Originally Posted By Sport Goofy I wonder what the tipping point in gas prices before monorail expansion becomes a priority?
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo That would be a cool piece of work. Then again, looking at the problems Disneyland is having getting the new fleet up and running is probably making them a little monorail shy too. But agreed, monorail or other non road based transport would start to make a stay on WDW property a little more worthwhile again. I mean in Dubai, in downtown Jebel Ali they are building in GPS personalised Peoplemovers right now, as well as a whole light rail infrastructure to open by 2011/2012. With Atlantis, Universal Studios, Marvel Super Heroes, Sea World, Discovery Cove, Aquatica, Ferrariland and more coming, as well as the great 7 star hotels, and Marriott Vacation Club striking ground. I am feeling a greater pull towards Dubai. And so are many more Europeans. Dubai and Macau near Hong Kong are offering more impressive attractions now than Las Vegas or Disney, and the monied Europeans are now setting their eyes east. Pretty soon WDW will have mainly the UK versions of red necks while the real spenders will go elsewhere (unless they are culturally or linguistically prudish, which upwardly mobile people tend not to be). Cutting will not do Disney any favors. If they were really interested in the long term, they need to invest. Sadly, we know most of the execs are there for the short term, there is little vision left, and it's all about the markets. Sorry guys, the Disney quality is fading. It's still there in pockets (most new mega ventures at first - e.g. EE, DVC; Disneyland is up to quality again; the Lion King Stage show; and I hear great things from seasoned cruisers about DCL), but when there is more walmart quality than Bloomingdale's (like the old days), well you have to ask yourself. And when things get better economically (and we know eventually it will as the last 80 years have shown us to be a boom/bust economy), and there is nothing new, and joe six pack no longer get's his "free $25 burger" in the France pavillion (once known as a purveyor of fine foods), Disney will really struggle. The bargain hunter will go to the next best deal, or stay off site again. those of us with a lifetime of loyalty may or may not still be there. And the international whales that they try to pull into the Deluxes or the new 4 Seasons will likely be in Dubai or Macau. And people are getting older. all this marketing to kids is silly too. Yes, hopefully there will always be kids. But it is the babyboomers with all the money!
Originally Posted By hopemax > I wonder what the tipping point in gas prices before monorail expansion becomes a priority? I wonder what the tipping point in gas prices is before complete elimination of resort buses becomes a priority. Or you pay one price for your room that includes transportation, and another price that doesn't (and you have to swipe your room key, like you would swipe your pass on a city bus). Both of them I think are more likely that Disney deciding to stomach the cost of monorail expansion. The only exception, being, if monorails become vogue in several more US cities, and prices moderate a bit. At least Disney wouldn't have to pay for the land.
Originally Posted By SuperDry <<< I wonder what the tipping point in gas prices before monorail expansion becomes a priority? >>> <<< That would be a cool piece of work. Then again, looking at the problems Disneyland is having getting the new fleet up and running is probably making them a little monorail shy too. >>> It would not nearly be as much a problem at WDW, since WDW uses a standard-gauge monorail beam. Rolling stock can be ordered in a much more off-the-shelf manner, as compared to DL's system which basically requires stuff to be custom engineered and made for only that location.
Originally Posted By Skellington88 >>I wonder what the tipping point in gas prices before monorail expansion becomes a priority?<< I was wondering that very same question. Spirit what do you think? Surely there is at least a small team at Disney giving thought to this.
Originally Posted By bayrr326 <<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 ...)>> I wish but it will never happen. The $600 I got back in May went straight to bills and most of my friends did the same thing. It was simply too little. We have cut our traveling down to almost nothing this year. I used to travel all the time, of course I was single back then, now I am living with my GF and her 2 kids who split time with her and their father so expenses are alot higher and I have done barely any travel in the last 2 years except 2 visit family. We actually looked into going to Puerto Rico and the airfare there is actually pretty cheap but everything else(hotels, transportation other activities is too expensive). So thank god I live here in Tampa and have passes to all the parks or I would be bored out of my mind.
Originally Posted By fkurucz << 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.?? Like I said: record profits, to which I add: growing at double digit rates, quarter after quarter after quarter.
Originally Posted By fkurucz >>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 ...<< Where will they get it from?
Originally Posted By MPierce I refuse to be drawn into this non-political -) debate. I would be tempted to use the word idiot, and sound like an elitist. You know, kind of like some of you sound.
Originally Posted By mickey_ring Getting away from the current topic, which is off-topic anyway, I'm curious about who has been going to the U.S. Disney parks in the last 6 months. I guess demographics is the word. Is it families with kids ages 7 and up, or grandparents, or ? I'm one of those who've been going to WDW with kids since they were less than a year old, and I know they don't get a lot of the trip until about five or six years old. I wonder how many parents now figure "why spend the cash when the kids are small" and stay away from theme parks.
Originally Posted By bayrr326 You know I think the attendance so far this year and into the summer aren't going to be the issue. It will be starting this fall where we will see a true sign. However, while Disney is sitting still and not announcing anything everyone knows what Universal and SeaWorld are doing. The really need to announce something soon besides the next celebration, even if it is the updates to SM and ST. However, on some other sites everything is fine and no matter how the economy is WDW won't drop in attendance. Well, if it does I will enjoy shorter lines for me this fall.
Originally Posted By sharon2 <<<Is it families with kids ages 7 and up>>> YES, we went the last week of May and there really was not a lot of screaming kids and crabby parents. I did see a few kids actually getting spanked, if you can believe that!! Most parents are waiting until the children are sans stroller to venture to the parks. Mostly, I think it's cost related. There is no sence spending a minor fortune on vacation if your three year old doesn't remember it two years later.
Originally Posted By bobbelee9 ^^^My grandson went 2 years ago, the week before he turned 3. He remembered a lot. He's even the one who this year noticed Leota's eyes opening on her tombstone. None of us adults caught that. But if that is to be your only trip ever to WDW, no I sure wouldn't take a 3 year old.
Originally Posted By Mrs ElderP I agree that the effect is going to be delayed. People plan a disney trip quite a ways out, and are hesitant to cancel. I really don't think this summer is going to be too bad but that this fall is going to be slower than usual. I am curious to see how it effects DL vs WDW. WDW is the big special trip type place. DL not as much, more of a locals park. However, DL passes are still a luxury item. It will be interesting.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<I refuse to be drawn into this non-political -) debate. I would be tempted to use the word idiot, and sound like an elitist.>> Just a question ... and a general one, not relating to this particular discussion. But why is being an elitist a bad thing? I thought elite was great ... something everyone should strive for. Should we all just want to be average/ordinary? Seriously.
Originally Posted By dshyates Yep, One day I want to be average. Now, I'm one underachieving mother F'er.
