You're right, BDD.
When this change was announced, I wrote that I can't understand why Disney didn't just go to a continuous 12-month rolling window. Maybe it's because of their Rube-Goldberg-Machine IT systems. But yeah, it's a helluva way to run a railroad.
Bama Ed
1. Alas, it is NOT the system.
2. The system is a Las Vegas hotel reservation and database program.
. . . it's literal copy.
. . . this is why the database is not changed.
. . . too complicated to change or do a major upgrade.
. . . it would cost many thousands of dollars to alter the database formats
. . . only the Front End "GUI" (aka: Graphic User Interface) gets upgrades.
. . . after an initial input, the operator goes to a "green screen" character system.
. . . think: the old DOS programs before Windows or Apple
3. This change was directed by Chapek and his GANG.
4. It is meant to control the ressie methodology (aka: weekdays vs weekends).
. . . with a ROLLING 500-day window, there is no convenient time to alter.
. . . when done at one time, the pricing/scheduling can be easily managed.
NOTE: Maybe Iger will change it back (Hope, Hope, Hope!).