Great post!! Well said
Oh, and the ignore function is awesome! just saying
Not sure I'm following...I didn't say that we as loyal guests found any loopholes. I said as regular guests, we know how to plan out vacations getting the most bang for our buck, whereas first timers won't necessarily know how to access this info. Most people I meet who are asking about Disney have no idea about codes, Free Dining or the like, until I, as a repeat visitor tell them. Do you really believe that Disney doesn't know this? Why do you think you have to ask to receive a discount pin or you must give them the promo code at time of booking? Sure there are more discounts over the past few years, but none of those are a given, so I firmly expect those to dry up soon. Also, unless you know how to access those codes, you aren't going to qualify for that discount. So, they are not just given away by Disney, as guests have to do a bit of work (granted, not much if they visit the website) in order to secure them.
I firmly believe that Disney is banking on first timers or only timers to spend a certain amount of money just on things like: buying bottled water in parks at 2.50 a pop (we freeze ours in our villa that we purchased at Costco and bring into parks), splurging on souveniers and adding the DP without any second thought. I, as a regular don't do any of those things because they cost me more money. So, it's no loophole, but in being a regular guest, I have a certain amount of background knowledge and experience that most first timers or once in a lifetimers just don't have. This knowledge means more money in my pocket, but less in Disney's.
So, am I saying it's loyal guests vs first timers as a bad thing? Nope! I firmly believe though that in all of Disney's financial projections, they have accounted for this. Just come on the DVC boards, and you'll hear lots from members who have issues at DVC, but don't have the same issues when paying cash, or disappearing perks, for example. There is something to be said about loyalty, but it goes both ways. Sure, Disney already has my money for accommodations, but that is all I have to give them. I don't have to step foot into a park, eat their food, nor purchase their souveniers for the next 50 years while I'm a DVC member, whereas first timers or once in a lifetimers don't have that luxury. Most of them stay on-site, and therefore, rely on Disney transport, so they can't go off-site to eat, nor due to their accommodations, can they cook in their villa like I can. Also, if they are at Disney, I'm pretty sure they are going to need park tickets too. So, my point is that those guests surely equal more money into Disney's pockets per trip than a family like mine. There is no loophole at all...it is what it is.
So, do I still keep going back to Disney? Right now, yes. But, we only go 1x per year, and we use lots of tricks to keep our costs down. But, if at such time that I feel my DVC purchase has been downgraded in regards to the accommodations (the point re-allocations did hit us hard 2 years in a row, which means that my DVC vacations actually cost more than when I bought in '04), and in combination with that, the parks are not satisfactory (would have to be something major), then I would contemplate selling. Am I at that point now? No, but I, and many others still have the right, as loyal guests especially, to keep this discussion going. Once people become complacent, then real trouble sets in. Telling people to sell DVC, or, to stop complaining, is very irresponsible, IMHO. Sure, some people like complaining for the sake of complaining, but when you have very loyal guests who have stayed in every resort, eaten in every restaurant, and spent thousands of hours in the parks, I believe that you should listen to those people and seriously consider everything that they have to say, as they are the most loyal fans. And with loyalty, comes a duty to constantly assess and evaluate the product, as that is what will make that product better for all future guests.
Tiger
Not sure if you're getting "defensive" or simply have a superiority complex. My guess is a little of both but more of the latter!!
You are most certainly free to express your "opinion" as that is all you have done here. While I'm at it, as it is "my" post, not sure how "I" can be "off topic"! If it makes you feel better however, by all means, carry on!
I'll be right here to answer any intelligent reply you may choose to make that is "on topic" as you have yet to quantify any of your assumptions. I have concluded that you are simply attempting to become the consumate tempest in a tea pot by promulgating your narrow minded point of view and projecting it on everyone else. Sorry sir but I don't have to answer to you in any fashion and find your contrite words actually, boring.
Have a magical day!!
To me this is a case of apples and oranges. Groceries are a necessity while I wouldn't categorize a trip to WDW in the same way. Well at least not to me.
Yes by all means turn a blind eye to disney.Never give them feedback,be a zombie.Sorry not for me.Great place was alot better place in the past IMO.What happens when all the loyal dis goers quit going and bringing others along?
Yet that just leads you to bewilderment about why business operates the way it does. My explanation is actual, and therefore it helps folks understand the reality they're going to encounter. Your explanation just leads to confusion, dissatisfaction and disaffection.
No one said that they could charge "whatever premium they want" - I said that they can charge "A premium".
If they generally will not pay a premium, then they're not loyal. (Please be sure to read the word "generally".)
Ripping off is irrelevant. No one is talking about anyone ripping anyone off.
There are other offerings comparable in context to Disney. The perception that Disney is utterly unique, besides being erroneous, doesn't excuse a contention that charging what many guests are willing to pay is inappropriate, but rather underscores the legitimacy of doing so.
They're not overcharging. They're charging appropriately. So your assertion here doesn't apply.
Think linkage goes the other way. Loyalty is not the willingness to exploit something, to abuse something, to get something for less than it is worth or for free. (Please be sure to read the word "or".)
From the business' standpoint you aren't (any longer).
This could be the miscommunication we're having: I'm talking about loyalty; you're talking about love, passion, dedication and/or favor. They're different. The key, here, is the extent to which the business is best-advised to factor in desires and preferences. If they're giving something away for free to certain people, then investment in improvements that those specific recipents is unjustifiable. It would take other people, those willing to pay a premium, waiting the same things, to justify such investments.
Precisely not. Regulars are regulars. They're not necessarily loyal. That's the point.
... then Disney would be irresponsible in elevating what you desire, specifically, unless other people, who would spend money, value those things.
... and as such you develop unfounded expecations on Disney as a result. That's the problem I highlighted.
Then you've violated the forums rules in presenting a personal attack.
Yet that just leads you to bewilderment about why business operates the way it does. My explanation is actual, and therefore it helps folks understand the reality they're going to encounter. Your explanation just leads to confusion, dissatisfaction and disaffection.
No one said that they could charge "whatever premium they want" - I said that they can charge "A premium".
You're not going to understand what I'm writing if you change it in your mind into something I didn't say.
If they generally will not pay a premium, then they're not loyal. (Please be sure to read the word "generally".)
Ripping off is irrelevant. No one is talking about anyone ripping anyone off.
There are other offerings comparable in context to Disney. The perception that Disney is utterly unique, besides being erroneous, doesn't excuse a contention that charging what many guests are willing to pay is inappropriate, but rather underscores the legitimacy of doing so.
They're not overcharging. They're charging appropriately. So your assertion here doesn't apply.
Think linkage goes the other way. Loyalty is not the willingness to exploit something, to abuse something, to get something for less than it is worth or for free. (Please be sure to read the word "or".)
From the business' standpoint you aren't (any longer).
This could be the miscommunication we're having: I'm talking about loyalty; you're talking about love, passion, dedication and/or favor. They're different. The key, here, is the extent to which the business is best-advised to factor in desires and preferences. If they're giving something away for free to certain people, then investment in improvements that those specific recipents is unjustifiable. It would take other people, those willing to pay a premium, waiting the same things, to justify such investments.
This isn't a happy thing for consumers. It's actually bad news for consumers. However, it is actual, and understanding it helps consumers better understand the environment that they're going to encounter.
Precisely not. Regulars are regulars. They're not necessarily loyal. That's the point.
... then Disney would be irresponsible in elevating what you desire, specifically, unless other people, who would spend money, value those things.
... and as such you develop unfounded expecations on Disney as a result. That's the problem I highlighted.
