CM told me PIN codes based on targeted areas...

[A Mickeyfan]

Trekker is right - but i will say Nannon16 that NJ has one of the highest concentrations for visitors than any other state, so its likely that we (yes i'm from Central NJ too) get skipped a bit more than others.

How did you calc that NJ has the highest amout of visitors?? Not being nasty but just wondering? I would tend to think the highest are the ones that are within driving distance and can get a fast weekend in.. Fl & GA being the tops.. not everyone here gets codes either..but in all fairness, Fl residents do get the FL resident rates.. I think it is just a matter of how Disney targets.. I go often & have never gotten a post card or email (to my knowledge). In fact, when my son's baseball team stayed at the AS Sports for their tourney , some of the parents had never stayed there before. They all got post cards to return about 6 months later.. I did not.. now how the heck can you explain that one.. same town, some the same zip.. only difference is that they never went back & I did...
This time I had my TA book.. this is the only time in my history of going did I ever get something like this... I go very often.. living only 3 hours away for the last 15 years.. and before that, from 1974-1991, traveled at least 1-2 times a year from NY...

 

[A Mickeyfan]

Maybe I shouldn't have used 'logic'. Perhaps 'common sense' is more applicable.

If I ran a business that had people beating down my door, I would not need to float special offers. If I ran a global business that drew more people from one geographic location than another, COMMON SENSE dictates that I would focus special offers on those locations where I would enjoy increased traffic.

Common sense also dictates that I would stand to LOSE money if I offered discounts in areas that I already enjoy high consumer traffic.


Why don't you see sales ANYWHERE two weeks before Christmas? Because companies know that they don't need to offer any incentives to get people into their stores.

Why are there no WDW incentives during peak seasons? .....

There is a reason why one week out of the year (at WDW) has been designated 'Jersey Week' . Why offer incentives if we are going to go anyway? I guaran-darn-tee you that WDW knows it.

Who designated it Jersey week?? Is it Disney? I know Gay Week did not come from them per say & they do not give discounts on rooms to lure them there..... .... Does Disney give you a discount on your room for Jersey week??? I didn't think they did...
to be honest, I never saw Jeresy week on a Disney Calander of Events, only saw it mentioned here & other posting boards.. I am really confused on what & why there is a Jersey Week...

 

[A Mickeyfan]

I wonder if anyone in GA ever gets a code.

GA use to get the same Fl resident rates, but I don't know if they do that anymore.. they should since GA is so close...

 

[angiedora]

I wish we got the fl discount. We live 8 hours away. 2005 was my first trip and I'm now obsessed with going back!!

 

[pezpam]

From mousesavers.com:

"Jersey Week" - Usually the first or second week of November. The New Jersey schools have a teachers' convention (upcoming convention dates: November 8-10, 2007; November 6-8, 2008). Lots of people pull their kids out of school for the whole week and add on the weekend before and/or after, taking this opportunity to go to Disney World in the "off season." New Jersey is the single biggest market for Walt Disney World -- you do the math!


It *is* only speculation, but at least the speculation that a company wouldn't offer the bulk of its incentives to a market they've already convinced to use their services makes sense. If a company wanted to reward frequent customers, they're not as likely to keep that program quiet. Think about all of those companies you use that have frequent-buyer programs - airlines, bookstores, grocery stores, etc. They tend to trumpet the program, not make it as non-transparent and confusing as these codes have become.

No, I have no proof and no, I'm not claiming to have figured it out. All I'm saying is that this guess at least makes business sense. It's obviously not the whole picture here, but maybe it's a part of it......

Me? After my first visit, which I thought would be my only one, I got a postcard code, which I used. Since then, we've returned several times and even the CM on my last booking call said something (we were joking with each other) about not having to convince us to return. I've never had a postcard or email code since that first one. I'll be happy if I get one, but it'd make more business sense to send one to someone they don't already know will return without the discount.

Now, if they start a frequent-visitor program that works for me, I'll sign up!

 

[CF'er]

I wonder if anyone in GA ever gets a code.

I got a post card last year I believe. Couldn't use it.

When I called to inquire about the 40% off code I was told I had a pin that expired in Jan. It may be linked to the post card. Not sure.

Yes, I'm from Georgia.

 

[Liz]

After this round of codes I'm convinced they target people who they show have been to WDW and haven't returned for awhile. We go to WDW every 12-18 months and usually book a new vacation soon after returning home from the last one. I never, ever get a code.

Two years ago we traveled with our friends and it was their first visit. Both rooms were under my name. This time I got the 40% off code mailed to my house addressed to my friend. They haven't rebooked or returned to WDW since that one trip in 2005. So I think their name came up as someone who went awhile ago and has not made plans to return.

I'm sure they can see there's no reason to lure me back with a code since I am always planning another trip anyway.

 

[Gillian]

Who designated it Jersey week?? Is it Disney? I know Gay Week did not come from them per say & they do not give discounts on rooms to lure them there..... .... Does Disney give you a discount on your room for Jersey week??? I didn't think they did...
to be honest, I never saw Jeresy week on a Disney Calander of Events, only saw it mentioned here & other posting boards.. I am really confused on what & why there is a Jersey Week...

It's not an official Disney thing, but every year teachers from NJ schools have a convention where all public schools are closed for 2 days. This often occurs in the same week as Election day and many schools close for that too. People take their kids out for vacation then so they only miss 2-3 days. It's a slow week at school for the kids who are there!

The first couple of weeks in November when this happens are usually slow so there are sometimes special rates. They sure aren't special for NJ though!

BTW, I'm in central NJ (zip starts with 08 if anyone is keeping track) and we also DID NOT get a code.

 

[nannon16]

This is all very true but we do have some rules for this new sport on the DIS!

1. You must be an amateur - no professional speculation is allowed.
2. You must only speculate about things we know nothing about
3. You must speculate with out getting argumentative or sarcastic (hint hint)

Thanks Trekker - I didn't mean for this to spark a debate when I posted...I know CM's aren't always correct in what they tell us, but everyone who had not gotten a code wanted to know why they couldn't participate in such an unusual promotion. I had been given some sort of an explanation and thought I would pass along to try to be helpful. This whole thing just seems to have everyone on edge!

 

[G&J's Mom]

I wish we got the fl discount. We live 8 hours away. 2005 was my first trip and I'm now obsessed with going back!!

I am also in GA and have received a post card a couple of times. So they do come our way occasionally I did not get one for this newest offer though. Universal offers Fl discounts to GA. That would be sweet if WDW would!

Denise

 

[Von Drake]

Who designated it Jersey week?? Is it Disney? I know Gay Week did not come from them per say & they do not give discounts on rooms to lure them there..... .... Does Disney give you a discount on your room for Jersey week??? I didn't think they did...
to be honest, I never saw Jeresy week on a Disney Calander of Events, only saw it mentioned here & other posting boards.. I am really confused on what & why there is a Jersey Week...

Google 'Jersey Week'.

NOT WDW Jersey Week
NOT Disney Jersey Week

Just 'Jersey Week'
...See what comes up

I did not imply in any way that 'Jersey Week' is an officially recognized event.
This is about marketing strategy relating to discounts. There are 52 weeks in a year... Why aren't there 49 state 'weeks' ?

Your Google search should have shown you that 'Jersey Week' is an UNOFFICIALLY recognized event... Go to WDW and ask a CM how well known it is...

Back to the original thought on this thread:
Again, why would WDW offer discounts to an area that already represents a historically active customer base?

Remember, this thread is about WDW's marketing strategy regarding dissemination of discount opportunites.




BTW, I believe the Hilton in WDW Hotel Plaza is the primary lodging choice for Gay Week. I do not know if discounts are offered.

 

[calypso*a*go-go]

We have gone many, many times and had never received any code whatsoever via email or snail mail. I called last week to see if we would qualify for the 40% promo and was told we were a "test family" and was given the discount. I called back to make some changes and was told the resv could not be modified. I asked the CM to please double-check, was put on hold, and then had all of my requests met. Maybe there is something to the zip code thing...for the record, we live in WA state.

 

[mking624]

Maybe I shouldn't have used 'logic'. Perhaps 'common sense' is more applicable.

If I ran a business that had people beating down my door, I would not need to float special offers. If I ran a global business that drew more people from one geographic location than another, COMMON SENSE dictates that I would focus special offers on those locations where I would enjoy increased traffic.

Common sense also dictates that I would stand to LOSE money if I offered discounts in areas that I already enjoy high consumer traffic.


Why don't you see sales ANYWHERE two weeks before Christmas? Because companies know that they don't need to offer any incentives to get people into their stores.

Why are there no WDW incentives during peak seasons? .....

There is a reason why one week out of the year (at WDW) has been designated 'Jersey Week' . Why offer incentives if we are going to go anyway? I guaran-darn-tee you that WDW knows it.

Anywhere? I beg to differ. I work retail at The Disney Store. There are always sales going on there...and we did have a sale two weeks before Christmas. Actually we had all kinds of sales throughout the holidays and throughout December. Out of the last four years, I've worked 3 Christmases there....there are always sales going on, even during the holidays. This past Christmas during the month of December we also had coupons that were for an addition 15%-20% off most things in the store (including clearance). Last Christmas I was the assistant manager at another store...we had a sale there as well (buy one get one free sale...and this was for items retailing at $150-$400 a piece). And actually, at the mall I work at, a lot of stores had sales going on. My DH's store also had various items on sale as well. So before you say anywhere, should make sure it's true.

Going by your "common sense" argument then, it would also have to be taken to the point where Disney should skip their discounts over anyone who has historically been an active customer...and yet we have seen that is simply not true. This is why I am saying it is pure speculation.

 

[natenapril]

NJ NY and PA represent a fair percentage of WDW guests- both new and return... These three states are also among the top five in DVC ownership.

Please don't let my DH know this or he will not let us move to PA next year

 

[mickeysaver]

My boss and my coworker got the code offer, neither plan to use it, but a former coworker and I did not get the code offer and of course both of us would kill to have it to use this year. We are in the burbs northeast of Atlanta. Maggie

 

[keishashadow]

Just wondering, we haven't...yet

 

[catnik]

We live in Georgia, got a postcard code 3 years ago that we could not use. My mother traveled to WDW with us on one trip several years ago and they have sent her 3 different postcard codes to our address since that time. I figure we book/go to WDW yearly while she never books a trip (just comes along with us at times) which is why the cards are sent to her. Disney wants new bookings; they know their "regulars" tend to come back with or without a deal.

 

[Luv2Roam]

PURE speculation on my part -- why should I be any different?
I would guess those who have a package already booked would be less likely to get a code. (As others stated, why give it when you are returning anyway? )
I would GUESS it may be more likely if past guests did not book, or booked Room Only, or possibly inquired for rates, or requested information. (Such as for DCL or a DVD.)
None of that would guarantee. But just makes more sense than giving codes to guests who are already booked with a package.
Of course all the market targeting comes into play which throws a lot out anyway.

Besides the general AP e-mails, the two times I received a postcard in the mail were times I did not have a trip booked.

 

[Von Drake]

Please don't let my DH know this or he will not let us move to PA next year

Last August, we visited our DVC rep while we were in WDW. At that time, he told me that PA is the #1 residence state of DVC owners.
Don't worry, I will not spill the beans to your DH.

Something else occurred to me on this thread:

For the past twenty years or so, I have not gone more than a month without an active reservation in the system. If CRO uses a query system for past guests that are currently inactive, those families would be more likely to receive a special offer. Perhaps the one and only time I got a discount offer was pure luck...

 

[A Mickeyfan]

Please forgive me for asking, but am I going crazy? I thougth this thread was closed the other night?
Now that I see it is open again, I would like to thank those that explained to me what Jersey week is.. Thank You!!