Christmas Town 2019

[halfabee]

Second, the park has a real problem with crowd levels. For several years they have been attempting to address that issue with ticket prices (in addition to a few other techniques). This is an industry-wise approach to managing crowds. Since the number of people on the paths and in the attractions made CT miserable fir a few years, I, personally, appreciate their attempting alleviate the problem.

Yes!

Revenue management. Or at least, an intra-season-constrained spiritual approximation thereto.

On behalf of the operations research practitioners who made RM a reality in the airline industry and then (to varying degrees) elsewhere... I am sorry. It had to be done. But it did not have to be done specifically as it was. Fortunately, that lament has little to do with CT.

CT's continued success, or specifically its inverse relation to the experiences reported here, is a somewhat dispiriting but occasionally needed reflection of where we stand as two- or three-sigma upward deviations from the mean CT customer expectation and experience.

 

[finalcloud]

First in line to Santa today. Used an old shortcut before it got the 'employee only' treatment.

 

[Nicole]

I'm confused. Did you go backstage?

 

[horsesboy]

Kind of thinking he means heart attack hill and the bridge. But that just a guess.

 

[Nicole]

But those are closed to the public right now?

 

[BGWnut]

But those are closed to the public right now?

Yes they are closed off during CT

 

[horsesboy]

But those are closed to the public right now?

They should be but that was the only thing I could come up with that seemed to fit.

 

[BGWnut]

First in line to Santa today. Used an old shortcut before it got the 'employee only' treatment.

What old shortcut?

 

[Applesauce]

I'm assuming the one in Germany? Behind the funnel cake shop.

 

[WDWRLD]

This sounds like they are suggesting going through a place not intended for the public...this shouldnt be encouraged.

 

[Nicole]

Who is encouraging it? I thought my response was fairly clearly critical of the idea of going backstage.

 

[WDWRLD]

I never said any of the replys were encouraging it....but the OP is if they indeed went through a area not intended for guest use. And if they did isnt that against forum rules?

 

[Nicole]

It is against the rules to advocate illegal activities. He didn’t suggest anyone else trespass (if it is even that). He merely reported on his own behavior.

 

[WDWRLD]

Ok, im courious where they went now......Im guessing they cut through the two gates by the old candy shop while everyone else went around. Those were always open years ago but are considerd backstage now.

 

[warfelg]

Second, the park has a real problem with crowd levels. For several years they have been attempting to address that issue with ticket prices (in addition to a few other techniques). This is an industry-wide approach to managing crowds. Since the number of people on the paths and in the attractions made CT miserable fir a few years, I, personally, appreciate their attempting alleviate the problem.

Your whole post here @Nicole is well written and spot on.

My extra $0.02 on this part of it, extra people in there and charging more doesn’t always go to fixing those other issues. Sometimes it this.

I feel as though the reason why price has gone up and not quality is the effect you spoke of and also the extra work-hours needed to deal with extra crowds, cleanup, and backstage areas. I remember my first CT had about 4 parking lanes and 2 extra employees. This past weekend had about 10 employees for parking alone. Outside the gate was minimally staffed, now I feel like there’s extra people there. Right after England had 1-3 employees with maps offering directions. I counted 5 this past weekend. Labor is the most expensive part of having these larger crowds. It’s possible that the extra cost doesn’t mean extra profit for BGW.

 

[WDWRLD]

Your whole post here @Nicole is well written and spot on.

My extra $0.02 on this part of it, extra people in there and charging more doesn’t always go to fixing those other issues. Sometimes it this.

I feel as though the reason why price has gone up and not quality is the effect you spoke of and also the extra work-hours needed to deal with extra crowds, cleanup, and backstage areas. I remember my first CT had about 4 parking lanes and 2 extra employees. This past weekend had about 10 employees for parking alone. Outside the gate was minimally staffed, now I feel like there’s extra people there. Right after England had 1-3 employees with maps offering directions. I counted 5 this past weekend. Labor is the most expensive part of having these larger crowds. It’s possible that the extra cost doesn’t mean extra profit for BGW.

But I feel like this does not make sense. I know BGW pays employees squat, so basically one paying car more a hour almost covers two employees pay for that hour at the parking booth. The quicker they can get guests in the park the quicker they start buying food and other items. When they have people sitting in their cars for a hour waiting to park they are making nothing. It all comes back to the you have to spend money to make money. Another area I think they are losing...at least for my case is drink and snack stands. If they had more open on slower nights I would be more likely to buy something, but when theres very few stands open and theose all have really long lines im not waoting. Now if I could walk up and wait for only one or two people I would be more likely to stop and try more things. I also think sometimes they have poor assignment of working team members.

 

[GrandpaD]

That's all well and good @WDWRLD but you've not considered one important factor - people. The unemployment rate in the area is hovering around 3%. Schools are still in session, so weekday slots are even harder to fill. And getting to work for those on the Peninsula is a nightmare. If you don't have a car we're talking a minimum of 2-3 bus transfers (and countless hours) just to get to work. And that's for the people that want to make $10-$12 an hour freezing their butts off listening to people complain about how long the lines are.

 

[WDWRLD]

They clearly didn't use all the decorations they purchased in the tree maze.

Clearly visible behind the temporary wall.

Clearly you havent been reading the last 17 pages, because aparently if you expect to see all the deocrations up you need to visit just before Christmas Day. Until then we shouldnt be critical of the park because they are short staffed, it rained a day in November, and they graciously stayed open a extra weeknd of HOS. Now just pay up and be grateful to them for allowing you to visit.
I on the otherhand think they advertised a great new addition then just half assed it and gave up.

 

[Zachary]

Clearly you havent been reading the last 17 pages, because aparently if you expect to see all the deocrations up you need to visit just before Christmas Day. Until then we shouldnt be critical of the park because they are short staffed, it rained a day in November, and they graciously stayed open a extra weeknd of HOS. Now just pay up and be grateful to them for allowing you to visit.

Who has claimed this....? Are we reading the same thread...?

 

[Jahrules]

Who has claimed this....? Are we reading the same thread...?

+1.

Obviously, some trouble was expected and reported opening weekend. But by now everything that is going up should be up. I just thought it odd to see an obviously unpacked crate stuffed with predecorated stuff sitting unused.

Maybe it is backup for things that break?