Disney Officially Retires The Lights of Winter Holiday Archway At EPCOT! - Page 4 - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
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I am sorry to see them go, and I admit to being a bit, well, cynical about the reason. After all, this from an organization that still operates an attraction that I saw at the New York World's Fair in 1964?
As far as hearing about it on Twitter, well, I heard about an Aunt's passing on Facebook last week and have had employees resign using email, so little surprises me in this regard.
I appreciated Dave's measured comments. I would add that we have and are still going through tough economic times, and theme park attendance tends to lag economic recovery. Makes sense--so does employment and I expect there's some sort of correlation there.
As much as I love all things Disney, it is also a business <sigh>. I would not want to be in the position to have to make decisions about cut-backs--trying to balance these with the quality of the Guest experience that truly sets Disney apart. Part of that experience is having Cast Members on hand spreading pixie dust. While Disney has laid off Cast Members--and this will provide little solace to those who were included--perhaps some of the cutbacks allowed Disney to, yes, make a profit and keep more Cast Members working during this recession. The irony is that if a company doesn't do well, it can cost more to borrow money [if it's available!] that you need to improve things so the company can do better.
I think that the pending Fantasyland makeover--undertaken during the recession--is a nice thing, but except for the addition of another sit-down restaurant, it really matters little to me--at least based on what I know now. [I will keep an open mind and experience it before I pass final judgement.] But I assume it will be a wonderful thing for the kids and thus do not resent the substantial investment. [I might have preferred that Disney spend the money on a more radical Space Mountain refurb or do something with or replace the Wonders of Life in Epcot, but let's face it--this area probably needs some rework, and to keep people coming back the trend is towards greater interactivity.]
When you look at the big picture and factor in all the things in the immediate past and planned for the future at all the WDW parks, there's actually quite a lot that has gone on and will go on.
But we all need the economy to improve.
The struggle between the quality of Disney's product and the financial realities goes all the way back to the company's inception and was a constant between Walt and Roy.
As much as I love all things Disney, it is also a business <sigh>. I would not want to be in the position to have to make decisions about cut-backs--trying to balance these with the quality of the Guest experience that truly sets Disney apart.
And "Disney" is not just Disney World -- it's a huge, multi-national entity with a fiduciary responsibility to it's shareholders. Yes, it makes magic, but it's goal is to make money. And many of the divisions within the company have not reported big numbers during the economic crisis.
So, cut backs must be required right now and should be expected.
But... I wouldn't doubt that there *are* techical reasons too -- just that they don't want to spend the funds right now (for parts or labor) to replace them.
Eileen
well disney at least still has the lights at the studios .so aleast they kept the better lites display in my opion. lol
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I agree with Dave and others. To offer new and exciting things, some things must be retired.
The LOW was very nice but it was quite antiquated. Perhaps they won't replace them this year due to the economic implications of replacing them with LEDs etc but I have no doubt in years to come once the economy turns around there will be more lights and decorations.
Many of us are enjoying the free dining plans they are offering as well as the buy 4 get 3 free deals. These are moves they don't typically offer so frequently but in this economy they are doing all they can to keep attendance up. So if they must reallocate funds in down times to keep it so we can afford to come back, I think it's a smart business decision.
I agree with Dave and others. To offer new and exciting things, some things must be retired.
The LOW was very nice but it was quite antiquated. Perhaps they won't replace them this year due to the economic implications of replacing them with LEDs etc but I have no doubt in years to come once the economy turns around there will be more lights and decorations.
Many of us are enjoying the free dining plans they are offering as well as the buy 4 get 3 free deals. These are moves they don't typically offer so frequently but in this economy they are doing all they can to keep attendance up. So if they must reallocate funds in down times to keep it so we can afford to come back, I think it's a smart business decision.
Rose tinted glasses. They are replacing this with a choir that performs for free.
I am extremely disappointed by this decision This was my favorite decoration in Epcot. I loved getting our picture taken under the lights and just enjoyed sitting around the WS and watching the lights play to the music. I only hope Disney comes up with something as fabulous to replace it with.
I would love to see if they come up with something better. I don't buy the tech bit either. My dh is a tech guy and I have seen wayyyyy too many sets of dancing Christmas lights on people's houses made from junk pieces out of their garage. If these guys can figure out how to wire something like that with lights from Walmart and junk computer pieces out of their garage then Disney should be able to come up with something fairly reasonable to upgrade to. Or maybe they need to hire a few of these guys that do stuff like this for fun. I'm just sayin'..........
[QUOTE=mzozzietj;3040380]I agree with Dave and others. To offer new and exciting things, some things must be retired.
The LOW was very nice but it was quite antiquated. Perhaps they won't replace them this year due to the economic implications of replacing them with LEDs etc but I have no doubt in years to come once the economy turns around there will be more lights and decorations.
I totally disagree. Things that are retired tend not to be replaced. WDW has been putting up fewer and fewer decorations for years now, well before the economic downturn. In 2005, the tree behind BWI was huge, and every post was decorated. The tree has gotten smaller every year since and the posts are not decorated. Last year's tree wasn't much bigger than the treee in my living room. How many Christmas are at the MK outside of the camera shot for regis and Kelly Christmas show. This was a business decision, pure and simple. Yes, Disney is a business and it's primary function is to make money. But don't Twitter some lame excuse and expect the thinking (and paying) public to buy it. Just be honest
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Originally Posted by Mystic
Word from a CM message board is that the lights broke while being installed/moved and that's why they have been declared obsolete.
Why don't they just say that then? People understand that type of thing.
And just because it broke and they can't use it this year, shouldn't mean that they can't either fix it or find a replacement for next year, I would think. There would be a lot less grumbling from their repeat guests if they did that.
I just don't think Disney is being very truthful. I know at least six cast members personally and we're friends. I know about ten others who I have become friendly with over the years and we correspond regularly. There are specific signs everywhere backstage labeling decor that is not to be put out due to cutbacks. The staff that puts out decor has been cut drastically which means they don't have time to put it all up.
Regarding the archway, they are using the antiquated excuse as a reason not to spend any money to upgrade anything that needs to be upgraded. They are being cheap in this regard. I also can't confirm that something is actually wrong with it or if they just don't want to put it up.
I would love to see if they come up with something better. I don't buy the tech bit either. My dh is a tech guy and I have seen wayyyyy too many sets of dancing Christmas lights on people's houses made from junk pieces out of their garage. If these guys can figure out how to wire something like that with lights from Walmart and junk computer pieces out of their garage then Disney should be able to come up with something fairly reasonable to upgrade to. Or maybe they need to hire a few of these guys that do stuff like this for fun. I'm just sayin'..........
Very good point! I found the obsolete tech comment hard to believe too. They're lights, not a monorail or something! Oh well, I'm glad I got some pictures of them, and maybe they will replace it with something better.
Word from a CM message board is that the lights broke while being installed/moved and that's why they have been declared obsolete.
Why don't they just say that then? People understand that type of thing.
Wasn't this the announcement that came via Twitter -- they didn't have alot of room to explain or tell their future plans (if they have them yet) with just 140 characters to work with. Maybe that explains the lack of info right now.
Has there a more recent, more complete Disney press release or announcement?
Eileen
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