Walt Disney World Resort Unveils Bold New Vision for Downtown Disney

[Vito]

so whats the next cutback/outsourcing?

Could maybe we also talk about what the new additions will be rather than looking at the glass half empty? There'sStar Tours 2 which should open in a couple of years, the Monsters Inc Coaster for DHS, the Little Mermaid dark ride along with some other potential Fantasyland additions, Space Mountain refurb including musical soundtrack.

These are just off the top of my head.

Also, what's with the negative connotation for outsourcing? As long as the company (Disney) maintains creative and quality control over the outsourcing, I see nothing wrong with it. In fact, sometimes outsourcing is preferred because it allows you to bring in people who are specialized in one particluar field as opposed to using in house "jack of all trades" to do certain jobs or construction.

[The Joker]

Take it from someone who is involved in outsourcing for many years already: it is a financial decision, sometimes covered by operations' arguments, but always decided by it's effect on the bottom line. Disney is throwing the towel for PI, stating that 3rd parties will do a better job. A better job for Disney's bottom line, NOT necessarily for the guest experience.

[Vito]

Take it from someone who is involved in outsourcing for many years already: it is a financial decision, sometimes covered by operations' arguments, but always decided by it's effect on the bottom line. Disney is throwing the towel for PI, stating that 3rd parties will do a better job. A better job for Disney's bottom line, NOT necessarily for the guest experience.

I wasn't necessarily speaking of PI, but again, it was a Disney decision what to put there. You can outsource and still have "original" themeing, restaurants, stores, etc. It's not so much the nature of outsourcing that's the issue, it's Disney's decision of just exactly how to outsource that's at play.

But anway, as far as PI goes... I wish I could say that I'm sad to see Adventurers Club or Comedy Warehouse go, but I tend to spend most of my time at the parks. I can appreciate that there are some people who really like them, but I went to Comedy Warehouse once, and found the improv to be nothing better than what I'd see at any other improv show or something on Comedy Central. Yes, it's a live show, and yes, it was fun, but I never felt a drive to go back.

I guess I've just been more of a "parks" guy. That's where I want to spend my time. If we have some free time, I enjoy a round of mini-golf and spending some time at Downtown Disney getting something to eat, walking around and checking out World of Disney for a while, but beyond that, that's it for me. I'm just thinking that the majority of guests are the same way. There just isn't enough of a draw at PI to make it worthwhile to keep.

And I've mentioned this before, but I don't think the concepts behind PI and some of the clubs is going to be completely forgotten by Disney. I have a feeling they're looking to do something a little bigger that provides an adult experience, and be more popular. Perhaps some form of a boutique park that's built on the Night Kingdom concept they've talked about.

I still believe the best things they could do to make an "ultimate" Downtown Disney are the things I mentioned here:

http://www.intercot.com/discussion/s...&postcount=235

[Crow]

nothing wrong w outsourcing....Ive eaten at PH, Rainforest etc
but tell me that no CMs are losing their jobs over the closures or outsourcings.
and i understand that its a business so they have to make money...but why do the cutbacks come at the little guys expense & not at the expense of the top guys, bonuses etc in many companies.
Im almost always half full pessimistic....
& booyah Im hoping for all the new rides also. as long as they are unique, Disney imagineering at its best.
but nothing is official yet.
I am expressing my opinion thats all. I will most likely express my right not to visit WDW next yr, which would b unusual for me as thats the only place Ive taken vacation for many a year.

[lockedoutlogic]

nothing wrong w outsourcing....Ive eaten at PH, Rainforest etc
but tell me that no CMs are losing their jobs over the closures or outsourcings.
and i understand that its a business so they have to make money...but why do the cutbacks come at the little guys expense & not at the expense of the top guys, bonuses etc in many companies.
Im almost always half full pessimistic....
& booyah Im hoping for all the new rides also. as long as they are unique, Disney imagineering at its best.
but nothing is official yet.
I am expressing my opinion thats all. I will most likely express my right not to visit WDW next yr, which would b unusual for me as thats the only place Ive taken vacation for many a year.

the disney corporate fortune has been built in large part on "the little guys" since the early 90's.....

I know that you and I....and everyone else who spends thousands annually going to WDW...doesn't want to think about it at home....much less while we're there....

but it is true.

at one time....working as a CM was a good, coveted job. While maybe not the most attractive wages - they were closer....livable.

Somewhere at the start of the "disney decade"...the family atmosphere that the disney family used to run their operations was quietly reversed by the suits and the screws tightened....

Raises ground to a halt....specilized training and positions eliminated....consolidation...lowering of discipline actions and hiring requirements...reorganization....productivity quotas.....you know the drill.

bottom line: is that it's all about the bottomline...

sad but true

[lockedoutlogic]

Could maybe we also talk about what the new additions will be rather than looking at the glass half empty? There'sStar Tours 2 which should open in a couple of years, the Monsters Inc Coaster for DHS, the Little Mermaid dark ride along with some other potential Fantasyland additions, Space Mountain refurb including musical soundtrack.

These are just off the top of my head.

Those are....literally...off the top of your head...

Other than an acknowledged "plan" to redo space mountain next year....none of what you have said is confirmed....or even hinted by disney....

while i admit that many of those things would be good additions....and are certainly a realistic prediction.....the problem is now one of timeframe....

say those things could have been 2009-2012 projects......

now....bad economy.....could be 2014 and beyond things in the beancounters design.

That's the problem with management for about 10 years.....they draw back to protect profit and stock price when things are on a down INSTEAD of investing then and doing impovements for the next upswing.

Are we all not told to buy low and sell high?

Same thing should apply there.....

Right now....there is the american idol thing.....a licensed show that requires little cost, imagination, or Upkeep

and one more thing...I personally...and i know that many "old timers" like me who remember star wars when the movies had an actual screenwriter....decent plot...made hacks like mark hamill look like an oscar winner compared to the recent bar that was set...and extras instead of computer blips.....

hope that Star Tours 2.0 involves the hardway being melted down and sold to a scrap yard....

but that's a personal feeling....and in order to avoid a tirade....i'll just muzzle it here

[Tekneek]

Also, what's with the negative connotation for outsourcing? As long as the company (Disney) maintains creative and quality control over the outsourcing, I see nothing wrong with it. In fact, sometimes outsourcing is preferred because it allows you to bring in people who are specialized in one particluar field as opposed to using in house "jack of all trades" to do certain jobs or construction.

Maybe they will be one of the only ones who manage to keep quality up after outsourcing. The record is not actually very good when it comes to that. Having been on the inside at a company that outsourced, quality was driven down prior to the outsourcing in order to make the claim that there was no decrease in quality. I won't get into details, but I saw plenty of consultants work on outsourcing initiatives over the years and reduction in quality is standard operating procedure when outsourcing any significant process.

[Vito]

Maybe they will be one of the only ones who manage to keep quality up after outsourcing. The record is not actually very good when it comes to that. Having been on the inside at a company that outsourced, quality was driven down prior to the outsourcing in order to make the claim that there was no decrease in quality. I won't get into details, but I saw plenty of consultants work on outsourcing initiatives over the years and reduction in quality is standard operating procedure when outsourcing any significant process.

Of course there's always the possibility of outsourcing and not keeping tabs on the quality of that outsourcing. However, there are a couple of things-

First, I don't think Disney is going to outsource any critical element of their Theme Parks and Resorts. Many of their attractions and/or resorts are the collaborative works of both Disney and outside contractors (construction, Mission Space, Expedition Everest, Rock'n'Roller Coaster) - they don't necessarily design and construct every element of their parks.

Secondly, I think Disney, known for its quality standards when compared to any other family resort destination, will be extremely wise to keep tabs and place strict requirements on any outsourced jobs or tasks. They're not going to let what happened in your example happen to a company who's very success lies in its high standards.