Disney CFO Makes Bizarre Comment About Guest's Waistlines | DIS Unplugged | 11/16/21

In this episode, The Walt Disney Company CFO Christine McCarthy is accused of fat-shaming after a comment about portion sizes and guest's waistlines during the last earnings call, plus other recent Disney news and more!

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[allisonwestbrook]

Disney is GENERATIONAL. They are reaping the dividends of the Eisner years right now in the form of nostalgia. It's a generation of kids who grew up LOVING Disney. It takes a long time to turn a big ship, but trust that it IS indeed turning. I am a 35-yr old Disney millennial with AP and DVC and a 3-time a year visitor. BUT, my teens are critical of Disney and don't understand the hype despite having gone there their whole lives. We went to Universal for a family trip last spring break for the first time due to Disney's complicated reopening, and my kids haven't stopped asking to go back. When Disney wouldn't sell my kids an annual pass for over a year, Universal gave them one and added 3 FREE months. They also sprinkled in magic during our stay, waived our parking fees, and made the trip incredibly enjoyable. By the time Disney realizes what they've done in failing to create nostalgia for the upcoming generation, the damage will be irreparable.

[tulinfirenze]

I know a family from Kansas who have vacationed at WDW every year for the past three years. Last year they spent one day at Universal Orlando. They were due to go back to WDW in May 2022 so, being concerned if they knew about all the changes (Genie +, no bus and so on) I linked them to a DFB Guide video that outlined all the changes and (very real) potential new costs for going to WDW. Ten minutes later, the dad contacts me, furious and says he's had enough of Disney's greedy ways. This time they will flip - ONE DAY at the MK and then the rest of their time at Universal.

This is REAL - It IS happening.

[dlfendel]

THE ISSUE ISN'T DIETARY ADVICE--the issue is saying "here's our EXCUSE For giving you less for the same or more money--we're HELPING you! Whether you want help or not, you lower-class plebes!" It is a sign of their contempt!

[juliesmith]

I have been a loyal Disney guest FOR DECADES! I worked for the company and retired 3 years ago. I went on a quick 4 day trip in April and had noticed a huge difference. The buildings were the same, rides were there, food...but the soul if Disney was dying...Now with the obvious direction this company is going, which I believe began over a year ago, we have canceled our 2 week trip for January. And even though I have a Main Gate Pass, we will NOT be returning until we see even a glimmer of the old Disney we had a few years ago. The prices, lack of magical moments, value, and ridiculous amount of stress over planning have COMPLETELY turned off me and my whole family. It has been literally a mourning process as we as a family feel like we've lost something that was near and dear to out lives for decades

[chloewildner]

When I first went to WDW, I booked everything and thought, “this is soooo expensive”. And then I saw all the parades and the fireworks and the streetmosphere and thought, “this is worth it.” I don’t feel that way anymore. I’m also seriously considering canceling my annual pass.

[earlwatt]

I agree with Kevin about the bubble remark. And I agree with Pete that we "bubblers" are asked a lot about traveling to Disney. We are living billboards for Disney because we love it and our friends and family see that. I saw my daughter's speech subject, and it was about Disney. Several families have come to our house to discuss their first trip because they want to experience what we experienced. The key to the Disney magic is only seeing the trick and not seeing how the trick happens. But when people start to see the gimmick rather than the magic, because of lost services, higher costs and less access, they lose the magic, and the whole illusion is lost as well.

[citizenofcorona]

Like I said on other videos, when you have people like Jackie and Deni going on rants, you know things are bad.

[terryjackson-chubick]

I agree completely. Disney's disdain for the loyal fan is really hard to justify.

[wiser]

Disney was always expensive and Disney always acknowledged that, but they followed that with BUT the value for your money is still high. That's where I feel like Disney has completely fallen down ...now it is expensive and the value for money proposition just keeps being eroded on both ends by cuts and price hikes.

[aerocoaster]

Disney will see the effects of their policies in about 20 years. Jane and John Doe are not taking little Debbie and Timmy to Disney parks now. Deb and Tim will not have fond memories of visiting Disney as children and will not view a Disney vacation as something they want their own children to experience. This is how dynasties die.

[frescazzz]

I’m from a Disney family and we used to go to WDW all the time. We’ve been progressively dissatisfied over the last few trips. I’d say around 2014 (?) things started to change. Parks got way too crowded, restaurants got impossible to book, fast pass got annoying. They started incorporating current characters into everything, but losing the classic characters. I think Disney no longer cares about long time fans. Maybe they are happy to have one or two time visitors now. I’m not sure they are looking for loyalty anymore.

[jackiewhalen]

Amen! You got it right.."these are the people that you're pissing off". There was never anything negative that came out of my mouth before when I was asked for advice on what to do. Now almost every conversation includes the statements "it's still fun but..." or "it''s not what it used to be".

[joeshearn]

Thank you for finally someone putting some blame on Josh D'Amaro

[clareali]

I am travelling to Disney & taking my sister & kids for their once in a lifetime trip next summer. I booked & paid for this months ago. I have visited from uk 10 times in the last 15 years. I fully anticipated booking again for the following year of 2023. But with all the perks being taken away & the substantial price increases Disney has sucked all the joy from my trip. I am looking forward to it but this will be my last trip for a while. I am taking my business & well earned dollars elsewhere. I want to be valued as a customer & I now just feel that Disney is taking advantage of their customers. Disney needs to not think short term they have pent up demand due to people not travelling because of the pandemic & the 50th celebration. They will be in trouble once this demand disappears. They will have to bend over backwards to get my business back in the future.

[frescazzz]

I’m all for normal food portions, but the food is already so overpriced. If you’re gonna cut back the portions bring down the prices too.

[rga]

Universal makes me feel like a valued guest. Disney does not. Universal will now get my future vacations- it's that simple for us.Thank you for this meaningful conversation today!!

[hammy]

I hope someone with some power at Disney would listen to this conversation and start reading these comments

[yvettebourgeois]

I agree with Pete that it did start when they took away Magical Express. They burst the bubble right there. I live close enough to drive so if I have my car I will start to penny pinch. I didn't mind paying for the experience of being in the bubble but now that they are nickle and diming us, I will be watching my $$$. They took away ME, pay for genie+, higher prices, no trams (that is a big deal), now smaller portions with same prices on food. All the magic is fading and people will notice.

[emmapism]

100% agree with Pete on the fact that this will hit Disney in a couple of years. I'm taking my last two trips for a good long while this year and then next to the US parks. After that, plenty of world awaits. This nickel and diming and price increasing has stripped away a lot of the magic for even big Disney fans.

[amandaatwood]

I will continue listening to and watching you all because I love the content and all of you- but I am done with Disney. I am not throwing a fit, and my decision is not best for everyone, but it a measured decision that reflects where I am. The pricing, the callousness, and the value just aren't there anymore. Thank you all for your honesty and transparency.