8/5 Discussion Show is UP

[darrengs]

Because these price increases are based on that the surveyed guests feel they are receiving a good value, I will certainly make sure that if surveyed I let them know that I no longer feel that WDW is good value for the money.

 

[doconeill]

How do you download it to the ipod without Itunes?

I would just download the MP3 file via the link on the site, save it to disk, then import it into iTunes. THEN you can sync it to the ipod.

And I would SOOOOO beta test Project X for you guys...except we are really trying to be good about spending right now so can't justify getting the ipod right now...last couple trips hurt the wallet...

 

[WebmasterJohn]

The DIS is sponsoring a 5-night/6-day ABD tour in Hollywood next April for only $2219/pp double occupancy - and that's a $400/pp savings! That's $4438 for a couple: $887.60/night for 5 nights or $739.67/day if you're counting it as 6 days! I don't know if the Podcast crew ranted about those prices, but they should've.

Having been on an ABD trip and knowing what they offer, and reviewing this trip and seeing what it offers, I feel that the price was in line for this vacation.

I'm pretty sure I'm not the only one to feels that way since we reached maximum occupancy for this ABD in about 36 hours and had to start a waitlist for the another date.

These ABD trips are certainly not for everyone as they are expensive, but for those that can afford it they offer some pretty incredible experiences.

Plus - I'm sure we will come up with some ideas/things to do on our own that will increase the value for those taking this trip

 

[DisneyKevin]

Just finished listening to my 2nd Podcast. During the discussion of the 2010 dining plan price increase during busier times of the year, someone (John or Kevin) mentioned getting the Tables in Wonderland discount card. Unfortunately that probably won't help many families who get the dining plan because it is available only to Florida residents and annual passholders.

Many of the folks that listen to our show regularly have realized that buying at least one annual pass allows them to take advantage of annual passholder rates, free parking, Tables in Wonderland etc.

The folks that listen to our show regularly are pretty savvy folks.

 

[NancyIL]

Having been on an ABD trip and knowing what they offer, and reviewing this trip and seeing what it offers, I feel that the price was in line for this vacation.

I'm pretty sure I'm not the only one to feels that way since we reached maximum occupancy for this ABD in about 36 hours and had to start a waitlist for the another date.

These ABD trips are certainly not for everyone as they are expensive, but for those that can afford it they offer some pretty incredible experiences.

Plus - I'm sure we will come up with some ideas/things to do on our own that will increase the value for those taking this trip

I'm sure they are great experiences...just not family-friendly in the budget sense.

 

[DisneyKevin]

I'm sure they are great experiences...just not family-friendly in the budget sense.

Not all experiences are aimed at families.

There are many Disney experiences aimed at adults.

That being said....there were several familes on our Adventure and if you read the ABD boards, there are plenty of folks taking kida on these "once in a life time" trips.

 

[WebmasterJohn]

I'm sure they are great experiences...just not family-friendly in the budget sense.

I think it depends on your family, your budget and what you're looking to get out of a vacation. Each family/Disney traveler is different. There is a Southwest Splendor ABD that is very popular with families and fill up very fast for the summer months.

As with the DDP increase if you feel that the ABD trips are too much then boycott those - don't take them. The only way Disney will listen is if we speak with our wallets.

 

[WaltD4Me]

Having been on an ABD trip and knowing what they offer, and reviewing this trip and seeing what it offers, I feel that the price was in line for this vacation.

I'm pretty sure I'm not the only one to feels that way since we reached maximum occupancy for this ABD in about 36 hours and had to start a waitlist for the another date.

These ABD trips are certainly not for everyone as they are expensive, but for those that can afford it they offer some pretty incredible experiences.

Plus - I'm sure we will come up with some ideas/things to do on our own that will increase the value for those taking this trip

I completely agree. I've read several trip reports about the ABD Hollywood trip and from those I think they are worth the price. I couldn't swing the ABD trip, especially as a solo, but it wasn't because I thought it was too expensive, I just couldn't manage it this year. I'm saving for next year though!
(hint, hint)

The peak season dining plan increase though is APPALLING. I have never used the dining plan myself, so it doesn't even effect me, but it still made me so mad that they increased it during a time when you probably won't be able to get reservations anywhere in the first place. Sometimes Disney does things that are so stupid and so completely insulting and guest hostile, that I just want to say I am done with them. I'm not, but if they keep it up....

 

[NancyIL]

Many of the folks that listen to our show regularly have realized that buying at least one annual pass allows them to take advantage of annual passholder rates, free parking, Tables in Wonderland etc.

The folks that listen to our show regularly are pretty savvy folks.

I mentioned the comment made by you or John about Tables in Wonderland because you didn't clarify that it was for annual passholders/FL residents only. Annual passholders and FL residents may know that, but the casual Podcast listener might not.

 

[NancyIL]

I think it depends on your family, your budget and what you're looking to get out of a vacation. Each family/Disney traveler is different. There is a Southwest Splendor ABD that is very popular with families and fill up very fast for the summer months.

As with the DDP increase if you feel that the ABD trips are too much then boycott those - don't take them. The only way Disney will listen is if we speak with our wallets.

The DDP increase doesn't affect me, because I DO have the Tables in Wonderland card. And although I CAN "afford" DCL cruises in Europe and ABD trips - I have already spoken with my wallet by not booking them.

 

[DisneyKevin]

I mentioned the comment made by you or John about Tables in Wonderland because you didn't clarify that it was for annual passholders/FL residents only. Annual passholders and FL residents may know that, but the casual Podcast listener might not.

If we were to clarify each and every thing we say...we wouldnt have listeners, as we would bore them to death.

We offer a podcast, a website, discussion forums. the chance to email questions, call in shows, a live chat, personal appearances and our own personal email addresses just in casr anyone has any questions about information given on the podcast.

But thanks for pointing it out.

 

[NancyIL]

If we were to clarify each and every thing we say...we wouldnt have listeners, as we would bore them to death.

We offer a podcast, a website, discussion forums. the chance to email questions, call in shows, a live chat, personal appearances and our own personal email addresses just in casr anyone has any questions about information given on the podcast.

But thanks for pointing it out.

Don't mention it! See you tonight in chat!

 

[WebmasterJohn]

And although I CAN "afford" DCL cruises in Europe and ABD trips - I have already spoken with my wallet by not booking them.

Excellent. It's only through economic means that Disney will recognize what people like/don't like or feel what is or isn't financially acceptable.

There are many folks who feel the Med Cruises and ABD trips are an appropriate value and spend their money on them as they see fit. If there weren't we would not be seeing the Magic in Europe for a second year or the ABD program continue.

At some point these two might reach a point where they cost too much and the consumer stops buying them and Disney changes/moves onto to something new. I just don't think we've reached that point yet with those products.

But from the response to Pete's rants and other threads I have read on the boards I think we have reached that point with the DDP.

This is one of the benefits of capitalism.

 

[NancyIL]

Excellent. It's only through economic means that Disney will recognize what people like/don't like or feel what is or isn't financially acceptable.

There are many folks who feel the Med Cruises and ABD trips are an appropriate value and spend their money on them as they see fit. If there weren't we would not be seeing the Magic in Europe for a second year or the ABD program continue.

At some point these two might reach a point where they cost too much and the consumer stops buying them and Disney changes/moves onto to something new. I just don't think we've reached that point yet with those products.

But from the response to Pete's rants and other threads I have read on the boards I think we have reached that point with the DDP.

This is one of the benefits of capitalism.

From what I read on the ABD board, Disney cancelled a number of their overseas tours this summer due to lack of participants. I don't know if Disney offered any discounts on the remaining tours, but the demand wasn't what they hoped it would be. And while many people are willing to pay the sticker price for DCL's 2010 Europe cruises, DCL has had to offer a kids sail free promotion for their early Med cruises.

It will be interesting to see if people truly vote with their feet regarding the dining plan in 2010, or if they'll just grouse about the prices but continue to pay.

 

[lurkyloo]

Great podcast!

One little thing that's driving me nuts: It's Bay Lake ToweR, not "towers" plural. The building has only one tower!

 

[WebmasterJohn]

From what I read on the ABD board, Disney cancelled a number of their overseas tours this summer due to lack of participants. I don't know if Disney offered any discounts on the remaining tours, but the demand wasn't what they hoped it would be. And while many people are willing to pay the sticker price for DCL's 2010 Europe cruises, DCL has had to offer a kids sail free promotion for their early Med cruises.

ABD entered 2009 with way too many adventures - both foreign and domestic. They over estimated the response and interest they would get from one year to the next and were forced to cut back. The trips remain popular, just not popular enough to justify such a large increase in number and frequency.

It's one thing to put out more product than you can sell than it is to over price current inventory to the point that no one will purchase it.

The Med cruises with the Kids Sail Free promo are for 4 sail dates that are extremely inconvenient for families with children. Disney did the same thing last year when they had a southern caribbean cruise in September and wondered why they couldn't fill the ship. They eventually had to offer extreme discounts on those cruises.

This goes along with what we discussed this week. There seems to be very little forethought in much of what is done these days.

Instead of offering a ton of ABD trips why not offer less, fill the ones you have and then add more? If you want to fill your ships during times when most kids are in school why not price those lower to begin with and then raise the price as the ship fills?

I honestly don't see the correlation you do between ABD, Med Cruises and the staggered pricing with the dining plan. To me it's comparing apples-to-oranges.

 

[WebmasterJohn]

Great podcast!

One little thing that's driving me nuts: It's Bay Lake ToweR, not "towers" plural. The building has only one tower!

I was referring to it in the possessive...The Bay Lake Tower's location...The Bay Lake Tower's walkway...

OK, not really, but it almost sounded convincing......

 

[lugnut33]

I know this is crazy talk, but when I think Disney I immediately think great customer service, top notch entertainment, and high quality goods. If Disney starts to lack on what I find important (my perception) I won't spend my money there.

Well, I don't like the dining choices in Disney because they are really expensive for the food you get, therefore I'm eating at other places. I'm sure the free dining people are happy with me that I won't be clogging up their tables with my cash food purchases. Do you think Disney is happy they have pushed me out of the Disney restaurants?

I would be really interested in doing an ABD because I would bet the customer service is great, they'll provide top notch entertainment, and anything we receive will be high quality. If at the end of trip I didn't feel I got my money's worth, I'd never go again. Oh, just like the DDP.

As for the tours Dreams U. set up for California.... I so wanted to go because I feel that the whole DU crew would put on a really really super great trip. However it's not to be due to its cost. So, I'm putting my eggs in the Universal Land and Sea trip that I hope comes to fruition. I am putting my trust in their hands because from what I hear on the podcast and what I read here on the boards the DU teams goes that extra mile for their clients. Something Disney does, but not as much anymore especially with dining.

Well, that was long winded.

 

[vwlfan]

I know Itunes had a problem posting the 8/5 show. I downloaded it this morning. But I am getting the call - in show from last week.

Am I doing something wrong>?

 

[doconeill]

I know Itunes had a problem posting the 8/5 show. I downloaded it this morning. But I am getting the call - in show from last week.

Am I doing something wrong>?

The 8/5 show for some reason got followed up by last week's two shows in the datafile iTunes uses. I just deleted those without downloading.

I just checked now, and this week's email show is now available.