Rumor of future discounts

[Grumpy Grandma]

Totally agree.. for quite a few years I couldn't imagine a vacation anywhere but WDW but for the last 3 years we've been spending the majority our hard earned vacation money elsewhere.

For the cost that some of you are quoting for your Disney vacations I could take two or three 10-night Mexican Riveria All-inclusive Resort vacations (an ACTUAL resort) where you are pampered & waited on day & night. An Adults Only resort I may add, which for DH & I is an added benefit (because our kids are much older now & the last thing we think is relaxing is a sea of strollers bashing into our ankles all day long).

Honestly if it wasn't for the fact that I was just blessed with free park hoppers (thanks to my employer) and a $100 off 4 nights Orbitz deal (which brought my POP stay to $71.xx a night), I wouldn't be spending a dime at Disney this year... or the foreseeable future!

Off topic ..... but can you give me the name of the resorts in Mexico that you have stayed at???

 

[esmetutu]

You know, I was actually thinking about doing the same thing.

It's not just about getting the elusive pin. It's how unfair Disney is to it's customers. It bothers me to possibly find out one couple may have gotten a 40% off PIN and on the same exact week of their trip, a family of 4+ may have to pay full rack rate even though they did the same exact things to try and get a pin but weren't choosen for no apparent reason. And there's no clear logic or explaination to why one family gets it and not the other (who may deserve it way more). It just turns us off and we aren't going to participate in their games. If there's no general discount to the public or some sort of discount we are not going this year.

I'm strongly thinking of writing to Disney just to try to get the message across

THIS! So this! I try to avoid the word "unfair" because I understand life is often unfair. But it is just not honorable business practice. And for a company that gives the public image of sweetness and light and hope and dreams; this discount game it ain't!

If you don't go this year for that reason, I strongly urge you to write them and tell them exactly why. There's no point in boycotting if they don't know you are doing it!

 

[drgnfly30]

Off topic ..... but can you give me the name of the resorts in Mexico that you have stayed at???

I'll PM it to you.. don't want to over-advertise my new favorite place!!

 

[CanadianGuy]

I have cleaned up this thread and removed the off-topic posts.

Please keep to the topic of the thread at hand.

 

[Mamalisa58]

For the cost that some of you are quoting for your Disney vacations I could take two or three 10-night Mexican Riveria All-inclusive Resort vacations (an ACTUAL resort) where you are pampered & waited on day & night. An Adults Only resort I may add, which for DH & I is an added benefit (because our kids are much older now & the last thing we think is relaxing is a sea of strollers bashing into our ankles !

Really, do you watch the news? I would not go to Mexico if the trip were free. You may say your resort is secure, but you still have to get from the airport to the resort. NO WAY! I'm staying in the good old USA!

 

[mickeystoontown]

I applaud you for taking the time to write Disney a letter. I always say if you are going to "boycott" something, they need to know why or there's no point in doing it! Good job!

I'm of the opinion that if I don't write to a company (Disney or any other company) with my complaints, thoughts and/or suggestions, then I don't really have the right to keep complaining about it. At least I know that I've let Disney know what I am thinking. It's their choice to respond to my email and, possibly, read the posts here on the Disboards.

 

[saskdw]

I'm of the opinion that if I don't write to a company (Disney or any other company) with my complaints, thoughts and/or suggestions, then I don't really have the right to keep complaining about it. At least I know that I've let Disney know what I am thinking. It's their choice to respond to my email and, possibly, read the posts here on the Disboards.

Do you realize your next post is number 16,000!!!

 

[mickeystoontown]

Do you realize your next post is number 16,000!!!

I sure didn't! Wow!

 

[Amy&Dan]

I was wondering if you had upgraded or not. As you know, we're contemplating giving some of our hard earned money to Universal next year. I know that Disney owes us nothing but it sure does hurt when you look at those prices.

Lisa, when people like you are thinking of not going toWDW for their next vacation, to me that should be very concerning to Disney.

We have been 17 times in the past 8 years, we just got back from two wonderful weeks.

But when I plug in our dates for next June, same two weeks, same resort, same tickets, same meal plan and its over $2200 (I got free dining this year)more it makes me realize there's not offering discounts and then there's simply a ludicrious difference in what I have been paying vs. what I will pay if in fact Disney does not offer me a discount.

I am pretty sure we will still go, it will most likely be our last trip before our son joins the Marines in 2013 but we will have to drop the hoppers, water parks, QSDP and probably a few days to make it happen if we don't get that discount.

I am composing an email to send to Disney.

I have two very dear friends who are as Disney addicted as I am. One is not going at all in 2012, the other is currently contemplating cancelling her upcoming trip. They have both been going for many years and their kids have grown up going to WDW. Its just sad.

 

[nrpofp]

Lisa, when people like you are thinking of not going toWDW for their next vacation, to me that should be very concerning to Disney.

We have been 17 times in the past 8 years, we just got back from two wonderful weeks.

But when I plug in our dates for next June, same two weeks, same resort, same tickets, same meal plan and its over $2200 (I got free dining this year)more it makes me realize there's not offering discounts and then there's simply a ludicrious difference in what I have been paying vs. what I will pay if in fact Disney does not offer me a discount.

I am pretty sure we will still go, it will most likely be our last trip before our son joins the Marines in 2013 but we will have to drop the hoppers, water parks, QSDP and probably a few days to make it happen if we don't get that discount.

I am composing an email to send to Disney.

I have two very dear friends who are as Disney addicted as I am. One is not going at all in 2012, the other is currently contemplating cancelling her upcoming trip. They have both been going for many years and their kids have grown up going to WDW. Its just sad.

Just curious how do you go for 2 weeks and only pay 2200.

 

[nonnasally]

Have to whole heartedly agree with you. After twenty years and two generations of Disney trips we just returned from celebrating my 60th at the Poly. We also took along with us my sister and brothers;' families as well. ( all first timers) Five rooms at the Poly, with ours being a TPV with Delux Dining. That trip alone was within the margin of purchasing at least 3 DVC's. I am not complaining, it was our choice to splurge, but you are correct. Aside from room placements our Grand Gathering Ressie went totally unnoticed. Nothing like the commercials on TV. With all the money spent and nineteen previous visits I must admit your comments on "loyalty appreciation" did cross my mind many times on the way home.

 

[saskdw]

Just curious how do you go for 2 weeks and only pay 2200.

I think she ment $2200 more than their last trip.

 

[tyniknate]

Sorry for starting the problem with Walt's beliefs. I just wanted to express that the parks are no longer the WDW that they used to be. Not the value or the quality that they once were.

Havoc315, thanks for starting this thread, it has been a very healthy discussion. Can we stay on topic though? I don't want to see this thread ruined by arguing over Walt's philosophical beliefs.

 

[Colleen27]

Lisa, when people like you are thinking of not going toWDW for their next vacation, to me that should be very concerning to Disney.

A number of things about Disney's business strategy in recent years conveys that they aren't especially concerned with the addicted fans. Either they figure we're already hooked and will continue to come regardless of cost (which is no doubt true for many, especially for those who own DVC) or that there are enough first-timers to fill the rooms that the regulars who are turned off by price increases leave vacant.

Plus first timers are a more lucrative market in other aspects of the experience - they shop more than frequent guests and are less likely to be savvy enough to tailor their tickets & dining to exactly what they want so often end up paying for features they don't need. One of the trends Disney has struggled with during this recession was flat attendance but lower per-guest spending once in the parks, and focusing on first timers rather than those of us who already have years' worth of souvenirs is one way to try to change that.

 

[jsgrand0]

Sadly, I have started to ween myself from Disney, just as they are doing with the discounts. I just don't fall for their tactics anymore. I have been a loyal deluxe / moderate guest for many years and am finding it difficult to find a good deal anymore. With the exeption of the value resorts, their room rates are just way over priced. It doesn't matter if the resort is in a great location or not. If they cannot offer a deluxe 30% to 40% discounted room, I make alternate vacation plans. Fact is, even the deluxe rooms are small compared to resorts in other parts of the world for the price they charge. For $400 + a night and park ticket costs, one could get a huge ocean view suite with perks included somewhere else. Not to mention the price gouging of merchandise and food. IMHO, Disney is pricing themselves out of the market. But on the flip side, there are many newbies that do not know any better and will pay full price. The question is will Disney have enough of guests paying full price to fill the rooms.

My thoughts exactly! $400-$500 night....you could get exactly that...Oceanfront (with beaches you can SWIM in) beautiful, clean room, with every bit the amenities that Disney Deluxes provide and then some...I mean...we are in St. Louis area, but that said, we can find a hotel in the city that is TOP OF THE LINE with awesome amenities for about $200/night...I know we are not in Disney, but is it really worth $200-$300/night extra just because it offers Disney buses? I know it IS worth more, being it's on Disney property and not St. Louis property, not sayin it's not, but not THAT much....

 

[PrincessSuzanne]

I haven't gone back and read alot of th emore recent posts, but I think they are really catering to the DVC group, adding more and pushing what they already have and catering to the firts timers.

We have only been going to WDW for 6 years, but I immediately became an addict. We have been 15 times in that 6 years and stayed on site everytime, except in April, we stayed at SoG (which I still consider on site). We are die hard on site people, and in the past I had been willing to pay rack, I think we did pay rack rate twice, our first trip, because I didn't know beter, and then another early trip, because I booked so last minute, no discounts were available.

We have never been to Universal or Sea World, but might give them a chance, if Disney isn't willing to change. I know we can get a military discount now and SoG will always be available, but I don't always want to stay there.

We are planning to go in January, but may taper off more after that.

 

[klmall]

Have to whole heartedly agree with you. After twenty years and two generations of Disney trips we just returned from celebrating my 60th at the Poly. We also took along with us my sister and brothers;' families as well. ( all first timers) Five rooms at the Poly, with ours being a TPV with Delux Dining. That trip alone was within the margin of purchasing at least 3 DVC's. I am not complaining, it was our choice to splurge, but you are correct. Aside from room placements our Grand Gathering Ressie went totally unnoticed. Nothing like the commercials on TV. With all the money spent and nineteen previous visits I must admit your comments on "loyalty appreciation" did cross my mind many times on the way home.

What a shame that Disney missed that opportunity! Disney Management is certainly resting on its reputation....

 

[havoc315]

My thoughts exactly! $400-$500 night....you could get exactly that...Oceanfront (with beaches you can SWIM in) beautiful, clean room, with every bit the amenities that Disney Deluxes provide and then some...I mean...we are in St. Louis area, but that said, we can find a hotel in the city that is TOP OF THE LINE with awesome amenities for about $200/night...I know we are not in Disney, but is it really worth $200-$300/night extra just because it offers Disney buses? I know it IS worth more, being it's on Disney property and not St. Louis property, not sayin it's not, but not THAT much....

It's supply and demand. When it comes to the "deluxe" hotels and their proximity to the actual parks, Disney has a monopoly.
For someone who wants the complete luxury of something akin to the Ritz, and wants to be a 5 minute monorail ride from the Magic Kingdom, and have a view of the castle --- The only real possibility is the Grand Floridian. For someone who wants a basic-deluxe-type hotel with views of the castle... again, only a handful of options.

An extra $200-$300 per night is definitely a lot for *most* people. You are getting more than just buses... you are getting to basically be right next to either Epcot or the Magic Kingdom, you are getting Disney-level service and theming, etc, etc. Worth an extra $200-$300?

I'd say... look at it a different way. If I told you that a Theme Park view room at the Poly was 5 times the price of a room at a Value, you would say it's way over-priced...... But...

What if the room at the Value was only $20 per night? And the Poly was $100 per night? It's still 5 times the cost...... But for many people.... the extra $80, would be well worth the upgrade.

Money is quite subjective. There are people willing to spend thousands of dollars, for a ticket to the Superbowl. It's just a few hours, sitting in the stands, to see a game that you can see on TV for free. But for some people... it's worth thousands of dollars to be in the stands, instead of watching it on TV.

Not all Disney deluxe hotels are ridiculously priced, especially not off-season.
Animal Kingdom Lodge and Wilderness Lodge can both be booked for under $400 per night -- Not cheap, but not insane.

But these costs are subjective. If a Value was $20... you might not have any problem paying FIVE TIMES the cost... to stay at the Poly... where five times the cost is $100.

But there are plenty of people..... For whom, $500 to them, is like $50 to most of the rest of us.

To a wealthy international traveler, comparing a $5000 beach vacation, $5000 on-site Disney vacation, or a $2000 off-site Disney vacation... Disney may be the more unique experience over the beach, and the $5000 versus $2000 might not really look like a big deal.

Disney is looking to maximize profits. With their premium "deluxe" resorts, as long as they can achieve an acceptable occupancy rate, they'll charge as much as they can. If some millionaires are willing to pay absurd rates, then they get the rooms. And Disney offers other "affordable" options in order to take some profits out of the middle class.

 

[nrpofp]

It's supply and demand. When it comes to the "deluxe" hotels and their proximity to the actual parks, Disney has a monopoly.
For someone who wants the complete luxury of something akin to the Ritz, and wants to be a 5 minute monorail ride from the Magic Kingdom, and have a view of the castle --- The only real possibility is the Grand Floridian. For someone who wants a basic-deluxe-type hotel with views of the castle... again, only a handful of options.

An extra $200-$300 per night is definitely a lot for *most* people. You are getting more than just buses... you are getting to basically be right next to either Epcot or the Magic Kingdom, you are getting Disney-level service and theming, etc, etc. Worth an extra $200-$300?

I'd say... look at it a different way. If I told you that a Theme Park view room at the Poly was 5 times the price of a room at a Value, you would say it's way over-priced...... But...

What if the room at the Value was only $20 per night? And the Poly was $100 per night? It's still 5 times the cost...... But for many people.... the extra $80, would be well worth the upgrade.

Money is quite subjective. There are people willing to spend thousands of dollars, for a ticket to the Superbowl. It's just a few hours, sitting in the stands, to see a game that you can see on TV for free. But for some people... it's worth thousands of dollars to be in the stands, instead of watching it on TV.

Not all Disney deluxe hotels are ridiculously priced, especially not off-season.
Animal Kingdom Lodge and Wilderness Lodge can both be booked for under $400 per night -- Not cheap, but not insane.

But these costs are subjective. If a Value was $20... you might not have any problem paying FIVE TIMES the cost... to stay at the Poly... where five times the cost is $100.

But there are plenty of people..... For whom, $500 to them, is like $50 to most of the rest of us.

To a wealthy international traveler, comparing a $5000 beach vacation, $5000 on-site Disney vacation, or a $2000 off-site Disney vacation... Disney may be the more unique experience over the beach, and the $5000 versus $2000 might not really look like a big deal.

Disney is looking to maximize profits. With their premium "deluxe" resorts, as long as they can achieve an acceptable occupancy rate, they'll charge as much as they can. If some millionaires are willing to pay absurd rates, then they get the rooms. And Disney offers other "affordable" options in order to take some profits out of the middle class.

I wonder how many millionaires vacation at wdw? My brother who makes 500,000 + a year hated everything about wdw. His wife said epcot was just a "fake europe" she would rather go to the real thing. They prefer to take their family to europe or other exotic places. Not saying the rich don't visit wdw, but IMO disneys biggest consumer is the middle class making between 50,000- 250,000 and they are outpricing their customers.

 

[chrisw127]

What's the easiest room to get on property? Probably a garden view room at the Grand Floridian, which is almost always available on short notice. The values and the mods fill up much more quickly. Disney is dreaming if they think they can fill all of those deluxe rooms without discounts. Yes, there will always be people for whom a $600 a night room is small change, but for the majority of people, that's just not the case.