The trend of Disney dialing back staffing in order to fit or influence the crowd level is one the more disappointing (and seemingly undeniably real) actions the company has taken. Particularly in light of the new pricing scheme that was nominally intended to induce crowd dispersement to less busy times of the year. The idea that they are intentionally diluting the experience on certain days is a distinctly unmagical way to treat their customers.

While I completely understand how this can make sense (dollars and cents:scared::sad2::rolleyes1) in a business model and I realize staffing to match demand is a necessity for a theme park, it’s starting to feel more manipulative and malicious rather than just smart management. I don’t know, maybe I’m overreacting but this stuff makes me pretty angry.
 
The trend of Disney dialing back staffing in order to fit or influence the crowd level is one the more disappointing (and seemingly undeniably real) actions the company has taken. Particularly in light of the new pricing scheme that was nominally intended to induce crowd dispersement to less busy times of the year. The idea that they are intentionally diluting the experience on certain days is a distinctly unmagical way to treat their customers.

While I completely understand how this can make sense (dollars and cents:scared::sad2::rolleyes1) in a business model and I realize staffing to match demand is a necessity for a theme park, it’s starting to feel more manipulative and malicious rather than just smart management. I don’t know, maybe I’m overreacting but this stuff makes me pretty angry.
Yep, yep, yep.
 
The trend of Disney dialing back staffing in order to fit or influence the crowd level is one the more disappointing (and seemingly undeniably real) actions the company has taken. Particularly in light of the new pricing scheme that was nominally intended to induce crowd dispersement to less busy times of the year. The idea that they are intentionally diluting the experience on certain days is a distinctly unmagical way to treat their customers.

While I completely understand how this can make sense (dollars and cents:scared::sad2::rolleyes1) in a business model and I realize staffing to match demand is a necessity for a theme park, it’s starting to feel more manipulative and malicious rather than just smart management. I don’t know, maybe I’m overreacting but this stuff makes me pretty angry.
If it helps, I couldn't agree more. You very accurately summed up how I've been feeling the past few years! I still go because I'm local(ish) and won't hesitate to abandon ship if the park I'm in starts feeling too crowded, but still... I miss the old days. A lot. :(
 


The trend of Disney dialing back staffing in order to fit or influence the crowd level is one the more disappointing (and seemingly undeniably real) actions the company has taken. Particularly in light of the new pricing scheme that was nominally intended to induce crowd dispersement to less busy times of the year. The idea that they are intentionally diluting the experience on certain days is a distinctly unmagical way to treat their customers.

While I completely understand how this can make sense (dollars and cents:scared::sad2::rolleyes1) in a business model and I realize staffing to match demand is a necessity for a theme park, it’s starting to feel more manipulative and malicious rather than just smart management. I don’t know, maybe I’m overreacting but this stuff makes me pretty angry.

This is a much more polite summary that I had when discussing this with a friend.
 
The trend of Disney dialing back staffing in order to fit or influence the crowd level is one the more disappointing (and seemingly undeniably real) actions the company has taken. Particularly in light of the new pricing scheme that was nominally intended to induce crowd dispersement to less busy times of the year. The idea that they are intentionally diluting the experience on certain days is a distinctly unmagical way to treat their customers.

While I completely understand how this can make sense (dollars and cents:scared::sad2::rolleyes1) in a business model and I realize staffing to match demand is a necessity for a theme park, it’s starting to feel more manipulative and malicious rather than just smart management. I don’t know, maybe I’m overreacting but this stuff makes me pretty angry.

Perfect description. As you say, I understand the business case to adjust based on volumes/crowds, but recent changes feel very manipulative and most definitely about putting profit above service.
 


Because the weather is predicted to be so warm, I'm abandoning my race costume. It's currently 68 in my house rn. I think I'm going to be way more comfortable running in a tank as opposed to a SS.
 
I've never looked at Crowd Predictions. What if everyone does than goes to a different park, now that's actually the crowded park?!? Too much in motion in the future to worry about for me.


On a sour note, DD20 went out for a training run yesterday, stepped on a root and sprained her ankle. It's just a Grade 1 and I think she'll be able to run, but it's not going to make for a fun marathon for her. :sad2:
Oh no, that's not cool at all! Pixie dust she won't be too affected during the marathon by it.
 
I've never looked at Crowd Predictions. What if everyone does than goes to a different park, now that's actually the crowded park?!? Too much in motion in the future to worry about for me.
They are estimations based off analytics not exactly what its gonna happen.
 
:crazy2: T+D of 110-120 If that Humidity number would drop a bit (a lot), I'd be thankful

View attachment 373335

Marathon looks like T+D of 116 to start, 119 by 9am and 127 by 1pm (around balloon lady time). That would put the suggested slow down from ideal temps at 2% for most runners. Definitely not ideal, but could easily be worse (if the 10k were today it was a T+D of 138 during race time). Personally, I find once the T+D edges past 130 is when I "notice" it. For reference, a 2% slow down would be about a 4:45 marathon runner aiming for a 4:50 marathon instead. Could get some clouds to roll in and reduce the solar radiation effects as well which would be nice.

For you, your ideal fitness projection would move from 3:35 to 3:38 (or 3:36 to 3:39 when using a 26.40 mile GPS distance with good tangential running at Disney). Still under the 3:44:59 goal, but the margin for error is reduced.

The 5k predicted temps have dropped tremendously down to 48+38=86 for most runners. I guess hope that the dip seen there can hold for a few more days.
 
I was considering bringing leggings and capris and deciding which to wear on race morning, but then I bought the bigger bottle of wine (it has a champagne cork, so I don't have to bring a corkscrew!), so I may have to choose one of the two. I wish I felt like I could trust Florida forecasts...
 
Marathon looks like T+D of 116 to start, 119 by 9am and 127 by 1pm (around balloon lady time). That would put the suggested slow down from ideal temps at 2% for most runners. Definitely not ideal, but could easily be worse (if the 10k were today it was a T+D of 138 during race time). Personally, I find once the T+D edges past 130 is when I "notice" it. For reference, a 2% slow down would be about a 4:45 marathon runner aiming for a 4:50 marathon instead. Could get some clouds to roll in and reduce the solar radiation effects as well which would be nice.

For you, your ideal fitness projection would move from 3:35 to 3:38 (or 3:36 to 3:39 when using a 26.40 mile GPS distance with good tangential running at Disney). Still under the 3:44:59 goal, but the margin for error is reduced.

The 5k predicted temps have dropped tremendously down to 48+38=86 for most runners. I guess hope that the dip seen there can hold for a few more days.

Agreed, some of the temps this week were making me think of 2013. The 5k forecast does look like a pretty nice race day as of now.
 
I was considering bringing leggings and capris and deciding which to wear on race morning, but then I bought the bigger bottle of wine (it has a champagne cork, so I don't have to bring a corkscrew!), so I may have to choose one of the two. I wish I felt like I could trust Florida forecasts...

I still wouldn't trust the forecast (it sure changed a lot in 2017). It is easier to find more wine in Orlando than running gear that you know will work :thumbsup2
 
Warmer weather equals cuter costume. Cooler weather equals comfier running. So I’m looking on the bright side of either outcome, haha.

I have a tinge of a cold but luckily already had day off with my kiddo since schools still out. So I’m just really resting a ton today.
 
I've gotten to the point where I'm second guessing every decision I've made about this trip, including booking the trip in the first place.

Totally normal part of taper madness, right?
(NOTE: This may not actually be taper madness. It might just be a really stressful day at work + post-race beverage training. But I'm gonna go ahead and blame it on the taper.)

This this this. 100% me right now. Glad I'm not alone!
 
I was considering bringing leggings and capris and deciding which to wear on race morning, but then I bought the bigger bottle of wine (it has a champagne cork, so I don't have to bring a corkscrew!), so I may have to choose one of the two. I wish I felt like I could trust Florida forecasts...

Best of both worlds: Buy vacuum bags to condense your clothes volume and bring both!
 
I feel like a broken record, but... remember 2017? When every forecast had the marathon getting warmer and warmer and we were all so worried about how to handle the heat? Right up until that Friday, when BAM! - a cold front canceled the half and sent us all scrambling to find enough layers to handle a very cold marathon?! I would make no final decisions on outfits at this time!
 

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