Originally Posted By danyoung >The reason why DL (and the MK) were built was so families could have fun together.< I've talked about this recently in another thread, but I think this concept from Walt himself has been misconstrued. It's not that Disney parks need to have all rides available to all ages - it's that there's a PLACE where families can have fun. Right from the start in '55 there was a carousel, which is no big fun for the average adult. Then you had the Matterhorn in '59 that kept smaller kids out. Sure, there are many attractions that a family can experience together, and that's a very cool thing. But I don't think that was a mandate from Walt, to make sure the most rides could be enjoyed by all ages at once. And I'm sure looking forward to the trip report of TDLFAN and the Spirit terrorizing Asian lands together!
Originally Posted By DVC_dad <<<if only you parted with you Post-Wells DVC mentality and stayed at WDW the good old fashioned and traditional ways, I'd be more respectful.>>> Yes yes I know. But, going two and three times a year, it's just easier. Having 6 almost 7 kids, it's just easier to have a washer and dryer in the room. Now that the Dinig Plan is available for DVC'ers, it makes sense for me. The financial aspect, can be argued, but the convenience for ME, is unquestionable. Sadly, It's the best deal for me. However it seems that someday the DVC is going to quit selling. What then? Will these resorts be able to maintain themselves? Will it be a huge balloon that bursts and there goes the neighborhood? I don't know. But for now, I love the convenience.
Originally Posted By DVC_dad One more parting shot. Does anyone feel that the company is a little more exposed now to a buy out or takeover? That was the one thing that I always felt Michael was actually able to protect us from, during his..."reign" as CEO, and Chairperson IMHO. Back in the day the Disney sharholder was a very company minded, pride filled, stubborn person, but now HE is a computer vendor, gadget maker, Pixar promoter, and loves to wear black, whlie making speeches to geeks who "oooh" and "ahhhh." I wonder if Steve Jobs lays awake at night trying to figure out ways to marry Disney and Apple.
Originally Posted By RoadTrip New definition of an 'intellectual': a person that agrees with you. ;-)
Originally Posted By Mrs ElderP Sorry to hijack this thread, but every time I read the title I start singing Flashdance... "Where have all the good men gone and where.... " and so on and so on. Thanks guys! I now return you to your regularly schedualed thread.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<Honestly, somewhere the company lost it's soul. Personally, I think it was when Frank Wells died. >> I kinda feel the same way. Frank balanced Michael much the same way Roy balanced Walt. Both partnerships were amazingly fruitful both creatively and financially. I also feel that Eisner's health issues, his getting ABC (a dream for him, apparently he wanted more than a Fastpass or Dream Lanyard!), Euro Disney's financial struggles ... and well, paranoia that drove quality execs from the company in droves ... they all began a downward trend in 1994-95 that has kept on keeping on. I've maintained for a long time that Eisner should have gracefully stepped aside at the opening of DAK and left his legacy largely intact and positive. By staying on for another six years he damged the company and his own legacy a whole lot. 9/11 is no excuse ... WDW was already a bloated mess by the 2000-01 timeframe. It just allowed Disney (like many other companies) to make further cuts in quality and employee benefits etc ... under the guise of having no other choice.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 Great story, hopemax. It also illustrates a HUGE difference in a man like Frank Wells and men like Jay Rasulo. Do you know the ONLY time Rasulo ever visits the parks is for press events and investors conferences? Do you know he has no particular fondess for the parks and resorts? Some close to him say he doesn't even like them. Can you imagine being the head of Disney's empire of parks and NOT enjoying them or appreciating them beyond what they bring into the company in terms of revenue and profit?!?! Do you know that many execs only come out of their offices when they absolutely have to? For instance, since Phil Holmes realized his head was on the chopping block, he's suddenly been seen in the MK chatting up CMs. He's also done a lot of cross-country flying to DL where he's been 'ohhhing and ahhhing' over how much better the attractions and entertainment are on that coast. What's also sad is how many (not all, certainly) Disney execs are so ... well, ordinary when you meet them in the light. They aren't smarter than you or I. They aren't better judges of what works and what doesn't. They aren't better in dealing with people (this one is laughable). They just have the power. And that's what needs to change. It can. Just look at what's happened at DL. What's happened at the Studios ... and what's happening at WDI. Heck, look at the change in execs at Epcot ... for the first time since George Kalogridis replaced Greg Emmer in 1995 ... that park now has quality leadership at the top. So it isn't impossible. But people need to care. People need to be vocal (especially those DVCers). When something isn't acceptable, they need to take time out of their magical WDW vacation and point it out at guest realtions ... and not take a free character dinner to walk away ... even if that exchange winds up being an ugly one that they'll remember when they get home. Change can't happen if good people simply stand around ignoring things or think it's hopeless. It's really as simple as that.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<Does anyone else here miss the awesome Magic shop that used to be there?>> I'll do you one better. Do you remember back in the 70s and 80s when there were TWO magic shops at the MK? One on Main Street and one in Fantasyland. <<One of my favorite places. And now they are also getting rid of the castle shop as well?!?!? The pewter and crystal figurines there were just awesome.>> Yeah, they were. But they won't bring in the money the Jon-Benet Boutique will.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<And I'm sure looking forward to the trip report of TDLFAN and the Spirit terrorizing Asian lands together!>> Not half as much as I am, Danny! I really need something to re-energize my love for all that is Mouse. I am quite sure that between HKDL, TDL and TDS, I will come back that way. Of course, then you might REALLY see me doing a rip job on WDW!
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<New definition of an 'intellectual': a person that agrees with you.>> That's always been my Spirited definintion, Trippy!
Originally Posted By hopemax > Do you know that many execs only come out of their offices when they absolutely have to? It's not just the execs. Ask the people that work in the Splash Mountain shops how often they see their manager. All the way down to the lowest level of management and you will find people holing away wherever they can, rather than get out their and interact with the CMs or guests. And what's sad, is that Disney is trying so hard to make money, that they slash and burn, but they do nothing about making sure that when it's raining more than one register is selling ponchos, even when the line is 20 deep. Or that more than one person in Mickey's of Hollywood will make sure the pin rack is stocked. (These are two stories I have heard recently from the "front lines.") The whole place is so inefficient that even the "Disney is a business" crowd should be frustrated...money is walking out the door because people can't be bothered to actually work, at work.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 ^^Great point ... and one that I've made at times. WDW's parks and resorts aren't being operated nearly to their potential from a financial standpoint. There are so many easy 'fixes' that I can think of that literally could bring in millions of dollars. (No, I won't offer them up because I am not in the business of giving companies free consulting when they pay others millions of dollars for -- usually bad advice too!) One example of how bad show is costing them good $$$ too is the redo of Main Street to one giant WoD store. Shoplifting there has gone waaaay up because the Emporium really doesn't end until you hit Casey's now. So you have people walking the length of Main Street with their 'purchases' ... to steal from here would be easy to a child who 'accidentally' walks out with a toy. And to a pro? Hah. That's just one example ... and I can pull them from all over property too, but since this thread is about the MK, I'll try and limit it to that.
Originally Posted By hopemax Those reminds me of two more stories I heard recently. One, security did manage to apprehend a group of 20 or so international student guests who were working as an organized shoplifting ring. There was a recent meeting for Adventureland, Frontierland, Liberty Square to deal with the problem of disappearing money. They brought in the OC police and said that if you turn yourself in now, no charges will be filled...and SEVERAL people turned themselves in. A former head of HR, should be qualified to handle the second problem, and get better staff, right? ;-)
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<New definition of an 'intellectual': a person that agrees with you.>> "That's always been my Spirited definintion, Trippy!" Just wanted to add something since I didn't add the ;-) to the end of that. To me, the real definition of an intellectual is someone who can engage me in an intelligent dialogue, whether they agree or disagree, and avoid all the pratfalls of the ignorant (attacking me instead of my point, name-calling, saying something isn't true because they never experienced it etc ...)
Originally Posted By bobbelee9 <<<BUT someone in the company woke up and realized that hey, we can make even MORE money for the stockholders by riasing prices, >>> Yup as a stock holder I'm rolling in the money I make off Disney, $.27 per share last year.
Originally Posted By bobbelee9 <<< I also visit my sites after I develop a solution, afterall, if I didn't, how would I know what works and what doesn't?>>> I wish that attitude was contagious.
Originally Posted By DVC_dad No one gets wealthy off of dividends, that's not even what owning stock is about. I would bet that most Disney stock holders are in very loooong term. Many of them just like having DIS in their portfolio.
Originally Posted By bobbelee9 You got it, I originally got 15 shares in 87 only because it was Disney. I'm way too nervous to play the market. It's split twice, so now I have 180. I'm torn between wanting the stock to go down so I can get another 20, just to make it even. Silly daughter says sell 80 to make it even. That's coming from someone who's daughters have more shares than I do. LOL!
Originally Posted By bayrr326 <<WDW's parks and resorts aren't being operated nearly to their potential from a financial standpoint. There are so many easy 'fixes' that I can think of that literally could bring in millions of dollars. (No, I won't offer them up because I am not in the business of giving companies free consulting when they pay others millions of dollars for -- usually bad advice too!)>> It is funny you say that cause we all know Disney often checks these forums and many people offer ideas that make sense but for some reason the people who are getting paid to run the business can't seem to figure out. There are so many obvious fixes that would make them way more money and at the same time provide a better experience for guests. But we fans shouldn't have to come up with those ideas.
Originally Posted By bayrr326 Whenever we get a thread like this some people are accused of being nostalgic fanboys. When we first came to WDW back in 85 and 86 we would end every night in the MK at BTMR trying to time it right to get that last ride of the night. I remember how cool it was to walk out of the practically deserted park at the end of the night all quiet except for the barker bird at the Tiki room. I also remember there being no trash on the ground. There were many custodial cast member out vacuuming, sweeping and grabbing stray strollers. The thing is the park was kept clean all day and this was during June when the park was packed. It wasn't allowed to fall apart as the day goes on as it seems it is now. Or people use the excuse that the park is busy and they can't keep up with the trash. That is bull cause they used to do that. The magic is still there in places. I have had the joy of taking 3 people to MK for the first time(My 28 yr old girlfriend who has never been to Disney before and her 2 kids) and they were amazed but part me wished they could see how it was when i first saw it.
