Everything That’s Changed at Disney Since Iger Ousted the Former CEO

[@bloodflow82]

One big problem with Disney is they are squeezing the park guests and lowering the quality of what you get and using that to fund their streaming services. It’s a lose lose situation and not sustainable long term. People are already leaving Disney in droves. The reason I believe the parks feel so crowded is not because they are hitting capacity because it was higher pre pandemic, but rather genie plus is to blame causing lines to be backed up way more than before, it simply does not work. Genie plus makes the standby lines 2-3x longer than they should be since they have to get genie people through since they paid.

[@sarahturner9028]

I was there a couple of weeks ago and they also inflate the times of rights in the park for the standby line. Haunted Mansion said 45 minutes but it only took 20. Yes it probably would have been faster in the lightening lane but I also think they want to make lightening lane people feel like they saved an amazing amount of time when it was probably just a few minutes.

[@UmmYeahOk]

@@sarahturner9028 I timed every ride I waited for on my January trip (including the busses). While resort busses were 30-45 minutes each time, the rides were always 5-15 minutes shorter than advertised. This led to two different theories. 1) they are inflating ride times too entice people into buying genie+, or 2) they are trying to trick people into believing how wonderful and magical it was that they did not have to wait so long after all. The depressing thing is that we shouldn’t have to wait 75 minutes in an 80 minute line to begin with. We ride fewer rides with Genie+ than we ever did with fastpass. The entire room had to wake up at 7am each day to book one single lightning lane, and not only not be able to pick a time, but have the time given change with each screen. By the time you’re able to book your second, only thing left to book are walk on attractions.

[@BStop22]

To be fair, fast pass worked in a very similar way with those who had fast passes getting in that priority line. They didn’t pay but they had the upper hand. With that being said, I don’t think genie+ is making the lines longer. I think the parks are busier, the capacity has been upped, so the lines are just longer. 😕

[@bloodflow82]

@@BStop22 with fastpass + since it was not a paid service they let less people compared to genie plus for every standby person. also the capacity is less than pre pandemic and they have said that attendance is not back to pre pandemic level, yet they are making record profit due to charging more per guest.

[@amcmann925]

Lines weren’t any different with fast lane, it was the same. They let a ton is fast lane people through and a couple regular lane people go. They need to get rid of the whole thing and just have a regular lane.

[@LunkerFishing]

I was a cast member for over eight years.When I started there it was a fun place to be and that is the entire reason I went there. I was a guest for many years before moving here. Unlike the average cast member I spent a couple hours with a specific set of guests. Most cast positions at WDW spend minutes or even seconds interacting individually with guests. If you are with them for a long time you get to hear what guests actually think of what is going. Progressively I heard more negative attitudes by guests and in the end that is why I left. I was not there for the money, just to make the magic like had been made for me when I was a guest. The last few years has been an increased rejection of family valued entertainment. Will that change with the old CEO returning, that has yet to be seen. Their emphasis is not on the magic, it is on profit. I do not think that balance is as it was in the past and certainly not what Walt created. That is sad.

[@terahhowell]

Our family returned in 2022 for a visit that lacked Disney magic. My husband and I went to Le Cellier on our actual anniversary, not one cast member asked if we were celebrating anything special. All years past, we wore pins and buttons for our celebrations. Staff was greatly rude, like they hadn't been trained in Disney Magic. The experience was disappointing. Disney has always brought me the greatest heart fluttering vacation...until 2022. :( I sincerely hope that a massive improvement is made to make guests Priority.

[@ZiddersRooFurry]

" increased rejection of family valued entertainment" Not sure what you mean by this. Disney has continued to invest in the same kind of family entertainment it always has.

[@LunkerFishing]

@@giusseppexiden Amen!

[@jennifereddleman6656]

I agree about the family values entertainment. I can't just put my kids on Disney+ or even Disney Jr and trust it anymore.

[@geosanchez9716]

Agree and pronoun focused

[@rach5516]

I have fallen out of love with Disney, not just the parks but their content too, it doesn’t have that magical feeling for me that I associate with the parks, that feeling you want to revisit when you get home. I hope it will come back, if we can at any point actually afford to go to Disney again.

[@philipcoriolis6614]

It is called growing up.

[@rach5516]

@@philipcoriolis6614 that's for that insight love, very much appreciated!

[@wlonsdale1]

@@philipcoriolis6614 no, it’s called going woke and going broke

[@rachb373]

Couldn't agree more

[@dozer11]

@@wlonsdale1 explain to us what “woke” means.

[@carladgaf]

I’ve been to Disney 4 times in my life. The first 3 were magical. The last time I went I felt stressed, tense, on edge. It didn’t feel magical anymore. The crowd was just too much. The most annoying thing I experienced was everything being mobile order or mobile reservation. I have a toddler I’d rather just walk into a place and eat instead of having to order an hour ahead or having to wait an hour. Reservation system is so annoying too. What if one weekend I want to be spontaneous and make the drive there? I can’t because 9/10 times it’s already booked. I don’t know when I’ll be going back to Disney. And I only go because my son loves it.

[@daveedwards7366]

I thought it was only for the kids?!?

[@carladgaf]

@@daveedwards7366 said who

[@Gobble_de_Goop]

This was the EXACT way I felt when I last went in October 2016. It was the first year they did the seasonal pricing, and the crowds were insane. My feet got ran over by strollers several times throughout the day. The rides broke down. My love affair with WDW ended that day. I have no desire to ever return.

[@evelynmarks2212]

I actually love the mobile ordering, and I'm 67 years old. We've used at the All Stars hotel when you can order breakfast while the family is still getting ready. It's waiting for you when you get to the food court. We've also ordered food while standing on line for a ride and it was ready for us when we got off the ride. It saves so much time.

[@pauletteb6393]

@@daveedwards7366 Walt Disney created DL and WDW because all he could do was take his daughters to a carnival and watch them ride while sitting on a bench. He wanted a place for families to have fun together. Besides, the kids don't pay the exorbitant prices. The parents pay and deserve to have fun!

[@susan7038]

I just returned from an 8 day trip to Disney. I bought a trip for my daughters and their fiancée’s. All 6 of us noticed that Disney was looking a little more shabby than usual. The paint on rides was chipping and Small World actually had some mildew. Not quite up to the standards a guest who stays on property is used to. I feel that we pay for that and I was frankly disappointed.

[@olikiahill260]

Im sorry you and your beautiful family had a awful trip and I hope the next trip is amazing and awesome 😎

[@Blessedbears]

We went for 8 days in December and I noticed that too. Some bathrooms were gross and they used to be so well taken care of. Plus many attractions closed all at once. I was so disappointed as we paid for our family of 11 and did the least amount of things because it was so crowded too. It’s insane to wait 3 hours for tower of terror for example.

[@GOTHICMAMBA35]

@@Blessedbears I haven't been since 2018.

[@eatmeskivys]

@@olikiahill260 as long as it isn't Disney

[@scatherinelynch]

The fact that this is blamed on one person is just ridiculous. Chapek can’t make decisions WITHOUT the boards approval on things. Sounds like they’re using him as a scapegoat for the failures of the entire company

[@SombreroBeanieHat]

That’s pretty much all it is and I think they knew failure was bound to happen. Because all authorization came from Iger before he left everything to chapek and now everything is blamed on him for Iger’s decision making. Idk how these higher up don’t think we know about their strategies.

[@extropiantranshuman]

Chapek did horrible stuff at disney. He raised his own salary and not others (according to someone that told me) and made his own decisions. He ousted Iger. What good has he honestly done?

[@SombreroBeanieHat]

@@extropiantranshuman didn’t know that. However Mr.Iger is still a big part of the issue even if Chapek was part of the financial problem, iger is a back stabber. Just read his book. Always finds excuses for his poor decisions.

[@extropiantranshuman]

@@SombreroBeanieHat you're right - if iger's so great why such a letdown of transitioning poorly when he left as CEO? But I believe it was because of the underhanded situation of chapek coming in without iger able to do much. It's hard at the top - everyone wants to take your place and Iger wasn't tough enough to stop it or prevent it from happening or handle it if both of those fail. That is a shortfall I agree on iger's part.

[@extropiantranshuman]

@@SombreroBeanieHat catch up here - read "Disney CEO Bob Chapek More Than Doubled Salary in 2021" on investopedia. The Disney family told him that if the company's not doing well handling the crowds - raise the salary of the workers. Instead of doing that he raised his own salary - that's why he failed. Even if Iger is deemed a backstabber - I think it's a good thing for what Chapek's done! Because he deserves it.

[@maamold]

Genie+ is a huge bait and switch. I've never felt scammed by Disney until I purchased and tried to use Genie+. My kids also noticed that the staff seemed less helpful and kind, it was everyone so my bet is that stress levels are high and they are overwhelmed.

[@Gobble_de_Goop]

Isn't there a lawsuit filing by park goers over Genie+?

[@racheljack1776]

Agree!🎯🎯🎯🎯🎯

[@carolynsteel6571]

We probably won't return to Disney until Disney+ is demolished. We felt like we were robbed of $4000 in February of 2022. We rode a total of 6 rides in 4 days.

[@Darkstormsun9865]

@Carolyn Steel ???? Yall doing something wrong then. Me and my family rode all of them in that month. Except for ratatouille, it kept breaking down that day. 😭

[@MDStallings7]

@carolynsteel6571 not to shill for Disney or anything as their prices are indeed ridiculous, but I'm always baffled when I see people say stuff like this. Even without Genie+, I can always manage to get more attractions than that done in a single day, let alone 4. And, being a teacher, I can only go during the busiest times of the year. My only guess is people spend more time arguing about what to ride and what length of time they refuse to wait in line than actually just getting in line.

[@elainehill5931]

Planning a 2023 Universal trip. Taking a long break from Disney. Still hanging in with DFB tho😀

[@4comix]

Amen! We just spent thanksgiving there it was fantastic! Disney better stop this woke penny pitching bs

[@CHOICE-bl6ug]

Yeah, we’re going to Myrtle Beach next year and staying right on the ocean for 1/4 of the cost. No Disney for us for a very long time. Unless things change.

[@Overitall805]

They soiled the dream , they shattered the illusion. The more they let themselves get pulled into the World of here and now...the More they take us away from the Dreamland that Disney once provided us.

[@weav8484]

People just love to find things to complain about these days. Take Ryan for example… Karen’s everywhere. Sad times imo

[@manuelkong10]

@@weav8484 oh shut the Eff up he's EXACTLY right

[@robinpesek3657]

Disney is dead to me and millions of people.

[@markstein1916]

Beautifully stated!

[@FinarfinNoldorin]

Disney is no longer about family ...it is all about making money.

[@MC-nb6jx]

Nail on the head👍🏻👍🏻

[@joseCA333]

@Lance Goodthrust leprechauns?

[@thomaslindsey7685]

Actually, it's about anti God. Every corporation is about "making money," and that is as it should be. The big change is now full anti God and turning people to evil behavior.

[@babecat2000]

@@thomaslindsey7685 no one is anti-god. That is only the far right wanting to be the victim.

[@RJB]

What's makes anyone think it was never about money?

[@alvarodelpazo1916]

Huge break from Disney for me, it has lost most of its magic for me

[@haroldkloran4323]

I'd love to see free parking for resort guests

[@GLJosh]

@@Mahaney82 So would bringing back the "free" airport shuttle.

[@donnawalter6627]

I totally agree. You pay so much for the resorts, paying for parking feels like gouging the resort guests. Also the shuttle from the airport should be free.

[@StromboliTastesGood]

Seriously. Especially since there are parking tiers. Like value and moderate guests should get value and moderate parking pay if you want the deluxe. Deluxe should get everything included.

[@occheermommy]

It is not unusual to pay for parking at hotels, regardless of location and what availability there is around the area. I have been charged as much as $60 a night and got none of the perks that you get by staying at Disney. I am not saying their costs aren’t inflated when it comes to rooms and other aspects of the resort but this one thing seems like it is on par with most hotels. When I stayed at the Swan Reserve a couple months ago I think I paid $40 a night for valet parking. Well worth it. And that includes transportation to the parks and Disney Springs. I think Genie plus is worse than parking

[@haroldkloran4323]

@@occheermommy it's just pure greed when they charge way too much for a room at the resort

[@madeleinechilders3894]

The one solid problem that Disney has is that the production of what they are releasing for new material is absolute garbage. That is why Disney plus and Disney as a whole is failing. No one want to see their beloved characters whether it’s superheroes or Star Wars or Disney completely gutted and taken away from the core of what they were. They hire writers w no experience what so ever who can’t even consult w an expert to turn out a legitimate storyline. The latest example in a long line of mis-steps is She Hulk being a travesty of not only how the law works at its basic function (this is where to consult w an expert) but takes a brilliant comic about an intelligent woman given super hero abilities and makes her a joke. That at the core is why people cancel.

[@jeancunha6796]

Agree!! Kathleen Kennedy needs to be cut loose!!

[@genegarrard7839]

Disney Is Now Woke....You Must Comply !

[@dozer11]

You’ve never read a comic book if you think She Hulk isn’t true to the source material. You’re just mad that everything is going “woke”.

[@brittniep9219]

I don’t necessarily think this about the whole of Disney+ as I’ve loved most of the Marvel shows and liked most of the Star Wars shows, but I do agree that something was really off about She-Hulk for me, which was sad because I love the actress.

[@leonlacroix2638]

​@@brittniep9219 as a major fan of star wars, the disney star wars movies were ridiculous. They had so much to work with, so many amazing new stories and characters to show off like the old republic that fans have been begging for, but instead they make a movie about a unknown female rey and take beloved characters like Luke and make a joke out of him. Luke should have been out training the next generation of Jedi with his assassin wife Mara Jade. But no we got milk drinking hermet Luke who gave up on life. Until Ray the savior comes to save the day. My point is, its 100% ok to love the disney star wars movies, it's a very cinematic movie, but if you go in knowing what the character should be doing at this time already and it's not only completely diffrent but just wrong it hurts the real fans more. So many people look up to Luke as a character. They want to see him succeed just like anyone would want to see there hero do.

[@chantolove]

What I don’t get is why they need the park reservation system to control guests and see all those numbers when they could just… control and monitor ticket sales a little closer and get the same effect. Selling a limited number of tickets per day is the same as selling unlimited but having park passes, but it makes people less confused.

[@amystreasuresdesign]

The way tickets are sold currently isn't for specific days. They would need to change that in order to go the route you're suggesting. I just went two weeks ago but planned and purchased weeks in advance. Up until I made park reservations, I still wasn't sure what days we were going to which parks. The only no compromise date was my birthday. I wanted to be in Magic Kingdom that day. I was open to going to Epcot and Hollywood on any day. My plans for that week we were there changed even up until the days we were there. We had two free days (non travel days) built in but wound up changing things as we went along. So be able to buy tickets and then reserve parks isn't an issue for me, to be honest. What I did find annoying was the endless reservations for everything else. I didn't make dinning reservations ahead of time because when I looked at menus to make them, nothing grabbed me enough to make the reservation. We managed to get into two places that required reservations but were able to squeeze our small party of 2 (one day) and 3 (another day) in. Even if we sat at high top tables, we were fine with that.

[@loracaro4427]

I don't even understand why they still even have Park reservations when you have genie Plus in place and you're still waiting on lines and still having to wait and mobile order for food in the morning. I have gone to universal SeaWorld and Busch gardens and I never have a problem . I don't have to make reservations for rides for food for shows and I can see everything that I want to see . I love Disney but it is becoming a hassle I for one live over in the Florida area and I am only going to purchase the lowest annual pass

[@shoenan2294]

It’s actually helpful. If they just monitored overall ticket sales, it’s likely one park would be absolutely jam packed while another is completely dead

[@amystreasuresdesign]

@@loracaro4427 genie plus costs money, money many of us would rather spend on something better.

[@BStop22]

Selling a limited number of tickets each day is not the same as selling unlimited with park passes. Each park has a different capacity, Hollywood and magic kingdom are much lower than Epcot and animal kingdom. Having a ticket good for all parks won’t help you control crowds in a specific park with varying capacity sizes.

[@dessy628]

Many Brits are coming back from Disney says never again, pay for park tickets, pay for Genie +, pay for lightening lane, no guarantee of actually getting on a ride even then, people just walking around staring a phones, no spontaneity any more, up to 3 hour waits if you can’t afford to pay for the extras. Prices for food gone up and sizes going down. Many people in this country are over it.

[@veronicareitherreese6671]

Here are some thoughts for Disney: 1. Utilize the 20th Century Fox catalog to supplement either/both Disney + and Hulu. Keep the Orville. 2. Contract out the 4K upgrades of movies. If it is too expensive or utilizes too many resources, let the boutique studios do it for Disney like Criterion did with Walle. 3. GET RID OF THE RESERVATION SYSTEM. Disney has plenty of historical data to make CM/food/merchandise decisions. Disney can ask for park preferences while booking vacations. If you want happy guests, guests need flexibility to change plans especially when it comes to getting hard to get dining reservations or experiences. Most people will stick with one park if they get that magic ADR. 4. Redo Genie+. Use the US express pass system as your template. Life will be easier for guests and Disney. Will it be expensive, yes. Is that OK, yes. Keep the ILL as a extra that Universal doesn't have. 5. Return the basics like housekeeping, park hopping whenever, and Magical Express (roll in the price - Sunshine Flyers was awesome). Give back what was taken and there will probably be less grumbling about pricing. 6. Disney will need those locals during the supposed upcoming recession (wishful thinking on some people's parts). Maybe have reservation system for them or create a work group with locals to flesh out ideas that is a win for everyone. I know it is blue sky wishing on my part, but it doesn't have to be that difficult.

[@StromboliTastesGood]

It’s like another comment said, the parks have and always will be like an ATM to corporate. They use the parks to keep the movies, tv, ESPN, ABC, Disney+ afloat. All those are basically losing money everyday and the parks just keep them going. So of course the old regime thought “they’ll come. They’ll pay. They’ll come again and pay more” and it’s starting to burn the super fans out. But the people who only want to go to the parks who don’t care about the streams or movies will always come and will always pay no matter what the cost. As a business it’s bad for them to NOT try to get every cent they can out of us, but as a brand and a cultural icon it’s going to be a blemish that hopefully can be buffed out over the next 3-5 years.

[@zippymufo9765]

Reservations and Genie+ aren't going anywhere. At best they'll be tweaked.

[@zippymufo9765]

@@StromboliTastesGood "They'll come. They'll pay again, and pay more." Every single piece of metric data Disney has supports this, and that's more powerful information than a bunch of people griping on the Internet. The only possible changes I see Iger doing is improving customer service so that people at least feel that they're paying for professionalism.

[@pablovonduckbill7802]

i live around the corner from disney Anaheim my niece works there i could go free any time. 1 reason i wont go is its now designed to keep you in the park i used to be able to go and leave to get cheaper food it doesnt work that way anymore, i cant afford to the cost of 2 meals and snacks there. honestly i dont miss going to dland so that maybe the reason any ways, plus ive had a lifetime ban from disneyland since 8th grade any ways lol. i just think for locals it aint worth the bother to go.

[@veronicareitherreese6671]

@@zippymufo9765 sad but true

[@joshuareinhardt886]

Absolutely love when AJ gets in the weeds and talks details like this. Really flexing the business acumen and knowledge that has made DFB what it is today. Keep up the great work!

[@michaelsullivan3581]

Here here!

[@kellysmith1144]

@@michaelsullivan3581 Very surface-level stuff. It's not the real story.

[@DavidElCid300]

Cancel the park reservation system NOW!

[@extropiantranshuman]

Iger's drainign the disney swamp stepping up to the plate no doubt he'll tackle whatever he can get to - as long as no one gets in the way again this time!

[@mike9147]

I didn't realize all the "bad" decisions were all under Iger watch. I see nothing will change in the parks.....So sad.

[@georgestokes5116]

you have no idea of what you are talking about

[@GrumpyGolf4]

Here are the only facts anyone needs to know: 1- Disney has increased the prices of everything across the board over the last several years. 2- Along with price increases in that timeframe, they have taken away many, many benefits that used to be included at the lower price point: i.e. - Fast Passes, Magical Express, PhotoPass included in the price of annual passes, Extra Magic Hour benefit diluted to the point of uselessness, parking is no longer complimentary, long-time lack of nighttime parade, just to name a few. On top of the food price increases, in their infinite stupidity, they have reduced portion sizes. If you still believe the exorbitant prices Disney charges their customers represent ANY value to said customers, please call me...I have a bridge and some beach-front swampland I'm willing to sell you for an absolute bargain.

[@shawnbrodrick8673]

👏👏👏👏

[@jenniferparker4347]

The thing is, until the vast majority of people stop going to WDW and paying those exorbitant prices, nothing will change. People are clearly still finding value in the offering or the parks wouldn't be crowded like they are. We went and it was so packed you couldn't move on January 10th. I was not expecting that many crowds after school vacations and the holidays were over.

[@SLopez951]

I believe AJ should be the top contender for the female voice of Disneyland !

[@flicxs1]

This title can be taken two ways as Iger has had a hand in replacing two CEO's Chapek and Eisner. Iger has been a cancer on the parks since he took over in 2004. He has built next to nothing in almost 20 years and has upcharged things that were free before and taken away perks left and right during his tenure. Here are just a few examples, no expiration tickets(gone), magic express (gone), free resort parking (gone), free fast pass (gone), free park hopping (gone), and added seasonal food and ticket pricing also a park reservation system and drastically altered the annual passes. Lets not forget tickets are almost triple the price since he first became CEO. Now they have added different price points for each park.. The downturn of the parks began and continues under his watch. Yes Chapek was bad but don't forget Iger chose him. If you think Disney stock has hit bottom you ain't seen nothing yet!

[@foxfieldfarmer5570]

I agree Iger is NO better ! I ha e a feeling Disney will be feeling the hurt for a long time to come !

[@DesertEagleOne]

You have to look at the balance sheets. Iger inherited a lot of failed endeavors from Eisner.

[@flicxs1]

@@DesertEagleOne Iger inherited a healthy company and passed along a failing company to Chapek. The man is and has been nothing but a failure to the Disney fan. Upcharge Bob has now painted himself into a corner. Disney movies are failing the streaming service is in trouble and the parks are super expensive. They are in serious trouble and the stock holders won't be happy and the long time Disney fans won't be happy either. Woke policy and greed have been the downfall of Walt's dream!

[@gracefully_ever_after]

Agreed!!!

[@ApostleofLoveMedjugorie]

I agree...!

[@GLJosh]

Thank you for stating that some of the complaints during the Chapek era started during the Iger era.

[@scatherinelynch]

Yes totally agree.

[@thesilvans1633]

Nearly all...

[@Mantelar]

When your focus is on anything other than your customer, the quality of your product will ultimately decline. Disney is just one of many companies recently who are experimenting with new and creative ways to destroy their brand in this manner.

[@jeremychung1304]

I love these more “business” focused DFB videos. Keep them coming!

[@robertshelek5435]

Note that while the parks did very well this year... a lot of that was due to pent up demand from 2 years of pandemic lock-downs. We are seeing drastic cut backs on the horizon in terms of recreational travel due to Finances and the Recession. And thanks to price elasticity, there will be a point where the prices drive DOWN attendance and COULD require a drop in pricing, It's going to be ugly for a while.

[@dr_IkjyotSinghKohli]

The hotels are another big problem. This nonsense of paying 1000s of dollars and getting a “light cleaning every few days” is ridiculous and something never to be expected from a company like Disney.

[@AndreasAntics]

Yes, it’s very attractive when trashcans are overflowing and people just stick them out in the hallway in the hopes they’ll get emptied.

[@sjrussell91]

Less is more sometimes… Disney+ has become so cluttered full of junk it’s difficult to justify rising subscriptions, park tickets / Genie+ / parking / memory maker etc are so high it leaves less budget for spending in the parks on merch / food. It’s sad that the company is blatantly bleeding guests dry before they even step on property.

[@bobbafett1971]

Thank you for calling the bill correctly.

[@meganruchwatercolors7186]

I also think that since Disney does not have the best three men with Disney anymore, Marty Skylr, who passes away, RIP. Tony Baxter and Joe Rhode, where the heart of Disney!!! I feel like Disney has lost the Magic! Those men were so in touch with Walt's vision on bringing the magic to Disney!

[@rreagan007]

A lot of Disney's current problems were put into motion years ago under Iger.. Unless Iger has learned from his past mistakes (which I doubt) nothing will change.

[@BillO964]

Went to Disney with the family a few years back. You couldn’t pay me to go into another theme park. I will spend my money and go somewhere real.

[@aprilvictor6156]

Bob paycheck didn’t step down. He was fired AJ. And as a cast member I’m sooo glade bob paycheck is gone. He didn’t step down he was fired!!!! And a really no lose. Thank god Bob Iger is back.

[@Primogen16]

Chapek stepped down by being fired. Disney's own announcement about Chapek's departure was that he "stepped down" from his CEO position.

[@fredleggett923]

Why are all the CMs so in love with Iger? It's a genuine question, as I've never understood this.

[@BlondeMafia89]

We're happy you're glade and it wasn't a lose 😂😂😂 Just out of curiosity, what is your job at Disney?

[@Harry-fw5oh]

I honestly do not know what the issue with cast members and chapek were? If I’m correct through out the year cm have been given a load of benefits such as a basically few block out dates during the months where previous years CMs would not be able to enter the parks they worked for at all like summer and the holidays. Getting FREE Disney+ services starting next year, had a plethora of Cast memebera appreciation events like “Earidescent” nights and much more opportunities to get involved in the company you work for. Stuff that were unheard of for YEARS for being a cast memeber. Only thing I can think of that is not better than previous years is the attention to pay but that’s not even just Disney fault but the unions fault as well. Cast members literally can get a FREE bachelor AND FREE masters degree through the aspire program with out having to pay a single dime out of your pocket for tuition books and fees, in most cases. I can honestly go on and on and on and on. Some of these are what iger was against

[@RiverRev]

Here's an idea for Disney+: make content that people - all people - want to watch.

[@thesilvans1633]

Andor was the best thing I have seen anywhere in the past few years.

[@melindainglesby1922]

You say that like "all people" want to watch the same thing...

[@frankvinti925]

He could start by changing all of his writers and replace them with competent writers, nobody likes to pay for mediocrity and that's all the writers and the majority of their producers on Disney+ have been giving us for the past two years, just a big mountain of mediocrity, so easy to see but it seems so complicated for them to understand.

[@IBeLieveInChrist07]

You’re not mentioning that family movies need to stay FAMILY rated. Completely forgetting who subscribes to these streaming services! It’s not the cost , if the content is good people don’t care about the cost.

[@foxfieldfarmer5570]

I can't believe the Kardashians are now on Disney+ give me a break

[@amazinggxtimess]

I don't think it's just his fault... or maybe it is. I won't ever visit Disney again until they fix the REAL problems at the parks. and I feel many may also agree with this. Universal lines are much shorter, easier to manage. Less people in the parks. I love Disney, but I cant fathom spending all that money for a mediocre experience at best

[@_Sapph_]

I just went end of November/beginning of December and it was horrible. Disney Genie+ did not make it easier, it was stressful and crowded. No spontaneity and I felt like everything was behind a pay wall. No magic left just clear money grabbing. I really hope things change but until then I'm not going back.

[@Deamarie24]

I couldn’t have said it better. I just arrived home from my trip and this was our exact experience. We have been Disney visitors for the past 30 years and sad to say, this trip was a complete 180. Disney has always been a money making machine, however, they disguised it much better in past years. Didn’t experience that ‘Disney difference’ we used to know and love. 😔

[@johncreed2627]

What Disney parks now are not what Walt had in mind, read National Geographic Magazine August 1963 (V 124, No.2).

[@marylatorre1367]

They don't help matters when they price park tickets outside the average person's ability to pay. The tickets are going to be 189$ for a single day pass. That is nearly $800 for a family of 4. It's ridiculous.

[@LiveLaughLoveDream23]

I understand that it is hard to go backwards once you make a park more expensive. However, there are things Disney could do to make it a better experience for guests. I do not want to wake up the day of to my plan my lightening lanes. Please let us do before!

[@scatherinelynch]

Yes

[@morganmidnights]

lightening lane needs to go back to fast passes. all of lightening lane is let through at one time so that people think their money was well spent. it causes standby to be wayyy too long

[@pauletteb6393]

If the parks are doing do well, why aren't the CM's getting a decent living wage? That's where they're doing the hiring freezes and cutbacks. How about they stop paying the executives a million dollars a year?

[@shanehen]

Iger is the author of many, if not, most, of Disney’s problems, so this is all quite hilarious.

[@birbluv9595]

Thank you so much for this, AJ. I worked as an engineer/scientist for a chemical company that went down many tubes when bean counter, non-technical types were put in charge. Those of us in the lower ranks, in the weeds, who knew what was really going on, were disgusted by many clueless decisions and statements that were made, especially those that disrespected the institutional knowledge and years of experience of employees. I think the same, but on the creative and artistic front, was going on under Chapek at Disney. I hope Iger can pull this beloved company back from the brink. Disney needs executives who love the “product”, not those looking to make big profits at the expense of customer and employee satisfaction!

[@occheermommy]

That was well put

[@extropiantranshuman]

iger brought in technological might - with Iron Man, Black Panther, and all those other Marvel movies. He even did Pixar - helping give even Apple (a tech company) teh way to the tech future. It's about time we open our eyes to what's to come - and try to pull out our own tech might to join in with!

[@geosanchez9716]

I also heard the the New ship Dream was designed by people that had never stepped on a Disney ship. Something was missing when I was on that ship. Didn’t feel like the rest. It is a small world seemed so empty at Disney World. It is just not the same. Every shop had pronoun clothing. I virtually grew up in Disneyland from the e-ticket days. Why did Disney get away from Mickey and begin sexualizing the park and their product?

[@pechaa]

@@geosanchez9716What on Earth is pronoun clothing?

[@occheermommy]

@@geosanchez9716 you have to remember the LGBQT community is a large part of their customer demographic. So they are playing to that audience. Just like they are trying to include more ethnic characters so they aren’t all white princesses. I think it is nice for kids to feel included even if it is the way they look at family members. Like say they have 2 moms and want them to have Mickey shirts. Maybe they would like a rainbow Mickey. I’m ok with that. And I too remember the E tickets until I was probably 6-8.

[@micaiahsampson7855]

Honestly…not excited about the Disney dining plan coming back. When me and my family got it before we were constantly making sure we used all of our snacks and meals each day just cause the package cost so much. We actually saved money when not using the plan.

[@brittniep9219]

So, don’t get the plan??

[@micaiahsampson7855]

@@brittniep9219 no not necessarily all I’m saying is I would just look at the costs and ask your group is it worth paying that extra for a plan you probably won’t use to the max. And for your group it may be worth it.

[@AndreasAntics]

We need DDP. Our costs tripled.

[@jonesyokc]

Having just been to Disney, I can safely say I will never return. The parks are a rip off. You get rising prices and declining value. Let's put this in terms most people can understand. Imagine if Netflix kept raising their prices, and they failed to introduce significant content to help make up for those prices increases. To add insult to injury, imagine the quality of the streams declined and you ran into constant buffering issues. You'd dump them in a hurry. Well that is the digital version of Disney parks. They have raised the prices and oversold the parks. Magic Kingdom is the worst. It is so packed that moving around becomes challenging. Good luck finding a place to sit down and you'll need more luck finding a place to eat. And if you do manage to find a place to eat, you will be badly overcharged for mediocre food. Spend your money somewhere else. Same problem exists with Disney+. Very mediocre product. They just don't deliver value for the money. It is the least watch subscription I own and it will be dumped at the end of the 12 month prepay. Disney can blame whatever and whoever they want. They are the problem. People get tired of being ripped off.

[@ginadoyle4089]

I hate how stock prices make the decisions about a company that should nurture creativity. That’s how we get six flags at WDW.

[@SusanCatherine]

Thank you for referring to the law as Parental Rights in Education instead of the incorrectly coined derogatory colloquial name. After watching the Parks decline in maintenance, quality creative build, increased customer support hold time, and shoddy development of apps that had me looking down instead of up during my visits, Disney's involvement with this bill (now law) became the straw that broke the camel's back for me. I'm here watching your video to keep up with what is happening because this has been like a divorce. I still care about my former partner and am rooting for the parks to get better, but I'll keep my distance until it happens. Since severing with most everything Disney related, I have not yet seen anything that makes me regret that decision.

[@SusanCatherine]

@@bruceross102 Thank you for your comment. It's a great comfort to know I'm not alone. We can only use the power we have, our money. It seems so small individually, but hopefully collectively, we can make an impact. Disney used to be for everybody--a blank magical imaginary canvas that any walk of life could envision themselves in. Not any more. And now, it's immersed in shoddy construction and bland hotel/ride refurbishments (mostly).

[@Mrs_Homemaker]

You aren't alone. Former cast member here. We won't be going back, and I monitor every single new Disney thing my kids watch bc I've seen too many messages (not even snuck in, just blatant). I did notice AJ said "many walked out in protest". It was not many. It was a handful between both US parks, and mostly in CA where it made no sense for them to even do so. The cast members I know who still work for the mouse are unhappy with changes in culture that has happened behind the scenes.

[@SusanCatherine]

@@Mrs_Homemaker Thank you for sharing your similar view! Interesting that it was not many who walked out in protest. I've also heard the same about many cast members not being happy with the change in culture. That played a part in my decision earlier in 2022 to separate from Disney--selling my DVC, lapsing my AP, cancelling future planned trips, subscriptions (direct and 3rd party), etc.

[@richardcastillejos2534]

I was a lifelong Disney fan for over 30 years and now I’m in the same boat as you. Thank you for this comment!

[@SusanCatherine]

@@richardcastillejos2534 Thank YOU for letting us all know we're not alone. 😊

[@m.mickeypayne9811]

As retired cast member, I agree that cast member training is in the toilet. All departments used to work together, in times of need. You rarely see that much anymore. I don't like this park pass reservation system. Many times, I like to go in parks just to photograph seasonal displays, visit old friends, and check shops and restaurants. But without parking lot transportation, I just can't go, due to injuries sustained while I was a cast member. No, I don't want to get a handicap parking pass, even though I am ' handicapped '

[@jenniferbailey5838]

A CM friend of mine spoke about the lack of CM training re: quality customer service (good attitude toward guests, etc.). Sad.

[@feleciakline8793]

I think people who are going now are discovering that genie plus is horrible! We hated it and will not go back until something changes. We love the resorts but don’t care to return to the parks.

[@occheermommy]

I understand that companies raise pricing due to inflation but I have a problem with how often Disney is raising prices. Once every 2-3 years would be ok but it seems like it’s at least yearly at this point. The reservation system doesn’t seem as bad to me at WDW as it does at Disneyland. At WDW there is almost always a reservation available for one park or another even last minute. At Disneyland it is not uncommon for me to have to book 6-8 weeks out especially for weekends. What really is upsetting especially at Disneyland is the priority single and multi day tickets get over pass holders. I know Chapek had a thing with passhilders because we spend less money per visit but what he fails to realize is we have far more visits over a 1-2 year period. Those add up. They are still holding passport sales in Florida for this reason even though pass holders only makeup about 20% of the crowd at WDW. He seriously had a vendetta against passholders. At Disneyland we make up 80% and instead of embracing that he tried to price us out. Now we have blackout days even on the highest pass. He basically said f-you to the most loyal customers. That is a bad business model. So an overhaul of the reservation and annual passports are a must or Disney will find itself without loyal customers to love its product which is worse than a low point they are experiencing now.

[@Mmeme2023]

I think the issue is expecting the parks to carry the failing segments of the business. Change the streaming services design to make it more attractive

[@daveedwards7366]

But they can always fill the parks without annual pass holders, this means they obviously will make more profit getting rid of these passes.

[@occheermommy]

@Joe Shmoe agreed. We have lived by Disneyland my whole life and the prices are crazy. I remember when we used tickets per attraction.

[@occheermommy]

@@daveedwards7366 I don’t agree. Maybe in Florida. In California the park is on average 80% pass holders but Chapek treated us like demons. And they fill the parks in Florida but at the same time that 20 % of pass holders is still contributing. And the Straming service has more subscribers than Netflix. They are doing fine on their streaming. They got hurt when the parks were closed. I know FL was only a few months but CA was 1.25 years.

[@daveedwards7366]

@@occheermommy I'm from the UK so I will listen to your better knowledge of Disney, the last time I visited DW FL, it had become scruffy around the edges and families of Hispanics were making a mockery of the queues whilst spitting everywhere too, not the place I remembered from the 80's

[@janeyre49]

I imagine Walt would be very unhappy with what they have done to his magic place. Tacky careless expensive and offensive. What else can they do wrong.

[@seanholbert6244]

TBH I'm kind of tired seeing people plea to Iger on social media about what they want to see changed in the parks. Aside for maybe relaxing Genie+ and park reservation rules, there aren't going to be a lot of in-park changes. Why are they going to make changes when attendance is way up and they parks are generating more money year over year? Just give it a rest already...

[@renee4495]

We have been long term Disney fans, spending a boatload of $ on tickets, dining, souvenirs, films, etc. over the years. That has come to a screeching halt as we’ve watched Disney shift away from Walt’s family values. Once Disney entered politics, pushed agenda’s in our faces, and stopped making Disney a name we all used to be proud of, we just said enough is enough. Disneys competitors have never seemed like a true competition until now. We, and many we associate with, are in the process of eliminating all Disney from our lives, though we do so sadly, with fond, beautiful memories of the past. RIP Disney.

[@markstein1916]

You could not have articulated that any better. Our family's thoughts exactly. So sad to see the complete cultural decline of a once-magical entertainment empire. At least we have some fond memories.

[@EmilyCheetham]

When Disney + came out in uk it was just £4.99 now it’s £7.99. I know they need to earn money but if Disney keep hiking up the price then they are going to discourage people from paying for the service.

[@debrasternhagen6598]

Disney World needs to bring back tram service in parking lots! Stop lowering or discontinuing serrvice to keep streamming going.

[@donaldgasser1531]

Return of Magical Express? Nope. Dining plan? Nope. Tables in Wonderland? Nope. Ending Genie Plus/Lightning Lane? Nope. Three free fast passes every day? Nope. Ending the park reservation system? Nope. It's going to take more than gaslighting the quests to salvage this sinking ship.

[@juandelval7931]

How did they expect Disney+ to do well when almost all the movies and original series since 2020 have been absolute trash? Pure nostalgia isn't enough to drive a platform.

[@hunterwhite1230]

Had my dream Disney trip in January 2022. Saved for years to take my family. A week at the Contemporary. Will never go to Disney world again. Only way we were able to do what we did there was because of the extra money I paid for the ride perks. Nothing like it used to be. An absolute racket.

[@hillcountryexplorer267]

I recommend reading/listening to Bob Iger's - The Ride of a Lifetime autobiography. Not saying its good or bad for Disney's future, but it will definitely help provide insight into Iger's thought process.

[@robertkahro4565]

4 times here. Great read!

[@Starflare5]

I myself believe that Walt Disney himself would be extremely upset: I definitely do not believe he would like this ticketing reservation system one bit. Not just because he understands how his resorts are supposed to run, but, also because he understands Americans. While it's all well and good to have statistics and numbers on the number of people coming in and out of your resorts, Walt Disney understood that most Americans do not like the idea of being thought of as a statistic or a number. Disney would most likely fire the person keeping something like this in place and do a total reversal on not only the reservation system, but even ticket prices themselves. Disney resorts were never supposed to be a place where only the super rich and exclusive could come in, and those were Disney's actual words on the subject.

[@markstein1916]

Well said!

[@markr1550]

This was the first year we didn't go in almost 20 years, and we didn't miss it. We'll go back when Disney turns the clock back about 5 years in their services and quality.

[@daisycocoa2557]

I’ve found the biggest problem with Genie is the 7am wake up.

[@bgaviator]

That and the fact you can’t plan what side of the park you’ll start and finish in like you could with FastPass. Genie+ since you’re at the mercy of whatever you can get you end up criss crossing the park multiple times which not only takes a huge amount of time but is incredibly exhausting. FastPass you could plan your flow

[@Darkstormsun9865]

Do people really have such a problem with waking up early??

[@bgaviator]

@@Darkstormsun9865 ummm, yeah. Depends on how you want to do your vacation. If we do rope drop, rarely do we have the energy to stay until the parks close. So we typically have to make a choice. Wake up early but leave early. Or wake up later but get to stay until night time? Sure there’s people that are hardcore and do rope drop to close. But that’s incredibly exhausting, not enjoyable to me, and not the way I want to spend my vacation.

[@apfelbasket]

Please make a video about the Disabled trying to go to Walt Disney World!

[@airdoty9273]

Unfortunately, as long as Disney world demand is high, prices will remain high or continue to rise

[@Jafar-dr6to]

The only thing I want to see changed is park reservations and the late park hopping it could possibly incentive more people to buy park hopper

[@SkegeeAce]

Thank you so much, AJ, for these clear and thorough updates!!!

[@KassMcCormack]

I foresee a change to Genie and Genie+, not because of the CEO switchup, but because of the current lawsuit claiming Disney ripped off another existing software to make the base of Genie. I have a feeling Disney is just going to cut their losses and get rid of Genie and Genie+, then relaunch Lightning Lane as a separate thing with a new name. Or, at the very least, same name but without the AI planning feature.

[@stuartevans8154]

Perhaps they can call it Fastpass and bring back anytime park hopping.

[@KassMcCormack]

@@stuartevans8154 I don't think they're going to rename it back to Fastpass just because of all the time & money spent on repainting and remaking the signs with the new name. I think Lightning Lane is going to stay but Genie won't just because it would be easier and cheaper for Disney to quietly remove the feature from the app (does anyone actually talk about the free Genie planning feature anymore outside of the paid add-ons?) and go back to having the word Genie only refer to Robin Williams. As for park hopping I think there's still going to be time limits on that as long as they have the reservation system to avoid people making reservations for Animal Kingdom but then rushing over to Epcot for rope drop. I can see them eventually doing away with it here in California because our parks are closer together and there's not really any one ride that would draw a larger crowd in either park (at least until Runaway Railway opens in a few weeks) but not for a long time in Florida. It's too good at crowd control for them not to keep it.

[@zippymufo9765]

Pure fantasy. Genie+ is making them a ton of money. There aren't any "losses to cut".

[@KassMcCormack]

@@zippymufo9765 You didn’t read what I wrote at all. I said they would scrap the Genie name but keep the paid fastpass system under the Lightning Lane name. Next time, read the entire comment before you respond.

[@racheljack1776]

I live in Florida I’m at Disney whenever I wanna go. I’ve been to Disneyland in California more times than I can count. But this Genie+ is a ripoff - money money disaster

[@hardlyb]

I wonder how much of these losses have to do with trying to sell to China. It's very hard to make money there, and even when you do on paper, the CCP doesn't have a good record of letting companies get their money out. Using the parks as cash cows to pay for Disney+ seems pretty foolish, but maybe that's just me. We were regular DL and WDW visitors, but we've stopped going, because the parks kept getting more expensive, while the number of rides and attractions you can see in a day declined.

[@WarlockNoxs]

Disney should really bring back fast passes and bring them back as a perk for deluxe hotels...why pay 500+ a night and barely get any perks? Especially when universal still gives out fast passes to their guests who stay at their deluxe hotels.

[@Hanneth]

I haven't heard of Florida paying Disney the $23 billion they owe them by the end of this year. If they fail to do so, the law states the the dissolution is automatically repealed, but the state will owe Disney $28.75 billion. Also Florida would be unable to try to dissolve the area for a period of I think 10 years. If the $28.75 billion isn't paid in full by the end of 2023, then they owe an additional $7.1875 billion. This is assuming that Florida abides by their own laws. The judges in the US aren't known for always ruling with what the laws are. Three of the Supreme Court judges have admitted on public records to not caring what the laws say.

[@KARINCLANE]

I’m not surprised that prices would go up, but good lord! The price hikes are so much ! I’m considering not staying at their hotels anymore, because of the ridiculous charges just to park at the hotels, which can be expensive already. Even though I can afford it, it doesn’t mean I will just toss $65 a day just for parking alone. I remember when Genue Plus was $15 , less than a year ago. Now it’s way higher. Then it is even higher still if you don’t pay fir it when you buy your ticket. My friends can’t afford to go with me anymore, and I miss being able to go with my Disney friends to Disneyland and DCA.

[@foxfieldfarmer5570]

I am a DVC member we have been staying at the hotles ,no Disney parks! We were just waiting for them to take away the free parking for us as well ,has not happened ,but let's face it we pay in our Dues that go up every year.

[@KARINCLANE]

@@foxfieldfarmer5570 i’m curious what will happen when the new DVC additions are ready. So you’ve been staying at the Disney hotels, but not going to the parks? Is there a point where you guys will decide to stop being a member? It’s now starting to feel like every year, it’s a betting game with Disney to see how much they can hike the prices and charging for what used to be free, and get away with it. When they really start gouging the financially well off, Disney’s target consumer, even they will start finding alternatives in travel, just for the disrespect alone. Prices go up. I get it, but the price hike on Genie + alone was over 100% within just a few months. Frankly, if they really want to, “improve the guest experience”, instead of wasting so much money on scrapped projects, they need to take some of that money and invest it in improving the conditions for the cast members. They are the most crucial part of making the magic for guests at the parks.

[@teresanorris4769]

We were planning to go to Disney world in 2024 but if prices are this high and crowds this big we will make a different choice.

[@mnaug]

The fact Disney thinks we're dumb enough to not know this is company wide.

[@the94probeguy87]

I went last year and was curious, so I talked to many cast members. The majority of whom I talked to were long-time employees. Most felt that when Chapek took over, Disney lost the magic. Kinda sad, honestly. I hope that with Igers return, he will bring the magic back.

[@charleswolfe1122]

Hey WDW, ITS NOT SUPPOSED TO BE THIS HARD TO HAVE FUN 😡

[@blktauna]

As long as they continue to price gouge and drop the quality, I will not give them a cent

[@rickmarkgraf2617]

Disneyland used to be our primo vacation when Walt was alive. Eisner maintained some but it has declined since him. Best trip I ever had was when it poured at 5 pm and everyone went home. We dried off by hitting the (new) Pirates of the Caribbean repeatedly with no lines. Kids were ecstatic. Where did the magic go?

[@susan7038]

After our recent visit I was shocked at how shabby and tattered disney parks have become around the edges. We even saw mildew on water rides - yuck! I hope that the parks go back to their high standards where you feel that you are getting what you pay for!

[@AverageJoe483]

Although Iger created a lot of this mess, good leaders know to shift and adapt with time and situations . I believe Iger will realize his mistakes and adapt as necessary - although I don’t always agree with Iger - I do feel he is a good leader. But honestly we need a Walt Disney back that is a GRAND IMAGINEER. Disney has too many Roy Disneys and not enough Walt’s.

[@bgo6623]

While Roy was the business person, he was also very much cared about the imagineers and cast members while Walt was alive - they worked well together on the details and the people. Roy also worked diligently to bring Walt’s vision to life after Walt’s death, even when the other business folx were concerned about the costs. While Roy was often seen as the purely finance person, he also put people at the forefront of decisions. Disney wouldn’t be Disney without Walt and Roy.

[@junem4301]

Put Abigail Disney on the board! She does fight for the cast, who are the ones that really make the Disney Magic!

[@Fl_Sunshine91]

Roy Disney was more on the financial side but when Walt died during the plans of building Walt Disney World Roy was the one that stepped in to make sure the park resort became a reality he kept his word to Walt making sure that his brother dream came to life and he did just that he had to learn what the Disney imagineers did for the parks sad thing on it is Roy Disney passed away 3 months after WDW opened I believe he put his all into what he had to do for Walt. If that isn’t love for your brother idk what is ❤

[@ronaldwilson1031]

You’re expecting a CEO with an ego like Iger’s to admit his mistakes and alter course? He’s gonna ride this thing into the ground and blame us when he does.

[@jeffreylindahl5895]

@@junem4301 Make a Disney CEO again.

[@joemercuri6242]

I remember going back to WDW after the pandemic but before genie + and everyone waited in line without fastpass or lightning lane and huge lines moved with no problem. Enter diaper genie and now lines are terrible. I was told it's as much as 7 lightning lane to 1 regular line. ridiculous!!

[@rhinman]

We went last May. Food was terrible and the parks were dirtier than I've ever seen. The organic feel of the parks is gone with Genie+. I was on my phone basically all day, chasing the next experience. A far cry from our time there about 5 years ago.

[@shelbycrow9100]

Do we have any idea when the dining plan will come back

[@allnonethevoid1487]

After those remakes I don't go out of my way to watch any Disney movie unless I hear stellar reviews on it

[@WhiteDragon689]

Last time I was there Disney was nickel and dime-ing me to death. They would charge to breathe the air and drink the water if they could get away with it. The place is no longer the Happiest Place on Earth but the most Grifting Place on Earth. Hardly a value for your vacation dollar's worth.

[@Chris-op4ue]

At this point, Disney is pretty much dead to me. It's no longer a family-friendly place and They need to stay out of some of their political decisions are extremely problematical to me. They need to stay out of politics and go back to doing what they used to do best: provide family centered fun & entertainment.

[@markstein1916]

AMEN!

[@jeffbradfield4413]

Prices at the parks reached a point where the average person cant afford it

[@tidelovinyankee1368]

As concerns prices, I once thought Disney would price folks away. I no longer believe that. If Disney aims for the affluent guest, they may get away with the high cost of a WDW vacation. Fewer guests who spend more may be their goal. That remains to be seen. I have been visiting WDW an average of once every two-to-three years since 1972, and during that period I always said that if WDW continued raising prices, the guests would be driven away. Here we are at the end of 2022, we are still saying that, and the parks are still full. I believe Disney will continue raising prices until they see an actual reduction in attendance/profit. They lose nothing until attendance withers, at which time they can make the changes necessary to ensure a return to attendance normalcy. It's obvious they are nowhere near that point. WDW is a vacation category all its own, and its lure is irresistible. We can always hope that prices will remain unchanged, or actually decrease, but that is wishful thinking. WDW is no longer the place which Walt Disney planned and developed: it is now simply a cash cow. I read somewhere that WDW has lines, and at the head of each line is a cash register. That is true, and I believe, unfortunately, that it will remain so. I complain constantly about prices, and yet like everyone else, we are planning a three-week stay at WDW in February/March 2023.

[@ReaverLordTonus]

Chapek managed to still lose money despite massive price increases and spending cuts. They increased earnings from the parks but that came at the cost of pissing a lot of people off and to add insult to injury that increase was reduced by losses with Disney streaming.

[@sigibartel3977]

I have been a big fan of the Disney parks and always bragged that it was hard to find fault in them, but that changed last year when I visited Disneyland. For the first time I noticed things were not as clean or well maintained as the Disney standards I had come to expect and staff seemed fatigued and not as enthusiastic. I also noticed food prices had gone up at least 30% while the size of servings had gone down at least 30%. We also were still paying full price for park entrance even though some Covid restrictions were still in place meaning shorter park hours and no parades, among other regular things that we had experienced for the same price in previous visits. And for the first time I hardly spent anything on souvenirs. I found them more tacky, cheaply made, and far more expensive for what you were getting. All in all I experienced my first disappointments with this visit and was sad to have to admit it. I really hope Disney finds its way back and doesn’t hijack our park experience to make up for the losses in their streaming services. There are too many of us old school Disney lovers out there to ignore.

[@gunstargizmo]

Most of those money losing projects were greenlit by Iger. Disney just didn't want Chapek to change the direction of the company in the same way that Warner Bros is doing. Disney is going to discover who's actually to blame for the losses.

[@melissab0515]

They’ll never get rid of that reservation system. I just bought tickets for Magic Kingdom and it required selecting a park (which were all different prices, not just once price per day like it was a year ago).

[@hereinsert7636]

Went to parks this past fall visited in 2019 previously. Experiences were vastly different and crowd levels were like night and day. Rides broken repeatedly… mobile issues..dirty parks.. rude cast members.. food quality down… the magic of Disney is gone. We will not return and we went every few years. Heed the warnings and stay away.

[@ellenw391]

One of the biggest mistake in Disney history will be if they don't redo Genie+. I'm on a hard boycott, as is nearly everyone I know. The one friend who went (had a HUGE family post-pandemic trip planned) said NEVER AGAIN (she usually goes once to twice a year for a couple weeks each). What sane person want to go to the most magical immersive place & spend your ENTIRE DAY with nose buried in the phone. You want to find a way to bring back the E ticket & charge more? Ok, hate it, but OK. But NOT one that not only requires me to spend the entire day hunting ressies, but wants me to wake up, on my vaca, in the middle of the night to start booking. I am a HUGE Disneyholic, been countless times, and made rope drop once. I'd rather go a little later and close the parks. I know no one, in any age group, who doesn't loathe the current Genie+. Admit the mistake and fix it.

[@Chosen1Ras]

Iger gets 20 million for his Christmas bonus… Disney employees get no Christmas bonus…. Never ever in Disney history.

[@uss_cushing]

Iger put Disney in the mess they are currently in. You don’t give medals to the man who set the blaze in the first place.

[@hellspyro666420]

Park pass reservations are ridiculous and they will sell tickets to you and not even guarantee you access to any of the parks. We ran into the problem last year when we went in March.

[@judysavin1222]

Compared to the 1980s the problem is obvious to me. Too many people go to the parks. With so many people in attendance, there is no system in the world that can manage the wear and tear and costs associated with such high numbers. In some ways, their success has resulted in failure.

[@CHOICE-bl6ug]

What does Disney plan on doing about all of the rides breaking down. Every park had multiple rides breaking down every day when we were there in November. They were broken down for long periods of time. With the hiring freeze in place that means longer break down time due to lack of technician’s available will continue. So what value are people getting from paying higher prices, when all people are doing is walking around trying to find rides that aren’t broken down? Another thing the parks are dirty and bathrooms are disgusting. It wasn’t like that when we were there in 2012.

[@gordon4695]

Been going to walt Disney world isney since 1973. They have turned into