Disney and the Economy

[BridgetBordeaux]

Maybe you guys already know this, but I thought it was worth sharing........My DH was reading a national daily financial newspaper today and on the front page was piece about Disney trying to build a park in China. That is NOT what he found interesting. The interesting parts were a couple of paragraphs that talked about the multiple promotions and discounts being offered now because, as of November 2008, their bookings had dropped bigtime for the first few months of 2009. Apparently they could tell that if they did not start to cut some prices, people would not show up in normal numbers.

 

[eliza61]

Hey
Had to be some reason they came out with 4/3 and those 40% codes.

 

[ssawka]

Yes, but they're robbing Peter to save Paul. They are running all kinds of promotions on the hotels, but then raising prices for park tickets.

 

[Atchley]

Let's hope that numbers don't go up in July so maybe they'll come out with a code or a deal for us! Who am I kidding? There will be a lot of tour groups there.

 

[smylie1]

We are going Jan.2010 and at first I was saying that I hoped they ran another deal like the 4/3. After thinking about it, I would like to save money, but if there is no deal, maybe there won't be as many people there when we are. Is that warped?

 

[ajleone]

Yes, but they're robbing Peter to save Paul. They are running all kinds of promotions on the hotels, but then raising prices for park tickets.

They raise the park tickets every year, sometimes twice, so this is not unusual.

 

[billwendy]

We were there in October, and it was more crowded than usual during that time of year. We were also there last week and it was MOBBED!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[swald91]

They raise the park tickets every year, sometimes twice, so this is not unusual.

Not just a price increase on tix-but they are cutting back on parades & shows & no P&P Party...

 

[maccagerl]

Maybe you guys already know this, but I thought it was worth sharing........My DH was reading a national daily financial newspaper today and on the front page was piece about Disney trying to build a park in China. That is NOT what he found interesting. The interesting parts were a couple of paragraphs that talked about the multiple promotions and discounts being offered now because, as of November 2008, their bookings had dropped bigtime for the first few months of 2009. Apparently they could tell that if they did not start to cut some prices, people would not show up in normal numbers.

I don't know how accurate this is, but when I was at the parks last week, I had a few cast members tell me that Disney currently has a freeze on hiring and transfers due to low attendance and projected decreased attendance next year.

 

[vod2117]

I don't know how accurate this is, but when I was at the parks last week, I had a few cast members tell me that Disney currently has a freeze on hiring and transfers due to low attendance and projected decreased attendance next year.

I don't believe so, since many people I hear are still attending the parks and hotels and Disney doesn't seem to be having as big of a problem as many of the other large operations out there.

 

[dqpowell]

Yes, but they're robbing Peter to save Paul. They are running all kinds of promotions on the hotels, but then raising prices for park tickets.

They are not raising ticket prices right now. The "increased" prices listed on the WDWinfo page were not really increased prices... the webmaster was experimenting with putting the after-tax prices up instead of the pre-tax prices. All has been put back to normal now.

David

 

[jey]

I am hearing from more and more people that they are going to Disney this year. This was before the deals came out. We only go every even year. We thought about an extra trip due to all the deals but it just isn't in the cards. Other trips and work are keep getting in the way of another trip.

 

[disnut8]

Yes, Disney is doing some cutbacks and offering promotions. They are just like any other business out there. I don't see what the big deal is with all that. Disney is not shutting its door, not declaring bankruptcy and shows no signs of slowing down that much. Most cutbacks are things that can be reinstated after this passes or things that were not that profitable or popular to begin with.

I'm taking the same amount of trips to Disney World next year. I do live closer (8 hours away) than most people but the economy hasn't hurt where I prefer to vacation. To me, Disney is still the best vacation bargain out there. It's almost all-inclusive once you get there if you have a package that includes dining.

 

[*KeepMovingForward*]

I don't know how accurate this is, but when I was at the parks last week, I had a few cast members tell me that Disney currently has a freeze on hiring and transfers due to low attendance and projected decreased attendance next year.

We were told the same thing by a few CM's when we were there over Christmas.

 

[CanadianGuy]

Moving to the News & Rumors board.

Yes, attendance and resort bookings are WAY down.

 

[smylie1]

They raise the park tickets every year, sometimes twice, so this is not unusual.

Yep, I read the same types of posts last year.

 

[dqpowell]

Yep, I read the same types of posts last year.

Except that this year -- so far at least -- they have not raised prices. The earlier reports that they had were in error.

David

 

[ajleone]

Except that this year -- so far at least -- they have not raised prices. The earlier reports that they had were in error.

David

Well that's good