We surrender
Posted May 9th, 2008 by fanofwalt
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The theme of surrendering liberties (a long-term decision) in exchange for ease, comfort, security, or perceived savings (a short-term benefit) is pervasive. I recognize it now, in so many places. As a "fan of Walt", my perspective of life events often evokes correlations in the world of Disney.
Take this article from Miceage, a Disney fan blog. (It's really great, for those of you who enjoy Disney news, btw.) Here's an idea of what I'm referring to...
The article speaks, in part, about how Disney has orchestrated ways to virtually ensure guests will spend more, if not all, of their vacation time and dollars at Disney properties. One way was to control guests' transportation options. At one time, people could easily rent a car, or use various shuttle services to get from the airport and local hotels to the Disney properties; Mears shuttle charged around $14pp for a trip from the airport to WDW.
The question before the Disney bean counters was: how to keep more guests on-property, thereby ensuring more of their dollars were spent on the Mouse? The answer lies in our propensity to surrender liberty for other (perceived) benefits.
[excerpts from article]
Disney did calculations and tried to figure out what would be the best price to charge customers to move them over [from the airport] to the Disney property. As we all know, the answer turned out to be $0. Free! Disney made a deal with Mears, and now loses quite a bit of money daily in offering a completely free shuttle to the parks and resorts.
The results were predictable inside the parks. If you're stuck in the parks and on Disney property, you'll feel you have little choice other than to pay what is needed. With Disney offering free rides to the parks, everyone will take them up on the offer, and people will stop renting cars. They'll become virtual prisoners of the Mouse. That has happened, and prices went up (as they have always done, admittedly). And this price hike for stroller rentals is no exception.
All these tourists come on the free Disney shuttle and have no way to get to the local supermarkets to buy a cheap stroller, so they rent Disney's instead. At $15/day and thus $105/week, Disney easily makes back the money it "lost" on the free shuttle. Not bad, eh? And it's happening over and over and over again in the parks, with the souvenirs and the food and the snacks and the drinks and the balloons and the t-shirts, etc.
Aha, you say, but there's a flaw in the theory! People will just rent a car instead! I can see why you'd think that. After all, for years the Orlando International Airport boasted a tremendously competitive rental car market. The players were huge. An entire floor of the airport is given over to rental car counters.
But with Disney now offering free rides, all that collapsed. Squeezed for profits, the rental car companies in recent years have had no choice but to raise prices dramatically. What was once a highly affordable rental market had to evolve into a pricey one, just to stay alive. The lack of volume had to be counteracted in some way, and the only thing left to adjust is price. And so it is that we find ourselves here in 2008, with Orlando costing more money to rent a car than Honolulu.
(...)
What the example of Hertz and Dollar really shows is just how far the rental market has evaporated in Florida since the advent and entrenching of DME [Disney's Magical Express] as a free service. It says to me that just about everyone is using Disney's free shuttle. And that means Disney feels it has a free hand to raise prices, cut services, lower expectations, and still rake in millions of dollars a day.
DME may only be three years old, but its lingering effect is enormous, and we're all paying the price every day.
--
That last line really clarifies it. Changes that appear to be innocent and even helpful may at first glance seem to be a wonderful panacea, but upon closer inspection, we often find that our own greed, selfishness, and willingness to abdicate our self-government may result in years of regret.
Reminds me of another Disney reference: Pinocchio goes to Pleasure Island...
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Finding Freedom in a Fictional World
The purpose of my post wan't to bash Disney -- after all, I really, truly am (yes, vincebodie) a Fan Of Walt. The indictment is really against us, the willing public. Disney's cunning shuttle plan is pure marketing genius that takes advantage of We Who Don't Think, which, of course, is the purpose of all marketing.
Of course the place is engineered (or should I say, Imagineered) with pathways designed to manage the flow of people, catch and direct their attentions to certain areas. It's called "show" and its very purpose is to provide a controlled setting in order to create a specific environment for their guests. I don't have a problem with that. It's the same with any fictional book, play, movie, etc. -- I know that I'm walking into a created (i.e., not natural) environment. You know that too, I hope. There's even a little plaque advising you as much as you enter the park: "Here you leave today and enter the world of yesterday, tomorrow, and fantasy!"
It's interesting, though, how many people here responded with their disdain of Disney parks. To me, it's rather sad, as I love the parks, AND, I have to join in with some of the laments about "forced fun". By that I mean the desperate need people feel, after spending bucketloads of money just to get their foot in the door, to have to squeeze every ounce of enjoyment out of their visit...which, ironically, often ends up as an experience with overtired parents, cranky kids, and an overall dissatisfaction with the trip. (This is why it's important to plan your trip before you go, and deliberately schedule in "down time".)
Don't mistakenly think I am defending Disney policy. Walt's idea of enjoying the park was families sharing fun experiences together, and actually going home at the end of the day with some money in their pockets. Today, not so much (she understated). Where the Guest Experience used to be the true measure of success, that concept is now pretty much relegated to a marketing catch phrase.
Clearly, the company today is not what it was when Walt was running the show; particularly since the last half of Eisner's reign there. Some very good things are happening now to help turn things around (thank you, John Lassiter!), but there's a whole lot of junk to dig away in order to restore the good.
Kind of like the Republican Party. :)
haha ...Well i missed that one
I always assumed you were a "fanofwalt" Whitman ^^
Heh
You're not the first to assume that. Must be because my writing is so "poetic" (guffaw!).
So what about your handle?
I've wondered if the Walt referred to in your tag was Disney... I have wanted to ask but never did. Well now the cat is out of the bag, so to speak (I suppose if you answered the thread asking "How did you choose your DP handle?" I might be able to find out myself, but I think it bears repeating here if you are so inclined).
When I was young it was family tradition to have a big Sunday meal and then settle down for our weekly dose of Disney and The Waltons on the tube. I remember being enthralled with Donald, Mickey, et al at an early age until graduating to Wile E. Coyote, Inspector Clouseau, and the Fractured Fairy Tales crew (still the best cartoons ever made IMHO).
Fast forward to a few years ago and a book called Fast Food Nation... That little tome really laid bare the ways that Disney, Carl Karcher (Carl's Jr.), and Ray Kroc (McDonald's) took over the baby boomer generation by pandering to their children (and played a huge part in promoting the disposable society that was fostered by the Gillette corporation in the earlier part of the century). So much for any lingering affection I had for Mickey... (not to mention an intense aversion to eating beef ever since).
************
"Basically I'm in the idea business — whether it's a musical idea or a spoken idea ... If you wind up with a political system that wants to put idea men out of business, then you have worry on your hands."
-- Frank Zappa
heres one for ya
do you know the connection between MKULTRA programming and disneyland??check out this link,,,, http://www.apfn.org/apfn/...
I don't have a problem with
I don't have a problem with this shuttle thing; it's good business. My only gripe with Disney is that, post-Eisner, it has become corporate and soulless in many ways Uncle Walt would never have approved.
Similarly, I hate Wal-Mart for being an importer of Chinese goods--not for being "evil and clever" and driving Main Street shops out of business with (shudder!) low prices.
SUPPORT OUR FOUNDERS' AMERICA
Support the Constitution of the United States
yea
Low prices funded with tax subsidies. And somehow America notices none of this. I just don't get it.
"The wicked flee when no man pursueth, but the righteous are as bold as a lion."
Went to Disney this past February
We took our two little girl's to Disney in February for 8 long, miserable Disney days! I truly felt like I was in the belly of the beast. I remember going there in the mid 70's as a kid and didn't want to deprive my girls from what I remembered to be a pleasant experience...ah youth. I'm glad to see this post because when we got back home and everyone asked, "wasn't it great?" my only comment to everyone that asked was, "well...I just wasn't feelin the magic".
Thanks for the "heads up"
My children's grandparents will probably want to take them this year, what do they (we,maybe too, if they offer to take us too) watch for?
Libera me, let the truth break, what my fears make--Leslie Phillips
Ps. I won't enter the gates, nor will my children , if they have to be fingerprinted to enter.
Ugg...
Libera - where to begin...
First let me just say that our Disney hotel pool was closed for refurbishing the week we were there, so needless to say there was no down-time at the pool. Weather was nice enough that we could have gone swimming during the day.
We purchased the meal plan, and I really can't say whether it was beneficial or not because the food can be pricey. So, we elected to get the meal plan. My kid's wouldn't eat the food that was provided in the kid's meal selection (can't say that I blamed them) it was disgusting, although they would eat the grapes and the mickey mouse ice-cream bars, but mainly they ate our food. Basically, there is a definite science to their meal plan, and it's geared to save corporate Disney lot's of money. I'll leave it at that. They also pump up these little journals, where you purchase the journal and pen and then you have to stand in line for an hour whenever some Disney character makes an appearance...if you don't your little ones will probably be disappointed, and so you wait and you wait in line until you collect all the fake signatures you can get. Then you have the Disney pins, which we managed to avoid (they are everywhere), okay I guess if you're into collecting things. Everything is a gimmick. I think I went there with my family hoping to maybe escape the harsh realities of current events (being very aware all of the political corruption and media bias etc.) and then realizing that I'm in this place (Disney World), and it's everything that in real life I'm fighting to resist. Besides, it's just mentally and physically exhausting to go there with small children (ironic). I did like Jiminy Cricket and Donald Duck though, and I do enjoy the Disney movies~ I'm confused.
I know what you mean. I saw
I know what you mean. I saw so many "disney moments" where parents were screaming at their kids because everyone was hot and exhausted and realized how much money they just spent. "YOU WILL have fun becuase I just spent 1000 dollars to get in Here!"
My kids cried on the third day that they just wanted to swim in the pool. I wouldn't recommend more that 3 total days of Disney. You will have had a snoot full by then. I never need to go back. ever.
Disney was better in the 70's! Or how about the county fair?
We're so Lucky
We are SO lucky to have people that are so much smarter than we are, and with only our best interests at heart, to plan everything out for us and take care of us. How did people even survive before?
This 'free ride' idea is so rife with irony that I don't even know where to begin in exploiting the implications with my overabundant cynicism. Free health-care anyone???
http://www.myspace.com/do...
"Doc" Holladay
Nashville, TN
I'd rather be told upfront what it costs
Then get a 'bargain' I pay three times as much for.
Libera me, let the truth break, what my fears make--Leslie Phillips
Boy do I have the solution
Boy do I have the solution for this!
For LESS than half of a Disney Hotel, you can rent a beautiful home with a pool and rent a car in Kissimme! We have been doing this for three years now. Rent a car. Drive 15 minutes from the airport to one of many homes for rent in Kissimme. These homes are virtually across the street from Disney's Animal Kingdom. When you want to go to the parks, just drive on over and park in Disney's Animal Kingdom Hotel lot for FREE! Jump on the FREE transportation anytime!
Also, when you have your own car, you can divide up your trip and go to the other parks which are better than disney if you've "been there, done that" already. Go to Universal Studios and Sea World's new water park Aquatica.
Work the system people!
I recommend this www.romancingthemouse.com I have no affiliation with these people other than I've rented the house twice and had a great experience.
I paid about 1000/week for 4 bedroom house with pool. Awesome!
animal kingdom
Animal Kingdom is where I was finger scanned.
"The wicked flee when no man pursueth, but the righteous are as bold as a lion."
Yes, I did not care for
Yes, I did not care for that. I guess they want to control ticket sharing, but I can't help but think they could sell that data to someone. Like the federal government. I will never be back. Universal and Sea World are much better.
wally world
Disney World--the biggest people-trap built by a mouse.
"If we want to live in a free society, we need to break free from these artificial limitations on free debate and start asking serious questions once again." -Ron Paul
FAMILY VALUES
Years ago my kids were of the age where it seemed obligatory to avail ourselves of the last chance to make the Walt World Pilgrimage. I tried to fight the overwhelming sense of dread which I anticipated, but didn't entirely understand.
At that time, before the updates you describe, the parking lots, and manicured byways were filled with shiny minivans. Less than halfway through our contrived Disney Adventure I felt almost overwhelmed by the sense of Big Brother oppression that I expected was likewise causing unease in my fellow visitor inmates. What sickened me more than the plasticized wilderness and deliberate traffic flows calculated to conform every aspect of the master planned experience decided for us the moment we entered their world….was the glassy eyed complacency on the face of the homogenized families with their stepford wives and 2.4 children. The stifling neatness which was creating a claustrophobic anxiety in me seemed to leave them secure. No ruggedly individualist escapades for these queue standers, relaxed in mindlessly strolling the paths laid out for them.
I think it was the next day at Universal Studios’ compound that best summed up my Orlando experience. This crowd was a bit more eclectic, but not too much more alert. I don’t remember the exhibit, but the impression and a particular apropos phrase will never leave me : A pseudo-enthusiastic young woman emcee in a crisp blazer, looking like an ambitious neo-whatever congressional page intern, was introducing the show with suitable irony. “ …Blah, Blah Wally World, WHERE YOUR CHILDREN’S FUTURE IS HISTORY….”
I looked at the half smiles on the innocent faces of my kids who had certainly been enjoying the Orlando treat more than me, and shuddered. They were all but oblivious to the fear and loathing that had been welling up in their dad, causing an almost irrepressible urgency to escape these confines. The ol’man had about all he could handle to keep from running wildly into the surrounding primordial swamps.
If I didn’t have my children to escort through the gate I may have scaled the walls to leave this world of artificial lawns, pavement and other engineered improvements (sic)….surrender it to the soccer moms, entertainment addicts and value voters on whom the chains of contentment apparently fell lightly.
lol
You are quite the writer.
With grandchildren now and watching my children take their children to the parks, I never feel regret that it is their turn and I'm finished with my obligatory fun.
Disney
I went there recently, as I walked up to the entrance I noticed fingerprint scanners and became infuriated. I was there with my family and none of them seemed to be shaken by it. I walked around the rest of the day angry and disgusted. I paid to be treated like a criminal, it was as if I had been blackmailed. I will NEVER go back there and I sent them a letter but got no reply. I don't think I saw anyone else upset....I guess they have grown to love big brother just like Winston.
"The wicked flee when no man pursueth, but the righteous are as bold as a lion."
Disney is Illuminati
Notice the 666 in the official logo.
They have been conditioning kids into accepting occult practices with their films right from the get go. This has been getting even more blatant lately.
I use a 777 also
What is the meaning of your 777? Someone thought my 777 was a Vegas thing. I explained no, it screams Christian to a Christian because 7 is the "day of rest" and refers to Christ and three refers to the trinity. I came up with it myself and have never seen it until now. I actually had not even thought of the "lucky" connotation.
Huh? What 666 in the
Huh? What 666 in the logo?
SUPPORT OUR FOUNDERS' AMERICA
Support the Constitution of the United States
True...
we do not watch or support Disney. Don't know how much Walt was involved in the current trend but Disney is mind-numbing propaganda garbage for kids.
Thankfully my kids are blessed with godly discernment and agree with my assessment. In fact, their indictment is often more critical than mine.
A simple solution
Do people understand it's their right and to their benefit NOT TO PATRONIZE Disney in any way?
Duh!
'Gee, I can't believe the way they squeeze the little guy outta business! I guess we have no choice but to give them all our business...'
How F-ing stupid are people?
My parents lived in ND
We went to Grandma's and Grandpa's house for a vacation- I bet I had more fun baking pies with Grandma and riding horse with Grandpa than my children would ever have at Disney World.
Libera me, let the truth break, what my fears make--Leslie Phillips
Are you telling me
That as a child, your parents did not take you to Disney?
Back then, things were not so political and many people are not political now. They enjoy it. It is like "giving." If you give with the right frame of mind, God will be pleased even if the giving goes to a corrupt person who spends the money on himself. Enjoying the park is not evil of itself. The think I enjoyed most about the parks was the performances. Cool, relaxing, refreshments available, good talent to my non-discerning eye.
Yes, and it was not a political issue with them-
It was more of a budget-issue (they wanted to send us to college, and that was just a higher priority than Disney World.)
But with the fingerprinting going on now,it has become a political issue, (at least for me and my house)
Libera me, let the truth break, what my fears make--Leslie Phillips
That Place Sucks
and even though one of my children talked me into taking him, my young daughter will do without.
We went on the cheap and drove and took our coolers with food to eat. Our cooler was confiscated from the room twice and they tried to tell us we could not bring our own food if we were staying on-site. Enjoy the watered down $5.00 sodas and $30.00 t-shirts.
I wanted to vomit after the 2nd day there. I could envision no better destiny for that god-forsaken place than to go up in flames and sink into the earth. It's a neo-con city.
Thank you, for this excellent post.
My parents always said that there is no such thing as a free ride. Hee, hee
I always said that people don't realize cheap is not the same as value this is a perfect example. Peace
How's the disney dollar doing?
Fortune Favors the Bold
I wonder how it's holding up against the USD.