Doom of Disney

[dinahvixen]

I was watching the news the other day when the author of a book titled 20 Dollars a Gallon was on and was discussing how life would be different at different gas prices. He predicted the closure of Disney when the gas prices got to 8 bucks a gallon somewhere down the line.

Considering that it is certainly likely since oil is a non-renewable resource, I was wondering if anyone else considers their time at Disney temporary. I certainly consider it long term, but deep down, I kind of consider everything temporary - it's been around for a very long time, but I guess I don't necessarily expect that WDW will be around in my old age.

[LauraByTheSea]

Wow, that's hard to comprehend - Disney not being there. It happens though... I'm always sad when I go back to where I grew up and see something like a restaurant or store I grew up on closed and I wonder why in the world they couldn't stay open... But I guess it really could happen to Disney too. Let's hope it doesn't ever get to that!

[SBETigg]

Of course it could happen, but this guy is also making outrageous and overblown claims to sell a book. If it comes to not being able to get around, I'm sure we'll all have more to worry about than just losing a favorite vacation spot. But I have faith in technology and society to adapt around a non-renewable resource before we're that depleted of it. I also don't think that $8 a gallon would cripple us entirely or stop WDW from thriving, but it depends on the global economy and not just what prices are at in the U.S.

I don't think I'll lose WDW in my lifetime, but maybe that's because it has always been a part of my life and I just expect it to keep doing well. People always need to get away and Disney has always managed to be a top vacation destination. I'm not worried yet.

[Mousemates]

Considering that it is certainly likely since oil is a non-renewable resource, I was wondering if anyone else considers their time at Disney temporary.

No offense, but what you consider to be "certainly likely" I consider to be be highly unlikely (except for some short term/temporary spike due to some geopolitical disruption in middle east). There is still plenty of petroleum out there for the forseeable future...even domestically off the CA coast and in the gulf...and thus my guess is that my time on planet earth is far more temporary than WDW's life. Don't worry, be happy.

[Emme&TeddysMommy]

I don't think I'll lose WDW in my lifetime, but maybe that's because it has always been a part of my life and I just expect it to keep doing well. People always need to get away and Disney has always managed to be a top vacation destination. I'm not worried yet.

Life without Disney I can't even imagine!

[johnO]

You'll wish gas was only $8 a gallon when hyperinflation hits the US...

[candleshoe]

My concern has always more been terrorism being the doom of disney. Maybe a little off topic, but it would be the ultimate spot to hit - the perfect symbol of America- the financial and psychological blow would be enormous.

But can't dwell on this- back to my happy thoughts....

[KAJUNKING]

there is enough oil in Alaska, in the gulf, in the ocean off the east and west coast, for this country to keep going for a long long time, just because political decisions keep it from being tapped doesn't mean it does not exist

[candleshoe]

Sensing a political battle looming on these posts...just saying before things get too heated up...

[KAJUNKING]

Sensing a political battle looming on these posts...just saying before things get too heated up...

not going into any political nor enviromental discussions just saying that before gas hits prices that would cripple this country so much that people would have to stop going on vacation our country has the resources to keep this from happening, i personnaly dont think this is going to happen, like a pp has stated if gas goes up to $20 a gallon most of us would not be able to afford food much less vacation, it would cost so much to transport everything food costs would rise 10 fold

[sonkist32]

don't be so shortsigted..it's the law of supply and demand. We saw a great example of it just this year. Crude would never hold at that level because there would be no demand for it, society will have moved on to electic/nat gas cars and buses by then. The technology esixts it's just not financally smart with gas at 2 bucks a gallon and poor nations willing to sell it to us cheaper than for us to drill our own..which we good.
What we really need is more refineries..lots of oil in the world just not enough places to turn it into gas..

[Goofy4TheWorld]

What we really need is more refineries..lots of oil in the world just not enough places to turn it into gas..

I believe that this is so true. $4-$5 gas will be back, right behind the next real hurricane threat, and so much of that spike is because we are operating our refineries at 90+ percent of capacity and have built them all along the coast. We need to build new refineries toward the center of the country. No hurricanes, no earthquakes, moderate temperatures, and little risk of catastrophic damage from the area's only real weather threat, tornadoes. It may be more difficult to pump crude oil inland than it is to pump refined fuels, but if Alaska can do, so can Texas.

Of course, we all know what we would do when the building permit was applied for in our back yard

I also agree that supply and demand will finally force us find a new widget to conquer our addiction to oil, but with gas being given away at around $2, the motivation (profit) isn't there. It is just like many other technological advances America has made, the greatest motivation usually comes from our darkest days (Wars, Polio, Soviets, $20 gas, etc...)

[Mickey91]

You'll wish gas was only $8 a gallon when hyperinflation hits the US...

Actually, I will have stopped driving by the time it hits $5. The last hike to over $4 put us so far behind on our bills that we are still trying to recover. It's hard to pay your mortgage and other financial commitments when you have to put that money into your tank to get to work. And, before you say it, public transit isn't available in rural VA and carpooling isn't always an option. Not to mention that utilities and food have sky rocketed also. We will see another severe economic downturn if gas goes much over $2.50. Most of us just cannot afford it. Gas controls every aspect of our lives, not just driving. So, I really feel that Disney is there for the long haul. As long as it starts doing things smart. They could lower their one day ticket prices and get more people there on a regular basis. People that would spend money on merchandise and food. Plus they need to seem more sympathetic to the current financial situation. The currents "deals" just aren't like the deals of the past. The only thing that I feel will be the doom of Disney, is the greed of the board and stock holders. They shouldn't be upset about not turning profit but excited to stay afloat during these bad econmic times. The more they cut from the magical stay, the more guests will find value in vacations someplace else.
We just spent a week at Myrtle Beach and I have to say, their housekeeping, maintenance and overall staff were much friendlier and efficient than in the past and nicer and more efficient than some of the CMs and mousekeeping at Disney's CR last year. I have never had a beach trip that exceeded my past Disney trips before. I think it says something about what other tourists spots are willing to do to get more tourists and what Disney is willing to overlook and get rid of in order to turn a profit. That will be Disney's doom if anything.

[gueli]

Supply and demand.
What happens when the supply prices overwhelm the market...(ie $5 or $6 per gallon), the econmy could not sustain it.
What is being done ?
"Greening" of our transportation system and power systems.
New tech, some old tech, and some innovation.

Will Disney be doomed ? I doubt it.
They too are a large corp, with global markets. They will expand and adapt to meet the requirements of the populace.

I hate these doom and gloom books. You ever watch National geographic channel ? Have you ever seen the shows on what would happen if... They are all there to attract viewers. This guy and this book is just like them. A prophet of doom.

In the end, the moral of our story is:
1) Be aware
2) Adapatation
3) Survival
4) Ignore these doom prophits
5) Love and compassion

and here (intercot) it is
LETS HAVE SOME FUN...I AM GOING TO DISNEY !!!

[Mickey91]

My concern has always more been terrorism being the doom of disney. Maybe a little off topic, but it would be the ultimate spot to hit - the perfect symbol of America- the financial and psychological blow would be enormous.

I agree.

[dinahvixen]

Well, this went way off track from what I intended - I was mostly thinking about the far away future where there may not be a WDW - gas prices, war, takeover, whatever the reason - the news bit was just the impetus that started me thinking.

[TheVBs]

Well, this went way off track from what I intended - I was mostly thinking about the far away future where there may not be a WDW - gas prices, war, takeover, whatever the reason - the news bit was just the impetus that started me thinking.

I have to admit I'm an optimist. As far as the gas issue goes, I really feel that we'll find a better way. As for the other things you mentioned - too many variables to be able to speculate on!

I really don't see WDW going away in my lifetime. I can easily see it being there for our children's and grandchildren's lifetime (our kids are still little).

As for new transportation ideas, WDW is welcome to extend the monorail system to my town and I'll visit lots!

[BMan62]

Well, this went way off track from what I intended - I was mostly thinking about the far away future where there may not be a WDW - gas prices, war, takeover, whatever the reason - the news bit was just the impetus that started me thinking.

There would have to be a catastrophic collapse of the Disney company for WDW to close. Or something catastrophic planetwide, and in that case, who would be too worried about a vacation spot?

There has already been numerous recessions worldwide, terrorist attacks in the US, catastrophic weather events, and WDW (and Disney in general) is still there and going strong. Don't fret.

[LibertyTreeGal]

If his outrageous claims were true, the demise of WDW would be my last concern....

[Marceline]

This thread is depressing the heck outta me.

To bad we can't just heed the call of R. Buckminster Fuller....the man who coined the phrase Spaceship Earth, and invented among other things the Geodesic Dome. He foresaw a future where it would be necessary to remove ourselves from dependence on non-renewable resources....and instead harness the gifts that abundantly flow on this planet, renewable clean resources.

It's doable, it really is.....but perceptions must shift away from scarcity and hoarding. There is plenty on this gorgeous glorious globe to support everyone at a wonderful standard of living, if we just focus on it. Bucky said we need to stop creating weaponry and instead make "livingry"....sustainable homes, efficient vehicles ect.

It's so sad to me that we have given in to a time of dread, doom and fear. What happened to the thought that the future was full of endless possibilities? That the road ahead shone with brighter days? That IF WE CAN DREAM IT WE CAN DO IT???? We need to shift our thoughts, our focus, our entire consciousness away from a certainty in doom. Boo to doom! I refuse to believe in it.

"We are called to be architects of the future, not its victims."
-R. Buckminster Fuller