I just hope that Disney execs remember the difference between saving money and making money, and keep in mind that during a recession (or depression) "value for money" is almost as important as actual cost.

You can't keep charging more while offering less and not get found out, and if the current problems continue, Disney Parks' true value will start coming under scrutiny a lot sooner and harsher.

I understand they *want* to cut costs, but I think they *should* keep plussing the day-to-day operations so people will feel like a trip to WDW is still worth it.  Delaying the future Little Mermaid ride?  I understand that.  Cutting current Fantasmic and the pricier buffet food offerings?  Careful there, guys.

They need to make people feel like coming to WDW is the sensible vacation right now (i.e. you can drive here!  you can have a free ticket!  we have lots to do that you don't have to pay extra for!) and not like they're just leading us in to be milked.  Or people won't be coming at all.

Jim, the article I'd like to see is "What's happening at Universal?"  Are they slowing down Harry Potter?  Was their cheepie "get a whole-week, 2-park hopper ticket for $86" promo successful?

I know we left Disney and went to Universal for the first time on those tickets last summer, and we were impressed.  It seemed like Universal was doing a lot of things well, and we'll be back.  Is Universal investing while WDW is scrimping?  Will it pay off?

Sue in Texas

I would be curious to see what other plans they have should this economic situation get worse or last longer than just a few months. I would imagine they have more cuts and closures planned, hopefully none of them permanent.

I'm sure the next logical step is to close entire resorts if the economy really goes down the tubes.  That move is not unprecedented.  If I recall correctly, CBR and FQ both closed for "renovations" post September 11.  Months ago Kevin Yee over at MiceAge speculated that WDW would go as far as shuttering entire parks on specific days of the week (AK on Monday, DHS on Tuesday, etc.) with the historical fact that once upon a time even DL was not an every day of the week park!

I know this "crisis" is just happening, and people may have booked their vacations up to a year in advance, but I was at Downtown Disney last night (which, if I rememebr correctly, is supposed to be offseason) and it was absolutely slammed. Lines out the door for all restaurants. Lines through the stores to check out. I was STUNNED. Even if people booked their vacations far in advance, last year's economy wasn't all that hot either. And either way you can typically cancel a vacation if you feel that a couple grand vacation is no longer worth while. What I'm trying to get at is that for some people, people who would be able to spend 4 grand in a week anyway, probably won't be hurt all that much by the current economy. The people who will be crushed by this crisis are the ones who couldn't afford to fill up their mini van before and now are completely screwed. People who were flying their family to Florida, staying in a delux resort and getting hopper passes for a week aren't exactly trembling just yet.

Scrimping is good for the short-term stock price, but a better investment would be this: Focus on cost cuts that won't dilute the company's rep (and long-term stock prospects). It's assessing CEO salaries and severance packages (especially when the company is left in bad shape), the cost of materials, not giving animated films a release date until a final cut in the form of storyboards is locked-in (Black Cauldron set an expensive precedent in finished animation being cut in post), and having conservative contingency plans and a schedule discouraging the expensive rush towards a release date for the likes of POTC movies. Then, there's investments to be made. Plussing the guest experience in the parks with an eye to the future is one. (Remember, these things are cyclical. Best now to pay up, especially when the government will be giving tax incentives)  Local sources of food and other products will be an increasing bargain, because it cuts shipping costs. And it would be nice if the move to green allowed for more competition in transportation. I think the dependence on individual cars, airlines and inconvenient-to-poor public transportation infrastructure hurts businesses across the board.

A couple of thoughts on this one...

My family and I returned a few months ago from a big WDW vacation. In looking at our travel habits statistically, we seem to go the parks once every 5 years. So for us, we never even noticed any of these cost cutting manuevers. So, having Laugh Floor open up an hour after the rest of the park... no biggie. To us, its just the way it was and we never questioned why. So kudos to Disney for making the changes that will help them to save money without drawing too much attention or raise red flags. Sure, the annual passholders that go every month may notice some things, but for those of us that are only there every once in a while... we'd never even question them.

Next, more Kudos to Disney for the new promotion. I know.. alot of people don't think its a big deal. But we just got back from WDW.. that trip wasn't cheap by any means. But to suddenly have my ultra-frugal wife e-mail me, proposing that we fly to California next year as a special way to celebrate our sons birthday, simply because he can get in free... That's amazing!!! Yes, she is the kind that will drive across town (using up all the gas in the process) to go to the one gas station where she can save 5 cents a gallon. So the thought of one of us getting into a Disney park for free has made the whole idea suddenly "doable" and we are planning a trip that we otherwise would not have even thought possible for a few more years. Totally brilliant plan in my book... (Plus I get to go to Disneyland!!!!!) :)

I just wanted to correct Jim on the "strings attached" to the birthday promotion. From the FAQs here (http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/disneyparks/en_US/WhatWillYouCelebrate/index?name=WDWCelebrationFAQsPage):

"As long as you have valid identification, including date of birth, you can take advantage of this birthday offer at the Walt Disney World® Will Call windows. The reason for registering your birthday online is to save you time. You won't have to wait while you fill out the forms at the Will Call windows."

While pre-registering on the site can save you time, you won't be left high and dry if you show up at the parks without having done so. Just make sure you've got your identification (If you're age 18 or older, proper ID would be a Driver's License, State-issued or Government-issued photo ID, or a Government-issued Passport. If you are under age 18 and don't have any of the above mentioned ID, an original Birth Certificate or a notarized copy of a Birth Certificate is required.).