Originally Posted By Witches of Morva ORDDU: By the way, mousemerf, duckling, we got back to the person who originally posted on the other web-footed site about the declining percentage of phone calls in the Disney Travel call center. While they agreed that there are slow periods at the Call Center, they insisted that this time of the year isn't usually one of them. For those cast members who are still employed there, they are, indeed, worried. They aren't quite so willing to downplay the situation over there as you seem to be.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<If that number is correct, and if there's a 20% reduction in passenger volume, then that's a 7% overall decrease to WDW visitors. That's huge, especially if you're responsible for delivering a 20% or whatever it is earnings growth every year. Also, I would imagine that visitors that arrive by air have a longer average stay and higher average spend than other guests, but that's just an educated guess.>> That 35% is Disney's 'official' number ... if you talk to people, you'll find they think the number is well over 40%. Either way, it is a tremendous number. And yeah, folks that arrive via air are more coveted. They're the ones taking DME and being 'hostage' at WDW for up to two weeks (and even longer). They're the ones spending all that $$$ on-site etc ... Disney can lose the locals, they can lose some of the drivers and still be fine ... if they start losing big numbers of fliers, it'll be 2001-03 all over again. Just an aside, the cutbacks have already quietly happened. MK was originally scheduled to be 9-midnight for all of June and July. That got cut to 9-11 in April. More cuts could be just around the corner.
Originally Posted By Skellington88 I just want to make sure we get these few rides before things shut down: Star Tours 2 Japan Attraction upgraded Space Mountain New e-ticket for magic kingdom (mermaid?) Dark Ride for Hollywood Studios Imagination Pavillion redo If those projects get greenlit but they put all the other projects on halt than I'll be ok for awhile and keep coming back to the parks with my family.
Originally Posted By fkurucz <<This weekend I did some real estate shopping (more for info than anything). >> check out www.thehousingbubbleblog.com The Florida horror stories are simply chilling. <<Don't scare her! Besides, I think Delta's safe for a while.>> I know. <<Also, I would imagine that visitors that arrive by air have a longer average stay and higher average spend than other guests, but that's just an educated guess.>> Probably a good one. The budget crowd, who are more likely to drive 1000 miles in the family minivan, are more likely to stay off property. Of course, a big chunk (perhaps even bigger than 20%) will be cancelling their vacation this year as well.
Originally Posted By fkurucz <<It's funny that so many people feel the only way we can 'compete' with other countries is to lower our standards and become 3rd world. Government never says, 'no, you can't do this' to big business ... they encourage those $30 an hour jobs (and that isn't a great wage, it's just a fair and realistic one) to head to India. Are our leaders really that stupid that they think people can live on $10 an hour wages? (don't answer, rhetorical)>> I always find it amusing that people support this scenario. They often think that they are special and their jobs can't be offshored. Then one day they are introduced to Rajit, Kumar or Tarun, and are told that unless they train their replacement that they will be fired on the spot with no severance package. Where I work we get these emails from HR every so often. The invariably say the same thing: "In order to remain competitive...". Funny thing is the company is more than competitive. Our net profit is a record levels and is close to twice the size of payroll. Yet the company pleads poverty as they take yet another benefit away. The word is rampant that health insurance is on the chopping block and will be taken away in a few years. There is no point in changing jobs because our competotors are doing the same thing.
Originally Posted By bobbelee9 I've had my job for 16 years, now my boss (who's only been here for 1 year) is toying with eliminating health insurance and the employee pension plan. He's so nice!
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 The problem is that in this country people fear the government as opposed to most European nations where the leaders fear the people. That's why the politicians are all owned by big business and why your company can make record profits while screwing you over and you really have no recourse because the system is set up to destroy the individual. But as for Disney, you might want to read Kevin Yee's column over at Micechat as he has more news on what could happen at WDW if the economy continues to tank. It's not good news except for those who want free dining and big discounts./ Let's hope things get better fast.
Originally Posted By TMICHAEL >>>A mermaid e-ticket!!! Do tell!!<<< Hi sharon2, just the rumour that the Little Mermaid attraction scheduled for DCA, might also be going in to the Magic Kingdom on the old 20k Leagues site.
Originally Posted By dshyates For those that think there is no problem, Disney is actually debating shuttering DAK and DHS on certain days of the week leaving only 3 parks open at a time during the slow season this fall. Check out Kevin Yee's article from yesterday. <a href="http://miceage.micechat.com/kevinyee/ky061008a.htm" target="_blank">http://miceage.micechat.com/ke...008a.htm</a>
Originally Posted By Skellington88 The market has crashed again today and oil keeps going up. Things do indeed look dire.
Originally Posted By fkurucz <<I've had my job for 16 years, now my boss (who's only been here for 1 year) is toying with eliminating health insurance and the employee pension plan.>> You have a pension plan (not a 401k)?
Originally Posted By fkurucz <<The problem is that in this country people fear the government as opposed to most European nations where the leaders fear the people.>> Gee, I wish our leaders feared us. Lately they seem to show little but contempt for us.
Originally Posted By bobbelee9 <<<You have a pension plan (not a 401k)?>>> Catholic Church, I have 403B to which employer does not contributed. We also can't collect unemployment, because we're tax exempt. That's why pension plan is necessary to me.
Originally Posted By bayrr326 "For those that think there is no problem, Disney is actually debating shuttering DAK and DHS on certain days of the week leaving only 3 parks open at a time during the slow season this fall. Check out Kevin Yee's article from yesterday. <a href="http://miceage.micechat.com/ke...008a.htm" target="_blank">http://miceage.micechat.com/ke...008a.htm</a>" Funny he quotes "Spirit" in the article. One of the things I like about this forum is we all seem to be able to have great debates and discussions while a certain other WDW site that has magic is calling Kevin an "idiot" and saying this would never happen. I am sorry but If you think Disney doesn't have some contingency plans in place in case of a major economic downturn than who is the idiot. According to various sources(not just Kevin Yee's article) after what happened Sept. 11th they now have various plans in place in case of a major downturn. One of those may include shutting some of the parks down once a week. Also, it must be nice for those people out there who think we are not in an economic downturn. Also, if you think the Bush administration is not cooking the number's then you are the idiot. Everyone I know has cutback their plans for this year and that cover people of all economic spectrum's. The price of oil has not just cost me more money for gas but have you checked your food prices at the grocery store. Restaurants are closing or laying off staff all over the place because people have cut out eating out to save money. Airfare has pretty much doubled in the last 2 years. Carriers have reduced the number of flights to Orlando by 20%. The weak dollar has helped the international tourists but that may dry up as airfares have shot up and high oil prices are starting to effect the economy in Europe. If gas were to reach $5-$6 a gallon imagine what that will do to the economy?
Originally Posted By SuperDry <<< "In order to remain competitive...". Funny thing is the company is more than competitive. Our net profit is a record levels and is close to twice the size of payroll. Yet the company pleads poverty as they take yet another benefit away. >>> I think you're missing a major factor: it doesn't matter how much your company is currently making. If it is publicly traded, then in order to Increase Shareholder Value, they must make x% more each and every year, regardless of past performance, the economy, or what the current level of profit is. If labor cost reductions are the easiest way to grow earnings, then this is what will happen. It doesn't matter how much labor has been cut in the past, or how high profit margins currently are.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<Gee, I wish our leaders feared us. Lately they seem to show little but contempt for us.>> If you keep a population in fear ... doesn't matter of what ... in this the case it's been the back to the middle ages 'evildoers' ... they won't pay attention to what you're really doing and in no time at all you can do incalculable damage.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<Funny he quotes "Spirit" in the article.>> There's nothing funny about that. ;-) <<If gas were to reach $5-$6 a gallon imagine what that will do to the economy?>> You won't have much time to imagine before it's reality. What do you think about the goverment giving every citizen oh ... I dunno ... say $200 a month to take some of the pain away? (I know it will never happen, but still ...)
