Originally Posted By davewasbaloo I don't think anyone disputes that all companies are feeling it, including Disney (and this is an international problem, not just an American one). My beef is on the actions they are taking to try to resolve the situation. The annual meeting was down right uninspiring/borderline banile in the creativity department, and that is even more worrysome.
Originally Posted By fkurucz << If our entire country is hurting (which...it seems is the popular belief) then why should WDW be immune to that?>> If anything they should be more susceptible to it, as they sell a pricey luxury product/service, which many increasingly see as overpriced. DLR, being more "populist" will probably fare better than WDW. Still its one thing to get clicks at the gate and another to get people to spend money once they are inside. It would be interesting to see what dining patterns are doing at DLR and WDW. Are people chowing down more on burgers than in the past? Are they skipping on ice cream and other ODV products, perhaps subbing these with treats brought in from outside. Last summer we had breakfast at Carnation Cafe and I was surprised at how empty it was. Maybe guests are chosing to have the lame but free breakfast at the hotel more than in years past? We stayed at a suites hotel that trip and the CC breakfast was the only one we didn't have in our kitchennete that trip.
Originally Posted By bobbelee9 We were in a mall on the outskirts of Boston yesterda, I thought it and the RainForest Cafe where we ate were quite crowded. Maybe it was the non-Irish escaping the St Patrick's Day parade in Boston. My daughters didn't think it was as crowded as they remembered for a Sunday, but lots of families were eating at RFC and people were carrying shopping bags.
Originally Posted By wahooskipper Sawgrass Mills Mall (one of the popular Mills chain): Saturday afternoon parking was scarce (they have thousands of parking spaces) and the mall was as crowded as during the holiday season. Now, I must admit, most of the people were of latin decent but if they are buying then American companies are benefitting.
Originally Posted By fkurucz <<Now, I must admit, most of the people were of latin decent but if they are buying then American companies are benefitting.>> You mean the retailers? Because just about everything sold at shopping malls these days is imported.
Originally Posted By fkurucz I also love all this anecdotal evidence that everything is OK. My recommendation: check the financials for all the national retailers. Most are suffering big time. Ditto with restaurant chains.
Originally Posted By Sport Goofy << My recommendation: check the financials for all the national retailers. Most are suffering big time. Ditto with restaurant chains. >> Except for Wal-Mart and McDonalds.
Originally Posted By -em >>I also love all this anecdotal evidence that everything is OK.<< Ive seen too many big wigs wandering today to know things are okay... I think its going to be a rough week in my area -em
Originally Posted By fkurucz <<Except for Wal-Mart and McDonalds.>> It seems like everyone is jumping onto the dollar menu bandwagon. I wonder why?
Originally Posted By trekkeruss <<It seems like everyone is jumping onto the dollar menu bandwagon. I wonder why?>> I'm on the dollar menu bandwagon because I can't see spending a minimum of $5.19 on a "value" meal. That doesn't seem like a value to me at all.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<Sawgrass Mills Mall (one of the popular Mills chain): Saturday afternoon parking was scarce (they have thousands of parking spaces) and the mall was as crowded as during the holiday season. Now, I must admit, most of the people were of latin decent but if they are buying then American companies are benefitting.>> That mall (also my local mall) is ALWAYS busy for the most part. And except during weekends and holidays, the vast majority of guests are wealthy Central and South Americans spending like there's no tomorrow. That hasn't really changed much. I have noticed more vacancies then in past years, but they seem to be filling them quickly ... and they haven't lost an anchor, which is big. Of course, they do have eyesores where Wolfgang Puck Cafe and Hard Rock Cafe closed shop years ago. And seeing that modeling scam locale where Ghirardelli once served great ice cream is enough to bring tears to these eyes. But all you have to do is go to any strip center or small shopping area in South Florida to see how bad things are. ~Recession? I think you mean depression~
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<Except for Wal-Mart and McDonalds.>> Don't forget Dollar Stores. Tomorrow McD's have buy one quarter pounder with cheese and get the second for a quarter ... haven't had one of them since ... maybe the last century. I'm thinking of stopping by. ~I Deserve a Break Today~
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<If they mess with you -em, they mess with all of us!>> Exactly. And I am one Spirit you really don't want to mess with. ~Make my day ... ~
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<It seems like everyone is jumping onto the dollar menu bandwagon. I wonder why?>> I am sure the economy has nothing to do with it. People have just decided that McDouble's and McChicken's are damn good 'eatin. Yeah. That's it ... <<I'm on the dollar menu bandwagon because I can't see spending a minimum of $5.19 on a "value" meal. That doesn't seem like a value to me at all.>> Compared to WDW it is a huge value. ~Old enough to remember when value meals started in 1991 they were all $2.99~
Originally Posted By trekkeruss I hadn't had a 1/4 pounder w/cheese in eons either, but I had a couple today because I had a coupon, two for $3.00; marginally cheaper than getting a second for 25ยข, since one will set you back $2.99. BTW, I didn't eat both; I gave the second one to my dog.
Originally Posted By fkurucz <<I am sure the economy has nothing to do with it. People have just decided that McDouble's and McChicken's are damn good 'eatin.>> I do like a Spicy McChicken once in a blue moon. From what I have read the dollar menus at the varous fast food chains now account for a major percentage of their sales. Even KFC is touting its new dollar menu.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 <<Except for Wal-Mart and McDonalds.>> Don't forget Dollar Stores. Tomorrow McD's have buy one quarter pounder with cheese and get the second for a quarter ... haven't had one of them since ... maybe the last century. I'm thinking of stopping by. ~I Deserve a Break Today~ Spirit - I can tell you this -- remember the Arch Deluxe ? I can tell you when prepared right that was an excellent sandwhich. My wife was at corporate at the time it rolled out and they prepared them at the restaurant that's inside HQ on Jorie - and they were amazing - thick peppered bacon - dijon, potato roll- the problem was the goofs they had in the field made them like crap- it was like it was a different sandwhich. some of their products not bad ( some awful) - prep makes a difference
Originally Posted By vbdad55 however I gave up hamburgers and fries for lent ( I should have given up food period) - funny thing was 10 minutes after posting that on facebook- I get a wall writer from a VP @ McD that we knew ( actually I grew up with) telling me " giving up burgers and fries - you're killing me- LOL !
