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Disneyland Paris => Disneyland Paris News & Rumours => Topic started by: Riebi on July 22, 2009, 09:44:39 AM

Title: Operation Hours
Post by: Riebi on July 22, 2009, 09:44:39 AM
Hi! As you know I was very disapointed by the operating hours. There´s an interesting article at dlp.info which abstract the topic:

QuoteSorry... we are closed / not yet open
Yes, it is summer high season for the Disneyland Resort Paris from early July to late August, yes the parks are busy and yes, the Disneyland Park has extended operating hours and features additional entertainment such as Goofy's Summer Camp, Disney's Fantillusion and in particular the Enchanted Fireworks to bring the day to a majestic finale in the skies above Sleeping Beauty Castle. But guests could be excused for believing that they are in the Disneyland Park on a slow off-season day thanks to additional signs posted on the entrances to various attractions – minor and major ones such as Phantom Manor – that inform about staggered operating hours, i.e. certain attractions opening later than the park and / or closing earlier.

Guests during the slower off-season months had already become used to a few certain attractions such as Autopia and Alice's Curious Laybrinth opening late (around 11.00 am on most days) and closing early. But in the past years these limited operating hours were restricted to just a couple of attractions and usually were suspended in favor of a full operation during the busy summer season except for e.g. the Keelboats or Alice's Curious Labyrinth which were already historically limited to a "dawn till dusk" operation. Not so in 2009 however!

In an extremly obvious move to cut costs by reducing the number of cast members needed (as well as save maybe a nickle and a dime on actual hardware operating costs) ignoring the negative impact on the experience of the guests the staggered / limited operating hours have in fact been extended to more attractions than ever before for this year's high season!

Here a short excerpt(!) from reduced operating hours on July 8 and 9 (please note: this times might have been changed / adjusted in the meantime, also the list does not mention all attractions with reduced operating hours): in Discoveryland "Honey, I Shrunk The Audience" 10.00 am to 6.00 pm, Nautilus, 11.30 am to 5.30 pm, Autopia 10.00 am to 9.00 pm; in Frontierland "Phantom Manor" 10.00 am to 10.00 pm, Riverboats 11.00 am to 7.00 pm; on Main Street, U.S.A., the Disneyland Railroad 10.00 am to 10.00 pm. It should be noted, that as usual due to the nightly fireworks display all of Fantasyland anyway closes at 10.00 pm nightly (however, several attractions inside Fantasyland have even further restricted hours – not only Alice's Curious Labyrinth). In another cost cutting measure all of Adventureland also closes at 10.00 pm in the meantime – according to the huge signs posted at the entrance to allow for preparation of the Enchanted Fireworks. While certain areas close to the Castle might actually be afflicted by safety measures (on some days the hills and plantings to the left of the castle are actually sprayed with water prior to the start of the fireworks to prevent falling shells from starting fires), it is questionable whether something as the popular "Indiana Jones et le Temple du Péril" coaster in a far off corner next to Frontierland really is still in the required safety zone for the fireworks. In anyway the result of the currenty policy is that especially after 10.00 pm the amount of operating attractions is extremly limited further increasing the number of guests lining up along the parade route for Disney's Fantillusion.

Another, even more extreme cost cutting measure has hit the circus train "Casey Jr." and the fairy tale boat ride in the back of Fantasyland. Despite it being busy summer season both attractions are currently open only Friday to Sunday. Obviously the signs at the entrance to the area are just declaring the attractions being closed (without posting any reasons) and not mentioning the system to avoid angering guests.

To make matters worse the resort is not offering guests any central information or schedules listing all limited operating hours. Guests will only learn about those (and which attractions are concerned) on the actual entrances to the queues of each attraction! Especially first time guests can be seen frequently approaching attractions in late afternoon or early evening only to have to turn around disappointed because the attraction is already closed for the day. While cost saving measures might be necessary the negative impact on the guests experience is extreme especially due to the way it is handled (without handing out any central schedules to guests) and may even be considered bad show already. Considering the elaborate character and detail that went into many of the signs announcing the operating hours at the entrance of the attractions e.g. at "Indiana Jones et le Temple du Péril" or "Phantom Manor" it must be assumed that the staggering operating hours are here to stay for longer.

//http://www.dlp.info/News/2009/07/sorry-we-are-closed-not-yet-open/
Title: Re: Operation Hours
Post by: Anthony on July 22, 2009, 11:42:45 AM
Here's the list as posted by DLH Fan on Disney Central Plaza forum:

QuoteParc Disneyland (10h-23h)

Heures de Magie en Plus (EMH) : 8h-10h

Main Street U.S.A (8h-23h)

Disneyland Railroad - Main Street Station : 10h(?)-20h30 (dernier départ)

Fantasyland (8h-22h)

Le Château de la Belle au Bois Dormant : 8h-22h (EMH)
Peter Pan's Flight : 8h-22h (EMH)
Le Carrousel de Lancelot : 8h-22h (EMH)
Mad Hatter's Tea Cups : 8h-22h (EMH)
Dumbo the Flying Elephant : 8h-22h (EMH)
Les Voyages de Pinocchio : 15h-22h
Blanche Neige et les Sept Nains : 10h-18h
Alice's Curious Labyrinth : 11h-tombée de la nuit
Disneyland Railroad - Fantasyland Station : 12h30-20h30
"it's a small world" : 10h-22h
Le Pays des Contes de Fées : 11h-19h (20h si possible)
Casey Jr. - Le Petit Train du Cirque : 11h-19h (20h si possible)

Discoveryland (8h-23h)

Buzz Lightyear Laser Blast : 8h-23h (EMH)
Space Mountain : Mission 2 : 8h-23h (EMH)
Orbitron (Machines Volantes) : 8h-22h(?) (EMH)
Autopia : 10h-21h
Les Mystères du Nautilus : 13h30-17h30
Star Tours : 10h-22h
L'Astrosport Services Interstellaires : ?
Arcade Alpha, Arcade Bêta : ?
Chérie, j'ai rétréci le Public : ?
Disneyland Railroad - Discoveryland Station : 12h30-20h30

Adventureland (10h-22h)

Pirates of the Caribbean : 10h-22h
Indiana Jones et le Temple du Péril : 10h-22h
La Cabane des Robinson : 11h-19h
Le Passage Enchanté d'Aladdin : 10h-22h
Adventure Isle : 10h-22h
La Plage des Pirates : 10h-22h

Frontierland (10h-23h)

Big Thunder Mountain : 10h-23h
Phantom Manor : 10h-22h
Thunder Mesa Riverboat Landing : 10h(?)-19h
River Rogue Keelboats : 10h(?)-18h
Rustler Roundup Shootin' Gallery : ?
Legends of the Wild West : ?
Disneyland Railroad - Frontierland Depot : 12h30-20h30
Pocahontas Indian Village : ?
Obviously subject to change and not to be taken as "official" opening hours.

...Because that's the only thing that annoys me here - these shortened openings aren't announced or listed anywhere for guests to easily check. It's fine to be told that Phantom Manor closes an hour before the park, ok, no problem, plan around it, but to walk all the way over to it and then be told "no, it's closed" is bad, bad park management. (I trying to avoid the "bad show!" cliché, haha)

Ideally these should be printed up inside the Programme.
Title: Re: Operation Hours
Post by: smurfy74 on July 22, 2009, 01:36:33 PM
i agree the times should be published, i dont have a problem with staggered opening hours as they make sense if you need to reduce costs due to lower guest flow etc, but knowledge is key and managing people expectations means happier guests. I hope Disney act quickly on their guest feedback. The casey jr and storbook land closure seems similar to the Autopia closures a few years ago as when i first started going to DLP Autopia was never open week days in September and for the last couple of years it has always been open, lets hope the rumoured fantasyland extension goes ahead and breathes life in to that area of the park
Title: Re: Operation Hours
Post by: Aveen2008 on July 22, 2009, 03:30:25 PM
This is a big worry.. If they are doing this in high season..does this mean rides will be closed for the whole day in some cases during off season?? Basically Casey jnr and the storyland boats are never goimng to be open now because they ahve rarely been open any of the times I have been there over the past 3 years! :(

and if they are trying to cut costs by doing this which definately affects their guests....are they also cutting down on everything else like cleaning staff, safety staff and other things that may not be even noticable to guests??

Big worry I think! :?
Title: Re: Operation Hours
Post by: Riebi on July 22, 2009, 04:49:17 PM
I don´t think that this operating hours are a good thing.

Let´s look at the cost cutting aspect: OK it cuts costs. But the guests have a much worser expirience for a holliday they payed for. Much money!

If they have diffrent operating hours for the whole park they have to introduce diffrent passports. One for the morning hours and one for the evening hours. Cause the park has not the attractions open you have payed for.

In the summer season it´s horrible. I´ve payed much money for a stay at DLRP and Hotel New York. I knew it´s the summer season. I choose the summer season because there are no refurbs, all attractions are open, I get longer opening hours and a great nighttime parade and a great firework.
What I get for my money is a park where not all attractions are open, refurbs visible, a cutted parade and a cutted fireworks show. Thank you! Next time I choose march and safe the money.

I think the fanside of me could say: "OK we have a financial crisis and the must cutting somewhere"
But the guest inside of me who payed a lot of money for the summer season (and even every first timer) is very very angry about this point.

I don´t wanna plan my day at Disneyland. I don´t wanna have a look at a Map with opening hours just to say: Oh let´s do this and that during the next hour cause it will close...I will wander around while saying "Oh look over there is Casey jr/Pinoccio/Phantom Manor, let´s ride it!"

That they have no official overview about the opening hours is just a little point for me. (It´s just the limit that you stand in front of closed attraction after a long walk through the park) The problem is I don´t want to live inside of Disneyland Park as I live at my companies office. It´s holliday. Not make your time schedule.
Title: Re: Operation Hours
Post by: Nicholas-c on July 22, 2009, 07:50:44 PM
I have to say, last week during my visit the operating hours were very odd, After 10pm there really wasn't that many rides people can get on, Star tours closed, HISTA closed, Autopia closed. In discoveryland that only leaves Space mountain and Buzz lightyear, Considering Space mountain was closed for 3 days of my visit, Buzz lightyear queue was through the roof, Something your average guest doesn't want. Certainly when Fantasyland and adventureland have closed at 10pm.

This thing kinda drives guests away, Certainly if there is rain/thunder meaning that the parade and fireworks are canceled, Guests disappear by 10:15, I got a photo of the castle and an empty main street at that time, No one around in the middle of the summer.

Keep all the rides open in the lands that are open, Keep Adventureland (or even just Indiana Jones) open until 10:30 or later, That is plenty of time to move guests towards Main street and that way space mountain, Buzz, PM and BTM dont get 60 min queues at 10pm.
Title: Re: Operation Hours
Post by: QueenEm on July 25, 2009, 09:20:56 AM
What is the main board listing attractions saying in mainstreet? Is this at least being updated?
I really would have hoped that going in the first week of august as I will be (one week to go) that some sort of a guest-staff comprimise would have been reached. These are my four most important days of the year coming up!
Title: Re: Operation Hours
Post by: EDDY on July 25, 2009, 10:43:52 AM
It's a shame. :(
We're really thinking about to cancel in August and come in mid September.
Then: The crowds are less, the weather is most times good as well and you dont
have to queue as long.

Sure, no fireworks and Fanti, thats at the moment the only reason to go in August.
Why can't they just organize that a lil better? I'm sure there's a possibility, which won't cost as lot as many people think. Come on... 1000s of people paying entrance and whats up then? --Closing at 8,9,10 pm
no, this can't be true. For me, that's no "Summer Magic", if I can't ride PM at 10:55pm :P

How is it in the other parks round the world?
Title: Re: Operation Hours
Post by: Pete's Dragon on July 25, 2009, 10:56:53 AM
Quote from: "EDDY"It's a shame. :(
We're really thinking about to cancel in August and come in mid September.
Then: The crowds are less, the weather is most times good as well and you dont
have to queue as long.

The very reasons I go in September. I hope these staggered opening times arent permanent. I can understand them closing Casy's Railway and the Pays Du Something early as it moves the guests nearer to the gates, and means the CMs can get the park emptied quicker. But the rest is just stupid
Title: Re: Operation Hours
Post by: Aveen2008 on July 25, 2009, 03:53:00 PM
Quote from: "EDDY"It's a shame. :(
We're really thinking about to cancel in August and come in mid September.
Then: The crowds are less, the weather is most times good as well and you dont
have to queue as long.

Sure, no fireworks and Fanti, thats at the moment the only reason to go in August.
Why can't they just organize that a lil better? I'm sure there's a possibility, which won't cost as lot as many people think. Come on... 1000s of people paying entrance and whats up then? --Closing at 8,9,10 pm
no, this can't be true. For me, that's no "Summer Magic", if I can't ride PM at 10:55pm :P

How is it in the other parks round the world?


If you cancel now you will still have to pay the majority of your trip money as it is so close to the date now (august)...you do not get a full refund no matter how early you cancel but the closer it is to the date the dearer it is!...check this before cancelling!
Title: Re: Operation Hours
Post by: bigrossco on July 25, 2009, 04:00:57 PM
yes, cancellation charges go up in a sliding timescale the closer you get to your holiday

i did have the cancellation charges somewhere but cant find them right now
Title: Re: Operation Hours
Post by: davewasbaloo on July 25, 2009, 06:46:32 PM
This is why despite still having AP's that are good, the time and the money, we will not be going to DLP this August. It actually was the only thing to really complain about on our trip in May, but it had so much of an impact, we are not in a hurry to come back (rare).

As we said before, it is bad enough they are doing this (which credit crunch or not, should not be happening - people have paid their money in good faith), the worst bit is the lack of publication. My mother in law is still nagging me that we never made it to HISTA. We planned to do this on our last day, but we arrived in Discoveryland after 3, and it was closed.
Title: Re: Operation Hours
Post by: Pete's Dragon on July 25, 2009, 06:52:36 PM
Quote from: "Aveen2008"
Quote from: "EDDY"It's a shame. :(
We're really thinking about to cancel in August and come in mid September.
Then: The crowds are less, the weather is most times good as well and you dont
have to queue as long.

Sure, no fireworks and Fanti, thats at the moment the only reason to go in August.
Why can't they just organize that a lil better? I'm sure there's a possibility, which won't cost as lot as many people think. Come on... 1000s of people paying entrance and whats up then? --Closing at 8,9,10 pm
no, this can't be true. For me, that's no "Summer Magic", if I can't ride PM at 10:55pm :P

How is it in the other parks round the world?


If you cancel now you will still have to pay the majority of your trip money as it is so close to the date now (august)...you do not get a full refund no matter how early you cancel but the closer it is to the date the dearer it is!...check this before cancelling!


61+ days notice: 10% cancellation charge
8 to 60 days notice : 35% charge
3 to 7 days notice : 75% charge
2 days or less notice : 100% charge
Title: Re: Operation Hours
Post by: smurfy74 on July 25, 2009, 10:00:32 PM
Understandibly the current situation isn't ideal for anyone, i'm sure the management haven't implemented this because they wanted to, I feel its more because they need to contain costs. Despite thousands of people going into the parks, attendance is down meaning lower receipts at the gates. The fact we are in a recession isn't ideal either but they need to act responsibly to contain costs. The real issue is lack of info. When I go in seven weeks i will be sure to make a trip to City hall when we arrive so i can plan for any closures. The positive thing to take from this is that the management are being proactive about cost control whilst still doing loads of refurbs, i think they are making the right budgetary decisions, albeit they just need to tell people  :D
Title: Re: Operation Hours
Post by: davewasbaloo on July 25, 2009, 10:14:49 PM
Closing the park a day or 2 a week would be preferrable and save money. This is rediculous, plain and simple. sure, we are in a recession, but this is irresponsible. Close down part of the hotels if bookings are light, offer new enticements for people to come. But this hurts the value of the park so much that long term fans like me are no longer willing to put up with it, and i have met a few families in our area that made their first trips this year, because of the staggered closings, they have come home with a bitter taste and are not sure if they will bother going back.
Title: Re: Operation Hours
Post by: Anthony on July 25, 2009, 10:59:24 PM
Quote from: "davewasbaloo"Closing the park a day or 2 a week would be preferrable and save money.
No no, don't be silly! That would just be disastrous. You know what would work much better? Cancelling the (still) dire Stitch show in Discoveryland and running the attractions later instead.

EDDY raised a really good point up there - how is it for the other Disney parks? Anyone got recent experience?

They must be saving quite a bit of money this year what with Tarzan, Lion King and we musn't forget Ciné Folies/Shooting Live also cancelled. Makes you wonder if they're struggling and now just desperately trying to stay out of the red after last year's small profit.
Title: Re: Operation Hours
Post by: smurfy74 on July 25, 2009, 11:53:52 PM
Closing the park for a day or two would be financial armageddon as you cant just turn operations on and off without major planning and cost implications, food waste for one would be a huge cost. and is a flippant remark plus the rides that are closing aren't considered to be major attractions, im sorry HISTA and the Nautilus are not vitally important to overall enjoyment, major attractions such as BTM and SMM2 are, im sure guest flow for these attractions would bear it out. RNRC is closed when we go and although disappointing, not  a major reduction in the enjoyment im expecting my nephews to get. The issue as far as I see is they need to advertise these staggered openings ( they already do with the Nautilus ) I know what times Cinemagique, Stitch, Animagique and the stunt show are on so I can plan my trip to accommodate, we are told what time the different shows/attractions and parades are on and plan accordingly to see them. We dont expect these to be constant and as soon as one has finished there should be another, the expectations are set. Guest receipts are down and therefore costs must be curtailed, that is an easy conclusion to draw. For all we know this maybe a trial, another option may have been closing the park earlier, but my guess is if you asked people which they preferred, A - all rides open but the park closes earlier or B - the park open late but the crowd major pleasing rides open, then option B looks the more appealing and offers the perception of better value. I agree its not ideal, but to me seems the best of a bad lot of options, like i stated earlier, Im sure the management would love the money flowing in and then they can open everything all the time, but reality bites and at the moment its biting hard. I would rather have maintenance kept up ( which they seem to be doing well at the moment ) and early closures rather than keeping everything open. Id also like someone to donate a few billion € to wipe the debt off but i wont hold my breath. The current management seem to be doing a good job, I hope they keep doing the right thing for the long term success of the parks/ resort.
Title: Re: Operation Hours
Post by: davewasbaloo on July 26, 2009, 11:41:05 AM
It was not a flippant remark at all. Disneyland in California used to be closed 2 days a week from park opening until the 80's. It does not take much to do this. Walt had an ethos that everything should be open (unless under maintenance), and Disney stuck to this until Michael Eisner came to the company.

As to how does the rest do - California and TDL do not have staggered openings and closing, WDW sadly does. And given the idiots cross polinate between WDW and DLP, it does not surprise me.
Title: Re: Operation Hours
Post by: davewasbaloo on July 26, 2009, 11:44:58 AM
Quote from: "smurfy74"The current management seem to be doing a good job, I hope they keep doing the right thing for the long term success of the parks/ resort.

Thank you for giving me a laugh, I haven't laughed this hard in ages.

I agree the maintenance is better, and for that I am truly thankful. Also, the increase in custodial cast is very welcome.

But the staggered hours, the additions of things like Toy Story Playland, the entertainment offerings this year, the lack of merchandise, the decrease of menu choices, the work going on at Backlot/Blockbuster Cafe, the 1+ year old scaffolding on studio 1 are all very poor decisions. And frankly, they smell of the swamp waters of Florida, a resort that I hold in VERY low regard.
Title: Re: Operation Hours
Post by: smurfy74 on July 26, 2009, 02:04:54 PM
Delivering profits and increasing park revenue seem like a good job done to me. I might not agree with all the things that are done but they are doing a lot of things right. As for closing, if a park is set up for 365 opening then changing it would cost a fortune as opposed to the staggered opening of attractions, which im not in favour of, just I accept that its necessary. Bookings are taken upto a year in advance so changing things now would be a complete disaster financially and for guest relations, so the decision to reduce opening times on attractions makes more sense, gate receipts are down there is no getting away from that fact therefore costs need to be brought down. This is the easiest way to achieve this other than slashing other budgets which could make things more difficult in the future, ie maintenance - look what happened to the park before when there was little ongoing maintenance it is taking years to restore attractions to their former glory.
Title: Re: Operation Hours
Post by: bigrossco on July 26, 2009, 02:06:46 PM
my opinon is the way they have it just now is fine, rather than restricting opening days / times etc

It makes more sense for the park to be open and just close an attraction to refurb etc like they do just now makes much more sense and a place like DLP would not be able to afford to be closed to be honest, everyday there is people going to the park, yes some days of the year are nto as busy but there is still people going to the park!
Title: Re: Operation Hours
Post by: EDDY on July 26, 2009, 02:11:33 PM
Hey there,
so, we finally decided to go in August, because after all it's my 18th birthday trip and I really want to celebrate that at Disneyland =)

I really do understand that the management needs to save money. It's normal in times like that, but, I really can't understand, why it is sooo expensive to let some attractions open a lil longer!

We have Fantasyland and Adventureland disappearing at 10pm and after that, there should be the possibility to ride the complete rest of the park! There are still 1000s of people out in the park, even if they watch the parade etc...
Come on... 3 Attractions are nothing!

Is it really such an intense cost saving, if you shut down attractions 1-3 hours earlier with maybe 10 CM's on each? And the operating for 1-3 hours more, can't be that extensive that they have to shut down. or am I wrong? I maybe can't imagine how much this will cost but that money is peanuts for Disneyland or? Don't forget it's after all Disneyland we're talking about!!!!!

So in my opinion, Fantasyland and Adventureland are allowed to close at 9:30pm or 10 pm or whatever... But the rest should remain open...
Discoveryland and Frontierland have to be accessible in full until 11pm.
I really think that should be possible! or ?  :roll:
Title: Re: Operation Hours
Post by: bigrossco on July 26, 2009, 02:19:54 PM
Quote from: "EDDY"Hey there,
so, we finally decided to go in August, because after all it's my 18th birthday trip and I really want to celebrate that at Disneyland =)

I really do understand that the management needs to save money. It's normal in times like that, but, I really can't understand, why it is sooo expensive to let some attractions open a lil longer!

We have Fantasyland and Adventureland disappearing at 10pm and after that, there should be the possibility to ride the complete rest of the park! There are still 1000s of people out in the park, even if they watch the parade etc...
Come on... 3 Attractions are nothing!

Is it really such an intense cost saving, if you shut down attractions 1-3 hours earlier with maybe 10 CM's on each? And the operating for 1-3 hours more, can't be that extensive that they have to shut down. or am I wrong? I maybe can't imagine how much this will cost but that money is peanuts for Disneyland or? Don't forget it's after all Disneyland we're talking about!!!!!

So in my opinion, Fantasyland and Adventureland are allowed to close at 9:30pm or 10 pm or whatever... But the rest should remain open...
Discoveryland and Frontierland have to be accessible in full until 11pm.
I really think that should be possible! or ?  :roll:


I fully agree with this and think it would be possible, but then would cost more money for disney to open later paying CM's, etc
Title: Re: Operation Hours
Post by: smurfy74 on July 26, 2009, 02:39:39 PM
Youre right bigrossco about more CM etc, some basic maths by me

20 euro per cast member per hour inc employers taxes
10 cast members per attraction

200 euro labour cost per hour per atraction
10 attractions closed earlier by 2hours

4000 euro saved
30 days in the month

120,000 euro saved
12 months in a year

1,440,000 euro saved

So thats nearly 1 and half million euro saved and thats without any power costs etc
thats the equivalent of 30000 guest spending 50 euro each going through the gates. Easy saving , not ideal, but were not in an ideal situation.
Title: Re: Operation Hours
Post by: EDDY on July 26, 2009, 02:44:21 PM
Quote20 euro per cast member per hour inc employers taxes
10 cast members per attraction

200 euro labour cost per hour per atraction
10 attractions closed earlier by 2hours

4000 euro saved
30 days in the month

120,000 euro saved
12 months in a year

1,440,000 euro saved

Well done ;)

But at the moment I'm talking about the High Season! July and August!
so these are around 240 000 €uro. But just think about...it's Disneyland and loads of people paid much money for the entrance. If I would be a normal "one Day" visitor, I would be really disappointed, especially if I had paid 62 Euro to access!!!!!
Title: Re: Operation Hours
Post by: smurfy74 on July 26, 2009, 02:50:03 PM
I completely agree with you Eddy, I would be miffed too, I think they need to advertise these times well, like they do at the Nautilus, seeing as they have decided to do it.
Title: Re: Operation Hours
Post by: davewasbaloo on July 26, 2009, 02:50:51 PM
Pretty solid business case Smurfy. However, for the first time in 10 years we will not be renewing our APs - family of 4 - €189 = €756, average expenditure on food and souvenirs at DLP in a year for us €3000. We tend to also stay on site some of those trips (€1000). So that's €4756 less euros from us.

Only 303 families of 4 would have to adopt this approach for the same net effect. Or less than one family a day.

The likelyhood is economic impact, the difference to the bottom line is negligable. However, in terms of brand loyalty and reputation, the situation becomes tarnished. It would be better to simply close the park earlier IMHO.

My parents refuse to ever go back because of the staggered openings. My mom is disabled, it was too much effort and frustration to get to an attraction to find it closed for operational cost savings.

And it is ironic, because it was my mom that made me the obsessive Disney freak I am today.
Title: Re: Operation Hours
Post by: davewasbaloo on July 26, 2009, 02:55:44 PM
Disney trades on it's family friendly, over the top image. this year I have not encountered one family that has no complaints about their trip. In fact I frequently ride a train from St Pancras when the DLP train gets in. I often talk to passengers about what they think, and many claim they will not go back, or not for a long while, and some of the veterans I talk to say the experience is lacking from what it used to.

Heck, even seasoned fans go in July and August because despite the crowds, the long hours and entertainment used to make up for it. Not so much now. and a lot of these people paid a long time ago too.

this is a rediculous decision. Perhaps if disney offered quality merchandise, and a better range of prices and menus for dining, they would be in a better position.

Imagine what they would save if they did not build Toy Storyland or convert the Blockbuster Cafe? These are hardly improvements, but they are things that cost money (with what I will imagine will be very little return on investment)
Title: Re: Operation Hours
Post by: Krollok on July 26, 2009, 06:26:39 PM
I think ther´s also an other point, If you can´t get on the rides you have to spend your time at the shops and restaurants to wait for the firework and parade. It can be quite an amount of money even if everybody spends only 2€ more a day. :-k
Title: Re: Operation Hours
Post by: smurfy74 on July 26, 2009, 07:42:13 PM
@ krollock - i agree with you on that one

@ davewasballoo - I agree with you about the merchandise and some of the food quality, I wonder though if they have seen a fall in guest spending on merchandise as sales seem to be brisk and most people arent aware that the range is pretty static as they dont visit as often. Also im not too fussed about the food quality - its the speed that gets to me, you seem more into your table dining so you are better equipped than me to comment on the quality aspect; we witnessed people waiting 30 minutes at victorias becasue there was one woman serving but dozens of people in the deli not serving anyone - although at hakuna matata service has always been efficient. I travel quite a bit on the eurostar and have also had people say that they will be booking again soon, we travel from Ashford and they tend to seat a lot of the Ashford travel together, so maybe its because we are closer???

The one area we probably agree is that isnt an ideal situation, the rest we will have to beg to differ I feel  :)
Title: Re: Operation Hours
Post by: king_spoon_ian on July 28, 2009, 05:21:21 PM
Quote from: "davewasbaloo"My parents refuse to ever go back because of the staggered openings. My mom is disabled, it was too much effort and frustration to get to an attraction to find it closed for operational cost savings.

This.

I did Disney a few weeks ago with my 81 year old Gran, and my Mom, who had recently broken her foot. The amount of times we turned up at rides just to find ourselves turned away because they were shut was just ridiculous. There are no signs anywhere in the park advising people of the opening times, and having the storybook ride/Casey Jr open three days a week is insanity.

Anyone who can't see the harm this will have on the park in the long-term, rather than the immediate cost-cutting benefit, is probably an bad accountant.

QuoteImagine what they would save if they did not build Toy Storyland or convert the Blockbuster Cafe?

This is what gets me. They can't afford to keep rides open until the end, yet they can afford to employ the numerous dancers for Mickey's Magical Party Time, and run that god-awful abomination of DJ Stitch *ptooey*. If the funds from these were funelled into keeping the rides open longer, *everyone* would have a much better time.
Title: Re: Operation Hours
Post by: CGM12345 on August 02, 2009, 11:22:36 AM
i think in low season they should close both parks for a day(but keep disney village and hotels open) and offer buses to Paris or somewhere in France