Tuke

Now that is a very good question and one that cannot be answered IMO without taking into consideration Disney's long history but also that of the American family and Hollywood/Entertainment Industry. I don't believe its just due to becoming a conglomerate since there are some great benefits and examples there nor due to greed alone since some of the most greedy people and organizations are more often those without money and power. However, I will say in short that leaderships always are tempted into doing and becoming more vs. doing what they do best better. Unfortunately, in doing more; you often find yourself hitching your wagon to parties and agendas that you may not have once identified with. IMO this is why Disney's best days may be behind them.

On 10/5/2017 at 1:57 PM, Travisma said:

What does ESPN have to do with the core values that is Disney? 

Same with Marvel, Star Wars, and to a certain extent The Muppets (at least they are kid friendly).

I could see the logic in expending the Disney brand into the modern age of digital content, etc, but they should've just expanded their own brand instead of taking over everyone else. 

Competition is good for business!

I believe the answer is obvious, they (ESPN/Disney/ABC) are one in the same. And when you consider the recent Jemele Hill, the Weinsteins, Iger's presidential talk, shareholders' open protests, and ongoing daily examples of bias pervading Disney’s media outlets; anyone can see their core values more vividly than what's crafted between the PR and marketing departments. Add this all in to what in the least is a perceived decline in value and quality at Disney's theme parks among those most loyal and you have many looking for any option beyond ESPN/Disney/ABC.

On 6/7/2017 at 1:09 PM, Tri-Circle-D said:

There's a pretty good map that locates each check-in location on the official website: https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/guest-services/express-transportation-options/

I think this is just another simple money grab.  I have yet to see one report saying that buses ever have more than a few guests on them.  So, selling these "summer" passes to AP holders is free money to Disney.  They don't have to add any buses, and they know that AP holders aren't going to be heavy users of the system.

TCD

To my wonderment, how do you justify the operation costs of bus services with what they knew IMO would be so few users? Once again I'm being extremely pessimistic, but this appears more like Disney's way of acclimating us to transportation fees.

Brings up another question as to why there has been so little talk over the years of the monorail being expanded?

2 hours ago, Travisma said:

In one of the holding rooms the video tells how man almost destroyed Pandora with their mining operations.

They also talk about certain species that are important to the ecological balance on Earth, then start talking about how the Banshees are the same way on Pandora.

I imagine they wanted Pandora in AK to give it an attendance boost, and even though it's on an alien world, it's all centered around nature (even though it's all make believe).

And I get that it's all earthy and nature centered but have a problem when conclusions are drawn, solutions are proposed, and essentially propaganda is disseminated, especially to children, based on fantasy and fiction. Evidence certainly would not suggests that Disney believes by any imagination their own story line being sold here. IMO Pandora brings a warped view and politicization of the AK that previously was much more subdued.

The more I see and hear of Pandora, the less I'm impressed and motivated to visit. I caught a quote from Jon Landau saying his hope is that visitors will leave Pandora with eyes opened to see their world different. As an environmental professional forgive my frustration with assimilating fantasy and science fiction with reality and Science.  It's tough to draw accurate narratives and world views through the lenses of fiction. I question why Avatar World is even in AK to begin with.

Our family actually is much more willing and able to make the most of our time in the parks when we alternate days. 

In reviewing the comments to the article, I noticed various commenters pointing out similar themes that the shift has become that upsells are currently the bulk of what Disney is offering as a product. I can't disagree.

I know this topic has become a dead horse but the author does an excellent job in summarizing much of what has been expressed here often. 

http://micechat.com/145982-disney-world-upsell/

...Welcome to the era of Disney upcharges. Except in some ways, we’ve already been here for a long time. There’s a long history of upcharges at Disney parks. To put all this into perspective, let’s go all the way back to the beginning. In this case, the beginning means even before Disneyland itself opened. Walt was benchmarking amusement enterprises, shopping his ideas around, and the carnival and fair operators famously thought Walt had lost his mind, mostly because he didn’t want barkers, those midway upsell people constantly harassing (and in some cases conning) people into parting with their money...

On 11/4/2016 at 7:00 AM, GaDawgFan.....Kelly said:

There has to be a story there. Why is he transfering?

Hurd put out a long statement on twitter and said his departure was due to injuries and that UT's offensive style didn't essentially highlight his talents enough. Rumors around the programs are saying that he was a narcissistic hot shot and heavily disliked among his teammates. 

I wish the guy well but after setting out next season, where will he go outside the SEC and receive the instant notoriety he's demanding?  I'm not sure such a perfect fit for one an done player exists.

19 hours ago, Helmsey......Todd said:

With our current 5 star, almost record breaking, running back transferring in the middle(ish) if the season people are starting to ask questions. This is our first "big time" player to transfer out, but others have this year. I dont understand how someone with potential NFL talent decides in his JR year that he wants to transfer away from UT, AND change positions to TE\WR. 

Yeah, this one has left many wondering. However, Hurd is the problem if the rumors and discussion near to the program are true. And that would be the only reason I could ever imagine a player at his level continuing to receive the exposure he's receiving, willing to set out next year to roll the dice on a single season at a position he's never played before, and likely on the opposite shore. The odds of success are not exactly in his favor.

IDK, it seems everyone has their favorites. Personally, I've heard nothing but great things from the EcoBoost engines and above and over the Active Fuel Management (cylinder deactivation system). I believe there is some confusion among fans and critics when comparing the different EcoBoost engines at the top or bottom of a model lineups.

17 hours ago, Travisma said:

I know Busch, SeaWorld, and Universal will never be up there with Disney, but at least the SeaWorld Entertainment group cares about their passholders, so I choose to spend extra $$ at their parks because of the way we are treated.

I hope not but this is where we would likely disagree. Why is Disney the one of a kind entertainment giant? My answer is because they have built generations of loyal fans from almost birth. Unfortunately for Disney, there is some real competition emerging. My teens are a good example. While they love Disney, Universal is their choice right now.  Some of it has to with Universal's older age image but regardless, Universal is the non-nerdy/"sexy" choice (for lack of a better terms) at this moment. So I don't think it will take something disastrous to knock Disney out but possibly time and who can prove to more effectively reach culture through entertainment.

50 minutes ago, Tri-Circle-D said:

Is any of this wrong?  No- Disney is a for profit company that is responsible to its shareholders.  They aren't a charity, and Walt is long dead. Nobody in charge cares about him or his quaint ideas. Profit is all that matters.  Anyone who doesn't like that can find someplace else to visit.

Much agreed and but I think it needs mentioned that the responsibility to shareholders involves profits but also long-term growth. Many of these fees and rumors of fees and other price hikes and charges for everything may present an immediate boom but in doing so are they sacrificing the future? Are they deciding to become just another Orlando park? I certainly do not believe Disney is doing themselves any favors from the perspective of a traditional "right of passage" family destination.

On 8/20/2016 at 11:01 AM, BradyBzLyn...Mo said:

I think it's how they can solve the problem of lower attendance - whether by natural cycles or them manipulating the attendance on purpose as they essentially said they've done recently with the continued increase in ticket prices.  Higher per-guest spending means even if attendance is down, revenue isn't.

It's also a quicker shot to the bottom line than investing in things that will bring guests in over the long term.  Spend 30 million on an expansion that will take 5 years and probably not pay for itself for a lot longer than that - or - parking fee that increases your bottom line starting now.

Disney has also been churning out tons of "add-on" stuff lately - just this week they announced a new premium level for the Backyard BBQ where you get early access and some additional perks... for a fee.  There are now lots more tours, special viewing parties, dinner packages... all things that don't really cost Disney much as they work off things that already exist (maybe just some marketing and staffing). And despite some really steep price tags in a few cases, people are snapping them up!

On the plus side, this stuff only effects people that want to cough up the extra $, not every guest that comes through the gates.  But that's a relatively small number of people.  Additional fees, even small ones... that's a money maker.

I think TCD also makes a good point also about money on the table.  Other resorts and parks have been charging for all these things for ages now. While people wouldn't like it if WDW started to also, folks are used to being nickel and dimed already. It would make sense (business-wise) if Disney jumped in on that action.

I have to disagree. If crowd control and the immediate bottom line are the primary goals, I would argue that Disney has NOT gone far enough! There are a myriad of ways to provide a quick shot to the bottom line for most travel/destination businesses, but those have to be carefully balanced within what the market demands. I'm more than sure Disney knows the market numbers and consumer preferences much better than anyone in this business and I'm not second guessing them. On the other hand, enhancing guests experiences through pricing algorithms while accurate, is also very limited and can be risky. This is where Disney is a bit shortsighted IMO, and especially as a business whose attraction continues to be heavily based on a traditional "right of passage" experience.

It's well understood that Disney had few choices regarding their park crowds and essentially the park prices had to increase for such a demand; thus, the tiered pricing has proven to be a win. But from an investor standpoint, it is not understood as to why Disney has chosen to narrow its customer base for a short-term win. If parks are indeed the problem, what's with the other significant increases across the board and certainly the new approach of "nickle and diming" as continues to be rumored from guest surveys such as $15/guest/day resort fees, tiered parking fees, magic band fees, transportation fees, and etc. Are we anticipating future capacity based on coming attractions where the market will more than bare such costs and in reality non-Disney like inconveniences? IDK and only time will tell. No doubt we don't want to leave money on the table, but nothing leaves more money on the table than a frustrated or disenfranchised consumer.

2 hours ago, Tri-Circle-D said:

To heck with a transportation fee.  If they want to price gouge, they could charge everyone to park at the hotels.  Even passholders.  Universal does it.   People would squeal like stuck pigs.  But they'd pay.  That is a lot of free money they're leaving on the table.

TCD

I think that's about right. But I'm not sure as to why Disney has become so bold and focused in pushing the limits of guests' purse strings versus untying those purse strings through the offering of a better product and service? Yes, Universal does it but that is why Disney has been my choice for all these years. An expensive experience, you bet! But it's still that one stop shop that avoids the inconveniences of being nickel-ed and dimed for every last drop of fun. Of course, it appears this too is changing.

On 6/11/2016 at 4:41 PM, articfox676 said:

Would it be safe to say the increase in rv sales of types also increases demand for rv sites?  How could they go wrong with more sites. How many repeat cabin stays are there compared to rvers?

That is a good question but I would have to guess that the answer is that there are negligible effects at best.  As the RV industry taken some major hits over the lasts several years, we noticed that campgrounds in our area have remained full, if not packed, simply due to the economics of camping in general. However, when WDW lodging continues to be at such a premium price, $100+/night for a campsite looks doable; especially for larger families.

Sorry, just realized I responded to a much older post.

On 7/28/2016 at 9:51 PM, lightbikes said:

Me too - because I would be willing to bet that the "kablooey" was something that cost a mint!!! 

Disney's Imagineering continues to say that the show has struggled with technical difficulties and new technologies being used. From the PR dept, it sounds really complex if not impossible to explain in an article. Nevertheless, talk on the street suggests Disney is simply trying to overcome the physics involved with projected light shows (vs pyrotechnics) where it's only impressive from a limited number of perspectives; perfect angle and from a very limited number of seats. IMO, Disney is aware that they must get this, along with the World of Avatar, right the first time due to the public's cooled enthusiasm for the special effects-laden film and anticipated franchise. Of course, much like the Magic Bands, too much is invested to back out of this franchise in the making.

Also, the latest news has AK ending all night-time attractions beginning Sept 5, 2016.

http://www.fool.com/investing/2016/08/15/disney-world-gives-animal-kingdom-the-night-off.aspx

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/travel/attractions/the-daily-disney/os-animal-kingdom-nighttime-problems-20160816-story.html

2 minutes ago, Travisma said:

I remember seeing the wave machine in action on either a Merv Griffin or a Mike Douglas show being broadcast from the Poly beach.  That was a couple? of years after they opened, but they quickly realized the issues, and only used it for specials like that, and each night they had to replenish the beach.

If you're not older than your mid 50's you're probably wondering who the heck I'm talking about

LOL! That's really cool. I remember something about the fond memories made by the staff and executives during the wave machine's initial test runs. 

2 hours ago, Travisma said:

That is the natural setting for most of FL!

I think they dismantled the wave machine a while back.

Groomed white sand beaches? No, it was both dredged from the lakes' bottom and trucked in. Also, photos from Bay Lake prior to Disney show mature vegetation to the shoreline. Some of the sediments seen around the lakes are remnants of the wave machines' damage to the Poly's original Beachcomber Beach that contained a many metric tons of white sand. It was Dick Nunis that pushed hard for what became the forgotten half million dollar boondoggle.

The wave machine comment was a joke as the machine only ran either a single day or a matter of a couple of weeks according to varying Disney employees' testimonies.

Follow-up:

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/tourism/os-disney-attendance-earnings-20160809-story.html

It appears Disney is doing what they intended to do and that is increase spending per visitor. Certainly, I'm not predicting the decline of Disney or even frowning on the articles posted above. However, just my personal experience here but there has been a dramatic mentality shift among our Disney loving family and friends in the last couple of years when considering the value of the Disney Park experience. For several families, that annual or biannual week long vacation has become a once every 3rd or 5th year extended weekend. No doubt some price hikes are a part of this preception but IMO all the inconveniences of the local county fair and the feeling that you are being charged for every ounce of entertainment has crept into what once felt like an "all-inclusive" Disney experience.  Of course, we still loves it but find ourselves considering a plethora of alternatives, even within Disney, from what was our standard family vacation.  

17 hours ago, ftwildernessguy said:

deterring gators? 

They're not trying to deter gators but guest from the shoreline. As a former wildlife biologist, I have to assume DW has a very aggressive Nuisance Alligator Program that they are keeping out of the spotlight following Harambe the gorilla and Cecil the lion.

Bay Lake and Seven Seas Lagoon's shoreline will return to a more natural setting, which are not sandy beaches but carpets of aquatic and other riparian vegetation. Due to the aesthetics and inaccessibility, I don't think many are going to appreciate it for the better.  

Haha! Maybe with all the erosion control efforts the Poly can reinstall their wave machine.

Ha! I probably shouldn't considering I remember ads from the late 80s early 90s (maybe) that showed guest riding galloping horses on the beach.

1 hour ago, DaveInTN said:

It's typical marketing....making the product look like something extraordinary and must-have.  

The last time I opened a beer, a gaggle of bikini clad ladies didn't suddenly appear by my side.  

When I drive to work, the traffic doesn't part in front of me so I can zoom down the highway with my sunroof open, hair (what little is left) blowing in the wind.

And when I view the fireworks on Main Street USA, I don't have a private viewing spot with my little girl on my shoulders holding a Mickey balloon and no one else in view.  Not by a long shot.  

The internet and popular use of social media has changed all that and even us as consumers. Instead of marketing viewing technology as the perfect tool to learn their customers,customers use the media to seek out the marketers. You are correct in suggesting that they have to make something a must-have or extraordinary to sell the product. Nonetheless, the current marketing techniques offer this must-have or extraordinary product in a subtle way or humorous way (i.e., beer and the gaggle of bikini clad ladies); with a few exceptions. Now the consumer controls the message and honestly/authenticity is of the utmost value. It's not just for legal reasons that vehicle commercial offer the popular caption, "Professional driver on a closed course." To the consumer, the message is corny without it.

IMHO, I expect more from Disney. It would have been just as easy and as effective to produce a video with a more authentic experience. In light of the recent tragedy, my wife reminded me of an old advertising picture from our Travel agent prior to our Honeymoon of a couple wading on the shoreline at the Grand Floridian.

I hate buying ice! We've always went with a mini fridge and supplemented with a 5 day Coleman ice cooler. This allowed us to have a place for perishables upon arrival before the mini fridge was plugged in and cool.

Before last year's week long June (90+ degrees) trip to the Beach and on to the Fort, I put the entire cooler in the freezer the day before and packed it with ice just before leaving. As a result, we purchased only one 10lb bag of ice at the Fort for the ride home so I wouldn't have to hear our remaining soft drinks slosh around.  The mistake most often made with multi day coolers is neglecting to pre-chill items prior to placing them into the cooler and leaving the cooler in the direct sun or inside a parked car.