credit crunch & Q Lengths

[buzz for boys]

This is a really random question but what are your opinions on crowd levels dropping because of the current economic crisis ? or is the only thing that will drop the dollar ??

 

[jackieleanne]

I think currently it would be hard to tell as yes crowds where low when I went but September is a quiet month. I think next year is when the effects may be seen.

 

[buzz for boys]

We go in march which can be moderate q lengths but my sil said she thought it would be a lot quieter because of the us economic issues. Im not convinced i mean its disney - who owuld put it off ??? Interetsed to hear what others think though !!

 

[Beth__WDW23/6/02]

To be honest I can't see it having major affects,if people want to holiday "abroad" they will pay the prices which atm are pretty reasonable for flights and some packages it works out cheaper in some circumstances to go to WDW than holiday to say The canaries.
But I'm no expert

 

[madmumof2]

I agree with Beth. I don't think it'll effect much at all. Spain would have cost me £500 more next year than my WDW!

It'd be great if it's even quieter when we go though, but I doubt it! lol

 

[UKDEB]

I think it'll have a significant effect. In times of economic downturn, anything which relies on discretionary spending will take a hit and holidays are one of the first things many will cut from their expenditure. Even amongst those for whom they remain a priority, their annual second, third and fourth WDW trips are likely to get the chop. Brits make up little more than 1% of total visitor numbers, so what we choose to do won't make an enormous difference either way. Not so the impact of American travellers. Expect to see more offers aimed at pulling in crowds (such as "free" dining) over the coming 12 months.

 

[paulh]

if you look at some of disney`s offers,free dining beig offered up to december.More pins codes for discounted rooms sent out.disney are felling the pinch.
would expect more to be offered in the future.with over 25,000+ rooms onsite to be filled there is a lot of insentive for them to discount.personly think they have overdone the fre dinning,to the point its expected by people
More discounting means there finding it hard to fill rooms,and when the new sales for BLT come on line there might be a strugale to sell out at AKL. again i personly think there over expanding dvc into a monster and with airline fuel hikes what price a ticket to hawai as the exsiting places are stugleing
And the planed non disney owend values on the western beltway would be overkill as they have never got round to rest of pop
But then again might bring cost of nights down
Paulh

 

[UKDEB]

Another thing which occurs to me is that Central Florida is a huge convention destination and companies will also be feeling the pinch and cutting back. Whilst lower crowds and more offers might seem a blessing on the face of it, a thriving economy is better for us all in the long run.

 

[Old Swan]

We had a lengthy chat with a CM (one of the loaders from the Haunted Mansion) whilst waiting for the afternoon parade at MK when we were there in July. He estimated it was 20 - 25% down on previous years but did attribute this mainly to US traffic. It didnt seem to affect the amount of Brits or tour parties having a great time across the kingdom. Be interested to know what the drop offs (if any) are like next July.

Receiving almost daily another tempting offer from Disney and VH amongst others. Would guess this indicates the gloomy and uncertain economic forecasts and advance bookings to date are prompting this?

 

[DebIreland]

I agree with Deb. The U.S. recession will have a big effect on crowds. Simply put, if people have no spare cash after paying for their essentials (for those who can even manage that), they just can't go on holidays. Sad but true.