Back from the beyond of Disney...
I took my daughter and grandson to Disney World in Florida just the other day. Before I continue let me say first that while I absolutely abhor the whole concept of corporate greed which this and so many other mega "amusement park" have become, I cherished the day I spent with my grandson. Yet that's not the purpose of this commentary, no, this is to address the greed and audacity of a corporation gone wild with money.
I have lived in Florida for most of my life, so I remember when the place first opened. Walt Disney, remember, the guy who built the place? Well, in the beginning he just wanted an amusement part where families could spend the day enjoying inexpensive family enjoyment. It's changed.
I was shocked to see what I saw this time around.
Make no mistake, Disney isn't about making children smile, its not about happy families. Its about money , nothing but the money. I'm not talking about just making money, but taking it --literally from those who haven't and giving it to those who have more than they need. All while using every conceivable tactic to try to get at our hard earned dollars. There is nothing wrong with making money. But this place makes me want to hurl, they beg for it on every corner.
True enough, we volunteer to give the money up, and believe me I'm no scrooge, I could just say that the look on my grandson's face was worth every buck. But that's just it. Yes he was happy, but does that justify being taken for a ride?
Speaking of rides, The park used to have such a wide assortment of sights and rides. Sure still has the rides, but most of the sights have been turned into "shops", selling the usual foreign made fare at domestic prices. Ok, so they gouge the public a little, no, they gouge the public a lot. In fact the whole place should be called "The Disney Mall". Cheap overseas made items sold at ten times their value. Even food is riducluous. Heck two cheeseburgers with fries and a hot dog (kid size) with three cokes, $19.00...whoo-hoo! Somebody call the cops. Geese the hamburges we microwave soy burgers at best , maybe worth fifty-cents.
Without exception ever single ride event had a store. They were usually located right off the exit of the ride. In fact they were right off the exit way --there was NO escape!
\The most glaring is the famous "Splash Mountain". Its a terrific ride, and well worth the time of the wait. As you come over the plume for the gut wrenching final drop a flash camera goes off, which is mounted to take a picture of your log's rider's horrified expressions. It's really a marvel. Don't get me wrong, they have some quality stuff there. Which makes the sin all that much greater.
For instance as you exit the ride the only way out is through the store which sells, you guessed it, pictures that were taken of your plunge. So that for a mere price of $9.00 plus tax you can take home a memento.
All for $9.00! The piece of film which cost at best pennies, miraculously cost nine bucks. The cashiers should be wearing masks. Why not just include the picture for crying out loud. What would Disney be out of? Villas in the south of France?
Now this is when you are in the park. That is if you have any money left. There is a collection of $6.00 to park, on top of whopping $49.00 entrance fee for adults. For my grandson, 4 years old, it cost a $39.00. The funny part about this is that most of the rides have a height requirement of 44 inches, 5 inches taller than he is. Which means he is disqualified for many of the rides. You would think that there was a discount for this? Not a chance. It's just too bad. So you in effect pay for a ride you cannot use.
The same goes for numerous park renovations. Some of the same ones that have been going on for years. The "Twenty-Thousand Leagues Under the Sea" comes to mind. My point is that renovations should take place in an off season, NOT during normal business hours. You pay for a full package, dammit, you should get a full package.
I'm not alone in this rant. While my daughter and grandson were off having fun in different parts of the park, I would go into shops and talk with some of the employees, most of which agreed with me on these observations. In fact, from the conversations I got the feeling that there is much dissension in the ranks of the mouse.
Which brings to mind a familiar statement you hear that a lot while you are there, "...and it was all started by a mouse" It was Walt Disyney's favorite saying.
Yeah, it was started by a mouse. And again, the place is a briliiant testamony to a truly good hearted man who wanted to see people smile. True he was a business man, but I believe he would be outraged at what was going on.
While it was started by a mouse, it has evolved into a corporate greed machine, and the question I have to ask is "Just how much money do they want? " Apparently a lot.
Well, all they can get the suckers that go there to give up all the money in the world. The truly weird part is that the majority of their patronage isn't native Floridians, but from tourist from Canada and Europe and Asia. They come with deep pockets and Disney is all too will to help them empty them. Again, I don't have a problem with making a buck from the tourist, that's what drives the Florida economy. I live here and that is always welcome and helpful.
But I do have a problem with gouging them. There are laws against price gouging, there should be laws against this.
The greed isn't limited to the park. As we left the area of Disney for our drive back home I stopped to get gas. The price per gallon at this particular station for the Supreme (necessary for my type of car) was $1.92. Outraged I went down the street where the price was just $1.61 cents.
Is thirty-two cents gouging, you be it is, but its typical of the traveling medicine man mentality of the local.
Yep it was started by a mouse, but the buck really stops there.
Disney paid it's CEO Michael Eisner close to 500 million dollars last year according to some reports. I don't care, pay him what you want, I don't doubt he works for it. But gee Mike, how much money do you really need?
T.P. McAtamney
Past commentaries
March 13, 2000 - Is the political process out of our hands?
March 20, 2000 -CyberWatch
March 27, 2000 - Melting Pot?
April 7, 2000 - Daylight Savings?
April 17, 2000 - The Child of the Father