Frequent Visitor Discount? (FVD)

[treesinger]

This was discussed in a previous thread by me when i made the mistake of leading off with the proposition of passing around an AP and getting away with financial murder. (Sharing an AP is virtually impossible and is probably illegal as well, so let's not dwell on this in this thread please?)

Anyway, I brought up the proposition of a frequent visitor discount (FVD). As of now, everyone has the same access to price breaks as anyone else, with the exception of FL residents. And I don't begrudge them that at all.

My thought is that WDW does not reward you for your loyalty. They don't reward you for continued patronage. The frequent visitors are not special to them in any way. I was thinking that perhaps WDW should roll out an FVD to reward the customers of theirs who continually visit, spend their cash, and spread the good word of the Mouse. And my question is, Is that fair? We all know the reason that they don't offer an FVD is because there are thousands of visitors to take our place should we stop. And they ALSO know we won't stop because WDW is the most magical place on earth. But shouldn't they reach out with a token of gratitude for the countless times we've been and the countless dollars we've spent? I feel like, in my own miniscule way, I helped WDW keep it's place among the mighty Pantheon of entertainment venues. All of us frequent visitors helped.

I just wondered how many of us think we deserve just a little extra price consideration for all that we have already contributed to their greater glory. Some will agree, some will dissent, and some may flame me into a bitter crisp. So I ask the question...

Do frequent visitors deserve a better discount?

 

[treesinger]

I guess I should also mention that there is no way WDW will give out an FVD. This is just a poll of how people feel, regardless of how miniscule the chances of getting a better discount are.

 

[zurgswife]

I'd never expect them to do it but boy I'd love it....

 

[Muushka]

I have to agree with you treesinger. With the different things that they have taken away (AP renewal change policy, free MK Club membership at places of business), I really resent spending my hard earned $$ there. But, I do enjoy going and I don't want to shoot myself in the foot .

So, we eat very little in the restaraunts there, and save eating out for USF/IOA where I got an AP for $99. Also, only go into the parks (WDW) 1 or 2 days (out of 8).

 

[treesinger]

With the different things that they have taken away (AP renewal change policy, free MK Club membership at places of business), I really resent spending my hard earned $$ there. But, I do enjoy going...

It's strange beng I started this thread, but I actually DEFEND the moves they've made to cut back! I take it for granted that WDW knows precisely how well they are financially doing. I know their stock is down pretty good and they've hurt a bit with the recent recession. I don't mind if they cut back for a while so that they can maintain themselves. I do hope that they don't make these changes permanent. And should they raise prices withut giving even a little something back (EE for example!!) then we're going to go crazy on this board I assure you!! An FVD might bring MORE of their best customers back to the parks and help them regain their position.

But I'd rather give up a few benefits NOW rather than watch WDW go down the tubes because they were so dedicated to there customers that they wouldn't cut back for any reason.

And, in the end, like you posted, we STILL enjoy going. It is still WDW and THAT (hopefully) will NEVER change!

 

[Rajah]

I would say yes, but not because we deserve a break, rather because if I *had* an FVD, I would visit more often and thus Disney would come out ahead in the long run.

 

[treesinger]

Another excellent point of view! I was thinking that in the back of my mind too! It just wouldn't come out with all of the other possible reasons floating around in my head! Knowing you'll get an FVD makes taking that long, long drive (900+ miles) all that much more bearable.

 

[olena]

I doubt it will ever happen, but I'd LOVE it!

 

[mrsapalm]

I guess I kind of thought of the AP as an FVD. Combine that with the DC, and we get tons more discounts than your average Joe. I envy Floridians and their discounts!
-MrsAPalm

 

[treesinger]

I guess I kind of thought of the AP as an FVD. Combine that with the DC, and we get tons more discounts than your average Joe

I don't count this as a "special" discount. Anyone with some forethought or research could find these discounts and use them. Any member of the general public can PAY for this "privilege". That the average Joe doesn't use it, I think, is besides the point. Because they COULD use it if they only looked into it. An FVD would be exclusively for those who have spent quite a lot of money and made quite a lot of visits. In this way, only those who have invested more money into the company are eligible for the discount.

Not that I don't appreciate whatever little bit WDW gives back through their current programs, but none of these programs benefits the specific audience of multi-repeat visitors.

 

[treesinger]

It would seem that the poll confirms how I feel about WDW pricing for it's loyal guests.

But maybe not. I didn't stop to think that, well, OF COURSE everyone would be in favor of an FVD. Most of us would probably be in favor of ANY price break!! Oh, well. I guess this isn't a subject that can be accurately polled.

 

[Kermit]

I think that Disney does give frequent visitors some discounts, to a limited extent. AP holders get special hotel rates, not to mention extremely reduced admission prices if they use it enough. The people who get postcards are people who have been there before. (I don't think the postcards are used that much now that they have codes, but that's an even easier way for people to get discounts.)

There are some discounts that anyone who researches will get, but I'm sure Disney knows that the people who take the time to do the research are going to primarily be the people who visit often.

 

[Zurg]

I think they are trying to take another road. That is to add value back to APs. More AP longes, special viewing areas for parades and Illuminations are a step in that direction.

I think the point is well taken that it is the moused interest to keep loyal customers happy. When Newsweek is running stories about how much better Universal is for teens, the mouse needs some positives counter that. Simple marketing. I read that story last night and I was thinking I need to spend some more time at Universal.

I would think that AP holders and DVC members are groups that Mickey wants to keep on property but I have the feeling that the efforts to do so are half harted and more attempts by one division or another to get you to come thier way - for example a dicount at a particular restaurant or store is an effort to get you into that particular place. It is an effort to get you to one place on property vs another.

As a shareholder and a customer I want to see stuff that keeps me on property because it if more interesting than being off.

 

[treesinger]

AP holders get special hotel rates, not to mention extremely reduced admission prices if they use it enough

I do understand your point. But my view is that ANYONE can purchase an AP and get these discounts. Any discount that rewards first time visitors the same as veterans is not what I'm asking for. I would like it to be a LOYALTY discount, something available only to those who have already spent considerable sums at WDW. Now, if you'd like to say that after, oh, 5 years of continuous AP renewals that WDW then cut your renewal rate significantly, I would totally be on board with your thought. But WDW doesn't and, therefore, WDW vets get nothing extra for their continuous contributions.

I think they are trying to take another road. That is to add value back to APs. More AP longes, special viewing areas for parades and Illuminations are a step in that direction.

AP's are pretty valuable for those that know how to, and live close enough to, take advantage of it. It's great that they try little things to make AP's better, but they still aren't rewarding loyalty.

I think the point is well taken that it is the moused interest to keep loyal customers happy. When Newsweek is running stories about how much better Universal is for teens, the mouse needs some positives counter that. Simple marketing. I read that story last night and I was thinking I need to spend some more time at Universal.

I was purposely NOT trying to bring Universal up because of the obvious "competition" argument. I don't think Universal is as much competition yet as some think. I think WDW STILL has much more to offer to the entire family than Universal and will continue to thrive. More parks, more rooms, more...everything! Except roller coasters. But Universal is making the aggressive moves needed by them to really merit some more attention. WDW will not be able to stop Universal's growth, they can only hope to position themselves as the better alternative.

I think if WDW comes out with an FVD because of competition from Universal, it will be from sheer panic and desperation. If WDW is truly worried about losing it's more loyal fanbase, they should act NOW before we eye the alternative. I'll bet Universal, should they grow to WDW-like size (unlikely?), will outprice and outdraw WDW and may sink WDW out of its spectacular run of vacation dominance. If WDW is truly NOT worried about Universal...well, that should worry ALL of us!

At least, that's how this old grizzly bear sees it.