WDW announces ticket price increases
in [Disney Parks]
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From: Lisa Cubbon on 8 Aug 2010 09:59 On 8/8/2010 9:13 AM, Jeffrey Gordon wrote: > For the first time in my life, I'm about 1 flight away from having > "status" on a US airline. I've spent some significant free time > thinking about why it's worth the extra effort (if you ever get close to > the potential for status, you'll see what I mean about effort)... and in > talking with various folks about it, I'd thought about Disney > many-a-time. It made me sad when I made Silver with Delta. Since it means I spent way too much time flying. I don't have that status anymore but my husband does since the FF miles to to his Delta account. That I like! > > Disney has the inherent capability to measure guest loyalty just like > the airlines. If they wanted to do so, they could instantly offer a > rewards program for repeat offenders - they only need use your phone > number to see how many historical reservations are attached to it. > > So if the desire was ever really there, they could create a program that > would provide those of us with severe Disney Fix Disorder an opportunity > to gain favor simply by coming to the parks (heck, they could even > combine all of the Parks in this program). > > But they don't really want to reward those of us who keep coming - they > know that it's an addiction and that we'll feed the habit regardless of > discounts, special offers and the like. Yes that's pretty true but we do like to have something for our loyalty and I do have a Disney Visa. Instead, they want to attract > the newest potential members of the flock. Those that will use only ONE > discounting method, but will otherwise pay full price. Those that will > spend ALL of their disposable vacation income while in the Parks, rather > than buy souvenirs off-property or pre-vacation. Those that will be > converted to our clan. > > And, as a businessperson, I respect them for their decision to do the > things that make them the most money. Even when it means that I don't > get the best deal. > > Then again, they could still institute the frequent fliers club and give > us access to things that first-timers don't get - even if it's not a > discount. ;) I remember when there used to be an AP lounge at the Land Pavilion in Epcot. That was nice. And the AP discount in certain restaurants is nice and at WoD. The DVC discounts are nice too. We have a Tables In Wonderland card too and while it's not discounts, it does let us and friends into special culinary events. Lisa > > ~Jeff > TDC Experiment 626 and Guardian of Stitch Kingdom
From: Ginny Favers on 8 Aug 2010 15:00 On 8/8/2010 9:13 AM, Jeffrey Gordon wrote: > For the first time in my life, I'm about 1 flight away from having > "status" on a US airline. I've spent some significant free time > thinking about why it's worth the extra effort (if you ever get close to > the potential for status, you'll see what I mean about effort)... and in > talking with various folks about it, I'd thought about Disney > many-a-time. > > Disney has the inherent capability to measure guest loyalty just like > the airlines. If they wanted to do so, they could instantly offer a > rewards program for repeat offenders - they only need use your phone > number to see how many historical reservations are attached to it. > > So if the desire was ever really there, they could create a program that > would provide those of us with severe Disney Fix Disorder an opportunity > to gain favor simply by coming to the parks (heck, they could even > combine all of the Parks in this program). A lot of people miss the Magic Kingdom Club from fifteen years ago. That was a nice program, especially if you got it for free through your workplace. I'm disappointed that the D23 has only offered special events I can't go to or can't get into if I tried, and opportunities to purchase high end merchandise. > > But they don't really want to reward those of us who keep coming - they > know that it's an addiction and that we'll feed the habit regardless of > discounts, special offers and the like. Instead, they want to attract > the newest potential members of the flock. Those that will use only ONE > discounting method, but will otherwise pay full price. Those that will > spend ALL of their disposable vacation income while in the Parks, rather > than buy souvenirs off-property or pre-vacation. Those that will be > converted to our clan. They do market a big discount to "hooked" guests -- DVC. You just have to give them your life savings first to secure the discount. The only trip I ever went on where I bought a package, paid rack rate, and sought no discount was my first trip. If they could fill the parks forever with one-time guests who would do that, I'm sure they would. > > And, as a businessperson, I respect them for their decision to do the > things that make them the most money. Even when it means that I don't > get the best deal. Yes, the evil marketing mice know what they're doing. I just wish the other divisions of the corporation would stop raiding the park profits so more of them could be used to benefit the parks and their guests. > > Then again, they could still institute the frequent fliers club and give > us access to things that first-timers don't get - even if it's not a > discount. ;) > I miss the AP holder lounges. Those were a very nice gesture. > ~Jeff > TDC Experiment 626 and Guardian of Stitch Kingdom ~Amanda
From: Keane on 8 Aug 2010 16:36 On Sun, 08 Aug 2010 09:13:01 -0400, Jeffrey Gordon <jeff(a)jeffreygordon.net> wrote: >For the first time in my life, I'm about 1 flight away from having >"status" on a US airline. I've spent some significant free time >thinking about why it's worth the extra effort (if you ever get close to >the potential for status, you'll see what I mean about effort)... and in >talking with various folks about it, I'd thought about Disney >many-a-time. > >Disney has the inherent capability to measure guest loyalty just like >the airlines. If they wanted to do so, they could instantly offer a >rewards program for repeat offenders - they only need use your phone >number to see how many historical reservations are attached to it. It would be a nightmare to go back and do it historically. Disney doesn't collect enough unique information to conclusively identify a single person. (How'd you like to be Disney when bitter divorce ex-spouses both submit claims?) I suppose Disney could set up a frequent stay program, but why should they? How many of their competitors do? (Even at Universal Orlando, if I book one of the Loews hotels through UO, I do *not* get Lowes First points or perks. Bummer.) >So if the desire was ever really there, they could create a program that >would provide those of us with severe Disney Fix Disorder an opportunity >to gain favor simply by coming to the parks (heck, they could even >combine all of the Parks in this program). > >But they don't really want to reward those of us who keep coming - they >know that it's an addiction and that we'll feed the habit regardless of >discounts, special offers and the like. Instead, they want to attract >the newest potential members of the flock. Those that will use only ONE >discounting method, but will otherwise pay full price. Those that will >spend ALL of their disposable vacation income while in the Parks, rather >than buy souvenirs off-property or pre-vacation. Those that will be >converted to our clan. Okay, let's jump into it with both feet. :-) In a way, they do, but not in the traditional way you think, especially since you have to buy into each perk level. It's an odd business model that I'm not sure would work anywhere else... There's three (main) classes of WDW guests. The on-site package guest, the AP holder and the DVC member. (There is also the Florida resident class and possibly the WDW property owner class (think Golden Oak) but we'll ignore them right now. :-)) To become a member of each class involves more of an initial investment and longer commitment, but results in a lower cost per trip. (For equivalent services. I won't argue that a value vs. DVC wins in price, but hardly in room or overall amenities.) The package class gets some sort of overall discount over full price, whether room or food or whatever. It's a commitment of a few days to a few weeks. The AP class gets unlimited park access, and deeper room discounts. There's also quite a number of other discounts, from food to merchandise to other hard ticket Disney attractions. It's a commitment of one year. (If you buy an AP, and are paying more per trip than if you were a Package class, then you shouldn't be buying an AP. :-)) The DVC class gets a really nice room at a really nice place for a pretty good price. They get more perks and discounts than an AP holder, including discounts on AP's. But to get these perks, you have to have a very more involved commitment and big bucks up front. Note that none of these are rewards for being a frequent customer. They are rewards based on how committed you are to being a frequent customer. But they are essentially perks for the frequent visitor. There's a distinction there, but I sometimes wonder how much of one... Okay, have at it. :-) >And, as a businessperson, I respect them for their decision to do the >things that make them the most money. Even when it means that I don't >get the best deal. I agree, if they can justify the money. (In the recent past, that answer has been 'yes' for me, but it's irritating when money from the parks goes to propping up some other losing area of the Disney Company... :-) >Then again, they could still institute the frequent fliers club and give >us access to things that first-timers don't get - even if it's not a >discount. ;) > >~Jeff >TDC Experiment 626 and Guardian of Stitch Kingdom I think they really try to make sure there aren't apparent classes of WDW guests. Every guest should be treated the same. (This excludes sponsors, VIP's and those with really large sums of money they want to part with, of course.) I have, however, gotten notices of soft openings for AP holders. Mission:Space comes to mind. I think ExE, too. Keane -- When stars are born, They possess a gift or two, One of them is this, They have the power to make a wish come true... -- Wishes Visit my site: http://keanespics.com
From: Lilith on 8 Aug 2010 18:50 On Sun, 08 Aug 2010 08:20:14 -0500, Keane <keane(a)keanespics.com> wrote: >On Sat, 07 Aug 2010 23:52:46 -0500, Lilith <lilithpap(a)gmail.com> >wrote: >> Though I've stayed on site once >>it was a major hassle that I seriously don't want to go through again. >Really? I'm the opposite. I like having to turn my brain off to the >point that I don't have to remember how to operate a motor vehicle. I'm not talking about the hassle of motivating around WDW. I love to have Disney do the driving too. I'm talking about the hassle of the reservations. Quite a while ago I tried to reserve ten nights. Apparently I couldn't get a ressie like that. I ended up doing three nights at ASM, three nights at PO, two (rather expensive) nights at Grovsner and two more nights back at PO. That doesn't include the fact that some of my reservations were cancelled because I was trying to make them more than three months in advance and something about being able to accept credit cards more than 90 days out. Seems I kinda split the 90 days between the four sites and because I didn't contact them within a certain period of time to re-confirm with a credit card they were dropped. I was able to recover from this but it just gets too involved trying to make simple reservations. Add to that the time wasted in having to pack up the car in the mornings, leaving the car at the one site, going back, pick up the car, check in at the new site, unload the car, rinse repeat, rinse repeat.... That's time away from the parks or DD or just cooling down from the day's activity. Is it that difficult for them to allow me a long stretch of time at one of the economy resorts and let me guarantee payment more than three months out? That's why I've never stayed on-site more than the once. I also had to turn on my brain every time I moved to find where my next hostel was and the worry that if I didn't show up by 8:00 PM they'd think me a no-show and give my room away. Mind you, the folks at the resorts were quite accomodating in many ways but the overall structure has a few annoying faults. >>Meal plans have never been a factor for me. Even when I had a larger >>appetite (and a larger waist) eating at Disney was a side effect, not >>a focus. If I understand what meal plans are I'd have to take in a >>lot more food than my appetite (and waist-line) can afford just to >>feel like it's provided me with a benefit. I tend to eat on the fly >>and not as much as the standard Disney guest does so I suppose that's >>my own version of economy. > >Since my main plan at Disney World is not to make plans, anything >resembling a dinner reservation can only be made a day in advance. >So the only thing remotely interesting is the counter service only >plan, but even that might be a waste if I get serious about raiding >Caren's place for breakfast this December... I generally rely on counter service also or grabbing an apple off a cart on the way to my next attraction. I think the last time I was there I partook of the buffet at the end of Main Street on my last night just to mark the occasion. I'm with you. I don't like making plans beyond which park I'm going to or whether it's a Universal day. >>>WDW is also semi-insulated from a bad economy because there are a >>>lot of people who think WDW is a worthwhile expenditure even in a bad >>>economy (and a lot of us here can line up against that wall), and not >>>everyone's economy is bad. WDW is a world-wide vacation destination. >>>Even though Euro's taken a pounding since Greece's problem, there's >>>still a favorable exchange rate between the EU and the US. If you're >>>coming from say...Australia, the price increase will be piddly next to >>>your airfare. >> >>Semi-insulated. I don't mind throwing my money at Disney for a couple >>of weeks every other year. Universal either for that matter. I'm >>doing fairly well financially. However, that wasn't the case until >>maybe five years ago. There was a time when I had to scrimp and save >>to go to WDW and it took either a concerted effort and a lot of >>sacrifice or just waiting until it was financially feasible. And >>that's when the economy wasn't as rocky as it is now. How many other >>people are in the same boat I was rowing maybe ten years ago but with >>choppier waters? >The thing about the unemployment figures that no one seems to >know, is even right now, if there's 10,15,20 percent unemployment >(whatever you want to believe) that means there's 90,85,80 percent >of the public that is. And yet more who are either under-employed or under-paid. How many among the employed are still under the poverty level or are working more than one job to put food on the table? >Yes, it makes you more cautious. But if you can afford it, and you >really want a family vacation in a relatively safe environment, you're >still going to try to go. Hey, it's for the kids!. (Probably helps if >you're a Disney junkie as well... Many of those here (in RADP) are at >the far end of the junkie bell curve...) >>I've generally gotten an AP the past few visits but now I'm looking at >>measuring out the days on my next visit and getting a pass for the >>exact number of days I'll be attending the parks. But I still need to >>calculate parking cost. Since I don't thoroughly plan my trips I >>could end up with some unused but paid for days. APs, methinks, are >>best for those who live in closer proximity to Disney and can take >>advantage of them across the entire year. >I get two trips (or, at least that's the plan) per AP. If I look at >park admission, room discounts, and the other miscellaneous >AP perks you get (restaurant and merchandise discounts mostly, >but I think you get some discounts at the miniature golf) and >parking (if you're not on-site), it's still a deal. Even better if I >can sneak in another trip... Although I get enough vacation time each year to make two trips the nature of our organization doesn't make it possible for me to be away from the office for more than two weeks at a time more than once a year. The remaining three weeks have to be spread out a bit more. But, yeah, I'd like to get more than one guilt free trip out of an AP. >>>*cough*John*cough,cough*Lasseter. >> >>Explain. I'm familiar with Lasseter within the context of Pixar but >>I'm not picking up his relevance to the current discussion >Here's the press release from 2006: >http://corporate.disney.go.com/news/corporate/2006/2006_0124_pixar.html >"In addition, Pixar Executive Vice President John Lasseter will be >Chief Creative Officer of the animation studios, as well as Principal >Creative Advisor at Walt Disney Imagineering, where he will provide >his expertise in the design of new attractions for Disney theme parks >around the world, reporting directly to Iger." >Let's try to keep up here. It is Disney after all. BWahahahaah.... I'm actually impressed by Lasseter's savvy but also his apparent passion for the art. So, does anyone have any idea what kind of impact he's had on Imagineering? >>>Disney could reward me by upgrading my room to say, the castle >>>suite for my stay. But I wouldn't count on it. ;-) >> >>That's 'cause I have the room reserved. > >Well, let me up and take some pictures then. It won't take me long. >(Be sure to hide all your dirty clothes. Thanks.) Now you're asking too much. There's not enough time in the day to hit the parks and stay tidy. >Keane -- Lilith
From: Judy on 8 Aug 2010 19:21
On Aug 8, 6:50 pm, Lilith <lilith...(a)gmail.com> wrote: > On Sun, 08 Aug 2010 08:20:14 -0500, Keane <ke...(a)keanespics.com> > wrote: > > >On Sat, 07 Aug 2010 23:52:46 -0500, Lilith <lilith...(a)gmail.com> > >wrote: > >> Though I've stayed on site once > >>it was a major hassle that I seriously don't want to go through again. > >Really? I'm the opposite. I like having to turn my brain off to the > >point that I don't have to remember how to operate a motor vehicle. > > I'm not talking about the hassle of motivating around WDW. I love to > have Disney do the driving too. I'm talking about the hassle of the > reservations. Quite a while ago I tried to reserve ten nights. > Apparently I couldn't get a ressie like that. I ended up doing three > nights at ASM, three nights at PO, two (rather expensive) nights at > Grovsner and two more nights back at PO. That doesn't include the > fact that some of my reservations were cancelled because I was trying > to make them more than three months in advance and something about > being able to accept credit cards more than 90 days out. Seems I > kinda split the 90 days between the four sites and because I didn't > contact them within a certain period of time to re-confirm with a > credit card they were dropped. I was able to recover from this but it > just gets too involved trying to make simple reservations. > I can' t imagine your not being able to get the 10 days at one place that you would have liked. Was it a very busy time of year? I knw some people opt for dividing there stay between 2 resorts in order to try out different resorts. Usually if you keep on trying you may have a good chance of getting what you want due to cancellations. I also don't understand them not being able to accept credit cards more than 90 days out. I have a reservation at the Poly in December (that I may or may not keep) but I paid for it in December 2009 with a credit card. it's too bad that you feel as you do about staying onsite- Judy |