Disney also has to look at the economy. They might not always slash rates (even though they do at times) but they have to offer perceived good deals such as free dining. They can't get carried away assuming that people are willing to just pay anything to be onsite. I did notice that there were plenty of rooms available in most of the Disney hotels when we visited in early August. The parks were quite busy but the hotels weren't full. In fairness I don't know what that means exactly since I don't know if the hotels just had a few empty rooms or several.
I do believe that a lot of those people filling those parks stay offsite. I continually argue that it's dangerous to give too many freebies away to onsite guests because one could argue that many people stay offsite for budgetary reasons and if that is true then they still can't afford to stay onsite regardless of freebies. For example I believe that ride reservations for onsite guests would be seen as unfair by some of these visitors. That's not to mention locals who likely help pack the parks too.
Disney officials do have to walk a careful line don't they?
Absolutely agree! It is very dangerous to continously offer discounts/promos, as you set people up to expect it, and I think this is what has happened for Disney in certain cases. Sure it brings more people to the parks, but many of them may not come if no discount is available, which is why FD is still being offered.
Regarding offsite, remember that offsite has no choice to compete with Disney, so they have to offer discounts/promos, or people won't stay there. If their prices were the same, they would get no business. Who would stay offsite for the same prices as onsite? That's a no brainer!
We are lucky in DVC as our rooms are pretty consistently full all year round, whereas Disney's occupancy rate on a year-round basis is approx. 82%. This is higher than most of the offsite hotels though, but Disney would like to see it higher, which is why they offer continous discounts/promos now.
I still think Disney can be reasonable for many families, depending upon the time of year, as it's a total vacation destination with lots of activities available.
This!
On our last trip last August we also saw so many empty rooms in our building at CBR and I am talking Aruba 51 or 52, popular location. People do not stay that willingly on property anymore when there are so many cheaper and better options. That is why Disney run FD non stop, not to make people come but to make them stay in their hotels. That is why they building new value resort because this is what most people can or willing to pay. It is not even about what one can afford but for many of us it seems totally unreasonable to pay those prices when we know offsite rates. All those crazy discounts started when they raised prices and still empty rooms. Something in their marketing dept. just does not work properly IMO.
I'm not sure how you see empty rooms - Do you mean you looked into rooms, and they didn't look occupied? Or, did you actually talk to CMs or other guests about it being slower? Beginning to middle of August is usually a busy time at Disney, but the last few years, occupancy rates do shift depending upon so many things. Interesting about August, as Plano agreed with you above too. We go during the summer as I'm a teacher, and last July 4th was the slowest we have ever encountered at Disney! But then I read reports about a crazy August, and my sis went in September, and it was super swamped! Crowds are spreading out, thanks to Disney's continous promos.
It also brings up the point as to whether Disney has too many rooms? With the economy suffering, there are now going to be times, as you noticed, when rooms are empty. Is this because there are too many rooms? Will Disney dream up some new promos, especially once the new Animation Resort opens up, in order to get higher occupancy rates across the boards - more rooms to fill, means more guests are needed.
I will disagree that their marketing department doesn't work. On the contrary...they dreamed up Free Dining, and that was a brilliant promotion. By the way, Disney does not officially release actual specific occupancy rates or seasonal numbers either.
Disney has an overabundance of rooms, especially now considering this economy, so rooms are going to sit empty at times, especially overpriced Deluxe rooms. That is a specialized market, so those rooms are last filled. I was upgraded to the Presidential Suite at the Contempory (concierge), so I can attest to empty rooms! It cost approx. $3,000/night, yet they upgraded us from a regular room. It was amazing pixie dust, but they did so because that room was empty, but many other rooms at $500-$2000/night, were all booked as we met people who were sharing the floor and the concierge lounge with us.
DVC is the opposite though as more people are DVC members than ever before, and Disney keeps building more DVC resorts. We always discuss this on our DVC boards too - with the current state of WDW (4 parks, 2 water parks), what is that magic number when there are going to be too many resorts, whether Disney or DVC?
There is no way disney is even remotely affordable compared to las vegas IMO.I have done both and vegas is so much cheaper.If you are a low roller in vegas rooms are basically free,food is free or ridiculously cheap and there are tons of entertainment options.I can't begin to go to disney for what vegas runs my family!
Sorry, I didn't say Disney was cheaper than Vegas in all cases, but of course that would depend on a lot of things, as for locals as Kelly pointed out, Disney would be cheaper. Granted, going to Atlantis Bahamas will be more than Disney (I've priced it out many times), and Vegas more than likely will be cheaper, but that depends upon where you live. But I still stand by my statement though that if you go to Disney during a low season when promos are in effect, it's reasonable compared to other family destinations. You are correct that Vegas is a lower priced destination, but the people I know who have gone have spent almost as much or more than Disney as they still had to pay for lodging, food, alcohol and entertainment, so in that respect, it could compare to Disney. We don't drink, so that isn't a big factor for us, so our Vegas cost was pretty reasonable.
Everyone I know who goes to all-inclusive resorts or family resorts, pays more or about the same as Disney, and there is no entertainment at those places either. Granted there are recreational activities that are included, but those resorts can be pretty costly.
Been to Vegas, and I totally disagree that rooms and food are free - that is only for high rollers who get comped. Granted they are pretty cheap prices, like right now, 2 adults could stay at one of the lower vegas hotels with air included for approx. $400-$450/person for 3 nights, plus fees, and that does not include food (this is from my city). I will agree that food is much cheaper and very good, but entertainment can be very costly (Cirque, singers, etc.).
Remember though, Vegas prices are supplemented by the casinos - gambling and alcohol basically pay for your cheaper rooms and buffets. I probably shouldn't have used Vegas as it I know people who have spent way more than Disney, and those who have spent less, as Vegas offers lots of choices.
Hope that clears it up, Tiger
, DDIL is a teacher)
Bill
