I got Disney to put me on their mailing list...

[Laugh O. Grams]

What about the surveys that are occasionally asked at the parks?
When we went to AK last Wednesday, we were asked to do the survey (zip code?, which resort?, how many times do you come to WDW per year, when was the last time?, etc.) and at the end, the CM asked if we would like special offers on resort and merchandise discounts. We said yes and she asked for an email address. That being said, we get discount emails quite often but never postcards. My wife and I go to the parks at least twice a year, we are also AP holders and have signed up for the Disney Insider, so I don't know how or why we get them, we just do.

 

[bytheblood]

If it is marketing, then Disney needs to rethink their strategy on marketing and start giving a little back to all of us who are the ones who actually keep Disney going.

I understand your frustration, but your statement is completely unfair.

When Walt created WDW, he made it for EVERYBODY. Well, not EVERYBODY can afford to go to WDW and some cannot afford to go without a discount code.

Disney can plainly see that you are going to spend your $$$ regardless, where Joe Schmoe would love to visit WDW, but cannot afford to take his 3 children because his wife works at a daycare making $8.00 an hour and he works very hard for the city to pay his bills and keep his family in a nice house in a nice area of town.

Though Eisner could care less about Walt's dream, there are still some good people at Disney that care about what he wanted and are trying to make it possible for those that do not have the money to visit often, to be able to go at least once in their lifetime.

I got a code and would have went regardless...but, I would also be staying in PC for $99 a night. I was blessed with a code to be able to go and stay where I would really like to stay. I was hopnig for one, but certainly was not depending on it and I certainly did not feel like Disney owed it to me.

Also, I would like to add, your money (or mine) does not keep Disney going. Disney is a struggling company that uses it's many children and sister companies to support itself...ABC, Toon Disney, Disney Channel, Disney Store (which was struggling so bad they had to sell it), Theme Parks, Movies, etc....
I believe I saw on the news that Finding Nemo was more than 40% of Disney's revenue the year it was released.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/3553904.stm
http://www.mickeynews.com/News/DisplayPressRelease.asp_Q_id_E_225Profits
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/en/doc/2003-11/21/content_283644.htm

 

[Laugh O. Grams]

I understand your frustration, but your statement is completely unfair.

When Walt created WDW, he made it for EVERYBODY. Well, not EVERYBODY can afford to go to WDW and some cannot afford to go without a discount code.

Disney can plainly see that you are going to spend your $$$ regardless, where Joe Schmoe would love to visit WDW, but cannot afford to take his 3 children because his wife works at a daycare making $8.00 an hour and he works very hard for the city to pay his bills and keep his family in a nice house in a nice area of town.

Though Eisner could care less about Walt's dream, there are still some good people at Disney that care about what he wanted and are trying to make it possible for those that do not have the money to visit often, to be able to go at least once in their lifetime.

I got a code and would have went regardless...but, I would also be staying in PC for $99 a night. I was blessed with a code to be able to go and stay where I would really like to stay. I was hopnig for one, but certainly was not depending on it and I certainly did not feel like Disney owed it to me.

Also, I would like to add, your money (or mine) does not keep Disney going. Disney is a struggling company that uses it's many children and sister companies to support itself...ABC, Toon Disney, Disney Channel, Disney Store (which was struggling so bad they had to sell it), Theme Parks, Movies, etc....
I believe I saw on the news that Finding Nemo was more than 40% of Disney's revenue last year.

Your point is well made about the discount codes being given out as a way to intice visitors who don't normaly come to the parks, but you're incorrect about Nemo being 40% of Disney's revenue. Disney revenue last year 2004 was $30 billion!!! That would mean that Nemo would have had to bring in $12 billion last year. It was a great flick but c'mon!!

 

[bytheblood]

"I understand your frustration, but your statement is completely unfair."

With all due respect, I don't find it unfair at all. The fact of the matter is, it has nothing with Walt wanting everyone to be able to go to Disney World. What it is, is Disney seeing that the people who go every year, don't need any persuading to drop thousands of dollars, therefore, they don't bother with those people for discounts. They only give them to people who don't go every year. If Disney care so much about Joe Schmoe, they'd have some sort of in the park deal for Joe Schmoe where it didn't cost him $10 for an extra value meal.

"Disney is a struggling company that uses it's many children and sister companies to support itself...ABC, Toon Disney, Disney Channel, Disney Store (which was struggling so bad they had to sell it), Theme Parks, Movies, etc....
I believe I saw on the news that Finding Nemo was more than 40% of Disney's revenue last year."

Let me assure you - Disney is many things, but a "struggling company", they are not. Sure, some of their ventures don't do as well as others, but I can assure you, they are FAR from struggling. It is in fact my money, your money and everyone else on this boards' money that keeps Disney going as strong as they are.

You are incorrect and I will continue to have a different opinion than you, but I certainly will not argue with you. Have a wonderful day!

 

[bytheblood]

Your point is well made about the discount codes being given out as a way to intice visitors who don't normaly come to the parks, but you're incorrect about Nemo being 40% of Disney's revenue. Disney revenue last year 2004 was $30 billion!!! That would mean that Nemo would have had to bring in $12 billion last year. It was a great flick but c'mon!!

Maybe the thing on the news was referring to Pixar and not Disney. You are right - $12B is a lot for any movie.

 

[Laugh O. Grams]

Exactly - It's a way to "entice" visitors to come. It's nothing that Disney is doing out of the goodness of their hearts. I mean, I love Disney as much as the next guy, but they aren't running a charity.

They better not be or I'm selling all my stock today!!

Honestly, you both make valid points, there is nothing wrong with wanting to get dicounts because, as a frequent vistor, you spend alot of money there. But you know that won't happen, they've got you as a loyal customer, so why? You'll come anyway! And the discounts are nice for people who can't afford to come to the parks. But Disney isn't doing it to help poor people. As a company, they do many charitible things outside of discounts as a way of giving back.
Plain and simple, this is a business and although it's a very beloved institution, Disney is in business to make money. If they didn't, WDW would shut down, and then what would we all chat about?

 

[Laugh O. Grams]

I agree 100%.

I don't think it would bother me so much, but to know that there are people staying for almost $100 night less???????

That's a HUGE difference. I'm by no means wealthy. I save up all year for my Disney vacations. A discount for me would mean being able to have a bit of a longer honeymoon. Know what I mean?

I do, believe me, I do, but Disney is a business. It is what it is.

 

[dcgrumpy]

I've been on both lists for years. I've never received an email code, I've gotten 2 postcards, 1 in my FIL's name and 1 for the former tenants of my apartment.

 

[airjoe]

You are a business owner think about this:

1. Would you discount something that you could sell at regular price?

2. Would you offer a discount on something to entice someone to buy it if they were going to buy it anyway?

On the other hand, if you were selling something like a car, if you didn't sell it today you might be able to sell it tomorrrow. With a resort room, if it is not sold today it is gone. Hence, the reason to discount a room.

When a discount code comes out, there are a limited number of rooms available with that discount. When they're gone they're gone. There might be rack rate rooms available but they cannot just "apply" a discount to a room.

 

[Laugh O. Grams]

All good points - And true.

However, as someone who works in a large company, we have specials that come out once a month.

We don't just give those specials to businesses we'd like to have as clients. We give them to some of our best customers as a way of saying 'Thanks For the business.'

I also work for a large company and do you know what we do for our best customers? They get a lunch or dinner with yours truly every 4 months and a gift basket around Xmas time. They are also charged more than our new customers. Our new and potential customers get rock bottom pricing until they see that the service we provide is exceptional, then we raise it little by little until they are one of our best customers, and are charged accordingly. Then they get the lunch/dinner and basket set up. That the way it goes, with my company anyway!

 

[bytheblood]

They better not be or I'm selling all my stock today!!

Honestly, you both make valid points, there is nothing wrong with wanting to get dicounts because, as a frequent vistor, you spend alot of money there. But you know that won't happen, they've got you as a loyal customer, so why? You'll come anyway! And the discounts are nice for people who can't afford to come to the parks. But Disney isn't doing it to help poor people. As a company, they do many charitible things outside of discounts as a way of giving back.
Plain and simple, this is a business and although it's a very beloved institution, Disney is in business to make money. If they didn't, WDW would shut down, and then what would we all chat about?

I just want to clarify...I never said Disney was doing anything to assist "poor" people. And most of all, I would never refer to any class of person as rich or poor. What most people consider a "rich" person, I do not. What most people consider a "poor" person, I also do not.
Almost every single one of us who come to these boards have been to Disney at least once.....and you know what we are, right? Hooked!!!

If they can reel in Joe Schmoe or Jane Doe by offering a discount, they are going to do it. These Disney people are brilliant and they know EXACTLY what they are doing. If Joe or Jane will bring their families on a budget they can afford, they will do just like many others do...they will save for a year or two for the next time to be able to go without a code. Most people who have been to WDW that did not get to do everything they wanted in a few days or a week (which is most) - have the itch.

Why in the heck would they need to offer a discount to somebody visits yearly? You are swimming in pixie-dust and they know it.

I, too, work for a huge company that has many very very large clients. Everybody can take advantage of the offer that are available, but if you are an established client, we are not giving you .5 above cost like we are a firm that we have been trying to get for years.

 

[bytheblood]

You are a business owner think about this:
1. Would you discount something that you could sell at regular price?.

Thank you. My point exactly.

2. Would you offer a discount on something to entice someone to buy it if they were going to buy it anyway?.

Once again, you have validated my point.

On the other hand, if you were selling something like a car, if you didn't sell it today you might be able to sell it tomorrrow. With a resort room, if it is not sold today it is gone. Hence, the reason to discount a room..

Exactly.]

When a discount code comes out, there are a limited number of rooms available with that discount. When they're gone they're gone. There might be rack rate rooms available but they cannot just "apply" a discount to a room.

 

[Laugh O. Grams]

I just want to clarify...I never said Disney was doing anything to assist "poor" people. And most of all, I would never refer to any class of person as rich or poor. What most people consider a "rich" person, I do not. What most people consider a "poor" person, I also do not.

Good point! From this day forward, I promise to use: "monitarily challenged".
Honestly though, if you didn't intend it, the post did sound like Disney was doing it as a chartiable function. I think that's what caught jovidian's eye.

 

[bytheblood]

Good point! From this day forward, I promise to use: "monitarily challenged".
Honestly though, if you didn't intend it, the post did sound like Disney was doing it as a chartiable function. I think that's what caught jovidian's eye.

All I can say is that the glass is always half-full, I am quite the optimist and I try to see the best in every situation. Maybe my optimism for those who cannot afford a trip to Disney whenever they want was just misunderstood.

 

[Laugh O. Grams]

You know, just thinking about it , and actually, there are many ways Disney gives discounts to the most frequent visitors of all: Florida Residents. The receive hotel discounts, annual pass discounts, Florida Seasonal Passes, and up until recently, they were the only eligible recipients for Disney Dining Experience. Obviously once a year guests are not considered "frequent visitors" in Disney terms. Florida residents can go year round and probably account for most of the cash WDW brings in, I would guess.

 

[Laugh O. Grams]

All I can say is that the glass is always half-full, I am quite the optimist and I try to see the best in every situation. Maybe my optimism for those who cannot afford a trip to Disney whenever they want was just misunderstood.

Absolutely nothing wrong with that in my book!!

 

[bytheblood]

And the AP rates may still come out for May. Guess I'm still a bit miffed about having to switch the hotel for my honeymoon. But $166 a night for a moderate - No deal.

As I said to you in another post, do not give up hope. Public codes could still be released and you could still find yourself at POR or POFQ.

And $166 is awfully high - Rack rate is $149.

 

[Laugh O. Grams]

That is true...

I do have an annual pass and got a GREAT rate at Pop Century when I was there this month.

And the AP rates may still come out for May. Guess I'm still a bit miffed about having to switch the hotel for my honeymoon. But $166 a night for a moderate - No deal.

I think it was last year, but the Mickey Monitor was listing Poly rooms for $169/night. I wanted to jump on it because I haven't stayed there for years (since high school), but the wife shut me down. Something about budgets, and kid's college funds, and early retirement, I don't know, blah, blah, blah .
BTBlood is right, hang in there, you never know what discounts could be out there day to day.