Disney Parks laying off 28,000 cast members

[BrianL]

Right! Being stalked by a (disco) Yeti is pretty terrifying!

Exactly. EE would be a bit more of a coaster with no theming, but it still wouldn't be all that great. Disney rides thoguh transport you to places - a mining ghost town, the forbidden mountian, outer space! Rides at Six Flags just don't do that.

 

[mshanson3121]

But the mechanics aren't the entire experience - at least for some of us. Yeah, you can have a mechanical contraption toss you around anywhere, or, you know, ride in a car, but it's not the same. Space Mountain would be a pretty lame roller coaster if it didn't take place in outer space!

Yeah, for some people. My kids, when it comes to rides, honestly really don't care about themeing. They just care about: 1. How the ride makes them feel (mechanics) 2. How many times they can go on the ride they love, especially how many times in a row . And honestly, those criteria are filled a lot better at places other than Disney. As I said above, for us, Disney is about other things, the things you just can't get anywhere else

 

[BrianL]

Yeah, for some people. My kids, when it comes to rides, honestly really don't care about themeing. They just care about: 1. How the ride makes them feel (mechanics) 2. How many times they can go on the ride they love, especially how many times in a row . And honestly, those criteria are filled a lot better at places other than Disney. As I said above, for us, Disney is about other things, the things you just can't get anywhere else ♥

Yeah - I think kids at a certain age really become all about the thrills and a park where they can ride again and again is going to appeal to them more. They'll come back around though.

 

[mshanson3121]

Yeah - I think kids at a certain age really become all about the thrills and a park where they can ride again and again is going to appeal to them more. They'll come back around though.

We finally got them past wanting to go to the local carnival (thank you!!!!!), so hopefully we're moving in the right direction

 

[ford91exploder]

Thats actually the sweet spot right now. If Universal were smart theyd push ahead rather than retreating.

Here's the thing UNI is continuing to work on it's new experiences and lands, Of course not at the same pace as pre-Covid but unlike Disney who whacked the 'Emergency Stop' button. Their new lands and experiences are still under construction but at a much slower pace.

UNI also needed to lay off staff but they did not eliminate entire departments as Disney did. Universal tried to keep their 'full time' cadre intact so they could rapidly expand once the Covid threat is behind them. Disney just hacked and slashed and fired much loved and VISIBLE cast members who likely drove tens of thousands of visits to Disney just to see them.

UNI realizes that Covid is temporary and they are looking to grab the customers looking for immersive lands and experiences like the HPL expansions and Nintendo land.

It's Universal who I think who will create those nostalgic moments for tween's and teens that result in multigenerational brand loyalty.

Disney parks has had a desperate 'going out of business' vibe for a long time, This time they might actually succeed.

Especially with this level of cuts - Disney may have just killed the golden goose called 'brand loyalty' for too many people.

 

[ford91exploder]

What is an attraction and an entire Land @ford91explorer has never experienced-since it opened in 2018.

View attachment 538746

That would be both the post apocalyptic Star Wars Land and Toy Story land and Pandora, However all of them have sufficient pictures on the web to comment on relative attractiveness and construction quality.

 

[Eric Smith]

Here's the thing UNI is continuing to work on it's new experiences and lands, Of course not at the same pace as pre-Covid but unlike Disney who whacked the 'Emergency Stop' button. Their new lands and experiences are still under construction but at a much slower pace.

UNI also needed to lay off staff but they did not eliminate entire departments as Disney did. Universal tried to keep their 'full time' cadre intact so they could rapidly expand once the Covid threat is behind them. Disney just hacked and slashed and fired much loved and VISIBLE cast members who likely drove tens of thousands of visits to Disney just to see them.

UNI realizes that Covid is temporary and they are looking to grab the customers looking for immersive lands and experiences like the HPL expansions and Nintendo land.

It's Universal who I think who will create those nostalgic moments for tween's and teens that result in multigenerational brand loyalty.

Disney parks has had a desperate 'going out of business' vibe for a long time, This time they might actually succeed.

Especially with this level of cuts - Disney may have just killed the golden goose called 'brand loyalty' for too many people.

There’s a Universal board here where you might feel more at home based in this. Also, universal has put their new park on an indefinite hold so not too different from Disney there.

 

[DL1WDW2]

I miss Osborne Spectacle and kind of get that vibe at Universal Studios since it is a smaller park with lots of alleyways and villages to wander thru. They really decorate big time(in past...) and can give holiday layovers much easier.
At MK I feel Main Street is decorated but not so much rest of park.
I think Holiday Grinch is more fun to experience than Mickey& Minnie .
But this year anything is better than nothing and will be thankful for Disney and Universal , etc.

 

[MickeyWaffles]

That would be both the post apocalyptic Star Wars Land and Toy Story land and Pandora, However all of them have sufficient pictures on the web to comment on relative attractiveness and construction quality.

Yeah, sorry. If you haven’t experienced it you really can’t make an informed judgment based on pictures and YouTube videos alone. I will give initial reactions to things when I see them online, but hold off on my final opinion about them until I experience them for myself.

And while Slinky an exposed coaster, it’s themed so much more than anything at Six Flags.

Slinky is an integral part of the atmosphere in Toy Story Land. Seeing Slinky gliding by as you’re walking through is a part of the theming. It’s part of what makes it feel like you’re in Andy’s backyard. Disney’s lands are created with so much more intention than Six Flags.

Six Flags coasters just exist to throw you over drops and toss you around.

 

[sullivan.kscott]

Exactly. EE would be a bit more of a coaster with no theming, but it still wouldn't be all that great. Disney rides thoguh transport you to places - a mining ghost town, the forbidden mountian, outer space! Rides at Six Flags just don't do that.

And, often times, it starts in the queue. Now, there are some impressive lines in Universal (Kong, HP, and Mummy really stand out to us), but Disney is just more consistent with it, IMO. For every half-hearted Speedway line there’s an incredibly themed and thought out Dumbo. Universal’s streetscape is beautiful and their more recent updates are well done, but MIB and all of Marvel Island queues felt way more “Six Flags” to us. Disney knows how to entertain their guests for an hour or more in the same switchbacks, SDD and AS2 aside.

 

[skeeter31]

Here's the thing UNI is continuing to work on it's new experiences and lands, Of course not at the same pace as pre-Covid but unlike Disney who whacked the 'Emergency Stop' button. Their new lands and experiences are still under construction but at a much slower pace.

UNI also needed to lay off staff but they did not eliminate entire departments as Disney did. Universal tried to keep their 'full time' cadre intact so they could rapidly expand once the Covid threat is behind them. Disney just hacked and slashed and fired much loved and VISIBLE cast members who likely drove tens of thousands of visits to Disney just to see them.

UNI realizes that Covid is temporary and they are looking to grab the customers looking for immersive lands and experiences like the HPL expansions and Nintendo land.

It's Universal who I think who will create those nostalgic moments for tween's and teens that result in multigenerational brand loyalty.

Disney parks has had a desperate 'going out of business' vibe for a long time, This time they might actually succeed.

Especially with this level of cuts - Disney may have just killed the golden goose called 'brand loyalty' for too many people.

Universal postponed their new park for the forseeable future and is only working on the Veloci-coaster, just like Disney is working on GotG, Rat, and Tron. So Universal absolutely “whacked the Emergency Stop Button” as you stated. As for Universal’s layoffs, they happened earlier than Disney’s, and most likely aren’t over either. Universal tried to hold out, but they’ll probably see a drastic decrease in attendance after the holidays as well and don’t have the capital to ride it out like Disney.

As for HPL and Nintendo land expansions, not sure what you’re talking about there. Hagrid opened pre-COVID and Nintendo in Florida was going to be part of Epic Universe which is now shelved for a while.

 

[rteetz]

That would be both the post apocalyptic Star Wars Land and Toy Story land and Pandora, However all of them have sufficient pictures on the web to comment on relative attractiveness and construction quality.

Pictures don’t do everything justice.

 

[afan]

Yeah, sorry. If you haven’t experienced it you really can’t make an informed judgment based on pictures and YouTube videos alone. I will give initial reactions to things when I see them online, but hold off on my final opinion about them until I experience them for myself.

And while Slinky an exposed coaster, it’s themed so much more than anything at Six Flags.

Slinky is an integral part of the atmosphere in Toy Story Land. Seeing Slinky gliding by as you’re walking through is a part of the theming. It’s part of what makes it feel like you’re in Andy’s backyard. Disney’s lands are created with so much more intention than Six Flags.

Six Flags coasters just exist to throw you over drops and toss you around.

Plus it's just super fun to ride. I could easily spend my day going from tsmm and slinky to give my arm a break. Slinky was themed and executed so well. It's a toy coaster in a kids backyard and you can tell when riding it because at least for me, it's such a different layout and experience than any other coaster I've been on. You can't help but smile when riding it or watching it go by.

The 6 flag argument is done and the dead horse needs to be left alone. No one's going to change anyone's mind.

 

[mshanson3121]

Disney parks has had a desperate 'going out of business' vibe for a long time, This time they might actually succeed.

Especially with this level of cuts - Disney may have just killed the golden goose called 'brand loyalty' for too many people.

They've had a greedy vibe going, but not even close to a "going out of business" vibe. Disney isn't going anywhere.

 

[ford91exploder]

There’s a Universal board here where you might feel more at home based in this. Also, universal has put their new park on an indefinite hold so not too different from Disney there.

Where did I say I preferred Universal to Disney, Thrill rides are not my thing. Periodic 'upset and spin/stall recovery training' in the Cessna provides far more than enough excitement for me.

As to their new park no it's not on indefinite hold as earthwork etc continues but of course they can't plan an opening date until Covid is eliminated as a threat and of course they are not moving on the property across I-4 but they really had done nothing but survey's there when Covid hit. So the park will open in phases, nothing wrong with that strategy it's a better one than STOP EVERYTHING until the earnings sheet is buffed up. because they will have things to open while Disney who went FULL STOP on everything so their financials would look better is pushiing dirt for 2-3 years.

 

[ford91exploder]

They've had a greedy vibe going, but not even close to a "going out of business" vibe. Disney isn't going anywhere.

The indefinitely closed ride spaces, poor maintenance, rides that break frequently, understaffed locations, worn/broken furniture and fixtures in the resorts. How does that not feel like 'going out of business' except for the exponentially increasing prices as you point out.

 

[ford91exploder]

Plus it's just super fun to ride. I could easily spend my day going from tsmm and slinky to give my arm a break. Slinky was themed and executed so well. It's a toy coaster in a kids backyard and you can tell when riding it because at least for me, it's such a different layout and experience than any other coaster I've been on. You can't help but smile when riding it or watching it go by.

The 6 flag argument is done and the dead horse needs to be left alone. No one's going to change anyone's mind.

But Disney == Six Flags is the LAST comparison Disney wants to hear on social media, You are correct in that no one's mind will be changed but perhaps it lights a small fire under someone at Disney who then does something guest friendly to disprove the comparison.

 

[afan]

But Disney == Six Flags is the LAST comparison Disney wants to hear on social media, You are correct in that no one's mind will be changed but perhaps it lights a small fire under someone at Disney who then does something guest friendly to disprove the comparison.

Then go make the argument where Disney will find it, because it's not clearly not here.

 

[ford91exploder]

Then go make the argument where Disney will find it, because it's not clearly not here.

At home we are getting carpet bombed with Disney promotional literature which goes straight into the shredder mainly because I'm too lazy to write 'refused - return to sender' (incidentally that costs the sender the full postal charges all over again)

If enough of us could resist the urge for a Disney fix Disney might actually start caring about the customers again, Sadly to get the best 'Disney' experience it's necessary to visit Japan. Which after Covid I will probably do as we could use a 'old school Disney quality' fix. It's sad that the only parks which maintain Walt Disney's ethos are those NOT OWNED by Disney.

 

[Eric Smith]

Where did I say I preferred Universal to Disney, Thrill rides are not my thing. Periodic 'upset and spin/stall recovery training' in the Cessna provides far more than enough excitement for me.

As to their new park no it's not on indefinite hold as earthwork etc continues but of course they can't plan an opening date until Covid is eliminated as a threat and of course they are not moving on the property across I-4 but they really had done nothing but survey's there when Covid hit. So the park will open in phases, nothing wrong with that strategy it's a better one than STOP EVERYTHING until the earnings sheet is buffed up. because they will have things to open while Disney who went FULL STOP on everything so their financials would look better is pushiing dirt for 2-3 years.

Oh really?
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.wesh.com/amp/article/universals-epic-universe-on-hold/33474939Disney also hasn’t gone “full stop” on everything. The Epcot construction is still happening, they are still working on Tron, GOTG and Ratatouille in WDW, and they’re also still working on Avengers campus in Disneyland.