In Case You Think The WDW Slump Isn't Real [Archive] - The DIS Discussion Forums

Purseval

11-08-2008, 08:14 AM

A few people have commented that they don't think WDW will be hurt much, mostly because they look at the parks today, see crowds and think things are fine. Well it isn't just the Disney Corporation that is affected:

Caribbean hotel bookings plunge as economy sags

SAN JUAN, Nov 7 (Reuters) - Hotel bookings in the Caribbean are plunging as financial turbulence dashes vacation plans, and hoteliers and governments are trying to ward off a deep slump by ramping up marketing efforts and slashing prices.

The big cruise operators, whose ships ply the warm, azure waters of the Caribbean and upon which many islands depend, have also warned of a slowdown in bookings worldwide.

The economic downturn following the global credit crunch -- and once-surging oil prices that increased air fares and prompted airlines to cut flights -- are already having an effect, with Caribbean hoteliers reporting drops of 30 percent to 50 percent in bookings.

But the real pain will be felt during the winter high season, from Dec. 15 through April 15, when many vacationers flee the cold north for the Caribbean's sun-drenched beaches.

"The forecast is for a bad winter," said Clarisa Jimenez, president of the Puerto Rico Hotel and Tourism Association.

This is an excerpt, read the rest of the story here:

http://in.reuters.com/article/governmentFilingsNews/idINN0740948120081107

What WDW is doing with this 4/3 deal is just reading the writing on the wall. Odds are this won't be the last big promotion, patient consumers should see even more bargains in the months to come.

rosiejo

11-08-2008, 08:22 AM

Ms_Butterfly

11-08-2008, 08:28 AM

Yeah, I just saw an ad on Yahoo! for Atlantis (Paradise Island, Bahamas) - $299/night PLUS 2 free dolphin experiences.

And I heard elsewhere of somebody getting a balcony cruise stateroom (not Disney line, but I forget which one) for $300-something per person.

For my Jan. vacation (timeshare), JetBlue changed one of my flights from morning to evening a couple weeks back, too. :-P

Ryan08242

11-08-2008, 09:08 AM

Gas here is $1.85 :cool1:

disneyin2008

11-08-2008, 09:25 AM

With fuel prices up and the credit crunch affecting us all I think lots of people will be saving instead of taking expensive vacations. I am just glad that we have DVC and already saved enough for our flights and our annual dues. We'll be heading out to the World December 09 come what may!

Wow...fuel prices are way DOWN here in Arizona....I filled my tank yesterday at $2.39 a gallon. Yeah, that's still more expensive than I'd like but at least it's not $4+ anymore!!

But...I do agree that many of us are probably looking at the news and worrying that while we may feel semi-unaffected now, how long before it hits us too? We're still going on our WDW trip (8 days!!!) because I can't imagine cancelling (the depression in this house would be thick, lol)....and because financially we're not yet in turmoil.....our income is steady and fairly secure....but I have noticed that while shopping I'm thinking longer about a purchase, thinking "later" more, and definitely less impulse shopping. We've always been pretty frugal in the grocery area, which seems to be where most people budget with more stictness when hard times hit....we seldom eat out as the kids and I love to cook, so that saves us a ton over what friends spend.

But one thing I am noticing is that stores, restaurants, and service providers are definitely worried about getting my dollar instead of their competition......the grocery stores are running some unheard of sales right now (I just bought London Broil for $1.66 a pound this week, normally it's in the $3 range.....and I bought 6 meals worth, lol). McDonalds is heavily advertising their Big Mac at $1.50 on their signs, and I'm pretty sure it was over $2 last time we ate there. The oil change advertisements are under $15 now, where they were mid-20's just a few months ago (I'm not sure when these went down, I was due for a change and started looking, lol). And Walmart keeps emailing me all their great specials, none of which appeal to me, but it appears that they are starting their Christmas advertising NOW instead of Black Friday. And many other stores are doing that also. Makes me wonder how spectactular Black Friday will be like, but we'll be in Florida, so no shopping for me! Either they're going to have to top their current sales
or maybe the BF sales will just be repeats of what they're doing now?

Disney may not be looking like they're in a slump right now because of the crowds, but I really wonder how many people would cancel a long planned vacation if they still have the money available. Different story if you were one of the unlucky ones that have already been laid off but if your job is secure for now, I'll guess most will still go. But Disney is definitely not looking at NOW....they look at the future and it sure sounds like bookings are down for the first half of 2009.....so the marketing folks are in high gear. What would be interesting is whether the summer deals come out....typically summer deals are few and far between because of the normal crowds.....but next summer may be the year to get a deal if you're so inclined. Short of free resort and free dining combined, I would never even consider summer, lol. But, I'm thrilled if the November free dining that I'm getting is because of Disney's worries!

Some of us are old enough to remember other hard times that this country went through......and I'm not sure if I'm just older and since I now have kids I'm more aware....but this time around the doomsayers seem to be louder. And I'd like them to shut up.

Desnik

11-08-2008, 09:29 AM

Gas here is $1.85 :cool1:

Wow that's cheap! Gas is not that price where I live.
I just have to add that Cape May is our 2nd favorite place to visit!!(of course WDW is the first!)

Ryan08242

11-08-2008, 10:13 AM

Wow that's cheap! Gas is not that price where I live.
I just have to add that Cape May is our 2nd favorite place to visit!!(of course WDW is the first!)

Alot of people like my area I'm not sure why, I guess I'm just used to it. I guess its cool only living 2 blocks from the beach :goodvibes

BeckWhy

11-08-2008, 10:29 AM

Gas here is $1.85 :cool1:

I always thought NJ had some of the cheapest gas... It's always been cheaper than at the Reservations here.

For us... gas dropped $1.25 in the past couple of weeks...

jobie61

11-08-2008, 10:30 AM

Gas here is $1.85 :cool1:

I'm just up route 47 a ways, Gas is $ 2.05.

Jersey has the best Gas prices in the country.... Ya gotta love it.

jarrdisney

11-08-2008, 10:38 AM

Ryan08242

11-08-2008, 10:39 AM

I'm just up route 47 a ways, Gas is $ 2.05.

Jersey has the best Gas prices in the country.... Ya gotta love it.

And the best part is you don't have to pump it yourself :lmao:

WUVmyDISNEY

11-08-2008, 10:42 AM

well, $1.96.9 lol Deep down, it feels so wrong to be excited about paying $2.00 for a gallon of gas! I wonder ( but highly doubt) if the airlines will lift some of the fees that were put in place due to the high price of gas. I would rather they have raised the airfare in general and then be able to lower them based on fuel prices. I think now that the fees are in place, they are here to stay. Who knows when the gas is going to rise back up dramatically again and then start the cycle of extra fees all over again ( if they were lifted now). Not sure I explained that well so I hope you guys understand what I meant! lol

fall08CP

11-08-2008, 10:43 AM

Yen Sid

11-08-2008, 11:06 AM

Gas here is officially the highest in the continental United States, Western NY.

mistydoodles

11-08-2008, 11:08 AM

Gas here is $1.85 :cool1:

I want to move to NJ. :lmao: Ours is still close to $3.00 which is better than it was but I would love for it to be under $2.00:goodvibes

bytheblood

11-08-2008, 11:46 AM

I do not think the fuel drop is permanant. Once Osama takes office, I can see that going back up to the $4 it was before.

As for travel, it is certainly down and all companies are feeling the pain....I expect to see more deals coming from Disney.

danny1649

11-08-2008, 11:48 AM

Will do whatever they feel they need to do to hold market share and that will be good for us Disney nuts and allow us to keep going to WDW during these hard times.:goodvibes :goodvibes Danny

v_gan

11-08-2008, 01:24 PM

What WDW is doing with this 4/3 deal is just reading the writing on the wall. Odds are this won't be the last big promotion, patient consumers should see even more bargains in the months to come.

For those of you that track this kind of thing.. How much of a chance do you think there will be for a big promotion for December 2009? I could save a good bit of money if I decided to stick with my original plan to go in May 2009, but I would much rather go the second week in December if there was going to be a good deal.

Purseval

11-08-2008, 02:41 PM

Maybe it's just the Epcot resorts, but I don't think WDW can be hurting that much, at least that time of year.

Maybe you're having trouble visualizing how companies run but if we compare it to your own life perhaps you can get a better grasp of the problem.

Let's say somebody gives you $10,000 and you put the entire amount into a WDW vacation with the works: tickets, room, dining plan, everything paid for, and the vacation is in December. This is WDW today.

Now it's December, you're living it up having the time of your life. All the best meals, beautiful views, a wonderful park experience. You can't wait to do it again. But there's a problem. Even though you are living the high life today, the reality is you have no more money! The $10,000 you budgeted for the trip is spent, the only way you can repeat the experience is by coming up with another $10,000 and right now you have no idea if you can accomplish that goal. This is WDW in December, also. The people you see packing the resorts have already been budgeted into their spending plans, now they have to look to the future. Right now the future looks bleak, no matter what you are seeing in the parks today. The 4/3 promotion is trying to address that problem and we won't know if the strategy works until they have to show the next quarterly results.

kadesha

11-08-2008, 02:44 PM

Pookie_Lee

11-08-2008, 03:15 PM

OT and all, but its funny to see all the WNY and CNY'ers on here posting gas prices. I paid 2.79 yesterday and thought that was fairly good... YIKES, I forget there are places out there not getting gouged by the good ol' state of NY.:rotfl:

Clotho

11-08-2008, 03:18 PM

Once Osama takes office, I can see that going back up to the $4 it was before.

Um.....*excuse me*?!:confused3

bytheblood

11-08-2008, 03:28 PM

I really hope you meant Obama!

:rotfl2: Yeah, I did. Not that anybody would elect "Osama" to office. ;)

Luna_Lovegood

11-08-2008, 03:30 PM

Wow, I so did not notice that typo up there until it was pointed out on another post. I'm sure that's all it was. :)

Gas here is $2.15-ish.

kadesha

11-08-2008, 03:37 PM

Wow, I so did not notice that typo up there until it was pointed out on another post. I'm sure that's all it was. :)

Gas here is $2.15-ish.

Yeah, I know! :) I just thought I'd point it out before someone came by and got really offended by it!

Gas here is 2.09.

Clotho

11-08-2008, 04:40 PM

WHEW!

Though I am not sure why one would speculate that Obama being sworn in would suddenly shoot up gas prices... pricing of gas is set by many factors, but not by whos butt is in a particular chair!

seashoreCM

11-08-2008, 04:42 PM

And the best part is you don't have to pump it yourself :lmao:

New Jersey still does not permit self service at gas stations.

In the past I have gotten room-only reservations at discounts off rack rate that suggest to me that the buy 4 get 3 free offer doesn't yield much more (or any more) savings.

seadd67

11-08-2008, 04:49 PM

Gas here is officially the highest in the continental United States, Western NY.

Is It more then 3.78 a gallon still?. Thats up In Alaska:scared1: sorry about that here In Seattle Its at 2.41 went up a little in the last few days.

But I have to agree with a earlyer quote I do not think Disney Is going to suffer to much. The folks In genreal will still amke there trips,but like my self we will cut off some were else to have our Disney:goodvibes

eeyore913

11-08-2008, 05:00 PM

Gas here is $1.85 :cool1:

Must be nice....my boyfriends parents live in EHT and its still 2.18....I'm from upstate new york and I got it for 2.24 as a club member at BJ's but its still only 2.35 elsewhere around me....and I must add..

southwest out of buffalo was $480 p/p for Nov 26th-30th until about 3 weeks ago and its dropped to $270 so we got a large amount back so at least for now things are looking up for us:-)

Robo

11-08-2008, 05:09 PM

Gas here is $1.85 :cool1:

I paid $1.71 a gallon yesterday.

Today (Nov. 8, 2008,) the low is $1.67.

Gas in Kansas City area is usually pretty low, if you know where to look.

Here's the link (http://www.KCGasPrices.com/) to find lowest prices.

You can search in any town you like.

EnnEss

11-08-2008, 05:21 PM

:rotfl2: Yeah, I did. Not that anybody would elect "Osama" to office. ;)

Was it a mistake or a joke, the b is nowhere near the s on the keyboard? I find it extremely racist and out of place if thats a "joke" (im not even american, but i find it vile so many of your citizens think these jokes are OK). Im sure there are lots of other places more appropriate for expressing these views.

Anyways, prices aren't going to surge up again because a different president comes to power, kind of an odd thing to say, I'm not sure what the reasoning would be. If they do go way back up, it'd be because the economy goes through the roof.

I think the economy is going to stay soft and in recession through summer of 09 at least. Disney isn't going to be as hurt as the Carribean, simply because its closer and people may still go there or instead of going abroad go there. It will hurt them though.

lynnebla

11-08-2008, 05:22 PM

Some of us are old enough to remember other hard times that this country went through......and I'm not sure if I'm just older and since I now have kids I'm more aware....but this time around the doomsayers seem to be louder. And I'd like them to shut up.

I couldn't agree with this more. With news stories every night, headlines every day & nearly all magazines having some article about "how to survive the economic downturn", the media actually feeds it all. Most people, when you talk to them, haven't really felt any pain yet. And, may never feel it. But, everybody seems to think that all their neighbors are hurting. There are definitely bad things in the economy (bank & housing mostly), but it's also kind of a self-fulfilling prophecy. Keep saying the economy is horrible, and eventually it will be!

Sorry, off my soapbox, but it bugs me. I still plan on taking the same vacations I would have and the only reason I'm watching what I spend is cause we're having another baby and need to save for me to quit working!

mistydoodles

11-08-2008, 05:26 PM

I paid $1.71 a gallon yesterday.

Today (Nov. 8, 2008,) the low is $1.67.

Gas in Kansas City area is usually pretty low, if you know where to look.

Here's the link (http://www.KCGasPrices.com/) to find lowest prices.

You can search in any town you like.

Holy Cow!!! That is good. I sure hope it gets that low in NYS.:goodvibes

Purseval

11-08-2008, 07:05 PM

Was it a mistake or a joke, the b is nowhere near the s on the keyboard? I find it extremely racist and out of place if thats a "joke" (im not even american, but i find it vile so many of your citizens think these jokes are OK). Im sure there are lots of other places more appropriate for expressing these views.

Nowadays being called racist is akin to being called a fascist: the person doing the calling says it because it sounds impressive even though it's obvious they don't have the first idea what either one means.

Anyways, prices aren't going to surge up again because a different president comes to power, kind of an odd thing to say, I'm not sure what the reasoning would be. If they do go way back up, it'd be because the economy goes through the roof.

If you had followed the rhetoric of the election and listened to what the winning candidate said it wouldn't sound odd at all. Since you aren't an American I won't waste my time explaining it to you because it's not your problem, but if you are curious enough you can look it up.

I think the economy is going to stay soft and in recession through summer of 09 at least. Disney isn't going to be as hurt as the Carribean, simply because its closer and people may still go there or instead of going abroad go there. It will hurt them though.

Wall street respectfully disagrees with you, which is why the stock tanked after DIS reported their earnings and forecast. However there is nothing stopping you from loading up on Disney stock and making a killing when it goes back up.

As for the website being a political forum, I did find it curious that the people in charge let so many political ads stay in signatures. Normally websites shy away from topics that are virtually guaranteed to upset 50% of the people. But it's their site.

seashoreCM

11-08-2008, 09:01 PM

Several years ago I remember isolated threads on this forum about an unofficial guide crowd rating from 1 to 10 and there were a lot of threes and fours amidst the usual eights for spring break and nines and tens for Christmas and new years.

A few years ago I remember isolated threads on this forum about "yikes, all the crowd ratings (published in that guide book) are in the sevens and eights if not nines!"

Today. Slump!
What kind of crowd levels are we going to see? Back down to the fives? Back down to the threes? Still nines and tens for Christmas and New Years?

Still mostly sevens and up for the whole year? What slump?

Alias#3

11-08-2008, 11:08 PM

Back to the original point of the first post on this thread:

http://www.reuters.com/article/marketsNews/idINN0632994920081107?rpc=44

Note the first sentence of the article.

Robo

11-08-2008, 11:19 PM

Still nines and tens for Christmas and New Years?

Still mostly sevens and up? What slump?

This year's holiday "ratings" are only guess-timates based on previous years.

EnnEss

11-09-2008, 06:25 AM

Nowadays being called racist is akin to being called a fascist: the person doing the calling says it because it sounds impressive even though it's obvious they don't have the first idea what either one means.

I think standing up for anyone who calls anyone osama obama is racist in itself. The definition of racism is grouping stereotyping someone because of what they look like, doing it because their name sounds similar is no different, this isn't the place for it, dateline reported various KKK forums in existence, check them out for like thinking individuals.

EnnEss

11-09-2008, 06:33 AM

This thread will be locked im sure, and i wouldnt be shocked to see myself get a warning or worse. Thats fine, but i am legitametly sorry for jacking the thread. I dont think that kind of slur should be overlooked though, I'd speak against it in person and I'll do it in a forum. I know its common enough (see it daily on the news) but it doesn't mean it shouldn't be spoken against. When I see people saying these things on TV, its usually something like the Daily show and they are barely able to form proper sentences, if at all, its made a complete joke of, its sickening to see it echoed by people who know better and I won't ignore it. On a probably final note on the thread, if its locked, I hope the people making racist comments and defending them are disciplined, and not myself for taking issue with it and making a kafuffle where one is necessary.

Tomh

11-09-2008, 08:20 AM

Gas here in the Hudson Valley was at $2.63 yesterday, and has been falling a few cents every couple of days for some time now.

digskat

11-09-2008, 08:44 AM

We just returned from a drive home up I75, and were pleasantly surprised with the prices for gas. The best we saw was $1.79/gal in Kentucky, and the worst was $2.21 in Georgia. We put over 3100 miles in, and spent $300 for fuel. Unfortunately we returned home and have to pay $3.60/gal here (better than the $4.36 before we left).
Yes WDW will feel a pinch by the down turn in the economy, every form of entertainment will. However WDW is a destination that some people already save up for years to go to, and they are fortunate to get visitors from every level of economical society, and from several countries....they will be fine.

We are from an area devastated by the auto industry, where they state that every 1 job lost in an auto plant causes 10 spin-off jobs to disappear. Hopefully the economy will turn around.......and hopefully the big 3 will realize that while they save money on wages by moving plants from Canada/USA, they are destroying the economy, and eliminating the assets of the people they are hoping to sell their cars to.

Purseval

11-09-2008, 08:59 AM

I think standing up for anyone who calls anyone osama obama is racist in itself.

It's people like you who water dumb down the meaning of racism to the point where somebody is racist because they put margarine on your toast instead of butter. I also read your juvenile rant in PMs on fascism, you are as right on that as you've been on anything else so far. Perhaps you might find this Wikipedia article on the dumbing down of the meaning of fascist interesting:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fascist_(epithet)

The definition of racism is grouping stereotyping someone because of what they look like, doing it because their name sounds similar is no different, this isn't the place for it, dateline reported various KKK forums in existence, check them out for like thinking individuals.

Umm, actually what you are describing is a bigot, not a racist. Like I said before, I'm sure you think you sound righteously indignant but you are still clueless and living proof of the old saying that it's better to be silent and have people think you're a fool than to speak out and prove it.

Laura_Lewis

11-09-2008, 09:02 AM

OPEC reported back in October that they would be cutting production by 1,000,000/barrels a day. We will probably see a price increase just in time for the busy Thanksgiving travel holiday. Of course right about the time we are leaving.:upsidedow

BeckWhy

11-09-2008, 09:21 AM

Must be nice....my boyfriends parents live in EHT and its still 2.18....I'm from upstate new york and I got it for 2.24 as a club member at BJ's but its still only 2.35 elsewhere around me....and I must add..

southwest out of buffalo was $480 p/p for Nov 26th-30th until about 3 weeks ago and its dropped to $270 so we got a large amount back so at least for now things are looking up for us:-)

Eeyore... a few weeks ago I got an email stating that Southwest was slashing their BUF airfares half price for a few days... $93 roundtrip for my dates...

CanadianGuy

11-09-2008, 09:34 AM

Bob Iger, ceo of Disney sent a message to all employees last week talking about the most recent quarter results (they weren't that bad..) but then going on to talk about the upcoming year and more or less referred to the downturn in business that Disney experienced following 9-11 in how Disney should / would respond as a business in the coming year.

It's real alright and they are making plans to deal with it.

Knox

SuperTink

11-09-2008, 10:17 AM

EnnEss,

It's good you stood up. Others did as well. But now you are wasting your time arguing with the Quacker Factory. Seriously.

Ignore, and Have a great day! :goodvibes

GoofyBaby

11-09-2008, 12:01 PM

J.C.&ALI'SMOM

11-09-2008, 12:36 PM

How can anyone deny that the slump is real? WDW as a business would not offer this 7 for 4 promo if there wasn't. When they offered it in 2003, we took advantage of it and if I remember correctly, it was for the summer season. Now it is for 6 months!!! With a few blackout dates. If there wasn't a slump, this would have never been offered.

Clotho

11-09-2008, 02:01 PM

Yes, but let's remember that this is IN ANTICIPATION OF A POSSIBLE SLUMP. We're not technically "in it" yet. Don't confuse the housing crisis and the bad loans deals with a "depression" (something the media is eager to bandy about). The housing crisis is a foreshadowing of what may happen, and affects of course what is happening, elsewhere in our economy, as a result of the downturn in the stock market, loss of jobs, etc. But we're not there ("depression") yet! So don't run for the hills right now! :)

What we are seeing at Disney is conservative steps to insure that they keep people coming to the parks regardless of which way the boom swings. Most all travel industries are seeing a downturn in plans for future travel. Current travel, as they reported at Disney, is only down by a small percentage--at Disney only 1% this quarter. When you remember that each year they GROW their percentage, dropping a few points is not a tremendous setback--think revenue streams dropping back to 2006 figures, not necessarily 2001, ya dig? ANd remember that Disney is not just the parks. There will be fluctuations all over their portfolio--some will dip, some will grow, some will stay steady. It's difficult to say what the downturn in the parks and resorts will do to the overall bottom line at Disney Corp.

If we keep our heads about us, a lot of us are going to be just fine, and won't have to change much about what we do, how we spend our money, etc. The media would like us to panic now and start making even more story fodder with our premature freak-outs. Just take it a day at a time!

poeticdiabetic

11-09-2008, 03:14 PM

Wow. People have hurt post-election feelings, huh?:confused3

Personally, I am thinking that Disney World will become more aggressive in providing incentives for visitors and guests. As a matter of fact, I'm surfing the Net now, looking to see if I can find a good deal. If we get another quarter like the last two, it will be a foregone conclusion that Disney will offer additional incentives.

As far as the Presidential Election is concerned, there has been this big deal about offering another stimulus package. If the stimulus package comes in the form of a rebate, that would be good news for WDW. People would take that money and head to Florida. (And also good for retailers, as well.)

But stimulus packages doesn't necessarily mean tax rebates. And a tax rebate is a temporary relief option.

bytheblood

11-09-2008, 04:09 PM

I usually keep my mouth shut, but not this time. ;)
EnnEss - Wow - there is a a lot of whining and acting like children here over a simple mistake. Obama and Osama are close, I typo'd. Don't be so quick to call somebody a racist, especially when you have no idea what nationality they are.

Editing my post to make the moderators happy!! ;)

SuperTink

11-09-2008, 04:29 PM

Obama and Osama are close, I typo'd.

Only in your mind. They are not close on the keyboard.

And what did you mean by the statement that prices would go up, anyway?

KEHCharleston

11-09-2008, 04:47 PM

EnnEss,

It's good you stood up. Others did as well. But now you are wasting your time arguing with the Quacker Factory Seriously.

Ignore, and Have a great day! :goodvibes

What's a Quacker Factory? - Now I am worried that I might be a member - Yikes!
(I trust Quacker Factory is not a derogatory name - Double Yikes!)

I use diesel and am paying $1.60 LESS than I was two months ago. (Charleston, SC)

dalstitch45

11-09-2008, 08:17 PM

And the best part is you don't have to pump it yourself :lmao:

Amen! I always forget how to pump gas when I go to other states, but I never get wet pumping gas in Jersey. The one nice thing about our state. I paid $1.89 today in South Jersey. I never thought we would see it under $3 again, let alone under $2.

Let's hope and pray the economy at least stabilizes soon. We are seeing the dominoe effect on everything. So many people have lost their jobs, homes, investments, etc.

eeyoresnr

11-09-2008, 08:45 PM

Gas here is $1.85 :cool1:

1.99 here:thumbsup2

nickspace

11-09-2008, 09:16 PM

I paid $1.87 in Ohio today.

SelfEmployedDebtFree

11-10-2008, 01:33 AM

I'm wondering if the same feathers would have been fluffed if someone had said McLame rather than McCain. (per the bumper stickers)

The Obama - Osama thing you see and hear are a DIRECT REFERENCE to the spellcheck error. If you typed Obama on the computer and you had spellcheck, it asked if you meant Osama... Hence the "Obama = Osama in spellcheck" bumper stickers that were on ebay. It was a JOKE!

My goodness... do you have ANY idea how many Bush jokes and slanders are online? There are dozens of anti bush games on the net where you kill bush, or punch bush in the face, or electrically shock bush, and so on. I haven't heard anyone complaining about all of them. I for one am SICK of every little anti Obama reference being considered RACIST. Its OK for the nation to criticize every move and every word Bush says... but THATS OK... as long as we dont mention precious Obama.

Come on people.. the election is over. Lets move on with our lives.

Now back to the topic...

Everyone is talking about gas, its price dropping... but your missing the bigger picture here. Just because you are paying $1.85 for unleaded... EVERYTHING you buy at the grocery store... ALL of it... EVERY PIECE is delivered by Diesel. And diesel hasn't dropped much. Its still $3.00 a gallon in my town. DIESEL has a MUCH bigger trickle down effect on the economy than unleaded, because it controls the prices of groceries and most everything you buy.

NMW

11-10-2008, 06:47 AM

onelilspark

11-10-2008, 08:32 AM

We just took advantage of the buy 4 get 3 free thing for a trip to the POLY in May 09. Some of my friends, friends that regularly spend big $$$$ on vacations, asked me if I was sure that we should go with the economy the way it is. I was really surprised to hear this. We thought it was a great deal and jumped on it.

Really, as long as your finances are stable, the best thing to do for the economy is spend your money, it'll help stimulate it. So way to go :thumbsup2 And besides, HELLO! 3 nights free at the Poly?! :cool1:

Anyways, someone said back on the first page Western NY has the highest gas in the continental US, I'd believe it! I paid $2.65 on Friday and thought I was living high! Then I just read all of these posts where it's below $2?! What's going on NY!?

Oh anyways...the thing is, people will still go to Disney, it's the one destination that families will decide to still go to. Where as the Caribbean they might decide, oh, well let's stay domestic instead. (Think the Outerbanks instead of the Bahamas...) I think what Disney is doing is smart. I think many families may shorten vacations this year, so instead of that week, they're only doing long weekends to save money. So, to capitalize on that, they're saying, hey, you're already here, spend 3 nights on us. Meanwhile, you're still spending on souvenirs and dining. Not to mention, their rooms are still filled when other places are hurting. So when you have the choice to spend 4 days elsewhere or a week at Disney because of the deal, you'll choose Disney. And really...why would you want to choose anywhere else ;)

Purseval

11-10-2008, 10:42 AM

http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/081110/mcdonald_s_sales.html?.v=1

McDonald's same-store sales rise 8.2 percent in October as consumers seek value

Those sales are due to people skipping Applebees, Longhorn steakhouse, etc., and heading over for a value meal. The same thing is happening with things like fancy leather handbags, $5 lattes, SUVs, jewelry, memorabilia, anything considered to be an extravagance. I realize that to the average DIS reader going to WDW is as natural as breathing but there are a lot of people out there who now see a multi-thousand dollar vacation as something that can be put off until another day, or going from onsite to offsite (remember, if bookings are down in WDW they are as bad or worse in Kissimmee. Those operators also have to give incentives like when we stayed in DTD for $25/night in October 2001). You may not hear anything from corporate but if you start seeing promotions on ticket prices like we are seeing for rooms you will know that they are fighting for the offsites and daytrippers.

Purseval

11-10-2008, 11:07 AM

Only in your mind. They are not close on the keyboard.

Tell that to those rabid racists at CNN and the Associated Press who made the same typo. You would think that someone with over 11,000 posts who was a racist would have been outed long ago. Thank goodness we have people like you and EnnEss to enlighten us :laughing:

And what did you mean by the statement that prices would go up, anyway?

Anybody who followed the election would know that one candidate is opposed to new domestic oil (even though the position softened as the prices shot up), wants to go after Big Oil and their obscene profits (everybody harps about the $1000/minute profits but gets amnesia when it comes to the part about the $4000/minute taxes), wants a big push on alternative sources of energy, wants to raise the mileage and clean air standards and raise taxes on corporations. All of that translates into higher prices on oil, even if the OPEC nations keep their prices at the same level. There is a large part of the constituency that thinks higher gas prices are perfectly fine and good for the environment. They feel the current administration has been lax and they want more done. There is another part of the constituency who thinks that "spreading the wealth" means they won't have to worry about prices as much anymore:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L6ikOxi9yYk

No matter how you cut it we are going to have a change of policy in the new administration which will lead to higher gas prices. It's one of the things an informed voter knew about before they stepped into the voting booth. I take it you didn't vote, or if you did you just voted for change. Not just change, but change you can believe in. :rolleyes:

CanadianGuy

11-10-2008, 12:02 PM

This thread has moved over into the type of thread that best finds it's home on the Community Board. As such, this one will be moved there.

Knox

Mouseaholic!!!

11-10-2008, 12:18 PM

I'm getting married at the BWI on 12/14 and was told 12/11 was completely sold out for my fiance and I. I questioned a couple people in the company on this and they all had the same thing to say. "There's not a room to be had at the BWI." I realize it's the holiday season, and the BWI has a great location to the festivities, but early/mid Dec is usually pretty slow. Maybe it's just the Epcot resorts, but I don't think WDW can be hurting that much, at least that time of year.

Many people are still going because of a variety of reasons -- vacation is already paid for --- special event or reunion ----- or they have their heads in the sand <----that would be anyone who is doing a Disney vacaton and putting in on their credit card to pay off later.

Anaheim has already announced there will be layoffs - company wide. They have spent the last two years cutting back to the bone - company wide....what is left to cut. We will find out. Maybe we will have the park bathrooms cleaned less during the day, maybe fewer Mousekeepers so when we return at 5 to change for dinner....our rooms aren't made up....maybe fewer bus drivers. We WILL find out.

Don't fool yourselves - Disney will find a way to get your $$$ ---- look at DVC....they paid in advance!!! Disney is dancing all the way to the bank with their DVC guests. That an ESPN have been the $$$ cows for Disney for years now.

I heard a DVC guest say they would bank their points this year because they didn't get a "deal" when the cash guests got their 7 for 4 deal. Know what Disney is saying to you....GO AHEAD.....we will sell your room to a cash guest - WOOHOO.

The hardest hits for the tourist business will be in areas that require a flight - Hawaii (bleeding right now), Caribbean and Europe for American's. Cruiselines are re-scheduling their ships for closer to home in 2009. I bet Disney is thrilled (?) they will have a ship in Europe.

Our British friends and guests from Europe will not be keeping the parks packed....this economy is now beginning to hit them.

Disney will survive, but to those of you who think they are doing well.....all I can say is in September we snagged a DOUBLE castmember discount for the Grand Californian and in 2 weeks we leave for WDW with a 65% discount on our room (50% has been the norm). Disney doesn't give away a penny unless they have to.

edited to add ---

That 65% is on a 1BR Villa at BWV. I guess we got the room the DVC guest cancelled because they hadn't gotten a deal!

SelfEmployedDebtFree

11-10-2008, 12:20 PM

Purseval

11-11-2008, 04:45 AM

Don't fool yourselves - Disney will find a way to get your $$$ ---- look at DVC....they paid in advance!!! Disney is dancing all the way to the bank with their DVC guests. That an ESPN have been the $$$ cows for Disney for years now.

DVC is a house of cards waiting to collapse. People paid big $$$ and, when the economy was good, could expect at least a reasonable return if they had to sell thanks to ROFR. Of course Disney exercised that option because they could take the points, turn around and sell them to someone else for more money. When the economy goes south and they can't easily resell them they will pass on ROFR and resales will begin to resemble the rest of the timeshare industry. Wyndham Bonnet Creek, the closest timeshare to WDW (actually inside the property) now sells at resale for 2 to 5 cents on the dollar. The rest of the resorts aren't doing any better. I can only hope that the majority of DVC owners have enough reserves to ride it out because this isn't the environment where you want to be in a position to where you have to sell.

TDC Nala

11-11-2008, 07:27 AM

I am looking forward to some room only discounts.

TDC Nala

11-11-2008, 07:34 AM

I believe Ted Kennedy called Obama "Osama" in a speech once. Mistake. I wouldn't rip him for it. Nor would I rip the typo on the thread, not after the poster came in and said it was a mistake.

There's not a room to be had anywhere at WDW from 12/12-12/16 (I am booked in two different resorts for the 4 night period - had to do it that way) although things are going to be different next year, most likely.

And I sure don't see DVC crumbling. People are scrambling to buy at Bay Lake Tower. (I'd hope they stop building after that) and I really don't understand DVC people getting upset that they're not being offered a deal. We already got our deal.

They lost me as a frequent visitor after closing Pleasure Island, I'm sure they will lose other frequent visitors for different reasons.

seadd67

11-11-2008, 11:38 AM

DVC is a house of cards waiting to collapse. People paid big $$$ and, when the economy was good, could expect at least a reasonable return if they had to sell thanks to ROFR. Of course Disney exercised that option because they could take the points, turn around and sell them to someone else for more money. When the economy goes south and they can't easily resell them they will pass on ROFR and resales will begin to resemble the rest of the timeshare industry. Wyndham Bonnet Creek, the closest timeshare to WDW (actually inside the property) now sells at resale for 2 to 5 cents on the dollar. The rest of the resorts aren't doing any better. I can only hope that the majority of DVC owners have enough reserves to ride it out because this isn't the environment where you want to be in a position to where you have to sell.

If they have to sell I would have to say I would be in line to buy,if i can get a good deal i would do it. But I hope they do not,Its some thing they can pass down to the familey,and all can enjoy.