Is Disney World becoming a shell of its former self?

[lockedoutlogic]

I'm confused about this whole thread. Isn't Disney a for profit company??

If Disney had operated exclusively as a low rent "for profit" company...like Walmart...

It wouldn't be what it is today...and may have gone the way of the dodo...

I don't expect them to lose money on their customers...but decisions made strictly for short term gains will put them in serious trouble if that's the model going forward.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

While Disney has always been expensive...

The last 10 years have been the heinous period.

No matter what oodles of publications were saying it in the 80's (I assume mad magazine)

And the Simpsons? I mean...that's just red flag all over the place...

Can I get a quote from Seth McFarland while we're at it?

 

[Josh Hendy]

The Simpsons strictly speaking were satirizing Busch Gardens as "Duff Gardens".

 

[LAS2AMS]

Yes they are but Disney at one point cared a lot more about the consumer rather than the stock price.

People repeatedly make this claim, yet they can't substantiate it. IMO, once Disney fanatics step out of Fantasyland they'll realize that Disney has always chased profits, albeit while making people happy.

Disney's service has always been substandard. Here's a great example -- during the Christmas/New Year's period of 1998, we booked a deeply discounted AP room at the Grand Floridian. Upon check-in, we were told that the resort hadn't completed guest room reservations on-time, was overbooked, and we had been selected to be "walked" to an alternative property. The industry standard for walking guests is to "walk" them to a comparable property and comp the days they are unable to stay at their reserved hotel (and most chains will offer sweeten the offer, with a promise of a complimentary return stay, although this is not standard). But this isn't the Disney standard -- Disney "walked" us to the Coronado Springs and offered us an off-peak rate. We were told the CS was the only hotel with availability, but we were welcome to call reservations during our stay to see if availability opened elsewhere -- but at market price. Of course, this was all done with a smile and a promise that "we're doing everything we can to help you out." No, they weren't.

This isn't an isolated testimonial -- it's fairly consistent with "the Disney way" as described by tens of thousands of people during the 25+ years I've lurked on the internet (and before that, Prodigy message forums).

Reality is, Disney has always placed profits before people but they just do a darn good job at making people happy.

 

[LAS2AMS]

While Disney has always been expensive...

The last 10 years have been the heinous period.

No matter what oodles of publications were saying it in the 80's (I assume mad magazine)

And the Simpsons? I mean...that's just red flag all over the place...

Can I get a quote from Seth McFarland while we're at it?

This is how my kids respond when they know they've been defeated and having nothing else to rebut with (or say).

 

[lockedoutlogic]

This is how my kids respond when they know they've been defeated and having nothing else to rebut with (or say).

You're convinced your right...you can have you're take. It's not correct in this case...but that's your right.

youre evidence was gathered with the conclusion already decided...

Oodles and the Simpsons. I like satire as much as anyone...but come on?

 

[lockedoutlogic]

The Simpsons strictly speaking were satirizing Busch Gardens as "Duff Gardens".

At least that's funny...

And you're not basing your thesis on it

 

[lockedoutlogic]

People repeatedly make this claim, yet they can't substantiate it. IMO, once Disney fanatics step out of Fantasyland they'll realize that Disney has always chased profits, albeit while making people happy.

Disney's service has always been substandard. Here's a great example -- during the Christmas/New Year's period of 1998, we booked a deeply discounted AP room at the Grand Floridian. Upon check-in, we were told that the resort hadn't completed guest room reservations on-time, was overbooked, and we had been selected to be "walked" to an alternative property. The industry standard for walking guests is to "walk" them to a comparable property and comp the days they are unable to stay at their reserved hotel (and most chains will offer sweeten the offer, with a promise of a complimentary return stay, although this is not standard). But this isn't the Disney standard -- Disney "walked" us to the Coronado Springs and offered us an off-peak rate. We were told the CS was the only hotel with availability, but we were welcome to call reservations during our stay to see if availability opened elsewhere -- but at market price. Of course, this was all done with a smile and a promise that "we're doing everything we can to help you out." No, they weren't.

This isn't an isolated testimonial -- it's fairly consistent with "the Disney way" as described by tens of thousands of people during the 25+ years I've lurked on the internet (and before that, Prodigy message forums).

Reality is, Disney has always placed profits before people but they just do a darn good job at making people happy.

The "Disney way" is not a myth...or else every biographer and business analyst (there have been hundreds) that's written on them since 1950 has been lied to and was incapable of cracking the conspiracy.

Are they souless money grubers now? Hell yes!

But even though walt liked money...as did his brother...they were showman from a different era and spent to get a certain product...not a certain profit. The profits grew from that premise.

As far as Disneys policy for walking guests from hotels...you are correct and it's embarassing. That I wholeheartedly agree with. Nobody side grades or downgrades...

But Orlando is not well run and hasn't been for at least 20 years. That is a well known fact behind the scenes. It's a cash cow and they gave up on quality policy and employees long ago.

 

[LAS2AMS]

You're convinced your right...you can have you're take. It's not correct in this case...but that's your right.

youre evidence was gathered with the conclusion already decided...

Oodles and the Simpsons. I like satire as much as anyone...but come on?

No, I've provided (soft and hard) evidence to support my assertions -- you have not, and now you've retorted to mocking me and acting like a 5-year-old who knows he's lost an argument because he can't think of what else to say.

Oodles of publications in the 1980s and 1990s, including the Unofficial Guide, New York Times, etc., wrote considerably on how to "avoid the mouse trap." You claim 'no, that's not true, Disney truly cared about its guests more than profits' but you provide absolutely nothing that supports that assertion. Because it wasn't true and you know that .

Disney does, and always has done, a darn good job at making people happy. But they've done it for a price.

 

[rteetz]

People repeatedly make this claim, yet they can't substantiate it. IMO, once Disney fanatics step out of Fantasyland they'll realize that Disney has always chased profits, albeit while making people happy.

Disney's service has always been substandard. Here's a great example -- during the Christmas/New Year's period of 1998, we booked a deeply discounted AP room at the Grand Floridian. Upon check-in, we were told that the resort hadn't completed guest room reservations on-time, was overbooked, and we had been selected to be "walked" to an alternative property. The industry standard for walking guests is to "walk" them to a comparable property and comp the days they are unable to stay at their reserved hotel (and most chains will offer sweeten the offer, with a promise of a complimentary return stay, although this is not standard). But this isn't the Disney standard -- Disney "walked" us to the Coronado Springs and offered us an off-peak rate. We were told the CS was the only hotel with availability, but we were welcome to call reservations during our stay to see if availability opened elsewhere -- but at market price. Of course, this was all done with a smile and a promise that "we're doing everything we can to help you out." No, they weren't.

This isn't an isolated testimonial -- it's fairly consistent with "the Disney way" as described by tens of thousands of people during the 25+ years I've lurked on the internet (and before that, Prodigy message forums).

Reality is, Disney has always placed profits before people but they just do a darn good job at making people happy.

Yes Disney has always chased profits they are a for profit company after all. Look at Walt for example, Disneyland wasn't built because he knew it would be a massive money maker. Disneyland was built because Walt wanted a place for adults and kids to have fun together. Walt cared about the money but also didn't at the same time which is why the company needed a Roy.

Just because that happened to you doesn't mean that happens to everyone. You of course had an unfortunate situation but you can't generalize that situation for everyone.

I haven't seen thousands of those stories as you claim either so unless you can prove that it's an isolated situation. There are many times people have been upgraded as well. I was upgraded this year at the beach club for example without having to pay anything more.

 

[rteetz]

No, I've provided (soft and hard) evidence to support my assertions -- you have not, and now you've retorted to mocking me and acting like a 5-year-old who knows he's lost an argument because he can't think of what else to say.

Oodles of publications in the 1980s and 1990s, including the Unofficial Guide, New York Times, etc., wrote considerably on how to "avoid the mouse trap." You claim 'no, that's not true, Disney truly cared about its guests more than profits' but you provide absolutely nothing that supports that assertion. Because it wasn't true and you know that .

Disney does, and always has done, a darn good job at making people happy. But they've done it for a price.

Question for you? Who do you like better Eisner or Iger? Why?

 

[lockedoutlogic]

No, I've provided (soft and hard) evidence to support my assertions -- you have not, and now you've retorted to mocking me and acting like a 5-year-old who knows he's lost an argument because he can't think of what else to say.

Oodles of publications in the 1980s and 1990s, including the Unofficial Guide, New York Times, etc., wrote considerably on how to "avoid the mouse trap." You claim 'no, that's not true, Disney truly cared about its guests more than profits' but you provide absolutely nothing that supports that assertion. Because it wasn't true and you know that .

This is borderline ridiculous...to be honest

You've said "avoid the mousetrap" six times...is that like mousesavers? Or any guide to any tourist location? Or any article written in a newspaper in May leading to the travel season?

Don't go near cruise critic...your head might explode.

Money saving tips have been around forever...it's reasonable press. You think mags and newspapers telling you what's not worth it is an indictment of Disney never having value (which is what I have said since the start of this...never stated anything was affordable or cheap)?

It's just not a solid argument. Sorry.

I think Disney is souless and had always been about the money (it's not hard to find someone here that will witness that)...it was never about "magic"...

But they have changed the business model. That is really something you shouldn't question. The current conglomerate is run nothing like the family business. Even though money was the goal for both. Different ways to go about it. More consideration for perceptions and taste than other times...more focus on repeat business in the past than now.

These are real things...if you want to reject them as a skeptic...just reject them. Enough with the sophomoric "show me proof" nonsense. They are a business that holds secrets...there's no true "proof" of anything because they want it that way. Including what you claim to be sure of...

 

[lockedoutlogic]

Question for you? Who do you like better Eisner or Iger? Why?

That seems
Obvious now...

Iger because of grudges during the Eisner era...

I'm Also getting that "I like me some stock...and Bob is gonna make me rich!" Vibe also...the "post Disney traveler" syndrome.

No? Could be wrong there...

 

[DVCcurious]

The Simpsons strictly speaking were satirizing Busch Gardens as "Duff Gardens".

Nope. It was satirizing both Disney and Busch Gardens.

Remember the 7 Duffs (7 Dwarfs)? The It's a Small World ride with the kids singing...Duff beer for me, Duff beer for your, I'll have a Duff, you have one too! The parade? (Maybe they have parades at Busch Gardens but I'm not sure about that).

There is also the Itchy and Scratchy Land episode which hits theme parks.

 

[magic458]

Keep in mind that a generation is coming to whom Harry Potter is just a ride of some kind. Universal put a huge stake in it but there are more people everyday that don't get or follow the franchise.

A wizard or princesses? Universal will have to work harder and harder to keep up IMHO.

 

[mom2rtk]

Keep in mind that a generation is coming to whom Harry Potter is just a ride of some kind. Universal put a huge stake in it but there are more people everyday that don't get or follow the franchise.

A wizard or princesses? Universal will have to work harder and harder to keep up IMHO.

Doesn't Universal have something with Nintendo coming? I think that's going to be HUGE.

 

[rteetz]

Doesn't Universal have something with Nintendo coming? I think that's going to be HUGE.

Yes. Universal announced a a Nintendo land for Japan and one should be coming to Orlando.

 

[magic458]

Nintendo already has a universal theme park - Pokemon Go

Couldn't resist.
But I haven't heard that.

 

[mom2rtk]

Nintendo already has a universal theme park - Pokemon Go

Couldn't resist.
But I haven't heard that.

So you're saying that the world is Nintendo's theme park?

 

[magic458]

Yes. Pokemon Go everywhere you Go.