Originally Posted By bayrr326 Even though Universal is still building new projects(even though it seems they are taking their merry time with Harry Potter) they have made cutbacks in their operations. This past Sunday even though both parks were fairly busy they were only running one side of Mummy, one screen on The Simpsons ride, 2 trains on Hulk(that is the first time I have ever seen that and I have been on days the park was pretty dead) and only 1 train on each side of Dueling Dragons(which I have only seen when the park is dead). This of course caused lines to be way longer than they should have been. I was very disappointed by this. However, they have really stepped up this year with their holiday offerings. Grinchmas was back bigger and better than ever. The makeup on the Who's was really good and there were even more decorations than before but they really need to do something about where they stage the How the Grinch Stole Christmas show because it is just too small of an area and has too many trees blocking the view. The Macy's Holiday Parade seems to be bigger and the decorations seem to be more elaborate at the Studios. SeaWorld doesn't seem to have cutback there operations staffing at all that I noticed.
Originally Posted By RoadTrip <<Indeed. It has nothing to do with millions of mortgages given to people who cannot possibly pay them back, or the deluge of credit card debt that was accumulated and can't be paid back>> Dumbazz... And of course NONE of these people had ANY IDEA that they would never be able to pay their mortgage. Right. Californian huh?
Originally Posted By avromark The only thing I can add is that there is a few American based banks bombarding us with offers for credit cards right now. Guess they see us as a "new" market? Funny how they never bothered before this happened. Nah, I think I'll keep my cards with the institutions they're with now. My friend who works at one of those credit card call centres tells me that they call people who pay their balance in full dead beats. Guess I'm a dead beat.
Originally Posted By barboy Mr X.....""Spare a dime??? Sure, buy four of my apples and I'll loan you back the 10 cents"" Spirit.... ""There's New York millionaires selling apples too"" Mr X.....""You mean ex- millionaires don't you"" Sorry, but I couldn't resist since this is the WDW(EPCOT's American Adventure) section LOL!
Originally Posted By MPierce >> I'm trying to see how this affects things like HoP, Space Mountain and Star Tours 2.0 but if I am understanding it correctly those projects may all be on hold for now as well. << They might not do the extensive refurb on HoP like was planned, but surely they have to add President Elect Obama. >> There are two big 'names' at WDI who may be on the way out ... one who would be a HUGE blow to WDW if he goes. << Voluntary? >> When at WDW next year look for attractions to become 'seasonal' ... you like things like CoP and the Swiss Family Treehouse and the Liberty Belle? I'd enjoy em in the next few weeks myself. << CoP, and SFT would go largely unnoticed by the general public. The loss of the Liberty Belle would stand out though. >> You think 9-5 is a short day at DAK? What if most of Africa and Asia didn't open until 10 and closed at 4 (except for Everest)? Yeah, on the table. << That will cause a sharp decline in attendance at that Park. That is not a very wise strategy at all. >> And don't be surprised at all if one resort gets mothballed for a while. At the very least, expect large chunks of the huge value and moderate resorts to be mothballed. << Probably the real Port Orleans again. >> I am so disgusted by the news that the quickee WDW holiday trip I was considering just got changed ... I think I'll still be able to get prime rib at Las Vegas buffets! << I love those buffets. They usually only end up costing me about $300 a meal. >> It's time to remember the magic because at this rate it will likely be many, many years before Disney offers any new magic in Florida. << The question then becomes, will anyone remember the Magic when the economy recovers? >> Sorry, but this is reality. << I don't go to WDW to experience reality!
Originally Posted By MPierce >> I mean seriously, what can we do? Are we going to send a torch and pitchfork mob? There is nothing we can do about this, so just enjoy what you have. << I can picture the mob scene from Frankenstien storming Cindy's Castle.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 OK ... I'm trying to steer clear of what obviously is going to denigrate into a nasty bout of LP shenanigans (always wanted to get that word into a post!) between the frozen tundra dude and the American in Japan. But I still had to jump on this post ... <<The stock market bottomed about thirty days ago. Yes, it lost a HUGE amount. But I think we've seen the worst.>> I don't. Not by a long shot. Just wait until the Christmas numbers come out and a slew of companies cease to exist or like Federated will likely do, just shutter hundreds of locations. I don't think things have gotten nearly as bad as they could. <<I truly don't know about the Yen thing. I never buy Sake. ;-)>> I'm thinking it may help! <<I do know that our exports are not doing as well as they had been because the dollar has recently gained against foreign currencies. I have no idea what is happening in Japan. They are truly a strange and wondrous nation. It’s not everyone who is stupid enough to attack America. So far it is Japan and Osama’s boys. Good company, huh?>> C'mon Trippy, don't you think putting Japan in with Osama in a 2008 context is a bit over the top (of say ... Mt. Fuji?) I could bring up Iraq here. I won't. I'll just say that Japan is a peaceful country that learned from the error of its ways as an aggressor nation seeking world military domination. Some other ex-world super powers could learn the same lesson.
Originally Posted By MPierce >> I went to my local Starbucks for my $3.56 iced latte today. I'm down to one a week from 3-4 for most of the past 3-4 years. << Do you extend your pinky finger when you sip from the cup? >> Couldn't help but notice the lineup of cars at the local McDonald's ... why? because in my very affluent community 49 cent hamburger/59 cent cheeseburger Sundays bring in folks who are splurging ... these are people who used to go and drop $200 or more on a weekend dinner just a year or two ago. << Fess up Spirit. How many cheeseburgers did you have?
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<Sure. It has nothing to do with offshoring, stagnant wages and burst financial bubbles.>> Exactly. Why is it the people who still are lucky enough to have their jobs, money and credit can't realize they are in the minority. For example when Bank of America says it's laying off 35,000 workers or when GM talks of idling 20 plants, where exactly do those people go to replace their jobs since we've been actively making ourselves into a service economy that manufactures nothing for years? Yeah lose the $75,000 a year job with benefits and replace it with an $8 an hour gig at Office Depot (before the go out of business) or Starbucks (before they close a few thousand locales because people can't afford the expensive java anymore) and everything will be just rosey ... you'll still have the same spending power and no one will take your credit away if you haven't had to max it out. I swear I sometimes feel like I'm talking with people who are living on a different planet ... Oh and Mr. X since you asked the $3.56 is the cost of a grande (that's medium to all you non-Starbucks drinkers) icded latte at most South Florida locations.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<Florida and Nevada are ground zero for the housing bubble collapse.>> Absolutely. What's staggering is how many new homes are sitting empty. Mini-McMansions really that once would have sold for a million and now no one will touch them for half that. What's scary is that a local Realtor told me the houses are now being sold to a lot of folks from China ... soon they will own us. <<I'm sure that a lot of those so callled "wealthy" people in Boca had their fortunes riding on the bubble.>> That's likely true to a large extent. I always thought that 'old money' was smart enough to be diversified and not have everything tied up in risky investments. But after watching some relatives of mine blow through obscene amounts of money in stupid investments, I guess people are just greedy ... and stupid.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<Even though Universal is still building new projects(even though it seems they are taking their merry time with Harry Potter) they have made cutbacks in their operations. This past Sunday even though both parks were fairly busy they were only running one side of Mummy, one screen on The Simpsons ride, 2 trains on Hulk(that is the first time I have ever seen that and I have been on days the park was pretty dead) and only 1 train on each side of Dueling Dragons(which I have only seen when the park is dead). This of course caused lines to be way longer than they should have been. I was very disappointed by this. However, they have really stepped up this year with their holiday offerings. Grinchmas was back bigger and better than ever. The makeup on the Who's was really good and there were even more decorations than before but they really need to do something about where they stage the How the Grinch Stole Christmas show because it is just too small of an area and has too many trees blocking the view. The Macy's Holiday Parade seems to be bigger and the decorations seem to be more elaborate at the Studios. SeaWorld doesn't seem to have cutback there operations staffing at all that I noticed. >> I've heard great things about Uni's holiday offerings this year. And even though my AP expired last year and I never renewed it, I could go for free thanks to friends ... but I am still leaning toward Vegas or staying home for the holidays. I have heard that both Uni and Busch are cutting back, but the difference is they still have an eye on the quality of their products and care about guest expectations. Disney doesn't. Busch has laid off employees (or plans to) right now at every division EXCEPT the theme parks. Again, the point I want to make crystal clear is that Disney doesn't have to do all this cutting, Rasulo and Staggs and WDW's 'leadership' team simply know no other way to operate. This isn't the 1990s and there's nothing left that can be cut.
Originally Posted By MPierce >> What's scary is that a local Realtor told me the houses are now being sold to a lot of folks from China ... soon they will own us. << That's what the Japanese thought they would do also. Everyone knows Americans are to obnoxious to live with.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 >> I'm trying to see how this affects things like HoP, Space Mountain and Star Tours 2.0 but if I am understanding it correctly those projects may all be on hold for now as well. << <<They might not do the extensive refurb on HoP like was planned, but surely they have to add President Elect Obama.>> No as far as I know the HoP redo is still on ... but they may delay it and just leave the attraction shuttered for another six months or year. When it is done it will be as planned. >> There are two big 'names' at WDI who may be on the way out ... one who would be a HUGE blow to WDW if he goes. << <<Voluntary?>> You know, dear minion, sometimes you get forced into 'voluntary' decisions ... be it by management decisions or office politics or the like. These two people I'm talking about would likely leave under 'voluntary' terms ... but smaller fish will be getting hooked and tossed with no such option. >> When at WDW next year look for attractions to become 'seasonal' ... you like things like CoP and the Swiss Family Treehouse and the Liberty Belle? I'd enjoy em in the next few weeks myself. << <<CoP, and SFT would go largely unnoticed by the general public. The loss of the Liberty Belle would stand out though.>> True, but maybe less so if you also closed TSI so there was no river traffic at all! >> You think 9-5 is a short day at DAK? What if most of Africa and Asia didn't open until 10 and closed at 4 (except for Everest)? Yeah, on the table. << <<That will cause a sharp decline in attendance at that Park. That is not a very wise strategy at all.>> Agreed. >> And don't be surprised at all if one resort gets mothballed for a while. At the very least, expect large chunks of the huge value and moderate resorts to be mothballed. << <<Probably the real Port Orleans again.>> Well, large chunks of CBR and Coronado are either closed for rehabs now or will be soon, so that helps I'm sure. But yeah, I could see them mothballing the entire PO for a longer period. >> I am so disgusted by the news that the quickee WDW holiday trip I was considering just got changed ... I think I'll still be able to get prime rib at Las Vegas buffets! << <<I love those buffets. They usually only end up costing me about $300 a meal.>> How?!??! Vegas buffets are some of the best deals around. They used to be steals until they started to Disneyfy the prices earlier this decade. Same consultants, likely. >> It's time to remember the magic because at this rate it will likely be many, many years before Disney offers any new magic in Florida. << <<The question then becomes, will anyone remember the Magic when the economy recovers?>> Do you believe anyone at Team Disney even contemplates that? >> Sorry, but this is reality. << <<I don't go to WDW to experience reality!>> Neither do I, which is likely why I visit far less than I did just 2-3 years ago!
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 >> I went to my local Starbucks for my $3.56 iced latte today. I'm down to one a week from 3-4 for most of the past 3-4 years. << <<Do you extend your pinky finger when you sip from the cup?>> Why yes, I do. You know me so well. >> Couldn't help but notice the lineup of cars at the local McDonald's ... why? because in my very affluent community 49 cent hamburger/59 cent cheeseburger Sundays bring in folks who are splurging ... these are people who used to go and drop $200 or more on a weekend dinner just a year or two ago. << <<Fess up Spirit. How many cheeseburgers did you have?>> In the interest of full disclosure I had a McDouble (that is the new replacement for the Double Cheesburger on the dollar menu ... same burger, just has one slice of cheese instead of two ... so you save 80 calories too!) ... I also had a side salad and a small Coke ... total paid $3.18 cash.
Originally Posted By MPierce >> You know, dear minion, sometimes you get forced into 'voluntary' decisions ... be it by management decisions or office politics or the like. << The old spend more time with the family routine. <<I love those buffets. They usually only end up costing me about $300 a meal.>> >> How?!??! << I keep pulling the handels on those cute little machines on the way to the serving line. >> Do you believe anyone at Team Disney even contemplates that? << Sadly I don't think they are thinking long term plans through at all anymore.
Originally Posted By MPierce >> True, but maybe less so if you also closed TSI so there was no river traffic at all! << That would be a shame. A peaceful spot when the chaos of the MK gets to you. I am very content just sitting on the porch of Aunt Polly's or watching the water wheelturn.
Originally Posted By Sport Goofy >> I went to my local Starbucks for my $3.56 iced latte today. I'm down to one a week from 3-4 for most of the past 3-4 years. << Interesting. The original poster is "slashing and burning" the amenities in his life, but feels compelled to lambast corporations when they make similar decisions on cost-cutting. Pot calling the kettle black, maybe?
Originally Posted By leobloom ^^Um, faulty analogy. Does Spirit charge people $79 to visit his house and up the price each year? (Although, make no mistake, I'm sure the Spirit's castle is quite a place!)
Originally Posted By avromark Yes but the real question, why would Spirit go to McD's and not order a Double Big Mac instead?
Originally Posted By MPierce The big difference there SG is that WDW is trying to draw people in, and intice them to spend their money. If I were in the entertainment business I would think of a way to maintain my entertainment value for my guest as a long term strategy. When you start cutting back like that, you never know if you're turning the future repeat visitors away for good.
