Steve has posted the latest Walt Disney World CM free gift. It’s a poster celebrating the 50 years of themepark dominence by the Walt Disney Company. Topped by the original park, Disneyland and including the four other locations around the world that Disney has expanded this concept. I note a few errors here. First Disneyland’s… Read More »Pic of CM only poster for Disneyland’s 50th Celebration
This is too good of a story to pass up. The founder of the Playboy empire, Hugh Heffner, paid a visit to Walt Disney World as part of his pre-superbowl fun. "I think he [Walt] would have every reason to be proud," Hefner said. "I think he’s had a very positive impact on the world.… Read More »Playboy Bunnies at The World
The Osceola County Tourist Development Council wants you to know that the area just south and east of Walt Disney World is ready to receive your tourist dollars. As such, they’re launching an advertising campaign to draw tourists away from the higher end resorts of the Disney World and International Drive areas to their more… Read More »Kissimmee-St. Cloud, where’s that?
Despite improved attendance numbers, apples to apples profit numbers reveal that the parks are having their worst years since the 80s. I’m sure the number crunchers up in Burbank have better models than me, but since you asked… the company is now reaping what it has sowed. The 90s were supposed to be the Disney Decade at the Themeparks. Instead we saw cuts in attraction budgets, a reliance on the cheaper (sometimes! remember the expensive mistake that was Light Magic) entertainment, cuts in training, and an across the board slashing of maintenance budgets. Not only has this resulted in death and injury at the theme parks, but it affected Disney brand as the top quality family entertainment vacation destination.
On the heels of the recent contract votes for the unions representing almost half of the WDW workforce, Disney World’s Security is in negotiations over some of the same details (higher healthcare costs, overtime, etc) that were the sticking points with the larger group. As before the union leaders have recommended that the workers accept… Read More »WDW Unionized Security rejects Contract
While some headlines out there are screaming about Disney World’s $5 price increase for a one day ticket, the real story is the unique customization that is available now. With the new a la carte pricing structure they call "Magic Your Way" Disney World has made the extended stay much more affordable. LaughingPlace.com has an easy to follow chart with the new pricing options. Everything goes into effect on Jan. 2, 2005.
The new system isn’t really much more complicated than the old system. It will require more advanced planning on the vacationer’s part. So talking with a travel expert, visiting an online Disney fan site, or DisneyWorld.com becomes more important. It is possible that someone won’t understand the system fully and be suprised by the extra charges for park hopping, non-expiration date, etc. I’m sure Disney is counting on a little of this to pad their profit margin.
Planning a vacation to Disney World soon and want to know if there will be a strike when you get there? You might want to call Disney and let them know you expect them to settle with the unions and preserve your vacacation.
At lot of the talk around the union is that why would someone working at the park making $7.00 an hour want to strike. Do they expect to earn a living working at Dumbo or the fast food counter. The reality is no. They do not. Most are part time employees, people who are supplimenting their income, or dedicated Disney fans of some sort. These employees probably didn’t even vote in the election, and if they did they were probably among the ‘yes’ votes as their income would be severly impacted by a strike.
My sense is the people who voted no on this contract are the people who have the highest skilled jobs (some require special training or licenses). These positions include Bus Drivers, Characters, Housekeeping. Their pay scales have been structured in such a manner that if you work 4-5 years in a position you’re now earning what could be a decent wage ($13-$15/hr). If you throw in a little overtime and have two wage earners in the household you could even do quite nicely in parts of Orlando/Kissimmee.
Joe Lane, over at Themepark Insider, reviews Disney World’s newest attraction and writes about the less than big splash it’s making. Stitch’s Great Escape is an updating of the original Mission to the Moon attractin in WDW’s Tommorowland. It became Mission to Mars, then Alien Encounter (Disney’s first PG-13 rated attraction), and has recently been… Read More »A Stitch in Time?