Did anyone notice how few FD bookings there are this year compared to last year?

[Momto3Girls&Max]

In anticipation of FD 2009, I went back and read over the thread from last year. By this time the first day of FD there were pages upon pages of posts with people posting their deals. Seems to me like bookings are WAY down by comparison.

 

[Va-bear]

I was just thinking the same thing - makes me kind of sad really.

 

[TheRatPack]

Yea, I remember last year that by the time you posted there were 2 or 3 more pages of post.....it was a very big thread and very fast. We booked bounceback so we didn't really contribute a whole lot to this years FD post...maybe the post will grow in size after it's open to the general public on Monday?

 

[bethzfl]

well remember this is just for disney visa people now.. im sure once it's open to everyone, you'll see more bookings.

 

[DisneyBaby2004]

I was thinking the same thing. Even though I never booked FD before I LOVED the hoopla and the continuous posts. It was weird yesterday and today when I keep logging on to read posts and after an hour span there were maybe only two or three additional posts.

 

[diskris]

When we called today for the first time to book our trip the reservationist said that we were the first person to call for her that used the free dining code and that was at 11:30. We then called back at around 12:30 to book for a family member and had a different reservationist and he said that we were the first person to book free dining for him so far that day.

We thought that was really odd.

 

[tripletots]

Also remember that a lot of people received pincodes for free dining back in January and I did the bounceback last August for FD.

 

[katiebsmom]

There is definately a noticable drop off in people here and other Disney boards talking about trips period. I know that my DH and I have just had to relocate for job reasons just this past month so this next trip is only happening with extra money I can manage to come up with above and beyond his salary. We know a few dozen people who have lost jobs and are having a hard time living, much less vacationing.

I just hope that things pick up soon so that people can begin to live normally again...at least here in my area.

 

[disneyJMD]

I absolutely was noticing the same thing yesterday. I was looking forward to everyones discussion--even if they were duplicate questions!
I booked a trip unsure if it will even happen as my husband office is not doing very well and he has some major concerns about how long they will be able to stay open. Hopefully things will work themselves out and business will pick up.

 

[PrincessTiffany]

In anticipation of FD 2009, I went back and read over the thread from last year. By this time the first day of FD there were pages upon pages of posts with people posting their deals. Seems to me like bookings are WAY down by comparison.

Well, you have to remember, they sent out those free dining pin codes to everybody and their brother, so a lot of people already booked on that. And a lot of people are used to looking for the free dining announcement the first week of April. The free dining code is coming out about a week earlier than it has in the past years.

 

[BillyFeat]

The fact that we are seeing "7 for 4" offers and free dining codes is indicative of hard economic times. I mean two years ago could you imagine Disney offering a 7 for 4 package! 7 for 5 was big news a few years ago.

 

[disneymagicgirl]

i usually do FD, but this year we are going with the 4/3 deal...way better deal for us!

 

[G66]

i usually do FD, but this year we are going with the 4/3 deal...way better deal for us!

We used 4/3 as a great opportunity to upgrade our resort.

There's no pent up demand as in past years. 4/3 soaked it up.

 

[Momto8]

We have been going to WDW for FD since 2006 and this year we will only have about half going because of the economy. We usually have 30-34 in our Grand Gathering. This year we have 17 going. We booked FD on the bounceback last September, but in the past, I would still be calling at 7:00am on the first day for more relatives who wanted to join us and take advantage of the FD. This is the first year that I did not have to call for anyone.

DS was laid off from his job right before Christmas (he's an electrician and new housing is down in the Atlanta area) and still has been unable to find work, so he and his family will not be going. While DD is booked to go, her DH's work has cut back on their hours. Other DS's hours have been cut too (he does Corporate events and parties), and they have laid off most of his employees since corporations are cutting back on this kind of stuff. DS is management and they (management) are doing the work of employees now. Other DD's husband had to lay off a couple of his employees (he's a chemist but is in management) and while his job is okay right now, their company is not doing that well, so who knows what will happen there.

I really believe bookings are down because of the economy. Disney would not be offering so many discounts if they weren't.