth. One example, the $149 after hours ticket. It isn't just 3 hours.

It doesn't really matter, if there is enough outrage companies can quiver and change their mind (I don't think it will happen with Disney anytime soon). I think that happened with Netflix.

As of right now, I would still plan our inclusive vacations at Disney, I still think it is worth it. Now if the resort fees are imposed, that will probably keep us from staying at the resort. If there are resort fees and no EMH, really what is the point? This is what Disney wants I guess.

Maybe all of these upcharges are for future discount promotions? I know, wishful thinking.

 

[Goofyernmost]

Depends what you mean by value.... There is hardly ANY attraction over at Universal that is in critically horrible shape except for maybe E.T.... Meanwhile at Disney World, you have SOOO many useless, outdated, abandoned, and bad attractions over the property: Stitch's Great Escape, Tomorrowland Speedway, Ellen's Energy Adventure, Journey Into Imagination with Figment, The Seas with Nemo & Friends, Wonders of Life Pavilion, Odyssey... And a few others that would be controversial because they are "classics."

Universal is using every space they have... And quite frankly, their least popular attractions are still pretty darn great!!! (Those being Poseidon's Fury and The 8th Voyage of Sinbad). Every attraction is always up to par, and the workers over there are just as friendly and helpful as Disney's workers were, or used to be... Depending on the day and location.

Universal is using their space wisely and creating attraction after attraction with as little delay as possible. Disney, on the other hand, has recently been taking their time with opening and delaying new attractions/lands... Some of which ended up being mediocre (By what's expected from Disney) simply because of the budget cuts on the projects... Like Fantasyland. It's been 10 years since EPCOT has had a giant new attraction... It took Disney forever to fix HS and AK may are may not be successful with Avatarland.

So you're paying "more" for Universal Studios.... But for the huge amount of quality and effort put into their two theme parks. Everything is top notch and everything new goes above and beyond... Everything new at Disney has been going "below and budget-cutond." You don't need express passes at Universal... Because the Express Passes there don't make the Standby lines wait forever, as it does as a result of FP+ over at Disney.

So there's your answer.

A lot of what people consider "classic" or outdated and bad are strictly personal opinion. Certainly by now, Tomorrowland Speedway has to be considered classic. In one form or the other, it has been around since the beginning of Disneyland.
As for the Odyssey, that was nothing more then an other "counter service" fast food place that has been closed so long now that it almost defies memory of it. I guess it wasn't special so much as it was convenient, but, competing with a multitude of dining areas in World Showcase. Just a guess here, but I would guess that it has been two generations since that place was actually open all the time. We should have forgotten it by now.

I do agree, however, that any idle looking attraction is a huge negative to the public, even if they don't consciously recognize it. It gives WDW that store going out of business look. I can't imagine that is good for long range warm fuzzy's.

A much bigger concern though is, that changes have already started happening in the attitude of the guests. When I first went in 1983 my thoughts jumped ahead to the time I could take my grandchildren there. I did that, but, now their parents, those raised on Disney trips don't even think about it anymore for their own children. They went with me... it was one and done. They do not have that same mentality that two generations ago had. It will take some time, perhaps another 10 years or so, but, it will come back to bite them in the butt. That won't be a problem for Mr. Iger who will be lounging on his island in the Bahama's, surrounded by stacks and stacks of money, happy and content. However, unless they start to know that excluding the 99% from having that experience will leave a huge gap in attendance in the future. By then the wealthy will have found another place to spend their money because Disney will make them bored.

 

[WondersOfLife]

A lot of what people consider "classic" or outdated and bad are strictly personal opinion. Certainly by now, Tomorrowland Speedway has to be considered classic. In one form or the other, it has been around since the beginning of Disneyland.
As for the Odyssey, that was nothing more then an other "counter service" fast food place that has been closed so long now that it almost defies memory of it. I guess it wasn't special so much as it was convenient, but, competing with a multitude of dining areas in World Showcase. Just a guess here, but I would guess that it has been two generations since that place was actually open all the time. We should have forgotten it by now.

I do agree, however, that any idle looking attraction is a huge negative to the public, even if they don't consciously recognize it. It gives WDW that store going out of business look. I can't imagine that is good for long range warm fuzzy's.

The point I was getting at was more along that second part you mentioned. Idle buildings look bad, especially if there is no reason why they can't be used. Odyssey would be a fine location for some more meet and greets. For instance... they didn't have to shutter half of Innoventions for meet n' greets when* a reasonably sized already abandoned building that would be fine as a nice "Character Spot" location exists... Innoventions just needs to drop the sponsorship idea and be the new "DisneyQuest" within EPCOT... But actually taking the care and time to update the exhibits once and a while.

 

[daisyduckie]

I have no problem with them looking for ways to bring in more money, as long as they are not taking away from what we currently have to do so. If people find a value in those 3 hours, maybe that money will lead to more or quicker park improvements. Or more CMs. If the extra hours tank, then they tank, and they end.

If they cut Extra Magic Hours in order to have more paid for after hours, then I will get mad. But I have no problem with people wanting to pay for the extra time. I'm not one of them.

 

[raven]

One child's dream was to work there. That became a realty. But what they pay the actual attraction workers, that make the parks what they are, are so underpaid that living below poverty is putting it mildly. That dream is fading. It's not as fun as it was at first. I know none of it matters to the uppity mucks... I believe with all my heart Walt would be sorely disappointed what has happened to his dream..

That right there is the killer of most kids Disney Dreams. When they get old enough to work for the company, their memories and dreams are destroyed by finding out whats really behind the mouse ears. Low pay, diminishing perks and poor management makes it very difficult to see through the rose colored glasses you are trying to wear when you are onstage. It's a pitiful shame that all of these price hikes, upcharges and rising cost of Disney merchandise and food doesn't make any difference to the wages for the front line Cast Members who are doing the grunt work for their greedy executives.

 

[NearTheEars]

Here is my thinking. As a local with 2 teenage daughters.

Disney FL Resident AP No Blackouts:

$691.19 X 3= $2073.57

Universal FL Resident AP No Blackouts

$299.00 X 3= $897

$2073.57 VS $897 is a significant difference. And Universal's AP gives 10% discount on merch and food including Quick Service Restaurants. And great discounts on rooms.

Disney does have 4 parks, though. So it should cost more than Universal. $1,200 more? Probably not, but I wouldn't expect their annual passes to be comparable.

That said, we will be downgrading our APs this year after 5 years because of the price increases. If they are going to slap us with blackout days, might as well drop down to the seasonal level.

 

[RandomPrincess]

I think the letter is huge over reaction. If people are willing to pay for theses extras and they aren't taking away from the expierences we already have what is the problem? There are always upgrades in life. Some of us can only afford the basics, some can afford extras. Just going to Disney at all is an extra. Now those of us who can afford to go to Disney are complaining because their are other people who can afford more. We always stay value I guess I didn't realize I was supposed to resent and be outraged at the people who stay in deluxe.