Quote:
Originally posted by Chris Fultz
I can't hold back.
Park Hopper passes may have a cost, but are of no value if you do not have the time to use them. Including them in your cost comparison assumes that you were able to make full use of them and thus receive value from them. If not, the self plan program was a better deal.
|
This is a valid point. However, to maintain a fair comparison, I included them. I realize that many teams don't make 'adequate' use of the passes, but in 3 years of attending Nationals, I have made good use of them. In either case, my comparison served more as a justification and explanation of the costs associated with the event fee than it did as a cost-effective vacation planning seminar. Sorry if there was any confusion, but it doesn't change the validity of the event fee.
Quote:
|
You stated that "First needs this to remain financially viable" and "Disney loses money on this". Do you have fact and published figures to back up these statements, or are they simply stated and accepted as fact? Have you evere seen a FIRST financial statement? I have not, and do not know if FIRST is a profitable or non-profitable non-profit organization.
|
I am basing that on statements that have been made here, and in the thread I referenced, in particular, that were made by people with direct contact and involvement with FIRST and Nationals planning.
Quote:
|
I personally find it hard to believe Disney loses money on anything. They are in the entertainment business, and they are in it to make money.
|
In the end, I would imagine that Disney ends up making a profit off of our visit. But, I don't think it's derived from the event fee.
That is speculation on my part, based particularly on Dave Lavery's breakdown of Nationals costs.
While it's pretty clear that the debate here has escalated to include a lot of varied, unrelated subject matter, please remember that original point of contention was the cost of the Wrap Party to participants and non-participants alike, how it was concealed within the Event Fee, and how that Event Fee is justifiable.
Everyone else:
I can tell that a lot of people think I'm taking this personally, or that 'I just have to win'. That's simply not the case. I think some of what has been argued in this thread is totally innane, some of it is entirely wrong, and some of it has value.
I'm personally quite offended that, with Brandon being the exception (due to his high holy moderator powers), others think it's their position to make attempts at censoring my viewpoint. Sadly, in real life, when people disagree, you can't just make it go away. I can't see why these boards should be any different.
You are all quite aware of the content of this thread by now. You're capable of skipping over its content. I don't understand how, when intelligent debate flourishes, and possesses a real chance at clarifying what appears to be a very popular misconception, people can call it to an end. I realize it's been summer, and people have been off from school, but I've been quite disappointed by some of the content on this site, and I'm further disappointed that, when I make an effort to provide intelligent, thoughtful ideas or criticism, it's viewed unappreciably.