Signs of the Times

Just got back from a business/pleasure trip to Orlando. Based on the crowds at Disney World, we're all either in denial or the rumors of our economic collapse are overly exaggerated. Of course Spring Break is hardly a fair time to judge the crowds at Disney. At least, it was someone's spring break. What was most disturbing was the cost-cutting measures Disney has deployed. They are scrimping and it shows. Cast members were fewer and farther between (and not all smiles, either). Some of the co-branding they have been doing with McDonald's and Nestle for example, has ended or isn't as prevalent. We were told by some insiders that contracts simply weren't renewed when Disney realized they could replicate the food and save money. Look, a Nestle Tollhouse cookie can't be fabricated. It either is or it isn't. Let's just say that when I can buy Tollhouse cookies at SuperTarget and not in the Magic Kingdom, the Mouse has messed up. Perhaps this seems like a small change, but I think it's a bad move. I've always been a big fan of Disney. But you can't dilute the brand or the brand experience and think your fans won't notice. Change might be inevitable, but it doesn't mean it's always good. More on this later.