This sounds fair. I am an annual pass holder who lives in Florida, but I certainly want family from everywhere to be able to experience Disney. Why would that comment upset me?
Disney is ruined for us. We have had annual passes for20 years, living in VA and then living in Florida for 13 years. We moved to Maryland and due to Covid let our passes expire. Now we are spending months at a time vacationing in Florida but can’t get anything but daily passes. Disney world has always been so important to us and it breaks my heart.
I completely agree with his statements. From a commercial stand point it is a business and not a charity. If you’re only paying 700 bucks for an AP and you go every Saturday that’s only 13 bucks a visit.
We have paid that money into SSI for every year we worked it isn’t a given gift! I worked from 14 and paid my taxes to SSI every paycheck to have it returned to me upon my retirement. It is from Capitalism that we have SSI! So, Roo you are the uneducated snowflake regarding Social Security Insurance.
If social security was a form of socialism, everyone would get the same amount. Sooo, no, we pay into it, I will get double what my husband gets because I paid in more than he did. That is not the definition of socialism.
Of course if you could have invested all the money you paid in to the system over the years in a 401K then there is a pretty good chance you would be getting paid double what social security is going to pay you, not to mention being able to set youself up for lower expenses in retirement.
First of all he is not making the shareholders millions. The stock price is in the toilet. Maybe he is making insiders rich on the swings but long term investors in Disney are pretty much screwed.
Giving benefits to FL residents helps ensure those residents have a positive attitude toward Disney. This allows Disney to maintain many special exemptions from state laws which might otherwise impact Disney negatively financially speaking.
Currently the majority of parks customers are single couples without kids. They can afford the prices, and pricing the Denver family out of the market helps reduce the wait times in the lines.
I visit WDW once a year. I am now paying $15 per person per day for Fast Passes that were free five years ago. I pay much more to park hop and can’t do it before 2 pm. And I pay daily to park at my resort. Not positive guest experience changes.
The average family from Ohio or Kentucky or anywhere can’t afford to go to Disneyland anymore you pay for parking you pay for fast passes you have to make reservations you can’t park up unless you make reservations you’re always on your phone and with all the wokeness it’s not as magical as it used to be Disney was a place that you got away from The real world and now they brought the real world in it and at a price that I know I used to take my grandkids every year and I’ll never be able to take him again cuz it’s too expensive
Hence the shift away from catering to poor conservatives and shifting toward catering to wealthy couples who do not have kids. Woke is where the money is at.
The $700 “Enchant” AP has blocked out Every Saturday except 3 in Jan, 3 in Feb and 1 in Mar. Also blocked out are about 12 weeks during Summer, and Dec 21 to Jan 2. But sure, go every available Wednesday and your math almost works out.
The idea is that APs spend money on property and are a reliable source of income at lower traffic times.
At least, that was the idea until Bob jacked up food prices and dumped the quality, started picking fights with the governor, and generally became insufferable. I have an AP and refuse to spend money at Disney anymore.
Their AP discount is worthless, BTW. Universal’s covers nearly everything, Disney’s covers only table service restaurants.
I would believe him if they hadn’t taken away all the perks for the people who could only afford to visit the parks every two or three years. We are from Canada and went to Disney every two years but now the cost is double what was the last time we went. Disney world has been a destination for us and about 40 of our extended family but not anymore. I would love to visit every two years but find that unlikely at this time. I used to be a big promoter but not anymore!
As a guest that does only get to come once every couple years I have to agree. On our last trip we were not able to do things that we wished we could because we only had one day in each park, and the influencer and super crowd are taking up spots for things that the average guest should be able to do.
Lived here for many years. Mr. Chapek’s crisis for the hypothetical family from Denver never happened prior to HIS decision to limit park attendance and force use of the faulty reservation system. The parks only reached capacity a couple of times each year, and never all at once. Mr. Chapek is trying too hard to justify his broken system when every other theme park in Central Florida threw reservations by the wayside as soon as they realized it wasn’t necessary.
Yep. We used to go 2-3 times a week and it was never as bad as it is now. Now everyone is clamoring to get in so it’s a false shortage of space. The fast pass allowed for an easy alternate flow they decided to break and monetize. Then limits on park hopping forces more false shortage of space by keeping people in parks.
Agreed! The only time the parks really ever reached capacity was mostly Magic at Christmas time. AND Chapek seems to forget it was the DVC Members and the AP people who kept the park going in 2020 when they first reopened during the pandemic. People were afraid to travel and international travel was shut down. But we are the very people he is screwing with. We used to get AP’s every year, now we can’t afford them since he’s raised the prices so high!!
That’s actually not true. We visit from Canada every year, and our very worst experience was with a horrifically overcrowded park that was one of the worst experiences of our lives and that was almost a year to the day before Chapek took the wheel. Iger was already steering the sinking ship long before Chapek showed up.
Actually Bobby boy was running the parks at that time. He has been ruing the parks for quite awhile. Just now everyone knows who he is and what he is about. Now he can spread his destruction to the rest of the company.
DVC member and been there about 40 times since 2002, last time this past July– but now there is no way nor is it worth going more than 1 time every 2-3 years…too expensive, the quality is not worth the money and quite frankly- its not what it once was- highly considering selling off DVC after we have realized there so many beautiful places to see in the US that are alot cheaper yet magnificent. Sorry paycheck Bob, but you have lost this customer
that is not true. He wanted a place that families could visit together, not that all families could visit. He always provided a quality product at a premium price. I grew up just a few miles from the main entrance of Disneyland. But we could only go once a year as a special treat. Not someplace we could go to whenever we wanted.
What Chapek actually means is people who come often or who appreciate the discount of an annual pass are less likely to buy overpriced food and merchandise. Their speaking of doing things like this for out-of-state families is disgusting when they have done nothing but remove things that make a trip easier like Magic Express or free FastPasses that could be set ahead of time. Chapek is just a moneywhore.
I agree with Magic Express and Fast passes but not with anything else you said. I wish they’d drop annual passes altogether. And kick out the influencers.
If they kicked out APs, especially Florida residents, they’d lose millions of dollars a day during the non peak season, like right now. FLR-APs kept WDW afloat and tens of thousands people employed during Covid, and they keep the ‘lights on’ when you selfish tourists don’t come. Trust me when I tell you the CMs prefer the APs over the one in a lifetime tourist, residual the tipped CMs. If it wasn’t for the APs, you’d have no WDW to visit.
This makes no sense for so many reasons. If the park was open with almost exclusively AP’s they’d be losing a TON of money a day, not making it. They didn’t “keep the lights on”. Can you even fathom how much the park costs to operate for ONE SINGLE DAY? AP’s spend the LEAST amount of money in the parks, CERTAINLY not millions a day, so it cost Disney more to RUN it than they bring in under that scenario. The actual problem isn’t even all AP’s, it’s the FL resident AP’s. The cost is exceedingly low, they spend the least in the parks but attend the most. And, to be frank, since Desantis has declared war on Disney and is attempting to get rid of Reedy Creek, along with the other FL residents “boycotting” it, the resident pass doesn’t make sense anymore. They have nothing to thank you for. YOU can thank THEM, though, for lower taxes due to all the jobs and tourism they bring in. The only residents that should get it now are Orange County, since they’re going to have a massive tax hike due to the Reedy Creek dabocle.
Having worked for the The Disney Stores and being an AP, and knowing 100s of other CMs/APs I can guarantee you that CMs and APs spend far more in the Parks than the casual guest.
THANK YOU!!!! I live in Jacksonville, Fl and WAS an AP…when we visited we stayed MINIMUM 3 Days…Spring Break pretty much the whole week…my Hotel bill(staying on property) was astronomical and that was just for me and my daughter, can’t imagine Larger Fl families ..not even going to list the food prices and we always eat at a sit down restaurant in Epcot or Disney Springs bought every Star wars Item known to man, build a droid etc etc..so miss me with that Florida resident APS don’t spend BS tell it to my bank account and credit cards.
Unfortunately your comment that the residents of Orange County are going to get a massive tax hike is a swing and a miss. The state is going to pick up that tab, just so you know. And it won’t affect our budget very much. Disney can pound sand and Universal and other theme parks would fill the vacuum left by Disney. WDW is quickly losing steam and the favorability of Florida residents, and once Epic Universe comes along Disney is going to see a massive hit to their park attendance. Having the largest single park in Central Florida is going to be a huge draw, and Universal can handle large crowds much better than WDW can. Not to mention their continued move so far left and toward woke agendas that are turning off consumers. Lightyear was a massive failure, She Hulk is a massive failure, The Little Mermaid and Pinocchio will see massive failure as well. Disney and Chapek are making all the wrong decisions one after another. Disney is not too big to fail, they are so big they are going to collapse on themselves if they aren’t careful.
“The state is going to pick up that tab, just so you know. ” makes no sense whatsoever. The State’s money comes from taxes and they will need to raise taxes to “pick up the tab” Unfortunately, a lot of people in Florida are too brainwashed to see that DeSantis is a charlatan who is using citizens and their money for his own personal ambition.
100% agreed. Getting rid of the Magic Express was one of the worst decisions he made. He also made it virtually impossible to renew annual passes before they eliminated them for out of state people. If he truly wants to make it make it so all families can have a good experience maybe they should work on making it affordable and not an elitist park? Just a thought. I used to travel there 5-6 times a year. I will not be back until he is gone.
I do agree somewhat but as a UK visitor who likes to come every couple of years I do miss being able to do a couple of rides then park hop then repeat. You have to wait until 2pm which can be frustrating. We haven’t been able to come for 3 years and always spend a lot. This time was my son’s honeymoon and we’ve spent absolute fortune making up for years unable to come.
I do agree somewhat but as a UK visitor who likes to come every couple of years I do miss being able to do a couple of rides then park hop then repeat. You have to wait until 2pm which can be frustrating. We haven’t been able to come for 3 years and always spend a lot. This time was my son’s honeymoon and we’ve spent absolute fortune making up for years unable to come.
Josh the ratio is nowhere near what he wants you to think. If it were true he wouldn’t also be raising prices on the “family from Denver.” The old Fastpass system worked well for EVERYONE. My family went to the parks recently and could see the cost cutting measures and money grabbing everywhere. The parks were packed and yet they only had SOME of the ride vehicles open on many rides. For instance, only two elevators were open on Tower of Terror, forcing the wait times up artificially so more people would purchase Lightening Lanes. They did it with a ton of rides – Space Mountain and Big Thunder being otgere where they only had one side open. They’re saving money on staffing and maintenance costs, charging more for tickets, and forcing artificial wait times so people “from Denver” are forced to buy Lightening Lane passes for their family or risk not being able ride the big rides on their “once in every 5 year” trip. Don’t be fooled – he’s just spinning the story. And by the way, he hates the Superfans because they see the crappy changes and call him out on them.
It’s all about manipulating the system to make it look like he is doing you favor. It’s the financial statement that matters and how big the bonuses will be. Walt could have done the same think but then perhaps Disney wouldn’t have survived. We have been going there for twenty five plus years but have now decided it’s no longer Walt’s place. Bob is right though, nothing will change until demand goes down. Take it or leave it.
27 yearly visits all from out of state, sometimes twice. Cost anywhere from $7-10,000 per visit and that’s w/ knowing all the ways to save costs DVC rental points, annual passes etc. Even got married there. Worked hard all my life & will spend my money where & when I want! Now the where is unknown yet but never again at WDW. This will be our last Xmas season there & that’s only because we already had money put up front that we can’t get back. Won’t deal w/ constant staffing, & maintenance issues, politics, brawls, whining unhappy employees. I don’t pay outrageous amounts to please you, it’s the other way around. We’re just going to go this last time & try to re-live the memories of our past there & do our best to ignore the sadness of the present. We WILL have one last Magical Day. May you all have a Magical Day, even the ones that make nasty comments to this post. We understand it’s the thing to do these days!
sorry @Jeff D
That is just hooky. Tower of Terror had one shaft at a time down for planned mechanical maintenance. They did that rather than shut down the whole attraction.
No one is forced to buy Lightning Lanes or Genie+. They are unbundling prices. Would you rather just pay 15 more for your tickets and make ride reservations or spend 15 less and wait in line. It is now your choice.
Would you rather pay 32 more for your resort room each night and uber over or save that 32 per night? Again, your choice.
Be real
I was one of.those super fans. Repeat was! I would go as often as I could. Now,.with the system They have set up, the elimination of the free fast pass, and unbelievable price increases, it’s to the point that only rich people can go. I was recently planning a 3 day trip for my wife and two of our grandkids at Fort Wilderness. It would have cost me over $5000. I got the same deal at Universal for half the cost. I feel Dianey is going to price itself out of business. Also I think Florida’s Governor is stupid for his fight with Dianey.
Graf 100% agrees that DeStupid is an idiot. With no plan on who will pay the one-billion-dollar bond for Reedy Creek it is either going to be two counties’ taxpayers or the entire state of Florida’s taxpayers. DeStupid is a magatard who cares nothing about his state only about his own wokeness.
Don’t worry Bob and you libturds. My family and I who live 80 miles away will never buy another AP or even visit. You have turned Disneyworld into a dirty broken down ghetto.
Who do you think will miss your intolerant and ignorant magatard butt? You and your other snowflakes have turned the wonderful country of ours into a mess.
Please stop going to Disney and please refrain from any further insurrections against our wonderful country.
Im both, i am definately a super fan, but can only come every 5 years. Ive seen super fan adults, who go frequently, yell at parents with their kids, whose first time it is, because they couldnt see the castle during the show, or too worried about their selfie to allow room for children. They should limit the amt. Of APs.
Yea really well said..LOL. you people really want to ban others from going to a park so that you can enjoy your time there. Doesnt that seem a little elitist and hypocritical? Lol plan accordingly,enjoy your time when there,and stop blaming others for your bad time. Learn to deal with your emotions better. Neither chapek or disney care about,you,me or anyone. LOL this is some comedy. It ain’t that serious. Just have a good time. So sensitive
They didn’t say “ban”. They said limit APs. And I agree. Bob specifically says the problem with the overcrowding is with mostly due to APs. So either further limit the # of APs or raise the prices…don’t make everything more inconvenient for everyone (including AP holders).
That’s a lie, though. APs are the last people to want to go to a park when it is overcrowded.
Want to know the real issue? Look at DVCs and the endless room expansions. Disney has not expanded capacity meaningfully since AK opened, but has constantly built more rooms.
APs have always been there, paying for Disney’s year-round operation. What wasn’t always there was an excessive amount of timeshares and third party hotels with special privileges.
He’s putting his own spin on what is really a statement about money.
Bottom line is, he doesn’t get as much money from what he is calling “superfans”. Known at the DRC (at least it was) as “Worldphile” guests, anyone who makes multiple trips in a year, and has been doing so for several years, ie, repeat or loyal customers…
Anyone with the top of the line Annual Pass, does not pay for parking, has no block out dates and gets discounts on merchandise, dining and resort reservations. They often make the most of their experience by knowing when the rates are lowest and often stay in value resorts as opposed to deluxe resorts.
Bob just doesn’t like he can’t squeeze more $ out of them than the enormous cost of the annual pass, which, I know, in early 2000’s was in the $900 range.
And I Thank You
I have been renting my DVC points since 2015 using David’s
Disney has been going down is road for a long time, I can’t see myself ever setting foot on Disney property again
We have been season pass holders for many years. I don’t have a problem with limiting the number of guest per day (this limits everyone not just season pass holders). What I have a problem with is the continuous increase in cost. Food prices at the park are outrageous, my season pass has almost tried in cost in the last four years, the benefits for being season pass holders have decreased (more blackout dates). This past year will be our last year for season passes. I prices it out, and I can purchase 2 passes at Sea World and 2 park passes at Universal for the same price as 2 passes at Disney. Sorry Disney, the MAGIC with this CEO is gone.
My family would be considered super fans, but we are not from Florida. We are happy to be there every 2-3 years. We find Chapek distasteful. When they took away every perk from staying at the resorts, we realized that was only the beginning. Opening of the park early for resort guests went from an hour to 30 minutes. Park opening early to guests used to be the whole park, now it is only part of the park. Ride maintainence neglected (breaking down several times a day or being closed for days) Next, charging people for fast passes/genie plus. Hotel/resorts being neglected–guests expected to stay in rooms that are infested with bugs or smell of raw sewage. In the midst of all of this, Chapek is continuing to price gauge guests. Board of directors promised they would vote him out, and they betrayed the Disney fans. Currently, they want to cancel Walt Disney. It is their goal to change the name to Disney World and drop Walt’s name. Will they remove his statue in front of the castle? They were planning on placing a statue of Walt at EPCOT, is that no longer in the plan? Chapek is always trying to placate the 1% at the expense of the 99%. Poor business model.
I guess in between your visits, you may have realized that you do not remember correct facts. But here are a few
While the perks have changed, there are still many perks to staying on property.
While Extra Magic Hours gave you an hour in 1 park each morning, that was only on average 7 hours per week. Now there are 14 hours of Early Entry each week with every park offering 30 minutes every day.
Extra Magic Hours have not been the whole park in every park since it began. There have always been attractions that did not open with Extra Magic Hours.
Everything else you posted is just plain wrong. Fastpass+ let you make reservations in advance and guests complained they did not know what they wanted to do until they got there. Disney fixed that, now let you get more Lightning Lane reservations than were ever possible with Fastpass+ and lets those that want to save $15 use the standby line.
Nothing is neglected, No one is forced to stay with bugs or sewage and they are not cancelling Walt. They are not removing the Partner’s statue and they just debuted the Walt the Dreamer statue 48 hours ago.
Quit reading the crap and satire sites and stick with the truth
@Scott Lee-Ross Drinking the Kool-Aid much? You just have an answer for everything, don’t you? You sound like one of Chapek’s corporate bafoons. Heck, you may be the actual Chapek for all we know with that ridiculous reply. The fact is, Disney is not the same as people remember and that’s not in a good way. The small majority that are pleased with these changes are ruining it for the remaining majority who loved Disney for what it was meant to be for: everybody. And this isn’t from reading “crap and satire sites”, this IS the truth.
Scott is a brainwashed shill and when I take over Disney and erase the Cheapek era out of existence, I will blacklist him. I’m also starting to write a sequel to James B. Stewart’s DisneyWar and will not only be smearing Cheapek, but his family as well and this also will get smeared. Like Hearst went after Orson Welles.
I still have too many issues w/ WDW & won’t be returning. I have seen the cutting of services over the last couple of decades. What I do like is finally reading on this site someone’s comments like Scott’s that is actually factual & done his homework! Everything he said is true! Not someone who has no idea & is just being nasty to be nasty. Gorgeous go back to twitter for that nastiness! No need to be mean just because you have a different point of view.
Regrdless how many people feel about him and any feelings someone might have with how he has managed things so far, he is 100% correct on this issue. Passholders were makibg it very difficult for non-locals to be able to enjoy the parks. Something had to be done. Even I, who once went to DL everyday for just under three and a half years and believed it was indeed my own personal playground.
If you do t want that family to be locked out because no reservations are left, then do away with reservations. Do away with your money grab of Genie + which is more of a pain than anything else and bring back fast pass so everyone can schedule 3 attractions at a time which will cut down on stand by waits everywhere!
Cutting down the crowds via reservations and limiting AP days is the only way to cut down the wait times. They have to find ways to nickel and dime the guests to deter AP holders from coming all the time…they really just need to grow a pair and cancel the AP program permanently. Superfans will buy regular park tickets if they are truly fans of Disney, just might only be able to go a couple times a year instead of couple times a week.
honestly i think chapek is half right about the attitude ap holders have, but i also definitely agree he doesn’t actually care about the first time guests and just wants to make sure ap holders are spending more money. because i agree, it’s annoying when some ap holder takes up a reservation for the park only to go for one hour just because they wanted to have dinner at hungry bear. now a family can’t go that day because one person wanted to use disneyland as a mall food court. but,,, ultimately, it’s chapek’s fault and disney as a whole that the parks are failing right now. pricing people out is not going to end well like they’re doing now. it’s discriminatory, and it’s not how Walt wanted his park to be. removing free fastpasses and introducing paid lightning lane, as well as all these other perks people get when they pay extra money for them, is part of the reason the disney parks are crumbling. they’ve lost the magic and are focused only on how much money they can milk both out of the ap holders AND the once in a lifetime visitors. all this to say that chapek doesn’t actually care about the people he pretends to care about. if he did, he’d stop pricing us out and make it easier to enjoy the park without blaming other people who are only a miniscule part of the problem.
He is going to continue to raise prices until he sees demand drop. Makes sense from a business standpoint but he will be alienating many people (not just superfans) in the process. Too much business and not enough humanity.
We are out of state passholders…can only buy most expensive pass offered. We travel to Disney World 3 to 4 times a year and stay in deluxe resorts. Yes we take advantage of the passholder discounts offered at resorts.
This will probably be our last year as the disintegration under this man is reprehensible. Artificial wait times, increased prices for small portions and a lesser quality merchandise, decrease in services are all contributing to this decision. Savannah view room at AK last month saw housekeeping every other day and plastic cups. I was told this was due to covid…I call BS! While the remote was wrapped for cleanliness, the hair dryer was not. And plastic and paper cups in a deluxe resort?? Really?? Parks are dirty-overflowing trash cans, filthy bathrooms. Bottom line…Chapek is destroying the experience and being allowed to do so.
Well golly gee bob (the 2nd o is silent), Why make the changes you did to begin with? We have been going to WDW for years. Sure, it got crowded at times but it was manageable. Fastpasses and early reservations helped make that possible. You chose to add the reservation system. You chose the genie+ system which is nothing more than a paid for stand-by line. That family from Denver could have been admitted prior to your ressie system. Not now tho. Don’t try to put a spin on it. Everything wrong with Disney now, happened on your watch. You need to resign. There’s no shame in that. Just do it already. In the meantime, I will add to your D23 intro as well….BOOOOOOOO!!
Pre Covid I never ever read or heard stories of people not allowed in due to park capacity, except for Xmas and maybe one other holiday. How come they were able to control park attendance then but now cannot. Seems fishy and do away with system. All complain now from your once every 5 year visitor and AP visitor.
Guest loyalty is the issue.
1. We are no longer guests but customers and consumers. That is a major change in philosophy.
2. As a DVC owner we used to buy an AP and go to WDW twice a year. We made reservations at signature dining. Those trips were our coping mechanisms.
Now we don’t go twice a year.
“Benefits or Perks” are removed (AP, Magic Express, Tables in Wonderland…) and prices still increase, then you know a new “model” is in place.
I know we won’t impact the bottom line. I know our opinion is not wanted or valued. I am a Disney consumer now. I am no longer a “guest” when I am on their property.
It’s seems quite obvious to me that is time for a 3rd park. There’s just too much demand to only have the 2 that currently exist. Disney needs to find a spot in south TX. You get decent-enough weather for year-round operation. TX would basically split the difference in distance between the current 2 parks, creating kinda a regional east coast, west coast, and then a middle America locations for visitors. I have to think a 3rd location is feasible. The overcrowding at the parks proves the demand.
My family and I don’t go to Orlando on a regular and when we went we couldn’t get in because of the reservation system. It was so much better prior to this new system. Admit defeat and your wrong and undue all this crap. Worst CEO ever trying to make a square peg fit into a circle hole.
Just because there is a reservation system doesn’t mean that the super fans won’t get all the available tickets. It’s dependent on who makes their reservations first – first come, first served, so his comment makes no sense much like many of the other changes he’s made for the sake of greed!
Ive been wanting to go for the last three years. My daughter and myself are passholders from Missouri. Do to the pandemic we have to cancel each time. We are finally going in five weeks. We are staying at the Grand Floridian Resort. Our hotel bill for 19 nights yes I said 19 nights is over 15 thousands dollars, and we didn’t get a discount. I have considered getting my money back. We are big fans of Disney, but he [chapek] is making it really hard to continue to like it. Some needs to tell him that for years the passholders are what kept the money coming in.
Tickets increased for everyone! No more Quick Services… prices increased and services decreased! How is that helping the Family From Denver! It sounds more to me u are making Disney available to only the Rich! I think WALT would not be very happy…. You have taken the DREAM away from many families and many more children!! A week at Disney is easily costing a family of four over 20, 000 dollars and without meal plan much more! The transportation from airport another big loss! Things that made Disney affordable for NORMAL INCOME families is now gone! SO SO SAD… ALL ABOUT PROFIT … really sad trying to say you are tying to help the family from Denver! Walt’s dreams were for EVERYONE to be able to dream!!!!
These comments are proof that Disney has a portion of their marketing team used to go online and attack naysayers. They’re obviously VERY offended when anyone criticizes their worsening of the park experience. They “fixed” an unbroken system to make more money while also treating their customers worse.
Look up WDWNT and their interaction with Bob. This company is not just evil, but baffling. They are actively antagonistic to anyone who criticizes them in any way, and it isn’t working out for them.
Simple solution… Don’t go to Disney! There are 5, soon to be 6, other fantastic theme parks in Central Florida (Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure, SeaWorld Orlando, Busch Gardens Tampa and Legoland Florida with Epic Universe on the way). They are all way cheaper and cherish their annual passholders, are cleaner and less crowded. You can get season passes for all of them for less than a season pass to Disney! I get them all and add a Fun Spot pass, too. No reservations required either!
Could not have said it better. No one is forcing people to travel to Disney. If you’re that upset, stop complaining on the internet and try something new!
The two are not mutually exclusive. You can complain about Disney and boycott Disney.
Me, I considered buying someone an AP as a gift several months ago. I went with Universal instead. Disney hates me and doesn’t want my business, why would I give it to them? I will run out my AP and not spend a single cent on property while I do so. Screw Bob and his woke cronies. Disney deserves to fail. I hope Apple runs the company better after the buyout.
Feel so sorry for everyone because this guy is making it so expensive that you almost have to take out a second mortgage to go to Disney! Not right and I don’t think that MR Disney would have been happy! He is a very, very bad CEO.
I had taken my family almost every year for 12 years we went last November after Thanksgiving for a couple days it cost more than 6 days did in2015. There was no room cleaning for 2 days. It cost us 7,500 dollars for 2 days of park hopper tickets and room. I will never return there again an I live in Florida.
Not a Florida resident, but if it wasn’t for Florida residents, like California – apparently they have no issue there, infact they didn’t want anyone outside California- WDW would be up the creek. Non Florida residents pay a hefty fee for AP. Superfans are Disney bread n butter, doesn’t sound like their appreciated . What’s next DVC Members who pay a monthly maintenance fee & AP
Annual passes in any business guarantee income and many will renew year on year. In Europe, those who live hundreds of miles from Paris (probably the same for Americans living far away from the parks) have to commit to big travel costs to get there as well as entry and the new additional fees. They love everything Disney and the annual passes give them some saving for when they visit and flexibility to choose when they visit. The majority won’t visit more than 2 or maybe 3 times a year. Most aren’t rich, they save. They want to go to Disney parks not the others. The new arrangements are making it annoyingly hard for these committed fans to visit the parks. Chapek doesn’t seem to want to attract long term loyal Disney fans.
Chapel is going to destroy Disney completely within the next year. I would not be surprised at all if big companies like Apple and Microsoft are already setting aside cash for a buyout.
As an AP for many years, I disagree with Chapek. As an AP having that pass and going whenever I like is great and as for spending money on souvenirs we spend anywhere from 500 to 1000 each time we go as we like to collect items and not to resell them at marked up prices either.
Disney has helped me and been a safe space for me through lots of trauma. So to lump ALL AP’S together is unfair and wrong.
If your unhappy then suck it up and change it. Don’t blame others for your misery.
Eventually the US government will not be able to fund these Disney vacations for most families with their welfare child tax credits. Sorry but it’s true.
Sorry but before Chapek took over and before there was a reservation system the parks were at capacity exactly two days out of the year: Christmas and the 4th of July. The “family from Denver” did not have any issues getting in unless they visited those two weeks out of the year. Now the current system is so complicated that the family that visits once every 5 years is totally lost. The only people who have figured it out are the locals who visit all the time.
I spent close to $20,000 for my last trip. Yes, I would like to get catered to more than some crappy local who goes there and brings a bag of chips for dinner.
You are just the person they are looking for. There are way better places to get catered to, for 20k, usually much less. You see Mark, they are looking for gullible, sentimental people that don’t get out much. Thanks for making their case. That the Public is uneducated and make poor financial decisions.
I have a Galaxy Starcruiser to sell you! Each person starts at $6000. That’s right! $6000 for your child under 12 yrs old! Sound too good to be true? It’s not! You get 1-1/2 days of your 3 day stay!
Seriously Mark? Spend your money elsewhere. We don’t need you.
If this is true stop building more DVC resorts and make more value resorts so that the family who comes once in a lifetime can stay on property at a stupid expensive price. As for annual pass holder these are the families that come back and spend the money. Most families who come once in a lifetime will not come back and there children will not want to go to Disney as they will find a more affordable amazing place to go in this big world. Bob Chapek needs to go as he may be making money right now for Disney but he wont in the future for them because no one will go to his parks.
I stopped going to Disney parks for exactly what he is saying. Too crowded with people who use it for a hang out spot. It’s like a playground of teen gangs and not families. The excitement level is brought down in the whole park.
We’ve been visiting Disney World from the UK every year since 1989 missing the last 2 because of the pandemic, unfortunately this year will sadly be our last as it has become too expensive what with no free airport transfers to Disney hotels, having to pay for magic bands at the hotel, genie+ and lightning lanes, also the thought of having to get up every morning for 7am to try to organise the day ahead is Not something I am looking forward to. Also if you declined housekeeping you got a loaded gift card, now you don’t and housekeeping is every other day and not all duties you would expect from an hotel are done which is not really acceptable. So sad!!!! And that is down to Bob and not the influencer’s.
WDW currently owns nearly 35,000 hotel rooms, dvc units, campsites and cabins on their property, not to mention several on site hotels not directly owned by disney. Nearly 12,500 of those units have been ADDED since April 1998, when the Animal Kingdom opened. Chapek says that price increases and the hated reservation system are NECESSARY due to visitor demand for the parks. This is FALSE. Disney is creating this OVER demand becuase they keep building hotels and DVC without adding an additional park for those guests to attend. It has been 22 years and yet Disney has decided to add rides here and there and new lands instead of using all of the land that they own to spread out the guests that they have made room to accommodate into additional activities.
I realize the pandemic threw a wrench into every business in every industry, but Disney only reaped the benefits of people being cooped up for so long. Their parks revenue is through the roof, yet they continue to cut back staff, service, upkeep and benefits for cast members and guests. At this point, it’s an excuse to cut back on things they didn’t want to offer anymore, and covid gave them the chance to make the cuts. EVERYONE knows it, we’re not STUPID.
Companies NEED to spend money to make money. DISNEY spent tons of money to set up Disney + and get content. They need to do the same thing in the Parks. Adding a 5th gate is EXPENSIVE but, in business, there is rarely a more SURE thing. Disney has proved….”if they build it they will come.” So follow the lead of Universal Studios and open a 5th park. Then raising prices will be a given, becuase there us additional content and experiences that guests will have the opportunity to participate in.
It’s worse, because Disney practically never builds anything new. They replace existing attractions. No capacity increase, often a capacity decrease even after the 3-5 year construction cycle.
It is all about minimizing costs while maximizing profits. Disney is a big scam.
Yes let capitalism rain. Keep making that crazy profit. And keep watching long time customer base leave Disney behind. This year our vacation was cheaper in Italy than Disney in Florida and we live in Florida. We only live 4hrs away. Sad to see what Disney has become.
This just feels like damage control to try and reaffirm that Disney still cares about families when it’s clear they don’t. AP holders with disposable income and no kids are Disney’s new ideal customer. They clog up the park less than a family with a couple kids and a stroller and freely pay for all the overpriced food, services and latest Disney souvenir. They are also more likely to advertise/promote the latest Disney product or service on social media. It’s adorable that Chapek is still pretending to care about the family from Denver but their pricing and direction indicates otherwise.
Anyone who believes the BS that is coming out of Bob’s mouth deserves to get the worst experience they get when they visit. Bob cannot admit that the reservation system is a failure. He has to fabricate a family from Denver and give them the worst situation. The capacity situation is extremely rare. I can count it on one hand how many times this has happened. Also, the crowding situation doesn’t happen until towards the end of the afternoon.
If you come from out of town, you would want to be at the parks first thing in the morning, typically. From rope drop, you can do Space Mountain, Matterhorn, Indiana Jones, Pirates, Big Thunder Mountain and maybe Haunted Mansion within an hour and a half (if nothing is closed). Even faster if there are some closed attractions. That is close to half the major attractions. This is FACT. I time it every time I go (1 to 2 times a week), so it’s been proven 97% of the time with groups ranging from 1 to 4. The rest of the time, you can take your sweet time and do shows or other attractions at your leisure. All this, without paying for Genie + and God forbid you use its “suggestions for your day”. That is a whole other failure for a separate matter.
The company is absolutely trash. Vile. Opening doing illegal things knowing they have million dollar lawyers at the ready to come for anyone of us that speak out. Stop going. Stop giving these truly evil and corrupt people money.
He’s essentially saying: “Demand is too high, so we need to change everything people love to make them want to come less.” But they also want to “maintain an excellent guest experience”? What kind of logic is that? C’mon, Bobby!
Problem is with Chapek’s argument is that he is making an enemy of his base. By definition, a superfan buys more products, produces more hype, gets more views, buys more movie tickets, gets subscriptions, etc. The average woman in America produces 1.64 children and is on the decline (CDC 2021). 5.1% marriages occur per year, but 45% end in failure (as of 2022 per CDC) and you expect them all to go to Disneyland or Disneyworld? I suspect most can barely keep their student loans, mortgages, or bills paid on time. Now it is $200 per ticket (1 day park hopper + $30 parking) with Genie+ ($15-20 with additional money per specific ride). That is excluding hotels, rental cars, plane tickets, food, etc. I have the AP before being grandfathered to the Dream Key. I get gifts for my nieces and nephews (my brothers are military) using the discount and I visit the parks to be at cost when visiting relatives.
I hate to tell Mr. Chapek his business – but the superfans are quickly losing interest in Disney. Attendance in September has plummeted now that all the pent up “have to get away” post pandemic demand has been met. We are DVC members, and will stay at the resort we have points at – but I stopped wearing Disney apparel, will not buy any additional “merch”, and will never visit the parks again until they begin selling annual passes. We went on average 3 times a year – their loss, Universal’s gain. We are already planning on sticking to Universal 100% on our next trip.
Walt’s Disney never had an AP program and they did just fine until the 80s when it was introduced. Disney really needs to phase this out as it has only created entitled whiners. Dialing back on visits would really help current AP holders appreciate the parks more like most of us vacationers do. Disney would do just fine without the AP program as there is an abundance of demand for regular tickets and eliminating some of the obsessive daily goers would help shorten the lines while bringing in more revenue (less time in line means more time in stores and restaurants). Sorry AP holders but too much Mickey makes you Goofy!
The only thing Chapek understands is $$$! Superfans or fans, it doesn’t matter. Disney is in disarray and will NOT get any better anytime soon!
My opinion is not the only one voicing dissatisfaction.
They ain’t running a charity lol everything is getting more expensive! You don’t need to have an AP to be a SuperFan though, I can only afford to go to Disney once a year and I am fine with that…I appreciate it more when it is not as frequent. AP holders should not be able to just casually pop in whenever they want…anything good takes planning and saving to truly enjoy. Disney would only be better if AP disappeared.
If the AP went away, all those customers would go straight to Universal and Sea World. Disney wouldn’t be able to sustain year-round operation and would have to become a seasonal park. You’re as clueless as Bob.
I have an AP and surprisingly, for once, I agree with him. I go maybe once or twice a month with my family and I’ve definitely noticed the crazy (not all but some) AP passholder people who you know have no lives and probably would visit every day before the reservation system was implemented. I think it was a sound idea to stop the oddballs from overwhelming the system.
Why hasn’t chapek been fired. He has destroyed Disney. We used to be superfine but I and everyone I know never want to go again. My daughter is disabled and our lawyer tried to male it easier for disabled people to access rides in Disney. Chapeks huge team of lawyers forced our lawyer into bankruptcy because they kept having him have to appear in court for nonsense. So he had no time for other clients. Meanwhile Disney With its thousands of lawyers didn’t care. Chapek pretends to care about the disabled and others. He just wants money.
Why hasn’t chapek been fired. He has destroyed Disney. We used to be superfans but I and everyone I know never want to go again. My daughter is disabled and our lawyer tried to male it easier for disabled people to access rides in Disney. Chapeks huge team of lawyers forced our lawyer into bankruptcy because they kept having him have to appear in court for nonsense. So he had no time for other clients. Meanwhile Disney With its thousands of lawyers didn’t care. Chapek pretends to care about the disabled and others. He just wants money.
With the cost rising constantly, has anyone at Disney ever thought of offering a Florida 6 Month Pass that would consist of September thru February? I, personally think this would be a great item for Florida residents.
Spouse and I went to Disney once, as older adults. It was a cool experience once. I am here reading comments because many of my contemporaries are Disney fanatics. As in “I need to get my cpap packed now, so I don’t forget. I am so stoked over the Not-So-Spooky Spectacular!”
I have to agree with Chapek on some of these issues. Before Covid the parks were so crowded it was miserable. We were passholders for decades and decided that we wouldn’t renew because of the locals crowding in the parks. We couldn’t just go anytime and come back another day because it was crowded. It’s a 10 hour drive for us. So I’m glad the locals are being restrained on visits. I really hate the idea of the lightning lane garbage but it’s a limiter too I suppose.
Locals won’t wait more than 30 minutes. No point, we can come back another time. If you see a wait longer than that, it is all out of state tourist trash. Blame your ilk.
I agree with Chapek …this is Capitalisms, and they should be able to charge what they can for a trip to Disney. And all the people who can’t make enough to go to Disney, should stop crying about it. Make more money if you don’t like it. If all of us wealthier people have bought the right to be here, tough luck to those who have not. Right?
The cast members do not like Chapek. The guest do not like Chapek. Even Iger reportedly does not like Chapek saying he made the mistake of his tenure appointing Chapek. Why then does the board give him a three year contract extension. It’s because he is turning profit by riding the wave of post pandemic lockdowns by being a cheapskate bean counter.
I don’t even think it is that. The people on the board cannot have received the other positions they have being this shortsighted. Something else is going on and I suspect it is fishing for a buyout.
Chapek doesn’t care about us just his paycheck. He is doing this because the “family from Denver” will spend more $$$ than pass holders. He said this himself.
One thing I find ironic….
Free cups of water! Stand inline for a SMALL cup of ice water or buy a BIG water for 5 bucks? I asked for a large cup of water and was told “Free water only comes in small cups”
Comments for Disney CEO Bob Chapek Gives Unpopular Comments On “Superfans”
EricJ
That’s right, Bob: Only angry Internet geek-fans hate you because they’d rather be protective superfans than accept imaginative new change.
The Ghostbusters remake director thought the same thing.
And so did Joel Schumacher, after the 90’s Batman movies.
Steve
Disney took the most anticipated movie in history, Star Wars Episode 7, and turned it into a joke. They can’t figure out why they are failing.
Vicki F
This sounds fair. I am an annual pass holder who lives in Florida, but I certainly want family from everywhere to be able to experience Disney. Why would that comment upset me?
Diann Akin
Disney is ruined for us. We have had annual passes for20 years, living in VA and then living in Florida for 13 years. We moved to Maryland and due to Covid let our passes expire. Now we are spending months at a time vacationing in Florida but can’t get anything but daily passes. Disney world has always been so important to us and it breaks my heart.
Ac
I completely agree with his statements. From a commercial stand point it is a business and not a charity. If you’re only paying 700 bucks for an AP and you go every Saturday that’s only 13 bucks a visit.
Sharon Szego
Annual passes for non Florida residents are over 2000.00.
Brad
Season tickets to a losing MLS team in the PNW are over $2000 too. The $20 hot dog is extra. Welcome to capitalism.
Leona
No, socialism
Roo
Poor snowflake you are so stupid. I bet you sit there taking your social security check every month but hate socialism.
Jan K.
We have paid that money into SSI for every year we worked it isn’t a given gift! I worked from 14 and paid my taxes to SSI every paycheck to have it returned to me upon my retirement. It is from Capitalism that we have SSI! So, Roo you are the uneducated snowflake regarding Social Security Insurance.
EM
Exactly
Kelly Connerton
If social security was a form of socialism, everyone would get the same amount. Sooo, no, we pay into it, I will get double what my husband gets because I paid in more than he did. That is not the definition of socialism.
Nonaybidnezz Dude
Of course if you could have invested all the money you paid in to the system over the years in a 401K then there is a pretty good chance you would be getting paid double what social security is going to pay you, not to mention being able to set youself up for lower expenses in retirement.
Who, me?
You forgot the “Sweet,Sweet Magatard tears will be so delicious “ part.
Your slipping Poo… I mean Roo. Lol!!!
Steve
Let’s be accurate. Both are right.
Billionaire socialists running a multinational corporation.
Mike
Leona – I am mad too about all that Chapek is doing to Disney, just to make the shareholders & himself millions… But how is that socialism?
Nonaybidnezz Dude
First of all he is not making the shareholders millions. The stock price is in the toilet. Maybe he is making insiders rich on the swings but long term investors in Disney are pretty much screwed.
Jarell
Leona, I am concerned that you might have alzheimers. You’re starting to say random words that have no meaning in the context of the conversation.
Ben
Socialism!? Did you just say Socialism? You do know Disney is a private for profit entity not a government entity right?
Philly
So why not sell AP at a cheaper price for non-FL residents? This would benefit the Denver family.
Ben
I agree it doesnt make sense to have prices much higher for out of state.
It just contributes to the problem Bob is complaining about .
Nonaybidnezz Dude
Giving benefits to FL residents helps ensure those residents have a positive attitude toward Disney. This allows Disney to maintain many special exemptions from state laws which might otherwise impact Disney negatively financially speaking.
Currently the majority of parks customers are single couples without kids. They can afford the prices, and pricing the Denver family out of the market helps reduce the wait times in the lines.
Ac
Sorry speaking as a DVC owner who used to get it for 700 bucks.
But in the UK we just buy the 14 day ticket which is 550 bucks.
EM
Not true
BierOntap
I visit WDW once a year. I am now paying $15 per person per day for Fast Passes that were free five years ago. I pay much more to park hop and can’t do it before 2 pm. And I pay daily to park at my resort. Not positive guest experience changes.
cheryl wallace
The average family from Ohio or Kentucky or anywhere can’t afford to go to Disneyland anymore you pay for parking you pay for fast passes you have to make reservations you can’t park up unless you make reservations you’re always on your phone and with all the wokeness it’s not as magical as it used to be Disney was a place that you got away from The real world and now they brought the real world in it and at a price that I know I used to take my grandkids every year and I’ll never be able to take him again cuz it’s too expensive
Snowflake conservatives
That word doesn’t mean what you think it means, parrot.
Jarell
How did they bring “the real world” in it?
And what theme park has free parking? I know Disney never had it at the Parks.
Ben
The word “woke” means waking up and realizing its not good to put negative labels on groups of people based on color of skin, gender, etc.
Or simply not be a bigot anymore.
Nonaybidnezz Dude
Hence the shift away from catering to poor conservatives and shifting toward catering to wealthy couples who do not have kids. Woke is where the money is at.
Bob
The $700 “Enchant” AP has blocked out Every Saturday except 3 in Jan, 3 in Feb and 1 in Mar. Also blocked out are about 12 weeks during Summer, and Dec 21 to Jan 2. But sure, go every available Wednesday and your math almost works out.
BobJSoCal
Edit: I’m a separate Bob, BTW.
Ben
I didnt think Bob Paycheck would come onto this site and complain his AP blackout dates.
The thought of it, is really quite funny actually.
Steve
The idea is that APs spend money on property and are a reliable source of income at lower traffic times.
At least, that was the idea until Bob jacked up food prices and dumped the quality, started picking fights with the governor, and generally became insufferable. I have an AP and refuse to spend money at Disney anymore.
Their AP discount is worthless, BTW. Universal’s covers nearly everything, Disney’s covers only table service restaurants.
Bev
An Inspire Magic Key for Disneyland is $1600.
Ben
Inspires you to go another park
G. Doell
I would believe him if they hadn’t taken away all the perks for the people who could only afford to visit the parks every two or three years. We are from Canada and went to Disney every two years but now the cost is double what was the last time we went. Disney world has been a destination for us and about 40 of our extended family but not anymore. I would love to visit every two years but find that unlikely at this time. I used to be a big promoter but not anymore!
Josh
As a guest that does only get to come once every couple years I have to agree. On our last trip we were not able to do things that we wished we could because we only had one day in each park, and the influencer and super crowd are taking up spots for things that the average guest should be able to do.
Bob’s Son
Totally agree. Super fans should be banned or only allowed to come on specified days. They are kind of weird, and we don’t want ‘em!
Jarell
I go to both Disney and Universal frequently and almost never have seen an influencer.
Ben
“Surviving on its name alone”, thats what Bob is doing. He is milking the brand name for all its worth.
Jayne1955
Influencers are a boil on the butt of the parks and need to get tossed out.
Jim
Lived here for many years. Mr. Chapek’s crisis for the hypothetical family from Denver never happened prior to HIS decision to limit park attendance and force use of the faulty reservation system. The parks only reached capacity a couple of times each year, and never all at once. Mr. Chapek is trying too hard to justify his broken system when every other theme park in Central Florida threw reservations by the wayside as soon as they realized it wasn’t necessary.
Lenny
Q000% accurate assessment right here. A totally manufactured “crisis” by a narcissistic control-freak
Lenny
“1000%”.
Correction to my typo above
Cathy
Amen!!!
Jarell
Seems to be making them more and more money, so it works.
Steve
For now.
B
So true fabricated smoke and mirrors to justify price gouging for low quality merch and experiences.
Bob
Thank you yes, this is exactly the actual problem.
Dana
Yup. This has literally never been a problem- maybe twice a year has a park closed. What a load of BS.
James
Yep. We used to go 2-3 times a week and it was never as bad as it is now. Now everyone is clamoring to get in so it’s a false shortage of space. The fast pass allowed for an easy alternate flow they decided to break and monetize. Then limits on park hopping forces more false shortage of space by keeping people in parks.
Jan
Agreed! The only time the parks really ever reached capacity was mostly Magic at Christmas time. AND Chapek seems to forget it was the DVC Members and the AP people who kept the park going in 2020 when they first reopened during the pandemic. People were afraid to travel and international travel was shut down. But we are the very people he is screwing with. We used to get AP’s every year, now we can’t afford them since he’s raised the prices so high!!
CJ
That’s actually not true. We visit from Canada every year, and our very worst experience was with a horrifically overcrowded park that was one of the worst experiences of our lives and that was almost a year to the day before Chapek took the wheel. Iger was already steering the sinking ship long before Chapek showed up.
Tim
Actually Bobby boy was running the parks at that time. He has been ruing the parks for quite awhile. Just now everyone knows who he is and what he is about. Now he can spread his destruction to the rest of the company.
Casey
Can’t agree more!!!
Casey
On the influencers
Arod
DVC member and been there about 40 times since 2002, last time this past July– but now there is no way nor is it worth going more than 1 time every 2-3 years…too expensive, the quality is not worth the money and quite frankly- its not what it once was- highly considering selling off DVC after we have realized there so many beautiful places to see in the US that are alot cheaper yet magnificent. Sorry paycheck Bob, but you have lost this customer
Glen
So very true!
Joe
I grew up with Walt Disney, this is what he would do! He wanted Disney land to be a place for Families to go, not just families that had money.
Scott Lee-Ross
that is not true. He wanted a place that families could visit together, not that all families could visit. He always provided a quality product at a premium price. I grew up just a few miles from the main entrance of Disneyland. But we could only go once a year as a special treat. Not someplace we could go to whenever we wanted.
Sure
What Chapek actually means is people who come often or who appreciate the discount of an annual pass are less likely to buy overpriced food and merchandise. Their speaking of doing things like this for out-of-state families is disgusting when they have done nothing but remove things that make a trip easier like Magic Express or free FastPasses that could be set ahead of time. Chapek is just a moneywhore.
Zara
Oooh here comes a superfan with their comments lol
Steve
Get lost you entitled 1%er.
Jayne1955
I agree with Magic Express and Fast passes but not with anything else you said. I wish they’d drop annual passes altogether. And kick out the influencers.
CheeseInFL
If they kicked out APs, especially Florida residents, they’d lose millions of dollars a day during the non peak season, like right now. FLR-APs kept WDW afloat and tens of thousands people employed during Covid, and they keep the ‘lights on’ when you selfish tourists don’t come. Trust me when I tell you the CMs prefer the APs over the one in a lifetime tourist, residual the tipped CMs. If it wasn’t for the APs, you’d have no WDW to visit.
Aimee
This makes no sense for so many reasons. If the park was open with almost exclusively AP’s they’d be losing a TON of money a day, not making it. They didn’t “keep the lights on”. Can you even fathom how much the park costs to operate for ONE SINGLE DAY? AP’s spend the LEAST amount of money in the parks, CERTAINLY not millions a day, so it cost Disney more to RUN it than they bring in under that scenario. The actual problem isn’t even all AP’s, it’s the FL resident AP’s. The cost is exceedingly low, they spend the least in the parks but attend the most. And, to be frank, since Desantis has declared war on Disney and is attempting to get rid of Reedy Creek, along with the other FL residents “boycotting” it, the resident pass doesn’t make sense anymore. They have nothing to thank you for. YOU can thank THEM, though, for lower taxes due to all the jobs and tourism they bring in. The only residents that should get it now are Orange County, since they’re going to have a massive tax hike due to the Reedy Creek dabocle.
Brian
Having worked for the The Disney Stores and being an AP, and knowing 100s of other CMs/APs I can guarantee you that CMs and APs spend far more in the Parks than the casual guest.
Drea
THANK YOU!!!! I live in Jacksonville, Fl and WAS an AP…when we visited we stayed MINIMUM 3 Days…Spring Break pretty much the whole week…my Hotel bill(staying on property) was astronomical and that was just for me and my daughter, can’t imagine Larger Fl families ..not even going to list the food prices and we always eat at a sit down restaurant in Epcot or Disney Springs bought every Star wars Item known to man, build a droid etc etc..so miss me with that Florida resident APS don’t spend BS tell it to my bank account and credit cards.
Barbara
I agree..as a former AP, l know I spent more on food and merch. My AP was already paid for…
Steve
You work for Disney marketing, don’t you?
Go tell your boss I hope Desantis eminent domain’s all of Disney.
FF8626
Unfortunately your comment that the residents of Orange County are going to get a massive tax hike is a swing and a miss. The state is going to pick up that tab, just so you know. And it won’t affect our budget very much. Disney can pound sand and Universal and other theme parks would fill the vacuum left by Disney. WDW is quickly losing steam and the favorability of Florida residents, and once Epic Universe comes along Disney is going to see a massive hit to their park attendance. Having the largest single park in Central Florida is going to be a huge draw, and Universal can handle large crowds much better than WDW can. Not to mention their continued move so far left and toward woke agendas that are turning off consumers. Lightyear was a massive failure, She Hulk is a massive failure, The Little Mermaid and Pinocchio will see massive failure as well. Disney and Chapek are making all the wrong decisions one after another. Disney is not too big to fail, they are so big they are going to collapse on themselves if they aren’t careful.
Jarell
“The state is going to pick up that tab, just so you know. ” makes no sense whatsoever. The State’s money comes from taxes and they will need to raise taxes to “pick up the tab” Unfortunately, a lot of people in Florida are too brainwashed to see that DeSantis is a charlatan who is using citizens and their money for his own personal ambition.
Stwvw
How could I tell reading your other comments you were a braindead wokester?
Screw Chapek
100% agreed. Getting rid of the Magic Express was one of the worst decisions he made. He also made it virtually impossible to renew annual passes before they eliminated them for out of state people. If he truly wants to make it make it so all families can have a good experience maybe they should work on making it affordable and not an elitist park? Just a thought. I used to travel there 5-6 times a year. I will not be back until he is gone.
MaryA
Agree 100%. He’s the worst and needs to go! Capitalism is killing Disney!
Jarell
They are more profitable than ever.
Steve
Then why is their stock so low? The market doesn’t buy it. Literally.
Lesley
I do agree somewhat but as a UK visitor who likes to come every couple of years I do miss being able to do a couple of rides then park hop then repeat. You have to wait until 2pm which can be frustrating. We haven’t been able to come for 3 years and always spend a lot. This time was my son’s honeymoon and we’ve spent absolute fortune making up for years unable to come.
Lesley
I do agree somewhat but as a UK visitor who likes to come every couple of years I do miss being able to do a couple of rides then park hop then repeat. You have to wait until 2pm which can be frustrating. We haven’t been able to come for 3 years and always spend a lot. This time was my son’s honeymoon and we’ve spent absolute fortune making up for years unable to come.
Mary
Exactly!
Jeff D
Josh the ratio is nowhere near what he wants you to think. If it were true he wouldn’t also be raising prices on the “family from Denver.” The old Fastpass system worked well for EVERYONE. My family went to the parks recently and could see the cost cutting measures and money grabbing everywhere. The parks were packed and yet they only had SOME of the ride vehicles open on many rides. For instance, only two elevators were open on Tower of Terror, forcing the wait times up artificially so more people would purchase Lightening Lanes. They did it with a ton of rides – Space Mountain and Big Thunder being otgere where they only had one side open. They’re saving money on staffing and maintenance costs, charging more for tickets, and forcing artificial wait times so people “from Denver” are forced to buy Lightening Lane passes for their family or risk not being able ride the big rides on their “once in every 5 year” trip. Don’t be fooled – he’s just spinning the story. And by the way, he hates the Superfans because they see the crappy changes and call him out on them.
Tom
It’s all about manipulating the system to make it look like he is doing you favor. It’s the financial statement that matters and how big the bonuses will be. Walt could have done the same think but then perhaps Disney wouldn’t have survived. We have been going there for twenty five plus years but have now decided it’s no longer Walt’s place. Bob is right though, nothing will change until demand goes down. Take it or leave it.
Zara
Your the ones he’s talking about, at least you could afford to go every year
Jayne1955
RIGHT!
michael
27 yearly visits all from out of state, sometimes twice. Cost anywhere from $7-10,000 per visit and that’s w/ knowing all the ways to save costs DVC rental points, annual passes etc. Even got married there. Worked hard all my life & will spend my money where & when I want! Now the where is unknown yet but never again at WDW. This will be our last Xmas season there & that’s only because we already had money put up front that we can’t get back. Won’t deal w/ constant staffing, & maintenance issues, politics, brawls, whining unhappy employees. I don’t pay outrageous amounts to please you, it’s the other way around. We’re just going to go this last time & try to re-live the memories of our past there & do our best to ignore the sadness of the present. We WILL have one last Magical Day. May you all have a Magical Day, even the ones that make nasty comments to this post. We understand it’s the thing to do these days!
Scott Lee-Ross
sorry @Jeff D
That is just hooky. Tower of Terror had one shaft at a time down for planned mechanical maintenance. They did that rather than shut down the whole attraction.
No one is forced to buy Lightning Lanes or Genie+. They are unbundling prices. Would you rather just pay 15 more for your tickets and make ride reservations or spend 15 less and wait in line. It is now your choice.
Would you rather pay 32 more for your resort room each night and uber over or save that 32 per night? Again, your choice.
Be real
G. Graf
I was one of.those super fans. Repeat was! I would go as often as I could. Now,.with the system They have set up, the elimination of the free fast pass, and unbelievable price increases, it’s to the point that only rich people can go. I was recently planning a 3 day trip for my wife and two of our grandkids at Fort Wilderness. It would have cost me over $5000. I got the same deal at Universal for half the cost. I feel Dianey is going to price itself out of business. Also I think Florida’s Governor is stupid for his fight with Dianey.
Roo
Graf 100% agrees that DeStupid is an idiot. With no plan on who will pay the one-billion-dollar bond for Reedy Creek it is either going to be two counties’ taxpayers or the entire state of Florida’s taxpayers. DeStupid is a magatard who cares nothing about his state only about his own wokeness.
Steve
Stay out of my state, we don’t want you. Thanks.
MaryA
Absolutely right!
Dana
Bingo.
Ed S
Don’t worry Bob and you libturds. My family and I who live 80 miles away will never buy another AP or even visit. You have turned Disneyworld into a dirty broken down ghetto.
Zara
Bye then
Screw Chapek
Don’t worry they don’t want you there anyway. No one does
Roo
Who do you think will miss your intolerant and ignorant magatard butt? You and your other snowflakes have turned the wonderful country of ours into a mess.
Please stop going to Disney and please refrain from any further insurrections against our wonderful country.
Steve
The ones constantly demanding (and getting) “change” shouldn’t be whining about what our country had become. You are the ones who asked for this.
Cayla
Im both, i am definately a super fan, but can only come every 5 years. Ive seen super fan adults, who go frequently, yell at parents with their kids, whose first time it is, because they couldnt see the castle during the show, or too worried about their selfie to allow room for children. They should limit the amt. Of APs.
Zara
Well said
People these days
Yea really well said..LOL. you people really want to ban others from going to a park so that you can enjoy your time there. Doesnt that seem a little elitist and hypocritical? Lol plan accordingly,enjoy your time when there,and stop blaming others for your bad time. Learn to deal with your emotions better. Neither chapek or disney care about,you,me or anyone. LOL this is some comedy. It ain’t that serious. Just have a good time. So sensitive
Steve
Zara is a 1%er liberal. Typical disgustig Disney pandering scum.
Christophe
They didn’t say “ban”. They said limit APs. And I agree. Bob specifically says the problem with the overcrowding is with mostly due to APs. So either further limit the # of APs or raise the prices…don’t make everything more inconvenient for everyone (including AP holders).
Steve
That’s a lie, though. APs are the last people to want to go to a park when it is overcrowded.
Want to know the real issue? Look at DVCs and the endless room expansions. Disney has not expanded capacity meaningfully since AK opened, but has constantly built more rooms.
APs have always been there, paying for Disney’s year-round operation. What wasn’t always there was an excessive amount of timeshares and third party hotels with special privileges.
Missy
He’s putting his own spin on what is really a statement about money.
Bottom line is, he doesn’t get as much money from what he is calling “superfans”. Known at the DRC (at least it was) as “Worldphile” guests, anyone who makes multiple trips in a year, and has been doing so for several years, ie, repeat or loyal customers…
Anyone with the top of the line Annual Pass, does not pay for parking, has no block out dates and gets discounts on merchandise, dining and resort reservations. They often make the most of their experience by knowing when the rates are lowest and often stay in value resorts as opposed to deluxe resorts.
Bob just doesn’t like he can’t squeeze more $ out of them than the enormous cost of the annual pass, which, I know, in early 2000’s was in the $900 range.
Bob gotta go.
michael
Rent DVC points, stay at deluxe hotels for even less than the inexpensive resorts. We’ve saved many, many $$$ over the years.
michael
We have used Dave’s DVC rentals for a over a decade successfully.
Tony from Virginia
And I Thank You
I have been renting my DVC points since 2015 using David’s
Disney has been going down is road for a long time, I can’t see myself ever setting foot on Disney property again
Don
We have been season pass holders for many years. I don’t have a problem with limiting the number of guest per day (this limits everyone not just season pass holders). What I have a problem with is the continuous increase in cost. Food prices at the park are outrageous, my season pass has almost tried in cost in the last four years, the benefits for being season pass holders have decreased (more blackout dates). This past year will be our last year for season passes. I prices it out, and I can purchase 2 passes at Sea World and 2 park passes at Universal for the same price as 2 passes at Disney. Sorry Disney, the MAGIC with this CEO is gone.
Leslie Brown
I agree with him. I think he is right.
beautiful gorgeous
My family would be considered super fans, but we are not from Florida. We are happy to be there every 2-3 years. We find Chapek distasteful. When they took away every perk from staying at the resorts, we realized that was only the beginning. Opening of the park early for resort guests went from an hour to 30 minutes. Park opening early to guests used to be the whole park, now it is only part of the park. Ride maintainence neglected (breaking down several times a day or being closed for days) Next, charging people for fast passes/genie plus. Hotel/resorts being neglected–guests expected to stay in rooms that are infested with bugs or smell of raw sewage. In the midst of all of this, Chapek is continuing to price gauge guests. Board of directors promised they would vote him out, and they betrayed the Disney fans. Currently, they want to cancel Walt Disney. It is their goal to change the name to Disney World and drop Walt’s name. Will they remove his statue in front of the castle? They were planning on placing a statue of Walt at EPCOT, is that no longer in the plan? Chapek is always trying to placate the 1% at the expense of the 99%. Poor business model.
Scott Lee-Ross
I guess in between your visits, you may have realized that you do not remember correct facts. But here are a few
While the perks have changed, there are still many perks to staying on property.
While Extra Magic Hours gave you an hour in 1 park each morning, that was only on average 7 hours per week. Now there are 14 hours of Early Entry each week with every park offering 30 minutes every day.
Extra Magic Hours have not been the whole park in every park since it began. There have always been attractions that did not open with Extra Magic Hours.
Everything else you posted is just plain wrong. Fastpass+ let you make reservations in advance and guests complained they did not know what they wanted to do until they got there. Disney fixed that, now let you get more Lightning Lane reservations than were ever possible with Fastpass+ and lets those that want to save $15 use the standby line.
Nothing is neglected, No one is forced to stay with bugs or sewage and they are not cancelling Walt. They are not removing the Partner’s statue and they just debuted the Walt the Dreamer statue 48 hours ago.
Quit reading the crap and satire sites and stick with the truth
John
@Scott Lee-Ross Drinking the Kool-Aid much? You just have an answer for everything, don’t you? You sound like one of Chapek’s corporate bafoons. Heck, you may be the actual Chapek for all we know with that ridiculous reply. The fact is, Disney is not the same as people remember and that’s not in a good way. The small majority that are pleased with these changes are ruining it for the remaining majority who loved Disney for what it was meant to be for: everybody. And this isn’t from reading “crap and satire sites”, this IS the truth.
S1
Scott is a brainwashed shill and when I take over Disney and erase the Cheapek era out of existence, I will blacklist him. I’m also starting to write a sequel to James B. Stewart’s DisneyWar and will not only be smearing Cheapek, but his family as well and this also will get smeared. Like Hearst went after Orson Welles.
Steve
He is a Disney employee. Defensing Disney and especially Bob is his literal full time job.
michael
I still have too many issues w/ WDW & won’t be returning. I have seen the cutting of services over the last couple of decades. What I do like is finally reading on this site someone’s comments like Scott’s that is actually factual & done his homework! Everything he said is true! Not someone who has no idea & is just being nasty to be nasty. Gorgeous go back to twitter for that nastiness! No need to be mean just because you have a different point of view.
Sean One
Regrdless how many people feel about him and any feelings someone might have with how he has managed things so far, he is 100% correct on this issue. Passholders were makibg it very difficult for non-locals to be able to enjoy the parks. Something had to be done. Even I, who once went to DL everyday for just under three and a half years and believed it was indeed my own personal playground.
Steve
OK Disney Marketing.
Joe
If you do t want that family to be locked out because no reservations are left, then do away with reservations. Do away with your money grab of Genie + which is more of a pain than anything else and bring back fast pass so everyone can schedule 3 attractions at a time which will cut down on stand by waits everywhere!
Brad
Cutting down the crowds via reservations and limiting AP days is the only way to cut down the wait times. They have to find ways to nickel and dime the guests to deter AP holders from coming all the time…they really just need to grow a pair and cancel the AP program permanently. Superfans will buy regular park tickets if they are truly fans of Disney, just might only be able to go a couple times a year instead of couple times a week.
Steve
The only way? There isn’t any other way possible to decrease wait times?
Why do I suspect you work for Disney, Brad?
pearl (she/her)
honestly i think chapek is half right about the attitude ap holders have, but i also definitely agree he doesn’t actually care about the first time guests and just wants to make sure ap holders are spending more money. because i agree, it’s annoying when some ap holder takes up a reservation for the park only to go for one hour just because they wanted to have dinner at hungry bear. now a family can’t go that day because one person wanted to use disneyland as a mall food court. but,,, ultimately, it’s chapek’s fault and disney as a whole that the parks are failing right now. pricing people out is not going to end well like they’re doing now. it’s discriminatory, and it’s not how Walt wanted his park to be. removing free fastpasses and introducing paid lightning lane, as well as all these other perks people get when they pay extra money for them, is part of the reason the disney parks are crumbling. they’ve lost the magic and are focused only on how much money they can milk both out of the ap holders AND the once in a lifetime visitors. all this to say that chapek doesn’t actually care about the people he pretends to care about. if he did, he’d stop pricing us out and make it easier to enjoy the park without blaming other people who are only a miniscule part of the problem.
DT
He is going to continue to raise prices until he sees demand drop. Makes sense from a business standpoint but he will be alienating many people (not just superfans) in the process. Too much business and not enough humanity.
Pam
We are out of state passholders…can only buy most expensive pass offered. We travel to Disney World 3 to 4 times a year and stay in deluxe resorts. Yes we take advantage of the passholder discounts offered at resorts.
This will probably be our last year as the disintegration under this man is reprehensible. Artificial wait times, increased prices for small portions and a lesser quality merchandise, decrease in services are all contributing to this decision. Savannah view room at AK last month saw housekeeping every other day and plastic cups. I was told this was due to covid…I call BS! While the remote was wrapped for cleanliness, the hair dryer was not. And plastic and paper cups in a deluxe resort?? Really?? Parks are dirty-overflowing trash cans, filthy bathrooms. Bottom line…Chapek is destroying the experience and being allowed to do so.
Mickeymouse3
Well golly gee bob (the 2nd o is silent), Why make the changes you did to begin with? We have been going to WDW for years. Sure, it got crowded at times but it was manageable. Fastpasses and early reservations helped make that possible. You chose to add the reservation system. You chose the genie+ system which is nothing more than a paid for stand-by line. That family from Denver could have been admitted prior to your ressie system. Not now tho. Don’t try to put a spin on it. Everything wrong with Disney now, happened on your watch. You need to resign. There’s no shame in that. Just do it already. In the meantime, I will add to your D23 intro as well….BOOOOOOOO!!
Rox
He doesn’t seem to mind charging exorbitant prices to that family from Denver though, does he.
What about DVC members, are we undesirable too?
Gary
Pre Covid I never ever read or heard stories of people not allowed in due to park capacity, except for Xmas and maybe one other holiday. How come they were able to control park attendance then but now cannot. Seems fishy and do away with system. All complain now from your once every 5 year visitor and AP visitor.
Ed Sweeney
Guest loyalty is the issue.
1. We are no longer guests but customers and consumers. That is a major change in philosophy.
2. As a DVC owner we used to buy an AP and go to WDW twice a year. We made reservations at signature dining. Those trips were our coping mechanisms.
Now we don’t go twice a year.
“Benefits or Perks” are removed (AP, Magic Express, Tables in Wonderland…) and prices still increase, then you know a new “model” is in place.
I know we won’t impact the bottom line. I know our opinion is not wanted or valued. I am a Disney consumer now. I am no longer a “guest” when I am on their property.
Nathan
It’s seems quite obvious to me that is time for a 3rd park. There’s just too much demand to only have the 2 that currently exist. Disney needs to find a spot in south TX. You get decent-enough weather for year-round operation. TX would basically split the difference in distance between the current 2 parks, creating kinda a regional east coast, west coast, and then a middle America locations for visitors. I have to think a 3rd location is feasible. The overcrowding at the parks proves the demand.
Jayne1955
Disney would never want to deal with Texas politics. If Florida wants to fight with Disney about control you think Texas would not?
Kari
I would rather have them build it in a more progressive state. Stop supporting red states who hate them.
Bob
To get taxed out of their minds?
We all know everyone will want to get their fingers into the pie.
Especially politicians.
Steve
I second this. We don’t want Wokeney. Build a park in New York, see how that ends up.
G
My family and I don’t go to Orlando on a regular and when we went we couldn’t get in because of the reservation system. It was so much better prior to this new system. Admit defeat and your wrong and undue all this crap. Worst CEO ever trying to make a square peg fit into a circle hole.
Carol
Just because there is a reservation system doesn’t mean that the super fans won’t get all the available tickets. It’s dependent on who makes their reservations first – first come, first served, so his comment makes no sense much like many of the other changes he’s made for the sake of greed!
Jayne1955
This is not the worst thing he’s ever said.
Carla
Ive been wanting to go for the last three years. My daughter and myself are passholders from Missouri. Do to the pandemic we have to cancel each time. We are finally going in five weeks. We are staying at the Grand Floridian Resort. Our hotel bill for 19 nights yes I said 19 nights is over 15 thousands dollars, and we didn’t get a discount. I have considered getting my money back. We are big fans of Disney, but he [chapek] is making it really hard to continue to like it. Some needs to tell him that for years the passholders are what kept the money coming in.
Diane Roche
Tickets increased for everyone! No more Quick Services… prices increased and services decreased! How is that helping the Family From Denver! It sounds more to me u are making Disney available to only the Rich! I think WALT would not be very happy…. You have taken the DREAM away from many families and many more children!! A week at Disney is easily costing a family of four over 20, 000 dollars and without meal plan much more! The transportation from airport another big loss! Things that made Disney affordable for NORMAL INCOME families is now gone! SO SO SAD… ALL ABOUT PROFIT … really sad trying to say you are tying to help the family from Denver! Walt’s dreams were for EVERYONE to be able to dream!!!!
Derek
These comments are proof that Disney has a portion of their marketing team used to go online and attack naysayers. They’re obviously VERY offended when anyone criticizes their worsening of the park experience. They “fixed” an unbroken system to make more money while also treating their customers worse.
Steve
Look up WDWNT and their interaction with Bob. This company is not just evil, but baffling. They are actively antagonistic to anyone who criticizes them in any way, and it isn’t working out for them.
Disney isn’t too big to fail.
Paul
Screwed up everything. Resign
Bob’s Bae
What an improvement from the last Bob. Can’t wait for another 20 years under his leadership.
Steve
Evil Bob is dead, long live Evil Bob!
Bob’s Bae
Evil Bob! 😂
Adam M.
Simple solution… Don’t go to Disney! There are 5, soon to be 6, other fantastic theme parks in Central Florida (Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure, SeaWorld Orlando, Busch Gardens Tampa and Legoland Florida with Epic Universe on the way). They are all way cheaper and cherish their annual passholders, are cleaner and less crowded. You can get season passes for all of them for less than a season pass to Disney! I get them all and add a Fun Spot pass, too. No reservations required either!
Bob
Could not have said it better. No one is forcing people to travel to Disney. If you’re that upset, stop complaining on the internet and try something new!
Steve
The two are not mutually exclusive. You can complain about Disney and boycott Disney.
Me, I considered buying someone an AP as a gift several months ago. I went with Universal instead. Disney hates me and doesn’t want my business, why would I give it to them? I will run out my AP and not spend a single cent on property while I do so. Screw Bob and his woke cronies. Disney deserves to fail. I hope Apple runs the company better after the buyout.
Camille
Feel so sorry for everyone because this guy is making it so expensive that you almost have to take out a second mortgage to go to Disney! Not right and I don’t think that MR Disney would have been happy! He is a very, very bad CEO.
Jack
I had taken my family almost every year for 12 years we went last November after Thanksgiving for a couple days it cost more than 6 days did in2015. There was no room cleaning for 2 days. It cost us 7,500 dollars for 2 days of park hopper tickets and room. I will never return there again an I live in Florida.
Don
Not a Florida resident, but if it wasn’t for Florida residents, like California – apparently they have no issue there, infact they didn’t want anyone outside California- WDW would be up the creek. Non Florida residents pay a hefty fee for AP. Superfans are Disney bread n butter, doesn’t sound like their appreciated . What’s next DVC Members who pay a monthly maintenance fee & AP
Paul
Annual passes in any business guarantee income and many will renew year on year. In Europe, those who live hundreds of miles from Paris (probably the same for Americans living far away from the parks) have to commit to big travel costs to get there as well as entry and the new additional fees. They love everything Disney and the annual passes give them some saving for when they visit and flexibility to choose when they visit. The majority won’t visit more than 2 or maybe 3 times a year. Most aren’t rich, they save. They want to go to Disney parks not the others. The new arrangements are making it annoyingly hard for these committed fans to visit the parks. Chapek doesn’t seem to want to attract long term loyal Disney fans.
Steve
Chapel is going to destroy Disney completely within the next year. I would not be surprised at all if big companies like Apple and Microsoft are already setting aside cash for a buyout.
Micki
As an AP for many years, I disagree with Chapek. As an AP having that pass and going whenever I like is great and as for spending money on souvenirs we spend anywhere from 500 to 1000 each time we go as we like to collect items and not to resell them at marked up prices either.
Disney has helped me and been a safe space for me through lots of trauma. So to lump ALL AP’S together is unfair and wrong.
If your unhappy then suck it up and change it. Don’t blame others for your misery.
FJB and FBCC
Eventually the US government will not be able to fund these Disney vacations for most families with their welfare child tax credits. Sorry but it’s true.
Emily C
Sorry but before Chapek took over and before there was a reservation system the parks were at capacity exactly two days out of the year: Christmas and the 4th of July. The “family from Denver” did not have any issues getting in unless they visited those two weeks out of the year. Now the current system is so complicated that the family that visits once every 5 years is totally lost. The only people who have figured it out are the locals who visit all the time.
Mark L
I spent close to $20,000 for my last trip. Yes, I would like to get catered to more than some crappy local who goes there and brings a bag of chips for dinner.
Steve
Sounds like you are the one that got duped, rube.
B
You are just the person they are looking for. There are way better places to get catered to, for 20k, usually much less. You see Mark, they are looking for gullible, sentimental people that don’t get out much. Thanks for making their case. That the Public is uneducated and make poor financial decisions.
Mark the Tassel
I have a Galaxy Starcruiser to sell you! Each person starts at $6000. That’s right! $6000 for your child under 12 yrs old! Sound too good to be true? It’s not! You get 1-1/2 days of your 3 day stay!
Seriously Mark? Spend your money elsewhere. We don’t need you.
-Crappy local
Liza J
If this is true stop building more DVC resorts and make more value resorts so that the family who comes once in a lifetime can stay on property at a stupid expensive price. As for annual pass holder these are the families that come back and spend the money. Most families who come once in a lifetime will not come back and there children will not want to go to Disney as they will find a more affordable amazing place to go in this big world. Bob Chapek needs to go as he may be making money right now for Disney but he wont in the future for them because no one will go to his parks.
Renee
I stopped going to Disney parks for exactly what he is saying. Too crowded with people who use it for a hang out spot. It’s like a playground of teen gangs and not families. The excitement level is brought down in the whole park.
Renee
Teen Gangs?! You’re confusing yourself with Knott’s.
Steve
Bob is a disgusting con artist destroying what was once an icon of America. I literally hate this man.
Roo
Just like DeStupid, please keep the sweet, sweet tears coming snowflake.
Steve
Desantis will be elected… president. Disney will be broke in 3 years.
Debra Glen
We’ve been visiting Disney World from the UK every year since 1989 missing the last 2 because of the pandemic, unfortunately this year will sadly be our last as it has become too expensive what with no free airport transfers to Disney hotels, having to pay for magic bands at the hotel, genie+ and lightning lanes, also the thought of having to get up every morning for 7am to try to organise the day ahead is Not something I am looking forward to. Also if you declined housekeeping you got a loaded gift card, now you don’t and housekeeping is every other day and not all duties you would expect from an hotel are done which is not really acceptable. So sad!!!! And that is down to Bob and not the influencer’s.
K kramer
WDW currently owns nearly 35,000 hotel rooms, dvc units, campsites and cabins on their property, not to mention several on site hotels not directly owned by disney. Nearly 12,500 of those units have been ADDED since April 1998, when the Animal Kingdom opened. Chapek says that price increases and the hated reservation system are NECESSARY due to visitor demand for the parks. This is FALSE. Disney is creating this OVER demand becuase they keep building hotels and DVC without adding an additional park for those guests to attend. It has been 22 years and yet Disney has decided to add rides here and there and new lands instead of using all of the land that they own to spread out the guests that they have made room to accommodate into additional activities.
I realize the pandemic threw a wrench into every business in every industry, but Disney only reaped the benefits of people being cooped up for so long. Their parks revenue is through the roof, yet they continue to cut back staff, service, upkeep and benefits for cast members and guests. At this point, it’s an excuse to cut back on things they didn’t want to offer anymore, and covid gave them the chance to make the cuts. EVERYONE knows it, we’re not STUPID.
Companies NEED to spend money to make money. DISNEY spent tons of money to set up Disney + and get content. They need to do the same thing in the Parks. Adding a 5th gate is EXPENSIVE but, in business, there is rarely a more SURE thing. Disney has proved….”if they build it they will come.” So follow the lead of Universal Studios and open a 5th park. Then raising prices will be a given, becuase there us additional content and experiences that guests will have the opportunity to participate in.
Steve
It’s worse, because Disney practically never builds anything new. They replace existing attractions. No capacity increase, often a capacity decrease even after the 3-5 year construction cycle.
It is all about minimizing costs while maximizing profits. Disney is a big scam.
Ken
Yes let capitalism rain. Keep making that crazy profit. And keep watching long time customer base leave Disney behind. This year our vacation was cheaper in Italy than Disney in Florida and we live in Florida. We only live 4hrs away. Sad to see what Disney has become.
Russell
I hate to say it but Bob might be right
TimthetoolmanTaylor
Research the information before you agree. Thats all. Have a good one, Russell!
BC
This just feels like damage control to try and reaffirm that Disney still cares about families when it’s clear they don’t. AP holders with disposable income and no kids are Disney’s new ideal customer. They clog up the park less than a family with a couple kids and a stroller and freely pay for all the overpriced food, services and latest Disney souvenir. They are also more likely to advertise/promote the latest Disney product or service on social media. It’s adorable that Chapek is still pretending to care about the family from Denver but their pricing and direction indicates otherwise.
TimtheToolmanTaylor
Anyone who believes the BS that is coming out of Bob’s mouth deserves to get the worst experience they get when they visit. Bob cannot admit that the reservation system is a failure. He has to fabricate a family from Denver and give them the worst situation. The capacity situation is extremely rare. I can count it on one hand how many times this has happened. Also, the crowding situation doesn’t happen until towards the end of the afternoon.
If you come from out of town, you would want to be at the parks first thing in the morning, typically. From rope drop, you can do Space Mountain, Matterhorn, Indiana Jones, Pirates, Big Thunder Mountain and maybe Haunted Mansion within an hour and a half (if nothing is closed). Even faster if there are some closed attractions. That is close to half the major attractions. This is FACT. I time it every time I go (1 to 2 times a week), so it’s been proven 97% of the time with groups ranging from 1 to 4. The rest of the time, you can take your sweet time and do shows or other attractions at your leisure. All this, without paying for Genie + and God forbid you use its “suggestions for your day”. That is a whole other failure for a separate matter.
Former cast member
The company is absolutely trash. Vile. Opening doing illegal things knowing they have million dollar lawyers at the ready to come for anyone of us that speak out. Stop going. Stop giving these truly evil and corrupt people money.
Fahid Zalik
I spent over $3,000 per trip. Of course Disney wants me more than a local cheap schmuck.
Steve
Hate to tell you, if all you paid was “over” 3k, you are not Disney’s new target demographic. Add a zero and maybe you are close.
Christophe
He’s essentially saying: “Demand is too high, so we need to change everything people love to make them want to come less.” But they also want to “maintain an excellent guest experience”? What kind of logic is that? C’mon, Bobby!
DKLA
Problem is with Chapek’s argument is that he is making an enemy of his base. By definition, a superfan buys more products, produces more hype, gets more views, buys more movie tickets, gets subscriptions, etc. The average woman in America produces 1.64 children and is on the decline (CDC 2021). 5.1% marriages occur per year, but 45% end in failure (as of 2022 per CDC) and you expect them all to go to Disneyland or Disneyworld? I suspect most can barely keep their student loans, mortgages, or bills paid on time. Now it is $200 per ticket (1 day park hopper + $30 parking) with Genie+ ($15-20 with additional money per specific ride). That is excluding hotels, rental cars, plane tickets, food, etc. I have the AP before being grandfathered to the Dream Key. I get gifts for my nieces and nephews (my brothers are military) using the discount and I visit the parks to be at cost when visiting relatives.
Melissa H
I hate to tell Mr. Chapek his business – but the superfans are quickly losing interest in Disney. Attendance in September has plummeted now that all the pent up “have to get away” post pandemic demand has been met. We are DVC members, and will stay at the resort we have points at – but I stopped wearing Disney apparel, will not buy any additional “merch”, and will never visit the parks again until they begin selling annual passes. We went on average 3 times a year – their loss, Universal’s gain. We are already planning on sticking to Universal 100% on our next trip.
VacaDad
Walt’s Disney never had an AP program and they did just fine until the 80s when it was introduced. Disney really needs to phase this out as it has only created entitled whiners. Dialing back on visits would really help current AP holders appreciate the parks more like most of us vacationers do. Disney would do just fine without the AP program as there is an abundance of demand for regular tickets and eliminating some of the obsessive daily goers would help shorten the lines while bringing in more revenue (less time in line means more time in stores and restaurants). Sorry AP holders but too much Mickey makes you Goofy!
Steve
Corporate drone.
EastIcon
The only thing Chapek understands is $$$! Superfans or fans, it doesn’t matter. Disney is in disarray and will NOT get any better anytime soon!
My opinion is not the only one voicing dissatisfaction.
VacaDad
They ain’t running a charity lol everything is getting more expensive! You don’t need to have an AP to be a SuperFan though, I can only afford to go to Disney once a year and I am fine with that…I appreciate it more when it is not as frequent. AP holders should not be able to just casually pop in whenever they want…anything good takes planning and saving to truly enjoy. Disney would only be better if AP disappeared.
Steve
If the AP went away, all those customers would go straight to Universal and Sea World. Disney wouldn’t be able to sustain year-round operation and would have to become a seasonal park. You’re as clueless as Bob.
GW
I have an AP and surprisingly, for once, I agree with him. I go maybe once or twice a month with my family and I’ve definitely noticed the crazy (not all but some) AP passholder people who you know have no lives and probably would visit every day before the reservation system was implemented. I think it was a sound idea to stop the oddballs from overwhelming the system.
Steve
I could visit every day if I wanted to. All the reservation system does is add more hoops and stealth blackout dates to specific parks (ie fraud).
Linda Marie Gonzalez
Why hasn’t chapek been fired. He has destroyed Disney. We used to be superfine but I and everyone I know never want to go again. My daughter is disabled and our lawyer tried to male it easier for disabled people to access rides in Disney. Chapeks huge team of lawyers forced our lawyer into bankruptcy because they kept having him have to appear in court for nonsense. So he had no time for other clients. Meanwhile Disney With its thousands of lawyers didn’t care. Chapek pretends to care about the disabled and others. He just wants money.
Linda Marie Gonzalez
Why hasn’t chapek been fired. He has destroyed Disney. We used to be superfans but I and everyone I know never want to go again. My daughter is disabled and our lawyer tried to male it easier for disabled people to access rides in Disney. Chapeks huge team of lawyers forced our lawyer into bankruptcy because they kept having him have to appear in court for nonsense. So he had no time for other clients. Meanwhile Disney With its thousands of lawyers didn’t care. Chapek pretends to care about the disabled and others. He just wants money.
Maya Crawford
He didn’t say anything wrong to me. I get it.
Helen Bovay
With the cost rising constantly, has anyone at Disney ever thought of offering a Florida 6 Month Pass that would consist of September thru February? I, personally think this would be a great item for Florida residents.
FranC
Spouse and I went to Disney once, as older adults. It was a cool experience once. I am here reading comments because many of my contemporaries are Disney fanatics. As in “I need to get my cpap packed now, so I don’t forget. I am so stoked over the Not-So-Spooky Spectacular!”
rob
Seems like reasonable insights. Superfans make going to Disney a headache.
Steve
OK Bob… I mean “Rob”.
Kathy
I have to agree with Chapek on some of these issues. Before Covid the parks were so crowded it was miserable. We were passholders for decades and decided that we wouldn’t renew because of the locals crowding in the parks. We couldn’t just go anytime and come back another day because it was crowded. It’s a 10 hour drive for us. So I’m glad the locals are being restrained on visits. I really hate the idea of the lightning lane garbage but it’s a limiter too I suppose.
Steve
Locals won’t wait more than 30 minutes. No point, we can come back another time. If you see a wait longer than that, it is all out of state tourist trash. Blame your ilk.
Sandulf
I agree with Chapek …this is Capitalisms, and they should be able to charge what they can for a trip to Disney. And all the people who can’t make enough to go to Disney, should stop crying about it. Make more money if you don’t like it. If all of us wealthier people have bought the right to be here, tough luck to those who have not. Right?
Bob
The cast members do not like Chapek. The guest do not like Chapek. Even Iger reportedly does not like Chapek saying he made the mistake of his tenure appointing Chapek. Why then does the board give him a three year contract extension. It’s because he is turning profit by riding the wave of post pandemic lockdowns by being a cheapskate bean counter.
Steve
I don’t even think it is that. The people on the board cannot have received the other positions they have being this shortsighted. Something else is going on and I suspect it is fishing for a buyout.
Cuyo
Not much I can say on this..
Dog dad
Chapek doesn’t care about us just his paycheck. He is doing this because the “family from Denver” will spend more $$$ than pass holders. He said this himself.
One thing I find ironic….
Free cups of water! Stand inline for a SMALL cup of ice water or buy a BIG water for 5 bucks? I asked for a large cup of water and was told “Free water only comes in small cups”
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