8/18 Epsiode

[Apeters430]

First I would like to say Pete has been my spirit animal lately! He says exactly what I have been thinking. I find myself clapping at some of his opinions on how DVC and disney parks in general have been recently.

I just really enjoyed today's episode. Glad to see Pete back.

 

[Rm4OneMore]

My wife & I were disappointed that the episode was so short. We felt like Pete was just warming up. I don't care if he goes off on a tangent, it's always entertaining and often informative.

 

[The WDW 3]

Loved it!

 

[18sprint]

There was a lot of talk on today's show about opening up more park reservations to annual pass holders because people aren't coming to the parks and filling up the resorts. Just my opinion, I believe the resorts are not filling up is simple, it's the high cost. They only have DVC resorts open, and those rooms start at around $350 (studio) per night and then add in the ridiculous cost of park tickets. So, for a 5 day stay, family of 4 you're looking at 1800 for the room, then another 2200 for park tickets, almost $4000 for what? Way reduced hours, many things not open or operating. I won't even get into the subject of masks. (I know, if you don't like them, don't come). My thought is, open the value resorts so people can afford the hotel stay, and, come on Disney, get those ticket prices down. It used to be, the longer you stay the less you pay. Well, I was looking for park prices in October, and yes, they did go down, very little. They went from $109 down to $102 per day. Big deal. I believe this is why people aren't going and/or canceling. To me, the current strategy is not unlike what we have been seeing the last couple years with the cost gouging, money grabbing, nickle and diming that has been on the increase.

 

[RamblingMad]

There was a lot of talk on today's show about opening up more park reservations to annual pass holders because people aren't coming to the parks and filling up the resorts. Just my opinion, I believe the resorts are not filling up is simple, it's the high cost. They only have DVC resorts open, and those rooms start at around $350 (studio) per night and then add in the ridiculous cost of park tickets. So, for a 5 day stay, family of 4 you're looking at 1800 for the room, then another 2200 for park tickets, almost $4000 for what? Way reduced hours, many things not open or operating. I won't even get into the subject of masks. (I know, if you don't like them, don't come). My thought is, open the value resorts so people can afford the hotel stay, and, come on Disney, get those ticket prices down. It used to be, the longer you stay the less you pay. Well, I was looking for park prices in October, and yes, they did go down, very little. They went from $109 down to $102 per day. Big deal. I believe this is why people aren't going and/or canceling. To me, the current strategy is not unlike what we have been seeing the last couple years with the cost gouging, money grabbing, nickle and diming that has been on the increase.

During the last recession, I remember paying rates for rooms equivalent to what they were outside of the Disney bubble. I paid $150/night for the Disneyland Hotel. My park tickets were less than $50 a day. I remember seeing rates for Wilderness Lodge around $200/night during the last recession too. Disney hasn't capitulated yet, so we haven't seen the discounts yet.

However, if it really does take 18 months to get a vaccine, that puts us into the fall of next year. Then, there is time for it to be produced and given, which easily puts us at the end of next year. I really think Disney will start discounting once it becomes clear that a vaccine isn't coming out until late next year. Right now, I think, they're hoping one comes out early next year.

I'd wait for discounts.

 

[Olafsdis]

Enjoyed seeing Pete again.

 

[The WDW 3]

Enjoyed seeing Pete again.

he should have lit a cigarette

 

[Lizgistix]

Heck, I wanted to hear more specifics about these supposed fire code violations at Saratoga Springs!

 

[Jrb1979]

There was a lot of talk on today's show about opening up more park reservations to annual pass holders because people aren't coming to the parks and filling up the resorts. Just my opinion, I believe the resorts are not filling up is simple, it's the high cost. They only have DVC resorts open, and those rooms start at around $350 (studio) per night and then add in the ridiculous cost of park tickets. So, for a 5 day stay, family of 4 you're looking at 1800 for the room, then another 2200 for park tickets, almost $4000 for what? Way reduced hours, many things not open or operating. I won't even get into the subject of masks. (I know, if you don't like them, don't come). My thought is, open the value resorts so people can afford the hotel stay, and, come on Disney, get those ticket prices down. It used to be, the longer you stay the less you pay. Well, I was looking for park prices in October, and yes, they did go down, very little. They went from $109 down to $102 per day. Big deal. I believe this is why people aren't going and/or canceling. To me, the current strategy is not unlike what we have been seeing the last couple years with the cost gouging, money grabbing, nickle and diming that has been on the increase.

Like I posted in the AP thread. What you are saying highlights the problem Disney has. Disney has 2 levers you can pull to increase profits, either increase revenue or decrease costs. On the revenue side they can increase revenue by increasing guest count but if they need to discount prices to increase guests it may not be a positive gain in revenue. In normal times discounting may work, but right now there are some non-economic factors keeping demand down. Disney has limited ability to make people want to travel. IMHO they’ve done a pretty good job of marketing the parks and controlling PR but that only goes so far. When you can’t increase revenues as much as you would want the other lever is a reduction in expense. Moth balling resorts, reduced park hours, rides and shows closed, etc. I think right now Disney is relying on the I’m going to WDW no matter what crowd. So lower revenues and bare bones experience.

 

[JJZMgailey]

Heck, I wanted to hear more specifics about these supposed fire code violations at Saratoga Springs!

That part of the convo will probably be broken out into a DVC show; keep an eye out!

 

[PamNC]

First I would like to say Pete has been my spirit animal lately! He says exactly what I have been thinking. I find myself clapping at some of his opinions on how DVC and disney parks in general have been recently.

I just really enjoyed today's episode. Glad to see Pete back.

me too - I was so happy he was on the show. I know he needs a break like the rest of us probably do but he is THE MAN!!!

 

[kbelle8995]

A lot of the restaurants and shops are closed. And right now for many travel is a risk they are just not willing to take. We are not going to Orlando until next year. We have elderly parents at home and don't want to risk exposing them.

Plus the cost of going to parks that are not fully open just doesn't appeal to me. I wish I had cancelled my annual pass but that was my mistake. Hopefully I will be able to use some of it next year

 

[fla4fun]

Just my opinion, I believe the resorts are not filling up is simple, it's the high cost. They only have DVC resorts open, and those rooms start at around $350 (studio) per night and then add in the ridiculous cost of park tickets.

Don’t forget the DVC/deluxe have the highest parking fee as well. It would cost me $275 in just parking to stay there on a cash reservation. More people want to drive to avoid flying or rent cars to avoid Disney transport, so that is affecting more people also.

 

[dangeresque49]

People have to remember we are not doing with Disney historically we are dealing with Bob Chapek. His whole deal is Raising prices and cheaping out on investment and cost, he will not reintroduce discounts to a desperate level. He already increased cost of food in the middle of a pandemic. This dude is one of the worst people you could have in power as a fan of anything you like to spend money on not just because he will make money to support the parks but because he will decrease quality and charge more on top of that for short-term gains. Look at how they freaked out over Disney Anaheim with Star Wars opening and imagine he will do an even worse job. Look at how many jerks who don't even care about the pandemic are avoiding the parks because there are no night time shows to be had on top of the lack of discounts. It seems like this guy is hated by everyone who wants to go to the parks across the social and political Spectrum.

 

[No_strings]

Great show and like listening to Pete. He speaks with a lot of common sense, in an age where it’s greatly needed now.

I also saw an article that Disney senior execs are returning to pre-COVID cut salaries. Seems premature to me if Disney is still early on the road to recovery. Perhaps I am missing something, so don’t want to fully judge.

I worry that discounts are a ways away (like 2022). it’s counter-PR for Disney, but also I think they may be overly confident on the demand that the 50th anniversary will bring and will look to price gouge those willing to pay to make up their 2020/21 losses. The longer the impact of COVID continues the longer the recovery and some or even most may not be returning to Disney until 2022-23, but hope I’m wrong. Disney has to worry about other domestic travel competition that may be more willing to discount and cannalbilize their recovery. Bet you a lot of people are buying or planning to buy pools and RVs these days. That said, hope I’m wrong we are back to traveling soon and wish on the agents and especially Pete’s employees a quick bounce back.

Best we all can do is wear a mask, socially distant, do our part, while the great scientist out there work on a vaccine.

 

[plutolovr]

There was a lot of talk on today's show about opening up more park reservations to annual pass holders because people aren't coming to the parks and filling up the resorts. Just my opinion, I believe the resorts are not filling up is simple, it's the high cost. They only have DVC resorts open, and those rooms start at around $350 (studio) per night and then add in the ridiculous cost of park tickets. So, for a 5 day stay, family of 4 you're looking at 1800 for the room, then another 2200 for park tickets, almost $4000 for what? Way reduced hours, many things not open or operating. I won't even get into the subject of masks. (I know, if you don't like them, don't come). My thought is, open the value resorts so people can afford the hotel stay, and, come on Disney, get those ticket prices down. It used to be, the longer you stay the less you pay. Well, I was looking for park prices in October, and yes, they did go down, very little. They went from $109 down to $102 per day. Big deal. I believe this is why people aren't going and/or canceling. To me, the current strategy is not unlike what we have been seeing the last couple years with the cost gouging, money grabbing, nickle and diming that has been on the increase.

This is not correct...there are other resorts open, not just DVC....Pop Century and Caribbean Beach are both open, a Value and a Moderate-level resort. Yacht Club is reopening on August 24th...again, not DVC.