A new opinion poll from Reuters/Ipsos forecasts a rough road to recovery for two of The Walt Disney Company’s largest money makers – the Disney Parks, Resorts and Experiences division and its movie studios. This is bad news for Disney’s business model. According to the… Read More »New Opinion Poll Spells Trouble for Disney’s Business Model
Update: Thursday March 12 – Disneyland in Anaheim, CA has announced it will close through at least the end of March. Disney has released a statement from its Chief Medical Officer Dr. Pamel Hymel regarding how the parks and resorts are handling the Coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic… Read More »Disney Parks releases statement on Coronavirus / COVID-19 as it keeps Disneyland and Walt Disney World open
The fairy-tale is over and the presidential election in the USA is all but decided at this point. Forecasters have tried to imagine what President Trump would mean for domestic and global economic conditions. In almost all cases, the results aren’t pretty. Some predictions, for… Read More »What’s next for Disney’s domestic parks after the election
New trouble for Disneyland Paris comes in the shape of an investigative probe looking at how the resort’s pricing policies discriminate against some members of the European Union. Under European law, companies cannot offer one price to one country and then prevent a citizen of… Read More »Disneyland Paris being investigated for illegal ticket restrictions
Shanghai Disneyland is beginning to tease mainland locals with details of the new park. The first trailer features elements of Fantasyland. Viewers are advised that even more details will be released at an event on July 15, 2015. This trailer features some footage from Disney’s… Read More »Teaser Trailer for Shanghai Disneyland Fantasyland
Disneyland is confirmed as the number one theme park destination in the Western U.S., a major source of tourism tax revenue, and a supporter of more than 55,000 jobs in the southern California region. Results of an economic impact study by Arduin, Laffer & Moore… Read More »Study: Disneyland drives more than $5.7 billion economic activity in Southern California
Cast Members warm up as part of 2011 fitness training at Walt Disney World
A bit of good news for the cast of Disney’s domestic theme parks and their guests. The starting hourly wage of the entry level cast member could be rising to $10.00. According to a report in Bloomberg news, the 25% raise would roll out over two years. Last week, Disney made the offer to the Service Trade Council, a group of labor unions that represents almost half of Walt Disney World’s employees.
I see a couple of factors behind this offer. First, there is a nationwide push to raise the minimum wage to $10.10. Disney can show that companies can make this leap on their own by making this move now. Second, Disney has successfully recovered from the down economy and reported record profit last year; $6.6 billion is a lot of Disney dollars. Third, Disney has been investing a ton of money in capital improvements, they have to balance that with some concern for the personnel side of the ledger too.
Of course, there are concessions Disney wants from the unions in return. Switching from Pensions to 401(k) style retirement plans is one. I’m sure there are many others. But hey, that’s what collective bargaining is all about.
There’s one big reason for the offer that Bloomberg doesn’t mention, the Orlando labor market is once again becoming very competitive. In February of 2014 it dipped to 5.5% unemployment rate. That’s nearing the 4% that’s typically considered full-employment (everyone who wants to be working is). Wage inflation is one result of low unemployment, so Disney might be forced to raise wages, even if they weren’t negotiating a new contract with its employees.Read More »Disney Theme Park Entry Level Wages to Climb to $10 an Hour
Locals who visit Disneyland all the time, already know most of best places to buy affordable eats at the resort. But economy-minded vacationers might want to consult this list featuring a long menu of delicious items all for under $10. There’s lots more than popcorn, hot… Read More »How to eat on the cheap at Disneyland