E-Mail survey on why I did not book

[OldsDr]

I recieved an e-mail survey because I went through the process of booking, but did not complete the reservation. A lot of the questions were what one would expect. Like was it too expensive, where were you looking to stay and about costs and such. There was one question that seemed out of place and looked to be directly at Epcot. The question was and I am paraphrasing: On vaction do you want to learn about other countries and cultures.

May mean nothing, but with some of the World Showcase changes it could mean something. All the other questions were basically of value and cost. Anyone have any thoughts? Or am i reading too much into it.

 

[TXAKDisneyFan]

My first thought wouldn't be about EPCOT, but about whether they're concerned they are losing business to other vacation destinations. Idk how well Adventures by Disney is doing, but obv Disney does provide more culturally-focused experiences beyond the theme parks. I just hardly ever see advertisements for ABD, especially compared to the number I see for the parks or cruise line, though I have noticed increased advertising for Aulani. So maybe they're ramping up some of the non-park vacation options.

 

[rteetz]

My first thought wouldn't be about EPCOT, but about whether they're concerned they are losing business to other vacation destinations. Idk how well Adventures by Disney is doing, but obv Disney does provide more culturally-focused experiences beyond the theme parks. I just hardly ever see advertisements for ABD, especially compared to the number I see for the parks or cruise line, though I have noticed increased advertising for Aulani. So maybe they're ramping up some of the non-park vacation options.

Adventures by Disney does do well, but it depends on the excursion. Disney changed, adds, and gets rid of trips as they feel necessary. I know the adventures by Disney backstage magic trip is one of the most popular and I hope to do It someday. Aulani didn't sell all that well through DVC and they are hoping to get some return back from that.

 

[DDLand]

My first thought wouldn't be about EPCOT, but about whether they're concerned they are losing business to other vacation destinations. Idk how well Adventures by Disney is doing, but obv Disney does provide more culturally-focused experiences beyond the theme parks. I just hardly ever see advertisements for ABD, especially compared to the number I see for the parks or cruise line, though I have noticed increased advertising for Aulani. So maybe they're ramping up some of the non-park vacation options.

I think this is probably more about Epcot. Offerings such as music and food need to have the public pulse. Increasingly Disney has been drifting away from more authentic and moving towards generic. Now there's been backlash from the dedicated community. Disney probably wants to know what the common Joe thinks about these changes.

Adventures By Disney is a great product, however you have to remember how small it is. Minuscule compared to the enourmous Walt Disney World Resort. It's more of a Niche product then anything else. I think it's main reason for existing is to sell DVC and Cruises.

If Disney is really interested in moving in the direction of international destinations then they're going to have to build Resort Hotels. Aulani seems to be doing pretty great on the hotel side of things. There are rumors from our very own @rteetz that Disney could be looking at other smaller international expansion moves. We'll see...

 

[nkosiek]

I think this is probably more about Epcot. Offerings such as music and food need to have the public pulse. Increasingly Disney has been drifting away from more authentic and moving towards generic. Now there's been backlash from the dedicated community. Disney probably wants to know what the common Joe thinks about these changes.

Adventures By Disney is a great product, however you have to remember how small it is. Minuscule compared to the enourmous Walt Disney World Resort. It's more of a Niche product then anything else. I think it's main reason for existing is to sell DVC and Cruises.

If Disney is really interested in moving in the direction of international destinations then they're going to have to build Resort Hotels. Aulani seems to be doing pretty great on the hotel side of things. There are rumors from our very own @rteetz that Disney could be looking at other smaller international expansion moves. We'll see...

But if the common Joe has never experienced those things, how can they know if they want them? I teach history and trying to get my kids to understand that you can't know what you're missing until you actually have it is always a problem. When we talk about how things ran/operated/how people lived in the past they always say, "Well, I'd do _____," or "I'd never have done _____." Again, with the different experiences one has one develops feelings towards those. I honestly don't think people think about coming to Disney and experiencing the Chinese acrobats so on that survey they put, "Doesn't matter to me" but perhaps once they do they realize how cool they are they would care about things like them. Just a thought.

 

[DDLand]

But if the common Joe has never experienced those things, how can they know if they want them? I teach history and trying to get my kids to understand that you can't know what you're missing until you actually have it is always a problem. When we talk about how things ran/operated/how people lived in the past they always say, "Well, I'd do _____," or "I'd never have done _____." Again, with the different experiences one has one develops feelings towards those. I honestly don't think people think about coming to Disney and experiencing the Chinese acrobats so on that survey they put, "Doesn't matter to me" but perhaps once they do they realize how cool they are they would care about things like them. Just a thought.

I had that same thought. You know it. I know it. TDO knows it.

The common Joe? Nope.

This is arguably like a lot of things at Disney. Only the old timers know what it used to be like. No one cares because no one knows any better.

 

[mcd2745]

If I were guessing, I'd also say that question was about Epcot. They're probably considering further changes in WS that make it less and less "cultural", for lack of a better term. And I agree with te above. On the surface, for someone who has never experienced WS, it may not sound very exciting. But once you have experienced it, you can't imagine WDW without it.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

I'm gonna go nuts...

That's a classic LOADED question that already tells me what I never wanted to hear:

They want to kill EPCOT in its current form.

What a bunch of horse dung...


I'm gonna to do this daily... And hopefully I can get survey and answer all questions with

1. price
2. Nothing new
3. Declining food quality

And repeat those answers for all questions

 

[lockedoutlogic]

If I were guessing, I'd also say that question was about Epcot. They're probably considering further changes in WS that make it less and less "cultural", for lack of a better term. And I agree with te above. On the surface, for someone who has never experienced WS, it may not sound very exciting. But once you have experienced it, you can't imagine WDW without it.

It seems like looking for the smoking gun before you fire the bullet...

It's about giftshop crap... And if you're doubting that...well, you're wrong

 

[OldsDr]

The survey seemed to be concentrating on central Florida. Like "when traveling to central Florida are transportation costs a major concern for you?" There were a couple other questions started when traveling or visiting central Florida, but I cannot recall their specifics. This was a very WDW centered survey. It asked what hotels have you stayed at in the past and only WDW hotels were listed (not even disneyland hotels. The only exception to that was what I started this thread with and something like "while planning this trip to central Florida what other destinations did you consider" the options were a cruise, something regional (Like did you decide to stay close to home), Central Florida but not WDW, and something else ( I think beaches).