Disney cutting back discounts in 2010.

[fireman17]

To me I think this may cut back crowd levels, what are your opinions?

Disney's Iger says discounts will be scaled back
By Leah Zanolla
Dec 9, 2009

In what seems like an attempt to get people to plan Disney vacations sooner rather than later, Disney Chief Executive Officer Bob Iger announced that the company will start phasing out their deep discounts in late 2010. In order to draw people into the parks in this rough economy, Disney has offered several large discounts this year, including the extension of the free dining promotion and a buy-4-get-7 night deal. The strategy has been working to keep the parks filled, but the bottom line budget has still been affected. Operating profit for the resort fell 25 percent in 2009. Some say that the company is hurting their future business, by leading people to expect such discounts or bringing people in who may have been planning a trip at a later date. Iger doesn't agree. He says that the discounts have brought in new customers who may not have been able to visit without the discounts. He made no indications on exactly when the discounts would be scaled back.

 

[Pixiedust34]

Free dining started in 2005 and many people assume that the free dining promotion is a given each year. I wonder if they'll eventually scale back even on the free dining promotion?

 

[Acklander]

While the discounts are cool, I'll look at the bright side and consider it a positive sign that the economy is improving.
The discounts have been HUGE this year, but they can't go on forever without major cuts elsewhere. The bottom line, is it's about the bottom line.

 

[jrmasm]

To me I think this may cut back crowd levels, what are your opinions?

For purely selfish reasons I hope so.

 

[bicker]

Free dining started in 2005 and many people assume that the free dining promotion is a given each year. I wonder if they'll eventually scale back even on the free dining promotion?

Well, the free dining promotion has effectively been scaled back, as the Dining Plan itself has been modified over time.

 

[Carl]

I'd like to see the free dining go bye-bye.

 

[sunnyday123]

I'd like to see the free dining go bye-bye.

Really? I like free dining, but I've used the dining plan when it wasn't free. It helped plan my days. What don't you like about it?

 

[LoraJ]

I'd like to see the free dining go bye-bye.

Me too!!!

 

[jrmasm]

Me too!!!

Me three.

 

[PatsMom]

Me three.

Me four! Definite decline in variety and quality at restaurants since the inception of the dining plan. And free dining made the situation even worse!

 

[Briarmom]

Me four! Definite decline in variety and quality at restaurants since the inception of the dining plan. And free dining made the situation even worse!

Agreed.

I am not a dining plan fan at all.

 

[NeverlandClub23]

It should be interesting to see where this thread goes.

Ever since 1999 we've always had pretty good discounts going to Disney (even in '99 we got a 40% off room code). Now we've never done any of the packages (it's always been cheaper for us to do a room only discount, buy discounted tickets, and pay OOP for meals [I think it's a huge misconception on the DIS to think that getting the dining plan is the best way to afford TS meals, we eat two TS meals a day and snacks and still come out better than paying for the dining plan]) as we stay deluxe most of the time but I have noticed a general decline in park cleanliness and the quality of Disney trips (not saying they still aren't miles ahead of any other amusement/theme park). I don't look for the negative, by any means, but it's hard to not notice the monorail full of left behind trash that was consistently there and didn't ever used to be. I guess it just depends on what you have to compare it too. There'd be a lot of people that would say "I don't pay attention to those things. I just enjoy my trip". I enjoy my trip too but I do have expectations that Disney holds itself to a higher standard than Busch Gardens, etc. but certainly don't let it "ruin" my trip. If it means not giving the "huge" discounts so that they can be able to make a bigger profit and take better care of WDW, I'm all for it (even if it means I have to save up a bit longer to go).

Free dining has definitely led to the decline of the quality/quantity/variety of food offered and also made getting ADR's for a more "popular" restaurant almost impossible even getting up at the crack of dawn on the exact day you can make ADR's.

 

[Jennasis]

We like the Dining Plan and have never had it free.

 

[Feralpeg]

I'd like to see the free dining go bye-bye.

Me too! If they do away with free dining, I might actually be able to get an ADR once in a while. As a local, getting into Disney restaurants has become very difficult since free dining began. Most people do not plan where they will be eating months in advance when they are not on vacation. I used to be able to call a week in advance to get an ADR. Now, it is almost impossible to get anything unless I plan months in advance.

 

[m&m's mom]

Do not like the dining plan at all for a variety of reasons. One being that it has made it much more difficult to get the ADR's I want; too much food at the wrong time. I may want dessert an hour later but no provision to do that.
I am also glad the parks may not be as crowded if discounts are scaled back. We may stay at a moderate instead of a deluxe, but we would probably still go.

 

[dislaney]

I'd like to see free dining go also. It would be nice to be able to get an ADR without having to make plans months in advance.

 

[Mr.MouseFan]

Another vote for the elimination of free dining. I would happily pay more for my trip if it meant a reduction in crowd levels and/or the return of an actual "slow season".

 

[Missy1961]

I guess it depends on what "scaling back" means. If I can get room discounts, I'm there. I prefer to pay less for my room, buy discounted tickets thru a vendor & pay for meals out of pocket. I'm another who doesn't really like free dining.

Now if the scaled back discounts mean just packages, I'd probably skip Disney. I've been thinking about going to Universal, and that might make me do it. (plus the Harry Potter stuff).

 

[eliza61]

Discounts are double edge swords. I think Disney may be running into the same problem the Department stores are seeing. In order to get people into your parks you must take deep hits. It use to be that if you filled the room you could count on making money from people spending. Unfortunately because of the recession, even if people are going they are holding tight to their money.

What will be interesting is will people pay full price for the cut backs around the parks.
I think the food nowadays is mediocre at best, I think it's because of the dining plan but who knows.
Cuts in shows and live entertainment have made the parks not so magical. I'm so glad we went when Fantasmic was shown nightly because now that's its been cut back, it's barely worth the hassle.

So if they take away the discounts will they bring back the quality?

 

[C.Ann]

Although I'm sure it's been a real treat for others - and have afforded them the ability to go to Disney (especially families) - I wouldn't mind seeing the Free Dining go.. I've never used it - wouldn't pay for me to do so because I eat so little - and when going with others, the DE card was fine for us.. But on the other hand, I can see where it would make it almost unaffordable for decent size families to make a trip with the increase in ticket costs, air fare, etc., if the Free Dining went away..

However, if they don't have decent discounts on room rates, we would never stay on property again.. As far as I'm concerned, there's not one room on Disney property that is worth the "rack rate".. IMO