Disney World Resorts Struggling

[Titanium]

I think the 30 minutes is phenomenal. At Epcot, I waited ten minutes for Remy AND got on Frozen before the 30 minutes was up.

At AK, I rode Dinosaur twice and Everest 3 times in that period.

.

 

[BrianL]

Just so you'll know for the future, even when FQ shares, it's the first stop in both directions. So there's no full-already bus at the FQ stop. And it shares with POR only after a certain time in the morning--either 11 or noon, I forget which., and sometimes it doesn't. Recently, I haven't experienced any sharing with POR, although one evening coming back from MK, there was a POR bus at the stop and no FQ bus and the driver told us to hop on anyway. He dropped us at FQ first.

But, yes, the Skyliner is terrific! I'm wary of the Values, though, since my sole experience with them (ASMu) was a disaster since the room-to-room noise was so bad that I spent 5 near-sleepless nights. I vowed never to stay at a Value again after that. Is Pop better?

No, I mean the internal stops. I don't know how FQ is laid out, but at POR there are 4 stops and the bus comes in empty, picks up at stop 1, 2, 3, then the front. It is often full before it reaches the front and people will be standing there waiting for another.

 

[Moliphino]

No, I mean the internal stops. I don't know how FQ is laid out, but at POR there are 4 stops and the bus comes in empty, picks up at stop 1, 2, 3, then the front. It is often full before it reaches the front and people will be standing there waiting for another.

FQ only has the one bus stop.

 

[BrianL]

FQ only has the one bus stop.

Ah, well then, that doesn't apply to there.

 

[Miffy]

FQ only has the one bus stop.

Beat me to it!

 

[JC1984]

Would have been more credible if it were the Monorail Captain?

 

[Marrila]

Would have been more credible if it were the Monorail Captain?

Of course!

 

[JC1984]

Of course!

He is a sworn officer of the Walt Disney World Rapid Transit Systems and can perform marriages over international waters so I would trust his word.

 

[Tigger's ally]

No, I mean the internal stops. I don't know how FQ is laid out, but at POR there are 4 stops and the bus comes in empty, picks up at stop 1, 2, 3, then the front. It is often full before it reaches the front and people will be standing there waiting for another.

yeah, the POFQ busses are great. Big advantage staying there. Best busses in mods by a long shot and why we stay there if we are staying moderate.

 

[samsteele]

I'm the OP. I've been a member of the Boards for 10 years and followed quietly for at least 2 years before that. I heard this rumour from credible sources and thought to pass it on. I posted this in the rumours subforum because it is a rumour. I don't regret posting it. Everyone who has read this thread can form their own opinion and many have. That's the way the Boards have always worked and should work. I've learned so much over the years from other members and benefited from a great deal of helpful information from these Boards. Some of that information being rumour based. I've saved a lot of money over the years and had much better vacations because of this information. Being a contributing member of the Boards, means growing a thick skin. I want to reach out to the newbies and those who have recently joined the Boards who have followed these comments and now may never post a thread or be concerned about being criticized for trying to post. First, I posted a rumour on a rumours thread. That's different from posting on the other subforums. It comes with more critique and should. Second, if you have information to share on other forums, don't be afraid to contribute. DIS'rs are great people and are supportive and kind. It's a great community. The rumour I shared on this rumour subforum may or may not help others. Possibly it will encourage readers to check and double check for any WDW discount drops this spring and summer. Maybe others will reach out to their travel agents and to Dreams Agents to ask them to contact re any summer and fall discounts. Nowhere in my discussions with Best Western managers and owners did I hear the word DVC or Disney Vacation Club mentioned. That may or may not be of value to some of the posters here. Best Western may have no interest or awareness for time share or understand the difference. They are pure hoteliers. But if it has spurred DVC owners to take another look at their contract or reconsider what would happen to their home resort in bad straits, then that's a heads up. Only you can decide if the information informs your vacations and investments. Never be afraid to post and try to pass on information. Only you can decide whether it has any value for you. We all benefit from this community. We all benefits from members trying to pass on information. Whether that information helps you or is any value to you, is up to you. That's the way it should work.

 

[DreaGirl]

Could you explain what you mean by this? We've stayed at FQ several times recently and have had zero issue with the buses. Before noon, they don't share with POR, and coming back from the parks, FQ is the first stop.

Meanwhile, on topic for this thread, FQ is where we stay now. We used to stay at AKL all the time, but we've been priced out. The discounts for AKL have been weak and the rack rate is astronomical.

The last time we stayed at FQ we had nothing but problems with the buses. They either didn't arrive until there was a long line, or they were just crazy full. Plus the bus stop area was so small with not "line" so it got tense with some people a few mornings. That was many years ago though, so it sounds like things have changed.

 

[Miffy]

The last time we stayed at FQ we had nothing but problems with the buses. They either didn't arrive until there was a long line, or they were just crazy full. Plus the bus stop area was so small with not "line" so it got tense with some people a few mornings. That was many years ago though, so it sounds like things have changed.

We've stayed there several times in the last 2 years and have never had a problem like this. Even during the times (never in the morning) when FQ shares with POR, FQ is the first stop, so the buses are empty.

 

[RivShore]

Hard to see any struggle in the near or medium term future when, according to this survey it is literally the only "name brand" must do trip:

https://nypost.com/2023/02/24/the-must-do-trips-everyone-should-take-before-they-die/

“Must-do” trips in a lifetime​

1. Casino-hopping and gambling weekend trip in Las Vegas — 46%
2. Touring the White House/other monuments in Washington D.C. — 45%
3. Seeing the Grand Canyon in Arizona — 42%
4. Seeing Mount Rushmore in South Dakota — 38%
5. Visiting Disney World Resort in Florida — 36%
6. Visiting a volcano in Hawaii — 29%
7. Touring Times Square in NYC — 28%
8. Exploring the Greek Islands — 19%
9. Visiting the Great Pyramid of Giza in Egypt — 17%
10. Swimming with the pigs in the Bahamas — 17%

 

[Genie+]

The WDW Resort has a long way before it nears any type of dire straits. Honestly I think they positioned themselves to weather a storm with major price increases across the board. Releasing bigger discounts to attract visitors still leaves a healthy profit margin. Ticket discounts, serious room discounts, food packages… they haven’t yet come close to digging as deep as possible. Still holding most of their cards to play if the next couple years needs rescue.

DVC is separate. The rooms are contracted and paid to be used. If people don’t show up it’s much more their own loss than Disney’s.

 

[Chuck wright]

Best westerns are not a
Competitor to Disney dvc

 

[MaidMarian444]

Surprised no one has mentioned staffing problems. We all know many popular places that have had to close not due to lack of demand but because they couldn’t find staff. Yes, the rumor OP posted was more about lack of demand, but perhaps the rumor mill didn’t translate that WDW has had trouble staffing up these huge resorts. We stayed at POFQ a few weeks ago and noticed what appeared to be staffing issues in food service and housekeeping. (Busses were great though). And we still have some restaurants not yet reopened due to staffing.

 

[Mle8308]

Surprised no one has mentioned staffing problems. We all know many popular places that have had to close not due to lack of demand but because they couldn’t find staff. Yes, the rumor OP posted was more about lack of demand, but perhaps the rumor mill didn’t translate that WDW has had trouble staffing up these huge resorts. We stayed at POFQ a few weeks ago and noticed what appeared to be staffing issues in food service and housekeeping. (Busses were great though). And we still have some restaurants not yet reopened due to staffing.

Staffing is a challenge, but not enough to close down resorts. If it were such a challenge, they would not have brought back full daily housekeeping to all resorts. They are also hiring quite a few college students and the International Program is back. The only restaurant on property, I believe, that has not reopened in 1900 Park Faire at the GF and the current reason is because it's being remodeled along with the GF lobby. Staffing is definitely an issue, but the only way I can see it potentially closing down anything is if Disney does not come to an agreement on the Services Trade contract and the employees all strike.

 

[TiggerBouncy]

While I miss value resorts @59, moderate @159 and delux @ 300ish, I also miss Mork and Mindy, Big Bang Theory and sub$1 gas and none are likely to return.

But... Night Court just came back. We have had years of the Karate Kid (even if it is the last season), I watch Big Bang at least once a week, Mork and Mindy you can watch for free on Pluto...

Not sure I can help you with the sub $1 gas or the $59 hotel. Those are just... gone. But still, it's not all doom and gloom!

 

[R&RsMom]

I think the 30 minutes is phenomenal. At Epcot, I waited ten minutes for Remy AND got on Frozen before the 30 minutes was up.

At AK, I rode Dinosaur twice and Everest 3 times in that period.

We liked the fact that we did not have to plan parks around the early entry. It worked really well for us. However, I would also like to see evening hours return.

 

[Titanium]

The main problem why Disney Resorts have always seemed to be struggling is because after holidays such as Christmas Memorial Day 4th Of July and President's Day that is the start of the slow season and Walt Disney World resorts don't announce new deals until their busiest times which is Spring Break Easter and the Summertime. And when you look at the general picture Disney Resorts make a lot of money from Spring Break and Easter because Spring is the most popular season for Disney vacations because they know that this is where the money is. But not only during Spring Break and Easter do the resorts fill up they have other events such as cheerleading competitions dance competitions business seminars and other events. In the history of Walt Disney World the only resort to close was The Disney Inn that became the military oriented resort Shades Of Green. But if you look at Florida hotel prices during an event such as the Daytona 500 or golf tournaments held at Disney golf courses the prices for Florida hotels and Disney resorts go up sky high. But Disney resorts in my eyes are not really struggling they are trying to attract a more successful crowd and they advertise deals all the time to help them make more money

The Disney Inn and the Disney Institute didn't seem to share broad appeal of the other resorts so they morphed into things more appealing and useful to the Disney customer base.