Does Disney care about the Geeks and Repeat Visitors?

[PeterPan09]

I've been thinking about this a lot lately-given the price increases, the vanishing DVC and Annual Passholder Perks, the lame excuses and the uninspiring upgrade to Space Mtn here in FL. Have the powers that be over there decided that they're going to focus all energy on getting families with Princesses and Pirates to make a couple of big trips while the kiddies are small and not care what the Geeks and Repeat visitors think? Have the number crunchers determined that those families spend enough during the years that their kids are young that they don't need to consider long term repeat business? Even with DVC, they can sell them on it for years of vacations while the kids are young and make out pretty well even if the points go into resale in 10 years or so.

If you take the LOW situation as an example-the only people upset are US frankly. People who are really into Disney, who go annually for the holidays or at least often enough to have it be special to them. Same with the Space Mountain "upgrade"-only folks like us who are really into Disney know how great an upgrade the CA park got and wonder why they went so cheap here. Most infrequent visitors aren't going to be hit as hard by the price hikes in parking and rentals as those who come more often-like locals. They'll pass it off as part of the high cost of a Disney vacation and since they're "only doing it once", it's not that big a deal.

What does the Podcast fanbase think??

 

[kafitty]

where is the "hitting the nail on the head" emoticon?

 

[dalt01]

I've been thinking about this a lot lately-given the price increases, the vanishing DVC and Annual Passholder Perks, the lame excuses and the uninspiring upgrade to Space Mtn here in FL. Have the powers that be over there decided that they're going to focus all energy on getting families with Princesses and Pirates to make a couple of big trips while the kiddies are small and not care what the Geeks and Repeat visitors think? Have the number crunchers determined that those families spend enough during the years that their kids are young that they don't need to consider long term repeat business? Even with DVC, they can sell them on it for years of vacations while the kids are young and make out pretty well even if the points go into resale in 10 years or so.

If you take the LOW situation as an example-the only people upset are US frankly. People who are really into Disney, who go annually for the holidays or at least often enough to have it be special to them. Same with the Space Mountain "upgrade"-only folks like us who are really into Disney know how great an upgrade the CA park got and wonder why they went so cheap here. Most infrequent visitors aren't going to be hit as hard by the price hikes in parking and rentals as those who come more often-like locals. They'll pass it off as part of the high cost of a Disney vacation and since they're "only doing it once", it's not that big a deal.

What does the Podcast fanbase think??

there was a thread a week ago that was about such things but i am not good at finding that stuff.......maybe someone else can point you in that direction.

 

[PeterPan09]

there was a thread a week ago that was about such things but i am not good at finding that stuff.......maybe someone else can point you in that direction.

Sorry to repeat...I don't get to post or read much on the boards. I've been lucky lately to have some extra time.

 

[JB2K]

I've been thinking about this a lot lately-given the price increases, the vanishing DVC and Annual Passholder Perks, the lame excuses and the uninspiring upgrade to Space Mtn here in FL. Have the powers that be over there decided that they're going to focus all energy on getting families with Princesses and Pirates to make a couple of big trips while the kiddies are small and not care what the Geeks and Repeat visitors think? Have the number crunchers determined that those families spend enough during the years that their kids are young that they don't need to consider long term repeat business? Even with DVC, they can sell them on it for years of vacations while the kids are young and make out pretty well even if the points go into resale in 10 years or so.

If you take the LOW situation as an example-the only people upset are US frankly. People who are really into Disney, who go annually for the holidays or at least often enough to have it be special to them. Same with the Space Mountain "upgrade"-only folks like us who are really into Disney know how great an upgrade the CA park got and wonder why they went so cheap here. Most infrequent visitors aren't going to be hit as hard by the price hikes in parking and rentals as those who come more often-like locals. They'll pass it off as part of the high cost of a Disney vacation and since they're "only doing it once", it's not that big a deal.

What does the Podcast fanbase think??

Not being one of the "Podcast geeks", I couldn't help but comment (from an outsider's point of view, of course).

Everyone needs to remember at the end of the day, WDW, plain and simple, is a business -- The Walt Disney Company, in general, is more than the collection of parks in Florida -- it's a huge corporation that also has the motion picture studios, as well as entertainment properties in California and around the world.

That said, I think the WDC is pretty much letting Florida sell itself (as the parks are now hosting 2nd and 3rd and putting some much-needed emphasis on what was (until recently) an aging Disneyland (the revamp of Disney's California Adventure to include the new-to-DL "Cars Land" is a perfect example).

And, of course, the expanision of DVC to include premier locations such as Hawaii also come into play...

Just my .02 worth...

 

[dalt01]

Sorry to repeat...I don't get to post or read much on the boards. I've been lucky lately to have some extra time.

no, no, no, dont worry about that........repeating is practically a cottage industry here........i was just trying to get you some more info. i will try to find it.

 

[dalt01]

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2329857 there ya go..........

 

[DisneyKevin]

Annual passholders are being offered 15 months for the price of twelve and I understand that promotion has been extended.

Disney has just started offering a Mom - Fri annual pass.

Disney started D23 (please dont make this a discussion about the merits of D23....I'm old and tired and cranky) and has begun holding events for the "die hard" fans.

I've told this story before....but I love re-telling stories.

Before I met John...I didnt know y'all existed. I had never visited the Dis. I was a solitary Disney geek and I dont believe I was all that unique in that regard.

I think Disney courts the regulars. I dont think they do a good job at courting us....but I think they try,

 

[disneyholic family]

you calling me a geek?????????????


(mon to fri AP - GREAT idea!! )

 

[EDuke98080]

you calling me a geek?????????????


(mon to fri AP - GREAT idea!! )

At my house I go by "Disney Dork"....

 

[FireDancer]

When making decisions like ride changes and restaurant policies I think they probably emphasize the pirate and princess pilgrimage crowd more than us because they are the one that make them the vast majority of their income. Most of them won't notice that the chairs have no backs or even realize that there is a holiday surcharge at restaurants. I agree with what Kevin said about trying to do some stuff for us but falling short on some of the execution. The examples he gave are some of the ones that show they are at least trying but I think there is a disconnect between what they know we want and what they are financially prepared to give us.

I would concede that we have a skewed view of the parks because we love them. I think it is the same way that the Star Trek geek or Star Wars geek views those franchise differently than the casual movie goer. They notice little inconsistencies in plot lines or changes to who shoots who first and are more critical because of their feelings for the franchise. We are more critical than the average goer (some more than others) because we love the parks and notice the things they wouldn't.

 

[mama23babies]

At my house I go by "Disney Dork"....

My people call me a "nut"

deb

 

[kbelle8995]

Yes it is a business but it doesn't mean you can charge top costs especially in tough economic times. Doing things like upping the price cost of strollers, parking and tickets while taking away nice things like the Lights of Winter does not add up. I am amazed that anyone can afford to go to Disney.

I went last week and the parks were very quiet. 25 minute wait for Soarin. Of course they might be saving for Thanksgiving. Also when you compare the ticket prices to that say Universal, who by the way has some amazing ticket deals going on. You wonder why Universal is not doing so well either. Of course when Harry Potter opens this will probably change.

That said this will be my last trip to the world for a long time. It's just gotten to where I can no longer afford it. I am trying to get a trip in to Universal after Harry Potter opens.

 

[DisneyDaddy-O]

I think it is the same way that the Star Trek geek or Star Wars geek views those franchise differently than the casual movie goer.

I fall into all three catagories, what does that make me?

 

[ADP]

I"m pretty sure they care about us. But, they care about their bottom line before us. I guess you can't blame them. A profitable company is more important. The key, in my opinion, is striking a balance between making us happy and keeping the company profitable. I tend to think they are too far over towards profitability. They haven't found that sweet spot where both profitability and repeat guest satisfaction have been achieved.

It's a tough job but it's why the Execs get paid the big bucks.

 

[princessbride6205]

I"m pretty sure they care about us. But, they care about their bottom line before us. I guess you can't blame them. A profitable company is more important. The key, in my opinion, is striking a balance between making us happy and keeping the company profitable. I tend to think they are too far over towards profitability. They haven't found that sweet spot where both profitability and repeat guest satisfaction have been achieved.

It's a tough job but it's why the Execs get paid the big bucks.

Well said. My sentiments exactly!
There needs to be a balance. And since this is a Disney geek thread, you need to have your visionaries like Walt and your number crunchers like Roy. It seems like the number crunchers have the balance of power right now and the creative vision and guest experience are suffering for it.

 

[FireDancer]

I fall into all three catagories, what does that make me?

A good man Charlie Brown

 

[DrewM]

But how unsatisfied are we? Who here has sworn off everything Disney (well if they swore it off they likely wouldn't be here, but still)?

I have a laundry list of things I'd love to see improved as a Disney nerd, but at the end of the day we still go up there a LOT and we'll continue to go up a LOT.

 

[dmwang9]

I think it is the same way that the Star Trek geek or Star Wars geek views those franchise differently than the casual movie goer. They notice little inconsistencies in plot lines or changes to who shoots who first and are more critical because of their feelings for the franchise. We are more critical than the average goer (some more than others) because we love the parks and notice the things they wouldn't.

As someone who was up in arms when Han started to shoot second, I completely agree. The ubergeek's love for [Star Wars, Disney, Harry Potter, insert your own passion here] naturally produces a greater level of criticism, but the love still remains. I've been as critical as the next person about some of the changes we've seen at WDW recently, and yet I am also about to write the single largest check I've ever written for a DVC contract at Boardwalk Villas.

 

[kaligal]

Disney considers its fan base a bunch of suckers.

We'll keep lining up to get into the parks no matter how much they charge and how much they cut back. We'll keep paying ridiculous amounts of money for average food, low-quality T-shirts and tchotchkes.

They're right thus far. We'll all see how long it lasts.