Disney pushing resorts not parks

[mom2rtk]

Some people immediately jump to the conclusion that people are complaining if they comment on changes. I didn't see any complaints but I do see the different perspective that you noticed. I think that Disney really wants to push their resorts right now. I wonder if part of the reasoning could be because the parks are in a bit of flux right now?

And honestly, if it works ...... more power to them. It won't work on me. But it's a fascinating study in marketing.

 

[katiee37]

I think it makes sense for them to be pushing the resort aspect of a WDW trip. Even if you've never been to WDW before, you probably know about Cinderella's Castle at MK, the fact you can tour countries in Epcot, things like that. You probably wouldn't be able to name off very many resorts, though. Why advertise things people already know about when you can push something people might not know about?

 

[ArwenMarie]

And honestly, if it works ...... more power to them. It won't work on me. But it's a fascinating study in marketing.

I think they've been trying this strategy for a long time (i.e. Mickey Mail vouchers), and people still seem to want to go to the parks. Go figure!

No offense to Orlando, but who the heck goes to Orlando to fish, swim and go bowling.

 

[dminnie]

I think it makes sense for them to be pushing the resort aspect of a WDW trip. Even if you've never been to WDW before, you probably know about Cinderella's Castle at MK, the fact you can tour countries in Epcot, things like that. You probably wouldn't be able to name off very many resorts, though. Why advertise things people already know about when you can push something people might not know about?

Exactly. Why spend a lot of money advertising something that everyone knows about already. The parks are well known to both WDW fans and people that have never been there. I remember only knowing about the parks. Many years ago, I had moved to the Tampa area and someone I worked with was going to stay at Dixie Landings. I had only been to Epcot for a day trip at that point and had seen maybe the Dolphin or Swan being built. I had no idea they had several resorts on-site. Then I had several years where I thought it was too expensive to stay on-site. An ad in TV probably would have made me check into it. Fast forward several years...living in the midwest...I looked into on-site when I realized that many of our friends traveling to FL had done it that way and had a good time. Most of them had gone during a promotion of some sort.

 

[Texas Barbie]

The commercials are advertising the resort discounts that are currently being offered, obviously they have to show the resorts.

Exactly right.. If they ever made a commercial pushing free dining (not that they ever will) it would show people having a good time in their restaurants. They have to feature what they think will encourage people to come.

 

[Planogirl]

I'm surprised that so many think that newbies know so much about the parks. I still talk to people who think that Universal and WDW are one and the same.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

Not only that but if you are in a "hotel" room you will need to eat somewhere.

Now add in the ease of the "free" bus to/from the airport and the "free" transportation to/from parks there is no need to have a car.

So no car and staying in a hotel means you are a captive audience which means you will be eating on property which is just more money.

It's not just about making it so convenient to BE on Disney property. It's also about making it INconvenient to LEAVE Disney property, but packaged in a way that makes you believe they're doing YOU a favor. Brilliant plan, actually

 

[Gumbo4x4]

I'm surprised that so many think that newbies know so much about the parks. I still talk to people who think that Universal and WDW are one and the same.

I've known about that split from the beginning, but here's one I did NOT know until the past couple of years - Disney HAS resorts. Yup, I hadn't a clue there were actual Disney owned properties at DisneyWorld (even though I'd been twice). And it was even more recent that I discovered Universal had their own resorts. I have to assume I can't be the only one who didn't know, especially with so many thinking Disney & Universal are the same thing.

 

[Klismania]

For us, having WDW be a whole resort and not just a bunch of theme parks is the main reason that we go. I feel so relaxed when I'm there. I have been to most amusement parks in the Midwest and even have season passes to one of them. We ride everything (big and small), but until 2010, never even considered going to WDW because of what I thought was a cost issue. So in 2010, a co-worker gave me great information and put me in touch with his wife, who is a Disney travel agent. We took our first trip on a strict budget and were hooked from the moment we stepped off the plane.

For the first time, I didn't need to drive anywhere. No maps, no getting lost, no trying to find my car in a crowed parking lot, etc.

I only have two trips under my belt with a third planned in 2014, but we have not only been to all four parks, but rented a surrey bike, rented Sea Racers, went to the dinner show at the Poly, saw Cirque du Soleil, people watched from a bench or the balcony, went swimming and so many other things. It's relaxing, and I can spend my down time just enjoying the time with kids or in the case of my upcoming trip, introducing my mom to WDW.

So yes, WDW being an entire resort is perfect for my family and to be honest, it's worth every penny for me.

We still go other places too (Cedar Point this summer), but WDW is my favorite because is more than just theme parks.

Adding a big ME TOO to that sentiment. WDW is a 24/7 immersive experience for me, not just another amusement park.

 

[HiHoWeGo]

Disney has just plain gone crazy on resort prices. I paid under 200 a night 10 years ago at the poly. Soon under 500 a night isn't gonna exist! They are pricing many families out!

So true. But Disney is a company and, like most companies, will do whatever it takes, and that they can get away with, to maximize their profits. In the case of the resorts, demand is good. People are willing to pay the exorbitant prices. Disney has very little interest in offering prices that the majority can afford, unless that's what it takes to sell rooms in the values. But that's not the case. Charging more that $100 for a value room isn't keeping it from being filled, so they do it.

As far as emphasizing the hotels over the parks, I agree that Disney emphasized the parks for years and people already know about them. Now if Disney put more emphasis on new park attractions, maybe it would be worth their advertising budget to tout the parks.

 

[mjohnson96]

For some reason the last 2 days I have seen several of WDW commercials. Out of the 4 or 5 only one focused on the resorts, one focused on MK and then one focused on AK. I think they are running ones pinpointing each area to appeal to the masses I haven't seen the EP one yet but I bet there is one running out there somewhere.

 

[gina2000]

Ultimately it's all about pushing DVC. Get 'em in, show them the perks, sell 'em DVC.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Charging more that $100 for a value room isn't keeping it from being filled, so they do it.

If they were filling enough rooms, thereby be no need to adverise.

 

[Sandy51]

It's not just about making it so convenient to BE on Disney property. It's also about making it INconvenient to LEAVE Disney property, but packaged in a way that makes you believe they're doing YOU a favor. Brilliant plan, actually

Exactly. I have been told by a local that back when they were first building WDW, they wanted the city of Orlando to help finance building the monorail from the airport to Disney property. However, they would not consent to there being any stops along the way. The city of Orlando would not go along with that plan. It's always been about having a captive audience.


Sandy.

 

[DanInMN]

Certainly Disney wants us to buy the whole package - room, meals, parks. DME is a big enticement. They have been able to rapidly raise prices while filling their resorts, while many competing off-site hotels have gone under. Disney can continue to raise prices until the vacancy rate suggests they should do otherwise. They also need to fill the rooms during off-peak, and have discounts to encourage this.

One side effect of this is that other lodging in the area must price very low to attract customers. For our upcoming trip we are renting a large 3 bedroom condo for less than $100/night and the rental car is $160 total for 8 days, both include taxes and fees.

We love the magic of the bubble, but sometimes the prices burst our bubble. We will still visit resorts, take the boat to DTD, and see Yehaw Bob... but we will return to an off-site condo that is at least 5X the size of a Disney room.