Gas & Codes??

[Marie17]

I am by no means an economic analyst but am wondering ....

All the data that is coming out this week has "suddenly" shown what I know what we have been feeling - it is all slowing down i.e. car sales to housing prices to jobs growth and wage increases and even Walmart sales, etc. I believe that gas prices that are still hovering close to the $3 a gallon range has a say in some of this since it has not only a shock value at the pump but also increases the bottom line of everything from groceries to shipping charges and in addition to that housing equity is pretty much tapped out for lots of people.

We were planning a July trip to Walt Disney World but just don't feel like we need to without a special rate or promotion. Granted it hasn't even been a year since our last visit but I just believe the market of supply and demand will have an effect on Disney (yes, even Disney). Or could it be that I just don't feel like I need full rack-rate Disney in July to be HOT and CROWDED? Last July they had killer heat on. We will most probably just go sometime between Thanksgiving and Christmas (who knows).

We will most just take a wait and see attitude towards Disney and the possibility of "promotion" of any sort coming out. Disney dining promotion is great but I don't want to travel there during that time frame (and it's not due to it being prime hurricane season) - it's due to kiddies in school which starts here August 7th.

So how many people believe the economy will have an effect on Disney - not immediately but within the next 8-12 months when the trickling could affect them. And do think this will prompt an incentive code? Even this past memorial day weekend - more people traveled but most didn't go as far away and/or shortened their trip by just one day.

 

[DaisyD]

I don't think it is really hurting Disney. Gas is coming down in my area. We are driving to WDW in two weeks and would have done that whether gas was $2 a gallon or $8 a gallon. I have read over and over how Disney is doing great so I doubt they need to bring out codes for the summer.

 

[Marie17]

At this point I don't believe they will have a special promotion for July because most people have already booked their vacations for this summer by this point and would stand to lose their money if cancelled. But I truly believe the real question I was asking was down the road a bit - let's say 8-12 months away. I see they just this morning extended free dining booking deadline to June 24th - approximately 3 weeks later than the original deadline - maybe not as many people are biting the bullet - I know I've gotten a few emails regarding the dining plan and some mailers in the mail. I do find it interesting to call reservations and still to this day get the resort I want for the dates I want in July (albeit at rack rate but still it is available).

If something for July does come up and it is a doozie of a promotion (I don't believe anything will come out) we would be ready to hop in the car for a trip down. I guess I am just speculating that readily disposable income for people in the next year will be tighter and Disney's bottom line will be affected. People can still spend a little less and have a fun filled family vacation without going to Disney.

 

[cobbler]

Actually depends on where in the country you live. MI which is always the last to come out of a recession is showing slow signs of growth now. Very slow but still. Gas is also coming down. I think it is 2.77 in some places now.

It's really hard to say what will happen.

 

[tacomaranch]

We missed a great sale on AA that I even posted but my DH took too long to make up his mind. Then a few weeks go by and I see free dining and finally figure out how it works, thanks to my friends here and how to apply our 3 days resident passes from before.

However, when I ran the final number and saw how much it is going to be for air, hotel and one day ticket, full price for each of us I was shocked! It was an impluse to return for my birthday but no more. We can't spend 2K each time we want to go to Fl. WDW. Cal is just a short flight and we have never seen it, maybe that is where we need to go?

Money is very tight, we are a single income home, gas, food, insurance, etc, it is bad for everyone not just us.

Cheers, april

 

[Luv2Roam]

Flying can be less expensive than driving for certain now. So I can see more guests flying in, using ME and not driving off site even less than they do now.
If it keeps anyone away, or debating, I would guess it would be those who may drive to WDW on day or weekend trips.
Althogh it may make those who live closer to WDW spend more time here than driving or flying somewhere else.
So it may even out.

 

[PortieOwner]

As a trained economist I can tell you one month of economic data doesn't tell you much. But to the extent that higher gas prices caused a contraction it could also be the expectation that prices would go much higher--for example analysts claiming in April that gas would hit $4 this summer. Who knows if it actually will.

Portie

 

[casey49781]

i live in upper michigan, gas here right is 2.89, i planned my trip for nov 18-26 airfare is over 400.00 per person right now, in dec 2004 i went the 21-29 and paid 988.00 to fly all 4 in my family, but this time i may have to drive which is a long haul 24hrs to get there,,,i live in a tourist town and for the past 6 yrs business has been down quite a bit, so will see what this summer will bring,

 

[SqueakyMouse]

I don't know what is happening outside my area, but I can tell you that our friends (which include many teachers and professors) are NOT traveling this summer like they usually do. I'm usually "on-the-road" most of our summer break with the kids, but we haven't gone anywhere yet -- not even to visit family. I just have a hard time paying such ridiculously high prices for fuel for my gas-sucking minivan. Also, airfares from my region, which have always been high, are now sky-high. Holiday World, which is nearby, has dropped admission and food prices -- ESPECIALLY the food prices -- as an incentive to increase faltering attendance.

 

[Marie17]

Sort of the same here - just this past week at a birthday party and a baby shower a few of the ladies said they "really didn't know about their vacation - several said they were planning to vacation in their own yard" I asked one if they had a landscaping project to do but said they would just relax around the house and save their money.

I guess we will know in a few months time if gas prices has had any affect on Disney if they offer some good codes. I can only hope.

 

[DaisyD]

Now I don't know anyone that is cutting down the driving for vacation. All of my friends are looking forward to going no matter what.