Disney doesn't do more for the annual pass holders for a reason.

[hookedonears]

I can't understand why Disney doesn't have a financing program for annual pass holders. That doesn't make since unless they're afraid that the holder will buy the pass paying only the minimum down and then make 30 trips before the next payment is due and then not pay the remaining balance. Most Corporations try to avoid legal hassles if all possible and maybe they think a financing program opens the door for same.

It seems to me that the reason why Disney doesn't do more for Annual Pass holders is because the vast majority, or at least a very, large percentage of annual pass holders are locals (live 200 miles from Orlando or less). There are only a small percentage of locals who frequently stay in the Disney hotels when they visit the parks. A large percentage of Locals are day trippers. The people who really make Disney money are the people who put heads on the Disney beds. Those people, not only stay at the hotels, but for the most part eat all of their meals at Disney. Those are the people who spend $2000,3,4,5 and even $6000 on their Disney vacations and a large percentage of those only come once a year.

 

[DisneyKevin]

I can't understand why Disney doesn't have a financing program for annual pass holders. That doesn't make since unless they're afraid that the holder will buy the pass paying only the minimum down and then make 30 trips before the next payment is due and then not pay the remaining balance. Most Corporations try to avoid legal hassles if all possible and maybe they think a financing program opens the door for same.

It seems to me that the reason why Disney doesn't do more for Annual Pass holders is because the vast majority, or at least a very, large percentage of annual pass holders are locals (live 200 miles from Orlando or less). There are only a small percentage of locals who frequently stay in the Disney hotels when they visit the parks. A large percentage of Locals are day trippers. The people who really make Disney money are the people who put heads on the Disney beds. Those people, not only stay at the hotels, but for the most part eat all of their meals at Disney. Those are the people who spend $2000,3,4,5 and even $6000 on their Disney vacations and a large percentage of those only come once a year.

This is all conjecture as Disney isnt good about sharing this information.

I think you would be surprised at the number of non-locals holding APs.

We hear the same thing all the time.....I'm fitting in 1,2 or more trips this year in order to take advantage of my AP.

Disney offers AP rates when they need to fill hotels.

Disney offered AP holders 15 months for the cost of 12.

 

[Bornteach]

Among my family we have 7 APs and we live in Massachusetts.

 

[WaltD4Me]

Are you guessing about who Annual Passholders are? I would think alot of DVC owners probably get Annual passes and I would also think there are alot of people who live farther than 200 miles, but who are still within comfortable driving distance, say a 5-7 hour drive would be pass holders. I certainly would want an annual pass if I could drive to Disney in under 8 hours. Pete has said a few times that Orlando locals aren't as interested in Disney World as Anaheim locals are in Disneyland. I know a few people in Orlando who have never been to Disney.

I understand Disney's desire to put heads on beds, but I also think not giving AP holders a little bit of a break because it won't achieve heads in beds is wrong. There are alot of AP holders on the boards that aren't locals. And is seems from reading the boards that alot are wondering if they can afford their AP renewal, especially all in one shot. Maybe Disney will reconsider.

 

[Dodie]

You're not considering the difference between the Florida resident annual pass and other annual passes. As DVC members (and I know we're not alone), we've had APs in the past and have made as many as three trips down in a year's time. We live 800 miles away.

 

[exwdwcm]

yep, i'll be a first time AP holder and am not local! now that we bought DVC, it only makes sense. I would guess a lot of DVC have APs.

 

[GraceLuvsWDW]

I am a bit peeved about the lack of "special" things for passholders too. I spend lots of $$$ at Disney each year. And you know who got bumped from Pop to the DVC resorts when they overbooked? Those non AP rate people who booked the Gift Card promo. Now, it seems to me, they'd bump the AP rate people as they're the ones that are proven Disneyholics and would be more likely to buy DVC if romanced into doing so (not to mention they're loyal passholders). Also, as far as the new AP that is for both parks, I've often wanted a bi-coastal pass but now I'm finding out to renew to an upgraded bi-coastal AP I'd lose my 15 months AND the renewal discount. What are they thinking?

You know what I think? They suppose that AP people are already regular spenders at WDW and their focus is to romance new Disneyholics. Their focus is the segment of the population who might go somewhere else.

I'm a fan, but as the years pass and the bad "tastes" continue to accumulate, I might rethink my approach. I was awfully peeved when I went to DLR and did not get one discount for having an AP for WDW. AAA members got a discount but not WDW PASSHOLDERS? Are they nuts?

OK rant over.

 

[hookedonears]

I have no idea what the numbers are, but I know Disney professes to have 50,000,000 visitors at WDW each year. I don't know how many DVC members there are, but I could probably guess that it would be a pretty small percentage of the 50MM. There are a large number of people out of the "Local" area, who come multi times per year, but again I would suspect that that number would be a much smaller percentage then the people in the "Local" area.

 

[k5jm]

This is all conjecture as Disney isnt good about sharing this information.

I think you would be surprised at the number of non-locals holding APs.

We hear the same thing all the time.....I'm fitting in 1,2 or more trips this year in order to take advantage of my AP.

Disney offers AP rates when they need to fill hotels.

Disney offered AP holders 15 months for the cost of 12.

We are getting 2 AP's and a TiW card since we will be making at least 3 trips (Loving DU) in the next year.

 

[georgemoe]

I find AP discussion most interesting.

 

[WebmasterJohn]

I'm not sure that the current number of AP holders is as significant as the POTENTIAL number of APs that could be sold if there a payment plan.

We all have said it at one time or another - Disney is a business - what better way to sell more of your product then to make it more accessible to more people. If you can't (or are unwilling to) lower the price then spread out the payments.

The more APs you sell - the more money you make - and the more potential guests you have who will visit your parks who feel they need to 'use' their passes.

Extrapolate this out to how much money may be spent on food, souveniers, other passes for family members, etc.

Seems simple to me.......

 

[mikelan6]

In this economy, Disney should be doing everything it needs to do to get more business.

 

[doconeill]

Playing a little devil's advocate (or is that mouse's advocate?)...I am an AP holder from MA - well, was. I'm an "AP holder of opportunity" as it fits in our plans, and would always welcome more perks...

Does the AP not already represent a significant discount in itself for those who would spend more than 10-14 days at WDW? Should Disney offer things like room discounts to entice those from whom they would not gain the significant income from tickets? Would it not make more sense to target room discounts towards those that would need to purchase tickets?

Why would Disney choose to throw discounts at the people who already have discounts? I know Pete loves to rant about Disney and the "loyal fans", but aren't those fans already rewarded with the AP?

Again, it is not my stance, but something that popped in my head when I read this thread. Just food for discussion. Hopefully we won't need to bring cake into it... I also understand some business reasons for discounts to those who have APs, etc. - more frequent visits gets at least some level of money per visit (food, souvies, etc.)

I'd personally love to see something like 50% off rooms during off peak to AP/DVC members, etc. I'd be more likely to top off a DVC stay with a CRO stay at a lower price point at any resort, and it would bring me closer to my goal of staying at every resort Even if I couldn't choose the resort far in advance...a little resort roulette, say...they'd still get more of my money...

 

[WaltD4Me]

I have no idea what the numbers are, but I know Disney professes to have 50,000,000 visitors at WDW each year. I don't know how many DVC members there are, but I could probably guess that it would be a pretty small percentage of the 50MM. There are a large number of people out of the "Local" area, who come multi times per year, but again I would suspect that that number would be a much smaller percentage then the people in the "Local" area.

No way of knowing any of the above. Disney doesn't release those kinds of numbers, but I would guess the opposite of your statement. I like to talk to people, granted not 50 million, but I often strike up conversations with people in the parks. We usually ask each other "Where are you from?" and it has always struck me that no one has ever told me they were from Orlando and a very few from Florida.

 

[Becx N Gav]

I think quite a few Europeans would be AP holders, maybe not consecutive years but if come across the Atlantic you tend to stay at least two weeks (I know some people stay 3 or 4 in one go) and this is a good option - although Disney UK offer 14 and 21 days tickets. You get a few perks with the AP and if you plan on taking two vacations within 12 months an AP makes sense. I am guessing the majority of AP holders are non-locals so really they need to appeal to every 'group' (not that they seem to be encouraging much at th moment)

I am a bit peeved about the lack of "special" things for passholders too. I spend lots of $$$ at Disney each year. And you know who got bumped from Pop to the DVC resorts when they overbooked? Those non AP rate people who booked the Gift Card promo. Now, it seems to me, they'd bump the AP rate people as they're the ones that are proven Disneyholics and would be more likely to buy DVC if romanced into doing so (not to mention they're loyal passholders). Also, as far as the new AP that is for both parks, I've often wanted a bi-coastal pass but now I'm finding out to renew to an upgraded bi-coastal AP I'd lose my 15 months AND the renewal discount. What are they thinking?

You know what I think? They suppose that AP people are already regular spenders at WDW and their focus is to romance new Disneyholics. Their focus is the segment of the population who might go somewhere else.

I'm a fan, but as the years pass and the bad "tastes" continue to accumulate, I might rethink my approach. I was awfully peeved when I went to DLR and did not get one discount for having an AP for WDW. AAA members got a discount but not WDW PASSHOLDERS? Are they nuts?

OK rant over.

I do agree in thinkinig they want to encourage new fans but at this rate they will lose the older ones
It annoyed me that when we first went to WDW in 2005 there were no offers (or at least none I saw as I hadn't found the Dis ) up to when we bought DVC, then because of the economy there are discounts all over the place I know I can't complain that we're members - it's great - but we always seem to 'miss out' on stuff like this

 

[hookedonears]

I think it would be a good guess that many of the people on this board are Disney lovers and a large % of same stay at Disney multi times per year and are both locals and not locals.

 

[757hokie]

I'm not sure that the current number of AP holders is as significant as the POTENTIAL number of APs that could be sold if there a payment plan.

We all have said it at one time or another - Disney is a business - what better way to sell more of your product then to make it more accessible to more people. If you can't (or are unwilling to) lower the price then spread out the payments.

The more APs you sell - the more money you make - and the more potential guests you have who will visit your parks who feel they need to 'use' their passes.

Extrapolate this out to how much money may be spent on food, souveniers, other passes for family members, etc.

Seems simple to me.......

See, it's true...the man is a GENIUS!!!

Seriously, DVC lets me pay my annual dues across 12 equal monthly payments with no interest...which, by the way, add up to MUCH more than the cost of my AP!

I guarantee an AP monthly payment plan would attract A LOT more AP holders and retain many current AP holders who are considering letting theirs lapse. The only way it wouldn't make business sense for Disney to offer the monthly payment option would be if it required them to make a significant infrastructure investment to set it up, and I don't think that's the case.

Such a no-brainer...what are they thinkin'???

 

[DisneyKevin]

I think it would be a good guess that many of the people on this board are Disney lovers and a large % of same stay at Disney multi times per year and are both locals and not locals.

And some are right handed and some arent.

 

[georgemoe]

Playing a little devil's advocate (or is that mouse's advocate?)...I am an AP holder from MA - well, was. I'm an "AP holder of opportunity" as it fits in our plans, and would always welcome more perks...

Does the AP not already represent a significant discount in itself for those who would spend more than 10-14 days at WDW? Should Disney offer things like room discounts to entice those from whom they would not gain the significant income from tickets? Would it not make more sense to target room discounts towards those that would need to purchase tickets?

Why would Disney choose to throw discounts at the people who already have discounts? I know Pete loves to rant about Disney and the "loyal fans", but aren't those fans already rewarded with the AP?

Again, it is not my stance, but something that popped in my head when I read this thread. Just food for discussion. Hopefully we won't need to bring cake into it... I also understand some business reasons for discounts to those who have APs, etc. - more frequent visits gets at least some level of money per visit (food, souvies, etc.)

I'd personally love to see something like 50% off rooms during off peak to AP/DVC members, etc. I'd be more likely to top off a DVC stay with a CRO stay at a lower price point at any resort, and it would bring me closer to my goal of staying at every resort Even if I couldn't choose the resort far in advance...a little resort roulette, say...they'd still get more of my money...

Brian I think you make a valid point. Disney has to tow the line somewhere with discounts. Where they can discount less, or not in some cases, is frequent return visitors. The only way this changes is the long time frequent visitor just stops going. That is the only way to convey the message. What do they call that? Vote with your wallet?

So since we are talking about payment plans. If you think an AP payment plan is a good idea, what about a room payment plan? You purchase so many nights in a package and pay off a little at a time.

 

[Launchpad11B]

Brian I think you make a valid point. Disney has to tow the line somewhere with discounts. Where they can discount less, or not in some cases, is frequent return visitors. The only way this changes is the long time frequent visitor just stops going. That is the only way to convey the message. What do they call that? Vote with your wallet?

So since we are talking about payment plans. If you think an AP payment plan is a good idea, what about a room payment plan? You purchase so many nights in a package and pay off a little at a time.

Sounds like DVC in a way.