Here is my question

[disneyfantotheend]

I see daily many people say, I will never go back or I am not going back until this all gets straightened out.

Disclosure: I do also see those who say I love it, and Disney couldn't have done a better job.

Anyway, my question is are bookings down? I would think that only the statistics can tell us whether people really are not going because of this mess.

Disclosure: In my opinion, it is a mess. I know some do not agree, no need to tell me that. I will be going back some day, but I don't doubt or blame those who say they are not.

By crowd reports and discounts, I would say bookings are not down. There are discounts, but they are not amazing by any means. If bookings were down, I would guess they would be offering bigger incentives to get people to book. So is there anywhere to see the statistics?

 

[MiramarQE]

Anyway, my question is are bookings down? I would think that only the statistics can tell us whether people really are not going because of this mess.

By crowd reports and discounts, I would say bookings are not down. There are discounts, but they are not amazing by any means. If bookings were down, I would guess they would be offering bigger incentives to get people to book. So is there anywhere to see the statistics?

Would agree with you - bookings are NOT down, crowds are not down and Disney profits from Park Operations are not down. Therein lies the problem. So long as the parks are profitable it's hard to say something is wrong. And Disney NEEDS those profits - "John Carter" and "Lone Ranger" HURT them badly in the pocketbook.

As an aside, I look at the infrastructure investment they have in WDW, the cost of maintaining it including servicing the capital and I don't understand how they are profitable even with the outrageous prices they charge!

As long-time, frequent resort guests I agree there is a mess brewing - but getting corporate Disney to DO anything about it prior to Theme Parks replacing Movies as the proverbial hole in the bottom of the money bucket is not going to be easy.

They are doing lots of things to "optimize" profits at the parks - FP+, RapidFill (still don't see how that is worth the expense), pushing dining plans to keep the restaurants full, etc. And there's more coming - just look at the Disney Careers website and search for "Analyst" - they are actively hiring people to " analyzing and executing pricing strategies to maximize profitability for the Domestic Parks & Resorts line of business" - get every dollar of profit they can from we the guests. Keep expenses (CMs - staffing) low and revenue high. Great strategy - short term.

What I don't see are people being hired to optimize the experience of the guest.

 

[ougrad86]

I was surprised the other day however, pulling up hotels and comparing prices for Spring Break, the number of hotels that are not booked - this time last year they were almost fully booked, and there seems to be alot more open then I have seen during this time of year in the past.

Corporate is also upset. They haven't gotten the return they expected.

 

[jcemom]

Good question. I've been wondering the same thing myself. Instead of our usual ten or eleven day Disney vacation next year, with our usual eight day park hopper tickets with water parks, we are opting for a seven night cruise plus only four days at Disney -- and we're only buying one day park tickets plus MVMCP tickets.

Disney is still getting my money, lol, but it's going towards the cruise instead of the parks. I won't be spending less overall, but I'll be spending it differently.

(Last year we went on a four night cruise plus six days at Disney, with four day base tickets.)

 

[OKW Lover]

I think we need to remember that as popular as the DISBoards (and other similar boards) are, they only represent a small percentage of the people that actually go to WDW. For the rest of the folks, there isn't anything to compare to so they accept what they get as being perfectly normal. I don't think management is even seeing a blip in attendance patterns because of the whole FP+/MB/MDE/whatever you call it, especially because its just being rolled out.

You'll find a very vocal group here in the boards because we are passionate about Disney and hate to see things that are just "wrong". Its the great thing about discussion boards, we can all vent to a (fairly) receptive audience. If those folks that are complaining would also take the time to write to Disney (assuming they've actually experienced the new system and not just basing their opinions on what they've read) that would carry a lot of weight with management.

 

[disneyfantotheend]

You'll find a very vocal group here in the boards because we are passionate about Disney and hate to see things that are just "wrong". Its the great thing about discussion boards, we can all vent to a (fairly) receptive audience. If those folks that are complaining would also take the time to write to Disney (assuming they've actually experienced the new system and not just basing their opinions on what they've read) that would carry a lot of weight with management.

I experienced it but before tiering plus double dipping was allowed, so it is kind of like I got a taste of a very small part of the change. I don't like the sounds of the full rollout, but won't judge until I get back to see for myself.

 

[magicbob]

I see daily many people say, I will never go back or I am not going back until this all gets straightened out.

There's a big difference between saying "I will never go back" and saying "I am not going back until this all gets straightened out."

There are probably some in the former group who mean it, but many may simply be venting. I think those making the latter statement are merely being prudent and taking a "wait and see" approach. People who don't like what they're seeing with FP+ want to observe how things fall out before investing so much money on a vacation. There are many positive reports and also many negative reports. Even if the positive experiences represent 90% of guests, I consider that a FAIL, and I would not be willing to gamble that much money on not being among the thousands of people in the 10% who experience significant issues.

 

[AJPPGH]

I highly doubt bookings are down- at least not yet. Perhaps bookings from the Disney-obsessed people here on the boards but the general population knows nothing about this. Most people out there simply view Disney as a nice family vacation every couple years...myself included. (It constantly surprises me when I come to this board to plan my trips how often many of you go and how much time that you dedicate to it. ) I personally had no idea at all about the FP+ and MB deal until after I planned my trip in December. Nobody I know ever really talks about Disney and I never hit these boards until I plan something. What will be more telling is when the regular people out there start hearing horror stories and having second thoughts. And the horror stories will happen because since most don't research their trips on forums such as this their first experience will be when they get to the park looking for a FP only to find this new system in place.

 

[Crystal824]

I don't think bookings are down yet. We have been to WDW at least once every year since 2004. We generally go in April or May. We do not currently have a trip planned for this year and have been debating. We would like to go, but I just don't want to spend that kind of cash for an experience that is less than we are used to getting. Although I like planning for our trips, having to decide on times for attractions kinds of turns me off. With kids, you never know when one will be napping, etc. We are kind of waiting to see how it all pans out.

 

[ScrampShopper]

I don't know if bookings are down or not, but even if they are, I doubt it is due to FP+. Ridiculous room prices will lower bookings before FP+ will since most people that go to WDW are 1st timers/once in a lifetimes and don't know the difference between FP+ and the FP-.