Discounts

[CleoPahd]

My Disney travel guy posted today that there are rumors of new discounts coming on Monday, Dec 21st.

January 3rd through June 3rd, 5 nights minimum: Value Resort Packages will get a $300 gift card, Moderates will get $500 and Deluxes will get $750.

Blackout Dates from March 28-April 10

Anyone else hear anything about this?

 

[jlewisinsyr]

Would seem counter to the speech given to investors that Disney is looking to scale back discounts, but it wouldn't suprise me.

 

[Luv2Roam]

 

[everest]

The top executive at the Walt Disney Co. said this morning that he expects his company’s theme parks will scale back discounting during the second half of 2010, though he acknowledged that “we don’t know when we will essentially be able to turn it off.”

2nd half but we'll see.
Lets hope for everyone's sake that the economy roars back so much that Disney can let up on discounts.

 

[CleoPahd]

Would seem counter to the speech given to investors that Disney is looking to scale back discounts, but it wouldn't suprise me.

That's what I was thinking too...

That's why I was wondering if anyone else has heard anything about this.

 

[Chautauqua]

This could be a logical start to discount reductions. After June they could then reduce the $ amount over time until it disappears altogether.

Or perhaps there will be strings attached. For instance, what if they give you the gift card but it is only valid after that trip (gets mailed to you after the trip), or maybe it's only valid toward the purchase of a future trip, and maybe with an expiration date that would force you to use it or lose it. This would entice people to return again in the future. Plus, if something like that was done, not all of the cards would get redeemed, meaning that they wouldn't have to shell out all of the money. Look at the millions of dollars in gift cards that never get redeemed in this country. Gift cards are a money maker for stores since so many cards never get used. (It wouldn't be a money maker in this case, but the full cost to them wouldn't be realized, compared to free hotel nights which cost them the full loss of room revenue on every single vacation booked. With my scenario not every vacation's gift card would be redeemed, meaning they wouldn't lose money on every vacation booked with the promotion)

I don't see them doing it without strings attached, and more than just a minimum stay requirement.

 

[WDWKOOK]

I posted this earlier on the Codes and Rates thread in the Resorts forum:

From: http://blog.touringplans.com/

Yes, Virginia, There Is A New Discount Coming Out on December 21

by Len Testa on December 17, 2009

DEAR EDITOR: I am 8 years old.

“Some of my little friends say there is no new discount coming out on December 21.

“Papa says, ‘If you see it in TouringPlans.com it’s so.’

“Please tell me the truth; is there a new discount coming out on the 21st?

- Virginia

Yes, Virginia, there is a new discount coming out on December 21. It exists as certainly as Buzz and Woody and Belle exist, and you know that they abound and give to your life its highest beauty and joy. Alas! how dreary would be the world if there were no discounts! It would be as dreary as if there were no Virginias. There would be no childlike faith then, no Splash Mountain, no Tower of Terror to make tolerable this existence. We should have no enjoyment, except in sense and sight. The eternal light with which childhood fills the world would be extinguished.

Not believe in discounts! You might as well not believe in fairies!

[Note: In keeping with Bob Iger's recent statements about 2010 discounts we don't expect this discount to be as steep as Buy-4-Get-3-Free or Buy-5-Get-2-Free.

Update: We hear there's a five-day minimum. Travel dates are January 3 through June 3, 2010. Those who stay at value resorts will get a $300 gift card. Moderate resorts get a $500 gift card. Deluxes get a $750 gift card. Blackout dates are March 28 through April 10, 2010. There's limited availability.]