How many people will stay off property and/or vacation elsewhere?

[ArcticWildMan]

Originally posted by eeyore0062
I don't see the point in the OP getting upset because we don't happen to agree with him. If he doesn't like the onsite facilities at WDW, there are plenty of alternatives, but trying to ruin others opinions, is not very Disney-like.

Who's getting upset?

I'd almost have to say that YOU are the one getting upset because I have a different opinion than you and have resorted to accusations and subtle insults.

I just started a thread asking if people will change their plans in the future when it comes to Disney vacations and you accuse me trying to ruin other people's opinions??? Give me a break, would you?

Now, if not being 100% pro Disney all the time and daring to even question actions by Disney is "not very Disney-like", I guess I'm guilty as charged.

 

[bsears]

Actually, thessally, I did report it, via email, when I arrived home. I reported specific incidents and times. I also made a point of telling about the positive experiences I had. I never received any reply.

 

[thessaly]

I think you have me mixed up with a different poster.

 

[bsears]

Yes I did, Sorryabout that, must have been a " senior moment ", all too frequent these days. I meant to address the poster just before you, eeyore.

 

[Gary M]

eeyore2U, I have gotten discount room codes for at least the last 8 years(didn't know about them before). I would say 8 years plus, isn't just a recent thing. These discounts were made during the so called "good times" at WDW.

 

[Eeyore2U]

Originally posted by Gary M
eeyore2U, I have gotten discount room codes for at least the last 8 years(didn't know about them before). I would say 8 years plus, isn't just a recent thing. These discounts were made during the so called "good times" at WDW.

You are a better shopper then I am. We paid rack rate or bought a package. Where did you get your codes?

 

[thessaly]

You are a better shopper then I am. We paid rack rate or bought a package. Where did you get your codes?

See my reply on page four of this thread. I have been getting the major AP discounts about as long also.

The other half of this misconception is the "code" idea. I didn't need to use the Florida Resident CAM "code" to get the discount for next month, I just asked about the Florida Resident rates. Same for AP discounts. They may use a certain code for a certain promotion, but as long as you belong to the subset of people who are being offered the discount, you don't need the "code".

As for how I became aware of the AP/FL Resident/MKC discounts way back in 1996, again, check rec.arts.disney.parks on usenet. The internet has been around for a lot longer than 2001.

 

[ncligs]

Originally posted by ArcticWildMan
And what exactly does this contribute to the discussion at hand? If you are trying to bait me into another fight with you, you're wasting your time.

..................

As DVC members we will always stay on-site. But that being said there are times we go down to WDW and not even step foot in the parks. There is a lot to do besides the parks at WDW. We enjoy the 1st class accomodations(DVC) and our 600 points are paid off.

 

[ArcticWildMan]

LOL!!!


Thanks for bringing some humor to the thread ncligs.

 

[Gary M]

I didn't get codes the first couple of trips to WDW. I let a travel agent sell me all the bells and whistles and paid a ton while staying at the GF.

The first discount that I recall, was the Jolly Holiday package, which was for the Christmas season. You got a very good room discount, that included the dinner and show at the CR. The total package was much lower, than the room at rack rate. I don't have the records that far back, but I would say that was about 1994.

These discounts are all for winter stays.


I can't rember whether I found about room discounts through a mailing or a CM at CRO. I'll be honest, I'm not sure what my source of finding out about discount rooms were. I know before the DIS and Mousesavers, I was on the phone often asking about room discounts. If I remember correctly, the CRO people were alot more cooperative then, if you asked about codes. This is a fact, during our last 25 WDW visits we got room discounts all but one visit.
That one time, was a couple of years ago, when we went to see Live With Regis and Kelly at WDW. We paid for the package, but since we had AP's, they deducted park admission from the package cost.

We started going to WDW, multiple times per year, because of the room discounts and finding out about AP's. I would guess we got our first AP about 1994 or 95 and then found out the AP room rates through mailings. Sorry that my memory isn't that good about the details, but I have gotten very good room discounts as mentioned above. Maybe, I'm a good shopper.

I know a few people that have gone to WDW several times, over the years and didn't know about room code discounts, until I told them and I'm not sure if they believed me. You can't imagine the guest I have talked to, at WDW, that have always paid rack room rate and have visited WDW often. A person either has to be lucky to find out about room discounts or work at it.

 

[Eeyore2U]

OK. I think we are on the same page. We used to get Resort Magic Package and one time we got a Delta Dream Package. We never booked room only. We had looked at DVC in the early 90s and should have done it then. For us, DVC is perfect and now that DS won't go with us it's even better!!!

 

[Deb & Bill]

I'll be going back at least twice a year with my DVC.

 

[Gary M]

Eeyore2U, like you said, some were classified as packages. Minature golf was included or passes to the sports complex,etc..The net cost , was still much less that the rack rate.

 

[Planogirl]

I'm just glad that we've always alternated staying offsite with onsite resorts. It's no big deal to us to stay in a nice offsite resort and to rent a car to get around. It gives us a chance to check out some of the other super Florida attractions like NASA or the beaches. Universal is a given for us.

That said, I'll gladly book a Disney room again if the price is right. I love the Polynesian and POR but I won't pay more than I think they're worth. The important parts of WDW for me are the parks and the restaurants, and they're still easy to visit if we have a car.

 

[Pooh67_68]

No we have purchased packages in the past, we'll just purchase packages in the future.

 

[denisem]

None of the above. Disney lost me a longggg time ago, after I discovered rental homes

Although, for the 1st time in years, we ARE taking advantage of the AKL $109 rate for two nights next month (we love Jiko!). Other five days will be spent in rental home.

Denise < --- knows the area, prefers having a car, so it works for us.

 

[Eeyore2U]

Mr Wild Man,

What do you think based on the results of the poll? At this time 95 of the respondents, 46.57% will continue to stay onsite. Is that a Disney failure in your eyes?

My guess is that number is just about what it is now.

 

[ArcticWildMan]

To be honest with you, I don't know if that signifies a "failure" or not. Only the folks in Disney marketing could answer that question I guess.

I do think the number of folks who say they will stay off property/elsewhere or not even visit WDW at all in the future does indicate that Disney may have screwed the pooch, so to speak, and has alienated a fairly significant percentage of people. When over 50% of the people responding to this poll say they will take their money elsewhere in one form or another, somebody in marketing should as a minimum review what has created such a reaction from customers. Keep in mind that almost all of the 95 people who have responded have been loyal Disney resort guests up until now (there are several who don't stay on-site at all or use DVC exclusively as DVC owners/renters, so they technically have no impact).

I know that some folks from WDW do indeed monitor these boards and maybe if/when they do see the numbers from this poll, maybe something will be changed, maybe not. I have given up trying to figure out what Disney does and does not do and what it's reasons and motives are.

 

[Eeyore2U]

I don't take much stock in polls. The answers are usually slanted for a desired response.

I think the numbers are reflective of the audience of the DIS. I think that 50% or near that number is a what Disney should expect. But the total number spending has to be a consideration too and that is very high.

 

[ArcticWildMan]

I wonder if we'll ever really know the answer?

If Disney is alienating it's loyal repeat customers and the attendence numbers start dropping from that group, they will be forced to market FTP heavier than ever to make up for that once steady income.

I highly doubt they would admit this and they could instead claim that they had such success with FTP, they are continuing it.

Of course, we could see a dramatic change in tact and see AP discounts and other savings return with a vengeance as a way to lure folks back.

Who knows what will happen?


One thing is certain...the lack of discounts has elicited almost as much negative emotion as the now discontinued dining reservation policy that came out a few weeks ago. We all saw how fast Disney back-tracked on that once people started threatening to go elsewhere.