FTP due to terrorism?

[Merandab4]

Hi everyone,
I spent a LOT of time last night on the phone with Disney and Bank one, hoping to get the 7 for 4 offer with out the discount code (I am already a card holder). The cast member, Paul, assured me that those who said they were getting the discount with out the "special invitation", were NOT getting the deal! (that's what he said). At the end of the lengthy conversation we started talking about the FTP, as I mentioned that maybe Disney would come out with another deal like that for EVERYONE. He said not to count on any deal like FTP again. He said that deal was only ran in the past because Disney was trying to get people to travel again because a lot of people weren't traveling due to terrorism and everything. Now, it seems as if people are traveling on a regular basis. In fact, Paul told me that this Christmas season was the busiest Disney has ever seen. (actually another CM told me that the other day when I called about making reservations for a family member). So anyway, it seems as if the FTP was just a ploy to get people to travel, and now that Disney's numbers are up again, looks like we won't be seeing many deals. Well, I hope he is wrong and we do see some kind of offer go through......Besides this Visa thing.

Don't mean to burst anyone's bubble about the FTP, But we will all keep our fingers crossed!

 

[hlane]

IMO I think Disney CMs and Bank One employees are speculating just like we all are. I don't think they have any idea what is going to happen as far as future offers are concerned. I'm sure this is why everyone is getting different answers each time they call. But like I said this is just my opinion.

 

[stina]

I hope some decision makers at Disney are eavesdropping on this board!
Disney HAS to do a good package again this year and here's why:

I went to Disney in Sept. 2003 with the FTP, and yes I'm sure most of the people there were on the FTP, however the parks were practically empty!
Seriously. We never waited in line for anything. Less than 5 min. to get in Space Mtn. and that's just the long walk from the front. The DisneyQuest building was literally empty the day we went.

I can't see how they can afford to staff the park and keep it all going without running a special. If it wasn't for FTP last year in Sept. those parks would be absolutely bare or not even open - they wouldn't be able to afford to pay the staff.

So... I'm keeping my fingers crossed that they will have another special this year.

Also with all this Eisner/Pixar/Comcast controversy Disney seriously needs to build their financial coffers to recover. What better way to do that than to boost travel by offering some cheaper trips.

 

[crisi]

When Disney annouced their results (last week? week before last?) theme park attendance is UP, but profits are DOWN because people are spending less and costs have gone up. I don't think Disney will be releasing packages that let you spend a lot less. At this point, reading between the lines with my corporate glasses on, they've just said - "we'd rather have fewer people who spend more than a lot of people who spend less because a lot of people who spend less has a negative impact on our bottom line."

 

[Lewisc]

I suspect your're right. Look at some of the budget ideas from this board: use old mugs for free soda, squeeze extra people in the room, use the ice machine instead of renting a refrig, bring food into the parks, eat breakfast in your room and figure out how to (legally) feed 2 and 3 people with one meal voucher by finding restuarant and menu loopholes.

On the plane down a mother was teaching her children their new names. Disney wouldn't book the package since her kids were over 12 (they had the kids DOB since they previously took a cruise). She told the CM she was going to bring her other 2 kids and gave the new names.

Nothing wrong with saving money or even using some of those ideas but I suspect Disney has figured out they may be better off without some guests.

I suspect we'll see some offer that includes meals. People have posted seeing that on some surveys and it would serve to get guests who might be spending some more money.

Originally posted by crisi
"we'd rather have fewer people who spend more than a lot of people who spend less because a lot of people who spend less has a negative impact on our bottom line."

 

[d.daniels]

What is FTP, I am new
thanks.

 

[jenniferhouston2]

We were one of the lucky ones who received Disney Visa card last week and our card number matched the"target" audience.

However, while you do get 7 nights for 4 (a 40% discount), you are also required to purchase the UPH and the Silver plan ($68/adult/night).

We were planning on buying APs for another trip within a year.

So disney is giving you a discount, but IMHO, taking it back by requiring me to spend more money on tickets and "wishes" ( really a mandetory meal plan) that we would never typicallly spend on food.

I think the best deal is an AP deal, with room only discounts, and then you can spend what you want on food. Evidently, Disney is getting to wise to the economy traveler.

I am not sure why everyone is so envious of this version of the FTP. LP

 

[d.daniels]

thanks

 

[HaleyB]

Yep, once I found out you had to add silver on the plan I threw in the towel. That is not a savings for us.
I don't think we will see the kind of discounts that followed 9/11 (unless something else big happens, God forbid). It is not just Disney. There were discounts all over the travel industry. As far as I am concerned I would much rather see a healthy economy then get huge discounts at WDW. We all just got spoiled these past few years. I am still have hopes for AP rates, don't get me wrong. But if Disney does not need to give a 40% discount in order to fill the parks I say GO Disney!

 

[Letsbgoofy]

To say that the FTP being offered because people were afraid of terrorism is not speculation on anyones part. Park attendance is down...they have to come up with some good marketing ideas to bring people back. Now that park numbers are up, they don't need to offer these great deals.

 

[AirForceRocks]

I couldn't agree more, HaleyB!

 

[stina]

I am thrilled to hear everyone's opinion on this matter and all the advice about how to get the most economical trip!
I am of course still holding out hope that a deal comparable to the FTP will be released this year!

I don't know how long the FTP has been going on but I simply can't believe that FTP is just a terrorism response. I mean I went in Sept. 2003, that's 2 years after 9/11. (And I believe the FTP wasn't just for the month of Sept.)

I think FTP was used to fill in the gaps in the slowest seasons. Naturally they would not use something like that for the Christmas season. I also heard they had their most profitable Christmas season ever this year, which is great for them, but that's not going to change the September attendance numbers.

Interestingly while I was at Disney in Sept. 03 on the FTP deal, my partner and I participated in a survey for Disney. The survey tracked our activities and spending every day. At the end we basically told them the very question they wanted answered: We upgraded our hotel plans AND spent MORE money on food and other stuff at Disney than we would have if we hadn't gotten such a good deal on the package. So perhaps they will take that info and analyze it. If we return again this year with no significant discounts, we will be spending less money on other things. And it's those other things - food, souvenirs, etc. - that have a higher markup price for Disney than hotel rooms. Their hotel room prices are pretty comparable to nice hotels in any major city.

On a related note: What do you think is the most economical plan for two adults to travel to Disney - a package or using "AP" (not sure what that is) and "Room Only Discounts"? I don't really want food provided for me but I do want access to all Disney resort features.

 

[HM]

Question about the New FTP....

Are you paying the rack rate for 4 nights and a 5 day UPH and 5 day Silver add-on (for a 7 night stay)....or Paying 4 night rack rate for 7 nights, but paying for the full 8 day UPH and 8 day Silver-add on?

What is the breakdown....really?

-HM

 

[hannacanna]

Originally posted by stina

On a related note: What do you think is the most economical plan for two adults to travel to Disney - a package or using "AP" (not sure what that is) and "Room Only Discounts"? I don't really want food provided for me but I do want access to all Disney resort features.

stina, "ap" is annual pass--it can be cheaper for people who go more than once a year to purchase an annual pass instead of buying park hopper tickets. the ap does not work like an ultimate park hopper, however--aps do not get you into the water parks, as far as i can tell. "room only" discounts are discounts on the room rate, any tickets are additional and full price.

the most economical plan depends on when you book and when you're visiting...right now the most economical plan seems to be AAA discounts on rooms and full price park hopper tickets. at least that's what i see, if you want to hobble together a package similar to what you enjoyed with the FTP last year.

towards summer i hope there will be more packages and deals. AAA was doing a deal last year that involved the silver add-on...it wasn't as good as the FTP, but it was a good deal...maybe they'll do that this year.

 

[crisi]

stina,

They had the most attendance over Christmas ever, but profits were down. The cost of running the theme park has gone up (just like the cost of filling my gas tank or paying my medical premiums) and people spend less. Park tickets have gone up, but not at the same rate as the cost of Disney's major expenses - energy and labor. And when people are in the parks (your experience to the contrary) they are buying fewer souvieniers and eating less expensive meals. FTP was a huge success at bringing people into the parks - it was not a huge success at increasing profits.

 

[jenniferhouston2]

I just found out that the Silver plan was NOT required to book this package, contrary to the CM I used to book this package.

So, I was able to take off the Silver package and stay with a Dream make package:

The good side is that the Disney Visa Dreammaker package gets you the following:

40% rack rate at Deluxe
40% UPHs
and $100 disney dollars upon check in.

The downside is that you must get UPHs, so if you have APs, they are a waste. However, for some, the discounts may make up for the wasted APs. Finally, you have the 45 day cancellation and final payment deadlines.

It is a very good deal for the visitor with no plans to go back within a year. I just wish it was available to all Disney Visa holders.

My apologies for getting the terms wrong in my first post. JP

 

[hlane]

Originally posted by Letsbgoofy
To say that the FTP being offered because people were afraid of terrorism is not speculation on anyones part. .

I was stating that I think there is speculation on if the discounts from previous years will be offered again, I didn't say there was any speculation as to if terrorism had an impact on the deals offered...everyone knows that was the case.

Originally posted by hlane
IMO I think Disney CMs and Bank One employees are speculating just like we all are. I don't think they have any idea what is going to happen as far as future offers are concerned.

 

[La2kw]

Originally posted by crisi
When Disney annouced their results (last week? week before last?) theme park attendance is UP, but profits are DOWN because people are spending less and costs have gone up. I don't think Disney will be releasing packages that let you spend a lot less. At this point, reading between the lines with my corporate glasses on, they've just said - "we'd rather have fewer people who spend more than a lot of people who spend less because a lot of people who spend less has a negative impact on our bottom line."

True, but empty hotel rooms make absolutely no money. Disney has had discounts before 9/11, and they will have them afterwards. They may not come in the same form, but when they need to fill those rooms, it'll happen.

 

[stina]

great point La2kw....

the more people they have exposed to their products which cost a lot, the more likely they are to make money. increased attendance at least produces potential for money to be spent. more people spending a moderate amount of money is better than a few spending more. it's kind of like calvin klein ready-to-wear vs. couture. calvin klein is making alot more money off the mass marketing of his ck line and cheaper goods than his few one-of-a-kind outfits.

and although disneyworld rocks and is one of my happiest places on earth... i don't think the fabulously wealthy are vacationing often at disney. they have their own private islands.... so if disney is expecting the really high rollers they're probably not going to get them.

let's just hold out hope for those of us "fabulously UNwealthy" people that mass marketing will lead to more discounts! nothing motivates me more to spend MORE money than if i feel like i'm getting a good bargain. it's kind of a weird psychological thing!

40% off rack rate at deluxes and 40% off UPH is an amazing discount. congrats jenniferhouston2.