I am sorry, but I cannot wrap my mind around the idea that Disney doesn't need repeat customers. Rooms sold are rooms sold. And if its only first time, only time guests that are filling them, that will really stink for Disney because I dn't happen to think that their are that many people out there right now willing to fork over thousands for the unknown experience. They may be testing the waters with this idea and if they do, it won't go well. Right now given the cost of a Disney vacation, the repeaters are the ones that are most likely to know and understand that it might very well worth that pricetag, but they have their limits and their cut off on what they will pay. Esp. since they know all about what's out there for some, but not all. People hate it when they think they aren't getting the best deal possible and now that Disney has done this so often, they have let the cat out of the bag and yes, I do absolutely think its making more and more repeat guests decide not to go and I think that will have a larger impact than Disney would like.
There's another whole park that exists in the U.S. for Disney and its called
Disneyland. That's their main emphasis in life, the repeat guest. The local guest. They have gone too much that way, the tourist guest isn't treated to the same experience and it has come back to haunt DL big time. They have a park now that is overrun with locals who get dirt cheap AP's, don't spend money on food or souveneirs and the onsite guest perks are laughable. Word is they are learning their lesson the hard way in Anaheim. I gave up going to DL regularly long ago because I felt Disneyland catered too much to day guests and not enough to those of us who fork out airfare, hotels, all our meals and make it a vacation not a "lets get out of the house and head to DL". Its a mess for DL and that is why they are now pouring a billion dollars to make DCA a park worth visiting to draw tourists back. . They are hoping that having cruise ships out of L.A. regularly, new rides and a totally redone park will make it a vacation destination once again. Only appealing to one group didn't do so well for DL in the long run.
A reverse order lesson may be in order for WDW in that if they don't do right by a large chunk of their clientale, it will backfire. It has to be about offering perks that appeal to the widest range of customers as possible.
I do a lot of chit chat at WDW, on the busses, waiting for my table or a ride and its rare I talke to anyone who is a first time visitor anymore.
They may be able to fill those rooms for summer, but so far for my dates in June, they aren't. There's availablity at every resort except CSR for my dates. At least as of yesterday. And if they weren't worried, they wouldn't be releasing pins on March 1'st for dates as quickly as April 23rd. The average first time guest won't suddenly decide to book a last minute trip to WDW, but the repeat guest with an AP and a firsthand knowledge of their product will.
I also just think that the logic that once held of "I love it, I'll come back no matter what the price" is flawed. For one thing, this economy is not something most of us have seen in our adult lifetime. If I had the money and ease to book full price yeah I would. I don't right now. I am not alone. Of my friends who have been repeat guests, one just cancelled a trip, one downgraded and cut her stay short and one is seriously peeved she hasn't gotten a pin for her trip. Also, every firs time Disney visitor evolves into one of two things: A repeat guest or a "been there, done that, not doing it again". Either one of those would be someone Disney would want to reach out to.
, miniature golf, etc. etc. money from us. I think they get more from us than the family that flies in once, stays at Pop century on the dining plan and buys regular park tickets! We like to venture past the "usual" places, spend actual money on our food, and stay generally longer. Why don't they see that as valuable?
